Visyn

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

Roxas looked up as the golem seemed to become alerted to them. She pulled her bow from her shoulder and pulled a couple arrows from her quiver. She moved to the left and behind some bookshelves. She moved to a specific on and grabbed it. She rocked it to see how sturdy it was. If it was deemed sturdy, she climbed it and crouched on top of the bookshelf. She notched an arrow and aimed it, but didn't pull her bow.

"If we don't want to try to destroy to eye, then simply damage it enough so it stops working, or cover it!" She glanced to the rest of the group from her vantage point. She was ready to jump down and activate her shield if she wanted to, but it would drain a lot of her mana if she did it. She wanted to be sure they would need it; she wasn't sure it would stop a beam from hitting people.

"I'll jump down and get the shield up if it gets too bad; not sure it'll stop the beam though, so if we can avoid it activating a beam, that'd be idle!" She hoped it would only wield the large weapon it had and not have a defense mechanism that would do something she couldn't stop.

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

Roxas wandered close to the group, not really asking questions but keeping her gaze on alert not that she knew this place wasn't normal. Once they made it to the building, and Vesemir had his small ramble of the history and how someone should have been here, she still kept her gaze alert.

They moved inside and her eyes wandered the halls. The spell may have been gone, but there was definitely remnants of it long since echoing around. They made it to the door, and Vesemir expertly.. and swiftly.. opened the door.

Her gaze widened as she looked around the library, moving to get out of the way of the door but also no stray too far into the space. Her eyes landed on the construct and they hardened. She listened to Vesemir and Gray before raising her hand. "I have. They were in one of the ruins I had to go to for a job. It helped me gain a spell to protect others; it nearly killed my party at the time. Taking out the eye is priority for sure. It can't target properly if it can't access your signature. Unfortunately, since it's magic.. it won't be going down easily either."

She looked to the group. "I recommend a spread out approach and one to two people taking out the eye while others provide distraction. If it fires up the beam, then.. the library will be in flames, but.. it's either that or.. get sliced by a beam." She offered a shrug. "I believe once the eye is taken care it, it has something on its body to completely.. disservice it. This is also information based on the ones in the dungeon I've been to; not on a custom-made one, but I believe it might have the same basic structure. At least I hope."

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

The elven woman gave a soft gasp as she essentially came back from the Shadows. Her gaze moved around quickly, assessing what was going on before she glanced to her arm. She saw the blood, meaning her wound on the Shadows had been real. She clicked her tongue lightly, fishing out a cloth and wiping her arm quickly. She didn't want her scent of blood to cause problems if there was such creatures. She stuffed the cloth back into her pocket.

Her gaze moved to Carnatia as she spoke, then to Vesemir as he ordered Gray and Engelbert to be front point. Seems they caused enough problems and needed to get going. The scream in the ever dark didn't cause any hesitation. She shifted, pulling her bow from her shoulder and gave a soft sigh. "I'm here and ready."

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

The first snap of a bowstring served as a signal, the flanking men charging at once. On Roxas' side, the lead swordsman staggered with an arrow piercing his chest. Another found its mark soon after, the projectile whizzing before punching through mail and shirt alike to find purchase in the flesh underneath. He faltered, falling to his knee with a wet gurgle, crimson spittle flowing out of his mouth.

As if uncaring of his fallen comrade, the axeman continued the charge and raised his poleaxe up high. A wide swing was incoming, partial blindness to be compensated by the sizeable arc. The third arrow found purchase in him, somewhere lower in the abdomen, yet whether drunk in adrenaline or the presence of a beer belly the man wasn't much hampered by the damage at the moment.

A smirk appeared as she watched the arrows sink into the targets. She watched the axeman continue towards her, making her range harder to shoot at. Roxas proceeded to bend backs, arrow transferring to her bow hand and both hands going to the ground as her legs kicked up. The axeman in range of her kick and her foot aiming for the axe in his hand as he swung at her. She landed easily, bow already pulling up to shoot.

She notched her arrow she had and shot at the axeman. She notched another immediately, shooting at him again. She notched a third and fourth together, aiming at him steadily. She was waiting for him to proceed forward if he could. She wasn't playing anymore with two arrows notched. Her gaze glanced to Rezello again, noting he was doing doing well. She heard the ice behind her, figuring Fia used ice and Tillius seemed to be making strides as well. Everything seemed to be going well.

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

Roxas gave a soft relief sigh when she saw her wound heal. Good, it wasn't hindered here. She looked around to take in her surroundings quickly. The lantern was further ahead, but the men were starting to block them in.

