Group D's findings
The woman gestured for the three to take a seat on the stools. With a warm smile, she introduced herself. "I am Eilonia Lunorah. Tell me, what are your names, O strangers?"
Calanthia and Lyrix sat down on the stools next to the table of random items, but Thaliah decided to remain standing. Her arms were crossed, and her gaze was fixed on Eilonia.
"I'm Lyrix, ma'am."
"I'm Calanthia."
"Thaliah."
"Those sound like nice names." Eilonia said. "Would you like to share the meaning?"
"No." Thaliah snaps.
Lyrix placed his hand on thaliah's crossed arm, and whispered. "Don't be rude, liah"
Thaliah dropped her arms causing his hand to release her. Her gaze fixed on Eilonia, and her tone peremptory. "I appreciate your input lady, but we need to press foward."
Eilonia's radiant smile remained fixed on her face as she ignored the young woman's comment. Instead, she reached for the three coconut shells arranged on the wooden slab before her. With a fluid motion, she lifted one shell into her left hand, and to the astonishment of Calanthia and Lyrix, water seemingly materialized within it.
Without a word, Eilonia handed a shell to each of them. Calanthia's and Lyrix's eyes widened in shock as they accepted the offerings, the unexpected water within stirring their wonder. Thaliah, however, concealed her surprise behind a mask of neutrality, her expression unreadable as she collected her shell.
Thaliah caught site of the glowing blue tattoo on Eilonia's hand – a symbol resembling ripples – which appeared when the water filled the shells.
"What's that on your hand?" Thaliah asked.
Eilonia huffed, and showcased her tattoo. "As I wield the waves, my body is adorned with the marks of the hydor. It's not me alone. The villagers share this watery sigil too." She cleared up.
"Hmm. That's cool and all but we can't stay here. We have to locate something, and hopefully people." Thaliah added.
"How will you do that at this time?"
"Exactly, Thaliah. We can't." Calanthia piped up.
Thaliah's disapproving glare pierced Calanthia, who shifted her gaze uncomfortably from Thaliah's intense eyes to the orb cradled in her hand.
Lyrix rises from his seat, his gaze shifts to Eilonia. "I'm sorry for my friend's... rude approach. But she does have a point. We can't stay here for too long. We have to focus on the mission, and find some of our lost schoolmates."
Thaliah shoots him a side-eye glare, her arms crossed once again.
"What quest do you travelers speak of?"
"We are to find something we call–"
Thaliah roughly grasped his hoodie, jerking him backwards. With a swift movement, she pinned him on the wall, and silenced him with a hand on his mouth. Her death stare sent chills down his spine, as she spoke in a harsh manner. "I swear, if you mention any more details about us, it won't be so funny."
The tension in the room became palpable after Thaliah's outburst. Eilonia and Calanthia tried to break the two but without haste, Thaliah whipped out her sword pointing it at the two. "Calanthia! Don't be a fool. This woman is clearly an illusion to slow us down!" She bluntly exclaimed.
Calanthia put up her hands in fear which turned to irritation. Her brows furrowed as she demanded an answer from the sword wielder. "Thaliah, what are you saying?!"
"Please, keep calm..." Eilonia pleaded.
Thaliah's grip on her sword tightened, "Shut up!"
Lyrix ripped her hand free from his mouth and clamped her arms behind her back. As he lunged for her other arm, sword flashing, she recoiled, her body snapping back. They crashed into the wall, his body cushioning her fall. The sound of scraping metal and heavy breathing filled the air.
Thaliah gripped her sword tightly, her eyes blazing with determination as she lunged at Eilonia. With a swift kick, she sent the table separating them crashing towards Eilonia. Eilonia vaulted over the table, her eyes locked on Thaliah. Seizing the opportunity, Thaliah raised her sword to strike, but Calanthia sprang into action, tackling Thaliah with a spear tackle that sent them both crashing to the ground.
Calanthia swiftly pinned Thaliah's free hands to the ground. The air was heavy with tension as the two women struggled. Thaliah's jerking and groaning turned hostile.
"Get off me! That woman is dangerous!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the surrounding surfaces.
Calanthia's face snapped back, inches from Thaliah's. "She's not! What's gotten into you?!" Thaliah's body went rigid, her chest heaving. As Calanthia's grip on her began to release, Thaliah flung her right hand to the left, catching Calanthia off balance. With a swift motion, she shoved Calanthia off and rolled to the opposite side, springing up quickly.
Calanthia attempted to grab the sword on the floor, but Thaliah kicked it out of her way. Thaliah attempted to swipe the sword, but got locked into a full nelson by Lyrix. Eilonia watched their little brawl, her eyes glinting with malevolence as she cackled menacingly. The three shifted their gaze to her, their faces mirroring confusion - eyebrows furrowed, mouths agape.
