Never trust Prego on Spirit Trips

[17:02] He takes a moment to look up at the smoke trail, recalling something that the spiritmancer had told him in the past.

"There are rifts around Agartha that, for one reason or another, are attuned to the Spirit Realm. I'm pretty sure this is one of them. Let me just try applying my energy.."

Removing his gloves, the lieutenant's hands are then coated in a thick, blue energy that begins to seep and trickle out towards the pink flame. It is subtle at first, but as his hands get closer and more effort is poured into it, he hopes for a reaction of some sort.
(Taro Wvelven)
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[17:11] {NARRATION} The blue energy slowly moves towards the flame and penetrates it. Soon enough, the coating that seemed to envelop the firepit moves away, expanding on the surrounding mountain's summit, moving towards each and every one of them. The flame underneath flickers, and reappears!

And it grows, seemingly growing together with the coating of blue energy. It emits no heat, but it most definitely is fire. It changes in colors, a rainbow quickly flashing on their very eyes, and it seems intended on consuming them soon after the shallow layer that separates this place from the spirit world goes off.

However, even stopping energy flow to it doesn't stop the growth. It's now or never. Allow the passage to the spirit realm to be done, or walk away from it, and drop this quest.
[17:16] "Ah."

The purpose of the runes should have been obvious to the woman. As Taro flows his energy, Mei Xiang stands and takes a step back at first, though who wouldn't at the sight of fire coming towards them. It wasn't hot, but the sight of it was still alarming at the most. The skull mask finds itself facing Taro.

"What now? You're the expert on this."
(Mei Xiang)
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[17:17] The white-haired youth steps back momentarily as his eyes widen, watching the trickle of luminescent mana flowing into the ominous flames. The flames had shifted from a pink coloration to an myriad of various shades, causing Hatsu to cover his eyes momentarily. It was strangely beautiful and unnerving at the same time, as he felt an odd disconnect in the area before him. It was difficult to describe in words the sensation he had just felt, but he looks toward his allies as they manage to undo the veil that hid away the world they sought.

"I suppose we just go in, at this point? It does look a bit spooky."
(Hatsu Lee)
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[17:18] Tiff looked to Taro and Mei as the energy expanded. Obviously she wasn't going anywhere without them, and while an anxious tune played around the fae, she grinned, eager to see the world she was once a part of in a previous life, or at least part of it that was related... Either way, the Spirit Realm waited, and she wasn't about to let this chance slip away.

Unless for whatever reason no one went through.
(Tiff)
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[17:20] That was new.

After watching with a twinge of concern as the heatless flame reacts to his unique brand of magic, he grins a bit.. then aims to step through, looking back at the others as he does so.

"Yep-yep. In we go. Keep close to me, alright? Hatsu, don't fall too far behind."
(Taro Wvelven)
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[17:31] {NARRATION} The flame twirled and expanded. Certainly, this was something different and new from what Taro knew, of course. His mana was controlling it nonetheless, the growth spurt only allowed because he was the one that kickstarted it.

Was it intended to work like that? All things pointed to yes. And soon enough, as they basked in the heatless flame, they found out that it did not hurt at all -- It was merely a sight, perhaps meant to keep the unworthy away.

In truth, now it would perhaps dawn on Mei as to what the runes meant. They were mostly amplification runes, ones that took whatever magic was imposed to them, but her time to examine those was simply cut short by the expanding flames.

And soon enough, a flash of white light ensued, blinding them temporarily. But once it was over, a beautiful paradise stretched around them. Trees, filled with life, animals walking around and the beautiful laughter of spirits living in the heavenly lands of--

A twist in their view. Something gurgled within every single one of them, distorting their insides, but soon enough, the pinkish flames move around each one of their bodies, enveloping them in a twirl of nigh unbearable agony, the inability to scream, overwhelming forces pressing them together with no chance for reaction AND!

The twisted lands of Helheim now stretch around them, faint visions of the formerly paradisiac landscape visible in the horizon. It followed a single flux, visible to the naked eye, a blue line of pure energy that stretched over their heads and onto a single, powerful light focused far away.

They weren't at the mountain summit; They weren't anywhere they could recognize, not even their spirit world equivalent. No, their trip to the spirit world seemed to have been hijacked by the very flames they trusted in.
[17:40] It had all gone according to the plan he had forgotten to make.

Their trip had brought them to their intended location- one with grass, trees, and likely spirits floating every which way. He would be lying if he said that he was not proud of his problem solving skills thus far.

A hand reaches up to pull the forest green hood from his head as he turns around, smiling despite the pink flames that had not yet released its grasp on their forms. The second he does, everything goes black.

The world seems to twist and contort and he even loses vision for a moment, only to clench his teeth and clutch his sides.

They had fucked up somewhere along the line.

".. Out of all the places we could have ended up.."

The Wvelven (pronounced well-vin) groggily makes his way over to the others, aiming to check on their status, then their surroundings. "This is why you don't hop in random rifts."
(Taro Wvelven)
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[17:47] Tiff's anticipation and excitement quickly turned to a confused anger and frustration, as well as a sickened grimace as the air around them shifted and changed. This was not where she expected to go and it was very obviously not where Taro had originally intended to take them. The anxious tune that played about her increased to a point that complimented the irritation she felt in not being able to see what had been described to her as a beautiful and wondrous place.

So the question remained... where were they now?

"Random rifts and-- do we know where we are? Or did we just walk right on through an open door into this terrible place?"
(Tiff)
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[17:48] Things had been going relatively smooth, and Hatsu felt a sense of security in accompanying both the Shogun and lieutenant beside him, but that quickly changed. The tranquil scenery that the quartet had managed to indulge in were wrenched away before their very eyes! The youth felt a sickening sensation creeping along his body, twisting into the center of his gut as he momentarily hunches over. The rush of cold and darkness is all that encompasses his mind, as the tranquil scenery had turned into a living nightmare.

Hellish landscapes marred the horizon, the twisted world they had now wound up in proving to be horrific in every sense of the word. Alarm marks Hatsu's features as he stumbles back, his head whirling around rapidly as his mouth hangs open in a stupefied manner.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[17:48] The small details of the runes was the last thing she saw before she was enveloped in pink flames.

It all seemed to be going well, as the fire didn't actually hurt, strangely enough; surely this was all in the plan she had trusted Taro to formulate. Eventually she was met with a blinding flash of light. There was some mild panic, but soon enough she was transported to the beautiful lands of the spirit realm...!

