dev 9 - journey

In the mountains above Osrona lies an old and abandoned temple. Decrepit and ancient, this monument has dozens of rumors circulating around it. All of which claim that a liquid capable of curing all wounds lies within. Some say it once belonged to the church, others claim that it was once a hall of fallen and forgotten warriors.

But everyone is wrong, and listening to rumors is bound to land you in circumstances like this.

Up a flight of broken stairs stands a spirit, gaze cast down upon all who approach. Before they can so much as speak a word, it asks them-

"Powerful enough to smash ships and crush roofs. Yet it still must fear the sun. What is it?"
[Narrate]

While he looks on about the area after arrival, he can't help but narrow his gaze a little. Pondering on what exactly it would be, to actually tread upon the old and abandoned temple.. part of him pondering what they would encounter in there as well.

And yet, as they walk and advance, his attention is immediately caught by something asking for the answer- a squint, and he stares upon the spirit, puzzled.

It's not often you see spirits.

But.. at the very least, this one wasn't hostile. As for a riddle? Steadily, he begins to mull it over.

"Smash ships and roofs, and.." Oh, fear the sun?

"Ice."
(Nerin)

This mostly transparent, featureless spirit pauses. As this riddle is answered, the ice and snow melt away, leaving the nearby landscape drenched and barren.

"Mountains will crumble to it and temples fall, and no man can survive its endless call. What is it?"

Another riddle spoken, as it stands there patently, waiting for their replies.
[Narrate]

A squint. This.. actually sounded surprisingly fitting for what he thought of, considering that there are similar riddles that would otherwise prompt the same response. But to digress..

"I'd say Eustace, but don't wanna botch the answer."

"The answer's time."

Spoken rather plainly.
(Nerin)

Again, a correct answer, prompting another change in scenery. Time seemingly begins to unwind, as fallen pillars rise. Holes within the staircase mend, allowing them to comfortably traverse the surroundings of what was once a decrepit temple.

"What can bring back the dead; make us cry, make us laugh, make us young; born in an instant yet lasts a life time. What is it?"

A third riddle asked, as the temple is repaired.
[Narrate]

"Hm.."

Perhaps this was a palace of knowledge, or something that could test the wit before there's any sort of advancement? Though, rather than pondering too much on the content of the question, or the reason behind the scenery happening..

Instead, he opts out to respond.

"The answer is memory."
(Nerin)

As their answer is given, several spirits begin to rise from the ground, appearing to act out some sort of play.

First, many monks begin to march into the temple. Offering prayers, tending to gardens, feeding the sick and poor. Next, dark hooded figures march in, flaring auras of darkness. Slaughtering the monks. What follows is a massive, powerful spirit destroying the occultists with a single beam of light, and then...

Silence, a long dreaded silence, until a long figure arrives. Upon this spiritual figure at many relics, pendants, and a satchel full of clinging and clamoring potions.

"...the last to arrive had a penchant for puzzles, and riddles. Choosing to refurbish this domain into a playground of sorts. Within this temple lies several labyrinths, with a prize at the end of each path. His only requirements regarding ones entry, is thus; capable of answering the simplest of riddles, for otherwise...

...death may befall those without a semblance of wit, and no sense of humor. Thus, the bonus round begins."

This spirit pauses, before asking a final riddle.

"What is the difference between a rotten husband and a rotten shot?"
[Narrate]

The play before them was.. rather peculiar one.

Where he watches the cloaked figure slaughter the monks, he can't help but frown a little- with the powerful entity putting down the offender at last, his lips idly curve in thought, pondering what exactly has transpired here - in a sense, as to what exactly caused the cloaked figure to arrive in the first place.

Was it some sort of vengeance..
Or blind bloodlust?

Yet, with the spirit's explanation coming about.. he can't help but squint, a tiny smile coming upon his countenance. With the final riddle spoken, he isn't so sure, but..

Eventually, he says his answer.

"--Both go to places not intended?"
(Nerin)

The spirits laugh. The sprits within the temple laugh. The spirits under the temple laugh. The spirit before them laughs, before stating!

"Well. I can see that you're all going to have a terrible time, for the answer...is....

One hits his missus, and the other misses his hits."

With that, the spirits fade and the doors open, allowing them to enter the first floor of the temple.
[Narrate]

"..."

He expected a pun, or some witty retort to compare the two- instead, it was just.. the blunt statement of the fact. While the spirits laugh, Nerin doesn't seem all that amused.

"Seriously?"

"Did you guys get your jokes from the local newspaper or something?" A sigh. "Whatever. Let's go."

And already he advances.
(Nerin)

Once inside, the doors seal shut. Several sigils shine bright, illuminating the temple. Within the center of the floor is a massive stone button. Beyond that button lies three paths. One with a vial above it, one with a blade, and another with a shield.