As they stood there, frozen in a tableau of tension, the floor beneath them began to shimmer. A faint, teal glow seeped into the stone, like an invisible hand was drawing a circle around them. The lines etched themselves into the floor, pulsing with a soft, ethereal light. The circle grew, its edges unfolding like a blooming flower, until it encompassed Thaliah, Calanthia, and Lyrix. Delicate patterns of vines and leaves danced across its surface, as if the symbol was alive. Ancient writing etched the outer circle, which was enveloped by another, larger circle. The symbol pulsed with an otherworldly energy, filling the air with an electric sense of anticipation.
Eilonia stood just beyond the circle's edge, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. The three trapped within the circle exchanged wary glances, their eyes locked on the symbol as if waiting for it to reveal its secrets.
Realizing what it was, Thaliah's mind became uneasy. "MOVE!" Thaliah yelled as she wrenched herself free from Lyrix's grasp. But before they could escape, a whipping sound echoed off the walls as vines from the circle erupted, wrapping around their bodies like living chains. The vines constricted, squeezing the air from their lungs. Thaliah's eyes bulged as she tried to pry the vines loose, but they only tightened their grip. Lyrix and Calanthia thrashed about, their faces contorted in a mix of fear and rage. The vines lifted them above the floor, pinning them to the ceiling like insects in a web.
Eilonia's laughter grew louder, her voice trembling as she struggled to catch her breath. "If it wasn't for you, Thaliah, I would've taken your lives silently," she said, her voice dripping with malice. Thaliah mumbled something, but her words were muffled by the tight vines sealing her mouth shut. Eilonia stepped closer to the circle, her eyes flashing from blue to pitch black. The darkness spread, coursing through her body like a dark, viscous liquid. Her skin seemed to ripple and contort, like shadows dancing across her face. The vines and the circle began to darken, as if infected by Eilonia's transformation.
At first, faint whispers seemed to emanate from the shadows themselves, the words indistinguishable. But the whispers grew louder, a chilling susurrus that filled the room. The words became clearer, a maddening litany of "Vra'gix... Vra'gix..." The whispers reached a fever pitch, and then, in an instant, the room fell silent. The silence was oppressive, heavy with anticipation. Eilonia's voice, now a low, menacing whisper, broke the silence. "Vra'gix..." The word hung in the air like a challenge, and the darkness seemed to coalesce around it, taking on a life of its own.
"Where Life Expires, Eternal Darkness Resides"
Group A's findings
"Where Life Expires, Eternal Darkness Resides. What is this crap?" Speratoz questioned.
Zephirine's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit chamber as she approached the pedestal. The air was heavy with the scent of aged stone and forgotten memories. Two small, delicate hands, inked black as coal, stretched out from the pedestal, as if in supplication. Between them, a phrase was etched into the weathered limestone:
Where Life Expires, Eternal Darkness Resides
Zephirine's eyes traced the letters, her mind absorbing the weight of the words. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she reached out a trembling hand to touch the inscription. The stone was cool to the touch, but it seemed to vibrate with a malevolent energy, as if the words themselves were alive, waiting to unleash their dark power.
Lyra'kaidos's voice cut through the silence, her words echoing off the stone walls. "Don't touch anything!" she screamed, her eyes wide with fear.
Zephirine's hand retracted in surprise, her heart racing. "Gosh, you scared me."
Lyra'kaidos ignored her, rushing over to examine the inscription. Her eyes traced the letters, and she felt a dark energy emanating from the unknown. She stepped back, her breath catching in her throat.
Speratoz's eyes narrowed, concern etched on his face. He placed a hand on Lyra'kaidos's shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Lyra'kaidos's voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm fine..."
Zephirine's grin returned, and she playfully flicked Speratoz's head. "How come you didn't flinch? Did the gods fire you from the baby role?"
Speratoz's face darkened, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "If you make one more trashy remark, I swear..." His words trailed off, and he began to mutter under his breath.
Lyra'kaidos and Zephirine snickered, exchanging amused glances. Speratoz's face twitched, his frustration growing. "Stop laughing! Why did I get stuck with the idiots in the group?!"
Lyra'kaidos chuckled, shaking her head. "Speratoz, calm down. It's just Zephirine being... Zephirine."
Zephirine grinned mischievously. "Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here."
Speratoz huffed, crossing his arms. "I'm surrounded by lunatics."
Lyra'kaidos patted Speratoz's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from Zephirine's... unique brand of humor."
Zephirine playfully rolled her eyes. "Aww, come on. I'm not that bad."
As the group continued to banter, Lyra'kaidos' gaze drifted back to the inscription on the pedestal. The words still lingered in her mind, filling her with an ominous sense of foreboding. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she pondered.
"Hey, don't you two find it odd?" Lyra asked, her brow furrowed in concern. They both turned to her, confusion etched on their faces.
"Could you be more specific, grandma?" Speratoz demanded, his tone laced with impatience.
Lyra'kaidos put a hand on her chin, her gaze fixed on the words on the statue. "We could read this phrase but... I doubt any of us has seen this language before."
