Rain Check in the Woods

[Deleted]

After the first prophetic dream's events led a group of strangers to a wood in the middle of the night whence a lumber camp was set ablaze, at which point a child was rendered unconscious by reasons unknown and they party had to abandon their initial task to come to the center where the great white tree stood. Adrain had intended to make his way back here much sooner, but his obligations at the Arch had him take a tour of academies in the neighboring countries to give lectures on spellcraft and hold recruitment for new students.

Then, once he had returned from his travels abroad he had to quickly go to the town where mana beasts had attacked, leaving volatile crystals of 'Caster's Sorrow' about. As a powerful mage, his aid was enlisted in decontamination of the town. The spells to stabilize and move the crystals are long and tiresome, causing the cleanup to require days worth of effort.

Now, free of immediate concerns, Adrain once again makes his way through the wood. He had sent a letter to Aria, carried by Serai who somehow would know where to locate her since he himself wasn't aware of the address to state his intention to come to the tree and that she could make her own way there. She was about the only person who he could at least somewhat trust and capable that he could recall. The others he had no contact info for nor inclination they would come back to this wood at his request. Rather than wait for Aria, he was going to go ahead, due to the pressing nature to him which may or may not be the best of ideas but the energy that he could sense from the tree was too much to delay any longer. Something about it called to him.

He would answer, for ill or naught.

At least the air had warmed up since the last venture, removing the snow and cold. Of course, the Archmage was vigilant of threats of both man and beast that could lurk within. Fortunately, his trek was without nuisance, as he would approach the great oak. The sense of unease had increased within him, but he smiled softly, trying to put it out of his mind. While a master of the arcane himself, he knew that what was here might be a significant matter entirely.

While in the woods around the tree, Adrain draws a few glyphs scattered in the wood for a backup plan. A glyph of Earth to cause a ten foot deep, ten foot wide hold to erupt should he need to elude some beast, A glyph of light to create a bright flash to blind, and a short range teleport glyph that would recall Adrain to a location two hundred feet away from the edge of the trees surrounding the great white spire of wood and leaf.

Taking a note of the shadows surrounding him, in case he had to leap through the dark to evade a threat, he at last approached. Today, he wore a suit of leather armor borrowed from the security at the Arch beneath his mage's robes with a mundane blade sheathed at his side. While magic was his typical weapon, it's prudent to be prepared for the physical threats, and using magic in this place felt as though it should be with caution. The Archmage cursed himself for not having prepared enchanted armraments for this: the creation of magical items was a talent he knew, but the time required was substantial for anything of use.

As he looks up at the magnificent oak, with strange crystalline fruit above and a massive wall of thorn between himself and the tree proper, the Archmage carefully studies his surroundings, his senses fully engaged for threats or approaching entities. Anything magical he would be able to detect quickly, or at least so he would under normal circumstances.

'What secrets do you hold, great oak...' the Archmage thinks to himself as he ponders how to handle the thorn wall. He could attempt to destroy it but that could awaken a guardian. The thorns could be poisonous however, or they could be unbreakable due to magic. Regardless, it was the first task ahead of him.

He pulls out his rapier and approaches the wall, poking it with the weapon, to judge if the mass was destructible, enchanted, or otherwise.

[Roxanne]

The tunnel Rivers had opened was right on target and Roxanne stepped out onto the grass a short distance behind the mage. She tied her bag around her waist and unsheathed her katana. "Adrain Kaiaru?" she asked, looking around at and making note of her surroundings as she waited for Rivers to come through.

The Forever Tree stood tall in front of them, centered in the clearing, protected by a wall of massive thorn vines. She'd never seen a tree that white in color, with its strange fruit and crystal heart. The grove itself was also beautiful with the sound of the water and birds. It put her more on guard rather than less though as she remembered Rivers's warning. She kept her wings folded against her back and her tail rested on the ground, curled around her feet.

