No matter where or what the Arrivals were doing, it did not matter. A distortion of space formed before them and without warning they were pulled through, forced into a confined space of what seemed to be a wooden house surrounded with dirt and stone on all sides. Sitting within the adjacent room is a figure on his knees hunched before a large painting in its early stages, surrounded by various painting tools and books. Long hair tied up in a ponytail and an aged appearance, the man continued with his work diligently; seemingly paying no mind to any presence within the room. He mutters quietly to himself about the minute details he already began to add; small houses barely visible in the distant background or a twig snapped on the ground near the bottom of the painting.
"You know, a creator puts his life and soul into what he makes. Thus when the creation dies, so too does a part of the creator. A most elegant and ironic fate is it not? A creator wishes to survive beyond his lifespan so he creates, only for his creations to die with him." His voice is raspy, but seemingly full of the curiosity of a young child. "So it seems this Heart has brought yet another into its thrall. How unfortunate." A clatter of wood resounds through the room as he drops his brush and stands up, gazing seemingly at nobody in particular.
"You know, a creator puts his life and soul into what he makes. Thus when the creation dies, so too does a part of the creator. A most elegant and ironic fate is it not? A creator wishes to survive beyond his lifespan so he creates, only for his creations to die with him." His voice is raspy, but seemingly full of the curiosity of a young child. "So it seems this Heart has brought yet another into its thrall. How unfortunate." A clatter of wood resounds through the room as he drops his brush and stands up, gazing seemingly at nobody in particular.
Something had gone wrong, Sophia knew that much. Inhabitation had been successful, as she was receiving constant input from her new body. But clearly, this was not her chosen destination. This was not the world her own had been spawned from. At least, so she hoped. An odd thought crossed her mind upon seeing the elder and hearing his words. Odd, because surely it was impossible. However she knew so little of physical life, it seemed almost that it could be.
She thought the words, but they were not audible. She realized that her mechanical body would have to move in order for her to speak. This should have been obvious, but so much had been far easier in her world. It took a long, odd moment before she could work out how to do so. But then she hesitated still. Did she want to know the answer?
The young blonde girl with purple eyes looked up at the old man painting. Staring, as if trying to comprehend what he said. She looked beyond him to what she could see of his painting. "It is very pretty, but it is not real. But you are not dead. Or... am I dead?" She looked down at herself, at this very human looking but nevertheless mechanical body that she had been placed in, which looked like her self but was not. How would she know? What happened to a person who was not real when they died? And whether or not she was dead or alive, where was she? "I am just a creation too." Something told her that she needed to take a breath, so she did, and her voice sounded a bit more normal this time. "Did somebody bring me here?"
She thought the words, but they were not audible. She realized that her mechanical body would have to move in order for her to speak. This should have been obvious, but so much had been far easier in her world. It took a long, odd moment before she could work out how to do so. But then she hesitated still. Did she want to know the answer?
The young blonde girl with purple eyes looked up at the old man painting. Staring, as if trying to comprehend what he said. She looked beyond him to what she could see of his painting. "It is very pretty, but it is not real. But you are not dead. Or... am I dead?" She looked down at herself, at this very human looking but nevertheless mechanical body that she had been placed in, which looked like her self but was not. How would she know? What happened to a person who was not real when they died? And whether or not she was dead or alive, where was she? "I am just a creation too." Something told her that she needed to take a breath, so she did, and her voice sounded a bit more normal this time. "Did somebody bring me here?"
Haru’s sword clashed against the sharp nails of the demon. He jumped back as he saw that the creature was getting ready to lunge at him again. It had just missed, the prince quickly turned around and swung his sword but the demon was fast, so damn fast. He looked around to try and see were it was. They were fighting in the middle of a snowy redwood forest, Haru pulled his cloak closer to him as the cold was finally getting to him, the snow was up to his ankles but the air was thin on the mountain so it was harder to breath.
The demon was no were to be seen until a branch dropped from above. He rolled to the side as he heard a loud thud from where he once stood. The demon was hiding in the tree before it tried to jump on him.
