Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The arrival of the male viera was unfortunate but it wasn’t unforeseen. His presence had been felt for a while now. He entered the most eastern part of the Sandsea with Aloa and the Angel of Truth had entered the Tomb. He wasn’t that far off from their trail, though the Collective had been entertained that he wasn’t slowed by the Reckoning first stage. That high amount of evil mist must’ve been appalling for the viera, since they normally have a high sensitivity to the mist due to their connection with the Wood.

And yet, as Vlyn had shown up in top form, there were no signs that he had been fatigued or slowed in any way. It was of no consequence. Honestly, Vlyn was hardly a threat. While true he and Aloa shared co-ownership of the Death Seraph, they were hardly equal. One would reckon that Aloa was the dominant owner, whereas Vlyn could easily be compared to the female corpse that Zalera used as a distraction from his real form. Of course, no one on Ivalice would dare make that comparison.

Until now.

But that was left for a later date, of course. The Collective had more important things to worry about, such as the concern of Aloa’s magicks running wild towards them.

Her power was undeniable. She cut through the tendrils as if they were nothing and froze the ones that still persisted. If they came at her, the powerful magick at her disposal would cause them to explode. This action alone caused the representative of the Collective to let out an approving chuckle. It would even bring further approval from them as Aloa’s magicks flowed from her body and exploded around her, though it seemed to come for the shadow figures, too.

They all gathered around their leader and a wall of black mist formed as high as the ceiling and not only fended off the oncoming magicks, but it absorbed them into the veil, then shot it back out, this time converted into a wave of darkja. Additionally, behind her, other tendrils came for Aloa. With both attacks in such close proximities, the likelihood of her escaping both was slim to none.

Salutations! Experienced Roleplayer, New to Site.

*Curtsies*
I've Roleyplayed various different scenarios such as: Mafia, "monster", combat, royal, political, and fantasy. I've played as: A child lolita, A scholar, a demon, and a human capable of enchanted aura (powers). New to the site, looking for someone to show me the ropes. ^.^

@Praedyth

Welcome to the Guild! :) I am Altered Tundra, one of the site's Chat Staff of our Discord Server. I hope you enjoy your stay and if you need any questions, just click the Discord button, and it'll take you straight to our server. Or PM me or the other mods. And as always, have fun!

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"Perhaps it would be wise to show kindness to the Angel of Truth. Who knows what'll happen if she remains suspended in the air like that."

As the figure had finished speaking, his arms went down, though Emette stayed where she was. The Creature - well, at least the one representing that which was known as the Creature - pointed a single finger towards Aloa and when the thumb came up and snapped, all around Aloa tendrils from the darkness came out of nowhere and had launched themselves for Aloa's form. Though, while she became focused on that, little did Emette know that the mist holding her up was not only keeping her from interfering but soon she'd figure out that the mist was slowly eating away at whatever remained of her life force.

One would reckon less than ten minutes remained before she'd be completely drained of the very energy that has kept her going for this long.

Naruto: Revival

^{Konohagakure | Chunin | NinTai-nin}

---

^{TIME: Present Day - Morning | LOCATION: Konohagakure - Forest of Death(#winning) | INTERACTION:Surprise Guests! @Angel Eyes @Syn @Ladyinink}

What in the actual fuck was happening around here?

Everywhere Jaakuna turned, he heard some kind of destruction. Sure, some of it was less obvious than others, but Jaakuna heard it all regardless, which amid it all, he had stopped. It was probably less than a minute into the sudden chaos that he landed on a sturdy tree branch. He didn’t know if this was part of the exam and if all of what he heard was a trap from the enemy teams. After all, he had the scroll that the other teams doubtless wanted. By any means necessary, right? Even confusing a poor guy like Jaakuna Hinoko wouldn’t be above them.

But he wasn’t so foolish as they liked to think. This wasn’t going to work. He surely wasn’t going to fall for this obvious trap again, not as long as he had a single, fighting bone in his body. If they wanted the scroll, they would have to come and get him. Of course, it wouldn’t be as easy as it sounded, for Jaakuna, though injured in the arms, was fast on his feet. His legs remained in full-working condition.