Not really.

The flames grow intense as their gaze is obscured by something. Unable to scream or even move, the Shogun was left to sit in momentary agony until they were spat out somewhere... unpleasant. The area was hellish and barren.

Uh oh.

She looks over to her allies. "This.. this is not where we're supposed to be, right?"
(Mei Xiang)
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[17:56] {NARRATION} Something had gone terribly wrong in the way, it was true. At least, they were all left unscathed -- The burning sensation seemed to not leave any actual injuries on their bodies, at least.

Truth be told, it wouldn't take long for Taro to notice where they were. The lands of Helheim were typical, easily identifiable by the charred land that stretched underneath their feet, but it seemed somewhat different.

Helheim had a sickening sensation all by itself. This one seemed to have the same pure sensation of Alfheim, but the most concerning part was the blue line on top of them, growing in width and seemingly seeking somewhere to converge.

Pastoral fields extended at the very edge of their view, being slowly consumed by the ever-growing flames of Helheim, the corrupted essence seemingly seeking to corrupt anything. And at each single piece of life taken, be it animal, plant or even the faintest depictions of human skeletons almost too burnt to be recognized, the same blue essence moved up, joining the leyline of energy, and traversing to the same bright spot where multiple lines converged.
[18:04] "..Oh."

His first word in some time comes after realizing just where they were. The second comes soon after, as he follows the blue light above and its trajectory across the region and to a certain spot with other lines.

"Fuck."

It wasn't the first time that his strategy of 'winging everything' had gone wrong.. but it was the first time that he was not sure of a way to get out of it. Once everyone is back on their feet he points a hand in the direction of where he assumed all of the worst things possible were waiting for them.

"Nobody panic, but.. we're in Helheim. Yes, it is as bad as it sounds. No, I don't know how to get out yet. But something tells me that heading towards the end of that blue light is our best and only bet." Pursed lips jut from one side of his mouth to the other as he waits for a response.

Should everyone be in compliance, he'd likely push forward into the unknown.
(Taro Wvelven)
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[18:08] Tiff deadpanned as Taro explained where they had ended up. Helheim was perhaps the last place any of them wanted to be, especially without the proper preparations or planning to go there. The Spirit Realm was beautiful and serene in other areas, but Helheim was a nightmare of its own kind.

"Right... blue light then. Hopefully that'll take us somewhere safer or-- maybe an exit if we're lucky." Tiff grumbled under her breath about not getting to see the rest of what she had expected. They'd be lucky if they made it out of here in one piece, but that didn't stop her disappointment as finding the Mother Tree or any other fairies was now an impossibility.
(Tiff)
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[18:10] Okay, there were very few times in Hatsu's life where he felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Even when he had stumbled upon the vampiric forces with Daishi, that sense of fear did not amount to what he felt in this moment. This whole place, this entire landscape had become a twisted, gnarled land that reeked of corruption. He could feel the sickening, ethereal tendrils of corruption actively seeking out anything that had not been sullied by this plane. Hatsu found himself breaking out into a cold sweat, fear reeking from the youth as he looks around and stuck absurdly close to Taro.

He could sense the demonic forces from the distance, and he found himself holding his head as an inaudible groan creeped out. "Oh, man..Oh, man.. This isn't good, we're screwed. Taro's cursing and we're literally in some deranged land that reeks of corruption. A-are we dead?!"

Hatsu was losing composure, partially hyperventilating.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[18:13] "Helheim."

It wasn't visible, but the expression behind her skull mask was nothing short of an absolute deadpan. Her general surroundings are given a slow, thoughtful glance; the land was... dead, there was fire in the distance, and the general area was filled with dread.

The woman tried to seek out any form of nearby 'life,' though she feared the only sources she may feel were standing right next to her.

"Helheim, the place where the bad go when they die, right? 'Cause we're- we... Taro, we need to get out of here, if that ain't obvious. Didn't ya have a plan? Or did somethin' go wrong? 'Cause this place isn't... right. There's somethin' really wrong with this place, other than it bein' Helheim, of course."
(Mei Xiang)
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[18:14] Taro Wvelven says, "No, I don't. But! We can think of one as we go. On the fly."
[18:15] Mei Xiang says, "I feel like thinkin' on the fly got us here, Taro."
[18:15] Hatsu Lee says, "Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....."
[18:15] Taro Wvelven says, "Nope. That was carelessness."
[18:15] Tiff asks, "Isn't that like-- the same thing?"
[18:15] Taro Wvelven asks, "Is it?"
[18:15] Tiff says, "I don't KNOW."
[18:15] Hatsu Lee exclaims, "WHO CARES?! How do we GET OUT?!"
[18:16] Taro Wvelven says, "Hatsu, don't panic. The Nethradins hate that."
[18:16] Tiff says, "Or do they love it."
[18:16] Hatsu Lee says, "-"
[18:21] {NARRATION} Well, Tiff was going on the direction of the blue light, presumedly with the rest of the group going on with them. After all, they were already in what seemed to be the lands of Helheim -- And the more they walked through, the more obvious it became.

It wouldn't take that much knowledge of the spirit realm to know that, in fact, Helheim's lands were expanding since 900 AC. And it was obvious what was happening here, in fact, was that. Alfheim was the land where the spirits of non-magi went, green pastures and peaceful, paradisiac realms stretching beyond view.

Taro likely did end up in the correct spot, in the end. It wouldn't take long to see that. They were in the same place as they had first seen, but it was just overtaken by the hellish landscape of Helheim. It was the same spot, but it was... Changed.

The flow of mana grows stronger the more they approach the bright light, to the point where the trees seem to be twisting themselves and pulled for the leylines, their dead bark infused with power. It is almost like they were ground circuits, delivering the mana of these lost souls back to the ground itself.

Perhaps they would not pay that much attention to the woods contorting around them, and instead would focus on the single voice that spread around them, as soon as Tiff speaks that single phrase.

"Yes, we do.", a single sound spreads from every part of the environment around them. All sorts of identification of who was around them would result in nothing being found. They were, as far as any sort of magic could tell, entirely alone and this voice was merely the byproduct of the very land they were in.

