[quest] When the Clock Strikes One Pt. 1

[Mysteria]

The moon was full that night; Its brilliant rays  breaking through the cracks and folds of the castles curtains. The pale light illuminating the long empty hallways of the castle. As each person enters the west wing of the Castle, it is noticeably darker than the rest of the castle. The curtains pulled shut, but the moons light barely escaping through. Not a single candle or lantern lit within the halls, the entire west wing completely silent and darker than normal. Obviously the servant who was suppose to light the candles and lanterns had failed to do his job that night. Which left the only light for anyone to see was a strange faint one that traveled further down into the West Wing, the holder or producer of this light unseen.


As each person wonders the halls in search of their meeting point; Everyone can see a faint flicker of blue at the end of their hallway, If followed the light would lead the person into a much bigger rectangular room. There were 6 doors that remained opened, leading out into other halls within the west wing. The room itself was rather empty, other than a few paintings that hung on the wall, one in particular at the end of the room that took up the majority of the wall space.


The painting was of a family; A noble family that most within the castle would recognize as Cain Noru, Luca Noru, and a very very young prince Noku. The elegant artwork spoke out proudly of the Noru family name and standing at the base of the painting, was a man holding a lantern producing a blue light.


 If approached one could see that he was a strange man; his body semi - transparent but his features shrouded in a black hooded cloak. An he seem to ignore everyone at first, just staring up at the painting holding the lantern out mumbling to himself.


“ Whats taking them so long. ,  whats taking them so long..."

[Deleted]

Aria after receiving the not pulled on a large dark red shirt with billowing red sleeves that cinched tight at her wrists. Her shirt was tucked into patchwork leather pants that hugged her form; the leather well-worn made not a sound as she moved. Buckles lined the side of the pants and knee high boots to which the pants were tucked into. She put on her leather patch worked corset; fastened with the matte black metal buckles that adorned all large pieces of her armor. She tied the leather necklet with the black matte metal plate across her throat and braided a piece of leather with sharp metal spikes into her long braid that was tossed over her shoulder. The spikes remained hidden however if someone tried to pulled her braid they’d be in for an unpleasant surprise. As usual she had her array of weapons tattooed into her skin, none were visible on her form as she still was roaming the castle at night. To be caught with weapons hanging off of you would be suspicious. Which was also why she wasn’t wearing her full armor get up…in fact…she grabbed a dark red sarong that when tucked into the bottom of her corset just right formed a skirt that would be passable as appropriate lady like clothing; but easily adjusted for easy movement. But creepy note; middle of the night …might as well go with being prepared.

Aria tucked a pouch of seeds into her belt, and made her way to the west wing quietly. She showed up and blinked at the see through specter; her curiosity peaked as she stayed in the shadows observing for a little while. After a while of him not doing anything but stare at the painting she moved forward. As quiet as she could; her curiosity most definitely getting the better of her as she when and poked her hand at the strange image. Curious if it would be solid or not….

[Deleted]

After leaving the armory where Jose had been at the time of the note's arrival, he had traveled back to the barracks to pick up a few things. He traded in his chainmail for a coal long sleeved shirt that ended below the elbow crease, thrown overtop was deep brown leather jerkin and black leather gauntlets on his wrists. The jerkin had black lacing along the sides to allow better movement and held a series of buckles on the front with pockets and the like. Overtop he threw on his customary leather jacket with silver-metal shoulder braces, but attached a deep green hood to the braces via a set of buckles that were sewn upon the outer edges of it. In his pockets was his metal flask, cigarette holder/matches and his little flute. He attached a belt over his charcoal pants that had panels of animal hide sewn upon the sides and front to provide protection but still allow fluid movement. To this belt he hooked up his sword hostlers and slide the two short blades into place. He then slipped his bow and arrows along with their holder over his shoulder and flicked up his hood. His dark hair was stuffed into the coat and added to his over all shady appearance, his brown eyes glowing a bit red when the light it hit it just right.

Satisfied he laced up his soft leather boots and silently moved through the halls, his footsteps made little t no sound against the stone. In his movements he shook a rookie guard awake and commanded him to overtake his watch as more a pressing need for his services was expressed. Dutifully he took up arms and headed to patrol where Jose directed the young lad and he himself made for the west wing.

