Jollan

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

'Like a good member of the Alliance'. Everything about that phrase left a bad taste in Dremmick's mouth. He jerked his arm from the guard as he felt the tension start loosen, the bandages were red where the guard grabbed them, though they quickly faded back to white. He nodded a slight thanks to Eros as he was originally planning on skewering the guard's hand and going for an escape, though he could only imagine that it would be fairly tough to escape. "If you will excuse me," he said, irritation evident in his voice. He turned and walked off while Czi and Eros seemed to be exchanging 'pleasantries', leaving through another door into the same hallway. Dremmick had heard of Eros, even though he never took any interest in the man. He did however thumbed through one of his books that he found surprising in a library one time. Some of the sketches were admittedly captivating even though they were highly adult in nature, while others... still haunt him to this day.

He thought about the new tyro girl he ran into in both the hallway and the library. There was something about her that he just couldn't put his finger on, like he recognized her, though he was positive he had never seen her before. 'Maybe she was some royal in disguise,' he thought with a slight grin. It was an interesting concept, like that from a book, but hardly a reality. It could happen he supposed, though he had never heard of a royal throwing away their title and fortune to go and adventure with a bunch of misfits from across the land. His grin quickly faded as he was saw two women and a servant coming down the hall, especially when that servant pointed to him while talking to one of the women. It was then that he noticed that the one the servant was talking to was carrying a seeing orb. He let out an annoyed sigh, a faint bit of smoke escaping from his mouth as he turned and opened the door to his room, walking in. While he did ask for it, he was reluctant to start, as this would be something he wished he never had to relive, much less share with anyone. Especially someone he didn't actually know or trust. It was a risk to him, but if it answers his questions it will be well worth it.

---

Lynn woke up, realizing she had fallen asleep only the top half of her head above water. She looked around and noticed that Cerese wasn't in the washroom anymore. She liked Cerese, unlike a good number of the other Tearians in the escort. They seemed to think of her as a tool, a machine, but Lynn knew that there was a soul that was inside Cerese, and even though it was being used to run the machine that is her body, it should still somewhere be capable of feeling. Lynn blew bubbles in the water. She contemplated if doing this was the right decision. She didn't know many of the people in the escort, and though they were friendly enough towards her, she still felt a little alone. Back home, she had a few friends, though most of her time was taken up at the infirmary, she didn't have much time to do anything. Her head sunk under the water, now only the tip of her horn poking out. Maybe this was a bad idea. She would be leaving with a group of people that she had no idea how they were like. At least with the escort she knew that they were Tearian soldiers, now, who knows what kind of people they would be, especially with all the yelling that she heard not too long ago in another room. She curled up into a ball in the water much like how she was when she was siting outside on the crates. "What do I do now..." she thought solemnly out loud to what she thought was only herself, not knowing of Metis somewhere in the same bath.

---

Allard finished his pipe and stored it away with a sigh of contentment, "Its not very often I get ta enjoy that. First time in nearly eleven years I'd wager." He put the pipe back in the pouch and proceeded to get out of the water, feeling better than he ever had in years. "I may as well rest up, I would assume we are ta be put ta use in tha morn', so I may as well get a bit a shut-eye." He gathered his things, slinging the sword harness over his shoulder so the swords hung over his back as he held the belts with his left hand. Everything else he just carried tucked under his left arm as he went to the room he originally changed out of his clothes in. He opened the door and walked in, letting the door close behind him when he stepped inside. However, he froze for a moment when he noticed a young tyro woman sitting on his bed reading a book. "Oh! I am sorry lass, I must'a come into tha wrong room!" he said a bit sheepishly, especially since he was there in nothing but a wet loincloth and his ever present left arm cover. When he turned, he noticed his clothes neatly folded next to the door where he left them. "...or not... It is fine though! Tha room is yurs ta keep, I can find myself another. Sorry ta bother ya." He grabbed his clothes and started to head back out the door, admittedly a little embarrassed.

Fairy Tail: We Are Family

Let me know if you are about to post and ill put one up for you so that you can respond to what she sees when she gets there

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Dremmick looked up at the girl he saw in to hall, when she greeted them. “So, clearly this must be where all the action is in this otherwise uneventful wing of the castle.” Dremmick, with a neutral face, looked over to Mason, who seemed to still be asleep in his book, and then back up to Czi, ”Clearly.” He knew she was talking about the royal he throttled, and he started to ponder on why she followed him. When she pulled her hood down, Dremmick recognised that she was a tyro girl. There was a noticeable scar across what Dremmick thought was a fairly attractive face, from some sort of struggle no doubt.

