The formation of a plan

The citadel.

Despite intending on taking Lorelei's advice on going else where, to escape under the assumed protection of the 'imperfect', it was a place the Yokai often visited. Perhaps it was a good place to nest in the down time, before he metaphorically spread his wings and ventured out to the Wychwood.

Whatever the reason was, Drakkel still remained in the citadel, for now.

With sharp talons clicking on the cobblestone, causing the clicking sound to fill the air, Drakkel wandered around the Citadel. The purpose for doing so was unclear, perhaps for a reason unknown even to the Avian. Was it hunger? Or perhaps, simply boredom rearing it's ugly head?

Perhaps there would be something to do in the citadel today, one last thing to ease it's boredom before heading out.

If only..
(Drakkel)

With his... urges now satisfied, Gorandis let out a content sigh as he returned from the bowels of the citadel. Truly, no one would miss a few dozen lessers... or a handful of megas... or a giga or two... Perhaps he had gone too far, but, well, he left the remains with the taint of his occultism. They probably didn't even survive his trip back upstairs...

The Yokai were still strange to him. Creatures he grew up fearing, after all, though he had been a Magi all his life... he hadn't known this until his very late teens, and something were ingrained into his very mind. A loathing of Yokai were one of them. But, if he could learn to deal with Dumuzid, he could probably extend that to the other creatures that made this place their home.

The intelligent ones anyway. Perhaps he could... Well, there was only one way to find out if they were worth his time. Yes... that one would do, the Avian one. Hopefully it wouldn't be bird brained and it would actually show intelligence, much unlike many other of the citadel's denizens, Yokai or no. He found pleasure in seeing that Alistaer's unconscious body had been shifted.

"You... Bird Yokai... What's your name? That is, if you can even understand me... I know that not all of you are particularly intelligent..."
(Gorandis Fester)

Drakkel was certainly one of the more intelligent Yokai, in comparison to some of the other Citadel. For the most part, it was filled with unintelligent Lessers and Megas, mostly unaware of their surroundings and following only the mental commands of their more evolved breatheren. Drakkel on the other hand, had nearly a century of life under his proverbial belt, and had long since grown 'intelligent'.

Or well, as intelligent as an Elemental could get.

The large Avian's attention soon turned to the newly arrived man in purple. "My name?" Drakkel's voice echoed throughout Gorandis's head, it's telepathic message worming it's way into the mans skull, whether he liked it or not. It was usually the other way around, where Drakkel was asking for names, so this was quite a change.

"You can call me Drakkel, the Elemental of Wind." The Avian spoke, it's long neck making a bowing gesture towards the man. If the man resided in the Citadel, than surely there would be no need to be alarmed, yet anyway.

"And might I ask who you are, Human?"
(Drakkel)

Ah, so this one was at least capable of rational thought, good... It made it easier to keep the urges down when he spent the time on idle prattle. "I am Gorandis... it is good to meet a Yokai that doesn't try to bite my head off to suck at the occultic powers below..." He smiles a little as he paces the rest of the room, best not to shout at one another after all.

"So then... I don't exactly know what it's like with you Yokai but... how is it being forced to work for Dumuzid? With no will to call your own at the snap of his fingers if he so wished. Though I suppose that extends to most occultists too, perhaps even myself if it came down to it..." He gave a small smile from the depths of his hood.

"But, ah... it is good to have a place where knowledge accrues like a big melting pot..." He idly placed his hand on his bag where the Necromancer's notes were now stored, everything seemed to turn up in this place eventually... "I'm sure that there are even things that interest you here, no? Or do you simply stay here out of Dumuzid's will?"
(Gorandis Fester)

"Gorandis, huh?"

It's head tilts to the side slightly. He could feel the occultic energies clinging to the mans body. Drakkel could see why the lesser Yokai tried to attack him, to claim the occultic mana that brewed within the mans circuits. Fortunately for Drakkel, he was cable of restraining such things, though it would be a lie to say it wasn't at least somewhat tempting. "You won't have to worry about such a thing from me. Unlike the lessers that roam these halls, I have restraint, nor am I someone to attack a budding occultist.."

