Randomness

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

Fia held a hand to her cheek as the group discussed what happened to the previous possessors of the scepter that Fia now had held. “Tragic, the poor dear. Either stumbling across it and hoping to use it to escape, or even it the device that had brought them into this den of despair in the first place. In either case, it was their only lifeline after coming across such solid a wall. One can only imagine the fear they must have felt to realize it would not transport them again.”
Not the most enlightening considering the party was sharing the very space that became those skeleton’s graves. Fia held the scepter up near her face and gave Miwa a smile. Though the young miko was worried about potential curse of the scepter and wary of the ancient magic potential it harbored, Fia did not share the sentiment. Of course, Fia wasn’t going to play with it either, but keeping it in hand as some suggested was just fine for her. At the very least, Fia knew she could dampen any backfiring in one way or another should it ever come to that.
“Not to worry, darling. I’m confident in my abilities as a mage. However, It’s a fine idea to watch yourself when it comes to power beyond your understanding. Until you harness it yourself, one can never truly know just how that power will manifest.” Fia gingerly placed the scepter within her bad, though it poked out of it a little as it’s length was slightly longer than the dimensions of her bag. At least there was no risk of it falling out on accident.
Soon excitement replaced the melancholy as the door finally opened. Like a switch, Vesemir hurried inside while his subordinates watched the door. Fia was one of those who waltzed right in with no worry. Though, perhaps that might not have been entirely true. The doors set to the side, barred with steel beams felt just a haunting as the broken wall of the room before. Given the door’s location, it was probably the same room. Easily avoidable as the closing door behind the group would block any path any entity could easily access to reach the main hall.
The hall itself was well lit despite the centuries the place was supposedly abandoned. While dust and debris still covered most of the surfaces, that was the only evidence of having lacked any foot traffic. Otherwise, water flowed through the fountain, the crystal light fixtures completely illuminated the space. That is, the lights illuminated only the immediate space, the area farther down the hall was drowned in darkness in stark contrast to the illuminated antechambers. Perhaps some upkeep was maintained in this facility, unless even the plumbing was controlled my magical artifacts.
Regardless, it turned out the place was not entirely empty of life. The group was suddenly beholden to a ghostly figure revealed in the form of a mysterious voice. A curator of nonhuman nature. Despite his spectral nature, Fia could tell he was no mere ghost. What kind of djinn Fia couldn’t say just yet, but a djinn he definitely was. And after the reveal of the curated artifacts in the room he stood in front of, he confirmed it as he answered the serpent yokai’s question.
“My favorite little snake and my new favorite ancient djinn becoming friends? The artifacts might be the selling feature of the vault, but this is what I live for.” said Fia cheerfully. It would be a lie to say Fia wasn’t interested in the catalysts, trinkets, and other devices within the strangely immaculate room behind Arcan, but it has always been the inherent power that the djinn contained that fascinated the mage in red.
“I for one would love to be one of those to see your true form. With a name such as the Warden, you must be a rather imposing individual, darling?” said Fia. She smiled before wandering near the newly accessible room, following anyone inside, mainly the man who carried the most enthusiasm about the facility, Vesemir.

