a visit from .e.a.r.t.h.

[Varos Talantos]

Forgery was displeased. He needed to figure out how Ishtara had come back from the Tree of Reclamation... to know what went wrong. "There's no time to wait, dearest." He shot a quick glance to his right at the beautifully dressed figure. It rested itself easily on a red, crushed-velvet cushion, lithe and relaxed, confident in it's self. "If Ishtara can do it, what's to keep it from happening again?" Forgery continued, "Perhaps with one of those souls that have been kept in there for eternities. We simply cannot wait, Antoinette. I would love to plan it all out a bit better, but we can't risk those other souls getting out, too. If they all came back, we'd be back to square one and we can't even pretend to know what kind of problems they would create if they did escape." Besides, they would all want a piece of Forgery, the God of Deception failed to add. "We need to figure out how it happened and stop it from happening again and we need to do so now." Forgery grimaced. "Though the Khyper-Diorem is NOT my idea of fun." He shot a look at the matriarch of all Vampyres, an idea obviously having hit him. "I've got it." He gestured and the room became silent. He stepped forward a pace and his obsidian boots clicked grandly on the amethyst floor. The sound of the silver chains clinking against the boots they clasped was all that could be heard. Forgery stood silently for a moment as the sound of the chains became ever weaker until they had died, that particular sound never to grace the universe again in quite the same way. Forgery finally opened his dark red lips to speak, eye looking at Antoinette seriously. "We will grab ourselves some mortals." Without waiting for what would likely be an expression of disbelief and horror, Forgery Zaytsev vanished to the realm of mortals.

In a moment, he materialized where he had been before, but facing away from the immortal and towards a small group of mortals. His eye lay dead in it's socket as his good eye searched the faces of the four visitors. "Welcome to Shangri-La," Forgery stated flatly. "Appreciate that one, it'll likely be the only welcome you get here." He allowed his statement to sink in for a moment and continued, "This is the home of the Gods you may or may not serve. Specifically, this is my home." He smiled and spread his arms as if to show off his home, though it was a simple, all-white room with no apparent doors, one cushion (which was being used by Antoinette Argonith), and an amethyst floor. There's been an upsetting and it's up to you four brave souls to right this wrong. You will not be alone, however, as the exquisite Antoinette Argonith and myself will be going along with you. This city is not for mortals and therefore, you will likely be attacked on sight by any God or Goddess that you run across."

Forgery's voice sung out beautifully as he continued explaining things to the mortals. "I will be teleporting us all to just outside the rearward gates of this city where we will walk the half mile barrier between Shangri-La and the Khyper-Diorem. Afterwards, we will traverse the Khyper-Diorem to the Fortress at the Edge of the Void. This is the only way to access the Void besides the Tree of Reclamation, which we won't be using because it might kill all of you." He snickered, genuinely humoured, and finished, "Any questions?"[/color]

Chaos was very disorientated. She wasn't even sure if she was laying down or standing up. Her head was pounding in pain. Nope, she was definitely sitting. She could have sworn she was taking a well-needed nap not twenty minutes ago. She blinked a few times. White room. She was in a psychiatric hospital. No, the floors were...amethyst? Where the hell was she? And where was Callisto?

Chaos attempted to stand and her shaky legs collapsed underneath her. She landed on the bottom feathers of her wings and yelped, quickly sliding off. She felt discombobulated. She opted for staying down and observing. White room, purple floor. Pillow. Three other people, no cat. Chaos nodded. This whole scene made no sense. She blinked and then two more beings popped up, one on the pillow. She jumped, startled.

The one standing started speaking and Chaos could almost taste the power radiating off of him. He seemed familiar. Well, his power as well as the woman's seemed more familiar then themselves. The power, the way they acted, spoke- Shangri-La? What? Oh god. She felt her head hit the floor painfully and ignored the throbbing. Gods. Of course, she would be in the house of a god. Chaos rubbed her head as the god who, seemed way too happy about all of this, explained.

