Veiled Trust

Year 31

*The last of the leaves fall. Snow can be seen on the distant mountains. Emma and Clayton Meditatie while a bear walks between the two, sniffing claytons tail as he passes. The bear then moves over to Emma and sniffs her ears. As Emma’s ears twitch the bear sneezes then continues to walk past the two. Later Emma and Clayton head inside where Kimmy runs up to Emma, Jumping into her arms.*

Kimmy: Mama!

Emma: Hi sweetie. You’re starting to get too big to just throw yourself at me.

Kimmy: Are you calling me fat?!

*Claytons eyes widen as he smiles and walks pass the two.*

Emma: No, do you think you’re fat? Who called you fat?

*Emma's eyes spark with anger.*

Kimmy: Nobody did.*Laughs* But you said I was getting big.

*Kimmy's eyes sparkle beggingly as she looks up at Emma. Emma sighs and rolls her eyes.*

Emma: Smartass.

*As everyone sits down for breakfast Clayton Raises his hand, everyone turns toward Sunflower as she starts translating.*

Sunflower: “ Emma, as of today I don’t have anything else I can teach you. Just remember to meditate, control your breathing and most of all ground yourself.”

Emma: So are you kicking us out?

Sunflower: No. *Laughs* But I know my Dad is gonna be going on his trip soon.

Ariella: You sure you don’t want to head with us to Inferna Clayton?

*Clayton’s eyes widen as he shakes his head and everyone laughs.*

Sunflower: I mean we could shave you Dad.

Clayton: hot.

*Everyone in the room feels as though a heatwave has flooded the room for a moment.*

Falicia: Ew gross. Point taken. I’m gonna have to take a second bath now.

Ruddy: When did we want to head out?

Emma: Can we stop by the Ice bowl?

Sunflower: The Ice bowl is beautiful. If you wait a month there is a wind that comes through that plays music throughout the bowl.

Kimmy: Can we eat from the bowl?

Falicia: I mean technically you could. Isn’t it further north?

Sunflower: Yeah, it’s about a 4 days by cart.

Ruddy: Okay then. Afterwards we’ll work of reaching ‘A’ rank.

Emma: Well you’re almost there. None of us have a problem since you’re the only one who needs to rank up.

Ariella: Yeah.

Falicia: See I told you they’d agree.

*Ruddy rubs the back of his head letting out a breath of relief.*

Ruddy: We do most our adventuring together so I wasn’t sure how you two would react.

Sunflower: There’s also a known dungeon in the bowl. In Lycaris anyone who completes it is ranked up to ‘A’ Immediately.

Emma: Isn’t that really dangerous?

Sunflower: Yeah, but most people only go if they are trying to rank up from ‘B’

*Everyone looks at their rank cards, Emma’s being the only ‘C’ rank.*

Sunflower: If Kimmy is also okay with staying here why not go?

Emma: How long of a dungeon is it?

Sunflower: If we go to the bowl together I can take Kimmy back with me. But as for the completion time. If you don’t make it back within one year they’ll send a team to search for you.

Ariella: So is it a real dungeon?

Sunflower: They've built a staircase to the boss rooms for safety but they left the core alone so the monsters can reappear.

Emma: Kimmy would you be okay with that?

*Kimmy looks at Sunflower.*

Kimmy: Can I help with the cooking?

Sunflower: I would be more than happy to have you help me. *Smiles*

*As the snow begins to fall and the last of the workers leave the Inn the party helps Sunflower close up the Inn and they head north.*

Kimmy: Why can't I come with you?

Emma:Because it's going to be dangerous. I thought you were excited to learn how to cook?

Sunflower: If you want I can teach you how to make a cake. Then we can bake one for your mom when she comes home.

*Kimmy's face lights up with a smile and she starts walking faster.*

Kimmy: Come on Mama! I gotta surprise you.

*The group laughs.*

*As the group reaches the Ice bowl, A soft whistling tone flows throughout the area. They all look in amazement as they walk along the path to a small fort, The winds play a soft melody that rings through the walls of the bowl. Two large Beastkin stand guard. One a Gorillakin and one a Rhinokin. *

Rhino: This isn’t a place for children.

Sunflower: She’s leaving with me, Kevin. How are you doing Arthur?

Arthur: Is that you Sunflower?

Sunflower: Yeah, these are my friends and Emma here has been training with my Dad.

*The two look at Emma in admiration.*

Kevin: Well those of you who are heading into the dungeon. Are you here for the promotion?

Ruddy: To rank ‘A’ right?