So Jaakuna kept running as fast as he could, going from tree to tree, swinging around when neccessary. He kept a consistent pace as he traversed throguh the vast forest. He didn’t want to get caught in any kind of trap that the enemy had laid for him, so his strategy was just to go wherever he felt his gut was telling him to. If it told him to hook a right, then he’d use his arm to swing around the trunk of a tree, and go right. If it told him to go straight, then he’d bounce from tree to tree with relative ease. And if it told him to watch out for that…

“Omph!”

Yeah, Jaakuna didn’t see that tree.

Truth be told, he only noticed it a fraction of a section too late. He had ate a face-full of hard wood, and was knocked off-course. Well, technically, he was knocked down and had went tumbling through leaves and skinny branches, only to land where a group of four shinobis was. Fortunate for them, his body landed about half of a yard away from them, so they wouldn’t feel the effects of a fallen angel crashing on top of them. Unfortunate for Jaakuna, however, he now understood what apples felt like when they fell to the ground.

“And this is why I hate trees.” Jaakuna groaned, getting up slowly. Slowly, he looked around him, and saw more trees, then his eyes landed on the trio of shinobi. One of them he didn’t recognize, but holy shit on a cracker. “So this is where you two ran off to.” Jaakuna was certainly relieved to see them but he also felt a certain amount of anger towards them, though he saw someone else with them. He didn’t know this person - well, at least he didn’t think he did. He was bad with names and faces. Though, he saw the headbands, so they were a friend...at least that’s what Jaakuna hoped. If they weren’t, then he had only two words for that: Fuck me.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

It seemed the rumors that flowed through Ivalice's winds about a Viera mastering the Death Scion were true. Admittedly, the Collective had their doubts. Though most would think the High Seraph or even the Keeper of Precepts were the more difficult Scions to tame, the truth of the matter was the Death Seraph - the one who literally controlled life and death in their hands - was the one whose will was the most unstable and dangerous to control.

Years and years of being the deciding factor of who lived and who died brought a plethora amounts of power. With such strength at their disposal, many tried to tame him, yet none have succeeded for extended amounts of time. Either their resolve wasn't absolute or they lacked the emotional state to balance life and death; the will to live and the will to kill. Centuries and centuries had passed and only few have been able to hold onto that power. During the days of Ashelia B'Nargin, it was the Dalmascan Dancer, Penelo fon Rosenburg, who gracefully flowed from one corner of the world to the other. It was her gentleness, yet burning resolve to protect those she loved that enabled her to channel Zalara's power into her body and become the very first Death Ascendant.

And it had been years since that day happened - centuries, even. so, to think that Zalara would bend to the will of another. Suffice to say, the Collective was impressed. Still, that wouldn't change the fact her attempts would've all been for nothing. "Sadly, you are too late, Viera. The Reckoning has already begun." As the 'Creature' had spoken, he gestured his arms forward and from below, black mist rose tangling the Angel of Truth in her claws, suspending her high above and Emet being at his mercy. "How much is it you value this life? Enough to lose the Angel of Truth?"

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The figures didn't physically respond to Aloa's words nor would they move at all; they just stood there like lifeless statues. Omnious to say the least, but they had a reason for this. The one who embodied their will - the one who led them - finally took to the ground, emptiness seen through where their face was. A shadow one-hundred percent and something far more ancient than even Ivalice herself. Their origins shrouded in the same shadows its body is comprised of, yet it had personality. There was no denying this as it found itself letting out a low chuckle.

As it walked towards Aloa and Emette, the dirt beneath its feet that had life had it automatically eradicated. The earthy tones were now blacker than a lightless night, and whatever life force was within the ground had been sucked away like a vacuum, and absorbed into this shadowy figure.

"Our power injures your senses, Viera. We are not messengers; we are the Collective -that which you Humes have dubbed 'The Creature'." The figure spoke with a echoed, deep voice, "our purpose is nothing a simple sequence of words could explain. It is too great and too prosperous for any individual mind to understand. But do know that, when the next fortnight cycle comes, your Wood - your very existence - will know what it means to live in terror." The figure said.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

As Emiri spoke and as Grigori left them with all of these vague allusions, a lot of uncertainty came to Wesley’s mind. He had no doubt the others had similar doubts. He imagined that Jaakuna and Savayna, and everyone else who hadn’t encountered the Creature had doubts regarding Grigori’s claims. This being a man, if he could pass for that, who claimed to have a warning for the Ascendants, and said they weren’t to worry about Venat nor Zodiark(and Levi by association). They didn’t know him. He was practically a stranger, yet he had an air of familiarity about him.

