What was once a grassy and quaint countryside looked now to be nothing more than a rotted hellscape. The grass and any other form of vegetation in the area had utterly withered, leaving nothing but putrid masses of blackened ash. The air was filled with a hazy, purplish hue that carried a foul odor with it. The ground was littered with craters and cindered scars, likely caused by spell fallout. Sprawled around were what was left of the corpses of the casters of said magic, torn to shreds or had various puncture wounds lining their bodies. Some of the magus still seemed to be alive, however, though a number of them were gravely injured. Before them stood a monstrosity that clearly didn’t belong in this world. [url=https://i.imgur.com/OgFfZwP.jpg]It was a hideous quadruped creature that was covered with red scales and plated with bits of carapace that had a dull black color. To note, it was still able to stand on two legs and its long claws were covered in blood, in addition to its countless spiked tendrils.[/url] Being roughly the size of an elephant, the creature’s numerous crimson eyes glistened in the moonlight as it stared down the surviving magus like a predator staring down its evening meal. Parts of their faces were covered by their hoods, but judging by the visible frowns and gaping mouths, it was safe to say fear was the main emotion going through the mages’ minds currently. [color=0076a3]“Regroup! Keep it at bay with long range spells and allow our front units some relief!”[/color] Shouted the apparent leader of the squadron. [color=00746b]“It’s no use! The bloody thing ignored everything we’ve thrown at it, and it’s made work out of our thaumaturgists! Our ranks have been too thinned o-Gaagh!”[/color] The poor man’s unfinished statement was his last spoken words. The creature had run the man straight through with one of its appendages, then promptly whisked him off his horse. Having been pulled to the entity’s gaping jaw, disgusting snapping sounds could be heard as it began to chew its morsel. With their ranks desecrated, the leader soon found they were out of options. [color=a36209]“We can’t stay here any longer! Either that thing kills us all or we end up becoming more of its friends!”[/color] Yelled another. Indeed the purple fog at this point had only grown thicker, and the air became more wretched as a result. [color=0076a3]“Retreat! Have our long range units provide cover fire, we’re getting out of here!”[/color] A couple of magus shot fireballs at the creature while some conjured alchemic circles and used them to transmute ionized energy to create sparks to blind the life form while they galloped away on their horses. Of course this only served to anger the creature, [url=https://youtu.be/obAHcamxyRI]as it let out a horrid bellow while they made their escape.[/url] Some more of the squad got picked off, the leader was forced to listen to their futile cries for help. Some even begged for their lives, as though the damn thing could understand human speech. Their cries were soon replaced with wet crunching sounds and the tearing of flesh. Thankfully, it seemed their plan worked, as the roars of the thing began to fade with distance. One of the other riders rode closer to the leader and began to address them. [color=a36209]“W-We didn’t get a chance to burn any of the bodies. Will, will they be-”[/color] [color=0076a3]“You should already know the damn answer to that!”[/color] They snapped. [color=0076a3]“But what choice did we have!? We weren’t prepared for this, and the damn Association couldn’t bother to spare us more resources. To hell with it being ‘short notice!'”[/color] Bullets of sweat ran down their face as the reality of the situation set in. [color=a36209]“What are we to do then?”[/color] The underling replied. [color=0076a3]“We go back and tell the higher ups what happened. We’ll be reprimanded, and they’ll likely send another b-list team to their dooms. There aren’t that many reavers in this region as it is, which is why we were sent here in the first place.”[/color] The underling raised his head at his leader’s statement, his wide eyes expressing that he may not have fully believed what he’d just heard. [color=0076a3]“When the reavers are mismanaged, it’s us the scholars who have to pay for it. But, perhaps it doesn’t have to be a repeat of tonight’s events. I hear that a new team of reavers is being made in the Republic. Perhaps when we return, they’ll allow me to make a small recommendation.”[/color] [color=a36209]“Do you mean Irvin’s team?”[/color] [color=0076a3]“Yes. After all, since they’ve only been recently established, I’m sure they’re just itching to prove themselves. Besides, it’s only fair that someone else cleans up this bloody mess…”[/color] The underling held his head down; Underneath his hood, his face was controting with both melancholy and guilt. [color=a36209]“It’s not fair to them, though…”[/color] [hr] [center][h3][u][color=9e0039]Prologue: Converging Paths[/color][/u][/h3][/center] [color=f7976a][i][sub]The rising sun marks the start of their journey, their futures stagnant in the face of events predetermined.