From above, they can hear a voice. "Ten...nine....eight..." Counting down as the walls begin to shake, forcing the occasional stone to fall from the ceiling. Giving them little time to think, as the temple seemingly begins to collapse.
[Narrate]

(Andras)

While he takes a look around upon entering the temple, his eyes steadily narrow at the massive button in the center. For all intents and purposes, he'd assume that this is made in order to activate something- and upon further inspection, three paths are revealed, each with the hanging item. And yet..

It's not too long before the entirety of the temple shakes.

"Uhhh.."

He isn't entirely sure what the items mean. Do they represent the challenges, or do they represent what awaits them in the end? But to digress..

"Right. Vial."

With that said, he follows the rest.
(Nerin)

"...seven, ...six, ...five..." As rocks continue to fall, Erika's shadow's capture the debris that fall towards her. As the others rush in, not thinking to defend themselves from the falling debris...

Eustance is lucky, avoiding a massive falling boulder. Duran avoids descending plywood. Andras an Nein are hit in the head by two descending rocks. Painful and annoying, but not hindering in the slightest.

"Four...three..." With the button ignored, the voice continues to count down. "Two..." The walls and ceiling shake violently as they approach the doorway with the vial. Immediately the other paths are filled with stone, hindering entry, as their decision has been made.

"One." A large, lilac barrier forms before the entrance of the vials path, and above it, words appear upon the wall.

"Slow and steady wins the race."

Perhaps, it's a good thing that the button was ignored, but now, they stand before a barrier that bars their entry. Yet another puzzle to be solved.
[Narrate]

It's too bad that he doesn't have that much to protect himself with. At least, not in this regard- for when the stone falls down upon him, there's little that could be done in the first place to prevent it, at least for Nerin. Still, an irate grumble escapes him at the annoyance, and it's not too long before he makes his way over to the path of vials.

Even as everything seems to fall down.

But.. it's not too long before the entrance closes before them, much like with the rest- he can't help but sigh out audibly, assuming that this is yet another obstacle for them to overcome.

"..."

"Oh, come on.."

Rather than poking with his actual hand, he only protrudes the bone out of his hand- ivory colors carefully touch upon the lilac barrier, testing whether anything will happen - and whether it can even be cut.
(Nerin)

As Andras slowly waddles through the portal, he's allowed to make it to the other side.

As Eustace attempts to poke the barrier, he can feel an odd mix of time and another magic and play here. As Erika hurls a rock, the rock is forced back in her direction a twice the speed it entered. The rock shimmers with a bright, lilac light, smacking her in the forehead.

Nerin's bone is unaffected, but he can feel two metaphysical magics at play, and Duran can feel a sense of calm as he rests.
[Narrate]

While feeling the metaphysical magics in play, he can't help but notice the fact that Erika gets smacked like that on the forehead. Even if he shouldn't laugh at it.. he does so anyway, opting out to chuckle a little.

But..

Instead, rather than focus on such, he continues to wander through the barrier- slow at pace, perhaps to ensure that he's actually going to make it to the other side.
(Nerin)

As the group waddles through the portal, they make it safely to the other side, landing themselves inside of a long, wide hallway. The walls, floor, and ceiling are made entirely of stone, and at the end?

To their left, there is a door, made entirely of tyrium. Upon it's center is a small orichalcum orb, siphoning all of the mana within it's vicinity. To the right? An indention of stone, and upon the wall above these?

"Of might, and magic, which will you test?"

Lies another message on the wall.
[Narrate]

As the shadows scrap grow close to the indention, they begin to shrink in size, effected by the nearby tyrium. While the wall doesn't budge, but they can hear the sounds of hollow echo. Confirming that while the wall may be sturdy, there is something on the other side.
[Narrate]

"Might."

A steady roll of his shoulders was given. He gives a single glance to the people around, almost as if seeing whether anyone else would participate- regardless, he already advances forth, the steady gather of mana hardening his hand; rather than harnessing it in a single spot, it's allowed to become a constant circulation, taking it far beyond what normality could allow.

A flow that both empowers.
And hardens it to become as tough as diamond.

Here, the hand of Nerin reforms; rather than leaving flesh and skin as it is infront, the knuckles protrude further- the fingers also shape about in order to replace soft flesh, leaving naught but ivory colors alone.

It's almost as if it's become a hammer of a hand, made out of bone.

The shroud of mana follows, steadily coating the appendage he's made. It acts in protective manner to ensure that the hardened hand is pushed even further when it comes to protecting him from harm, and..

A focused strike is given.

The impact is thoroughly focused through this magically fuelled strike, one in which not only magic fuels him, but specific technique and even the change of his body.

But would that work? That remains to be seen.
(Nerin)

Eustace can feel the sands weakening the stone within, and his sands stretch outward to find an empty hall. The unnatural strike from Nerin is focused and forced, but their combined efforts force the wall to shatter. Andras, however, stabs the mana siphoning door made of nyeshk.