Her hand was swift as she pulled an arrow, notched and aimed. She followed one of the men, and let her arrow loose to zoom towards him. She quickly grabbed another arrow and aimed as she notched, following the same man and letting the second arrow loose. She pulled a third arrow, aiming and waiting as she watched the movements of the men.

As she watched, she tried to maintain the movement to go towards the lantern. Her bow still pulled, she glanced to Rezello and Forbann. Hopefully they would okay. She didn't want them to separate, but Rezello looked to be holding his own. She let loose her third arrow and already was notching a fourth when the men were getting into better position.

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

“Are you alright, darling?” Fia asked. As the sorceress approached, Roxas was tossing away the fletched end of her arrow. Fia stood next to Roxas, one arm reached around the elf’s back. Both her hands gripped Roxas’ shoulders. “We should get you out of here.” Fia looked up at the tree. As much as Tillius’ blocked the view in front of him, he couldn't block it all. Everywhere they looked had evidence of horrors long past. “We should all get out of here. Where is that light? We need to get to Vesemir’s light.” Fia swiveled her head to look about. She didn’t see Carnatia or Nanashi. Hopefully that was a sign they made it out and were with the other elves.

Her gaze moved to Fia as she grabbed onto Roxas. She didn't have any time to say anything though as she looked to her arm, groaning as she seemed to feel the strength just.. leave it. What the hell..? She looked back to Fia, and pointed with her non hurt arm. "Further down the road."

"Lads! We found them!" one of the soldiers cried, his voice was unusually cruel, coarse, and amplified. Their weapons were drawn, sword and poleaxes, and soon they would initiate the skirmish by making a flanking move toward the party's frontline.

As everyone's attention seemed to be distracted by what was happening in front of Tillius, the captain had already galloped toward Rezello and Forbann, brandishing his bloodied hatched.

Her head snapped up to the yell of the phantoms finding them. First it was hurting herself, next it was them being found out!? What else was going to go wrong? She clicked her tongue to herself, and looked to her arm. It had gotten it's strength back, but the arrow was going to be troublesome. In a split minute decision, she wretched the arrow from her arm with a groan, and pressed her hand to it, whispering softly to herself as she healed the arm. Hopefully her magic would work in this realm. If not, she'd do a quick bandage.

"Don't worry about me! They've seen us! Get ready to fight!" She yelled, pushing Fia's hands off her and taking a single step back. Her gaze moved up to the man on the horse. "Aim for the horse!" They needed to act fast, or they weren't going to get out of this.. and if they did, it would be with injuries.

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

When Roxas stood there unmoving, one of the soldiers threw another rope over the branches and fitted another noose on the dead elf's neck. His partner behind him held the other end and yanked the rope, jerking the corpse and causing blood and brain matter to splatter about as the corpse hoisted upward.

The elven civilian tied to the tree was still alive, weeping in pain. Her executioner had left her for now, to look for another toy to play with.

Her bow came up easily, arrow notched and ready to fire at the phantom if it even attempted to approach her. Her eyes only widening at the sight of the dead elf swinging from the tree. She wasn't about to me added to the tree; she would rather kill herself with her own dagger. She even tried to step back, but whatever or whoever was behind her, prevented her from fleeing.

"Tch." The orc growled, looking around if anyone too was also caught in this. He could simply side-step the elf and continued moving towards the light, but what is to happen to them if he just ignored them. One was clearly ensnared by the phantom, many more could have as well. But how could he get them to break off? His quick-thinking, pressured by the current situation, fired off one solution.

"Heads down, fall in." Tillius gave as short and concise of an instruction as possible for Roxas and anyone in view. He squeezed past the elf and stepped in front of her, hoping to cover her vision of the five butcher-soldiers, his shield raised above his face, hoping to cover even the vision of the people behind him who might be tempted to have a staredown with the abyss.

The poor woman heard Tilli's voice and seemed to watch him come into view, but it didn't stop her from keeping her bow notched and pulled. Her arm trembled lightly as she stood there. Her eyes were still wide as she stared forward, looking at the shield and orc in her way, but not actually seeing him. Softly mumbled words escaped her as she trembled in spot, arms straining to keep the bow and arrow up and ready to fire.

"I can't.. I can't.. I'd rather kill myself.. Stay away.." Her breath had picked up after her words, likely an indication she was about to have a panic attack. In her panic, her hand let the arrow loose. Thankfully, with Tilli in the way, it seemed to just hit the shield, but being so close.. It bounced back; embedding itself in her arm.

