[ooc] Before you read this, I have entitled this chapter:
The Endless Dream.
[/ooc]

Angela looked at the book for a moment, and turned the pages back and forth a few times. She checked, rechecked, and even checked once more, only to find that she was done. She now had nothing else to do, except maybe go talk to Welf or someone else. But then, Welf had seemed somewhat sad and lost in thought, and she didn't want to get on his nerves, so she decided not to after all. it would be for the best that he got some time alone. But with nothing else to think about, she decided to think about why they were going to the continent in the first place. Thinking of which, she thought back to Tikalis' story. The thought of him searching for something that he needed to find, was the same thought that she had when she thought of what she was searching for. She turned to him suddenly.

Angela: "You know, I'm looking for something too."
Tikalis turned to look at her, and opened his mouth to speak. "Really? What?"
Angela: "Well.. I'm looking for a person.... no, a few people, actually. You see, one person is someone that is really important to me.. and another person is someone that I want to find to ask them something. While, I can't really remember who that person is, or what I am supposed to ask, I am certain that I will remember when I see their face. Also, though that is one of the few things I know, I continuously have dreams. It's the same dream over and over again. There was a light shining brightly through the trees, and the feeling of snow was cold. The smell of the leaves was gentle, and.."
Tikalis' eyes widened: "And...?"
Angela closed her eyes: "And I was crying. I don't remember why. I just was, and all that I seem to think when I dream that endless dream, is that I am waiting. For someone, of course. That was all I had in the dream, I believe, so I just stood there; waiting."
Tikalis: "Really..?"
Angela: "Could I lie about such a thing?
Tikalis: "...No, I guess not... but hey, why don't you tell me about that rod? It doesn't look like any rod I've ever seen before.."
Angela: "I suppose not; it's not one that I've found a copy of either! But then, I can't tell you much at all about it. All I know about it, is that it's a Magical Rod with wings that allow me to float when I use some magic to activate them. Unfortunately, that's all I can say."
Tikalis: "Speaking of which, what kind of mage are you?"
Angela: "Mage....?"
Tikalis: "Yeah, you know.. a person that can use magic? What kind are you?"
Angela: "...I don't know."
Tikalis: "Huh?!"
Angela: "...It's nothing. Maybe I'm just not a Mage. If I was, I'd probably know."
Tikalis: "I guess. Well.. Just out of curiousity, but what were you doing?"
Angela: "Huh? Oh.. that's something I don't want to talk about. It's a little private, you know?"
Tikalis: "Judging by the look of the book, it's a diary, huh?"
Angela: "Erm.. yeah, that's it."
Tikalis: "Ok. I understand, so I won't press the subject."
Angela: "...I'm glad. For now, though.." She stood up, and took the book, and wrapped it in her ever mysterious star cloth. She then placed the cloth back in the pocket that resided right on the edge of her skirt, and then walked to the door. "I'm going to take a walk outside, and look at the sky."
Tikalis: "Alright.. but, judging by the looks of it, it will be dark sometime soon."
Angela: "I know. I want to see the stars when they first come out."
Tikalis: "Go for it."

Angela exited the room, and left him there alone to walk around. She went all the way to the deck, and moved towards the edge of the boat. She stood quietly, and began to lean against the moldy wood, and looked around. There was no one on the deck anymore, and it was a large change from how it was quite a long time ago. She thought back a bit, to when Maria and everyone else came to see how she was doing. They were a cheerful bunch at the time, but she believed it was because Drake was getting sea sick, and Cuattle was tickling them accidently with his fur. It didn't matter though, since they left afterwards to join Welf, and leave her to do what she needed. Poor Tikalis was a little... perturbed by them, but he was ok sitting where he was, examining and fiddling with his "Mech". She smiled at the thought of each of their faces. She didn't know why, but there were tears forming when she looked over past the horizon at the setting sun. She tried to think of happy memories, but all she could remember was that dream, and everything she did with Welf and the others. Which is to say, she had few happy memories, and they just made more tears flow.

A few moments passed... The sun fell, and the sky darkened with many little glitters to light the way. A Crescent moon was glowing pale and soft against her skin, and she stared at the sky dreamily. No one had come up and passed her by while she was out, and she thought no one would. She did not hear any foot steps, and when she checked around the deck, there was no sign of anyone being there for a long time. So, she thought everyone was asleep. It wasn't like it mattered, and people need to sleep. So she smiled, and wondered if they were dreaming a good dream. The she looked at the sky once more, and noticed a little sparkle flash by. She recognized it, and immediately began to make a wish. If someone could have just seen her then, the look in her face the stance she was in... It would all look as if she were a little girl. So, now the last part remained. She was the only one to see it, and she was probably the only one awake, so she spoke up, with her eyes in a glaze, and her mind in a complete blank again.

"...I wish for only one thing in this dozy state. I wish that I could find out what this dream means."