He growled in frustration and lunged for the unholy creature but he never made contact. In a instant he wasn’t in the forest anymore and banged into an wall, he dropped to the ground moaning a little in pain. He took a second to regain his breath and sat up looking around at this new environment, his eye narrowed at the two in front of him. They didn’t seem like a threat but you could never judge a book by it’s cover. He remembered how once a child he knew turned into a demon and killed her whole family…
He grabbed his Katana, seeing if it had any damage on it before putting it in it’s sleeve. Haru watched the two with diligent eyes as he stood up, from a distance he eyed the painting judging it and this man’s skills.
He didn’t say a word but he listened to the young girl, she didn’t speak like a normal 12 year old but noticed how she had a certain wisdom behind her words. Then she mentioned that she thought that she would be dead be tilted his head a bit. Of course that thought ran through his mind but if she mentioned it then something was definitely not adding up. He could tell that she was just as confused as himself. He took a step forward looking at the older man "Where are we?" He demanded.
The demon was no were to be seen until a branch dropped from above. He rolled to the side as he heard a loud thud from where he once stood. The demon was hiding in the tree before it tried to jump on him.
He growled in frustration and lunged for the unholy creature but he never made contact. In a instant he wasn’t in the forest anymore and banged into an wall, he dropped to the ground moaning a little in pain. He took a second to regain his breath and sat up looking around at this new environment, his eye narrowed at the two in front of him. They didn’t seem like a threat but you could never judge a book by it’s cover. He remembered how once a child he knew turned into a demon and killed her whole family…
He grabbed his Katana, seeing if it had any damage on it before putting it in it’s sleeve. Haru watched the two with diligent eyes as he stood up, from a distance he eyed the painting judging it and this man’s skills.
He didn’t say a word but he listened to the young girl, she didn’t speak like a normal 12 year old but noticed how she had a certain wisdom behind her words. Then she mentioned that she thought that she would be dead be tilted his head a bit. Of course that thought ran through his mind but if she mentioned it then something was definitely not adding up. He could tell that she was just as confused as himself. He took a step forward looking at the older man "Where are we?" He demanded.
The man looked over to Sophia, his grey eyes narrowed with intrigue. "Not real you say? My dear, the task of any Artisan is to breathe life into their creation. Whether that means weaving your words into worlds in the mind of a reader or giving a feeling of history and life to a simple painting. It is what I do after all." The man returned to his painting, beginning to add minimal color to the beginnings of a landscape, simple greys and muted green and browns. "If you are a creation then a portion of your creator's own being lies within you. And it was not a who, but a what that brought you here. Both of you."
The man gestured to a window, showing seemingly the stone surrounding this room. The window was covered in a layer of dust which seemed to be disrupted and it revealed, at least temporarily, a landscape that was clearly the inspiration for his painting. "This world is slowly dying. The Heart brought you here, both of you. But even now that effort was far too taxing on its weakening strength." A layer of dust reformed on the window once more, obscuring the outside and seemingly returning to the view of stone. "If you wish to go back, to return to your homes, the Heart will be your ticket out of this place. Even if I am a Vestige of the Heart, I cannot speak as to its intentions entirely."
The man gestured to a window, showing seemingly the stone surrounding this room. The window was covered in a layer of dust which seemed to be disrupted and it revealed, at least temporarily, a landscape that was clearly the inspiration for his painting. "This world is slowly dying. The Heart brought you here, both of you. But even now that effort was far too taxing on its weakening strength." A layer of dust reformed on the window once more, obscuring the outside and seemingly returning to the view of stone. "If you wish to go back, to return to your homes, the Heart will be your ticket out of this place. Even if I am a Vestige of the Heart, I cannot speak as to its intentions entirely."
"I think I understand..." Sophia glimpsed the world outside briefly, taking in the old man's words. "The Creation is only alive beyond the Creator's mind if it is both manifested and perceived. So then... I suppose I am alive too."