Kevin: Yes. To qualify you must bring back proof of 1000 kills.

Falicia: so just cores?

*Arthur uses the back of his spear to hit Kevin*

Arthur: Each! That horn takes up some of your brain, I swear.

*Kevin rubs the back of their head.*

Kevin: Says the hairy human. But yes. 1000 cores per person aiming for the promotion.

*Arthur hands them all one bag each, With a paper tied the them.*

Arthur: when the bag is full it will stop accepting cores. Any cores put into the bags will not be returned. After each boss should be a working well for clean water. There are 10 floors, the ninth and tenth floors are just bosses. The tenth being a lesser hydra. At the end of the 10th floor is a magic circle that will teleport you back. Are you all familiar with these?

Everyone: Yes.

Arthur: If you’re not back by this time next year we’ll send someone to the fifth floor. If you can make it to the stairs of the lower floors those are checked regularly otherwise, you’re on your own. Understood?

*Ariella raises her hand*

Kevin: Yes?

Ariella: do cores hold value or is it just any core?

Arthur: It should be on the paper each monster has different value. Insect’s valuing at half a point and the final boss being 250.

*As the party waves to Kimmy and Sunflower they head into the large ice dungeon entrance. As the cave twist and turns Emma calls out Lily in her smaller form and Celestra follows Ariella. Looking around the corner Emma sees four kobolds one yawns and another smacks them over the head with the side of their sword. As they start to argue Emma sends one of her knifes across the hall pass them. As the Kobolds look at the knife Emma and Flacia appear behind them, Emma slits the throat of one while Falicia chokes the other. As the other two kobold turn around Ruddy cracks the skull of one of them. Ariella’s arrow pierces the eye of the fourth. The bodies disappear leaving behind a core each as well as a few teeth and claws.*

Emma: I told you! We need a shaman. Look at all these teeth.

Ariella: Ew. Emma put those down.

*Emma drops the teeth.*

Emma: *Sad* You’re no fun.

Falicia: I’m getting kinda hungry. How long do you think it’s been?

Ruddy: I’d guess at least three days by now. We should probably rest soon.

*As the party rests Ruddy takes note of the groups progress.*

Ariella: How are we doing so far?

Ruddy: Kobold’s are only worth five each so far we’re at… Emma and Falicia at 38, Ariella and myself are at 42.

*As Emma scout’s around, she finds an ornate door closed at the end of a hall and returns to the group.*

Emma: Next up is the boss. The paper said it is an insect queen, it randomizes species on rebirth though.

Ruddy: Unless it’s a wasp queen we should be fine.

Emma: Why would you put that out there!*Shivers* I hate flying pests.

Ariella: I'd rather just get past the insects. it's just this floor right? no more spiders at least?

Ruddy: Oh a broodmother would be a fun fight.

*The girls expressed their discomfort, asking him to stop, but Ruddy just laughs*

Falicia: If you don't stop.

*Falcica pokes him in the side and Ruddy chuckles while speaking.*

Ruddy: Ouch that hurts. *Laughs*

*Falcia then whispers in his ear and Ruddy stiffens up as they stand before the doors.*

Emma: It’s ants.

*Ruddy lets out a loud sigh and Falcia giggles.*

Ariella: How can you tell?

Emma: I can’t properly sense ants. They mess with the sense spell.

*As the door opens a large ant queen rests it’s massive abdomen blocks the other door, thousands of ants fill the room ranging from insect size to medium. Ruddy blocks as the first group of soldier ants attack, One grabs hold of his shield fighting to tear it from ruddy’s grasp when an arrow pierces it’s eye turning its body into ice. Emma uses her floating blades to clear out the smallest ants so they don't overwhelm them. Falicia helps guard Ariella near the door. The door behind the party suddenly closes and the Ruddy looks over towards Emma.*

Ruddy: We're going to get over run at this rate!

*Emma creates a large bubble of water around one of her knives, as it increases in size it eventually fills a quarter of the room, Ariella Freezes it with one of her arrows. And before it crashes to the ground Emma creates an explosion from the knife, shooting ice shards everywhere. Ariella creates a barrier with, Celestra's help, protecting the group. As the dust clears the only ants left die as the queen fades to dust. The group checks the room over once before gathering the cores. *

Emma: All clear, my sense isn’t blocked anymore.

Ariella: Okay, where’s the queen’s core?

Ruddy: Here.

*Ruddy passes the large core to Ariella who puts it in a separate sack on Celestra.*

Ruddy: Remember. Don’t add any to the sack.