Just then, at that moment, she ship began to turn sharply, and was even tipping over. Angela was not moving, even though panic ensued the ship below her. Waves started to form themselves, and they crashed mercilessly against the boat itself, as well as tip the ship even further. Angela, somehow, was glued to the very spot she was standing on. She wasn't hanging on to anything either, nor was she being held by someone. In fact, she stood on that position, even when the ship flipped over completely, and was pummeled with one last wave, leaving the ocean to become calm and endless once more.

...... About a bit of time later, Welf had woken up. He was now laying on a sandy beach, and there was pieces of torn and broken wood everywhere. He got up, and saw Maria, Drake, Dante, Cuattle, and the Fox from before, and a few more scattered objects on the sandy shore. Around him, there appeared to be a vast, green jungle, and it was very warm as opposed to how it was before while at sea. He stood up, and walked around for a little bit, unable to recognize where he was. It was very pure, and was a place that he was sure wasn't on the other continent. While he scanned the area, he noticed a sparkling cloth, and as he moved up to it, the sparkle slowly vanished. He picked it up, and held it close to him, and opened it up against his better judgement. From within it, he pulled out a red piece of clothing, that looked like a shirt. It had a label on it, that was attached softly so it could be removed without damaging the clothing itself. He picked off the label, and placed it in his bag dearly, as the wonderfully written letters spelled:
<span style='font-size:19pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:edwardian script ITC'>Welf</span></span>
He put the shirt on, too, and felt warmth splash over him like a wave of pure, soft quicksilver. It was very soft and light as well, which was something like Angela's clothing. He began to search deeper within the cloth, until he pulled out a book. As he examined it, a page fell out. It was covered in some writing, that looked like the writing on the Label, but... he couldn't read it. It read as such:

<span style='font-size:19pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:edwardian script ITC'>Yume...Yume omiteiru. Mainichi miru yume. Owari no nai Yume.

Yume ni owari no nai nitsuku? zutto, zutto heisoha? Dano..hitokoro? Kaitou no gaimondai bokeru nai yume, Datte. Atashi ka bakari dai, oide kawa hitotoki, dono Atashi an kokoromotonai demawaru datte...</span></span>

He held Angela's star cloth very close to himself now, worried about what had happened to her. With no sign of her anywhere, and only armed with some of her possesions to keep his hope astir, he felt incredibly alone, even as the rest of the group was slowly waking up..

[ooc] Angela's gone now, as you can see. You guys can enter the forest, but it will be pretty empty. There will be a few docile animals and birds and such... but no monsters or villages or people. I'll get you somewhere soon... but first.. I want Welf to contemplate these events to everyone in his own words, and for everyone to decide what they'll do. You can stay on the beach, and start building a boat/raft to ride away on... or you can enter the forest. But, since this involves Angela, Welf is now required to go into the forest. Everyone else is optional... except maybe Tikalis. Btw, this island has nothing for anyone except one thing for Tikalis, and something big for Welf. You'll all see, soon enough. I hope I can make this scene as touching as I want it to be...

Oh, and don't bother trying to translate that. It uses a lot of slang and slurs, and you wouldn't find those in any dictionary. Besides, I'll tell you soon enough.[/ooc]

[quote:post_uid0="SSJKarma"][ooc]Is it me or at the end you youmistaked your name *DANTE* for *DRAKE* ? because at the end it says...
and by the way it is writen, its like drake was the one asking to go on thanatos ! that's weird if you ask me ![/ooc][/quote]
[ooc]errr yeah that confuse me Drake and Dante sorry it has been fixed now. :biggrin: [/ooc]

[ooc] I know that but it seemed pretty slow thing sorry but I found the teleportation to be quicker.[/ooc]



Edited By MasterX05 on Jan. 07 2004 at 20:01

[ooc]Ok... I don't care who posts, but someone else has to post other than me and Karma. For now, at least. Then, after everything is sorted out, I guess I could post a bit more mystery. But.. please decide on what I asked for. Do not ignore this, or wait for karma or me to do it, because I won't care if you want something to happen to your character or not, I'll just leave them there to mingle amongst themselves.

Also, Miles, before you go off to find "that thing", I have to tell you that you won't find it until someone takes you to it. It'll happen in time. Good luck, everyone. [/oc]

[ooc]no we got washed up on shore and Anglea seems to be missing and Welf will fill us in on the statuation at hand. Which I guess either me are u have to post up. Tomrrow if no one has replyed I will continue it, its late plus im back in school.[/ooc]

Then, suddenly, the blue hair that lay softly against the palm of Tikalis' hand suddenly glistened and gained a blinding glow. As he covered his eyes from the sheer brightness of the light, he dropped the hair. When the hair hit the ground, it suddenly shattered into thousands of pieces, never to be put together again...

