Author: Leita, Posted: Tue Aug 4, 2020 3:15 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

She snatched her grappling hook and swung it like a bat at the mother. This stopped the mother illusion from charging at her friend but made the illusion regenerate and turn towards Leita. Apparently attacking normally didn't work. Or maybe she didn't attack in the right area. Leita ended up flailing the grappling hook at the mother, who looked incredibly unimpressed. Battle strategy wasn't Leita's strong point. Nor was fighting in general. Deciding to stop this battle for good, Leita held up her grappling hook in the air and attempted to swing it down on the mother's head. The mother illusion just stepped to the side and watched as Leita fell onto her face. Suddenly the ground began shaking violently as the sand and trees began to vanish. Leita momentarily looked at her grappling hook with surprise, wondering for a moment if that had been the cause. Was her grappling hook magic? Then she realized that it had to be the flowers that had been growing throughout the island.

The island was falling apart. That much was clear. The spires of the city began to topple and the jungle was vanishing before their eyes. If everything was just an illusion, then whatever the ground was made of, probably wouldn't stick around for long. Reaching for Sanaki and Max, she tried to make sure they stayed together. Their surroundings were insane and they couldn't be split up now.

"I don't suppose anybody has a boat?!" Leita asked, "I have a feeling we'll be needing it soon!"

She looked in her bag but didn't find anything useful for the situation. For once, she was not prepared. Her eyes darted around the area but there weren't any real trees to use as floating devices.

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:29 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

The grief she had endured so many years ago had returned, fresh and agonizing like a partially formed scab being torn off. The more it hurt, the more she felt the rage rising within her chest. As Maximellian's blade cut into an impostor and his shield battered another, the wounds inflicted drew no blood–but a strange milky substance. One was pushed to the ground, while the other took the blow without flinching. The one that was knocked down then started to rise to it feet, this time in a manner that wasn't human. Their voices continued to speak in an unsettling tone, warm smiles still on their faces. "Sanaki, welcome home–" Before they could finish their sentence, a flurry of pink rushed past the paladin as the horned priestess brandished her glaive in the air. With eyes filled with boundless fury, she cleaved the figure bearing the visage of her father in two, slicing its head clean off its neck. While the rest of the body continued to stay upright, what should have been the neck revealed an aberrant internal structure. Instead of skin and muscle, it resembled more like the cross-section of a lotus root. 

The larger of separated pieces began to regenerate what she had initially decapitated, proving one thing–the neck or head did not contain this abomination's vital points. As the intensity of her anger grew, Sanaki charged the regenerating body of her 'father' and plunged her glaive into its chest. A searing torrent of flame began to travel down the weapon's shaft as she incinerated the horror without mercy. Despite the magical flames creating an incredible amount of heat, it took a few minutes for it to overcome the creature's unique body composition as she kept it pinned to the ground. That left the 'mother' still standing, and the creature tried to rush at the war priestess while she was rendering the other one to ash. It was unknown what these doppelgangers could do, but their regeneration factor made them a formidable opponent. Simply attacking them like a normal human would prove to be futile.

Author: Maximellian Rosa Chinesis III, Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2020 11:55 AM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

From the ridges of the jungle, his eyes scanned as across the treeline and readied himself as the sound of rustling threatened for something to come into view. Two figures emerged and the moment Sanaki began to hesitate, his stance shifted. She identified the two individuals as her parents then proceeded to explain they were dead.

These were not her relatives, they were adversaries made to look like loved ones.

“ROSE,”

The word was yelled like a battle cry from lips that screamed resolution in the face of a mirage. Their minds were cages that kept themselves held there. Glued to their hopes, Maximellian turned to face their foe. If this Juju man wanted to play mind games like his companion said, he would steel himself to the truth that all men must die and if he died fighting for the light it would be a worthy death. In an instant his body shifted, followed by the sound of swift, metallic footsteps as his armour crunched against itself and he charged shield first toward his adversaries.

Iron against flesh, his sword angled to slash across the leftmost outsider’s chest as he charged forward shield first into the other. In the optimistic hope that one of the adversaries would at least get knocked back and the other wounded. Followed by a combative stance, braced for impact as the paladin planted both boots into the ground and fastened his defense. He would not let them pass.

Author: Leita, Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2020 9:53 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

She could tell that the paladin was doubtful of Sanaki's explanation. It wasn't that he hoped the jinushigami didn't exist, rather he'd heard nothing about this kind of magic. Leita had never heard of a Jinushigami either but there was one thing she had learned with Caroline. The world was filled with impossibilities and thousands of dangers. Some would deny that ghosts, goblins, and ghouls existed. Some would say giants are impossible and legends were stuff of nonsense. But Leita and Caroline had seen impossible things. Done impossible acts. That was why she believed Sanaki. Her experience with the strange and odd helped her see that. However, she still wanted to confirm that the jinushigami was real. Misinformation to the mainland would put them at a serious disadvantage. If this thing turned out to be a normal guy or worse, something stronger then they could potentially lead hundreds to their deaths.

Leita listened to Maximellian's advice about how to take on threats. He mentioned ambushing from the trees and the fact that they could come in at any direction. They would need to stick together, as tight as possible. She nodded towards Max then turned to Sanaki to listen to her knowledge. Every bit of knowledge would help them survive. Belief was a main factor and explained the images of the dragon. If the dragon and king were one in the same, then it would explain why that symbol was everywhere instead of an image of a king. There was a small issue, destroying their world. It would have to be done to save the city but a part of her would fill guilty for the destruction that would be brought to the island. Destroying somebody's culture and home felt…wrong, even if it was to save the locals and the tourists. It was another reason to double check this was a Jinushigami.

"I suppose we'll have to do what we must." Leita muttered.

Just as they were about to talk some more, there was a sound then a pair stepping out from behind the trees. It was a man and a woman dressed in Ataiyan clothes. Tourists? That was her only guess. Then Sanaki identified them. Mother and father? Confusion filled her face. Sanaki would have mentioned if her parents were trapped here. Or did her parents come looking for them? Still, how would they know they were in the jungle? Questions continued on as the woman began to speak. When Leita looked to Sanaki, she was surprised to see her so upset. Until she mentioned her parent's burial. All of the sudden, she realized that these people had to be fake. Either a mirage or an imitation spell of some sort. Perhaps even shapeshifting.

