[center][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/MOBKH0b.png[/img][hr][hr][h1]I N V I T A T I O N S[/h1][hr][hr][h2]A T R I O O F Q U A R T E T S[/h2][/center] They started to appear - out of nowhere, and in the oddest places - invitations to a meeting with the Zenith. Some students received them. Many did not. Yet, at the requested hour, as Ipte slid towards Shune, they all gathered: all of them by the Forked Tower, a truly... eclectic group. It had been more or less a year since the last time they had found themselves here and perhaps their appearances were the clearest evidence that each had grown - or regressed - in various ways. They counted, among their number, a dozen in all: Abdel Varga, Ayla Arslan, Ingrid Penderson, Isabella Lowell, Jocasta Re, Kaureerah Wenhan, Maura Mercador, Niallus Saberhagen, Rikard Ambrus, Trypano Somia, Yalen Castel, and Zarina Al-Nader, plus a number of beasts. Those tethered who had walked with difficulty before now did so easily. Those who had not seemed to move easily, at least: their condition not worsened in the slightest. Conversations, teasing, and a growing murmur of questioning filled the otherwise still predawn air. For some fifteen minutes, they stood outside, waiting and catching up, in increasing bafflement as to the lack of reception. Then, Rikard happened. First, he had plunged through the Violet Enclave's protective barrier. Then, it was his prerogative to touch the door handle of the tower. He disappeared. Within less than a minute, the other eleven followed, to find themselves divided into a trio of quartets, staring out into a vast and darkened chamber. This, then, was the Zenith's test. Those who had been called upon last year remembered something very similar from the late Paradigm. Initial blunders aside, most had proven themselves competent people before, and those who had not had the earlier opportunity proved themselves now. By various means, all three groups made it through the initial gauntlet, only to find themselves presented with the queerest of locks and the insistence that they utter not a word before a pair of great exit doors. Not a single one tried to blast through. Instead, they did what they had reliably done best, and solved the tactile riddle. Only then was the room beyond revealed... [hider=Transcript]They all gathered just outside of the Violet Enclave, about ten minutes early, and at a very odd hour. Ayla & Maura presented their letters to confirm their attendance, as did Niallus. Zarina had made all the preparations necessary to get her animals looked after, knowing this day was going to come eventually. Although with a lack of Hugo, it made her a tad anxious. Nibbler, with his cute sweater, and Riesco equipped with his newly forged gear were brought along with the reclusive Virangish girl. She was well-equipped as well, clad in platinum (practically silver) armor, although the helm remained stored in a bag on her ride. Nibbler stood on her larger pauldron, connected to a gauntlet that was disproportionately bigger than its opposite, albeit compact enough to not be over-encumbering. This girl was packing heat alright. On the opposite end of this was Abdel, wearing fashionable yet comfortable clothes. A bonus from his work for Isabella. None of it was particularly special. What stood out were the two large animals behind him. Skuggvars with beautiful, reticulated patterns and D.R.A.G.O.N. approved muzzles. They were adolescents and yet their heads surpassed Abdel's height already. There was also another presence lurking about, not too far from the Skuggvars. Ingrid presents her letter and says hello to everyone. "Nice armor Zarina." A small temporal rift opens and closes outside of the Violet Enclave, leaving behind one Yalen Castel, who managed to step out of the portal without falling on his face for once. His High Somnian vestments appear to have a different form factor today, slightly shorter and more streamlined for lengthy travel on foot. He is carrying a large leather bag full of who knows what, and his outer robe clinks with the sound of metal. There is an unusually pointy mask hanging off of his back by a thick string, and a brass censer dangling from his belt. Notably, he is not wearing a pair of leg braces, but instead a plain pair of sandals. Despite this he is walking like an ordinary student, though his gait looks slightly off. [color=#E5E4E2]“Thanks.”[/color] Zarina answers, indifferent. Approaching the scene is the lady in red herself, Trypano clad in her usual attire, purse slung over her shoulder with her usual sample kits. [color=crimson]"Seems I'm not the only attendee."[/color] she comments aloud. The air fills with static, causing people's hair to become frazzled and stiff. A flash of light bursts in the sky, and down descends Isabella the magical seamstress. Her skin crackles with electricity as she floats like a paper lantern, drifting to the ground gracefully much like her childhood friend Jocasta would. Unlike the others who are dressed more practically, her poofy dress is somewhat gaudy and cumbersome. Every time one glances at her, her gown seems to change color. The metal of her heels clank upon the stone as Ayla reached up to hug Zazzy. [colour=009fff]“Are you going to be our knight in shining armour?"[/colour] She couldn't resist the opportunity to tease upon her best friend, they were practically sisters in all but blood. She also moved over to Yalen as she gave him a hug as well. [colour=009fff]“Hello stranger, how is the bliss of soon-to-be married life treating you?"[/colour] [color=#E5E4E2]“Yep.”[/color] she confirmed as she lifted her friend with her larger arm for the hug. Yalen pats the top of Ayla's head playfully. He has finally grown tall enough to do so. "It's good to see you again. All I can say is, don't be in a hurry to get married like I was. Trust me." Then, Jocasta, having just appeared through a portal, clears her throat. Maura brought herself up toward Abdel, watching the dragons flank either side of him. [colour=C0C0C0]"They are definitely growing fast. Rather like you too. Feeling my neck cracks more now it when comes to simply looking up to you."[/colour] [color=3d5a88]"Seems we have a few people here."[/color] Niallus looks at Zarina in her armour, [color=3d5a88]"You look prepared."[/color] he says to her. [color=#E5E4E2]“Uh-huh.”