The Second circle

Roaming the grasslands, the exact location to the bandit hideout was never foretold to the mercenary so settling for a quick adventure was something he was forced to do. As it panned out he could only assume the former bounty raion had gone into hiding, probably never to be found. It was pretty annoying considering such a bounty on his head, the oscuri could only hope to bump into him randomly someday.

With nothing, but a map in his hand the fully geared oscuri traversed the land with a vigilant gaze kept about. Tension in his shoulders, the fact he could be jumped by a mob of people only furthered his caution when strolling through the open wasteland.


"Hm. . ."

A silent mumble to himself, dropping bot arms to his side he stared longingly at the surrounding area, only spotting a single figure off in the distance. Cloaked and hooded, alone was allowed him the ability to go forth without worry. "Hey. . . Seen any bandits?" He questioned, unsure if the person himself were one. Regardless, this oscuri was dripped in armor from head to toe, his body concealed beneath layers of clothing that went bare to armor. Resting horizontally along his back was a massive blade lying at a whooping nine-foot two. In the opposite rest, was a shield, concealed beneath magical clothe to withhold its subtle reek of depravity. For now the oscuri mere gazed in a static expression, one wrong word given by the man could easily spark this into a gruesome matter.

(Auron Kyros)

Lucien has given her a lot to think about - especially since she's been dealing with a lot of people concerning that of patchwork, his group, and their revenge on Nostvale. She never really understood why people wanted such a thing - she always felt as if the drakanites had done it to themselves, moreso than Nostvale actually doing it. With their past kings and queens, it was only a matter of time before the city would be turned into dust and rubble. And well, Ace K. Deva was merelythe cause.

Nevertheless, she eventually strolls upon the two beings - one of them, much, much more familiar than the other. "I don't think that you're gonna find any of that here." Maybe she was out of place. It didn't really feel as if she belonged here but hey. . .She supposes that she can ask the hooded figure what exactly it was that he was doing here anway.

"Sorry to bother you, but do you need help or anything? I'm pretty ready for stuff since I wanna learn. And it looks like you could use some help or something." Rather than asking a generic question, staying to the point seems a lot better. And easier.
(Clio Hirano)

The first circle had been completed with little problem, but that was only the first of the series. He needed a lot more if he wanted this ritual to be a success. So, the next stop was the plains by Nostvale, decently far from the bygone but it wasn't too far for someone who could travel the way he could. It wasn't nearly as good as rifting but teleportation was still teleportation.

Still, he didn't expect to be bothered out here, least of all by two people. Putting on his best voice he spoke out to them. His voice dripping and oozing so much sincerity that it was heavily sarcastic. "No, I haven't seen any bandits around here. They tend to have one good look and run off. The ones in Bygone started to learn after some of their number started to go missing..."

"And as for you..." He paused for a moment, his lips forming a slight sneer beneath his goatee before relaxing. "You probably could help, maybe, yes. it might make it easier with someone else to help power it..." His arms came out a ring of lightning lightly scorched the grass before him into a deep circle. "I need you to complete that for me, make it solid and unbroken."

"I'll do the next part myself..."
(Gorandis)

Lips pressed into a look of discontent as he exhaled a sigh, turning around the surrounding area as it seemed rather vas. "Well. . ." He paused as he leaned against the earthly mountain to main support, a glance given to the small child. It was rare for him to see her out and about other than the city her mother resided in. With everything that occurred recently he could only wonder what was to happen. Would war occur from the oracle of Azrael being a sin. With one less ruler managing the land, a newly acquired one. Could this be the time dumuzid takes to tighten his grasp on the unpopulated areas till valmasia was forced to react?

"I'll stick around here for now. . . Maybe if I'm lucky enough a few of them will pass by to try and stop this." Whatever it was they were doing, unsure to what symbols they were making. They were foreign and while he was spending time reading up on runic writing. Simply for the knowledge itself, these were nothing like he saw in the books.

"Mind if I ask what you're up to?" He questioned towards the hooded figure before wrapping both arms beneath his chest and staring off into the distance, thinking on how many jobs he'd yet to complete due to the annoyance that came with hunting bounties.

