Fractured Reality Reboot IC : The Forest Layer

[Britanania]

Caitie, group one

Caitie bit her lower lip, drawing blood. She instinctively placed her right hand on her thigh where she kept her concealed knife, but was unable to walk back. Either out of fear or Void's powers, she wasn't entirely sure.

Well, isn't this just the bee's knees? And here I though this would be a nice stroll down Parkway Avenue

"So we have. What, not enough pretty dames in the jungle for your tastes?"

[Saint Morning]

Caitie, group one

Caitie bit her lower lip, drawing blood. She instinctively placed her right hand on her thigh where she kept her concealed knife, but was unable to walk back. Either out of fear or Void's powers, she wasn't entirely sure.

Well, isn't this just the bee's knees? And here I though this would be a nice stroll down Parkway Avenue

"So we have. What, not enough pretty dames in the jungle for your tastes?"

Void

Void snorted at Caite's comment. "I guess you could say that," was his simply reply. He noticed that despite the strong front the woman was putting own she still had her guard up around him. "Relax; if I wanted to kill you I would have done so a long time ago." He stated plainly. For something reason this mortal had piqued his interest.

"However I hope you've realized that the minute you walked into this city's walls you forfeited your life." he paused letting the information sink in. "There's a reason why it's so easy to enter." He was well aware of how sadistic the Wizard could be; no doubt he was already plotting they're death as they spoke.

"But I'm here to make an offer with you mortal; I'll help you escape." Void raised his staff towards her. " Trust me you should take my offer; you wouldn't want to share the same fate as your friends when they meet the Wizard."

[Britanania]

Caitie, group one

She narrowed her eyes at the powerful being. His offer was interesting-- tempting evern-- but Caitie had seen this sort of behaviour before. Mobsters and politicians tried this crap on her all the time.

"I can give you whatever you want", "you don't know how big a favour this is", yeah, I've seen this before. I offer my "services" for a little protection

"What's the catch? There's no such thing as a free lunch, after all"

[Spindle]

Elizabeth Keasan
Group 4
Mushroom Forest
The Forest Layer

Something twigged within Elizabeth as the dragon stretched out its neck to inspect Flame inquisitively. It wasn't acting defensively, or aggressively. It wasn't opening its wings or arching its back to try and make itself seem larger, nor was it roaring or spewing fire from its mouth. It was simply sitting there regally and watching them with a sort of bored curiosity. That was certainly not the action of a dumb animal. Those deep wells of pure void glinted at her, as if letting her in on a secret, before the dragon spoke.

It spoke English.

"We're not going to put you in bindings." Elizabeth promised, "We didn't do it for the mad one and Lord only knows we probably should. I'm Elizabeth, by the way."

[Saint Morning]

Flame Group 4- Mushroom Forest

Flame cocked his head towards Elizabeth. "Well I guess along as she doesn't cause any trouble she should be fine." Flame shrugged as he began to lead the group away from the edge of the Mushroom forest towards the centre.

“See the large mushroom?” The mushroom he was referring to was larger than the rest and looked similar to that of a toadstool. “The stronghold on top of there; but to get up there you going to have to use those pads.” He would point to a group of spring-like mushroom heads. “let this.” He would slowly approach the mushroom heads before leaping onto one and being propelled into the air; high enough where he would be able to land safely onto the tall Mushroom.

Group 5-Void

He had to give the mortal credit; she was smarter than most. Most individuals would have leaped at his offer without thinking of the consequences. His gaze intensified as he stared at Caite, his fingers no longer tapping upon the surface of his staff.

"Besides abandoning your allies?" He inquired. He wanted to make it clear that he had no intention of helping her little friends. He didn't truly understand why he assisting this particular mortal; but there was something about her that made her seem worth it. "You'd owe me a favor." Something he would be able to ask for at any time no limit. He was saving her life after all.

"Nothing in particular at the moment."

[Taigawa]

Cynder - Group 4
Perilian Shroomlands
5th of Coldstar, 5 years after The Siege

---

She sat and watched before speaking: "So I can't just fly up there? I do have wings you know." she stated in a serious, yet confident tone. The young dragon had played a part in saving her world from destruction, mostly aided by the fact that she could fly despite her youth. Still, she did'nt know the state of the rest of her magic, as a landing as rough as hers had been was sure to have done some damage to her somewhere...and somehow. Still she had to take her blessings- at least the Ancestors had protected her from serious injury...for now.