Just as Leita was about to reach over to Sanaki, her grief turned to blind fury. The glaive was summoned and her friend shouted out the word for battle. Rose. Leita rushed to her friend's side with her grappling hook pointed at the enemy. She didn't have any actual weapons other than some weak earth magic. The most she could do was a wall once a day and the little earth dolls. Also a 6 inch lump in the dirt could be formed. Otherwise, her magic was completely useless. It was something she was trying to work on at Sirona's temple. But for now, she would clutch to her grappling hook like it was a proper weapon. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:13 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

When the world began to spin and panic flooded her mind, Leita was the one who helped her maintain her footing. There was some relief in her words–after all, they weren't absolutely sure that they were dealing with a jinushigami. It was possible it was something else, and that all hope wasn't lost for their cause. "Yes…both of you are right." Regaining her resolve, Sanaki began to recall the information she was taught in her years of training. "If that is our chosen course of action, then allow me to inform you on everything I know should my previous assumptions prove correct. Although they are masters of the land, jinushigami primarily gain their power through belief. This characteristic makes them both incredibly powerful and incredibly vulnerable. The stronger the belief those who dwell in the land possess towards them, the greater their influence. Just as a king only wields power if his citizens pay homage to him, the same holds true for a land master. Normally to weaken a jinushigami you would start by destroying or removing any shrines and objects made in their image, but if there is enough support through mere belief alone–things might become a bit difficult."

When she thought about it, placing oneself as the ruler over a kingdom was an ingenious ploy for a jinushigami to gain a sufficient power base. With the reverence given by the populace and the political authority to enforce laws and edicts that were self-serving, this made uprooting it from the land a complicated matter. The people would place so much faith in their ruler that they would follow blindly, especially since the regent had the spiritual power to falsify prophecies and divine retribution. There was the other issue of revealing the being's true form, as that would give clues towards what kind of spirit it was. Thinking on what she and Leita had seen in the city's artwork, there were a few possible candidates: the lotus flower or the serpentine dragon. 

"I hope none of you hold any reservations against the possibility of deposing a land's reg-" Sanaki suddenly stopped mid-sentence, when she heard a sound, then all color drained from her face when she saw something step out from behind the trees. Covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes went wide as two figures emerged from the jungle. 

"Sanaki." There was a man and woman standing several meters away from them, dressed in Ataiyan clothes. The man had dark hair and purple eyes while the woman's eyes were brown, with pink hair the same color as hers. Sanaki stared back in confusion. The feelings she had at this moment were a mixture of joy and sheer horror. "Mother…father? But how–?" 

With outstretched arms, the woman gave a wistful smile. "Sanaki, it's been so long. You've grown so much. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be by your side. If we had been able to stay with you a little longer, you wouldn't have had to suffer so much hardship." The man placed his hands on his wife's shoulders, and said. "Your mother and I regret leaving you behind back then. If fate had been kind, we would've been able to watch you grow up." The priestess was now on the verge of tears. Her throat tightened and was parched as she choked out words in response. "…Why? How could you..?"   

"It's alright now, father and I are here. You don't need to blame yourself anymore." Her mother comforted her. Covering her face with her hands, Sanaki visibly shook as she was holding back from breaking down crying. "BUT THEY BURIED YOU! I saw them lower your casket! I was there when they surrounded you and father with white chrysanthemums! They buried you together because you told them you didn't want to be separated in the afterlife!"

Grief turned to anger as she was now shouting at the top of her voice. "How dare you…How dare you wear the face of my father and mother!" Tears began to stream down her face as two horns began to slowly manifest from her head. Summoning a glaive into her hands, she called out: "ROSE!"

Author: Maximellian Rosa Chinesis III, Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:56 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Word for word, Maximellian paid close attention to the priestess’s dialogue as she explained unto him the happenings of this strange island. His brow furrowed into deep thought. If anyone was to be saved on this island, they would have to get rid of the root of it and going by Sanaki’s fears, this voodoo doctor or whatever he was had some kind of ‘spiritual power.’ His eyes cast to the island for a moment as his gauntleted fingers traced along the bark below him.

“Spiritual force… does this imply that the island is actually alive?” the paladin asked, returning his gaze to the rose haired maiden. The talk of voodoo doctors or jinushigami or whatever she the woman was speaking of sounded like a wild goose chase. He’d never heard of anything like it in his life. Was this woman insane? Uncertainty gripped his breast as his gaze shifted to Leita. She seemed normal for the most part, though it was clear they were a part of the same ploy. Maximellian speculated on his decisions for a moment then nodded his head “I will follow your rules to the best of my ability while we remain on this island,” the paladin replied, capping the canteen and placing it in his pack. If they were truly in as much danger as Sanaki suggested, the paladin knew that lingering was against their best interests.

Maximellian rose to his feet “We should go before-” he trailed off when he saw Sanaki and Leita having a heart warming hug in the middle of the jungle.  Civilians were interesting creatures and though he had seen this stranger use powers that were beyond his knowledge, the paladin starred at the two perplexed by their emotional states of being. Duty in these situations was above all else. Leita proved herself to be the stronger of the two women. Sanaki was the one he worried for as he silently prayed to Sirona that her anxiety would not be the doom of them all. Compassion was what was needed right now and fortunately Leita had it to give. Resolute in the face of her friend's despair, Leita came up with the framework of a plan. Maximellian could not help but smile at his companion's strength of being. If not for her, he would have eventually done something similar. They were in it together and together they would conquer.

“Very well. I shall protect you both from the rear, I know little of this island and they are more likely to ambush you from the trees in a battlefield like this. They could come from any direction, so we should all be on guard. If anything comes at you, call out ‘Rose’ and I will rush to take whatever force dares to mingle with my comrades, ” the paladin confidently awaited for his comrades to start moving, “We should not underestimate this Juju-mani, but remember that none of us are alone and as long as we work as a unit, we can accomplish great things. We will not fall. Not today.”  

Author: Leita, Posted: Thu Jul 9, 2020 9:06 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

"Nice to meet you." She said politely to Max.

There was much to tell him but Leita felt at a loss for words. How could they explain the chaos they had seen earlier? The memory of the researcher was fresh in her mind and heart. Thankfully, Sanaki began explaining the information they knew so far, which wasn't much. The truth was that they hardly knew anything. It wouldn't be enough to defeat the evil running through the veins of the island. As she gave Max the rules they needed to follow, Leita's eyes wandered to the trees above them, searching for the beams of light peaking around the fresh green leaves. When Sanaki began talking about something that had disturbed her, Leita turned her attention to Sanaki. As she explained, Leita began to realize that the enemy, whoever they might be was far stronger than what the three of them could take on. If her divine thing to locate the possible spirit cause was correct, then it meant the island was the problem. A jinushigami, a powerful being who could do almost anything. Should this creature happen to be anything else, the power to take over an island was still a force to be recon with.