[ooc] Unfortunately, I was a little too... uninformative. I allowed you to get a piece of Angela's hair, I suppose, but you were not supposed to find it. ^-^; Oh well. It's a nice twist, and I can make it work for the better. Btw, You won't find anything else in there without a proper guide, and I'll give you that guide very soon. Thank you for your patience.. [/ooc]

[ooc] wow, lots of ooc comments on this page ![/ooc]

Welf walked his way thru the forest, kinda like he knew that angela was there waiting for him. tho he didn't really knew anything, he was sure of that. he walked his way thru, without wondering one bit about the island, all that mattered to him was to find her as soon as possible.

he saw tikalis looking at the ground a little farther in the forest. without making any noise, he just passed his way thru the forest about some metter away from tikalis.

WELF:"where is she ? i'm sure she was the one creating that thing with the boat, seems like its always her doing that kind of trouble to us."
*welf stopped and thought about what he just said*
WELF:"then why are we still going on with her ?"
*welf was lost in thought and started walking again*
WELF:" what is this island ? i never saw anything that resembles it during my travels between the continents !"

Welf walked for what seemed like an eternity in that forest, never to find anything. he just hoped that finding nothing about angela was not a bad thing. he was sure that she was ok tho, he just didn't knew how he knew ! so he continued looking for her, without a word, just thinking of the matter.

TO BE CONTINUED...
[ooc]i don't think i ruined anything, i was just going in that forest like you asked... like i told you before when you talked about it... i can't wait to see that twist and why you asked me so much details about welf's life ! can't wait to see why ![/ooc]

[ooc] Alright, I realize this part is going to sound a little strange at first, but bear with it for a few moments. You should be able to understand soon. [/ooc]

As Welf wandered around the forest aimlessly looking for Angela, he was surprised to come across an area where there was a tree stump laying amidst many bushes of beautiful blue flowers that shimmered. The flowers themselves were lovely, but to Welf they were lovlier still since they resembled the color of Angela's hair. As he went towards the flowers, he became aware of more bushes of them, and they were starting to become different shades of blue as well. Some were becoming a brighter blue, while some were becoming a purple color. He stopped and stooped down to pick one and smell its fragrance, which to him was pleasant. He closed his eyes in thought of the fragrance, and he wasn't surprised that it reminded him slightly of Angela. It was light, and delicate, yet strong and lasting... When he opened his eyes again, and looked around, he saw shimmering blue hair hanging from a persons head, who was sitting with their back turned to him. Their outfit was familiar, and so was the length of the hair, and the body shape... In fact, everything was the same. He ran over to the thought of her heavenly smile, and embraced her warmly in his arms.

Welf: "Angela!"
Angela: "Welf....hi! What... what are you doing here?"
Welf: "Nothing. I was just looking for you! Where were you?"
Angela: "I was here.. I was always here.."
Welf: "What?"
Angela turned to look at his face. Her expression was sad and regretful, and she didn't look like she could bare to look at him much. "...Welf, I... I want to ask you something."
Welf: "Go ahead."
Angela: "..Do you remember me?"
Welf: "That's a stupid question! I see you right now, and I saw you before this only recently! How could I forget you?"
Angela: "That's not...--" Impossible to go on. She just stood up, and broke away from his hold. "Nevermind. It's ok. It's nothing now."
Welf stood up, a little surprised. "Are you sure? Is there something you need?"
Angela closed her eyes and thought of this for a moment. She of course did want something, but she could not ask for it herself. Not now. But then... there was...
Angela: "Richard, can you do me a favor?"
Welf: "A...Alright. Anything I can do, I'll do it."
Angela: "Do you really mean it?"
Welf: "Yes."
Angela: "Really, really?"
Welf: "Really."
Angelas eyes started to shine a little more.
"Then.. for my wish...." Some wind blew past, but.. strangely, only Angela's hair blew with the wind. Nothing else had even felt it, not even Welf.
"...For my final wish, I want you to forget about me."
Welf took a step backwards. He looked at Angela in contempt and surprise, and didn't understand at all.

Welf: "So your wish is to have me forget about you? That is your wish?"
Angela: "My final wish."
Welf: "I cannot do that! How can I do that, ever?!"
Angela: "...I don't know. But, I can't go on with you."
Welf: "What do you mean?!"
Angela: "I just cannot."
Welf: "Angela... look, how about we sleep on it, ok? Take some time to think about it! Please!"
Angela: "That is impossible."
Welf: "What do you mean; Why?!"
Angela: "..Because... the sun may not rise again."
Welf: "But..."
Welf closed his eyes for a moment to stop any tears from coming out of hiding. When he was sure they would not come anymore, he opened his eyes again. But when he saw once more, he could not find Angela. There was no trace of her; no footprint, no imprints, no torn cloth, no dropped articles, and even the fragrance of her presence was gone. He was alone again; without her, at least. He felt completely alone this time, however, and sat on the stump to try and not cry. But his eyes began to betray his emotions, and the tears began to flow silently past his hands. He didn't hear anything, except for his lost moans of "Angela". He didn't hear his tears hit the ground, nor did he hear the footsteps coming toward him from behind.

