Evertide Ring: The Mission For the Guild: The Mission and the Lost of an Team Mate

(Prompt: Own Created Prompt)

Kassin waited at the tavern table for his group, mostly skimming over the pamphlet of Evertide Ring Lore, History and more. Granted such pamphlet likely just showing off the good side of this world though it humors him the irony that most would not have access to these unless they were here.  

Telerand suddenly appear sitting next to Kassin, his expression seems to show a mute embarrassment as he admits he was waiting awhile in the wrong dimension. He made sure to let Kassin know it his fault for not being clear as Kassin chuckle. It seems he has a collection of interesting folks. Speaking of... 

Kay walks in, trying to keep a bag of sweet from Syhah, telling him these are from Raine special batch and so they are only for her. Syhah Mutter something alien as it drools then wiggle like a worm, unsettling when done bipedal shape, as it tries to reach for the bag again. Kay ran to the table, hoping being surrounded will distract the curses being. 

Pandora and Adrian walk in together, Adrian mostly putting on the charm as he asks about her sky glider which she all too happy to mention the general bits about racing and such, having to retain the fact she famous on the race circle by pretending she only know the basic. Yup, just your wannabe fan Mister, nothing to get excited about. 
 
Talking to Adrian was pleasant enough but seemed business time as they both arrived at the table. Kassin does a head count, missing one more of the team. Oh right, Aurolin. Due to the mission nature, Aurolin was very eager to gather lore and resources for this, but odd for her to be late. 
 
Clank! Clack! From the doorway a full plated armor seems to barely walk through, more so the armor backpack. The Armor figure announces sorry for being late, Dalv refuses to go out on adventure unless she perfectly protected. Kassin chuckle as realized it Aurolin in the armor, while hoping she wore some clothing in that armor, it was agreed it best the armor stay here and Aurolin more than happy to agree. 

Gabi return from the bar with the food and sit beside Kassin as he listens in. Now with the team together, it was time to face the task ahead. The mission was simple on paper, to explore an unearthed ancient starship. That is the simple part. It is the high level of corrupted magic that the dangerous part, not to mention the cult of corrupted people and sundogs, going to get serious fast. Why Kassin request the best. 
 
Kassin had to make do with this lot. 

They added fund to the mission coffer to purchase supplies, save for Kay who add a candy and Syhah who withdrew the candy and happily enjoy it as Kay scold it. Once prepared, the team got ready to move on ahead and they left for the unearthed ship location. It was a few days travel and as it under the sun side, there was not a moment the sun was not shining down on them. 

Gabi seemed okay at first, but he does seem to need a bit of shade and more water to keep from drying out. Pandora was annoyed they had to walk with their board instead of fly but hey, if it dangerous, best get there as a team, right? Adrian was relaxed, his charming persona hid his sharp awareness of trouble. While he trusts the team to join, to stake his life, He less sure for the time. 

Telerand is quick to run ahead to scan new plants and check out the evolution these creature grew from the world suddenly stop turning, all this was fascinating and when they were passing an large pack of Sundog soaking up the sun to warm up before heading to the dark side to hunt, it was Kassin who has to keep him on track. 
 
Syhah is confused how to get candy from Kay...Maybe if they charm her? Yes! Charm! It got Kay attention and when she looks, Syhah burst into flame and anime transformation pose as it shouts Tada! The rest of the trip, Syhah confuse why Kay staying far away from them. Hmmm, maybe...Syhah Knows some folk like Romance Novel....Maybe if they collect 50 object of various shades of grey... 

It was a miserable 3-day trip, though luckily the tents were made to keep the sun and heat out so at least when sleeping it was nice, but they still push on. It was when the grass turns Blue and they radiated corrupted energy that Telerand stop them, taken sample and confirming, they are near their goal. Everyone gets serious, save for Syhah who is trying to sneak the sweets from Kay still. Kay warns them if they try that again, she is hitting them with Brick Brick. Syhah wonder if Brick Brick is Sweet as Kay other candy? 
 

It was not long as they travel that the Corruption magic seem to affect them, Some more than others. Ghost of the past, the insecurities and the fear they bury inside that manifested before their eyes. Kassin had to help a few folks through it, and with Kay shifting to her Sentel Druid form, the two divine power help cleanse the area effect, to purge the effect of the corruption magic. How ever they cannot seem to cleanse the very corruption itself...not while the source is still there to continue to keep it tainted.  

