Desert Dragon, page 36
Champion: "I didn't know your siblings were in the top three guilds, Trevour."
Luna: "Aye?"
Trevour: *He noticed the guild focus all their attention on him, waiting for his response.* "Alan, Rosemary and Felipe form The Blazing Trio."
Nathan: "I remember us using our attacks on the rock wall... It didn't even crack."
Trevour: "They are powerful.. I can't say the same about me." *He looked down, staring at his blood covered armour.*
Luna: "Oi! You might be one of the dorkiest people I know, but you're bloody kool at the same time."
Rachael: "Hehe, how does that work?"
Luna: "Pssht, wateva." *She sniffed and looked away, as if she couldn't be bothered.*
Karol: "Let's go. This is important to Nafan!"
Nathan: "Hmph." *He chuckled in a proud-like manner and placed his hands on his head.*
Champion: "Excuse me, Trevour." *She noticed the blood on his armour, causing her to raise her arms.* "May I?"
Trevour: "Of course."
Champion: "AQUA LIQUID" *She whispered with an echoing voice and sprayed a small stream of water over his armour, washing away the blood.*
Rachael: "If we're all good to go, where do we go?"
Luna: *She waved her hand in front of her face.* "Yea, this heat is shittin' me off, aye."
Nathan: *He took a deep breath to recollect himself and nodded his head.* "We go through the cave in the mountain-" *He pointed down a sandy trail, towards a cave's entrance in the distance.* "And go along The Great Coast.. We'll go around The Library and we should reach Concern's Gate."
Lezard: "Ooo! And our guild embarks on their next adventure-"
Luna: "OK, all of us didn't get to have a full sleep-in. So any shit, watch out." *She spoke to the entire guild, but mainly implied it to Lezard.*
Destiny: (I'm confused.. You liked it when Nathan grabbed your body but you slapped him-)
Luna: "Grr! Don't play dumb!"
Destiny: "Yeup!" *She quickly floated off Luna's head, before she tried to grab her.*
Champion: *She looked at Karol and watched light glow in his wounds, queuing it to rapidly heal thanks to Lezard.* (A child able to use a Hi-Ougi. The bond between this guild is steadily increasing.)
Rachael: *She walked down the sandy path with the guild and stretched her arms in an athletic-like manner, glancing at Karol and Trevour.* "I'm so glad you two are okay. And.. I'm sorry for attacking your sister, Trevour."
Trevour: "It's okay, boss.. I'm sorry she hurt you." *He looked up to the blue sky and watched it turn to darkness, as the guild walked into the cave.* (I'm sorry, Rosemary, Alan, Felipe.. This guild.. They make me more happier than I ever was.)
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*Rosemary, Alan and Felipe stood on the ledge of the hill and looked down, staring at the beautiful scenery around them.*
Alan: "Father, mother."
Rosemary: "We know you are forever with us, looking down and guiding us from The Astral Plains.."
Felipe: "We've done our best to become the strongest ground-based Rostical Users."
Alan: *He took a step forward, puffing out his chest in determination.* "We will make you proud, by continuing to get stronger and create the strongest, most beautiful Rostical."
Rosemary: "That was your dream, right?" *She spoke with a saddened smile and looked up to the clouds.*
Felipe: "I miss you." *He spoke with quivering lips.*
Rosemary: "..." (Trevour also says he misses you.) *She spoke to herself in thought.*
Alan: *He turned around and kissed Rosemary and Felipe on the foreheads.* "Let's go."
Felipe: *He sniffed and nodded his head.* "Yeah."
Rosemary: "Of course." *She slowly exhaled, trying to calm herself down.*
Chapter 11: Firebending Masters
Luna: *She dragged her feet, looking up to the setting sun.* "Can we rest? We've been walkin' for ages!"
Nathan: "We're only a forest away from Concern's Gate-"
Trevour: *He collapsed onto the ground, catching the guild's attention.* "S-Sorry, everyone."
Rachael: "We've walked non-stop. Don't apologise, Trev."
Karol: "Ahh." *He plunked himself on the grass, adjusting his dancer-like boots.*
Luna: "Kool-" *She grunted and sat down, lying on her back.* "Damn-.."
Rachael: "I reckon, Luna, hehe." *She sat down next to Luna and focused on Karol.* "Aren't your feet sore?"