"I don't know if Aria informed you, but she's currently injured and cannot attend to your summons. She requested me to come in her place, my name is Roxanne. I brought a friend with me. We are to accompany and assist you as needed. I am also to keep Aria informed via my own means of communication on the progress obtained here," she explained, voice serious and somewhat formal.

[Rivers]

"Oh~ we're off on a secret mission, we've got us a secret plot we'll-" Rivers appears from the air singing softly with a bottle in his hand. When he sees Adrain he stops singing and grins at the man "why is it, whenever I run into you it is always because of Aria, and we're always heading somewhere exceedingly dangerous?" He asks Adrain, remembering the time that he'd gone to the underway in Feyerlun and they had almost all gotten killed.

Though while Rivers was presenting the face of a drunkard an observant person would probably note the distinct lack of alcohol on his breath. His gaze lazily shifts over to the archmage and he gives him a lopsided grin. "So my grand-fellow what exactly are you trying to do here?" He asks curiously as his coat moves slightly in a wind that was not there.

Rivers extends the bottle to the fellow and asks "Have you already dealt with the guardian?"

[Deleted]

When the pair materialized, Adrain recognized some form of magic was used but wasn't instantly familiar with the specific method. A curiosity that they could come straight here without a specific glyph that Adrain could detect. Further Adrain had never met either of these two (to his knowledge) and thus didn't think they could reasonably use a specific person oriented spell to transport. It was possible they could tap into the tree's presence to form a path. It would be something to ask about later what the methodology was.

The pair was an interesting one. A demi-human of sorts with demonic qualities, possibly the offspring of a succubus? The other a male, one who would act a little off balanced through the brew but yet seemed to have control. When Rivers offered the bottle, he raised a hand to politely decline. The comment about knowing who he was raised a brow, but now wasn't likely the time to pursue a further dialogue of that particular subject.

"How unfortunate that Aria is incapacitated. Had I known, I would have had some healing tonics sent from the Alchemists at the Arch. I suppose that explains why Serai hasn't returned." he says, firstly showing a degree of concern for Aria's state, before looking at the pair.

"It's lovely to meet you Roxanne, as well as your companion who's yet to share his name." he says as he looks at the tree once Rivers mentioned the guardian.

"I haven't yet found a guardian beyond this wall of thorns. I had been cautious since I first arrived, wary that this wall could be Gorgevine which is a rare species known to consume animals and larger creatures for sustenance, and not using any spells yet for concern of prematurely awakening such a species. I know the bards' tales recount a Chimera, which would be inconvenient, but with a touch of luck the tales may not be true. That said, a few apprentices over the years have attempted to pull off stunts at the tree and never returned." he says, adding a touch of somber tone to the last sentence.

"You see...Aria and I, along with a small group of people, a few weeks ago received a summons, a prophetic dream of sorts to come here, of a child in some kind of trouble and a riddle regarding time. Unfortunately, on our initial trip we encountered a burning logging camp and a child who was among the group that appeared and refused to leave ended up passing out ill, forcing us to return. Were it day I may have gone on alone, but the middle of the night in the wood in the winter isn't exactly the best condition for solo heroics." he says with a small shrug. "My obligations to the Arch had commanded me to depart he country for a time after, and I just recently returned after having to do some emergency work on behalf of the Arch." he states, looking at the tree.

"I wanted to return as soon as possible. Something about this tree calls to me...I almost want to say a piece of myself may be here? I have been amnesiac for the past decade, Aria may be the first to have some credence in knowing me before my amnesia, but she has been at best vague on the subject, much to my chagrin." he says with a small chuckle.

"So my monologue complete, this is why I came to this deathtrap on a mission of the suicidal sort. I figured Aria would want to be involved since she as well received the initial summons, that perhaps she had a role to play in the events to come, but hopefully with a little luck we can figure out what is going on here and at least one of us will return to tell the tale, no?" he says with a calm, grim smile.