Antionette Argonith, goddess of Vampyres. Attacked on sight by any god or goddess. Chaos did not want to be here. She wanted to go back home, finish her nap, and go to the carnival that had arrived last week. She looked up at the man still talking, now about transportation. Blinded eye, he seemed familiar, his powers did. More so then the other goddess. It reminded her of Giovanni. Her brow furrowed in confusion. The god asked for questions.

"Three. Who are you? Why me? Do I get a choice?" Chaos asked bluntly. Appeasing gods was the last thing on her mind, even if it was the smarter idea.

[Minttu Cerdiwen]

<sub>Head pounding so hard it sent her body to a point of misery for a few moments, Minttu felt like her eyes were open but she could see nothing but white and hear nothing. Gently at first, sound began to come present to her, muffled voices. She was becoming more conscious of the atmosphere she was within and registered the position she was, knelt on her knees, hands holding her throbbing head. The only thing Minttu could feel was her head, it was like the wrest of her body wasn’t really there. Seconds felt long, and with each one Minttu became more aware of what was going on. Blurry vision became more crisp and she was finally able to comprehend the room she was in.

Everything was white as snow and Minttu thought she may be outside for a split second until she determined where the doors were. Minttu eyed the red couch with what she noticed a woman sitting on. She glanced down at the floor noticing its purple color then looking at her own legs and hands discovering she was even more pale than usual. The space was very empty but in a way eye appealing for its velvet couch and amethyst floors.

Minttu tried to remember where she was before here but couldn’t. Her mind was still a mess even though her senses were now in tact. She figured she was probably at home, or on a walk, before she had somehow ended up in this place. Giving up on trying to remember, Minttu attempted standing. Legs shaking at first, she stood, straitening her self out, stretching slightly.

That is when her attention was adverted to the figure that was placed in front of her. She could feel the power radiating off of him, it almost felt blinding. His voice rang loud in Minttu’s ears taking her a moment to adjust and understand his words. The energy in the room suddenly became overwhelming, she knew these beings were more powerful than any she’d ever met before. Minttu, still disoriented, wasn’t able to make out every word the man said but understood the just of it. Shangri-La? Could this be the house of a God? Minttu’s thoughts raced, how had she gotten here and why?

Minttu recognized a familiar voice and turned to its direction. She was joyful and relieved to see her dear friend Chaos by her side and wondered if they were together before their arrival to the God’s home. She knew the man had asked for questions but she was afraid to speak in his presence, Chaos had already asked all the questions she needed to know anyway. Minttu wondered if Chaos had noticed her and attempted eye contact.</sub>

[Anthrophilus]

"What the devil?!" Anthrophilus roared as he was ripped out of the earthly realm in the middle of a morning ride through the desert.

Thrown onto the ground as though he were a child's plaything, his breath was knocked from him and his equipment scattered like confetti.

This enraged Anthrophilus, and the rage coupled with the physical battery he had just received made for a very unhappy centaur.

Quickly and without grace he scampered to gain his composure and realized that he was not the only one to have gone through some kind of teleportation.

As he looked around this new place, it made him want to weep, for the beauty of the room which encompassed him was so immense, and yet so simple.

And there HE stood, that hideous sight: Forgery Zaytsev, the self-proclaimed "god" of deception. His mutilated eye, and those punk-ass piercings made him want to vomit.

Such beauty claimed by one so hideous was obviously a compensation for what true beauty the 'god' lacked: an honest and kind spirit.

'This blasphemous fool will be the death of me. What the hell does he want from me?' he thought, as Forgery began his introduction.

'Great. Just fucking G.R.E.A.T. I'm not going to live forever, but I do NOT want to die here. Kyper Diorem? Sounds like he wants to use us as bait so he can get past the dangers which lurk there.'

But what choice did he have? He shrugged off his anger and stretched out his arm to shake the hand of Forgery, a signal not unique to his race, a signal of peace and non-aggression.

As he brought his arm out, he announced in a baritone voice,

"Hail! I am Anthrophilus of the Mojave Desert. I shall join you on your mission, Forgery, but I do have one question. Why the Kyper Diorem? Surely that place is far worse than the Tree of Reclamation. What I mean is, what is your motive for inviting a humble centaur to go on this mission to a place where death is even a concern for gods?"