And then, as Nadeline would speak about their encounter with the Creature, Wesley found himself conflicted. There was a part of him that wanted to agree with her., but something beckoned him to doubt those words. While it was true that the Creature essentially embodied the essence of rotting corpses and the mist that came from it was like experiencing Venat and Zodiark’s mist - just intensified several times over. He remembered how it felt to be in the presence of that thing and how it seemed to enjoy toying with the lives of anyone who opposed him. There was no doubt in Wesley’s mind that he was a vile creature that posed an immediate threat, but was he a greater threat than all of those who came before him?

“I’m not entirely sure.” Wesley admitted after a long moment of silence. “Grigori wasn’t specific about much of anything. The evil he spoke of could be the Creature, sure, but it’s also possible that Grigori is setting a trap for us.”

“Never thought of you as one to be so negative, Wesley.” Jaakuna commented.

“I believe in anticipating all possible outcomes. Could he be referring to the Creature? It’s possible, but it’s also possible that Grigori might be leading us into a false sense of security so we take our eyes off of Venat and Zodiark.” Wesley didn't like it, but someone had to consider the possibilities. There was also a slight hint of fear in Wesley’s voice about someone worse than Venat and Zodiark being at large.

“So, what do you suggest we do?” Savayna asked, “that monk didn’t give us any real clues about where this ‘so-called’ evil was at. All he said was follow the winds of the sea. If anything, he’s staying true to his monk visage. Honestly, what did he--” Savayna was interrupted by Wesley’s sudden gasp. “What?”

“It could be nothing, but what if the ‘the winds of the sea’ are referring to the Sandsea? It’s constantly windy there.” Wesley turned to Nadeline, “darling, does your tome say anything about that about the Sandsea?”

“It’s with the rest of my belongings,” She lamented.

Emiri stared at Nadeline, causing the blonde to stare right back at her in confusion. Without breaking eye contact, she reached into her bag, pulling out Nadeline’s tome. She held it out for the princess to take back.

“That’s--is this some form of new spell?” Nadeline asked, actually surprised as she would take her tome back.

“Actually...I stole it,” She admitted.

There was a small moment of silence, interrupted only by Grant’s rather awkward cough. Nadeline let out a sigh as she opened the great book, flipping through its pages.

“No reply?” Emiri asked, surprised.

The princess looked up at her for a moment. “Your boyfriend is infecting you with his recklessness. I’d advise you to take something for it, but I fear it’s incurable,” She told her simply as she returned to the book. “The Sandsea...well, it does refer to a location to the west of it, a gorge referred to as the Valley of the Dead.”

“Coincidence?” Grant asked.

“I THINK NOT!” Jaakuna suddenly stated as a matter-of-factly, his arm raised with his index finger pointed up, and a ponderous expression on his face.

“Hopefully you don’t catch his stupid as well,” Nadeline warned Emiri.

“Don’t hate because I’m beautiful~” Jaakuna flipped his hair, emulating a certain Viera that everyone knew and loved.

Michel and just about everyone gave a scowl, though it was Wesley who would push this back into the direction the matter about the Sandsea. “The Valley of the Dead - that’s where King Raithwall’s tomb is located.” Wesley recalled, nearly forgetting such a crucial detail.

“No wonder Grigori was so on your case, considering it’s connected directly to your lineage, so that explains his frustration,” Emiri said, earning a sigh from Wesley. “Does that mean we should go there?”

“Go and do what?” Grant asked.

Jaakuna formed a magnifying glass out of mist and put it up to his eye. “WE INVESTIGATE, OF COURSE!” He spoke enthusiastically, stroking his beardless chin, and gave everyone a dramatic look.

Nadeline gave him a glance, though ignored him as she continued, “I’m more concerned to what awaits us if we choose to go. It can’t be something we can take on so lightly,” She said.

“Hmm...it’ll likely have a welcoming party awaiting us.” Grant seemed to agree.

“Bah humbug!” Jaakuna let out a scowl, “whatever happened to your sense of adventure!? Last time we went to the tomb, it went great. Killed a few monsters, scored some loot from that moving wall of death, and I got Belias.” Jaakuna casually noted to Emiri and Nadeline, “though, we did hit a bad patch there when GRant kidnapped us.” He glared at Grant for a moment.

Grant shrugged. “Sorry, bro,” He replied.