"While I have just met the both of you, I do express my appreciation for your aid on behalf of Aria." he says with a bow, before turning back to the tree. "Hopefully, whatever magic you used to get here won't cause some unforeseen side effect."

[Roxanne]

Roxanne looks around as Rivers comes through the tunnel behind her, singing no less. It was impressive how quickly one moment changed into another around him, considering they’d been wrapped up in each other mere minutes before. The thought brought a slight flush to her face and she twitched her tail before refocusing on the situation at hand.

Finally noticing the bottle in his hand as he greeted the mage with familiarity, she quirks a brow at him. Clearly, he wasn’t drunk. Or at least, he hadn’t been drinking before they came here. She sniffed lightly, her nose as sensitive as any gorge hound’s, and couldn’t detect any tell-tell alcohol smell. She shook her head, smiling. “Rivers, what are you up to?” she asked, laughing.

After a moment of waiting for Adrain’s answer as he assessed the two of him, and she wondered what conclusions he came to, he spoke. The explanation of why he was here was irrelevant to her though it did mean something that he was concerned for Aria’s wellfare. It meant he was closer to her than just some random mage and Roxanne resolved to do her best to protect this friend of hers.

“Alright, so what I gathered from that is that this is a very unpredictably dangerous situation. That’s wonderful, really. Danger is the spice of life,” she said, not a drop of sarcasm in her tone but rather she seemed to be excited.

As he thanked them for their help, she smiled. “You’re welcome and lucky. If things get messy and we can’t handle it, or we’re in mortal danger, we have a quick way out. I would rather you come willingly in such a situation, but I will kidnap you, for Aria’s sake, if it comes to such,” she informed him, a very serious look on her face.

Looking back up to the tree, Roxanne grinned. “If we’re all ready then, after you Adrain,” she said, gesturing for him to proceed. She was the backup, after all.

[Rivers]

Rivers stared at Adrain as he explained why he had come here and he shakes his head before rocking a bit on his feet. “Oh man~ I hear you. Losing on your memories during a world shift stinks to high hell. There was one time where I washed up onto a viking island I couldn't remember who I was.”

“...” Rivers swayed gently as he seemed to think then waved a hand. “Nah, you probably don't care about that story right now.” He laughs, cheeks slightly flushed as he took a swig from the bottle, purifying it of alcohol as it slid down his throat.

“A-anyways...hey Adrain, did Karina end up getting Fated with you?” He asks curiously as he looks back up at the gorgevine and frowns. He did not like this place and did not like the fact that someone seemed to seek it. If he recalled correctly Adrain had power similar to what the tree was supposed to grant when they were in Feyerlun, but things were different now, Adrain was part of the kingdom after all.

“S-so I assume you have a plan for when the Chimera shows up? It'll be pretty silly if I come here just to have to pull out immediately.” Though Rivers pauses after saying this and asks a question. “Hey, you are not planning on taking the power of the tree for yourself right? Such power...well...*belch*...should be left alone...it give you gas.”

[cody]

Cody could hear voices in the distance; his small hands traveling one over the other as he scrambled up into the thick brambles of the immense wall. His small frame squeezing in and out of the twists of thorn branches; every now and then a thorn pulling at his clothes and hair. Further up he could see a small opening; not enough to fit through but enough to look down at the small gathering below. His form being hidden by the branches. Cody watched the group talk; eyeing them nervously. They didn’t get visitors near the tree often. It wasn’t a good thing when they did; and they didn’t seem like they were here for anything good. He studied them carefully; from the silver haired old man; to the drunk; to the lady with the red hair. He had seen more imposing groups approach the tree, but visitors always made him nervous. He shimmied back further into the wall. He took a deep breath and steeled himself like his mama taught him to “Why have you come here, state your business.” He paused and in a softer voice as a second after thought “Please”. The travelers below would hear the voice of a young boy from somewhere above them; but they would not be able to see him. He was well hidden by the thick wall of thorn’s that surrounded the grove as a protective barrier.

