Fiction:Niyra's Training/Arc Two

And Niyra Returns
A Vanara family of four made their way along the roads of Matrukoris to Sector Ba where several transport ships would be waiting. The smallest of the four ran ahead. She was a young female first stage with red and black fur, and two shining light blue eyes.


 * Ibari - Come on you guys!
 * Seerkar - Hold up, fuzz ball! Your parents aren't as young as we used to be.
 * Akanri - Hah, speak for yourself! Come on Ibari, I'll race with you.
 * Ibari - Oh I'm so going to win!
 * Akanri - We'll see about that!

And with that mother and daughter took off, Seerkar chuckled to himself.


 * Seerkar - Your mother and sister both are very competitive.
 * Niyra - *Smiles* Yeah, though I'm kinda the same, also you could beat them both with ease.
 * Seerkar - *Laughs* You're probably right about that one, kiddo.

The two kept walking in silence before Niyra spoke up.


 * Niyra - Hey, dad?
 * Seerkar - Something up, kiddo?
 * Niyra - With the battle against the Jutenurse, we killed our fellow cadets and for some reason I don't feel anything about that. Is that wrong?
 * Seerkar - *Signs* I can't say whether or not its wrong. That's all rather subjective.
 * Niyra - Huh?
 * Seerkar - I don't think is this right and wrong should be the question you ask yourself.
 * Niyra - Hmmm?
 * Seerkar - Everyone has their own definition of right and wrong so I don't really fight for that.
 * Niyra - Then what do you fight for?
 * Seerkar - The causes I believe in and the people I care about.
 * Niyra - Then should I fight for that?
 * Seerkar - That's up for you to decide.

Niyra was silent for a bit before clenching her fist and nodding.


 * Niyra - Then I've decided.
 * Seerkar - That's good for you.

They continued on in silence until they came to the spaceport.


 * Ibari - Do you guys have to go?
 * Akanri - Yes little one, we've been given a special mission, it must be fulfilled.
 * Ibari - Alright fine.
 * Akanri - But hey, let me give you something.

Reaching into her pocket Akanri, pulled out a vaguely rose-like or guildfordia-shaped necklace with a claw shaped dull green bead at the center.


 * Ibari - Whats this?
 * Akanri - Aurichalcum, a telepathically conductive crystal.
 * Ibari - Cool.

Niyra and Seerkar walked over and both parents embraced their daughters.


 * Seerkar - We'll she you kiddos again.
 * Akanri - Until then, be strong!
 * Niyra and Ibari - We will!

And with that, both parents walked away to their ship. After their parents left, Ibari turned to Niyra.


 * Ibari - You going back to see your friends?
 * Niyra - Yep.

Blaize, Jallas, and A'Gabi had returned home, but Niyra had stayed behind to help her parents look after her sister.


 * Ibari - Hey, sis? Can I ask you a question?
 * Niyra - Hmmm, sure.
 * Ibari - What makes you strong?
 * Niyra - Huh? Why you ask?
 * Ibari - I want to be strong like you!
 * Niyra - Things to be said, I'm not that strong, but I've got to try.
 * Ibari - Why?
 * Niyra - So I can protect my family, friends, and those who can't protect themselves.

Ibari stood there thinking before the transport Niyra was leaving on signaled for boarding.


 * Niyra - All right, I've gotta go.
 * Ibari - See you around.

Niyra got on her transport as Ibari ran over to hers, where her friends, a Boyk named Armis and bat-like shadow Aranthrone named Serenity stood waiting.

Niyra jerked awake as a the announcement that they were landing came in through the PA of the transport. It was time to land.

Stepping out, Niyra saw her team waving at her and she ran over.


 * Niyra - Hey, guys! How's it been?
 * Ahred - Ugh...G-Sker here took your hard-assness to heart. He's been working us to the ground!
 * Niyra - Is that true?
 * G-Sker - I assumed that's what my leader would have wanted.
 * Niyra - You assumed correct.
 * Fenric - Ha, ha, he certainly kept us going, I almost passed out once or twice.
 * Gagenell - HA! It only made me stronger!
 * Fenric - Yeah, yeah, good for you, big guy.
 * Wereney - Now don't start arguing, you two.

Wereney lifted a can up to her mouth and chugged down the entire continence, before slamming it down on the ground.


 * Wereney - YAAAAHOOOO!!! That hits the spot!
 * Gagenell - You gotta lay off the energy drinks, sis.
 * Wereney - Why should I?
 * Hydarax - Well, welcome back.

Niyra and her team turned to she Hydarax, Loudrak, and Kincaid'scr walking over.


 * Loudrak - HEY, NIYRAAA! WELCOME BACK!
 * Niyra - Ouch, good to be back.
 * Loudrak - Ow! Sorry 'bout that.
 * Kincaido'scr - So...Miss Yeager. Have you done the extra work we sent you?
 * Niyra - Who? Me?
 * Kincaido'scr - Yes. You.
 * Niyra - Nah, I rage quit that shit.
 * Kincaido'scr - Why you little...
 * Hydarax - Never mind that. We have more pressing matters to attend to.

Kincaido'scr gaped at Hydarax before frowning.


 * Niyra - Oh?
 * Hydarax - Yes, now come along, we need to talk.

Elder Knowledge
Meanwhile, on the ringworld of Matukoris, Jallas had been staying there for sometime after the grand battle. He was thinking over all of his allies who were lost to the Juetenhurse. Timaal, who was also on the ringworld, stopped by to check on Jallas. He walked up to the apartment door and knocked.


 * Timaal - Jallas! How are you this day?
 * Jallas - Leave, Timaal. I'm not in the mood to deal with anyone.
 * Timaal - Well, whenever you decide to lighten up, I would recommend that you come to Sector Ga. Me and my Bretheren spar daily in the training grounds.
 * Jallas - I will consider it.

Timaal flies off to Sector Ga, shaking his head. Jallas, noticing that Timaal was gone, decided to catch a train to to Sector Ga. On his way into the sector, he noticed the abundance of water and the cool air. Many aquatic races made up the sector, but the Volver reigned supreme over it. Jallas walked into a mostly Volver part of the sector. He saw the younger children swimming in small ponds and the older ones sparring. The adults were going about their business. Jallas eventually came to a clearing where Volver around his age were sparring. A few Volver Knights were watching the battle, eager to see who they could take on as their apprentice. Jallas had heard through Timaal that Knights chose their apprentices through their combat capability. Jallas smirked a bit after being challenged by a Volver who noticed him.

The two sparred shortly, before Jallas managed to defeat him. He defeated a few more of them before gaining applause from the by standing Knights. Jallas had not felt that good in over a month. After all of the combat was done, the Knights walked over to the young Volver and began to choose their apprentices. Aelik, the same elder Knight Lord stepped forward. His long beard and hair flowed with the wind. He examined each young Volver before seeing Jallas. He walked over to Jallas, who had no idea Aelik was looking at him.


 * Aelik - Young one, your fighting skills are quite good.
 * Jallas - You think so? I am honored to hear that sir.
 * Aelik - You're from the academy, aren't you?
 * Jallas - Yes, sir.
 * Aelik - Hmm...your swordsmanship is decent, but novice at best.
 * Jallas - Excuse me? I mean no disrespect, but my swordsmanship is fine! I have fought in wars! I am a captain of the Blood Bearers, the elite guard of my Lord Ughandalore.
 * Aelik - Listen child, I fought in wars thousands of years before your grandfather was born. What you have been through does not show. Your attacks are not fluid and your stance lacks strength.
 * Jallas - Then I need to improve on these? How?
 * Aelik - You must find your own way.

Aelik turned his back to Jallas. He began walking away before Jallas stood up from his chair.


 * Jallas - Can you train me!?
 * Aelik - Hm? Train you?
 * Jallas - Yes, I wish for you to train me. I have lost so much, and I need to be stronger to protect the people I care about.
 * Aelik - So you wish of me to teach you in the ways of the Volver Knights?

Another knight walked up to Aelik and leaned over to his ear.


 * Knight - Alor (lord) Aleik, are you sure that you should teach this boy the ways our the Knights? He not one of our kind...these teachings are sacred.
 * Aelik - I was around when Valishar (King) Zirux founded the Blood Knights. We were built off the principal that there will be no injustice. This young man has the heart and soul of one of our kind, for he is a Blood Bearer. He has a burning resolve to protect those in need. He is Knight material.
 * Jallas - So you will train me?
 * Aelik - Yes. From here on, you are given the rank of Deshu, or Page in the common tongue. Come, there is much for you to learn.

Jallas nodded and followed Aelik outside of the battlegrounds. They walked along the lakefront before coming to Aelik's home. It was a grand mansion. It had training grounds, a vineyard, and an armory. Jallas was amazed at the architecture. It reminded him of a king's castle. Aleik was greeted by his many grandchildren. Some even great-grandchildren. Aelik gave them all a smile and a soft gaze before motioning Jallas to continue into his property. The inside of the mansion was quite large. The floor was marble and there were golden designs all over the walls and columns. Aelik led Jallas to a guest room. It had a king size bed, weapon and armor racks, a bathroom, and even some weapons.


 * Jallas - This place is amazing, Lord Aelik.
 * Aelik - Why, thank you. This will be your living quarters while you are my apprentice.
 * Jallas - You want me to live here? But what about my living quarters on Ugandalore? Or my apartment on Sector Ta?
 * Aelik - As custom, a Deshu must live in the home of his or her Alor. That is how it has always been. You are free to leave once you are promoted to Sa'Deshu, or Squire.
 * Jallas - I see.
 * Aelik - I suggest you rest tonight. Tomorrow we start our training.

Aelik left the room. Jallas sat down on the bed and smiled a bit. He was eager to learn new skills. He turned his head towards the skies. He never knew who his parents where, but he always felt as though they had always watched over him.


 * Jallas - This is for you guys. I hope to make you proud.

Jallas' Training
Jallas had been staying with Aelik for a week. Jallas sparred against one of Aelik's sons, who was an instructor at the Matukoris Knight Academy. Jallas lunged in for a sword strike, but Aelik's son parried and hit Jallas in the jaw with the hilt of his sword. Jallas staggered back before falling to the ground. Aelik motioned for his son to end the match. He did so by sheathing his blade and leaving the training grounds. Jallas stood back up, rubbing his jaw.


 * Jallas - Lord Aelik, why have I been sparring with your sons? Aren't you supposed to be training me?
 * Aelik - Until I see that you are ready, I will not train you formally. You must reach the rank of Suvreial, or apprentice.
 * Jallas - What? I do not understand...
 * Aelik - The truth is, as a Page, you would be at the Knight academy. And as a Squire you would be running errands for the Knights. I was supposed to take you into my home only when you become an Apprentice. You are clearly above the rest of the cadets in the Knight Academy. However...you must prove to me that you want to be my apprentice.
 * Jallas - Fine. I will prove it to you.
 * Aelik - Good. I look forward to it.

Aelik smiles and leaves the grounds. Jallas hangs his head in frustration. He did not know what Aelik meant by proving himself, but he had a decent idea. They had similar things in the Blood Bearers. It made all the more frustrated by his stagnation as a swordsmen. He had concentrated so much on leading his team and mastering his element, he had lost his edge. It was embarrassing for any elite warrior, but, for a Ugandalorian, it was unspeakable.


 * Jallas - *mutters* Well, I don't have a Clan, so I guess there's no one to dishonor.

He hefted his sword, apparently a last gift from his mother to Ugandalore the Great upon Jallas becoming a Blood Bearer. At least, that's what he heard. His adoptive father of sorts was tight-lipped, and he could get no information from the achieves. So many questions in his life, and no answers.


 * Jallas - I have to concentrate. Always concentrate.

He went back to training, trying to block out the words and questions pushing into his mind.

The Captain's Anger
Jallas sat near one of Ga-Sector's rivers, sharpening his blade with his special rock, using the oil "Ral'kolga" to keep the blade sharp and ready. It was times like this he preferred, alone, thinking, wondering about his parents, who they where, and what Clan they belonged to. At times, Jallas hoped to one day meet them. At others, he wondered what circumstances could be so bad that they required putting a kid in adoption homes. Such housing was rare with Ugandalorians, since their culture took in any without a home or parent. Part of it made him feel like a pariah, like he somehow did not belong in any clan within the Pact. There was another thing he liked about this area, in that the artificial sun could reach this area. In the outer fringes of Matrukoris, one could see the stars and the various astral and celestial bodies without difficulty. He would think of the countless members of his race, fighting, living, loving, in those stars, wondering where his clan was his, both his immediate, and the Sept that united all members of that Clan across the stars.

He looked back down at his sword, ready to go back to sharpening and monitoring it. As he got back to work, he heard a being behind him clearing his throat. Jumping, Jallas expected to see Aelik, but was surprised to see Kogro again. He smile formed on his face as he saw his friend, dressed in traditional pants, and an open, long jacket, which revealed his bare chest, covered in tattoos and scars, and black bands across his wrists and abdomen.


 * Jallas - Hey, Kogro! What are you doing here?
 * Kogro - Wanted to see my old friend. You should be thankful, those Volver buddies of yours almost didn't let me in.
 * Jallas - I guess I should be thankful they tried. And one can see why...What are you wearing?
 * Kogro - Heh. This is traditional Truxnian clothing. We wear it to show off our scars and tattoos we've gotten through the years.
 * Jallas - Alright, I guess I'll deal with that, then. So why did you stop by?

Jallas cleaned his sword, sheathing it, and putting it at his waist, and grabbed his helmet to go with his armor, putting it in his pack, before walking beside his old friend. Kogro raised an eyebrow.


 * Kogro - Going back to your Blood Bearers rig?
 * Jallas - Yeah, I missed it after wearing that stupid cadet armor. You still haven't answered my question.
 * Kogro - Just wanted to update you on the goings-on at the old academy and stuff.
 * Jallas - Ah. So how is everyone doing?
 * Kogro - Everyone's good. Makoro's not an aggressive prick anymore, then still very dangerous in battle now. Hewpu's working us hard, Nukoru has his eye on Iva, and Halha and Timaal seem to be getting along well, before he left for here. Saw him today in fact. Does a fine impression of you when your all broody.
 * Jallas - That's "sweet".

Kogro, glancing at Jallas from the corner of his eye, chuckled loudly, before patting him on the back. Hard. Even with armor on, Jallas could still feel the Truxian's powerful slap.


 * Kogro - You should go after her, if you feel so strong. Staying here playing Highlander won't help much.
 * Jallas - There is training there I have to attend to. I've noticed a sharp downgrade in my sword skills, and Aelik's my best chance of sharpening up.
 * Kogro - Probably because you got lazy.
 * Jallas - What do you mean!?
 * Kogro - Even after I got I academy, I never stopped working with Kam'in'ta. You fixated on getting out and mastering your fire power. You dishonored your blade.
 * Jallas - Give me a break.

Kogro laughed once more, as the 2 walked down the streets, seeing the academies and schools, marble-like, and quite beautiful. Jallas noticed Kogro seemed to hesitant slightly as he saw 2 students studying radiation and it's effects, more specifically, a Vanara's immunity to it. Jallas knew that look from years of combat with him.


 * Jallas - What is it, buddy?

The 2 stopped as Kogro stood, scratching his back nervously. He never liked to upset Jallas. As his superior commanding officer, that was something few really wanted to do. Especially in the Blood Bearers guard legions.


 * Kogro - The Academy's caught wind of Niyra's...flaws at the Mountain, when we went after the Jutenhurse. Pretty much all the Academy teachers are very close to kicking her out.
 * Jallas - That is insane! Why would they do that!?
 * Kogro - Kincaido'scr is kicking up immense debate over whether she was a good leader or not, and the Hegemony is also taking a look at her case on their own. Things are looking if-y.
 * Jallas - Just who the hell does that hall-obsessed freak think he is? Why does he go out of his way to pull this crap!?
 * Kogro - I don't know, but Niyra's under close watch until they can trust her again.
 * Jallas - As long as she's not kicked out, that fool can keep his tongue, or I'd nail it to his precious hallway floor.
 * Kogro - Heheh. You've got the temper of a young Skarill pup, Jally.

Jallas scratched his head, as they continued walking and talking.


 * Jallas - I just wonder why he would be so keen to kick her out. She's not that old, lacks experience, and is the first Vanara student, and the first of her element type. It's unwise to leave her to the wind.
 * Kogro - Who knows what that no-running-in-the-hallways weirdo is up to. He creeps me out. But that's also what the alliance is watching for, with her radiation powers and all.
 * Jallas - As long as she doesn't do anything stupid, she should be fine.
 * Kogro - In that case, she's screwed.

Jallas stopped for a while, looking to the skies, as he tapped the handle of his blade.


 * Jallas - So how's Shraken doing?
 * Kogro - Good, he's a squad lead in his team now, and he's really mellowed out. Dude was more scrunched up than a can in the vacuum.
 * Jallas - What about his Jutenhurse-related issues?
 * Kogro - The Alliance is watching and analyzing his DNA, though I think they got something planned for him.
 * Jallas - Hopefully it's not anything too violent. Like dissection.
 * Kogro - If they did, they'd have all Truxn gunning for 'em.

Jallas laughed heartily, grasping Kogro's shoulder.


 * Jallas - You guys really look out for each other.
 * Kogro - We have to on jungle hunts. Our clans are small back at Truxn. Got no time to leave each other behind.
 * Jallas - If only more in the Alliance thought that way.
 * Kogro - Oi! That reminds me.

Kogro pulled out a long knife, with the symbol of Truxn emblazoned on the flat of the blade. He flipped it around, pointing the hilt towards Jallas.


 * Jallas - Um, thanks.
 * Kogro - It's a Truxnian Clan Knife. Represents that the clans think you belong back in the jungles, burning growths and gutting wild beasts. I want you to have it.
 * Jallas - Thank you. I've never had a Clan outside the Blood-bearers.
 * Kogro - I know you never really had an immediate family or anything, and my parents always liked you, so if you ever want to join us, I'd be willing to call you Blood-Brother, and my Kuir...
 * Jallas - *Resting a hand on his shoulder* Thanks, but I need to find my old family first. Even if it's just a name, I have to know where I came from, before I settle down anywhere else.
 * Kogro - I understand. Good luck in everything, mate. I have to get back to the academy. Hydraxon will skin me if I don't.

Kogro ran off, jacket flowing behind him like a cape, as his sword brushed against his thigh. Jallas looked after his friend, before looking down at the dagger in his hand. It was a beautiful blade, he was truly honored to have it. Nodding, he turned around, ready to continue his training. He had a swordsmenship class to master, friends to lead, a friend to save, and, most importantly, a Clan to find.

But first thing was first. Getting back to the academy and "taking care" of Kincaid'scr for his troublemaking crap.

A Rather Unexpected Meeting
Jallas was out practicing his form as Aelik had instructed, when he heard a growling voice from behind him.


 * ??? - That's a fine sword you have there.

Jallas stiffened. That voice. He had heard a similar one before, from Niyra, except Niyra's was young and full of energy with an accent, this one was raspy and much older. Jallas turned and saw a elderly, jet black Vanara queen with cloudy pink eyes and covered head to toe in scars. Jallas recognized her, he had heard quite a lot about this particular Vanara.


 * Jallas - Empress Besta. It is an honor.

Jalas kneeled deeply, but Besta merely waved her hand at him.


 * Besta - No need for that, no need! Besides, even while doing that, you're still taller than me rather, so it defeats the very purpose of kneeling before someone...If you ask me.

Jallas straightened, but still felt a littlie nervous around such a powerful person.


 * Jallas - Umm...Empress, I don't mean to be rude, but...
 * Besta - But what?
 * Jallas - But shouldn't you not be here unprotected?
 * Besta - I'm hardly unprotected, Jallas. I have you here.
 * Jallas - Well...I suppose.
 * Besta - And in any case, I came here to talk to you.
 * Jallas - What for?
 * Besta - Come with me, and don't worry. Your mentor is well aware of this.

Jallas followed Besta across Sector Ga to a transport chute. While on the transport Besta made same talk with Jallas which he tried his best to answer back, but was understandably nervous being around someone so powerful. Eventually, the transport came to a stop and the two left, Jallas instantly recognized where they where. At the Cornucopia.


 * Jallas - Empress, why have you brought me here?
 * Besta - All in good time.

The two entered into the Great Palace and Besta lead them up to the very top. Jallas had to admit the view was quite impressive. He could see the entire station from here.


 * Besta - Now...Why I have brought you here...I'll tell you.
 * Jallas - Go on.
 * Besta - Look around and tell me what you see.

Jallas did so as asked. He shrugged, as he didn't get what the Vanara Empress was getting at.


 * Jallas - I see the Sectors.
 * Besta - Good. I can see you're not blind, but do you notice something else? Something that wasn't there before the war you call the Return of THEM?

Jallas frowned and looked around again. Then, his eyes came to rest upon a strip of land between Sectors Ce and Ve, build on layers of the husks of what had formerly been buildings. The streets were largely overarched, but from what Jallas could seen much of the streets were not cleansed and covered in the ashen-white dust of former, demolished structures. It gave the whole sector a bunker-like feel, but also a downtrodden and sprarsely inhabitated one compared to the rest of Matrukoris.


 * Jallas - That new one! Sector Ra!
 * Besta - Call it Hammerfall. That's what its inhabitants refer to it as. Now tell me what you know of it.
 * Jallas - As you said, it was created during the aftermath of the Return of THEM war when a bunch of falling debris fell on a strip of Sector Ve. It irradiated the already intoxicated thing. Now it's a home for mutants and other outcasts.
 * Besta - Very good, very good. Yes, it is often their home, as in Hammerfall, no one cares who or what you are, only that you do some honest hard work for your living. It doesn't matter what your past is, what you've done...It is an unwritten law that once there, your past is erased, your name even...If you wish for it.
 * Jallas - Hmmm...So?
 * Besta - Tells you something about the status que, doesn't it? When things are nice, only nice things are accepted, when they are far less so...anything tends to go, bringing out and together the best and the worst.
 * Jallas - Is that what you lead me up here for?
 * Besta - Hardly, but what if I told you that Niyra was born there?
 * Jallas - What!? She was born there!?
 * Besta - Indeed, her and here twin sister.
 * Jallas - *Extremely surprised* I did not know she had a twin sister in the first place! I mean, I know she has a sister. I saw Ibari being born. But...Never she has said anything about another one.
 * Besta - That's because she and her sister were born far to early. Seerkar was able to save Niyra by building a warming chamber from junk, but he didn't wasn't able to save the other.
 * Jalla - By Hoorangiir! I had no idea.
 * Besta - No...She doesn't tell anyone about it, and I wouldn't bring it up if I was you. But...Don't you find it strange that the first Koatria of radiation would be born not soon after the conflict that resulted in the very sector that has that element in great abundance?
 * Jallas - I suppose...
 * Besta - Some have even taken it as a sign that predicted her birth.
 * Jallas - Do you believe such rumors?
 * Besta - I believe she is important and that is why she must pass this latest trial. That, in turn, is why I called you here. I need you help in this.
 * Jallas - I don't know if I am up to that task.
 * Besta - Don't worry...I will be sending someone who can help, but if you ever feel lost, just remember this fallow: Both what your head and your heart tell you to do, all things must be in balance to make a successful whole.
 * Jallas - What do mean by that?
 * Besta - Only you can figure that out as your path is completely yours to walk...It is getting late. You'll need your rest. I imagine you will very little of it from now on.

With that, Besta and Jallas walked down from the top of the Palace.


 * Besta - I trust you can find your own way home.
 * Jallas - Yeah.
 * Besta - Well, then. I bid you a good night.
 * Jallas - Uh, good night.

Empress Besta began to walk away and after a while Jallas, turned to return to Aelik's home. Stopping briefly, he looked back, but Besta was already gone. Shaking his head, Jallas set off at a run, he had to get back to the Academy as quick as he could.

Jallas' Return
Jallas walked through the Volver training grounds, scanning the grounds for Aelik. Finally, he found the aged Knight with some of his other students, discussing swordsmenship with them, as Jallas approached. Without turning, Aelik welcomed his newest student.


 * Aelik - Hello Jallas, how was your audience with Empress Besta.
 * Jallas - Good sir. Though I have other things I wish to discuss.
 * Aelik - *Turns* Speak your mind, warrior.
 * Jallas - This training has been a blessing, Alor, but I have business back at the academy. My team needs me to be there for them, and my other friends need me.
 * Aelik - Certain trials await, yes?
 * Jallas - Yes, my teacher.

Aelik nodded slightly, scratching his chin.


 * Aelik - You may go. You have been a most capable student, and I hope you return to finish your training.
 * Jallas - You can count on it Alor.

It took surprisingly long for Jallas to get transport to the academy. The Alliance Intelligence Network was very keen about keeping the bases that trained the Koatria a secret from anyone, even the cadets themselves. Finally, however they agreed to transport him to where he needed to be. He sat aboard the cargo bay, the lights dimed, as though they where about to head to a stealth mission of great importance. Finally, he felt the ship slow and shake slightly, before stepping off. He was told to not even speak with the pilots, in case he accidently saw the flight manifest. He shook his head at the amount of paranoia they had guarding these places.

The doors opened and fresh blew in. Taking off his helmet at last, Jallas took a deep breath of the fresh, alpine air of the academy. He looked out to see the massive fortress and it's various students in training in various areas. Seeing the other students handling various weapons, blades, and their elemental powers, Jallas could only think of one thing. He was home.

He stepped off, readjusting his shoulder bag as he made his way to the academy, the ship blasting off behind him. He made his way forward without speaking, the other students merely stopping to watch him go by.

Finally, he entered the building, and was greeted by Hydarax.


 * Jallas - Teacher, I have returned.
 * Hydarax - So you have.
 * Jallas - So, how's my team doing?
 * Hydarax - They're on a special mission, with Team S.O.L., Team Waptara, and Team Tyris.
 * Jallas - Alright, I guess I'll be joining them?
 * Hydarax - Quite so. Follow me.

Jallas followed, as Hydarax began humming the strange tune to himself once more. As they stepped towards his officer, Hydarax held out his hand.


 * Hydarax - Wait here, I'll get the information for you.

Jallas nodded obediently, as he stood at attention. He kept himself focused even as he heard the light footsteps of claws clicking across the floor with every light step. He did not even turn as Kincaido'scr's smug voice rang across the halls.


 * Kincaido'scr - Well, well, well...Look who is back running in the hallways.
 * Jallas - Move along, Kincaid. I have more important things to worry about.
 * Kincaido'scr - As that anyway to address your teacher?
 * Jallas - *Turned coldly* You are not my teacher, especially not with the crap you've been pulling.
 * Kincaido'scr - You mean with Niyra? She is a danger to this academy. I am merely looking out for the students.
 * Jallas - And leaving her to the wolves? You do know what we're fighting, right?
 * Kincaido'scr - I know exactly what we face. I have lost...much to these wolves you speak of, child. But she is danger to the academy. Make sure you do not find yourself in the same position.

Jallas turned around quickly, bringing his forearm against Kincaido's throat as he braced him against the wall.


 * Jallas - Niyra is part of my family now. If you have a problem with her, then you will have to go through me and my team. And most certainly, do not threaten one who guarded the High King for all his life. I am not some punk from the streets of a hive-city.
 * Kincaido'scr - But isn't she?

Jallas nearly snapped his throat before he heard Hydarax's voice.


 * Hydarax - Enough!
 * Kincaid'scr - Hydarax, this student has assaulted me, I demand..!
 * Hydarax - You can demand all you like. I saw everything. Do not make me carve both of you up for this. Get back to your class, teacher.

Kincaido'scr pushed Jallas away from him, fixing him with an icy glare, before marching off.


 * Hydarax - You ought to be careful with attacking your teachers, Jallas.
 * Jallas - I guess so.

Hydarax handed him a datascroll with all the information and locations on it.


 * Hydarax - I'm too tired to deal with you, just link up with your team and get to work.
 * Jallas - Thank you, and...I'm sorry about what I did back there.
 * Hydarax - Don't worry. I've felt like doing that myself many atimes.

Hydarax chuckled, before turning towards his office once more, humming that same tune. As the doors closed behind him, Jallas swore he could see six familiar armored figures standing in his office. Shaking his head, Jallas went to his barracks to prepare for the journey ahead. He wouldn't let Kincaid'scr harm his family, not this one.

Red Involvement
In the far reaches of Tyris Major, A banged up, crimson colored Chariot-Class Volver cruiser. The interior of the ship was also badly damaged. Blast marks and blood streaks covered the walls. The armor and weapons of fallen warriors were piled into corners. The lighting inside was pretty dark. There were a few Blood Knights making repairs and clubbing the walls and floors of the ship. Anthil Agna, leader of this rebel faction of the Volver Empire, the Blood Knights, sat in his command chair on the deck of the ship. He looked out into space, admiring the colors and beauty of the universe. He turned his rotating chair around to the doors that entered the deck to see a knight kneeling before him.


 * Anthil - Speak.
 * Knight - Alor Agna (Lord Agna), We have an update on those children who stopped our operations at that academy.
 * Anthil - Well then...tell me.
 * Knight - The Antroth child, Iva, has returned to the academy alongside the Soldarian, Dionne. They do not pose much of a threat at the moment.
 * Anthil- What of the Moltran boy?
 * Knight - Blaize Moltran has returned to Volcanis for the time being. He is well guarded by his father Magmos.
 * Anthil - Nuuta (damn). Facing Lavern was difficult. I doubt I can handle a whole planet full of people like them.
 * Knight - That is wise of you, my lord?
 * Anthil - That Jallas fellow...what of him?
 * Knight - He has begun Volver Knight Training under the tutelage of Knight Lord Aelik Norrehal.
 * Anthil - What? That crazy old man...he dares violate the ways of our people by allowing an outsider to learn our ways!?
 * Knight - It appears so, my lord.
 * Anthil - What about the youngling from the Gyssealus Clan?
 * Knight - Timaal is on Matukoris, I believe the youngling is preparing for knighthood.
 * Anthil - Hm...who is his Lord? I would assume it is his father.
 * Knight - No Knight Lords or Knights have chosen him as an apprentice as of yet my lord.
 * Anthil - Hmph. It would be a shame to see such talent go to waste...
 * Knight - Sir?
 * Anthil - Prepare a scout ship for me. I'm leaving to find Aelik. I may just stop by to meet that Youngling I've heard so many rumors about. Even see this Jallas fellow.
 * Knight - What? Sir if you enter Matukoris and UAE controlled space, you may not come back alive.
 * Anthil - Do you not have faith in me, Carc?
 * Carc - Of course I do, my lord! I just am concerned!
 * Anthil - I appreciate that Carc. But worry not. The only warriors that can match me will be preoccupied. Vell'Ushmaven (The Hunter, Barda), Valishar Brygon (King Brygon) and Pulporious V are away from that world. I believe that Empress Besta might be around as well.
 * Carc - She could cause problems. You have seen what those Vanara are capable of right?
 * Anthil - Yes I am aware of their Ryu Forms. It's nothing that a bit of Void Essence and Alphorium won't fix.
 * Carc - What will you do about that Niyra girl? The one who led that operation?
 * Anthil - I have thought about it, Carc.

Anthil stands and mentions the knight to follow him to the hangar. Anthil enters a Volver scout ship, designed to fool UAE scanners and security detail.


 * Anthil - If the need arises, I will kill the child.
 * Carc - Sir...to kill a child...that is forbidden in our ways!
 * Anthil - Well, given our current circumstances, we will have no choice.

Anthil presses a button, closing the entry hatch of his ship. Carc waves to his master wishing him luck. Anthil simply nods, leaving the hangar and flying through space. He was determined to find Aelik and Jallas. He wanted to end this unheard of notion of an outsider becoming a Volver Knight. He also wanted to find Timaal. The master-less youngling could prove useful to him in the future.

Anthil's Arrival
Anthil, after making it past Matukoris security, lands his ship in Sector Ga. He was wearing his original knight armor and helmet. No Volver or other peoples of the sector recognized him. A few knights did turn their heads to examine his armor, but most of them did not remember how Anthil's original Armor looked. He walked calmly through the streets, admiring the architecture. He had missed the smells of food and bright lights that his people were famous for. He walked outside of the city into the countryside. Anthil turned his attention to a young Volver, clad in armor. The youngling was practicing sword motions by himself. Anthil saw that his form was a bit sloppy and walked over to him.


 * Anthil - Youngling. What is your name?
 * Timaal - Timaal Gyssealus, sir.
 * Anthil - Ah, I've heard things about you. You are a great warrior for a boy your age.
 * Timaal - Thank you sir. I am honored to hear that from a Knight such as yourself.
 * Anthil - However, your form could use work. Hand me your blade for a moment.

Timaal handed his blade to Anthil. The Blood Knight preformed a swift slash through the air. One could hear the very air being sliced by the blade. Timaal was amazed by the speed and power of his strike.


 * Anthil - The key is to strike with strength, which you can do. However, you always must strike swiftly. This is your problem youngling.
 * Timaal - Thank you for your wisdom sir. May I ask you your name?
 * Anthil - Ah, I'm glad you asked youngling. My name is Anthil Agna.

Timaal's eye widened behind his helmet. He gasped in shock at who stood before him. He quickly snatched his blade from Anthil and shoved him back. Anthil stumbled slightly before Timaal brought the tip of his blade to Anthil's throat.


 * Timaal - You! You Lobuu (Oath-Breaker)!! How dare you enter this sector!
 * Anthil - Me? A Lobuu? If I was, I would have killed you yes?
 * Timaal - What!? That is besides the point betrayer! You are a wanted man!
 * Anthil - Yes, yes I know. However, I hear you showed kindness to the Blood Knights you slew. Giving them a Knight's death.
 * Timaal - It was the honorable thing to do. They were knights once.
 * Anthil - Just as I am. I gave you knowledge...would you deny that knowledge now that you know who I am?
 * Timaal - I...I am grateful for the advice. But you need to die!

Timaal thrusts the blade forward, attempting to pierce Anthil's neck. Anthil swats the blade away from his neck and kicks the youngling back with incredible force. Timaal hits the ground before springing back up. Anthil smirks and draws his blade. Timaal springs forward. Clashing blades with Anthil. The two slash at each other, blocking and parrying strikes. Timaal was fighting against Anthil with the best of his ability. Anthil eventually grew tired of Timaal's fighting. They clash blades one last time.


 * Anthil - You are a fine warrior lad. However, you lack discipline!

Anthil strikes Timaal's blade, disarming him, before punching the boy in the jaw. The force of the blow knocks Timaal's helmet clean off. His bruised face was revealed to his enemy. Anthil smiled down at the defeated youngling, his blade pointed at his face.


 * Anthil - You are finished boy. I've disarmed you and removed your helm.
 * Timaal - I will not accept defeat at the hands of you!

Timaal springs up with his remaining strength and rams Anthil with his antlers. The antlers pierce Anthil's chestplate and lodged into his undersuit. Anthil dropped his sword. He grabbed the boy by his antlers and threw him against a stone wall. The wall cracks as Timaal fell to his knees. He was defeated. He had no strength left. Anthil walked over to him, wiping the chips away from his armor. He noticed a bit of blood coming from the puncture.


 * Anthil - You actually managed to wound me. Impressive. Especially for a youngling of your age.
 * Timaal - I do not need your praises traitor. Just end it. Kill me.
 * Anthil - Kill you? Oh no. I will not kill such a prodigy. If I did, your father would not have any sons to carry on his name. You are a better fighter the he was at your age. I should know. We trained under the same master.
 * Timaal - Why...Why do this? You came all the way here to best me, a youngling, in combat?
 * Anthil - I'll give you an offer. I know that you have no master. No Knights of any rank or Knight Lords have accepted you as an apprentice. It is a shame really. Considering how skilled you are.
 * Timaal - What are you getting at?
 * Anthil - As a Knight Lord myself, I would be happy to accept you as my apprentice.
 * Timaal - What!? Never! I would rather die!
 * Anthil - Really? What if I told you your friend Jallas was taken under Lord Aelik's wing.
 * Timaal - He...what!?
 * Anthil - Yes. He was something of a rival of yours right? And now he's being trained by one of the men you look up to.
 * Timaal - That means nothing! I am more than happy for my friend! He is a great warrior!
 * Anthil - I will not deny that. However, Jallas could turn out to be a stronger warrior than you under Aelik's guidance. Maybe he can win the heart of that girl you're so smitten with. Helha was it?
 * Timaal - It's Halha, you scumbag! And how do you know about her!?
 * Anthil - Well, let's just say some women respond to strength. I could make you ten times more powerful than that Ugandal trash. Just join me, Timaal.

The young Volver looks at the ground, clutching handfuls of grass in in both hands. He looks to his blade and then to Anthil. His thoughts were jumbled up in his head. The anger of loosing and the anger of being abandoned by the older Knights. He stands, holding his injured arm and walks over to Anthil. The boy kneels, to the Blood Knight, accepting his defeat.


 * Timaal - I cannot join you Lord Anthil. Your order is corrupted. I cannot betray my Valishar (King)
 * Anthil - Hmph. One day, you will choke on the lies your half-breed Valishar feeds you. And when you do, you will turn to me. I'll be waiting.

Anthil spread his wings, and with one powerful beat, he was gone. High up in the air leaving behind a strong gust of wind. Timaal struggles over to his helm and blade before making his way back to his home to tend his wounds.

Facing Family
Timaal arrived at his home in Sector Ga, still wounded from his fight with Anthil. He flew up to the window and into his bedroom, to avoid his family from seeing such wounds. He walked into the hallway and into the washroom. The halls were an ocean blue color and had the symbols of his clan adorning many objects that decorated the walls.


 * Timaal - Mother, I am home!
 * Runis - Alright! Dinner will be read shortly. I suggest you come downstairs so that we are all served.
 * Timaal - Tell the cooks that I'm taking a shower mother. I've been....training...all day.
 * Runis - Alright but do not waste any time in there. Your dinner will get cold.

Timaal removes his damaged armor and begins to clean his wounds. He uses his control of water essence to heal his wounds in the the shower. After showering, Timaal disposes of his old armor and puts on a new set, identical to the one he was wearing. He rushes downstairs, and sits at the table. He looks up to see his immediate family there. Lafel, his father, was sitting at the head of the table. Runis, his mother, was sitting to Lafel's left on the side of the table. She greeted her son with a soft smile, before Timaal turned his attention to his sisters, Miqua and Lazuli, who were sitting across from his mother. The table was set with a large meal. The family started with a prayer before removing their helmets in unison to dine. Timaal gazed upon his family, realizing how rare it was that he got to see his family's faces.


 * Lafel - Son, did you acquire a master yet?
 * Timaal - No father.
 * Lazuli - Ha, I knew it. I guess you just are not cut out for this sort of thing baby brother.
 * Timaal - Mind your own business you!
 * Miqua - This is just as much her business as it is yours, Timaal. Perhaps you should study our technique instead of the one you use.
 * Timaal - I have no use for that. I fight my way and you fight yours.
 * Lafel - Enough with this bickering!
 * Runis - Yes, I have heard quite enough. Timaal, maybe you should divert your attention do something else. Maybe become a scientist like your grandfather?
 * Lazuli - See, mother agrees with me. Perhaps you do not belong within our ranks as knights.
 * Lafel - Quiet, Lazuli! Timaal is the one who will carry on our family name, not you. He will become a knight. To honor our ancestors, it is your duty.
 * Timaal - I know, father, but nothing I do will make the other Knights train me.
 * Miqua - I hear it is because of your ability to use Essence...they fear you.
 * Timaal - What?
 * Lafel - Damn them...just because my boy is a little different...
 * Timaal - That makes sense...ugh..

Lafel looked at his son, noticing a look of sadness on his face. Lafel then saw what looked like a dent in his son's helmet.


 * Lafel - What happened to your helm?
 * Timaal - My...helm? Nothing!
 * Lafel - There is a dent in it. Who struck you? Perhaps that is why no knights will train you. Can you not defend yourself in a simple sparing match?
 * Timaal - What!? Father those other cadets could only DREAM of harming me in combat!
 * Lafel - Then perhaps a knight must have caused such damage to your helm. Hand I to me.

Timaal reluctantly hands the helm to his father. Lafel inspects the helm carefully. His eye widens in a moment of realization.


 * Lafel - You fought a Blood Knight...and recently! Did you not!?
 * Timaal - Father...I...well I fought Blood Knights before but...
 * Lafel - Dammit boy answer my question! Did you fight a Blood Knight tonight!?
 * Timaal - Y-yes father...
 * Lafel - I am to assume you were unable to fell him. Did you get his name?
 * Timaal - His name...? It was...(gulps)...Anthil of Clan Agna.

Timaal's family stares at him for a moment. Surprised with his answer. The cooks and maids even stopped what they were doing to look. Lafel's expression went from surprised to angry.


 * Lafel - You fought Anthil Agna!? Why did you not tell us this when you entered the the house!?
 * Miqua - Brother! You could have been killed!
 * Lazuli - What is the matter with you!?
 * Runis - My son! Why are you just now telling us this!?
 * Timaal - I did not want to admit my defeat at the hands of that traitor!
 * Lafel - This is more than our clan's pride my son! We have to warn Valishar Brygon of this!
 * Lazuli - I will go with Miqua to warn him.
 * Miqua - Yes, father. You can count on us.
 * Lafel - Yes. At least I can count on some of my children to do something.

Lafel puts on his helmet and storms out of the house with his daughters. Runis shakes her head in sorrow and leaves the table. Timaal sat there alone, seeing the error of his prideful nature. He too left the room and entered his chambers. He then goes to sleep, regretting that he even came home in the first place.

Worn Bonds
Meanwhile, Lord Aelik was enjoying his evening. He was having a cup of mead while observing a few of his great grandchildren practicing their sword techniques. His granddaughter stepped in to correct them every now and then. Aelik stood from his chair, leaving the training room and going out into the court yard. He walked near the shore of the lake, looking out at the beauty the ring world had to offer. Aelik then looked to the gates of his property, noticing that his guards were not there. He turned towards his mansion only to see a lone Volver Knight standing before him. Aelik examined his armor before looking the knight in the eye.


 * Aelik - So... we meet again, Anthil of Clan Agna.
 * Anthil - Ah, Alor Aelik, how did you know it was me inside this armor?
 * Aelik - It was not hard to figure out. You are wearing an old model of Knight Captain armor. We stopped issuing those years ago.
 * Anthil - Hmph, yet the rest if the Knights could not tell the difference.
 * Aelik - A Lobuu like yourself does not belong on my property. State your business before I choose to kill you.
 * Anthil - Now now Alor, I did not come here to trade blows with you. But I did come to inquire about that Ugandalorian you have decided to mentor.
 * Aelik - That is none of your concern traitor.
 * Anthil - Oh, but it is. You cannot teach a Gotii (Outsider) the ways of Vell Volver Kanostera (The Volver Knights). Such knowledge is Vonmindoraan (Incomprehensible/Forbidden) to him.
 * Aelik - You are more of a Gotii than he is. You betrayed us Anthil. You are no better than your pataur (father).
 * Anthil - Do not speak of my father you old wretch. He got what he deserved.
 * Aelik - And it would seem you will too.

Anthil turned to see Aelik's sons and grandsons aiming their rifles and pistols at him. Aelik only smirked before nodding to his family. The group opened fire on Anthil. The Blood Knight flew into the air, avoiding all gunfire. Aelik's sons rushed in first, flying up to Anthil in an attempt to force him to the ground. Anthil managed to best them before slamming all of them into the dirt below. Anthil descended and rushed Aelik's grandsons, who were still awestruck at Anthil's skill. He easily defeated them. The unconscious men were scattered about the courtyard, too injured to do anything but lay there. Aelik glared at Anthil, cursing under his breath.


 * Anthil - You old fool. Did you seriously think that your kin would be a match for me? Now tell me where is the Ugandalorian. I will end this nonsense here.
 * Aelik - Even if I told you, you would not be able to reach the boy. Why...why does this even matter to you?
 * Anthil - Because the sanctity of our order, the sanctity of our Empire cannot be breached by Gotii scum. You would dare defy what our ancestors fought for!?
 * Aelik - You know nothing of what your ancestors fought for! I was there when the Volver Knights were first formed!
 * Anthil - So you know then! You know that our ways are sacred! It is forbidden to teach such teachings to the boy!
 * Aelik - I have heard enough.

Aelik draws his blade. It was golden like his luxurious armor. He places his helm on his head, glaring through the visor at Anthil. Anthil readies himself and charges the old man. Aelik parries Anthil's strike and strikes him with his unarmed fist, before slashing him with his sword in the other hand. Anthil takes minor damage, though his old armor does not hold up too well. Anthil kicks the old man back, causing Aelik to stagger a bit. The two block and parry for a while before locking blades again. The two warriors looked each other in the eye, glaring into each other's souls. Anthil leaped back, lowering Aelik's guard. He then sprang forward and rammed Aelik with his antlers. Aelik is knocked back, but remains standing. He then charges at Anthil, locking antlers with him. Aelik manages to toss the traitor aside since his antlers were much larger than Anthil's.

Aelik stood across from Anthil, staring him down. The Blood Knight showed no sign of fatigue, while the older Volver was panting pretty hard and his joints were aching. Suddenly, more Volver Knights appeared in the compound. Anthil considered taking them all on. He looked down at his armor and noticed it was horribly damaged. He sighed.


 * Anthil - You are very fortunate Alor. It appears that I am ill equipped for this fight. Perhaps...another time.
 * Aelik - You think you are getting out of here alive!? Knights, seize him!