As he approached he noticed the lights had gone out in the hall but darkness bid him no ill feelings so he continued on with confidence. Jose poked his head into the room with the eerie light and saw Duchess Wurud very involved with a phantom of light. The ghost itself was preoccupied with one of the paintings and Jose silently crept into the room behind Aria and his eye widened slightly at the supernatural being. It gave him no terror, just a curious fire as to why it was stuck here and what it wanted with him. He smirked as Aria stuck her hand through the spirit and awaited its reaction, if it would even have one, the image was so peculiar his mouth was held shut for once.

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Yuki was at her desk studying when the note had arrived, going to her door she looked at the note wondering why someone would want her in the west wing at this time of night. Giving her head a shake she went and got dressed in something more appropriate since she couldn't go face whoever it was in her night slip. It didn't take long for her to settle on dress dark red dress that hugged her figure that flowed out once it reaches her hips into a lighter shade of red until it turns light pink on the bottom, it has a sweetheart neckline with sleeves that reached her elbows having not time to properly fix her hair she just tied it with a red ribbon on the end and slipped her feet into sandals she blew out the candle on her desk as she grabbed the note before leaving her room.



She was glad that the guards who normally stood guard of her room and hallway didn't pay her much mind since she normally took late night walks through the castle alone. Having never ventured to the west wing it took her so time before she came upon it. Seeing no lights lit made her nervous now she was wondering if this was a great idea after all to follow a creepy note. Taking a deep breath she ventured further down the hallway until she saw a light far down. She picked up her pace not wanting to be in the dark all alone any longer.



Once closer to the light she notices two people and what seems to be a ghost of some kind. Quickly realising that the first person was Lady Aria, the second she wasn't sure about. Still not wanting to be too far in the dark she hurried along until she was next to the person she didn't recognise as she watched Aria try to get the ghost attention. Noticing that the ghost seemed to be looking at the painting she made her way over until she was behind the ghost looking up at the painting she smiled it recognising the people in the painting of the royal family.

[Deleted]

Melda had been reading when she heard the footsteps. It was not often she was awake at such an hour, but this book had enthralled her. Curious, she closed the book over her finger, keeping her place as she glanced at her door. The feet cast shadows under the great wooden doors, and they had stopped moving making them all the more curious. Who would be out there so late, aside from the guards who had no reason to stand there? Melda blinked as the sound shifted to crinkling paper, and she placed her book mark into the book, leaving it on the table as she stood from her chair and slowly walked to her door, making no noise. The paper had been completely pushed through, and the foot steps started up again, leaving her door now. She bent and picked up the parchment, reading it, brow furrowed. The West wing? Melda looked it over entirely, but she found no name. She opened her chamber doors, peering out to both ends of the hallway, seeing no one. Closing the door once more, Melda moved to her bed, sitting down and contemplating. It was probably Aria. She had funny ways of summoning her... but at this hour? Melda sighed, her mind believing it was her red head friend, and moved to get dressed, making her decisions, but like hell was she walking out there in her nighty.

She chose her clothing quickly, wanting to know as soon as possible what this was about. Being under the impression that this note was from Aria, she dressed casually. Well, casually for Melda. It was a simple golden gown, short sleeves and a sweetheart cut. There was gold beading all along the sleeves, the bust and raining down the skirt, but stopping before the hem. The skirt itself had an sheer outer layer coming out to a small train, with an inner, more opaque layer stopping at her ankles. Over this dress she wore a sheer cloak to match, a clasp holding it closed at the neck line. It was more pink than gold, and had little embroidered flowers and vines on it in a slightly darker colour. It had a hood, but as she wasn’t leaving the castle, she kept it down. She wore no jewelry, nor did she do anything fancy to her hair aside from brush it, and slipped on black flats. She left her chambers then, looking almost like a shimmering ghost when she passed windows and the moonlight hit her. The gold and white mixed with her silver hair made for quite the illusion. Still under the assumption that it was Aria who summoned her, she brought with her nothing, unaware of what was waiting for her.