Karol: "Nah uh-" *He shook his head with an exhausted smile.* "We learn weally weally young, to condense more Astragons around our feet than normal."
Rachael: "That's a wicked idea." *She spoke in amazement, watching Karol adjust the boots to his convenience.*
Luna: *She looked at her arms, noticing she was covered in sweat.* (Rank.. Sweatin' as usual.)
Trevour: "I'm quite beat.. How about you, little meister?"
Karol: "I'm fine." *He smiled like a child and tilted his head, implying he was okay.*
Nathan: *He rested against a tree with his hands on his head.* "Why do you sound so concerned, Trev?"
Trevour: "Your-" *He glanced away from Karol and looked at Nathan.* "His entire body turned to sand."
Nathan: "What?" *He spoke on his breath.*
Luna: "Bullshit."
Trevour: "That would've exhausted an incredible amount of stamina to perform."
Karol: "I... Feel ohkay."
Champion: "Perhaps I could shed some light into this manner? From my observations, it seems Karol used your Neurons to help support his unusual state."
Trevour: "What do you mean?"
Champion: "It's very rare for any person really to change the quality of their body. From the glances I saw, he was an actual element."
Trevour: *He recalled the swirling dirt around him.* "Yes he was."
Champion: "This is a mastery far beyond that of teleportation. The only entity told of being able to do things like that is the Valkyrie herself."
Luna: "A Valkyrie? Mythology." *She spoke to herself and glanced at the champion.*
Champion: "When I was studying Rostical, I learned about myths and legends. Very fascinating stuff."
Trevour: "So, the little meister used my Neurons to stay in that form?"
Champion: "From a guess, yes. It's amazing you didn't fall unconscious right away."
Lezard: "Does someone require Lezard's services?" *He giggled and cracked his fingers, as if he was happy to be of service.*
Rachael: "You've been a massive help, Lezard."
Lezard: "Ooo, Lezard does like being massive-"
Luna: "Eww!" *She pretended to throw up, causing Destiny to hiss at Lezard in agreement.*
Champion: "Could you please heal Trevour, Lezard?"
Lezard: "Yuppers." *He hobbled up to Trevour and spread his arms, causing a white glyph to glow underneath him.* "Quick healing shot, HEALING IMPLOSION. Quick internal light, INVOKING AURA"
Karol: "Could you tell us moar about your bwothers and sisters?"
Luna: "Yea, why were they goin' all ape-bat shit on ya?"
Trevour: "They originally kicked me out because I can't control solid rock or lava. They wanted me to join their guild several times when I was in the warriors, but I was too weak.. Last night was the anniversary of-"
Rachael: "You don't have to, Trev."
Trevour: "It's okay.."
Nathan: "..."
Luna: "Anniversary of wat?"
Trevour: "The death of my parents.. I showed Rachael and Karol the memory of that event and-"
Nathan: "They didn't like it."
Trevour: "Exactly right, sir."
Karol and Rachael: "..."
Trevour: "The situation escalated and got a little temperamental."
Lezard: *He suddenly hit the back of his neck, as if a mosquito bit him.* "Sounds frightening."
Trevour: "This was the first time one of my siblings has ever attacked me with killing intent, though."
Luna: "It makes sense."
Nathan: "Huh?" *He looked confused.*
Luna: "From your siblings' perspective, it was an important day and you were showin' your friends the memory-.." *She paused, as if it sounded strange.* "Wait, wat did you mean by that?"
Rachael: "Two sides of every story, I like it Luna."
Luna: "Ah, wateva."
Lezard: "So much character development-" *He suddenly hit the back of his neck again.*
Nathan: "Crystalline Membranes?"
Trevour: "Exactly right, sir." *He took bigger and more relaxed breaths, as Lezard's light continued to heal him.*
Luna: "Membranes? Sounds rank as."
Destiny: "Yeup."
Nathan: "They're crystals that are able to store people's memories-"
Luna: "You bullshittin' me?"
Lezard: "Ouch-" *He rubbed the back of his neck, triggering a flashback.*
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Lezard: "Unlike before, will you let me know what's happening?"