At least, the bright light seemed to be growing closer, forcing the lands of Helheim to a halt on their outrage, apparently finding it harder to progress past that single point. But it was still too distant to make sure of what it was.
[18:25] Tiff instinctively pulled up whatever nature she could find in this wasteland to defend them as well as allowing for her pink, pure mana to glow around her person. Lightning sparked at the ends of her hands while the wind picked up as well and Tiff scowled. Her uncovered eye darted this way and that, trying to find the focus of whatever had been the source of that voice. The corruption and parasitic way in which Helheim had begun to spread was all to reminiscent of the terrors that plagued Agartha, and if the nethradins here were going to try to attack, Tiff was prepared to defend herself, as well as the others.
(Tiff)
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[18:30] It was a struggle for an unaccustomed youth to witness such horrors this early in his career. He had seen bits of carnage and the occasional missing fingers, but this had gone beyond his scope of 'comfort', if one would use such phrasing. He was out of his element entirely, trying in vain to bite back his mounting negative emotions. He had lost his cool and begun to panic in the face of this hellish realm, and it had potentially brought unnecessary dangers to the group as a whole. He bites heavily upon his lip, perhaps enough to draw blood as he tries to stifle his mounting anxiety.

If he was going to fight alongside his comrades and beat back the vampire scourge one day, he needed to toughen up. He had been little more than a burden thus far, and while Hayashi had entrusted him with a new weapon, it had proven far too cumbersome for him to even use at this point. He still needed time to grow, and he was discontent with the gap between himself and other peers his age. He hated feeling overlooked, or looked down upon by his elders. They dismissed him as they would a crying child - and that was what he practically was right now!

"I'm...My apologies, I've lost my composure. I won't let it happen again." He states quietly, white-knuckling his tattered, worn down sword that remained in its sheathe as he looks around.

..Was something stirring among them, already?
(Hatsu Lee)
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[18:31] The mere aura of the land sickened the woman.

The landscape seemed to be a reflection of the world they were previously end, but it was horribly twisted and barren. Could it have been the spread of corruption causing this? She had knew corruptive magics had an effect on the Lifestream, but she had never realized the terrible extent of its appearance.

However, thoughts of righteousness are quickly abandoned when she hears a series of ghastly voices.

Her hand goes to rest on her blade handle as she looks around.

"Focus, or you'll die," she hisses to the young boy. "Look for the sources of those voices."
(Mei Xiang)
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[18:32] The rookie mystic slows his steps somewhat as the realm around them continues to show them bits and pieces of what it really was and what it could become if left unchecked. Admittedly, Taro was not as well-versed in Spirit Realm history as he probably should be.. mainly due to the fact that he could hardly read to retain knowledge from the various books and pieces of wisdom that had been left behind for the realm's next generation of defenders.

As a result his knowledge was somewhat limited.. but even he knew about Helheim's crawling domination and spreading influence. About the nethradins and twisted spirits that reside inside here in search of souls to consume.

Once the voice rings out, Taro rubs the tip of his tongue along the bottom of a canine tooth, skin slowly but surely taking on the steel-like appearance he had become known for. He was ready to do what needed to be done to advance.

"No need to apologize, Hatsu. Such a reaction is natural. But you have to foc--" Mei had beaten him to the lecture. With a light huff, the samurai places a hand on the hilt of his blade and glances around, looking for a source.
(Taro Wvelven)
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[18:36] {NARRATION} There is no source for the voice. It simply cracked from the ground around them, and it seemed to echo yet again from inside their very heads. The woods around them were completely still, not a moving thing seen, heard or smelled in miles around them.

They were, in fact, all alone.

Or perhaps the voices came from inside.

Still they had a journey ahead of them. And surely... Standing there and waiting wouldn't help anyone.
[18:37] Taro Wvelven says, ".. Screw it. Let's move."
[18:40] Physical or mental, the voices had put the group on high alert.

With a final sweep of the crooked forest, the ninja aims to get everyone moving once more, traversing in the same direction towards the end of the light.

"The longer we stay here, the worse things get for us. We shouldn't stop unless we have to."
(Taro Wvelven)
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[18:40] Mei Xiang says, "Right, let's go."
[18:41] Tiff says, "Gah.."
[18:41] Tiff flits forward to follow.
(Tiff)
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[18:42] Hatsu remains close beside Taro, trying his best to steel his resolve with every step. He felt as if he was already becoming a burden, and the embarrassment was burning within his chest. Melding that with the anxiety that had been previously there, he wasn't exactly having the best of times. He had yet to even commune with a star in the cosmos, leaving him to wistfully glance up at the sky on occasion.

"Are there even stars here..?"
(Hatsu Lee)
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[18:51] {NARRATION} They move forward. There seems to arrive to a point where something stops the lands of Helheim from progressing further, instead draining all of its energy into a single point.

The sky was starry, yes. It featured the same stars of the overworld -- They were otherworldly beings, too unbound to the fabric of reality to stay on the physical world.

An abandoned spiritual household is the source of the glow, all the excess energy flowing into a single body that once seemed to be human, but by now was too dilated and swollen with the raw energy that coursed through it. Their weapons and armor seemed to be made of pure Soulsteel, as he sat down in front of a single campfire.

One exactly akin to the one they used to enter, but long since snuffed out.
[19:00] Taro stops a decent distance away from the diluted frame after following the trail with the others. The household was one thing-- impressive in its out right, but the swollen body before it and the campfire has the majority of his attention.

"Well there's our way out. Or it would be.. if it wasn't out already. Seems like he was tasked with the duty of keeping the corruption at bay. Think they were a runescribe or somethin', Mei?" He glances over his shoulder at the Shogun and then drops into a squat, squinting long and hard at the fire.

"Our best bet is to make one of these ourselves.. right?"
(Taro Wvelven)
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[19:03] "I dunno, Taro. Maybe he was killed watchin', or maybe he was dead upon arrival, or maybe he made one 'n died... somehow. Either way, this looks like our only way out, but it's not lit. The runes I saw earlier had somethin' to do on... magical amplification; maybe he used the wrong magic?"

She was unsure, so a quick investigation was in order. The woman walked forth to closely inspect the site, searching for any runes that may be visible.

The bloated corpse didn't seem to concern her at all.
(Mei Xiang)
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[19:05] Hatsu had come to a halt as they had ventured far enough to see an ominous looking structure in the distance. Accompanied with such was a swollen body that had seated itself at the campfire, leaving him to wonder whom would purposely remain out here for extended periods of time. His eyes drift toward Mei, and nods in agreement to her own assessment.

"I agree with Lady Xiang, anything that remains out here has to be corrupt, as well. No one in their right mind would camp out here for long, right?"

The corpse concerned HIM, but needless to say, everything in this hell-hole did. At least the stars offered some semblance of assurance that not all was lost, despite the maddening sense of wonder.