[/color] she clicked her tongue and left her mouth agape for a brief moment. Meanwhile, Yalen answers his wifey with a shrug. "Hey, your sleeping posture is terrible! I had to steal the blanket back three times." His face breaks into a grin. Jocasta's sarcasm is rubbing off on him greatly. She reminds him of it presently: "Says he whose spirit animal is a foghorn!" she retorts. "You should hear him snore, Ayla. Dios [i]mio[/i]!" Zarina notices the back-and-forth and snorts, [color=#E5E4E2]“The Married life suits you, Sensei.”[/color] "He makes a great punching bag," she jokes, coming up beside Yalen and wrapping an arm around him. Standing closeby, Ingrid is shocked. "Wait... did you already get married?" she blurts, worried she'd missed it. "Marriage is very time consuming, and our lives are quite busy. The ceremony will not come for some time yet." Yalen replied. He squeezes Jocasta's arm tenderly. "Yup. He's busy becoming one of those terrifying deep church types," Jocasta confirms. "I'm busy playing Zeno. No hurry, really." She shrugs. "Jocasta, we've been over this. The deep church doesn't exist. It can't hurt you," Yalen assures her, but she narrows her eyes. "I'm watching you." [color=3d5a88]"Well hopefully it will go well for you with the ceremony."[/color] Nialuus says to Yalen. "Thank you! Your words sincerely warm my heart." Yalen bowed his head. Ingrid sighed in relief, "I thought I'd missed it." [color=3d5a88]"Don't worry beautiful,"[/color] Niallus assured her, [color=3d6188]I'm sure they'll invite us all to attend the wedding."[/color] Abdel, meanwhile, keeps close to Maura, with the two (maybe three) creatures lurking behind. One of them, Dayanara, aggressively sniffs Maura's hair. Maura remained largely oblivious, however, waving to Jocasta as she brought her a picture in its frame, covered in a simple clean linen cloth. [colour=C0C0C0]"Hoped to find you here. Been sat on this a while when we bought it, but then we realised we didn't know your birth date. Hope it decorates your home nicely"[/colour] She handed the parcel over to Jocasta. "Oh, umm.... thanks!" the tethered chirped. "It's beautiful. Yalen, this shall go in the drawing room." Whilst others gossiped and mingled Trypano stood rather aside, a sore thumb even amongst the garish and vibrantly decorated of them. Her striking features contrasted greatly with just how plain she had arrived. No ostentation, great displays of magic or menagerie of enchanted equipment. Her stock and trade wasn't something you could wear on your wrist after all. She had little to share, little that would matter to those not in the know. No one had seen her since the day she found her lab. Only when classes had resumed did she start appearing publicly once again. Still, opportunities like this invitation were rare. Just what were they being summoned for? Last time it was Hugo and the events he embarked them upon were certainly significant. Just what laid in store for them now? Her brow furrowed as she watched for their benefactor to make their entrance, silent in contemplation as her red eyes scanned the area. She would not have long to wait. Not so far away, Rikard, a little too young and eager, forgets about the protective field around the Violet Enclave and goes to walk through. With a loud, metallic stomp, however, Zarina conjures a pillar of stone right before the ignorant little gnat. [color=#E5E4E2]“Watch where you step, kiddo.” The pillar does not quite have the desired effect. It smacks him hard, but he stumbles to the side and crashes right into the faintly glowing barrier. It is coded to only accept Zenos and above. All others are... fried on contact, yet Rikard... passes right through. "Hey, guys!" he shouts, oblivious to Zarina trying to stop him, "I made it through! Holy shit! I thought I was dead when I saw the... thingy."[/color] Zarina's eyes widened, fearing the worst. And then nothing. She flinches and blinks rapidly. [color=#E5E4E2]“You should be.”[/color] Ingrid nearly had a heart attack, "Oh thank gods, we're probably invited in so it should be fine." "I wouldn't be so sure. Best to stay away from it until someone tells us otherwise." Yalen warned. Everyone knew what that barrier was supposed to do to you. Maura spied upon the youngish boy blundering his way through the barrier. He was certainly short for a fifteen year old. Perhaps he is the son of a Zeno or Arch-Zeno. "I mean... if I made it through, you're probably all safe," Rikard crowed. "Just remember who was first!" [color=#E5E4E2]“Nope.”[/color] Zarina stood still by her horse, [color=#E5E4E2]“I might be fine, but he probably won't be.”[/color] Ingrid was a bit more adventurous, and she shrugged, "Shall we go Niallus?" she prodded as she started to walk through. Her boyfriend dutifully followed and they were egged on by Maura. [colour=C0C0C0]"Take a risk, Ingrid! We believe in you."[/colour] Ingrid smiled and flipped her off: a thing she'd picked up from Benny. Trypano waited to see if someone else passed through before she would pass through the barrier herself. Once was coincidence, twice is something more. Ingrid will shrug, "Shall we go Niallus?" Ingrid says as she starts to walk through, taking the risk. Looking at Rikard on how he passed through the barrier, responding to Ingrid's response [color=3d5a88]"Sure, why not."[/color] Maura coo'd fondly, [colour=C0C0C0]"Take a risk, Ingrid! We believe in you."[/colour] Ingrid smiled and flipped her off. A thing she picked up from Benny. The moment that Ingrid made contact with the barrier, she felt a powerful zap and her nerves were on fire. Niallus was... similarly impacted. Trypano wisely drew back at the precipice. [color=#E5E4E2]“Nice.”[/color] Zaz cackled. It was painful but a bit of binding helped. Ingrid looked at Rikard suspiciously now. Niallus then complained, [color=3d5a88]"That hurt. Then again, that was to be expected."[/color] [colour=C0C0C0]"What happened to Ingrid over the break?"[/colour] Maura looked upon her in pleasant surprise as she spoke to Abdel. [color=9e0039][b]“I don't know. Something about sausages.”[/b][/color] Abdel shrugged. [colour=C0C0C0]"Sausages... why would that... wait... her and Niallus?"[/colour]. Maura looked over to Niallus, examining him. Ingrid stunted a laugh. Niallus noticed Maura examining him, wondering why she was looking at him like that. [color=3d5a88]"What?"