Sadly, facing their inner demon is not the end of their trouble. As they see the frame of the Starship they see cult people, or rather purple robe figure who seem to be chanting.... Around them are ghostly aura of corrupt magic with a few sundog bones floating in them, like an incomplete sundog skeleton in a clear blue flames' energy, gather around.  

Propped up on a massive display is an Energy core that seems to crack, leaking out strong powerful Magical energy that been corrupted, like a heart of the ship that was lifted out of the ribs of the ship as folks gather around it. It was clear, if they wish to explore the ship they will have to deal with the tainted creature. 
 
As the Inside is likely far more tainted then outside, the group agree Kay and Kassin should enter it while the rest distract the outside folks. Gabi Hug Kassin tightly and wish him luck as the two walk off, waiting for an opening. Gabi was more than willing to give as big of an opening as possible as he asks Pandora to ride on her glider. Pandora judged his weight and decided it will not weigh them down too much and get it ready. 

It started with the sound of Poppin! Raining from the sky, Gabi fiddle arm rain little explosive pods at the crowd of cultist who apparently were just like the Corrupted Sundog but instead of being in dog form its people form. As they look up to the sky, Adrian runs forward, drawing forth an Ice Blade from the air moister. This is an ability he learn from Shikun, her race strange culture belief in Element symbol suggest that Water Is an Cleanser, not cause of Holy water, but cause Water wash away the filth and leave one clean...it took a bit to consider that just water alone without being bless can still cleanse taint but as he slice through the corruption Magic infuse cultist, they screech as they fade, leaving only bones and robes behind. 

Telerand seems to be taking notes when 4 Corrupted Sundog run at him. He looks up at them then types something as the sundog suddenly seem frozen in mid attack as he put them in mid transition of dimension. Simple creatures are easy to do this with, it is the complex creature that he has a harder time with. Still, this will give him time to fetch samples and material for later analysis and testing purposes. Once collected all he needs, he starts up the purge system as the 4 Sundog fade out of existence. Well, no one can say Telerand did not help in battle at least! 

The fight started to get louder as Kassin and Kay wander deeply into the wreck of the Starship, the feel of the tainted magic strong. It was clear that no amount of power or cleansing they can muster will ever be enough. This land is seep so deeply that it drenches, soaking in it corrupted magic energy until the very planet adapted to accept it, make it part of itself. Being a Druid, this did not sit well with Kay as she was distracted from their mission to search around the ship. 
 
True there are some ancient techs and some treasure to be found here, these can be cleansed and returned for the mission success. Kay of course hinted they leave the weapons stuff behind, feeling magic gun from that time that become corrupted was best left in the past, Kassin could not agree more though they did collect and few dagger and knives which look more decorative than actual weapons. 

Outside, Pandora turns the sails to go another round only to see a cultist reaching for the core, messing with the controls. She shouted for Gabi to get ready to pop the guy, Gabi nodded as he quickly notices but he was still regenerating the pods so instead as she passes by, he jumps off and landed on the cultist, tackling it! 

It was hard to tell if one can restrain a corrupt energy with bones and cloak in robes but somehow Gabi did it, Not going to question if this reasonable. Adrian ran up to Gabi, an ice blade lung, to stab the Cultist in the face as soon Gabi only had a robe full of bones in his grasp. Gabi cannot help but smile with a little flirtation to the handsome Bandit, but the yelp down below draws their attention to notice Syhah getting run over by Corrupted Sundog. 
 
For a while there was fighting happening and Syhah was just sitting there bored, no one really notice the Corrupted creature seem to ignore Syhah, so when the creature ran in a direction Syhah was in and then, ran into it in shock... Syhah did not see them, and they did not see it. They just stare confused about this crash of reality not accepting the alter perception of what exists and what does not. Confuse, Syhah take out a marker, and try to draw SQUINTING eyes as best as they could and then try to feel for this creature or creatures that seem in front of them. As Syhah fingers touch it, small bits of energy seem to form in Syhah senses, but...it snuffs out when not touching. 
 
Syhah head move up, toward the ship core however, as contact with this corrupted power that these Sundog are made of seem to awaken something inside the core...something....Powerful...seem like it is an Outer God but an small part of one, like a single part of an entire whole...Syhah spoke an strange tongue as the rest of the Corrupted being on the battle field seem to fade away much to everyone surprise. 