For the moment she ignored the man who came here with her. Based on his form of dress he seemed to have come from a world similar to hers. Instead she focused on the old man's words. "If the world is dying is this heart also dying? Is there a way to restore its strength? Else we would leave this world worse than we find it." She shook her head. "I have no home. I took this form to explore another world. Not this one, but the one which created me. But I can not leave yet if doing so will bring further harm. If we have been called, surely we are needed." As the idea dawned on her, she smiled for the first time, her eyes brightening as she clasped her hands together. "Oh! Does this mean a quest?!"
For the moment she ignored the man who came here with her. Based on his form of dress he seemed to have come from a world similar to hers. Instead she focused on the old man's words. "If the world is dying is this heart also dying? Is there a way to restore its strength? Else we would leave this world worse than we find it." She shook her head. "I have no home. I took this form to explore another world. Not this one, but the one which created me. But I can not leave yet if doing so will bring further harm. If we have been called, surely we are needed." As the idea dawned on her, she smiled for the first time, her eyes brightening as she clasped her hands together. "Oh! Does this mean a quest?!"
He walked over to the window to look out at the scenery. Something didn’t feel right, like the man was saying, the world was slowly dying. The atmosphere felt dull and lifeless, like it’s been sucked dry. He shifted in the spot and turned around when he heard the girl talking. For a moment he didn’t realise that she was from a completely world to him but when she was talking about different forms it all seemed to click in his mind. He slightly understood more as time passed.
"A quest? So what does that mean, how are we supposed to help this place if we don’t know anything about it?" He was less excited then the girl, his voice was harsh and serious "Why can’t someone from this world help to restore it. What values do we have to ‘save’ it?" He continued his questioning to the older man "Hell what would we have to do?" He asked all the important questions.
"A quest? So what does that mean, how are we supposed to help this place if we don’t know anything about it?" He was less excited then the girl, his voice was harsh and serious "Why can’t someone from this world help to restore it. What values do we have to ‘save’ it?" He continued his questioning to the older man "Hell what would we have to do?" He asked all the important questions.
The man smiled and chuckled softly at Sophia's enthusiasm when she realized it was something of a quest. He then looked over to Haru with a calm smile. "You will not be entirely without help in this world, there exist many who wish to bring this world back to its former glory, those with the skills and knowledge to do so. They simply lack the creative thought one such as yourselves might bring. They have tried a great many times, but you may invigorate their attempts yet. I can help point you in the right direction to these individuals, but the rest will be up to you. From there you can either have them grant you safe passage to the heart or assist them in restoring it." He began painting a series of rolling hills with the faint ruins of old buildings scattered about and small patches of green and yellow to represent plants seemingly.
"I will grant you safe passage to the remains of what once was the greatest city of this world. From there you are searching for a young man bearing the blue attire of an order long since past. He will help you find your way. From there, it is up to you." He slowly painted a small figure standing near one of the ruins, a barely visible splotch of blue and tan to represent a person. "The front door will be your way out to the world. I will be here, observing your actions." He smiled warmly and retrieved a pair of satchels from behind the painting and set them down near Haru and Sophia. "You may also find use of these tools, but they are limited so do not overuse them."
"I will grant you safe passage to the remains of what once was the greatest city of this world. From there you are searching for a young man bearing the blue attire of an order long since past. He will help you find your way. From there, it is up to you." He slowly painted a small figure standing near one of the ruins, a barely visible splotch of blue and tan to represent a person. "The front door will be your way out to the world. I will be here, observing your actions." He smiled warmly and retrieved a pair of satchels from behind the painting and set them down near Haru and Sophia. "You may also find use of these tools, but they are limited so do not overuse them."
Sophia regarded the other man with a touch of contempt. "Does it matter? Everybody knows that the path of a quest never reveals itself all at once. I'm just happy to be chosen. If you want to leave, that's your decision, but I'm going to stay." She huffed, crossing her arms and muttering something to herself before turning back to the old man.