"Why did you come here?"
Welf stopped holding his head, and stood up to face the voice. It was a girl, one who looked like Angela, except with an outfit of blue, and with green hair. Her eyes were brown as well.
"Why were you here?"
Welf: "That's none of your business... Go away!"
"....I tried to stop this. But, looks like I have to aim for the heart of the problem!"
Welf watched her run off into the woods, not caring at all. But then, he had no time to care, because just then, and pink and short haired damsel with the same outfit was Angela's (except for a ribbon that was green, and the outfit was a pink color)had appeared in the place where he had entered from. She had eyes that were blank, and reminded him of an old woman's eyes; yet she could not be older than nineteen years of age. She moved her lips a little, before starting to talk.
Girl: "Please... do not get involved any further with Angela. She will only hurt you now."
Welf stopped his tears completely to stare angrily at the girl. "What do you mean? If she's here, then I'm going to find her!"
Girl: "So you do not care? That she will bring you only pain and misfortune?"
Welf: "I don't have to listen to someone I do not know!!!"
Girl: "My name is Asa."
Welf: "Alright... Asa...Do you know about her?!"
Asa: "No. I do not know."
Welf: "Then why did you say all of that?!"
He sat down and stared at her with his viscious glare.
Asa: "Do you know about her?"
Welf: "....I don't know very much about her. Recently, she just asked me if I remember her, but I think that might have been some stupid mis---"
Asa: "You've met her before."
Welf looked on in Shock and confusion.
Asa: "I don't blame you for not remembering. You were really young when you two met, and you probably were made to forget about her."
Welf looked at her with more confusion than shock now. "What... do you mean?"
Asa: "A peculiar human race is supposed to have existed on Shunshou island, where you are now, since ancient times. Humans that gained the ability to pour their very soul into their work and activities, and use their will to do anything during their life. ...They were always hated, because they could do such things, and no one else could; they wouldn't offer to use their abilities to do anything for people either. They would not help others fight battles, they would not help others heal using their magic: They believed that everything could be done everyones own self if they just believed in themselves. It's because of this that they were hated. People soon began to say that they existed only to bring misfortune to villages and towns."
Welf: "...That's....a folk tale, right?"
Asa: "It's not a folk tale!" She turned around and looked past the trees. "She is not a normal human! She is a shunshouken that appeared to bring misfortune to you! She's a--!"
Welf: "Shut up!"
Asa stopped to look at him.
Welf: "How am I supposed to believe that Angela is not a normal human?! That she's a deceased race of monstrous humans meant to give me misfortune?!"
Asa did not change her expression, except that it became slightly depressed, and her eyes closed as she turned her head to the side.
Asa: "It's your right to believe. But please remember this. Two things were needed in exchange for her kind to show themselves to you like she did."
Welf: "Exchange?"
Asa: "Their memories.... and the ability to regain conciousness."
Welf: "... conciousness...?"
Asa looked back at him. "...You are in a momentary miracle."
Welf looked up at her. "Miracle?"
Asa: "Yes, a brief brilliance that she obtained in exhange for the said things."
Welf: "...I guess that could be right.. she did just disappear after all, and then she never told me about her past, or family. In fact, sometimes, it looked like she was forgetting things, and becoming more like a child every moment."
Asa: "...The end of the brilliance is approaching."
Welf: "Is there no way to keep the miracle going?!" Welf was surprised at what he just said, but he was equally surprised when Asa shook her head "no". He sighed.
"She's such an idiot."
Asa turned to look at him in surprise.
Welf: "Why would she give up everything just to meet me again? Did I do something to her that was so bad that she would actually try and hurt me somehow?"
Asa: "I think she might have been trying to reach you.. now that I think about it."
Welf: "huh?"
Asa: "She may have been trying to reach you, because she was lonely. I think she was lonely, and decided to try and reach the only other person that she knew of that she could count on to see her. Maybe that desire brought about the miracle."
Welf: "Really?"
Asa: "You see, they're not the detestable race of monsters that appear in folk tales and stories. They're really good people.."
Welf: "But.. then, you've.."
Asa: "Yes.. and since don't want someone else to feel the same grief that I did when they left... I want to help you out. "
Welf: "How can you help me?"
Asa: "You see.. if that miracle really was to reach out to you, then we do not have very much time. Pretty soon, the miracle will be totally over, and she will have died."
Welf: "What?! But how do you know this; How much time do we have?!"
Asa: "..if she just disappeared a moment ago as you said, she only has a few hours left. But before we go after her, we need some help. There are monsters that live near the area I think she's in."
Welf: "Which is..?"
Asa: "The mansion on the Hill of Promises."
Welf: "...come with me then. We'll get some people to come with us!"
Asa: "Alright... but, I can only take two people other than you. I won't be able to stop the effect of the magic cast upon this forest if there are too many people, since my powers are not very strong."
Welf: "Then we'll decide when we get there, can we go?"
Asa: "Yes. Let us hurry then."