“Anything good to read,” she asked, however it didn't quite register as Dremmick was lost in thought. He walked back over to a shelf and replaced a book he had taken earlier. He picked up another book, more like a log, on different large crime cases and incidents in the kingdom. Flipping through it, it again had no mention of any of the events he was looking for, almost as if it was being covered up again, even here in the castle. It made no sense to him. How could something like that happen and there be no record of it? Was it being covered up? And if so, by whom? Dremmick shook his head. His first thought was the Taxis, but that seemed to simple. He needed to meet with that seer, whether that king of theirs liked it or not. He would have to find her, and hopefully she would be alone. It was then that he registered that the girl spoke to him and he shook his head to clear his thoughts. ”I apologize. I'm afraid that I don't have much time for reading for leisure, so I can't rightly say. Much less actually whenever that spineless blob finally finds the guards,” he replied breaking the odd silence, muttering the last sentence as he thought about the Tearian royal. ”Temporary member of an alliance or not, I'm sure putting such a person in his place just may be frowned upon here.” He placed the book on its respective shelf and let out a sigh, thinking about how to track down and find this seer should the guard be after him. It was a stupid move on his part. He should have just went ahead and killed the blob, or threaten him into silence while he had the chance.

@Dread

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

---

Dremmick heard a sharp knock on the door and went to investigate. Upon opening the door he found a long chest outside his door with his name engraved on it. He brought it in and set it on the bed, rubbing his chin as he thought about opening it. Shrugging he decided to go ahead. Inside was an assortment of gear with a letter from vrondi describing what each item was. Dremmick had to admit that he was impressed with the items, and also how it would seem that Vrondi may know a little about Dremmick's necromancy due to the staff. He hand't displayed it to anyone, but knowing sol, especially the king of them, he may have looked into his mind, which Dremmick wasn't comfortable with at all. Either way, it didn't seem to bother the king and as long as he was the giving sort, he would take it. He took the eternal bindings and tied it off at the upper end of the staff, putting off thinking of a place for it for later. He lashed the staff to his gear at his back, above where the daggers were sheathed and started to head to the library. If the seer wasn't going to show up tonight, he may as well do some research.

He walked outside of the room, passing a tyro girl, and continued heading for the library until he heard a girl cry out in pain. Dremmick stopped and listened to see if he could hear anything else. He heard every word that was said from outside the door. His brows cam together, and a slight grin started to show. His right hand went over the doorknob, thin streams of blood coming out and going into the lock, working their way through to slowly unlock the door before he turned the knob and casually opened the door, retracting the blood as he pushed it open. The four gasped as he entered the room, a couple of them trying to cover themselves back up. "My apologies ladies, I did not mean to barge in, I thought I heard someone cry out." he said a little too casually. The girls looked worried as they gathered at the end of the room. Dremmick could see the one with the strike across her face as she got off the floor to be with the other two, which made his eyes go narrow as he cut them to the giant ugly creature with tendrils all about. “WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE COMING INTO MY ROOM!” the Tearian royal yelled.

Ignoring him, Dremmick noticed one of the tentacles that the bloated man used to whip the girl's face. Noticing it was a bit redder than the others. ”How much did you pay for these girls?” Dremmick asked, closing the door and locking it. If fish could sweat, this guy was doing it. “More than you could afford you lowly cur! Leave before I throw you out myself!” However, the royal's eyes went wide at the sight of the money pouch Dremmick pulled out. It was Dremmick's earnings from the blood banquet, much more than any price he paid for the three of these girls combined. “What do you want.” the royal asked in a serious tone. ”Simple, I'm buying them from you.” Dremmick replied the eerie smile on his face growing. The royal couldn't help but start laughing, “It's a deal! With a haul like that I could by over a dozen of the wenches!” He continued to laugh, at least, until the whole bag of coins was shoved down his gullet. The next thing anyone would have noticed from the outside is the sounds of a struggle from the other side of the door, until a huge Tearian broke through it and collided with one of the pillars, a bit of carturized flesh where an offending tentacle used to be. Dremmick came strolling out into the hall, a lit fire dagger in one hand and slowly twirling a tentacle in the other, singed on the end as well, with a bit of smoke still on it. ”You know, I usually like calamari but I think that this would leave a bad taste in my mouth. You can have it back.” he said, tossing it to the struggling to stand royal as he tried to run off. He smiled at the thought of the creature passing coins for the next week. ”Thank you for your business.”

