CHAPTER 5

[faentasy]

CHAPTER 5

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Almost half of the non-fairy population of Aira Niluc is gone.

Some may be feeling the absence of their fellow participants in this story. Others will stay focused on the wish they want to get. What never changes is that the story goes on, bringing you closer to the end -- and to another chapter. What will it bring this time?

Snow!

Snow as far as the eye can see, a cold blanket covering the new area. Some winter amenities are now available, ready for perusal! But that's not all there's to find: everyone also will find reminders of their homes, of people they know, of happier times.

Of their wishes.

Who will try to reach their wish this time?

[[Welcome to Week 5! Feel free to make top levels at your discretion, and remember to note it in your header if you plan on investigating any locations. However, please try to keep investigations to Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday! You can also privately contact Hamelin at your leisure.

In addition, a reminder that any Murder Proposals for this week are due by Tuesday 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST! However, please note that you have the option of submitting murder proposals for a later week as well.]]

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Comments

[scythegun]

My, that sounds—

[Oh hey look, a monster! Poor Huaisang... If it makes him feel any better, Yeager's quick to take a step forward like he's going to fight it before realizing that it isn't exactly something that could get at them even if it was real and he laughs and shakes his head.]

That may be for the best! Let's see... I think I heard that you can find your way out of a maze if you keep your hand on the wall. Shall we see if that's true?

[...he is absolutely fine teasing huaisang a bit but let's not frighten the poor guy to death!!! free him from ice maze hell........]

[biyishuangfei]

[ It certainly does...Yeager, you're a pal. Even if it's not a real threat, the actions are reassuring. ]

Oh, really? I haven't heard of anything like that.

[ Huaisang places his hand gently against the wall, however, curious and ready to test it out as they continue along. It's different dealing with a maze that's unable to be deactivated or circumvented by magical means. ]

Also, were you about to say something before that little moment of mine unfortunately happened?

[scythegun]

Oh, yes, I was going to say that such magic sounds absolutely fascinating! We don't have anything quite like that in Terca Lumireis - at least nothing that is common, anyway, though I imagine some mages could come up with something somewhat similar. Some of our ruins do have some rather intricate... "puzzles" is the best way I can think to word it. They're usually not mazes quite like this, though!

[it's a jrpg, these things happen.]

[biyishuangfei]

[ ...oh my god. ]

What are they like, out of curiosity? I can imagine there being puzzles like needing to hit the right switch or something, but I think that's about as far as I got where imagining them goes. Unless there are also easy to hit traps alongside those puzzles. Like what some adventurers in stories end up encountering...

[ He's definitely read too many adventure novels. ]

[scythegun]

Ja, that's right! Some of the puzzles in ruins are exactly like that!

[He's just not going to mention the Sorcerer's Ring because he doesn't want to try to explain aer.]

There's another one I've heard of that is very unique - it involves contraptions that move you to different places within the ruin, so you need to determine which one to use in order to proceed!

[yeager has never been to caer bocram and thank god because i don't want to try to explain that stupid puzzle]

[biyishuangfei]

[ Well explaining something like that probably wouldn't feel like a breath of fresh aer... ]

That does sound really unique. And like it'd get really annoying real fast too, if someone kept using the wrong ones...

[scythegun]

[oh my GOD lum!!!!]

Ja, precisely! Not all of the ruins are quite that difficult to traverse, but it can certainly be dangerous for those who aren't prepared.

[biyishuangfei]

Are there other dangers in the ruins in your world besides puzzles that can be a bit annoying and traps?

[ Maybe the fact they were old or something? ]

[scythegun]

Ja, of course! There are plenty of monsters, and some of the ruins are even home to some particularly large and fearsome ones! The groups traversing them to excavate blastia often bring guards with them specifically for that reason.

[biyishuangfei]

Guards? Like people from the guilds, right?

[scythegun]

Sometimes, ja! Other times, they're able to get protection from the Imperial Knights; they're one of the guilds who is on good terms with the Empire as well, so they're essentially free to go wherever they want. Considering how important blastia are to the population, a guild who specializes in excavating blastia is certainly useful for everyone!

[biyishuangfei]

...It sounds like it would be. What's the name of this guild?

[ Pause. ]

Oh and why would blastia be important to people again?

[ He didn't think this really ever came up before, so... he's a little curious. ]

[scythegun]

Oh, my apologies, I keep forgetting I need to explain blastia!

[Will he ever get used to this... signs point to no.]

Blastia are power sources. They can be used for things like powering a light or a water fountain, but they can also be used to enhance a person's strength and allow them access to artes - strong attacks, essentially - and magic. We use particularly large and powerful blastia to power barriers to keep monsters out of our cities.

[With that basic explanation out of the way...]

The guild that excavates blastia is called Ruins' Gate. It's currently led by a man named Regaey.

[He says this all with a straight face. There is no hint of the joke.]

[biyishuangfei]

Oh, okay. I think I understand how they're important now.

[ At the very least it's easy for Huaisang to understand because he's from a world full of magic and all that.

...There's a pause, though.

Like he's going to just take that in. He's kind of waiting for Yeager to hold in a snicker or two or something because that name. But nope. Nothing. That's a one of a kind poker face. ]

What's this Regaey guy like?

[scythegun]

I haven't interacted with him personally, [oh my god] but from what I've heard he's quite the coward! He's quite meek and shy and likely couldn't fight to save his life, but he's good at what he does and several of the members of Ruins' Gate speak highly of him.

[He likewise gets through all of that with a straight face???]

[biyishuangfei]

[ ...he can't handle this, he's snickering.

Yeager why are you like this. He'll be bringing up his fan to cover part of his face but boy it's already easy to tell he's amused as all hell. ]

Well, he sounds like an interesting person. I doubt I'd get to meet someone like him considering everything but I'm sure he'd make for a lively conversationalist too...