(Auron Kyros)

Why are you helping someone that you do not know? A random act of kindness doesn't seem to be like Clio Hirano at all. Infact, she normally would watch rather than attempt to assist anyone. But speaking ot Lucien ended up giving her a little more cause to help and learn, rather than anything else. Nevertheless, despite her thoughts, it seems that he wasn't particularly happy with Auron's question. Not that anything terrible came of it . .It just seems that the Kyros was looking for trouble moreso than actually anything else. Nothing good ever came from hunting bandits. Outside of combat and blood. . .If you're that type of being.

Either way, the young girl drifts towards the edge of the circle - one hand slowly beginning to extend as she steadily completes it - her mana swivelling, mimicking the curves and dips of the ritual circle as she speaks. "Just curious . . .What exactly do you plan on using this circle for? I've seen things like it from my mother. . .She tends to do a lot of these when she's testing stuff." Just curious, for the most part.

It's better to know what you're assisting with, rather than being led within the dark. Nevertheless, he wouldn't mind it, would he?~ " She pretty much has the same thoughts as Auron anyway, much more concerned about what he's doing than what she should be doing..

"Should be solid now."
(Clio Hirano)

Another arc of crimson lightning went around the now finished circle, confirming its integrity. "Right, good." He stepped forwards and began to pace the circumference, pulling out seemingly random items from his bag and placing them in a specific order. A chunk of rotten flesh, a small scrap of metal and a broken piece of bark among other things.

He spoke as he did this. "The circle is part of a summoning ritual. I need to prepare a few of them across the country so that i can attract the right kind of spirits when I do the main one further down the line. It's a little different from most runic things, it uses more... representative things than normal. No words, instead using objects."

"They're used like co-ordinates so that I can pinpoint things in the spirit realm. I'm creating a channel throughout it, somewhere for the spirits to get funneled later on. It's a rather large project you see, but it should work just fine." As the final object was placed, another bolt of crimson lightning circled the circumference and began to grow more vibrant.

He raised his hands and the lightning faded to solid energy that started to rapidly change colours through the spectrum. "Now comes the fun part."
(Gorandis)

Tapping a single finger along the gauntlet wrapping up to his elbow, the talk of spirits reminded him of the job given to him by Adnois, well not so much a job as he requested it. The official talk on a job never occurred, sadly doing such a thing took much longer than required. He didn't want to just hand him any simple body, but one of importance with the potent magic they might hold onto before passing. "I see. . ." He mumbles as he listened to the male speak. The realm of spirits was vast it seemed, having read on it greatly at some point in his life. Near parallel to some extent, maybe even beyond the grasp they could see.

"Sounds almost like you're trying to connect the spirit realm with the living." A smirk to his joking comment, never could he expect such a thing to even occur, the chances equaling out to the likelihood of Azrael coming to life. As the male finished the circle, "You're not worried of these symbols being messed with after sometime? Or once they're completed, it matters not?" He questioned, rather curious of the process.

Looking over at clio, his brows squeezed together, still wondering why the girl was roaming about. With her mother being ousted as a sin, was it not dangerous or did the people simply not care enough to do something? "So, Clio. . . How is your mother taking the news from the former queen of nostvale?" He questioned to the little girl during the midst of the ritual.

(Auron Kyros)

She finds herself beginning to shift in place for the moment. The mana that stirred deep within the ground would send a ripple and glow throughout the circle. Perhaps she had added in a little too much mana - or maybe, it's fine and dandy anyway since spirits tend to 'eat' the junk to survive and live onward. Nevertheless, the young girl merely begins to nod. "So this is kind of like necromancy. But instead of bringing them to life, you're just gonna attract them. Are you looking for skurns? Or just things that haven't really moved on?" she questions while beginning to smile.

"I. . .I suppose I understand. I think that it's rather interesting, though, that doesn't fit the purpose. What are you gonna do when you have all of these spirits? It seems to me that you could possibly be making something really, really big here." Or atleast, that's how she feels. For some reason, this ritual seems a little bit familiar. . . .

