"Come now, Tristina of Canelux. Let us not be distracted." Serci said lightly. A warm smile was painted on his face as the two stood beside eachother, a single pair in the crowd that surrounded them. As Sihajja descended even further down into the ocean, Serci had to stiffle a laugh, picturing Angela at the bottom. Though, in truth, he was very much worried about her sanity. It seemed their bond ran deep enough to where her well-being affected his. The usually calm and still Serci was now fidgety, his head on a constant swivel. Though, if she could affect him, maybe the same was true in reverse. If Serci focused, keeping postive, maybe Angela could feel it and be that much more at ease. He shot a quick glance at Tristina beside him. Her presence helped to keep him at ease. Over the past few weeks, she was someone who had worked past his stoic barrier. Sharing his thoughts and worries with her eased him, a feeling of security washing over him. 

When Serci had arrived on the whale city, admist the throngs of people, one stood out. Motionless with an awed expression contrary to the never ending chaotic crowd that surrounded her. It was odd to admit, but he was glad he spotted her. Her vibrant red hair, and hooded face painted her different from her surroundings, making her an easy find. The two had caught up and now anticipate the upcoming trials. He let out a discontent sigh, as he shifted in place. Angela was restless, causing Serci to run a feminine hand through his girlish long golden hair. It was uncharacteristic of Serci to be so unnerved, to the point where Angela's fit upset him a bit. Trying to remain calm for Angela's sake, he turned his attention to his friend, knowing she would calm his nerves. "This must all be fantastic for you, Tristana. A city upon a living whale. A way of life leagues underneathe the surface, surrounded by such color and fantasies." He asked, his cool blue eyes falling upon Tristana's hooded face.

His flush lips wavered slightly into a frown. It was a shame that his companion felt the need to hide her face. He had seen her a couple of times with out the hood. She was very beautiful, the way her auburn hair framed her face. The hood cast a shadow over her freckles, one of his favorite things about Tristana's physical appearance. Perhaps he would try to talk to her in a more secluded environment. Murmurs around them shook Serci from his thoughts, taking a glance out into the ocean. Nestled among a bed of sand, lie the ancient marble and jade building. The air around them buzzed with excitment. Even Serci took this time to smoothe out his grey robes, and toss about his white cape to look his best for the occasion. When the whale had settled, a current was made for safe passage from whale to ziggeruat. Serci crossed him arm over his stomache, creating a cradle for Tristana to grab onto. A simple pleasantry any gentleman would do for a female companion.

Once inside, the crowded sensation faded as the crowd seperated to prepare for the challanges or head strait towards the trials. Inside, the air was quite cool against his skin, fitting the elegant design of the black and white marble interior. With the roar of the crowd now diminished significantly. Serci took Tristana aside, locking his eyes with hers. "Are you ready? Would you like to rest for a bit or share how you feel. You must be overwhelemed with all the new sights." He asked, concerened, but mainly hoping to watch her eyes beam in delight as she recalled her thoughts. He gave her a reassuring gesture, tilting his head and beaming a smile with closed eyes.

Ever since Tristana arrived at Sihajja she had been amazed. The entire city was on the back of a whale. A whale! This was incredible! Tristana’s eyes were widened in awe and she was smiling so much that it was starting to hurt her cheeks. Although she didn’t really want to talk to anybody. Tristana didn’t want anybody to come to close to her and see her face. Yet at the same time she wanted to go up and talk to all the natives of the city and to ask them as many questions as possible. Then she heard the sound of her dear friend, Serci, telling her to not be distracted. That was right! They were here on strict business. They and the rest of the people who also were coming, had to save the world. Not that Tristana had any idea on how to do that. Nonetheless, this was serious business so she needed to calm down. But it was impossible! There was so much culture, mystery, magic, history, and much more surrounding the city. Tristana just wanted to take all the knowledge she could from the city and see everything that was in it for herself. Her eyes drifted to Serci, who seemed to be smiling, but she could see that he was slightly worried. It was difficult to tell in all honesty. Serci knew how to hide his feelings well. And Tristana could understand why he did so. There were so many worried faces around them and his goddess was probably just as worried. This was the end of the world unless they could stop it.

Tristana then began to wonder how the deities felt. They all had families too that they needed to protect. On top of that they held the weight of the world on their shoulders. It must be difficult to have thousands upon thousands of people praying for safety yet to be unsure of what to do yourself. That was one of the reasons that Tristana pitied the gods. She herself would never have to worry about something like that and was lucky for it. Tristana’s mind wondered back to Serci. She remembered when she met up with him. After not seeing him for a long time, it was nice. In the crowd it had been easy to spot him. He was the only person wearing such large shiny armor and had such long gorgeous hair. Tristana found she was smiling again. She couldn’t help it. The sights were so beautiful and she was with somebody she knew. How could she not smile? Then Serci spoke again.