[Deleted]

"Perhaps this is a situation that doesn't require violence to solve. I would certainly prefer it that way...it would explain why people have never come back from here." Adrain says in response to Roxanne's comment about excitement and danger being the spice of life. The vision implied that there wasn't merely a beast to slay here, that there was a deeper meaning. As Roxanne remarked about a way out and using force, he chuckled softly,

"I won't retreat so easily, but I have prepared a way out along with my natural ability to leap through shadows. It will be quite alright. Further, I am a mage of no insignificant power. If the worst case scenario comes to pass, I will do whatever is necessary to contain or remove the threat, preferably the former." he says calmly. Adrain's philosophies have always led to believe not to take life callously if it could otherwise be helped.

As Rivers began to rant about a viking, he began to speak before a name rung out to him.

"Perhaps another time at a pub where such a stor..." he started as Rivers then went on to speak of one named Karina. His mind blanks out for a moment as a blurred image of a petite, blonde woman appears for a fraction of a second, before his mind recovers. He rubs his temple with his right hand, trying to make sense of what happened for a couple of seconds, before he shook his head.

"I'm afraid I'm not certain of that which you speak, perhaps at a more appropriate time you can elaborate? As for a Chimera...I've heard bardic tales of such a beast, but I see no obvious signs of it...no large piles of bones and sinews from the diet such a creature would require, or the scent of beast and death...I've a few preparations made for general monster suppression purposes but should it be a chimera specifically, then I will come up with a strategy depending on what the formation of heads and apparent abilities and weaknesses are...though we may be a little under-armed for that degree of battle if it comes to that."

Adrain kneels on the ground, five feet away from the wall and begins to draw an arcane circle, using his fingers to trace mana and symbols into the ground, sealing a spell for future quick release. Those mana sensitive might detect a faint hint of frost magic. As he does the symbol, he responds to Rivers' last remark.

"I am not one who idly seeks power for it's own sake. If there is some dangerous artifact here, then I will act to secure it and seal it within the Arch of Ages. Contrary to what seems to be popular belief, as indicated by your hesitant tone, the Arch is a neutral organization and I'd personally die before letting a weapon of mass destruction loose upon the innocent. If a power here can benefit the people, after careful study, then I'd put consideration to using it." he declares firmly, looking up.

As Roxanne made motion to move on, a young boy's voice rang out over them. Adrain's purple eyes scan over the canopy, trying to track down the source and reading the mana lines but the energies involved made that task considerably more difficult than it may otherwise have been. While scanning, he smiles and speaks, perceiving a young voice among the trees.

"Hello there! Yes...why we are here. Well, I received a premonition of a boy requiring aid not that long ago. We departed the night it happened, but circumstances forced the party to withdraw before we could come and my own obligations kept me from returning sooner. I fear I am the only of that party here now, but I have answer the call to investigate." he says calmly, before taking a breath.

"Further...I sense something important to me here...I don't know much more than that, but I was hoping to find some kind of answers for myself."

[Roxanne]

Roxanne just stared at Rivers as he rambled, shaking her head in amusement. The part about washing up on a viking shore with no memory had her giving him a very curious look. She wasn’t sure what he was up to and the only thing that made in any real sense to her was the question about the chimera and the warning to leave whatever power was here alone.

She nodded as Adrain reassured them that he could take care of himself and that he already had taken some measures in precaution. His insistence that he won’t retreat easily worries her as that could cause problems but she decides to deal with that if the need arises and in the meantime, hope that it doesn’t.

Adrain went on to explain his intentions but Roxanne’s attention was pulled to the tree itself as a slight rustling, not caused by the wind, tickled faint in her ears. A moment later, a child’s voice echoed through the clearing from the tree, inquiring their business here. She smiled as the child added a please after his initial request. Adrain explained his business to the boy in a way that made her wish they’d gotten the short version too.