Nevertheless, her attention shifts towards the Kyros, her lips beginning to press together in nothing more than a mere pucker. "My mother is taking the news fine." she finds herself beginning to shrug. "She seemed to be more happy that Astoria did it than anything else. I think it's sorta strange but you know. . .I try to stay outta my parent's business. I'd rather her not get mad at me for nothin'. "the young girl adds.

"Why do you ask? You didn't know that she was a 'sin' or something? I never really thought that it mattered, but I guess people might care. Oh well."
(Clio Hirano)

"Something like Skurns, maybe. Though perhaps a little more... warped. The best word for them would be demons. And i am going to funnel them through the spirit realm." He spoke to Clio as he began to lift his arms, the circle began to glow more vibrantly and the shifting colours settled on a shimmering deep purple and it began to rise into a thin wall.

"The magic is not being wholly done in this realm and once I am done, there will be nothing on this side to mess with. So, there's nothing to worry about, not unless someone does the proper ritual of course." In the centre of the circle the air began to solidify as he called out his spirit, a faded, pathetic looking thing which even had chunks of it missing.

The purple energy began to develop tendrils that wrapped around the spirit, binding it and crushing it, warping it out of human form. "Those of you with a nervous disposition..." He smiled grimly. "Look away now." The thick, purple limbs crushed the spirit into a single point as it wailed uncontrollably in pain. The single point inverted and a white shimmer formed in the air.

The dark tentacles began to dive into it, the purple energy beginning to drain from this side as it vanished. "Before you begin to accuse me of anything Clio... I am not trying to make a star. These spirits are going to be for my own purpose... I wont be needed all of them, but I shall have to gather them all in order to enact my plan in the first place..."
(Gorandis)

She knows that skurns tend to be a little corrupted within essence, only because they get so wrapped up within their element.But at this particular moment, the young girl merely begins to smile slightly. "I figured that you would be doing something like that. Usually though, I thought when people would do rituals, it would be in a less open space. Places like these end up having bandits and random passerbys like us. They might try to stop you or something if they think that it's really dangerous." But she could be wrong. . .After all, she is also helping him despite it being potentially dangerous.

Nevertheless, she merely nods. "I understand, but I think that the spiriit realm is a little more weak than this one, don't you think? I've seen souls get tortured, I'd be more afraid of that other place gets tampered with because. . .well. . .Who knows what really happens when you die." Just her thoughts on the matter. Nevertheless, the young girl does indeed follow his instructions and looks away. It is best of her to not witness their destruction.

"No worries. . .I think creating a star would need a whole bunch of mana and what not. Mama never really created one anyway, she just sorta became one." she adds. "Do you think I can be like her when I'm older? Maybe stronger?" In all honesty, Clio looks up to Callope in many, many of ways. She simply wishes to be her favorite.

(Clio Hirano)

A subtle gaze fell upon the spirit, a sense of discomfort arose merely when thinking back to his brother, how he was seemingly locked away from entering the kingdom of Azrael. Was this the same torture that he was being put through and what purpose was it they had with his spirit to begin with? Needless to say he had many question to ask to whomever was the source of this problem. Exhaling a sigh out, he nodded quietly towards the man. "I see. . ." He mumbled mostly t himself. Curious of what the grand scheme of this all was, but didn't speak on it openly.

"Must be something big though, if you're planting them all around the land." He explains, wondering if one was going to be put into the portions of the map. Matter of fact, he wondered if the man was working for dumuzid, not as though he'd attempt to capture him or anything. Though he was rather suspicious of the man now since he was keen on souls. "Ever take a soul from someone's body?" He questioned towards the male and this could, well it could easily trigger the oscuri. That much was certain.

"I don't think you'll be stronger than your mother, clio, not if you ask others. It's something you do on your own." Surely the girl knew this already, feeling a similar burden projected onto himself by the shadow of his father looming gravely above.