The Knignts moved in to capture Anthil, though with a snap of his fingers, a squad of Blood Knights appeared from the shadows. They engaged the Volver Knights, allowing Anthil to escape without a trace. Aelik, in his anger, laid waste to at least fifteen of the twenty knights that Anthil had summoned. He had them arrested by the loyal Knights and escorted to prison for questioning. One of Aelik's sons, who was a police chief on the ring world, approached him.


 * Aelik - Damn him.
 * Son - Pataur, are you alright!?
 * Aelik - I am fine Nantaur (son). My bones ache, but not as much as my heart.
 * Son - Your...heart? Is it because...
 * Aelik - Yes..I watched that boy grow up. I trained his father even. But after his father betrayed us...I just decided not to train anyone anymore. Anthil was a very skilled fighter from the start. He was the most loyal to our empire. It is hard to see him like that. I even trained him a little myself.
 * Son - It is awful that he's become this way. But I knew Anthil was no match for you.
 * Aelik - Actually, he might have been able to kill me this day. I'm not the knight I used to be. I'm too old for this kind of fighting.
 * Son - But you defeated so many Blood Knights today!
 * Aelik - Most of them are undisciplined and untrained. Only a few are actually Knights. He did not bring them with him. If it weren't for that old armor. He would have killed you, me, and everyone else who hot involved. Perhaps, Valishar Glynn (King Glynn) trained him too well...I am even to blame for his skill.


 * Son - Lafel of Clan Gyssealus has reported that his son, Timaal, also fought Anthl earlier tonight. Surprisingly the boy survived.
 * Aelik - Interesting. Valishar Brygon must know at once. Report this happening to him as well nantaur.
 * Son - Will do, patuar.

Aelik's son waves to his subordinates, signaling that it was time to leave. Medical attention was given to Aelik and his family.

Anthil returned to his ship, escaping Matukoris. He went back to his cruiser to regroup with his knights. Carc greeted his lord as he sat down in his commanding chair.


 * Carc - Alor, how did it go.
 * Anthil - I would consider it a damn failure. Timaal refused my offer, and the Ugandalorian was not at Alor Aelik's home. I needed up fighting Timaal and later Aelik.
 * Carc - Did...did you kill them?
 * Anthil - No. I believe with enough persuasion, the boy will come around. As for Aelik, I managed to best him in combat. But I was forced to escape.
 * Carc - You..you actually defeated Alor Aelik!?
 * Anthil - I was surprised myself. Though I'm certain if he was in his prime, Alor Aelik would have killed me in no time at all. He was still very formidable.
 * Carc - What an accomplishment! I suppose all that training you revived and that time in the Abyss really paid off.
 * Anthil - You could say that. Anyways, my next objective is to find that Vanara child who ruined our operations at that academy.
 * Carc - Her name is Niyra Yeager I believe.
 * Anthil - Ah yes...the kiir (child) of those two Vanara Llainvenra (Vanara Sixers). She could pose a large threat to us if we allow her to mature. We should kill her before she becomes a problem.
 * Carc - Understood, Alor.

Anthil turns his chair away from Carc, staring into space.

A Master Arrives
The next morning, Sector Ga was filled other security teams of all races, searching for Anthil. Volver Paladins were searching the streets while Volver Knights were searching the skies and UAE controlled space. Lafel, being a part of the Honor Guard, was following Vaishar Brygon with a few well trained knights. Brygon walked along the streets, shouting orders to his troops. They searched for hours, only to find out that Anthil had successfully left UAE territory. The search teams left by noon, leaving the Streets of Sector Ga clear again.

Timaal was sitting on his front porch, thinking about how his skills were inferior to Anthil's. He thought about Jallas, the one he claimed as his rival, learning from the great Aelik. His sisters walked sat next to him, noticing that his head was hung low.


 * Lazuli - You really screwed up this time.
 * Timaal - Dina quoa! (be silent woman!)
 * Lazuli - Strod tuan dos thule quena!? (What did you just say!?)
 * Timaal - I said be silent! I do not need to hear your voice today.
 * Miqua - Lazuli, leave him be. He has gone through enough already.
 * Lazuli - What!? He is practically a traitor! Father had to force him to tell us that Anthil was on planet! You should have told us right away!
 * Timaal - What would that have changed!?
 * Lazuli - Alor Aelik and his family would not have been harmed last night! You endangered their well-being by not telling us.
 * Timaal - I...I am sorry.
 * Miqua - I don not believe sorry will help in this situation brother. Father is quite angry with you.
 * Lazuli - The clan elders have even considered removing you from our clan. I fitting punishment I would say.
 * Timaal - What!? Father would not let that happen!
 * Miqua - It is out of his control brother. Father is not the clan leader. Your status as a member of Clan Gyssealus is not up to him.

Timaal hang his head low once more. The two sisters continued to berate their brother. This went on for another minute before their father returned. The sisters looked to their father, noticing there was someone with him. It was Valishar Brygon. The two sisters shot up to attention. Timaal looked at his king in awe before doing the same. Lafel stood at his side, nervously looking at the king. Brygon stared at the three for a moment before looking at Lafel.


 * Brygon - Are these your children Lafel?
 * Lafel - Y-yes my Valishar. Miqua, Lazuli, and Timaal. All three are of my blood.
 * Brygon - Hm. Your daughters have received great reviews from their superiors on Ugandalore. Might I add that they are quite beautiful as well?
 * Lafel - Ah, thank you sir! Me and my wife are very proud of them!

The two sisters blushed from hearing Brygon's complements. Women could only dream of the Valishar complementing them like that.


 * Lafel - If one of them suits you sir, I would be honored if you took one as a bride.
 * Both Sisters - It would be an honor my, Valishar.
 * Brygon - I am flattered, but I am not here for a bride nor am I here for them. I have come for your son, Timaal.
 * Lafel - ....Timaal?

Lazuli glared at Timaal for a second before looking back at Brygon. Miqua was simply surprised.


 * Brygon - Yes, Timaal. I have a few questions for him.
 * Timaal - I will answer them to the best of my ability sir.
 * Brygon - Good. I understand that you engaged Anthil in combat. Is this correct?
 * Timaal - Yes, I did sir.
 * Brygon - It is remarkable that you even survived the encounter. How did you do this?
 * Timaal - I may not have won the battle, but I managed to wound Anthil with my antlers sir.
 * Brygon - It is a good thing you did. That wound forced him to flee and halted his advance on Lord Aleik's home.
 * Timaal - I...I did not know that.
 * Brygon - You did us a great service young man. Now I also understand that you have no master to train you. It is because of your ability to use essence?
 * Timaal - That is what the academy instructors believe. I fear that I will never become a knight...
 * Brygon - Nonsense! I have heard of your accomplishments at the academy. You are more of a knight than any cadet I have ever met! That is why I have come here.
 * Timaal - I do not understand sir...
 * Brygon - (chuckles) I want you to be my apprentice. I use essence as well. So I can teach you better than anyone can.

Lafel's eye widened in surprise. His own son, being trained by the king of the Volver Empire. Lazuli gave Timaal a nasty look again, this time meeting eyes with her sister. Miqua was smiling, happy for her brother. She glared back at her sister, causing Lazuli to look the other way. Timaal rose and walked towards the king.


 * Timaal - I accept your offer Valishar Brygon, mia shalafi (my master).

Brygon smiled at the boy. The two bowed to each other.


 * Brygon - With this rebellion going on, I will not be able to teach you much. But when it ends, your formal training will begin.
 * Timaal - I understand sir.

Brygon nodded to him, then to Lafel. He then motioned for his guards to follow him back to his Sector Ga castle. Lafel was still surprised with Brygon's decision. He looked at his son, tearing up a bit. He walked up to him and hugged him tightly.


 * Lafel - My son...you've found a master. And not only that...it's the Valishar!
 * Timaal - I know father. I witnessed the event myself.
 * Lafel - Perhaps this will convince those damned elders to let you stay in the clan. Those other knights will feel foolish for refusing to take you as an apprentice. Just you wait.
 * Timaal - I sure hope so.
 * Miqua - I feel as if this was meant to be all along.
 * Lazuli - Yeah yeah. Big deal.
 * Lafel - Lazuli, such behavior is unacceptable. Now come, we will inform your mother over dinner.

The family went inside the house as night fell upon Sector Ga.

Arrival of the Old Guard
Hydarax sat in his office, reading through files, before his holographic display whirred loudly. Snarling to himself, he clicked the button, hoping to end the infernal noise. What he saw immediately caught him off guard.


 * Hydarax - Zar...Zaraturai! Great spirit, to what do I owe the pleasure?
 * Zaraturai - Do calm down Hydarax, it nothing major. Just the academy you are stationed at.
 * Hydarax - Is this about Niyra?
 * Zaraturai - Somewhat. I am worried about the attacks on the various schools, but mostly yours. I have ordered that Team Olda be sent there to help secure it.
 * Hydarax - Madam, with respect, they are the best team out there, most experience and all, to side-line them here, in such unstable times, would be ill-advised.
 * Zaraturai - It is already done, they should be arriving shortly anyway.
 * Hydarax - Why was I not told sooner?

Zaraturai laughed, before regaining her composure.


 * Zaraturai - You would've said no. Now calm down, Hydarax, and merely accept the aid I have sent you. I sense they will be most useful in the times to come.
 * Hydarax - You mean another threat might be incoming?
 * Zaraturai - Yes and no. My visions are becoming clouded by my Brother's manipulation as of late.
 * Hydarax - All the more reason we should be deploying team Olda in a combat zone.
 * Zaraturai - The Grey Hunters are doing a fine job, Hydarax. Besides, Team Olda could use a more relaxed time, and you could use them as a means to inspire your students.
 * Hydarax - Alright. As you say, Great Spirit.

Zaraturai nodded, before her image flickered off. Hydarax returned to his work, as he heard the transport land outside.


 * Hydarax - Just when I though I got rid of those 6...


 * - We get sent back to this hole.

His teammates all looked at him skeptically, as they grabbed their kit and gear and made their way out the transport.


 * - Ah, come on Tilaos, our days as cadets where fun.
 * Tilaos - I do not find abuse that enjoyable, Trogov.
 * - Alright, guys, calm down. Few months R&R, and helping teach some cadets, and we'll be right back in the hot zone.
 * Tilaos - Good, and not here baby-sitting.
 * - Oh, calm down Tilaos. There's no need for that attitude.

Tilaos snorted, as they got off the ramp towards the main building.


 * - Is it just me, or as he been more grouchy then usual lately.
 * Arkaalin - I don't know, old friend, though I hope he keeps it in check with the cadets.

As they entered, a lone Raptoranean teacher could be seen standing in the shadows.


 * Kincaido'scr - So more pests about to run in the hallways...Hmmm...This could mean trouble...

He smiled at their direction, a very unpleasant smile, before turning around and leaving. He was just turning a corner when a soft, deep voice spoke to him from the shadows.


 * ??? - Where are you going, Kincaid'scr? Off to scream at some more cadets just trying to get to class on time?

Kincaido'scr turned as he saw the red, white and black cloaked figure of the Daydream Syndrome afflicted commando, Jorkar Doreckt, leaning against the wall. Kincaido'scr felt slightly nervous and with good reason, this was then man who had chased a whole horde of Rakar from the south pole of one planet to the north pole and slaughtered them all. Nowever, he kept his calm, as he had trained himself to, unlike that stupid brother of his, Kinquodo'scr. His brother. That downright fool, knowing nothing of ambition.

Kincaido'scr stared into the black eyes of the grinning white mask that was now the Kaguran's face, his face not giving away the fear and disgust he felt right now in any way.


 * Kincaido'scr - I'm off to my next class. Please step aside.
 * ??? - Funny, the cadets are all off having lunch.

Kincaido'scr turned and to his annoyance saw Jorkar's fellow Daydream Trainer, Enegerii, approaching, one of her swords dragging along behind her leaving a deep gouge in the hallway floor, making Kincaido'scr grind his teeth in frustration.


 * Enegirii - Oh right, I'm sorry. You're rather found of your hallways.

And with that statement she pulled up her sword and sunk it deep into the floor. Kincaido'scr felt like he wanted to lash out at the two in pure annoyance, but remained calm. He needed to.


 * Kincaido'scr - I am off to prepare for my next class. You should do the same. And you should repair the floor rather than destroy it. What about cadets falling over bricks that got loose now, hmmm?
 * Jorkar - We would go and prepare, but unfortunately we have none of our special group to train here.
 * Enegirii - Besides, the cadets have a surprise outdoor activity going on after lunch. We thought it would be good for all the teachers to go and watch their progress, see how well they deal with reality instead of just theory.
 * Kincaido'scr - No time. For the last time, I need to prepare my class! And furthermore, I have research to do with a couple of students of mine.

He calmly walked past them, an air of pure arrogance and annoyance surrounding him.


 * Enegirii - Bureaucratic cur.

Jorkar chuckled slightly.


 * Jorkar - Come...Let us do what we intended.
 * Enegirii - Yes. Let's.

Two Sisters
Zaraturai sat contemplating the current string of events when her telepathic abilities forewarned her of the arrival of another great power. Turning, she saw the mother of the Vanara,, descending, her wings of light folding behind her. In her hand hung the massive corpse of something large and white. Throwing it to the ground Zaraturai almost gasped when she saw the toothy grin, and three, lifeless, staring eyes.


 * Zaraturai - Is that?
 * Ava - *Grimly* Anag, yes, she is dead.
 * Zaraturai - How?
 * Ava - Take a gander.

Zaraturai passed around the massive, swollen corpse. The body was covered in slash marks, and wounds that looked like they were made by suckers on tentacles, all oozing a strange golden liquid mixed in with the blood.


 * Zaraturai - Leless did this.
 * Ava - Indeed, she has chosen to breach the contract made between the three of us for a third time, it is clear she has gone rough or...
 * Zaraturai - Joined my brothers side.

Ava nodded grimly.


 * Zaraturai - You said three times this has happened before, when?
 * Ava - Its a long story.
 * Zaraturai - Than I suggest you get started, you own me an answer sister, from where do you three come from?
 * Ava - I can only answer part of that for the others.
 * Zaraturai - Then answer for yourself.

Ava grinned and her voice changed to sound of many voices speaking at once.


 * Ava - Which one of us sister, for we are many.
 * Zaraturai - Whichever one explains the most.
 * Ava - Well; that should be easy, most of them come from the same place.
 * Zaraturai - Then tell.
 * Ava - The story begins on a planet, I know not it's name, there was a species know as Promen, one group was a rather religious bunch empire builders, however those who did not submit to their religion were genocided. At the end only the three shamans of the old religion remained. Summoning the natural elements of the planet to transform their bodies into a virus that would curse the knights of the new religion causing their new born daughters to be born as mutant beings. These mutants were hunted down and slaughtered until only one remained. She survived due to the kindness of one man, but eventually they were found and burned. Time and time again the virus and it's mutations emerged, age after age, only to be destroyed again and again. And every time the mutations emerged again the two lovers the mutation and the normal were reborn only to be torn from each other and killed before they could truly come together. However once again the virus unleashed itself and once again the cycle would repeat, but the mutant found away out, she learned to absorb the minds of the other mutants when they were about to die and her normal lover. This is one side of me.
 * Zaraturai - So the mutant and the normal are there inside you.

Ava shock her head and waved her hand.


 * Ava - No they have left to be reborn again.
 * Zaraturai - And.
 * Ava - They have already over come more hurdles than they have before. Their children are evidence of this, and I wish them the best. Can you imagine how painful it is, to be reborn over and over without end, to come together only to be torn apart time and time again?
 * Zaraturai - Indeed, but that does not explain everything...

Ava laughed.


 * Ava - Now, now, sister...I tell you my past, you must return the favor. Where do you come from?

As the two deities chat, a new column of light appeared. The two turned to see who was descending upon their holy place. It was Draedan, Protector God of the Volver. He was dressed in elegant robes and holding a staff that was carved to resemble a dragon. He looked upon the two goddesses as he touched the ground. The light column vanished as he walked towards them.


 * Ava - Ah, Dreadan. It so nice to see you.
 * Dreadan - Yes, same to you Ava. I came as soon as I heard of Anag's death.
 * Ava - Yes..it is very unfortunate. I believe Leless did this. He has turned over to their side.
 * Draedan - Blast...I cannot imagine what pain Anag must have suffered. I wish I could have done something.
 * Zaraturai - And with this, our brothers gain more power. If this keeps up, the future may be grim.
 * Draedan - Dammit. If only Ada had not been corrupted...perhaps we would have a chance.
 * Ava - You're dreaming, Draedan. Ada is too far gone to save. And as long as he is sealed within Terikalinra, Ada is under his control.
 * Zaraturai - I am curious...Draedan, what happened all those years ago? What happened between you and Ada.
 * Draedan - Ada created me and the others. I am not his son however, I was his pupil. Ada was...a bit controlling at times. But one day he pushed to far. After we created, He imprisoned my fellow deities. I protested this, however Ada was far more powerful back then. I was no match for him alone. He crested those Volver as a means to fix a mistake he made. I knew that if those creatures continued to serve him, they would have been impossible for the other Empires in Tyris Major to handle. Even those Lavatufts would have fell to them. One day Ada just...Disappeared. I managed to free my comrades and we began to lead all of Ada's creation to enlightenment. A few of my comrades broke off and opposed us every step of the way, hindering the evolution of the creations.

Zaraturai inter-twined her fingers as she listened to Draedan and watched Anag's corpse. Finally, she waited for Draedan, before speaking.


 * Zaraturai - I must find the other "gods" of the Mendel. My order is fighting hard, but we cannot maintain our bulwark if my brother keeps recruiting more of our kin to fight at his side. First, I must find Kadaii.
 * Ava - Do you even know where he is hiding?
 * Zaraturai - *Grins* Hoorangiir never hides. He waits for the opportunity to strike.
 * Draedan - A fine start. But what of the others?
 * Zaraturai - You know Xa’hal sacrificed herself for her children, the Raptoraneans. But I will also seek out Hoorangiir's brothers, the Kodalorian "gods".
 * Ava - *Smiles* You sound like you don't enjoy being a goddess of a powerful warrior race.
 * Zaraturai - That's the point. We are not. We are just immortal beings with great power, certainly not gods though.

Ava cackled as she lumbered out.


 * Ava - I will help you.
 * Draedan - I will go seek my brethren as well. We will need as much help as we can get.
 * Zaraturai - Thank you both. Though I will need someone else to take my steed in the Singularity while I am away.

Zaraturai sent a telepathic signal, and waited before a portal opened. Draedan stiffened slightly as a Darkling stepped out. Miterix, only slightly shorter then Zaraturai, but having far more mass, lumbered forward bowing to Zaraturai.


 * Miterix - What is your will, my ruler?
 * Zaraturai - I am going out in search of some new allies for our cause. I need to take my place and man the Singularity, and keep the traitor's forces out.
 * Miterix - As you wish. Dark One will suffer dearly. May you all be kept safe, my masters.

As the 3 walked away to teleport elsewhere, Draedan turned to Zaraturai, crouching slightly.


 * Draeden - Are you sure we can trust a Darkling?
 * Zaraturai - You judge by what we see in most Darklings. He and his kin are loyal to my ideals. We can trust him.
 * Draeden - If you say so...

The 3 teleported to continue their search for allies.

Waste and Shadows
The Dark One, Terikalinra, sat on his throne in the Abyss, the realm that once belonged to Ada, but was now his domain. As he surveyed his new domain he noticed something strange forming not a meter in fount of him. A tiny grey flicker of flames that grew into a small, devil-like, humanoid being. Dark narrowed his eyes, how had this insignificant little creature got here without any of his servants noticing.


 * Dark - Who are you and what are you doing here?
 * ??? - Me? *giggles* Oh I'm just a humble whittle servant of mine mistress, the great Leless.
 * Dark - And what does The Mother of the Enemy of the Vanara want with me?

The little creature giggled and twirled his fingers.


 * ??? - My master has sent her lowly servant to propose an alliance.
 * Dark - Tell Leless that if she wants an alliance, she should come ask for it herself.

The creature gasped and put a hand to it's chest.
 * ??? - Oh, she would if she could, but that would compromise her secrecy. No! It must be me she said, it must, it must.

Dark was quickly growing annoyed with this creature's rather irritating antics, standing up he stalked over and stomped the creature into the dirt.


 * ??? - Oh, don't think you could possibly kill me so easily!

Dark turned and to his annoyance saw the little beast was now sitting on his throne laughing its ass off.


 * ??? - You can't kill me. I'm not even alive or have a mind of my own.
 * Dark - If you have no mind, how are you talking?
 * ??? - Dunno, lots of people with no mind talk quite a lot.

Dark grumbled, he had to agree with that one.


 * Dark - So tell me, why should I ally your master?
 * ??? - Tell ya what, I'll show you.

The creature held up his hands and flames leaped fourth and form a ring that images began to show from within. Dark watched as an army of various grey, mummified, spectral demons descended upon a planet, swarming across it's surface. Every living thing they touched withered and died as they spread Waste far across the doomed celestial body. Dark nodded slowly.


 * Dark - Tell your master she has a deal.
 * ??? - Already done, a large number of her servants will arrive shortly.

The creature erupted into grey flames and vanished. Dark growled and took his seat upon his throne again, there was work to be done. Plans to be completed. He started by calling 5 of his Darklings servants to him. Zorax, Bloran, Vaprax, Gieran and Tibrix, the 5 who had given corrupt Ultra Commandos, who currently where infiltrating the academy that this newcomer, Niyra was stationed at, under leadership of the teacher-infiltrator Kinquod'scr. They each came through the portal, their powers highly amplified, producing auras around that created shadows, decay, darkness, fire or ruin.


 * Bloran - Ah, what a pleasant place, my lord! You have done a magnificent job in decorum!
 * Zorax - *chuckles* Indeed.
 * Gieran - Be silent, and listen. Our lord would not call us here to speak of such nonsense.
 * Dark - Indeed not. We have a new ally in our Brotherhood.
 * Gieran - I sensed great power here. What was the...thing that slithered into here?
 * Dark - A servant of Leless, anathema to the Vanara.
 * Bloran - Hehehe...I knew I sensed something quite repulsive in this area. And just me, I know repulsive!
 * Zorax - Indeed, you are the most disgusting creature to crawl from a bog, Bloran.

Vaprax merely clicked his jaws in annoyance, as Tibrix growled, slamming his left foot down, and cracking the floor, and silencing them both.


 * Dark - Tell your agents to begin preparing for their move. I shall tell our teacher-infiltrator to begin his move. Once he gives the telepathic signal, your students have permission to move, my own ace in the hole first of all.
 * Gieran - As you say, M'lord. All that is flesh and bone shall be struck down. Their meddeling in the plan bores me anyways.
 * Dark - Good. To your stations.

The other Darklings began to move to their private sanctums, only for Dark One to stop Tibrix. The massive warrior stomped his foot down as his portal closed in front of him, growling slightly.


 * Dark - I take exception with you, Tibrix. Tell your servant to wait.
 * Tibrix - What? Why? When there are so many weakling blood to be spilled!
 * Dark - The plan with the newcomer, Niyra as she is called, is merely a sign of things to come. The Anathema has begun it's approach. And more Radiation users, Ra-Koatria, will begin to appear.
 * Tibrix - Impossible...
 * Dark - We cannot risk the plan. The strength of your warrior will be needed, but later. He lacks the subtle...influence that the others have. Until then, tell the Darklings and Darkling Princes to begin mobilizing their legions. Oh, and tell the Imperium of War to speed up their attacks on the Unified Alliance of Enlightenment as well. My sister is making her move.
 * Tibrix - Yes, sir.

Tirbix disappeared in his portal to his inner-sanctum, as Dark rose from his throne.


 * Dark - Kadaii Hoorangiir. Oh how I missed you...
 * Ada - The other gods are coming forth?
 * Dark - Yes, Xizothano. And, like you, they shall fail.
 * Ada - The universe is a yawning chasm, filled with emptiness and the futile meanderings of sentience. Who are you to say if your intellect is limitless?
 * Dark - I have foreseen all possible failures, and have taken steps to correct them.
 * Ada - Then...You who clearly know all...who is the Anathema?
 * Dark - I...I do not know.
 * Ada - Then your plan is still at risk then, brother.

Dark One growled as he sat back upon his thrown, twisting it's energies to create some freakish mutant, pulling the strings around it to form a creature without much form or logic, made to pass the time.


 * Dark - Waiting is the worst part of these plans of mine...

Dark Truths of the Past
Jorkar's room was a simple, hovel like dwelling made of wood, everything was covered in dust, with a dirty, cracked mirror on a wall, a mobile made of fish skeletons hanging from the ceiling, and a desk in the middle with a rather throne like chair sitting behind it. As he walked in clouds of dust were kicked up causing Kincaido'scr to cough heavily. He hate this dirty place, why the Kaguran never bothered to clean it he never knew.

The Raptoranean teacher marched though kicking a random can lying on the floor, heading straight to the dirty desk where the only light source a single candle sat. He was looking for something. There. There it was. A simple picture of a certain planet...Raptoranea. Why would Jokar have a picture of that planet in his room. Kincaido'scr knew. It had been it. the place where his life had changed. Where the truth had appeared to him.

A dual Darkling invasion on northern Raptoranea. As if one wasn't enough. Two. It had to be two? One led by Torackix, and one led by Trotodrake. Each led their legions to the main continent there, ready to overrun it. Kincaido'scr, his team, his floow commander Jorkar, and a member of his team of Daydream Koatria - who split up to assit other teams of Koatria - known as Phari were defending it. It was hopeless. They were overrun just as well. They needed something. Kincaido'scr knew what. He knew the legends, of course. Every Raptoranean knew them. Xa'hal had sacrificed herself to save her daughter Saa'nesh, and had transformed into the being known as Rei'lith, sleeping in a massive dome known as the grey moon beneath Raptoranea's surface. With her last strength, she had created the three great beasts of weather to keep the ecosystem from falling into disarray. But these were mere beasts. In times of trouble, her chosen would resurface. She had splintered off two parts of her soul. One representing the search for the truth each Raptoranean cherished in their hearts, behind all layers of hedonism and desire. The other representing the unique mix of ideals all Raptoraeans would create, the lack of conformity in their culture. These had formed another two beasts, a giant phoenix and a giant pteradon, incarnations of her trhuths and ideals, it was said. They would choose an hero when Raptoranea was in danger. Their mere sight would fill the people of Raptorenea with hope, for these beings were, essentially, parts of their beloved, sacrificed goddess.

Tactical Officer Kincaido'scr knew they needed these beasts. Together with Jorkar, he had discovered their own miniature moons, the black and the white dome, where they slept. Jorkar sought out the great Phoenix of Truths, Kincaido's team lead, the Cresake Kardo Aidis from Kincaido'scr's team, the great pteradon of ideals. They had awoken. They stood, one white with angelic feathers, rock-hard skin, sunlight streaming from her body and flames leaping from her tail. The other black with bat-like wings, star-like spots on its metallic skin and it's tail and body discharging electricity. Grace and power, truths and ideals. They had recognized Jorkar and Kardo as their chosen riders. They had driven back the Darkling hordes from Raptoranea. There, everything had gone wrong.

There, Phari had betrayed them. There, Phari had revealed that he had killed two of Jorkar's team previously and taken another prisoner, leaving only Enegirii alive.

The shock of the betrayal caused Jorkar to loss control of his Daydream. After cutting Phari clean in half, he attacked Kincaido'scr and his team, under the disillusion they were traitors as well. A lie. A lie the Phoenix of Truths could not stand. It had attacked him with the heat of a sun. Jorkar was lucky he even had survived the blast. However, Kardo had stepped in and gave the Pteradon of Ideals a single order. The Pteradon of Ideals had attacked the Phoenix of Truths and had calmed it down. Then the two went to sleep again, like all beasts of legend on Raptoranea, and Kardo took Jorkar too the hospital. He had survived, and he and Kardo had been hailed as saviors to all Waptoria. They were not even Waptoria citizens, or species from there.

But what rewards befell him? Kincaido'scr, the tactical officer of those Koatria send to stop the invasion? The Waptoria citizen, born on the world he helped save? It had been his plan. HIS. His and his alone. And what rewards did he get? Nothing! Kincaido'scr had snapped. He had cursed Torackix, cursed Trotodrake, cursed the Dark One. He had cursed Kardo and Jorkar most of all. Yes, Jorkar was certainly happy to have survived that day. The others had not been not so lucky.

Back in Jorkar's room, Kincaido'scr smashed the picture against the wall. Jorkar would know. But would he realize the meaning behind it? They were not the friends they had once been, before Kinquodo's greatest success, and his greatest failure. The Raptoranean teacher marched out, not once looking back over his shoulder. He was, after all, a man with a mission and the plan that came with it. And it was about time he did put that plan into motion. First of all...

On a Journey we go
With thatn Niyra turned around and strode out. Hydarak continued onward until he came to where Loudrak was waiting, ready and packed.
 * Niyra - So what is it you want to talk to us about?
 * Hydarax - Your mission with the Kumakirii. And how you freaked out at the Sixth Event of the Grand Tournament. The latter, as you know, has already resulted in your siqualification.
 * Niyra - What about it?
 * Hydarax - It has come under further scrutiny by the powers that be.
 * Niyra - And...
 * Hydarax - Kincaido'scr kicked up an immense debate over whether or not you are an effective team leader.
 * Niyra - WHAT THE FUCK!!!
 * Hydarax - I imagined you might have that reaction...Yes, several teachers believe that you showed behavior unfitting of a leader and have argued whether or not you should be allowed command of Team S.O.L.
 * Niyra - So I get ousted by those fucktards!?
 * Hydarax - No. Ultra Commandos, their team, and team leader cannot be selected by any teacher here. Only the Ultra Commandos themselves can decide that.
 * Niyra - Ha! So there's nothing they can do about it!
 * Hydarax - Unfortunately not, they can have you removed from the training program all together.
 * Niyra - Damn...Wait...You said unfortunately?
 * Hydarax - Considering your age, lack of training, the suddenness of the event, and the fact that the mission was a success...It had me arguing in your favor.
 * Niyra - Thanks.
 * Hydarax - In any case, you have been given a second chance to prove yourself.
 * Niyra - What kind of second chance?
 * Hydarax - The Exploration Guild is on a mission to the equator on the continent. You and your team will be sent there in order to assist them. You will be guided there by Loudrak, Team Waptara is already there, and once you get there Teams Indrika and Tyris will be sent over as well.
 * Niyra - Good! I'll gather MY team and get going.
 * Loudrak - She READY?
 * Hydarax - Yes, and I want you to be careful.
 * Loudrak - Hyun? WHY'S THAT?
 * Hydarax - Niyra is going through a stage of increasing aggression that all Vanara females go through as a way to establish dominance. This and the fact that her already established authority is being threatened will make her liable to lash out at the slightest provocation. Being ordered around by a high authority that Niyra might not even choose to recognize will not help things. Also, in Vanara society, violence is a perfectly acceptable way for problem-solving. The same goes for Boyk and Aranthrone, so four, if not all will be willing to fight for their leader. This must be handled carefully.
 * Loudrak - AH! Understood.

Sealed Ruins Concealed
And so, in the midst of the night, Loudrak led Team S.O.L. trough the Menhir trail once more, arriving at the catacombs. He walked over to the dolmen gate next to it, with was blocked by a pitch-black slab of dure energy, with a golden, sun-like glyph gently glwing on it like a star in the night sky. Loudrak grinned, and walked over to the door, for once placing his ands gently on it and letting hsi elemental energy surge trough it. Immediately, a black and a golden dot of energy started to rotate around Loudrak's hands, sending off sparks of energy to each other, like light and darkness clashing. The energy created by these sparks consolidates into white cloud of energy that also spinned around Loudrak's hands, but in the opposire direction, growing bigger with each turn. Then, the black dot and the whire cloud dissapeared, and the golden dot froze in place, with numerous other golden dots appearing all over the glyph, growing and overlapping until the door completely shone golden like a miniature sun in the night, before it disintegrated altogether into nothingless.


 * Loudrak - Right. PATH'S FREE!

Team S.O.L followed the wide that had led trough the path Menhir Trail trough this last dolmen gate, immediately finding themselves in a simmilar, yet completely different environnement as the Trail. In fact, though the building materials where the same, it was vastly different from anything they had ever seen.

Rows and rows of huge, cracked slabs of stone rose on both sides of the path, so huge and so close to each other on all sides that they blocked out the sight of the plain they were placed on, like two huge walls. In front of the team, the path was blocked off by rows of the same stone slabs as well, though they were far larger in size, being able to crush the whole group flat if even one of them fell. However, they were lined almost perfectly vertically, and positioned in such a way against each other that they practically coulnd't fall over, no matter how hard one could try. However, at the side of the catacomb wall, the irregularly-shaped stone slabs rose up like a true wall, fitted in so closely with each other that there was virtually no space in between. In the lowest-middle of it, a huge stone slab was missing, forming the opening to the darkness beyond. It seeing this structure, the jaws of the team members slacked in awe.


 * Ahred - Wooow...
 * G-Sker - Magnifiscent! Yet so simple in design! Who did build this?

Asper whistled impressed, while Niyra, Werener, Gagnell, and Fenric...


 * Niyra, Wereney, Gagnell, and Fenric - Eh.
 * Loudrak - EH!? What do you mean, EH!?
 * Wereney - My species was created by a purple, five headed dragon the size of a volcano.
 * Gagnell - Kinda hard to beat.
 * Fenric - My people are wanderers and I've seen some really strange worlds.
 * Loudrak - LIKE WHAT!?
 * Ahred - Don't get him started!
 * Fenric - Too late, how 'bout a planet that's a shell of glass around a star orbiting a black hole or...

Fenric started rambling on and everyone else turned to Niyra.


 * Niyra - I've seen planets covered in water with lifeforms composed of carbon!
 * Loudrak - HYUN!?
 * G-Sker - Vanara: Boron-Ammonia based biochemistry instead of carbon and water like most life.
 * Loudrak - OOOKKAY! YOU LOT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE OF SYLE, ARIGHT!
 * Ahred - Absolutely.

Loudrak threw in a tantrum, before calming down.


 * Loudrak - Well, if it helps you lot to APPRECIATE this place somewhat: It was built by the very first Koatria on this planet. But it was built for a reason: To lock away the Rakar and other Darkling servants on this planet.
 * Niyra - So you're leading us through a Rakar-infested ruin? That is...awesome! I'm all in! Shit's Outta Luck for whatever's inside!
 * Loudrak - HEH! That's the SPIRIT!
 * Wereney - But what about that energy door that was supposed to keep them out?
 * Loudrak - THAT? DON'T YOU WORRY! It will grow back in a matter of minutes!

Indeed a tiny black film could already been seen forming in between the dolmen gate far behind them, growing thicker with each second.


 * Niyra - Where are we waiting for, then? C'mon, let's kick some darkling-servant ass!
 * Fenric - Right behind you!

With this, Niyra and Fenric stormed inside, Loudrak following her. Ahred looked at the rest of Team S.O.L., G-Sker didn't look so sure, Gaganell cracked his knuckles and grinned, Wereney pumped her rifle and swigged an energy drink, and Asper was looking at every thing other that what he was supposed to be looking at. Shaking his head, Ahred followed the others inside as well.


 * Fenric - So fearless, leader? What's the plan if we run into any nastiness?
 * Loudrak - Wich we NO DOUBT will!
 * Niyra - We attack with our essence at range to hold it back, then we'll attack with mellee. If things work out, we'll retreat back to the entrance and then make a plan from there.
 * Fenric - Works for me.

As the group descended downwards, it got darker and darker, and mold and mildew started to grow between the stones. Then, from the darkness, a ratteling sound could be heard. And then another one. And another.

The sound echoed through the ruins, followed by complete silence. Then, just as Team S.O.L were starting to get their guard down, a loud scriek could be heard. Metallic footseps drew closer. Pairs of red lights pierced the dark. Rakar came out of the shadows in front of the Team, readying their combat staffs as these "glowed" with dark energy.


 * Loudrak - Now THAT's What I was afraid of!

One of the Rakar, a brown armored one, shrieked at the team, slamming his staff into the ground. Cracks of energy spread out further and further, until finally sending a shockwave blast at the group. The team jumped out of the way as the blast came out from under their feet. As they did so, several leapt from behind him, charging at the group. Niyra glared at the beast, before charging at him. Before she could get to the possible pack leader, a red colored Rakar dropped down, nearly on top of her, and fired a bolt of energy at her. While the distorted red pulse did little harm, she felt overwhelmed. She tried to shack the feeling, but every step seemed heavy. As she looked up, she looked into the eyes of Darkling Torackix.


 * Torackix - Ah! So if it isn't the bastard offspring of my own enemy. How good of my children to capture you for me. Once I am done here, perhaps your sister will be next. Her light...would be quite delicious.

Niyra could not speak as she looked into the green-black armored from of the Darkling, as she raised one of her claws to strike down. This could not be...How could she appear before them so suddenly? She refused to die here. Not to the hateful beast before her. Focusing, she ducked under from Torackix's strike and fired a blast of radiation. As the ball of energy hit Torackix, everything seemed to melt as Torackix disappeared, and Niyra saw she now stood over a Rakar's broken body, it's chest armor chattered by the blow. Niyra was shocked that such a vision could affect her so deeply. How could it create such a well-created fabrication?

She ran forward, striking Rakar after Rakar, before leaping forward at the brown Rakar. The beast shrieked, before slamming it's staff into her side, sending her into a wall. She groaned as she stood up, looking down to see her armor slightly fragmented, pieces of it stabbing into her side. She got up with a groan, as the Rakar charged forth, staff raised over head. Niyra, eyes wide, fired a blast of radiation straight at the creature, and, as it stumbled backward, got up and slashed through the creature's head, slicing it's armored skull in half. She turned to see the others had accomplished their task. Most of the Rakar where now broken, shattered, and generally in disrepair. She saw Ahred slammed his foot down on a Rakar's head as it tried to crawl away. Gragnell was picking up Rakar bodies and giving them a good shake before tossing them over his shoulder. Asper who was still looking around, seemingly totally oblivious to what had been going on, if it weren't for the fact that he had his singing sword stuck in a piece of Rakar armor and his particle blaster was smoking.


 * Loudrak - Alright, I think we'd better MOVE!

And thus they ventured down deeper into the ruins, as the colors of the stone slabs the whole place was build from changed from black to dark blue, dark green moss started to grow on them, and pools of water formed on the floor. As the team moved around another corner into a new room, they suddenly stood eye-to-eye with what seemed to be female, much more organic-looking Rakar, theirs skins veiny and as dark green as the mosses on the stone tablets the ruins were completely build from, their insectoid hands, feet and tentacle-like hair a bloody red, as they wore elaborate corsets of black leather around their anexious midriffs.


 * Loudrak - Niyra, You're gonna like this! RAKARETTES! TORACKIX' SPECIAL SERVANTS!
 * Niyra - These belong to Torackix? She never struck me as the feminine type.
 * Loudrak - Maybe, but she's one of LAST female darklings loyal to the Dark One, and she's pretty PROUD if it. THAT'S WHY!

The Rakarettes seemed to focus on her, their blood red eyes focused on hers, as they charged, claws ready, along with barbed whips and other nasty melee weapons. They realized shrieks of rage, insane giggles and mocking laughter at her, their eyes betraying their hunger for blood. Niyra blinked in surprise as she fired a blast of radiation at them. The female beasts leapt past this, and landed practically on top of them, swiping at the group with their foul weapons. Ahred and many others looked ready to run from the screaming mad creatures before them, but stayed, raising their weapons to strike. G-sker and Asper seemed to enjoy the battle, as the creatures seemed to match their energy and swiftness, each moving unnaturally fast, as the Ultra Commando Cadets struck at them repeatedly. Niyra, still smarting from her past injury, could barely dodge the 3 Rakarettes that had assault her as they swiftly struck at her repeatedly. As one came behind, wrapping it's whip around her neck, Loudrak turned, and yelled, focusing it into a sonic screech that sent the Feminine Rakar off her feet and into a wall. The other 2 recoiled in surprise, as Niyra swiped the legs out from under one, and slashed her head off, then grabbed the last by the throat. Before the creature could struggle, Niyra grabbed it by several of it hair-like tentacles, and tore them apart, before ripping its jaws open and firing a beam of radiation down its throat from her left hand, destroying its insides, and decapitating the creature.

While they kept fighting, roars could be hear, demanding blood, as well as demonic Hymns. Then, around the corner came a row of six creatures, their large, maroon fin-like wings wrapped around their maroon bodies and covering all but the upper part of their skull-like faces, their scorpion-like tail being stiffly held to their spine. They marched forwards in a line, slowly chanting hyms, like a solemn procession of death. The beings with them marched in discipline as well, being blood red with draconid traits, and having black claws and horns. Each of them wielded a brazen greatsword in their hands that constantly dripped with blood.


 * Loudrak - GATEKEEPERS! SPECIAL SERVANTS OF GIERAN! AND WAR-LETTERS! SPECIAL SERVANTS OF IBRIX!
 * Niyra - I don't care, let me kill the already!
 * Gatekeeper - Noted. By shadow and ash, Gieran deliver us upon our foes.
 * War-Letter - ATTACK! BLOOD! BLOOD!

The War-Letters let out a unified roar for blood, as they broke up their orderly formation, and all charged at the team at once, forcing them into melee attacks. The Gatekeepers, meanwhile, charged up energy upon the end of their stingers, throwing it at the team in fireballs of energy.

The more melee-centred members of the teams were aldready clashing with the War-Letters, who hacked around them with wild abandon. Niyra ducked under the hacking swords, dissolving various War-Letters at one by firing blasts of radiation in their chests or by jumping right on them, the knives in her low heels sinking deep within their faces. G-Sker clashed bladees with the War-Letters, using any opening he got to strike a final blow. Gagenell, meanwhile, simply wrestled with any War-Letter he could lay his hands on, trying to snap their necks. Soon, all War-Letters had been reduced to pools of blood, their last hate-filled roars echoing trough the ruins.

Meanwhile, Wereney and Ahred fired away at the Gatekeepers, who used their leathery wings to shield themselves from taking any damage. Then, when they were in melee range, they suddenly opened up their wings, showing their mutilated, skull-like visages at the team to startle them. One suceed in frightening Wereney, and in shock, the Scizok stumbeled backwards, falling, as the Gatekeeper used this oportunity to grab him with their mantis-like claws, as he rapidly started to sting the cadet of air with his scorpion stinger in the forehead. Gagenell and G-Sker jumped on top of the creature, pulling it back and forcing it to release Wereney, as G-Sker drew his Katanas and stabbed it twice in the chest. The Gatekeeper screeched as it died, dissolving into ashes and flame. Meanwhile, the others had noticed how to deafeat the other gatekeepers, letting them to come close as they would open their wings to slash away with their claws or sting them, using this opportunity to finish them off with a blasy in the chest. It was risky, but it worked remarkably well, and soon enough, the path that lead further down was clear.

Eventually, after going down further and battling through some hordes of Rakar and Rakarettes, they reached the bottom floor. It was a round chamber, build upon actual ground rather than horizontal stone slabs. The walls were also build from actual, far rounder stones, with only the ceilings till existing out of stone tablets. In the center was a large, crackled stone monolith, with various smaller ones placed placed around it in an ornate pattern on the ground. However, something was not right. Cobwebs made from a ghostly green ectoplamsa hung in every corner, and floor was covered in a thin layer of green haze, and green wisps floated around the monoliths. As Niyra entered, laughter echoed trough the room. The laughter of Toracrix.


 * Niyra - Hey, you seriously must be stupid if you'd think I can be fooled by such an illusion twice in a row! I'm not afraid of this!

The laughter echoed again, this time with a silent, maddening whisper mixed through it.


 * ??? - ...I...am real...
 * Niyra - What!? Reveal yourself!

Unbeknownst to Niyra and Loudrak, the whisps floated up to the wall behind Wereney and Gragnell, where they joined together and solidified into something that mas so maddening that it defied reality. A Rakar-like being made from veined, dark green flesh, with only one set of legs, splitting to two torsos and two black spines at its midrif. Insectoid hands and feet glinstered red like fresh blood. No heads, no heads at all, just lamprey-like, bloodied mouth in their place, and no extrenal nor internal organs either. Yet it could laugh. Yet it could whisper. Yet is could move. Yet it could exist.

Then, in an action that completely defied the laws of psysics, the creature leaped towards Wereney and Gragnell, grabbing each with one set of arms, before putting a mouth over the head of each, ready to gnaw it off. It would've falled off the wall. Yet its feet were still steadily attached. G-Sker only realiser something had materialized begind him in the nick of time. Srawing his dual katanas at lightning speed, he slashed at the beast, who was forced to let go but did not even get a scratch. It leaped over to the top of the main monolith, giggling tauntingly.


 * ??? - ...Come, Niyra Yaeger...Come and do combat with me...
 * Ahred - Loudrak, w-what in shits name is that!?
 * Fenric - That looks seriousely disgusting.
 * Loudrak - That is a Splitback. Alligned to Torackix, it you didn't guess. They're her beasts.
 * Ahred - So its a mere beasty, huh? Then why can it talk?
 * Loudrak - The fact that's a beast doesn't mean it doesn't possess animal CUNNING! And these things are damn TOUGH! Not to say thay are *Torackix' INSANITY made manifest! They are pure exntensions of her WILL! That we are facing one here means we're in BIG. TROUBLE!
 * Niyra - Loudrak! It's still mortal, right?
 * Loudrak - Yeah.
 * Niyra - Then we can still kill it!
 * Loudrak - Yeah! RIGHT!