Falicia: Until we’ve counted them all we know Ruddy.

*Falicia kisses Ruddy on the cheek.*

Emma: I’ll never get used to that.

Ariella: It’s sweet.

Emma: I never said it was a bad thing. I just always pictured Ruddy staying single.

Ruddy: Just because most people who join the church stay single, doesn’t mean I planned on it.

*Emma and Ariella refill the water skins while Falicia places some wood in someone previous firepit.Ruddy counts the cores and after splitting them the group manages just over 113 each.second floor*

—------------------

*As the party rests at one of the wells, everyone does their tasks once again.*

Emma: How long do you think it’s been?

Ariella: Assuming we’ve tracked the days right and judging our progress. I’d say we’re around six months.

Emma: And we just finished the seventh floor?

Ariella: Sixth.

*Emma drops her head in despair.*

Emma: Ugh. Remind me to say no to the next dungeon dive.

Ruddy: All things considered we’re on track.

*Ruddy hands Emma and Ariella their cores from the fight.*

Falicia: We do have a choice though.

Arie and Emma: Of what?

Falicia: We’re at 765 each. Odds are we can skip the last level but we’ll have to take the long way back.

Ruddy: And that is if we split the boss cores up. We might be able to even skip the ninth.

Emma: Which do you recommend?

Ruddy: If we leave early we risk running out of food. It'll take us a week to get back and our supplies have been coming from the dungeon at this point.

Falicia: Well it will be risky, but if any of the next levels seem too risky, we can leave after. We'll want to look for extra food on that level before we'd leave it.

*The party nods in agreement.*

*As the party walks into the next floor they’re met with an underground ecosystem. A sphere of light acts as a fake sun in the center of the room. Giant tree like flowers bloom, their petals act as leaves and give shade to the ground. *

Emma: I won’t be able to sense very well on this floor. There is to much going on.

Ruddy: That’s fine just keep us updated.

*As the group wanders through the floor killing a mix between insects and medium beasts they find a large pit in the center that spirals down leaving a path along the edge. The party stops in front of a massive tree using an opening under it's roots for cover as they set up camp.*

Falicica: So we should probably spend the day foraging.right?

Ruddy: Yeah. Emma, Falicia you two go do that please. Ariella and I will set up camp here.

Emma: Okay!

*Emma and Falicia head off into the jungle and after a few hours come back with a variety of nuts, fruit, mushrooms and edible roots. Ariella grabs a brown curved root with a soft yellow inside, a smile on her face from ear to ear.*

Ariella: Oh is that Banana Root?!

Emma: Told you she’d like it.

Falicia: Okay, okay. You were right.

Ruddy: You double checked the mushrooms right?

Falcia: I did. Emma attempted to taste test them.

Emma: Hey! Don’t forget the part where I only tried on the ones you later confirmed to be safe anyway.

Falicia: Even the massigc ones?

Ariella: In her defense elves can eat those.

Falicia: Oh. I thought she was lying.

Ruddy: Wait, I didn’t know that either.

Ariella: Is that why you never cooked with them?!

Ruddy: Yeah, I just never bothered to ask why you both grabbed them back in Glimmerfell. Humans can’t eat them, they cause our magic to swell which in turn causes us to cast random spells until it runs out.

Emma: For elves it helps us control our magic better when we’re young.

Falicia: I heard they taste sweet and creamy, but I’d rather not accidentally cast Explosion on myself.

*Everyone laughs*

*After the group feels rested, they head down into the pit with Ruddy leading once again. After sometime they reach an area filled with Bioluminescent fungi that begins to glow along the walls. Every couple of mushrooms Ruddy taps the cap of a mushroom Followed by Falicia, Ariella, then Emma. As the reach the bottom Emma alerts them of enemies ahead.*

Emma: It’s asleep.

*the path turns to a large room and inside rests a young dragon, a drake. Its wings still haven’t grown in yet.The blue and green glows of the mushrooms light up the room. Upon entering the room Emma sneaks around the Drake and the other’s prepare with a barrier. Emma has Lily turn into a bow and lines up a shot on the drake. She releases the arrow and it manages slip through the scales of the drake, causing it to It jump up in pain, stumbling forward toward the party. Ruddy smacks the drake in the head, causing it to turn and crash into a wall, Emma runs to the otherside of the room; watching, as the dust clears. A red and yellow glow forms in the dust as a breath of fire jets across the room. Emma watches as the barrier protecting her friends cracks. As she starts to call out, thinking her friends are about to get scorched, a large spirit like hand drops from the sky and blocks the fire. Emma looks around the room when a male beastkin, a bearkin, walks inside the room. The beastkin’s fur is a deep brown that blends to the more beige complexion on his chest, his eye’s a deep golden brown. He wears a tribal robe from the waist down.*

Bear: looks like you could use some help.*smiles*

Ruddy: Yes, thank you!*Turns to Falicia* Falicia protect Ariella!