Dremmick turned to the three girls and saw them shuffling uncomfortably. He pulled the cloth off of his staffs and held it to the one girls cheek. She flinched at first, though after it had healed any damage after a few seconds, and took away the lingering pain and redness, she seemed grateful. Dremmick nodded as he saw that the cloth did its job as he tied it back on the staff. ”You may want to get a room with a good door....It can get a bit drafty otherwise. Anyways, how about you enjoy yourselves....I guess I'll... have to get this settled in the morning. Feel free to keep any of the spilled coins on the room floor. If anyone here gives you trouble, claim yourself under my name, Dremmick of the Alliance, I'm just a few doors down next to the bathing hall. The Taxis or Aion should...somewhat understand.” He walked away to go to the library, leaving as casually as he had arrived. He wasn't sure how well it would hold should he leave, but it may give them some sort of direction to live their own lives. On the floor was about 50 gold, and there was another 100 in one of his pouches he kept in case someone ever stole the rest of his money. He chuckled to himself as he never thought he would spend his earnings that way.

Dremmick arrived to the library to find Mason among a mountain of books, nose buried in one book, though moslty likely also drooling into it as he was snoring quite audibly. ”You are more studious than I had thought.” he said to Mason as he entered the library. He looked at the shelf headings for history and started to go through and inspect the books. Looking for any that would indicate details of his families deaths, such as crime and incident records around that time. He took down his hood as he wasn't to worried about the company anymore, as it was just mason and himself that was in the library at the time.

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

Collab post: Allard and Blight

Garrett quite enjoyed the time he had fighting Allard, he just wished it continued, and he knew many others in the room wished the same thing. Nevertheless, he broke a sweat. He waved a hand to Allard as he recovered his sword, it was time to continue his duty at guiding people to the guest rooms like a good servant and knight. However, Garrett felt deserving of using the lush baths that the guests were provided. It was the closest, and nicest place to wash himself- He led himself to one of the bathing areas, it didn't matter which, he undressed himself, leaving his armor in the foyer of the bath before taking a nice dip to clean himself for the day and wash himself off from the light exercise he did.

Allard thanked the king for accepting him and followed blight to the guest rooms. He had never seen anything like it before. Just as the rest of the castle the rooms were extravagantly decorated from top to bottom, and for the first time since he had been gone from home, there was a bath that was big enough that he could actually climb in the water. He didn't pass up the chance. Using a public bath was nothing new to him in his days in the arena, though he did have some modesty now that he was out and wore a large black loincloth that covered down to his mid thigh. He had a bit of chest hair, and a multitude of scars from years of combat in the arenas, including a large one in the center of his body. He brought with him a towel and a small canvas pouch the he took out of the storage pocket on his pants, and his two blades, sheathed of coarse and never leaving his side. He got in the water at the other side away from blight, and sat down, relaxing in the water even though it only came up to his abs. He set the towel on the ridge behind him on top of his blades and relaxed against the wall of the bath. He took a pipe from the pouch as well as some tobacco and prepped it, lighting it shortly after. after a few puffs to get it started, he leaned back, resting his arms at the top of the bath walls and sighed in contentment. "A man could get used ta a place like this." he said with his eyes closed. He looked back over to blight, "So what's yur name? I doubt its really something as diminutive as 'Blight'. Seems like somthin' them royals would craft as they try ta find somthin' ta look down their noses at ya for."

Garrett stared at the man at a reasonable distance away from himself in the bath, the focus made him look at himself for a moment in comparison, muscular and scarred, something to talk about, however, his own scars were from hunting large beasts rather than fighting them in the arena, and his beasts didn't talk much. Either way, he stared at the other scarred man; washing himself off with the floral scented waters of the heated bath. Smoking was pointless in Garrett's eyes, it gave away his positions when he was out in the forests. He cupped a large amount of water within his hands and decided it was no better time than now to wash his hair, pouring it over his head and horns, letting the water do its moist magic. "When I wasn't coined the Blighted Knight, I was called by my true given name. It's really nice one in my eyes. I'm Sir Garrett Everard of Onyx. It does not matter what you call me, I do not mind any of the names given to me. Blight is fine, or Garrett." He shut his eyes, leaning into the waters to relax for the day.