[ooc] I'll be honest. I would prefer Tikalis to come, even though he already got the one thing that was to be offered. You'll find that out later. Anyway, the choice is WELF'S (Karma's) alone. Sorry. And Karma: You've got 4 hours, and it will take 2 hours to get to the hill if everyone runs. K then... good luck, and may the shirt help you. [/ooc]

[ooc] wow Tikalis,Cuattle,Dante,Maria,Drake. And not to forget the others, only 2 can be choosing. Tough on Karma the choice is yours man[/ooc]

*cough* *cough*

Dante appeared from the waters soaked and cape sticking ot his back. He was walking form the sea to the shore, and could not help but notice that the red Demon they call welf vanish in the forest.

Dante: {Where is everyone I see maria and Drake. But where is...}
Cuattle: Im here Dante
the creature was merging from the sea to shore as Dante did, his fur was wet and looked very slick.
Dante: Cuattle u can read minds where is he going in the forest for?
Cuattle: im not sure Welf mind cannot be read so easily I only see a image of a fine cloth with his name on it.
Dante: any thing else
Cuattle:.....
Dante: Can you see anymore!
Cuattle: no.

Maria was still close with Drake and Drake manage to gain lil strength back since the whole fight back near the village. Dante and Cuattle came to them.

Cuattle: Something tells me we must stay here.
Drake: what do you knowbeast?
Dante: Let him talk Drake! now what is wrong with the forest, is it monsters?
Cuattle: No something more intense, this forest is old very old and I feel anger.
Maria: Well shall we go in?
Cuattle: Not so sure of that.
Dante: dam it I wont wait around for something to happen, ive left my kingdom to find my true strength and power. Not stand around lost!

Dante looks down at his guantlet with a serious look.

Dante: Souls we need more souls, even my sword needs souls.
For this sword forged long ago by my ancestors for one purpose. To ride the world of evil and save mankind! *Dante then whips out the sword and holds it with both hand weilding it high in the air as he cryed out.

Dante: Sword give me strength!
The Sword glowed bright blue brighter then before and then let out a shock of energy. Dante turned towards the woods and ran full speed

Dante: {Nothing will stop me to find my trueself.}

[ooc] I have no idea what will come to him in these strange forest, im sure someone else can think something up till then.[/ooc]

** REALITY OR ILLUSION ? **
****** POST 172 ********
***********************
Welf was running as fast as he could, tho he was thinking about the fact that what the women said was kinda true because of the few things that did happen to the group since they met angela !

WELF:{its true that she always were in trouble and that we couldn't help it but to help her out of her misery. yet we decided to help her, not the other way around. she couldn't be the one giving us that kind of problems. no i refuse to think that she made this happen, she saved us a few times after all !}

After Running wild for a while, he passed near TIKALIS like he
wasn't even there. The others looked at him come toward them. they all were wondering who welf was holding with him. they all wanted to know what was going on. they all wanted their answer as to what this island was. but welf didn't let anyone talk.

WELF:"No time to waste, i need two person to come with me to a castle to save angela. i know this island seems strange. but you gotta believe me on this..."

The group was like, not understanding one thing about what was just said. the only thing that passed right on and was making them a little nervous is the fact that welf mentionned "saving angela in a castle" The first few questions started to appears, but welf was kinda trying to rush things up. he wondered who he would pick to come with him. but the choice seemed evident while running thru the forest, but now that he thinks of it. some things just wasn't right about this. he started thinking deeply...

WELF:{this island, its strange, i feel like i am living a dream,
but that cannot be true is it ? i feel the same way when i do my illusions. cannot be an illusion it is so real. well forget about this, welf... just think ANGELA ! she need your help right now. now think, who's the best in this situation ?}

*Welf looked around him... only to see maria, a girl that saved
his life, drake a guy that wants to kill us all and dante a guy
that he barely know about but that has a great potential in fighting big battles. in the far end of the place he looked at a fox with two tails that was coming toward them. looking behind the group, he also saw a few 6th of sailors who did survived as well ! the choice was hard, maria, with drake because he knew sdhe wouldn't let drake alone here. dante is a great fighter and tho he barely knows him, welf know that fighting power would be needed against those supposed monsters. so dante was a great choice. the other he just didn't knew to choose, if only Jace was still there, he could ask, but he wasn't there anymore.

WELF:"DANTE you're coming with me !"
*everyone stopped talking, surprised by this suddent sentence*
WELF:"what the... where is he, he was here a few minutes ago ? DAMN !"
WELF:"YOU THE TWO TAIL FOX, YOU'RE COMING AS WELL !"
*WELF yelled at TIKALIS who was coming toward them*
WELF:"We only got a few hours before its too late. don't ask questions, just know were about to kick some monsters butt and rescue angela. we can't go all together. the rest will be told in route to the castle !"