At this remark, the Splitback let out a loud, taunting laughter, almost as if to invite them to try doing so. Niyra growled agitately, sending a pulse of radiation at the beast. It simply simped to another pillar, and the pulse missed. In one swift move, the Splitback jumped off again, towards Niyra, as it started to close in as to get into melee range. Niyra did send various small blasts of radation at the beast, but it kept coming closer. Once it was in melee range, Niyra drew her AIC Sabers, slashing down to hit it. Before it could do so, the creature giggled in malice, vanishing into a mass of whisps, before reforming again at the pother side of the room.

Ahred rushed towards it, but it merely lifted its hands from the ground, before slamming the down. From the impact point, a series of pulses of pure darkness rolled towards Ahred like a wave, as they hit him and threw him back.

G-Sker was next, but the beast cloaked itself in a veil of darkness, before teleporting again, this time not before setting of a massive amount of dark enegy pulses on the spot where it stood some moments before. G-Sker was caught in them, as he slumed to the ground, beaten.

The Splitback had teleported right upon the pillar were Gragnell stood next to, and pounded down onto him, using one set of arms to keep him suspended to the floor as it used the other pair to rapidly slash away it him. The Koatria cadet of Iron hardened his skin, causing the slashing sweeps to bounce straight off, but it was of no matter. Each tough of the beasts sharp fingertips slowly drained Gragnell of sanity, until he was locked away in a nightmare.

Angered at seeing her normally so steadfast brother scream out with unseeing eyes like that, Wereney whiped up a mighty whirlwind at the Splitback, throwing it towards the wall. Rather than hitting it and then falling off, it once more seemed to stick to it like glue, before pouncing back at her as one stinger came from one of its mouths each, and it stabbed her with it. Instantly, Wereney felt her elemental energy going out of control, as a stream of air rocketed her upwards, causing her to hit the ceiling. She felt like she had gotten a small seizure.

It was up to Niyra, Asper and Loudrak to vanquish the beast of Toracrix. The three unleased a barrage of attacks, as the Splitback somewhow malanged to bends its body around the incoming projectiles each time in some surrealistic manner, all while slowly closing in. The environment around them had changed further, now resembling something truly disgusting and creepy. In their perceptions, Niyra saw her teammates lying on the ground, ripped apart, an immense if unnatural amount of blood spouting out of them, as their dead bodies screamed at Niyra to save them. The Spitback had once more climed upon the central pillar, laughing in a victorious manner as never before, enjoying the fear in the eyes of Niyra, and the hate. Its outline flickered, taking on the shape of her mistress, Totackix, herself.


 * Torackix - Yeager...You have failed...You know the end is close, don't you?..Come, let me enjoy this...Let me see insanity rip your mind to shreds as the light in your eyes goes out...
 * Niyra - I...I follow The Will to Live! I refuse to die here!

With this, Niyra charged up a huge blast of radiation energy and threw it at the Spitback, resulting in a miniature mushroom cloud that made the illusion vanish. Witnessing Niyras courage, Loudrak punched himself at the head various times over so not to fall back into the hallucination, as Asper kept staring at a blank point.


 * Loudrak - Niyra! COVER YOUR EARS!
 * Niyra - OK!
 * Loudrak - All right, here comes an HYPER VOICE BOOMBLAST!

Loudrak let out an extremely loud sonic shriek, so loud and powerful that it caused various small explosions of pure sonic energy, as the whole room shook. Dust fell from the ceiling, and then, the central stone slab fell down right upon the Splitback, causing it to fall down from the monolith on the ground as its hind legs and hips were trapped under the slab that had falled down as well. Wasting no more time, Niyra activated her AIC Sabers, and, careful not to touch the vile beast, slashed it into two halves completely. Its death scream echoed trough the complex as it disintegreted into green whisps that soon vashished into nothingless. All around her, Niyras teammates woke up, as from a bad dream, as the green haze and the glowing ectopslama cobwebs vanished with the Splitback, revealing the rooms true, far cleaner shape. From the hole in the ceiling, moonlight streamed trough, upon the monoliths, and slowly, a golden glowing rune of Zaraturai started to shine on the ground between the monoliths.


 * Loudrak - So THAT's why there wasn't an enegy door sealing off this part of the ruins! This chamber is the seal!

G-Sker walked up to the Koatria of Sonics, a dizzy and extremely unsetteling look on his face.


 * G-Sker - Loudrak...Might be wrong, but...Place here was corrupted by the Splitback until its defeat. Darklings servants might have moved in and out freely as long, as such. Some might have escaped.
 * Loudrak - Oh. RIGHT! Well, it should be nothing too mayor. Not anything of this danger level! These things form a long time to form, you know. C'mon, let's get moving.
 * Wereney - All in for it!

And as such, the group moved on, still shaken by what they had faced.

Cleavage Cliffs
The group soon arrived at a cave entrance, not having been ambushed by any darkling servant. Around them, the landscape looked pretty ravaged, deep fissures rending the earth around the parth apart. In fact, the fissures were so deep and wide that the path in front of them seemed to float above a deep chasm on one part, and overshadowed by a vertical cliif on the other. Ahread of them was another vertical wallof natural rock, with en entrace to the innder cliffs hacked out.


 * Ahred - Eh...Loudrak? You sure this is the right path?
 * Loudrak - Yup! The branch back there just leads back to the academy.
 * Ahred - So...Does that mean we didn't had to go trough those ruins at all!?
 * Loudrak - We kinda took the SHORT path.
 * Niyra - And I apporove of it!
 * Loudrak - AYE! Let's enter, then!

The team walked on for a bit more in silence, Loudrak, Niyra and Fenric slighty ahead of the rest of the group, as Niyra popped a question.


 * Niyra - Hey, Fenric?
 * Fenric - Yeah?
 * Niyra - Do you think I'm a bad leader?

Fenric sucked in air before blowing it out.


 * Fenric - Well, the whole thing with you running off to come find use was not the most responsible thing to do. Ahred and G-Sker attacking Blaize and Jallas would be attributed to that as they were worried for your safety.
 * Ahred - We can hear you, y'kow?

Fenric grinned, and continued talking like nothing happened.


 * Fenric - On the other hand, I can understand why you did what you did and why.
 * Niyra - Oh?
 * Fenric - You felt like everyone was turning against you. After all the trust and friendship you had placed in each other just to have everyone want to isolate themselves from you because of something you can't help, but injured yourself severely to control it. Yeah, I can understand. Take my species, for example, we're insatiably curious and you wouldn't believe the annoying stereotypes I've been the butt of.
 * Niyra - I should expect it, after all this time.
 * Fenric - Happened before?
 * Niyra - Many times.
 * Fenric - Tell me.

The young Niyra skipped through the icy streets of Sector Ko holding her mothers hand so she wouldn't fall, a pair of ice skates in her other hand. Both mother and daughter were not bothered by the cold, but Niyra had a long, thick, blooded red scarf wrapped around her neck several times. Niyra missed a step and stumbled and Akanri shot out a hand to steady her.


 * Akanri - Careful little one, you don't want to get yourself injured before you can go ice skating.
 * Niyra - No mommy, but I really want to get there quick as can be!
 * Akanri - Alright little one, but let's try something safer.

Akanri lifted up her daughter and set her down on her shoulders, Niyra looked around and giggled, thrusting her hands out.


 * Niyra - I can see really far up her mommy!

Akanri laughed a happy laugh as opposed to her typical sadistic and psychotic laugh.


 * Akanri - I imagine you can.

Niyra giggled and pointed.


 * Niyra - Onward!

Akanri laughed again and set of with Niyra trying to catch snow flakes on her tongue and not dump herself onto the ground. The two eventually came to the ice rink which was little more than a frozen pond that several parents had taken their kids to, who were skating across the ice. Akanri set her daughter down and helped her tie on her skates. While doing this, Akanri noticed several other parents watching her with a mixture of fear and suspicion, but Akanri chose to ignore it for her daughter's sake. Finishing up, Akanri helped her daughter onto the ice and held her up.


 * Akanri - First find your center of balance, you must concentrate.
 * Niyra - Right!

Niyra screwed up her face in concentration and eventually began to stabilize.


 * Akanri - And now...you go!

Akanri gave her daughter a gentle shove, at first Niyra was very unsteady, but as she began to concentrate on regaining her balance she was soon skating around like she had been born to it. It was a truly exhilarating experience, the feel of the crisp, cold air rushing through her fur and ears as she sped about the ice...She felt free. Pulling to a stop, she thrust her fist in the air and cheered.


 * Niyra - That's how its done!

Niyra looked around excited, but saw that everyone had stopped and was staring at her keeping their distance.


 * Niyra - Hey, what's wrong? Why have you all stopped?

No one answered. Niyra skated over to another child and held out her hand.


 * Niyra - Come on! Skate with me!

The child looked a Niyra's hand as if it was the most offensive thing he had ever seen and slapped it aside.


 * Child - Who would want to skate with you, freakazoid!?

Niyra was shocked, but reached out again.


 * Niyra - Why wouldn't you? We can be friends...Can't we?

The child recoiled from Niyra, revulsion plain on his face.


 * Child - No! Don't touch me! Don't hurt me!
 * Niyra - I don't want to hurt you!

Niyra pushed forward and the child backed up falling onto the ice, where he continued to back up, screaming.


 * Child - Mommy! The psycho's daughter is scaring me!

The child's mother ran up and grabbing her child away, asshe began to scream at Niyra.


 * Mother - Get away from him, you little monster!
 * Niyra - I don't understand! I'm not a monster!

The sound of a slap ranged out as the child's mother struck Niyra across her face.


 * Mother - Don't you dare contradict me!

A shadow approached from behind as Akanri came up, her voice carried on the wind, soft, quiet, but threatening none the less.


 * Akanri - You dare touch my daughter...

The child's mother swallowed before replying.


 * Mother - Yeah I dare...I'm...I'm not afraid of you...
 * Akanri - Yes you are! I can smell it! Now shut up and leave!..before I teach you and your little brat a lesson.

The mother stammered, but under Akanri's cold gaze she quickly took her child and left along with everyone else. As Akanri hung her head casting her face in shadows, Niyra reached out a took her mother's hand.


 * Niyra - Mommy? What was all that about?
 * Akanri - Remember this, little one: People will always judge you harshly because of the monster I am.
 * Niyra - I don't think your a monster. You're my mommy.

Akanri kneeled down and hugged he daughter, tears streaming down her still intacted eye.


 * Akanri - Thank you.

That night Niyra sat on her bed with her knees drawn up to her chest and sobbed.


 * Niyra - This world doesn't accept me. I hate this world. I hate this stupid, ignorant world and its stupid, ignorant people.


 * Loudrak - Wow! That's HARSH!
 * Niyra - Yeah.
 * Fenric - Though as harsh as it was, you shouldn't hate the world.
 * Niyra - Why not!? All it has brought me is pain!
 * G-Sker - Pain. The spice of Darkling Trotodrake.
 * Niyra - So what? I don't care!
 * Fenric - Niyra...The world can be painful and cruel, but also very beautiful. I've seen lots of things, some quite incredible. Maybe one day I could show it all to you.
 * Niyra - That would be nice.
 * Niyra - *Laughs* Yeah at least you guys are all my friends.

There was another chuckle as well. Turning around, Niyra saw a Shifrter sitting atop a floating stone, squeeling at her in misschief as it heard her story. Angered, Niyra evaporated it with a blast of enelmental energy, but it simply split in two smaller forms who gracefully jumped off the rock, each from one side, before lookibg mockingly at Niyra. Niyra growled in annoyance, blasting apart one of the Shifters and grabbing the other, pressing it against the wall and slamming her knife into its constantly-changing face. As it evaporated into nothingless, masses of Shifters came hopping off the cliffs or crawling up from beneath the edge. The horde charged at Niyra, jumping on her and trying to push her over the edge with their combined bulk. A light shone fom within, as Niyra generated a powerfull EMP that blasted the Shipers away, come falling into the darkness below. As the remaining Shifters got up again, Loudrak let out a pazalyzing screech, stunning the masses of everchanging flesh. Ahred and Asper wasted no time, clearing the path with high-powered shotgun blasts and precicion slashes of a certain singing sword.


 * Loudrak - C'mon. Let's MOVE!

And so they moved on for a while, before realizing they were being watched...again. This time, various floating, shrimp like beings made from pure abyssal water stared at them with their eyeless hear, though Niyra and co could still feel their gaze. Streching out their flimsy legs, cyan energy started to move from their body to the pit of it, before it was shot of as voidd bubbles.


 * Loudrak - Lurkers! I HATE those abyssal shrimps of Ada!

And void bubbles of the Lurkers hit hard, creating small implosions were they hitt. Being made up entirely of watery fluid, however, made the Ludkers rather fagile, adn most were quickly dispached by one shot only. However, some especially crafty Lurkers phased into the walls like ghosts of the deep sea, from where they could continue to blast Niyra and co at range, but they could not hit them.


 * Niyra - *Under her breath* We gotta lure those oversized no-good shrimps out. they are getting annoying.
 * Wereney - *Whispers* Pergaps if we move on slightly...Should that work, Loudrak?
 * Loudrak - WHAT!? Uhm...Yes...
 * Wereney - *Whispers* Right then...Slowly...

And so, they slowly moved backwards, carefully not to fall of out or be foced with their backs against the clff walls. It worked. The Lurkers came out of hiding, and once that happened, Niyra had a large blast of radiation ready for them. It stuck right were it needed to, obliterating the Lurkers in one fell swoop.


 * Loudrak - GREAT SHOT, NIYRA!
 * Niyra - Hehe. Thanks.
 * Loudrak - Right, let's MOVE along. The exit can't be FAR off now.

Indeed it wasn't, and Team S.O.L, led by Loudrak, soon reached the end on the Cleavage Cliffs. From there on, however the rifts only seemed to widen...and move underground.

Chasm Cave
And so, Team S.O.L. and Loudral reached the end of the Cleavange Cliffs. The deep cleavages surrounding the floating rock path were filled with stones that seemed to float. While the path reached a dead end soon ebough, there was a large cave opening in the wall.

And the group did, immediately noticing the deep and wide fissures that marked the landscape outside continued inside the cave, growing quickly ever wider as they team went further down. Until soon enough...


 * Ahred - Wowowow! I can't see the walls anymore!

And indeed, they just stood upon a platform of stone connected to other platforms via windy stone bridges. From the deep darkness below, pillars of stone rose up, reaching for the ceiling. Somestone rocks even seemed to float, with nothing supporting them.


 * Niyra - Now that looks more like it.

The team continued their way further down, as they path they followed became more and more narrow. At that moment, they could hear wingbeats. Many wingbeats, as an noxious small filled the dry air. Loudrak signalled Niyra and Fenric to halt, causing the other memebrs of Team S.O.L to bumb into them.


 * Gagenell - Watch out, will you?
 * Loudrak - Trouble ahead. AGAIN! This time it are...

Loudrak was about to yell what they woud face, when G-Sker interrupted him.


 * G-Sker - I know this one. Venom Flyers.
 * Loudrak - Ugh...YEAH! RIGHT ANSWER! GOOD MARKS!
 * Wereney - So...What now?
 * Loudrak - Now? Fenric, burn them!
 * Fenric - It will be a pleasure!
 * Ahred - Dude! Put your shirt back on!
 * Fenric - Fat chance!

The Koatria cadets followed his orders, lighting up the shrieking Venom Flyers in hellfire. The flying Mutran shriecked at them, reaching for them even as fire consumed them. Then, they all started to crash down, like living meteors.


 * Wereney - And now?
 * Gagenell - Don't you get it already, sis?
 * Loudrak - RUUUN!

The team ran as fast as they could, further downwards, as until they were surrounded by complete darkness.


 * Gagenell - Whew. That was crazy! But cool!
 * Ahred - You call nearly being devoured by a firestorm and falling off the path various ties fun? I call that insane.
 * Niyra - The blurr between the two is vague sometimes.
 * G-Sker - Wait! You hear that too?
 * Fenrik - More Venom Flyers? Good, in that case I'll try freezing them next.
 * G-Sker - No. In the opposite direction. Ahead of us, not behind. I thought...Yes, now I hear it again.

The team fell silent, and listened. Indeed they could hear it. Feint, bat-like chittering echoed trough the darkness. Only that this didn't sound truly like bats. The chittering were far louder than bat sounds should be, and mixed with what seemed to be demonic shrieks. The creatues that emenated them were no bats. They were something quite monstrous, a horrid mix between a bat and a humanoid. Their hunchbacked bodies where humanoid, but their faces, feet and arms were turned into those of a giant bat. A mane if fur emenated from their back, and their eyes glinted with hunger. They flew down at theNiyra and co, trying to lift them into the air and rip them to shreds.

Behind the bestial man-bats came other beings, likewise a mix on bat and men, but a far more seamless fusion. They stood fully upright, with grey skin and fully humanoid bodies. None the less, their legs were still elongated bat legs, and their hands ended in sharp, black talons, holding long pikes wich they used to fore their bestial cousins forewards. Their elongated bat-like ears ran down from their eye sockets to far above their heads, forming eyebrows and coming together in the nose, as in these eye sockets, red eyes glinted with cunning intelligence. Their mouths were vaguely fish-like, though had only two bat-like fangs. They had leather armor strapped over their chainmail they wore underneath.


 * Loudrak - VARYES OF VAPRAX! And, G-Sker, their bestial cousings are..?
 * G-Sker - Vyrgheists. Also servants of Vaprax. Tracking units. They have smelled us. The Varyes followed.
 * Loudrak - BINGO!
 * Ahred - If we only had a stone-user with us! Then we could've ued these floating stones to impale these things.
 * G-Sker - Gives me an idea. Gagenell.
 * Gagenell - I know the drill, mate.

With this, the cadet of Iron used created dozens of iron spikes to divide the pillars into thousands of pointy shards. G-Sker focussed, sending the shards flying at the Vyrgheists. The stakes pierced the hearts of the vampire-like creatures with ease, causing them to slump on the ground dissolve into a black mist.

The Varyes marched forwards, their eyes glowing red. An irrational fear overcame the team members, who stumbled back from the servants of Vaprax. The creatures grinned and hissed, showing their fangs, as they slowly drove the cadets to the edges of the cave's chasms. A few more stabs backwards, and they would plummet to their deaths. Then, suddenly, a spear pierced trough a Vayre. The creature grabbed the shaft in disbelief as he disintegrated into haze, dying. The other Vayres turned to see Asper standing there, unnafected from their fear-inspiring gaze. As they chagred forwards to impale him with their pikes, the other cadets suddenly realized in how a denerous position the Varyes had driven them in - and how Asper was quickly being overwhelmed by the Varyes. At Niyra's lead, the cadets charged the Varyes in the rear, giving them no time to turn around, forcing tem on the cave floor before quickly killing them off in a single strike each.


 * Loudrak - WHEW! THAT's THAT! We can MOVE ON!

They did so, following the path, but finding it increasingly twisting, with various other paths branching off, and even two parralel paths nearby. The cave had gained a more bluish hie instead of pure grey, and the stone pillats had changed to dozens of pointy stalacmites like spears, who rose from the darkness like spears. Again, some of these shards seemed to float in place in various groups.


 * Ahred - I don't wanna fall down there.
 * G-Sker - No worries. I'll catch.

The team continued onwards on the other path, soon reaching a dead end. They turned back and took the nearest branch. This path had a chamber at the end, but again this chamber lead to nothing. This continued various times over, all over the parralel main paths, really frustrating Niyra, whom only managed to vent it on the single Mutran Spider or Venom Flyer they encountered from time to time.


 * Niyra - Okay! I take it back! I hate this cave! All those dead ends!
 * Loudrak - To be honest, this place is KNOWN for it.
 * Niyra - I still don't care.

They took the other braches on the last path, each time reacing a dead end. Finally, the last stone brach they took led to somewhere. And light was shining out of it...

Solar Grotto
Niyra left the cave of chasms running, letting the sun warm her face.


 * Niyra - Finally! That took ages!

Loudrak and the rest of S.O.L. had exited the cave as well, inspecting the surrounding environment. They stood in a deep crevice of limestone, the morning sun gently shining in, as roots, vines and plants hang from the walls. Small pools of clear water had formed on the ground. Compared to the utter darkness of the Rakar-infested ruins and the chasm cave they had come trough, this place was a relief. Not to say it looked quite beautiful. Almost rustic.


 * Loudrak - And know what? It's MORNING! That means no more Darkling servants getting at us. Not that they could follow us here, anyways.

He pointed at a rock, were the glowing sign of Zaraturai was scratched upon. In fact, this symbol, scratched on the limestone, was a recurring trait on the walls of the ravine. In front of them, the rocks overhead closed once more, though they opened up again from time to time.


 * Ahred - I gotta say, I like this place.
 * Niyra - Hmmm...

Vanara didn't have the same ideas of what was pretty or gorgeous as most other races, for for some reason, she liked this place. Almost as if her elemental energy was attracted to it. She closed her eyes, letting radiation course trough her veins, before opening them again and suddenly rushing forwards towards a small creek, seeing something glittering in the shallow water. She picked it up, letting the mud fall from her hands, until all that remained in her hands was a transparent, small, neon green-colored marble, and an indigo and dark purple-colored cat's eye in the middle. Around it was a circular symbol of a dragon orbited in the center.


 * Niyra - Jura?
 * Loudrak - WHAT WAS THAT, NIYRA?
 * Niyra - Do you mind!? My kind have really sensitive hearing, thank you very much.
 * Loudrak - SORR...sorry, but you REALLY need to cut the attitude.
 * Niyra - A person who won't express their own opinion is worth anything.
 * Loudrak - So says YOU, anyway you said something about something called JURA?
 * Niyra - The supreme beast of the Vanara religion, The Crimson Fire Dragon, Protector of the Great Balance, God of Integrity.
 * Loudrak - HMMMM, I KNOW the MENDEL have taken a liking to him, the WAPTORIA also, but I HAVE NO IDEA what he would be doing on THAT.
 * Niyra - Yeah, what is it?
 * Loudrak - I'M surprised YOU found it so FAST, but EVERYONE GATHER 'ROUND!

Everyone did so eyeing what Niyra had in her hand.


 * Loudrak - This little stone MATCHES YOUR ELEMENTAL POWERS! I've got them HIDDEN all around here AND YOU HAVE TO FIND THE ONE THAT MATCHES YOU, or in FENRIC'S case TWO!
 * Fenric - Aww, come on!
 * Loudrak - THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR HAVING TWO ELEMENTS, SHOWOFF!
 * Wereney - But what will they do?
 * Loudrak - THEY will allow YOU to become a being of PURE ELEMENTAL ENERGY for a LIMITED amount of time. LIKE IN A TOUGH BATTLE.
 * Gagenell - HA! That is awesome and I'm already half element.
 * Ahred - Yippe for you.
 * Loudrak - NOW, NOW enough argueing and more SEARCHING! OFF YA GO!

The others quickly disspeared with Fenric grumbaling a bit. Niyra having already found her's sat down and pulled out her music player, Niyra hit the start button on the exteremly retro thing and began to sing along, while Loudrak listened to her.


 * Niyra - There's a path running under the city, where the stones a hills divide. There's a path we can walk throgh the loss and the pity. She's outta the light, she thought it be safer. She said "I wanna go home."
 * Loudrak - WHAT SONG IS THAT?
 * Niyra - Eh, oh it's "In Leaving Tonight", by "The Birthday Massacre".
 * Loudrak - NEVER HEARD OF THEM!
 * Niyra - Human band, really long time ago, I mean a REALLY LONG TIME AGO.
 * Loudrak - Not a very happy song, is it?
 * Niyra - I wouldn't know to much about happy.
 * Loudrak - I SUPPOSE SO.

Niyra kept listening and singing along until the others came back. First came Wereney and Gagenel,l holding a stone that looked like their skin. That of Wereney was transpartent, if not somewhat cloudy, with a white and blue cat's eye, while that of Gagenell was a transparent grey with a dark red and dark grey cat's eye. Then came, G-Sker, holding a transpartent silver one with a bright red and steel grey cat's eye, sort of the inverse of Gagenell's one. It floated slightly above his hand. Finally came Ahred and Fenric. Ared had a blue one with a brown and clay-colored cat's eye, while Fenric had a golden with an icy white and blue cat's eye, while other was also golden, but the cat's eye was fiery red and orange. As they got closer, they noticed Ahred had on a scowl and red mark on his face, while Fenric wore a smug grin.


 * Wereney - What happened with you two?
 * Fenric - Ahred mistook one of mine for his and accused me of stealing it.
 * Ahred - Yeah, well...You didn't have to punch me!
 * Fenric - Big baby.
 * Ahred - Asshole!
 * Niyra - Shut it you two, or I will send you back home via those ruins we went through early this night.

That shut both of them up as Niyra began to walk forward.


 * Niyra - That's what I thought. Now, come along, children! And no squabbelling, or will be forced to give you a timeout.

As the others began to fallow her Loudrak lend forward and whispered.


 * Loudrak - Nice one!

Niyra merely smirked and gave a wink before continuing to on ahead. Just as she did her foot knocked up against something small in the grass. Reaching down she picked up a marble like the ones they had been looking for. However this one had a series of rapidly turning, golden gears inside with red and black roman numerals swirling around inside. She quickly pocketed it.


 * Loudrak- WHAT IS IT NIYRA!
 * Niyra - Nothing just dropped by orb.
 * Loudrak - *grumbles* COME ON LETS GO!

As they did, they the rocks above them started to open up the final time. If the team looked upwards, they could see a canopy of trees filtering the sunlight they fell trough, creating a true spectacle of light. The walls soon became completely covered in vines, as the ravine itself quickly widened out and the walls lowered, before disappearing completely.

Mystiflying Mangrove
As they left the grotto, the team soon found themselves in a forest clearing. On rocks, sigils of Zaraturai glowed golden everywhere. Yet Niyra felt uneasy here. Almost as if he'd guessed what was going on in her, Loudrak took the team to a forested expanse near the entrance of the ravine. There, the environnement turned marsh-like, and at the wall of the grotto stood a perfecly round pool, small waterfalls dripping off the walls and gently falling into it. The team could feel their elemental stones reacting to this very spring.

Yet it was not as it should be. The pool was dark, as no light shone on it, as whisps of green light eerily floated over the surface.


 * Niyra - Loudrak...What is this place?

It took awhile before Loudrak responded, but when he did, he vioce was voice quite, and full of sadness. It was rather effective, for the cadets used to him shouting at the top of his lungs were rather taken aback by his sudden whispering. Truth be told, he mabye should have done so more often. Then again, if he did so more often, it could very well end up spoiling the effect.


 * Loudrak - ...This place? It's the Incandescent Spring. Well, it's not so incandescent now. We...Koatria...We used to come here a lot. Annually, the Exploration Guild set up a huge camp here in this clearing, and then we would hold a massive feast in honor of Zaraturia. Then we would say good-bye to our graduated cadets here. They would recieve their elementary stones, hold them in the light that would fall in the middle of the spriing, and watch them transform into personalized stuff...watch them get active. Then something happened. I dunno what, but the light stopped shining. The elementary stones we dig up can't he hold into the light of this spring here. They can't activate. And since that day, we haven't met here anymore. Much of the festive cheer that marked the end of the training for Koatria is gone. Hydrarax isn't helping much either.

Loudrak turned away, a tear in his eye. It was clear he struggeled with the issue personally.


 * Loudrak - It's kinda hard, you see? For a cheery Explorer-turned-Koatria to introduce that cheer into the Koatria academies and then see it melt away. You know how many Koatria die on a mission? Way too many. That's all but forgotten about. They often die despairing, believing that they failed in their mission. They do not die with victory cheer, knowing that everything they do ultimately stops the Brotherhood a little more, whatever Hydarax might tell you. This universe ain't grimdark, but being all negative leads us into making it that way.

With this, Loudrak bagan to walk away to the spring. His body langauge made it clear that team S.O.L. was ought to follow him. Niyra paused for a moment and looked back whispering to herself.


 * Niyra - Die with a cheer on your lips huh? Well if that's what you think is heroic... but leave me out of it.

Loudrak took them to the other side of the clearing, to a path leading into the forest ahead. Flanking the entrance were two huge boulders covered in vines, and various smaller ones lied shattered around it. Most of them were overgrown by trees, their bark also covered in vines. These trees hung above the ground with stilt roots, giving them the appearance of floating above the ground slightly.

Loudrak signalled them to go inside. Ahred immediatley noticed it was getting wet really quick, as the ground became filled with damp mosses. Whatever trees there had been were quickly replaced by mangrove trees, frens, brombelias and other small tropical plants growing in between. Many small, colorfull songbirds were sitting on branches, singing.


 * G-Sker - Great. Love this place.
 * Gagenell - Why so? I know elder Cormera would love this place, but you?
 * G-Sker - I'm a mantis. I my species evolved in places like this. Hmmm. Perhaps a bit more rocky. And mountainous.

The team marched on, something in the air changed. Not an actual thing, bur rather it felt...slightly different somehow. The birds had stopped singing. Wereney looked up to see clouds gathering above the rainforest.


 * Loudrak - When STUFF LIKE THIS happens in the TROPICS like the ONE WE ARE IN, any idea what will come NEXT?
 * Niyra - As in...If stuff like this happens of Leviathan, any idea what comes next?
 * Ahred - Uhh...Nope?

At this moment, the skies seemed to break open, as huge amounts of rain started to pour own.


 * Loudrak - TROPICAL RAINSTORM! SURPRISE, EVERYONE!
 * Ahred - Aaah, crap.

As the rain started to touch his skin, Ahred started to run forwards to the more dense canopies in front of them, followed suit by Gargenell.


 * Ahred - I hate rain!
 * Gagenell - I don't wanna rust!

G-Sker grinned, hopping on a branch, and then quickly forwards, towards the next one.


 * Fenric - It's raining. So?
 * Niyra - So at least those chumps get moving at an acceptable pace.

Wereney grinned, opening her wings and gliding forwards, the rest following her.

Soon enough, however, the rain stopped, as they arrived at a clearing. Behind them, two moss-covered, huge roots plunged forwards from the vegetation. In front of them, two equally big bundles of stilt roors rose out of two small pools, ferns and moss-covered rocks at the egde of them. Most notably, there was a rock sphaped like a Runen gatherer in one of the edges of the clearing. Loudrak walked towards the statute.


 * Gagenell - Hey, what's that?
 * Fenric - Dunno, but I'm pretty sure Glaco would like to see it. Him being a Runen and all.
 * Loudrak - THIS RUNEN STATUTE? Oh yeah, it's a CACHE!

He smiled, opening a part of it. Inside was a large amount of berries and seeds, as well as various other itsems like orbs Niyra and co didn't understand the utulity about. Regardless, Loudrak took little bit of all and stuffed it in his treasure bag.


 * Loudrak - Ya see, these statutes are PLACED by the Exploation Guild in clearings near the end of these...dungeons. Like near mountain peaks, the the lowest part of caves and the deepest part forests.
 * Werenay - Deepest? But...We only entered this place a while ago!
 * Loudrak - WELL YEAH WE ARE KINDA TREKKING TROUGH THIS PLACE IN REVERSE BUT EUH...
 * G-Sker - Ah? That explains it.
 * Ahred - We are trekking trough this place in reverse...Wait! Does that mean the longest part is yet to come!?
 * Loudrak - Uhm...Yeah?
 * Gagenell - More rain?
 * Loudrak - No. Fog. And floods of water since it rained and it's lower down.
 * Ahred - If that's it. Still, I'd rather like a good old sandstorm.

Fenric looked at Ahred, as his jaw dropped.


 * Fenric - What!?
 * Ahred - A sandstorm.
 * Gagenell - Yeah.
 * G-Sker - Agreed.
 * Febric - You guys are crazy. You lot complain about a little bit of rain and instead you wish for a freaking sandstorm?
 * G-Sker - Not as strange as it looks. Iron and Magnetism users are immume to sandstorm effects. Earth and Rock users even get boosted powers by it. The rest gets hurt.
 * Wereney - Gee...Thanks, G-Sker.
 * Gaganell - No, really, I would love to be in a standstorm right now.
 * Loudrak - EHHH...MOVE ALONG EVERYONE!
 * Niyra - Right, freakazoids. You heard him.

And so, they went on, the ground became so wet that the moss dissappeared. Instead, it mud-like, filled with a small layer of water in some parts, as the pools became far larger. Much of the vegetation vanished because it was too wet down there, though groups of purple flowers remained, nesteled in between the mangrove roots. The branches of the mengrove trees, too, were filled with pink brombelias, their air roots hanging down. Vines connected the trees, as vapor was forming everywhere. The place had become a full-fledged mangrove, indicating that the team was nearing the sea.

Birds were again singing and flying trough the moisty air. Various kinds of mangrove cuckoos, kingfishers and night herons could be seen perching for fish from the branches. While he had complained about the rain minutes before, Ahred had no problems in wading trough the mud. In fact, of all people, he seemed to like it.


 * Gagenell - Too wet. Sandstorm, please.
 * Ahred - Come on! This place is perfect! All this mud...It's a Mudwort paradise.
 * G-Sker - Heh. No coincidence you species is named Mudwort.
 * Ahred - 'Course not! What did you think!?
 * G-Sker - Still. Sandstorm.
 * Ahred - *Laughs* Ah, cut it, you!
 * Niyra - Well, ya know what I could do with.
 * Ahred - What?
 * Niyra - A Gamma Ray Burst.
 * Ahred - Loco! Now that's crazy!
 * Niyra - No, I'm radioactive.

After saying this, Niyra started humming a particular tune. While Fenric shook his head in exasperation.


 * Fenric - Well, I grew up on ship. I never had to deal with anything as inconveinent as weather.

At this moment, fog started to kick up, as dew started to form on low-hanging leaves. The team continued onwards, but they had to admit their sight was everely limited.


 * Gagenell - Just as in a sandstorm.
 * Ahred - But far more wet and cloudy.

Loudrak took lead, appearentely knowing this mangrove inside out. Leading them out of the fog, the team could hear waves nearby. In front of them laid an low aquaduct flanked by rows of mangrove trees.


 * Loudrak - That's the way OUT!

As such, they walked trough the water that filled it, as the aquaduct, with the mangrove trees flanking it, lead them out of the forest, trough a formation of sandstone, and onto a beach.

The Guild
The beach bathed in the evening sun, a genle breeze letting the waves roll onto the sands just as gentle. The leaves of a couple of palm trees waved in the wind.


 * Loudrak - That's it! Journey's over!

Wereney let out a satisfied moan, as she let herself fall down into the sands. Gagenell followed suit, as Ahred walked over to the beachside and let himself fall into the wetter sands there as well. Asper sat down as well, his feet in the water.


 * Gagenell - Great. Sand. Now we only need a-

He couldn't finish his scentence as his sister hit him over the head.


 * Wereney - Eenope.
 * Ahred - In all honesty, I really feel worn out by now.
 * Fenric - We've been travelling a night and a day. It's only natural a feeble Mudwort like you would feel like that.

Ahred simply smiled exhasutedly, not even responding. Loudrak sat down next to Niyra, who was the only one of the group who didn't sit down.


 * Niyra - Are we waiting for something? I suppose the Guild is really close now, so why don't we move?
 * Loudrak - Because of some spectacle.
 * Niyra - The waves rolling on the beach? We can see that every day.
 * Loudrak - Not THAT!

At that moment, various orange-colored crabs with whitish underbellies started to move out of holes in the sandstone cliffs onto the edges near the beach. They opened up their claws, and let bubbles flow out of them. Soon enogh, the wind picked them up, as uncountable bubbles became flaoting away over the beach and the sea, reflectong the light falling into them in a myriad of colors.


 * Niyra - Wow! What are those things?
 * Loudrak - They are Krabler. Scions.
 * Niyra - Scions?
 * Loudrak - IMPORTED from the QUADRANTS into WAPTORIA Territory. I grew up amongst them. Related to them as well.
 * Niyra - Really?
 * Loudrak - Yeah.

Niyra was silent for a while, looking as the bubbles floated away over the ocean. Then Loudrak got up.


 * Loudrak - I'll get ahead and warn everyone at the guild of your presence. I'll get back to you when it's DONE, OK?
 * Wereney - Right...Right. I can stare at this for ages.

And so, Loudrak got up, and left.

The Explorer-turned-Sonic Koatria walked upon a path in between two sandstone cliffs at the start of the beach, as it took him upwards to a crosroad. On one side of crossroads, the path went straight forwards to an extremely wide cliff. In fact, said cliff was also covered by a thick and natural layer of mineral-rich soil, allowing grass and trees to grow freely as if it was a simple forest edge. It was also almost compeletly flat, and a resort-like village was build on it, looking out over the sea. The other path took deep into the mountains at the other side. However, Loudrak took the extremely stort path right in front of him.

It took him to a small table mountain, the front having turned into stairs to allow visitors to be taken to the flat top. Atop of it was a single tent. However, this table hill had in fact been hollowed out completely, and now concisted of various levels, with large windows having been made in the walls so to let sunlight fall trough and have the inner parts covered with as much ferns and grasses as the outside. It was the Exploration Guild.

Around the Guild was a moat of deep blue water, fuelled by various small waterfalls all around the opposite side of the Guild. The steep, yet smooth walls of the guild made it look like a castle of some sorts, yet a castle made of earth and rock and overgrown with various amounts of plants. As Loudrak stepped on a grating right in the middle of the flat hilltop, flanked by two fire pits, a voice came below.


 * ???1 - Footprint detected!
 * ???2 - Yep yep! Gotcha! Wo's it?
 * ???1 - Ah...Euhm...It's...

It remained silent for a second.


 * ???1 - 'Ey! Modigi! Were are you digging off to!?

It did not take long until a young Aardijn popped out of the ground. The mole-like feature smiled, seeming geniuly happy.


 * Modigi - Loudrak! You're back!
 * ???2 - Hey hey hey! Loudrak, you say?
 * ???3 - Great Nur'tax! He's back?

A lot of footsteps could be heard coming upwards, as the fence that had blocked oof the entrance of the tent was lifted, and various creatures came out, just as happy as Modigi seemed. One was a D'ajhiirian. The other was a Liev, whose flowers bloomed a bright yellow. She screeched out in exitement upon seeing Loudrak. Another Aardijn popped out of the ground, looking like he was Modigi's father. There was a grey-skinned Duthadinia, dressed in ramshackle cloathes, and seemingly enjoying it. Finally, there was a Raptorian dressed in hippie-like cloathing. They all gathered around Loudrak, who also clearly had a wide grin on his face, all greeting and hugging him, and kind of pushing him inside so they could hear him out about his advantures.

Meanwhile, at the beach...


 * Niyra - What's keeping Loudrak?

Niyra and her team still sat down there. It was getting dark, and the Krabler had gone to sleep. Niyra was getting frustrated. She didn't like waiting and doing nothing. Finally, she descided she take no more.


 * Niyra - C'mon guys, we're leaving.

And so they left, easily being able to trace Loudrak's footsteps to the top of the Guild - although, of course, they did not know what it was. Therefore, it came to a total surprise when Wereney stepped on the grating and a voice yelled out "Footprint detected!". Luckily, Loudrak tried to help them out. It didn't work out exactly well.


 * Loudrak - Whose species!?
 * Modigi - Eum...I...don't know.
 * Loudrak - Sentry dutist Modigi, what do you mean with "You don't Know"?
 * Modigi - Sentry officer Loudrak, with that I ean I really don't know. I've never seen a pootprint like that before!
 * Lourdak - VANARA?
 * Modigi - No.
 * Loudrak - Then BOYK perhaps?
 * Modigi - I know they joined only recently, but nope. I really haven't seen anything like it!
 * Loudrak - Then perhaps ANTHARONE!?
 * Modigi - Could be, I really don't know!
 * Wereney - Antharone it is!
 * Modigi - OK then! I get it! Footprint's Antharone!
 * Gagenell - Make that double!
 * Loudrak - Oh, there's a VANARA, a BOYK, a MUDWORT, a SCIZOK and a CHANGELING with them as well! JUST FOR THE RECORD!
 * Modigi - All, right, you all heard him! All of you, feel free to come in!

And so the whole team enetered the tent, only to find it empty. It the middle of it was a large hole, however, in wich a vine hung that led to the upper level of the Guild. Niyra and co all dropped in, starting their quick climb down. Once they did so, they found themselves in the upper level. Like with the whole guild, the floors were covered in grass and even some flower bushes near the edges, as ferns and clumps of grass grew on the walls and vones swooped down onto the walls and from the ceilings. Next to the vine team S.O.L. had just climbed down from, was another hole, also with a vine hanging down in it, leading to the simmilar, though larger lower level. The Waptoria touch in the Guild design was clearly abundant, just as the Academy had a more Mendel-like feel in design. On the walls next to the vine-stairs were two large message boards, one on each side. One was made from bricks and the other from wooden planks and enshrined in metal, though Niyra paid no heed to them, as the whole room was filled with Guild members talking to Loudrak and thoroughly hearing him out. Niyra just planned to walk over Loudrak, when a voice called out for her. A very simmilar voice, in fact.


 * ???4 - Exuse me!

Niyra felt her blood stop for a moment when she saw the being that had called out for her. He was a Raptoranean, having just climed out of the lower level. His clothing, was stylish, and unlike regular Raptoranean dress, covered most of his body. He wore a green tie, a yellow shirt, and a vest of blue leather. All of it was exactly the same the clothing of Niyra's most hated teacher, Kincaido'scr. The only difference were the colors, as Kincaido'scr wore a purple tie, a beige shirt and a vest of red leather instead. This Raptoranean had also different hair, wavy and black instaed of dyed blonde and turned into a huge curl at one side.


 * ???4 - If I assume correctly, it was you who just came in?
 * G-Sker - We did.
 * ???4 - Great. I'm Kinquodo'scr. I am the right-hand of the Guidmaster, and run things here in his absence. Now shoo! Leave the premises! We have no time for salespeople or silly surveys. Off you go, please.
 * Niyra - WHAT THE FUCK!? We walk through Rakar-infested ruins, when easily could have flown here! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Almost got KILLED...let me see... SEVERAL BLOODY BUM FUCKING TIMES! And NOW I have to put up with THIS! YOU SHITTY ASS, DICK HEADED, FUCKTARD!
 * Loudrak - UHM...Sir? Those are the Academy cadets who I told you of.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Well, well, well! Those are the cadets!? Of course...Of course, I know. I just pretended to be unaware of the situation.

Niyra made a gagging sound like she was going to throw up.


 * Ahred - *Whispers* Wow. That was one big shift in attitude.
 * Niyra - *Glares* I don't like him.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Al right. I will alert the guildmaster of your presence.

He began to walk away, before realizing team S.O.L. did not follow him, but rather were starting to start a talk with Loudrak.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Anything wrong? This way, this way. Follow me, if you please.

And so, they left for the second level.


 * Kinquodo'scr - In case you don't notice, this is the second and lowest level of the guild. No stair-vines downwards, you see? Hee-Hee!
 * Ahred - He had a weird laugh.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Pardon?
 * Ahred - Uhm...Nothing.
 * Kinquodo'scr - I thought so. This floor is were the apprentices mainly work. The upper floor is were other exploration teams gather. Now, our apprentices are also up above greeting one of them that just returned. Loudrak.
 * Wereney - Hold on a second? Loudrak's just an apprentice!?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Exactly. He never finished his training.

The Raptoranean guided them to the left side of the stairs, were a wooden door was build into the wall. Next to it was a huge window, and likewise there was an as big one on the other side.


 * G-Sker - Two floors undersground...Still sunlight. Am able to see outside. Wow.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Oh, please! Hush now! This guild in build inside a table hill. It's only natural that you would be able to see outside. Now, the more pressing matters. Here we stand at Guimaster Dou'Wi's chamber. On no account...I repeat...On no account should you be ungenteel to...it.

Kinquodo'scr took a few steps forwards, knocking on the heavy wooden door.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Guildmaster! It's me, Kinquod. I'm coming in.

And so they entered. The Guildmasters' room was fairly large and confortable, with pots containing tropical plants and personal banners hanging from the walls. Natural flower bushes filled the edges of the ground, and a treasure chest as well as a fire could be found in the corners. At both sides of the Guildmasters's carpet were two urns, releasing a pleasant, soothing aroma. The Guildmaster, a quite-aged Asgord of all species, was standing in the middle of his carpet, his face turened away from the visitors.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Ah, Guildmaster. I present you the cadets from the Koatria Academy send over to us.

There was no response.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Guildmaster? Uhm...Guildmaster?

Then, suddely, he turned around, startling both Kinquodo'scr and much of team S.O.L, safe for Niyra and Asper. While he at first had looked aged, it now came to them he was in fact quite young, kept healthy by his sheer enthusiasm.


 * Dou'Wi - Hiya! I'm Dou'Wi! The Great Wise Being in here! I'm also the Guildmaster! So you are my new friends? Yay!
 * Niyra - I suppose...
 * Dou'Wi - Friendly friends♪ Welcome at the Guild! What is your team name?
 * G-Sker - S.O.L.
 * Nyra - It's Shit Outta Luck.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Coarse language. Bah.
 * Dou'Wi - S.O.L? All right! I'll register you under that name, then. Registering♪ Registering♪ Yooom...

At this moment, Dou'Wi's body began to shine in energy.


 * Dou'Wi - ...TAH!

At bright flash emitted from the Guildmasters body, temporally blinding Team S.O.L.