Why did this plane have stars?!
(Hatsu Lee)
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[19:05] Tiff floated nearby warily, keeping her eyes on the corpse as well as everything else within the surroundings. She reached out with vines to sense anything that might try to surprise them as well as an extended sense via her arcane talent to try to detect anything out of the ordinary here. The others were allowed to step forward and investigate what they needed while the fairy was completely on guard.
(Tiff)
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[19:07] {NARRATION} The runes around the campfire were akin to the other ones, but they seemed to instead focus on expanding and redirecting the magic around it. A few of it seem to be related to the very opposite of what the entrance firepit were about; Instead, they focus on restraint.

This one seemed to be made to stop something from happening, instead of the other way around. As they moved around, the man simply continued sitting down, staring aimlessly at the fireplace, or so it seemed-- Face entirely hidden underneath a mask that coated his entire face, after all, made it harder to know what exactly he was doing.

But nevertheless, he was entirely still.
[19:08] Taro Wvelven asks, "What's the bad news, Mei?"
[19:10] Hatsu Lee asks, "Maybe we should -not- approach it, or it might trigger something?"
[19:11] "Looks like the opposite of what I saw at the entrance, I think. Some runes are similar, but the focus isn't on amplification, but restrainin' somethin'... stoppin' somethin' from happenin', but I dunno what."

She had already approached the fireplace to inspect the runes.

Seeing as how she thought this was a corpse near her, she set a hand on the thing's shoulder to inspect it for anything of note.

Any signs of how he might have died.

...if he was dead.
(Mei Xiang)
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[19:11] Hatsu Lee says, "-"
[19:15] {NARRATION} Mei is instantly SHOVED back with all strength the man had. He seems shaky, holding what seemed to be a staff made from the very woods of this realm, but now decrepit and beyond any use. Yet, he still emanated a powerful aura from within him, an obvious consequence of the very mana that redirected towards him.

But as he woke up, the soulstream seemed to redirect itself towards the campfire. The man now stands there, waving his staff around. "YOU WILL NOT TAKE OUR LAND!", he yells. "GET AWAY, NETHRADIN. YOU WILL NOT CONVINCE ME WITH THIS FAKE IMAGERY OF HUMANS! LEAVE US ALONE, ONCE AND FOR ALL."
[19:21] The abrupt surge of the swollen suit of armor was enough to leave Hatsu falling upon his rear in shock. The suddenness of movement had taken him off guard entirely, and despite having a sinking suspicion that something ominous was afoot here, his eyes widened. The staff itself was something that escaped his attention, as he had just recently believed this to be a corpse donning armor!

"T-they've gone mad! Or maybe they think we're these Nethradin's! We're human, we're not trying to bring you harm, sir!"

He tries his best to talk things out peacefully, but it wasn't as if he was in much of a position to not try negotiating when he's been folded like an omelet several times.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[19:21] As unexpected as it was, Tiff had known this wasn't going to be a walk in the park and sooner or later Helheim's tricks and nightmares were going to catch up to them. And here they were, laid bare in a man trying to 'defend his own land'. Even if he hadn't been dead just moments ago Tiff knew better than to be tricked by the terrors this part of the Spirit World would have to throw at them.

And so she prepared to fight, vines already coiling closer to her and the others is order to aid them. This was the land of terrible and evil spirits who had been sentenced to death and placed here for their vile deeds in life. The man before them was no different and was nothing more than a cruel game the nethradins themselves were trying to play.

"I don't trust it. I don't trust this at all."
(Tiff)
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[19:22] Taro frowns at the lack of an easy escape route and also Mei's lack of respect for corpses.

.. Or living people, apparently.

He narrowly avoids being set ablaze as the fire soulstream hits the campfire, and leaps back to his feet with a frown.

"Hey-hey! We're not with them. We're on your side! Stand down."
(Taro Wvelven)
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[19:23] Oh, he was alive.

And he was strong.

A quiet gasp escaped the Shogun as she was nearly shoved onto her bottom. It was only due to a not-so-elegant recovery that she was able to keep herself from completely falling onto the ground. After steeling her nerves, she takes her place near her allies and sets a hand on her blade handle while another hand outstretches towards the decrepit man, as if urging him to cease.

"We aren't Nethradin or anyone bad, we're... travelers, lost like you! We're just trying to find a way out."
(Mei Xiang)
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[19:27] {NARRATION} https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwAc_kaTY80

"I PUT ONE OF YOU IN A PRISON!", he continues to yell. The deceased wood of his staff still flails around, allowing for its all too familiar rot to go around. The spirit world had a different way of moving time, it seemed, and this man had been stuck in the loop for far too long.

"HE TOLD ME YOU'D BE BACK. HE TOLD ME YOU'D TRY TO CONTINUE THE RISE OF HELHEIM.", he spoke, a faint flicker of holy energy moving around him, coating the environment around. "And he made sure to know that you'd come for me..."

"It took centuries. But I am still here. I will NOT allow any of you to progress any further.", he spoke out, in a more hushed tone. In fact, however, his magic spread through the house. It seemed that he was intended on stopping them -- Whomever they were. "I will not be tricked by this illusion, Nethradin. It failed a hundred times-- And it will fail a hundred more!"
[19:31] Hatsu Lee exclaims, "We can't escape from crossing fate!"
[19:34] "This ain't gonna work. We need to get home, and you need to continue your job of protecting these runes. Either party getting beaten to a pulp is a bad look."

He is more so thinking out loud than talking to the bloated warrior as a hand rises up to rub the side of his face.

"We're going to pass, and you're going to sit back down and keep working. Alright?"
(Taro Wvelven)
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[19:36] "...who knows how long this man's been here, Taro? Look at 'em, he's... lost it from bein' here for so long. Here, maybe I can-" The outstretched hand momentarily glows with holy mana; she was admittedly afraid to try and channel the energy of the Lifestream in this realm of all places, so normal holy magic would have to suffice.

"Can ya feel this? It's holy magic, we're not Nethradin..."
(Mei Xiang)
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[19:40] Tiff was still wary, far more than the others were being, though she wasn't going to impede any kind of plan they wanted to perhaps try to help the man who was definitely-not-a-trick. The vines coiled closer and closer, inching like silent snakes but would remain far away enough to not disrupt their attempts at reaching out for the man.