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

Giddy with their newly acquired treasures, the party ventured forth. “We can worry about splitting the gold once we are out of the caves and safe at camp” suggested Fia. This wasn’t her first excursion that uncovered hidden treasures, and it wasn’t likely to be her last. Stuck in the middle of a dungeon was not really a good place to start dividing loot. There were too many chances for things to go wrong. Especially if during the process one of the party members felt cheated. The gold was neatly contained within the wooden chest, so it wasn’t going anywhere anyway. Though the box was dingy, it was still sturdy. The only cumbersome thing about it was the size. Not exactly a small box, but small enough to try onto someone’s pack.
After several minutes, the walls began to smooth, and the moisture lessen. The sounds of the creatures left behind deafened. What lay before them was a fork in the road. One way led down a path that Rezello’s flame could not penetrate. It was ominous, almost otherworldly. Whatever it was, the darkness worked well as both a wall and a deterrent. For the time being, it was silently decided to leave it alone. After all, the other path led to the very door Vesemir had been anticipating.
Compared to normal elven architecture, or at least compared to much of what Fia had seen when it came to their architecture, the door war mostly plain. A minimalist look even, with the only intricate designs it had designating the lock. A solid block of metal otherwise. Truly, the best word to describe it was a vault, even if the true vault lay somewhere deeper within the structure. This place wasn’t built to be pretty, it was made to be sturdy and secure deep underground.
As luck would have it, further treasures were to be found. More remains of travelers or victims past lay by each other, the cold steel door being their remaining obstacle for salvation. Though, evidence shown that it was one they could not overcome. Poor dears. To find themselves desperate and isolated in these caves. Whatever drove them here, they knew it was a door, but clearly lacked the key. Unlike those poor souls, the party did have a key. Vesemir produced a card and though the door didn’t open immediately, it was enough to get some kind of reaction out of it.
“Jazdia is right about that. Gold it may be, but there is something tantalizing emanating from it. An enchantment? Some ancient magic, perhaps?” said Fia, “Yes, give me a second. Lets see what we have here.” Fia knelt down next to one of the skeletons. The person this once was died embracing a golden sceptre, a treasure Fia took notice of, but Stepan brought attention to. It must have had some importance or power because they died with their arms tightly around it. Even after so many years where the connective tissue had been rotted away, the bones remained in place.
The sceptre was covered and dirtied by the passing of time. Yet even so, was still clearly a valuable item if only by the materials it was made. A short rod with three pointed crown on one end, and tapering to a point at the other. A vine motif wrapped around the shaft ending at the crown resembling the large bulb of a closed flower. Two thorns formed at the top of either side while a central spike formed the middle of the three points on the crown. There were inlays for eight gems, three of which were missing. An ornate item indeed, and one that held magical potential.
“Oh, this was a neat find, my dear Stepan.” said Fia. Gingerly, she released the golden sceptre from the embrace of the skeleton, its arms finally able to relax after so many decades. The magic it held was drained, yet it still emanated power like a candle that refused to dim even as the wax had burned away. Attempting to activate it proved futile. It wasn’t a tool for channeling, but rather one that contained an enchantment of its own. Though Fia failed to actually activate the sceptre, she was able to glean what its purpose was. She looked over to the mercenary who shown interest in the sceptre even if it were for monetary reasons.
“What we have here is teleportation.” said Fia flatly. Teleportation. At least proper teleportation had still managed to elude Fia after her countless hours studying creatures capable of it themselves, if in only limited capacity. Perhaps it was those limits that made it hard for her master it herself. To travel more than the distance of a city block was advanced magic. So to have something capable here, and somehow programmed into a magic item was intriguing. Truly ancient technology that has since been lost or stifled. “It’s dead, of course. It needs a new source of mana. I have to give credit to the people of the distant path. It managed to hold its identity even after several millennia. I’m not even sure if the elves alone are the ones who crafted it.”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

With both the speed of the snake and that of the ninja girl, the wait for not so hidden treasures would be short. Still, most of the party was waiting in the near dark cavern until they returned, so there was some time to kill. A few of the others chatted among themselves, mostly about Akari’s ability to clone herself. Fia herself was also intrigued, but from what she gathered, it was more of a technique than a spell. No matter, Fia worked best when all her magic originates together from one source.
Fia rested her arms on top of each other pressed softly against her abdomen when Jazdia asked her question. Fia’s eyes looked at the ranger elf, her composure fair, yet her eyes tired. While she was able to imbue her arrows with mana, it didn’t appear that Jazdia worked with the free flow of raw magical power. It was no matter, using a medium made things easier, and the results were nothing to scoff at. And even then, easier was a trapped word. It still took control to command mana to do what it needed. Otherwise, the elf would risk blowing herself packing the explosive energy within those arrows of hers.
“Interesting? Dearie, that is probably one of the least interesting things about my capabilities. All the same, thank you for the compliment.” said Fia. She smiled at the elf, though the low light might not have allowed it to show. Fia moved closer to the elf to be within more conversing distance. “Unlike those casters from academia, or who hide out in their palaces, I derive my magic from more primal sources. If you’re curious, darling, I can tell you more about it when we are somewhere less... drab.