The group fell silent, pondering Lyra's words. Zephirine's eyes narrowed, her brows furrowed in confusion. "True. Come to think of it, that language is not in our dictionaries."
Speratoz's gaze drifted over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the room. "This may be wrong, but..." He paused, his voice barely above a whisper. "I think that wanted us to understand it."
As one, they turned to face the dark entity hovering above the glowing liquid they had fallen into earlier. The creature's presence seemed to fill the room, its malevolent aura suffocating.
Razor-sharp teeth gleamed in the dim light, while long, spindly claws seemed to be reaching out to snare them. The creature's black, double-edged axe appeared to be screaming with malevolence, its very presence seeming to darken the air around it.
Without a word, the group readied their weapons, assuming a battle stance. The silence in the room was oppressive, heavy with anticipation and fear.
"It's shocking, isn't it?" an unknown voice whispered, the sound sending shivers down their spines. The voice seemed to be right in their ear, making them flinch in fear. Yet, they maintained their glare on the ominous being.
"Did you guys hear that?" Lyra'kaidos whispered to her teammates, her voice barely audible.
"Yes. Do you think it said that?" Zephirine whispered back, her eyes fixed on the dark entity.
The group remained frozen, waiting for the enemy to make the first move. But instead of attacking, the being dropped into the liquid beneath it. The group watched in awe as it magically transformed into a normal person.
Their eyes widened in shock as they took in the man's imposing figure. He stood tall, with long, pitch-black hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall of night. His braided beard was just as black, and it framed his rugged face like a dark halo. Here's the revised description: A black armor chest plate adorned with intricate gold patterns covered his chest, and a crest of a winged celestial dragon-like creature's head with a steel plated mane – a Ky'Rexar – gleamed on the chest plate.
His muscular arms and stomach were exposed, showcasing his impressive physique. A black furry leather skirt and boots covered his lower body, and a short, black furry cape flowed behind him. A prominent scar extended from each side of his forehead, giving him a battle-hardened look. His rough, calloused hands looked like they had dug through the earth itself.
The group stood there, frozen in awe, as the man gazed back at them with an unreadable expression.
"Holy crap, he's CREEPY!" Speratoz screamed, his voice trembling with fear. "How am I supposed to take on this man?!"
Lyra'kaidos stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "Who are you?!" she demanded, her voice firm and commanding. "And why have you been following us?!"
The man's expression remained eerily blank, his eyes fixed on them with an unnerving intensity. He didn't flinch, didn't blink, as he observed them silently.
Then, without warning, he exploded into action. With a burst of power and agility, he launched himself out of the glowing liquid, his body seeming to erupt from the surface like a dark, humanoid volcano. The liquid splashed and rippled around him, as if it were alive and protesting his departure.
As he soared through the air, the liquid dripped from his body, leaving behind a trail of glowing, ethereal droplets. He landed inches away from them with a deafening crash, the floor shattering beneath his feet and sending the group flying backwards onto the floor.
As they struggled to get back to their feet, the man raised his head high, his eyes blazing with an unnerving intensity. Speratoz scrambled backwards, his hands raised in a defensive gesture. "PLEASE! DON'T! I'M NOT AN ENEMY! HARMONY! HARMONY!" he begged, his voice shaking with terror.
As the man spoke, his voice was like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the room. It was a deep, masculine, and heavy voice that seemed to vibrate the walls around them. "Among all the others..." His brow furrowed in disgust, and his eyes blazed with contempt. "You are the one I wish to slay the most."
The frightening man raised his massive dark axe high, its blade glinting menacingly in the dim light. Speratoz cowered in fear, pointing his sword towards the man while hiding his face and screaming. But the man simply placed the huge axe on his shoulder, his expression unreadable.
"Silence, foolish Zha'rielvora," the man yelled, his voice loud and firm, echoing off the walls. The sound was like a physical blow, making Speratoz flinch and cower even further.
Here's a polished version:
Lyra'kaidos and Zephirine trembled in fear, their bodies rigid with terror. Yet, they remained silent, their heavy breathing the only sound they made. The air was thick with fear, and it seemed to suffocate them.
The man's demeanor changed, his expression becoming eerily calm. "Before I put an end to your pitiful lives," he said, his deep voice devoid of emotion, "I would like to tell you a short story. I would advise you to listen to me, because it would answer your unspoken questions."
The stared at him, waiting for his next line.
"I am Kralyxarion Zha'rielvora," the man declared, his deep voice echoing through the room. "The sixth son of Valkorvus Zha'rielvora."
The group's eyes widened in unison as they heard the confession. Their fear gave way to shock, and they exchanged stunned glances. The name Valkorvus Zha'rielvora seemed to hang in the air, heavy with an unspoken significance.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything was silent. The group held its collective breath, waiting for Kralyxarion's next move. But he simply stood there, his eyes fixed on them with an unnerving intensity.
The silence stretched out, becoming almost palpable. It was as if the very fate of the group hung in the balance, waiting for Kralyxarion's next word...