"Adelhard Baldewin," he said stating his name in reply. "Though you can call me Allard." He thought for a moment, looking around not seeing anyone else, though he thought he heard some talking in the room next to him. "So, what are these others with us like? Or have ya not known 'em long enough ta say?"

Blight sat and thought, all he did was hear their requests, see what they looked like, and stopped one for their citizenship. Not much to go off of. He sat a little more, and kept sitting. "It's a rough bunch. Likely a lot of whims to invests oneself in. A volatile team, that can either do the job or crumble under it's own momentum. Very risky. A good gamble."

"Ah, well, as long as it ain't a bunch of up tight fops like tha ones they had on display in there, should be right as rain I think." he replied with a couple more puffs on his pipe and a grin. It was shortly after that that a girl seemed to poke her head through the door as a look of surprise hit her. She quickly shut the door with an apology and Allard could here the door lock shortly after. Allard let out a hearty laugh at her reaction. "Yes," he said going back to his pipe still chuckling a bit, "It should be an interestin' endeavor indeed."

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

---

Lynn was admittedly a bit sad that her time at the festival was cut a bit short, but she knew that it was probably for the better. She couldn't help but feel worried about that boy. He looked like he was on his last leg when she found him. Maybe the malnutrition stunted his growth, making him look younger than what he was. She shook her head, she couldn't help everybody, she knew that much, but at least she was able to get him a decent meal and some coin in his pocket. That was worth more than any little trinket at a shop. She started to fall asleep where she was, leaning back a bit more on the box behind her When she heard someone walk up. It was one of Vrondi's guards, a younger one, most likely still in training.

"Ah! There you two are! I've been looking absolutely all over the castle for you!" he said as he hurriedly walked up to greet them. "I am to assume this is Cerese and you are, uuuuhhh," he looked at a folded piece of paper, "Ah, Lynn Meditrina I presume?" Lynn nodded as her staff came to her, getting up to sit on it and float down from on op of the crates. "Yes sir, is there some sort of problem?" Lynn asked a little worried about the incident at the square. "Not at all," he replied, "Cerese has been summoned by Queen Tydra to accompany the new Alliance force, you have been requested to go with her as her handler, to keep it...er, uh, her maintained ... it would seem. I was supposed to relay this message to you sooner, but neither of you were here to deliver the message, so I waited."

"Oh! well, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, that may have been my fault, but thank you!" Lynn said as she turned back to Cerese with a smile and then back to the young guard. "So are we to meet with the queen first?" she asked albeit s bit nervously. "Not quite, as they are still fairly busy at the moment. Till then though, I will show you to your rooms where you will be staying. If you would follow me please." Lynn nodded and turned back to Cerese, patting on the open space on the staff again. "It beats walking." she said with a grin. Which for her was true. While she had more normal feet than most lassa, including the ones that could walk on land, her feet were still not used to it, coupled with the fact that she didn't have shoes and the ground tended to hurt her feet unless it was soft like sand or fine grass.
---

Lynn and Cerese had finally made it to their room to which Lynn jumped on the bed. "Oh my goodness this is the best bed ever! Cerese, you have to feel this!" She then sat up and got off the bed walked to the window. "And this view! Before I came here, I've never seen anything like this! Everything is so beautiful here." she said referring to the fireworks and the view. She also noticed the floor here. It was stone, but it was smooth and comfortably cool. She looked around the room and took a deep breath, soaking it all in. she rested her few pouches, jar, and staff in a corner of the room. "I'm going to go relax in the bath, would you like to come?" she asked Cerese. She waited for her answer and then started for the bath area. "Oh and remember, nobody here should be a threat... just so you know... if not I'll be sure to tell you, but for now just relax!" she said happily.

She went into the bathing room and noticed nobody else was there, but it had seemed like someone was there recently. She opened the door on the other side of the room and noticed another bath...with two men already sitting in it. "AH! Sorry!" she exclaimed as she closed the door quickly and locked it, her face beet red. "Bad door, not that way." she said as went the other way, back to the water. Allard let out a loud hearty laugh at the matter, Lynn on the other hand didn't think it was very funny and quietly slipped in to the water to relax. She left her clothes on as she didn't see a need to take them off. Especially with men just on the other side of the door. Besides, for her it was normal to be in the water with her clothes, she was just relaxing after all. "I can't tell what's nicer, Cerese, the bed or this water," she said as she made herself comfortable. Between the temperature and the scents infused in the water, it felt as if she was at one of those spas she's heard about. It almost made her drowsy... almost...