[scythegun]

Oh no, I can't imagine he'd be particularly interesting! After all, he's undoubtedly far more interested in his work than keeping a conversation entertaining!

[...But then he winks at Huaisang so you know what, he lasted for awhile without giving himself away!!]

1/2

[biyishuangfei]

[ His brief snickering turns into a bit of abrupt light laughter when the man gives himself away, because wow, Yeager. ]

You're so ridiculous! Other people have had to catch right onto that. Please tell me that they did...

[ It's silly, honestly. Even though they are in an ice maze...the messing around makes it feel like not so bad, and he feels like they're bound to get out of this soon enough. Because, you know, this place does not look the same all over and come to think of it he thinks some of the way looks similar to where he may have passed before.

But as Huaisang is about to draw attention to that, he spots something out of the corner of his eye...and stops. ]

2/2

[biyishuangfei]

[ Because there, standing in a reflection upon one of the ice walls is an impressively tall, solemn man. The resemblance between the two is noticeable, even if their physiques are evidently far from the same. ]

D-Da-ge—!

[ For a moment his voice is small. Smaller than it has ever been. Vulnerable. As if realizing this as if it's a mistake, Huaisang has frozen up, feeling himself tremble...and he's scared because he can't control this.

Too many emotions assail him and it's probably no surprise tears start to fall from his face. A worse image than even a bittersweet childhood memory with friends.

He'll quickly cover his mouth and he feels tempted to run, hide away so he can find somewhere for a few hours to have a hard cry. But it's not so easy in a place like this and it's hard because with a visual reminder it's easier to feel just how much he misses his brother. ]

[scythegun]

[Listen, he too doesn't understand how people didn't catch onto it, but before he can gloat about it, Huaisang freezes. Yeager turns to get a look at the figure reflected in the ice and he pauses as well. It isn't someone familiar, but that brief moment of relief is quickly dashed when it's obvious Huaisang recognizes the man.

There likely is a good way to handle this, something that will help calm Huaisang down and make the pain sting a little less. But Yeager's never been good at helping people and he certainly isn't sure how to start now. Even from just a glimpse it's obvious that this is someone Huaisang cares for, and the reaction is all he needs to know that this isn't a pleasant reminder of home.

Yeager hesitates for a moment longer before moving in front of the man's image. He's not sure exactly how these illusions change, but for now, maybe blocking it and reminding Huaisang where he is will be useful. Yeager reaches out - if Huaisang will let him, he'll place a hand on his shoulder.]

Are you— [Of course he's not alright.] Do you want to keep moving, or...?

[biyishuangfei]

[ In all honesty he should've expected that something like this might happen.

Of course there's going to be false images again. But even if his gaze slides away from the reflection, it's...still there. He can see it.

Until Yeager's blocking his sight of him and speaking. For a moment there's silence as if he's pondering something, and then sullenly, he says: ]

N-no...

[ His fingers reach up to rest against the other's arm and he just let's himself selfishly and silently cry angrily without shame for a moment. After he's "done" enough to ensure he doesn't hinder them by spontaneously breaking down because of this on top of everything, he'll finally nod.

He might break some things later but it's fine. ]

S-sorry, I just needed a moment. I'm ready now.

[ And he'll pull away to get to moving. ]

[scythegun]

[It's not quite accurate to say that Yeager doesn't mind, but Huaisang needs a moment, and Yeager can at least hold still and let him have that much. It's good that Huaisang didn't try to like, hug him or anything, but he doesn't mind lending the other man his arm. Yeager's quiet while this happens because there isn't anything he can say that will make it better, but he doesn't try to rush Huaisang either. He remains in place, and once Huaisang's ready to move he pats him on the arm in a way that's hopefully consoling??]

It's alright. Sometimes you need a bit, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that.

[He chances a last glance back at the man reflected in the ice wall before quickly catching up to Huisang.]

It seems these images are able to follow us just about anywhere... I thought it was only mirrors we'd need to be avoiding.

[biyishuangfei]

[ Huaisang honestly prefers a hug but even in his emotional turmoil there is only so much he can ask, depending on the person, and he doesn't want to make things worse for either of them. So for now this is good enough...and he's glad that Yeager understands he needed the moment.

There's no reprimand about him crying like this so there's that too. Not that Yeager seems the type to do so, but sometimes it's hard to know for certain (though he knows now.) He's...surprisingly understanding and he appreciates that a lot right now.

Anyway, he's kind of furious now even if he's trying to hide it... ]

I thought so too. It looks like he decided to expand his options in case we wise up. I also think he's eager for someone to go for another round with him besides tempting us with the usual.

[ He's sure that's not it but he's mad...however, he's not going to do that himself because he's too delicate. ]

[scythegun]

[Huaisang certainly seems more tense than usual - is it just because he's upset? is he angry? Yeager isn't sure just yet - but it's understandable. Seeing someone dear to you here of all damn places...]

He's certainly going to agitate someone into doing something stupid. I wonder if that's why he was waiting on this one.

[Yeager's not entirely sure how this will convince someone to kill, but if it's connected to their wish, then maybe they'll...

He pauses after a moment. Did he just see—

No, he's expecting it, so it's just his eyes playing tricks on him. Yeager shakes his head and continues onward. Surely we'll find the exit soon??]

[biyishuangfei]

Maybe or ... I don't know. Really, I wonder a lot about this place. Which, you know, we all do too. But sometimes I wonder if these places were always here or he just used magic to make them up or something.

[ Well whatever it doesn't matter as much as entertaining petty images in his head right now. Okay it does he just needs to settle but once he's riled up it's hard.

Anyway, he's more vigilant of his surroundings, so Yeager's moment doesn't go unnoticed. ]

...Is something wrong?