[Varos Talantos]

Forgery Zaytsev waited as the mortals collected themselves, obviously not used to the same speed, accuracy, or technique of teleportation that the Gods used. Groaning, confused mortals. The first to speak up was the Angel, a young female that seemed a bit green behind the ears... or whatever it was that Humans said. "Three. Who are you? Why me? Do I get a choice?"

"I am Forgery Zaytsev, Artist Extraordinairre, to answer your first question. Why you? Because there's so much more to you than everyone else and you are special. You have power and potential that no other beings on your planet have. I want to see your potential fulfilled." He paused a moment to let it sink in and then interrupted everyone's thoughts with, "No, actually you're not special. You're just another mortal and you got lucky when I grabbed a few random mortals. Don't think of yourself as important, you're not. Therefore, you don't deserve a choice." He smiled patronizingly with a damnable smirk.

The Fae remained silent, observing the situation placidly. That or just afraid to ask a question after Forgery's response. The Centaur, on the other hand, spoke up cheerily, arm held out for a handshake as he introduced himself. "Hail! I am Anthrophilus of the Mojave Desert. I shall join you on your mission, Forgery, but I do have one question. Why the Khyper Diorem? Surely that place is far worse than the Tree of Reclamation. What I mean is, what is your motive for inviting a humble centaur to go on this mission to a place where death is even a concern for gods?"

Forgery's hand remained unmoving at his side and his face stony. "Of course you're joining this mission. The Tree of Reclamation is too powerful for mortals to survive. Feel free to test that. To put it into terms you would comprehend, I brought you here to see if something was wrong with the Void. If something is wrong there, it could mean dramatic alteration of the current reality." He answered, emphasizing the replacement of invited. "That's my motive."

Forgery looked at the fourth questioningly, but the mortal remained silent for the moment. Shrugging, the God of Deception stated flatly, "The Centaur race is privy to some secrets that even the Demons of Rome are not and this one speaks truly. The Khyper-Diorem is a dangerous land and filled with creatures you've not seen before. It is hostile and therefore..." He snapped his forefinger and thumb and a host of weapons varying from swords, flails, and spears to bows and slings. He continued, "... you may each choose any one weapon that suits your fancy. Afterwards, we will embark." Forgery spread his arms invitingly. "Make your selection."[/color]

Forgery Zaytsev. Wasn't that just a kick in the face. Chaos had centered her life about truth and what did she get? Deception. Artist Extraordinaire her ass. Even his reasons for choosing them were oh so lacking. Random? She doesn't deserve a choice? This was the God of Deception's reasoning? She laughed a humorless laugh. She could tell him where to put his mission.

Chaos opened her mouth to speak when she caught sight of green from the corner of her eye. She turned to see Minttu trying to get her attention. She was surprised the Fae here. Random didn't seem so random. She was about to speak tot eh Fae when yet again her train of thought was interrupted. This time by a loud, booming voice. Her expression turned to one of annoyance as she spotted the centaur. There was just something about the guy Chaos found very unappealing. She sighed and blocked out what they were saying. She didn't want to go.

"Fancy seeing you here." Chaos said turning to Minttu. A very sharp snap made Chaos turn and she observed the weaponry in front of her. Knives, bows, javelins, swords, spears. They had everything. Chaos didn't move to choose. "I don't want to go." Chaos said raising her hand like she was still in school. She really didn't want to go, but she was afraid that Minttu would. She didn't want to leave the Fae alone with people Chaos didn't trust.

[Minttu Cerdiwen]

<sub>Minttu was not the least bit surprised that her suspicions had been right, she really was in the house of a god. The God of Deception, Forgery Zaytsev definitely fit his name physically and socially. She almost believed the god that she had been picked above others to attend this quest, the sarcastic reply almost amused Minttu when it hit its end. Forgery’s face was something stunning in a unique way, a pale cracked face full of piercings and an eye that seemed like it may be blind. His face was very defined and Minttu found herself entranced in it and his energy until his eyes crossed over her snapping her back into reality.

