ACT 1: Apistefuan Sirenix

Onward. (PART 1)

CHARACTERS IN THIS EPISODE:
Avangard-Miraille, Disembodied Fighter (Soldier)
Tiān Fēng, Human Ranger (Outlander)
Frida Auquene, Halfling Cleric of Eldath (Acolyte)
Rudmia Phlox, Demigod Wizard (Urchin)
Zakariah Faunill, High Half-Elf Bard (Performer)

NPCS:
Chief Zaya Elestree, Human Rogue (Noble)
Penillea Ditterea, Drow Cleric of Selûne (Acolyte)

CHAPTER: THALASSES DE MER
(2196 words)


The first light of dawn filtered through the dense tent, casting a dappled pattern on the forest floor. The air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and pine.

One by one, the travelers stirred from their sleep, nestled in the shelter of ancient trees that stood like silent guardians over their camp.

Avangard-Miraille was the first to awaken, her senses immediately attuned to the subtle sounds of the wilderness around them. The gentle rustling of leaves, the distant call of a bird, and the soft crackle of the dying embers from last night's fire, all familiar and comforting.

She stretched, her muscles still weary from the previous day's journey, yet there was an undeniable spark of anticipation in her chest. Today, they would venture deeper into the uncharted territory that lay beyond the forest's edge, where the map grew uncertain and legends whispered of untold wonders-and dangers.

MIRAILLE: "Ah. My limbs detached. Damn you Ethereal Realm." Miraille looks at her arm that was void within the Ethereal Realm. It'll be attached back.. probably.

Across the clearing, Nereus Colton stirred next. His hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of an unknown sword even before his eyes fully opened. A habit of a warrior, hard-earned and never forgotten. His gaze swept over their camp, noting the positions of his companions, ensuring all was well. Satisfied, he stood, the heavy cloak he wore slipping from his shoulders as he moved to rekindle the fire.

While doing so, he tries to strike up a conversation with Miraille.

MIRAILLE: "Awake and gleam, comrades." Miraille commands as she attempts to put her limbs back together, yet like getting blood out of a stone, her attempt was futile as her limbs connect not.

She notices Nereus approaching her with a sword she sees familiar, yet knows it does not belong to him. But knowing Nereus so far, she wasn't entirely flabbergasted. Only disappointed of such actions.

MIRAILLE: "...Did you steal my sword." Miraille demands with a glare that could cut through words, along with her slightly tilted head in confusion.

If anyone were to witness the scene unfolding, they'd have a lingering feeling that something or someone was about to go down.

Miraille noticed that her sword was missing as well, but it doesn't frighten her at all. As a soldier of centuries, it was natural for her to adapt in situations like this. If your blade is of absence, use your fists and legs no matter the strength. If they grow tired, use your scream as piercing blades and shout till they leave deafening blows, as your bite shall tear the skin and leave marks like an animal. A lesson well taught by her 'odd' caretaker.

The silence that shared between Nereus and Miraille was little enough for Nereus to respond with confidence, yet long enough for Miraille to think of creative insults and threatening actions.

Unfortunately, if they had wished for a fight, their eyes silently warned each other not to, as it would interrupt the slumber of their travelers who were still dead asleep until this point, except for Frida and Zakariah who must've awoken earlier. One may assume they were having a 'serious' conversation by the sad glances they gave each other during so.

NEREUS: "No, I didn't." answered Nereus with his head held up high to remind Miraille that she doesn't know everything.

MIRAILLE: "Make sure your tongue is truthful, Colton." said Miraille in a tone that seemed like she would cut off his tongue instead if he did otherwise. She swiftly slides out her twin blades. "It will not be the first time I've severed it from the likes of you warlocks." It appears my predictions proved true.

Right when she was about to stand from the log she sat to give Nereus a piece of her mind, the others awoke more gradually, the last remnants of sleep slipping away as they gathered around the warming flames. They exchanged quiet greetings, the bond between them unspoken yet strong, forged through countless trials and shared victories. This day would test them anew, as they ventured into the unknown.

All sees the new recruits.

Zakariah, the singsongy bard.Rudmia, the demigod.And Frida, the chosen of Eldath.

