[center][h1]Kayliss Lambert[/h1][/center]

[b]"Take that up with your father."[/b] Kayliss waved off Rudolf's attempt at a biting comment. [b]"Anything he's told you is on him alone. Though it's nice to see you've grown up well enough. As for the crystal, you'd be correct. I've already been informed of your goals, and there's been no chance to confirm the Wind Crystal's status ever since we've known. For what it's worth, the last inspection was about six months ago, and there seemed to have been no issues."[/b]

She turned to Eliane next, her expression falling into a slightly sympathetic look. [b]"Fortunately for everyone involved, Lord Silvain is outside of Solitude and active, yes. By now, he'll be on his way to Falcon's Nest as well. I'll try to arrange matters so that everyone we [i]need[/i] will be within the walls by the time you arrive, but you know how weather and poor luck can delay things."[/b]

Once everyone was finished and questions concluded, Kayliss rose from her seat. 

[b]"Regardless, it was good to put faces to all the names finally. Try to stay intact and combat-capable. And keep an eye out for Loki. If at all possible, I'll handle that matter. But who knows? Cadmon, take better care of yourself. You're looking almost as decrepit as Istvan these days."[/b] Without any further ado, she drew her hood up and took her leave, leaving the Kirins to adjourn for the night and finish their preparations.

___


The next day, they were well on their way to leaving Demet territory, having been seen off by Cadmon at the castle gates. It was nearly noon by the time the Kirins and their caravan reached the ruins of Lunaris. Ancient, dilapidated stone buildings littered the landscape before them, with a single main structure in the center. 

Rudolf [i]felt[/i] it. His passenger knew the familiar, frenetic buzz of umbral aether, shadows coalescing in front of the party. [url=https://i.imgur.com/R1LiVnJ.png]A wicked scythe,, emerged from the gloom first, followed by what appeared to be a twisted, demonic jongleur, taller than even the most prodigious of Skaellers, its head adorned with curved horns.[/url] 

[b]"My, my. What have we here? I thought I sensed something familiar, but all I see before me are uninvited guests. And yet..."[/b] Its gaze passed over the group in an instant, searching. It swept back and forth, before its shoulders came up in an exaggerated shrug. [b]"Oh, no matter. Perhaps I was wrong. But...shall I simply apologize for startling you and let you pass?"[/b] The abyssal jester laughed, lazily twirling its scythe. [b]"Nay, I will have my amusement before retreating to the dark below. Blood and aether are the least you can repay me in for drawing me out into accursed light! Come, my audience! Know that you face Ferdiad, for the performance begins!"[/b] 

And with a cackle, it slammed the butt of its scythe into the dirt, grasping hands of black aether clawing up from the ground at lightning speed to grapple and slash at the Kirins.

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/DsQbU-Pwtdg?si=cblCVJ2s35z5DvMw[/youtube][/center]