What she just couldn’t comprehend is why her out of so many other beings, things never happened for no reason. At this point Minttu had no idea whether or not she wanted to stay or demand she was able to leave. Forgery had used the word ‘kill’, she feared this journey may cost her her life. This could be the chance she had been waiting for though, she had been given the opportunity of working with a God. The fact she was in the presence of one was enough to make her heart race. It had only been a few short months away from home and now she was standing face to face with The God of Deception.

Some sort of relief went over Minttu when she made eye contact with a familiar face, she couldn’t be more glad Chaos was there as well. ‘Fancy seeing you here’, Chaos always seemed to make a smile cross Minttu’s face even in the worst of times. The Fae was about to speak when another intense voice filled the room, it seemed that many were going to accompany them. The Centaur’s attitude toward the situation made Minttu curious with him, she didn’t understand how he could be so ready to join a quest he knew nothing about. In a way, she admired his thirst for adventure and wished she could be so quick to jump into things. Then again, she really didn’t, being cautious often came as an advantage to her.

Minttu eyed the weapons closely taking a few steps closer to examine them further, she decided to wait for someone else to decide first. Procrastinating she turned to face Forgery and looked him in the eyes. “My name is Minttu Cerdiwen, not that it concerns you on account that in your opinion the four of us are nothing but useless mortals.” Minttu paused before continuing, “what I’m wondering is why would a god of your significance need help from meaningless beings like ourselves?” Her tone was not one of flattery, she did not like where she was because of fear it may cost her life. Forgery was no god in her eyes if he was going to force her and the others to join him on his quest. If helping a god meant her life, she rather leave.</sub>

[Solemn Creed]

Sol yawned. He wanted to stand up and stretch, but he was busy groaning slightly about how sore he felt. The only thought in his mind was that extremely plush and lavish beds were overrated. Sol had gone to sleep last night perfectly comfortable yet now when he awoke all he could think about were the aches and pains in his body. The bed didnt feel so comfortable now, it felt to him like he was sleeping on the floor.

Sol rolled over onto his back. He remained like that for a few moments more, dreading the time that would come for when he had to awaken fully and actually use his sore body to do something. Sol's stomache growled and he reached over to his side to grab a leg or an arm from the food he had brought to bed the night before but he felt nothing but a cold hard surface. What it was made of he could not completely tell, his eyes being closed.

Sol's eyes opened and he observed his surroundings in a half lidded drowsy sort of way. There were a few people in his room with him, which was pretty alarming. He sat up with haste and his eyes widened. Sol was no longer in a bed, he was no longer anywhere he recognized. He was in a plain white room. There did not appear to be any doors or windows, which gave Sol a deep sense of confinement. What Sol had been laying on appeared to be an amethyst floor, he had never really had much of an interest in gems outside of his personal favorites.

[glow=red,2,300]"That explains alot..."[/glow] Sol said to himself under his breath for it did. It explained his sorness and the feeling he'd had of sleeping on the floor. Sol stood up and rubbed his arm, it was stiff. He had probably slept on it or something. It didnt matter. His eyes were still a little blurry, but as his vision cleared he could begin to make out the others in the room. There was a person with wings, an angel perhaps, what appeared to be a fae, and what was obviously a centaur.

Strange group Sol thought as he looked them over, untill he saw someone else. Sol stopped all motion. By his own words, this was Forgery Zaytsev. Apparently, the god was sending Sol and a few others on a mission.

Sol shrugged. This wasnt his first time being sent on a mission by the god. He wasnt going to argue with the God of Deception. It wasnt his place. [glow=red,2,300]"It is not our place to go against the wishes of Forgery Zaytsev."[/glow] When the god was finished talking, Sol stepped forward to make his selection. He rubbed his chin, thinking. There were several options before him that he favored. In the end he chose three weapons, he chose two swords that closely resembled a 15th century hand-and-half longsword of about 46 inches from pommel to tip, the blade itself was a good 36 inches long, ((pic www.museumreplicas.com/images/product/medium/188_3_.jpg )), Sol buckled on a sword belt and sheathed the long swords, next he grabbed a rather long greatsword, approximately 62 inches pommel to tip, that looked to also be of 15th century design and he slung it over his back (( www.museumreplicas.com/images/product/medium/216_1_.jpg )). The great sword was almost as long as Sol was tall in his 6ft human form. Last but not least he grabbed a vicious looking eight-bladed mace resembling that of a german mace used in the 16th century (( www.museumreplicas.com/images/PRODUCT/medium/1215.jpg )).