 * Dou'Wi - All settled! Welcome to the Guild, friendly friends♪ Now, Kinquod. Room♪
 * Kinquodo'scr - As you wish, Guildmaster. Team S.O.L, follow me.

Kinquodo'scr took them to a large, earthen hallway. Branching off were numberous round rooms in with the apprentices of the Guild appearentely sleps. Eventually, Kinquodo'scr took team S.O.L. to such a round chamber at the very end of the hallway. It had a single window to the outside. A single fern, a couple of vines and even some stirdy-looking roots grew on the walls. On the ground were various cosy nests and a couple of pillows.


 * Wereney - Yes! We got beds!
 * Gagenell - Looks more like hey heaps to me.
 * Wereney - I'm a bird, brother! Shut up!
 * Kinquodo'scr - Ahem. You will sleep here while you...well...live here. Things will get to stert buzey for you tommorow. I presume you are already aware with Loudrak's method of waking people up?
 * Ahred - Yeah...
 * Kinquodo'scr - Good. Don't stay up late and go to sleep early tonight. That way, you are able to rise early tomorrow and start living up to the rules here.
 * Niyra - Rules? Like "No running in the hallways"?

On that remark, Kinquodo'scr froze, if if something highly unpleasant came back to him.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Oh no! On all account, do just that! I will induct you on our code tomorrow. It is really simple. Hee-heee! ...That's all for today. Good night.

And with that, he left, as the moon started to rise and its light started to shine in. Team S.O.L. got in their nests. They were remarkably comfortable, more so than the bunk beds of the guild.


 * Ahred - Weird guy, ennit?
 * Niyra - He looks like Kincaido'scr. I don't like him.
 * G-Sker - Saw how he reacted when you mentioned catchphrase of Kincaid'scr? Odd.
 * Wereney - He might be our beloved hallway freak's brother of something...
 * Gagenell - Now how about that guildmaster? Now that's what I call a weirdo!
 * Ahred - Weird guy, man. Weeeird guy.
 * G-Sker - Heh. True.
 * Ahred - Y'know, I'm getting my sleep. Loudrak's gotta be up early tomorrow.
 * Wereney - Yeah...

And so, they all fell asleep, one by one.

(Not So) Old Friends
The next morning, the sun was shining trough the window of team S.O.L already, though said team was still vastly asleep. As such, Loudrak stormed in, yelling.


 * Loudrak - Hey! HEY THERE! RISE AND SHINE!
 * Ahred - Ugh...What I predicted...
 * Loudrak - Why are you still ASLEEP! Rise up already! C'Mon! Snap out of it!
 * Niyra - Loudrak! Don't need to be so short-tempered! We're getting up! Just let us.
 * Loudrak - All right! But if you're late for our morning briefing, you'll be SORRY! So MOVE it! The Guildmaster has a big temper, but if you make him LOSE it...*shudders*YHOWEEE! That would be one scary scene! I've got goosegumps just thinking about it!
 * Niyra - Really?
 * Loudrak - YEAH! So anyways...I'm not gonna get in trouble because you cadets get up LATE as always! GET IN GEAR, TEAM S.O.L!

With that, he stormed out.


 * Wereney - What did he say? Oh my poor ears...
 * G-Sker - Something about missing the morning briefing...Oh! We overslept!
 * Ahred - ...As always...
 * G-Sker - Quick. Hurry. Come on!

As so they hastily got their clothes on and rushed towards the assembly hall, meeting up in front of the Guildmasters' door with the other apprentices. Niyra saw team Wapatra at the other side but had no time to talk to them.


 * Loudrak - You are LATE, cadets!
 * Kinquodo'scr - Hush! Lower your voice! *Looking around* Everybody seems to be present. Very well. Let us conduct our dawn address. Giuldmaster! The Exploration Guild is in full attendance!

And so, the doors opened, as Dou'Wi came waggeling out, in pajamas and still looking very sleepy.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Morning, Guildmaster. Please inspire us with your wise words.
 * Dou'Wi - *Snores* Zzz...zzz...zzz...
 * Kinquodo'scr - *Seemingly used to the situation* Thanks you, Guildmaster. We all appreciate your...words of...uhm...wisdom. Ok, apprenctices! Take those words to heart! Finally, let's not forget our morning cheers! All toghether now!
 * Nycola'flr - Yes! Here it comes!
 * All - ONE! DON'T SHIRK WORK! PAY AND TWO RUN AWAY! THREE! SMILES GO FOR MILES!
 * Loudrak - YEEAH! That sets the MOOD!
 * Kinquodo'scr - All right. To work, apprentices! Help people in need out and map more unknown places! We expect you all to do the very best!

At that moment, Plora realized something.


 * Plora - Guys? Where's Niyra?
 * Kinquodo'scr - What!? She isn't present!?
 * A'Gabi - I don't see her anywere.
 * Nycola'flr - Aww, shoot! She just missed the best part of the day!
 * Kinquodo'scr - Unforgivable. I gave her permission to run in the hallways, but that doesn't mean she can run off whenever she wants! Ack, the nerve!

To answer Plora's question, Niyra had decided to ditch the Guild and get some fresh air. Like most Vanara, Niyra got almost ridiculously easily bored and had little patience for a rather long list of certain types of people, two of which she had just been exposed to for far too long and in a far too concentrated dose than she felt she was obliged to deal with. With her music player blasting in her ears, she was still alert enough to avoid being detected by the various Exploration and Resque teams gathering at the upper level of the Exploration Guild to do whatever they did. Niyra's didn't bother questioning it out. In any case, she also felt like she needed some time alone, having had precious little. She personally felt her team could look after themselves for awhile, having quite a lot of faith in them. Niyra left the guild for the crossroad and chose what looked to be a likely spot to sit down and crank her music up to ear bleed volume.


 * Niyra - Quacks, farts, and people with sticks up their asses the lot of them.

Sighing, she closed her eyes, breathing in deeply before scowling in disgust at the warm, tropical air. She was used to the almost lung cancer-giving air of Hammerfall, not perfecly clean air like this. Thus, Niyra decided to entertain herself by seeing how long she could hold her breath. Quite a long time apparently. She soon grew bored of that and decided to entertain herself by throwing random sticks and stones into the brushes. She was about to throw a particularly heavy rock into the underbrush when the roar of twin engines interrupted her. Growling in annoyance, Niyra turned to she a fair sized air transport landing and unloading. Instantly, her facial expression turned from one of annoyance and anger, to one that was about rather bright and cheerful. Stepping from the transport were Dione, Iva, Vonnes, Makoro, Halha, Kogro, Hewpu, and Nukoru. She turned around and casually tossed the rock she held behind her, into the hole where atop of the Guild. Ignoring the loud "Hey!" that sounded from within, Niyra ran over to her friends.


 * Niyra - Hey ya, guys! How's it goin?
 * Halha - Niyra! How's it goin with you?
 * Niyra - Ugh, you would not believe the brain baked losers they keep in that hole over there.
 * Iva - Your Team?
 * Niyra - *Affectionately so* No, no they're just completely hopeless with out me!
 * Hewpu - Girl, you really need to cut them some slack!
 * Niyra - *In an exaggeratedly haughty voice* If I do that the will only get lazy.

Looking around Niyra did notice something was amiss.


 * Niyra - Hey! Where are Jallas, Timaal, and Blaize?
 * Dionne - Blaize is over at Volcanis, Timaal is over on Matrukoris, he's trying to get someone to take him as an apprentice, but no one will take him.
 * Niyra - What! That's horrible! Why not?
 * Vonnes - It because their suspicious of his essence ability. That not to mind the fact that their king controls void essence, Ada's power...
 * Kogro - Well on that happy note, Jallas is being trained by...Aelik was it...that Volver swordmaster guy. However, he seems pretty determined to get back here and gouge that hallway thumper that's been given you so much trouble, eyes out.
 * Niyra - I'll loan him the spoon.
 * Vonnes - Ditto.

There was silence for awhile, before Halha clapped her hands together.


 * Halha - Well, on that happy note, what's every one else been up to?

And so the friends started catching up, with Nukoru taking an especially keen interest in Niyra's music player, which in his words was an "awesome piece of retro technology".


 * Makoro - Hey Niyra, I've got something here.
 * Kogro - Oh, here he goes again!
 * Makoro - Oh shut it.
 * Niyra - *Waving her hand* What da ya have Makoro?
 * Makoro - This!

Makoro reached into his bag and pulled out a rather large, rather old book. Putting on a rock he flipped over to page that showed a pencil drawing of a what appeared to be a planet made of fragments of burning rock, orbiting a core that shot twin beams of plasma from the planets poles, and all interconnected by a network of lightning bolts.


 * Niyra - Its nice but...What is it?
 * Makoro - What do you mean what is it? A book about all sorts of different planets throughout Mirus and even beyond. Read the words.
 * Niyra - Well...I ah...I ah...
 * Makoro - You ah what?
 * Niyra - I ahhh...
 * Makoro - Spit it out!
 * Niyra - I can't read...

There was quiet the awkward silence after that, until Makoro exploded, that was.


 * Makoro - Niyra! You can't read!?
 * Niyra - Or wright.
 * Makoro - You can't read and white!?
 * Niyra - Neither of my parents know how!
 * Makoro - Well, we are just going to have to fix this! Come on!

With that Makoro grabbed the book and began to push Niyra towards the Guild.


 * Niyra - What...I...Ahh...Huh...
 * Halha - Have fun you two!
 * Niyra - Shut up! Ah, Makoro! I can't...
 * Makoro - Excuses will get you nowhere.

Meanwhile what no one knew was that the Exploration Guild was being watched. A female Vanara was holding up her hands as though they were binoculars, which might have looked really silly until one realized that her arms were cybernetic and the fingers could project lenses from them. Hearing someone approaching from behind, she turned to she another female Vanara.


 * ??? - Black Rose Queen, I've completed the scouting mission.

The Vanara with the cybernetic arms stood up and spoke to her subordinate.


 * Black Rose Queen - Thank you, Black Rose Seer.
 * Black Rose Seer - Shall we make our move?
 * Black Rose Queen - Nah, no need to go prancin in right now, let us...surprise them. Before they surpise us.
 * Black Rose Seer - Very good, Admiral.

The Black Rose Queen nodded before turning back toward the Guild Base's general direction.


 * Black Rose Queen - Don't worry, Black Rose Nightmare. We're coming.

Learning to read was an interesting experience to say the least. If not one showing much progress, the problem was is that it is by no means easy to teach someone something most people never really had to think about that much. So Makoro had decided to keep things basic and taught her the basic alphabet. The way it was explained to Niyra was that these various symbols, called letters, made specific sounds pertaining to each specific letter. After that, it was looking at groups of letters formed together into words and putting the sounds each letter made together to form the words on the page. By the end of the day, Niyra was able to formulate at least three broken sentences. It wasn't much, Makoro supposed, but it was something, especially considering Makoro was the son of a translator while Niyra grew up on the streets.


 * Makoro - Well, I suppose that should be good for today.
 * Niyra - Ugh, it's pathetic, ain't it?
 * Makoro - Not where I would have wanted to be, but I suppose my expectations were a little high.
 * Niyra - *signs* I can kill titans, slug my way through Rakar-infested ruins, and give an entire Guild the slip, but I can't conquer a few measly words. I feel pathetic.
 * Makoro - Hey, aren't supposed to be the self depreciating one, while you're being all miss confident and I'm such a badass?
 * Niyra - *Punches him the shoulder* Watch it buddy, I'm not sure I'm all down with the lip you've gone and developed.
 * Makoro - *Laughs* That's more like the Niyra I know!

Niyra smiled slightly and laughed along as well.


 * Niyra - Well since we're here, why don't you show me whats in this book of yours?
 * Makoro - Alright.

And so Makoro read from the contance of the book and as he read Niyra felt as though pictures were being painted in her head. She could just barley see it. The mysterious planets that orbited the burning stars, the swirling, multi-colored nebula, the black holes that devoured everything foolish enough to get too close, the vast expanses of space, thousands of wonderous and fantastical things, all out there, just waiting for her to reach out pull away the veil and experience it all. She had heard of how beautiful the universe could be, but she hadn't really believed it until...until she had been given a taste of it. It was just a taste, but it was all she needed.


 * Niyra - Makoro.
 * Makoro - Yes, Niyra?
 * Niyra - I want to see what you've described here. I want to see as much as I can. I want...

At that moment, the door banged open and a very irrated Kinquodo'scr barged in.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Niyra Drago Yeager, are you here!?

Niyra looked back over her shoulder nonchalantly and thought with amusement that if this had been a cartoon, he would have steam shooting out from his ears.


 * Niyra - No, I'm not here. I'm sooo not sitting right in front of you!
 * Kinquodo'scr - Cut the attitude! You wandered off for a whole day while we were helping people in need out!
 * Niyra - And do I look like I give a fuck? No, I don't.
 * Kinquodo'scr - You should! Great attitude for a Koatria Cadet! I swear, Hydarax will be made aware of this!
 * Niyra - And last I checked, you're not my commanding officer. Get me someones whose authority I recognize.
 * Kinquodo'scr - I am the head of intelligence here! And you're not a member of the military!
 * Niyra - Yes I am. I'm an Honorary Psychokinetic and member of the Black Rose Vector! I'm the Black Rose Nightmare!

At this point, Makoro decided things had gone to far and decided to step in.


 * Makoro - Look, Niyra was away for so long because I was teaching her to read.
 * Kinquodo'scr - You where what?
 * Makoro - I was...
 * Kinquodo'scr - *His anger suddenly gone* I heard you the first time. It just surprises me.

At this, Kinquodo'scr groaned and stared rubbing his forehead. While he was more than in his right to be angry at Niyra's behavior, he really couldn't punish her for learning what was a rather important skill.


 * Kinquodo'scr - I understand. But miss Yaeger, please care of your extracurricular lessons when we don't have something going on. I will inform you when that it. As for mister Makoro, I wish you good luck in your enveadors.

As he left the room, Makoro turned toward Niyra.


 * Makoro - You know, I think you went a little too far.
 * Niyra - I don't care! Ever since the tournament was over and I blow that arena up, all I've had is people telling what to do and shaking their fingers, calling me a bad girl whenever I don't do exactly as they say. I never had to put up with this when I lived in a fucking trash heap! But now that I'm in a "CIVILIZED SOCIETY" I get all this BULLSHIT!
 * Makoro - Still, he just trying to do his job.

Niyra grumbled, rolled her eyes, and signed.


 * Niyra - I suppose, I'll give this guild SOME slack, but if they push it too far...
 * Makoro - You heard him, they've been busy the whole day. Things aren't aways as they look.
 * Niyra - And why should I believe him?
 * Makoro - "Don't shirk work", remeber? They aren't exactly sitting around and doing nothing.

The two friends were silent for a bit before the call sounded for bed.


 * Makoro - Well, I suppose I better get over to where my friends are bunking down.
 * Niyra - Yeah, see ya tomorrow and all.
 * Makoro - Oh, Niyra!
 * Niyra - Hmmm?

Makoro picked up the book and handed it to her.


 * Makoro - Here, take it. I know you won't be able to read that much, but it can't hurt to practice and the pictures are pretty cool.
 * Niyra - Ah, thank you.
 * Makoro - Hey, it's no big deal.
 * Niyra - Still...
 * Makoro - Heh, well have a good night sleep.
 * Niyra - Yeah, you too.

And with that the two friends parted ways, running back over to where her team was staying Niyra found that only Wereney was awake.


 * Wereney - Out with Makoro all day?
 * Niyra - He was teaching me how to read.
 * Wereney - Oh, that's nice! I'm assuming he gave you that book as well?
 * Niyra - Don't even go there.
 * Wereney - I wasn't. I was just going to say he's a good friend that's all.
 * Niyra - Right. Sorry for snapping.
 * Wereney - No prob, you've got a lot on your mind.
 * Niyra - Thanks for understanding.
 * Wereney - It's what I'm here for.

Niyra tossed and turned in her bed, but couldn't get to sleep. She wasn't used to this level of comfort, normally she slept on a mat that lay on hard concrete floor. This world of nature and natural beauty was not the world she knew. The world she knew was one ruin and wreckage, nothing this pristine. Growling, she got up out of her bed and lay on the floor. The dirt floor was still marginally more comfortable than a mat over some concrete. Sighing at the familiarity, Niyra put on her ear buds, closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.

A Tour Trough Town
After Loudrak did wake Team S.O.L. up with his typical "UP AND AT THEM! IT'S MORNING!" did come the dawn sermon again. This time Niyra didn't bother to sneak off, partially because she was curious if the "Don't shirk work!" was indeed part of it. It was. In fact, it was the first of all rules. Just as she pondered what Makoro had said about the Guid not being composed of slack-offs, the moring sermon was finished.


 * Kinquodo'scr - All right. To work, apprentices!
 * All - HOORAY!

And with that, the Guild apprentices and Teams Wapatra, Tyris and Indrika went of to work. Just as Team S.O.L. was about to leave to, Kinquod called for them.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Pardon me. You shouldn't be wandering around lost here. Now, come, come!

With that, he took them upstrairs, to the right, and the metal/wooden board. On it hung various papernotes, each having specific tasks written on them of people requesting various things.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Since you complained so loudly yesterday about doing nothing all day, the Guildmasters supposed it wouldn't be wrong in letting you lot help run things here. This is the Job Bulletin Board. People from all around put job requests here. As a reward, you get cash. You may also get extra exploration items, essence upgrades and herbs, berries and seeds with various effects and purposes.
 * Gagenell - Sounds not too bad.
 * Ahred - I guess...
 * Kinquodo'scr - Indeed. We'll have start of with this assignment.
 * Ahred - What is it?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Let's see...There's a Lavatuft that lost an fire orb, wich rolled down to the Drenched Coast. Due to how wet it is there, he can't retrieve it himself. I ought you to watch out, though, seeing how quickly things can cet flooded there.
 * Niyra - Wait a second? We have to fetch an item that someone dropped? That's freaking it!?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Oh, hush! We can't give the most important missions to a team who has just popped up!
 * Fenric - Piss.
 * Niyra - All right, let's go and get over with this crap!
 * Kinquodo'scr - Wait a second! You can't run off into unknown places unprepared like that! Didn't Loudrak tell you?
 * Gaganell - Eh? Nope.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Typical. I'll get someone to give you a tour of the facilities.

With this, Kinquodo'scr turned towards the entrance to the lower level, and shouted in.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Pumlom! Your assistance is needed here.

A sound of running and gaspig could be heard, before a short, plumb Togunda sticked his head out of the hole.


 * Pumlom - *Panting* In a hurry, sir. You called?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Yes I did. These are the guest that arrives two days ago. I want you to givethem a tour around town and show them were they can get all the important items.
 * Pumlom - Yup yup. By golly, I'll do just that.

later

Search and Deliver
After Pumlom had been so suddenly left to resque that Walagorian in need, Team S.O.L arrived at the Drenched Coast. The ground was made of wet sand made from grinded shells To either side of the entrance were rows of round, wet stones. These were comptetely covered in in slippery seaweed, green slime and rows of brine-drenched algae. The whole place reeked like an overdose of salt.

The team sees the client standing at the entrance. He was a young, Common-Class Lavatuft. Niyra approached the man, who was thrilled to see them.


 * Lavatuft - Ah! Hey there! Are you with the Guild?
 * Niyra - Yeah, that's right. I hear you've lost some type of orb?
 * Lavatuft - Yes, you see it's been passed through my family for generations. I must have it back.
 * Niyra - What? Them how the hell did you manage to loose it!?
 * Lavatuft - I don't know! I believe it might have been stolen from me. This was the last place I remember seeing it.
 * Niyra - Hmm...well I suppose we can get it back for you.

And so they went in, following the paths between the rwos of seaweed. Ocassionally, pools of seawater formed at the edges, sometimes growing very big. On one such occasion, Niyra heard splashing, and looked around the edge. Appoaching, as if seaching for something, were a male Waternan and a female Raptoranean. Both wore simmilar clothing, including dark blue rain boots, tattered jeans, a tattered black scarf around their wrists, thick black gloves, a dark blue-and-white striped skintight shirt, and a dark blue bandana. In the middle of this bandana was a symbol of some sorts, looking like an stylized "A" made out of water.


 * Werenay - Hey! Who are you people?
 * Female Aquawave Grunt - We are the rough-looking, sea-loving Team Aquawave!
 * Male Aquawave Grunt - Yeah! Kiddos, any of you seen an orb around here? We need it, ye see.
 * Niyra - Orb? No, but you won't get it!
 * Wereney - Never mind those weird outfits with those stripes.
 * Male Aquawave Grunt - A-Ur...Do we really look so weird?
 * Female Aquawave Grunt - You nitwit! Of course not. And I don't know about you, but I totally shine in this uniform. Have you seem my midriff?
 * Niyra - Enough nickpicking! You want that orb, we want that orb! There's only one solution to this problem!
 * Male Aquawave Grunt - W-Wait? You wanna fight!?
 * Niyra - I need to release this stress, y'know? Let's batte it out!
 * Male Aquawave Grunt - Aye aye! Mano a mano!
 * Female Aquawave Grunt - Don't say you didn't ask for it!

As such, the two stepped next to each other, stretching one arm out stiffly vertically downwards, while pointing out the other elbow outwards horizontally, as a gang sign of some sort. The male and the female did exactly the same thing, but mirrored. Together, they formed an A. Then, the two satrted to collect water from the nearly pools around their hands, ready to blast it at Niyra and co.

Niyra nodded to Fenric who leaped forward and, with the end of his staff, frozen the water the Aquawaves send to them, before shattering it, pelting them with a bunch of icy flechettes and directing them back. The Aquawaves gave a cry and backed away, but Ahred slammed his fists into the ground sending a wave of mud at them. Fenric jumped out of the way of the mud stream and blasted it with a wave of heat, causing it harden when it struck, restricting the Aquawaves movements. Wereney took to the sky, leveling her sniper rifle at them. A ordinary sniper rifle would have been deadly enough, but Wereney's was loaded with special Blue Tears Rounds. Pulling the trigger, the rifle fired a bright blue laser beam that could have cut one the Aquawaves in haft if he hand't gotten outta the way in time leaving a smocking hole in the ground. Werenerey fired off several more Blue Tears Rounds before switching to her assault rifles and giving them bullet hell. The Aquawaves gathered together and channeling their powers, unleashed a larger-than-usual blast of water that sent the cadets back. Niyra charged in at the female, pulling out Arondight, her personal Ōdachi and struck, forcing the Aquawave to back away. Asper took to the air, orbiting the Aquawaves. Niyra disarmed the Aquawave and swung her foot around deploying her foot blade cutting the female Aquawaves face. Asper then fired with his particle gun before drawing his Singing Sword, an eerie, haunting sound filled the air as Asper jetted it and unleashed a sonic blasted in each of their ears. Screaming, the Aquawaves covered their ears as Niyra whipped out her Flechette Darts and threw them into each Aquawave's arm before dashing in to pull them out, the Aquawaves going limp. Both Niyra and Asper backed away as Gagenel and G-Sker charged forward. Gagenel struck wit his fist at the male Aquawave, while G-Sker struck the female with the flat of his blade, sending them sprawling, and grunting in pain..


 * Male Aquawave Grunt - Perhaps mano a mano wasn't such a good idea...You bunch crazy? Was that an attempt to kill us!? We'd never fall so low.
 * Female Aquawave Grunt - Admin Masttal would've defeated you! No sweat! But y'know what, we don't actually wanna use that orb! As long as you keep it away from them, it's fine too!
 * Male Aquawave Grunt - Ehh...So we pull back now?
 * Female Aquawave Grunt - We pull back.

As such, the two left, allowing team S.O.L. to continue forwards. They soon noticed they were getting further away from the sea, as it was getting drier. The wet sand made place for gravel, the seaweed had dissapeared and the thick layer of algae was mixed with an complete overgroth of wet mosses. Soon, Niyra could hear people talking. Around yet another corner, guarding the path, were a male Raptoranean and a female Lavatuft, both uniformed. However, theirs were vastly different. Their suits were fiery red and almost stylish, as well as featuring classy orange cloves, a pocket for collecting rare minerals and a lightly pointed hood. In the middle of it was a charcoal black circle and at the sides were two, simmilarly-colored black horns. On their wraist belts was their symbol, an volcano-like M.


 * Male Magmaflare Grunt - Ridiculous! No one warned me about this! To think those pesky Aquawaves would show up and try to prevent us from getting that orb? Don't they know it's the key to the people's advancement? What should we do now....Oooh...Wibble...
 * Female Magmaflare Grunt - So acting that stupid! You're got nothing to fear! We've got Commissar Xerabit with us, and besides, there won't be another Team showing up, will there?
 * Gageness - Ahem.
 * Female Magmaflare Grunt - Well, well. Do my eyes deceive me? Some noise Koatria Cadets have come poking around? Listen up: We, the fashionable Team Magmaflare, are going to claim that fire orb ourselves! We need it to make everyone happy!
 * Niyra - No bet! We are taking it!
 * Male Magmaflare Grunt - Hey! You know not to play with fire, right?
 * Fenric - *Arrogantly* I control fire.
 * Male Magmaflare Grunt - Fine! You'll get your hands burned, then!

The two made the same gang sign as the Aquawaves, but mirrored, forming an M. Then, fiery magma started to wird around their hands, ready to fire.

This time, it was Asper who struck first. Jetting forward at super sonic speed, he generated a sonic blast that sent them reeling before sticking his Singing Sword close to their ears unleashing a painful screech. Whirling around, the Magmaflares blasted him back, badly scorching his wings. Readying themselves to blast him again, Gagenel threw up an iron wall which took the magma blast for his friend. G-Sker then pulled the wall towards the Magmaflares who melted through, it spraying molten metal everywhere. Joining his powers with Gagenel, Fenric drew the molten metal together and then fired it out as a red hot beam of slag that struck the Raptoranean burning his skin with a substance he could not remove. However the suit was fireproof, and the Magmaflare chucked, using the energy to unleash a wave of fire that set the surroundings aflame. Wereney opened up with her assault rifles, pelting the Magmaflares with bullets. Ahred unleashed another wave a mud blasting, the female Lavatuft back, landing her on her ass. The male roared in anger, charging at Ahred with his fist cloaked in fire. Just he was about to strike him, Asper appeared before him gabbing him and sending him flying. Niyra charged in and jammed a Flechette Dart into his arm, firing a pulse of radiation into him, blacking his skin and making his hair stand on him, before Niyra slammed him with the flat of Arondight, sending him reeling next to the female.


 * Female Magmaflare Grunt - All right! You might have beaten us, but we go out in style!
 * Male Magmaflare Grunt - Dang that's true! C'mon, pass then! It doesn't matter! Our Commissar will get you!

And so, without any other trouble, Team S.O.L. quickly reached the end of the dungeon. At the very end was a natural fountain, water flowing down the smooth, staired wet rocks to form two pools at the sides. In the middle, on dry land, lied a fiery orb. There were two people standing next to it, however, glaring at each other with intense fury.

One was a Volver, his body covered in a dark blue swimsuit that had been ripped apart at his chest and arms to show off his overly musculed frame, though he still wore the swimsuit's gloves, hardened with an crystalline layer of what seemed to be bright blue ice for hightened punching effectiveness. He had a golden chain around his neck as well as around his wrist, blue tribal paint on his face, and an aquawave symbol tatood on his chest. He was Masttal, one of the four Adminministrators of Team Aquawave, or Admin in sort.

The other was a Karogon whose body statute ranged between musculed, thugh not as overly as Masttal, and downright thubby. Due to the robust frame of the Karogon species, it was difficult to tell. His head plates, however, were thick and a bright red in color, and so were his eyes, while hos skin was remarkably pale, almost ablaster in color. He wore a fiery red and charcoal black jacket. Underneath, he wore a charcoal black suit, with vertical lines glowing orange, looking like lava seeping up. His thin gloves were black, and partially covered in golden gauntlets. Like his underlibgs, he wore a somewhat pointed, fiery red hood, with two black devils horns on top and the magmaflare symbol in the middle. It was Xerabit, one of the People's Commissars, or simply Commissars, of Team Magmaflare.


 * Xerabit - You! Oversized brute! Back down. We are the ones that will claim that orb!
 * Masttal - Hoohoo! You got a screw loose or something!? You don't know I can't let ye!?
 * Xerabit - I said Back. Down!

With this, the Karogon swung his head towards the muscular Volver with extreme force. He didn't even step back, appearently feeling nothing.


 * Masttal - Hoohoo? Was that supposed to hurt!? Whoohoohoo! That's funny, ye git! I love funny, interesting dudes! C'mon, bro! Let's smash it ou! I'm gonna love ye to bits!
 * Xerabit - *Turns away* I don't understand this brute at all. *Turns back* Hmpf. You asked for it. I give you a taste of my power, then!
 * Masttal - Oho! Good idea, bro! Come at me!

Just at this moment, Team S.O.L. made it to the end of the dungeon, immediately stumbling upon the odd duo, who turned towards them.


 * Xerabit - Huh? Who's this?
 * Masttal - Hoh!? More!?
 * Niyra - Yes, more. I'm not here to talk. Give me that damn orb already!
 * Xerabit - You can take it! It appears this isn't the orb we're looking for.

As such, the Karogon threw the fire orb towards Team S.O.L, as Fenric caught it neatly.


 * Niyra - You thieves have put me and my friends through hell just get a stinking orb we don't want and I'm sorry but no one gets away with that UNTIL I SKIN THEM ALIVE!!!
 * Masttal - Oho!? Thieves!? Pretty sure that ain't right, puny Vanara!
 * Niyra - Hawahsassisiaya! Puny, we'll see who's puny when one of you is my rug and the other my foot stool. Or maybe my toilet bowl I haven't decided yet.
 * Masttal - Hoohoo! You lot are funny too! You all are my bros from now on!
 * Ahred - ...Ehh...
 * Xerabit - I seems the Vanara is perisent in fighting...Making this no time to pick fights with oversized brutes. Volver, I suggest a temporary truce. Let's use it well to rough up these imprudent children.
 * Masttal - Good idea, bro! That's a true Karogon, not afraid of a good brawl! You and me are gonna have a real good time later! A no-holds barrage! Karogon style! Hoohoohaahoohaa!
 * Xerabit - *Shaking his head* This one is proving to he quite a handfull. Fine. Time to unleash the true Karogon inside me. Get ready!

Niyra made a series of hand signals and her team nodded spiting up. Niyra, Asper, Wereney and Ahred going towards Xerabit, while Gagenell, G-Sker, and Fenric went for Masttal. Wereney unleashed a hail of bullets as Niyra charged in from the side engaging Xerabit with her AIC Beam Sabers, while Asper flew around them firing his particle Blaster. Furious, Xerabit slammed into the ground, causing red-hot magma and sharp pieces of rock to spout up from the ground with extreme force, hitting Asper. As a rift of magma opened on the ground, Ahred channeled his powers, sending forth a stream of mud to fill it up again. Meanwhile, G-Sker and Gagenel summoned magnetized metal spikes through the floor, forcing Masttal to keep moving while Fenric fired at him. However, the Volver would not go down so easily, laughing as he pressed on, smashing the ground to pieces with his fists. Channeling his power, he summoned forth various steaming geysers that swept all but Gagenel off their feet. Charging at Gagenel with his antlers, the Iron Aranthrone grabbed them with his bare fists and began to grapple the Volver. Ahred was losing his fight to fill the rift, when a bright blue beam sliced into Xerabit's side, allowing him to fill it up completely. Asper then flew in from above, slamming Xerabit against the ground. Niyra stabbed him in the armpit and the knees with Arondight and one of her foot blades before staring into his eyes. Her evil eye flashed and Xerabit got a far away look in his eye, before collapsing.


 * Niyra - Gagenell, disengage!

Gagenel did so as Niyra charged in between the two her staring into Masttal's single eye with her own evil eye which flashed and the thing that happened to Xerabit happened to Masttal.
 * Xerabit - Ugh...What was that?
 * Niyra - Fools! I can generate EMP's that disrupt electronics. Your nervous systems are coursing with electricity, so I just fired a special tuned EMP that disrupted that electricity.
 * Xerabit - Hmmm...Smart. Very smart indeed.
 * Masttal - Oh ho! That's good! But it's not good enough!
 * Xerabit - Huh?

Xerabit looked to Masttal, who clenched his fists together, as more and more water started to gulp out of the fountain behind them with greater and greater forece, until the area started flooding. He then raised his arms, turing the wtaer inro a titanic tidal wave behidn him.


 * Masttal - Hoo! Haaah! I'm boiling up! HOOOOOOH! HAAAAAAH! I'm. Totally. Pumped! YOU. TAKE. THIS! GRAAAH!
 * Xerabit - *Screams* Ahyahyahya!

The Karogan sprinted out, forcibly ramming trough Team S.O.L, as Mastall did send the wave forwards, immediately them in it in an inescapable torrent of wayer. Niyyra gulped, trying to get air, but finding none. As such, the passed out. The last thing she remembered was a claw grabbing her and dragging her to the surface.

Asper opened his eyes and shook his head, why wasn't he dead? Shouldn't he have died? If he did was there such thing as an afterlife? If there was such a thing, was it good? Was it bad? Would there be a big bearded guy dressed in robes in the sky that would send him to a good or bad afterlife? Or maybe... he needed to get back to reality as his sister would say. Looking around he saw Ahred, Gagenel, Wereney, G-Sker... no wait where was G-Sker?


 * G-Sker - Mph!

Oh that was right, Asper was sitting on him. Asper got off him before looking around. There was Niyra and wait... why was she lying on the ground throwing up blood, who was that figured dressed in black? He should investigate.

Ahred and the others walked over while over to where Niyra heaved on the ground blood pooling out of her eyes and ears while she threw said substance out of her mouth. Her body shock and convulsed as she thrashed on the ground.


 * Wereney - Whats happening to her?
 * ??? - She is suffering from water poisoning.
 * G-Sker - Because of ammonia biochem.
 * ??? Exactly.
 * Ahred - But wait just sec, who are you? Just what are you doing here?
 * Fenric - Shut up!
 * Ahred - What their legitament questions?
 * Fenric - That's the Black Rose Queen, Niyra's Admiral!

Ahred stopped and stared finally noticing the insignia on the the black, red, and purple fold out armor. it was a black rose with a crown imposed over it.


 * Ahred - Ahh, my apologizes.
 * Black Rose Queen - No need.
 * Gagenel - Can you save her?
 * Black Rose Queen - Yes, but I need you to hold still and keep quiet.

The team compiled as The Black Rose Queen pulled out two syringes and infected Niyra with both of them, if anything her reaction became even more violent, but instead of coughing up blood water came up instead. Eventually Niyra calmed down till she just lay there shivering.


 * G-Sker - What was that?
 * Black Rose Queen - Nano medicine, one group of nano bots stopped the internal bleeding, the other expelled the water from her system. Now...

The black Rose Queen clicked a button on her helmet which collapsed into her Fold Out Armor revealing the face of, Black Rose Queen, Admiral of the Vanara Vector the Black Roses.


 * Nara - What was the Black Rose Nightmare doing in a place, hmmm?

The cadets quickly explained what had happened and Nara's face grew dark.


 * Nara - Let me see that orb.

Fenric handed the orb over to Nara who took it a tossed it up in the air gently before catching it.


 * Nara - So my charge almost died because of some stupid orb.

She tossed it back to Fenric.


 * Nara - Make sure you give this too that Lavatuft instead of me, I probably could not with resist the urge to give him a Psychokinetic double whammy.

Everyone including G-Sker flinched knowing that a psychokinetic double whammy pretty much translated to "splattering them over area of significant width and length.


 * Wereney - Well good thing you came to save us.
 * Nara - That wasn't me.
 * Wereney - Oh, who was it?
 * Nara - Funny story that one...Some Raptoranean diver did it. Skin-tight blue swimsuit with two white spots at the side, ,retractable flippers within his boots, a cape of sailcloth, a blue collar around his nech and some sort of mini-anchor hanging from a golden chain around it. And after he rescued the Black Rose Nightmare here, he just left! Crazy! Then I looked around and saw another Raptpranean watching. That one had fiery hair and a stylish black, overcoat-like suit. After he saw the first Raptoranean leave, he headed for his personal skycar and left as well. I have really no idea what that was about, but I'm gonna get to the bottom of it, I promise you!

After having Fenric return the fire orb to the Lavatuft (with a heavy amount of sarcasm thrown in, even for the normally snarky Boyk), Nara and Team S.O.L. were returning to the guild when a bright flash of pink jetted out from nowhere and tackled Asper to the ground.


 * ??? - Hey MY Asper! Knew I'd find you here if I waited long enough! And here you are!

Everyone looked to see a pink scaled, Kaiser stage Queen Vanara had tackled Asper to the ground and was hugging the air out of him. Asper didn't seam to mind thogh, in fact he seemed to be enjoying it. The Vanara opened up her eyes and they saw that they had no white, or puiple, just blood red iris. Nara smiled bemusedly.


 * Nara - I know it has been long time Mayra, but should really let your boy friend there breath, and get up.
 * Mayra - Oh! Alright, fine!

Mayra let Asper get up before giving him an absolutely massive smooch on the the mouth, the rest of Team S.O.L.'s jaws went slack and Nara chuckled as a massive blush spread across Asper's face. Nara motioned for the cadets to move on and Mayra jumped onto Asper's back hitching a ride. As they approached the Guild base, they noticed Aspuyra standing at the entrance. Seeing Mayra on Asper's back ,she immediately got up and walked over to the two.


 * Aspuyra - What's going on here!?
 * Mayra - Gettin a ride form my little Asper!
 * Aspuyra - *sputters* Your little Asper!?

Mayra leaned down, her eyes narrowing.


 * Mayra - Yeah, ya got a problem with that.
 * Aspuyra - Nope. None whatsoever.

Mayra leaned back up ans smile spread across her face once more.


 * Mayra - Good!
 * Nara - Come on...Children.

Trudging onwards, they eventually came to the Guild entrance and began their decent. Eventually coming to where Kinquodo'scr and Dou'Wi where in the middle of a chatter, with Kinquodo'scr doing most, if not all, of the serious talking, when he saw Nara and team S.O.L. approaching.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Ah. I can see from the look on your faces the mission was a succes.
 * Dou'Wi - Yay! New friends♪
 * Nara - Enough! You and your Guild have something to answer for!
 * Kinquodo'scr - And just who do you think you are coming in here and making demands of us!
 * Nara - I'm the Admiral of Niyra's Vector the Black Roses and your dumb mission nearly cost her life!
 * Kinquodo'scr - And you think a military rank means anything here! Oh, hush now! They were doing an admirable thing of helping out someone in need!
 * Nara - Getting something that he could easily live without! "Retrieve my fire orb"...I ask you, is that any job for Black Ops in training!?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Well, miss, they stopped two previously unknown clearly villaneous teams all on their own. Now that is certainly what I call a mission for a Black Ops in training!

The two continued their argument, drawing Makoro, Halha, and Kogro down to check out what was going on.


 * Halha - What's going on?
 * Makoro - They're having an argument as to the validity of Niyra's mission.
 * Halha - I don't get what is Nara's problem, though.
 * Makoro - Vanara are many things, good and bad, truthful and idealistic, but charitable is not one of them. You don't pull your wait, you're no good.

Kogro made a "hmmm" sound, he was familiar with that philosophy after all. Those who couldn't help themselves out on Truxn quickly got eaten. Kinquodo'scr was shouting again, drawing their attention back to the argument.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Well, she looks perfectly fine now. See? Her eyes are open.

He walked over and pointed at Niyra when she suddenly grabbed his hand and sent a pulse of radiation into him sending him flying backwards. Niyra stood up and G-Sker caught his breath, Niyras pupils had taken on the shape of glowing with clock hands and were spinning erratically and seemed unable to focus. He knew what that meant, and it was not good. Nara ran over to Niyra to try and stop her, but Niyra simply blasted her aside. Turning to Kinquod'scr, she screamed.


 * Niyra - I WON'T LET YOU KILL ME KINCAIDO'SCR!!!

Kinquodo'scr seemed shaken for a moment, before composing himself and started walking toward her.


 * Kinquodo'scr - I'm not him and I'm not trying to kill you, no one is.
 * Niyra - YOU LIE!!!

Niyra raised her hand and blasted him with a beam of purple radiation that sent him flying into the wall and continued to grinned him into it. At this point, Dou'Wi snapped and began to cry.

As essence started to build up in his body, the whole area started to shook, as Kinquodo'scr backed down in absolute fear.

What?

Fear?


 * Dou'Wi - Y-Y-Y-YOOOOOOOMMMM...
 * Kinquodo'scr - W-What have you...

The build up continued as the whole hill started to shake and parts of it exploded in pure energy.


 * Dou'Wi - ...YOOOOOOOMMMM...
 * Kinquodo'scr - Everyone, get out here! Now!
 * Dou'wi - ...TAAAAAAHHH!

Suddenly, Dou'Wi released his inner energy in a massive blast, sending Niyra flying right through the Guild wall with his essence, as Kinquodo'scr ran away screaming. Niyra lay there before beginning to struggle up, still screaming at the top of her lungs.


 * Niyra - GOT A LITTLE HELPER NOW KINCAIDO'SCR, WELL HE'LL JUST HAVE TO GO AS WELL!

Niyra snarled as she charged in, slamming hher fist in his face before kneeing him in the stomach, and generating a nuclear blast that sent him staggering back, while he still was crying. Straitening, she continued to scream.


 * Niyra - YOU KILLED EVERYONE I CARE ABOUT AND NOW I'M GOING TO DESTROY EVERYTHING!!!

Bolts of green, indigo, and purple energy flew off her at random generating nuclear blasts where they struck, as Dou'Wi started to sob louder and louder, also blowing up random parts of the guild as he did.


 * Kogro - What in the world has gotten into her!?
 * G-Sker - She is under the influence of a Daydream.
 * Halha - Some daydream!

G-Sker shook his head. He knew about this, he had read up on EVERYTHING when when he joined the Academy, just to fit in. It turned out he could fit in fine without.


 * G-Sker - Daydream Syndrome: Something only a very few Koatria suffer from. Basically, when pushed to an emotional edge, unability to be to tell the difference between reality and fantasy appears.

Makoro glanced over and hissed in frustration, this scared him perhaps more so than when he found out about Niyra's inborn sadism, but unlike last time he couldn't let that fear dictate his actions. To be afraid was perfectly fine, but to act out of that fear was the worst thing he could do, his friend was in need and he was going to help her if it was the last thing he did.


 * Makoro - Niyra! Stop this!

Niyra looked in his direction and seemed to focus on him. Makoro got up and started walking towards her his hands held out.


 * Makoro - You don't need to do this, everyone is fine. No one is dead, everything is fine. Its all okay, everyone one is okay.

Niyra seemed to have trouble deciding whether he was real or not, but then her eyes closed and when they opened again her pupils were back to normal. Looking around she stared in shock at what she had done.


 * Niyra - Did I do all this?

Makoro ran forward and grabbed her hand dragging her away, ignoring how it burned him.


 * Niyra - Makoro...
 * Makoro - Come on, we need to catch up on your reading.

His eyes narrowed, he needed to get her out of there and her mind on something else. Niyra looked back and saw the scared, shocked, and few concerned looks on everyone's faces, while Dou'Wi was till sobbing, though the reservoir of energy within had had calmed down. Closing her eyes, hot tears began to flow down Niyra's face. Makoro's cold hand felt really good.

The two sat in an unused room, Makoro trying to get Niyra interested into some book, but she just kept staring off into space. Eventually she spoke up.


 * Niyra - I keep loosing control, and I keep hurting people. I feel really filthy.

Makoro signed and set down the book.


 * Makoro - Look...You just need someone to train you. That's all.
 * Niyra - Yeah, but who would ever want to train me?

Makoro put his hand on her shoulder. Since she had cooled down, it didn't burn him.


 * Makoro - We'll find someone, I promise.

Niyra merely sniffled and turned away. Makoro looking at her, rummaged around in his pack and brought something out.


 * Makoro - Here, I heard you like them.

Niyra turned and saw the circular shape of a donut in his hand. Grabbing it, she stuffed in down and a small smile spread across her face (and a few crumbs).


 * Niyra - How did you know?
 * Makoro - Jallas told me, he saw you stuffing quite a few down when on Maturkoris.

Niyra grinned before she noticed Makoro's burned hand.


 * Niyra - Oh Makoro! You're hurt!
 * Makoro - O-Oh! That...That's nothing...really!
 * Niyra - Nonsense, gimme!

She grabbed his hand and to his great surprise, licked it.


 * Makoro - What the...

The words died in his throat as he noticed his hand healing.


 * Makoro - N-Niyra..? I thought your saliva was filled with radioactive bacteria?
 * Niyra - Only if it comes from the teeth. Ff it comes from the tongue, then it heals.

Makoro shook his head in wonder.


 * Makoro - You certainly are one of the strangest beings I've ever met.

Niyra lunged forward and hugged him, tears streaming down her face.


 * Niyra - Shut up!

Makoro smiled as he looked at his hand. Maybe what everyone said was wrong. Maybe...Maybe they weren't so destructive after all.

Team of Thieves
Niyra opened her eyes and stared around, not recognizing were she was. The landscape was a strange on to say the least, a large field of wheat that stretched for miles without end, pot marked with bubbling pits of tar and other chemical pools, to north a massive volcano spewed lava high into the air and over it hung a massive moon that filled most of the sky. Niyra rubbed her head and let out a sigh.


 * Niyra - I must be dreaming.

Just as she said that a cool clear voice cut through the air from above.


