It was a typically cold morning just north of the bitterly cold city of Sirilande, the skies were clear, though the wind was blowing bitter cold as always. Today, a group of explorers stood outside of the legendary Crystal Labyrinth, a maze-like structure that stretches across of northern Andromeda. Many have entered the tunnels, but none have made it very far, the winding tunnels and uncertainty of what hides within it have made many previous explorers turn away from the tunnels. A small exploratory guild informally known as the Cepheis Explorers Association had intended to do what no one has done before, they intend to explore the Labyrinth to its fullest.
The leader of the guild stood in front of the entrance, wearing his usual proud and excited grin. "Today's a big day for CERRA.. we've taken a number of different trips to a number of different places in Andromeda, but so far, none of our expeditions have ever been this important." Jeremiah paused for a moment, taking a map of Andromeda from his back. "We're at the Cepheis entrance of the Crystal Labyrinth... our goal is to reach the entrance in Canis Majoris, we'll wind up just north of Beygate.. and if we can, let's see if this Labyrinth will show us how to open up the Crystal Temple near Selene. We've got about three weeks worth of supplies, though we'll only be in there for two weeks. The extras are there for emergencies." He explained, setting the map away. After he was finished speaking, Alexandria had stepped up.
"Alright, try not to get separated. You guys need to stay with me or with Jeremiah, and while we're done there, I'd like to ask for help in mapping out the Labyrinth. This'll be used for research purposes in the future." The tarantula shifter turned towards the entrance. "I've no idea what we'll face in there, but... be ready for anything. These tunnels might be our graves or these tunnels will pave the way towards riches beyond our wildest dreams." She soon entered the labyrinth, wearing a brave look on her face with her younger sister and her fellow explorers following close behind.
Mirabelle was a bit nervous for this, though she was also clearly very excited for this. "So, what do you think we're gonna find in here, sis?" She asked, sticking close to Alexandria. "Think we'll actually find anything interesting in these tunnels?" Though she was trying to hold a conversation with her sister, her eyes wandered around the architecture that made up the labyrinth walls. The eldest sister was quiet for a few moments before speaking up. "I'm not sure, though I've read a few books claiming that the labyrinth was built by some ancient race, so perhaps we'll find proof of them or maybe we'll even find remnants of this ancient race." She responded with a shrug.
The leader of the guild stood in front of the entrance, wearing his usual proud and excited grin. "Today's a big day for CERRA.. we've taken a number of different trips to a number of different places in Andromeda, but so far, none of our expeditions have ever been this important." Jeremiah paused for a moment, taking a map of Andromeda from his back. "We're at the Cepheis entrance of the Crystal Labyrinth... our goal is to reach the entrance in Canis Majoris, we'll wind up just north of Beygate.. and if we can, let's see if this Labyrinth will show us how to open up the Crystal Temple near Selene. We've got about three weeks worth of supplies, though we'll only be in there for two weeks. The extras are there for emergencies." He explained, setting the map away. After he was finished speaking, Alexandria had stepped up.
"Alright, try not to get separated. You guys need to stay with me or with Jeremiah, and while we're done there, I'd like to ask for help in mapping out the Labyrinth. This'll be used for research purposes in the future." The tarantula shifter turned towards the entrance. "I've no idea what we'll face in there, but... be ready for anything. These tunnels might be our graves or these tunnels will pave the way towards riches beyond our wildest dreams." She soon entered the labyrinth, wearing a brave look on her face with her younger sister and her fellow explorers following close behind.
Mirabelle was a bit nervous for this, though she was also clearly very excited for this. "So, what do you think we're gonna find in here, sis?" She asked, sticking close to Alexandria. "Think we'll actually find anything interesting in these tunnels?" Though she was trying to hold a conversation with her sister, her eyes wandered around the architecture that made up the labyrinth walls. The eldest sister was quiet for a few moments before speaking up. "I'm not sure, though I've read a few books claiming that the labyrinth was built by some ancient race, so perhaps we'll find proof of them or maybe we'll even find remnants of this ancient race." She responded with a shrug.
Zanith Hyan felt a bit hesitant, for once. That was probably a horrible introduction, but fortunately she was already here. Zanith clinked a claw against the ground as she moved into a less casual position as she walked down the tunnel, listening to the two sisters in front. She hadn't really gotten a good grasp on the importance of this delve, but a bit of added information helped give her at least something to listen to in this cold, dark environment. She knew she could handle it, sure, but…
She decided against finishing her internal monologue of everything that could go wrong. Shooting a cautionary guage over the rest, the majority seemed to have done this before. No need to worry. She was still going to worry, of course. She was exceptionally glad to have already talked and found out about the few places sunlight got in, or she mght never have taken this job in the first place.
Continuing her guarded walk, as if suspecting something to just leap from the architecture, Zanith was making no real noise or having any conversation, as she had done in almost all the time she had spent with this group beyond the interview. The few odd glances she had gotten certainly hadn't helped her be social, even if she was already a social type. Just do the job, try not to die, and get paid. That was her patrol plan.