(Auron Kyros)

"Oh, your mother is Calliope?" his voice was level but his thoughts were not. This was the daughter of the queen of Loranthis, the place that Dumuzid had been planning on attacking the with the old queen of Nostvale before he left. He wondered if there had been a true declaration yet... "Well, I don't know if you'll be like her or stronger."

"I've only heard of her from people, that, well, aren't too keen on her... But it's perfectly fine to get help from others... so long as you don't owe them for it." He frowned slightly but kept his eyes on the ongoing ritual. The last of the purple energies vanished into the gap and he lowered his arms. The wailing returned as the spirit re-appeared, this time they were missing their entire left arm. "Hmm, I might fun out of materials before I can get it all done..."

He muttered quietly to himself before sighing. "Well, that's another one in place. I rather do have to do these out in the open... places in this land correspond to places in the spirit realm and I have to make sure I get it all lines up correctly on that end. Little pieces of a spirit strewn about the other land. The perfect bait trail once powered up..."

"But no, I have not taken a human soul myself, a few spirits from the other realm, yes but they are nothing, any magi could do that... to take a soul requires some... special equipment..."
(Gorandis)

She finds herself beginning to nod once, twice. "Yup, yup. Calliope is my mother and Maia Hirano is my father. It's sort of crazy, right? How two really strong people can make me." She begins to smile brightly. "I mean. . .I am the best gift anyone ever could have" Atleast, that's what her mother tells her. But outside of that, she can do nothing more than shrug. "I suppose only time will be able to tell on whether or not I'll be just as strong as her." Maybe. Maybe not, Clio never really knows, nor does she understand a lot of crap. But nevertheless. . .

"I don't see why a lot of people don't like my mother. You know, she's actually a lot more fragile than she seems. I think that all my mama really wants is a lot of friends. But. . .I guess people like Mrs. Astoria and that imperfect don't really want it to happen." Oh no, Clio knows about Dumuzid. . .But as far as she knows, she's uncertain of what the outcome could be. Losing her mother. . .

It was a frightening thought. Something that even she would not be able to handle.

"I suppose that you're right though. The prairies are where most wars and deaths take place, yes? I hear that a lot of sinka grows in places like these, but I've only see one plant like it in the wychwoods. I've never seen a whole bunch of'em." It sorta makes her curious. . .However, her gaze flickers towards Auron. "I don't believe you. If I'm to make my mother proud, then I'll surpass her. It's only a matter of time before then. Just watch me." She says, her smile beginning to widen into a cheshire grin.

However. "Special equipment? What kind of 'equipment'?" It seems Gorandis' statement does draw her back on the topic of soul transference. The last time she had seen someone do it was Lucien. And well, that sight didnt make her happy.
(Clio Hirano)

Hearing the words spoken, it seemed like there was little or less reason to stay any further. The ritual was possibly in the process of being cleaned up and well, knowing this man had yet to do any form of soul transference from a living body brought some ease to his mind. "I see. . . Well, if everything you've done thus far is finished." Pushing himself off the rocky surface, brushing himself off. "I should take my leave, I have lots to do. . ." There was nothing more he could really speak on. The topic of calliope, well he didn't like nor dislike her. He had no reason to feel either or about her.

While she did help in the process of revealing his brother's soul was trapped, what if he wasn't? What if he missed the chance to see his brother simply because the queen didn't bother sending word? This much was rather annoying to bear in mind. "She's alright." Giving her that much as to at least show he cared for the conversation. "Before I Go though. . . What type of equipment would I need, if I wanted to do something like that? Or a type of person." He inquired, preparing to be off, but not before getting his answer.

(Auron Kyros)

"Well, I'll reserve the right to judge until I meet her but... Hmm, Astoria and Dumuzid... they were talking at the citadel recently, I wonder if it was about your mother..." He shrugs, it wasn't really his business to talk about it but now that the circle was completed he did have a short period of time that he could be free for, at least until he moved on.

"But, if you're both interested in soul manipulation... there are only a few ways to do so.The 'easiest' is to have a cursed arm, the one that Malpercians have. Those things can drain the souls of the living and trap them in the arm, empowering the user. The next 'easiest' way is to learn death magic... I don't know the specifics on it but I've read about it as much as I could..."