But when Leita saw Sanaki's panicked face, her own heart hardened with resolve. Walking towards Sanaki, she wrapped her arms around her friend in a tight embrace. A hug wouldn't make the pain go away. A hug wouldn't cancel that overwhelming fear that could drive a person mad. All it could do was remind Sanaki that she wasn't alone. She wouldn't have to face the dangers on her own and as long as they were there by her side, they would fight with her. Leita was trying to give her a warmth that would thaw her despair.

"They don't have us beat yet." She reminded her. 

Freeing Sanaki from the warm embrace, she looked to both her and Max like a woman on a mission. Her determined eyes ablaze with the will to live. Out of everybody else, she was surely the weakest of the bunch. But that didn't make her resigned to a fate like this. So what they didn't have as much power as the king? Power was a fleeting thing anyway, flowing from one stranger to the next. They had something else that counted way more.

"Here's our plan." Leita declared, "We'll have to confirm whether or not it is a jinushigami. But once we do, this information goes straight back to the mainland. We won't be able to stop this thing on our own. However, I know that Revaliir can. Think about it! Revaliir's taken on the biggest of challenges and the sneakiest of foes throughout the centuries. If they know what they're up against, then nothing will save this king from his demise! Once we confirm our suspicions, then we take this information back by whatever means necessary." 

Her sharp eyes turned to Max, glad to see that sword by his side. 

"Lord Maximillian, you will be in charge of guarding us from the locals or any other threat. If you see something tell us immediately." She instructed before looking to Sanaki, "We'll need you're expertise when it comes to the Jinushigami and your powers to sense them. Do you know of any way to check for Jinushigami?" 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Thu Jul 9, 2020 1:04 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

To say things were frustrating was an understatement. "Before meeting you, Leita and I attempted to search for the people we were looking for on our own. Unfortunately, we found one of them before they…the Kavalans forced him to drink their ambrosia." There was an audible pause as Sanaki changed her choice of words while trying to maintain her composure. The sight the two women saw still left them shaken. "It seems no one really knows what is going on here on this island. The most that we know is from people who had better luck than we did, but even those individuals never made it back to the mainland. There are three things which we know with absolute certainty. One–the Kavalans are not to be trusted. Two–never eat or drink anything they offer you. And three–the lotus flowers seem to be the main ingredient in the food and ambrosia. The rest is up for speculation." She leaned against the trunk of a tree and heaved a sigh.

"Before I met both of you, there was something that deeply disturbed me when I was at the shore. As I am a priestess, I attempted to use my power to divine where any possible sources of spiritual influence were located. This is a method I and my fellow sisters use to locate the causes of phenomena. To my horror, I could not find it. Or rather, instead of sensing the point of origin and its general location, I was met with an overwhelming presence." Sanaki's eyes were downcast, her face pale and sapped of emotion. "In simpler terms, that can mean one of two things: either something is interfering with my power, or that my reading wasn't wrong–which would mean the spiritual influence is coming from the entire island itself." The entire island was the source of the spiritual force.

If that was the case, then there was nothing she could do to fully protect them against what might possibly happen. Putting her head in her hands, Sanaki's mind was reeling from the terrible reality that was before them. Her body was actually shaking, as she knew what that meant. "If–if we take what the Kavalans said at face value, if everything that we've heard is directly caused by Kavala's king–then we are dealing with a very powerful jinushigami, or land master. A land master is an entity or spirit that quite literally is the lord and master of the region it holds dominion over. They can cause natural disasters like floods or famine, they can curse anyone who lives on or passes through their territory, they can even shape the land according to their own will. No matter what they do they have the advantage, as long as they are on their own terrain." 

As she spoke, the priestess was entering a state of panic as she was starting to mildly hyperventilate. There was no way a single priestess like her would be able to take on a jinushigami–especially one this deeply rooted into the land. Even worse, the land in question was an island! There weren't any surrounding territories which they could use to draw away its strength. 

Author: Maximellian Rosa Chinesis III, Posted: Thu Jul 9, 2020 6:58 AM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Bound toward the jungle with his two new compatriots, Maximilian followed at the rear. The task of masking the clang of plated footfalls had proven to be a challenge for the paladin and he had slowly fallen a touch behind the others in his best attempts to remain quiet. Repulsed by the atmosphere, the noble could do naught but cringe at the repugnant odor of sewage as they navigated around the sewers. Each squelch of liquid beneath his boots was another invitation for discomfort.

 Dim light at the end of the dark was his promise of freedom, and freedom it gave. They had returned to the fresh air. Whatever discomfort Maximilian had for returning to the jungle was heavily outweighed by his relief of no longer having to deal with any more of that nonsense.

Maximilian assisted Leita removing the vines from their path until they finally stopped at a clearing where the researcher offered him some water “Thank you,” the paladin responded and took the canteen “There was little chance for me to reply to you before, but it is a pleasure to meet you, Leita and Sanaki.”

Grateful to have a moment to drink after his marathon in heavy armour, Maximilian settled at the base of a nearby tree and sprawled one leg in front of him as he united the nozzle of the canteen and drank from it. For just a moment he relished in it as the cool water doused the heat that rose through his face “I know little of this place,” he began, parting the canteen from his lips “We could try to infiltrate the city, but I get the feeling you tried that and it didn’t end well. Do either of you know where these people may have gone? Some cult? Beast? Taken as a sacrifice for some ancient being or ritual?” He was making it up as he went along at this point. This was all a little out of the depth of what he had expected of this venture.