Nadeline rolled her eyes. “Sense of adventure--can you take this seriously?” She couldn’t help but get annoyed. “We’ve enemies at nearly every corner and now this! We haven’t even been able to deal with anyone, and now suddenly another enemy pops up! Need I remind you that two out of those three want your girlfriend?”

“Hakuna Matata.”

“I’m officially ignoring you for the rest of the conversation.”

Emiri shook her head, though she seemed troubled. “It does seem a bit overwhelming. First Venat, then Levi, now this...how are we supposed to handle any of them?” She asked.

“I’ll repeat myself,” Jaakuna cleared his throat, “Ha-ku-na Ma-ta-ta.”

“And what does that even mean?”

“It’s something I heard from an old Garif pal of mine. He was one of the more interesting fellows I met from there. It’s apparently something that was said long ago before they got all uptight about everything.” Jaakuna said to Savayna, “his meaning of it was a little too complex for me to understand, but essentially it means not to worry. No matter how dire a situation, if you stress too much about it, then it’ll only drive you insane like Nuttiline here.” Jaakuna gave Nadeline a glare, non-vocally telling her that’s what she gets for ignoring him.

“Okay, then what do you propose we do next?” Grant asked.

Jaakuna put his hand on Grant’s shoulder, smiling, then looked to Savayna, “good thing he’s pretty, huh?” He laughed, though collected himself a moment later. “I’m suggesting we go to the Sandsea, go to the Valley of the Dead, and check that shit out. And if shit goes sideways, then we have our handy, dandy Espers to help us out.”

“Not exactly a foolproof plan.” Savayna couldn’t help but state the obvious.

“When have we ever had a foolproof plan, huh?”

Espers. Emiri shifted her weight from one foot to the other, wondering. Mitron had helpfully shut Chaos up, though admittedly she wondered if that was a good thing. “I don’t know,” She ended up speaking up. “Just...waltz on over? I feel like…”

“Like?”

She fell silent.

“What’s up?” Jaakuna looked at Emiri with curious eyes.

“Like...this is what it wants,” She said slowly. “Sort of like it’s daring us to go and try to challenge it. Something like that.”

“You seem certain.” Nadeline raised an eyebrow at her.

She shook her head. “Just a feeling.”

“Even if it is, we’re much stronger than we were before. We survived Zodiark and Venat, so honestly, why all the negativity?”

“Not that I’m one to agree with Jaakuna, but he’s right,” Savayna said, shrugging. “Instead of wasting time worrying about what might happen, we should just go there and do what we do best.”

“But even he said it--we survived, we didn’t beat them.” Grant couldn’t help but point out.

“What didn’t kill us made us stronger.” Jaakuna professed proudly.

“...we didn’t kill them either…”

Jaakuna scowled, glaring at Grant. “I liked you better when you sounded like a woman.”

“I don’t think that will ever stop you from taking jabs at me,” He rolled his eyes.

Though Jaakuna was going to open his mouth, Michel would beat him to the punch. “I believe we’re getting off-course again,” Michel gave Jaakuna a glare, which prompted the blonde to let out a huff, but he seemed to understand. “Bottom line is we have a location and something to investigate. I, for one, don’t doubt what Grigori said to be the truth. I can’t say why, but I feel like I can trust him. Even if it turns out to be false, maybe you six should go to the Tomb of Raithwall.”

“You will not join us?” Nadeline asked.

“I feel he’s interested in actually living,” Meli smirked.

“Living? I assumed he had something else to do,” Grant said blankly, missing her sarcastic remark entirely.

“Yeah...it’s a really good thing you’re pretty,” Meli shook her head, much to his confusion.

Jaakuna snickered, though said nothing.

Ignoring him, Michel focused on Nadeline. “I have my own purpose in all of this,” Michel stated, grabbing Meli’s hand, “I mean we do. While you lot will be handling things on the Creature front, Utena will organize. Of course, I will need to get our mistress’ permission, so if you’ll excuse us.” Michel held out his hand and one of his portals appeared. He guided Meli with him as they had stepped through it.

“Try your best not to die!” Meli cheerfully told them, giving a half-hearted wave.

“Gee, thanks…”

And as the portal closed, they were left with the big issue of getting to the Sandsea the quickest. Most of Jaakuna’s fastest unsafe vehicles were in Rabanastre. Given the severity of their situation, haste was recommended. “So, how shall we get there the quickest?” Savayna asked, looking around to the group.