“I just find it incredible that people are able to live down here at all.” Tristana said with cheer.

Tristana noticed how Serci started to clean himself up a bit. She looked at her own clothing and brushed a bit of dust off of her robe. Something that was a clear difference between them was how they looked. While Serci looked practically like a prince, Tristana looked like a peasant. She wore simple robes that were a bit stained and worn slippers. Although the slippers weren’t as bad as they used to be. Still she looked like she was poor. However Tristana wasn’t actually that poor. She just preferred using money on things that would actually be useful. She didn’t really see and use in dressing in extremely fancy clothes. Her clothes were clean and worked well. But now she could understand why most had a nicer pair of clothes. In case they met anyone that was royal or in this case a goddess.

Speaking of a goddess, Tristana wondered how Shiloh was doing. Tristana had sent a letter to Shiloh but that had been a while back. It was probably due for another. She was also concerned on Shiloh’s wellbeing. Even though Tristana wasn’t a champion of the goddess she still wondered how Shiloh faired. Maybe Shiloh was stressed from all the pressure from needing to save the world. Tristana hoped that Shiloh was fine and not panicking. Suddenly Tristana remembered something as the whale settled. There was a letter she needed to deliver! When she looked over to Serci he was holding his arm differently and so Tristana grabbed onto his arm, not really knowing for sure what she was supposed to do. She hadn’t really ever been taught any manners before and could only hope that’s what she was meant to do. Then they headed inside and Tristana realized that she had probably better give him that letter now. Tristana let go of Serci’s arm and turned to him.

“Actually, there’s something I need to give you. I had forgotten about it. It’s from Shiloh, the goddess of luck and storms.” Tristana said carefully pulling the letter out of her bag and handing it to him.

The letter was in great condition considering she had traveled a long way with it and was still sealed. Inside the letter read, -Somebody came to my temple and asked if they could wish you luck. If they've kept their promise, then they should be handing you this letter right now. I've enclosed something for you, so make use of it. There are lots of folks who care about you so don't go doing anything you'll regret. If you can, try to keep yourself from kicking the bucket. From, Shiloh- Below the words were instructions on how to make Vaeri's Rune so he can store a revive spell on it for emergencies. 

Serci let loose a soft chortle as Tristana awkardly gripped his arm. It wasn't… traditional, but it sufficed enough for the intended purpose. Instead of correcting her, he merely smiled in encouragement as the two made their way inside the ziggeruat. When he had asked if she needed a moment, she replied in a kind. Breaking character, his face showed surprise and his eyes full of awe. "A letter from Shiloh?" His voice grew low, barely above a whisper. "I haven't spoke with Shiloh in many moons. What is this about?" Serci gently took the paper, the corners of his girlish mouth bobbed up and down as he read silently. 

He was dumbfounded. Absoutely shaken to the core. The usually stoic Serci found his jaw slack with surprise at Shiloh's hasitly scribbled letter. For a moment, he was silent, staying completly still, as if he might awake from a fragile dream. His eyes grew hot, his cheeks became flush, and his palms were clamy. He lifted his gaze, watching Tristana with a compromised expression. "You know not what is written on this letter?" Regaining his composure, he closed eyes and smiled widely. His hands held fast to the letter. After a small moment, he he folded it neatly, sliding it gently into the corners of the envelope it was sealed in. Tucking it into his endless bag, a series of laughs erupted from him. He couldn't help him self. Tristana would never know how much the words and the meaning of the letter meant to him were, even more than the revival spell. His face was giddy, unable to control the laughter. "I say. I really am not my self today." A slender finger came to wipe at the corner of his eye. After he calmed down, he pulled Tristana into a sincere hug.

Tristana must be confused at his sudden break in character, but the letter's intentions had truly affected him. Serci had no need for revivals or resseructions. She of course, was not privy to his sword's true ability. But she had went out of her way to ask Shiloh, out of all the dieties to help him. He cherished the meaning behind the letter more than the damned rune. "Thank you, Tristana of Canelux." He said softly into her ear before pulling her away. His face was still red, and his mammerisms had lost sort grace they once had. Netherless, with a bow of his head, he replied. "You make sure to tell Shiloh I said thank you." Serci decided not to inform Tristana of his resurrections. The poor thing would faint probably. Perhaps a discussion for another day.

With his embarrassing show of emotions over, Serci once again took over his calm and composed disemanor. "Shall we then, milady." He said, leading his caring friend towards the first trial. He shot Tristana a reassuring smile, before heading through the door and into what lay beyond. A blinding white light envolped the team, before fading to a room with jade walls. Holding his hand out to singal for Tristana to be still, Serci inspected the room before making any moves. Silently and slowly, he took one singular step forward. Gently applying pressure to his foot gradully until his polished boots were firmly on a jade tile. He turned to face Tristana, his eyes holding a sense of urgency to them. "I am worried about traps. Tripwires, false floors, and the like. I can disable trip wires easily enough, and pressure sensitive switches are managable to minipulate. But its difficult not knowing where they lie."