She decided against finishing her internal monologue of everything that could go wrong. Shooting a cautionary guage over the rest, the majority seemed to have done this before. No need to worry. She was still going to worry, of course. She was exceptionally glad to have already talked and found out about the few places sunlight got in, or she mght never have taken this job in the first place.
Continuing her guarded walk, as if suspecting something to just leap from the architecture, Zanith was making no real noise or having any conversation, as she had done in almost all the time she had spent with this group beyond the interview. The few odd glances she had gotten certainly hadn't helped her be social, even if she was already a social type. Just do the job, try not to die, and get paid. That was her patrol plan.
It was cold that morning and the icy wind felt like needles that pierced her skin. The city of Sirilande wasn't particularly a warm place to be in general, but this day the temperature seemed to have dropped even more. That was rather silly of course since most of the chilly feelings people had were from remembering the plans CERRA had today. Most people had read about them on the flyers, but only a few had been brave enough to sign up for it. Bravery.... Foolishness some citizens argued. "Nobody will make it out alive once they explore it too deep" seemed to be the common warning.
The wind that kept blowing from the North towards the city was anything but helpful to the young woman that ran the other way. It slowed her down significantly which caused for her frustration to grow more. Her angry muttering and mumbling got lost in the air just seconds after it left her lips and her backpack bounced on her back every time one of her feet hit the ground. She was late and due to this wind slowing her down, she would be even later. Punctuality wasn't her strong suit. It never had been and even though her friends and adoptive mother had always tried to make her work on it, she inevitably ended up arriving somewhere even later whenever she tried her best to be on time.
She had seen the same flyer as everyone else but while everyone had immediately started to shake their head and put the flyer back down, she had folded it up and put it in her pocket, already feeling excitement grow inside. One of her friends had later found the flyer and voted against it out of fear for her safety but she was stubborn and since her 22th birthday had recently passed, she was free to do as she pleased. She had attempted to silence her friend's worries and ensure her that she'd do everything she could to make it back safely but she had been able to tell that the girl was still worried on the moment she left.
It was a worry that didn't seem to be completely unnecessary as while she was lost in thoughts, Narisi Nueva found herself so close to the labyrinth they were going to explore that signs pointing towards it had started to pop up. Unfortunately for her, she had noticed that too late and ran into one face first, causing her to come to a sudden halt. It took a moment for her vision to go back to normal after the impact caused it to be blurry and when she finally saw that she had to turn left here, she started to walk into that direction.
Soon, she managed to see the rest of the exploring association that was already entering the first tunnel and in impulsive decision she headed straight towards them, walking as fast as she could. She had almost reached the person that entered the tunnel last and cleared her throat to introduce herself when she suddenly tripped over a few crystals and fell down right in front of the entrance. "Bloody hell! Crystal Labyrinth! But of course, this ought to be fun!" she yelped in pain and sarcasm before she covered her mouth and looked up at the other explorers, knowing that there was no way they hadn't noticed that.
The wind that kept blowing from the North towards the city was anything but helpful to the young woman that ran the other way. It slowed her down significantly which caused for her frustration to grow more. Her angry muttering and mumbling got lost in the air just seconds after it left her lips and her backpack bounced on her back every time one of her feet hit the ground. She was late and due to this wind slowing her down, she would be even later. Punctuality wasn't her strong suit. It never had been and even though her friends and adoptive mother had always tried to make her work on it, she inevitably ended up arriving somewhere even later whenever she tried her best to be on time.
She had seen the same flyer as everyone else but while everyone had immediately started to shake their head and put the flyer back down, she had folded it up and put it in her pocket, already feeling excitement grow inside. One of her friends had later found the flyer and voted against it out of fear for her safety but she was stubborn and since her 22th birthday had recently passed, she was free to do as she pleased. She had attempted to silence her friend's worries and ensure her that she'd do everything she could to make it back safely but she had been able to tell that the girl was still worried on the moment she left.
It was a worry that didn't seem to be completely unnecessary as while she was lost in thoughts, Narisi Nueva found herself so close to the labyrinth they were going to explore that signs pointing towards it had started to pop up. Unfortunately for her, she had noticed that too late and ran into one face first, causing her to come to a sudden halt. It took a moment for her vision to go back to normal after the impact caused it to be blurry and when she finally saw that she had to turn left here, she started to walk into that direction.
Soon, she managed to see the rest of the exploring association that was already entering the first tunnel and in impulsive decision she headed straight towards them, walking as fast as she could. She had almost reached the person that entered the tunnel last and cleared her throat to introduce herself when she suddenly tripped over a few crystals and fell down right in front of the entrance. "Bloody hell! Crystal Labyrinth! But of course, this ought to be fun!" she yelped in pain and sarcasm before she covered her mouth and looked up at the other explorers, knowing that there was no way they hadn't noticed that.