She looked at the pack, smiling brighter again. She reached out to touch it, stopped, looked curiously at her hand, then over the course of the next several minutes worked out how to put it on. She looked like a baby bird trying to figure out how to fly. "I might not know how to do stuff, but I'll figure it out. If I have to do this quest on my own, I will! Now let's go find that blue guy... um... Knight person, what's your name? Mine's Sophia." She at least needed to know who he was if they would be travelling together, even if she didn't like him all that much. He looked like a hero, but he seemed like kind of a noob.
She looked at the pack, smiling brighter again. She reached out to touch it, stopped, looked curiously at her hand, then over the course of the next several minutes worked out how to put it on. She looked like a baby bird trying to figure out how to fly. "I might not know how to do stuff, but I'll figure it out. If I have to do this quest on my own, I will! Now let's go find that blue guy... um... Knight person, what's your name? Mine's Sophia." She at least needed to know who he was if they would be travelling together, even if she didn't like him all that much. He looked like a hero, but he seemed like kind of a noob.
He looked down on the girl "It’s not like I can just go, if my only way out of here is to go to this heart then so be it…" He simply states he listened to the old man’s instructions and where they would be heading first. Once he saw the satchels he grabbed one and unclipped his cape so that he could sling it on so that it fitted over his shoulder. Haru watched the girl struggle to put the satchel on, he was slightly amused but was ready to offer her any help if she asked. But she didn’t, Haru thought that she was a little stubborn but determined to help this world that she barely even knew without any questions asked. He sighed.
When she asked for his name, he complies "My name is Haruto. Haruto SumiYoshi-Kai," His demeanour changed, it was light and regal as he bowed to her. Many years of his parents training him to have proper manners, he was polite when he needed to be. Most saw him as a hardheaded, pretentious and cold Prince but he knew the importance of being furrow and serious. He never liked to let his guard down. The prince looked at the other man "Is there anything else we need to know?"
When she asked for his name, he complies "My name is Haruto. Haruto SumiYoshi-Kai," His demeanour changed, it was light and regal as he bowed to her. Many years of his parents training him to have proper manners, he was polite when he needed to be. Most saw him as a hardheaded, pretentious and cold Prince but he knew the importance of being furrow and serious. He never liked to let his guard down. The prince looked at the other man "Is there anything else we need to know?"
The man looked back to his painting and shook his head. "That is all I can provide you with for the time being. But remember, windows and doors are quite helpful, even painted ones." He then motioned towards the front door, swinging open inwards and letting in a thin cloud of dust into the room which seemed to avoid coating anything beyond the small room the Arrivals had shown up in, leaving the Artisan and his tools completely untouched. The view out the door showed a landscape of rolling hills and scattered remains of decaying ruins just as had been shown through the window and the painting.
He nodded and looked towards the door as it opened, he narrowed his eyes at this ‘magic?’. Haru held onto his cloak close to him so it would blow into anything in the room as the wind drifted in. Once he was sure that the cloak wouldn’t go any where he let go and looked out, he was comparing it to the painting his mind. It was easy to see that the painting wasn’t exactly the same as the landscape but it definitely held the same composition.
He turned to Sophia "So are you ready?" He asked knowing they haven’t got any time to lose, besides it seemed to be mid day so by the time they would reach some ruins they could camp up for the night. Normally he would have to fracture in many different scenarios that could happen but since this was a new world he didn’t know what the nights were like and what is actually out there. He reminded himself that he would be travelling with a young girl. He knew he can’t stand by and do nothing if they were in danger, he wanted to start travelling as soon as they can. To try find this man in blue that apparently will help them.
He turned to Sophia "So are you ready?" He asked knowing they haven’t got any time to lose, besides it seemed to be mid day so by the time they would reach some ruins they could camp up for the night. Normally he would have to fracture in many different scenarios that could happen but since this was a new world he didn’t know what the nights were like and what is actually out there. He reminded himself that he would be travelling with a young girl. He knew he can’t stand by and do nothing if they were in danger, he wanted to start travelling as soon as they can. To try find this man in blue that apparently will help them.
Sophia wasn't the least bit surprised or put off by the magical door. She gathered that he was, however. Covering her eyes against the wind she moved at a slow pace to begin with until she found her own stride. She waved to the Artisan before leaving though. "He seemed... weird but nice."