 * ??? - Indeed you are cadet, the question is what are you doing here in my Daydream?

Niyra turned to she a silver feathered Pisakt descending from the sky to land in front of her.


 * Niyra - Who are you?
 * Enegirii - I am Enegirii Three Blades, Daydream Koatria of Ice...And who might you be?
 * Niyra - Uh, Niyra the Black Rose Nightmare, Koatria in training of radiation...
 * Enegirii - Ah, I have heard of you and the trouble you are in.
 * Niyra - Yeah so what?
 * Enegirii - Nothing it is not my concern, however the fact that you are in my Daydream confuses me. Tell me when your emotions take control what happens to reality you perceive.
 * Niyra - It becomes... frayed, I have trouble telling what is real and whats not, I become... unstable...

Enegirii hummed and looked deep into Niyra's eyes muttering to herself.


 * Enegirii - Glowing white, geometrically shaped pupils, indeed

Niyra paused at that and looked into Enegirii's eyes and found that they were glowing white triangles.


 * Niyra - What does that mean?
 * Enegirii - Tt means you are a Daydream Koatria, when you are pushed to an emotional edge you begin to be unable to tell the difference between reality and fantasy, signified by glowing white, geometrically shaped pupils.
 * Niyra - Sounds like a curse.
 * Enegirii - It can be, but if you can master it, it can become a powerful advantage, allowing you to surpass your preconceived limits if trained right.
 * Niyra - But no one will train me.
 * Enegirii - What do you think my job is? When you are finished and HAVE PASSED this test I will show you, me and my partner will train you, until then you must stay in control. And now it is time for you to wake up.

Niyra paused and listened hearing Wereney's voice coming through distorted and distant as the dream faded from her vision. When Niyra was gone Enegirii looked up at the moon above.


 * Enegirii - The question is: how did you enter my Daydream? No one, not even I can do that...

Next morning, Loudrak was yellup and them yet again. this, time, Team S.O.L. did get up remarlably fast.


 * Loudrak - Learning it, HUH?
 * Niyra - No way! Our friends are just coming.

And with that, they rushed out, skipping the dawn sermon once more. Seeing what happened yesterday evening, Kinquodo'scr was too afraid of them now to stop it, Dou'Wi didn't seem to care, and the rest of the Guild had not yet been woken up by Loudrak, so they were all sleeping and unabe to stop them.

A few moments later, A Tadpole-Class Volver Starfighter lands in front. Its name was printed on its wings. The ship was called the Molan. The cockpit opened up, revealing Timaal, who was shutting the ship down. He hopped out and greeted his friends.


 * Dione - Well, well! Look who's gonna be a knight!
 * Timaal - Ah, so you've all heard?
 * Iva - Yes! It is quite amazing that King Brygon wants to train you!
 * Vonnes - It's a big step for you, friend.
 * Timaal - Thank you all. Has Blaize arrived yet?
 * Dione - The big guy should be on his way.

As Dione finished her sentence, a Lavatuft cruiser hovered above the guild. The doors opened, letting out a heat wave. Blaize jumped from the ship, from almost 100 meters in the air, and landed on the ground. His impact and heat left a scorched crater on the ground. He looked around for a bit before walking over to his teammates. The heat coming off of his body as akin to a sauna.


 * Blaize - Hey, gang. Did I miss anything exiting?
 * Dione - Not really. We joined this guild here. We thought it would be fun to help out people in need.
 * Vonnes - No...you and Iva thought it would be fun. I, on the other hand, thought this would be a waste of time.
 * Timaal - Then...why are you here?
 * Vonnes - Well...it was either return to Worldship 17 or this. Plus; I had nothing better to do.
 * Blaize - So how's guild life been?
 * Dione - Well, we've done a few missions with whatever part of Team Indrika is here. The most memorable thing is that we found an unexplored cave behind a waterfall, went trough it, found a huge amount of gemstones, tries to take 'em, trigered a natural defense mechanism and got flooded away, only to end up in a hot spring somewhere. But it seems Niyra and her gang have had the most fun. You should ask her about that.
 * Blaize - Sure thing. Come on, Timaal, lets get caught up.

Timaal nodded in agreement. The two walked into the guild to meet Niyra and the others.


 * Niyra - Blaize! Timaal! It's been a while!
 * Timaal - Ah, Niyra! It is good to see you again!
 * Blaize - Sure is. I heard from Dione that you guys have been on some fun missions.
 * Niyra - I would not exactly call them fun. I almost died from water poisoning.
 * Blaize - How did something like that happen?
 * Niyra - Well we went to retrieve a Flame Orb and got into a brawl with Team Magmaflare and Team Aquawave.


 * Blaize - Team Magmaflare? You mean, those guys are around here? I thought they'd stay on Raptoranea and Volcanis.
 * Niyra - You know of them?
 * Blaize - Yeah. A group of Lavatufts joined up with them some years back, because Team Magmaflare appearently works to live us Lavatufts better living conditions. I dunno what to think about that. They were mostly common-class Lavatufts. It's rare to see any titan-classes like me in there though; They're almost never used as grunts.
 * Niyra - That makes sense. There was a female Lavatuft there too. And a Volver named Masttal was an admin of Aquawave. He used water control and flooded the place. That's how I got water poisoning.
 * Timaal - Masttal? The name rings a bell, though I am not too sure I know him.
 * Niyra - I figured you wouldn't. He didn't even look like the Volver I've seen before. Like, any of them.
 * Timaal - So he was not wearing a helm or mask?
 * Niyra - Nope. He had Volver tribal paint on his face, a big tattoo on his chest and was pretty much shirtless. And he used his fists to fight instead of a sword.
 * Timaal - Ugh...his ancestral clansmen are probably rolling in their graves.

As they spoke, a dropship flew by, dropping down and landing near them, as 2 familiar figures walked. Halha gasped slightly when she saw them.


 * Kogro - I meet a crazy Ugandal on my way back. For some reason, he wanted to see you sorry lugs.
 * Halha - Jallas!

She ran up and tackled him in a hug, which, in her full combat gear, was quite the collision. Jallas nearly fell down as he gasped from the impact.


 * Kogro - Do I get a hug?

Hewpu chuckled as the rest of Team Indrika ran up to see their 2 teammates return.


 * Hewpu - I'm willing to give, if you want a hug, buddy.
 * Kogro - Y'know. On second thought, I'll pass. Don't want to get crushed.
 * Hewpu - Is the big tough Truxnian scared?

Kogro scoffed as the rest of the teams came around to greet Jallas again.

And they did. Kinquodo'scr waited for them to finish, then wisked whisked Team S.O.L. over to him, and took them downstarirs to the first fleeor. However, instead of going to the left, he now went to the right, stopping in front of the brick/clay board. Pinned on it were various posters featuring various creatures all found in Alliance space, and some beyond.
 * Jallas - Well, looks like we're all together again.
 * Nukoru - Well, perhaps we should discuss what's been happening with us while we where away.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Since your superior complained so loudly yesterday about you not getting a job fitting for Black Ops but also about you getting in trouble...Ack...I didn't know what to make of that...
 * Niyra - What's the matter, Kinquodo'scr?
 * Kinquodo'scr - ...Erm...The Guildmaster presumed it wouldn't be wrong to let you do a job from this board.
 * Ahred - Erm...What's the diffrenece between this board and the one on the other side?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Ah! Take a closer look.

They stepped closer, Ahred and Gagenell first.

And so they left in a hurry. Kinquod'scr looked at them leaving, humming slightly. Meanwhile, in town, Team S.O.L. was busy buying handy exploration items with the money the Guild gave them yesterday - or rather put on their name in the local bank. It was a large amount is money, to be sure, more so than they would ever earn when they ran errands back at the academy. If they even recieved money from Hydarax.
 * Ahred - Oh! Look at that! These posters feature various creatures of all sort. They're all sort of cool. What are they?
 * Kinquodo'scr - The individuals posted here...are outlaws. They're all shady characters, and they're wanted for criminal activities.
 * Wereney - So...Let me get this straight...Those people are wanted by the law?
 * Gagenell - You deserve a round of applause, sister. I got that already from miles away.
 * Gagenell - Wait...If they are wanted by the law...Does that mean we get money from capturing them?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Correct. There are bounties on their heads. In other words, there is a cash reward if you catch one. You can also get exploration items, essence upgrades and even new weaponry from the stockage of the Planetary Defense Force on this planet.
 * Ahred - Niiiceee...
 * Kinquodo'scr - Ahem. The outlaws hposted here come in all shades of badness. Some of them are complteley wicked, trough and trough...Others are just petty thieves. So you've got evil to naughty...and everything in between.
 * Niyra - And we get to pick this time?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Indeed. All Guild Members get to pick their own assignments. As can you, since you have proven your worth as a team yesterday.
 * Niyra - Good. But first, let's prepare.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Well, well, well...They are really picking up on it fast...

Just as Team S.O.L. was to head back for the Guild, they saw to young Watarnan sisters rushing over to the market, waving their arms rather widly. And so they went, before suddenly rushing back.
 * G-Sker - Medi-Gel, chaek. Ailment Herbs, check. Anti-Hunger Berries, check. Reviver Seeds, check.
 * Niyra - Anti-Drench Orb, check?
 * Ahred - C'mon, Niyra...You know we aren't going to the Drenched Coast again. So what do we need that for?
 * Niyra - I insist of it.
 * Ahred - All right! One Anti-Drench Orb for miss Yager over here.
 * Dler Shopkeeper - There you go. Thank you for your patronage.
 * Older Waternan Sis - Mister Dler!
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Ah! The little Waternan sisters! Welcome, my younng friends!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - Hello! May I buy something? Ehm...An gummi? Mega size?
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Oh, most certainly!
 * Older Waternan Sis - Thank you! Come on sis, say thanks too!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - Thanks!
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Oh, no need, my young friends!
 * Older Waternan Sis - Why, thanks! Right. We must get going!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - Bye!


 * Older Waternan Sis - Mister Dler!
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Oh, what's the hurry? What makes you return in a rush? Is there anything else you need?
 * Younger Waternan Sis - You gave us an extra gummi! Another mega-sized one!
 * Older Waternan Sis - And we didn't pay for two.
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Oh, yes...This, my young friends, is a gift from me.
 * Ahred - *Whispers* He's lying. Merchants never do that, I can know...I grew up in a merchant family...
 * Fenric - Tell me about it, where I come from, the Kyras are always having to keep an eye on the Pyrkils.
 * Ahred - Eh...Pardon me but...What?
 * Fenric - Boyk society is divided in to castes, Kyras, like me, are a warrior and the highest, then comes Slinkai, the scientists, Iinizerius, the mechanics, Pyrkils, the merchants, and finally Basdar, the laborers.
 * Ahred - *shakes his head* I just don't get you military types.
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Please, share that gummi among yourselves and enjoy the taste!
 * Older Waternan Sis - Really? We don't have to pay?
 * Younger Waternan sis - Yes! Thanks, mister Dler!
 * Dler Shopkeeper - Oh, it is nothing, my young friends. Please do take care on your way home!

And so they went off again.


 * Dler Shopkeeper - Say...Anything else you require?
 * Ahred - No thank you, mister merchant.

And so Team S.O.L. headed off again, back to the Guild. On the way back, however, they stumbled upon the siters again, this time accompagnied by a yellow-colored Hermicee Extrum.


 * Wereney - Say! What are they up to now?

Curious, Wereney walked over, as she heard the younger sister squeal in joy, and the older sister thanking the Hermicee.


 * Hermicee - Oh no! It nothing!
 * Wereney - Hey! What's happening?
 * Younger Waternan Sis - Oh! Hi!
 * Older Waternan Sis - Some time ago, an item that was pretty imortant to us has been stolen by some unknown thieves...
 * Niyra - Where have we heard that before?
 * G-Sker - Coincidence? Think not.
 * Older Waternan Sis - Then mister Stepparidum came along and says he migt have seen our stolen item somewhere. He even offered to help us look for it.
 * Younger Waternan Sis - We're so happy about it! Yaaay!
 * Stepparidum - Cold heart you need to ignore needy kids! Yes yes! Water-something sisters! Let us go to big Volt Savannah and begin search!
 * Older Waternan Sis - Yup!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - Yipee!

And so they left, the Hermicee leading the way.


 * Niyra - Enough time lost here already. Let's find ourselves a lawbreaker for who shit's outta luck.

They arrived at the Guild, went down a level, and realized that even after all this time, Kinquodo'scr was still waiting for them.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Back and picked, I see. Now let's...

He didn't finish his sentence because something was obviously up with Niyra. Her whole body shuddered in rage and she snarled in a deep, uncharacteristic tone seeping pure malice.


 * Ahred - Uhmm...Niyra?
 * Niyra - Ahred! Look! At that poster at the top in the middle!

Ahred looked, and his mouth fell open.


 * Ahred - ...Damn.
 * Wereney - Guys? What's up?
 * Ahred - That Hermicee! Stepparidum! He's a wanted criminal! We have to hurry! The Waternan sisters will be in big trouble!
 * Gagenell - Shit's Outta Luck for 'em...and us!

And so Team S.O.L. rushed off to the Volt Savannah, leaving Kinquodo'scr behind.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Hush! What's going on? I command you to inform me what's going on? Where are you running all off to?

It took a while until Team S.O.L. arrived at the Volt Plains. The ground was barren, with only some pampa grass growing. Various yellow stones could be seen standing out of the low rocky walls, sparkling with electricity. Withered savannah trees stood next to the entrance. The older Waterman sister sat down under one, nearly in tears.


 * Niyra - Hold on! We're coming!


 * Wereney - What's up!? Were are your sister and that Hermicee?
 * Older Waternan Sis - A-A-After we left, we went looking for our lost item together, but...but...
 * Wereney - Say it!
 * Older Waternan Sis - But then mister Stepparidum went of with my little sister! I called and called, but they didn't come back!
 * G-Sker - *Whispers* Perhaps we better not tell Hermicee is wanted criminal. Could be too much for her to bear.
 * Older Waternan Sis - What!? Wanted criminal!? What have I done!? And I can't go in! Electricity's everywhere! I can't stand it!

Now she truly broke out in tears.

Niyra hit a button on her wrist and spoke into it.
 * Niyra - Don't worry! Shitt's Outta Luck for him!
 * Niyra - Fold Shift: Combat.

The her casual outfit expanded into her standard armor.


 * Niyra - Now let's go.

And without any further discussion, Team S.O.L. rushed in.


 * Niyra - Argh...This is a pain.
 * Gagenell - Just think after this, we'll get paid.
 * Niyra - Not funny. What are we? Mercaneries?
 * G-Sker - Mercenaries? No. Mercenaries do jobs for money. We do jobs for...uhm...money.
 * Ahred - I'm sure we can swap in the money to donuts whet we ask. Or bagels. Hmmm...Bagels...
 * Gagenell - How can money mean nothing to you?
 * G-Sker - Vanara, you work you are provided for, better and more work gets you provided for better, no circulation of currency.
 * Ahred - How do you get by?
 * Niyra - Just fine, now lets rescue that little girl, kick some giant crab ass, and get back for donuts!

Niyra stormed on ahead as the rest followed her. As they kept walking, some started to get the feeling that they were being watched.


 * Fenric - Hey, guys...

Whatever he was about say was cut off when a viscous cry was heard from above. The team looked up and saw several Hermicee Drones armed with stone clubs and plasma blasters crawling down from the stone wall and surrounding them, 14 in total.
 * Hermicee - Eh? Extrum Stepparidim not ought to be followed by annoying little cadets.
 * Niyra - Yeah...Annoying little cadets that are gonna whip ya ass.
 * Hermicee - No, no! Me hungry! You food! Lots of food! More food for us!
 * Niyra - Oh, really? Then let's do this shit!

Niyra nodded and her team split into two taking on two Hermicee, G-Sker and Gagenell, Ahred and Fenric, Wereney and Asper, with Niyra taking on two by herself. Niyra charged as the Hermicee Drones fired their plasma blasters, but Niyra ducked under the blasts and zeroed in on one of the Drones. The Hermicee raised his club to crush her, Niyra fired a bolt of radiation up to the descending club sending it flying out of his hand. Niyra then engaged her foot blade and slashed one of his leg joints causing him to stumble. Jetting away from him, she swept to the side and pulled out her DaiKaiju fang knife before turning and firing a beam of radiation into the other's face. Shooting forward she sunk her knife into the other Hermicee's side and sent a surge of radiation through it. The Hermicee Drone roared in out rage and swung with his club which Niyra ducked under and slid under his belly generating a nuclear blast that send the Hermicee flying before landing on his back. Several plasma blasts flew past her and Niyra turned growling as she saw the other firing at her. Zigzagging forward, she pulled out her throw-away pistols and fired off a few shots before raising her foot up to slam it into his face and fire off several radiation surges. Backing away, shaking it's head, and shirking, the Hermicee fled. Niyra turned and saw that Ahred and Fenric had their Hermicee trapped in bubbling mud pits created by Ahred and Fenric's powers combined. G-Sker and Gagenell had theirs in retreat when Gagenell had infused their clubs with iron, shattered them, and G-Sker had magnetized the shards at the Hermicee, sinking them deep into the Drones. Wereney and Asper dive bombed their Hermicee, unleashing a blast of their elements along with the force of their landing in a "death from above maneuver" that knocked them out cold.


 * Fenric - Well...That was tedious.


 * Niyra - Come on, lets go get what we came here for.

Soon after the ambush, they arrived at a clearing. The low rock walls had changed color from grey to dark brown, while the ground was now fully overgrown with pampa grasses, and even a savanna three here and there, a small mud pool or a even pool of clear blue water. The edge of a large thundercloud was hanging over it. further ahead they would be in the middle of it, though there seemed to be no rain falling down, strangely. Just extreme amounts of lightning. In the middle of the clearing was a Runen statute.


 * Ahred - Hey! I remember that! We can take extra items from it!
 * G-Sker - Would come in handy when facing Hermicee Extrum.
 * Niyra - Guys! I can just paralyze his nervous system like I did with those Aquawave and Magmaflare sub-leader nincompoops!
 * G-Sker - No. You can't.
 * Niyra - And why not?
 * G-Sker - Because I took an extra look at his info. That Hermicee controls electricity and plasma, though is inexperienced at it's use, unlike Magmaflares and Aquawaves sub-leaders. Being an Hermicee, makes him more dangerous. And due to electricity control, paralyzing is useless.
 * Niyra - Blast. Just take anything useful you find them, Ahred.
 * Ahred - All done!


 * Niyra - Then let's move! Hurry!

And as they went in, thunder started to flash and crackle over theirs heads. Looking up they saw more Hermicee Drones crawling down to meet them, this time accompanied by a slightly larger variant armed with strange rods and blasters.


 * Niyra - Ah! Fuck this shit!

One of the Big drones growled and fired his blaster sending a blob of electricity at them forcing them to scramble out of the way as it hit the ground and exploded, sending a zapping shockwave all over. The regular drones fired of their blasters at Team S.O.L. Niyra growled and unleashed an EMP. One could not see the EMP, but they could see the effect. The blobs turned indigo, before exploding and dissipating harmlessly. The smaller drones prepared to fire their plasma blasters when Gagenell slammed his fists on the ground summoning forth twin walls of iron that blocked the attack, but where melted as G-Sker magnetized the molten slag at the Hermicee causing them the back away. Fenric charged forward and sent at alternating waves of fire and ice sending their foes reeling. Wereney and Asper quickly took to the sky and began strafing the Hermicee quickly joined by G-Sker. Ahred plugged his hands into the ground and began to soften the ground making it harder for the Hermicee to move. Niyra swept forward her much lighter body making it easier to move on the soft ground. Unleashing a wave of radiation that send several drones reeling before unleashing several bolts of radiation, however she did not see rod one of the Big Drones was holding until it was to late. The thing struck her and she felt electricity coursing through her body as she flew and hit the ground. Struggling to get up, she saw Asper land and pick up her music player, sticking the head phones to the blade of his singing sword her pressed the button and music blasted fourth making the Hermicee shrike and shake their heads. Niyra struggled to her feet and shouted out.


 * Niyra - Everyone, get out of the way! Asper, keep doing that until I tell you to move!

Her team obeyed and Niyra began charging up for a major attack, pure purple radiation coursing through her body and building up in an aura around her body.


 * Niyra - Asper, move!

Asper flew up out of the way as Niyra unleashed a massive beam of radiation that baked the ground and sent the Hermicee scrambling for cover.


 * Wereney - Impressive.
 * Fenric - I'll say, I'm surprised we don't have a bunch of fried crab.
 * Niyra - I didn't actually hit any of them, if I had they would be dead.
 * Gagenell - Well, maybe you should give the same treatment to their leader.
 * Niyra - Heh, in that case we have someone to go rescue.

Meanwhile...

The Hermicee Extrum, Stepparidum, and the Younger Waternan sister arrived at a large clearing at the end of the Volt Savannah in between irrelular slabs of wide grey rock. This were the Deep Volt Savannah, and the farthest one could go. Thorny savannah trees stood at the egdes and on the stone walls. There was some pampa grass growing, for for most part, the ground was bare. Shadow lurked over the place, cast by the impressive amount of thunderclouds over the area. At the largest slab at the end of the Deep Volt Savannah, flanked bu two thorny savannah trees, was a small hole. At this moment, the Younger Waternan Sister noticed something.


 * Younger Waternan Sis - Uh-Oh. It's a dead end. Exuse me, mister Stepparidum...But...Where is lost item of my and my sis? Could you show me now? Please? All those thnderbolts crashing down around here...I'm scared! I wanna go home fast!


 * Stepparidum - Item? No. You think I even care for that?
 * Younger Waternan Sis - My big sis...My big sis is following us, right? I-Is she coming soon?


 * Stepparidum - Nope. Not coming. Let you in on little secret. This all trick. very dumb of you to follow me to this big Volt Savannah here! But...I need help, see? See hole over there? Well, there rumor of trove of thief treasure inside! But...Me to big to fit in. That where you come in!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - W-What?
 * Stepparidum - No worry! Me no futher use for you. Just do as I say. Then you get share.
 * Younger Waternan Sis - *Trembling* B-But..!
 * Stepparidum - Go into hole! And don't forget to bring back treasure!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - *Trying to run away* I want my big siter!
 * Sepparidum - *Blocks her path* Hey! If you keep staying difficult, I give you noogies!
 * Younger Waternan Sis - H-H-H-HEEELP!

Stepparidum scratched his head, clearly having no idea to handle this situation. As he slowly approached her, trying to smile, as far as that was possible with mandibles, a voice came from behind.

For Team S.O.L. had dashed in.
 * Niyra - STOP RIGHT THERE!


 * G-Sker - Sorry, soon to be fried crab. Won't let you.
 * Stepparidum - W-Wut!? You did follow me all here over to this big Volt Savannah?
 * Niyra - Yes we did, you dumb crab! We're Team S.O.L! No criminal can escape us! Shit's outta luck for you!
 * Stepparidum - S.O.L? Ghahahaha! That good that very good! I have big problem, you see? Boss no like in you! Boss says you need to dissappear!

With this, Stepparidum pulled out what seemed to a be an hairspray can and pushed a button on it, causing it to transform into a large thunder hammer.


 * Stepparidum - This gift from boss! Good-bye gift from boss to you! This good laugh, yes! Let see how much you able to take!

The lightning flashed over the shadowed plain, blinding Team S.O.L. for a second. When they opened their eyes once more, they saw themselves cornered by not only Stepparidum, but a whole horde of Hermicee Drones and various Big Drones, and two Lazies lumbering next to their Extrum. Stepparidum grinned, bashing his fists together before showing off his muscles, smiling in a rather weird manner.


 * Stepparidum - Now, then...Time it is for having fun times!

Stepparidum grinned even wider as he fired off a line of orbs at Wereney and Asper, paralyzing them, before generating large magnetic orbs that quickly drew in G-Sker and Gagenell, rendering them immobile. Two Lazies lumbered forward and grabbed Ahred and Fenric ith one of their claws, hammering them with their hammers they held in the other. The sleeping gas they produced quickly knocked them both out.


 * Stepparidum - Well, easy! Dinner time, boys! *turns toward Niyra* Out of way. We get you after finished.

Niyra just stood there in shock. No way they had been defeated so easily. They had lost and now her friends were going to suffer for it. And as she stood there, she heard a voice. A tiny, soft, whispering voice in the back of her mind.


 * ??? - You want to save your friends, right?
 * Niyra - Yes.
 * ??? - Then lend me some control, just a little, not much...
 * Niyra - How will that change things?
 * ??? - Just trust me, I know you, I know what you are capable of. Better than anyone. The others doubt you, lets show them how much better you are...
 * Niyra - Alright.

Niyras eyes opened, and as they did, her pupils had shrunk to the point where they disappeared all together, the rest turning pure white. A viscous grin spread across her face.


 * Niyra - Yesss, I must DESTROY!
 * Stepparidum - Huh?

Niyra rushed to the side and leaped into the air. Deploying her foot blade, she crashed down on one heads of the Big Drones, digging her weapon in until it pierced the crab-like being's exoskeleton, generating a blast that spattered bits and pieces all over. Jumping off the dead Hermicee, she charged over to another Big drone and unleashed a wave of pure purple radiation that fired the beast and two regular Drones that were unlucky enough to be too close. The rest of the Hermicee opened fire and Niyra charged head long into the fray, unleashing radioactive attacks as she spun like a twister, spattering bits and pieces of her foes merrily across the wall. Finally the two Lazies that were still alive fled, leaving Stepparidum standing alone. Thinking quickly, he fired off a line of electric orbs which Niyra diffused easily with an EMP. He quickly generated several plasma orbs to defend himself, but Niyra simply let loose with another wave of radiation, canceling out the orbs. Walking forward to Stepparidum, her body began to generate an aura of radiation as Stepparidum unleashed various electrical surges from his exoskeleton. While it would have heavily damaged any other being, Niyra just walked plain trough. He then brought his thunder hammer down, which Niyra met with her fist, generating a surge of radiation into it that blew the hammer to pieces. Grinning even wider as she pulled out Arondight, she began to slash down repeatedly, sending a surge of radiation through each thrust. Until Stepparidum collapsed in a pool of his own blood, weakened but still alive. Niyra raised the knife for one final blow then hesitated as she looked over to where the Waternan sister had hidden. She didn't need to see this.


 * Niyra - Guys go get the sister make sure she doesn't see to much of this.

The Wereney, G-Sker, and Gaganell ran over while the rest sat back.


 * Gagenell - Hey, calm down. We're here to rescue you.
 * G-Sker - You OK? Not hurt?
 * Wereney - Sheesh! Let's hope she's not...
 * Younger Waternan Sis - I'm OK.
 * Wereney - Great! What a relief! Your big sister is waiting at the entrance.
 * Niyra - C'mon, guys...Let's go home...
 * ???1 - Tsss tsss. You just wait a second.

They looked around to see a female grinning at them, flanked by two males, a Angaroo and a Mardor. The female, clearly the leader, was a Vorachivile, a subspecies of the infamous Voracha that lived in much colder regions then them and were also known for being much calmer and having a malicious intellect.


 * G-Sker - Hmmm...You are?
 * ???1 - Who we are? We're the Team of Thieves, Team Avarippian! We are treasure hunters, getting what we want! As long as you kids don't clear the path to that hole over there, we have no trouble with you.
 * ???2 - So ssstay out of our pathssss.
 * ???3 - Eheheh! Or...we might come after you. And that would be...very fun indeed. See, it has been a while since I could vent my sadism on something, and watching your...delicious...show didn't help either. But you cannot stand up to the undisputed masters of sadism, the Demonica.
 * ???2 - Asss you cannot ssstand up to the undisssputed masssters of bodyguarding, the Angaroo...or to the wits of our bosss...
 * ???1 - Standing in our way would...indeed end bad for you lot. Ahahah! So remember this...don't get in our way, or things will end up badly for you. At least you aren't our rival treasure hunters, that annoying, pesky and oh-so-beautifull Team Attraction. Ahahahahah!
 * Ahred - So how exactly can we remeber you when we do not even know your names?
 * ???1 - Well, I guess it would be no bad to play nice for once. Fine! My name is Basekha! The Angaroo on my left is Sevaveres. The Mardor on my right is Dracustic. Now, tell me...I heard there was a trove of thief treasure in thet hole over there.

Team S.O.L. remained stubbornly silent, as the young Waternan hid behind them and started to cower again.


 * Basekha - No need to decieve me. I already know it is there. Sevaveres! Dracustic!
 * Seveveres - Mistresss?
 * Dracustic - My lady?
 * Basekha - Come.

The trio of Team Avarippian passed straight past Team S.O.L, not givng them any notice anymore. Halting at the hole in the wall, they paused, before Basekha struck it with a mixture of shadows and ice, Sevaveres with a mixture of shadows and poison, and Dracustic with a mixture of poison and blood. Under pressure of the combined attack, the wall further crumbled, revealing a large gap. Inside was a garge pouch, completely filled inside. Basekha picked it up with her claws and thoroughly observed it, a glint in her eyes.


 * Basekha - Now, now...I wonder what's inside? Large amounts of money, but what else?
 * Sevaveres - Sssaphiressss, pearlssss and sssilver?
 * Dracustic - Of course not! Rubies, diamonds and gold!
 * Basekha - Or perhaps platinum and fancy crystals...like, perhaps, emeralds? Who knows. Anyhow...this snatching is a success. Move out.
 * Sevaveres - Yesss, missstresss Basssekha.
 * Dracustic - As you wish, lady Basekha.

And so they headed for the path back. Just as she was about to leave, Basekha turned around, glancing at Team S.O.L.


 * Basekha - Oh, and you'd better keep an eye on your surroundings next time.
 * Niyra - Huh?
 * Basekha - Your Hermicee Extrum has escaped.

And then she was gone as well.


 * Fenric - Should we go after them?
 * Niyra - No, we did what we came here to do. Let's not risk screwing that up.

When Team S.O.L. arrived back at the Guild in the evening, Kinquodo'scr was waiting for the team to return on the top floor. G-Sker walked up to him, and quickly explained what had taken place, though he left out Team Avaripdian and Niyra's sadism.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Hmmm...So you failed to bring the Hermicee Extrum to justice?
 * Niyra - Yes.
 * Kinquodo'scr - But you resqued the Waternan sister after all?
 * Niyra - Yes, indeed.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Then I concider that a job well done!
 * Niyra - Really? Even after we failed to apprehend that Hermicee!?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Oh, yes, certainly!! We know how that Extrum looks, after all! tomorrow, we'll set another team on arresting him.
 * Ahred - So we get our rewards after all?
 * Kinquodo'scr - Indeed, indeed. However, it is late already. I'll call the Guild together for dinner, then you get to sleep. Be slept out in case anything happens.

He did not know how right he would be...

A New Horror
He ran, he ran for his life, his breath exploding from his lungs as he ran.


 * Exploration Guild Member - Everyone is dead, they came out of nowhere, they killed us all.

He was a member of the UAE's Exploration Guild. Alongside his team, they had come to this part of the planet's equator because a strange signal had been picked up coming from the acid falls in the toxic swamps there and they were send to investiagte it. The signal hadn't matched any known signal natural or artificial and those exposed to it had gone insane. The UAE needed answers and so had sent the Exploration Guild in to get them. But every expedition sent out had not returned and those who had...were completely insane. Eventually it was him and his group's turn. At first it had been going well, they had been making progress and nothing dangerous in sight...until nightfall that was. Once the sun had gone down strange green wisps and sounds had begun to follow them, getting closer and closer until they seamed to be right on top of them, before suddenly stopping. Then many of their number seemed to be struck with strange visions driving them to near madness before the entire swamp seemed to come alive, massive tentacles and other strange protrusions had come seemingly out of nowhere and slaughtered all his friends. He had just manged to flee and now stood with his back pressed up against a gloomy rock, unable to run any further. Slowly, he sunk to the ground as the sounds and wisps began to start up again, closing his eyes he never saw the tentacle coming out from the dark, impaling him.

Nightmare
Niyra snarled as she stormed into the forests that surrounded the Guild.She was sick of them, just doing jobs, facing minor crooks, two teams of total weirdos, a team of thieves that allowed another thief to escape...She needed a walk. As she began to walk Niyra felt as though the forest was closing in on her. The sky darkened as night started to suddenly set in, the moisture clinging to her skin and drying up into black dust, what little green lights there was dancing before her eyes, the plants slithering and rustling, the wind whispering in strange tongues, the ground spinning beneath her, everything collapsing into a tunnel. She was falling, falling down through a never ending pit of light and sound. As she fell the lights and sounds began to twist and contort into swirling, liquid like images that began to solidify and take on a coherent form, and then she stood. She was back in Matrukoris during the incident when she had discovered her elemental powers, but something was wrong. Her father stood in his Ryu Form towering over the dead and broken bodies of her mother and the UAE's leaders. The entirety of Matrukoris lay burning as her father's silver armor began to turn black, the green gems truing blood red as he grew to massive highs, and as her grew the grond beneath her began to burn and melt. As it did so the artificial sun began to descend toward them, divinding into unreal-looking green whisps, then turning to darkness as it began to reshape itself into the terrifying form of Darkling Torackix with insane laughter. The Darkling lashed out with her claws, severing her father's head as his body dissolved into a torrent of blood and sickening glowing worms that crawled towards Niyra, filling her nose and mouth with it's rotten essence. Torackix swooped over her, laughing as she reached for Niyra, her body reforming itself into barbed chains that wrapped themselves among Niyra a hoisted her up. Looking at the see of blood and worms reforming itself in an image of the very galaxy itself. As she watched she saw the planets begin to burn and the stars begin to turn red as shadows began to fill in the void between, and as she kept watching the shadows began to take on the shapes of the Darklings and their thralls with the red stars becoming their eyes. Laughing, roaring, screeching, they rushed towards her. Screaming, she felt the chains begin to fuse to her body creating her a new one. She could not see this new body, but she could feel it. She had powerful wings, claws like swords, and massive fangs. Now she was the one laughing as her enemies cowared before and she felt fire begin to pool in her terrifying jaws. And then everything froze, cracks began to appear in her enemies and in Niyra herself as the whole of reality shattered. Niyra stopped and looked around to see Nara standing beside her with her hand on her shoulder.


 * Nara - You okay, kid?
 * Niyra - No I had this weird vision, it was like...like a nightmare.
 * Nara - Your eyes were strange.
 * Niyra - How so?
 * Nara - Your pupils were white rectangles.
 * Niyra - Daydream.
 * Nara - What?
 * Niyra - Well...
 * Nara - Hold that thought.
 * Niyra - Huh?

Nara pointed to the forest where lights where glowing and heading closer as strange whispering sounds. Bahind them were stange moaning sounds enenatig from the bushes. Everything around them darkened. Night had set in in the middle of the day. Nara and Niyra approached slowly.


 * Nara - What is...

A stream of bright crimson energy blasted from the forest and hit the earth generating a massive blast as it tore its way across the earth, leaving only a blacked trail of destruction.


 * Nara - That was a positron blast. What could generate that?
 * Niyra - That?

Nara looked to see a massive creature standing. It was supported by four massive crab-like legs that grew out from a central disk on top of which sat a massive writhing mass of black flesh covered in gelatinous red eyes, circular mouths ringed with long needle like teeth that spun in circles, and eight, thick tentacles with blades on the end. All standing about 15 meters tall. The creature pointed its tentacles downward at the two and red light began to race along their length.


 * Nara - Scatter!

The creature let loose with another positron blast as the to jumped out of the way just in time. Nara landed to one side as her arms morphed into twin rail guns and she fired at the beast that rail bullets penetrating the beasts flesh causing it to roar out in pain. Niyra then fired a high powered beam of radiation at it's legs causing it to stumble. The creature lashed out with is tentacles sending the two scrambling back as they continued to fire. The beast fired another positron blast forcing Niyra and Nara to seek cover.


 * Nara - Black Rose Nightmare.
 * Niyra - Ya(yes)
 * Nara - Keep that thing distracted. I'm calling it in.

Niyra's eyes widened before she nodded in understanding.


 * Niyra - Ya Admiral!

Niyra charged out to face the beast as Nara spoke into a device on her wrist.


 * Nara - Black Rosario call down: Infinite Mobility Suit: Terra.

As Niyra fought tooth and claw against the beast she looked up to the sky and saw what looked to be a massive fiery meteor falling towards them. As it zeroed in the massive thing smashed into the ground. As the dust cleared it revealed a massive, humanoid, 18 meters tall, black, and orange machine standing before them. Nara's personal Infinite Mobility Suit, the Terra. Walking towards it the suit reached out and grabbed Nara as it's chest opened up to reveal it's cock pit which it put nara in before closing up. Nara's voice was broad cast from the titan.


 * Nara - This is Nara, Admiral of the Black Rose Vector in the Infinite Mobility Suit Terra, prepare to be annihilated.

The beast only roared in response as the Terra pulled out it's twin High Energy Positron Rifles with Maser Blades equipped to the end as bayonets. Leveling the guns Nara opened fire causing the beast to roar in pain before striking with a tentacles. The Terra met the tentacle with a maser bladed at the end of the gun slicing it to ribbons. However another tentacles came from nowhere and knocked the gun from the suit's hand. Nara then activated the Terra's wrist mounted Maser Sabers and engaged the beast in a head on melee. Slashing and stabbing like a mad man, shoving the suit's face in close Nara fire the Chaffs in the beasts eye. Reeling back as it screeched in pain the creature lashed out once again with it's tentacles throwing the Terra back. Regaining the suit's footing Nara saw the creature was powering up, engaging the Suits Positron Assault Cannon Nara fired a massive crimson beam that met the beast similar beam creating a ball of positrons that lit up the forest as if it where day. The two combatants were now locked in a massive beam fight the positron ball getting shoved along the length of the beams. However the Terra's beam proved to be the most powerful of the two and sent the ball slamming into the creature in a blast that set the surrounding trees a blaze as the creature was completely and utterly annihilated leaving only a smoking crater.


 * Niyra - Impressive Admiral, but what was that thing?

Nara's voice resonated from the Suit's speakers.


 * Nara - No idea, for now we'll just call it a Massive Organic Terrestrial Aggressor, MOTA for short.
 * Niyra - Works for me, but I wonder if their are more?
 * Nara - It would appear so.
 * Niyra - Oh?
 * Nara - I just received a transmission from Clari, the Guild is under attack we should return.
 * Niyra - Right, but will we be able to get there fast enough?
 * Nara - I wouldn't worry about that.

Nara hit a button and the Suit morphed from it's two legged, humanoid stance to a four legged, canine stance. The Suit kneeled down.


 * Nara - Hop on.

Niyra clamored aboard and Nara sent the Suit of and a full run. As they got closer Niyra could see smoke rising in the distance on thought went through her head.


 * Niyra - For the sake of my friends I hope we're not too late.

Guild Under Attack
Jallas was walking through the Guild pacing in an attempt to relieve his frustration, this however was doing little to help ease his nerves. He was thinking about what had happened to Niyra and her team. Well, it appeared she just didn't like this place. He, however, had found a nice little spot to train. Shaking his head as he turning a corner he almost crashed into the Black Rose soldier Mayra.


 * Jallas - Sorry about that.
 * Mayra - Oh no worries, its no big deal, just a little accident.
 * Jallas - Well nice to meet you, I'm Jallas.
 * Mayra - Oh yes Niyra has told me about you.
 * Jallas - Has she now.
 * Mayra - Oh yes Niyra likes to talk about her friends quiet a bit.
 * Jallas - Indeed.

The two walked silently for a bit before Mayra spoke up.


 * Mayra - So whatca down here for?
 * Jallas - Thinking.
 * Mayra - Bout what?
 * Jallas - About what could happen to Niyra...
 * Mayra - Ah! I was thinking of much the same.
 * Jallas - Oh?
 * Mayra - Yes, Niyra is my battle comrade, friend, and gave My Asper a place to belong. So I'm very found of her and if anything happens I will be very, very, very displeased.

Jallas looked at Mayra and suppressed a shutter, underneath that cheerful exterior he could sense something. Something cunning, cold, ruthless, and very dangerous.


 * Mayra - But hey! I doubt it will come to that!
 * Jallas - Okay...

The two continued onward when Jallas stopped for a bit. Their was a massive fiery orange spot spreading across the wall.


 * Jallas - What the...
 * Mayra - Get down!

Mayra knocked Jallas to the ground as a massive red beam sliced over head and giant leg came crashing through fallowed by several tentacles that probed the inside before retreating. Both Mayra and Jallas stood to look out the hole and see several massive, hideous creatures ranging from anywhere between 3 and 15 meters. They were swarming everywhere unleashing similar blasts like the one that had just ripped it's way through the Guild.


 * Jallas - We're under attack, we must warn the others.
 * Mayra - Right!

The two separated and ran off to do their duty.


 * Kinquodo'scr - *Running around with his arms flailing* W-W-WHAAAAT!? What to be done...oh no no no no no! This is a nightmare, this can't be real, this can't be, this can't be! This darkness preading...He is! I'm sure of it! It must be! It cannot be!
 * Dou'Wi - Kinquod. Calm down.
 * Kinquodo'scr - W-Wha? Guildmaster?
 * Dou'Wi - Listen up, everyone! We are in a dire situation here! There's darkness coming, and some pretty beasty meanies!
 * Pulmon - Beastie meanies...Uh uh...
 * Dou'Wi - But we can't let them get to us! Not for us, but...The town east of our Guild is undefended! We are the last line of denefse in case a thing like this happens!..We might not be trained for fighting. We are trained for recon, to chart new unexplored space for the UAE, to help keep these merc bands in check, these fun and thrilling things. We are not trained for war. That's why the miliatry of those Vanara sees us as cowards.
 * Plorusula - Great Nur'tax! You never told me that! Does that mean Niyra...
 * Dou'Wi - Yes. She's a meanie to us too.
 * Kinquodo'scr - That's right! She's been up to no good the moment she arrived here. She messed up so greatly that I concidered sending a negative report to Hydarax!

At this moment, the D'jahiirian Apprentice, Corizo, spoke up.


 * Corizo - Hey hey hey! If she thinks of us like garbage, then why not do it!? Serves her right!
 * Dou'Wi - But...Think about it. If we do that, what will become of her? She might be mean to us, but she has a goal: To become a Koatria. If Kinquod did send a negative report back, what will become of her? We would take away her only chance at hapiness.
 * Loudrak - I get it! We are taught here to KEEP HAPPY no matter what! That's a message those military pricks will NEVER get! But unlike these cold killers, we can be EMPATHIC! WE GOTTA KEEP GOING!
 * Dou'Wi - Yep♪ We must not give up no matter what. We've gotta try and support her! Warm her heart up! Even when others turn against her, we must be there for her! Always be nice to guests♪

Now it was time for the elder Aardijn apprentice, and Modigdi's father, Modigdu, to speak up.


 * Modigdu - I am deeply sorry to say this...But there are still big beasts at our door.
 * Modigdi - Yeah...Dad's right.

Dou'Wi curled up slighly, then jumped up, releasing a blinding flash of light and letting the Guild shake slightly.


 * Dou'Wi - We do waht we must! We got to defend everyone here! Then we seek the source of this spreading darkness and these meanines, and stop it! To the denefnse, everyone! Stand together at the entrance! We will not buckle! To work!
 * Pumlom - The Guildmaster's done it again...
 * Loudrak - Yeah! FOLLOW ME!

And Loudrak stormed outside, the rest of the Guild following her. At the top of the Guild hill, Team Waptara was waiting, checking their weapons.


 * Nycola'flr - Here, huh?
 * Plorusula - Sis...You think we can do this?
 * Plora - Hey, sis...I'm younger than you! No need to doubt youself like that! Of course we can!
 * Dou'Wi - All right, everyone! Let's take hands and await this treat!
 * Boldok Wrav - Time to skash shome shulls in.
 * A'Gabi - And for some hack'n'slash.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - We can do this. We will win this. we will defend this gould and this town.
 * Everyone - HOORAY!

The Raptorian cook, Kamacha, smiled slightly.


 * Kamacha - I'll provide medi-gel to anyone when this is over!

The Duthadian, Kobarisaor, chuckled in his usual way.


 * Kaborisaor - I've got some old Plamsa Cannon upgraded into a heavy weapon with some fancy upgrades. Wheh. So now I've finally a chance to test it out, heh?
 * Plorusula - Eek! Keep your weird mannerisms to yourself!
 * Karobisaor - Heh. Can't help it.

At this moment, they could hear a roar. Various beasts were heading their way.


 * Aspuyra - MOTA are here. Waptara, get in position.
 * Nycola'flr - MOTA? That's a weird name.
 * Aspuyra - Nara named them. Just heard it over the comm-link.

Team Waptara got themselves in front of the Guild members, Boldok and A'Gabi forming the front lines, Glaco-Fenri-Uss in beween them somewhat more to the back, an aurora swirling around him, as Plora, Nycola'flr and Aspura guarded the Guild members, who also were ready.

With a roar the first of the beats stormed up the pairs to the Guild, only to be frozen by Glaco-Fenri-Uss. Latting out a battle yell, Boldok stormed forward, ramming his head against the frozen skin of the beast, creating a crack that A'Gabi used to slash away at, her scythe-like fins ripping trough the muated flesh at ease. Suddenly, a tantacle erupted from the back of the beast, for Nycola'flr scorched it off with a mimiature solar flare. Kaborisaor took aim with his plamsa cannon, the expodes coil on top of it and the likewise exposed, extra coil on the lower side glowing purple, as well as the various threats that connected the improvised Plasma cannon connected to his backpack, where the power supply was housed. The cannon did not fire an exploding blob of plamsa, but a ray of it, that, when it hit the tentacle, exploded with massive force, cutting it clean of.