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

COLLAB POST BETWEEN ALLARD, BLIGHT, AND KING VRONDI.

Allard waved a hand as politely as possible. "A splendid idea! I couldn't ask for a better test," he said happily, eager to begin. "I'd prefer not ta use a blade myself unless it being absolutely necessary, and if tha time comes, I have my own. I appreciate tha offer, but I am as ready now as I ever will be."

Vrondi let out a small chuckle. "Ahaha. Well I feel you may need to. Our Blighted knight's blade wont be sheathed for this test."

"I wouldn't ask fer anything less, yur majesty," Allard replied.

Garrett thought to himself for a moment, he could oblige the guest and use his own fists, or he could use his sword, it did not really matter if they would be in close quarters, either of them could be at a disadvantage to the other at a moment's notice or a snap of the fingers, or some well placed hand movements. He lined himself up with his proponent, flexing his hands forward as if readying himself for a dexterous excursion. He readied himself, holding the pommel of his weapon with his left hand, the right hand readying itself to be imbued with the arcane powers Garret had learned.

Allard nodded as he saw the knight ready himself, but not move forward. A defensive stance to start with it would seem. "Alright then." Allard said as cracked his knuckles and a few other joints. "Let's begin!" Allard shot forward, faster than what some of the nobles believed something that big should move. First he wanted to test what this man would do so a simple charge should suffice for now. When he got somewhat close, he pivoted and used his body to twist around, putting his body in motion for a heavy backfist with his right arm, aimed to push through the target instead of stopping, His left arm already drawn back and waiting to come crashing down in case the move was dodged with a duck.

The royals turned with their attention all on the duel. The Gaian royals nodded at the sight of a size similar to what was kin to their own. The Fotians however began to question in small number the familiarity of the warrior. Drums beat as they went on. Beatings from Fotian drummers who play during Arena bouts and war time.

The die was cast for the both of them, however, Garrett did not enjoy when people rolled the dice in favor of their own gambles. Gambling was a horrible sport. However, Garrett could not scold who did those, because he did a strange type gambling of his own. With the cast of Gale, and Hardening, Garrett became a rock bullet or a cannonball, shooting into the air above the abridged pit fighter. The thump of air and pressure against the composures behind him would signal his movement, nothing was better than speed and force, but also catching those he fought off guard; his armor was a blight, corrupting the minds of those he fought from knowing his true colors. With sword now in hand, Garrett would drop down with the force of his body to either crush a being other than himself, or ruin some perfectly shined flooring.

When blight came down on top of him, he lifted his left arm in the air, guarding the impact close to his elbow. Instead of using his right arm however to strike, he swooped his arm out from under garret, as if going to catch a coin, going to grab him by the legs and slam him into the ground, tossing him to the side afterwords.

Momentum and Reflexes were key in any situation, Garrett knew this. He had to adjust his course in mid air to stand any chance of not taking much of any damage from this encounter, and to do so, he had to make opposite, pushing force in other directions; the direction he would take would be to throw his sword downwards at a curve in front of his opponent, in doing so, he planned to land behind the man with a crushing blow with his fists, or, ruin the castle floors like a good knight should.

Allard took the blow to his back, the blow would feel like hitting a solid wall of muscle, while stepping forward to mitigate some of the damage it could cause, he used the movement of this stance change, however, to lean forward and kick back with his other leg, shooting out like a cannon aimed right for Bilght. After the kick, he would roll to the side and take up a stance once more.

Garrett hated kicking, he believed it was the last resort in fighting, however, anything can be used to win a fight, or a war, in the eyes of the combatants. He believed the doctrine of impromptu utilization was admirable. But a rock, must roll. Roll, it did. Garret would make his departure from following up in the momentum to make sure he was not kicked by a mountain of muscle, a mountain made of rock does not wish to crumble by the force of man; A roll would suffice, like the knights of old. He would need to watch his opponent from the initial encounter given, but he did not wish to give him any leeway to recover, as soon as he was away from the reach of his leg, he would go for a charging assault straight towards Allard, but not without making sure his sword was within reach to recover. Submission was the only option for either of them.

The royals seemed pleased by the ongoing bout. Vrondi stood at the end of the stage. Floating with his arms crossed as if observing intently. But his face only held a bit of admiration. He too it seemed was entertained by this show.