Sol tucked the mace in his sword belt opposite the longsword and he reached up absent mindedly to brush a few strands of hair back from his face. Sol was still feeling a bit dizzy but put it out of his mind. He smiled [glow=red,2,300]"Gearing up like this reminds me of the old wars. I would prefer to take multiple weapons, I have heard of the extremely dangerous Khyper-Diorem and if one's only weapon broke, death would be all the more likely an outcome."[/glow]

Sol thought for a moment. [glow=red,2,300]"Are we going to take armor as well? Weapons wont do much use if we end up in pieces from a few strikes."[/glow]

[Varos Talantos]

"I don't want to go."

Forgery looked at Solemn with his head cocked to the left with a single hooked finger below his lip and his thumb supporting his the left side of his set jaw. "I said one, Creed." Forgery waited for the Demon to make some sort of response and then said firmly, "However, since two of your compatriots have decided to abstain from a weapon, I suppose it's fair to let you have theirs." Forgery snapped his fingers in a devilish gesture and all of the weapons vanished from the room, save for the three that Solemn possessed.

Simultaneously, a large, blackened compound bow appeared in the being's already-extending right hand. "Hinewa is greatly superior to even yew and fiberglass for bows. Your anatomy allows you the advantage of taking the composite design to a longbow-size to allow your shots to hit harder than others' bows can. It also has an unheard-of 250-pound draw that will allow your 3/4-inch shafts to blast away at 419 feet per second." Forgery informed Anthrophilus as he held the bow to him. "You also don't have to worry about theft since only a species such as yours would be able to use it." As Forgery peered around the Centaur, a smooth looking material grew from thin air around the left wrist, long back and torso of Anthrophilus. The belt-like material formed a frame and five quivers of two-foot long arrows sprouted into place (two on either side of his long spine facing the top of his long back and two in between his bald shoulders). As the quivers formed, so did a wristguard of the same material. "Soft like silk, but tough and stays in place like leather. The wristguard will greatly steady your shots and all 600 arrows are pure Sapphire Coalstone. Best material there is for projectiles anywhere and it won't even be heavy enough to slow you down at all." Forgery looked away modestly and gave a bored shrug. He paused a moment and then his pale face turned to rest his eye on the Centaur again. "Besides, water beats fire. You're going to be fighting some fiery creatures."

"Creed, the hand-and-half sword you have selected will never fall from the hand of the one who wields it until they so desire. The larger one has the same property, will cut anything cleanly and, as you have discovered, is no heavier than your average machete. The mace will absorb any attack if held vertically by the wielder and also cannot be stripped of the wielder's hand."

"Are we going to take armor as well? Weapons won't do much use if we end up in pieces from a few strikes, " the Demon explained. Forgery returned the question by bestowing a single nod and explaining that he would grant each of them any one piece of armor they desired. Looking at the females, he added, "I suggest you choose something instead of trying to push off the inevitable by talking. We need go before anyone pays me a visit or you will both end up very dead."

[Minttu Cerdiwen]

<sub>Being ignored was not something Minttu was used to, in fact she was very used to people paying special attention to her. Having Forgery overlook her like she was nothing frustrated her and she realized that in his presence she really was nothing. Minttu turned her attention away from the god to pick her weapon.

Almost as quickly as they had appeared the weapons were gone. This alarmed Minttu, she almost regretted her rude comment. She chose not to comment afraid that she may receive another form of punishment. The Demon had three, Minttu knew she needed one of them but wasn’t sure how to go about asking. She honestly didn’t think that Sol would give her one, on account of the vibe she was getting from him and that they didn’t even know each other. Minttu bit her lip still thinking.