Inside the Starship, Kassin and Kay continue to collect important treasure when they reach what look like the main center of the ship, however it appears there is a strange warping effect. Kay feels something horrible and stop Kassin with a hiss and grab his arm. She picks up trash that was not worth taking and tosses it in, only for them to watch as inside gravity begins to crush it into a mini black hole before the radiation burns itself out and becomes nothing. 
 
Kay not sure with her power she can bestow full gravity into such an infused corrupted space, but that when they saw the figure in the room. A male-like figure slowly rolls their head until it rests over their shoulder to see them. As if taking a moment to register it, smile at the two and greet them in a pleasant tone. 

It looks back to a flaming black heart as glowing blue crack flow along its surface and tell them it been nice to receive visitors and it appreciates all the help they provided. Kay transforms to Sentel mode as she moves Kassin back. Her vision shows there was no path that led to a happy ending...But she knows of at least one path she refuses to have happen on her watch, let someone sacrifice themselves needlessly! 

Summon Brick Brick earth power, she forces gravity the right way and enters the warp room to face this creature. The creature seemed unafraid as it stared at her, Kay was about to attack to show this guy who boss when suddenly she realized something. The figure, it not brave or fearless of her power, it confuses by her power, like a parent who child run up to them and tell them they had some crazy power. The power of Season and nature does not exist to one who has never known nature. 

That okay, even if the season ability does not work, being hit by a dang brick still HURT! If it has Physical impact, she can still kick it butt! With a few runes glow, Sentel Kay summon hailstorm on the figure who looks up at the raining brick falling upon him... 

Elsewhere on the ship, Aurolin happily switches clothing in the locker room with her hiking gear for the garments left behind. Say what you can, they had taste in the day. Soft, breathable fabric that stands the test of time? High resistance to Corrupted magic....and of course she respectfully did not peek into any of the crew left over journal, she agree is what she will tell anyone who ask her as she flip through the pages. Oh my, this one getting spicy...Maybe...Maybe save that one for later... 

Start to put the journals into the backpack as she smiles to herself for her haul. Her ears pick up a dying battle and look concerned. She figures the group tough enough that she can sneak in and grab the things that were of value to her, but she is concerned if they end up dying if she did not help. No, that's not it, they clearly won! She cannot say much about folk skills, but the guild gotten through rough patches, this is-OOh! 

A children's Book? The Shattering of a Sleeping mind.... she flips through the book curiously, not a children book but direct huh? Caution tale about warp engine...Yoink! Into her bag for later! Okay, silence is good for her but when the world silence that off putting, best sneak out and see what happening. She really loves this outfit though, maybe a tailor can tweak it to make it more her style but dang it, she just loves how naked she feels while wearing it and it still protects her! 
 

Pandora scouted about, not sure where everyone had gone too, but that seemed too easy, and Adrian in the same boat, this was not a good sign when the battlefield of enemies is wiped away. Gabi took the time through to run into the ship to look for Kassin, wondering if this is his and the fox girl doing. And Syhah was speaking to the core in a strange tongue, a voice but not a voice, a sound but not a sound, a static but not a static. Though Syhah see without eyes, the aura opens to what is unseen as the core open it one eye. 
 
Adrian looks around confused as Pandora landed beside him, giving each other a confused look since it seems to be an end to this battle. Adrian was the first to mention but Pandora was already thinking that they should join the rest inside the ship. Turning to see where Syhah gone only to see it walking to the core and reaching out. Adrian tries to stop him by shouting at it to stop as Pandora twirl her weighted rope and sent it flying, it wraps around Syhah to stop it from advancing to the Core. 
 
Sentel Kay picks up quickly to avoid the heart in the room, few impact and it reflect damage back to her. This guy did not seem overly powerful, she can tell, but in this space, it is God, so it makes fighting it moot. All her attack hit and still it brushes it off... she turns to Kassin and throw a brick at him as he caught it with a soft huff from impact as he looks at her a moment. Sentel Kay figures no time to explain since right away the brick burst into vines, lashing out to the figure in the domain, Sentel Kay had to focus gravity on them as well to avoid them being crushed, as they wrap around the figure. 

As the vine starts to pull it out of the domain, it shows an emotion, FEAR, it struggles to escape. Sentel Kay smile, finally getting a hand in this fight, so when the vine lifts the thing up, she tackles him and force it out of the domain and at Kassin feet. Sentel Kay now can beat this guy up fully as the vine retreats to Brick Brick which returns to her as she grabs the guy and stares at... 