When Allard landed from his roll, he saw that the knight was already charging in. he used the momentum of rising to leap forward to meet him, cracking the tile underneath him from the pressure and bringing down a heavy left fist over Blight.

The Blighted Knight did not back down from this challenge, in fact, he wanted this to happen, as if he had noticed that the dice had been weighted to land on a certain set of numbers. All he needed was more force to push his opponent back, a boulder does not stop for stationary objects or lighter forces acting against it. Ruined floors meant nothing in the heat of battle, in fact, more flooring would be ruined in the seconds to come. Garrett would propel himself again, not upwards, but forwards, another thud of air being acted against, as the increased rock-skinned armor-clad Knight barreled towards Allard, fists ready to clock the man a few centuries back.

Allard slammed down into Blight with a hamming blow from his left, bearing into the ground, with an uppercut from his right ready to follow through. Allard face was still that of one having fun, as it was, he was having a blast.

No man would be sane enough to leave themselves open like this. Garrett did not stop himself, in fact, it only made him mad that somebody would try such an attempt to incapacitate him. He continued to close the distance, making grand strides in order to connect his rocked fists against Allard's face. Following through with this, he would need to take this man to the ground. He did not want him moving anywhere, and even the greatest of chest players knew when to call it early.

As Allard's attack stuck home, creating an indention in the ground, he noticed that the man had guarded it, which was quite impressive. Allard felt that it was a skill that the man used, as no man at that size has even stopped such a blow. Allard noticed that the man seemed to direct the attack to the side and move in for a strike to his face, which struck home. Gritting through it, he snatched Blight out of the air with his right arm. it was time to scale this up a bit. "I AM INVINCIBLE! MY SHADOW SKILL IS UNMATCHED!" He slammed Blight into the ground as he recited an old chant. "THE POWER OF MY BLOW HAS NO EQUAL!" His left first started to glow as he raised it to strike. "HAMMER OF THE GODS!" He brought down the punch right on top of where he had Blight.

As the fist of Allard swelled with a immense energy a voice rang through their minds. "Enough." The voice of Vrondi said. A hand gripping the fist before it flexed to come crashing down. Allard would surprised. His arm would not be able to move effectively with the warm glowing hand of Vrondi holding it back by the forearm. With a single arm of his. He was turned half way, not facing them but his head was turned to look down at them. He was smiling.

Allard looked back up at the king with a jolly laugh, "Sorry about tha mess. You have quite tha fighter in this man here!" He stood up and extended a hand to Blight to help lift him up if he accepted it. "I could barely geta hand on ya!" he said, directed to Blight.

Garrett grabbed the hand of Allard, if his helmet wasn't on, he'd be happy that there was such a great brawl in the halls of this place. He pulled himself up, releasing the arcanes that bound him to speed and strength. "Likewise. I really had to use my head there. Not a headbutt, I'm sure you'd know how to deal with that!" He shook the hand that helped him up when he was at a stable stance. "I'd like my sword as well." He pointed at a convenient place behind Allard, a rooted sword in the cracked flooring.

"Fine bout the two of you. Even without your blade you're formidable. How one like yourself ended up here working in the cellars is beyond me! Haha!" Vrondi chuckled. Pleased. While this happened a few Fotian royals spoke amongst themselves. "No doubt about it." One said. Slipping off.

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

---

"The wine spoiled as soon as it entered this room," Dremmick replied to Garret as he followed him into the hall with the others. He didn't talk much, though he was perplexed a little by the statement made about minty candies on the pillows. Was that actually a thing? He continued until he was directed into one of the rooms, which all seemed to be connected by a large patio overlooking the town.He looked around the room and it was lavishly decorated from wall to wall with fine furniture and all the amenities someone would need while staying as a guest. He closed the door behind him and made his way to the patio, opening a glass door to access it. He took a deep breath of the fresh air as he gazed out. It was a wonderful view from up here. Dremmick could see the lights on the street as people milled about. The Fireworks were a much more attractive and vibrant display now, as the evening sky was only barely lit by a sun that had already fallen over the horizon. It nearly had Dremmick forget about his worries for a moment. He honestly wished that he could one day find a place with a view like this and not have to worry about the things that seemed to follow him.