“My apologies, Forgery.” she tried to sound sincere, the Demon was right, the four of them were in no place to dare talk against the God of Deception. She wanted to ask for a weapon and deep down hoped that he would give Chaos and her something to protect themselves with. Minttu did have her own pocket knife but knew that wasn’t enough to protect herself in the case of true danger.</sub>

[Solemn Creed]

Sol nodded at Forgery's words. The enchantments upon the blades would come in handy, except for one. The weight behind a blade helped to increase the base cutting power of it. The best blades had at least some weight to them. Knives needed to be light because what the lacked in power they made up for in speed.

[glow=red,2,300]"My apologies Forgery, but my greatsword is a little light. I prefer my blades to have some weight to them. Not too much but i like to feel it when I make a swing."[/glow]

Sol took out the large sword and balanced it by the pommel on the tip of his finger. It was a demonstration of how superbly balanced the sword was but also just how light it was. He flipped the blade in the air and caught it deftly without hurtig anyone.

Sol shook his head as his vision cleared completly. He was surprised to see Chaos. He hadnt seen her in what felt like months. Sol could never be sure of time that passed. He just felt removed from it. He had never thought of Chaos as the kind of person who volunteered for such things as this, but then again, Forgery had said that the people rounded up were sort of randomized. Sol shrugged and tossed Chaos a small smile to let her know that he recognised her.

Sol was fully aware of the danger in the place they were about to venture to. Going in as the only person properly armed was foolish. Now that the weapons were gone Sol would have to share a few of his own with them. He frowned at the thought. Every weapon had a purpose, a use.

Sol unsheathed his two hidden SOG Bowie S2 knives (( www.edenwebshops.co.uk/productimages/SOG/large/2.jpg )). One he handed to Chaos, knowing here preference for such things. The other he gave to the little fae, figuring wielding anything larger would be awkward for her. To the centaur, he tossed one of his hand-half swords.

[glow=red,2,300]"You all owe me for this. Next time dont be so bitchy about what weapons you grab."[/glow]

Chaos was surprised to see Sol. She didn't know how she overlooked him. They hadn't seen each other in a couple of months since they parted ways at the cabin. Chaos had returned to Paris and, soon after, moved to Tokyo. The archangels were still looking for her, except now for more hostile reasons. That had left her little time to hang out with anybody. She nodded in Sol's direction, too pissed to actually smile. He situation was less then pleasing at the moment.

Weapons there, blink, weapons not there. Chaos sighed knowing she needed a weapon. She couldn't leave two of her friends and an acquaintance she hadn't really been acquainted with alone. She would feel horrible. However, her weapons were nice and light, she loved them, but they were made for self defense. And she didn't think they would be much defense in a god's world. Things tended to be a little more dangerous there. She didn't apologize as Minttu had. She was highly doubtful that would bring the weapons back.

Sol handed Chaos a bowie knife, she sent him a grateful smile. She didn't do swords or javelins or maces. Knives, lightweight and quick, were more her style. She liked close range fighting. She, however, glared when he called her -and the rest- bitchy. It had really been a while if she had forgotten his attitude. Her face was one of annoyance.

"I'll tell you where to put your weapons." Chaos mumbled, turning back to face Forgery.

[Varos Talantos]

Forgery observed the exchange with interest. Why the Demon was giving them weapons that would be useless in the Khyper-Diorem and acting friendly about it was beyond him; their thankful attitudes, moreso. He shrugged. "Very well." Within the blinking of an eye, they were on the outside of a large wall of a white, tile-looking substance that looked strong and thick. It led off in either direction, jagging about the city of Shangri-La. In the opposite direction lay a sprawling field of short, peach-colored grasses that extended to the base of the Mountains at the edge of the mortals' field of vision. Vibrant orange trees dotted with neon blue fruit spotted the plains, swaying in the slight breeze that swept through the area.

"The Khyper-Diorem." Forgery stated simply. They all stood on an ageless dusty trail that had been there for who-knows-how-long that stretched out into the dangers of the world before them. Though the bush-spotted plains appeared quiet and placid, Forgery Zaytsev knew all too well that looks were deceiving. He would not be caught off guard in this place again; he'd sworn it to himself. He wondered secretly if the mortals would make it. Any of them, in fact. Their chances were decreased from the lack of armament already and he could see the two females dying to the first creature that zipped along if they were not careful. So far, there was no strategy and that was something they would need to address, should they aspire to live through this place.