As she walked down the halls, she blinked once or twice, thinking that the late hour was affecting her vision, as she thought she saw a blue light in the distance. After a moment she came to realize that it wasn’t her eyes. Curious, she followed it, noting that it was leading her where she was already headed. She entered the room, first seeing the large painting, as the stood out rather well. She’d never been in this room for some reason, it was strange. If she had, she’d never seen that large portrait before. Melda looked it over quickly, noting it to be the Noru family, including the late king and queen. She smiled faintly, remember when Noku himself was just a small child. Her eyes then moved back to the blue light that had led her here, and the man holding it within a lantern. that was strange. She blinked again as before her eyes, Aria walked up and put her hand right through him. Melda’s eyes widened and a small noise came out of her, out of shock. Was he a spirit? A ghost? That had to be impossible!

Taking in more of her surroundings, Melda came to notice that it wasn’t just them in the room, and intact it looked like she was far from the first to arrive. A man was there, one she’d recognized as a guard she’d seen passing through once or twice within the halls. Yuki was also there, to her surprise. The man seemed content where he was standing, but Yuki followed suit with Aria, and walked up behind the figure, and Melda could no longer see her face. Getting a little spooked, she moved over to where Jose was standing and looked at him curiously. Do you know why we’re here? She whispered very quietly, her eyes flickering to the ghost like figure again, Aria’s hand still floating through it. She wanted to approach Aria and ask her if it was she who asked her here, but she had this growing sinking feeling that it definitely had not been her.

Dress.
Cloak.

[Deleted]

The last to join the group was Diamond as he was pretty much equiped for a fight. As he had his jeweled gauntlets equiped as well his blades. Whatever this was it seemed that he was not the only one to join this event, he saw Aria, Yuki, and his former boss and friend Melda. The only person that was new to him was Jose, he had heard heard some rumors here and there. But could not remember what they were. Diamond only knew his name and had been around Aria a lot. The white haired captain had went back to keep an eye on Yuki as to the best of his knowlage would not be able to defend herself that well. He knew that the others could do so, and was pretty much ready to do that duty. Well double if Melda was in trouble, but he doubted that was going to happen. But his eyes flicked over to the spector that was there. Diamond's intrest on this had doubled as he was curious on what was going to happen. Although the etherial being was looking at the painting. This was quite the mystery that was going to happen now and was going to enjoy the ride.

[Mysteria]

The moment Diamond stepped through the doors; The last of the group members to enter. The sound of metal hinges began to screech loudly all of a sudden. All the doors leading to the room began to move, The heavy oak doors swinging tightly shut. The latching sound of the locks echoing through out as the doors became locked all of a sudden; leaving the the group locked in for the time being while the blue light from the lamp steadily grew brighter..

The cloaked figure still standing at the base portrait of the Royal Family; Still not budging even when Aria’s hand clearly went through the cloak and figure’s head. Even if she were to wave her hand around within the cloak she would feel nothing for the first few seconds. The longer she would keep her hand the colder her fingers would begin to feel. The person barely giving her much attention at first until she were to move her hand out of his head.

By that time, the light of the lantern would flicker and grow incredibly brighter than before, the light flashing becoming blinding even. The room disappearing in a blanket of white for just a few seconds. The group would regain their vision after a moment finding that they were still in the same room as before, except the doors are now open. The man still standing there holding the lantern then turns to look over his shoulder at Aria, His features barely noticeable at first other than the strains of silver hair coming from under neath the hood.

“ Really? “ He responded, breaking the silence while seemingly staring down at Aria from over his shoulder. The figure turning to face the rest of the group, keeping the hood still on while he addressed everyone standing within the room.

“ Do not be alarmed. I know its in the late hours, And your efforts have not been in vain. Please continue with your work on the project. ” The figure spoke out addressing the group and other humans that soon appeared within the room. Beings that looked like honest men and women, exhausted and filthy, even as specters that were semi transparent their hardships were molded onto their figures. “ Now leave me. There is much to be done.” The phantom beings looked on with hope in their faces; exiting the room to the left side door in single file line, leaving the man alone with the group once again.