He reached behind himself and pulled out a small notepad and charcoal pencil, and flipping to a blank page he made a quick sketch of what he could see. When he finished he closed the notepad, storing it again and returned to his room. He had thought about taking a bath but he put the thought away. Better to do that after everyone was asleep. He did take off the leather arm guards and chest piece, leaving him with just the sleeveless white shirt, suspenders, and bandages wrapped on his right arm and right side of his body. He let his hood and muffler down and laid back on the bed. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, he tried not to fall right to sleep, but after what he has been through, it seemed to come for him within minutes.

While he slept, Dremmick's mind drifted off. He was in a town square somewhere off the Fotian border, drawing in his notepad and messing with a newly bought ring between his fingers. He looked up and saw a girl headed his way and quickly pocketed the ring while still making it look like he was drawing. The girl was a tad shorter than him with long black hair and bright blue eyes, branching horns on the side of her head, and dark blue wings tucked gently behind her. “Dremmick! I thought I would find you out here. What are you up to?” Dremmick looked surprised to see her, as if he had just gained control of his body. “Ciara? I...I'm just drawing the square, I found it interesting. H-how are you-” he stammered, shocked as he hadn't seen her in years, though he felt like he was just with here a few hours ago. She took his hand, “C'mon, if we don't leave now we'll be late for the mission,” she said with a smile.

A mission...wait...this is familiar....no, this is all wrong. He had to stop this. “Ciara, wait. I'm not sure about this.” Ciara let go of his hand. “Come on, this way.” she called as she turned the corner. As he turned the corner into an alley, everything changed. It seemed as if he was in a small cave now, though he didn't realize it until he finished squeezing through the narrow path. When he looked around, the only light were torches carried by himself, which he didn't remember grabbing, and the others in a group that was with him all the sudden. He started exploring the cave with them, as if everything was normal. Most the rest of the group moved on, including Caira, which he barely made out in the dim light. Somebody called Dremmick over somewhere else, but he didn't quite make it out, he just felt it. “Malcolm, do you see anything?” Dremmick called. A young man in leather armor and messily cropped hair turned around. "Yeah right down there," he said casually pointing down a hole. When Dremmick peered down, he noticed a number of dead bodies, including the girl's. “CIARA!” Dremmick yelled. He turned to look for Malcolm but he wasn't there anymore. Instead, Ciana was standing in the middle of the room, barely visible by Dremmick's lone torch with her back to him, her wings low and dragging on the floor. “Ciara...,” he started quietly. “Are you.... alright?” He got closer, hearing a voice chanting somewhere else in the darkness, a raspy hateful voice. “Let's get out of here, it isn't safe...Ciara...please.” he reached out to touch her shoulder, but she suddenly and unaturally jerked around to face him, her once blue eyes now black with red dots in the middle and an eerie smile. “YOUR SOUL IS MINE!” she screeched as a huge snake jumped from the darkness in front of her.

“CIARA!!!” Dremmick yelled out again, arm punching forward, producing a huge barbed crimson blade out in front of him destroying the dresser at the other end of the room. Dremmick was in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. It was....a nightmare. Dremmick swore bitterly as he withdrew the large wicked blade back into his arm. He got up and walked to his pack, pulling out the bandages to start wrapping his arm again. He noted that he would need to buy more soon. He looked back out through the window at the festival still going on, sure it wouldn't stop through the night. He envied those people. He only wished that he could have lead at least somewhat of a normal life. The people who wish for adventure never really think about the problems that the adventurer has endured that puts them on that path. Dremmick would trade every hardship he faced to be so carefree.

It seemed that only a short period of time has passed since he fell asleep, so Dremmick went out on the patio to get some fresh air, leaning against the rail and watching the explosion of lights in the town below.

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

---

Allard made his way through the halls with one of the wine barrels slung over his left shoulder. He would stop and ask a member of staff for directions along the way to where he needed to take the barrel to serve the guests. While the other deliverymen left, there was a call for another keg to be brought up, so Allard volunteered to be the man to bring it up, after all, the weight was nothing to him, so it was an easy task.

Allard arrived just as Siiga was making her request, not much attention on him at the moment. He took the old barrel off of its rack and set the new one down, set with a spout ahead of time. Upon hearing Siigas request, he couldn't help but look up in surprise at what he heard, especially here of all places, and shook his head with a big grin, thinking it as a hilarious joke actually, even if it was probably not the best of times to make it. But it was when everyone drew their blades, that Allard's smile faded. He was off to the side around the serving table. out of the view of some. But seeing this display put a bitter taste in his mouth. Royals never seemed to change, ready to cut down someone for a something as small as words and even then they didn't have the guts to do it alone against one injured woman. It was pathetic.