Looking up at the tree, Roxanne decided to give her own answer since she wasn’t here for the same reason Adrain was. “I’ve come on behalf of one of his missing party, a friend of mine as well. She bade me come in her place to aid Adrain in his efforts and report back to her anything we find here,” she answered simply, looking to Rivers and wondering if he would give answer as well.

[Rivers]

Rivers drapes a hand over Adrain's shoulder raises his hand in a fist with his thumb poking out between his middle and ring finger. “Ahh~ I guess you wouldn't remember, the whole amnesia thing~” he slurs and raises the gesture in front of Adrain, grinning lewdly. “You and Karina were like this man.”

Though Rivers then seems to look at his hand in puzzlement as he realizes Adrain probably had no clue what the gesture meant. “freakin Nova, no good lewd gestures. Earth was so good for those.” He grumbles, still staring at his hand. As Adrain assures him that he is only looking to lock away the artifact or possibly use it to the betterment of the people Rivers' glassy stair turns hard for the briefest of instances before he lets out a giggle, the foolish mask up again.

The giggle soon turns into a full blown laugh as he looks at Adrain in amusement. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” he says, making another reference that Adrain would not recognize, after all there was no place called hell in Nova. “Listen, I've seen a lot happen in my travels across the worlds and let me assure you of two things. First, taking a powerful artifact to a kingdom to 'protect it' is always a bad idea. Second, great power will bring Adrain Kairu only despair and pain as those he loves are ripped from him yet again.”

Rivers shook with bitter mirth as he spoke and then turned towards the boy with his question and spreads his arms wide drunkenly. “And the young guardian has appeared. Look upon his ferocious form!” Rivers declare grandly before attempting to focus on the boy, though stumbling a little as he did.

“I come for several reasons. The first is on the orders of one of the greatest women I have every known, the second is by the request of one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, the third is to watch history be made, and the forth...well to make sure that the power of this tree cannot be used against me, or those under my aegis.” Rivers boasts drunkenly, it was difficult to tell if he was being serious or merely messing around as he sways back and forth slightly, a lopsided grin on his face.

[cody]

Cody watched carefully at the trespassers standing below his hiding place. The hair's on the back of neck brisling as goose bumps formed down his spine. He watched the white haired man carefully as he spoke out first. Cautious to remain as nimble and still as possible while the stranger spoke to him so calmly.

A premonition of a boy requiring aid? Sense something important?! Cody's heart began to pick up pace as he remained hidden within his nook of covered thorns. What could of be of importance here? Was he talking about the mother oak behind him? Cody's gaze traveled back to look at the beautiful, massive, illuminating white oak far within the center of the grove within the wall of thorns.

Cheeks puffed as he turned back to look down at the group. His gaze now falling upon Roxy with suspicion. Once again, someone looking for something of importance. Then finally the other male spoke up, loud and he seemed to be not well. Plus, he reeked of alcohol from what he could smell. The scent causing him to sneeze, breaking his silence an possibly his cover.

Embarrassment over took the poor lad, as he edge himself further within the shadow of his hiding place. Climbing his way down the large thorn stalks with ease, Stopping three feet from the ground as he hid behind one of the thorn briars.

" You are mistaken… You came out here for nothing." He called out, slowly edging his head out from behind the briar. Exposing himself for the time being. " I don't know what you mean by something of importance here, but this is my home. Nothing but the tree is here and it is not safe for people. So…S-So go home p-please! " He stuttered as he yelled out to the group in warning, the child's features looking no older than seven or perhaps eight.

[Deleted]

Adrain makes no direct response to the comment about Karina. His gesture, which he bemoaned the fact that Nova didn't have 'good lewd gestures' was figured out in intent. Adrain wanted to cover his face wit his palm in response to what the drunkard said. His shift to glassy then a poetic comment about inventions and power convinced Adrain that this was some sort of an act. He was likely trying to make himself appear more inept than he really was. Would Aria really send someone to actively work against him directly? Aria had been considerably more friendly than that. It was...disappointing.