Emiri’s eyes light up as she raised her hand, waving it around. “Oh! I could try that dark teleporting again!” She volunteered, somewhat excited.

“You...know teleportation magicks…?” Nadeline asked, uncertain. “You’d have to be at Aloa’s level to pull it off successfully, you know.”

“We’re going to the Sandsea, right? I’m sure I can do it,” She said, motivated.

“Ah...what about the Ifrit?” Grant asked.

Thank you, Grant. Jaakuna didn’t want to be the one to say it because Emiri seemed psyched to use her teleportation magick, but he remembered what it felt like the last time she used that magick. Suffice to say, it wasn’t a feeling he’d welcome with arms wide open.

“Last I heard it was undergoing repairs,” Savayna stated, “though that was when we left for Rabanastre a few days ago. Roman did promise it would be fixed by the time we returned.”

“Oh, my baby - my true love!” Jaakuna said lovingly, thinking fondly of his Ifrit. “I miss her so much; I hope my brother has been treating her with care.”

Savayna rolled her eyes, though that did bring up a more...secure solution than Emiri’s questionable mastery over whatever teleportation magick she had. “I think it’s a safe bet. No offense to you, of course, but who knows what’ll happen to us if we leave our transportation in your hands. For all we know, we could end up sliced in half. If that happened, Ivalice would be domed, and it’ll be because you almost had it.” She bluntly stated, shrugging one shoulder.

She understood, but it still sucked to hear it. Emiri hung her head in defeat as Grant patted her back. “There, there, I’m sure you’ll get your chance someday,” He assured her.

“Let us go to see Roman, then.” Nadeline suggested.

”A wonderful suggestion!”

---

Deep within the Tomb of Raithwall, the shadows surrounded a relic in the middle of a circular room. Their mist surrounded their bodies, all ranging from different colors of the spectrum. It swirled and twirled around to form a single tornado of mist, both of transparency and solidified forms, the collective mist would pour into the relic which had a more dominant shadow hovering over it, its body seeming to absorb the mist through the relic.

Whatever it was -this relic that was ancient in design - was shaking. FOr a few minutes, it had been doing that, in the last ten seconds, it was starting to tremble at a more frequent rate than before.

And when it shot up, the shadow phased through it, but the relic stopped above it.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. This relick, which had previously been gold and pure in its make, had been robbed of all life and light, and had been rendered into nothingness. It lost its color and had been sucked into the hovering shadow.

As it would touch the ground, a huge shake throughout the entire tomb - not just the room - would be felt. All of that mist that had been gathered and sucked into the shadow had been sent through the tomb, shaking it inches from its foundation, causing it to tip just slightly, and sand flowing in from the sandsea itself through the cracked walls of the tomb. In doing so, all of that corrupted, putrid, vile mist throughout Ivalice.

To the naked eye, this was simply a natural occurence. To those who didn’t have the Eye of Ivalice, it was her natural wrath causing a shift in weather. However, to those who were gifted, they knew. To those who were connected to the Wood knew exactly what this was.

“The Reckoning has begun.”

And it would be so fitting that it happened just as Aloa and Emette walked through the entrance of the Chamber of First Light, a point in the tomb that was just one room away from where Raithwall, the Dynast-King rested.

“Welcome, Viera and Angel of Truth. I feared you wouldn’t make it in time.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Even though the growing anticipation about this Grigori and what he had to say to all of them was definitely something that everyone should be putting at the top of their priority list, there was something more short-term, and by an extension, more important: Grant sounded like a man again. That, if nothing else, was worth talking about.

“You’ve never been one to be masculine, Grant. So, I don’t know about everyone here, but I, for one, am glad for you to gain some of your man card back. You have no idea how hilarious, not to mention fitting, it was to hear a teenaged girl’s voice coming from your mouth.” Jaakuna told him, giving Grant a smile, though it seemed he didn’t really appreciate his words all that much.

After a brief moment of silence, Savayna eyed Grant. “I, for one, am grateful. I don’t know how long I could’ve handled your pussy voice.” She grunted, her arms across her chest.

Michel found himself wanting to add something to the conversation, but his eyes went to Grigori, and he noticed an unusually high amount of anger coming from the monk. It only took the intuitive Michel a short moment to understand where it was coming from, so that’s when Michel let out an interrupting cough. “Perhaps you guys should save this for later on.”