As if on cue, the jade tile his foot rested on sank into the floor with a kurthunk. With a combination of training and reflexes, Serci quickley pulled his foot back. A barrage of arrows were shot from the wall, their path flying through where Serci's head once was. Serci was trained to remain calm underpressure, however, with Angela's hysteria, Serci was slipping. He could feel his heart rate increasing, finding it difficult to focus. "This is rather quite annoying." He spat under his breath. Turning his attention to Tristana, it was apperant he was frustrated. "I dont suppose you have a plan, do you?"

When Serci asked what the letter was about Tristana decided to let him see for himself. She expected him to assume that it was just a gift from the goddess and nothing more. At the moment she didn’t want to reveal that it was herself who went out and got him the gift. Tristana preferred letting him think that the goddess was the one who came up with it. She didn’t want to make herself seem as though she was overly concerned or overprotective. Or make him feel as though she didn’t have confidence in his abilities. However receiving an item from a goddess wasn’t that uncommon so she planned on letting him assume that it was Shiloh’s idea. Tristana waited with hidden anticipation as he opened the letter. She had no idea what it would read. After all she was instructed not to open the letter until Serci received it. And Tristana had followed through on her promise. This was the first time for the letter to be opened.

She did want to know what was inside the letter but more importantly she wanted to know how Serci would react to whatever was in the note. His reaction confused her greatly. He seemed stunned which led Tristana to wonder what exactly Shiloh put in the letter and gave to Serci. Tristana had asked for something to protect him but she didn’t know exactly what Shiloh decided to give to Serci. During the silence she began to worry that he didn’t like the gift. It was difficult to read his expression since he was so shocked. Then his face suddenly turned a shade of pink which caused Tristana to worry that she embarrassed him. Serci’s gaze turned to her and Tristana couldn’t decide whether to smile or to apologize. If only she knew how to read the emotions of others better! This would all be so much easier if she did. Then Serci began to spoke.

“No, I don’t know what’s in the letter.” Tristana admitted, “But I hope it will be useful to you!”

Her eyes were alight with genuine hope. Then Serci burst out with laughter, which furthered Tristana’s confusion. Perhaps he was just tired? Tristana had heard that lack of sleep could make one more silly or cause them to laugh more. Or perhaps it was nerves. After all they were literally facing the end of the world. It was quite possible that this was just anxiety coming out through laughter. Her theory was somewhat confirmed when Serci admitted that he wasn’t himself today. Before Tristana could get the chance to speak, she was suddenly pulled into a hug. As soon as she was pulled into a hug her entire face turned to a bright shade of red. She was being hugged by a gorgeous blonde man! Tristana returned the hug but she couldn’t say anything. Mostly because her mind was still running around. There was a handsome person hugging her! Then he whispered into her ear. Her emotions were a mixture of happy, giddy, excited, and a strong desire which she couldn’t quite name. It was something that she couldn’t name due to her never feeling it before. She knew it wasn’t strictly happiness or nerves. This was too powerful to be happiness but not as bad as nerves. It wasn’t love because she loved her friends but that felt different. Tristana felt incredibly confused but did her best to push these emotions aside and maintain a happy expression. It only worked half well. She certainly looked happy but her face was still red.

Then Serci asked her to say thanks to the goddess of luck, Tristana nodded with a smile. She then remembered why she was here in the first place. They needed to help stop the end of the world. So Tristana followed Serci through the first door. She was expecting anything from a giant monster to a puzzle. Tristana wasn’t expecting an empty room. Despite being empty it was rather lovely with it’s jade walls. Whoever created this room obviously put a lot of effort into it. Tristana was just about to step forwards when Serci turned towards her and warned her of traps. That explained why the room seemed so innocent. Then she saw what the first trap did. Shoot arrows apparently. Tristana was glad that Serci was fine though. To be honest she didn’t feel as though she had to worry as much but still she was a tiny bit concerned. Then an idea hit her and she knew what might be able to help.

“Actually I have a small idea.” She admitted. Tristana held out her hands and cast a spell. Suddenly an ethereal dagger appeared in front of her and flew at the second jade tile that came after the tile that Serci had already set off. The force behind the attack and the weight of the dagger set off the second trap, which was just more arrows like the first. “There. I can summon daggers and use them to find which tiles have traps.” Tristana stated, “But we will have to be careful. I won’t be able to keep this up forever. So we can’t make any mistakes.”