"It's beter to be ambitious to the benefit of all than to be a miserly drunk, no?" Adrain says in response to Rivers' message about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. He had heard that phrase before and absoultely refused to acknowledge it. "Let us see what is even here before we argue about what to do with whatever it may be." he says, choosing to ignore the comment about sorrow. The path forward is always up and down, regardless of what Rivers may or may not know.

As the boy spoke, then made him self appear the mage noted the features. Timid behavior, child-like. It was either a ruse to lower one's guard or an actual young (at least mentally) being. As he urged them to leave, Adrain noted the hesitation in the voice.

"Perhaps you are lonely and wish for company? I think I understand, perhaps you are forbidden from leaving this tree and you wish to be released. What child wants to be bound to a place such as this forever? I can help you if you would let me. There was a riddle in the vision...What must move forward but will never move backward? The answer is time. There must always be a future and a way forward, regardless of the backward. I know that all too well."

If this was a child alone in the woods against his will, the mage did want to do what he could to aid him. But it begged the question, what happened exactly to those who came and never returned? Was this one of those shapeshifters who would turn into possibly a chimera?

[Roxanne]

Roxanne continues to simply observe the situation. She could tell Rivers was antsy about what the outcome here might be should they discover some kind of powerful artifact but as for her, she was more of the wait and see type. No point in worrying about it unless it should come to pass, which is basically what Adrain said in response to Rivers. As Rivers tells the boy why he's there, Roxanne flushed at the compliment though she wasn't quite sure he was being serious with the guardian.

After trying to warn them off, the boy finally showed himself. He couldn't have been more than 7 or 8, but his smell was off. Not quite human. He pleaded with them to leave, insisting that Adrain's vision was wrong. Adrain, for his part, seemed not to be taking the boy seriously. He was trying to coax him into letting them help. "Adrain, that boy is not what he seems. We should be careful. He doesn't smell like a normal boy," she said, her voice low and serious. She hoped that Rivers and Adrain would understand what she was hinting at. She turned her attention back to the little boy. "We've answered your question. Now I wish you to answer one of mine. Who or what are you and why are you here?" she asked calmly, but making it clear she still expected an answer.

[Rivers]

Rivers listened to Adrain and shook his head, though as the man finished speaking Rivers straightened up and dropped the drunken act, there was no purpose when the man had seen through it. I must be out of practice, He chides himself as he lets out a sigh. He had forgotten how absolute Adrain's arrogance was, he finds himself wondering whether or not he should actively hamper the man, but if he did the mage would only come another day.

Rivers reaches out to Aria via the watch Hey Boss, why exactly are we at the tree of magic? And how much faith do you actually have in the Ku Deyu prince? he asks her over the mental link.

Though Rivers can't help but respond to Adrain's comment. “No, not all, it may benefit you and those around you, but great power almost always creates more suffering than its lack.”

As the boy speaks and the group replies he looks up with a calm expression. “Boy, you are clearly a guardian, no child could survive in the forest without something more happening. That being said I do not believe that we particularly are in the right be showing up and intruding upon your home because of someone's dream.” He watches the boy and then looks at Adrain.

“What exactly do you intend to do? Break past the vines? Attack the tree? If you are looking for answers what are you going to do to get them?” He asks reasonably before looking over at Roxanne and grimaces, he did not like this situation, he could only forsee bad outcomes.

[Deleted]

‘I would not send Roxy to aid Adrian if I did not trust him, if someone is sending people to the tree then it is no longer a safe location. Let Adrian do what he came to do and just watch. You like playing storyteller yes? I originally just sent Roxy; Adrian has always been a friend I would be aiding him myself it I was able. Tell him when he gets back, Serai smells like old fish and needs a bath….’