 * Corizo - Hey! Watch out with that thing, will ya!?
 * Kaborisaor - *Licking his lips* Wheh. Sorry, my bad.

Modigdi and Modigdu looked at each other, nodding. Then, the older Aardijn opened a rift in the ground, partially trapping the beast, as the younger Aardijn stirred up the ground inside the rift with explosive force, hitting the beast with particles of scoring-hot earth. Now partially unfrozen, the beast tried to get itself free, but only sank down further in the rift. Plora ad Plorusula summoned roots to trap it there, as Loudra jumped up on it's head.


 * Loudrak - COVER YOUR EARS, EVERYONE!

Everyone did, as Loudrak gave out a loud yell of elemental energy at the face of the trappd beast, practically liquifying its brain. It sunk down to the bottom of the rift, as Plorusula had the roots pull it up again, and thrown it off the guild walls. Modigdu then covered up the rift againw with earth.


 * Nycola'flr - Well...That was kinda easy...

Just as she said that, a 15 meter big beast peeked over the top of the Guild, it's eyes glowing, ready to send out a positron beam from a red gem in it's forehead.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Shatter!

They ducked just in time, but their formation was broken. The beast quickly extended an arm, grabbing Dou'Wi. Though the Guildmaster tried to struggle, the beast soon enough seemed to sqeeze him in the palm of his hand.


 * Kinquodo'scr - No! Guildmaster!

Just then, a bliding light started to emerge from the fist of the beast, as an eerie sound started to fill the air, and the ground around the beast started to explode. The beast looked at the thing in his hand in what seemed to be surprise, before he exploded into pieces in an combined attack of sonics and light that could be heard and seen from miles around. Dou'Wi landed gently on his feet.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Guildmaster! You're alive!
 * Dou'Wi - Hyun? What else should I be? Of course I'm alive♪
 * Kinquodo'scr - Guildmaster...Words cannot describe the relief I feel...
 * A'Gabi - Uh...Sorry to interrupt this nice chitchat and all...but...
 * Kinquodo'scr - We understand. There is no time to be lost either. Let's get to help the others!
 * Kamacha - Right! I'm getting the Medi-Gel ready.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Let's go.

Jallas unsheathed his sword as he ran to get his team, sweat running from his brow. He blinked through several tactical out-puts in his helmet, before finally calling his team in.


 * Jallas - Indrika! Do you have my location!
 * Hewpu - Yeah, do you copy ours?
 * Jallas - Yes, I see you guys, I'm on the way. Hold position!

He sprinted as he rounded a corner, heading towards the northern sector of the base. He wanted action, but, this was not what he had in mind. He racked his brain, trying to think of what these things where. Could they be more Jutenhurse? He couldn't handle killing...those again. He finally got to his team, who where stationed behind several blasted out-runs and trenches, guns ready. Kogro signaled for him.


 * Jallas - Guys, is everyone alright?
 * Kogro - Yeah, Hewpu had us hunker down here and wait for you. Whatever those things are, their not here to play nice.

Jallas looked around, eyes wide with anxiety behind his helm.


 * Jallas - Where are Makoro and Nukoru?
 * Hewpu - Nukoru went ahead to lay down defensive turret guns to slow down the Giants advance. Makoro is screening him with sniper attacks on any that try and get Nukoru.
 * Jallas - They aren't going too far are they?
 * Nukoru - No, we weren't.

The Black-armored Cradosan and sliver-armored Spikron jumped into the barricade with them as Jallas spoke.


 * Jallas - How will the turrets hold?
 * Nukoru - Not long, Hewpu merely said they had to hold for as long as until you get here.
 * Jallas - Good job, guys. Let's bring these things down.
 * Kogro - I suggest we wait for the turrets to pull their weight. Better to attack foes that are already tired, no?
 * Hewpu - Plus, those things could accidently shot us down in the crossfire.

Jallas nodded, as his team checked weapons and ammo, and prepared for battle. They waited, as explosions and roars of rage raked the base, Nukoru counting down the turrets left between them and the beasts.


 * Nukoru - 10, 9, 8...

The creatures roared in rage, as gun fire sounded across, barely audible over the beasts' screams.


 * Nukoru - 7, 6, 5, 4...

Thundering footsteps echoed as the beasts drew closer. Rocket and gun fire sounded, before finally going silent. Nukoru turned to Jallas, eyes wide with fear


 * Nukoru - The turrets are done...What do we do?
 * Jallas - *Grasping the shoulder of his friend* We fight for our lives. And we win.

They all nodded, as Jallas stood, sword raised.


 * Jallas - Remember our comrades and fore-bears, and meet these beasts with every amount of rage you can muster. For the Koatria!

They all gave a shout, as they leapt over the barricades and trenches, the creatures now insight. Several of them where damaged from the fight with the turrets, riddled with gun and missile fire, though still somehow moving. Jallas charged ahead with his comrades, each firing their own weapons at the enemy. Some of the beasts went down, already weakened from the skirmish before hand. Most did not.

All went silent as Jallas and his team activated their jet packs, pulling out melee weapons to engage the foe. Jallas swiped through one's throat with his blade, before turning and cutting through another's eye. With ruthless efficiency, Makoro landed on a hill, loaded his rifle, and opened fire, striking one beast behind Jallas, right through the head. Hewpu slammed down on one, feet first, before bringing his fists up, and slamming them down, summoning a torrent of spiky rocks to send their foes falling backward, and some impaled by the rock. As they pushed forward, striking down the 3 meter and 15 meter tall beasts with ruthless efficiency, could not help but feel proud.


 * Jallas - We have made it through this as friends, as brothers and sisters. Whatever these things are, no matter what, we can win this.

As his team leapt forward to finish the last 3 meter tall beast, a rumble was heard. Kogro stabbed the beast through the throat, then slice outward, form the left, severing one of it's veins. Standing, he began to clean his long-knife.


 * Kogro - What is...?

He never finished, as a group of the beasts charged forth. 5 15 meter tall MOTA, breaking through the very hill Makoro was standing on. He managed to leap out of the way, but was soon thrown against a wall by one of the random limbs flailing into him. Jallas watched Makoro sink into the ground, as his team moved to cover him.


 * Jallas - Makoro!

Jallas ran forward, sword ready, as Kogro and Hewpu went to cover Makoro. Halha ran forward, firing rounds from her Harpoon gun, as Kogro thrown a flame grenade. One of the MOTA swatted Kogro aside, as another grabbed at Halha, ready to chomp down on her. Nukoru acted quickly, creating a sink hole under the MOTA, allowing Halha to leap away, while firing at the sinking MOTA, which quickly lost it's footing, and fell in, with another on top of it. One of the larger MOTA charged forward, hitting Jallas with it's massive head and ramming them both through a building. He roared in anger as he cut it in the face with his blade, but it's hide proved thicker then the others, and it swatted him away. He landed with stunning force against a wall, his helmet thrown off by the blow.


 * Jallas - I failed...My team is going to die because of my over-confidence. I'm going to die.

He felt like offering one final prayer to Kadaii Hoorangiir, Zaraturai, and his Unknown Clan, but then he stopped. Tears streamed down his bloodied face, as he stood to meet his foe. He wiped blood away from the side of his head as he roared a final challenge, picking up his claymore once more.


 * Jallas - I will not die here! Not today! I will find the answers! And you will not stop me! I will find my clan!!

The beast regarded him for a second before charging at him, mouth open, ready to devour him. He ran forward, ready to meet his fate, before something happened. The beast just stopped. It stood there, stunned, before falling down, a sword firmly planted in it's neck. Jumping off was a being he had seen many times with Ugandalore the Great.


 * Jallas - Arkaalin?
 * Arkaalin - Young Jally? Ha, look at you, your an Ultra Commando now. A befitting rank.

Despite what he had been through, and what he knew awaited him outside, with his team, he smiled.


 * Jallas - Yes, I control fire now. My team is...was sent... here to learn some new stuff. But now, with these beast, and my foul leadership... I am not sure.
 * Kogro - Oh, come off it, we're not dead!

Jallas turned to see his friend, who, despite looking like he had just been through hell twice over, stood there, all smiles, with Halha and Hewpu behind him.


 * Hewpu - Can't get rid of us that easily.

The Olda Ultra Commando team stepped forward, carrying some of his teammates, specifically Makoro and Nukoru, and administering field aid. Tilaos stood, his cybernetic eye clicking and extending.


 * Tilaos - They will be fine, only superficial injuries. Though, if my team had not been here in time, it would've been much worse for you.
 * Corhufu - Ah, relax Tilaos, their still cadets, or, most of them are. Their still working out the bugs.
 * Tilaos - This is field operations. They don't get to work out the bugs. They do it right, or come home in a box.
 * Jallas - I know that. I've done this sort of work before. I should know better.

They where all silent, as Galiet approached, grasping Jallas's shoulder with her webbed hand.


 * Galiet - Despite, you did well leading your team. You will all make good Commandos one day.

All present, even Tilaos nodded. After a few moments silence passed, Trogov cleared his throat.


 * Trogov - Well, let's get you kiddies home before the big monsters come to eat us all.
 * Arkaalin - My friend is right, let's move, before more show up.

Jallas nodded, as he went back and picked up his helmet. Halha walked up to him, walking side-by-side with him.


 * Halha - If you ever need someone to help you find your Clan, wherever they may be, I am here for you, brother.
 * Jallas - Thank you, "sister". Sometimes, scratch that, all the time, it gets lonely not having a Clan to trace your lineage back to.
 * Halha - That's why I am here for you.
 * Makoro - And me.

Makoro walked over, with some difficulty, to his old friend, smiling despite his injuries.


 * Makoro - You've always been there for me, and now it's time to return the favor.
 * Jallas - Thank you, Makoro. I could not ask for better friends. What about you Hewpu, would you help me?
 * Hewpu - If I felt like it.

The Kodalorian laughed heartily as they moved towards the center of the base, and to prepare for the next assault.

Meanwhile, Team Tyris was already outside. They had their armor donned and their weapons drawn. It was their job to defend the east side of the Guild, and thus, the undefended nearby town. Blaize stared at the beasts, however they did not notice the cadets, being too buzy to get pastb the fortified Guild.


 * Blaize - What the hell are those!? Jutenhurse!?
 * Iva - No...their energy signatures are quite different! I don't know what they are!
 * Timaal - Whatever they are, they will fall to my blade!
 * Dione - Don't get ahead of yourself! We have no idea Howe powerful those things are!

One of the beasts noticed the cadets and fired a red energy beam at them. They managed to dodge, but the impact of the blast to the ground created a small explosion. They were thrown meters away from the crater the beam left behind. The beast lashed its tentacles at Blaize. Th young Lavatuft grabbed them and pulled the beast towards him, throwing his core into overdrive. He struggled to pull the beast, but managed to keep it in place. Timaal sprang up and sliced the tentacles off of it, making the beast screech in pain. Vonnes followed up with a powerful slash to the beast's leg. It knelt down before receiving a powerful electrified punch from Dione. The beast was stunned by the electricity.


 * Vonnes - Iva, now!
 * Iva - Banzu Azra!!!

Iva raises her staff, firing a mana charged fireball at the beast. The fireball tore right through it. It was still hanging onto life however, lashing out at the team, knocking them away.


 * Blaize - I've had enough of this thing!

Blaize grabs the beast again, slamming it to the ground. Before it could react, Timaal jammed his blade into the beast's chest, freezing the creature. Dione and Vonnes follow up with an electrical-dark energy attack combination, obliterating their frozen foe. Blaize melts the remains of the beast to ash.


 * Timaal - That...was challenging.
 * Vonnes - Well at least that thing is dead.

Before the team could catch a breather, two more of the beasts appeared. They lashed out with their tentacles, tearing through the cadets' armor and flesh. Iva rushed forward and trapped her allies within an energy field. The shield protected them form further harm and healed them as long as they remained inside. But Iva on the other hand, was outside of the shield. She aimed her staff at the two foes.


 * Iva - I will not allow you to harm my allies! Gigano Banzu Azra!!!

Iva fires multiple large fireballs at the beasts. They stagger from the sheer impact of the mana charged attacks. They retaliate with lashes front their Powerful tentacles and arms. Iva's armor was slashed right through, but her exoskeleton held up against the attacks. She retreated into the shield, banged up from the attacks. The shield eventually fell, as Iva had run out of mana to hold it up. Blaize roared at the two beasts, but they were unfazed by his battle cry. He slammed the earth with his fists, sending a wave of molten lava towards the beasts. They were engulfed int the lava, being destroyed in the process. Blaize fell to his knees.


 * Timaal - Blaize! Are you alright!?
 * Blaize - I'm...I'm good.
 * Dione - You are FAR from ok! That shield didn't heal you at all!
 * Iva - What!?
 * Vonnes - Of course not. Blaize's body isn't as organic as ours. Healing spells won't work on him.

Blaize's team looked upon him. He had deep cuts running along his skin and armor. Orange blood-like liquid was oozing from his cuts. He managed to stand, staring at the oncoming giants. There were at least five now. The team was exhausted.


 * Dione - There is no way we keep can fighting those things...
 * Blaize - I can take them. But I'll need you to cover me.
 * Timaal - What do you mean?
 * Blaize - I've created enough molten matter to enter my construct form. Just look at that pool of lava that drowned those other two.
 * Dione - Ok. What do you need us to do?
 * Blaize - Distract them while I merge with the pool. It'll take a few seconds though. This'll only be my second time doing this.

The team nods to their leader and dashes forward to defend him. Dione fires lighting bolts at one if the beasts. The bright light of the lightning was keeping it at bay. She then used her light-speed tea unique to close the gap and punched the beast so hard that it fell to its knees. Timaal continued to slash off one of the beast's tentacles, halting its advance. Vonnes jumped up to what appeared to be the beast's face and stabbed it repeatedly. Iva struck the one of them with her staff to distract it.

Blaize walked into the pool of lava, seemingly melting into it. The pool rose, creating a larger version of the Lavatuft Prince. He grabbed one of the beasts and ripped it in two using his new strength. He made quick work of the other four, drowning them in flames. More and more of the beasts were attracted to team Tyris, making it difficult for Blaize to actually fight them all. They eventually started firing lasers again. Many of them managed to hit Blaize, sending beams right through him. The Prince staggered, barely holding up to the attacks. One last beam hit Blaize in the chest, causing him to literally explode. It seemed to rain molten rock and fire after the explosion. Iva dove to save Blaize's core, which was now exposed to the elements. She placed it within her staff to keep it heated and protected.


 * Dione - Dammit, the big guy is down!
 * Iva - I'm out of mana! I can't heal you guys anymore!
 * Timaal - I am almost spent myself. I can not keep this up for much longer.

Vonnes remained silent. He looked at his bloodied teammates. He could see the fire in their eyes; the determination to survive this battle. He had kept count of the beasts that fell to them. By now, Team Tyris had killed at least 28 of the beasts. But their battle strength was spent. They attempted one last attack, but were knocked clear of the beasts by another powerful beam. Vonnes looked at his friends once more, seeing them laying in their own blood. He completely lost it.

For a young man who usually showed no emotion, this was a surprise even to him. They were his only friends, his family. And he refused to let them die. With a surge of energy pulsing though the battlefield, Vonnes was charged full of Dark Energy. His eyes glowed a blood red and a black aura emanated from his body. He moved towards his foes with amazing speed, almost as fast as Dione, cutting them down with powerful blades of dark energy. Each slash was followed by another surge of energy that knocked back any surrounding enemies. He was in an animalistic rage. The beasts continued to come towards him. Though Vonnes was tired, he continued to slash away at the foes, killing them one by one. Eventually, the rest of Team Tyris came to. They were shocked to see multiple bodies laying before them. The looked up to see Vonnes murdering the beasts. They had never seen him like this. Eventually the beasts stopped attacking them altogether.


 * Timaal - Vonnes! That was remarkable! Come over here!

Vonnes did not respond, only turning to look at his team. He sprinted towards them, blades drawn and full of Dark energy. Timaal glared at Vonnes, blocking his attack with his own blade. Timaal, being the better swordsman, managed to disarm Vonnes. But that did not stop him. He growled at Timaal, knocking him down with brute force and slashing at him with his talons. Timaal could only block the attacks as he lay on the ground, yelling at Vonnes to come to his senses. Blaize, having recovered from the attack, threw Vonnes off of Timaal. Vonnes' power began to go down, but he was still in a state of dark energy induced rage. Dione approached him, placing her hands on his face.


 * Dione - Vonnes! Snap out of it! What's wrong with you!?

Dione looked deep into his red, pupil-less eyes. His initially angry and snarling face softened into one of regret. His pupils reappeared and the dark aura surrounding him vanished. He looked into Dione's eyes, feeling more calm.


 * Timaal - Vonnes, what was that! You almost killed me!
 * Vonnes - I don't know...I saw you all get hurt...and I got angry. I remember hearing a voice. But that's all.
 * Blaize - A Voice? Don't tell me you're a Vanara too.
 * Vonnes - I'm serious Blaize. I'm sorry that is attacks you...this usually never happens she I use the dark energy.
 * Blaize - Huh...well..at least whatever you did saved our asses. This side of the Guild is secure.
 * Vonnes - Yes, I suppose it did. What is our next objective?
 * Timaal - We are in no real condition to fight. We must standby for if our comrades need us.
 * Iva - Yes, I have to restore my mana. Then I can heal you all.
 * Blaize - Don't worry about me. I'm good to go. My wounds are all patched up.
 * Dione - You just love to brag huh?

The cadets shared a laugh. The team sat down together, resting until they were needed.

Team S.O.L and the Black Rose stood on the east side of the Guild while the creatures, which they had been informed by Nara over comlink had been named MOTA.


 * Clari - Get ready. They're coming.
 * Fenric - Should we fire now.
 * Clari - No, at this range even my positron rifles wound miss and that could be catastrophic, but Fenric I want you to freeze the ground, it should make it harder for them to move.
 * Fenric - Aye, aye Sergeant!

Fenric thrust his staff into the ground sending out a wave of ice that froze the earth solid slowing the creatures down somewhat, but hardly enough to be called success.


 * Ahred - Wait!? Did you really expect that to work!? Glaco would be ashamed.
 * Clari - Ahred...Such commentary is detrimental to the confidence of your teammates. If you do not refrain, you will get a beating after this...Damn, Gagenell! We need spikes ASAP.
 * Gaganell - Already on it.

Slamming his fist into the ground sending up iron spikes that slowed the creatures down further, before they simply blasted through the obstacle.


 * Clari - Shit! Alright open fire!
 * Mayra - Yavor!(Vanara military jargon: fire at will)

Clari fired her Positron Rifle the same bright crimson beam as the one the MOTA fired lanced forward slicing through bestial flesh as one of the smaller 3 meter tall ones fell. Mayra opened up with her Rapid Fire EM Launcher taking down another as Asper and Wereney took to the sky to rain down destruction from above. Meanwhile Fenric launched alternating waves of ice and fire while Ahred softened the ground making it harder for the creatures to move forward and Gagenell formed orbs of solid iron which G-Sker magnetized at the advancing aggressors.


 * Wereney - Brother! Help me!

Gagenell turned to see his sister firing down at a massive ten meter MOTA from above, trying desperately the keep away from it's tentacles. Nodding to G-Sker, he began to form a massive iron spike which G-Sker then launched, slicing through the beast revealing it's brain. Wereney then fired her blue tears rounds, blasting the MOTA's grey matter into tiny, flaming pieces, killing it instantaneously. Whistling, Mayra called Asper over, who lifted her into the sky, both firing down on a 5 meter MOTA with their respective ranged weapons before Asper dropped her onto the beast. Activating her psychokinetic field she ripped her way through the beast spraying blood and shreds of internal organs everywhere. Asper joined her on the ground and the two began a synchronized dance of death slicing through many smaller MOTA that got too close. However a massive 15 meter beast was approaching up the hill. No matter their fire power they could not slow the massive beast. Raising it's tentacles it began to charge up for an absolutely massive blast before something large and black tackled sending the beam arcing high into the air. It was the Terra, engaging it's Positron Assault Cannon the Infinite Mobility Suit fired downward obliterating the beast. Leaping off the Terra Niyra charged unleashing a blast of radiation at a smaller MOTA destroying the monster. Activating her AIC Beam Sabers she charged in and began to slash away while unleashing wave after wave of radiation, while the Terra fired away with it's High Energy Positron Rifles and began to light MOTAs up left and right.


 * Fenric - Good to have you back boss!
 * Niyra - Good to be back, what's the situation?
 * Fenric - Not good these MOTAs as you call them just keep coming, we've taken down a few, but it sure ain't enough.
 * Niyra - Damn, I guess I'll have to use it.
 * Fenric - Use what?

Before Niyra could answer, Mayra gave a cry of distresses.


 * Mayra - Give him back you MONSTER!
 * Niyra - Mayra what's wrong?
 * Mayra - That thing has My Asper! It's going to eat him!

Niyra looked around to she everyone else was busy, including Nara in the Terra who was grappling with another 15 meter beast.


 * Niyra - Piss! Alright Mayra. Release Code: Seventh Circle!

Mayra stiffened as the choker around her neck released and brilliant red nova of energy consumed her body. As it faded where once a second stage Vanara had stood there was now a two meter tall, red and black skinned monstrous creature. It's was supported by a muscular serpent tail, it hands the claws of some bird of prey, massive bat like wings grew from it's back, as nine bladed tentacles draped down from it's waist, curved blades arced from it's arms and back, and a long, eyeless, skull like head. A Tyrant Class Demonica, a creature few knew even existed and those who did knew them for one thing, elemental control over blood. The Demonica grinned as a soft hissing voice ushered fourth.


 * Mayra - You will regret ever getting between me and MY ASPER!

Mayra opened up her fist as her black blood began to pool from it, throwing up her hand she slashed it out in front of her as her own blood lashed out and smashed into the MOTA cutting through it's tentacles. Walking slowly forward Mayra lifted her hand and shout fourth a beam of her own blood slicing through the MOTA straight to it's brain. Walking over the powerful entity picked up Asper almost gingerly and held the Changling close. Niyra walked over grinning.


 * Niyra - So ya gonna let up that facade now.
 * Mayra - Hmm, I suppose the secrets out.
 * Niyra - It was never much of a secret in the first place, the whole Empire knew.
 * Mayra - Truth be told I was uncertain if I could control my powers and my nature.
 * Niyra - Hmmm, perhaps some Koatria training?
 * Mayra - Hmm, I shall consider it...

The two looked up to see the Terra overpower a 15 meter MOTA and destroy several more with her Positron Assault Cannon as the rest scattered and began to retreat. The threat was over.

Striking Out
Niyra stood at the top of the Guild and looked around, the earth around the earthen structure had been completely blackened and the moat around it dried up. Luckily, they had managed to fend off the beasts with no casualties, something that was very surprising to her. Rule number one of war: People die. What surprised her even more was that the defenses of the Guild had seemed to work. Rule number...whatever of war: No defense is impenetrable. The town, on the other hand, was in smoking ruins. Niyra turned as she heard footsteps approaching and saw Arkaalin walking up to stand beside her.


 * Arkaalin - Niyra.
 * Niyra - Arkaalin.
 * Arkaalin - You've grown.
 * Niyra - Yep.

The Ugandal shifted a little, this was rather awkward, then again their first encounter hand't been that friendly. Speaking of their first encounter Arkaalin was surprised by how much she had grown and not just physically, there was steel in her eyes.


 * Niyra - So how are the others?
 * Arkaalin - Come see for yourself.
 * Niyra - Fine.

The two walked down into the entrance of the Guild until they finally reached a sort of quickly thrown together infirmary on the lower floor, where the Guild members and Black Roses were helping to administer medical attention, combining the rather incredible properties of Vanara Nano Bots and Waptoria Healing Tissues. Niyra looked to see most of them were back on their feet and not hobbling around. Niyra walked over to her friends to talk.


 * Nukoru - Geez Niyra, I gotta say this nano medicine is incredible!
 * Iva - So this Waptoria Healing Tissues as well!
 * Nara - They are both wonderfully effective. *Look over her shoulder* Don't do that or you'll open up that wound again.

Just then Kinquodo'scr called Nara over into the hallway.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Nara do you know what this is?

Nara walked out into the hallway where a slimy, squelching, pink and blue thing was laying around.


 * Nara - Can't say I do, you keep this place plenty clean so I can't imagine it has been here for that long.
 * Kinquodo'scr - The MOTA probably brought it in.
 * Nara - I'd say that's a pretty good guess.

Just then the thing squirted acid at the wall behind them and generate a truly horrific smell.


 * Kinquodo'scr - I think we should get rid of it.
 * Nara - Agreed.

Niyra grinned as she looked down at what appeared to be shifting, glowing golden dust that was slowly stitching his wounds. Niyra turned to see Blaize was trying to have something resembling a conversation with Mayra who had decided to do away with the disguise of a Vanara and was in full Demonica form. Blaize for his part was surprised to find a race that could look him in the eye, or could have if Demonica had eyes.


 * Blaize - So you're a Demonica.
 * Mayra - In the flesh.
 * Blaize - Niyra told me about your kind. Weren't you at war at one point?
 * Mayra - Once we were genocidal conquerors and indeed we did fight the Vanara. However not all of us were happy with what we had become and quite a few joined the Vanara.

Blaize made a "hmmm" noise and looked over to were Vonnes and Timaal stood talking to each other. Niyra than looked over to see Nara and Clari talking to Team Olda. The Koatria nodded and the eight walked quickly out of the room heading off somewhere intent clear on their faces. Kogro walked up to Niyra.


 * Kogro - I wonder what there walking off to?
 * Niyra - Dunno, but i'm going to find out...

Niyra stormed back into where the cadets were gathered a low growl rumbling from her throat. The rest looked up to see her approach.


 * Fenric - Whats wrong, boss?
 * Niyra - The Black Roses, Team Olda, and the Guild are discussing the MOTA attack.
 * Hewpu - And...
 * Niyra - We have a problem. The Black Roses and Team Olda regard the MOTA as potential new kind of Darkling servant and want to hunt them down. The Guild on, the other hand, believes them to be linked to something, and want to go in search of whatever that is and deactivate it.
 * Mayra - And what do think?

Niyra bit her lip before coming to a decision.


 * Niyra - I'll discus this with the other leaders.

Niyra made a motion and Blaize, Jallas, and Aspuyra joined her in a corner.


 * Jallas - What are you thinking, Niyra?
 * Niyra - I agree with my Admiral and Team Olda, these MOTA are probably some new kind of Darkling Servant and we should hunt them down. Plus, we need to find a way to stop that Eternal Night from spreading and engulfing the planet.
 * Blaize - Then that is what we will do, right?
 * Niyra - Not exactly. The Guild are the ones in charge here and unless Team Olda, Nara, and Clari can convince them otherwise all we have is bunch of squabling adults on our hands.
 * Aspuyra - So what do we do?
 * Niyra - We go find those things ourselves.
 * Blaize - Are you insane!? We will be slaughtered!
 * Niyra - Were not going to fight them. The Guild is right: We just find out where they are coming from. And we hunt them in our way. Perhaps in that case we can stop those adults and their stupid squabling.
 * Jallas - Alright. Shall we all go?
 * Niyra - No, we shall leave some here to help defend the Guild if it gets attacked again. I'll take Fenric, Asper, and Wereney with me.
 * Jallas - Agreed, I will take Hewpu, Kogro, and Makoro.
 * Blaize - In that case I shall go with Timaal and Dione.
 * Aspuyra - I will take Boldok Wrav and Gaco-Fenri-Usss.
 * Niyra - Then we are in agreement?

The three other leaders nodded.


 * Niyra - Then lets get our teams ready.

As the others walked off to gather the others Niyra walked over to Mayra.


 * Mayra - So you go to hunt them.
 * Niyra - You already know, I'm not surprised.
 * Mayra - It is not surprising.

Niyra laughed before turning serious.


 * Niyra - Look after them for me will you.
 * Mayra - I will, you have my word, and look after My Asper.
 * Niyra - I will, never fear.

The two friends clasped each others arms before nodding and separating.


 * Niyra - Thank you my friend.
 * Mayra - And you as well.

Niyra then turned to get the others ready.

Not long after the cadets were traversing their way through the forest to where Niyra and Nara had first encountered the creatures. It as still covered in a layer of dark mist, and did not seem to stay.


 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Dark mists rising. A bad omen. Death steers close.
 * Jallas - Is this the place?
 * Niyra - Aye. This is it.
 * Fenric - Where do we go from here?
 * Niyra - Well the MOTA came from that direction that leads to the river, so I suggest we head that way.
 * Timaal - Than lead on.

Niyra quickly did so. As they were walking the cadets began to notice something strange, the trees and other foliage were covered in some glowing amber fungus that crackled with electricity when touched.


 * Kogro - What are these? I've never seen fungus of this kind before.
 * Aspuyra - The growth pattern is too straight for any naturally occurring fungus.
 * Jallas - You think the creatures left this?
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - If they did, track them we could.
 * Niyra - Its the only lead we got, I suggest we fallow it.
 * Jallas - Makes sense.

The cadets set off again, but as they continued Niyra noticed something strange was happening. The fog of the forest was beginning to thicken, the lights of the fungus began to shimmer and dance before her eyes, the trees seemed to dance and weave before her eyes, and the whole world began to spin. Niyra shook and grabbed her head, screaming at the top of her lungs.


 * Niyra - No! I won't submit! Go away! I will not Daydream!

Slowly the forest began to stop spinning, the lights settled, and the fog began to clear. Niyra quickly looked around to see she was standing near the bank of the river with only Makoro wandering aimlessly back and fourth a dazed look in his eyes. Niyra quickly ran over and began to shake him by the shoulder until his eyes cleared. Shaking his head he quickly looked around.


 * Makoro - Niyra, where are we? Where are the others?
 * Niyra - I don't know, we were suffering from some sort of disillusion. At first I thought it was just my Daydream Syndrome, but now I wonder if those MOTA have anything to do with it...
 * Makoro - What do we do now?
 * Niyra - We find are bearing some how...And then we find the others?
 * Makoro - Works for m...

His words were cut off as the began to see strange, crackling lights coming at them from in between the trees and haunting moans floated over to them. The MOTA were coming...

Battle for Survival
Glynn, Blaize, Timaal, Dione and Wereney get separated and attacked by the MOTA, in the end they are forced to retreat

Aspuyra and Asper walked formwards beneath the trees. Above them was a blanked of thick black clouds that blocked out any light of the stars above their head. Or any rays of the sun. She groaned. She ignore it. She liked this spreading, unending night. She and Asper were Changelings, after all. It was stronger than themselves to like the idea of an Eternal Night. And she hated herself for liking it.

People would suffer if this did not end. Raptoraneans and Liev were reliant on sunlight to even survive. In an unending, starless night, they would slowly starve...and then die.

That was at stake here.

Aspuyra looked at Asper, who simply nodded in return. They both thought the same thing. They knew it. Darklings, or at least a Darkling, was behind this. Having this Eternal Darkness to engulf the planet was their, hos, or her goal. These MOTA where just an distraction. And Guild and Black Roses alike had just walked straight into it. The Black Roses...Had their coming been forseen by the Brotherhood as well? If so, then that Darkling was, or these Darklings were - Aspuyra had no idea - cunning. Very cunning. Because Black Roses were Vanara. They had kaiju. They had experience with these things.


 * Boldok - Then why let trick a group of soldiers of a race experienced with fighting big things come to a world overrun big things?
 * Aspuyra - W-What? Boldok?..I have been thinking out loud, haven't I?
 * Boldrok - *Grunts* And I don't undertstand your logic.
 * Aspuyra - Well, look. Black Roses are Vanara. Vanara are experienced with fighting big beasts like this. So they would instinctively choose to exterminate theee big beasts, these MOTA, over pushing back an Eternal Night that only slowly, very slowly, creeps over the planet.
 * Boldok - As would I. Big things to fight means big fights. Just the way I like it.
 * Aspuyra - You don't understand, don't you? That's exactly what the want! How long do you think it will take to kill off all these MOTA!?
 * Boldok - I dunno. A couple of weeks?
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Hunting down the stragglers, you forget.
 * Boldok - Right. That could take another month or so. What's the problem?
 * Aspuyra - The promblem, Boldok, is that in two months, the whole planet will be covered in this Eternal Night already. It does not charge like those MOTA do. It creeps.
 * Boldok - If it was a living thing, I'd say it is a coward. Cowards normally don't cause trouble.
 * Aspuyra Damn you! Because it moves so slowly, it gives the illusion that the MOTA are the main threat here! They are just an distraction! I am a Changeling, Boldok! I'm a rebel to a race that serves the Darklings! I know how they think! If this planet is covered in Eternal Darkness, then you know what will happen?
 * Boldok - Eh...No.
 * Aspuyra - Then they will mount an full invasion. Due to no light falling on this world anymore at that point, their powers will be amplified, while ours, as Koatria will, will dwindle. We are dwindling in elemntal power right now! Zaraturai is losing grip on this world. On this world! Don't you see how bad that is!? A world where Koatria are trained! A world that soon will be ready for harvest! Look at all the cadets in the academy! When this planet is covered in Eternal Darkness...When the Darklings invade...All of the Cadets here will be able to be turned into their servants at their will. And mark my words, the Darklings will not hesitate in doing so.

Thye walked further in silence, before reaching a clearing in the forest. Where otherwise the moon would have shone down on them, was now only an impenetrable layer of black clouds. Aspuyra stopped, before her Euchanda body started to morph into something resembling an insectoid, bat-like creature. The regular body of a Changeling, indentical to Asper, though more slim. Stretching her wings, Aspuyra looked out to the thick layer of pitch-black clouds, twitching her antenae.


 * Boldok - Huh? What's the matter? Is something approaching? Something big?
 * Aspuyra - No. There are no MOTA here.
 * Boldok - Blast it. Of all the Cadet squads, were are probably the ony ones without anything to fight!
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Boldok. Quit. Hear you, the MOTA may.
 * Boldok - Then we shoot them.
 * Glaco-fenri-Uss - The point that not is. Not to seek a fight, Aspura does.
 * Aspuyra - *With her eyes closed* Right. I am trying to sense where the darkness spreads out from.

She opened her eyes, pointing in the direction to the northwest of them.


 * Aspuyra - From there.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - According to MOTA tracks in the the forest soil I found, that way is where MOTA emenate.
 * Aspuyra - Hmmm...In that case I'll fly the farthest I could without running into too much MOTA. Once there are too much that can detect me flying overhead, I'll land and sneak my way further into it. Then, when I reach the scource of the emenating darkness, I find a way to decativate it, and maybe where the MOTA come from as well.
 * Boldok - All alone? That's suicidical!
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Help you track the MOTA can can. So you stay clear of their paths.
 * Aspuyra - Thanks, Glaco. Your help is appreaciated. But Boldok...I'm afraid none of you can come with me.
 * Boldok - Why not? If we're going to a place with a lot of MOTA, it's gonna be fun.
 * Aspuyra - You charge into battle too eagerly. If I want to survive this and bring back data on how to stop the spread of this Eternal Night and push it back, I've got to it sneaky...And silently. You got that, Asper?
 * Asper - *Nods*
 * Aspura - Good. Tell the others that a MOTA attack seperates me from you guys. Shouldn't be too hard to feint.

She opened up her wings, ready for flight.


 * Boldok - Wait! Aspuyra...Take care. And come back, OK?
 * Aspuyra - *Smiles* You bet I will.

And with that, she took of, soaring out of sight.

Niyra activated her AIC Beam Sabers and Makoro loaded up his sniper rifle. The moans and lights died down before a 3 meter MOTA rushed from the brush towards the two. Niyra deflected it's on coming tentacle with her beam sabers before blasting it with a beam of radiation as Makoro fired over shoulder. The round hit the MOTA with pin point accuracy. Makoro had charged the bullet with his elemental energy causing a massive spike of ice to generate straight in to the beast's brain. As it fell a five meter MOTA lumbered out. Both Niyra and Makoro charged towards it as Makoro began to freeze parts of it solid and Niyra shattered them with nuclear explosions. Several more smaller MOTA emerged forcing Niyra and Makoro to stand back to back firing blasts of elemental energy to keep them at bay. Makoro summoned up and elemental ice wall before shattering it into shards that flew into the MOTA causing them to shriek in pain and even dropping one. Niyra then launched a beam of radiation that cut down two more. One of the creatures fired a positron blast forcing the two to scatter. Makoro fired his sniper rifle three more times killing another MOTA as Niyra generate a nuclear explosion in the mouth of a MOTA blasting a large chuck of it off killing it.


 * Makoro - Is that all?
 * Niyra - Doubtful.

A roar sounded from the forest answered that question.


 * Makoro - Damn!
 * Niyra - You said it.
 * Makoro - Really wish I didn't have to.
 * Niyra - Heh.

Another nine meter MOTA crawled out of forest and Niyra and Makoro nodded to each other. Niyra charged to MOTA as Makoro used his sniper rifle to take out the tentacles that swung toward her. Launching a jet of radiation Niyra propelling herself into the air, pulled out Arondight before slamming down on the creature stabbing Arondight into an eye. Makoro summoned his element to freeze the beast's legs and tentacles as Niyra began to build up before sending a massive surge of radiation into the MOTA frying it's brain. Niyra jumped down and grinned at Makoro before the ground began to shake as a massive 10 meter MOTA emerged its tentacles failing and knocked Niyra to the side. Makoro gritted his teeth and began to fire his sniper rifle as he dodged back and fourth using ice attacks to keep it from striking him. However one of the tentacles snuck up from behind and sent him flying. Hitting the ground hard Makoro looked up at the beast as it prepared to fire a positron blast. Suddenly it stiffened before a massive chunk of it's flesh came flying off spraying Makoro with it's blood. Makoro looked to see Niyra standing there, a her left side completely covered in black and blue MOTA blood. Her mysterious, transparent knife had been used to stab the beast and Makoro saw it's blood being drawn into the knife and vanishing into oblivion. Niyra snarled her voice cold.


 * Niyra - I will not let a single one of you harm my friends!

Sheathing the knife Niyra walked over to Makoro and offered him a hand lifting him to his feet.


 * Makoro - Thanks, Niyra.
 * Niyra - No problem. *Putting her hand on his shoulder* Just try not to get yourself killed when I'm not around ya big damn hero.
 * Makoro - Heh, can't promise you anything.
 * Niyra - No, I suppose you can't. Occupational hazard, huh?
 * Makoro - *Laughs* Yeah, by the way...What's the story with that knife?
 * Niyra - I don't know, my father gave it to me, but only told me to use it in the most if I had no other option.
 * Makoro - Your parents are weird.
 * Niyra - I'm the daughter of a reformed psychopath and son of a crime lord, of course they're strange.

Makoro smiled at that, before Niyra's eyes suddenly widened before she shoved Niyra to the side as a massive positron beam blasted where he had been only moments before.


 * Makoro - NIYRA!

The beam ceased and Makoro saw Niyra still standing, the beam having missed. Makoro looked to see a massive 15 meter MOTA approaching. The creature reach out a grabbed Niyra, struggling to get free Niyra fired a surge of radiation down the length of the tentacle causing the MOTA to roar in pain as it threw her, the bladed of the tentacle slicing through her arm, cutting it clean off as she plunged into the river, the strong currents began to pull her down stream.


 * Niyra - Makoro! Help!
 * Makoro - Niyra! I'm...

His words were cut off as the beast's leg smashed into him sending him through the air and slamming in against a tree. Makoro hit the ground whispered out one word as his vision began to fade and the last sight he saw before loosing consciousness and the MOTA lumbered off was Niyra getting swept away.


 * Makoro - Niyra...

Hewpu cursed under his breath as a 10 meter tall MOTA came charging towards his group, yet again. Thanks to 1 MOTA, he, Kogro, Jallas, and Fenric had gotten separated from the rest of the group. Thanks to one annoying MOTA. It had proven very resilient. He grumbled to himself as he loaded another clip into his gun and fired away, watching only as the bullets scratched the service of the beast's armored flesh.


 * Kogro - Why won't this damn thing die!

Kogro took out both his Truxnian Combat Knifes and jumped forward, using his jet pack to land on the beast's back. Jallas nodded to himself as he followed suit, leaping forward onto the creature's back. Hewpu understood what he had to do. Pulling with his power, he reached out, turning the rock and stone into mighty hands to grab the sharp tentacles of the beast, and hold it down, or, even tear them off. Meanwhile, Fenric was busy firing blasts of magma at it's eyes, trying to blind the beast. It roared in anger, as Jallas swung his blade down. Despite the sharpness of the blade, the Claymore did little more then nick the skin.


 * Kogro - Watch and learn, brother.

Kogro, like a storm, began slicing into the beast's back, cleanly cutting off pieces of flesh, as it thrashed and shrieked in pain and rage. Jallas still followed suit, trying to find weak points in the beast's armor as Hewpu held out with his elemental power. Despite the strength of the stone he used, the beast was still resisting heavily.


 * Hewpu - I don't mean to be a bother, but could you guys hurry up with the "slice-n-dice" part?
 * Kogro - A moment more, deary!

Hewpu grunted in agitation as Kogro slashed through the beast's back, hacking off larger and larger chucks of flesh. Finally, both Kogro and Jallas jumped off, as the beast slowly stopped moving, before slumping forward. Hewpu released his grip, breathing heavily, the rocks crumbling to pieces as he did so. Fenric ran over to him.


 * Fenric - You ok, big guy?
 * Hewpu - Teah, fine. It's just...Holding a giant monster down tends to tire one out.
 * Kogro - Ah, don't worry big guy, you had that. No sweat.

Kogro walked over, his front almost entirely covered in blood, the warm liquid dripping from his arms and armor.


 * Hewpu - You look like the god of war, Tortanis.
 * Kogro - I make gods of war look good.
 * Hewpu - Well, enjoy any diseases you get from that thing's blood, War-god.
 * Jallas - Alright you 2, stow it, we got a long journey ahead.
 * Fenric - *chuckling* You guys make such a great team together.

Kogro began wiping the blood off his armor as the team moved forward, checking their weapons and armor systems. Hewpu was calibrating his rifle, when Kogro tapped him on the shoulder.


 * Kogro - I have to ask something Hewpu.
 * Hewpu - Nothing to personal I hope.
 * Kogro - *chuckles* No, no, nothing like that. You had a lot of friends back home, right?
 * Hewpu - Yeah, so?
 * Kogro - I just never hear you talk about them.

Hewpu readjusted his combat helm, retracing the visor so he could look at the Truxnian directly.


 * Hewpu - I cam from a big community. Everyone knew everyone else. It was a little more tight-knit then most Kodalorian colonies. I was a pretty famous child-athlete back home.
 * Kogro - So why don't you ever talk about them?
 * Hewpu - Just because I don't talk about them, doesn't mean I don't miss them. I just don't want thoughts of them coming up in battle distracting me. I work to make them proud, and to make the galaxy safer for them. But if I think about my parents all the time, I worry some past memory could come up at the wrong moment. I've always had trouble concentrating, and memories of my mother would be very distracting.
 * Kogro - I see.

Hewpu readjusted his visor, before putting on his rebreathe mask over his mouth.


 * Hewpu - That's a fine shotgun you have, where did you get it.
 * Kogro - My...original father. It was his last gift before he died.
 * Hewpu - Oh. I'm sorry, Kogro. I know the feeling. My mother...

The Ugandalorian said nothing else as they continued on, only nodding in reassurance. Hewpu fiddled with his gun a bit as he walked, a habit he had developed once he got here. Similar to Kogro, the gun was a gift from his late mother, which Hewpu kept with him at all times. What he never told anyone was he also slept with the gun, snuggled up to it like a stuffed animal. He almost sighed at how ridiculous the thought was, before he felt the ground tremble, much harder then before.

Not stopping, he raised a wall of stone in front of the team as a group of MOTA charged into it, cracking the fast-made wall, but stopping them in the middle of their charge. He further reinforced it with more stone.


 * Fenric - Jeez, good job, big guy.
 * Jallas - Yes, but we need a plan.
 * Kogro - How about we jump down on top of them, Deep Strike Maneuver, just like back home.
 * Jallas - We don't have enough men, and these beasts could pull some stupid shenanigans with their tentacles.

Hewpu said nothing, looking at his wall as MOTA slammed into it. If they broke through, it would shards of rook flying down upon them, potentially crushing them. Yes, crush...


 * Hewpu - That's it!
 * Kogro - What, where? I hate clowns!
 * Hewpu - I'm going to crush them.

Hewpu pushed out with his will, bringing the rock under his command once more, before sending it crashing down. Before anyone could say anything, the rocks where slamming down upon many of the MOTA.


 * Hewpu - Charge!

Of course, most of the MOTA in the pack died from the rocks crashing down upon them, or where pinned heavily. They leapt forward firing elemental blasts and projectile rounds as they struck down the last of the MOTA, which where easier to kill then the one they had encountered earlier.


 * Jallas - Hewpu, that was brilliant. I owe you a fate-debt.
 * Hewpu - Think nothing of it, Jallas. I merely did what any Mendel worth his salt would do.
 * Fenric - Can we get moving again?
 * Kogro - I would suggest against that.

They turned to Kogro, as they saw him near a cliff edge. He motioned for them, and they ran forward, pressing down as low to the ground as possible once they did, seeing what he saw. Below tgem, ten MOTA were lumbering forth, though their siaz made it look like an gigantic, ravenous horde.