[/color] Maura blushed red and looked away. Her hand moved to hold upon Abdel's. Abdel is caught off-guard, as his mind drifted away a bit, pondering what might come next! [color=9e0039][b]“Hmm? Something spook you, goofball?”[/b][/color] she snickers as they step/roll into the premises, the Skuggvars following like clockwork, while a slithering form inconspicuously sneaks a ways behind the group, barely detectable. She blushed red and looked away. Her hand moved to hold upon Abdel's. "Oh shit!" Rikard cursed. "Then how..." And that was then the barrier lifted. "Oh," the boy remarked. The flagstones before them lit up in flashing colours. Pulsing with lights leading them towards their destination. Meanwhile, Kaureerah found a tree stump. She sat there, tuning her lute and wondering what absurdity would happen next. Was Ayla in the crowd at all? Ayla spotted Kaureerah, waving toward her as she awkward stumbles with those heels as she moved toward her. She is grinning like a cat who has served a fish for dinner as she gave her one of the trademark Ayla-hugs. [colour=009fff]"Rawr! Hello again."[/colour] Kaureerah jumped up and down. "Eet es soo gret too see yoo!" she replied. "Eye feel soo good. Like a feel of baloonliness eensed! Doo yoo knoo why wee're heer?" Ayla pondered a moment. [colour=009fff] "Last time we were invited, it was Hugo. He sent us to the Desert to fight a Royal Sand Wyrm to protect an Tethered Refuge. An orphanage."[/colour] Kaureerah's eyes widened. "Soo, you weer heeroos? You keeled te beeg send dregoon? Noobeddeh died?" [color=#E5E4E2]“Some bad guys did.”[/color] answered Zarina. Kaureerah tilted her head to one side. 'Bad guys' was often a subjective term, she had found. They walked along the flagstones and then they were at the tower. Nobody was there to greet them. In fact... there appeared to be nobody there at all. Then, the four tethered among the group noticed something: they... could not sense outside of the Enclave. For others, it would not have been much of an inconvenience. Perhaps not even noticeable. For them, it was as if somebody had cut off the depth of their very vision. "Tread lightly. Our senses are being dulled in this place. I don't think they will tolerate any foolish behavior." warned Yalen. Jocasta nodded to confirm Yalen's words. "It's... normally something like this, but not exactly." "Noted," Ingrid says. [color=3d5a88]"Really?"[/color] Niallus inquired cluelessly. [color=9e0039][b]“I wouldn't expect anything less from the pros.”[/b][/color] Abdel tightens his grip onto Maura's hand. "So uh... what do we actually do?" Rikard enquired. "Door's kinda closed and doesn't look like anyone's home..." Zarina exhales from her nostrils and guides Riesco to the nearest post she could tie his bridle to, [color=#E5E4E2]“We were invited for breakfast. Clearly they chopped up the Zenos for our culinary pleasure.”[/color] she smirks at Rikard, [color=#E5E4E2]“We go in the Forked Tower, as instructed.”[/color] Ayla oddly seemed to recall something random in this moment as she turned toward Kaureerah. Perhaps it was the idea of facing adversity with an Eeaiko. [colour=009fff]"We need to speak at some point. My family annals spoke of my ancestor befriending water people to pull off a great feat. We wonder if such a thing is passed down in your lore."[/colour] Kaureerah wasn't quite sure what Ayla was on about, but she smiled pleasantly and agreed. "Whoo weel oopen te door?" Kaureerah prodded, eyes sliding towards Rikard. Jocasta's eyes followed, as did Yalen's. The boy gulped. "Well, uh... hey, I mean, I guess..." He looked at them and looked at the door handle. "We believe in you Rikard," Ingrid gave a thumbs up. Rikard blushed. [color=3d5a88]"Don't die Rikard"[/color] said Niallus. Trypano simply watched, waiting to see what came of this. Maura turned toward Rikard, [colour=C0C0C0] "You did walk through the barrier..."[/colour] He took a deep breath and puffed up his chest and forced a smile. "You're right!" he exclaimed, "I did!" Then, Niallus spoke. "Not helping, dude!" he groaned. [color=#E5E4E2]“Just be careful of the door demons.”[/color] Zarina remarks grimly, [color=#E5E4E2]“Some are gruesome.”[/color] Just about to open it, he lost his nerve. "Reekar," cooed Kaureerah, sliding up beside him. "Eet ees okeh too be scerred." She smiled reassuringly. "Eye weel sten weeth yoo." "Do you need someone to hold your hand?" Ingrid offered jokingly. "Yeah, Trypano will hold your hand." joked Niallus. Trypano looks over to Niallus, confused as to how she’d entered the conversation somehow. [colour=009fff]"Was once told a beautiful Princess or a Prince, one perfect for you, resides behind the door of floor 69."[/colour] Ayla sighed, [colour=009fff] "Wonder what mine would look like."[/colour] Then, a big, bad Skuggvar stands by Rikard and hisses particularly loudly. It didn't even acknowledge the boy, it just existed there, menacingly, with a muzzle. Rikard yelps and touches the door handle. It doesn't budge. The boy disappears. "... Well then." said Ingrid "Didn't expect that." remarked Niallus. Ayla sighed out toward the taunters, [colour=009fff]"Now we have to go after him and save him."[/colour] Abdel blinks, flabbergasted! He doesn't realize that Dayanara, his Skuggvar, prods the doors with her snout. Dayanara disappears as well. "Well don't just stand there! We don't even know if he's safe or not!" Yalen rushed up and grabbed the handle himself. Kaureerah jumps back, in a panic, right into one of the skuggvars. Double-surprised, she instinctively jumps forward and.. into the door at the same time Yalen touches. The two of them both disappear. The Skuggar emitted a low growl, but then resumed doing a lot of nothing. Ayla moved up toward the Door Handle next, going in to save her friends. Ingrid goes to grab it as well, "Here we go" "Hmm... Probably spatial displacement like the first time we accessed the tower." She considered the magic at work here, letting the others try the door while observing the exact nature of the magic acting upon them before taking up the handle in turn. Niallus reaches for the handle. [colour=C0C0C0]"Cannot be left behind by Ingrid, Abdel."[/colour] Maura moved toward the door as well to open it. [color=#E5E4E2]“Oh, this again. Minus a fork.”