Author: Leita, Posted: Mon Jul 6, 2020 1:19 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Leita held her breath in anticipation of what he might say next. The lingering possibility that he was a corrupted tourist remained. He didn't seem to have any ambrosia or food with him but if he started talking about happiness, then the truth would be clear. Instead he introduced himself with a long list for a name. Leita had never met a real noble in her life. Her novels usually had a duke but that character was often shirtless. Besides those books….weren't exactly an accurate representation of reality. And he mentioned being a knave? She noticed he had weapons and realized that noble or not, he would be helpful if they got in a fight. Sanaki began to speak to him and the basics of why they were there. They couldn't speak too loud, lest the people above the drainage system hear. After Sanaki explained themselves, Leita followed Sanaki's lead as they began walking towards the rainforest. The sooner they could get out of the disgusting tunnel, the better. As she walked a dim glow of light at the end of the tunnel showed they drew closer to the jungle. The water flowed out of a hole into a small lake, close to the pipe. The sight of the rainforest made Leita's heart soar. Even though she knew they would have to face the city again, the fresh green leaves and sounds of animals helped her feel safe. The animals wouldn't treat them like the people did. 

Leita moved away from the lake and found a clearing where the weeds of the jungle wouldn't get tangled with their stuff. Swinging her backpack off, she took a moment to stretch out her legs. All that running made her legs sore. She was used to reading, not running. Reaching down to her bag she began rummaging through it until she found some canteens of water. The canteens were supposed to be for Miss Einsecc and the researchers she hoped to find but keeping her current allies in good shape seemed more important. Leita handed one to Sanaki and the other to Max. 

"Don't worry, its just plain old water." She said, "I filled it before coming to the island. I also have some dried meat and crackers in case anybody's hungry." 

The water in the canteens was still clean, untainted by the lotus petals. As for the food it was mostly dried meat and salty crackers. Thanks to the letters Leita knew to bring supplies but she was in such a rush that she only was able to afford the basics. The food and water would keep them going and she had enough for three days. If they couldn't solve this mystery by then they would have to leave. 

"What's our plan?" Leita asked, "We can't really go into the city and the ship isn't coming back for a while."

She took her own canteen and chugged down a portion of the water but was careful to keep some for later. There were more canteens in her bag but it was a finite resource. After taking the small break, she put on her backpack and looked to the other two. It was a relief to have them by her side, even if she didn't know much about Max. On her own she would have felt lost but with Sanaki and the big noble guy, things felt easier to handle. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sun Jul 5, 2020 6:25 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

They turned to face the stranger who had been following them, revealing a man clad in armor. From his attire it was clear he was not a Kavalan, though both Sanaki and Leita were still on edge. She had to reassure herself that if things went sour, they would have a better chance of escaping one armed individual than several of the kingdom's denizens. There was a long pause as both sides were trying to figure each other out, until the man broke the stalemate. He introduced himself to them, giving his name and station. From the way he arranged his words, the priestess thought it was safe to assume he was a noble of some sort, or at least one with some significant family background. Reusing the same name for one's descendants was an uncommon practice in Nisshoki, though the people there were more of a superstitious lot. The man bowed as a sign of respect, and explained his reasons for coming to the island. He came at the behest of someone requesting aid for a person who had come to Kavala and had failed to return. With the formalities behind him, he offered them his assistance in exchange for their company–after all they were all strangers in a strange land.

As the young lord spoke. Sanaki had been carefully watching and listening to his every word and action. As far as she could discern, he was telling the truth. She also failed to smell any ambrosia or lotus from him. She first turned to look to Leita before addressing Maximellian. "Then we share a common thread among us all. We too have come seeking the whereabouts of others who have arrived before us but failed to return. I am Sanaki, and am a priestess by station. This here is my acquaintance and friend, Leita. Forgive my lack of courtesy–but we would be more at ease to continue conversing once we are in the presence of daylight. Our current situation has grown quite urgent and time is of the essence." If they were to enter a physical confrontation, they would have more of an advantage in an open area than the confined space of the city's drainage system. She made sure to keep her tone amicable, lest she give reason for offense. Despite having a lantern in one hand, she was still armed with her enchanted folding fan which was still firmly held in her right.  

Author: Maximellian Rosa Chinesis III, Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2020 10:58 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Slowly and begrudgingly making his way to the foot of this rancid hall of tunnels, Maximellian turned to see a flicker of light beyond his armour, followed by the whisper of voices. “Well…he’s not local,” was all he caught as he descended the small tight space with a reasonable amount of difficulty. Subtlety was not the strong suit of plate, nor was it one of his and although he tried his hardest to be as quiet as possible clanking down the small ladder, a tiny clunk could still be heard in his footsteps.

“Not local no,” he replied casually, easing himself away from the side of the murky walls to finally eye the two wonderful women standing before him. They were a sight for sore eyes. One held her own simplistic beauty with long brown rich hair and sapphire coloured eyes, dressed for an expedition. The other exotic with the longest, pink locks of hair he had ever seen and eyes like amethysts. Bewildered by the exotic woman’s appearance, he could not help but stare for a moment in awe of what she was.

She really was something like anything he had ever seen, another first among firsts.

A moment passed before he realised he was being discourteous.  “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Maximellian Rosa Chinesis The Third, Heir to the House of the Thorned Rose and Knave. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the paladin gave a grand bow to what he assumed were two adventurers wandering these lands. His days of traversing a foreign jungle alone were over, or so he had hoped.

“I am here to seek an individual by the name of Metaya Doum. One of my people came to me seeking help in a time of need. Whether this person is real or dead, if there is someone who needs to be saved on this island; I will gladly risk my life for the greater good,” warmth entered the noble’s features as he stood up to address the both of them properly, he was overwhelmingly happy to finally be in the presence of others. Something told him that traversing this place in numbers would be better than taking it alone. “…Though as much as I like risking my life, If I have the choice to keep it I would prefer to take the option where I don’t die. Do you need another?”  

Author: Leita, Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2020 6:01 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Leita felt lucky to have Sanaki with her. Alone, she would have been caught and….she tried not to think about it. The city was unsafe and even if they could return, she wasn't sure she wanted to. The stench of the water war horrid but it was better than an actual sewer. Sanaki began to talk about her theory and if she was correct then it was a powerful sorcerer. But if it was a mortal sorcerer, then it could be killed by mortals. She hoped the source of the problem was mortal. If not, then they'd need way more than a number of adventurers trying to save everybody. Sanaki suggested heading towards the jungle and Leita nodded in agreement. They might be able to find more clues there, like an abandoned temple or more answers about the mysterious vines mentioned in one of the researchers' letters. 

She watched as Sanaki brought out a dark wooden lantern and ignited a flame inside the little box. It helped illuminate the area but Leita didn't see how that little flame would help them. Then the lantern began guiding them towards the rainforest. Leita began thinking about what their next steps should be if the forest held no answers. They could create a force to fight back? No that would take up time they didn't have. Maybe they needed to send out a message to the mainland? Then again, that could just bring more victims instead of people to stop it.