[Spindle]

Elizabeth Keasan
Group 4
Mushroom Forest
The Forest Layer

With that, it seemed to be decided that the dragon was a part of their group and Flame lead them off, away from the edges of the bizarre, myconoid forest and into the centre where the fungi grew increasingly tall and wide. It was uncomfortably like walking through NeoTokyo, except the concrete and steel was replaced by the odd, fleshy stems of giant mushrooms which curved gently into the sky. Eventually, they reached a single, gargantuan mushroom with a number of stepping-stone sized mushroom scattered around it. At Flame's explanation, an eyebrow arched before watching the man soar into the sky and land on the fleshy head of the mushroom. Screw it, it couldn't be that difficult.

Going next, Elizabeth jumped onto one and found herself shooting into the sky like she'd been fired out of a cannon, wind whipping her hair out behind her. As she reached the same level as the top of the mushroom, two planes of azure light flared from her shoulder-bone as her wings activated and she soared towards the lip of the mushroom. Landing on the mushroom, Elizabeth staggered a little before catching herself.

"Well..." She muttered to herself, "That was weird."

[Saint Morning]

Group 4

The group would be greeted with the sight of a magnificent castle. It was smaller than other castles, but still graceful and quite appealing, With a brook dancing besides the border wall and slowly descending from the mushroom top to a pool of water below. Embedded into the wall was a large scroll gate and over said gate was an ornate arch over-runned by an array of different friendly mushrooms. Strange energy sparked on every available surface like a thin layer of chalk, the golden spirals of symmetrical turrets gleaming with dulled warmth beneath the confines of the potent dust.

The visitors would be lead within the castle walls. The guards stationed at the walls looked shocked by the arrival and seemed to look anxiously at Flame. “Lord Flame!” They both said in unison. “It’s nice to see you again.” Flame Sighed. He hated when people were so formal with him.

“You know you don’t have to be so formal.” The guards nodded but Flame knew that they wouldn’t listen to him. The guards let the group enter although they seem cautious of the dragon.

The sound of voices filled the halls of the Castle with life. However they would all suddenly come to an abrupt stop once everyone noticed the arrival of the red-head. They all stared and look star-stuck by him which unnerved the red-head. The people were so preoccupied that they didn’t noticed the individuals Flame was traveling with.

The children who were playing with Purilla suddenly turned away from her and would run up excitedly towards Flame. “Flame; look we have a new comers!” One would say and Flame would look up to see Purilla.

“Yo!” He would say quite causally.

[Britanania]

Caitie

The young woman considered her options. This person was certainly powerful, and Caitie knew in her line of work that powerful friends were the best kind of friends. But she also knew when she was being had. Powerful people just didn't make friends and ask for favours without a reason.

Which means I have something he's after. I have some worth, so I hold all the cards in this poker game

Caitie shook her head.

"The way I see it buddy is that I have something you want, so I'll be the one making demands here." The young assassin was feeling a little more confident.

[Taigawa]

Cynder - Group 4
Perilian Stronghold
5th of Coldstar, 5 years after The Siege

---

The dragon looked at her sorroundings while trying to keep her posture as passive as possible. While it was difficult for her to determine if they knew her past, it was more likely that they were simply aware of her simply being equiped like a predatory creature....and feared her for it. She could'nt blame them for that though, they had every right to act cautiously around her. Still, she would at least try not to look too threatening towards her hosts; she was their guest after all. She would follow any instructions given to her as if the Guardians of Warfang had gave them, and speak only when spoken to.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Pelene
Group 5 and 1 MERGE!

Pelene looked at the unconscious Marcus, and smiled. She held him as he suddenly started to shrink. He would shrink until he was about four inches tall. She held the four inch tall unconscious man in her hand against her chest before placing him safely between her breasts. "Sweet dreams." She whispered, and then looked at Elizabeth. "Probably should explain. Basically I have the power to make things shrink and grow at will. Anyways... I think I'll go explore the city a bit as well."