[/color] Zarina rolls her eyes and steps closer to the door and reaches out. Nibbler is still on her shoulder and Riesco is instead dragged with her. Abdel, panicked, rushes up to the door with Qadira kind of just hanging behind him. The strange, slithering creature got even closer to the group. Abdel nods, drags Qadira with him while the shadow-creature zips in and coils itself around Abdel abdomen. They entered in the order of... Rikard, Yalen, Kaureerah, Ayla, Ingrid, Niallus, Maura, Zarina, Abdel, Trypano, Jocasta, and Isabella. Each person found themselves inside a vast and darkened chamber with three others. The first group consisted of Rikard, Isabella, Ayla, and Abdel. What are the compositions of the other groups? Ayla looked around, [colour=009fff]"Is this the short person group?"[/colour] "'cept for him." Rikard jerked a thumb at Abdel. Abdel thumbs up, [color=9e0039][b]“Can't even call me lanky anymore.”[/b][/color] She blinked, as she lit a flame upon her finger tip to provide some light to the darkness, and thus see better. "Honey, you there? I can't see you very well, but I can feel you." Yalen spoke into the emptiness of the dark chamber. Jocasta lit up brightly with arcane magic, revealing a vast, otherwise pitch black chamber beyond and a yawning chasm. There were four large ropes crossing it and each appeared to have a hanging basket beneath just before the start of the chasm. In the distance, near the edge of the chasm, was a lantern, flickering in the gloom. There appeared to be a few places where sections of the rope connected and these would have to be viewed and carefully navigated. The other groups reconnoiter as well, to see an identical scene. They are: Group One: Rikard, Isabella, Ayla, Abdel Group Two: Yalen, Jocasta, Ingrid, Zarina Group Three: Kaureerah, Trypano, Niallus, Maura The animals are all... somewhere else entirely. [u][b]Rikard, Isabella, Ayla, Abdel:[/b][/u] Ayla paused for a moment, [colour=009fff]"The students climb into the student basket?"[/colour] Then, grabbing the small lantern inside, she had a further idea, [colour=009fff]"Perhaps there is a puzzle. We have to pick the right basket, and that rope takes us all across."[/colour] She moved over to the ropes and examined them, pulling and prodding to find the safest path or at least any differences What she couldn't see with her eyes, she found through her sense of touch and vibrations. Some of the ropes were more taut than others. They were also not uniform in thickness and composition. Rikard and Abdel followed Ayla assiduously as long as she had the light. [colour=009fff]"We might have to get on board together, then move through the darkness with this thing,"[/colour] said the Torragonese, brandishing her lantern. Then, her attention was grabbed by a small stone pedestal, a bit off to the side. Ayla moved over towards it, leading the others with her. [colour=009fff]"What do you think this is for?"[/colour] First to see the writing, Abdel scratched his head and leaned in. [color=9e0039][b]“Maybe read it?”[/b][/color] he proposed, doing just that. After a moment, Ayla joined in. The plaque on the pedestal read, somewhat mysteriously: [i]1: 1 2: 2 3: 7 4: 10 Total: 17 All baskets must be taken at least once and end up on the other side. There may not be a gap of more than three in crossing speed.[/i] Ayla looked at the puzzle. [colour=FF3131]"Well, total means the total speed, and we can do it together, holding hands."[/colour] She winked toward Rikard [colour=FF3131]"One and Two goes down together, the person with lantern goes back to beginning on the first. Then 7 and 10 go down together. Come back on 2 with the lantern, then 1 and 2 go down together. Solved."[/colour] Rikard blushed fiercely. "You know," he admitted, "the math checks out!" [color=9e0039][b]“Makes sense, actually.”[/b][/color] Abdel nodded. [color=9e0039][b]“Okay, I can do one of the quick ones. Everyone gets the gist of it?”[/b][/color] By various means, they made their way across. It felt perilous at times but, as they clambered out onto the other side and huddled there, there was some sense of accomplishment or, at least, relief. Ayla pulled Rikard first, then Abdel, and Isabella into one big Ayla-hug, the boy in the middle of them. [colour=009fff]"Whoop! We are the best team."[/colour] As they made their way past the chasm, the chamber narrowed and they found themselves at a massive set of double doors. Their magic, as well, had returned and, beyond the doors, they could sense figures moving about, including animals. On the door, however, was a strange pattern. Beneath were engraved a picture and some words. Ayla stepped forward to read the plaque. Then, she froze and her eyes widened. Urgently, she motioned for everyone to be absolutely silent, not even a word or a peep. Finger on lips, even doing so on their lips to make the point very salient. She pinched the lips closed for emphasis. She returned to the plaque as she attempted to solve the puzzle. Abdel reverted to doing what he always did well: Keeping discreet when things got tough. Rikard pondered the question, reaching down to write something in the dirt, but then… [colour=009fff]"40?"[/colour] suggested Ayla, and hearts caught in throats. Thankfully, she was right, and she bounces up and down excitedly, pulling Rikard in as well. The boy was very conveniently closer to her height, after all. [u][b]Yalen, Jocasta, Ingrid, Zarina[/b][/u] "Has anyone walked on a slackline before?" Ingrid asks before realizing she is with someone in full plate and 2 tethered. "...Nevermind." Yalen pinched at the rope and tested its strength. "Phew. Don't tell me we have to walk on this." "Oh look! There's a basket, Yalen" Ingrid announced to the group, "Maybe we ride in it?" [color=#E5E4E2]“Have you guys tried, like, flying?”[/color] Zarina looked down into the abyss, lips pursed, [color=#E5E4E2]“That'd be too easy, though.”[/color] she drew to scout out for anything off. She noticed that her magic stopped mere feet from where she was and well short of the chasm and the waiting baskets. "Let's sense first, They might be cutting our magic like they cut your senses," Ingrid looked to Jocasta and Yalen to see what they could feel in the chasm. "There is more than one basket. I suppose we could all pick one, but if three hit a dead end and only one is correct then doing it that way would be stupid. With the way these ropes are tied, the paths probably deviate in several places." Yalen tried to follow the path of one of the ropeways with his senses, but something seemed off. Jocasta, as well, was not able to sense much more than a few feet. "Oh for Shune's fucking sake!" she hissed. "I can try going down one and try to pull myself back if you want," Ingrid offered. [color=#E5E4E2]“Welp.”