“Huh? Why?” Jaakuna absentmindedly asked.

Savayna hit him in the head, whispering to him, “remember? He’s here to warn us.”

“OH!” He shouted aloud, laughing shortly thereafter.

“Michel, who is this man?” Wesley asked curiously, sizing up the monk from head to toe.

“I cannot answer that with confidence. All I know is that he bears a warning for all of us. He wouldn’t inform us until everyone was present.”

“What do you mean?”

“He knows that each and every one of us are Scions and that we are what they call Ascendants.”

“I see,” Wesley faced Grigori, trying to gauge the monk to the best he could. “There aren’t a lot who know about this. Only ones who know are, of course, us, the Viera, and the members of Utena. So, then how does he know? Is he one of Shion’s followers?”

“I have no allegiance to the Blue Rose.” Grigori retorted defensively as if insulted by what Wesley said.

“While it settles that matter, it doesn’t explain why you were waiting for us.”

Grigori didn’t bother addressing Wesley specifically. Instead, his head moved from left to right, examining all of those who were present. With the exception of Meli, who he sensed was just as invested in hearing what he had to say as the others did, simply ignored her. He knelt down to one knee, letting his staff rest gently on the ground, though as it did, he twirled around, gathering mist around him. Almost as if like a tornado, Mist gathered and surrounded not only him but those close to him - with the exception of Meli. The mist tornado he created expelled her out so it was only the Ascendants.

“What did you do that for!?” Michel asked, uncharacteristically demanded to know.

“She is not an Ascendant.” He offered only a variation of the same thing he had been saying.

“Just get on with it.”

Grigori nodded, taking off this hood from his face. As he did, everyone would see the face, not of a man, but something far more ancient. His face was of hume origin, that much couldn’t be denied, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his features were evolved - almost godly. His jaw wasn’t smooth but rather it was sharp. His cheeks had no flesh; they were a combo of muscle, bone, and mist pouring from it. The area around his eyes had swirling colors and actual magicite woven into it, giving his face a radiating, iridescent colors showing on the clear surface of his face due to the light. His actual eyes were crystallized and had all elements that were possible to tame in Ivalice dancing in them, producing various amounts of images in his eyes.

None of them were expecting that, though based off of the reactions that they had on their faces, it was safe to assume that they didn’t seem to have a problem with it.

“Well, aren’t you flashy.” Savayna commented, seemingly approving of Grigori’s face.

“I admit, you are somewhat of a surprise, Grigori.” Michel stated. He wasn’t expecting that.

“So, what? Do you have some kind of obsession with body modification?” Jaakuna couldn’t help but ask.

Grigori scowled, refusing to answer such an idiotic question.

“Please, Grigori, can you tell us exactly why you wanted to speak with us and why such secrecy?”

“You are all in great danger.”

“We’re always in danger, but we manage,” Jaakuna shrugged.

“Do not inturrupt me again, Lohgrif!” Grigori snapped, scowling even worse than before.

His sudden outburst made Jaakuna let out a low yelp.

“You all have ascended, but not one of you have the faintest idea of what this actually means for Ivalice. You think you were chosen just to inherit powers and defeat the Keeper?”

“What is it that you are trying to say?”

Grigori eyed Wesley now. “Fandaniel, you, who has transcended more than anyone here, still don't understand. Truly, how could Raithwall’s descendent not realize what’s been happening.” Grigori displayed great disappointment in everyone. “Honestly, how could none of you see it?”

“See what?”

“The Fallen Occuria Venat nor the Keeper pose you no threat. The one you need to truly find true worry in is he who bears the Calling of Death.”

“Could you be a bit more specific?”

“Follow the Winds of the Sea, Ascendants. Go to where the dead rests and seek out the true darkness.”

As Grigori left them with that, in a single moment, as the tornado he had created had withered away into nothingness, so was Grigori. And as he was away from Archadia’s soils, there was an air of mystery within the minds of the Ascendants. What did Grigori mean? Who was this true darkness? Who was it that posed a greater threat than Venat and Zodiark?

“What the actual fuck.”

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Both Savayna and Michel found it beneficial to their own sanity to ignore whatever had been going through Jaakuna’s mind. Savayna had glanced over at him with his cheeky grin, while Michel could only shake his head. Knowing him, he was thinking of something worse to say than what he had before to make Emiri blush like a tomato. So, instead they would focus on what Emiri had said about this Sophia person. It, if nothing else, was more interesting than Jaakuna at the moment.