Wracking her brain for idea, she was surprised when they came to a stop. Sanaki whispered about something else in the tunnel with them and subtly motioned with her eyes. The problem was, they were a literal beacon of light in the dark tunnels. There wasn't a place to hide nor any hidden areas to escape to. If they had somebody following them, they would have to confront the stranger the old fashioned way. Her heart became louder as she decided that it was now or never. 

"I swear if its another freaky local…." Leita muttered under her breath. 

She motioned for Sanaki to get her fan ready before turning around to see whoever this stranger was. Her hand held up the torch in Maximellian's direction. He was a tall bulky man with shiny plate armor and a sword by his side. Unlike the locals, he didn't wear any flowy clothing. And since there were no guards or anybody who wore armor in the entire city, she had to assume she was a tourist like them. The only question that remained is if he had been taken over like the others. 

"Well….he's not a local." She said. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2020 1:51 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

With Leita's quick thinking, they managed to evade the Kavalans by fleeing into the city's drainage system. There was no other option available, so Sanaki threw herself down it without hesitation. Survival was all that was on her mind. Holding her breath, she could hear her own heart beating as footsteps passed over them. She prayed to all the powers in the world that they wouldn't be discovered, and that the ancestral spirits would lead their enemies astray. Once the pounding of her heart settled down, she let out a shaky sigh. "Are you okay?" Leita had lit a torch and was looking back at her. Sanaki nodded as she was still catching her breath. The water here thankfully wasn't sewage, but the smell was rank like rotting plant matter. It was also humid, and there was moss on the walls. "I'm afraid we won't be able to show our faces in the city anymore. If we plan to go back, we'll have to be twice as vigilant." While their teamwork had bought them a temporary reprieve from falling victim to the ambrosia, they still had to find where Miss Einsecc and the others were being kept. 

As Sanaki began to survey their surroundings, her friend brought up something one of the Kavalans had said before she had thrown the golden liquor back into their faces. "That might be possible. But if that is true, then we are dealing with an incredibly powerful sorcerer. Not many beings are capable of exerting their influence over an entire region." Those that could were the last things priestesses like her wanted to encounter. Such beings were typically very old–and very powerful. They would have formed a bond with the very land itself to achieve such a level of control. Now they had to figure out what their next course of action would be. "After what we saw, I'm not sure anymore. It seems that no place is truly safe on this island. But at least we know things are worse within the city than they are outside. Let's try to see if any of these tunnels lead back to the jungle. At least there might be more hiding places there." And she didn't want to think what would happen if they were cornered down here. 

Taking out a lantern made of dark wood, it took a few moments for the flame to ignite before it was able to illuminate their general area further. This was one of the many tools she had on her person to aid her with her work. Often tracking down malevolent spirits and evil beasts required the use of divination or magical tools since mundane means were not always effective. This particular lantern was known to direct one towards one's desires. So if she filled her thoughts with wanting to find a safe exit out into the rainforest, it should comply. In the damp darkness of the tunnels, Sanaki noticed that there were sounds of footsteps that weren't their own. Walking beside Leita, she leaned by her ear and said in a low whisper: "Something else is here." With her eyes, she motioned behind them.

Author: Maximellian Rosa Chinesis III, Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2020 7:59 AM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Alone amongst the thick layers of lush vegetation, Maximellian trudged over the many obstacles these foreign jungles confronted him with. Step by careful step he weaved around vines, roots and shrubs as his armoured gauntlets brushed the greenery away from the path in front of him. Bound to complete a quest given to him by one of his townspeople to find a lost soul who went by the name Metaya Doum, he had been dropped off onto the island by a creepy masked and hooded stranger in a tiny row boat. Maximellian was adamant to return with some evidence of this person whether it be in death or life. Oddly requested privately for this venture, only half way through the forest did the paladin realise that he had been misled entirely. Metaya Doum was a false trick, there was no such individual and now he was lost on his own in the middle of a forest, unequipped and exceedingly unprepared. He needed to find others quickly.

A few hours of the jungle’s scenic charm had quickly grown tedious for the Paladin. Untrained in the ways of navigation through rainforests with very little in the way of sunlight, directional signs or a pathway, he was out of his depth. Alas, he had not lost hope. He was Maximellian Rosa Chinesis the Third, the first of his line and he would not be stopped by some mere plantlife. If there was anybody who needed to be saved in the midst of these god forsaken trees, he was going to be the one to do it.  

Once again hope held out for the young man. From behind the frond of a large overhanging plant, a gold light shone in the far distance and as he pushed past, he saw it, a city of gold. Awe thundered through the very core of his body as the path soon became clear. Only children's tales told of cities of gold made by the very gods themselves. Old tales of greedy fools who dared to find such a place and yet, here it was. Step after short step, his body moved without so much as a thought as his eyes trained upon this great city. The closer he drew toward it, the more impressive it became, as did his reflection. Murals of dragons, tigers and great serpents, beautifully inlaid to create an elegant exterior. Magnificent though eerie for a place in the middle of nowhere, his eyes wandered for the missing link. Unlike any other city he had ever seen, the streets remained absent of poverty or decay in spite of the lack of guard or any military force.

“RUN!” a woman’s cry sounded in the distance, followed by a domino of locals who were knocked back by a blast of wind. His eyes cast over to the locals and then to the other two running from what looked to be some kind of mob and considered it for a moment. Both looked interesting, but his gut told him to go with the minority.

Decidedly running in the general direction the other two were headed, he was fortunate enough to be just beyond the wall that appeared from nowhere, moving as fast as his training allowed him to sprint in his best attempt to follow them. Instead of finding them though, he somehow ended up in an alleyway looking around hopelessly for where they had gone. He was sure they had gone this way. Panting breathlessly, he regained himself against one of the walls.

“Well at least if I die here, I’ll be in good company” he muttered to himself, admiring the appearance of his own reflection “Damn I look good.”

Sounds of crumbling stone jolted the paladin from his short session of admiration as he realised he should probably find a place to hide. “I’ll deal with you later,” he promised to himself as his eyes darted around for the promise of a hiding place. Unfortunately the only promising hiding place he found in this location was a manhole cover leading toward a sewer.

Inwardly frustrated at whatever god it was that decided his fate that day, Maximellian took in a deep breath “It’s only bodily waste, it’s only bodily waste…” he muttered, quickly hoping down the hole and closing it shut behind him.