MIRAILLE: "The Odd Three, what an unfortunate fate to be met when I've wished for the Dead Three instead." said Miraille.

Fēng is sat on a log as he watches his friends converse with one another, especially Frida and Zakariah who seemed to be in tears after finishing their conversation.

While everyone proceeds to exchange greetings, Nereus continues to defend his stance of not stealing anyone's weapon.. despite him still wielding it. I suppose the hands of a thief are not only quick, but also sticky ones.

NEREUS: "I swear I don't know where your sword is." Nereus admits as he puts both of his hands up, shaking his head slightly to indicate that he truly knows not of where his travelers' weapons lie.

FRIDA: "What.. sword? What happened, dears?" asks Frida as she notices the negative tension between Miraille and Nereus a while before, resulting in her pacifistic character feeling as if she needs to resolve their bond after conversing with the bard.

NEREUS: "What the hell do you want." Nereus demanded of the granny, leaving her speechless.

MIRAILLE: "Calm down, Colton. We are in the midst of a camp." Miraille scolded Nereus before turning her backs to face the other travelers, all eyes on her in confusion, and perhaps a little fear.

MIRAILLE: "Did you or your.. companions take my sword?"

ZAKARIAH: "NO! I swear, we didn't!" responded Zakariah with panic. He had been talking to Frida while Miraille and Nereus argued so he knows not of the context, nor what events had led to this.

FRIDA: "..If you think this guy over here took your weapon, then I hate to be the bearer of news but; I'm quite certain it is the chief's. As to why he wields her sword, I know not." said Frida in a patient manner.

Miraille looks at the two men,

MIRAILLE: "Do you mean the short mean warlock, or the twinkle-twinkle red star bard?"

NEREUS: "I'm an average height for my age!"

Miraille looks down to view Nereus's face, a painful stretch of her neck to be looking so low to the ground.

MIRAILLE: "..I see."

ZAKARIAH: "I-I DIDNT TAKE ANYTHING!"

FRIDA: "Worry not, dear. You wouldn't be the the do such a thing.. nor do you look like a thief to truthfully speak." Frida says to Zakariah as she turns her head to look at Nereus for a moment, before pointing at him with her thumb and slowly facing Miraille once more.

FRIDA: "That guy is a warlock? In that case it was him I was referring to."

MIRAILLE: "Bards spin lies more than your offsprings do when they've brought a lust-filled affair home. You believe Zakariah?" questioned Miraille, skeptical as ever.

FRIDA: "Indeed I do. I see it in his eyes.. his soul is quite a bothered one."

While Miraille believed that teamwork is essential, trust was a line she dared not step into it. She's made the mistake of doing so several times in the past, but no more. Harden your heart to harden your judgement, Miraille often reminded herself to remain untouchable. After Frida answered Miraille's question, Frida asks another one towards the warlock.

FRIDA: "Speaking of which, would you mind introducing yourself, interesting-looking one?"

NEREUS: "I'm Nereus Colton and that's all you're getting from me."

FRIDA: "I understand. One must have a tough heart nowadays. A suitable trait for a warlock I must admit."

When are we leaving? Fēng thought to himself as he sits quietly on a log. Miraille eventually finds her sword stuck in her rifted limbs, raising an eyebrow whilst her eyelids remain drooped.

MIRAILLE: "Shall we head off? Zaya may be waiting."

Suddenly, something rustles in the bushes, jumping Frida's old heart as the others shift to their combat stance. But their caution proved to be of no use as it was Zaya and Penillea walking alongside each other. They all release a sigh of relief to see a familiar face for once. Still, it doesn't erase Miraille's straightforward yet brutal honesty of a personality.

MIRAILLE: "With a pace as slow as my aging, there's no wonder this loathsome village is pillaged every other week."

FRIDA: "Ah.. I think there are other reasons as to why the quality of their defense system is.. below average." Frida added. Only for Miraille to insult her once more.

MIRAILLE: "You seem like the type to think so, considering you are as ill-equipped as they are."FRIDA: "Well, I do admit that I'm weaker compared to your abilities, yet it doesn't make me less, no?"

MIRAILLE: "We shall see if your words are as competent as your speech."

NEREUS: "Where is this village chief." Nereus interrupted.