Allard then heard the king say something he was hoping to hear, an invitation. He looked around to see if anyone would also take up the offer before stepping forward. "King Vrondi," his voice boomed with a large grin on his face, "I have no quarrel with these people, though I do find a number of your company ta be quite lacking in bravery an' honor. All drawing their swords on one injured person, even if they do have an interestin' view on humor, all the while shiverin' in their boots at tha very prospect o' dirtyin' them up. Let me volunteer in their stead. I pray I don't disappoint you even half as much as these pompous men who owe their title merely ta their father's pastime in bed."

He paid no mind if there were any Fotian nobles who recognized him here. He was in Vrondi territory, and his past life as the arena gladiator as 'The Behemoth', he wished to put far behind him. Nothing would stop him now, he had come too far.

---

Dremmick's eyes went wide at Siiga's request, even catching him off guard. "What in the blazing hell," he cursed. He noticed that a number of the royals had started reaching for their blades, including a few close to him. "Take another step forward and you will be dead before any of Vrondi's light reaches you." he said to the closest royal, who with a face of fear after seeing glowing dragon eyes stare at him from under a hood started to step back, sheathing his sword. Especially at the casualness of it, Dremmick's arms were still crossed as he leaned against the wall. He looked back over towards Siiga and Connie, noticing Mirror was among the ones who drew his blade as well. Dremmick shook his head. He listened to the large Oro man speak, which he found a little humorous. All in all though, Dremmick was ready to leave. He grew tired of the royals already.

---

Lynn was surprised by this turn of events, floating back on her staff a bit. She immediately turned to Cerese, "Cerese, do not engage. I am safe, see?" she turned back to Bonnie with a hurt look in her eyes, though she tried not to show it her finned ears betrayed her as well. "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable. I didn't mean to-... I just wanted to explore and talk a little before having to go back." there was a bit of silence before she made a little bow. "I hope you enjoyed your meal, I hope to meet you again under better circumstances, I guess we caught each other at a bad time. It was nice meeting you though,... take care of yourself." She turned back to Cerese, "We should probably get you back over to the rest of the escort," she said, patting on the other half of the staff inviting her sit to fly with her over to the escort's staging area. She kinda hoped that the boy may follow, Glancing back once after they took off.

When they landed, She found a semi-secluded spot to sit with Cerese. She sat on a storage box with her knees up and her arms wrapped around them, her large sleeve covering most of her body.....yes, she was kinda pouting.

Ascension 3: A return to Chaos

---

Dremmick listened to the king's answer, though he wasn't too pleased by it. He knew of who he spoke of as there was really only one seer in Nero and she was jealously guarded by her king. "If you could arrange a meeting with her for me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you." He gave the same small bow that more resembled a nodding of the head before he turned and walked away. Anyone close who was fairly observant could notice a bit of red at the palm of his hand on his bandaged arm from him clenching his fist. He wasn't sure what to think. Or rather, there were just too many thoughts going around in his mind at once.

He wanted answers, yes, but how much would he have to give away to get them. Memories that he has had locked away inside, not only to keep secrets from others but so that maybe one day he may forget them. There were things he has done that not even he wished to see again. Unlike someone who knew what happened, this person would delve into his own life for answers. And what of this new alliance the king talked about. He couldn't possibly go along with that. It would undermine the whole reason he has stayed hidden for so long. If he stayed in a group, he would be putting every one of them in danger. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. It was settled then. After he got his information, he would have to leave, that's final. He couldn't bear risking others lives, besides, he had his own goals to achieve and he wouldn't get closer to finishing them by gallivanting across the world under the king's thumb. It would be best just to leave, they were capable enough.

He rested against a wall next to the door that Garret was next to, waiting for this to be over and retire for the night. From under his hood, he noticed the odd knight, not really dressed out for the occasion one could say. He smelled of the forest, which Dremmick thought would be of use there, but couldn't quite imagine why a man would keep himself that way when in the city.

---

Lynn looked at Cerese a little surprised. "O-oh, it was nothing. It was just a simple siren song to calm them down," she replied sheepishly. "And, Cerese, I've told you before, I don't have any rank. I'm just medical staff. I don't have any serfs, he is, uh-," she stammered for a split second remembering that he didn't give her his name, "a friend! We were just having lunch, you should join us! What brings you out here, anyway? I thought you were going to stay up at the castle. Is everything alright," she asked her head slightly tilting.