When the man states Dumuzid's influence, something similar to a laugh exudes from the center of the Avian's chest. "While it's true Dumuzid is capable of enthralling Yokai, and perhaps occultists with a snap of his finger, I am no such case.." A shake of it's head soon follows. "Sure, he could easily do so, but I'm here by my own free will. I act on my own, but I serve Dumuzid out of a common interest, not because I am forced..." But it lingered in the back of his mind, how easily he could be enthralled by the Imperfect. It was a fate he'd prefer not to go through, not after his stint with Kudana.

"Then what of you? Are you one of his enslaved occultists? Or are you here for something... More?" Drakkel was unaware of Gorandis's true intent, nor what he desired, but if he was an ally to the Citadel, Drakkel would at least show him some respect.

"I may have stayed here for a time, long before Dumuzid was even created, but i've decided that i'll soon be leaving. To see the rest of Valmasia on my own.... And i'm sure you must be thinking the same.."


(Drakkel)

"No, I am not one of his soldiers... I cam here looking for how to deal with 'occultic madness' as it is called... Whether or not I have..." he shrugs heavily. "Only time can tell. Hopefully i don't go into a rage any time soon and rip apart some people..." He smiled as if he was joking but if anyone had seen him in the basement earlier they'd be backing away slowly right about now.

"I will be honest, it is strange to see a yokai with... desires beyond their evolution. You say you are old and yet... yet you are still not as advanced as Dumuzid or some of the other Kaor yokai he keeps about the place... It's nice to see one of your kind has gone beyond you instinctual need to grow. It at least holds some hope for my own problems..."

"But as to what I wish to do in the future? Valmasia doesn't really interest me, my sights lie beyond it. Have you heard of the spirit realm at all? A place where the lost shells of souls roam, hoping for purpose and closure. It is a place filled with both human... and non human creatures. I hope to contact a few of them soon." He holds his hand out and the damaged form of the spirit reveals itself.

Whipped, beaten... broken. Though spirits could not be hurt physically, its form was a manifestation of its mind. And thankfully the spirit seemed to know its place. "The human ones have bored me, no knew knowledge and they seem to cling to old, pointless things... Oh look at me, boring you with the details... Where do you plan to visit first?"
(Gorandis Fester)

"Occultic madness?"

Drakkel had heard of the illness. It plagued all Non-Yokai occultists, it lingered in the back of their minds until evolving into something much... More insidious in nature. Of course, such a madness had no effect on a Yokai such as Drakkel, given how their bodies were crafted specificially for it.

But for a Human? Madness was inevitable, unless mastered.

"Don't misunderstand my intentions, Gorandis." His voice wormed it's way into the mans head once more. "Evolution is still a driving goal for me. It's something infused directly into the core of our beings. I may have other goals, other desires I wish to fulfil, but to achieve evolution is something even I can't ignore, try as I might."

And he didn't try very hard.

"I may not be evolved as Dumuzid, or some of the Kaor's that walk Valmasia, but I am close. It took me decades to get where I am now, I took a slow and meticulous path, one that will pay off in the long run, I hope." Or rather, he really, really hoped it did.

"As for the spirit realm..." It's head tilted for the side for a moment, a perplexed expression forming upon it's visage. "I've heard rumors of it, but never have I seen it personally. Why do you ask?" Curiousity was getting the better of him, the desire for knowledge growing more and more.

"Tell me, what do you desire in the spirit realm?"

"And as for visiting, I thought about giving the Wychwood a visit. I haven't been there in many years, and since the cleansing of the Ookami, perhaps now will be a good time.."
(Drakkel)

"Hmm, well, as you can see from my spirit friend here, you can see that he isn't quite... up to scratch. Oh he was all well and good to start with, I even cared to help him pass on in the beginning but... he is rather useless outside of being an automatic fighting machine... no knowledge, no drive, just a useless drain of my mana..."

He snapped his gloved fingers and the spirit disappeared in a muffle wail. "So, I am after a new, more powerful spirit, one that I can leave to explore the world for me... I only have so much time after all. And, I would like to know as much as possible so spawning my own creation to do things for me would be very beneficial for me..."