[/sub] [/i][/color] [sub][@PaulHaynek][@Blaze Gamma][@ReusableSword][@Polaris North][@Inertia][@Hammerman][@FrogRFlowR][@Enkryption][@Silverstein][@XxFellsingxX][@The Irish Tree][/sub] Morgenröte - mid morning [hr] [hider=The Sorcerer Capital] [Youtube]https://youtu.be/xYl71eIr5Zg[/Youtube] [/hider] It was a serene morning in the Republic city, a gentle breeze rang through the air like a pleasant chime. The streets of the Republic were somewhat wet and the air was a little humid as it had been raining the night prior. The streets were lined with academic and industrial buildings dedicated to the research of various supernatural fields of subject. There were also various shops lined with arcane and antiquated wares for any onlookers to latch interest onto. The brilliant light of the sun shone off of magical constructs that served various purposes, and numerous familiars and golems were hard at work, aiding their masters in preparing for today’s events. This place was indeed the city that housed the world’s magus authority. Eleven souls had entered Morgenröte, all either holding their letter of invitation in their hand or had it tucked away somewhere or another. The newcomers entering the city all had the same destination, the large tower that was situated in the northern part of the city. The invitations they received all came from the administrator of said establishment. These souls had done something that drew attention to themselves, whether it had been academic accolades, a sterling reputation on the field, or even sheer determination. But, it seemed they weren’t the only ones heading in that direction either. Looking overhead, in the city skies, two girls could be seen flying on a broom heading toward the same locations as the other invitees. Their clothes alone gave away the fact that they too were magus. Both looked to be young girls in their late teens, nineteen perhaps? [url=https://i.imgur.com/xESzdVA.jpg]One was a silver haired lass that wore a frilly blouse and had a dark purple skirt, she wore a long dark cloak and a traditional witch hat to complete her wardrobe.[/url] [url=https://i.imgur.com/4WuAFC6.jpg]The other lass had long blue hair and donned a white leotard that looked more like a swimsuit mixed with a captain's outfit than magus garb. The visible reptilian tail instantly marked her belua heritage, and she also had what appeared to be a small squid sitting on her shoulder.[/url] The way they flew was graceful, yet rather rushed, the others would likely see them zipping along the skyline. It seemed they were speaking to each other. [color=6ecff6]“Evelyn.”[/color] Said the blue haired girl. [color=6ecff6]“We wouldn’t be rushing like this if you hadn’t taken so long to get ready this morning…”[/color] She whined. [color=ed145b]“Nonsense Lapis.”[/color] She replied. [color=ec008c]“Genius like this needs all the time it can get to prepare. Besides, they should be grateful that I’m choosing to grace them with my presence at all!”[/color] The silver haired girl, apparently named Evelyn, certainly wasn’t lacking in confidence. [color=6ecff6]“I should’ve just left you to go to orientation alone… Brother will yell at me for being late on the first day.”[/color] As the two flew, they saw some of the other selectees walking the streets or whatever means of transportation they preferred. [color=6ecff6]"I think some of those people are headed toward the tower as well. Pretty sure some of them are from out of town, I don’t recognize their faces.”[/color] Said Lapis. [color=ec008c]“Well, if they are, I suppose they’re at least somewhat worthy of note. We’ll find out once we arrive.”[/color] Replied Evelyn, in a rather dismissive tone. -- Eventually, the two witches had arrived in front of a large archaic looking tower. One could tell just by looking at it that the sorcery that was used to build it must’ve been the work of a master. Evelyn lowered her broom so that she and Lapis could safely descend. Facing the structure, they took a moment to absorb the scene. The tower was nestled in the center of a marble walkway fashioned in an elaborate, circular design with multiple branches. The way in stood alone, away from the other buildings in the city gave it a bit of a lonely feel, but powerful at the same time. [color=6ecff6]“So this is the place that my brother works? I guess he was too busy with work to at least meet me out here…”[/color] Lapis said with a somber tone. [color=ec008c]“Hmph, were they really too busy to have someone out to meet with their most promising member? How unprofessional!”[/color] Evelyn somewhat shared in Lapis’s exasperation, albeit for a different reason… The girls turned to see that the other nine had made their way to the tower as well. They both had looks of curiosity and a bit of surprise as well. The appearances many of them held immediately designated them as outsiders to the young witches. [color=6ecff6]“Wow, I hardly expected to see people from the Fae community to arrive here as well. Oh, uh, Good Morning! My name is Lapis Valeniquen and this is my familiar Hachigan, it’s nice to meet all of you. I trust you all are here to join the tower as well?”[/color] The octopus thing resting on her shoulder chirped cheerfully, waving to the crowd with one of it's tentacles. [color=ec008c]“I believe that’s safe to presume.”[/color] Evelyn chimed in. [color=ec008c]“The silver-haired beauty that stands before you is known as Evelyn Grace, who’s star magic will soon be known and admired throughout the world!”[/color] Lapis shot her friend a look, only being able to shake her head in disapproval. Evelyn turned to look at one of the new magus with more detail. The woman who, like her had silver-colored hair. Hers was tied in a long ponytail and she wore an elegant dress. [color=ec008c]Excuse me, but have I seen you somewhere before? You look rather familiar, though I'm not sure why..."[/color]