Avatar of Mas Bagus

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2 mos ago
Current Forever alone.

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Just your average Joe.
Bagus Surya is the name.
From Indonesia.

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Roxas




She moved over to it, looking it over before she reached out to. That hologram had said they could take anything.. right? She wasn't actually planning on taking anything, she just wanted to test it. She had a bow; a bow she made. Once she got it off the display it was one, she turned a little. She tested it, puling the string lightly as she held it, giving a soft hum. It was beautiful for sure.


The holographic man suddenly showed up beside her.

"Do you like it? It was Luithiel's bow. She named that longbow Ringwëlasse, The Frostleaf in our language. If you have an affinity for frost magic, you can unleash its unique potential, well if not, then you may admire its elegance."

That holographic copy of Theriadore then placed his hand on top of the sealed transparent case below the silver bow and made a gesture as if presenting something that actually no longer there.

"Frostleaf came with its darker counterpart, Lúrëa. It was bequeathed by Serensiel to her only surviving general. If you do not see it in its vitrine, then it seems even my most sophisticated seal could not contain it, and it has returned to its master, whoever it is now."

Then that holographic elf was gone.

The Gray Flame




"Sir Vesemir. What do you think of that mysterious man's statement? The one about how that parchment you held having only one purpose, to put 'her' to rest? What would that mean? And who do you think this 'her' is?"
There was a hint of restlessness in Vesemir's eyes when he rolled that scroll again and secured it back into its container. But as usual, he always appeared composed


"Just a plea, one that should not be taken as an obligatory any of us must fulfill."

Momentarily, his eyes darted back to the chamber again, and Vesemir fell silent for a bit before starting again with a wistful tone, as if knowing a mask of composure and joviality wouldn't do the trick this time.

"As for what that means, I do not know exactly what it entails. Over millennia, this scroll was considered a lost relic, yet the speculations and theories about what it can do have become as many as the long years since Theriadore created it."

"To weaken Luithiel. That was its purpose. Vengeful was the Servant of Serensiel during the five years of rebellion, and she weaponized her hatred to destroy her enemies, Men and Elves alike. You have witnessed how Sir Gray invoked divine blessing, this scroll works similarly; To ward off negative influence born from hatred and envy. I have no idea what was the meaning of his request to put her to rest. Luithiel died one and a half millennia ago, and elven soul does not linger. Unless..."

Squinting, Vesemir glanced at Gray who just joined them. "Tell me Mr Gray Flame. What exactly awaits us in Ostianor?"

"Oh, having a second thought now?" the masked elf shrugged, intentionally holding the answer as if wanting to set up suspense. "Could be nothing or the source of all evil we see. Honestly, we Rangers never go into that old tower, part of it is to respect Theriadore's wish and... well Some of my colleagues know better than to disturb the already restless spirit."

"And that Spirit. Is that "her"?"

A small laughter escaped him.

"Was what Theriadore recorded in that chamber frightens you? It's not like you are calling this expedition off even if I tell you every terrible legend and myth surrounding this land."

"Not me, but I think Miss Carnathia deserves to know so she could prepare in advance."

Gray's masked visage shifted at the tubular container, and he tilted his head. "We have prepared enough. But fine. One of the legends says Luithiel is still alive, and that legends spurred many speculations and twisted tales, that she was cursed; that she was awakened as... our primordial form, and the craziest of it, she denied the recall.

Gray, as usual, did not elaborate. He jumped to the worst-case scenario instead. "If we go there to fight her, I have nothing against it. We are strong enough. My question would be, why?"

"I would rather not fight anybody." Answered Vesemir. "Our goal in Ostianor is just to retrieve the key to Nuria. But it seems despite the vote of confidence you don't look thrilled with the idea as well, for the reason that is different from mine."

In his attempt to angle more information from him, Gray Flame sighed and looked at Carnathia. "What I feel is irrelevant, and it's not like I am holding any secret. I've never been into Ostianor's inner sanctum, and I do not know what kind of power that spirit possesses. The story about the Retainer is often mystical in nature, and the wise know when not to push their luck.

"And we are far from the wisest, that's what you are trying to say."

"My opinion is irrelevant. You are the boss. You point the place and I bring you there, anything that stands between us and your goal is a roadblock. You can either turn back or push through, and I'll support you either way."

"Bah!Don't sell this party short. No monsters would stand a chance with people like us around. Hahaha!"

It was hard to discern whether Vesemir was missing the joke, or he had an equally terrible sense of humor.

He accepted the crystal and whispered a word of magic into it, and lo! another beacon activated, like the first light of the dawn that erased shadow with its ray.

Entering the room again, Vesemir placed the crystal on one of the three arms of what looked like a golden candelabrum, and let the room be illuminated by reflections of light from a familiar crystal lamp on the ceiling. At first glance, the room looked more like a small gallery than a workshop, it was less spacious than the library, but somehow roomier with minimal cluttering; only a few notable collections could be seen, and they were either displayed on glass cases or seated on pedestals.

