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[center][h3][color=#bfafb2] The Journey - Part 2.3 - Side Quest - The Seed of the Mind Pod - Noon - Light Woods [/color][/h3][/center]

“[color=0072bc] There. That’s what I feared the most. [/color]” exclaimed George as he pointed at the shuffling mortals that surrounded a massive plant with a large bulb pointing upwards and big roots which extended throughout the forest. 

Penumbra quickly appeared next to George to understand what’s going on and…they were surprised to say the least. “[color=#bfafb2] More survivors? [/color]” whispered Penumbra as Custosa and Dahm hid in the bushes as best as they could.

George shook his head and turned towards Penumbra, his face was dark and his sadness was obvious in his eyes. “[color=0072bc]I wish. Those are the villagers and other tribes that live in the area. They…were taken. Chiron insisted that they weren’t dead but I didn’t want to believe it. Look at them. Those green eyes, shuffled movements. They’re not dead, they are alive and that’s worse. [/color]” 

Realisation dawned upon Penumbra’s face. “[color=#bfafb2] Oh no. They’re under the control of the Mind Pod too. Dead but not dead, their bodies still moving. [/color]”

Custosa uttered a small prayer to Jeon under her breath before, without saying anything to the party, charged forward with a loud “WAAAAAAAAGGGGHHH” which also activated her [Taunt] skill. Almost instantaneously, the zombies turned towards her, limbs forward and the intent to dismember her at any cost clear in their eyes. Not that it would stop Custosa. Enabling one more skill [Enhanced Reflexes], she waved between the zombies striking with her spear at every opportunity, dropping zombies behind her that would stand up seconds later continuing their onslaught. 

As the zombies surrounded her, she activated her ultimate skill [Bulwak] and in the blink of an eye, grew in size. Arms looking more like tree trunks than normal elven arms. Standing in the middle of at least 30 zombies, she pushed them back with her spear. Occasionally picking one up and throwing him away deeper within the forest.

 “[color=0072bc] Your companion is going to get herself killed. [/color]” whispered George to the party as they stood just at the treeline, hidden from view for now as all the nearby combatants were focused solely on Custosa.

“[color=#bfafb2] She’s giving us an opening. The zombies and the Mind Pod, they’re focused on her. It must know we’re here but if Custosa is too close to it, it must defend itself. I know what we must do. George, jump into the fray. Reduce the pressure on Custosa, Dahm, do what you do best. Sing. [/color]” 

“[color=0072bc] And you? [/color]” 

“[color=#bfafb2] I’ll take down this oversized plant, no matter what. C’mon, let’s go. Custosa’s skill won’t last much longer and then it won’t end well. [/color]”

“[color=0072bc] You don’t have to tell me twice. [/color]” replied George before jumping into the fray himself, punching zombies, crushing skulls and breaking bones. No matter how many times the zombies could stand up, they couldn't do it if their legs were broken or spines shattered. 

Dahm stayed behind, his voice lifting above the sounds of battle, above the groans of the dead and the shouts of pain and anger. All of his skills activating one after the other. Song after song. 

“[color=yellow]In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed …[/color]” 

Custosa soon ignored her many injuries, zombies would start attacking each other, some would look to the sides before continuing forward and more. Each word he sang blended into the background noise, each verse was a tale to be told later. 

As the zombies would fall, other creatures joined the battle. From the sky, Tonikala rained upon the party and from the deeper part of the forest wolves and dino-plants assaulted them from the sides. Centaurs would charge into Custosa as she fought tooth and nail for every centimetre she walked towards the Mind Pod. Not that it stopped her, she kept on going and going, her resolve clear on her face…bloodied as it was. 

In the meanwhile, Penumbra was not idle. As the party fought and kept the Mind Pod busy, they silently teleported themselves towards the Mind Pod. Using a combination of their own teleportation skill and the Shadow Bazaar’s, they would appear and disappear constantly. Every time they’d risk detection, they’d fade into nothingness only to reappear seconds later. The costs would soon start to rack up and loaning money wasn’t a thing yet, so, they would have to face the enemies very, very soon. 

Just a few metres away from the Mind Pod, that’s exactly what happened. On the opposite side from where Custosa, George and Dahm were fighting, Penumbra was stuck. They had nothing else to give besides their armour and life.

Almost as soon as they appeared, Tonikala from above attacked them. Their arms like swords made out of pure darkness, cut one after the other. But for each one cut, two more would take their place. 

And then silence. No more music, no more songs. Only fighting and that's what chilled the party to the bones. Penumbra was too far away to see what was happening but in their heart they knew. 

With a loud shout, Custosa turned around towards where Dahm was and…there was nothing there. Just zombies and what seemed to be Dahm on the floor, zombies piling on top of him. 

George made his way towards Dahm, throwing combos after combos of punches left and right, punishing each and every enemy that stood between him and Dahm. Eventually he reached the place where Dahm stood but it was too late. His body was torn apart, teeth laying on the floor in the mud. 

At the same time, Penumbra activated their incorporeal state and waves through their enemies. The few seconds the ability gave them was more than enough. Using [Blink] skill, they teleported high up into the air. Their arms and half of their body uniting to transform into a massive blade meant to cut right through the Mind Pod deep into its heart.

One moment there was a blade falling down and a Mind Pod and then, there was only the Mind Pod. But right in that moment when the blade entered the Mind Pod, all the zombies stopped and then a mighty explosion from inside the Mind Pod was triggered shooting plant matter in all directions. Almost immediately the zombies dropped on the ground lost was the mind behind their actions, lost was the driving will. 