“I am never telling anybody about this,” he spoke aloud then realised his voice echoed softly through the chamber below him. Though he knew not why those villagers were chasing the two, if they were lost outsiders like him he knew it was a high possibility that he would be chased next. After all, who wouldn’t want to chase after a fabulous golden haired picture of society like himself? No.  As much as he hated it, he was much safer here laying low for now until he knew everyone’s motives.

Author: Leita, Posted: Fri Jul 3, 2020 9:57 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

When Sanaki pulled her away, Leita didn't resist. She was horrified by the way the Kavalans treated the poor man. As the locals came closer, Leita desperately looked around for some sort of escape. There was only two of them and many locals. Any sort of fighting would result in defeat. But they couldn't surrender after seeing what had happened to Mr. Melver. Yet Sanaki, instead of being terrified, gave them a warm smile and began to politely speak with them. Terror filled her eyes as she watched the Kavala local suggest sampling one of their drinks. All it would take is one sip to become exactly like them. Then Sanakit took the goblet. Leita bit down on her tongue to keep herself from shouting for her to stop. Sanaki was smart. She wouldn't fall for this. Just as Leita was about to try to stop Sanaki, she tossed the amber liquid into the eyes of the locals. 

The locals screeched in pain then were flung back by the gust of wind from Sanaki's fan. Relief flooded through Leita's mind as she realized her friend wasn't going to be overtaken. The panic returned when Sanaki grabbed her arm and they raced down the streets. Mr. Melver was left behind but at that point, he was probably already gone. They would have to return for him later. The locals pushed themselves to their feet and ran after them. As Leita and Sanaki ran, they passed all sorts of citizens and even some tourists in the process of conversion. Locals began to join the building crowd chasing them. They couldn't outrun the crowd forever! Leita's legs were starting to grow tired but she pushed further at the same speed. Up ahead, she noticed a fork in the path and an alleyway a little to the left. 

Green magic glowed from her right hand as she reached towards the ground. A stone wall erupted from the path instantly and hit one of the locals in the jaw, sending him flying into the air. The wall was connected to the two buildings on either side and was too tall to be climbed. But Leita knew it would last long. She snatched Sanaki's arm and yanked her into the alleyway. The wall was meant as a barrier and as a cover to prevent the locals from seeing where they went. Leita's eyes spotted what she wanted to see. A metal circle in the ground that read -Drainage system-. Leita pulled off the metal cover and jumped into the dark hole. She hit the ground with a splash and looked up to beckon Sanaki down. Once Sanaki joined her and covered the entrance back up with the cover, she could hear her wall crumble. 

Leita held perfectly still and held her breath as she listened to the feet above them running against the ground in multiple directions. Her heart beat loudly in her ears as she waited for the locals to leave. It took a few moments but eventually the locals decided to search elsewhere for them. Once they were gone, Leita rummaged around in her backpack until she found a torch and the matchsticks. She lit the torch on fire and light illuminated the tunnel. Turning to Sanaki, she went to her friend's side to see if she was doing fine. 

"Are you okay?" Leita asked. 

The locals wouldn't be much help to them, that was clear. Leita stood up straight and used her torch to investigate a bit of the underground tunnels. Water rushed through the tunnels and smelled of dirt, indicating it came from a garden or farm or something. They wouldn't be able to drink the water and would have to avoid touching their mouths or eyes until they could get to safety. They could head right or left, both tunnels were darkened. The only sounds they could hear was the town above them and the dripping of water from the ceiling. Leita brought out her notebook and carefully laid it on her lap while sitting against the wall. She wrote with her free hand what had happened to them, in case they didn't make it and someone tried to follow in their footsteps. Once she was done, she shut the notebook and returned it to her bag. Something about what the locals had said bothered her. 

"They said it was all thanks to their king."  Leita commented, "I wonder if that means he's the source of the problem…Which way should we go now?"

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Fri Jul 3, 2020 8:09 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Sanaki was stunned speechless when they saw the city up close. She had spent many years in the Spirit Realm, so fantastical and otherworldly places weren't unfamiliar to her. However, she had never seen so much gold in one place in all her life. For a human city, the fact they could afford to use gold like paint was a testament to this kingdom's wealth. Everything from the streets to the walls were completely spotless. All the buildings and houses were all in excellent condition, and there wasn't any wear on the pavement. Everything here seemed perfect and nothing was out of place. That was the very reason why underneath her initial sense of relief, there was a disquieting feeling. The area of the city they were in was the lowest level, with different districts rising upwards in ascending order until you could see a grand palace at the top. The design of this city seemed odd to her; wouldn't it be much easier to travel between districts if they were all built on a single level plain? Perhaps this was a psychological statement on their part. Those of higher status were physically and figuratively above those who were beneath them. 

Another thing the city didn't lack was artwork. In addition to displaying their wealth, the Kavalans had a fondness for fine crafts. Public spaces were decorated with fountains, statues, and murals. From what she could gather, there were a few artistic elements which were almost always present no matter the medium. Dragons resembling those from Ataiyo, idyllic scenes of life, and the lotus flower were the main subject or liberally used. One particular mural in question was most striking to the priestess. It was far longer than any other mural they had seen, and its great length accommodated the life-sized painting of a serpentine dragon battling a tiger. The dragon was bearing down on the tiger from above, while the tiger was pinned beneath it. Its golden eyes glared downward as its teeth were bared in a snarl, its claws tearing into its enemy. The tiger was looking over its shoulder with its fangs bared in retaliation. Sanaki couldn't help but feel pity for the poor beast. It was land-bound, while the dragon had the advantage of being in the air. 

Leita shared her thoughts about the mural and what they had seen up to this point, but before she could reply–a stranger interrupted. A man who seemed to know her friend grasped at the dark-haired girl's shoulder, desperation in his eyes. He was disheveled and there was something clearly wrong. A strong floral scent was coming off of his breath. As the two women listened to the man ramble on, Sanaki realized that he must have sent those letters as a last resort to escape the island. His manic smile was a front, one he had to put up in order to survive. While Leita and Mr. Melver spoke with each other, Sanaki saw men and women dressed in flowing garments come towards them. Their faces were blissful and blithe, but the pace at which they were running was anything but. She quickly grabbed Leita's arm–the one that was closest to her–and lightly squeezed with a sense of urgency. She watched in silent horror as the Kavalans forcibly pulled the scholar away and poured a honey-colored liquid down his throat. It was a sight more gruesome than what was left of a mountain hag's victims. 