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

Fia’s right hand was held out at her side, with the palm facing the ceiling prepared to bring forth more flames to cremate what remains of Sheel lay about. However, Rezello didn’t seem keen on any idea involving their displacement instead sharing part of his sad memory of that time ten years ago. Even so, there was determination that rode upon his voice over the sorrow. He had come for answers and had found the chisel to chip at the stone that blocked his path. A mystery a decade old was unraveling, ready to reveal the closure the knight very much wanted.
“Ah, my darling serpentine emerald has woken from her slumbering coil.” said Fia one she heard the slithering voice of the yokai girl. Rezello had steeled himself to discover more answers, so now the focus was more on the caves themselves. Fia clasped her hands together as she spun on her heel to face the snake girl. “How I’ve missed the breath of your voice. I only we could seal of silence on our furnace knight, then life would be that much grander.”
“But to answer the question at hand, if you find me one of those devourers alive, I might be able to glean some information on just what makes them tick. You can learn a surprising amount in a short time just by testing their limits” Fia quickly pulled a large knight out from behind her back, somehow strapped near the ties of her corset. Fia twirled the knife in hand a little as she stared so intensely. She ended her flare holding the knife handle gingerly in one hand, resting the tip of the knife with the index finger of the other. “National interest or no, if anyone else as my virescent darling is interested enough, I could sacrifice some time to figure it out.”
Fia smiled and let out a quick breath of air, almost like she laughed. She carefully returned the large knife into its tough hide sheath and looked towards the elf. The room was depressing enough with the bodies of stolen loved ones. And with none of the devourers around, no answers would be found regarding anything with the room or the creatures themselves. Shadows barely flickered as the masked knight’s flames danced in an almost hypnotic color, their only source of light for the moment. But there was the opportunity the cursed elf casually dropped. Something that has always lifted the spirits of any adventure into unknown lands and forgotten pasts.
“I am always weak for treasure, darling. Seeking answers is the main goal, yes. However, to wander the lands the world chose to ignore and not bring back souvenirs. Well, that feels like a crime. You said that none of those devourers were in this section of the caves? What harm is there in a slight detour?”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

The caves were dark, damp, and echoed with the shuffling of feet, either that of the party or the devourers. If this was meant to be an alternate path, maybe the caution was indeed warranted. Creatures that can see in the dark much like how other beings can see in the light. Such an inverse of sight was fascinating, and was confusing as well. To be blind, but sighted in the dark. How curious. Fia mainly stood near the middle of the group, behind that of the imposing warriors and leaders of the path, yet in front of those who were less combat focused and even on of the three Akari that had appears shortly after the sunlight vanished.

“As far as scenic routes go, I have to give these caverns a low rating. A little out of date when it comes to horror homes, no?” said Fia, attempting to help lighten the mood. The group had managed to avoid any encounters with monsters, and according to Jazdia, they would be safe going forward. But such humor came at a poor time as the cave opened up into a larger room. The flickering sparks of Rezello’s flame barely lit the far walls, though the ceiling remained low. Among the rubble of the stone and dirt were the remains of several individuals. Individuals that Rezello seemed to have a connection with. At least according to Vesemir.

“You said that an entire town disappeared suddenly one day? The remains here seem awfully light to populate an entire town. And even then, you would think there was more evidence of an invasion of only these monsters corralled them away.” said Fia. She wandered near one of the piles of bones, it was browned with dust and dirt, obviously corroded by the elements, no flesh remaining of any sort. They were small, delicate, and gave away just how young some of the victims were. “I don’t know what kind of sorcery was at play then. We can only wish that the souls of these people didn’t suffer.

“Coming back or carrying them out seems more dangerous than it’s worth.” said Fia. She wasn’t cold in her delivery, but spoke more out concern for any future endeavors into the Twilight lands. “It would be faster to cremate them and let the ashes scatter. At least then their bones would no longer be gnawed on, and you could give any last rites have you any.”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

The sun was barely peaking over the trees, but the brightness of the sky gave sign to the coming day. The makeshift table and chairs were collected and packed, the fires extinguished, the barrel of water and fish loaded. Many hands were busy with the cleanup, each doing their best to be done by the time Vesemir wanted to leave. It was not long until their campsite was returned to the wilderness. The only thing that lingered was the scent of freshly cooked fish and still water. Ready to go, the party took leave from the momentary safety of camp deeper into the unknown forests of twilight.