A cheer went up between the party, a ragged and sorrowful one but a cheer nonetheless. That is, until Penumbra approached Custosa and George who were both covered in blood. Custosa’s missing eye was no longer covered in the bandage but something was there. Inside. Something…like a seed. Debris from the Mind Pod they thought. Nothing that some water couldn’t find they thought. 

They. Were. Wrong. 

But that is a story for later because right after their victory, they were summoned by Ashevelen herself in the Bazaar. Their quest seemed to have ended, for now. At least for everyone but Penumbra which was given a different task. 

[hider=Penumbra]
Class - Champion
Level - 8
Abilities - [list][*][Inspire] ability which inspires the user’s allies to fight until their last breath, to forgo fear or tiredness. [*][Shadow Javelin] ability which enhances the user's shadow manipulation to allow them to take out a spear made out of shadow and throw it at their enemies. [*][One with the shadows] ability which allows the user to hide inside a shadow becoming invisible to sight and odourless to smell[*][Passive - Low Resistance to Mental Attacks] a passive ability which makes the user a bit more resistant to mental attacks [*][Blink+] ability which enhances user's already existent ability to teleport allowing him to take one person with them at the loss of distance [*][Strengthen Shadow] ability which allows the user to make their shadowy form impervious to attacks for 3 seconds.[*][Ashevelen’s Chosen] special ability available only to Penumbra which makes them become one of the shadow of the area, enabling them to launch a series of attacks at an incredible speed.[*][Shadow Javelin+] upgrade of existing ability which allows the user to throw up to 3 javelins before the ability end[*][T.O.F.A. (Trade one for another)] ability which swaps the location of two items between each other. One which the user must hold in their hand and the other one that the user can see. [/list][/hider]

[hider=Custosa]
Class - Protector
Level - 9
Abilities - [list][*][Enhance Reflexes] ability which enhances the reflexes of the user to allow them to make moves at unnatural speeds to dodge attacks for a few seconds[*][Increase Defence] ability which increases the natural defence of the user against physical attacks[*][Taunt] ability which allows the user to shout at nearby foes to attract their attention [*][Passive Ability - Enhanced Hearing] ability which is unlocked after a user loses one eye, allowing them to focus on their hearing more. [*][Passive Ability - Poison Resistance] ability which makes the user highly resistant to most types of poisons or venoms [*][Full Counter] ability which counters a physical attack with double the power back at the attacker, can only be used once a day[*][Magical Full Counter] ability which counters non-physical attacks and throws them back at the caster[*][Defend] ability which links the user to a person they’re close to. If said person is hurt, the damage is mitigated to the user.[*][Bulwark] ability which temporarily, up to 5 seconds, increases the size and strength of the user by 60%. [/list][/hider]

[hider=Deceased - Dahm, the Bard]
Class - Bard
Level - 8
Abilities - [list][*][Song of Confusion] ability which makes the user sing a song of confusion, making anyone who can hear the song (as long as they’ve got the ability to hear) see shapes at the edge of their vision, hear howls etc[*][Song of ignoring Pain] ability which makes the user sing a song full of adrenaline and mighty deeds which in turn makes allies who can hear it, ignore whatever they may have until the song ends [*][Goddess’s Song] ability in which the user sing a song which calls upon the power shadowy powers of Ashevelen to cover a small area in them[*][Song of Charm] ability which makes the user sing a song of love which makes the target believe the singer to be their best friend for a few minutes[*][Passive Ability - High Resistance to mental attacks] a passive ability which makes the user highly resistant to mental attacks[*][Song of Pain]ability which makes the user sing a song of pain that gives mental damage to three targets which the user wants[*][Detect] ability which makes the user sing a sub-vocal song which can detect the presence of other lifeforms in a radius of 5 metres around the user. [*][Cry me a river] ability which makes the user sing a song of sorrow making a single target be overcome with feelings of great sadness.[/list][/hider]

[Hider=George]
Class - Strongman
Level  - 6
Abilities - [list][*][One Normal Punch] ability which makes the user throw a super strong punch at a foe. Strong enough to bend metal. [*][Three Normal Punches] ability which makes the user throw three super strong punches at a foe which are strong enough to bend metal. [*][Boxer’s Reflexes] ability which makes the user dodge incoming attacks at high speed for 10 seconds [*][Lion’s Strength] ability which enhances the user’s already impressive physique, allowing him to perform one single feat of immense strength. [*][Normal Punch Barrage] ability which allows the user to throw 10 super strong punches at high speed. This ability can only be used once per day [*][Clap] ability which makes the user clap their hands with a very strong strength which makes a very loud sound meant to stun foes [*][Jump] ability which makes the user [i] jump[/i] high in the air[/list]
[/hider]

[hider=Summary]

The Penumbra group finally defeats the Mind Pod. Dahm dies heroically in the battle and Custosa seems to have caught a seed. Their pyrrhic victory was short-lived as Ashevelen summoned them all to the Bazaar.

[/hider]


[hider=Spirit expenses]
[b]Starting Spirit:[/b] 21

+1 Spirit - Appeared in the post
+1 Spirit - Longer than 5k characters
+1 Spirit - Creator doesn’t appear in the post
+4 Spirit - Completed the Side Quest - Mind Pod

[b]Ending Spirit:[/b] 28
[/hider]