Arcane Tales

*Down the tunnel is a fork and Allina is no where to be found. There are three possible paths. The leftmost tunnel seems normal, like the one they came in through. The middle path has a lot of white mist flowing and floating about. The rightmost path's blue aura is a lot brighter. The song echoes equally down all three.*

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*Stepping outside he realizes they're in the middle of the desert, in the shade of a tall cliff. The ship is somewhat damaged, and the crew and the Royal Family's staff are wandering about. The King seems to be arguing with the pilot a few feet away from there. The princess goes to join them*

"Fucking bullshit!"

---

"How goes it your royal Kelphy's fatherness" Lucien smirks even though his minor joke was one made in good nature.

Kentaro:<Looks like we split into groups of two and each take a path.>

"I have a bad feeling about this."

*Jade stared down each path and finally let out a rather loud sigh*

"I'll take the misty one."

*She drew her blade and continued down the misty tunnel*

Derek: <And I'll take the right path.>

*He walks forward with determination.*

"Soul stick close, don't want to get separated if this mist decides to transport us."

*Jade continues down the path, stepping carefully, often using her sword to check the ground ahead of her, since she can't see it past the mist.*

Creed and Alto follow Derek.

OOC: Check the Monsterpedia to know more about the monsters I mention. I have divided it by ranks so it'll be easy. Also added the ranks([**]
and [Fr]) in front of the monsters' names.

*Down the leftmost path, Kari and Kentaro come to an area with a few little holes on the left wall from where sunlight breaks in. There are three Ice Trodents[**] playing around that growl at them upon sight. Kentaro's vision becomes somewhat blurry, like the room is being filled with mist. This does not happen to Kari.*

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*Down the middle path, a flash of light blows the mist away a tad and a Cave Fairy[Fr] appears, giggling at Soul, Jade and James. She speaks in a sharp but sweet voice. James' vision becomes somewhat blurry, like the mist is getting thicker. This doesn't happen to Soul or Jade*

Cave Fairy: <What kingdom lies in the northern part of Verte?>

---

*Down the rightmost tunnel, Derek, Alto and Creed are surprised by a Glacier Cobra that rockets out of the floor, hissing at them. Their vision starts becoming blurry, like the tunnel is being filled with mist.*

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*The King, a friendly-looking middle aged man with short silver hair and blue eyes in dark blue clothing, glances at them. The sapphires on its silver crown shine in the scorching sun*

King Arthos: <I see, so it won't take long. I will wait inside.>

Pilot: <Yes, Your Majesty.>

Kelphy: <Father, are they going to fix the airship?>

King Arthos: <Yes. Fortunately we landed in a shaded area. The heat in Toros can be devastating. Don't go far from the ship, dear.>

*He heads inside*

Kelphy: <Of course.>

"Well that can't be good" Creed says as Alto rushes the cobra blade swinging.

---

Lucien chuckles, "That means don't stray from the ship Kelphy."

*Derek recognizes the hissing sound and jumps back, readying a blind guard.*

Derek: <Be careful, this thing's got projectiles!...>

Kentaro:<Argh, damn it!>

"What is it?"

Kentaro:<I think I'm going blind or something.

"It's okay. I'll... I'll be your eyes."

*The two draw their guns*

*James starts to back away, not knowing what's happening.*

*One of the Ice Trodents dashes forward and bites Kari's anckle. The second one curls up in a ball and is enveloped in ice. It rolls forward before leaping towards Kentaro. The third one spits an ice shard at Kari. Kentaro's head starts hurting*

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Cave Fairy: <Ahhh, correct!>

*She disappears in yet another flash of light, leaving behind a few gold coins that drop to the ground. James' head starts hurting*

~Soul, James and Jade have each obtained 100 Gald!~

---

*The Glacier Cobra blocks the sword with its tail and blows a barrage of ice shards towards the three. Their heads start hurting*

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Kelphy: <Let's go and find something to do.>

*She starts circling the cliff*

"Get down!"

*Kari holds an arm up to cover her face and shoots the monster biting her ankle. Kentaro drops to the ground, groaning in pain.*

Alto gets blasted back and groans.

---

"Hey wait up!" Lucien chases after her, "You shouldn't stray from the ship!"

"Well that was unexpected."

*Jade picks up the gold and gives some to Soul and goes to give the last to James.*

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Derek: <Guys, get to safety!... GAH!>

*He tries to find a good place to hide.*

*James stumbles to the ground, grabbing his head.*

*The one Kari shot rolls back across the ground, yelping, then remains motionless. The shard stabs into her arm a bit and then desintegrates. The one that had shot it curls up and is enveloped in ice, dashing towards her legs. The last one scratches at Kentaro's face*

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*Further down the path the mist starts dissipating and they can see clearly. Well, except for James whose vision is still screwed. He feels his mucles getting tired faster than usual. The echoing song seems to be sounding closer*

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*The Glacier Cobra headbutts Derek, hissing loudly*

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Kelphy: <We're just going to have a look around.>

Alto gets to his feet while Creed begins the attack on the cobra even though his vision is blurry.

---

Lucien shrugs, "Very well."

*Kari runs over to Kentaro firing at the monster attacking him and grabs his arm.*

"Up."

Kentaro:<I feel like a massive liability.>

*Kentaro stands up, Kari fires a few more rounds at the monster that was attacking Kentaro.*

"No... it's it feels different being the one to protect you. It feels... nice."

*James struggles to get back onto his feet.*

*Derek falls to his knees, and attempts to slash the Glacier Cobra while still conscious.*