"And, not only that, but I aim to bring a non-human spirit over... one that I hope will have knowledge of other parts of this world beyond valmasia, or perhaps even beyond them... I believe Lorelei called them... demons. An apt name really and it would be a force to add to my collection, something far better than that whimpering pile of mana..."

"As for you own evolution... if you ever wish for some occultic mana..." He held out his hand and the black flames of occultism licked at it. "Then I can help you with small bits of feeding... after all, I do wish to promote the more intelligent of the people round there... we have far too much fodder as it is... And the Wychwood is a nice place, I went there a few years back, nice and mostly calm..."
(Gorandis Fester)

Drakkels attention shifts from Gorandis and onto the spirit summoned by his will. It was an odd sight to see a spirit summon, and it wasn't every day Drakkel managed to spot one. "Rather interesting, despite being so frail.." One of his wings stretch out, and nearly makes contact with the spirit, before withdrawing it back to his side. Perhaps it was best not to touch the spirit as it was rather unstable.

"Interesting.." The bird mumbled, it's eyes still focused on the spirit, even as it was rudely dismissed back into the void. "But I can understand your desire to acquire a stronger spirit. The strength you desire can be found, i'm sure, given enough determination..." After all, anything could be possible, given the mysterious nature of magic, even conjuring up Daemons.

"As for the mana you offer.." It's head shakes quickly once more. "As tempting of an offer it is, I feel my self close to my evolution. Perhaps a few more meals will push me over the edge, and begin my transformation.." Or perhaps he was destined to remain an Elemental for the rest of his life, an unfortunate thought.

"But yes, I used to live in the Wychwood decades ago, long before the Ookami rose to power. It was quite interesting back then, but i'm quite unsure how it is at the current moment. Tell me, do the Ookami still roam the area? Or were they all but eradicated.."
(Drakkel)

"It is... quiet in the Wychwood, on Dumuzid's victory a great deal of your kin moved into the area. They did well to, uh, cull the remaining Ookami, young and old. It is very much a balanced place once more where your kind are no longer hunted in great numbers. There may still be ookami out there but they are no threat. Remnants from their rebellion..."

As a Nostvalen man, Gorandis had some rather choice thoughts on Ookami, they had killed his king and thrown the city in discord, it was one of the many reasons why he left in the first place. He saw those Ookami as, well, animals. His eyes shifted over to Nahele as he spoke. "Of course, do not let the actions of many tar an entire species, as many seem to do with your kind."

"But yes, spirits are quite... interesting I must say, even if they aren't exactly what I was after. he served as some comfort in the early days, when I was struggling with my own wants and needs, he helped serve as a guide... but I don't need him for that anymore and so he has lost his purpose and his need to be around. i let him know his place and i throw him into battle when needed."

"He is nothing more to me now."
(Gorandis Fester)

"Then perhaps it's time to stir up some fun in the Wychwood, hmm? To rouse the remaining rebels to fight, and become food for the Yokai that reside within." Ah yes, that would certainly be entertaining for the Avian. Not only would he get entertainment in the form of the rebels struggling against him, he would get a meal at the end of it as well.

It would definitely be fun.

"Perhaps you'd like to join me some time in pestering what remains? I'm sure you could use some stress relief yourself.." Of course, being unaware of what occured in the basement with another of Dumuzid's military, perhaps such stress was already relieved.

"While I've never had much interest in spirits.." Drakkel added, his eyes turning back towards Gorandis. "I must say your goal has merit and... Has piqued my curiousity. I wish to see you summon what you call one of these..." What was it again? Oh, right. "Daemons. I have a feeling it'd be very entertaining to see."

"I also commend you on teaching your pawn it's place. A spirit without use is no better than a lesser in my eyes. Better to give it a use, than to let it roam without a goal.."

"But that said, if you require assistance in your endeavour to summon what you want, i'd be more than willing to assist. You've earned that much, i'm sure."
(Drakkel)

"Hmm, well perhaps hunting the Ookami would be fun... but no, I must focus on my summoning ritual. It is going to take quite the bit of preparation along different spots over all of Valmasia... It's going to be quite the task to pin a beast down before binding it, hopefully to me. But who knows, may I will end up bound to it..."