Millard: "Yes." *He placed his hand over Lezard's neck and concentrated, causing flames to burn on to his skin.*
Lezard: "Ouchies-" *He instinctively tilted his head away but didn't move back, as if he knew what Millard was doing.*
Millard: "There-" *He stepped back and lowered his arm.*
Lezard: "That hurt more than I recall."
Millard: "Do you remember what that glyph does?"
Lezard: "Of course. It has different uses. One would be, it'll allow you to track someone's Neuron signature, the other is a vice-versa effect."
Millard: "Oooo-" *He giggled, wiggling his bottom to each side.* "I've raised you well."
Lezard: *He placed his hand on the small tattoo-like glyph on his neck.* "You'll let me know when you've found mother monster?"
Millard: *He nodded his head.* "I'll keep you informed through the glyph."
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Lezard: *He gasped in realisation and stepped back, causing the light to fade away from Trevour.* "Father monster?"
Trevour: "The light stopped? Am I all good to go, sir?"
Lezard: *He glanced at each party member in a serious-like manner.* "I-I'm sorry, little monsters. I need to go."
Nathan: "Where?" *He sounded surprised.* "We're in the middle of nowhere-"
Lezard: "I need to go.." *He shook his head and started to walk back.* "Father and mother monster, they're calling me.. These old bones can feel it."
Rachael: *She looked at Nathan.* "Nath?"
Lezard: "It's okay, children. Go ahead, I'll meet you at Concern's Gate or who knows where." *He tried to put on a smile, covering up his growing eagerness and nervousness.*
Nathan: *He looked up, noticing several stars twinkling in the sky.* (I wasn't expecting to waste a whole day and not be at Concern's Gate already.)
Karol: "You kan't leave us, Wezard."
Lezard: "Naww, but I have to, little one."
Trevour: "What's the plan, sir. I don't feel comfortable letting Lezard go through The Igloo Forest by himself."
Lezard: "Thankies, Trevmeister, but I'm fine-"
Nathan: "No.. He's right." *He looked at Lezard.* "You're one of the most important people to the guild-"
Luna: "Thanks."
Nathan: *He glanced at Luna, trying to hide his smile.* "What I'm trying to say.. You might be crazy weird, but.. You're part of this guild. If it's really important, we'll go with you."
Lezard: "Naww!" *He shook his bottom to each side.* "You make my heart throb with manly happiness. Hugs?!"
Nathan: "No."
Luna: "Rank."
Lezard: *He lowered his head in a defeated-like manner.* "Okies."
Luna: "So, we're goin' on a side quest now?"
Champion: "What is so urgent? And why so suddenly?"
Rachael: "You did have the whole day to tell us."
Lezard: "When I saw father monster, he imprinted a tracing glyph on my neck.. Once there was activity from mother monster, it'll respond and let me know."
Champion: "And it recently started to activate?"
Lezard: "Yes-sir-ee."
Nathan: *He looked a little worried.* "Whereabouts is it?"
Lezard: "The very good news, is that, it's close." *He pointed in the direction they were headed.* "It's North from where we are."
Trevour: "That would either be The Hollow Plains or The Frozen Backwater Village."
Luna: "You could say, Pumpkin Valley, I still wouldn't know where shit is, aye."
Nathan: "It's only an hour detour from where we're heading." *He spoke with a smile, as if he was relieved it was close.*
Rachael: "We got to meet Trev's siblings, time for Lezard's parents."
Karol: "I whant mine next!"
Lezard: "Bwarharh." *He giggled at Karol's half serious, half joking attitude.*
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Millard: "The party finally made their way out of Concern's Gate." *He hobbled out the cave, suddenly gasping with fear.*
Alicia: *She jumped up in shock, staring at Millard.* "W-What's wrong?"
Millard: "It's scary in the dark."
Lance: "Pssht." *He grunted, rolling his eyes.* "Stupid, old fart."
Millard: *He chuckled, looking down in thought.* (I understand the seriousness of this situation. So I need to keep these youngsters relaxed-)
Alicia: "Millard, there's something I want to ask."
Millard: "Of course, little one?"
Alicia: "Will we be okay when we find Kath?"
Millard: "What do you mean?"
Alicia: "She seemed confused and didn't want to fight before. What if she's different?"
Millard: "We should be fine if she doesn't use her Ougi."
Lance: *He sighed and grunted, walking into the forest.* "Pssht, Owgees, Grand Rostickal and Azures. They're all the same to me."