She looked at the bag that Cautie had gave her. She hadn't even used it to by a drink. Taking it she stood up and tied it to her waist. She grabbed her spear, shrank it till it looked like a toothpick, and put it safely in her hair. She really needed to get something to hold it, but this would work. Standing there she looked almost completely harmless.

"Corvinna, I'm going to go explore. I have Marcus." She said as she left the tavern. I should probably give this extra money back to Cat... Though she did give it to me to spend... she thought as she began to wander the city, looking for Caitie.

Purilla Azolla Sakar
Group 2

Purilla opened her eyes and looked at this man named Flame. Purilla had finished her stories and let the children do her hair. So her hair wasn't exactly the best it could have been, ok, there was a few branches in it. And just before he arrived they were playing a game of Blindman's bluff, with Purilla as the blindman. He seemed to be a big deal so she respectfully bowed to him.

She rose and noted his companions. A dragon, cool. A strange humanoid thing, strange. A female cyborg, fun. A large human warrior, boring. "Drem Yol Lok." She said, "I am Purilla Azolla Sakar."

[Taigawa]

Cynder - Group 4
Perilian Stronghold
5th of Coldstar, 5 years after The Siege

---

Cynder ceased walking when she was spoken to and sat in a cat-like manner. "I am Cynder, Queen of Warfang and hero of the Dragon Realms. Five years ago, a great evil escaped Convexity and plunged my homeland into a state of war. That evil sought to destroy my world and everything I ever knew, claiming it as destiney. I greatly helped to destroy him and save my world from destruction. For that, I became royalty and one of the Guardians of my world. I was exploring a new palace I commisioned when I was brought here."

[The United Equstrian Front]

Marcus
Group 5 or 1 who knows
After about 30 minutes he woke up feeling warm and safe. He stretched and felt where he was at, it was Pel's chest he shrugged and called out,
"So where are we going love? Because I hope it will be fun." He crossed his arms and waited to be out and back to his normal height.

[Spindle]

Elizabeth Keasan
Group 4
Mushroom Forest
The Forest Layer

The castle was certainly...something. It's scale wasn't particularly impressive for someone who'd grown up in the concrete jungle of NeoTokyo, but Elizabeth had to admire the elegant architecture and the fact that they'd somehow managed to build it on a mushroom. If she was honest, that part was the most impressive. What happened if there was a stiff breeze? Would it wobble? Did the mushroom act as some kind of shock absorber? Or did it periodically fall off and need to be pulled back up?

All of these thoughts stopped when the guards came out and spoke to Flame. Lord Flame? The idiot who attacked the damned bees was royalty? Really? She was willing to accept the weird day/night cycle, giant bees, rubber-sheet ground and giant mushrooms, but this? This was just too much. Rushing after Flame as he headed into the castle, she grabbed his arm and spun him around, hissing sharply:

"Really? You're a Lord and you didn't tell us?"

[Boergandina]

Zeva "Durandal" Joandearc
Group ?

Zeva stood in the middle of the training area in a Whisper base. Around her multiple agents where unconscious around her. She looked around, no more challengers. A single figure in a black suit walked in clapping. "Well, still as fast as ever agent Durandal." the figure said.

Zeva saluted the figure. "Sir." She said, her voice void of any emotion.

"You have a new assignment." The figure reached into his suit and pulled out a pad of sort. "Read it over. You ship out tomorrow evening."

She took the pad and nodded. A while later she entered her room, spartan styled, meaning it only had a bed and the bare necessities. She put the pad on her desk and sat down on her bed. "Commence evening maintenance." She said. Once her evening maintenance was done she was about to lay down, but then, there was a bright light.

Zeva woke up in a strange place, a very strange forest around her. She looked around. "Where am I?" She asked herself and checked her records. "No match."

She then heard something coming her way. Using her enhanced vision she saw something strange coming towards her. It looked much like a samurai. Instead of running or anything, Zeva stood still, waiting for it to come to her.

Eikō-no-Senshi
Group Senshi
Peril
Senshi had been walking for nearly two days by his reckoning. He had run out of water, and was down to sake, which he was loath to waste. Additionally, he had used up nearly half of his salted fish. He hated salted fish. His daimyo's banner was still on his back, as he refused to remove it, but his helmet hung from a hook at his waste and his hair was untied, cascading down his back. His hand remained on his katana's hilt. Then the 奇妙なたわごと started happening.