“ So you are the one’s I summoned? I see…” He paused a moment, holding the lantern out in front of him. “ There is a grave miscalculation in my research…. Fallow me, I will explain on the way. “ He spoke very sharply, as though he was in a slight hurry. He quickly turned back around and approached the painting again; Placed his left hand on a discolored tile on the wall beside the portrait and pushed it in. A pop sound came from the wall as it began to open up and reveal a secret hidden door and passage way that was not lit. The lantern providing a bit of light at the entrance as lead the way.

“ Keep close. “

[Deleted]

Aria looked up as the doors swung shut; her hand held out in the air frozen in its place through the strange ghost man. Her gaze turned to see the others; her eyebrows furrowed in thought. Her eyebrow quirking at the sight of diamond and Jose being obviously dressed for trouble. But she supposed creepy message at night would make one want to be prepared. She too was dressed and armed for a scuffle; however it was expertly hidden; she slowly pulled her hand from the man’s head. As the light brightened Aria was forced to cover her eyes with her arm. Not likening being near a strange being and now blinded she allowed her ears to shift to that of a gorge hounds along with gaining the ability to sniff out magic. The soft tall fuzzy triangular ears sitting high upon her head and pricked forward in case of any sound of movement. She took a couple steps back; lowering her arm and blinking out spots in her eyes as the light once more dimmed. The hair that was tied tightly back into a braid slightly looser now from the movement caused by the transformation.

Aria’s nosed twitched and she let out a small groan as a familiar scent of a spell type reached her nose; she sniffed again wondering if it was the same caster as well…or if it was a different one who could perform these past visions. Thing about magic each spell behaved a certain way, and each user had a particular scent to their magic. When the spirit turned his head to her; and it was indeed a he…or she hoped from the depth of his voice to speak to her for a moment. ”I believe that’s my line” She had been in a spell like this before when she had met Core. Aria did not move from her place as the ghost turned to address the group. Her hand resting on her hip as she waited for some sort of clue as to what was going to happen next. One fuzzy ear drooping lazily; said ear popped back up to attention as more figures appeared in the room. She watched in silence; trying to piece who was the man whom she had stuck her hand through as he addressed the group of phantoms. Apparently in something in regards to a project. When he turned back to the group saying that he had indeed been the one to summon them; Aria had to raise a hand like a school girl in class. ”One question before this trip takes place…how did you pick up paper let alone a pen in order to write with when you have no physical form? As a fallow up question; who are and or were you? Or shall I call you Mr transparent pants or Transy for short” Considering he was giving orders in the castle it seemed important to ask.

However her questions would apparently be answered later as he turned and quickly pressed on an off colored tile. Aria made a note of its location; ”Mental note…poke every off colored tile in this place.” Aria looked back at the group and waved them to fallow. ”Last time I had this happen I ended up with two dead bodies for my flowers; might as well see this through. Diamond, Jose, if one of you can be a dear and take the rear and the other in the middle that would be lovely.” As she spoke, Aria untucked the red material that was acting as her skirt and wrapped it up to form a sash that hung on her hips. Revealing her leather armored pants she had hidden underneath. If they were going to be going through tunnels she rather not be tripping on a skirt. Without another word she fallowed Mr. Transy down the secret passage.

[Deleted]

Jose remained still and silent with an amused expression scrawled upon his face as his dark eyes passed over every person whom padded into the room. He knew next to no one in any really sense and that, along with the overall mysterious atmosphere, kept him uncharacteristically quiet. Even still a smirk was blazing on his features like a white inferno.

The clanging of doors swinging shut reverberated throughout the room and when Aria turned to look back at him and he raised an eyebrow of his own and waggled his fingers slightly in her direction. His mind wondered, not for the first time, just what in this world would be going on that such an odd collective of people would be needed at this dark hour. He didn't ponder on this for long however, the what's and why's didn't have to be his concern just the do's was his focal point; he was ready to rumble!

The blinding light was thrown over the room and Jose merely closed his eyes for the brief moment until it passed and they fluttered up again.

" Seems a bit much for just opening some doors... " He murmured softly to himself but anyone close could have heard his voice. When the phantom spoke, as other spirits seemed to fill the room, Jose gave a quiet scuff of laughter-like a few see through beings could strike fear within him.