Tiff silenced her sound magic for the time being, but a vibrating in the air signified it wasn't really gone, but instead waiting to spring into action if need be.
(Tiff)
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[19:40] "He's lost his mind, or perhaps he's been endlessly plagued by those unseen voices. Either way, the mana's been flowing here this entire time, so maybe he's not one of those 'things' out there, at least."

Hatsu delves into silence as he watches Mei step into the fray, attempting to dissuade the elderly, if not crazed man from continuing with his hostility. Surely these demonic creatures could not emulate energy that would probably harm their very bein, right? Or maybe they could do so, like Angels have been rumored to...

Regardless, the young man remains vigilant, his focus crystalline. He had to be absolutely focused, as his life was the most easily lost among their party, unfortunately. He still can't shake off the sensation that he may prove to be a liability, in combat. That persecuting voice in the back of his head continues its whispers, making a mockery of hisefforts.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[19:40] Taro Wvelven says, "Maybe you shouldn't talk about him like he isn't right here with us."
[19:40] Taro Wvelven says, "Just rude, Hatsu."
[19:40] Hatsu Lee says, "...Okay."
[19:41] Hatsu Lee says, "It's not like he's even listening, though."
[19:44] {NARRATION} The man's soulsteel armor flickered with some mana -- Red. Obviously, the signal of what afflicted him, perhaps unknown to himself. The words seemed to not shoot any ease on his mind, but instead...

Hatsu had it right. In fact, the unseen voices continued to whisper at him. "I HEARD YOU!", he yelled, turning his back towards the group and launching a single strike of pure fire magic onto the wall, opening it and charring the lands of Alfheim behind him.

And from that, the plague of Helheim seemed to simply allow itself to go through the barrier. He stared in terror at the corruption spreading. "THIS WAS YOU!", he yelled, turning towards the group yet again. "I HEAR YOUR FIENDISH COMMANDERS, YOU KNOW?! I HEAR THEM ORDERING YOU TO-- DECEIVE ME!"

"JOIN YOUR KIN AND FACE OBLIVION, NETHRADIN!", he yelled out, obviously intended on attacking the group, the temperature around rising significantly up -- And the bonfire at the very middle of the hamlet rose to flames, lighting the runes around, but nothing happened so far.
[20:10] {NARRATION} The man was swiftly brought down by Mei, amidst the fight. (How that is done, up to her)

It was true-- He was indeed mad due to the vast exposure to the spirit realm. His decrepit staff, now nothing more than a piece of wood, was laid down on the floor. He gagged on his own blood, and it would perhaps dawn on them that in fact, what they killed was a man corrupted by the Nethradin he fought so long ago.

But that wasn't to mean any of them were invulnerable. The faint burden that went on their consciousness was enough to allow the land itself to raid on their mind, and perhaps, Tiff was the one that suffered the most, with her very soul essence weakened by his powerful strikes.

While all of the group, except luckily enough Hatsu, suffered some of the lashback from the massive mana that moved away from the campfire in the middle of the room, scarring their very spirits.

While they remain in the spirit world, they would feel a small sense of incompletion, as if they were permanently hurt-- But it was nothing too much of a problem.

But Tiff...

Tiff had her mind directly invaded by a Nethrading that took home inside the man's mind. A shattered essence, no less, but it was still one that plagued her. It whispered to her ear faint words. Sometimes, to incentivate her to do that which is unrighteous... Sometimes, to just make her lose any motivation that she could have. She could feel it -- Her very mana was corrupted by this.
[20:10] DMPrego whispers: Are you happy? You killed him.
[20:15] ** DMPrego has inflicted an injury upon Tiff. ("Nethradin Corruption", "Visions of Eldritch creatures beyond her comprehension plague her mind every time her eyes are closed. More than that, she could feel an innate sense of corruption coursing through her pure form.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
[20:19] This was perhaps Hatsu's second taste of real combat, as he felt the harrowing horror of what it was like to be assailed upon by a demented man. Even in his decrepit state, he fought akin to a man possessed - no, a demon perhaps as he ravaged the land and scoured the lands with fire and lava. Hatsu had enough common sense to know that he could not brave such attacks like his elders could, and stayed WELL away from the brunt of the battle, merely assisting where he could.

He did not kid himself, he knew that he could easily fall, and that his best bet was ensuring the success of his superiors. The Four-Fold Army recruit stood strong till the end, nearly flopping forward as he pants heavily from exhaustion. Combat always appeared so glorious and perhaps even tranquil from a distance..but in reality?

This was true Hell. Everything ached, the smell of burnt skin wafted in the air, and he lightly scowls as he forces himself to a stand. The'rush' of battle was not anything glorious, and he only felt a grim sense of duty as he looks around.

This was a necessity, he told himself. While this was certainly an unfortunate turn of events, he tried his best to simply put it off as putting down a mad dog. These creatures had wholly manipulated that poor man into nothing more than an enemy; an obstacle that refused to budge, and had to be executed for the sake of their righteous journey.

Maybe he was lying to himself, trying to feel as if he had taken part of something of importance. Or perhaps he merely tried to not allow the negative emotions to weigh him down further, looking around with a frown.

"It...had to be done, is all. There was no avoiding confrontation." He states quietly, saying little else as his sense of duty was now a raft to keep him from collapsing into a sea of despair and regret.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[20:21] A battle ensued.

While Mei was reluctant to do so, she was left with no other choice; it was either them or him, so...

The metal and blue flames of her blade clashed against her opponent's magic. She occasionally breaks the man's defense to land a few blows, but when everyone combines their efforts, she was able to perform a fatal strike.

Her blade sank deep into the man's chest, the flames on the blade causing it to cauterize on contact. It was a grim thing to do, but she reasoned that it was merely a chore, so with a rough movements, she dislodged her blade from the man's chest and glanced around to her allies.

She suffered some wounds, though the smallest ones began to heal before everyone's eyes.

There was more damage, though, ones that weren't all that physical.

"Is- is... everyone alright? Nobody too hurt?"
(Mei Xiang)
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[20:27] The fight was long and Tiff struggled through the air, bringing about the bounties of nature to aid the group. Vine shot forward with crescendos of sound magic while the wind and lightning the fairy could harness guided her through the air, but it was not enough. A wave of corruption finally did her in and Tiff spiraled out of the air and down into the dirt. She thumped against it once, twice, before falling still.

There was a yelp from her initial impact but the fairy couldn't manage to prop herself up once the corruption truly took effect. Her motivation that had once been so fiery and full of life left the look in her eyes now dull and empty, not that they were open to show that gaze now. Her light died off and even the plant life that had reached forward to help her slowed to a lethargic crawl and then became still.