He smiles. "But perhaps even that might be interesting. I will be sure to show you the results no matter what they may be. Perhaps you yourself could find interest in wayward spirits, something to drag along with you. I'm sure more people would be at ease around you if you had a human spirit to talk to them for you...."

"But, I digress. Yes, a spirit needs to know its place, this one began to argue with me, tell me that I am going down a dark path and that I need to stop. Apparently the thought didn't cross its mind that I had chosen this path of my own free will and that I knew the consequences of it all... quite the impetuous little thing really..."

"And now I have notes on Necromancy to help with my end of things, sorting out my soul to bind something powerful to it... this shall be interesting indeed. All I need do is locate a proper spirit..."
(Gorandis Fester)

A part of him doubted there would even be many Ookami left to find left in the Wychwoods. He figured that since the death of Lara, many would have fled into the various parts of Valmasia, or simply given up. Still, it was a tempting idea, one he couldn't really resist.


As the man continues his explanation of his spiritual works, the Avian listens with interest. "I truly look forwards to your results then, Gorandis. Perhaps you'll be successful in summoning the Daemon you desire, or even if unable, you'll managed to acquire something much more powerful than the current one you under your thrall."

That too, would be interesting.

When Gorandis mentioned Necromancy, the birds feathers rustled ever so slightly. "Ah, Necromancy... While i've never seen it myself, I hear it can be a rather fearsome art. To bring the dead back to life, and force them to your will... Should I be calling you a Necromancer now? Or is it simply just a passing interest?"
(Drakkel)

"Hah, I have no real interest in raising the dead. But a Necromancer's mastery over their own soul is second only to those who practice death magic... and in order to provide a powerful spirit with enough sustenance to stay here permanently and, more importantly, under my control, I will need to give a large piece of myself up to it."

"A pact, if you will. A piece of myself for all of them... Quite worth it in my mind. And then, once I have one, I can use that to attract more and more. Each a piece of myself gone, yes, but oh so worth it in the end..." The smile stays on his face wistfully as if he's looking off elsewhere, daydreaming, even. "You know what I would do with that much power?..."

"Anything I wanted..." The smile grew a little before he sighed wistfully, his breath coming out in a small wisp of black occultism, his desires had driven his power up unconsciously. And it made for creepy imagery, which he was all for. It was about time he earned some respect around here with all the fodder... He didn't want another Alistaer situation.

"So then, after the Wychwood, what next? I heard dragon's peak is quite the marvel to behold..."
(Gorandis Fester)

"I think I understand where you're coming from." While it seemed that Gorandis had no intention on becoming a Necromancer, the mastery of ones soul was the thing he desired. But not to protect it, it seems, but rather to give 'pieces' of it out for power? It was all very confusing, as such were Human magics to the Yokai. If it didn't relate to the occult, nor the element he wielded, it made little sense to him.

"But I truly do wish for you to be successful, to see you grasp the power you so desire.." Ah yes, that would be something that would be fun to watch. To see a budding occultist grow into something more. "I'm certain you won't fail, but even if you do.." The laughter returns. "I'm sure it'll be entertaining nonetheless."

"After the Wychwood?" The Avian added, his wings fluffing to the side. "I'm unsure. Perhaps i'll go visit Dragons Peak like you suggest, though i'm not particularly too fond of the cold temperature. But maybe there will be something entertaining there to see..."

Perhaps a dragon or two..

"And what of you, will you be sticking around the Citadel for much longer?"
(Drakkel)

"Perhaps a little while longer yes. I do need somewhere to practice this stuff in peace and the ever present... materials here for lack of a better term, will mean that I shouldn't run out of ritual ingredients for a good while..." The smile on his face turned up on one side before levelling out into a thin and shallow grimace. There was one detail that will be the biggest pain.

"Unfortunately I will have to find a suitable spirit first... and without access to the spirit plane it will likely just be pot luck I'm afraid... and I don't want to give a chunk of my soul to some useless parasite... like the one I already have." He grumbled lightly. "Of course that means I'll have to devise some way of baiting the particular spirit I am after..."