The way welf looked at ASA. it meant everything... he hoped for it to be true, that he could actually save angela... Asa , by the look and the way he spoke to others, knew that he just didn't want to ask them their help. but for angela, he was ready to do everything !

TO BE CONTINUED...



Edited By SSJKarma on Jan. 10 2004 at 01:29

Alright!!!!! Extra special Characters evaluation time! My characters evaluate your choices by their preferences and choices. Let's see, shall we?

Angela:
Gives Welf a 72%.
+You chose two people that have physical strengths.
+You have 2 mystical people.
+You have complete Asa's task in the first place.
-You chose someone that needs to use mystical power to enhance his strength.
-You have someone that doesn't have very many useful techniques, or have some nice ones that are completely new to them.
-If you had chosen Cuattle, you could have had him use his tails to attack as well. And since nothing much else works...

Asa:
Gives Welf a 54%
+You have two Physically strong people.
+You have potions and illusions to help you.
+The people you took are different from each other and yourself in abilities.
-You do not know either of them very much at all.
-One relies purely on the power of souls, which as I know (but no one else does) is absorbed into this island.
-The Potions and illusions will only work on your team, and maybe some monsters. The reasons are the same as the power of the souls' thing. The island also absorbs telekinetic waves of all kinds, and magic of all kinds except for two types.

Coincidentally, I'm not going to help you fight. I need to make sure you guys can see while you fight, so I'll need all the concentration I can get to give you that ability.

Sange:
Gives Welf an 80%
+You chose people with sword experience.
+You have a person who is built for fighting head on, a person who is defensive, and a person who is between the two.
+You didn't take Drake with you, or Maria.
-You don't have a magic specialist with you that won't be busy
-You don't choose people you don't know. It's not very healthy.
-You aren't fast or strong enough to defend yourself without your potions, at least to Dante's level. You'll be fine, mind you, but you will have problems if you are left alone without many defences for the monsters.

And that's all for today! Congratulations on your overall score, a C! ^-^ Please try again next time.

[OOC]
such twist of plot in here !
hope it doesn't ruin your story roll...

this could be interesting... kalem hope you read this... it could be interesting to see your little idea you talked about. this could be the devastating blow for the team ! this could be interesting indeed !

[/OOC]

[ooc] Ok... It won't change anything. Because... he's right and wrong. You'll all see why later. ^-^ But for now... Cuattle has been straining his powers just a bit too much. He has to take a rest now... [/ooc]

Before Welf, Asa, and Tikalis could leave, Cuattle suddenly collapsed. He was starting to form sweat, and yet, he seemed perfectly fine just a moment ago. Before anyone could move or say a thing, Asa stepped forward to pat the keymong's head. Her touch was cool to his forehead, and whatever warmth he had a moment ago was gone. Asa turned to go back to Welf, and lead the way, when Cuattle asked what happened. Asa stopped and turned to look at him with the same sad eyes that she gave Welf.

Asa: "Any abilities that you might have have to be used very carefully. This island absorbs most powers, besides two types of magic, and energy from people and objects. That includes your telekinetic abilities, and that skeletons life force here as well."
Everyone took a bit of time to note that Drake was acting a tad more docile.
Cuattles tails flared up, and he stood up in anger. "How do you know that my abilities are telekinetic?!"
Asa just gave him the same look, but said nothing. Instead, she turned and walked to the edge of the forest, stopping only in front of a large, browned tree that seemed older than everyone combined.
Asa: "I can only take three of you with me, and it is apparant that the young half-demon has them and that one is missing from this area. When we find him, we will not return until we complete the task. To do otherwise would be strenuous. I would suggest contructing a way off of this island while you wait, if you can manage to do so. I am sure you will like to leave as soon as you possibly can."

Welf and Tikalis went up behind Asa, who brandished a rod with an edge in the shape of a crescent moon with a star hanging from the center. There were little butterfly wings on it as well, and as she waved the rod around, the wings flapped and released a powdery substance that spread only to herself, Welf, and Tikalis. A little confused, Welf started trying to shake it off, but from out of no where, Asa's hand shot out towards his chest, but landed softly on it.

Asa: "Do not try and shake it off. It is your ticket to seeing the truth."
Welf: "...The truth... alright. Got it. Let's go then."
Asa: "Alright. Then follow me closely, and we'll go search for your friend very quickly. Do not, however, fall too far behind, or go too far ahead. When we find your friend, I will complete the spell, and you will be able to see the truth of this island."
Tikalis: "Which is..?"
Asa: "For you to find out when you see it. Let us go."