He knew not if it was a product of dehydration, sake consumption, or both, but in a flash of light a... massive woman appeared before him? He was perplexed. She was dressed oddly, and was at least half a European foot taller than him.

"Anatahadare? Koko wa doko? Naze anata wa akumajo, koko de watashi o torimashita ka?"* he inquired. His grip tightened on his hilt.

*"Who are you? Where are we? Why have you taken me here, demon woman?"

[Saint Morning]

Group 4

Flame smiled brightly at Purilla. “Nice to meet-” he didn’t get to finish his sentence when he was suddenly spun around by Elizabeth; he would see the anger in her eyes but he couldn’t quite understand why she was so angry at him all of a sudden.

“Well I didn’t think it was important. “ Flame stated; the confusion he felt could be clearly seen on his face. “This is my father’s castle, you know, the god of this world?” This place had been his home ever since he had been small; along with his mother and father it was paradise… until his father vanish and his mother.

“I don’t understand something so trivial is so important. The people here only call me lord because they feel like they owe me.” After all he had let them reside here; they were alive because of his assistance.

Suddenly the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard and Elizabeth would be shocked to find a glowing staff pointed at her. “Let go of him now” Flame turned his gaze over to the newcomer.

“Oh hey Cas.” He looked between the two as Cas’ eyes bored into Elizabeth. “Um mind putting down the staff she’s a friend; honest.”

Void

Void quirked his brow at Caite. She was definitely an amusing mortal. Amusing enough for him to humour her and allow her to think that she was the one in control of the situation.

“It seems that you do.” Void would say rather amusingly. “What is your wish mistress?” He place emphasis on the last word to see if he would get a reaction out of her.

[Britanania]

Caitie

The young woman ground her teeth. She hated being talked down to in such a patronising way. That's how her uncle used to treat her. By now any fear the assassin had for Void it was out the window.

"Yeah, you could start talking to me like a human being for one," Caitie said with much rancour. "What's your anyway, angle, bud? Surely you have to have a reason for sticking your nose in places it doesn't belong"

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Pelene
Group 5 and 1 MERGE!

Pelene was currently at some sort of market. People trying to sell her all sorts of things. Somethings she recognized, others not so much. When she felt Marcus stir she walked into a corner where she would not be heard or seen, and heard him speak.

She looked down at him nestled between her breasts and smiled. "Morning sleepy head." She said as she pulled him from her cleavage, and kissed him. Her lips covered his entire face. "How'd you sleep? You probably shouldn't drink that much. Anyways, as for where we are going, I was exploring the city to find Cat. I haven't used the money she gave me so I wanted to at least offer it back to here."

She put him on the ground and grew him back to his normal height.

Purilla Azolla Sakar
Group 2

"Wait.... Your father is the god of this world? That doesn't just make you royalty, that makes you a hefrah. A demigod. Unless your mother was also a rah, a god." Purilla said, "Should I call you Drog Flame? Or Drog Yolos? Or just Yolos or Flame?"

She then looked at the dragon, "A dovah jud? Well we already have a kaazah ulokuun, so why not. I am also royalty, not that I look it. I am one of the three kulaas of Faal Lot Himdah. The other being my brothers daughter, and my sister. I wouldn't say I have done things as magnificent as saving my world. I once fought against my own family in a vengeful lust for Atmoran blood."

Zeva "Durandal" Joandearc
Group ?

Zeva looked at him. "Processing language. Japanese. Translation: Who are you? Where are we? Why have you taken me here, demon woman?" She looked at him as he tightened her sword. No change in the emotionless slate that was her face.

"Anata wa de~yurandaru watashi o yobidasu koto ga dekimasu." (You may call me Durandal.) she started, Watashi wa,-ji no yōna, watashi wa anata ni gai o ataenai yō ni, anata o kizutsukeru tame ni nani no chūmon o motte imasen. Watashitachi ga doko ni iru, sore wa watashi no dētabēsu ni sonzaishinai-yō ni watashi wa, shirimasen. Riyū to shite, watashi wa anata o koko ni motte kimasendeshita. Soshite, watashi wa akumada arimasen. Anata no namae wa nanideshou ka? Mata, kore wa anata ga shitte iru, matawa anata mo eigo o rikai shite iru koto o yuiitsu no gengodearimasu ka?" (I have no orders to harm you, so as such, I will not harm you. I know not where we are, as it is not in my database. As for why, I did not bring you here. And I am no demon. What might your name be? Also, is this the only language that you know, or do you also understand english?)

