Preparations for War

Enkidu observed the others with thinly veiled amusement and condescension while resting his staff on his shoulder.

Helzol Palace

*A while later, Lumyr, Crone, Aera, Ranmaru, Winston, Enkidu and Olympe are at the Crossroads. The Gatekeeper hands Lumyr a coordinate orb.*

Gatekeeper: <Good luck.>

*He salutes Lumyr, Crone and Aera.*

-----

*Meanwhile, Kasa and Lunsai are probably thinking of a way to stalk after the expedition. Whether they're alone or together, I wouldn't know.*

---

Royal Palace, Kingdom of Nymphe

*Rhea returns to the room a couple minutes later, alone.*

Rhea: <They're talking... Kelphy?>

Kelphy: <Hm?>

Rhea: <Maybe we could go for a walk...? It might be fun. You need to get distracted...>

*Rhea looks at Alto and shrugs, preoccupied.*

"What did you need Kelvin?" Ryzell asks.

---

"Yeah, a walk seems like a good idea."

---

Ranmaru remains silent.

*Lunsai runs up and taps Kasa on the back, now carrying a small bag.*

Lunsai: <What are you standing around? Do you have your stuff?>

*Lunsai looks away*

Lunsai: <I can't believe I'm saying this, but I need you help.>

*Lunsai's face turns slightly green*

Lunsai: <I can't believe I just asked for help. what is the world coming too?>

*Lumyr salutes and then walks to the portal, as does Winston.*

=====

Kasa: <Didn't you reject me on that offer earlier? Well, whatever. They'll be leaving really soon, so...>

*Lunsai looks confused*

Lunsai: <I never rejected your offer. I said it was stupid to ask. Of COURSE I want to go, silly.>

*Lunsai nods*

Lunsai:<I know. That's part of the problem.>

Black Swamp, Northern Leudella

*A flash of light occurs and suddenly they're standing in a dark swampy area, with so much smelly white, green, and purple mist drifting around that they can barely see each other. A huge darkened forest of giant tropical-y trees towers over the area. Aera points at said forest.*

---

Helzol Palace

*A cute young boy that looks a bit younger than Lunsai walks up to them. He is wearing a white cloak, the hood obscuring his big blue eyes somewhat. He has short messy blond hair peeking out of the hood, and light skin.*

???: <Hello.>

---

Royal Palace, Kingdom of Nymphe

Regent Kelvin: <I just wanted to speak with you about what you know some more.>

*Regent Tuntas is leaning against the wall by the window of that small library office, staring at them with his arms crossed.*

---

Nymphe, Kingdom of Nymphe

*Alto and Rhea are standing outside the castle, waiting for Kelphy to come down after she told them to go on ahead. Hearing the guards greet her, Rhea turns to see Kelphy walking out of the palace towards them. She's wearing a short dark blue cloak over a simple white shirt and black shorts combo, as well as black hiking boots. Her hair is tied up in a high ponytail for once, and her usual sidebangs are being held back by a simple black hairpin, bringing out her tired eyes and tear-stained cheeks even more. Despite the unusual clumsy look, she still somehow manages to look beautiful, though in a different, purer way.*

Rhea: <Ke-Kelphy...>

Lumyr: <This place is awful... are you sure we got the right coordinates?>

Winston: <It's not gonna be all sunshine and rainbows. Geez, kids...>

=====

Kasa: <I don't think I've seen you around here... who are you?>

Alto smiles warmly to greet her.

---

"What else do you need to know? I only remember a little bit since I wasn't exactly in control of myself. Most of what I know comes from viewing it in my mental prison."

---

"Smells like sewage."