Forgery Zaytsev dipped a knee and sketched a rough map on the ground. "This is our world. This is the Fortress, here... with the F. You should all decide on the route you wish to take." He said, pointing at the map and then the mortals. He remained crouched, waiting for a decision to be made.[/size]

[Minttu Cerdiwen]

<sub>Minttu watched the sword balance on Sol’s finger, thinking he was a show off but being a bit impressed. To her surprise, the Demon handed her a knife. She gave a smile and a simple, “thank you.” The weapon was small but she was grateful to have something to protect herself with. She felt her belt and realized she had a small dagger of her own in a case attached to it. She was more fond of smaller weapons rather than large ones, the only issue she had was that the two knifes she had would help her mostly with protecting herself rather than attacking. She regretted her previous attitude towards Forgery but let the thought drift away. She was happy to have anything if it meant she had a higher chance of surviving.

Minttu was amused at Chaos’s remark and wondered if Forgery did not hear it or ignored it. Just as she turned to look at the god their location shifted once again. This new world was gorgeous, Minttu found its appearance lovely. She had heard about this place, and Forgery had made it sound dangerous. It almost seemed gentle, the colors were so vibrant and strange and it felt like a remote area.

She analyzed the map Forgery had laid out. Minttu still didn’t understand what was going on, the F on the map looked far. She felt that Forgery should be the one directing them, not them making the decisions.</sub>

[Solemn Creed]

Sol stood and waited for it all to start. He didnt even smile at Chaos' remark when normally he would have broken out in at least a slightly amused expression but at the moment he was preparing himself for the biggest fight of his long life.

All throughout his childhood Sol was educated on everything his tribe knew about the various races and rare creatures of the world, most believed to be mere myths and flights of fancy by humans.

Growing up one of his favorite subjects was the Khyper-Diorem. Even among his tribe, where knowledge was gathered over millenia by truly ancient demons, little was known about the horribly dangerous place. All he had been told was that they knew of none who had ever even successfully travelled to the place, for none had ever returned alive if they had. It was the mystery, the thought of a world out there ready for shaping by one powerful enough to do so, that truly attracted him to it.

Shortly thereafter Forgery had transported them elsewhere within the blink of an eye. Sol found himself amongst the others in a strange place. It was Khyper-Diorem, Forgery said so himself.

To Sol's eye the place was... unassuming at best. A most deadly trait for one of the most dangerous places in existence. While in appearance the Khyper-Diorem seemed possessed of an exotic beauty not completely unlike Earth's own, Sol could feel otherwise.

Somewhere, locked behind many, many, layers of insanity, lay the one sane piece of him. His instinct. It told him that he should not be there. His other senses agreed, there was a strange scent upon the air and the bright colors of the exotic vegetation was a strain to his eyes, so unused to such bright colors.

Sol readied himself for battle. If the stories he had heard were true, Sol would have to be ready for the fight of his life. Quite possibly a long series of battles on the way to their destination. He would probably be in his true form the entire time so the half-hand sword would most likley be unneccesary.

Sol studied the map Forgery had drawn before them. Their destination was the fortress, represented on the map by a simple f. It was literally on the other side of the Khyper-Diorem from where they were currently at. [glow=red,2,300]"My suggestion is based on the assumption that passing through one of the marked locations would not be the healthiest of choices, just to inform you."[/glow]
Sol used his hand to indicate moving right along the map to the borders of the mountain range not far from the Oracle. [glow=red,2,300]"I feel we should travel this way, longer I know than if we travelled on a straight path but potentially less risky."[/glow]
Then with his hand he indicated moving along the curve of the mountain range untill the 'f' was reached. [glow=red,2,300]"After that the path is simple. The terrain around the mountains should not be too tough, except for maybe on our hooved friend here."[/glow]

Sol stepped back from the map and thought for a moment. [glow=red,2,300]"Do you have a scale for this map? How far is it to the fortress?"[/glow]