"There's also soul transference, that requires powerful artifacts, great care and heavy runes. It's not easy to mess with a soul after all, divine magic protects it from tamperment. You need something extremely powerful for it... Though Necromancers manage to manipulate their own souls fairly well, sharing pieces of it out and in some cases removing it entirely from their body to a safe place..."

"And among other things there are likely old artifacts, like the thing that created Acrux, that could suck out or otherwise change souls about... But, if you're headed off, have safe travels Mercenary..."
(Gorandis)

"From the way things are looking, I believe so. I didn't expect a spider to be a snake. . ." she says while beginning to shrug her shoulders. "Mrs. Astoria certainly doesn't like my mother. And to team up with the imperfect also is quite strange. I guess. . .A lady being petty is just a lady being petty. Oh well." But it's nothing of the sort. She knew that in the end, she would have to get revenge on Astoria for sending such a creature after her mother. She might not be doing anything at this particular moment, but it'll come in the long run. And when it does, they will certainly rue it!

However, as far as soul manipulation goes. "I don't really mind learning it. . .I think that soul manipulation makes people really depraved. And even though I know that I'm. . .Different than most, I don't think that I really wanna burn in a star forever. That is what happens, right? People who are super bad end up getting lost." She seems. . .much more afraid of dying than anything else. However. . .

She merely just waves a hand.

"Bye bye then, Auron. I'll see you later." Her gaze drifts towards the Kyros as she waves. "I hope you find whatever you're lookin' for." Maybe, maybe not.
(Clio Hirano)

"Yes well with how the world is now, it's very hard for things to not be depraved really..." He spoke levelly as he raised his arms around the circle once again, watching Auron's retreating form. The circle began to glow a deep crimson as the lightning arced around it before filling the centre, striking around the place and destroying itself, preventing a similar ritual from being done here.

"But there are several ways to pick it up... here, actually..." He fished in his back and brought out two journals that seemed to be handwritten. "Notes from a Necromancer's cave, they talk about, as you'd imagine, necromancy. But they also mention the soul a good amount too, it could be a good launching ground for you..."

"Though you might need someone around to help with the bigger words." After all, Clio was just a young girl. "It might be a bit hard to read too unless you have a good eye for handwriting..." The two books were offered out calmly. Oh sure, Dumuzid who was sort of Gorandis' master but not really and Clio's mother were enemies.

But that didn't mean he was forced to hate her. "It helped me get started with this spirit stuff at the very least".
(Gorandis)

"Yeah."

She can't really disagree with that. With the sudden boom in praise for azrael, depravity is something that seems a little more regular in comparison to 'holiness' in general. Not many people take up the exorcist and well, while it's not really a problem, Clio feels as if something very, very bad will happen. She doesn't have much of an opinion on Azrael but. . .Yeah. For now,she merely watches as the circle becomes crimson. It sort of reminds her of another thing. That. . .Belial stuff.

"O-oh. . .This? Thank you."she says while beginning to smile for the moment. She was uncertain if he was passing it to her, but if he was, then she would accept it happily. "I was unsure if I really wanna do something, but I think we these notes, I'll try somethingnew." However. . .

"Say, you seem to know much about Dumuzid and what not. . .I was wondering what he's like. Is he actually nice and stuff, even if he's going to war with my mom?" she questions. "I hear that he likes to eat a lot of blades and stuff, but . . .Well. . .Atleast it's not people." Another moment when she shrugs. For now though. . .

"No worries, I'll read it as soon as I can. And I was wondering. . .Once the spirits do come, what will happen to them? Will they just become mindless demons or will they have a purpose? Like. . .Attacking people or something?"
(Clio Hirano)

"Dumuzid... I haven't interacted with him too much. He's not awful persay but, well... I came to him to help with occultic madness... I had it pretty bad, could only think about killing and destroying and all of that lot and I was desperately trying to fight it. He said he would help me with it and then he just sort of... left me alone for a bit."