“How strange..”

Michel bit his thumb, pondering on what Emiri told them. He sincerely wished he could offer up more information in retort to what Emiri just told them. She seemed to know more about Sophia than Michel, someone who was under Shion’s tutelage for three years now, had. Additionally, he seemed bothered by something she said.

“I think we should--” Michel spoke, though he sensed a presence that made him alert. Immediately, his mist surrounded not only himself but the others as well. Michel’s mist, unlike most, was somewhat protective in its essence. It came in varying colors and effects, but right now, it was acting as both a magick and physical prowess boost and a protective, shell-protect combo. “--show yourself! You cannot hide from me!”

“It seems not.”

Everyone would hear the voice of what sounded like a man, but something about it was peculiar. It was layered with obvious tells of magick woven to hide their real voice. Truth be told, it wa shard for anyone to gauge if it was a man or woman speaking to them. However, as shadows would fade away, in front of them, was a figure wrapped in cloths of summer colors: red, white, gold, orange, bronze - all of it was spread throughout the monk-like visage this person had. In their left hand were praying beads and in the left, a wooden staff. This monk wore a hood that was silver and had markings of an ancient language that Michel didn’t recognize. IT was hard to see who this person was, but as it lifted its head up, eyes shown from across the way, a shade of the brightest summer colors, all swirling around, dancing in those two irises.

“Who are you?” Savayna asked. She was on-edge. Whoever this person was, something about him or her made her suspicious.

“Who I am matter not, Scions.” The figure spoke, this time their voice simmering down to that of a deep, echoed male.

“Fine, then what do you want?”

“I come bearing a warning to those who have Ascended.”

“A warning?”

The monk nodded.

“What kind of warning?”

“Not yet. All of the Ascended have yet to arrive.”

In light of this not-so-speedy development, Savayna scratched her head, looking to the others for some kind of direction. Michel didn’t like that this perosn was here, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that the two of them have met at some point. Jaakuna, on the other hand, seemed as relaxed as he could be.

“I guess we wait.” Jaakuna spoke, hands behind his back as he planted his rear firmly on the ground.

“How can you be so damn calm?”

“You heard the monk. He’s not going to say anything until the others arrive, so might as well wait.” He shrugged.

“You’re utterly useless.” Savayna let out a huff of annoyance as she walked closer to where Emiri stood. She couldn’t stand to breathe the same air as Jaakuna right now.

Michel shrugged as well, propping himself where he stood, and took a seat. “Jaakuna, though often foolhardy, does have a point.” The sounds of gasps were heard from the collective. In that same moment, Michel suspended his mist from before, feeling the need no longer to keep it active. However, he would keep it centered to him just in case this monk gave him a reason.

After about a moment, Michel looked at the monk. “I suppose we wait, though if you don’t mind me asking, Monk, is there a name we can call you instead of ‘he’ or ‘they’?”

“Grigori.”

“A pleasure, Grigori. I am--”

“I know who you are, Michel Sicarius, as do I know who the rest of you are.”

“You’ll forgive my surprise, but I would’ve remembered if we had met.”

Grigori said nothing in retort, he simply stood there as still as it was humeanly possible. To be honest, it was a bit off-putting, especially considering how he knew about them being Ascendants. Moreover, he had a warning. What sort of warning could he have…

And then, as if some kind of divine intervention, Michel looked up and saw a welcoming sight. “Well, it’s about time the three of you arrived.” Michel said, a wide smile as he saw Grant, Wesley, and Nadeline fly in from an aircab.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

"I got something else you can ride," Jaakuna muttered, doing his best not to catch the attention of the others.

But he failed. They heard him loud and clear. While it seemed Meli and Michel simply shook their head in disappointment and Savayna had muttered something less-neutral, Jaakuna feared what Emiri would do. On one hand, he knew that, on some level, she found the comment hilarious. She had always been the type to see the humor in what he said and how he joked around, but she was already visibly annoyed with him as it was, so perhaps not.

"Who was that woman that came flying from the tower?" Savayna asked curiously, "I don't recognize her."

"Her name is Sophia. Admittedly, I don't know much other than she's connected to my Mistress somehow." Michel noted, answering Savayna's inquiry.

"Well, whoever she is, you sure got her good, didn't ya, Emiri?"