[The United Equstrian Front]

Pelene
Group 5 and 1 MERGE!

Pelene was currently at some sort of market. People trying to sell her all sorts of things. Somethings she recognized, others not so much. When she felt Marcus stir she walked into a corner where she would not be heard or seen, and heard him speak.

She looked down at him nestled between her breasts and smiled. "Morning sleepy head." She said as she pulled him from her cleavage, and kissed him. Her lips covered his entire face. "How'd you sleep? You probably shouldn't drink that much. Anyways, as for where we are going, I was exploring the city to find Cat. I haven't used the money she gave me so I wanted to at least offer it back to here."

She put him on the ground and grew him back to his normal height.

Marcus
Group 5 or 1 who knows
He yawned and stretched,
"So where are we and where is my hat? I know I bought hats." at that his fedora blew near him and he snatched it and placed it back on his head,
"Well that answers half of my question now for the top hat." He snapped his finger and the top hat popped into assistance in his hand, he snapped his other hand and it was gone, he tilted his head and with a confused sounding voice he mumbled,
"Now when in the bowls of the Void did I get a power up?"

[Saint Morning]

Caitie

The young woman ground her teeth. She hated being talked down to in such a patronising way. That's how her uncle used to treat her. By now any fear the assassin had for Void it was out the window.

"Yeah, you could start talking to me like a human being for one," Caitie said with much rancour. "What's your anyway, angle, bud? Surely you have to have a reason for sticking your nose in places it doesn't belong"

Void

Well that was an interesting reaction. Looks as though he seemed to rile her up a bit; this mortal was full of surprises wasn't she."Well if were going to be more civil towards each other; the least we should do is introduce ourselves." He stated with a smirk on his face. "I'm Void and you are?"

"My reasoning is none of your concern really," Void shrugged as he causally swung his staff in his hand. " I'm just being a good Samaritan here; but you can't accept that can you? You believe that because I'm the big strong guy that I automatically want something."

He suddenly got into the girl's personal space. "Your not wrong; but I'd like to think of myself as a man of my word."

[Shadowwell]

Tyroth
He had been disconcerted by the jump pads and the mushroom forest more than by the dragon. those he had seen a few of, during his travels. When Flame revealed he was royalty he was slightly surprised, but he had an arrogance certain types of power bring. Tyroth had been about to speak when the woman got angry at him. Apparently she was angry at the fact he was royalty, for some reason. He had ignored that and was looking around when someone held an obviously magical glowing staff at her threateningly. He would let her resovle it but put one massive hand on the hilt of his equally massive sword strapped across his back, just in case things got out of hand.

[Britanania]

Caitie, group one? Group five?

Void, eh? Sounds like something out of a pulp magazine The assassin really wished she had a cigarette on her, it would have made the creepy alley meeting much more like home.

"Call me Caitie, although it doesn't really matter. Everyone seems to have a different nickname for me, but I don't mind." The young woman slowly walked away as Void approached, and when he got too close, she slapped his across the face, disregarding any possible consequences.

"You might be a man of your word, but that doesn't mean I have to trust. How about you start by telling me about this place? If you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly from around this neck of the woods."

[Naval Monte]

The City of Wort

Elizabeth felt the tap and looked at the New Yorker. "Sure, I can get us rooms here." Elizabeth found the barkeeper and owner of the hotel above the tavern. She and him talked and when she got friendly with the bartender, even flirting with him, both her and Caitie got a room. "Thank you mate. I'll see if I can get my friend interested on that date." she said to the man as she walked out.

Once outside she lean on the wall close to the door and began to smoke. "I hope Caitie doesn't mind us sharing the same bed because that was the only way I can convince that bloke on us having a free room."

Back in the tavern Corvinna saw Elizabeth convincing the bartender and hotel owner to give both her and Caitie a free room, she turn to Pelene as she made Marcus smaller. When Pelene told her that she was going out to explore she understood. "I'm going to do the same as well." Corvinna got up and left the tavern but went the opposite direction that the giant went.