"I ended up nearly killing three other people there to get everything off my chest... Hm, perhaps this is not the best story to tell... It's not that he's nice or bad, he's just distant and he likes to eat anything that he can get power from. Weapons, gems, even some select people... I know that he's after Lucien, the Diabolicon guy... I don't know if he can beat him though..."

"Anyway, here..." The books were passed off into her waiting hands. "And once the spirits are gathered... I plan to lock them in for a while, rile them up and see which of them are worthy... worthy enough to become my underling. Not quite servant, no I don't want a mindless follower. I want something that can learn and teach all on its own."

"After all, I'm not going to live forever and I could do with a minion to help me gather knowledge twice as fast... The rest of the spirits will be released after the ritual is done."
(Gorandis)

"Well . . .Atleast he said that he was going to help you, although he didn't. I guess it's nicer than what most people would do if they found out another person had occultic madness." Speaking of such a thing, she's heard it a lot , especially from her mother. She hears that it's not truly a bad feeling, but moreso, a sudden rush of excitement. Perhaps the experience is different for each and every other being. If so. . .She isn't surprised. . .

However, when he mentions Lucien, she does find herself beginning to gasp. Her little hands move to stifle her lips as she speaks, "W-wow. . .I didn't think that he would be after Lucien either. But then again, he is sorta made up of a whole buncha souls. I'm not really surprised. . .I guess, just sorta afraid." She puffs up her cheeks. And then exhales fully. "Guess it can't be helped though, I always figured that something is. . off about everything, but maybe she'll find out in the future.

"Well. . .Thank you for the books mister. And I think that your plan is awesome. If possible, I'd like to see what happens in the future. I kinda wanna be there when the spirit comes out. Which ever on that is the strongest, I believe." She was always interested within things like this. A 'dog eat dog' world. A battle to the death. "Anyways . .Outside of that, I guess I'll leave you alone, unless you've got more circles and stuff to put down, then I could help more"
(Clio Hirano)

"Well the next one I need to place is around Brighthold but I think i'll give it a while first. There's been a new group popping up there, another one interested in spirits, I think i'd rather try to avoid them and coming in with the princess of Loranthis isn't exactly going to allow me to stay subtle now is it?" He smiled a little under his hood.

"Well, I think I'll stop in Nostvale for a bit, visit the family, that sort of thing. If you're still interested in spirits and souls and stuff in the future then just send a letter after me. My name is Gorandis, spelled G O R A N D I S. I'd be happy to hear from your or your mother in the future. I'm sure Lucien will be fine. Dumuzid is strong, but, well, he isn't that strong."

"Maybe after he gets what the queen wanted to deliver to him... Anyway, yes, it was nice meeting you and thank you for the help on this circle, it certainly does make the process a lot easier. Maybe I should let others in on it... though I think there would be some who'd prefer to sabotage my work if they hear who I was working with..."

"I'm glad you aren't like that Clio."
(Gorandis)

Despite there being very little to smile about with the upcoming war, the young girl merely nods within Gorandis' direction. "I understand. . .The new people there don't really seem to be bad at all. They might ask you to remove your hood or something but that's all I can think about. If you're rying to do it in secret, there's a place to the left of Brighthold and a bit under. I believe it's one of my hiding places that you can go to. Just send me a letter and I'll show you some time." she adds before beginning to nod.

"And yes! I'm interested. I'll end up sending you a letter soon about stuff after I finish reading your books. My brother's gonna be pretty happy too, since he was working on the same thing." She adds. Knowledge seemed to be the main thing that motivated Goranthis. Perhaps in the future, when she is older, she could entertain him quite more. But until then, being a little girl makes it a tad bit difficult to really relate to the mysterious being.

"I think that if you do let others in on it, it might go by faster. But yeah, people usually have their own reasons for stuff. No worries though! I'll never be mean like other people. I'll always help you if you need it, Mr. Goranthis." she says while spinning on her heel.

"I'll see you around later. And be safe! There's lots of bad bad stuff out there."
(Clio Hirano)

Gorandis: Be safe, Clio