It was almost as if she'd been entirely incapacitated, but the steady breath and frown upon her face indicated otherwise. She was very much awake, but the new burden upon her mind made her wish she wasn't. Mei's call out asking if anyone was hurt was met by a weak whimper as Tiff tried to call attention to herself.
(Tiff)
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[20:29] Brutal. Exhausting.

The battle waged on and brought nothing but chaos and despair to those involved. His metal armor had been dented and nicked in some places, but it was nothing he couldn't fix eventually.

Though, upon seeing how worn down Tiff and Mei had become.. the Wvelven becomes.. frustrated. At his inability to keep them safe. At his failure to be a proper guide inside of the Spirit Realm- Helheim or not.

It was his job to be the shield at all times.

His frustration doesn't desist even after Mei puts an end to the fight with her graceful movements. Even as his very soul is withered away somewhat by the cursed one. Without so much as a second thought, the mystic makes his way over to Tiff and aims to scoop the fae up and onto his shoulder.

"I'm sorry for failing you there. I won't allow it to happen again. If that campfire is done for, we should push forward into Alfheim. It is knownfor being the place non-magi spirits go after death, so things should be a lot less.. this."

If everything was said and done he'd move forward, stopping only to check on the status of the others and offer Tiff a few light pats on the back.

"Let's collect what we can and depart."


(Taro Wvelven)
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[20:30] DMPrego whispers: You know it's not done yet. How can you live with this?
[20:30] Tiff allows herself to be scooped up by Taro. Though she winces and seems to be under some kind of torment.
(Tiff)
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[20:36] {NARRATION} The maddened survivor being put down, it seemed that there was nothing too much to be done in this place. The paradisiac landscape that was in front of them was still maintaining itself, standing still and unscathed. But then, from underneath the house, there opened a trapdoor.

It was the result of tampering with the runes, apparently. With restraint undone, there was something under this house that was not stopped anymore. However... They coud simply just do the same as before now, given the behavior of the firepit in the middle of the room was awfully similar to the one they used to enter.

It was to either leave, or face whatever lied underneath. The sensation of crippledness remained as scars, but it was easily identifiable as something merely put on their souls, not on their physical beings -- Something that wouldn't carry itself forward far too much.
[20:38] {NARRATION} Examining the house, however, shows a vast mixture of ores lying around. Apparently, the man was one that took to crafts himself-- A lot of these were used, but a few could still be made into something better.
[20:46] "Why? Why place a lone guardian in a place with an influx of chaos and evil and leave them there? It only makes sense that they will eventually be overwhelmed, right? Even the greatest champions eventually need a chance to retire."

Talking himself through the thought process that had to have been behind the survivor's turmoil helps him calm down somewhat, though he cannot help but frown again as they peek inside to see the trap door and various ores spread out.

"What's the call? We put him down, so I feel like we might be responsible for tying off his loose ends, if he has any. But if you guys would rather not.." A hand moves to unclip the canteen from his belt and pop the cap off, aiming to offer it up to Tiff if she needed it.
(Taro Wvelven)
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[20:51] Hatsu was more than ready to leave, if he had to be perfectly honest with himself. These hellish landscapes were a bit more than they bargained for, but at the same time..They hadn't come for what they were searching for, did they? The young man found himself staring at Taro in silence, contemplating upon his words with great deliberation. Was this inspired by Taro's acquired guilt from killing this demented man, or did he have another reason?

Insatiable curiosity often prodded at the back of Hatsu's head, and his eyes drift toward the house with vague interest. What secrets laid within that area, and just what had that old man been up to in the midst of his solitude in this Hell?

"I'm curious about what lays inside, but I'm indifferent. We've managed to get through most of our hardships, but overstaying our welcome, especially with that poor Fairy in such a state is pushing it. Youguys are my elders, however, so I'll leave it up to you to make the big decisions."
(Hatsu Lee)
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[20:52] "Maybe he was separated from his group, but whatever the case... he's been laid to rest."

In the back of her mind, she questioned what would happen if someone were to die in such a corrupt place.

"I'm not opposed to it. Let's go on 'n see what's... in there. The runes were in place for a reason, 'n it'd certainly be good to see if there's somethin' there. If there is, we should take it out."
(Mei Xiang)
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[20:55] Tiff struggled within Taro's grasp to sit up and try to refocus herself. She seemed groggy, and shuddered once she was upright to some degree.

"I-- it's up to you guys that hit me sorta hard ah-" her voice was labored and disjointed, but she managed to try to speak as best as she could. "The things here don't mess around.. if we gotta push forward to do more I'll do my best."
(Tiff)
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[20:55] Taro Wvelven says, "In we go, then. Just be on guard. Let me take the lead."
[21:02] {NARRATION} They go down the trapdoor. Apparently, they were back in the physical world -- Whatever spiritual wounds lied upon them was gone the moment they passed through it, and apparently, this was what the man was guarding. Not the expansion of Helheim, no.

The expansion was merely a tool to make sure they got through to this place. To where the Nethradin opened a passage, but as soon as they closed it, the same door was sealed. Trying to open and go back to the spirit world was... Fruitless.

But this place resided with deeper shadows. More than what the lights there would even allow to persist. Perhaps it was, in the end, the fact that it was merely the domain of a Nethradin that passed through to the spirit realm.

Scanning through the room, they find a thick, rigid door made of Arcanium. It has simple enough trappings that only stop those that come from the spirit world to pass through, and a voice whispers in their head.

"Allow me out", it asks. "I can heal you. I can make you... Exceptional. Tell me a single thing you wish for, and I will make it happen."
[21:07] They had opted to traverse into the ominous household, only to find themselves leaving the ethereal realm of te spirit world. Hatsu was surprised for a brief moment, as that foreign sensation he had originally felt was now moot. The youth looks around in the darkened chamber, only to stare at the Arcanium door as his eyebrows gently raise.

"Allow me out", it asks. "I can heal you. I can make you... Exceptional. Tell me a single thing you wish for, and I will make it happen."

..This door could grant wishes? He found himself curiously staring at the door, and despite his skepticism, he wondered if he could acquire further strength from it. It was a fleeting thought - one of which he quickly smacks down into the darker recesses of his mind.

"A...door that grants wishes? If only life was really that easy. Wishing on stars doesn't do much for you, and there aren't shortcuts in life. Probably.." He mutters, his morbid curiosity growing as he stares at the door.