*Ruddy runs alongside the man as the fire dies down the hand fades away. The drake crawls out of the smoke while the rocks still glow, radiating heat. The beastkin casts a Strengthening spell on Ruddy and he nods. Ruddy turns towards the drake and starts slowly walking with his shield out. As the drake starts to charge towards him, Ruddy takes a stance and swings up, breaking its lower jaw. As the drake raises it's head it Allows Emma to line up another shot and she fire’s an arrow, piercing it’s right eye. The beastkin pulls out rapier while running to the left of the Drak and pierces the drakes other eye. The drake lets out one final cry before collapsing. As everyone takes a breath, Ruddy reaches out his hand to the beastkin.*

Ruddy: Names Ruddy. If it wasn’t for you I don’t think we would have made it.

*The beastkin grabs Ruddy’s hand.*

Levi: Names Levi. It’s no problem at all. I’m actually looking for someone on the lower floors. Are you all here for the promotion?

*Emma runs over after checking on Ariella.*

Emma: Are you a shaman?

*Levi looks over at Emma.*

Ruddy: That’s Emma, the other human is Falicia and the other elf is Ariella.

Levi: Nice to meet you all, Yeah I’m a shaman why?

Emma: Do you wanna join our party?

*Emma’s eyes sparkle as she stares at Levi.*

Ariella: Emma! He just said he is looking for someone.

Levi: Sure.

Ariella: Wait wha?

Levi: At least until we find who I’m looking for.

Ruddy: That’s fair. Well, Welcome to the group Levi. *Smiles* Even if it's temporary the gods brought you to us for a reason.

*Ruddy smiles and pats Levi on the shoulder as he heads over to gather the monster core. Lily changes back into her small form, resting on Emma’s shoulders.*

Levi: She’s a pretty one, I didn’t know other elven spirits could have scales.

*Emma looks over at ariella then answers nervously.*

Emma: It’s rare but it runs in my family.

Levi: Oh? I thought it was a purple elf thing. But your eyes are green.

*Emma raises her hand preparing to use telekinesis on her knives while not alerting the others.*

Emma: How do you know so much about elves?

Levi: I was raised by an elf, Slydan. He taught me all about your spirits and how the moon's effect on you all. I lived in Sylvndor until he passed. I just recently got to Lycaris about a year ago.

*Emma lowers her hand.*

Emma: How did he pass?

Levi: Spirit loss, he left me with a friend of his, a beastkin named Rocky. Rocky trained me in the ways of the spirits and to be a shaman. Now I can speak to even elven spirits. Not as clearly as their partners though.

Emma (TL): Try saying something to him.

Lily: I’m really tired and want to take a nap?

*Levi laughs*

Emma: Well?

Levi: I guess it’s more accurate to say I feel their intent, she seemed tired and confused.

Emma: Close enough, she said she was tired and wanted a nap but asked it as if she was confused.

Lily: Well you put me on the spot, I didn’t know what to say.

*The three laugh as Falcia walks over and pets Lily.*

Falicia: Well if Emma trusts him he must be okay.

*Emma looks at Levi’s soul. It’s off white.*

Emma thinking: He’s hiding something. He’s too friendly.

Levi: So Emma is the party leader I take it?

Ruddy: More like our personal truth detector.

*Levi turns back towards Emma.*

Levi: So you’re like a really good judge of character?

Emma: I haven’t been wrong so far.*Smiles*

Lily: Mama.

Emma(TL): I know. Ignore them.

*Emma senses a group of people watching them.*

Emma(TL): I can’t figure out how many because they’re blocking my senses. I noticed them when we entered the floor.

*Levi looks over at the Emma and Lily talking. Emma looks over and smiles. While the party rests, each person takes a turn talking about themselves to break the ice.*

Ruddy: My favorite color is a bright red.

Ariella: Mine is silver.

Emma: I like my eyes color.

Falicia: Blue.

Levi: Orange actually. I know not many people seem to like it.

*After resting up the group heads to the next floor having reached their goal of 1000 cores, but still decide to finish the dungeon and help Levi look for his lost friend.*