His gaze wanders over to Dumuzid. "Perhaps I can use some of his strength for this... I do have quite the theory after all. I wonder if it will work..." With a sweeping motion, his hood is pulled back to reveal a rather tired face sporting a patchy goatee. "You know... this place could really do with some more order... there are far too many belligerents around here usually..."

His gaze shifted from the imperfect to Nahele, the one who had called his name earlier, perhaps and inquiry was needed. "Anyway, yes, the Dragon's peak as I have heard is quite lovely... perhaps you will fight a dragon there. I heard that some warriors from Nostvale killed an Omega out there a few years ago, maybe you could do the same..."

"Though I do think that this country lacks any real destinations... maybe you could join me some day on a trip to the next plane, the spirit realm?"
(Gorandis Fester)

"Well then, perhaps i'll visit from time to time to check on your progress." Despite his desire to branch out and see Valmasia, frequenting the Citadel wouldn't be the worst idea ever, if only for his own means. After all, given his ability to fly, it made travel around the continent rather trivial.

"I'm sure with enough effort you'll find the proper spirit for you to control. It'll likely take trial and error, and preferably you won't lose TOO much during so.." The thought of the young Magi losing his soul during the experimental process was rather unfortunate, but such was the risks, and Drakkel knew he was aware of such things.

Power never came that easily, after all.

"Mmm, perhaps i'll take a look at the peak, fighting a Dragon might be a little bit TOO much for me, however." As strong as Drakkel thought he was, he knew Dragons were not something to be trifled with. Fearsome creatures capable of breathing fire and rending flesh easily, not exactly a vacation spot in his mind.

"As for the trip to a spirit realm... Well, I don't see why not. Maybe i'll find something interesting within.." Little did he know of the nature of the spirit realm however, but it mattered little at the current moment.

"But with that, I must be off. My stomach commands that I eat, and so I shall. Perhaps i'll see you around here more often, Gorandis.."
(Drakkel)

Gorandis Fester: Perhaps you will see me around here or perhaps you will simply hear of my death.
Gorandis Fester: Regardless, have safe travels Drakkel, it was good to meet a yokai with goals in mind.
Drakkel: <*Bird nod*>

As per the usual arrival of the Rampart Oscuri, reality imploded and within seconds a rift in the life stream made its entrance- From it, Celeana Feuer stepped out. The Oscuri adorned the armoury of the Bulwark as always, her sapphire blue eyes immediately sat upon the Yokai Citadel with the intentions of approaching it.

She required Aita- If anything, she had to hand back what she had borrowed, for if she did not? He would probably ask for yet another favour out of the Oscuri- She hated being indebted in the first place, but having to pay 'interest' because of his lack of appearance? No way.

"Aita Kovac?" Sounded her voice, her eyes slowly averting from the Citadel onto the surplus of soldiers and yokai alike which roamed the vicinity- No response, instead they simply kept going on their merry way. Perhaps this was why remaining within New Alteros was a good idea, there they had to respect her and her questions.
(Celeana Feuer)

The notes... the notes had been intriguing if a little strange. Necromancy was indeed quite the strange subject. Carving off pieces of your soul to tether minions to your will and binding the long since dead to you. It was... Hmm, not quite what he had expected and would need to be, well, altered if he wanted to succeed, but the theory was sound at the very least.

Next would come the hard part. "I haven't seen Aita around in a while Celeana... he came a few months ago but since then, not much..." His voice rang out as he strolled over to her. His posture likely vastly different from when she last saw him. For one he seemed to be happy and smiling, though the smile had a coy edge to it.

"What do you need him for anyway? Oh, yes, actually I had a question for you. Your rift magic, I am not entirely aware of the specifics, but, well... do you reckon you could tear a hole into the spirit realm with it? I am entirely curious in that place and I do need a way in, or a least a window in. I need to find something rather specific in there."

"A new spirit to summon you see."
(Gorandis)

Gorandis- A person who had initially come across Celeana as simple entertainment, him being on the brink of insanity had certainly brought a smile to her lips, she was quite odd like that after all. But for him to actually 'conquer' it to some degree and now being relatively powerful? She had heard of his victory over the Knight of Nahele, granted Lasswell is quite an embarrassment to the title of Knight.

