The Next Day, In the Morning.
In a chamber illuminated by crimson light, a group of people had gathered around a statue on a platform. A specific group of seven individuals was all lined up on the right side of the statue, while another group of several people were seated on earthen seats on the left side of the statue. However, standing in the center of the two groups was a man in a robe, holding a staff. Towards the entrance of the chamber, where there was a stone gate, another group was stationed.
The group of seven standing on the left side of the statue were all wearing identical cape-like attire. It was the members of the quest team meant to obtain the Elixir of Immortality from the Lost Temples. The attire each of them was adorned on was actually a special armor set, which was called Magma Shroud.
The Magma Shroud was made up of components just like a typical armor. There is a shoulder pad, boots, chest piece, cuisses, greaves etc and a perfect cape. But it was completely different from a typical armor, which is mostly made of metals.
That is because the Magma Shroud is lightweight and feels like a fabric to touch. It was made with the Infernal Crystals and the Dragon Hides. From its mirror-like surface, one could tell easily that it would be good for reflecting attacks and defense.
The Magma Shroud was also unique in its color. The chest piece is black with a shimmering golden-red design spiraling and snaking all around it as if pulsating with a life of its own. The cape, which draped behind each of them, was entirely golden red, while the other parts were jet black with subtle hints of golden red.
The Magma Shroud wasn't the only thing obvious about the quest team at a glance, there was a specific helmet-like mask they were each holding in their hands, probably waiting for the time of departure to put them on. It was the Telescope Mask.
The Telescope Mask looked just like an Oni Mask, however, there is a clear difference. The mask itself was a work of art, delicately fusing metal and crystal. Its frame was made of a dark, lightweight alloy that appeared to absorb the ambient light. This frame was adorned with intricate patterns, resembling ethereal vines, etched in silver, which contrasted starkly with the mask's obsidian-like surface.
The centerpiece of the mask was the visor, where the Infernal Crystal was embedded. The crystal was held in place by an ornate silver setting, and its pulsating crimson light was visible even in the crimson-lit chamber. The visor was designed to cover both eyes completely, ensuring the wearer's vision remained protected from the shadow's insidious influence. Additionally, the nasal region which extends down to the jaw region was left open.
The seven quest team members include Apphira, who is the cosmic healer among them. She was carrying the Time Orb in her other hand. The Astral Ring was also adorned on one of her fingers, just like it was with the other team members. She was standing closest to the statue, which meant she was the obvious leader of the team.
Standing closest to her was Drake, the only Templar warrior on their team. This time, however, he was not wearing his usual silver armor, but he was also adorned in the Magma Shroud. There was still no obvious weapon hanging around his waist or across his back, just like Kael, who was standing next to him.
Kael was the Templar knight who wore the Magma Shroud uniform, which was complemented by the Telescope Mask. He had a great sword strapped across his back, while an assortment of throwing knives and daggers, approximately eight in total, were neatly arranged on a belt around his waist. Then, beside Kael, was none other than Alvan.
Just like the others, Alvan was adorned with the Magma Shroud and had his mask and spatial ring with him. He was the only cosmo-aetherian elemental mage in the group, who could manipulate all known elements in Etheloria. His silver hair cascaded over his shoulder pad, contrasting with its black color.
Next to Alvan was Emelda, an aetherian elemental mage who could control only plant-associated elements such as vines, tendrils, roots, and even complete trees. Her long, dark golden hair fluttered slightly as a look of determination was etched on her face. If not for anything else, she feels contented embarking on this quest. At least she can help exterminate the shadow plague that claimed her parents' lives twenty-six years ago.
Then, there was Lyra, the aetherian enchantment mage of their team, who possessed a strong determination to prove her worth to her father and everyone else in Etheloria. She could finally become useful for once. Thorne, with his distinctive tousled black hair and masculine physique, was the last one. He was also another aetherian elemental mage, however, he could only manipulate the wind and earth elements.
These are the members of the quest team. Opposite them were the echelons who manage the affairs of Etheloria: the elites, elders, templar warriors, and other guardians. The group stationed near the stone gate consisted of the Templar knights and a few guards who were granted access to the chamber.
The High Priest, who was at the center of these three groups, walked up to the quest team. He was carrying a black jute sack. When he arrived in front of the team members, he took out and shared a crystal with each of them. The crystals were the remaining Infernal Crystals. It looked black on the outside, but upon closer inspection, one would notice the crimson glow within the crystal.
Each of the team members collected the crystals and put them in the Astral Ring they were wearing. It was really mystical how the small ring they were wearing swallowed a fist-sized crystal.
"You are all ready to set out?" After giving each of them about two crystals each, the High Priest asked them.
"Yes!" They all responded.
"In the next moment, all of you will be on your way to the Lost Temples. But before you step out of this chamber, the basement, and Etheloria, I want to make some things clear to you.
"Remember the sole aim of this mission and this quest - to obtain the Elixir of Immortality and head back to Etheloria. I agree that you are going to encounter many adversities and dangers in this quest, but instead of giving up. Always remember the reason why you were embarking on this quest in the first place - to save your land Etheloria from the shadow plague.
"Try as much as possible to bear with your differences and embrace a sense of collaboration to succeed in this quest. Most importantly, remember that time is of utmost priority. Immediately, you get your hands on the Divine Vial and head back. Because it won't be long before the shroud of darkness struggling with Elara's barrier on the island will have an upper hand." At this moment, he paused before continuing.
"I beseech the celestial beings to look over all of you and ensure your safe and complete return to Etheloria." Then he turned towards the echelons behind him and asked, "Does any of you have any other thing to add?"
They all shook their heads from side to side.
"It's time to depart, then!" The High Priest said as they began exiting the chamber.
Before Lyra left the chamber, her father, Kamuth, walked up to her and embraced her. He said to her with a cracking voice, "Do you really have to go?" Lyra nodded. He tightened the hug before untangling it and handed her a small vial that contained a green viscous liquid. After that, everyone left the chamber and emerged in the basement grounds.
And just as Alvan was about to head out of the basement, two kids of around ten years old ran up to him.
"Master Alvan, where are you all going dressed in matching uniforms?" A confident girl asked him while looking up at him. It was Cassie. The other kid, a boy, was Jaden. Alvan's best two students in his class.
Alvan's heart melted at that moment; he was reminded of how his mother would worry about him in the same way. He didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Who would have expected that those two kids cared about him so much? This has also helped reinforce his resolve to save Etheloria. How could he allow these youngsters, who cared about him, to be plagued like his mother?
"Ummm... we are embarking on a mission to acquire something that will safeguard our land," he replied, making an effort to help the children comprehend without alarming them about the gravity of the situations beyond the basement.
"Make sure you come back, Master Alvan. " This time, it was Jaden who spoke.
"We can't wait to continue our classes with you, Master Alvan, so that one day we can also be among those who will save our land," Cassie said. Alvan forced a smile on his face and nodded to the kids. The two of them ran back to where their other classmates were.
Alvan and the other team members left the basement with their Telescope masks on and headed towards the outskirts of Etheloria, the part where the mountain ranges were.