"I'm always ready. In my world I am a goddess. But I always watch quests. Sometimes I help make them. Even when I pretend to be an adventurer, though, I already know what's going to happen. It's not the same here. I don't have to pretend to be anything, but I don't have any power here either. I can't just think and move, or make things happen, like usual." She sighed. "It might be dangerous though. I can be destroyed in this form. But... Isn't it exciting, knowing absolutely anything can happen?"
She tilted her head, and started to ask him something else when she tripped over something and fell. It might have been her own legs. She giggled. "Like that! I didn't expect to be so clumsy here." Slowly she picked herself up, not minding the dust that now covered her dress. "So... you're very formal, but you're also very cynical. And you don't like magic too much. Somebody important where you come from?" She guessed with a grin.
"I'm always ready. In my world I am a goddess. But I always watch quests. Sometimes I help make them. Even when I pretend to be an adventurer, though, I already know what's going to happen. It's not the same here. I don't have to pretend to be anything, but I don't have any power here either. I can't just think and move, or make things happen, like usual." She sighed. "It might be dangerous though. I can be destroyed in this form. But... Isn't it exciting, knowing absolutely anything can happen?"
She tilted her head, and started to ask him something else when she tripped over something and fell. It might have been her own legs. She giggled. "Like that! I didn't expect to be so clumsy here." Slowly she picked herself up, not minding the dust that now covered her dress. "So... you're very formal, but you're also very cynical. And you don't like magic too much. Somebody important where you come from?" She guessed with a grin.
He followed after Sophia, giving a small polite wave to the Artisan before closing the door behind him and walked along the path with the girl, keeping up with her pace noticing that she was still getting the hang on it "He was different, I have to agree with you on that," He commented.
He hid his arms behind his back as they walked, making him seem taller. Haru listened to her, learning about her world and where she came from. He narrowed his eyes a little wondering how she was a goddess but he didn’t want to judge to far since they were from two completely different worlds. Things worked differently in her world rather then his and even here. It was new to the both of them. When she tripped he jolted forward a little, hoping that she was ok. Haru checked to see want she tripped on but there wasn’t anything.
When Sophia started asking questions about him he thought t]about what he would say or even where to start. He looked down at her with a glance before answering "There isn’t any ‘magic’ in my world, magic belongs in folklore and fairytales, slaying dragons and recusing the princess you know that sort of thing," He ran a hand through his hair "Some may say resurrection is magic but not in the sense that you may think, it’s more like a parasite… And is there someone important in my life? Well I guess there is one…" If she was looking at him she would be able to see the tiniest little smile on his face.
He hid his arms behind his back as they walked, making him seem taller. Haru listened to her, learning about her world and where she came from. He narrowed his eyes a little wondering how she was a goddess but he didn’t want to judge to far since they were from two completely different worlds. Things worked differently in her world rather then his and even here. It was new to the both of them. When she tripped he jolted forward a little, hoping that she was ok. Haru checked to see want she tripped on but there wasn’t anything.
When Sophia started asking questions about him he thought t]about what he would say or even where to start. He looked down at her with a glance before answering "There isn’t any ‘magic’ in my world, magic belongs in folklore and fairytales, slaying dragons and recusing the princess you know that sort of thing," He ran a hand through his hair "Some may say resurrection is magic but not in the sense that you may think, it’s more like a parasite… And is there someone important in my life? Well I guess there is one…" If she was looking at him she would be able to see the tiniest little smile on his face.
"Oh there is, is there?" She sing-songed, turning around to face him as she walked backwards in front. "I should have been more specific. I was asking if YOU are someone important in your world. But now I'm intrigued."
Instead of pressing him, though, she came back around to his side. "It sounds like your world is one of the real ones, maybe. See, mine isn't. It probably sounds confusing...Um..." She raised her hands suddenly. "Okay! My world is like a book. Only, it's more like a library. But imagine the books are people, or places, or animals. Plants. Monsters. Everything!" Then she pointed to herself. "The gods can open up the books and change them, write new books. But the books aren't real. But there are people who come to visit the world. They are real. They come to experience another world, for enjoyment. So we're like the librarians and they, the players, the adventurers, get to read and be part of the stories we write. So they're like the readers. But, really, it's a lot more complicated than that. But also a lot more simple." She shrugged.