 * Kogro - If we continue, we will have to fight through them. I suggest we turn back, they don't have our scent. Yet.
 * Jallas - Alright, we tried out best. We'll try and link up with the others on the way back.
 * Hewpu - Alright, let's move.

They moved back, as quickly as they could, Hewpu bringing up the rear, on account of his larger mass slowing him down, and having the most brutal weapons to bear in battle, making the best at slowing down any MOTA. hH had already had a plan to take out their joints if they tried to come upon them. He was the best shot, not having to use bionics to enhance his vision like Makoro.

However, nothing came of his plans. They managed to retrace their steps quite effectively, using the dead MOTA as landmarks for their journey.

They came across the rest of the teams, all making their way back, as Jallas surveyed the area.


 * Jallas - Where is Makoro and Niyra?
 * Timaal - I don't know, they got separated from us when the MOTA attacked. Caused some weird psychic disturbances brought on by the MOTA.
 * Jallas - Blast. I will go back for them.
 * Kogro - I will go with you. I could track them.

Jallas turned, his sword in hand, pointing at Kogro with his free hand.


 * Jallas - On your way, brother. I will do this myself. The less people involved, the better chance I have.

He turned, and ran off, cutting through any jungle growth in his way, while hiding out if a MOTA came to close for comfort. He needed to get to Makoro and Niyra as fast as possible. Fighting any MOTA would slow them down.


 * Jallas - I'm coming. Don't worry Niyra and Makoro. I am coming for you guys. I always will.

He continued on, beneath the carpet of thick black clouds that blocked out any starlight in this strange, unending night.

Nightmare Eater Arisen
Jallas tor through the jungle as fast as his legs could carry him, his breath burst from his lung, as sweat ran down his forehead, but he ignored all this, he couldn't let anything distract him from rescuing his friends. But where could they be? Stopping for a while he looked around the get his bearings, to the north lay mountains, but those where to far away, to the south the way they had come, he would have seen them, the east was more jungle, the west a river. A river that could be it, last time they had done something like this they had fallowed the river, Kogro had said doing so was easier then hacking through jungle, of Kogro had also latter mentioned that such could be more dangerous, nasty things lurked in rivers and those things where good at ambush. Still it was his best bet and he would take it. He had long ago decided that those two where his family and he would let nothing harm his family, not if he could help it. Traveling along the river he soon spotted something silver and shinny up ahead, charging forward and shouting his friend's names he soon burst into the open. Entering into a clearing he saw Makoro sitting up against a tree looking down at the ground, as he approached Jallas saw a haunted, dead look in his friends wide staring eyes. Leaning down Jallas spoke to Makoro.


 * Jallas - Makoro, what happened, wheres Niyra?
 * Makoro - Niyra, she... she...

Makoro couldn't finish, rather he simply looked down at what he was holding. Jallas fallowed his eyes down to what Makoro was holding in his hand and saw it was Niyra's arm, without the body.


 * Jallas - By... What happened?
 * Makoro - We where ambushed, she fell into the river... I was knocked out...

Makoro couldn't go on as he buried his face in his hands and began to cry. Jallas stood tears streaming down his face, he did nothing to stop them, he would contest this like a warrior, he would feel it as friend.


 * Jallas - By Zara...

He stopped, a Vanara had died here, he would pray to a Vanara God, one he knew would answer his prayers if he was real.


 * Jallas - By Jura I swear I will avenge my battle-sister, so Fire Dragon give me strength I will BURN every last one of those abominations from the face of this universe!

He was done crying, there was steel in his eyes now, walking over to Makoro her grabbed his friend's hand.


 * Jallas - Makoro come on lets go.
 * Makoro - But Niyra, she...
 * Jallas - Isn't here right now, we've had our time to cry and will have it again, but now we must return, to regroup our forces and pay these things back, for Niyra, for our lost comrade, we must fight back with all we have.

Makoro sat there for a bit, before his hand rose to wipe the tears from his eyes, taking Niyra's arm he put it in his bag, he would return all that remained of his friend to her family, standing up Jallas saw a cold fury in his eyes and his fists clenched.


 * Makoro - I may be just the son of a translator, but I will fight to avenge her death.
 * Jallas - Then lets go back to the others, we won't be able to avenge her with just us.
 * Makoro - Right.

The two set off, heading back the way they had come. As they ventured through the thick forest they came to a large clearing and saw something that chilled them to the bone. Standing in the clearing were three 15 meter MOTA, each with an identifiable trait. one had two massive gashes on it's sides, another was more heavily armored, and the one in the middle a blood red color. Around them the sounds of other MOTA approaching could be heard. Jallas stared in shock was, their quest over before it even began? No! He refused accept that, he would never accept that! Grabbing his sword and lifting it he sent flames writhing along his body and up the length of his blades, looking over to Makoro he saw his friend stood in a similar state an icy aura emanating from his body with his sniper loaded and pointed. He noticed something strange about the way the MOTA were acting, they were shifting back a fourth nervously and looking up. Jallas risked a quick glance upward and saw what looked to be a blue star, but wait that was no star, it was getting closer. Eyes widening Jallas and Makoro scrambled out of the way as the "star" slammed to the earth.


 * Makoro - What the!?

Looking up the two saw a sight even more chilling then the MOTA, as massive red and black, 22 meter dragon stood before them, it's flesh smooth and shinny, covered in bright red gems, with massive clawed feet, wickedly hooked hands, a long whip-like tail, four fleshy fins that grew from it's back with blue wings of light stretchered between them, the fanged head sat upon a long neck, with long, tall ears, and eyes like that of a deep sea fish, cold, unfeeling, and predatory. Roaring out a challenge, the red MOTA shrieked and swung out it's tentacles at the dragon's head, the dragon ducked to the side before waves of fiery orange and golden flames roared from it's jaw obliterating the red MOTA. Suddenly two more MOTA, one black and white and the other brown charged from the forest straight towards the dragon. The dragon turned and slammed it's shoulder into the brown MOTA sending it reeling back before grabbing the black and white one and striking it a surge of energy traveling through the blow forcing it back as well. A 15 meter mossy green MOTA emerged from the forest and sung it's tentacles at the dragon which jumped over the failing limbs and charged head long into the mossy green MOTA sending to the ground with a quick stab from it's nasal horn. The brown MOTA charged in for more but the dragon grabbed an threw it to the ground. However before the black and red monstrosity could finish it off a large hairy MOTA lumbered onto the battle field and struck the dragon with it's tentacles before charging straight into it knocking it to the ground. The mossy green MOTA moved back in for the kill, but the dragon rose to it's feet again and charged. The mossy green MOTA stepped to the side and latched onto the dragon's back, lifting it's back the terrifying titan sent the mossy green MOTA tumbling off it's back. Turning for the killed to was interrupted by the brown MOTA again, grappling with it the dragon let go and slammed into the stubborn beast with it's fist sending up a surge of energy that knock the annoyance to the ground. Turning to the hairy MOTA the dragon swung it's foot up in the beast sending it back before the dragon kicked out it's feet again sliding along the ground slamming into the hairy MOTA with maximum force. The black and white MOTA reentered the fray with a vengeance grappling with the dragon the red and black beast threw it's foe to the ground beating the brown one that tried to sneak up from behind into the dirt again. The mossy green MOTA lumbered forward, spotting it the dragon rolled itself it a ball and slammed into the tentacled beast which respond by delivering a kick. The dragon grabbed the MOTA's leg and threw it to the ground. Readying to finish this one off once and for all the dragon was interrupted when the heavily armored one from before struck. Grabbing the offending creature the dragon began to squeeze causing the armor to give way and as the beast was slowly crushed before finally expiring. The dragon turned to see the MOTA with the two gashes along it's sides trying to get away, it din't far before the dragons flames obliterated it.

Jallas was watching all this in stunned awe when he felt Makoro's hand on his shoulder. Turning he saw Makoro pointing. Jallas looked to see yet another MOTA approaching.


 * Makoro - That's the one that killed...

He didn't need to finish Jallas could see it for himself, the beast was covered in radiation burns. Turning to face this newcomer Jallas could have sworn he saw the rage in the dragon's eyes increase ten fold. The two charge slamming into each other before the burned MOTA struck the dragon across the head. The black and white MOTA took it's chance and lept on the dragons back as the brown one attacked from the front. The dragon threw them both off, but was struck by the black and white ones tentacles. The burned one charged in again and the dragon slammed it with it's shoulder sending it reeling, before kicking and then head butting it aside. The brown one charged in again with the white and black one the dragon quickly fended them off again. However it was distracted by the heavily armored one, some how the MOTA had survived, the dragon decided to change that. Grabbing the MOTA by the tentacles the dragon threw it off balance before slamming into it with it's tail, sending the beast's brain flying out it's body killing it for good. The hairy MOTA stood again and it and the dragon charged each other. However the dragon stopped short and swung it's tail out, impaling the charging MOTA straight into it's brain, killing it. The mossy green one stood again and swung it's tentacles at the dragon's feet, the dragon leaped over and took to the air spreading it's wings of light, before coming crashing down on the MOTA. Swinging out it's tail it cut the approaching brown MOTA clean in haft, ending the annoyance once and for all. The black and white raised it's tentacles to avenge it's fallen comrade and fired a positron beam. The dragon dodged it and unleashed it's flames ending that irritation as well. Grabbing the downed mossy green MOTA'd tentacles it swung the beast around and threw it into the trees. However another MOTA was approaching, a 15 meter one with shinny, black, metallic looking skin, this new MOTA fired it's positron beam which the dragon met with it's fire, the two attacks neutralizing each other. The burned MOTA charged and grabbed the dragon's head throwing it to the side, before the dragon lunged to it's feet striking the burned MOTA away with it's shoulder as it did so. The mossy green MOTA stood again and fired it's positron beam at the dragon's back, the dragon ducked under the crimson death ray and swung out with it's tail eviscerating it's foe. However as it did this the burned MOTA struck grabbing the dragon by the head and the neck it began to sink it's tentacles in deep, sending them burrowing all throughout the dragon's fleash as it shrieked in pain.


 * Makoro - It can't hold out much longer we have to do something!
 * Jallas - Then were going to hit that MOTA who killed Niyra with everything we've got.

The two struck Makoro's ice powers freezing the MOTA's tentacles before shattering them as Jallas's flames burned them all away, freeing the dragon. Standing and bleeding heavily the dragon charged the newly arriven metallic MOTA and the burned MOTA throwing them both back. The metallic MOTA swung out with it's tentacles, but the dragon deflected them and punched the MOTA before turning and slamming it with it's foot. Striking the burned MOTA to the side with it's tail it raised it like scorpion and stabbed at the metallic MOTA several time before piercing all the way through it. Lifting the metallic MOTA off the ground with it's tail the dragon threw the beast with such force it's internal organs were splattered all over the clearing. The dragon then turned it's attention back to the burned MOTA it rolled into a ball and slammed it's nemesis back, before rising to obliterate the creature with it's flames. The dragon lifted it's head and roared out in victory at the massacre it stood over. However it seemed the burn MOTA's tentacles had penetrated some fire producing organ, for as the dragon roared in victory flames were spreading across it's body, consuming skin, flesh, and bone until nothing was left. Nothing that was except for a large blood red orb. Approching cautiously, Jallas and Makoro noticed something shadowy moving in the center.


 * Jallas - There is something in here, I'm going to cut it open, you stay back a catch whatever comes out.
 * Makoro - Aye.

Jallas raised his sword and sunk it deep into the orbs as a red liquid spewed fourth, he continued cutting from top to bottom as more red liquid came gushing fourth, until something did come out. Catching it Makoro dragged it over before stopping stunned.


 * Jallas - What...

He stopped dead, though covered in red liquid Jallas could clearly see what Makoro held. It was a small, thin, humanoid being with pale white, almost metallic looking skin, and short silver hair, dressed in a skirt and top that revealed the midriff, and with only one arm. Makoro reached into his bag and pulled out a severed arm that look the same as the intact arm. Makoro looked up with tears in his eyes.


 * Makoro - Jallas...

Jallas nodded scarcely able to believe is eyes, but it was. Makoro chocked out the rest of the sentence before breaking down in tears.


 * Makoro - It's Niyra...

Return
Nara stood looking out over the forest below her, she had stormed out of the meeting hall furious, only to find low and behold Niyra and a fair number of the other cadets missing a few questions had been all it took to get the required information out of them, especially since she was Mayra's Admiral and the Demonica really had no choice but to obey her. The Guild members had of course been furious, Nara found it almost amusing. However it was highly irresponsible of Niyra and the others, they would need to be punished, at least Niyra had been smart enough not to go directly engaging the creatures in her plan, however plans rarely or rather never go exactly to plan. The low light levels did little to effect her senses, she could see in infrared and her eyesight was sharp enough to pierce down that far. Nara's eyes narrowed as she saw something moving below. Marching down the Guild with purpose she saw Jallas and the others returning, but wait... Nara broke into a dead run and saw him carrying Niyra over his shoulder. Nara took a quick look at the condition of the others and nodded.


 * Nara - Come, bring her.

Jallas, Makoro, and Timaal fallowed Nara over to where the Black Roses had set up a make shift hospital, laying Niyra down on a bed Nara turned as Clari entered the room. The dark blue Kaiser Vanara took one look at the situation and turned to go retrieve something.


 * Timaal - What is she...
 * Nara - You will see.

Clari returned with what looked to be a mechanical arm, a container containing some weird red threads, and a sleeve of some sort. Clari wordlessly handed the materials over to Nara.


 * Makoro - Um why are we using prosthetics, elemental powers can't be channeled through such, that's why we use stem cell regrowths.
 * Clari - Ya, but Vanara prosthetics are a large portion organic.
 * Makoro - Amazing.

Nara took the mechanical arm and stuck it onto Niyra's stump, removing the red threads from the container and placed them on the stump. Placing the sleeve over the arm the thing began to bulge and shift before they could not tell the difference between the prosthetic and Niyra's actually flesh.


 * Jallas - Incredible.

Nara then took out a flash light and opened Niyra's eyes, shinning the light inside her eye. The pupil didn't dilate. She snapped her figures near her subordinates ear, but it didn't move. Nara tried a few more reaction tests before setting back with a sigh.


 * Nara - As I expected, she is in a completely unresponsive state.
 * Makoro - Like a coma?
 * Nara - No, more like something has disrupted her psyche, which was already in an unstable state. The result she has become completely withdrawn into her subconscious.
 * Makoro - She was in Ryu Form when we found her, do you think that could have something to do with this?

Nara raised her eyebrow in surprise, it was a rather astute observation.


 * Nara - Very likely. Ryu Form is mentally destabilizing on its own. With all her built up stress, frustration, and confused emotions it have very well pushed her over the edge.
 * Jallas - Hoorangiir damn me. I should have known better then to go along with this.

Nara looked back at them, she had intended to punish them, but this was punishment enough.


 * Nara - Go, see to your teams, I will handle thing here. There is a storm coming, we must prepare ourselves.

Memories
Niyra's eyes cracked open as she sat up from where she had been sleeping, a pile of trash bags underneath a small metal shelter in an alleyway. Groaning she remembered how she got here. She had been heading home through Hammerfall when the sirens signaling an acid rain fall had sounded forcing her to scramble for cover. Standing up from the trash bags she stretched out the kinks in her neck she walked out of her temporary refuge and proceed to finish her journey home careful to avoid the smoldering acid pools that were still left in the street. As she walked she stopped over a grisly sight. The dead body of one of Hammerfall residents lay there, most of the flesh having been eaten away by the acid. He had died defending himself from the now dead rat like creatures that surrounded him. Niyra shuttered, she knew those creatures, they had been genetically engineered by some rather foolish archivists trying to create a creature with a more effective digestive system, the end result had been a ravenous creature that horded together to eat anything and everything they came across and here in Hammerfall with no one to carry out routine exterminations they had flourished. Niyra was glad these ones where dead. leaning over the carcasses she saw that the mutant was holding some kind of blaster, putting on armored gloves she began to search the body finding several more objects. She was lucky, here the bodies of the dead were quickly stripped of whatever they had on them, but she had found this one first. However she would have to get moving before someone else came and tried to take her prize and her life with it if they felt like it. Finishing up she quickly stood and began to continue her path back home. As she wandered the ruins she looked up at the boiling angry red sky above her and signed.


 * Niyra - I wish I had a way out of here...

Blood red light illuminated the streets and houses of what was one of the more rebuilt regions of Hammerfall. Rebuilt meaning that there was something resembling permanent residence here. It was one of the more suburban areas of what had now become Hammerfall and exposed to the least amount of hostile environmental conditions making it relatively safe. Relatively being the key word. The environment may not have been as dangerous, but that didn't mean dangerous people didn't lurk. These and similar thoughts were running through Niyra's head as she considered how she had gotten into this particular situation. She had been walking through the streets heading home after scavenging through a junk yard having recovered a functioning plasma rifle and pistol when a couple of thugs had come wandering out an ally and bumped into her.


 * Thug 1 - Well, well, well look at what we have here boys.
 * Thug 2 - Yeah, hey their little lady are you lost?

They snickered and Niyra yawned to herself.


 * Niyra - Are Era, look at the trouble I've gotten myself into.
 * Thug 3 - Ah come on missy, we're not gonna hurt you.

They snickered more and began to back her back into the alleyway before the first one pinned her against a wall.


 * Thug 1 - Now little miss we're just a bunch of gentlemen who are willing to guide you home. Grant you pay us.

Niyra simply smiled and cocked her head over to the the side slightly.


 * Niyra - Oh I have no doubt about that. The problem is only proper ladies except the services of a gentleman...

Niyra's grinned change from one that looked sweetly naive to one that looked murderously psychotic and her eyes glowed.


 * Niyra - And I'm no proper lady!
 * Thug 1 - Huh?

That was all he had time to say before he felt something cutting into his side and looked down the see the Niyra had shoved her claw into him. Wrapping her fingers around his liver before she pulled it out and crushed him before his very eyes. Staring he fell to his knees his blood seeping out over the concrete. Niyra brought up her foot and then brought it down on his neck, hard and twisting her foot to break the thug's neck.


 * Thug 2 - You bitch!

He charged her, but Niyra ducked pulling out her knife made of DaiKaiju fang. Slashing downward she severed his arm and then ducked down slashing behind her to hamstring him. Hitting the ground on his knees Niyra turned and grabbed his head and began to repeatedly smash it against the wall until she heard a most satisfying crack and his skull caved in. The other thug had just been standing there in shock, but now he began to run.


 * Niyra - Now, now.

She pulled out several Flechette Darts and through them into his legs sending him crashing to the ground. Niyra creeped up behind him and wrapped her hands around his face.


 * Niyra - You wanted me to stick around until you were done, now I think its only fair you do the same for me!

Suddenly she sank her fangs into his throat before ripping out his jugular and gulping it down with a snap. Walking off she looked behind her and sent a fiery orange spark of radiation from her finger tip. A flash of light and the bodies were reduced to ash that blew away in the wind leaving behind not a single trace.

Niyra knew she was going to die, water filled her lungs chocking off her breath as it's poison filled her body. Whather she drowned, was poisoned, or bled to death, the only thing they would ever find of her was a water logged corpse. She almost smiled at this revelation.


 * Niyra - Well...I suppose some people will be glad to be done with me...My friends and family can move on. They'll be fine, I guess I was never needed.
 * ??? - Really, child? Is that truly the way you think? Some Vanara you are and you call yourself a daughter of my avatar. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Niyra gave a stared and looked around.


 * Niyra - Who is there!? Answer me!
 * ??? - Well, that is rather rude...I'm your Group Mind.
 * Niyra - Huh? B-But what are you saying?
 * ??? - That you should not give up on your life. I can give you a way out, but only if you realize it.
 * Niyra - What's the Ava damn point in that! It's not like anyone needs me. They all come from respectable backgrounds that anyone would proud to have. Heck, a number of them are royalty! I'm just a Hive World rat!
 * ??? - Don't be so self depreciating. It is a tiresome trait. Those royals you call friends would really want to off without their special status. They don't want to be higher up than you. Your friends don't want to be better than you. Do you know why the Vanara despise martyrdom?
 * Niyra - Why?
 * ??? - Because it is a waste of love.
 * Niyra - Huh?
 * ??? - If others love you...then to throw away your life is to forever destroy the part of them that you filled. Such damage can never be healed fully. Do you see now?

Niyra thought for a moment, before nodding decisively.


 * Niyra - Then I refuse to die here! I have a dream, friends, family and by Jura I will return to them whatever the cost!
 * ??? - And so it will be.

Something simmering caught Niyra's eye and she saw the marble shaped elemental stone. She reached for it and saw the Jura symbol was spinning before exploding into a massive, red, flaming eye. Niyra fell into the pupil of the eye which engulfed her. She felt powerful muscle rippling out side of her as she burst from the water, borne on powerful wings. Flexing vicious claws, she roared to the sky, ready to burn anything that got in her path.

Investigation
Zilla Team Indrika and Team Olda discuss Niyra's Ryu Form and unresponsive state

Glynn Team Tyris discuss Niyra's Ryu Form and unresponsive state

Eco Team Waptaria and The Guild discuss Niyra's Ryu Form and unresponsive state


 * Note - Please refrain from protracting the Guild in an antagonistic light. Niyra is no longer locked up.

Nara glared at Mayra and the rest of Team S.O.L, her foot tapping, arms crossed.


 * Nara - You know your actions were ill thought and foolish.
 * Mayra - Ya, Admiral.
 * Nara - You know that what you did could have resulted in the death of everyone who went on that little expedition you failed to tell me about.
 * Mayra - Ya, Admiral.
 * Nara - And you also know that if you had not told me where they went when I asked, it would be my duty as Admiral to have you court marshaled, and that if anyone had been killed I could have you executed.
 * Mayra - Ya, Admiral.

Ahred looked at G-Sker, alarmed. The reality of what they were hearing quickly sank in. Looking at Fenric, Wereney, and Gagenell, he saw the three had their heads bent, but G-Sker did not looked surprised. Ahred shuttered at this, he knew there was something about these militaristic races that was unsettling, the fact that they merely nodded their heads and excepted that if their actions had cost another their life that they themselves could simply be killed was unnerving. And though Mayra was the only one Nara had any real jurisdiction it was still discomforting. Fenric cleared his throat before speaking tentatively.


 * Fenric - We are willing to accept any punishment you have for us.
 * Nara - That is not my place. Though I can see you have learned your lesson.

Nara stood and began to walk out the room. Just before she left she turned and gave a small smile.


 * Nara - Just be glad I don't believe in executing subordinates or any Admiral for that matter.

She then addressed Mayra directly.


 * Nara - You will make a great leader one day, Mayra, but first you must learn to let others lead.

Analysis
Jallas walked quietly into a room where Nara sat typing away at a computer, upon his entrance her ears twitch in acknowledgement of his presences.


 * Nara - You here for something, Jallas?

Jallas hesitated, before clearing his throat and speaking.


 * Jallas - I heard you were doing an analysis of the remains of the MOTA and was wondering if you had found anything useful in fighting them.
 * Nara - Ah, wise choice, such information is very useful. Sadly, I have found nothing useful against these creatures. Rather, I have found quite interesting and rather terrifying things.
 * Jallas - Go on.
 * Nara - Well, for one, these are not beings like you or me, they have no DNA.
 * Jallas - What!?
 * Nara - Rather they posses Xeno Nucleic Acid, XNA.
 * Jallas - What is that?
 * Nara - A synthetic alternative to natural nucleic acids, DNA and RNA. We Vanara did experiments with XNA, it didn't go very far however. The other thing, and by far the more concerning, is this fungus we found living in symbiosis with the MOTA. Not only it has been programmed to release spores that cause madning visions and eventually insanity to any who inhale them, but it also has been altered to render the environment it grows in more dark energy conductive, increasing the rate of the eternal darkness spreading...
 * Jallas - Are you saying that there is a Darkling involved here?
 * Nara - So it would appear.

Jallas contemplated this before turning back towards Nara.


 * Jallas - In that case, what should we do?
 * Nara - I'm going to present my findings to the Guild and Team Olda. If all goes well, I'll be taking a portion of the cadets with me as well as others to find where these things are coming from and destroy them. The Terra has more than enough room on it for ride alongs and can navigate most if not any known terrain.
 * Jallas - I'll alert the others to this, I hope you have luck convincing them.
 * Nara - Right, I'll be sure to tell you all how things went.

Jallas nodded and the two left the room before going their separate ways.

Announcement
The cadets had gathered in a room, but no one was talking, tension filled the air and no one spoke. Everyone was on edge and had no idea what was going to happen next. All heads turned when Nara entered into the room and sat down in an available chair with a groan. Everyone looked around before Fenric spoke up.


 * Plora - So what's the word?
 * Nara - I managed to convince the Guild to allow me to take an expedition to find the origin point of the MOTA and take them out of this equation. The XNA and the fact that they were making it easier for the darkness to spread was enough to convince. However, I'm not allowed to take all the cadets. Appearently Kinquod wants some from each team to here in case something goes wrong, and I was unable to get Niyra with me. Though Dou'Wi has no problem with her coming with us, Kinquod'scr absolutely wants a private chat with her to know what her current state of mind is.

Many in the room stiffened in indignation.


 * Fenric - What!? That's ridiculous!
 * Mayra - That stupid, stupid bird-brain! Why can't he listen to the Guildmaster for once!?
 * Nara - I agree, but there is nothing I can do about it, and he had good intentions, so I will take some of you after the MOTA on the Terra. It should cover the ground with ease and make things easier. The rest will stay behind. Team Olda has agreed to send Arkaalin, Corhufu, Pervartos, while Trogov and Galiet would stay behind, with Tilaos volunteering to stay behind, despite being asked to come along. So that just leaves you all to decide...

Everyone began to look around before Mayra spoke up.


 * Mayra - I will take myself, Fenric, Gagenell, and Wereney with me.
 * Ahred - Hey! Who put you in charge!?

Mayra whirled and snapped at Ahred, hissing.


 * Mayra - Niyra did when I went to see her, gunk boy!
 * Nara - That is enough, children! Niyra put Mayra in charge and so the decision stands!
 * Fenric - It does make sense, Mayra has the most experience of all of us in combat, both with her actual training and genetic memory of her ancestors.
 * G-Sker - Good. I’m honored.
 * Ahred - What!? Why?
 * G-Sker - We are chosen to stand guard over Niyra. As important.
 * Ahred - Fine.

It was silent for awhile before Blaize spoke up.


 * Blaize - I'll come along. Vonnes and Iva, you're coming with me. Timaal and Dione, stay here with Niyra. Make sure nothing bad happens to her.
 * Jallas - I shall go with Hewpu, and Kogro.
 * Nycola'flr - All right, guys and girls of Team Waptara. Let's put our heads together.

Team Waptara gathered around the Raptoranean Cadet of Fire, whispering amongst themselves. After some seconds, A'Gabi stepped forwards.


 * A'Gabi - All right, we've descided that I, Nycola'flr, and of course our master hunter Glaco-Fenri-Uss will go on this expedition. C'mon, let's track Aspuyra down!
 * Meridand'r - We'll go scout out ahead and see if we can find any signs of Aspuyra. We'll keep radio contact.
 * Loudrak - *Coughs* AHEM!
 * Nara - What?
 * Loudrak - I'll go along as well, CADETS!
 * Nara - Your assistance will be appreciated.

Nara nodded her approval of their choices before speaking again.


 * Nara - Alright, you all better get ready, even riding in and on the Terra. We've got a big trip ahead of us.

Before You Go
Jallas was just finished packing for the trip when he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up he saw Clari standing over him.


 * Clari - Jallas, if you do not mind I would like to see for something.
 * Jallas - Not at all, but for what?
 * Clari - A little extra sword training, I know you have progressed far with Aelik, but I figured a little extra would help as well as learning some Vanara techniques.
 * Jallas - I would honored.
 * Clari - Alright then lets go.

Clari led Jallas out of the guild base and into the open air, looking around Jallas could see people scrambling to get ready and patch the massive hole the MOTA had left.


 * Clari - If you don't mind I brought some company, they both use help.

Jallas looked to where Clari had indicated and saw Timaal and G-Sker standing over in level spot of earth. The pair waked over and both G-Sker and Timaal stood at attention. Clari waved her hand for them to relax.


 * Clari - Alright you three, I know your all god swordsmen and I've seen it, still you need some work. As one of the best swordsmen... eer women the Vanara Empire has I'd thought I'd give you some instruction. First lets start with checking out your swords.

The three nodded and took out their swords, Clari went from each sword to each looking over them and muttering to herself. Before standing up and clearing her throat.


 * Clari - Your craftsmen should be proud all these are excellent examples, strong and flexible, sharp and well balanced.
 * Timmaal - Thank you.
 * Clari - Right, well then I shall test you each, Jallas you come at me first.
 * Jallas - Are you sure that's a good idea?
 * Clari - Yes, don't worry I will be fine.

Jallas hesitated before stepping forward with his claymore as Clari drew one of her Ulfberhts. They both dropped into stance and Jallas launched his attack swinging at full force. Clari simply side stepped and planted her foot into his back forcing him to the ground, before sticking her sword at his neck.


 * Clari - To much force, lighten up, your claymore is a heavy blade, it's own weight should help you strike with enough force let your sword help you as much as you help it.

Clari let Jallas stand up and the two bowed to each other before Clari called Timaal up. The fight lasted just about as long with Clari having her blade at his throat in a few seconds.


 * Clari - Your keeping to much distance, your swords being wrist mounted makes you harder to disarm, but reduces your reach. You want to get in on me especially if I had a longer sword then this one.

She then called up G-Sker and much the same happened.


 * Clari - Your not using enough force, your katanas are sharp but lack the weight of Jallas's Clymore, Timaal's Kerym, or my Ulfberhts. Your blades may be poisoned, but poison can be counteracted easily, be it by Volver natural immunity or by Vanara immunity boosting nanos. The deeper the cut the more it bleeds, the harder it is to heal, and the quicker your enemy dies.

Clari then continued to practice with them for about two hours or so, pointing out mistakes and correcting them. Eventually though Nara walked over.


 * Nara - Everything is ready, we must get going.
 * Clari - Right, I'll stay and watch over Niyra.
 * Nara - Good, Jallas come we must get going.
 * Jallas - Right.

He quickly fallowed Nara over to the Terra and looked back.


 * Jallas - Just hold on Niyra, everything is going to be fine.
 * Clari - Remember all things must be in balance to make successful whole.

Jallas stopped Besta had said that to him, he knew the meaning, but how to achieve it would be something he would have to search for himself all together.

The Pain of Life
Trogov and Tilaos looked over the comatose form of Niyra for a moment, as Trogov scratched his chin. He turned towards Tilaos, narrowing his eyes.


 * Trogov - What should we do to help? Perhaps channeling some elemental power into her will wake her up?
 * Tilaos - It's a psychological issue, not a elemental one. I have the solution.

Before Trogov could ask him what he meant, Tilaos walked over, cracking his knuckles, giving Trogov a painful remainder of how Tilaos liked to wake him up when he fell asleep.


 * Trogov - I'm not sure that's smart Tilaos, or needed. I mean, one, what if she wakes up and goes all Big bad dragon. Two, do you really think her admiral will like this?
 * Tilaos - *Thinking for a moment* She has confused emotions, correct?
 * Trogov - Yes...
 * Tilaos - What better way to focus all her emotions then by making her concentrate on the moment, the pain right now.
 * Trogov - You know what, I've always known you where crazy. Fine, go for it.

Tilaos grabbed Niyra by the back of her head, and slammed an elbow into her face, with a meaty crunch. Not losing a beat, Tilaos lifted his fist, pummeling the unconscious Vanara repeatedly, before bring up his knee and slamming it into her gut.

Her breathing had quickened, but she showed no signs of improvement. Tilaos sighed, before continuing on, as Trogov stepped outside. He couldn't watch anymore of this. As he did, the sound of the beating seemed to get louder and louder. Two members of the Guild walked by, glancing at the room, curiously. Trogov grunted at them.


 * Trogov - Nothing to see here, just Koatria business.

The two nodded slightly, before walking off, as Trogov waited for them to be out of ear shot, before tapping on the door.


 * Trogov - Can you beat the crap out of her more quietly?! You'll alert the whole damn Guild and everyone on planet if you don't quiet down!
 * Tilaos - She's up!

Trogov walked in, seeing Niyra very bloodied up, with a black eye and split lip, in a headlock by Tilaos, who didn't seem to really be paying attention to her.


 * Niyra - Let go of me you fucking idiot! Let's see how well you fight when I'm awake.
 * Tilaos - I'm the one who woke you up, so you can thank me by not trying to murder me. Try being the operative word mind you. I can easily put you back into an coma right now, brat.
 * Trogov - Everyone calm down!

Niyra focused on Trogov, as he held up his hands.


 * Trogov - Now, let's just not start killing everyone, alright. Everyone calm down, ok? See, we're all fine.
 * Tilaos - Agreed. I still want that thank you.
 * Trogov - Tilaos, I'm not sure you deserve a thank you for beating the tar out of her.

Tilaos frowned a bit, before shrugging and nodding in agreement, and releasing Niyra from his choke hold. The Vanara, surprisingly, didn't try and attack him again, but did glare at him.


 * Trogov - Alright, we're all calm down. Now let's look into getting Niyra some medical attention. This will be an awkward one to explain.

Guild-Niyra chat
Niyra was sitting in bed reading, or at least trying to, a book Makoro had lent her. She was squinting at the pages mumbling the sounds out under her breath, before shaking her head, growling, and reading it again for another try. She hated being confined to this bed, but Clari insisted it was necessary after Tilaos's rather unique way of knocking her out of her nearly comatose state, especially after her body had grown weaker after three nearly three days she had been out of it. Luckily the nanos in her system and some plain old good food were doing wonders to repair her body and Clari had said she should be able to get up and walk around before the day was out, but now was not the time. It was at this moment that Kinquodo'scr came walking in. Niyra's eyes glanced over quick and she flicked her ear in a subtle acknowledgement of his presence, but she kept her attention focused on the book. Kinquodo'scr signed and cringed, he hoped this didn't go poorly, but Vanara were a hard race to read. Eventually he spoke up.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Niyra we need to talk.
 * Niyra - Kinda busy right now.

Kinquodo'scr wa about to get made, but then realized there was no real hostility in her voice. It wasn't legitimately mad, just mildly annoyed. Kinda like a moody teenager who wanted her parents to stop bugging her. Come to think of it Niyra was a teenager by Vanara standards. So he simply shook his head and gave a sigh.


 * Kinquodo'scr - Niyra just give me a moment to explain myself...

Niyra grunted and put down the book before giving him a long look.


 * Niyra - Alright fine, but don't think you have any idea who I really am.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Niyra...
 * Niyra - Nobody knows who I am. Officially speaking I don't exist, literally. I'm not a registered citizen of either the UAE or the Vanara Empire. I have no birth records or any records for that matter. I was born and lived in Hammerfall and that's all anyone knows. You can't know who I am cause your not my parents and only they know the whole story.
 * Kinquodo'scr - Niyra do you even know who I am?
 * Niyra - Just one thing, about as much as you know about me, your related to Kincaido'scr.

Clari-Dou'Wi chat
Dou'Wi was busy doing his least favorite part of any job, filing papers. It was boring tedious work that required his signature and nothing much else. However this was to be interrupted by a knock on his door.

Much to his surprise it was Clari who entered. It made him really exited. She hadn't gotten the title Clari the Impaler for nothing, but him and Clari had a past, sort of. She was one of the Black Thorns after all.
 * Dou'Wi - Yes, yes, come in♪


 * Dou'Wi - Clariii! Watcha ya here for!?
 * Clari - So, how went the chat?
 * Dou'Wi - Great♪ We told her of our own pasts...but...
 * Clari - But what?
 * Dou'Wi - Well she just kinda sat there uncomfortably and then told us she had to take a walk and left she seemed in a hurry. But why? She has flaws because of her past, we have flaws because of our pasts, and that's why we supported her.

Clari nodded, Dou'Wi knew many things, but the Rad-Eaters weren't always the best source of information when it came to the subtle parts of Vanara Culture.


 * Clari - Well in our culture openness is not necessarily considered a good thing. Our emotional barriers are important to us, more so than any other species. To reveal ones life story to someone would be like stripping down naked in front of them. Even little bits takes a leap of faith. The whole thing, well that's only for very particular people.


 * Dou'Wi - Ah yes all Rad-Eaters are essentially blank slates. There really are no secrets among them. Emotional barriers are important to us all, but the level is always different.

Clari smiled slightly. For someone who acted as goofy as he did he was very wise, but everyone's wisdom had limits. Hers, his, even the gods above.


 * Dou'Wi - *Dreaming off* Y'know, when I took the other Guild Members in, one by one, thye all were like her. Trust could get you killed, others will always judged them harshly, they always were a victim to prejudice, and they always thought lesser of themselves. Kindness was just hidden cruelty, being greedy was more beneficial than being generous to survive. Being guarded was always better than being open, because being open would just lead to old traumas repeating themselves. Kinquod was the first. He distrusted everyone, always thought of himself as cornered. He even nearly ripped my throat open once. But, bit by bit, I won his thrust, and look were we stand now♪ From there on I knew what I wanted. I knew I wanted to give others happiness who hadn't tasted it before. I wanted to give them their life back. All people with traumas lock themselves up, Clari. And that's never for the good, because it only leads to more misery, pain, and rejection.
 * Dou'Wi was silent after that, letting his words sink in.
 * Clari - So...How did she react to Kinquod?
 * Dou'Wi - Kinquod? Oh, yeah♪ I wish you saw that. I'd saved him for last, of course!
 * Cari - So what happened?
 * Dou'Wi - Niyra's a strong girl. I felt she was shaken at this point, troubled of what had happened to her, too. Yet...she didn't show anything. But when Kinquod told her of his past...how he had supported her mom neary alone...that truly broke the ice between us! So we can get stick together now!
 * Clari - I don't think that's possible.
 * Dou'Wi - Huh? Why not?
 * Clari - Simple. She is a Daydream Koatria. If even if you have broken the ice between you, it is her choice to strike out alone. That is a burden she and she alone can bear.
 * Dou'Wi - Hmmm...I see. But what do values really matter? I don't care about values, personally. I, and the rest of the Guild here, care about what whom we like, and I like Niyra♪ She's not bad, and we appreciate her just the way she is♪ Like we do with all of us!

Clari gasped slightly. Dou'Wi really did this. He talked like he was still one of the Rad-Eaters after all. She had seen him as a little infant, she had seem him been raised by the other Black Thorns into becoming a Rad-eater, wich he had declinced in the last moment. The innosence and lack of a moral compass had never gone away after all, it seemed. Such a strange case he was.


 * Clari - *Closes her eyes* I'm glad. I truly am. I do appreciate what you do here, and perhaps...perhaps it was for the best that you didn't join the rest of us.
 * Dou'Wi - Yeah...I knew the life what was offered to me. I knew I could accept, become the best Recon Trooper in the Rad-Eaters and make a difference by helping out people in need with my Brothers. In the end I realized I would help out even more people here, in what I do now, so that is why I declinced. Sometimes you just must take your own path rather than the one that everyone expects you to follow. Therefore, I understand Niyra's position and respect that she wants to explore stuff without sticking with us. I too made such a decision once, it was hard, but I think it was worth it, and I must thank you for encouraging me to do so.
 * Clari - Hah! You almways were the smart one! So perhaps you can still work together as professionals to end this threat. And no thanks. I believe this is indeed the best path you could take...Just as I'm confident Niyra will take the best path she can take.
 * Dou'Wi - Hmm...Yep♪ Oh, and give good old Vicey and Lucey my regards!
 * Clari - Will do.

And with that, she walked out the door, as Dou'Wi turned around, once again staring blankly to the wall, but this time smiling widely.

Kick The Can
Niyra wandered around the outskirts of the town below the guild kicking up dust with her foot. The air felt hot and sticky from the humidity of the jungle around her and it seemed to cling to her skin. Not that she really minded much, it was far more comfortable then Hammerfall and Sector Ra in general where you could run into random poisonous gas clouds when wandering outside. Even though most of Ra had improved much since it's creation, it was still a dangerous place to go wandering from the safety of the rebuilt sections. Niyra looked out over to the town silhouetted against the setting sun. From a distance it looked nothing like Hammerfall and once you got in there was hardly a resemblance. It was a decently prosperous place where one could make a good living and live peacefully. However like Hammerfall it was full of people. People with lives, children, hopes, and dreams. Same with Hammerfall, same with anywhere really. But if the MOTA were not stopped then it would be far too much like Hammerfall or even worst. Niyra averted her eyes not wanting to think about the doom looming over them. Just then she heard a rattling sound and saw a metal can skitter over to stop by her feet. Niyra reached down and picked up the can, she tried to scratch of the dirt and rust encrusting the label, but couldn't make out the lettering. Even though she couldn't read she could still identify where products came from based on their logos and the font used. Much as this surprised her what was even more surprising was the young Duetzalanian girl that suddenly came crashing down to the ground in front of her.


 * Niyra - Ummm, are you okay kiddo.

The young Duetzalanian picked herself of the ground, brushing the dust off herself before nodding and smiling.


 * Duetzalanian - Yeah I'm fine, I do that all the time so I guess I'm used to it.

Niyra smiled a little before looking at the can in her hand.


 * Niyra - This yours?

The little girl nodded.


 * Duetzalanian - Yeah I was playing around with it.
 * Niyra - With your friends?
 * Duetzalanian - No, don't have any.
 * Niyra - Parents?
 * Duetzalanian - Nope.
 * Niyra - Well who takes care of you?
 * Duetzalanian - I take care of myself, I don't want to bother anyone by having them take care of me.

Niyra made a hmmm sound, thinking.


 * Niyra - Well how about I play with you for awhile.
 * Duetzalanian - Would you?!
 * Niyra - Yeah sure whats your name?
 * Duetzalanian - Meinna, though I don't remember who gave it to me.

Niyra frowned, and she thought she had it bad. Then she shook her head and out on a smile before throwing up the can and catching it.


 * Niyra - Meinna, I'm Niyra.
 * Meinna - Hey Niyra!

Niyra grinned for real now and began to explain the rules of the Vanara version of kick the can. Basically it was just two to several more people on teams kicking a can into what passed for goals, while staying on your side of the field. Niyra felt she was pretty good at the game, but Meinna was something else. Niyra was beginning to suspect this kids clumsiness was purely psychosomatic as she was rather agile and nimble able to kick the can with surprising force and accuracy. By the time they were done Niyra had been soundly beat and was thoroughly exhausted. She hid the ground and leaned up against a tree breathing hard. Meinna ran over.


 * Meinna - That was fun Cool Lady.
 * Niyra - Yeah, sure was kid.

Meinna sat down with Niyra and looked up at her.


 * Meinna - Hey, Cool Lady?
 * Niyra - Yeah?
 * Meinna - Are you a Guild member?

Niyra actually had to chuckle a little at that.


 * Niyra - Nah, I'm just over there on an assignment.
 * Meinna - Oh, I met one once, he was a nice. Though he seemed a little different then most Raptoraneans. More...uptight, somehow. How do you feel about them?

Niyra felt she knew who Meinna was talking about and despite their rocky start and he was a good man, unlike his only familiy member she also knew. As for the Guild...well, after how their chat went, she had come to the conclusion she didn't dislike them...Then again, said family member's machinations already had caused their intended havoc.


 * Niyra - It's...complicated.
 * Meinna - Oh, so then what are you?
 * Niyra - Me, I'm a Koatria.
 * Meinna - What really!?
 * Niyra - But you can't tell anyone, top secret!
 * Meinna - Right, okay.

Niyra smiled before leaning back and closing her eyes. Meinna was going to ask another question, but realized that Niyra was asleep. Feeling tired herself Meinna yawned and lay her head on Niyra's shoulder before falling asleep herself.

Niyra woke slowly and rubbed her eyes before stretching and yawning. She looked around and saw that Meinna was gone. She got up and looked around. An alert popped up from the nano machine in her eye telling her to get back to the Guild base. She gave one more look around concerned, she new Meinna could take care of herself, but she intended to find that kid latter. There was something that just raised her interest, that and she like the little Duetzalanian. Turning around Niyra head back to the Guild, the sun setting behind her.

The Town Comes Under Attack
Niyra stalked through the dark jungle as the shadows seemed to creep a writhe around her, her eyes glowing with excitement as she peeled back her lips revealing her glistening, silvery fangs. The night, this true night(not a Darkling created copy of the night), suited her rather well, it was almost as if it filled her with strength and welcomed her with a comforting embrace. She felt smooth, sleek, and beautiful as she hunted through the black. Her eyes shifting back and forth with barely suppressed excitement as she moved without even the slightest of sound. Stopping she sat up and cocked her ears, there it was the thump, thump, thump of a heart beat. She smiled as she creeped closer to the source as could here the sound of blood rushing through veins. Fallowing the noise as quietly as ever the smell of a warm bodied creature just waiting for it's life to be ended reached noise and she saw a small monkey like creature sitting in the threes eating some fruit. Slinking closer she hunched down into ready position before springing. The creature turned to see Niyra hurdling herself through midair at it, but before it could make a noise she had tackled it and sunk her fangs into it's tiny throat. They both crashed to the ground with Niyra on top as she heard the poor creature's back snap, ending it's struggles forever. Sinking her fangs in further she felt the thick, red blood running through her teeth and lifted her head to scream in joy. Throwing down her head she began to rip through her prey's tissue and organs with gusto. As she was feasting Clari came up a tapped her on the shoulder. Niyra turned to see the Assistant Chief of State behind her a smiled even wider, she felt more relaxed than she had in a long time.