"Ahh, Gorandis. Really? How unfortunate, I have something I must return to him, you see- He is, however, extremely hard to get ahold of." Her voice was quite stern, indifferent towards his appearance it would seem, though her gaze did shift slightly as he questioned her rift- She did not like to disclose such details, it was, after all, what made her unique and special in comparison to others.

"In order to open a rift to a specific space, I require a sample of the mana in the vicinity- Everything on Eternia has a specific 'mark' per-se, I locate that and string two places together momentarily. I cannot go where I have never been, sadly." She shrugged, certainly Gorandis had already reached his maximum potential, no? It wasn't like anyone could truly learn rift from such redundant information.
(Celeana Feuer)

"Well I'm not after learning the technique myself, I just wanted to employ your help for a little ritual, but if you can't help then, hmm damn..." He grunted softly in frustration and sucked air between his teeth. "Well, hmm, I wonder. No, that wouldn't work either. Well, Rift magic is tearing a hole in the lifestream itself right, could that not mean you could, well, reach into the lifestream with it?"

"I-- No that would probably be too dangerous too." His fingers drummed over the surface of the Necromancer's tome. "You see, in order to bind a spirit, you need to know where it is in the spirit realm, but unless I can look there I can't identify one worth grabbing. This only really leaves me with two options... Doing it at random..."

The distaste with which he said this made it apparent what he thought about that option. "Or, using the spirit I have to draw in others, power him up like a beacon with mana in order to attract hundreds of spirits to it, hopefully the right ones. ANd then I can summon all of them at once and sift through them. Dangerous, yes."

"But, likely the most rewarding... I might need your help with that, you have great power and the ritual could do with your strength..."
(Gorandis)

Well, well, well... She had great power? Well he certainly knew how to properly appeal to her- Through her ego.

"Hm... Well, I once..." A shiver, she recalled the slight accident during her first attempt at rifting- For but a moment, she felt but the smallest possible part of the life stream and the feeling was... Overwhelming to say the least. It was what truly enlightened her to how dangerous Rifting could be. "Tried. It didn't end well. One should not play too much with the life stream- Even Rift magic is quite... Careful."

Eyes settled upon the Occultist once more, a smile slowly curving her lips once more, "But of course, anything to help a fellow Occultist and Azraelite." She spoke under the assumption he had not yet abandoned the word of the Morning Lord- At least one would not do so in front of an Oscuri, no? "It does sound interesting after all."
(Celeana Feuer)

"Ah, that's perfect, one more for the ritual... I shall have to see if I can drag Lorelei in too. Though I should hope not. In fact I believe your power alone will be enough to stabilise things I can get to work... But now I have to start the convergence of spirits. The warp the energy around in the spirit realm so that the beacon can be lit..."

His fingers drummed on the tome again sharply. "But that is for me to sort out. I thank you for lending me your aid for this. The ritual should be ready to start in a few months time if you can make it. I have traveling and preparations to do after all. And I need to examine this other book... The one Lorelei gave me. Including the steps and theories behind summoning her spirit..."

"Let's just say for the first time I am glad that I didn't straight become a magi... Being a bank clerk for a while... while it was a waste of my time, it did help me get used to numbers... and this summoning it going to require some... hefty calculations..." He frowned slightly. "Still, I have my urges in check now thanks to being here. It sure helps when I have people to beat up around here..."

"Both Lasswell and Alistaer really helped me deal with wanting to destroy..."
(Gorandis)

Celeana Feuer: Mhm, no problem- I am happy you have started to settle in properly.
Gorandis: Yes it has been quite nice.
Celeana Feuer: As for making it... Well I am a Rift mage.
Celeana Feuer: It should be quite easy.
Gorandis: Well it will take me a while to get these other runes in place... I will contact you when it is ready
Celeana Feuer: Very well- I suppose I'll take my leave again, seeing as Aita is not here.
Gorandis: Yes, I need to meet him at some point, I have heard a lot about him...
Gorandis: Well, again, thank you for your aid
Gorandis: Now I have my own preparations to do...