It was no surprise that the two were stricken with fear when the Kavalans turned their gazes upon them. She had to think fast. Quickly putting her emotions under control, Sanaki gave a warm and gentle smile to those robed in silks and gossamer. "My, how gracious of you! We have never seen such hospitality outside of these walls. I have not been here long, but I am amazed at the splendor and beauty of your kingdom." She turned to admire the buildings and artistic structures. "Truly it is a beautiful place to live." One of the women responded with a tone of elation.

"Why yes! Our city is more beautiful than any other. Outside of Kavala, there are so many poor unfortunate souls who suffer every day. The rulers care not for their needs, and their society only blesses the noble or wealthy. But not here–everyone in Kavala is blessed. And it is all thanks to our king. He ensures that his people never want for anything, and that all are provided for. You must sample some of our local delicacies–especially our ambrosia. Its fragrance is sweeter than honey, and its taste is absolutely divine!" 

Keeping her composure, Sanaki gave a nod in agreement. "Is that so? I'd like to have a taste then, allow me." Snatching a goblet before one of the citizens could offer it a second time, Sanaki raised the cup to her lips. As the jeweled cup began to tilt, she suddenly flung it back into their faces, splashing them with the amber liquid. With her other hand, she sent a powerful gust of wind from her folding fan, pushing the Kavalans back to buy them more time. She turned and grabbed Leita by the arm as she shouted: "RUN!" There was no time to help Mr. Melver–they would be of no use to anyone if they were caught by the kingdom's citizens too.

Author: Leita, Posted: Fri Jul 3, 2020 2:35 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Leita was fully aware that her mentor might be dead but she pushed those thoughts aside. Thinking like that would only make her feel worse, not better. She had to keep hope no matter what! Besides she needed to help bring up Sanaki's resolve. As they walked further into the jungle, she noticed how the footprints they left slowly vanished. Maybe it was magic? She decided to ignore it and focus on finding the people missing. The golden spires ahead reflected the light of the sun, making the entire city a beacon of sunshine. Everything was shining and brilliant, which made her jaw almost drop. There wasn't even a homeless person in sight! A part of her wished this paradise wasn't evil. A place where there was no evil, starvation, or harm seemed ideal. Leita shut down those thoughts as fast as possible. As Caroline once said, if you can't see the evil then it hides just underneath that layer of goodness. There was a good, evil, and neutral side to anything that existed. 

As they traveled through the city, Leita noticed the vibrant murals that dotted the walls. She took the time to sketch and describe each one, hoping that it would provide clues that would make sense later. Serpent dragons were the most popular topic in all of the art. The serpent dragons were on fountains and carved into the walls and even some of the bricks they walked on had drawings of the serpent dragons. 

"There's a lot of serpent dragons in the artwork." She commented before turning to Sanaki, "Oh I know! They've got to have a library. Maybe we can find some history records and figure out why the island is like this!"

"Miss Leita!" A mans voice called to her. 

Turning around, she felt a pair of hands clutch her shoulder and she realized she was looking at one of the researchers they sent to the island. Andrew Melver was the last researcher they'd sent out before Caroline decided to visit herself. But he looked strange. His breath smelled of lotus blooms and he had a wide deep smile, as though he couldn't stop himself. His clothes were a mess and his eyes were wide with terror. 

"Mister Melver?" Leita said surprised, "What happened to you?"

"Did bring the money?!" The man asked, "I need to buy more of that delicious ambrosia."

"I…wait you sent those letters? I thought it was Caroline-" But she was interrupted. 

"Yes yes. I sent them. I saw Caroline but she refused our gifts! That's why I asked you to come here." He said before his voice grew into a soft whisper, "Help us. PLEASE!"

His eyes began tearing up but that plastered smile remained on his face. The hands around her shoulders began to press into her skin as the tears dropped to the ground. Suddenly, one of the locals yanked him off and began to hold him. While another one was holding a goblet of ambrosia, ready to give to the poor man. Andrew's eyes widened as he struggled but he seemed to be smiling wider, if such a thing was possible. 

"Oh dear guests. Its alright. You don't need to buy our ambrosia." One of the locals said with a smile. 

They pried his mouth open and poured the ambrosia down his throat. Some of the liquid fell out of the cup and dropped into his eyes but instead of screaming, he began laughing. Once he drank everything in the goblet, the locals dropped him to the ground. He remained there, laughing with pain in his eyes. The locals turned to them, holding up more goblets of ambrosia. 

"Drink and be happy with us." The locals said in unison. 

Leita stepped away from the locals and behind Sanaki, absolutely terrified. Her hand subtly detached the grappling hook and she clutched to it as though it would protect her against these fearsome locals. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Fri Jul 3, 2020 12:50 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Sanaki listened carefully as Leita gave her explanation for coming to Kavala. Her mentor, Miss Einsecc, had arrived earlier. However like all those who entered this place, something had happened. It was fortunate that Leita had spent time looking for any mention of this newly emerged kingdom beforehand; the priestess wasn't able to conduct her own research investigation with the influx of requests for help and providing comfort to the families who were affected. "I fear your suspicions may be correct. From the reports of all known cases of missing persons, very few have sent back letters or communicated with family or acquaintances before contact was lost altogether. If those letters were indeed written by her, then that might give us a small sliver of hope in finding her–and everyone else. If she and other people were able to send messages out of Kavala, then there is a chance she was able to find something before…before she stopped writing." She stopped herself mid-sentence when she realized that her words might hurt Leita more.

"Thanks to the other researchers' efforts and her own selfless sacrifice, we can better guard ourselves against what powers are at work here. The lotus flowers must be part of it, there is no mistake. And what sort of vines were they talking about? That might be the reason why the letters stopped." Perhaps they had stumbled upon a forbidden secret that the inhabitants of Kavala were willing to conceal at all costs. As they saw the ship disappear on the horizon, Leita broke the silence with a few words of encouragement. Turning to her friend, Sanaki gave a wistful smile. "Thank you. Leita. And I'll do the same for you too. It's a promise." With emboldened resolve, she faced the jungle and looked back at the shining city. "Let's go. There's no way to avoid it now. We need to get to the bottom of this–for Miss Einsecc's sake and for everyone else."