Sentel Kay pauses as she realizes she is staring at a doll, life size doll, but still a doll...so something was possessing it or something? Sentel Kay confused, what going on? Kassin chuckle as he look back at the warp domain, curious if maybe the doll was some greater entity way of communicating and now they just took it walkie talky away... Sentle Kay stand up as she toss the doll away, her vision of what to come clouded so she not sure what come next but when the warping aura start to expand outward she turn to push Kassin out of it way, needing to escape! 

The Gravity aura around her keep her safe but she not letting Kassin or anyone getting hurt by this strange anonymity if she can help it! She needs to get everyone away, and she needs to stop this somehow! As she shouted for Kassin to move it, Kassin softly pet her head then step aside her, surprising Sentel Kay as she tries to grab him. As he enters the warp, the Sicking sound of flesh and bone being crush is heard but... 

Outside, Pandora pulled Syhah back, but Syhah slipped out and slithered to the core, reaching out to touch it. What is sleep? What is Awake? Is here a life? Is death even a thing? Are these just concept fashion by limited perception of lesser being who just cannot see a bigger picture? Can a 1-Dimension being fully grasp the wonder of a 3-Dimensional realm or is the limit of its nature chain it down too much to perceive it. 
 
Syhah touch it as the core glow brightly, as it look at the powerful glow of an being that seem to be greater than even your typical outer being god despite an small faction, Syhah move it free arm and with it sweater sleeves, rub the marker eyes away then pull out a marker and draw surprise eyes on its face. The powerful aura reaches to it, it messages too great as Syhah try to open itself to the message. 

The Core being, sensing that Syhah can bear it message, even if it a fraction and incomplete, decided to take on a form that Syhah can accept. The Core start to erupted brightly as Pandora and Adrian take cover as Syhah drew starry eyes until the energy die down...and then nothing. Pandora and Adrian look out as Syhah reach into the core and pull out a green wrapping candy. Eldritch Candy! Syhah cheer as they are going to give this to WARREN!  

Off to the side, by the ship, Telerand recording the effect the corruption magic has on the wildlife, staring at 6 eyes along the wings butterfly and scanning it. curious, but wonder...how many alternative timelines and reality will this effect have the same repeated variable? He put in a few short jumps, static through a few realities when he finds himself in a strange reality.... There are bodies of cultist and sun dog all about. As he looks up at the core, he sees a four-foot-tall purple creature, Shikun was her name? Put a large bandage over the crack of the core and give it a light kiss as if it was a child with a booboo....Telerand decided to return to the other timeline...  

Inside the Starship, Gabi ran into Aurolin in a strange new suit, not bad on her really, though could use some high heel boots, though figure with how stealthy she like to be not likely something she would wear. Aurolin smile at Gabi and ask him what up, but he told her he is looking for Kassin, Him and Kay ran in the Ship when the battle started and now it over, he wishes to rejoin Kassin, feeling something horrible is happening to him. Aurolin Agree as the guy really did seem ill prepare for a mission with the outfit he wear, even Dalv dress for long treck on mission, only so fancy you need to dress for mountain climbing and archeological diving. 

Luckly Aurolin Has discover a map! It was on a glass panel, and it looked slightly bent with bolts in the corner and... Gabi decided not to confirm that Aurolin ripped this off the wall and Aurolin decided to not to mention this was only the 4th one she tries to remove off the wall that was still in good shape! Aurolin point out the area she checks, a few spots look like it been rummage through, so she bet it was Kay and Kassin...so that mean they are... She points on the map and the two head there at full speed! 

Sentel Kay watch in shock as Kassin body is being crush yet, remain his shape as if nothing wrong. She asks how but Kassin just chuckle through the Pain as he forces each step deeper toward the flaming black heart. Sentel Kay watch and know he was in pain as she gets up to run back in there to help when Gabi and Aurolin came in. Dang it, she got to stop them from entering the gravity warp room! 

Gabi shouted and tried to run to Kassin when Sentel Kay Tackle him to stop him. Aurolin watch in amazement, Hearing the bones constantly cracking and flesh ripping and squish but his body continue to remain normal as if he can experience but not face the outcome...an Immortal who cannot exist in any state of being. Never melting if in acid, never burning even in lava, or when the world end and life stop being supported by the world, force to live in loneliness and pain with no oxygen, food, water, atmosphere...living in a world that cannot bear life until finally the solar system itself end. 