"So resurrection in your world is a creature. A bad creature, I take it. Interesting. In mine, only adventurers are immortal. They have as many lives as they want to live how they want to and try again if they make mistakes. Even gods aren't eternal because we too were made. But I think they made it that way because in their REAL world, they can die, and some mistakes can't be undone. Kinda funny if you think about it. My world was made to be a distraction. But it is alive now, because so many people believe in it. And it is full of dragons and princesses."
"Maybe all this world needs to recover is people to believe in it."
Instead of pressing him, though, she came back around to his side. "It sounds like your world is one of the real ones, maybe. See, mine isn't. It probably sounds confusing...Um..." She raised her hands suddenly. "Okay! My world is like a book. Only, it's more like a library. But imagine the books are people, or places, or animals. Plants. Monsters. Everything!" Then she pointed to herself. "The gods can open up the books and change them, write new books. But the books aren't real. But there are people who come to visit the world. They are real. They come to experience another world, for enjoyment. So we're like the librarians and they, the players, the adventurers, get to read and be part of the stories we write. So they're like the readers. But, really, it's a lot more complicated than that. But also a lot more simple." She shrugged.
"So resurrection in your world is a creature. A bad creature, I take it. Interesting. In mine, only adventurers are immortal. They have as many lives as they want to live how they want to and try again if they make mistakes. Even gods aren't eternal because we too were made. But I think they made it that way because in their REAL world, they can die, and some mistakes can't be undone. Kinda funny if you think about it. My world was made to be a distraction. But it is alive now, because so many people believe in it. And it is full of dragons and princesses."
"Maybe all this world needs to recover is people to believe in it."
"That will be a story for another day but I should have realised what your question actually was… Yes I was someone important, I’m the crowned Prince of my kingdom. Meaning when my father dies I will take his place as king," He says regally, puffing his chest out with a bit of pride.
Haru listened to her as she described her own world. It was hard for him to wrap his head around but he thought he got it "So it’s a bit like a book but not? Interesting…" He rubbed his neck in thought but and thoughts left his head when she started talking about how people in her world couldn’t die and have chances to redo their mistakes. It left him all very confused. When he mentioned the dragon he chuckled a little bit, it was only small but it showed that he was letting his guard down around her, a sign that he felt relaxed.
"Maybe so but it’ll be hard, we still don’t know what’s out here our even if there’s enough people to ‘believe’," He sighs trying to remind her the many possibilities that might happen.
Haru listened to her as she described her own world. It was hard for him to wrap his head around but he thought he got it "So it’s a bit like a book but not? Interesting…" He rubbed his neck in thought but and thoughts left his head when she started talking about how people in her world couldn’t die and have chances to redo their mistakes. It left him all very confused. When he mentioned the dragon he chuckled a little bit, it was only small but it showed that he was letting his guard down around her, a sign that he felt relaxed.
"Maybe so but it’ll be hard, we still don’t know what’s out here our even if there’s enough people to ‘believe’," He sighs trying to remind her the many possibilities that might happen.
"There are lots of kings and queens in my world. Many different kinds. Some real, some not real, but all of them are full of stories and life. You are very proud of your father and your kingdom, aren't you? It would be nice to have a family... I used to have a brother though... Maybe he's still alive somewhere."
"We may never see them again, you know. The people who are important to us." She looked up at him. "Because, didn't the Artisan say that the heart used up most of its strength to bring us here? Sending us back might kill it. So really, we don't have a choice but to make it stronger. If this world dies with us in it..." She left the last bit unspoken. "But I hope we can do it."
She remained quiet for most of the walk. Even though there wasn't much to look at here, she took it in anyway. The hills, dust, dead plants and occasional ruin made her feel sad. "I wonder what happened here. Maybe the man in blue will tell us."