Together they ventured into the rainforest, leaving the white sandy beach behind. As they entered the jungle, the footprints they had left in the sand began to slowly disappear…

Author: Leita, Posted: Thu Jul 2, 2020 9:03 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

The worry Sanaki was trying to hide was clear and it reflected Leita's own worry. She had been training to fight with Bradyn but she knew going toe to toe with a demon or any creature stronger than that was a death sentence for her. And the island had already overtaken warriors and spell casters far stronger than she. However, she was determined to find Caroline and prove her usefulness to Sanaki. She could find someway to help. Somehow. Her bag was packed with useful items and equipment. Everything from a grappling hook attached to her pack to a sewing kit in case their clothes got messed up during a fight. And plenty of books in case they needed instructions on how to use the equipment or if they needed to look up details on the history of Abed. 

"I got a letter signed by Miss Einsecc demanding my presence. But I don't think she wrote it." Leita explained, "It's not her writing style and the signature is weird. And she instructed me to specifically stay away from the island before she came to investigate the island. I came anyway in case I was wrong and to check up on her." 

She was genuinely concerned about Caroline and wouldn't leave unless she knew her teacher was healthy and safe. Besides, Caroline would probably want to leave the island anyway. The place was too perfect and didn't have any scientific or magical explanation yet. Those two things alone would make her want to rip the island in two for answers. Leita listened to Sanaki's explanation. Leita had heard about fishermen and sailors going missing. The rumors of the kingdom had reached Onnen and was the gossip of a village they lived next to. 

"I tried researching historical documents about Abed but they didn't mention this place." Leita explained, "So I don't think its a returning piece of land. Its gotta be new. Miss Caroline also mentioned that she suspected the lotus flowers. My teacher sent researchers beforehand to the island and they sent back some letters before we lost contact. They mentioned the golden lotus flowers and how the locals were eating massive amounts of it. They also said something about how they hated the vines but that was around the time the letters stopped arriving."

Leita heard the clanking of the anchor being lifted and she began to head further into the island before turning to Sanaki. 

"Well we came here to get stuff done. We can't turn back now." She commented, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you. If you start going crazy like the locals, I'll do my best to save you." 

The truth was that she was scared but she held a brave face for her own sake and for Sanaki. This was dangerous but at least they weren't going alone. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Thu Jul 2, 2020 8:17 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Sanaki jumped, and was relieved when she saw who had tapped her on the shoulder. But that relief soon turned to worry. "Leita? You're here too?" She tried to hide her fear at the discovery of an acquaintance being here in this dangerous place. "How–why are you here?" It seemed that the girl wasn't showing any changes in behavior or demeanor from what she recalled in their first meeting. It was a good sign at least. "A lot of people have come to this island for varying reasons, but I fear that this might only add to the numbers of missing people. I myself was hesitant to come, but someone needs to find those fishermen and sailors in order to bring them back." Normally she would have kept her composure, but the anxiety caused by what she had learned was making that impossible now. She threw a nervous glance towards the jungle and by extension, the city. "There is something terrible about this land. Something fundamentally wrong in ways I can't even fathom. And whatever it is, it's powerful."

She gripped one of her folding fans in her hand, and for a brief second the deep-seated fear she had throughout her entire being showed in her eyes. Behind them there was the metallic clanking of an anchor being raised, informing them that if they wanted to get off, they would have to survive until the next ship came into the harbor. They walked into the unknown with little to no knowledge on what they were dealing with. But this time they were risking more than their lives, but their minds too.  

Author: Leita, Posted: Thu Jul 2, 2020 7:43 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

Leita didn't like this place at all. Caroline had been sending her update letters and had requested her assistance presence and to bring all her money with her. The trouble? Well Caroline had stated she wanted to go alone for this mission. In fact her teacher was very specific on that and stated that Leita shouldn't go to the island under any circumstances. And the letter was written weirdly. Miss Einsecc always had a specific signature with a curl at the end of her last c. The letter lacked anything like that. This and the reputation the island received made her scared. However, Caroline's anger at her disobeying orders was scarier. So she left the ship with her backpack on her shoulders and a belt with equipment around her hips. Everything was unfamiliar. She didn't even have a map or any clue where Caroline might have run off to. This was why she liked to stay home and read her books. 

But she would have to complain later. Right now she was on a mission. To find Caroline and stay out of trouble! But knowing Caroline, she'd already gotten herself into trouble for the sake of research. As she walked towards the golden spires, she felt something strange. A pulling sense but not one she wanted to follow. It made goosebumps crawl along her skin. Her eyes scanned the crowd, trying to see if anybody had felt it. Maybe it was just her imagination. In the crowd she did see something familiar. A head of pink hair with a distinct set of clothes that she had seen somewhere before. 

"Sanaki?" Leita called out. 

Shoving her way through the crowd, she managed to get closer to the woman. Up close Leita could see her guess was correct. It was Sanaki, a woman she had met on the beach. The lady was nice and powerful. Somebody she could rely on and who probably would help her out, if she asked really nicely. Or if she gave her some books as a bargaining device. Leita tapped the woman on the shoulder.

"Miss Sanaki? Its me, Leita!" She said with a smile. 

Author: Kazahana, Posted: Thu Jul 2, 2020 6:58 PM, Post Subject: Hell's Paradise [O][Event]

"I'm finally here." Her voice was almost monotone, with a hint of uneasiness mixed in. Sanaki had been extremely anxious during the voyage from Abed. Now that she was here, that disquieting feeling had intensified twofold. The war priestess had been sent here on behalf of the fishing communities in Ataiyo in hopes of recovering their missing friends and family. Abed was not the only land affected by this strange phenomena, and Nisshoki was the closest on this side of Parvpora. As soon as she stepped onto the white sand, she could feel an overwhelming presence of spiritual power–larger than anything she had ever experienced before. The power was so great that she couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from no matter how hard she focused. The fact she couldn't discern its source or location was utterly terrifying. Having heard the rumors of this mysterious new land, she began to move quickly. The longer one stayed the greater the mind-altering effects of this area would take hold. Finding the missing fishermen and sailors were her first and foremost priority. If she came across the source of that oppressive power that permeated the entire island, then she would deal with that as well.

She feared that this would be her greatest challenge yet as a priestess. Her blossom pink hair was braided and tied back while she was dressed in full regalia according to her station. With each step closer towards the golden spires, she could sense that great spiritual force intensify. "Now where would the missing individuals be on this island?" She asked herself, gazing upward at the tiered city. There was no time to lose; she had to hurry!