Fia expected dangers to come. Not immediately, but at some point before they reached the jagged hills several hours later. Yet, they managed to travel without so much as a fox crossing their path. A blessing to be sure. The group had stopped to assess their next direction of travel. Climbing was put to rest in favor of the alternate route Vesemir wanted. Using the remains of prior defeat as a landmark was not an unheard of traveling trick, but to have only the body of a single soldier was. Especially in a place that housed blood thirsty entities capable of moving the very earth beneath their feet. Regardless, it had done it’s job after death, their elven archer locating the entrance to the underground passage they needed to reach the vault.
“I cannot say I blame those who were forced to leave their dear friend behind.” said Fia, “not all have the benefit of a Freundutzen to hike through the difficult terrain towards home carrying those dead on its shoulders. Looking at the state of that soldier, I doubt they had the chance to even reach him. Poor dear. At least his sacrifice has lent aid to the future travelers that came through these cursed lands.” While it was possible for any of them to suggest perhaps providing a grave for the corpse, it felt unnecessary. Not out of disrespect, but something else. Time perhaps, or maybe to keep him as the gate keeper towards the vault’s underground. Even Rezello, who seemed to have the most invested interest in the body, felt the rites he offered sufficient. At least Fia got that impression after he finished his small ceremony and left for the cave entrance.
“Hmm, has something amiss caught your attention, dear?” asked Fia, as she grouped with the others during the moment the group shuffled their positions. Miwa and Rezello had started to take the lead in silence as Jazdia spoke to the others of the first company. “The forest’s very nature makes it not safe to linger, but I sense there is something more immediate to watch for?”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

“Aww, look. Not even a full day in, and Miwa has taken charge of her young student. It’s good to see she is acclimating with our group quickly. Those two get along swimmingly, don’t you agree?” said Fia, not really looking for an answer. Since Mr. Elc removed himself to aid Akira and converse with the newly awoken Vesemir, and Miwa confronting said ninja, it left Fia alone with Jazdia as her immediate company.
“The young miko is right, though. I might not be as versed when it comes to curses as she, but I am well versed in weaving about mana. I’ll help her as best I can to remove whatever vengeful aura that afflicts you. I can recognize the desperation having come into this forsaken land time and time again.” Fia leaned forward on the box she was sat. Her right hand reached forward, and her index finger hooked the edge of the plate that held the remaining sandwiches. Carefully, she slid it closer to in front of the cursed elf. She lifted her hand and rested it on Jazdia’s arm. “There are two left. Everyone else has left, so you should enjoy them yourself. You did make them, after all. It would be a shame if you were denied any.”
Fia stood from her seat, swiping the back of her skirt to straighten it out. Fia wandered near the river bank as Miwa walked away after her lecture. Akari herself was just leaving the water, using some of her own magic to dry herself off. Akari pulled her hair through the neck of her black tunic and adjusted her bow. Fia held her arms together in front of her torso, intercepting the ninja girl as she started back towards camp.
“Allow me to say, my dear Akari, that you are a lovely lady. If you ask me, I think the others appreciated this chance to see you at work.” said Fia, “Miwa means well, and is only looking out for your well being. I don’t believe she said what she said out of malice. Just concern. For you, and I suppose for our dear Stepan.”
Fia paused and turned her head. One of the elves raised his voice as he addressed the party as a whole. It was time to start breaking down camp, at least partially in preparation for the next leg of their journey towards the fabled library. Fia turned back to the young ninja. “It looks like we will be leaving soon. You’ve been swimming all morning, so you should get something to eat before we go. Who knows what we will encounter next, so you should keep your strength up. Come, darling.”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