[/color] Zazzy scoffed, [color=#E5E4E2]“It's the usual Bee-Ess.”[/color] she looked over at the frustrated Jojo, [color=#E5E4E2]“Yeah, go for it, Ingy.”[/color] "Take the lantern if you're going first." Yalen grabbed the light source from the edge of the chasm and handed it to her. "Thank you Yalen, I'll be off." Ingrid got into the second basket and starts to make her way. The basket that Ingrid had chosen was the second tautest one according to Yalen's calculations. It sagged and swayed dangerously as she stepped into it, barely able to support her weight alone. However, when she reeled, it began moving very quickly across the chasm. "Oh! This is much faster than I thought!" Ingrid exclaimed as she went zipping across the Chasm, screaming a little along the way. She found that she had to adjust at each rope reset, but did so easily with the light. Without, it would’ve been impossible. Zarina, as Ingrid does her thing, investigates the different ropes, hopefully still illuminated by Jojo from nearby. She notices more or less the same things that Yalen and the others did. Yalen crossed his arms and watched Ingrid zoom into the darkness, until they could only discern her location by the light of the lantern. "...She's not coming back is she?" Zarina answered. [color=#E5E4E2]“Nope.”[/color] She paused for a second. [color=#E5E4E2]“Hey, Jo.”[/color] piped up Zaz, [color=#E5E4E2]“Can you make, like, three more lanterns?”[/color] Jocasta was pretty good with binding, but not quite that good. "I'm embarrassed to say that I probably can't do something that complex." She tried anyway, and managed a simple candle, at least. "You need to adjust the rope as you go! It's not hard but you are going to need light!!!" Ingrid screamed back at them. Zarina clicked her tongue, [color=#E5E4E2]“Bad time to lack a Kaspar.”[/color] and then she looked down at herself, [color=#E5E4E2]“And there's no way I'm fitting in a basket with this get-up.”[/color] the armor-clad girl sighed, fists to her hips. [color=#E5E4E2]“Hey, you have the ONLY LIGHT!”[/color] she called back in a huff. "SHOULD I SEND IT BACK!?" came the faint call from Ingrid. [color=#E5E4E2]“YES!”[/color] Zarina shouted. Ingrid yelled, "I can't!!" [color=#E5E4E2]“You've doomed us!”[/color] Zazzy exaggerated. "Just let her pull herself back like she said she would and stop being so melodramatic." Yalen poked the back of Zarina's leg with his foot. Yalen's unfeeling foot meets metal greaves, making for a mild clang, [color=#E5E4E2]“May as well have fun with it.”[/color] she looks over at the other baskets, [color=#E5E4E2]“Alright, who tests the other ones?”[/color] "I'm coming back!!!" Ingrid made her way back over, noticing that she took the exact same amount of time to return. She was rather out of breath when she spoke. "Hey there, So by some rough counting, it took the same amount of time. Maybe it is a timing thing to all have light when we need it?" Zarina pointed at the next basket, [color=#E5E4E2]“I'd volunteer, but I'm as bashful as they come.”[/color] Ingrid sighs, "Want me to go and you guys keep count just in case?" [color=#E5E4E2]“Yes.”[/color] said Zaz. Ingrid hopped once more into a different basket, still the thicker kind. "Nothing of too much note," she observed disappointedly, "Maybe we can inspect things more on our side? The going over the chasm is starting to make me feel anxious." [color=#E5E4E2]“Fiiiine.”[/color] Zazzy extends her hand expectantly, [color=#E5E4E2]"I'll take over.”[/color] Ingrid handed the lantern over. "Thanks." She seemed relieved and went over to where she had magic again, taking a seat on the floor. Then it fell to Zarina to look around with the lantern, not too keen on riding a basket with her armour still on. It wasn’t long before she found the plaque on the pedestal above. Basket number 4, on the far right, marked '10', seemed to be the most solidly built and its rope was the thickest as well. The plaque on the pedestal read, somewhat mysteriously: [i]1: 1 2: 2 3: 7 4: 10 Total: 17 All baskets must be taken at least once and end up on the other side. There may not be a gap of more than three in crossing speed.[/i] [color=#E5E4E2]“Hey, I found a thing.”[/color] Zarina whistled for her comrades to come over. Ingrid looked at the note, "Definitely a speed thing." Yalen squinted at the pedestal and processed the information that lay therein. "Do you think more than one person can fit in a basket? Let's try going in pairs. Three and four seem close enough according to the plaque." "I don't think so." Ingrid replies. [color=#E5E4E2]“I think the point is we get all these baskets over there.”[/color] proposed Zaz. [color=#E5E4E2]“Okay, idea.”[/color] She crossed her arms, [color=#E5E4E2]“Someone rides the fastest one and just swings around back and forth while we go one at a time. I guess the big slow ones can go together or something.”[/color] "1 and 2 I think, then 1?” Ingrid offered in an uncertain voice, “then the slow ones. 2 goes back then? Then 1 and 2? I think? It's a logic puzzle?" If Zarina had the general idea, Ingrid solidified it. Jocasta shrugged. "Sounds good to me. I think..." She paused. "Yes! That's 17!" [color=#E5E4E2]“It is?”[/color] Zaz cocked a brow, as she had been speaking out of her platinum ass, [color=#E5E4E2]“Amazing! Dibs on the four.”[/color] Ingrid was pleased to have Jocasta agree, it felt like praise now that she was a tan-Zeno. "I would pat you on your lil' head, Ingy, if I could reach it," teased Jocasta. Ingrid laughed, "Maybe another time, Do you need help getting into the basket? I know the magic isn't available." "Hmm....I hadn't thought of that." Jocasta scowls. "I won't say no." She glances over at Yalen. [color=#E5E4E2]“Okay, Let's do.”[/color] Zarina is quick to nestle herself in the stoutest of baskets under the thickest of ropes, [color=#E5E4E2]“Quick quick, the fast baskets!”[/color] "Jocasta should take the second sturdiest so she only has to go once,” suggested Ingrid, “I can go in the fastest and Yalen can take the 2nd fastest. Sounds good?" [color=#E5E4E2]“Yep.”