Asa swiftly ran off, with Welf and Tikalis trailing behind her, leaving Cuattle, Maria, and Drake to stand alone. Cuattle had to think about what she said about this island for a while, and Maria began to tend to Drake in order to find some way to weaken the islands grip on his life. 'Poor Keymong' thought Asa. 'If he had found out what I....we know, he may have been very upset. I must not tell him until he is ready.'
her thoughts never showed up on her face, as she ran through the forest looking for any life form that resided in it. She found one close by, and was surprised to see an aura of soul power coming from it. She sighed.

Asa: "Does your find wield souls?"
Welf: "I think so! I think it might be spirits though.."
Tikalis: "What's the difference?"
Asa: "In this case, none! We had better have him cut off that power before the island claims it for its own!"
Welf: "Ok then.... Then let's go a little faster, ok Asa?"

Asa had been running a little slower than Welf's maximum speed, and was embarressed to be told to go faster. However she nodded and complied by running a lot faster, and was starting to leave Welf behind. Tikalis was keeping up nicely, however, but he remembered her warning. They just kept on running..

[ooc] Um... yes, this island sucks up pretty much any type of energy, magic, mystic, or supernatural power. However, this means everything is limited. Welf's potions will not work (they are illusions, and the island is an illusion itself), Dante's soul thingy isn't going to help much, but that reason is to be revealed.......later. Telekinesis is gone, and whaddya know? Spirits and undeads die here. o.o; This island is a nightmare waiting to come down on top of everyone. I want you guys to find Dante, shut off his Soul rampage thing, and then find the rainbow hill at the center of the forest. Oh, and Asa's spell takes quite a bit of time to work, so, you won't be able to see the real forest for a tiny bit. Just... follow Asa. G'luck. [/ooc]

[ooc] hmm So Dante's Guantlet is quite useless and since Thanatos feeds of souls, his apperance in battle's will be limited. And as for the sword it will stay the same for it only takes in soul's to enhance its power/speed. And will yall break the news to Dante or will he find out himself[/ooc]



Edited By MasterX05 on Jan. 11 2004 at 01:15

[ooc]Look!!! a ghost :p [/ooc]

[The room was completely dark. The only thing that he was able to see was a little desk with something on it]

Simon:"What is that? A candle!"
*he lit the candle to discover that the room also consisted of a bed and convenient*
Simon:"I know this place, it's my bed room. I'm in my house but... it suppose to be destroyed?"
*walk near the bed*
Simon:"What's happening, if this is a joke it isn't funny. Maria!!! Could she be in the house? MARIA???"
Maria:"I'm here darling!!!" [the voice was comming from the first floor]
*Simon left the room and takes the stairs down as quickly as he could*
Simon:"Maria? Are you there?"
?:"Maria has just left, sorry you missed her!"Take a seat, we have to talk."
Simon:"Who are you, what are you doing in my house? You're not welcome so would you please get out."
?:"Sorry but I can't."
Simon:" Come out of the dark, then I'll see your face."
?:"You're sure? Well if you want...
[The face which left the shade froze the blood of Simon. It was like he were looking in a mirror]
Simon:"It can't be!!! I'm... You... It can't be true!"
Drake:Oh yes it is and we're stuck here just because of you. Murderer!!!"
Simon:"What do you mean, what have I done?"
Drake:"Don't be stupid, you would have never leave the church. Yes now you remember, this girl, the place you should never leave, the curse!!!"
Simon:"Shut up, I was just trying to live my life. There's no crime in that."
Drake:"You had already chooses your path, you know that. And now you see what happen, all the blood on your hands, the life you sacrificed just for the thrill. You remember the pain you give to these innocent people, they were begging you to stop but you didn't. Again and again, you never stopped."
Simon:"NO... it wasn't me, it was you. You all along..."
Drake:"Poor Simon, you don't understand. I'm you so if I did it... You did too!"
Simon:"No, make it stop. I'm begging you stop this."
Drake:"Like all the people you've killed, but I won't. Look at you, you're a murderer."
[The last thing that Simon saw was a intense white light and when he was able to see he was on a beach with Maria and Cuattle]

Maria:"Welcome back!!!"
Drake:"What the hell was that?"
Cuattle:"It seems that you make a dream."
Maria:"But you're ok now, just calm down."
Drake:"How am I suppose to do that, this stupid island is sucking my energy. You're suppose to be happy, you don't need the help of your friend and his demon to do it."
Cuattle:"Well, it's seem that he's back to himself!"
Maria:"Hum... Cuattle? Can I ask you a question?"
Cuattle:"Sure"
Maria:"You know, with your telekinetic powers you can read people minds? So I wanna know, have you ever read my minds? If yes, you surely discovered that I am..."
Cuattle:"Don't worry, I'm not going into such private thought. But you know there's no reason to be a shame of yourself. If there something that we have to know about you, be free of it."
Maria:"Yeah I knowbut... not now!"
Drake:"You're just a witch that's it!!!"

Maria Cuattle:" SHUT UP WOULD YA!!!"

TO BE CONTINUED...