But somehow, the archeologist was more attached to another sealed door near the entrance, where a ray of light manifested right in front of the doorway. It took the form of a humanoid entity, and its sudden presence alerted both Gray and Vesemir, who respectively drew their weapon and stumbled backward in surprise.

Gray initially thought it was one of those lingering phantoms, but after tracking the source of light that powers the curious display, it apparently isn't.

The 'it' was taking the form of a finely dressed man, wearing a fancy feathered hat and an elaborate robe. Initially, the holographic entity did not show any expression, but then, his empty eyes shifted to Vesemir and gave him a curious look.

"Mae Govanen!" said the translucent being. "I don't recognize you and it has been... 1554 years since Silva, my human apprentice last visited. So you must be a party of intellects and able-bodieds in a quest for treasure. There is no shame in that, whatever is in this room, the dead don't need them."
His well-shaped eyebrows scowled as though he was having a headache, and she spoke in a rather pitying voice. "But I must advise you to not go beyond this door. This is a personal chamber, you see. The place where I rest when the fatigue has been too unbearable, and I still rest there and wish no disturbance. I hope you can understand."

Then, like a snuffed-out flame, the holographic man disappeared. Vesemire looked to his left and right, and Gray did the same: checking every gap and trapdoor, lest there be traps and contraptions suddenly sprung open. They found none.

"Relax… it seems whoever or whatever assuming the form of Theriadore had no ill intent."

After saying that the monocled elf turned back, heeding the warning, and continued to browse the rest of the exhibits displayed.

There was a bow hung on the north wall. Made of silverish material, it had minimal markings, save for some unordinary-looking feathers attached to its string. Before it was an empty display case made of enchanted glass, but it was empty, despite being locked tight.

Right on the opposite wall was another transparent display containing an exquisite-looking partisan. Its head looked like it was made of polished blued steel with short protrusions on its sides. The metalwork continued to its pole, which looked like it was made of a combination of stainless metal and ivory. Some battle markings and stains could be observed both on its blade and pole, but they were insignificant.

On the west, flanked by a chair and a cupboard full of books was a stone pedestal, which atop it rested an iron chest that was half opened.

"Good Lord, look at that! It looks like what we are looking for."

Inside that box was a tubular container made of embellished wood. When the Archeologists walked forth to claim it, that holographic entity showed up again, this time sitting on the chair next to the pedestal.

"I assume you pick that up with a reason. Otherwise, it would be nothing but a deadweight for you." Despite its roundabout fashion of saying things, the expression of unreal Theridaore feigned a deep concern. "It was created for one and only purpose. And if its service is needed again, then my biggest fear has come into being. It's such a terrible fate that she has to endure a thousand years of restlessness. I hope your efforts will put an end to her misery".

And then the image was gone again.

Clutching the tubular container close to his chest, Vesemir maintained a dignified poise as he walked out of that chamber. In the Library the archeologist immediately found himself a large table, where the container would have its lid opened.

Taking a quick glance at Roxas, Vesemir smiled to himself as he watched her selflessly helping others. "With this, we will fight off the shadow... It will be a walk in a park afterwards"

It looked like ordinary parchment when he unrolled it, but the words written on it were unmistakenly powerful: they glowed in gold when Vesemir placed his index finger and muttered verses written on it, and then around him, particles of light started to form. They multiplied and fluttered around, like a lucid plume of light, and the glow they radiated rivaled the refraction of light from the crystal lamp above; it filled the entire library and the additional room where this powerful scroll was taken from.

Everyone in both rooms would notice that they were bathed in a soft glow, before finally the spell faded, and the particles of light started to disappear.



"All things considered, I suppose that went well."

To be frank, calling it went well was a bit of a stretch, the fire was still there and Vesemir was almost about to toss his cane and fancy vest to put out the fire when Via, rather than conjuring ice or water to extinguish, picked a fire spell to... worsen the fire again?

Apparently not, her own brand fire looked like a living blaze that suck out the heat and oxygen from the existing fire, snuffing it out almost immediately. In amazement the archeologist swept sweat from his forehead, realizing that no harsh words were necessary, and nobody deserved blame for this.

"Are we cataloguing this library, or shall we move to the next room? I recall daytime is allegedly quite dangerous here, we dont have that much time."

Hearing that question, suddenly excitement filled his heart again. "Why, Mr Engelbert, to the next room of course." He glanced at Tillius, who volunteered to rescue the unburned shelves from the damaged ones.

"Gentlemen, I think that is enough that the fire has been put out. But if you want to give these valuable relics the proper appreciation they deserve, then be my guest. Just keep in mind that this hall is a library, and we are not a bunch of thieves."

Winking his monocled eyes, he shifted to the red-haired swordswoman and Roxas, wordlessly urging the healer to pick the brooch. "And don't forget our Eastborn friend. Looks like some nasty cuts on his palms."

Then he moved to the door, inserted the card, and pushed it open. And it opened like an ordinary heavy door.