 * Clari - I heard you got a kill, and now I can see that for myself.
 * Niyra - Yeah and boy does it feel good!
 * Clari - Hawah, good. Well now that your relaxed, what about the Guild?
 * Niyra - Hpmf, I should have known you had alterial motives.
 * Clari - Well of course, I'm a politician. We're EVIL, Hawahsassisiaya!
 * Niyra - *Raising her eyebrow* Cheesy.
 * Clari - Of course, but really how do you feel about them. I talked to you, you talked to Kinquodo'scr, and I talked to Dou'Wi. So how do you feel now?

Niyra sighed and got up and paced around before sitting down and speaking.


 * Niyra - Its hard to say. I don't really want to be here and I know that's not their fault, well now I do. Guess we had poor communication and we aren't nearly as different in some regards. I'm here thanks to Kincaido'scr and he knew I don't want to be here, he knew how I would react towards the Guild because of it and how they would react back. He's been trying to make my life a living hell since I arrived here, been trying to make Kinquod's life a hell ever since Kinquod fell into poverty, so he just sended me here to do both at once. Despite that I want to be back at the academy training because that's where I fell i belong...By Jura I've got a lot on my chest I need to get off before I can really make a decision. Also their many things I simply have no interest in, all that go into town and helping people, not my thing and I really don't have has bright a view of the world as they seem to. Nothing is really going to change that. That and I kinda want to keep my past to myself. It need to be someone really special for me to tell that.


 * Clari - *Grinning* Like Makoro.
 * Niyra - *Blushing* Its not like that!

Clari merely smiled and Niyra gave a huff before continuing.


 * Niyra - I don't hate them though, I never did. It's just right now, I don't know what to think or feel about a lot of things and I just need to work things out for myself. They're good people, no doubt, and I can work with them without making a scene now I know who's behind this all. So right now I'm okay with them and I think things can get better. Maybe we can be friends, but in any case it's too soon to tell. I just need time.

Clari smiled and patted Niyra on the shoulder proudly.


 * Clari - That's good and take the time you need.

Niyra smiled back, but before she could say anything in return a massive, brilliant red explosion sounded off in the distances like a roaring thunder clap. Both Vanara started as they felt the gamma radiation levels spike ever so slightly.


 * Niyra - That was a positron blast!
 * Clari - *growls* No kidding. It sounded like it came from the town. The MOTA must be attacking.
 * Niyra - Ya reckon the Guild knows?
 * Clari - I have no doubt that they do. I imagine Kinquodo'scr is already preparing as we speak. Or perhaps even before that. He worries too much, if you'd ask me.
 * Niyra - Then we should get over there.
 * Clari - Yeah, those youngsters will need help!
 * Niyra - Youngsters!?
 * Clari - I'm older then the Empress herself, Niyra. To me everyone is young.
 * Niyra - Hmmm, well no point in wasting time. We have lives to save and beasts to kill.
 * Clari - Right. Let's go.

And with that the two ran off to their next conflict.

All is Ruin
Zilla Team Olda and Team Indrika members who stayed behind fight the MOTA at the northern part of town

Glynn Team Tyris members who stayed behind fight the MOTA at the western part of town

Eco Team Waptara members who stayed and Guild members behind fight the MOTA at the southern part of town

Gorzill Team SOL members who stayed behind fight the MOTA at the eastern part of town, Niyra activates Ryu Form and the others fly off to the crater on her back

Fog Forest
And so, Infinity Suit Terra took off, the explorers inside it, safe for Kogro and Glaco-Frenri-Uss, who stood on the lookout on top of the verhicle. They immediately started to climp into the mountains, the jungle around them becoming filled with dew, as branches started to be covered in slippery moss. Soon, a thin layer of fog formed, becoming thicker and thicker as Terra climbed higher. Thin white roots replaced the undergrowth, covering the forest floor like a thin white maze. After a couple of minutes or so, the fog completely surrounded eveything in the forest, and Korgo realized he couldn't see but a few feet ahead of him. He couldn't help but mutter curses to the Runen under his breath. Despite growing up on Truxn, he couldn't see that far with all the dense mist dancing around his eyes. Evn his smell seemed to be numbed somehow. Glaco, on the other hand, seemed to do just fine. These foggy mountain forests where the natural environment of his race, after all. The Runen seemed to enjoy it, but whatever he was happy ha was in a place his race would normally hunt and live in, or because he somehow was mocking Korgo, the Ughandalorian did not know.


 * Kogro - Runen...Children of the Mists, huh? Well, it's easy to see how you got your reputation of being oh-so-adapt amushers! Anyone can hide here and say "look at me, the enemy didn't see me coming"!
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Hunters could also not see here, you seem to forget.
 * Korgo - Oh, I'm sure you have some tricks to overcome that.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Indeed I have.
 * Korgo - See!? That proves it!
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Proves what?
 * Kogro - That I am the better hunter overall!

The Runen rolled with his eyes. Those Truxnians all seemed so bickering to him, so out of place with the geomantic web of the place. Unlike his ilk, they seemed only oto willing to subjugate it, rather than to integrain themselves into it as any creature properly should, according to the age-honored wisdoms of the sage Runen shamans.


 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - So what do you smell?
 * Kogro - Orchids. Brombelias. But the fog dampens out any weaker smells. So, what do you smell?
 * Glaco Fenri-Uss - I? I smell ochids and brombelias. I smell mosses and lichens...I smell rotting leaves...and an Ughandalorian.
 * Kogro - Bovine.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Yes?
 * Kogro - You didn't get it, didn't you?
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Indeed. Not, it appears.
 * Kogro - You are a humanoid bull without horns that wields a spear and has a essence-attuned emperald growing on his forehead.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Yes. And you are a brawny mallalian-reptile-monkey with dreadlocks.
 * Kogro - Is that an insult!?
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - That is a fact.

The Runen turned away, taking a vial filled with light blue lotus petals from his toolbelt, together with a pestle and mortar. Putting the light blue blue petals into the bowl, he used the pestle to stomb the blue-ish sap out of the flower petals, before kneading buth into a mas. Putting the mortar down, he took the mass of blue pulp out and smeared solme on his face near his eyes, waiting as the sap entered the pores around his eyes.


 * Korgo - What are you doing?
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Seeing trough the mists.
 * Korgo - Yeah, sure.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - *Hands over the pulp to Kogro* Here. This you must apply to eyes. See trough the mist, then, you will.

Kogro did. A haze appeared obver his eye-sight for a moment, and when it lifted, Kogro could see the path ahead of him as if the fog wasn't there at all.


 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - Funny. Turning blue, the eyes of other-than-Runen often do. As do yours.
 * Kogro - What, I've got blue eyes now!? I mean to vividly remember mine are green.
 * Glaco-Fenri-Uss - The former white of your eyes. Light blue now.
 * Korgo - Urk. I knew there was something to this.

Glaco raised up his right hand, ordering Kogro to he silent.


 * Glaco-Febri-Uss - *Whispering* You saw that?
 * Korgo - That shape? Yeah.
 * Glaco - Best to be alert...
 * Nara - I already know. Well, before you two, I might ad.
 * Kogro - How!?
 * Nara - Sensors. Also, I've heard every word you two spat back and forth in this little argument. Stop it or I'll knock you both upside the head and I can do from five meters away, just so you know. The audio sensors make it rather loud, so go continue this in the cargo hull or shut up.

Both Glaco and Kogro grimaced. They hadn't realized Nara could hear them and the thought at being at the receiving end of her Psychokinetic Field (even if it was not the most powerful) was not a present thought.


 * Nara - Alright everyone load off and out, I may need to put the Terra into combat mode and if that happens you'll all get thrown off or thrown around.

The hatch opened and the rest spilled out, Blaize grumbling immensely, as the largest being cramped in the cargo hull was not pleasant, Mayra had put back on the choker that shifted her to Vanara form to conserve space.


 * Jallas - What's the situation?
 * Kogro - Me a Glaco saw something moving in the fog, though Nara saw it way before us.
 * Fenric - More MOTA. No, I don't see them. I sell them.
 * Glaco - Growing up on a ship, did you not?
 * Korgo - You grew up on a ship, have never lived out in the open and now you claim you can small MOTA even when the smell of me and Glaco is being neutralised by these dense mists? Are you serious?

Fenric growled, he hated that, every time he mentioned a skill of his own, these morons from the feral words would act like he was inferior to them just because he grew up on a ship. For Kogro, it got even worse when they discovered he had been born in a vat, though Glaco had seemingly no problem with that, as all Waptoria Bio-Soldiers where vat-grown - or rater sporocyst-grown - and none in the UAE could question their hunting effectiveness.


 * Fenric - My kind evolved from nocturnal predators, so of course we have a powerful sense of smell. Speaking of being a predator, it's been awhile since I've had beef, cow-boy...
 * Mayra - Shut up! All three of you! We have a dangerous life form on our tails so try to act more maturely if you will.

She had shifted back to Demonica form. The very appearance of was enough to make most close their mouths.


 * Vonnes - She's right. We need to focus or we could get killed.
 * Nycola'flr - Yeah, so smarten up, guys.

Everyone was silent after that as what ever it was began to draw closer, slowly circling them. The Terra shifted into it's bipedal combat mode. The beast began to circle, before crouching.


 * Glaco, Kogro, and Fenric - It's going to attack.

The beast sprung into view scattering the cadets. It was massive, nearly the size of the Terra, a massive ursine beast with six limbs and a mouth that the bottom jaw split in two and eyes all over. The Terra fired with it's high energy positron rifle blasting off one of the beasts legs. The monster roared and it's skin began to split into what looked like mouths before peeling off and crawling after the cadet while the main mass of the beast leaped on the Terra. One went after Fenric, crawling towards him at surprising speed, like a living, fleshy ribbon. Fenric didn't have time to use his elemental powers so he impaled it with his spear. The skin still thrashed around sinking the tooth like "legs" along it's side into his leg. Fenric snarled and proceeded to drag it through the monster until it yanked itself free. Wriggling off his spear it raised out to strike it's front end spilt in two. Fenric lowered his spear and blasted it with fire, incinerating it. However he had little time to celebrate this victory as more skin where crawling towards him. He froze two of them, before burning another three, and shredding another. Fenric looked up at the Terra and saw it trying to dislodge the bear creature that had latched onto it. Fenric knew it could not deploy the full force of it's positron weaponry without potentially killing them all. Making his decision he unleashed a blast of ice onto it's surface making a slippery surface the beast could not hold onto. It crashed to the ground as a skin wrapped it's way completely around him as the Terra brought it's fist straight into the beasts chest before crushing it's head with it's foot. Instantly the skin loosened it's grip and fell limb. Fenric threw it of him and looked up breathing hard.


 * Hewpu - Hey, Fenric? You alright?

The Boyk looked over and grunted in reply.


 * Fenric - Yeah, fine.
 * Hewpu - That's good, tough fight?
 * Fenric - You could say that.

He didn't really feel like talking. Glaco's comment had majorly ticked him off, Hewpu seemed to understand this.


 * Hewpu - Hey, don't mind what Glaco and Kogro say, residents from Feral Worlds tend to thick skulled. They don't always get what they're saying. Especially Glaco. That guys shrugs off insults like it are normal things and might insult you while he doesn't want to. Y'know, they're not quite exactly what most would call "civilized".

Fenric snorted. He appreciated the effort to make him feel a bit better, though. Hewpu looked down at the scraps of skin everywhere.


 * Hewpu - What would you call that thing anyway?
 * Fenric - I dunno, Skin Bear?
 * Hewpu - Makes sense.
 * Nara - You guys coming?

The two looked to see the Terra back it's four legged transport mode. Fenric ran over and was about to climbed into the cargo hold before thinking better of it and climbed onto the Terra's back. Glaco and Kogro looked over at him and Fenric glared at them, baring his teeth, and snarling, both Kogro and Glaco looked away quickly. Fenric huffed and looked out past the Terra and into the fog and down the shallow slopes. He would show these Feral Worlders he was every bit as tough and capable as they were.

Murky Jungle
Soon after, they had crossed the low mountain ridge, and were descending again into a part of the jungle that had normal visibility again. As the fog diminished in thickness, so did Kogro's Blue Lotus Sap wear out. The roots returned to their normal earth-covered color and retreated underground, though the lumps of moisty earth they held together could now be made out far more clearly. In the end, all what remained of the fog was a thin layer that hovered slightly above the ground. However, this thin haze turned from white to light grey, then to dark grey, and then to black. And it stunk. Slightly. At the same time, the jungle foliage turned from a bright green to dark green, and then to a murky dark bluish-green. Thick black clouds started to block out the skies. Inifity Suit Terra and the explorering cadets were starting to enter the region of the planet that was covered by the spreading eternal darkness.

As they entered the haze-filled jungle, the general feel of the forest quickly became different. It was difficult to describe, but the Mendel members of the party drew their weapons, fear etched in Kogro's features. All the members could feel a "presence" around them, as wind whipped past them, the gusts seemingly whispering something unintelligible in their ears.


 * Jallas - *Grumbles* Maybe we should go back.
 * Hewpu - Sorry, fearless leader, didn't catch that.
 * Jallas - Just some interference on my comms system.
 * Hewpu - *snorts* If you say so, fearless one.

Kogro held up his hand.


 * Kogro - Stop, I see something. I don't like it.

They looked to see a thin, boney figure shoveling towards them, moving rather quickly. Jallas took out his pistol, ready to fire at the thing as it got closer still. The thing resembled a hunched, skeletal humanoid, but with a thin layer of white skin covering it, and two long spikes instead of claws. The creature had sharp, fang-like teeth, and it's tongue hung from it's jaws, yet it had strangely sympathetic green eyes.

The creature started whispering something, something unintelligible.


 * Kogro - Hey, weird alien, that will possibly try and kill us passed off your appearance. What the heck are you saying?
 * Bone-Splitter - The call of darkness draws close for your lowly flesh! We will possess your bodies for a far better cause!
 * Loudrak - *Gets out* Oh, hey, look! A BONE-SPLITTER OF KRIANUS!

The creature lifted it's spikes, slashing at Kogro, who leapt out of the way and immediately sliced it's spiked, bone-splitting right arm off, before kicking the beast away. Loudrak unleashed a sonic blast at the creature, the force enough to rip the skin from it's bones, and shatter the bones apart, wich flew across the damp mulch of the forest floor.

As though answering, several other screams where heard, as the creatures appeared. The largest among them, with longer hand-spikes, and malformed black protrusions piercing trough it's skin on it's back and shoulders, rose among it's kin.


 * Herald of Krianus - You should not have come to the eternal darkness. Your quest is naught, for it will expand all over the globe and further still. Know this, and surrender to the depression within all souls.
 * Kogro - Piss off, whatever-the-hell you are. I'm taking your head, Herald of Krianus.
 * Herald of Krianus - You come to your death.
 * Kogro - Goody!

Kogro pulled out his second combat knife, and crossed them in front of him, before twirling them cinematically to his sides.


 * Kogro - Your head's gonna be my next trophy.
 * Jallas - Are you crazy?
 * Kogro - *smirks* Not quite...

The other Ugandalorian shook his head, before pulling out his combat rifle, and loading a charge pack, before the horde of Bone-Splitters charged, hand-spikes raised. Jallas opened fire, as Kogro, Hewpu, A'Gabi, and some of the other students charged in, melee weapons ready, as the other cadets took positions behind cover, opening fire at the Bone-Splitters, as Glaco-Fenri-Uss and Iva used their essence towers to heal their squadmates if any Bone-Splitter caught them by surprise.

Vonnes took position beside, Jallas, as the Bone-Splitters locked onto him. Their strange eyes seemed to widen in excitement at seeing him, as they licked their jaws and hand-spikes in anticipation. Vonnes' eyes widened in fear as most of them seemed to turn towards him. Hewpu snarled, and, reaching out with his powers, summoned pillars of stone, creating prisons of rock with some of the Bone-Splitters, or sending them into the skies above, as Blaize tried to smash his way through the thin creatures as fast as he could.

Four of the Bone-Splitters leapt towards Vonnes, hand-spikes outstretched, as Vonnes opened fire with his pistols, killing one of them, before the other 3 landed, slashing at him with lightning quick slashes with their claws. Vonnes dodged their strikes, as Glaco-Fenri-Uss wove the black haze into a thick cloud around him as a cloack, got close, and unleashed a breath of cold that froze a Bone-Spliiter solid, before shattering it into tiny pieces of ice with his hunting spear. As the Runen inhaled the thick haze, he started to feel dizzy as a strange blackness crept over his sight, and a Bone-Splitter scuttled in, ready to strike at the Runen who now focussed his full attention at dispellng the noxious black cloud into a fine haze once more. Jallas shoulder-rammed it of the way, before jumping on top of it and stabbing it in the chest. Vonnes and the last one squared off, each striking at the other, as the Herald of Krianus approached silently from behind, hand-spikes raised to strike.

Kogro snuck behind the beast, and tapped it on the shoulder. The creature turned, hissing in anger, when it saw Kogro's helmeted face.


 * Herald - You...You must die, for Lord Krianus!
 * Kogro - I think your mistaken about something. For you are the one who dies.

With a lightning fast strike, Kogro sliced through the creature's neck, as blackish blood poured out. The headless body kept trying to strike at him, as he calmly walked over to Vonnes as he ripped off the Bone-Splitter's spiked arms off, before crushing it's head under his foot.

Kogro, while he cleaned his knife, looked over at Vonnes.


 * Kogro - *whistles* Dang, remind me never to get on your bad side.
 * Vonnes - Eh, whatever.

Kogro, as he finished, picked up the head of the Herald, looking it over.


 * Kogro - I think I'll keep this as a trophy.
 * Jallas - Where would you put it?
 * Kogro - Hang it from my armor, when I go back home, I'll get all the ladies.
 * Jallas - You do that, buddy.

Dust Taiga
Infinit Suit Terra made a sharp turn north. The dark haze dissapeared completely from the ground, rising up to join the thick blanket of black clouds blocking out the skies. As Terra continued noth, this caused temperature to drop as well, from tropical to temperate, and then quickly to something more...cold. Tough te warmth of the former tropical climate still could be felt vaguely, keeping the area from freezing, no light meant no heat, after all. The jungle vegetation gave way to coniferes, and then to pine trees. There seemed some kind of strange black dust on them, wich increased in amount as Terra continued. To the east and to the noth, a mountain range could be seen, also covered in the same eternal darkness that covered the forest. It was, in fact, the same mountain range trough wich Niyra and co had travelled down from the Academy to the Guild.

Soon, every tree there could be seen was a pine, densly acked together. A thick layer of roots covered the ground, only to be broken here and there by a tree trunk or some young sprouts desperately searching for some non-existing sunlight.

Gorzill, the teams encounter the Servants of Toracix. They taunt Niyra again to reach the crater before the battle begins and try to drive her mad.

As they advanged towards the plateau, the very forest seemed to close in on the Explorers. The amount of black dust on the forest floor increased significalty, culling all sprouts trying to break trough the carpet of roots and turning the roots themselves black. The increased density of the pine forest made it even darker than usual, castong heavy shados on the forest floor and making the pine needles look a dim blue, as if some invisible moon shone upon them. Whatever sprouts there once had been were gone, overgrown by scabs of grey-violet lichen. The tree trucks that still broke trough the carpet of roots had been rotten down to the core, their bark and whatever mulch remained of their inner wood also being covered by the same lichen. Some pine trees had fallen over, while the rag-tag webs that hung in them had been torn apart by MOTA that had passed by on their march.

Gorzill, the teams encounter the Servants of Vaprax and a pack of Splitbacks of Torackix.

Deep Dust Taiga
As the Infinity Suit Terra began it's climb up to the part of the Dust Taiga that covered the plateau, the forest itself started to open up again to the density level the forest had at the entrace. Any exploration members let out sighs of relief; the journey trough the dense parts of the woods and the ambush by the servants of Torackix and Vaprax combined in the darkest part of the dust-covered forest had really scared them.

The thick carpet of roots had completely disappeared, not being able to extract enough nutrients from the rocky, shale-littered ground. Besides the omnipresent pines, only some mountain-dwelling plants and small, carnivorous fly-traps could survive here and there between the shales. As a result, the black dust that the roots of the lower forest had held together lied shattered here all over the forest floor, ready to stir up.

Out from the shadows of the trees, upon the shales, crawled humanoid beings, their skin blistered and leathery, as a mountain of yellow, as leathery egg sacks forced them to slowly crawl forwards on all fours, as in deep prayer. On their scarred faces, however, were smiles of pure sadismasochism, as they chuckled already in anticipation the pain they were about to deliver to the koatria-in-training.


 * Loudrak - EGG-BURDENED OF TROTODRAKE!
 * Egg-Burdened - Death to the servants of light and flesh! Though we rowel in the dust, met your wounds fester and your body fluids run. Let them be our drink! Let your flesh be our food! Let your pain be our nourishment, for we hunger to feed our hosts! Tell me…Which of you is the first course?
 * Loudrak - NONE!
 * Egg-Burdened - Then perhaps we need to flush your flesh from your bodies, hmm? Would you like that better? We would. Oh, yes, we certainly would. The thought alone...We carve for your flesh, servants of light!

The cadets climed out of Infinity Suit Terra. With a snarl, Nycola'flr fired a blast of fire, causing an explosion that threw the Egg-Burdened off their feet, some landing on their egg-filled backs. However, they got on their feet again, as their egg sacks opened up. Out of them, came crawling various fat, dragon-headed grubs, saliva slavering from their fangs, as their bodies glowed a bright yellow. Wereney summonned a strong gale to swipe the Drakelings up all trough the pine forest, causing them to splatter apart. Some of them survived, though, by hiding behind their Egg-Burdened, and started to swarm the group, biting their knees and angles, or jumping at them and trying to tear their faces off. All in all, though, they were more of an annoyance than anything, and the team members quickly killed them by repeatedly stomping them to an honey-like jelly. The Egg-Burdened, relieved by their cargo, crawled forward, significantely faster than before. However, a couple of well-placed head shots took them all out before they could do any real damage, as Nycola'flr incernated their remains with a scowl of disgust on her face.

However, in the distance, something else took place. The black dust on the shales started to swirl, soon turning into a huge, sandstorm-like mass.


 * Gagenell - Sis?
 * Wereney - What?
 * Gagenell - I fell sorry for G-Sker and Ahred right now. They would have loved this sight. Y'know, Sandstorm!
 * Wereney - *Widens her eyes* Oh, please no!
 * Gagenell - *Grinning widely* Oh, hell yes! Hold on sis, it's coming to us!
 * Wereney - Where is Niyra and her Gamma Ray Burst when you need it!?

The swirling storm of black dust washed over Infinity Suit Terra. Rather than moving on forwards, it swirled around the Infinity Suit, taking effect at once. The black dust infiltrated the Infinity Suit, messing up and blocking out it's sensors. Some leaked trough even further into the control room of the Infinity Suit. Glaco-Fenri-Uss wetted his pawns in his saliva, then picked some of the dust up. It was notoriously metallic in appearance. Almost like grinded Rakar exoskeleton. The tribal warrior jumped out into the storm, his spear at the ready. However, had he expected Rakar, he was sorely mistaken. An Egg-Burdened, riding a hornet-like steed came buzzing out the center of the storm, closing down on Glaco-Fenri-Uss. The Egg-Burdened rider strangely lacked any egg-cysts upon his back, wich was bare and skinless, the miserable creature's spine and the upper part of it's ribs showing trough the half-devoured flesh. It's flesh, however, was completely welted, though it didn't seem to mind at all. This was no regular Egg-Burdened. This was a Sting-Burdened, an Egg-Burdened who had served Trotodrake well enough to be gifted a Drakefly to ride upon in sloth, relieved from the torment of wearing egg-sacks upon it's back. It seemed the Sting-Burdened Drakeling egg-sacks had been transferred to the Drakefly, though the Egg-sacks were different in appearance. Connecting it's abdomen to it's proboscis was a soft-looking orange egg-sack, wich was connected to the creature's thorax by another sof egg-sack. Upon it's thorax and head were another two egg-sacks, fused into some thing cushion-like, upon wich the relieved Egg-Burdened loftly lay. Whatever flesh the Drakefly had exposed was extremely corpulent in appearance, though at some points eaten away by the Drakefly itself, revealing the half-digested remains of it's victims. Appearently the servants of Trotodrake were too lazy to even digest their food properly, or perhaps they just liked their victims to suffer for the longst time as posible.


 * Sting-Burdened - Yes, infidels, Lord Trotodrake rewards his servants well...And you seem like a fine morsel...

At once, the Drakefly swooped down, intent of sucking Glaco-Fenri-Uss into it's trunk, and hen into it's belly. A barrier rose overthe Runen, however, causing the Drakefly's proboscis to bounce off. Iva rose her barrier into a spherical one, so that the group could assess the situation. Meanwhile, two other Drakefly-riding Sting-Burdened had came out of the storm, the buzzing of their steed's wings clearly causing the balck dust to stirr up with such vicious force.


 * Nara - All right everyone, that dust scarmbles our sensors and engines. In order to get moving, we must tackle the problem of this very strange sandstorm-in-a-damn-taiga and do what we all know we must do.
 * Mayra - All right. Iva?
 * Iva - Yes.

Iva nodded as she pushed the barrier outwards, temporally pushing back the Drakeflies. Within seconds, however, they came buzzing in again at more speed one would think they would possess for their bulk. The eyes of their Sting-Burdened riders glinted with hunger. With them, came the storm of black dust.


 * Nukoru - You Sting-Burdened are "spoiled" by your lord for your long service, perhaps, but it seems he doesn't spoil you with food, does he?
 * Sting-Burdened - We will...fix that!

The Sting-Burdened's Darkefly swooped down on Hewpu, trying to pick him up with his claws and shove him into his proboscis. The Cadet of Stone, however, used his elemantal control to crack some nearly scales into sharp pieces of rock, wich he lifted and slammed into the Egg-Sacks of the Drakeflies. The sacks were punctured at once, as the hsarp pieces of rock penetrated both the Drakelings within and Drakefly's only weak spot, wich lie behind the abdominal Egg-Sacks. The creature fell on the ground, the Sting-Burdened falling off, being forced to move on it's own again.


 * Sting-Burdened - Damn you...
 * Nukoru - You should thank me. I'm putting you out of your misery.
 * Sting-Burdened - There is...no...misery...
 * Nukoru - You sure of that? Based on your facial expression when your steed dropped dead, you didn't like the idea of needing to crawl around on the ground again, didn't you?

The Sting-Burdened glared at Hewpu with extreme hate, grinding it's splintered teeth together. With that, the Cradosan unloeaded his shotgun upon the creature, blasting it apart. Glaco-Fenri-Uss had flozen another Sting-Burdeend and it's rider, before Iva had blasted both to pieces with a doombolt. Meanwhile, Nycola'flr caused the last Drakely to spectaculary combust in an explosion of flame, it took the Sting-Burdened with it.

With the buzzing stirr of the Drakefly wings gone, the storm disintegrated as the black dust settled back upon the needles of the pine trees and the shales on the ground, allowing Infinity Suit Terra to continue.

As the Explorers slowly climbed up to the open top of the plateau, the very forest seemed to change once more. The ground was once again covered, now by a layer of pine needles, trough which the black dust was mixed. Trough it poked orange coral fungus and dry forest heather. The reason for the layer of pine needles on the forest floor was ominously clear, as all the pine trees in this part of the forest seemed equally old and gnarly. Those explorers with night-vision could see that the needles that still hung upon the pines were all a dying orange in color, and multiple pines had fallen over, bringing down others in their wake. It seemed like a taint of decay hung over this part of the forest, causing it’s demise upon the inhospitable rocky ground.

As they moved on into the dying pine forest, hoping to exit as fast as possible, the dust on the forest floor stirred up once more, creating a dust storm unlike any other they had faced. None the less, Infinity Suit Terra was forced to go it, dust and pine needles screatching it's hull. After getting a mouth full of the substance, Kogro descided he would not risk having the sharp pine needles gauhe his eyes out, adn retreated into the Infinity Suite, Glaco-Fenri-Uss close behind. And about time, as a terrible stench mixed with the storm of black dust and the swirling pine needles. From the centre of the storm and dead came repugnant creatures bloated with disease, their one horn spouting from their foreheads having solidified blood on it, their one eye shining in a malicious red, weeping pus. With each slumping step, they chanted out the name of the diseases they carried in monotone union.


 * Loudrak - BACTERIA BEARERS OF BLORAN! So THAT's why this part of the forest is DECAYING so fast!
 * Virus-Bearer - Why do you seem so eager to embrace death? Perhaps Old Father Bloran has more servants here then he told us about. It matters little, little cadets. Like all, we must set your soul free from it's shackles of flesh.
 * Nara - What!?
 * Virus-Bearer - What we do is to set you free from these terrible mortal forms, so full of rot and pain. Death is soo much better then living, is it not?

The Virus-Bearers lumbered forwards, raising their Rot Blades into the air, some even pulling them from their bodies as they marched forward. The team and Infinity Suit Terra opened fire with whatever ranged weapons they had, shooting either through the bodies of the Virus-Bearers, or taking arms and legs off. The Virus-Bearers merely laughed as they watched their arms and legs fly off, and maintained their march. Infinity Suit Terra continued it's assault, pouring fire and blast rounds upon their foes. As they fired, Vonnes charged up a ball of dark energy, and sent at the weakest looking Virus-Bearer he spotted, throwing the sphere at it, and watching it connect with his torn open stomach cavity, exploding in a violent display of guts and gas. The other cadets coughed and wheezed as the gas cleared.

As the gas cleared, they saw the Virus-Bearers laughing as their forms where, partially, healed by the gas and explosion. The cadets, surprised, allowed the bacteria-filled creatures to close in, blades ready to strike. Each blade stunk of decay, and was completely covered in rust. The air seemed to sizzle as their blades effortlessly cut through the swirling storm of black dust and decaying pine needles.

As the team finally killed one, its death would heal and strengthen their still living brothers. The cadets could barely hold them off as they where blinded by the gasses of the Virus-Bearers. Meanwhile, the storm had fully enveloped Infinity Suit Terra. Egg-Burdened riding Drakeflies were at it's centre, the wings of the fat, hornet-like creatures having once again kicked up the storm of black dust. Finally, the cadets stood against the last Virus-Bearer, as he laughed at them, the Sting-Burdened buzzing closer as it spoke.


 * Virus-Bearer - What hope do you have? Even if you kill me, my brothers will be upon you.

Blaize growled in anger, and threw the disgusting creature into the nearest Drakefly. The egg sacks that attached it's abdomen to it's jaw bursted open, spilling Drakelings crawling on the swirling forest floor beneath them.


 * Blaize - All of these damn Darkling servants everywhere! This is getting on my last nerve!
 * Jallas - Calm down, my friend. If you loose your head, we just might loose all of ours.

Blaize, already angry beyond words, ignored Jallas. Lavatufts were known to be quite stubborn. Blaize, being the future king of them, was no exception. He broke the formation and began smashing the Drakelings into yellow jelly with his powerful arms and legs. He then let loose an intense stream of fire, scorching the earth around him. The initally cold environment became as warm as a summer day. And then scorchingly hot. Way too hot.

The swirling dead pine needles turned to swirling embers, as even the black dust seemed to inflame into a storm of fire. The Sting-Burdened ordered their Drakeflies to break off the engagement, but they were far too slow, and the flames reached out for them and devoured them. However, the flames also seemed to turn on the Cadets, licking their skins and hair.


 * Iva - Blaize!
 * Loudrak - BLAIZE! YOU'RE CAUSING A FOREST FIRE!

The numberous dead and decaying trees took fire all to quickly, as the black dust was replaced by scorching-hot embers who carried the fire even further. A'Gabi shot out a powerfull beam of water from her opened jaws to douse the flames, but to no avail. Blaize exhaled stream of fire after stream of fire, setting more and more parts of the firest alight, as the the black dust was incarnated the moment it touched it.


 * Nycola'flr - Blaize! I am a Cadet of Fire too but this goes too far!
 * Blaize - No! I am purifying this whole forest! I am cleansing it!
 * Jallas - Blaize...

The Ugandalorian Cadet of Fire calmly walked over to the outraged Lavatuft, putting his hand on one of the Lavatuft's shoulders.


 * Jalles - ...You did enough already. Let's go.

Finally, Blaize stopped. Inhaling the smell of burning Rakar dust, he turned around and walked back to Infinity Suit Terra, ordering the licking flames to part ways before him and his friends. However, the forest fire raged too hard, as it took the powers of Jallas and Nycola'flr combined with that of Blaize to open up a path to the Infinity Suit. The cadets climbed inside as fast as they could, knowing that the 3 Cadets of Fire, no matter their skill, could not keep back the raging forest fire forever. As the last cadet entered, both Nycola'flr and Jallas slumped to the ground in exhaustion, as Blaize slammed his fists together, releasing his control of the raging fires outside. As the firestorm collaped upon Infinity Suit Terra, it sped out with haste, leaving a forest filled with burning dust to it's fate.

Fields of Desolation
The grass, turned from golden to grey by the thick carpet of black clouds that hung overhead, stretched out as far as the eye could see, though were once the wind had blown, nothing moved now. All around the landscape was pot-marked with boiling pits of tar, a river of lava even ran a few meters away from where the figure stood on a large marble slab engraved with golen-glowing runes that he had just dug up. The figure was a massive being encased in obsidian black armor, from which burning white flames flared from the cracks and a grinning face glowered down at the marble slab. The figure raised the Melter Cannon that was know his left arm and fired into the slab, before taking his scythe-like axe and stabbing the slab's center with it, channeling flames into it. The slab turned from marble into dark blue-shimmering obsidian as it weakened and was changed by what was held within, causing it to crack and shatter.


 * ??? - Sealed for centuries by our collective enemies, awaken, oh Spawn of the Great Abyss. Awaken, oh Scion of the Void that lies beyond. Awaken, oh Son of the Empty God.

The figure stepped off as the slab exploded. From it emanated a cyan light and horrible screeching sounds. The smile of the figure grew even wider.


 * ??? - It's show time!

Wereney flew into the sky survaying the ground below her. It felt good to be out flying, she hadn't had much air time since getting to the Guild and it was beginning to wear on her, now if only the air around here wasn't so polluted by the darkness. Scanning, she saw forest beginning to thin, with a massive volcanic mountain range in the distance.


 * Wereney - Well, based on our last mission, the volcano is were the enemy is going to be hiding. Hmmm, perhaps we're making a habit of something.

She dove back down to the Terra. Nara looked up to see Wereney incoming and waved her in.


 * Nara - So what did you see?
 * Wereney - Big field full of tar pits and a river of lava, from one or several volcanoes in the distance.
 * Nara - Volcanoes you say, that could be a problem.
 * Wereney - The Terra?

Nara shock her head and patted the side of the mech.


 * Nara - Na, this baby here is equipped with Energized Fold Out Armor, at full energization I could survive flying with a few meters of a star for a full hour or so, lava is nothing. The problem is your cadets...Glaco, Kogro, and Fenric would have their bums toasted from sitting on it while energized and while the cargo hull is insulated, it's designed to carry cargo, not passengers. Over an hour and it will become an oven, Blaize and any other fire users would probably be fine, but everyone else...

Nara paused and looked at the cadets, biting her lip slightly in mild concern.


 * Wereney - We could have the ice users help keep it cool, and if it does get to hot, then we'll have to walk.
 * Nara - *nodding* As much of a plan as any I can come up with, but still I don't like it.
 * Wereney - You don't have to be so concerned, we are trained for this.
 * Nara - *snorts* Please, any good Admiral is always concerned for his or her troops, no matter their training.
 * Wereney - *smiles* Well that's good to know.
 * Nara - Yeah, yeah kiddo, now go tell the others its time to get moving.

Wereney grinned and gave a salute before running off with her task. Nara looked after her and smiled shaking her head, they still had much to learn, but that optimism reminded her of herself in her youth.


 * Nara - I'm starting to get old, aren't I?

The Terra continued onward reaching the fields as it crawled passed the stream of lava and bubbling tar pits. Fenric looked about himself a grinned, he felt really at home here.


 * Kogro - Feeling good all of a sudden?
 * Fenric - Yeah, my kind evolved on a grassland and desert planet, so you could say this is my natural environment.
 * Nara - Indeed, similar to how Vanara feel most comfortable in mountainous forest plants and dark conditions, we do not know where we came from, but we can predict what the conditions were like.
 * Kogro - I'am less comfortable here, not as many places to hide as when you're on Truxn. A bit of lava, ok, but compared to the beasties we have to deal with at home, this can't be that bad.
 * Fenric - *Grinning* That's were your wrong, all this tall grass is an excellent hiding place. Just get low, hold still, and it will hide you.
 * Glaco - Well aware of that am I. Clearings in frozen jungles make arctic grass fields. What for desert?
 * Fenric - The same for dessert, just get a little sand over you or find some shade and hunker down.
 * Glaco - So like snow? Back home, we tracked creatures that hid under them to train our skills.
 * Fenric - Your planet looks like it has more than just frozen jungle.
 * Glaco - Of course. Jungle is jungle, tretch across the entire plane, it cannot. Jungles, arctic grass plains, snow fields. Not well accnowledged nor liking with lava am I, though, and lava makes different creatures, for diffrenet adaptations.
 * Korgo - Yeah, gotta agree. So, what kind of creatures could be hiding in this grass?
 * Fenric - A rather lot actually, even some impressively large beasts could be hiding.
 * Kogro - Not comforting.

As if in answer to Glaco's statement, an eerie, jittering wail came echoing through the grassland.


 * Nara - Everyone out and ready for battle!

The cadets loaded out and the Terra shifted to combat mode. The wail continued to grow louder and closer until the grass was blown aside revealing a mass of orb-like eyes orbiting around a black hole-like core surrounded by a dark cyan glow. From the black hole sprouted several insectoid limbs, seemingly both being pulled in and forcing themselves out at the same time.


 * Jallas - What the hell is that!
 * Blaize - Some sort of void spawn! I don't know?
 * Nara - It is, I've met these things before...Not this thing, though. See how it looks? Not a typical Void Spawn right there, this things must've been severely injured, and clung together what remained of it to survive. By all means, the torments it underwent makes it far more dangerous. You don't normally find them near lava anyways, which says a thing or two about the attitude of this thing. Mutated, tormented, stubborn...This thing's going to be a pain to kill.

The spawn shrieked and shot out cyan whirlpools of void bubbles, forcing the cadets to scramble out of the way as it hit the ground, causing the pace it hit to implode into a sink hole. Wereney pulled out her sniper rifle and began to fire several blue tears rounds, the bright blue lasers shredded through the air blasting into the creature, causing it to roll to the side. However, it's legs shifted position, allowing the creature to stand. Gagenell slammed his fists into the ground causing, iron spikes to jut out of the ground, impaling it. The creature then jumped off the spikes and seemed to swim through the air before landing. Wereney pulled out her assault rifles and began to fire bullets into the beast as the other cadets engaged it is combat with their own weapons and elemental powers as the creature fired more void whirlpools in response.

Jallas fired off currents of fire at the thing, attempting to burn the thing with repeated blasts of fire. The monster shrieked as the burning flames licked across it's body, twisting itself around to avoid the scorching blasts, as it leapt at Jallas, twisting in the air. before it could land and maul him, Kogro attacked it from the left, blasting it with his shotgun. The creature was sent end over end, but landed quickly, and twisted it's body back to a standing position. The team tried to surround the creature once more, only for it to leap past Jallas and Kogro, who both drew their blades and struck at the beast, only for their melee weapons to bounce off harmlessly as it flew, before it flicked one of it's limbs, knocking Jallas end over end, and over a hill and out of sight.


 * Wereny - Jallas!
 * Kogro - Stay here, the blow was glancing at best, and his armor took most of it. Even if he had a nasty fall, it wouldn't do much. Concentrate on killing that thing. If it sees you move away from us, it will go after you, and potentially Jallas.

Kogro took out his other long knife, as he leapt at the beast, slamming both blades into the creature's middle section, needing to use all his strength to piece it's flesh. The creature shrieked in surprise and started bucking like a horse to get Kogro off. Kogro smiled under his helmet as he hung on for dear life.


 * Kogro - Goddess above, help me, I'm getting homesick from this. Just like back home.

Jallas rolled as he finally fell, landing on his feet as he got, seeing his sword beside him. Picking it up, Jallas looked around. He had to find his way quickly, the team needed him. Sheathing his blade, he walked forward, before turning slightly. He turned towards a cave, with waves of heat rolling off. As a Koatria, he could detect elemental power, but what was in there was incredible. He staggered a bit. Even from here, the power was just a little to much.

Still whatever, was in there could be used to get back to the team, and give him a boost. Running forward, Jallas felt the incredible heat roll into him, empowering and refreshing him. Even as the power increased around him, something kept egging him forward, not just the will to save his friends, but something...outside his mind.

Finally arriving at the center, Jallas saw a strange, red amulet, glowing bright red, and letting off waves of heat and elemental power. He wondered how such a thing had not attracted any Koatria attention, or Darkling ones at that. Jallas stepped forward, reaching forward, and touching the amulet. A giant roar filled his mind, causing him to almost jump back when he heard it.

However, he was not one easily discouraged. Reaching forward again, he grabbed the amulet in both hands, and grasped it within his gloved hands.


 * ??? - What is this soul that seeks my favor?
 * Jallas - I am Jallas, Warrior of Ugandalore, Master of the Blood-Legions. I am seeking an instrument to help me protect those I care for.

There was silence for a brief moment, though the "Voice" did not leave his mind, it's presence still very clear.


 * ??? - I know of your kind, especially you. You play an important role to your people, and mine by extension. Know that I, I am the Fire Dragon that your kind have worshipped alongside my own followers, I am Jura.
 * Jallas - Great Fire Dragon, give me strength, and I swear I will do what I can to protect those I cherish.
 * Jura - Such power corrupts those who use it, like those of my enemy. How can you be sure you will not be corrupted?
 * Jallas - The Vanara follow you, as do my kind. You fight, not for the sake of blood, but for those who are weaker.
 * Jura - How do you know those myths are not just made as lies? What if I truly was a great corrupter. What if I corrupted you, for example.
 * Jallas - Then I will forfeit my life after this. There is can be no other way if what you say is true.

There was a moment of silence, before the area around him shifted, becoming a volcanic area, surrounded by lava, and before him, stood the great Jura, just as the sages had described him, in all his mighty glory. Jallas averted his eyes, unable to see such a beast in full.


 * Jura - Oh don't do that! You can look at me just fine your eyes won't burn out and your face won't melt unless I wish it to.

Jallas looked over at the massive dragon like beast before him who smiled.


 * Jura - Let us return to your friends. You are a true warrior, worthy of my respect. Take me to the battle.

Jallas nodded, standing once more as he gripped the amulet in his hand. He had to return. There where still battles to fight. Friends to protect.

Crawling from the cave he saw the battle was in full swing, elemental powers and void energy were ripping through the field blasting golden grass high into the sky where it was quickly vaporized or sucked into oblivion.


 * Jallas - What do I do? I don't have enough power to take that thing... unless you loan me some.
 * Jura - To access my power I would have to take you as my vessel, and you do not have a form compatible with my mind. Also you would be unable to handle even a mere fraction anyway. Besides you have all the power you need around you.
 * Jallas - Huh?
 * Jura - You draw power from heat, there is heat in everything, even ice itself. All you must do reach out is draw on this heat to power you attack.
 * Jallas - How?
 * Jura - Reach out with your mind, this place is highly geothermal it will be more than enough.

Jallas closed his eyes and began to reach out, as he did so he could feel the beast reaching out just slightly to guide him. Even just it's smallest touch was like staring directly into sun with his eyes closed. He could feel the heat pulsing through the earth beneath his feet and bubbling up to the surface. Drawing it into he could feel it like a great pressure building within him.


 * Jura - Now your emotions will be the catalyst and control. Feel your rage burning inside, let it build, and then release in a straight controlled blast.

Jallas felt his rage burning like a star almost as if it was being fulled by the beast himself.


 * Jura - Now fire.

Jallas raised his sword and a bright orange beam lanced forward streaking straight towards the Void Spawn. Striking it straight in it's core the monstrosity gave a high pitched wail before it erupted in an explosive inferno that consumed the entire being leaving behind nothing, not even ash. The rest turned back to Jallas surprised to see him.


 * Kogro - Hey, good to see you buddy! I was wondering where you got off to.
 * Jallas - Just got knocked out for a bit that's all.
 * Nara - Well I'm glad you woke up, where did you learn that move.
 * Jallas - It kinda just came to me really.
 * Nara - Well regardless it saved our lives annd we should get moving.

The other nodded and began to pick themselves up before moving forward. Kogro passed Jallas and looked him up and down.


 * Kogro - Nice neck-less you got there, where'd ya get it?

Jallas would have told him the truth, but all this time he could feel that the Fire Dragon did not want it's presences known to the rest.


 * Jallas - Found after I was knocked out. Figured I'd just pick it up.

Kogro nodded and walked off to fallow the others.


 * Jallas - Why do you wish not to be known?
 * Jura - Think of how the others would react if they found out there was a being they believed to be a god in their ranks? It would give them a false sense of confidence in help I cannot give, no let them be ignorant for now.
 * Jallas - Ah, you said consider a god. Are you not one?
 * Jura - That is for you to decided on your own, I cannot or rather will not decide for you.