"It's not like I could wish to be strong and it'd happen overnight, right guys?! Hahahaha...h...ah...aa.."

He stops talking.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[21:13] They were... in the normal realm?

Strange, or atleast that's what it seemed like. She looks around the dimly lit room, glancing up at the trapdoor they came from, as well as whatever door resided at the 'exit' so to speak. It wouldn't take long before she realized there was a... presence.

Her hand instinctively grips the sword handle.

If the man they had just slain was so hellbent on guarding against Nethradin, obviously whatever was in the room with them couldn't be something good, right? The Shogun momentarily closes her eyes, focusing to 'hear' any sounds of discord, made possible by the fact that she was attuned to the Lifestream itself.

"Don't speak to it, don't reason with it, we don't know what it is.... I think."
(Mei Xiang)
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[21:13] A hand finds the backside of Hatsu's head, delivering a weak thwap despite Taro currently standing in front of the boy.

His powers had truly grown since they entered the realm.

"Don't joke about that. Whatever is in there was sealed for a good reason- you can tell by how much arcanium was used in this door."

He pauses for a few moments to hear Mei out, then brings a metal hand up to hover a few inches away from it.

"Your warden upstairs is dead and gone, and as it turns out, we've got some time to spare. Tell us about yourself, big guy."
(Taro Wvelven)
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[21:19] {NARRATION} "I AM a Warden!" The voice ensues, the darkness slowly moving closer to the ends. "I was imprisoned here! The Nethradins put me on a trap! They lured me to this place, where this -- Crazed madman put me in here!", the masculine voice continues to speak.

"Please, allow me to get out! I can -- I can reward you! Please. Help me. I need to get back -- Alfheim is in dire danger!"
[21:19] DMPrego whispers: *The darkness in the room is certainly anomalous -- If it is just a lasting effect of former corruption or something happening right now, it's hard to tell. (Roll)*
[21:20] Mei Xiang whispers: (wait what do i roll
[21:21] DMPrego whispers: *It seems to be still influenced by something in this room. It's hard to pinpoint what, exactly -- Or where. But it seems to come from close to the door.*
[21:23] The Shogun appears to visibly tense.

The grip on her sword handle tightens.

"The darkness in the room," she begins, hushing her voice for some reason. "Coming from the door... I think, the door, or near it. That thing isn't good at all, ya guys, be careful."
(Mei Xiang)
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[21:25] Tiff groaned and tried to stand atop Taro's shoulder. At Mei's warning nature came to the fae's call once again, even if she was battling an inner fight against the same sort of evil this thing was exuding. She knew they had to push on and that if Mei was right, the Nethradins were only playing more tricks on them.

"If-- we gotta fight again cover me and I'll see what I can do. I-- gghh--.. they're in my head and I can't shake 'em yet."
(Tiff)
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[21:28] Taro tilts his head to one side dramatically, seemingly upset with the reveal.

"You lied to use? That sucks. I really wanted to believe in you, too. Kinda makes me want t'bring you out and fight you. I hate liars. And since we can't get back out anyway.."

He glances at the others, placing his metal hand on it.

".. What say you guys?"
(Taro Wvelven)
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[21:29] DMPrego whispers: You know that is fake, don't you?
[21:29] Tiff exclaims, "Gh-- leave me alone!"
[21:29] DMPrego whispers: Do not allow it to misguide you.
[21:29] DMPrego whispers: Kill it. You know it's a Nethradin.
[21:29] Tiff says, "W--"
[21:30] Tiff clutches at her head.
(Tiff)
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[21:30] DMPrego whispers: It's trying to use you. It's trying to misguide you.
[21:30] Tiff exclaims, "Stop stop STOP!"
[21:30] DMPrego whispers: KILL IT. KILL IT.
[21:30] DMPrego whispers: KILL IT.
[21:30] Tiff says, "They're saying-- nggh-- to kill it. Taro-- Mei. They're telling me to."
[21:31] DMPrego whispers: Yes, yes! Kill the Nethradin!
[21:31] DMPrego whispers: You know you want to cleanse the world of this filth, don't you?
[21:31] DMPrego whispers: Imagine if it got out there.
[21:34] Staring at the door with a blank expression, he would make his way toward the door. Squinting at the contents of the door, he would lightly scowl. This was causing his anxiety to grow at every pass, and even Tiff was crying out for its death. What laid behind it, they'd have to deal with regardless.

"I'm going to open it. We're going to have to deal with whatever is behind it, anyway. And if this keeps up, Miss Fairy might be in further danger. I trust you guys, so let's just deal with whatever comes next."

Was he brave? Sure as hell, no. He was shaking like an old man recovering from a fall down a patio staircase, and was struck in the head by a hardened baguette.

But he -did- have faith in his superiors, and it wasn't as if they could overlook whatever was lying behind this door. Besides, if they managed to make it out of this, they could always smelt this bad boy door for something interesting! Or maybe that's just him placing his desires on the back of his thoughts to keep him trudging through this madness.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[21:37] "Th-they're telling me to kill it-- I that might just be them playing a trick er--hhggh… I don't know please just, I wanna get home. Guys--"

Tiff struggled, but part of her was now believing the thing trapped before them was indeed a Warden that had been imprisoned by the nethradins that were urging her to kill it.
(Tiff)
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[21:42] {NARRATION} "THANK YOU", a wicked voice spoke out as soon as the door was opened. The darkness simply removes itself from the torches quickly enough, the illusion of darkness vanishing away as the door is opened.

A creature, winged and enormous, just DASHES past the group. The door wasn't keeping something on the outside -- They were inside, with it. Instead, opening the door just allowed it to get out.

"GOOD JOB, SAVIORS. YOU RELEASED A WARDEN.", a voice that obviously did not belong to a warden spoke out as the figure simply passed through the long hallway that lied outside-- Off onto the overworld, where the sun praised the lands.
[21:42] Hatsu Lee says, "--"
[21:47] The door was opened.

She pulled her blade slightly, revealing only a bit of its metallic surface.

Her eyes were wide and focused behind that skull mask of hers as she awaited to combat whatever was about to come through that door. Time seemed to go in slow motion as the door revealed-

Not a Warden, not a Warden, not a Warden.

As the creature aimed to zoom past their group, Mei Xiang frantically reached out with her hand towards the fleeing creature, attempting to enact her will and stop the beast with her telekinesis. She wanted to try and keep the creature near them, or atleast slow it down enough to where they could catch and fight it.