The morning air was cool as the sound of water softly rippled throughout the clearing. The forest trees filtered the dawn, only brightening the sky. Insects chirped, and rustling of grass as the adventurers stirred about the turned over crate. Compared to the chaos and lingering death that spewed from the dragon’s presence, or that of the earth being tossed aside by the trees themselves, this morning was rather peaceful. Clear heads knew to be wary of the hidden dangers that lingered deeper within, or even the hidden dangers that had yet to be revealed from behind. A shame that only this moment in time was almost like a vacation.
“So, it’s a curse then, darling?” said Fia as she slowly chewed the remains of the sandwich. A few crumbs broke free of the crust, saved from free fall among the folds of Fia’s skirt. As the rest of the sandwich disappeared, the only evidence of it remaining were a small smattering of marmalade on the corner of her lips. Fia looked at Jazdia with an intense gaze as the dialog took pause. What the elven archer thought possible, and what Miwa claimed capable seemed to be in competition. It almost appeared like pain and desperation. Even for a young elf, having to live with the thorns of unknown causes from powers childish must only bring torment. Tolerance can only go so far.
“Then the fire offers more than just warmth against your skin. How to be so young and beautiful and to be shackled by the chains of the vengeful. Coming here was not merely obligation but to seek out the shears that can sever you from the tangles of pale emanations.” Fia leaned forward in her makeshift chair, the back of the box tilted forward digging the edge into the soft dirt. She grabbed Jazdia’s hands into her own, holding them tightly. “Not to worry, darling. I may be here for my own desires, but that does not mean I will not lend you any aid I can offer.”
It was only for a moment that Fia held Jazdia in that position before she let go. Fia allowed gravity to take hold of the box seat again letting it fall back onto its stable face. Fia picked up the tankard of nearly room temperature tea and finished what remained from the cup. The tankard empty, Fia placed it back on the crate-made table with a soft knock against the wood.
“That library does seem to hold promise, if master Vesemir’s speculations are correct. An artificer you say. It’s one thing to cast magic. Among the many people I’ve met, few fully can harness mana, and fewer who harness it unbound. It makes you wonder how many are actually capable of infusing it into an object. I’ve only ever known one person capable. Maybe there is something there for you, whether a cure or information. In any case, I’m sure there will be some quality loot.”
Fia watched as Mr. Elc stood to aid Akari in her endeavors by the riverside. The young ninja striped off her clothes and jumped into the likely cold water in her underware. Akari went about plucking fish from the riverbed and expertly tossed them into the crate provided by Mr. Elc. All the while, the other party members were starting to wake. At least mostly from the elves. The sky was getting brighter, but the light had yet peaked over the canopy of the trees. Birds chirped now, calling for their early morning partners or seeking feed for their young.
“Hmm, it looks like our dear Stepan has engrossed himself by the water. How unlucky of Mr. Elc, his alone time with so many lovely ladies being cut short.”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

Fia chuckled alongside Miwa as she defended herself. Not even a full day and Miwa didn’t seem out of place. At least outside of her attire, which wasn’t that out of place either as it complimented Akari. If it were not for their choice of camping ground, that being within the confines of the Twilight lands, this felt much like Fia did when she traveled with that old elf and his throng of the most unlikely allies she often found her self returning to. Fia smiled as she finished the sandwich, tempted to reach for another while the few remained on the uneven crate acting as their dining table.
“It’s not your conventional weapon. I would think the canopy would get in the way or catch the wind. Ah, thank you my dear Mr. Elc. This will work just fine.” said Fia, The mercenary had returned with a metal tankard full of warm tea. Not the most conventional of hot drink ware, but it served the job well enough. The handle kept Fia’s hands from the heated metal. “Anyway, you look quite capable with it, even drawing water. I’m impressed. Not with just that, but coming this way all on your own. You are resilient, darling. Your temple is fortunate to have you. You certainly deserve more rest if you need it, dear.”
Fia sipped from the tankard of tea and then quickly reached out grabbing another sandwich out from underneath Mr. Elc’s attempt to grab it himself. The tankard rested near the edge of the crate as Fia took a bite from the sandwich, a drop of the marmalade falling out and landing softly in the grassy dirt below.
“My dear, Jazdia. You don’t need to take things that seriously. We are not in any immediate danger, it is okay to relax. Our dear Miwa has perked up and the tea is still warm. Vesemir still sleeps, so we have time to further decompress before we head out towards the artificer’s lair.”

Duplicitous Ruins in the Land of Twilight

Fia Blackfire

---

“Oh, thank you, darling. Don’t mind if I do.” Fia suddenly appeared behind the others. She was behind Jazdia, and reached towards a sandwich as it was sat on the table. Fia used Jazdia’s posture as a means of balance bringing her hand back with her new found marmalade treasure. Fia stood back up straight, raising one arm in the air as she stretched, bringing the other with the sandwich to her mouth.
“I’ll also have some of that tea, dear. When you get the chance.” Fia walked next to Jazdia this time, dragging over a small box to work as her seat. Settled at the table with everyone else, Fia looked at Mr. Elc, then Jazdia, and finally Miwa. She smiled as the still waking east lander was barely standing with warm tea just within her reach.
“I wonder if our dear Miwa will still be able to stand if you were to deprive her of her walking cane. The dawn is young, and many of the others still slumber. I certainly won’t question if you wish to sleep a little longer.”