[/color] agreed Zarina. "I'm up for it," Jocasta replied. "I'll follow your lead." Yalen offered. "Let's Go!!!" shouted Ingrid. By various means, they made their way across. It felt perilous, at times but, as they clambered out onto the other side and huddled there, there was some sense of accomplishment or, at least, relief. As they made their way past the chasm, the chamber narrowed and they found themselves at a massive set of double doors. Their magic, as well, had returned and, beyond the doors, they could sense figures moving about, including animals. On the door, however, was a strange pattern. Beneath were engraved a picture and some words. Ingrid stepped forward to read what was on the plaque. Immediately, she turned to her group and put a finger on her lips to not make a noise. She made an arcane illusion with the words and the image. Zarina looks around and mimics Ingrid, completely silent. Although her armor is definitely clanging a little. Jocasta bends over. Into the dirt, she scratches a number: 39. Zarina squints, and then shrugs with a very confused face. Ingrid makes an illusion that also says 39 and she looks towards everyone else, but Zarina shakes her head, points at some of them that aren't actually the shape mentioned. That was when Ingrid noticed the one in the center! 40 she makes!!! Showing each square with different lines, Ingrid looks at everyone wondering their opinion. Yalen gives her a thumbs up, and opens his mouth as if encouraging her to speak. "40!!!!" Ingrid shouts. [u][b]Kaureerah, Trypano, Niallus, Maura[/b][/u] Niallus found himself unable to understand what had just happened, but for now it seems he's in a dark chamber. "Hello. Is anyone else here?" He shouts. "Eye em heer!" shouted Kaureerah's distinctive voice from... startlingly close to him. "You're Kaureerah,” he guessed. “I wonder who else is here?" Trypano simply reached out with her senses to get a feel of her surroundings first, feeling out the life-forms around her before sensing the matter of the props nearby. She ran into... a dead zone. Mere feet from her, all magic seemed to stop. It seemed their stubborn host wanted above all for them to jump through hoops. "Looks like something is barring our magic beyond personal range." remarked Trypano. "That's odd, I wonder what's causing it?" wondered Niallus yet again. [colour=C0C0C0]"Perhaps you can use your arcane sword to light up those dark areas, Niallus?"[/colour] Maura looked up toward him. Niallus nods, summoning an arcane sword to try and brighten up the dark room that they are in. It covered everything up to the chasm and a bit of space over it, but the chamber was too vast for it to do much more. Now illuminated, Trypano looked over the props handed to them. "Looking at the circumstance it seems they want us to pick a rope path. Anyone possess sufficient kinetic ability? Longer ropes will produce a deeper resonance than shorter ones. We can vibrate them close to where our magic still operates to try and decipher more about them." She proposed something to try and help figure this puzzle out. "There we go, it seems I can't light up the whole chasm, but this will do." said Niallus. Trypano finds that some of the ropes are more taut than others. They are also not uniform in thickness and composition. [colour=C0C0C0] "You are rather tall. Are you able to reach up to grab that lantern and use that?"[/colour] Maura looked toward Trypano in a questioning manner. To try and answer her question Trypano reaches up and procures the lantern, helping them illuminate the chamber even further. "Maura, any ideas?" asked Niallus. [colour=C0C0C0]"Big Red illuminates the paths and we pick the one that looks like the right option."[/colour] replied Maura. "Now we just need to figure out which one we will try. No doubt we'll have to go one at a time," said Niallus. Trypano analyses the composition of each rope, measuring their durability to see which one is least likely to give out. There was a pedestal with writing and she noticed it too. The plaque on the pedestal read, somewhat mysteriously: [i]1: 1 2: 2 3: 7 4: 10 Total: 17 All baskets must be taken at least once and end up on the other side. There may not be a gap of more than three in crossing speed.[/i] "Hmm, could have two people for a basket then take two of the baskets down. Then one in each basket then comes back..." proposed Niallus. "Maybe the more people that are in a fast basket the slower that it will be getting across." Niallus flung everything at the wall to see what stuck. Maura looked at the puzzle. [colour=FF3131]"Well, total means the total speed, and we can do it together, could have been holding hands if things were different."[/colour] She winked toward Niallus. [colour=FF3131]"One and Two go down together, the person with the lantern goes back to the beginning of the first. Then, 7 and 10 go down together. Come back on 2 with the lantern, then 1 and 2 go down together. Solved."[/colour] The group finds themselves at a crossroads. Do they go with Maura's idea or Niallus' to put multiple people in a basket? Maura votes for going with her plan. She assumes the brain box Trypano would agree with the idea and tries to convince Kaureerah as well. [colour=C0C0C0]"Kaureerah, let's go with my idea!"[/colour] Trypano simply nods along, more or less just hoping to see the end of this puzzle so the point of this invitation makes itself more clear. Kaureerah nods thoughtfully. "Eye doon thek pootten mennee peepel in te sem besket ees a good ideea." She shrugs. "En her meth seems good." Niallus doesn't mind going with Maura's idea either. "Let's do it." By various means, they made their way across. It felt perilous, at times but, as they clambered out onto the other side and huddled there, there was some sense of accomplishment or, at least, relief. As they made their way past the chasm, the chamber narrowed and they found themselves at a massive set of double doors. Their magic, as well, had returned and, beyond the doors, they could sense figures moving about, including animals. On the door, however, was a strange pattern. Beneath were engraved a picture and some words. Trypano steps forward, examining the plaque before them, turning and holding a finger to her lips. She uses binding to engrave a symbol into