FĒNG: "We're at a camp, Nereus. There is no village chief here." Fēng answered.

Frida looks at both the airbender and warlock, sighing and shaking her head before correcting both of them.

FRIDA: "To answer your question Nereus, she appears to be beside Penillea, the cleric if you do not remember. As for Fēng, I'm sure the darling meant Zaya, darling."

FĒNG: "OH, RIGHT! I'm so sorry. I'm still feeling a little bit sleepy.." admitted Fēng.

FRIDA: "It is quite alright, dearie. Would you like me to hand you some herbal tea later on? Your eyes look darker than usual.."

Once again, Fēng declines Frida's offer. Shaking his head as he flashes her a kind smile.

Whilst the travelers shared banters, Zaya on the other hand looks surprised. Nereus seems to be holding... her sword..? She pauses mid-step, her eyes narrowing as she spots Nereus holding her sword.

ZAYA: "Nereus... why in the name of Selûne do you have my sword?"

Penillea tilting her head in confusion as she looks from Zaya to Nereus, her brows furrowing with each turn she made.

PENILLEA: "Isn't that the blade you nearly decapitated the bandit with? Why does HE have it?"

MIRAILLE: "Oh, this tiny blue troublemaker. Explain yourself." demanded Miraille as she points the tip of her sword towards Nereus neck, looking down painfully at the short warlock.

FRIDA: "Well, I'm sure this warlock has an explanation!" Frida exclaims in a bright tone before turning her gaze towards Nereus, looking directly at him as her smile began to fade, shifting into a worried expression. "Correct?"

NEREUS: "No, I don't. Someone must've hid the sword in my grasp."

With a sigh, Penillea takes a few steps closer, extending her hand.

PENILLEA: "Nereus, give it back before you hurt yourself. Or someone else."

MIRAILLE: "Hand them the sword back, Colton." urged Miraille.

FRIDA: "I'm still dazzed on how he got a hand of it in the first place. I suppose that's another question for later. Frida says.

Backed in a corner of a pointless argument, Nereus complies and hands Penillea Zaya's sword. Penillea made sure to thank him before handing it back to the chief.

Zaya curtsies before saying,

ZAYA: "Anyways-"

Yet Miraille doesn't seem to be appreciating the chief's gesture, cutting her words off.

MIRAILLE: "We shall stop here at this.. 'dilly dallying.' Remind me of our objective."

ZAYA: "..Yes, I was about to get to that part. Maybe someone ought to sew that decomposing mouth of yours to finally hear some silence from you." Zaya looks Miraille up and down. "We shall head on with our road. There's still more to go and more to investigate the wizard, my close friend, Erin."

Fēng stands up from the log he has been sitting on all this time and walks over to the group, only to be met with the confusing expressions plastered across Zakariah, Frida, and Rudmia. They thought, what wizard? No one kept told them about any magical being. Stars, the closest thing to magic that they've experienced was the black hole and looking-into-someone's-memories thing. Zaya seems to have noticed their looks and introduces Penillea and herself to them.

ZAYA: "Ah, I see we have new people. Hello, the name's Zaya Elestree and this is Penillea Ditterea. We'll be joining you on your journey onwards."

FRIDA: "It is good to see you all again." Frida says, recognizing both Zaya and Penillea.

They both found Frida wandering in the woods and offered their assistance, as well as their village's hospitality. The offer sounded delightful, yet Frida refused nevertheless. Truth be told, she never planned on going to that village until a little birdie told her that some of their people were injured and sick. Hence, Frida was seen in the infirmary with Penillea, tending patients. It was only coincidental that she had just finished treating everyone the moment the travelers arrived.

PENILLEA: "Pleasure is all mine." exclaimed Penillea with a smile, before noticing something at the right of their campfire. She rushed towards it without a word, leaving the others following her in confusion. She dusts the item off and realized it's a letter. How did it not burn? A question for the centuries.

PENILLEA: "Oh, look! There was a letter beside the campfire.." said Penillea as she picked it up and waved it to the travelers. "I don't know if it's directed to you guys or.. well, it's worth a look." she continues before removing the seal the envelope contained, pulling out the letter that resided in it.


The letter reads..