Fae seemed to be quite excited for this excursion. For one thing, she was quite glad to be away from her home nation of Krita and for another thing, she was happy to be with her boyfriend. She was ust happy to be able to be affectionate towards him without fearing someone she knew would come around and find out about the relationship.
It wasn't that she was ashamed of the relationship, rather she just didn't want any pressure put on her from people she knew to go further in the relationship or break up with Alan. Here, she didn't have to worry about such things and could be as affectionate as she wanted with him without any worries.
Currently, she was practically bubbling with excitement as she entered the labyrinth behind the group. She was hoping to find some new materials for her inventions as well as learning as much as she could. She entered behind the group, staring around with wonder at the architecture. Though, upon hearing a voice behind her, she looked towards it with curiosity.
It wasn't that she was ashamed of the relationship, rather she just didn't want any pressure put on her from people she knew to go further in the relationship or break up with Alan. Here, she didn't have to worry about such things and could be as affectionate as she wanted with him without any worries.
Currently, she was practically bubbling with excitement as she entered the labyrinth behind the group. She was hoping to find some new materials for her inventions as well as learning as much as she could. She entered behind the group, staring around with wonder at the architecture. Though, upon hearing a voice behind her, she looked towards it with curiosity.
Vyxya flew at head level behind the group of explorers destined to enter the crystal labyrinth. She wasn't positive she was allowed to enter, certainly she hadn't been to any sign ups for this event, but she assumed this kind of adventure wasn't one that began with much paperwork. In absolute truth, she wasn't legally in Cephis to begin with either. The guards head turned at the train in Negrisa, and before he could turn back she had bolted aboard. The transfer at Mistwood had been even easier, there were just so many 'normal' sized heads for a small fairy like Vyxya to hide behind.
In truth it wasn't something she hadn't done before, this time, however, she was hoping to bring something back. Long had she lived in Macot, following around a pair of mining merchants who routinely robbed the northern lake of its riches, and often with her help. She was, of course, rewarded in several ways by her two companions who had turned out to be brothers. The beautiful twinkling of silver was something she had taken a strange fascination to after leaving Caleah, and some might say this was what she plugged the hole in her heart with after her parents seemed to simply move on out of her life. It was unfortunate that the brothers, then, would kick her out of their lives. Not openly, of course, but blaming her for their capture didnt instill a strong desire on her part to help them out of their situation. They had said their piece, and hurt her heart in the process....and so she left, finding the flyer for the crystal labyrinth that same day.
Vyxya refused to believe her heart was plugged with silver now, or at least, wouldn't openly admit that. Regardless she was certain this almost dwarven delve into the depths of a treasure named, even, after crystal, was something she was going to enjoy.
At the end of the announcement, Vyxya began onwards into the cavernous entrance before a clamoring of body on snow pulled her attention away promptly. She turned, looking at the collapsed human now cursing herself and covering her mouth promptly after. Vyxya giggled, if this human couldn't manage to stay upwards on snow, how was she to survive the labyrinth?
She flew rapidly down to her, landing with another giggle next to the womans head.
"Be careful! If you fall on a crystal it could be the last tumble you take!" with another giggle she hovered only centimeters from the ground, flying closer to Narisi and grabbing hold of the top of her ear with both hands. "Now get up!" she said, flying upwards and tugging on Narisi's ear in a playful manner.
In truth it wasn't something she hadn't done before, this time, however, she was hoping to bring something back. Long had she lived in Macot, following around a pair of mining merchants who routinely robbed the northern lake of its riches, and often with her help. She was, of course, rewarded in several ways by her two companions who had turned out to be brothers. The beautiful twinkling of silver was something she had taken a strange fascination to after leaving Caleah, and some might say this was what she plugged the hole in her heart with after her parents seemed to simply move on out of her life. It was unfortunate that the brothers, then, would kick her out of their lives. Not openly, of course, but blaming her for their capture didnt instill a strong desire on her part to help them out of their situation. They had said their piece, and hurt her heart in the process....and so she left, finding the flyer for the crystal labyrinth that same day.
Vyxya refused to believe her heart was plugged with silver now, or at least, wouldn't openly admit that. Regardless she was certain this almost dwarven delve into the depths of a treasure named, even, after crystal, was something she was going to enjoy.
At the end of the announcement, Vyxya began onwards into the cavernous entrance before a clamoring of body on snow pulled her attention away promptly. She turned, looking at the collapsed human now cursing herself and covering her mouth promptly after. Vyxya giggled, if this human couldn't manage to stay upwards on snow, how was she to survive the labyrinth?
She flew rapidly down to her, landing with another giggle next to the womans head.
"Be careful! If you fall on a crystal it could be the last tumble you take!" with another giggle she hovered only centimeters from the ground, flying closer to Narisi and grabbing hold of the top of her ear with both hands. "Now get up!" she said, flying upwards and tugging on Narisi's ear in a playful manner.