the ground before those who joined her here, carving beneath it the words she read on the plaque. Etching into the ground before her group she writes "I count 39. Nod if you agree." Kaureerah shakes her head vigorously. With her finger, she traces the edge of the largest square. Maura scratches out the 39 and replaces it with 40. Niallus shakes his head, he draws a plus symbol then a one next to what Trypano put. With binding she then adds. "Forty then. Nod if you agree with this number." In writing. Kaureerah nodded. As did Niallus. Maura placed a big tick next to the number, and one for Kaureerah too. Then Niallus. "Forteh," the eeaiko exclaims, taking the initiative. [hr][/hider] [center][hr][hr][h2]T O U C H E D B Y G R E A T N E S S[/h2][/center] All three of the groups palayed witness to the same thing: the doors slid apart and a room beyond was revealed. It was... the Zenith's office but... not. In fact, it was enormous. Claresse Upta sat at a table, petting one of the skuggvars, which rested peqacefully on the floor beside her. All of the other animals were about as well. It was a cacophony of greeting for the first minute or so, people bowing, curtsying, addressing, or sucking up to the Zenith. A few were rather… [i]short[/i] with her, but Claresse Upta was not necessarily one to take offense unless it was intended. It was only occasionally that she had to remind people of the power that her office carried. In any event, it was not long before she had them seated around the great table that had once been Hugo’s. She’d been loath to employ the same ‘idiot filter’ - one of the youths had called it - that the late Paradigm had, but at least it had gotten them to focus and think. The Zenith cleared her throat. [colour=642EFE]"I think we shall begin now,"[/colour] she said simply. Zarina was the first to offer a question, and not without a touch of sass, either. [color=#E5E4E2]“So, what part of the world needs very responsible students like us to save it?”[/color] For a moment, the question hung in the air, with precious little in the way of response until everybody was suitably…[i]behaved[/i]. Then, from behind a bookshelf, emerged the group’s secret thirteenth member: Marceline Hohenfelter, also known by the name Escarra. Far less ‘tethered’ than many may have remembered her, she pranced up and seated herself close to the Zenith. She was immediately joined by Zarina who teased her fondly… at least until the Zenith cleared her throat. [colour=642EFE]"Ahem,"[/colour] She began. [colour=642EFE]"I understand that, for many of you, this is not your first such scenario. You undertook a task for the late Paradigm sometime last year. This is... relatively similar to that. There are wounds in the world and I ask you to help heal them. For this, you will gain, much as you did previously, rich rewards, both moral, monetary, and in skill and ability."[/colour] From the students came precisely the chorus of affirmatives that she’d expected. Jocasta, seated at the opposite head of the table, crossed her arms and nodded, ready to offer a strong hand of assistance should it have been required. In the event, it was not. "Simply put, there are two situations which will require a... practiced touch," the Zenith admitted. She paced about her desk and plucked a globe from it. There was a surge of magic and it was suddenly immense: hovering in the air before them. "Is anybody here particularly familiar with ReTan?" Maura raised her hand first. [colour=C0C0C0]"We studied it in class and the current governor of Longwan Island is, well… me. My classes keep me at Ersand'Enise mostly, so there hasn;t been much opportunity to take advantage of it."[/colour] Claresse had gotten an answer she hadn’t even asked for. This was why you let others speak. Ingrid raised her hand as well. "I can speak the native language and have a device to translate things for others." Abdel sheepishly raised his hand, although when Maura took the initiative, he had a bit more confidence, [color=9e0039][b]“Yeah, I took classes too. I vaguely remember some in my past life, too.”[/b][/color] Last was Zarina, lazily raising her hand. [color=#E5E4E2]“Abdel's probably talking about those in Virang. I've dealt with them a few times myself.”[/color] Then, she shrugged. [color=#E5E4E2]“I only know some phrases and formulations, probably specific to that group, though.”[/color] [colour=642EFE]"Most all of you involved with this possess relevant skills and aptitudes,"[/colour] the Zenith confirmed, [colour=642EFE]"and it is just as well. Envoys of the twin emperors of ReTan have reached out to us.”[/colour] There was a note of almost… pride in her voice. [colour=642EFE]"They wish to deepen our trade relations and, for some of you, this could prove very lucrative indeed."[/colour] Her words garnered… more or less the reaction she’d been expecting. They would do the job, one way or another, and even if they somehow fouled up, all but Jocasta were ultimately replaceable. A pang of guilt struck her at the rather jaded thought. [colour=642EFE][i]Bright young things. I [b]do[/b] hope you all gain and come back safe.[/i][/colour] A series of eight folders fluttered off of a nearby bookshelf. They placed themselves, open, in front of Ingrid, Niallus, Trypano, Yalen, Maura, Abdel, Kaureerah, and Rikard. [colour=642EFE]"The issue is that there is a cancer growing in their society, melodramatic as it sounds to say so."[/colour] Murmurs and excited whispers rose and she allowed them a moment. It was Yalen who put an end to it first, and he did so by asking the Zenith precisely the sort of question [i]she’d[/i] have asked were their positions reversed. "Is there a particular reason why you need students like us and not your official envoys?" "If I had to take a guess it would be that official envoys would cause too much attention," Ingrid cut in. "They'll probably want someone from the outside to help, and be more discreet with this matter,” agreed the boy who’d spent half of their breakfast draped all over the tall Eskandish girl. Was it… Niallus? Claresse decided to reward the students for their deductive skill. In some ways, it boded well for them. [colour=642EFE]"Agents of the Traveler are at work, and ReTanese authorities have reason to believe that a particularly capable one is at work in the capital of Wánggǎng. People over there know who the government's agents are, and this terrorist has been utterly ruthless to date. They are far too frightened to speak out."