"We may never see them again, you know. The people who are important to us." She looked up at him. "Because, didn't the Artisan say that the heart used up most of its strength to bring us here? Sending us back might kill it. So really, we don't have a choice but to make it stronger. If this world dies with us in it..." She left the last bit unspoken. "But I hope we can do it."
She remained quiet for most of the walk. Even though there wasn't much to look at here, she took it in anyway. The hills, dust, dead plants and occasional ruin made her feel sad. "I wonder what happened here. Maybe the man in blue will tell us."
"Yes of course I’m proud. For generations my kingdom stood tall through thick and thin and my father…" He stood a second to think about him "Is a great man… I’m aware that we might never be able to go back to our own worlds but if we die here at least it won’t be in vain. It would be honourable that we fought for a cause at least," Haru tried to reassure her, he looked down and saw that she seemed a little detached from everything around her so he didn’t say anymore. He hoped that she listened to what he said an’d took it to heart, thinking about it.
He walked in silence slowing his pace a tiny bit so if anything was going to attack from behind them he was ready. When she spoke up Haru looked at her "Well if we’re beeping directed to him that surely he would be able to help. Like a guide, but let’s just see," He looked up into the sky and calculated that they must have around three hours left before it would turn to night. He hoped that they would get their in time, he didn’t want to set up camp in a indefensible spot.
He walked in silence slowing his pace a tiny bit so if anything was going to attack from behind them he was ready. When she spoke up Haru looked at her "Well if we’re beeping directed to him that surely he would be able to help. Like a guide, but let’s just see," He looked up into the sky and calculated that they must have around three hours left before it would turn to night. He hoped that they would get their in time, he didn’t want to set up camp in a indefensible spot.
As the journey wore on and the sun began to stoop closer to the horizon, the remnants of fallen buildings and even small huts with boarded up windows came into close view. The faint smell of a recently used fireplace and cooked food was barely noticeable in the air as Sophia and Haru got near. Nobody was visible outside but within one of the improvised homes sat a pair of individuals finishing up the remains of a small meal. To the east a distant field of grain was visible along with what looked to be the shoreline very near to the horizon. Further north sat a small hut mostly obscured by a large hill of dust. There were a few hushed whispers barely audible over the faint winds that occasionally cut between the hills. There was a sense of being watched, perceived as an outsider of sorts as the two got closer to the collection of homes. One could fairly guess that this was the remains of the city the Artisan had spoken of and where they could find the man in blue.
Elsewhere in existence, a young alchemist was being pulled from his own life into an invisible gate. Whatever he was doing at the moment did not matter, he was being forcibly taken from his own world and ended up in the foyer of a small wooden home. The windows all covered in a thin layer of dust that showed the outside of the home was surrounded by dirt and stone, as if built directly underground somehow. Another world that was home to a young devil was also intruded upon; an invisible gate that pulled her through and into the same home next to the alchemist. In the only other room in the home, there sat an elderly man dragging a brush across a large painting adding minute details to a landscape; a pair of figures traversing grey hills with one figure shorter than the other. He stopped and looked over at the new Arrivals. "Ah, yet another pair brought in by the Heart's cry for life. Greetings, young ones." His voice was raspy and his words were spoken slowly. He was surrounded by books, journals, pens, paint containers, ink vials, and many other tools used for works of art.
"It is most unusual to see so many being brought here in such a short span of time. Perhaps the Heart had more strength left than I had anticipated." He smiled to the newcomers and silently invited them to come closer, like a friendly individual offering his home for respite from the outside elements for a time.
Elsewhere in existence, a young alchemist was being pulled from his own life into an invisible gate. Whatever he was doing at the moment did not matter, he was being forcibly taken from his own world and ended up in the foyer of a small wooden home. The windows all covered in a thin layer of dust that showed the outside of the home was surrounded by dirt and stone, as if built directly underground somehow. Another world that was home to a young devil was also intruded upon; an invisible gate that pulled her through and into the same home next to the alchemist. In the only other room in the home, there sat an elderly man dragging a brush across a large painting adding minute details to a landscape; a pair of figures traversing grey hills with one figure shorter than the other. He stopped and looked over at the new Arrivals. "Ah, yet another pair brought in by the Heart's cry for life. Greetings, young ones." His voice was raspy and his words were spoken slowly. He was surrounded by books, journals, pens, paint containers, ink vials, and many other tools used for works of art.