Alicia: *She walked behind Lance and looked at Millard.* "What's the difference between them?"
Millard: "Well-"
Lance: "Blah blah blah." *He moaned like a child, sticking a finger in both his ears.*
Millard: "Azure Bursts are special techniques almost anyone can use."
Alicia: "So you really don't need to know Rostical?"
Millard: "Rostical is not required."
Lance: "Blah blah blah." *He grunted like a child, walking ahead.*
Millard: "Most Azure Bursts are activated through weapons, but experienced fighters don't need a weapon."
Alicia: "Why are they called Azure Bursts?"
Millard: "It's said, the first person to have mastered Azure Bursts would turn into a shade of blue while using one."
Alicia: *She nodded her head in understanding.* "What about Grand Rostical and Ougis?"
Millard: "Grand Rostical is self-explanatory, an ultimate variant of one's Rostical. Very rare to use though."
Alicia: "Oh?"
Millard: "An Ougi is an individual skill learnt by the user."
Lance: *He stumbled over several roots on the ground, walking through the forest.* (It's dark.)
Alicia: "A skill? What do you mean?"
Millard: *He sighed in thought, pushing away several bushes.* "Can I get away with just saying it's strong? It's really hard to explain."
Alicia: "Tee hee, it's fine."
Millard: "But there is one thing."
Alicia: "Y-Yes?"
Millard: "When someone uses a Grand Rostical or Ougi, sometimes the area will darken."
Alicia: "D-Darken?"
Millard: "When this happens, the user is essentially invincible."
Alicia: "How?!"
Millard: "Something to do with their Astragons, it's best to avoid the Ougi altogether."
Alicia: "R-Right!" *She nodded her head, looking confused.*
Millard: "It's something you need to see for yourself. Like I said, it's just too hard to explain."
Alicia: "..."
Millard: "Is there anything else?"
Alicia: "Well, I always thought Grand Rostical was the strongest attack someone could use, but Ougis sound very powerful."
Millard: "Well, an example would be my Ougi is slightly weaker than my Grand Rostical, while yours could be the opposite."
Alicia: "I never thought of it that way."
Millard: "Then you have some enemies whose defence excels in physical based techniques."
Alicia: "Which would make Grand Rostical stronger in that scenario?"
Millard: *He smiled, clapping his hands.* "Good work."
Alicia: "Th-Thank you."
Millard: "People who can't use Rostical can use Ougis and sometimes the other way around-"
Lance: "Are yas done yet?" *He stopped and turned around, waiting for Alicia and Millard to catch up.* "And how much further do we have to walk?"
Alicia: "Umm."
Millard: "The Hollow Plains isn't that far away-"
Kath: *She suddenly flashstepped in front of the party, grabbing Millard by his robes.* "There you are!"
Lance: "Sh-Shit nuggets-"
Alicia: "Millard!-"
*Kath flashstepped away with Millard, blasting wind in Lance and Alicia's face.*
Lance: "Gah!-" *He squinted his eyes, rubbing dirt out of them.*
Alicia: "W-What are we going to do?!" *She coughed, looking at Lance with urgency.*
Lance: "Well." *He shook his head, brushing dirt off his arms.* "Let's go to The Hollow Plains anyways."
Alicia: "What if they aren't there?"
Lance: "Don't think like that."
Alicia: "R-Right!" *She nervously cupped her lunar shaped pendant, nodding her head.*
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*Lezard, Nathan, Rachael, Luna, Karol, Trevour and the champion walked through a forest, listening to owl-like noises hoot in the distance.*
Lezard: "H-Huh?" *He looked up, touching the back of his neck in shock.*
Rachael: "What's wrong?"
Lezard: "They're close!"
Nathan: "If they're Consultants, shouldn't we at least feel something?"
Trevour: "I concur, sir. We should definitely feel a large Neuron signature."
Lezard: "Trust me, children. They're close."
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Kath: *She flashstepped in the middle of Hollow Plains, violently throwing Millard across the ground.* "Pathetic, scum."
Millard: "Kathalestel?" *He grunted in shock, lifting himself off the ground.*
Kath: "You foolish man! I don't know why, but I keep thinking about you."
Millard: "Kathalestel-"
Kath: "You're hindering my work performance as a Consultant!"