Andras, roll, random 1 200.

75 or lower results in failure.
[Narrate]

Andras can feel his circuits tugged and pulled upon, but through raw might, and a bit of luck, he stabs through the door, forcing it to crumble. Leaving behind a few chunks of raw materials.

With both doors open, they can see that it leads them...to the exact same location. A massive, dome shaped room, with a pedestal in the center. Atop that pedestal lies a single vial of ivory liquid, yet around the object holding up and glorifying it?

Lies hundreds of sigils, and the spirit of a glasses wearing man. Adorning nothing more than a work uniform, and a tool belt. Smiling, patiently waiting for them to set foot within the thunderdome.
[Narrate]

There's much that could be expected out of this, but..

As the exit crumbles for them, he briefly squints at the raw materials present. Provided no one else is going to take them, he collects these on his way out, knowing that they might be useful later on; though, if someone does take? He only collects a portion.

"Mm.."

Eventually, however, his gaze settles upon what feels like exact same location. With an arch of an eyebrow, he begins to advance with the rest, knowing that they'd be most likely facing their final challenge soon enough.

Lest he had the wrong feeling about it.

"So."

"Another puzzle?"
(Nerin)

"You may enter, and..another puzzle....?" The spirit only responds to the questions offered, looking upon the group curiously. "Not if you'd prefer! The final question, or a test to see if you're worthy of my belongings. The choice...is up to you! The consequences for failure are the same, in the end."
[Narrate]

There's only so many puzzles that he personally enjoyed..

And though he wasn't really fond of these in overbearing amounts, a single glance is given to the people nearby; he was considerate enough to not declare the immediate decision for the group as a whole, but rather voice his preference.

"I'd rather go through with the test at this point. Besides, makes for a good tale to tell others, hm?"

"But it's up to you otherwise, Eustace. This is your journey."
(Nerin)

"The final question is asked after a series of questions, the test...will test your patience, moreso than your wit. Sometimes...your might will be tested, other times, how quickly you can adapt to a shift in scenarios. Wouldn't want this serum wasted on one...who's just going to go out and get hurt again!"

Bringing his hands before it's waist, the spirits fingers lace with one another, offering the group a smile.
[Narrate]

"Are you strong enough?" The first question asked, as the runes shine bright. "Are you strong enough to take it?" Dozens of spirits flood into the thunderdome, circling around the six figures present. "Are you strong enough to protect the restored body that it will provide...?"

Bright light begins to shine around the questioning spirit!

"Are you worthy of taking a piece of my legacy, people of Osrona?"
[Narrate]

The shining brilliance..

It reminded him of the different things that he's already faced in his life, but despite that much, he didn't seem to be intimidated- not even when dozens of spirit flood into the thunderdome. Instead, his eyes carefully scan the area, trying to gauge what would happen next, before his gaze directs itself back towards the spirit that speaks.

"We are."

"We're more than worthy."

Spoken with such confidence.. but perhaps, that's the intent behind his voice, the intent behind the way he speaks. Even if there were less than pleasant things happening as of late..

His confidence didn't waver.
(Nerin)

Protective light washes over the dome, aiming to protect the vial from those who seek to claim it. Testing those who wish to use the remnants of this forgotten figures life on Esshar. While they claim victory, it's a victory hard earned.

Erika is protected by her shadows and the knights, while the rest- are cleansed in holy glory.

Duran, Eustace, Andras, and Nerin are caught within a massive beam of exorcist energies. The holy mana infecting their circuits, evoking the desire to protect all they hold dear. Forcing these protective desires to the forefront of their minds.

"...you pass." The spirits claim made as the combat comes to an end, as one prepares the finishing blow. Plunging the spear into the final spirit, as it fades away with a smile upon it's visage.
[Narrate]

Of all things..

He never expected to be fighting spirits amidst the lost temple this way- to be lost in the basking light that would overwhelm him so much. And yet, despite such things happening to him time and time again.. he seems to find the way to persevere through, almost as if refusing to give in to the light which would infect him this way.

Where the techniques learned prior become absolute..
A way to shatter its defense.

The shroud of mana that enveloped upon his hand, one that coursed through his circuitry; it was all enough to empower the magi to fight at his best. The constant reformation of bone and flesh, ensuring that he would not find himself felled so easily. Even now, the strikes are delivered with tremendous strength behind it and precision like no other.

Though, in the end, it's not always enough.

Despite the bone protruding out of his hand to deliver some of the heaviest blows, he was forced away at the shimmering brilliance that would attack him directly. Something akin to the magical burns scattered across his body, on top of the circuitry that becomes infected with the intent of Holy magic.

They were close to the fall, but..
The final blow is delivered anyhow.

Even if he's been injured, he only huffs quietly, worn out by the test of combat and trial of the spirit. Here, they could rest at last, their goal achieved.

"..Finally."
(Nerin)