"It is most unusual to see so many being brought here in such a short span of time. Perhaps the Heart had more strength left than I had anticipated." He smiled to the newcomers and silently invited them to come closer, like a friendly individual offering his home for respite from the outside elements for a time.
Lids are sure to flutter now, blinking rapidly around the crimson hues which breathe in this bizarre room. What in the world..? She had been home moments before, no? The tips of black feathery wings almost reach the ground below, while a formal layered gown of greens and gold parts at the small of her back, allowing a heavy yet lean scorpion tail to drift from, curled behind her comfortably. An elegant golden crown frames the base of either dark horn which curl from the young Lady's skull. She takes in the modest house for only another moment before the stranger's voice all but claims her attention. Steps approach him quietly with a subtle practiced grace about them, though she stops a few paces away out of respect. "Greetings.." Carabia answers softly, her confused gaze locked steadily upon the gentleman. For now, it seems she has not yet spotted the curious Alchemist, perhaps missing him until his voice later announces his presence. "I am Carabia, Sir. Forgive me for asking with such haste, but what Heart is it that you speak of? Regrettably, I heard no cry for help." It's quite true that she feels both panicked and worried, yet this stranger is hardly confrontational. Besides, there is little to prove that he is the one directly responsible, not when he too sounds surprised. Hands gloved within white lace together. "Your work is beautiful." Her tone sincere, curiousity inspiring her gaze to drift across the canvas in question, taking note of the traveling figures wandering the painting.
Alexander was hunched over, staring at a new species of herb that he had recently discovered and was preparing to grind into a fine powder to mix into a magical concoction consisting of other varied herbs and a small amount of his own life essence. As he was preparing to grind the powder, he found that he was no longer in his study. Granted, the room he found himself in could have been seen as similar in many aspects. The only problem was it was not his study.
Alexander stood there completely dazed for a few moments before he registered that he was being spoken to. He looked at the elderly man with a combination of fascination and suspicion. Alexander also began surveying the room with more scrutiny than he had when he first arrived, noticing the other individual who looked rather magnificent and fascinating to Alexander. He listened to what she had to say before he decided to add anything to the conversation himself. Alexander then attempted to speak, but it had been several days since he spoke, so his voice came out rather horse and slightly cracked. Finally, he cleared his throat and repeated what he desired to say.
"I would like to second that question. I am also unsure what you mean by "the hearts cry" if you would be so kind as to elaborate, I would greatly appreciate it." Alexander then took several seconds to examine the painting that Carabia had mentioned. Alexander was never one for art. he could draw well, but he only ever used it when making detailed pieces of flora or fauna he would later put into his journal, so the meaning of the piece, if there was any, did not reach him. "May I also inquire into our current whereabouts and possibly ask why we have been brought here?"
Alexander stood there completely dazed for a few moments before he registered that he was being spoken to. He looked at the elderly man with a combination of fascination and suspicion. Alexander also began surveying the room with more scrutiny than he had when he first arrived, noticing the other individual who looked rather magnificent and fascinating to Alexander. He listened to what she had to say before he decided to add anything to the conversation himself. Alexander then attempted to speak, but it had been several days since he spoke, so his voice came out rather horse and slightly cracked. Finally, he cleared his throat and repeated what he desired to say.
"I would like to second that question. I am also unsure what you mean by "the hearts cry" if you would be so kind as to elaborate, I would greatly appreciate it." Alexander then took several seconds to examine the painting that Carabia had mentioned. Alexander was never one for art. he could draw well, but he only ever used it when making detailed pieces of flora or fauna he would later put into his journal, so the meaning of the piece, if there was any, did not reach him. "May I also inquire into our current whereabouts and possibly ask why we have been brought here?"
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