She was too panicked to actually say anything.
(Mei Xiang)
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[21:48] "I hate this place..." Tiff groaned.

As she saw Mei try to stop the monster from getting away, Tiff joined in with her own arcane power to force it back to face them. They had released something that they had to seal once again or defeat here and now.

If they didn't put that thing back where it came from so help her...
(Tiff)
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[21:54] "You've got some balls, Hatsu. But you're grounded. Double grounded. TRIPLE GROUNDED. Now let me.."

The mystic draws his blade suddenly and winds it back, as if he is charging up an attack. Then..?

.. His entire form starts to fade away. Flesh to spirit to something that could be called 'pixel-like'.

The Transcendence Steppe that his father and ninja gramps had mastered.

With both Order magi holding the nethradin back, Taro appears before him with a scowl on his face and blue energy wrapped around his hands.

"We can't let you escape. As much as I appreciate your silver tongue. Wvelven Style: Stop 'n' Go!"

A volley of energy blasts fire out, and the battle begins.
(Taro Wvelven)
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[22:10] {NARRATION} They were luckily able to catch it, thanks to Mei's opportunity to pull it back. It was a fight that went through with several problems -- The Nethradin's powerful magic was almost enough to deal with them all, multiple times pushing them to their most vulnerable states that it could...

But it failed to fell any of them. But in a moment of desperation, it grabbed ahold of Taro's neck, lifting him up and above! "You!", he spoke out, pushing the metal mage against the wall.

With its metal skin shattered, the Wvelven could barely defend himself. The large hand grasped around his neck. "I WILL TAKE YOU WITH ME!", he yelled out --

And soon enough, Mei was able to finish off Zoltek'baal before it was able to kill Wvelven. Around his neck, however, lied the marks that would forever remind him of this very place, and the very trip that they just went through, the claw burned into his very skin. (-20 vit/be creative)
[22:15] Tiff didn't go down this time given she stayed as far away from the Nethradin as she could. Lightning arced through the air from the fae while her winds buffeted the enemy and all the while she utilized her powers once more to mend the wounds of her allies as best she could. Arcane force propelled outward from her outstretched hands if the beast neared and Tiff managed to stay in the air throughout the duration of the battle.

There was almost a moment of celebration until Tiff watched in terror as Taro was grabbed and injured. She cried out for him and her own vines shot forth to try to fight back and save the Wvelven until Mei finished the creature off. She let out a sigh of relief and then flit over to their sides.

"Are you alright, Taro? Er-- least we stopped it.."
(Tiff)
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[22:17] The air visibly distorted with the intensity of Mei's and Tiff's combined telekinetic grasp. With the Nethradin held, she forcefully slammed the thing back to where her group was, only to immediately engage in a fierce fight, none like any other she had experienced in her life.

She had fought demons and vampires, but this? This was horrifying.

With the help of everyone present, however, the creature was shortly slain when Mei Xiang ended up burying her blade into the flesh of the Neathradin. Soon after that, her blade began to glow with the bluish flames it emitted, along with the holy fire she was capable of using.

It wasn't long before the series of flames overtook the Nethradin's body, causing the creature to explode into a cloud of ash before it could harm Taro further.

Nothing is spoken still; she needed time to breathe and access their surroundings.
(Mei Xiang)
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[22:18] ...Yeah.

What transpired was clearly something that could not be easily defined. Hatsu had suddenly been blown backward as the Arcanium door swung open, causing the youth to tumble profusely. Within that short span of time, all hell had broken loose, and the quartet frantically attempted to cease the Demon before it could escape into the overworld. Magic flew in a slew of projectiles and massive explosions, that of which caused Hatsu to tumble to and fro as he took on several scrapes, cuts, bruises, and even a fracture or two!

Despite it all, they managed to come out on top, his mouth hanging open as he directs his attention toward the Demonic entity holding up Taro. He attempts to rush toward his sensei as he tumbles along the ground, Mei thankfully eliminating the threat as his eyes fall upon the engrained claw mark.

"M-MISTER TARO!!!!"

It would appear his recklessnesshad led to his teacher being injured, by the grace of God not coming out of this entire ordeal as an amputee. It was likely due to Mei and Taro giving it their all, and he felt himself become an immense burden as he tries in vain to help. He knew little medical knowledge, and had little means to do much other than try to keep Taro awake.
(Hatsu Lee)
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[22:19] ** DMPrego has inflicted an injury upon Taro Wvelven. ("Nethradin's Claw", "Mei was able to finish off Zoltek'baal before it was able to kill Wvelven. Around his neck, however, lied the marks that would forever remind him of this very place, and the very trip that they just went through, the claw burned into his very skin.", "Permanent", "Severity: MODERATE (-20 Vit)") **
[22:29] Over-protective as always.

The Wvelven dashes around in the heated conflict with what strength he could muster, putting his best foot forward. Blade clashed with claw. Metal skin clashed with the very frame of the nethradin. But in an attempt to pull attention away from others and put it completely on his self, the Clan Leader slips up and leaves himself unguarded for a split moment.

Unfortunately, a single moment was more than enough for the Nethradin to capitalize off of.

He is hoisted up and into a wall, where the claws of the enemy shattered his metal defenses and dig deep into his neck. Blood pours freely from the wound until Mei lands the finishing blow on Zoltek'baal, at which point the ninja falls to the ground with a loud thump and remains hunched over with a small pool forming through the hand covering the wound.

It hurt. More than anything else had hurt him in his career as a warrior. Yet.. he would live. It was not his time yet- he knew that much.

It isn't until the others call out for him that he even attempts to lift his head. And when he does.. it is clearly that something is different in his eyes. Perhaps he was just shaken up by the near death experience. Or perhaps.. it was something else entirely. His metal magic moves to help clot and slow the bleeding to a decent level, while he limps over to the arcanium doors and slaps a bloody metal hand on them.

The moment he does, the horrific claw marks could be seen on his neck. Still bleeding, but also.. glowing? With the hue of magic that the dark spirit had used. He probably wasn't okay.

". . . I'm still the best mystic tour guide... right?"

(Taro Wvelven)
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[22:35] {NARRATION} At last.

Now, on the other side of the door, they finally saw what awaited for them. Just below the same spot that they entered -- The campfire was a common place for both worlds, and so was the trapdoor right under it, hidden by whatever magic.

But now, everything seemed to be safe. The pink smoke no longer clouded the skies above.

All they had to do was go back.