The real surprise was watching Aria transform-true he knew all about her abilities but this was the first time he had seen it in action. He envied her gifts and watched her sniff the air and react to whatever she was smelling; he wondered just what she was looking for but kept his probing to himself.

He listened and chuckled very quietly as Aria was being her flippant self, her antics providing him much entertainment-he didn't care who or what this ethereal creature was, just what he wanted with him.

Jose noted the secret passage and made sure to remember it for later purposes, depending upon where it led to. He moved to follow as instructed but held back when Aria spoke of corpes and practical practices and he inclined his head in obedience and fell behind to allow other's to pass before him. He folded an arm in and made an arrow out it, a slight bow in tow to have a mockery of courtesy, as to wave the other's on. He would take up the rear once each patron moved to follow the ghost.

[Yuki D'Avranches]

Yuki was still admiring the family portrait when the doors shut, jumping a little she turned to look towards the way she just came fear radiating from her body. It was then she noticed the Melda and Diamond had arrived and here she was jumping at the slightest sounds that spooked her.



Her eyes quickly moved towards the ghost that had gathered them all together, when the light from the lantern blinded her for a moment. Blinking the white spots out of her eyes even rubbing them a little to reset her vision for the time being. The voice of the ghost startled her for a moment until the other ghost began appearing. Quickly sending a silent prayer to all of the Gods asking for them to keep everyone safe on this late night mysterious note summoning so they don't turn into a ghost and start wandering the castle.



Pushing down her fear enough to listen to the ghost, her head tilted to the right a little wondering what he meant about a grave miscalculation. It made her wonder if maybe she wasn't meant to get the message and there was a mistake on someone else part since compared to everyone else she wasn't anything really special about her compared to everyone else.



Taking a small note of the ghost movement mostly the discolored tile that opened up a small section of the walk into a hidden passageway. It did make her wonder if there were other hidden passages around the castle, deciding to take note to check later since it would be easier if she had to sneak in and out of the castle. Following Aria's instruction, she quickly fell in step behind her as they followed they ghostly friend. "Uh... Sir Ghost, I was just wondering if you don't mind tell us where we are going?" Her right hand moving to her mouth in a small loose fist, after she asked her question.

[Deleted]

Diamond just stays silent and blinked several times when there was a growing light in the darkness.  But shook his head after the doors closed and locked on them. Shrugging a bit he looks over everything again but watches Aria's antics and sighed a bit, when even the spirit chastised the redhead.  He did hear Aria's command until it seemed that the other gentleman desided to take the rear guard duty. But overall Diamond was going to watch the events unfold though. Since a hidden passage way opened up as well as another group of phantoms just appeared.  He did look back at the painting of the royal family before taking his place in the middle of the group.  The mercenary would have asked to take point. But it seemed that Aria was better suited for this task then himself. As the woman had a better eye for hidden passage ways. This little adventure would be a rather intresting one as the spirits of the departed were here. Whatever this was had to be important as this Spirit. Still had some kind of attachment to this world or had something unfinished that needed to be done. Diamond would be silent and let his ears be open for this and be alert.

[Deleted]

Melda honestly had no clue what was happening, but before she knew it, she couldn’t see a single thing in the room. Then, suddenly, she could see again, though it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. Within seconds of this, the man with the lantern begun to speak, first to Aria, then to the rest of them. Melda didn’t recognize his face, and thus had no idea who he was, but Aria seemed to have a clue, by the way she was socializing with him. The words he spoke left Melda, and probably others in the group almost more confused than before. The project? Melda’s eyes shifted as more people entered the room before turning back to the translucent man. Without much surprise, Aria addressed him with questions that although weren’t prominent in that moment, were curious indeed. However the name she chose for him had Melda smiling for a brief moment.

Before long it was just them alone with the man again, and he looked them over, the lantern out in front of him. He asked them to follow him, which in a moment or two, they all seemed to follow suit, and that was when Melda noticed that Diamond had joined them at some point. She smiled a bit awkwardly at him, and followed after Aria. Although he was not her guard anymore, getting out of habits were difficult, and thus it was hard not to direct him to follow closely, lest something bad be lurking around the corner.