Corvinna began to walk into the crowd and within she began to pick pocket some of the people and dashed into an alley. Once she was in the shadows the Jackdaw thief began to climb up the walls and once at the rooftop she began to run on the roof and jump, using her true speed, agility and strength to hope from one rooftop to another in a form similar to free running.

Corvinna was also exploring the city but without dragging too much attention down at the ground. She is also planning on stealing from some of the buildings so she and her team can have enough money to rent rooms.

Back at the tavern Elizabeth began to walk away from the building with her hands in her coat pocket and with her cigarette still burning. "So let's see what the nightlife of this city is like?" Elizabeth said to herself.

[Taigawa]

Cynder - Group 4
Perilian Stronghold
5th of Coldstar, 5 years after The Siege

---

"I assisted in bringing down Malefor, an ancient purple dragon who long ago mastered all the elements, much to the surprise of his peers. However, that power corrupted him and distorted his morals. He was exiled for this, but he taught The Apes how to use draconic magic, notably the Gems, which serve as conduits of mana and life force in my world. He then waged war on his own kind and the Guardiand sealed him away in Convexity, an airlock dimension linking many realities. However, he reached out and continued to direct his armies. On the night of my birth, the Ape King raided the Dragon Temple where the guardians were watching over many unborn dragons, including myself.

You see, there was an ancient prophacy about another purple dragon...one born every ten generations, and this one was to bring peace to my world. The Apes wanted to stop this prophacy from coming true, so they attacked the Temple, overran the guardians, and destroyed all the eggs there, killing our young before they even opened their eyes on this world. Well save two. One was saved and hidden. Mine was taken..." She hung her head as if greatly saddened or ashamed "....and I was raised under Malefor's influence. I was used as a puppet, and methodically unsealed his prison in Convexity. Before He could escape that prison I fell to Spyro, another of my kind, who purged me of his influence. Malefor was free, but he was still trapped in that dimension.

That was untill the Night of Eternal Darkness. Need I go on?"

[Boergandina]

Zeva "Durandal" Joandearc
Group ?

Zeva looked at him. "Processing language. Japanese. Translation: Who are you? Where are we? Why have you taken me here, demon woman?" She looked at him as he tightened her sword. No change in the emotionless slate that was her face.

"Anata wa de~yurandaru watashi o yobidasu koto ga dekimasu." (You may call me Durandal.) she started, Watashi wa,-ji no yōna, watashi wa anata ni gai o ataenai yō ni, anata o kizutsukeru tame ni nani no chūmon o motte imasen. Watashitachi ga doko ni iru, sore wa watashi no dētabēsu ni sonzaishinai-yō ni watashi wa, shirimasen. Riyū to shite, watashi wa anata o koko ni motte kimasendeshita. Soshite, watashi wa akumada arimasen. Anata no namae wa nanideshou ka? Mata, kore wa anata ga shitte iru, matawa anata mo eigo o rikai shite iru koto o yuiitsu no gengodearimasu ka?" (I have no orders to harm you, so as such, I will not harm you. I know not where we are, as it is not in my database. As for why, I did not bring you here. And I am no demon. What might your name be? Also, is this the only language that you know, or do you also understand english?)

He inquired, narrowing his eyes, "Dētabēsu? Eigo? Watashi wa, korera no yōgo ni seitsū shite inaidesu."* At the mention of who he is, he stiffened, visibly straightening his back. "Watashi wa koko to senjō de kare no banā o oi Eiko-no-Senshi, daimyō Ogasawara Tadazane no samurai, gozen. Watashi wa Miyamoto Musashi no gakuseidatta, to Niten Ichi-ryū no sutairu ni take. Jibun no kyodai o oshietekudasai. Anata wa watashi o tabe, ocha no tame no watashi no hone o funsai suru tsumoridesu ka?"**
*"Database? English? I am not familiar with these terms."
**"I am Eikō-no-Senshi, Samurai of the Daimyo Ogasawara Tadazane, who bears his banner here and on the battlefield. I was a student of Miyamoto Musashi, and adept at the style of Niten Ichi-ryu. Tell me of yourself, giant. Do you intend to eat me, and grind my bones for tea?"