*Lunsai darts around the boy knife drawn. She grabs the back of his cloak puts the knife to his throat.*
Lunsai:<Yes?>

Black Swamp, Northern Leudella

Aera: <You guys are pussies. It's the smell of nature.>

Allina: <It's the smell of rotting gorillas.>

*Crone starts towards the forest, over the swamp. The water is covered by a thick layer of a gooey gelatinous green, black and purple substance that, despite making walking difficult, at least doesn't let their feet sink deep enough to reach the actual water.*

---

Helzol Palace

*He slowly looks sideways to her, biting his lip in an expression of fear.*

???: <...You are planning on following Generals Lumyr and Crone on their mission. I want to help.>

*Despite his expression, he sounds as secure as can be.*

---

Royal Palace, Kingdom of Nymphe

Regent Kelvin: <Yes... Unfortunately, there isn't much we can do right now. We haven't had enough time to gather our forces, and even if we were to just send a small dettachment out, we don't really have any conceivable goal in mind at present... We must draw a plan. Hopefully, Diana will contact us shortly.>

---

Nymphe, Kingdom of Nymphe

*Kelphy smiles back, making an effort to make it look as sincere as possible. She speaks with a tired, frail voice.*

Kelphy: <Where are we going?>

Rhea: <I don't know. Maybe we could go to the beach, or to-->

*Rhea widens her eyes in surprise, staring down the street. Once/if Kelphy and Alto look as well, they see nothing out of the ordinary.*

*Lumyr and Winston both follow, Winston using jets on his feet to hover above the water.*

=====

*Kasa looks at Lunsai.*

Kasa: <...You're pretty paranoid, aren't you?>

*Lunsai turns her head to Kasa*

Lunsai:<Sometimes.>

*Lunsai steps back and lets the boy free*

Lunsai:<Who are you?>

Helzol Palace

???: <...Ace.>

*He reaches into his pocket and holds out a small black (and as such, empty) coordinate orb to Kasa.*

*Kasa takes it and rolls it around in his hand.*

Kasa: <Where did you manage to get one of these?>

*Lunsai's face grows angry*

Lunsai:<You idiot! Don't touch that! I don't know if we can trust him yet.>

*Lunsai turns to Ace*

Lunsai:<I said who are, this time, I want more then your name. Where did you get that? Oh, and tell the truth. You'd regret lying.>

Helzol Palace

Ace: <I ...stole it. If we have one, it will be easier for the Gatekeeper to believe we were ordered to follow the others. You ca-can ask him for the coordinates.>

Kasa: <Do you have trust issues or something? If he was our enemy he wouldn't be here. It's common sense!>

*Lunsai stares, open mouthed*

Lunsai: <No, it's common sense not to trust him.>

*Lunsai turns back to Ace*

Lunsai: <Well that saves me some time. But you still didn't answer my question. Who exactly are you? Oh, and you said "we". I never said you could come.>

"What is it?" Alto asks.

---

"This isn't the smell of nature"

---

"Hopefully."

Enkidu scoffed quietly at the other's complaints before speaking up, "The last time I was here there was a giant beast with tentacles that attacked from underneath the water. So watch out for that."

Black Swamp, Northern Leudella

*Aera frowns at Enkidu before proceeding after Crone.*

Aera: <Good to know. Good to knooow.>

---

Helzol Palace

Ace: <I don't need your permission.>

*With a surprisingly quick movement, he snatches the orb, looking at Lunsai when she asks him who he is again.*

Ace: <...A soldier? We're wa-wasting time.>

---

Royal Palace, Kingdom of Nymphe

*Kelvin frowns and nods to Tuntas.*

Kelvin: <Well, if you that is all, I have nothing else to ask of you at this time. I will see you.>

*He walks out, followed by Tuntas.*

---

Nymphe, Kingdom of Nymphe

Rhea: <I saw something. A strange light... Well, I think I saw it. It was kind of like a ghost, it might've been a spell.>

*A short blurry figure of white light flickers down the street.*

*Lumyr and Winston continue through the ugly swamp of shit.*

=====

Kasa: <Oh, come on. Let's just trust him for now.>

"Not a ghost" Alto says seeing it too.

---

Seeing as Ryzell can't move still he sighs and when the Minister is out of earshot, "Jackass"

*Lunsai turns her head to the side and laughs*

Lunsai: <Trust, hahahahah but anyway....>

*Lunsai starts pacing*

Lunsai: < Oh really Ace? I could steal myself an orb if needed.>

*Lunsai stops pacing*

Lunsai: <But I guess you can come. But, don't think you're off the hook. At all.>