Everyone seemed to have questions or observations, but Melda just kept her questions to herself for the time being. She’d already asked the unknown guard one, but had been ignored, so rather than having her words go to waste, she would save them until later. Looking around, she saw Jose was taking their rear, and Diamond was keeping an eye out for everyone. So, Melda caught up to Yuki, walking side by side with her for now. If Yuki were to look up at her, she would smile and nod her greeting.

[Mysteria]

The phantom kept silent until the group began to follow. Aria close behind, being the first one to question and babble to herself in a immature manner. Nothing at all like a woman of the court or someone born of this castle. The figure turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder back at Aria. His face partly covered by the hood he was wearing, but a smile could be visibly seen parting his lips. His voice almost amused as he spoke.

“ Is that all that you are worried about? Your questions fall along the logic strain of a child’s; sporadic and un-thought out with no goal or destination. You even rely on insults to try and pry information out of others….. “ The man smirked. “ Were you not tutored on manners? “ He continued, turning back around to hold the lantern out in front of him. When he raised the lantern up, the light began to grow brighter lighting up the path way up ahead for about 6ft. His smile still remaining as he continued to listen to the group behind him. Amused at Aria’s babbling, but re-framed from saying anything until the group was following him.

In the passage way, the walls were made of dark stone and the ceiling was arched. The hall itself was narrow, with barely any light. To the group it looked decent within the light of the lantern, but barely was anything visible outside of that light. “ My name is Cain…” He suddenly spoke, his voice sounding solemn as he reached up to push back the hood and letting it fall down to his semi-transparent shoulders. He turned his head to look back over his shoulder. His hair was obviously long; hidden under the rest of his cloak, but even in this dim light the white hue could be seen. His face pale, but his eyes were the color of golden honey.

“ I was king of this castle at one point in my life. Though during my rule, I was betrayed before my work could be completed. By the Divine’s grace I was given a chance to redeem my soul after so many years in order to be granted eternal rest. My redemption is to give my son the pages that were left behind…In hopes it would change his mind on continuing my research and project….“ Cain paused, turning his head back around to look in front of him again. To the group Cain seemed to lead them down further into the passage way. Everything beyond the light was dark and barely visible. However Cain seemed to be little effected by the lack of light. He knew the direction he was going and lead them through what felt like a twisting turn of directions. He lead them right, then left, turned right another two more times. The sound of water could be heard running somewhere up ahead.

[Deleted]

”The goal is to satisfy my curiosity; and for future knowledge…if ghosts can pick up pens and such I’ll have a few people I’d like the spook when I kick the bucket aaannnd seeing how we’re currently fallowing you via odd magic, plus going off of past experiences, there’s more than a little chance that knowledge would be put to use in the near future.” Aria’s lips quirked up in a bit of amusement at the ghosts insult back; perhaps this would be an amusing adventure at the very least. ”Nope; least not at the age that it would have sunk in….old habits are hard to break.” Aria continued the small light hearted banter. The ghost as it would seem was able to interact…not exactly like the visions from the last time. ”But seriously about that pen thing; I really am curious to how you managed to do it…or is someone else in on this little jaunt?” It was the possibility of a second person in on the spell that really prompted Aria to ask the pen question. A roundabout way of getting a bit of information.



As they walked Aria kept glancing around her; her hand running along the side of the wall. One to make sure it was there, and two to see if she could feel what she couldn’t see. Aria continued fallowing the ghosty down; her eyebrows raising ever so slightly as the ghost revealed his identity. So he was Nokus father….Her lips pursed as she fought back the slew of questions that she was known for. Some of her questions would not be appropriate to ask given the current company.



”Divine indeed….I suppose that answered my pen question….” Ok she was slightly disappointed that ghost did not seem able to write spooky notes. As Cain continued to talk Aria couldn’t help but wonder how much speculation this would put on his son. Especially if the group found out exactly what Cain was working on…Now she was also wondering if they were the only ones summoned to this fun fest….considering last time there were multiple parties involved. Her attention focused more on the old king as he mentioned redemption….did he feel guilt? ”What do you plan to redeem yourself from?”