A soft yell startled her out of her stupor, bow clattering to the ground as her hand moved to the arrow in her arm, which she looked to. Breath heavy as she looked around and up at Tili. She'd been entranced and thrown into a panic by the phantoms; but the pain pulled her out of it. "Apologies, Tilli.." She held a small face of pain, quickly breaking the arrow so it was shorter and then picking up her bow.

@Conscripts

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

With the goal of Lasse Library now in everyone's mind; one that seemed to make Roxas curious. Perhaps she could find some things she's been wanting to.. The team set out. Thankfully, it seemed they had fallen in a more singular line, to avoid being touched by the black shadows and masses trying to reach them and plead for their lives.

It was definitely unsettling for Roxas. As someone who only ever wanted to help someone, she felt pity for the souls stuck; if they could even be called souls anymore. With the warning from both the Boss and Gray Flame, it was a little.. concerning. It seemed for not for Roxas though. She saw the flashes of the illusion in her mind, so much to cause her to stumble a little, nearly tripping on the slight rubble that had gotten on the path. Finding her footing was easy. Whoever was behind her would bump into her as she stopped straight in her tracks.

Her eyes widened with the realization that.. The illusion had grabbed at her mind and now she was stuck staring at the five men who very likely had just killed that elven man. She could feel her blood run cold at the thought. Her hand already moved to grab at her bow, the other grabbing an arrow from her quiver to notch.

Into the Land of Twilight

Roxas

---

For the remainder of the night at the house, Roxas didn't come downstairs, not even for dinner. She stayed upstairs, reading the books on medical knowledge. When it was time to leave in the morning; Roxas did come down and apologize to everyone about her behavior. She gave the option for anyone to look in her bag if they suspected her that she was stealing the items.

---

On the route towards their destination, Roxas can either be seen playing her flute or caving into wood. Whenever she carved into the wood, she was infusing it with her mana. Whenever she was done with the carving, she would give it to the respective person; possibly as an apology but most because they would need it.

All items were replicas of items she would see on the person; Mask for Gray Flame, the flower from Fia's hairpin, Rezello's pendant, a random flower for Forbann and Engelbert, Evelyn's brooch, Nanashi's katana, Carnatia's rapier and she even gave Vesemir a small charm of his cane, incase he needed it. All items, save for the flowers, have an engraved flower into it somewhere. It was likely her signature.

---

Once everyone was disembarked from the wagon and told to gather around, Roxas stayed close to the edge as best as she could. She looked to the map, looking up as others talked.

"Tonight, Ser Vesemir?" Asked Engelbert with a slight tilt of the head, peering down on the map. It's... hmm, looked like it was actually close enough to feasibly reach, but a night march was an entirely different beast than daytime. "It would be quite dangerous, if only from the risk of someone tripping and breaking their ankle. May I know the reason why?"

As eccentric as their boss were, Vesemir was nothing if not logical. If he wanted a night visit, he should have a good reason why.

"Injuries can either be taken care of with bandages and salves, or minor healing; as long as it is not needed frequently. I am knowledgeable in taking care of wounds without mana. For clarification on the charms I've given you, they will allow you to enter my barrier if you are not already within it. Do not lose them; I will only make you one other if so. Do no let them be taken from you, anyone who has them will be granted entry." She then went quiet, looking to Carnatia and Gray as they examined a tree for possible illusions or something more nefarious.

Into the Land of Twilight

Collab between

Tillius

&

Roxas

Upstairs on the second floor

---

Her head shifted the slightest bit, as if to tell the next person to leave her alone before she paused. Her head turned further to look at Tillius before looking back to the window. “I didn’t like being questioned.” She frowned lightly to herself. “It hasn’t happened in nearly 100 years and it did not sit well, when I felt I had good intentions.”

“I realized as I walked away, it was fairly childish to do what I did; by yelling at Gray Flame.” Her hand moved from around her leg and brushed some hair away from her face. “I will apologize to everyone tomorrow.”

She looked at him again with a turn of her head. “Did they ask you to come here?”

Tillius was prepared for a lecture, but she pretty much knew right away she was wrong. Saved him a lot of time and quite frankly he was somewhat impressed to hear.

”Good. Credit to you for being self-aware of your own faults.” He didn’t really mince his words, but was fair when it came to it. ”And no, I came up here of my own volition. I don’t want to see unresolved discontent. On a journey, it’s always more dangerous with discord than any monsters.”

The focus then ought to become just letting her sort her frustrations out herself. That’s not a big deal.

