Arcane Tales

*He slashes right through the monster, killing it. It turns into a sphere of light and disappears, while the one Kentaro kicked flies into a hot spring, yelping. It slowly drags itself out of it, gasping for air. One of the waterfalls stops flowing to reveal an entrance to a tunnel behind it. They hear the woman from before's voice*

Luna: <You're almost there... The key is close.>

=====

*They hear the woman from before's voice, and the tulips start glowing a tad more intensely. Soul feels her body become warmer as the energy flows into her body, replenishing her magic powers*

Luna: <You're almost there... The key is close.>

*James straps the sword back on his back and walks over to the waterfall.*

James: <This seems suspicious...>

*Kentaro rolls over on to his back and draws his gun firing at the monster.*

=====================================================

*Kari turns her head each way and that as if looking for where the voice came from*

*Jade goes over to the girl and offers to help her off the ground*

"You all did fine. Yes even you."

*She shoots a defiant eye to the only male in the group.*

"She said the key is close. So what do you say we get a move on."

*Jade notices Soul's mark but doesn't think anything of it*

"Don't worry about it" Alto says and lets her back on to her feet. "We need to move."

~~~~~~~~~

"We need to move forward."

*Allina just stands there staring at the squirrel as it gets shot and turns into a sphere of light, disappearing as it slowly floats upward. She gulps and turns around glancing at Kentaro for a second before looking at the tunnel*

Allina: <..Agreed.>

*She walks past James and into the tunnel*

=====

*They notice an oversized peach like the one the little girl had at the edge of the cliff, next to the bridge. Suddendly, they seem to hear a familiar voice echoing ahead, but they can't really understand what it's saying. It's Allina.*

*James walks into the tunnel aswell.*

James: <I wonder what's in here...>

*Kentaro stands up and holsters his gun following the group staying back a ways.*

=====================================================

*Kari stands up and follows the group shuffling along behind them.*

Alto went to her other side to give her suport, "Alright, easy does it."

Creed followed his group.

*As they are crossing the bridge, the mist starts clearing to reveal its other side. Beyond is a large field full of beautiful trees covered by pink flowers and oversized peaches. Glowing tulips swing around the floor, illuminating the place like torches. Despite being a much larger area than the previous ones, it is still surrounded by a barrier of thick mist. Not too far to their right is a cave, and they hear steps coming from it. Allina, James, Kentaro and Creed walk out. They hear a sweet girly voice singing somewhere within the forest of peach trees*

Girl: <Lalalala...>

Allina: <It sounds like the little girl from before.>

*She looks up the starry sky and takes a deep breath*

Allina: <Guys, guys. We can get out if we find this "key", right?>

James: <What is this "Key" though...>

*James continues walking.*

Alto sighed, "Possible" then helped her up.

Creed blinked, "You're being helpful?"

"I can demote you to stable cleaner you know?" Alto shot back.

"Noted."

"Don't worry, Creed, I had to set him straight."

*Jade walks past the group, looking into the trees.*

"I doubt she's the key, but she definitely is at least a clue."

*She turns back to the others.*

"And since we're going to be working together, I think we should all make acquaintances. I'm Jade, Swordswoman."

Allina: <Don't push yourself, I think I can help. James, wait a second!>

*She kneels down and holds her hands out towards Soul. Blue stringS of light fly around her in a sphere of glowing wires, her wounds healing almost completely*

Allina: <There. Okay guys, let's find this girl! You better be right.>

*She follows James into the peach plantation*

*James ignores the sudden change in scenery and continues walking.*

James: <I wonder where the key is...>

*An odd-looking bush catches James' eye. He bends down to search inside it.*

Kentaro:<I'd actually rather climb a tree. After all, she could be in one of them, right?>

*Not waiting for a response Kentaro promptly begins climbing the nearest tree. Kari stares up at him.*

Creed and Alto follow bickering about something.

*Sigh* "So much for introductions..."

*Jade follows the group into the tree line*

Allina: <Oh, I'm sorry. Allina. The guy searching the bushes for whatever reason is James. Nice to meet you.>

*A little orange sparrow flies out of the bush. He doesn't find anything else. As they're walking deeper into the plantation, the girl's singing voice starts sounding closer and closer until they reach her, gathering peaches from the ground at a small clearing at the center of it. Kentaro finds nothing other than peaches and flowers on the tree.*

*Kentaro resumes climbing because climbing trees is fun.*

"You're not actually looking are you?"

Kentaro:<S...Sure I am.>