"See? No need to hammer it! I was expecting it to say a welcome or something, though. Don't you wonder why the messages are all in Common and not Elvish?"

The room was dark, so Vesemir had to tread carefully. "Sívë anan eis lyenn, Theriadore." He said as he looked at the dark room. His lantern was still at the pillar, the only source of light that kept the library lit. And he did not bring a spare.

"Master Tillius, would you be so kind as to borrow me the crystal we recovered from the house earlier?"
Chaos unfolded, what a joy! Vesemir had been in many expeditions, and sure as hell this kind of occasion was almost a staple. But he thrived in chaos, or to be exact, in its aftermath, or when somebody else were busy with it.

So, taking advantage of the Golem's attention that was not fixed on him, the renowned archeologist gripped the mysterious card again. He had taken a scenic route through the left bookcase alleyways, safe from the ongoing fight, and allowed his eyes to feast on Theriadore's ancient collection before heading toward the door, which bluntly rejected his attempt to enter by sanding out a bored announcement: ​

🇦​​🇨​​🇨​​🇪​​🇸​​🇸​ ​🇩​​🇪​​🇳​​🇮​​🇪​​🇩​, ​🇹​​🇭​​🇪​ ​🇫​​🇦​​🇨​​🇮​​🇱​​🇮​​🇹​​🇾​ ​🇮​​🇸​ ​🇮​​🇳​ ​🇱​​🇴​​🇨​​🇰​​🇩​​🇴​​🇼​​🇳​

Frowning after sending off a cursory glance at the ongoing battle, the monocled elf deducted that one, his card is still a valid key, and two, defeating the golem would unlock the door.

It was such a shame that they couldn't just deactivate it. He raised his hand and witnessed how the people he hired exchanged blows with the stony guardian. Arrows were fired, spears thrown and swords swung, often in an exaggerated fashion, and that eastern vagabond seemed to be the most guilty of it. Who even swings a sword by jumping overhead?

Vesemir had already lost interest in that golem, and his awe had turned into concern when the party piled blow after blow toward the now half-frozen guardian. Ironically, Whatever blood that spilled from the subsequent attack started to ignite the precious millennia-old bookcase.

"What a shoddy job! those books are as precious as one of your limbs! Could you please put that fire off?" Though his words were only that of an entreaty, it was clearly filled with utter perplexion. "Or at least be more cautious!"

It actually wasn't such a surprise that they paid him no head. Except for Gray Flame, who shouted, clearly not to entertain his wish of how this particular fight should be executed, but rather, for a more pressing matter.

"Hey, get out of the Killzone!"

And look at that arrow! Battling his bookworm enthusiasm, Vesemir immediately knew he wouldn't want to be anywhere on the arrow's path. The monocled elf retreated to the left side of the hall, but not before taking a good look at how the fight fared so far. Those mana lines, broken crystal, and the weaponized concrete that was not quite dead yet. A spherical dome was erected around the elven healer, who conveniently, or not so conveniently, stood right in the middle of the hall, and that was a cue that told: everyone in this room knows exactly what was going to happen.

The archeologist, for the first time after long decades, reconsidered his destination and rushed for his life toward the only source of reliable protection available.
The Gray Flame




Gray Flame sat another arrow to the bow and carefully positioned himself not far from that pillar.

To be frank, he actually wanted to slack off and let the fatigue in his hand go away first before doing any action, But right now, with the fire spreading, and the golem charging up its ultimate weapon, well...he simply couldn't.

"Hey, get out of the Killzone!" He shouted and pulled the string of his bow to its proper, and fullest draw. A faint spark of white flame flickered on the tip of his arrowhead and coated it with a silverish gleam.

The arrow flew with a distinctive supersonic crack, like the sound of a whip or firearm being discharged indoors, it created a spiral trail of dust on its relatively short travel toward the golem's crystal eye.

WIP



The ice was shrugged off like a brittle hoarfrost.

"See what I mean?" muttered Gray, to nobody in particular. "Imagine getting caught in that nasty stomping."

The masked elf quickly relocated to the right, carefully positioning himself near the pillar in case he needed a solid cover.

A quick observation of the Golem's attack patterns when it dealt with Carnathia's mirror images and its deliberate attempt not to hit the pillar suggest that this particular unit's combat inhibitor was sophistically calibrated, and admittedly, quite perceptive at that. Why would someone did that? Well, the most obvious answer was that Theriadore would want to protect his collections even beyond the grave, and it was here to protect the valuables, not a secret. And it was capable of recognizing the valuables.

It was too early to conclude, but if proven true, the peculiarities could be exploited. He just needed to do some testing first.

"Smart piece of hardware that was..." Now standing next to Fia, Gray drew his longbow and notched an arrow, sparing a moment to glance at Fia and noticed the gleam of icy aura around her hand. "Hello Madam, I am afraid the ice won't cut it. Elements are bad for the books, and our stern librarian here might think you are too cool for this place!"

The joke was awful, but what the hell! Now refocusing his aim on the Golem's bright headlight, the masked elf released his ordinary arrow.

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