”You said you haven’t been questioned in nearly 100 years. Tell me more about it.” He said. ”Where are you from exactly?”

Roxas gave a soft laugh. Her posture became more relaxed as she pulled her legs away to dangle versus scrunched up in defense. He was changing the subject, which was fine by her. “I’m actually from Alkaustar, but I moved after fumbling about for 100 years. It grew boring for me.”

She turned, so he could see her more, but she still had a view of the storm. “After wandering for a couple years, I found an out of the way small city and have been living there ever since; being one of two best adventurers and guides for newbies and anyone who needs help when they come through.” Her gaze moved to her bag that sat by the bookcase, as if she was remembering something that she had inside; likely a keepsake.

”Mhm.” He mused. ”Not a bad start.”

Also explained why she wasn’t used to being questioned. She might be the best adventurer there, but here everyone is at least several degrees experienced.

”Boredom is a strong motivator, I will say.” Tillius continued. ”I was an officer in the Westernant military. Retired, no drama, good relations with the general. But civilian life was boring, so I came here with you rowdy folks.”

Another smile graced her lips at his profession of coming with rowdy people. ”Rowdy, huh?” Her gaze moved down to the desk she sat on, fingers running along it. ”Military is impressive; hence why you’re a light sleeper.” She swung around and hopped off the desk, moving to her bag.

She rummaged through it and pulled out a small wrap of leather. She pulled out a piece of jerky, taking apart a piece and then putting the wrap back. ”I love adventuring and I love helping new adventurers. It’s fulfilling to see them win their first battle or sell their first materials.” She tore the jerky in half and moved to him, offering him as she took a bite of her own piece. She looked up at him, not all the way tilting her head, looking through her lashes.

”Everybody starts their journey somewhere.” Tillius bowed lightly as he took the jerky offer from Roxas. ”Any particular adventurer that you remember?”

The blonde elf gave a hum of thought as she moved and leaned against the desk now, crossing her ankles. ”Ah! Rentt. He was a new one in town; a tank. He was having trouble getting used to using a shield and blocking attacks so his party members could get in to attack. In one of our jobs; he had gotten too flustered and caused an attack to happen to one of the others. He felt so sorry that he bought them something later because he felt so bad.”

A smile pulled at her lips as she told the story, looking up to him with a genuine smile. ”Those two married five years ago and have a child now.”

”Wow, nice lad.” Tillius raised his eyebrows as he munched on his jerky. ”A happier ending than who I knew, that’s for sure.”

Roxas’ smile faltered to a smaller one with a nod. She knew what loss of people she helped was one she knew well. She looked back up to him, chewing on a piece then tilting her head a little. ”And you, Tilli? Anyone you were fond of?” She had subconsciously given him a nickname; likely just a habit with newbie adventurers.

”I do.” Tillius didn’t really budge with the nickname. ”I met him just before crossing into Varenheim actually. He’s my former superior, Marcus.”

”I could go on about him, but if you want a short story that tells all about him, it’s one when he one day saw a poor lad, a completely new recruit, scrubbing a stable all alone, all night. Marcus decided to give the guy double pay for that month.” With an air of reverence, Tillius narrated. ”A few days later, both of us came to the same stable, and saw a dozen or so soldiers scrubbing the stables, all from the same company as that new recruit, by the way. So you obviously knew what they were up to.”

”Both Marcus and I saw that, and he said something like: ‘You guys should instead go and scrub each other in the bath.’, then left.”

The elf chewed on her jerky as she listened to his short story. Her gaze lifted to him and she gave a laugh at the end of it. Her face lit up in the dim room. ”He sounds lovely.” Her smile faded a little, before she took a deep breath. Her head fell back to look up at the ceiling. Her ear shifted slightly at the noises from downstairs before looking back to Tillius. ”Thank you for talking to me, Tilli. Don’t feel obligated to stay up here anymore.” She turned and moved to the bookcase where her bag was, scanning the spines.

Being up here by herself would likely be lonely, but she still didn’t want to go downstairs. She pulled one of the medical books and sat in the chair at the desk. ”Feel free to tell them, if they will believe me, that I have no intention of stealing the items. They are safely back in their respective places.” She looked to Tillius and offered him a smile.

”If they would ask, then yes, I shall convey.” He too felt it safe to leave her alone. It seemed like everything worked out in the end. ”It is a pleasure to help.”

Tillius gave her a single firm handwave before backing away to the stairs and then descended.

Roxas waved back to him and went about reading the medical book, one of the few things she had been looking forward to when she saw the room and what was inside.