[/colour] She shook her head. [colour=642EFE]"The government of ReTan also wishes to make a public show of its allegiance with Ersand'Enise should you succeed. Should you fail, not being known Zenos of the school, this can be easily swept away."[/colour] She sighed. [colour=642EFE]"I know that it doesn't sound very good, but that's the practical side of the matter."[/colour] "We aren't public figures, that much is true. However, I have reason to believe the Traveler knows who some - if not all - of us are. We should be careful not to place too much faith in our anonymity. Who knows what kind of plots that traitor has cooked up?" Yalen was sharing his thoughts out loud while halfway through the mission folder. Ingrid was even more explicit. "Do you have a list of what kind of crimes they've committed?" she inquired. [color=642EFE]"We don't presently have much,"[/color] the Zenith allowed, [color=642EFE]"though I have been informed that they are spreading illegal magics with wanton disregard for public wellbeing and have been actively working to cause instability and overthrow the government. They have been actively murdering public servants."[/color] She cleared her throat. [color=642EFE]"You will have contacts on the ground who will have more accurate and up-to-date information."[/color] …Niallus looked at the folder. "Do you have an idea if there are multiple agents or just one?" It was question period now, even though the information was in there had they bothered to read carefully enough. This one: he was dense, but Claresse was patient - nothing if not patient. [color=642EFE]"There are multiple throughout the country,"[/color] she replied, "but you are concerned with one, specifically." She sat herself again and a second set of folders fluttered free of the shelves. [color=642EFE]"Time,"[/color] she recommended, [color=642EFE]"may be of the essence here. I advise that you say your goodbyes. If you have anything left to retrieve, Tan-Zeno Re should be able to help you. For the rest of you,"[/color] she concluded, [color=642EFE]"we have another matter to discuss."[/color] That was their cue, and they knew it. The Zenith took a step back to allow them their goodbyes and final preparations, placing Jocasta at their disposal for any last minute forgotten items. In the event, there were none. With but a bit of focus and an outline drawn with the tip of her finger, Claresse opened a rift between their location and the capital of distant ReTan. One by one, they proceeded through. Then, she remembered something. [color=642EFE]"Ah, right!"[/color] interrupted the Zenith. [color=642EFE]"Actually, I'd like you to stay back for a moment, Brother Castel. I will ensure that you catch up to the others shortly."[/color] She regarded the portal for a moment as she closed it. "Is something wrong Zenith?" Yalen clasped his fingers together. [color=642EFE]"Possibly, though we know vanishingly little,"[/color] Claresse conceded, [color=642EFE]"and it pains me to admit it. We have, however, received a rather cryptic letter from one Manuel Escarra - I believe you may know him - requesting the presence of Zarina, Ayla, Isabella, Jocasta, and..."[/color] She twisted to face the girl beside her. [color=642EFE]"You, Marceline."[/color] "Mister Escarra? Truly?" Yalen's eyes widened. [color=642EFE]"Yes,”[/color] she confirmed. [color=642EFE]"I thought it might be a good idea for you to be aware as well, Brother Castel."[/color] "Perhaps the Duke's demise has shaken things up in Torragon." [color=642EFE]"You could very well be right."[/color] This seemed to send a ripple of worry through the youths gathered, and Claresse found herself less immune to it herself than she’d have liked. In particular, Zarina's expression furrowed as she heard the news. [color=E5E4E2]“Something wrong with the Refuge? Someone making a play now that the desert's anyone’s playground?”[/color] [color=642EFE]"There's a possibility,"[/color] Zenith Upta allowed. [color=642EFE]"Though, as I said, they've been very tight-lipped. We know… much less than we’d like to."[/color] "My mind won't be at peace after receiving this news,” Yalen declared. “If I can spare some time, I would like to investigate the refuge before proceeding to Rettan." In their various ways, the others made their agreement known, though some with far less sobriety than she’d have liked. [color=642EFE]"Do not hesitate to reach out for support should you require it,"[/color] the Zenith assured them. [color=642EFE]"Tan Zeno Re is, of course, connected to this matter and will be there to assist you. Brother Castel, I trust your betrothed should be able to bring you to Wanggang when needed."[/color] There followed a pregnant silence. [color=642EFE]"Is everyone present prepared to depart?"[/color] "I am ready,” confirmed Yalen, “but, if possible, I would like someone to inform my relations of my departure. Captain D'aureville of the Century in particular will want to know my whereabouts." The Zenith inclined her head graciously. [color=642EFE]"I shall have someone see to it."[/color] Jocasta nodded as well. [color=ffdead]"I'm ready."[/color] Marceline was visibly nervous. "But don't we know [i]anything[/i] else?" she prodded. "Is Abuelo alright? Madre?" Her eyes darted Isabella's way. That was someone she knew: someone she trusted, and it was she who spoke next. "That prison is the last place I want to go back to, but I suppose I could go say hello to my old friends." Ayla looked toward Marci, giving her a soft smile, attempting to be reassuring. [colour=009fff]"Perhaps the news is for our own ears only,"[/colour] she tried, but Marci didn’t seem to be buying it. "But... my mom..." the younger girl mewed, swallowing. "I haven't seen her in a while and..." She breathed in and out. The way that they all came together to comfort her, then, was heartwarming, but Marceline was eager to go and it was something that Claresse couldn’t blame her for. Even the Zenith had once had a mother. She inhaled once and, when she exhaled, a new portal opened. It beckoned to them and, beyond, they could almost feel the desert wind and dust of Inner Torragon rolling through. It was night and the moons hovered peacefully over adobe walls and endless dunes. [hr][hr]