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[color=deepskyblue]“Ugh, I dunno. Maybe we should explore this place, and figure out what’s going on. Gray, Dave, you two are future doctors. One of you has some survival skills right?”[/color] Connor's inquiry reached Gray's slightly hazy mind as he looked toward the two of them. That made the auburn-haired man turn his focus back towards him. Squinting ferociously, he identified Connor among the group.

[color=9e0039]"Connor... those two skillsss don't really relate to each other."[/color] Gray tried his best to inform his friend. His being a doctor and surviving in the wilderness, didn't truly relate unless they involved needing emergency first aid. [color=9e0039]"However... that way seems to have easier footing sssince it is a gentle slope and not too many ground obstacles..."[/color] He vaguely pointed in a direction on the opposite side of the clearing. This knowledge was gained from spending time with Eli and the many hikes they went on over the years. That statement was immediately overridden by a booming voice.

[h3][i][color=orange]"Behold Fenghuang, everlasting archmagess!"[/color][/i][/h3]

After that squawking introduction(?), there was a talking animal approaching- a bird with vivid feathers of red and orange. Its appearance seemed to resemble the descriptions of phoenixes that he read about in fantasy books. He rubbed his eyes again. Looking once more it was still there and now there appeared to be a dolphin and large moth joining the crew as well. The blue creature was going on a tangent and Gray was trying his utmost best to follow the conversation... Something about not being on Earth anymore, them being summoned, and being the most beautiful...? Even though he was sobering up at rapid speed his still mildly intoxicated brain was struggling to process what was being said... he pressed a hand to his temple as a headache began to settle in.

[color=92278f]"What obnoxious, conceited, wretches..."[/color] A feminine voice reached Gray's ear from below him. [color=92278f]"Hey you, in the worn-out rags."[/color] This made him look down at a spot of black and red contrasting against the more vibrant forest floor. It was a small frog around the size of his palms. Its bulging red eyes seem to be staring straight up at him. 

The boy glanced at his clothing... His clothes were indeed well-used, and the colors faded but in no way these could be counted as rags... There were no stains, tears, and fraying- he had made sure of it. [color=9e0039]“My clothes aren’t that bad, are they? I take very good care of them.”[/color] He retorted back but still kept a gentle smile on his face. Gray definitely noticed the frog roll her eyes at him.

[color=92278f]“Let's keep this meet and greet short.”[/color] she completely ignored his previous response. [color=92278f]“I'm Reyenne. You have my magical affinity, so I’m granting you my powers of shadows. You better use it to keep me safe.”[/color] Without waiting for his name or any other input from the eighteen-year-old boy, her webbed foot whipped upwards.

Along with the gesture suddenly shadow exploded upwards and began to enshroud Gray. The shadowy energy was cold yet comforting like a calm summer night. When the darkness dispersed his gray faded clothing was replaced with a black hooded cloak. His hair was also black and his calming gray eyes were dyed a piercing red. Gray stunned just looked at his new outfit... it seemed under the cloak was be garb of a ninja and the new weight in his hands were sickles attached together by chain. [color=9e0039]"Huh...? An assassin, reaper-style outfit? ...!!! What is that?!?"[/color] His thoughts about his new outfit were immediately interrupted by a roar and the appearance of a bear. The starry pattern on its pelt was similar to the skies at night.

[color=92278f]"Great... an Ursa Major... Rags, you should hide and wait for those scrubs to take care of it."[/color] The female frog suggested as she turned to move away from the creature.

[color=9e0039]"Absolutely not, these guys are my best friends!"[/color] Gray forcefully spoke back as he immediately perished the thought of just hiding away and abandoning his friends. Despite being afraid, a few of them in the group weren't even prepared to battle this beast, yet. His hands clenched the sickles tightly as he tried to think of what he could do.

[color=92278f]"Ugh, a sentimental self-righteous one."[/color] She groaned but she looked back with what seemed to be a smirk of kind. [color=92278f]"Though if you have the power of shadows... I wonder how righteous you truly are."[/color] With that snide remark, she bounds into the shadows of the trees, hiding and watching from the darkness.

Gray just pushed the frog's departing words aside as he swiftly positioned himself a fair distance away from everyone. His plan was to attract its attention and lure it away. The weapon in his hands would be the best way to accomplish that goal. With some pretty good accuracy, he landed a strike in the beast's left flank with his weapon. With a swift yank on the chain, the bladed weapon flew back towards him though it landed on the ground rather than returning to him completely.

[color=9e0039]"Over here, you oversized teddy bear!"[/color] He taunted and as it turned to aggressively glare and snarl at him, Gray's fear increased exponentially. Never one for confrontations or violence, being the focus of something so threatening caused his body to quiver. His heart wildly pounded in his chest as he shakily took a couple of steps away from it. Realizing he wouldn't be able to run and lure it away in his current state, he stood his ground. Steeling himself with the thought of keeping his friends safe, Gray put his trembling hands up in a somewhat defensive stance.

In fury, it came rushing toward him faster than Gray could have ever anticipated it would move given its size. As it raised its claw to strike, the teen flinched his hand upward to block and wall shadows rose up between them. The bear’s attack collided and bounced away harmlessly upon impact. The protective wall surprised him even in his frightful situation.

[color=9e0039]“Did I create that?”[/color] His terrified and shocked voice came out afterward.