Aurolin heard that Kassin is smug and confidence and very excited about adventure and life...Immortal who seen as Jaded and cynical...but Kassin, He spend countless of century alone for an end and then start anew in a new world with new life. An Immortal who cannot have enough of life after being so alone and knows in time, the cycle will repeat so he cannot afford to take everyone for granted. Aurolin smile and set a calm hand on Gabi shoulder to Help Sentel Kay to calm him. 
 
Outside, Syhah dance about as he holds his Eldrich Candy in the air while Pandora sigh and look to Adrian, noting the real adventure must be inside, by which Adrian noted that they had seem to deal with any outside threat. The Both of them decided it best to ignore the Syhah winning candy from a Corrupted energy Gatcha Pod... No wonder why these ship Crashes so long ago... 

Pandora looks at the sky, filled with ship debris and after seeing a few streaking across the sky, smile a bit and look to Adrian, motioning him toward the bridge of the Ship, bound to find something interesting to take home, why not have something from this adventure? Adrian is more than up for a little looting, hey, they clear it out with corrupt cultist and dog, why not. The two head off to the cockpit of the ship and start to enter to explore. 

Inside, Sentel Kay and Aurolin try to calm Gabi as Kassin take a painful step deeper into the room. There is no telling how much pain he was in as each shake his body could be riding the pain or from the force of Gravity compressing around him, but either way, he still stands and he still moving. As he reached the heart, he stopped then in a painful voice, spoke out Gabi name. 

Gabi stop struggling, staring at Kassin who slowly turn his head to look at Gabi and smile at him despite the pain he was in. Gabi heart sink suddenly, realizing what about to happen. 
 
“If we meet again Gabi, I owe you an Apologies Date and I will be your Slave for the entire Night so best be thinking of all the things you wish to do to me if the day come soon or ever, okay?”  
 
Kassin said and ignore Gabi shouting as he turns to the heart as he begins to glow in a powerful energy...pushing the energy to his hands, he summons forth a divine spear that can slay God like being. A thrust forth and hiss of pain as the pain is shared between attack to the heart. The Heartbeat once, then imploded as the warp clash into itself, along with Kassin. 

Moment of silence as Gabi cried on Sentel Kay chest, who pet his back, though her main thought was, with the two main corrupting force gone, she very much able to cleanse at least this area now. Aurolin takes over comforting Gabi as Sentel Kay gets up to cleanse this curse land.  

Pandora and Adrian made out like Bandits as they found a few interesting base items, an adorn jewel/crystal base Compass that point up in the air...maybe a new world, and even. An anti-gravity belt and even a few jewelries in the lost and found box! Whoo hoo, can sell whatever is not that interesting for sure. 

With all looting finish up, the area fully cleanse, they all make their way back home to the Evertide Ring Guild to meet the guy for the job and get their reward, and boy was he generous of the gift, it was more than he was bargaining, Even paid extra to Gabi for a loss of his mate which he turn down. The group party as Aurolin and Gabi left for their room and Syhah protect the eldritch candy as if it was his child, mentioning it only for Warren. Telerand just goes over his notes and after the partying got annoyed to return to his lab.  

A few days later, Gabi took a day off from the Honey Pit to just...get over it. There were a lot of questions for sure but right now his mind focusses on his loss. Kassin love him for him, not as a boy toy. Kassin smile at him, it causes he happy to see him, not because he wants to bed him...the only reason he would is because he loves him enough to wish to make him happy, beyond that, it was Gabi himself he Loved. Heck, even his flirtation was kind of cute, like a guy who watched too many old romance tv and then tried to be smoother than the 90’s, was cringe but looking at his face being so damn confident, it makes Gabi laugh. 

Honestly think that on purpose, Kassin give off a smug and confidence aura but their time when no one looking, he let go of that mask and look at Gabi with admiration and joy...Well suppose that gone now huh? Speaking of masks, Gabi must look nice for the folk in the Red Curtain. He looks in the mirror to make sure he looks presentable and as he turns, he thought he saw something static in the reflection but when he looks, it was gone...or was his eyes playing trick with him? He left the room as the mirror filled with red eyes, watching him leave...