Edited By Kalem on Jan. 12 2004 at 14:18

**Dante's Awaken**

Dante was still running threw the forest as Asa made her way to welf to tell him of Angela. Dante stoped for a minuted he was quite fatigued. He sat down on a rock.

Dante: {I wonder how for out im am? Man that was stupid running out here all alone. How well I get back to the......}

Dante heard a hisssing sound and turned to see a very long reen creature that looked like a cross between a snake and Lizard. For it had the long tall holding its selfup like a snake but then had a lizard head with upper hands and fangs. It striked out at Dante. He doged the move barely and even some of the venom sprayed on his boot. He looked down noticing it was bunrning the leather up but did not go down all the way.

Dante: Dam I liked them boots too.

He then took the sword out and slashed out on the creature. It easily eveaded the strikes. round itself around Dante and warped itslef around him.

Dante: No! I wont go out like this.

He then held the sword tightly wating for his chance he slide his blade unotice by the creture up to hi chest and the tip of the blade stoped at his neck.

Dante: Come on eat me dont I look like a good treat to you?

he was looking up in the mouth of the beast it then lounged out to him. Dante quick as he could jerked his sword up having the blade going right threw the monsters head. It loosend its grip and feel dead.

Dante: Souls come on to me!

Dante's gantlet glowed as it seemed to be sucking the soul, now hovering above the demon dead body.

Dante: What!

The soul was slowly going back down to the earth. Dante then steped closer and looked as if Dante wsa playing tug in war with a mysterious force. Dante fell over as the soul went in the ground. Just then Welf, Asa and a lil fox came to him.

Welf: your gauntlet is no use here, im sorry but the island seems to have the ablity to suck in all life forces.

Asa: As in souls, Illusion and some magic aswell.

Dante: No this cant be! what about Thanatos?
He feel down to his knees. This time the guantlet glowed blue and a stream of bolts went up his arm to his sword. The sword then glowing start to change and had a more bigger apperance to it now and powerful feeling, It was now glowing blue and it stayed the dame to. Dante got up with a grin on his face.

Dante: I can go without Souls. lol these Islands trick cant stop me.
He then swung the new sword around and started to swing it back in forth, while saying.
Dante: I will show you.........The greatest SLAYER!

[ooc] Its all confusing I knowbut its late plus school I will explain to everone bout these even the newocomers who have no idea who Thanatos is or Danta's ablity. So I will get back to u on this asap. You all really watn to know wahts up with the sword to ill let u oin on it aswell.[/ooc]



Edited By MasterX05 on Jan. 13 2004 at 23:39

WELF looked down at dante and then looked up to his head.
WELF:"ok i had thought of you as a great fighter and that demon of yours could hav ecome in handy, but since nothing works on that damned island, guess i'll have to deal with only fighters !"
DANTE & TIKALIS:"huh ?"
WELF:"well with that thing on your back, i'm sure you cannot be a mage or something, you probably are a skilled fighter. or at least know how to fight without any magic. as for dante, well even tho i wanted that demon of his to be helping us, it seems that he will have to rely on his sword and nothing more. so i guess its better then nothing !"

DANTE:"can i know what he is talking about ? and who's that women ?"
ASA:"in due time please"
*ASA looked at WELF*
ASA:"we gotta go now, there is just enough time to make it there, are you all ready to go ?"
WELF:"yep !"
TIKALIS:"YEP !"
DANTE:"What the hell is going on here ?!?"

WELF:"come already ! i'll explain as we go !"

So they all started to walk toward the mansion. Welf explained to dante the why he choose him more then anyone else ! to this point it was evident to dante that welf had done the best choice for the current situation, tho without thanatos, dante was a little less efficient, he was rather happy to have to face such supposed monsters !

So the travel toward the mansion began !

TO BE CONTINUED...
[OOC]ok, this is a simple GO ON ROLL, WE ARE OK TO GO. kind of post, so i'm waiting for you roll ![/OOC]

[ooc] This may help some ofuall out who have newly joined in on this. Dante is a knight with the ablity to summon a Demon to his command that demon is called, Thanatos Now when I say summon I do not mean the f type where u summon a monster that appear does thier attack and then goes away. Thanatos will follow Dante around floating in air. And will only attack if Dante commands him to. Plus Dante can make him go on his own will to attack. The why this Demon attacks is to vanish and reappear at the enemys weak spot (behind them) and throw a punch. A punch that will burn u can tell by the pic.

The guantlet is powerd by souls when Dante kills a demon he can take thier souls. Souls are also used to recover Thanatos if he was hurt in battle. Also If the Guantlet collects a great number of souls it will enhance Dante's sword. Also if youread the part where we fight Drake, Welf and Thanatos were killed. But the Guantlet brought them back and Thanatos evloved into Ultimate Thanatos
Since Dante found out the Guantlet would be no use. Guantlet itslef transferd all the souls/energy into the sword enchance it to a lvl2 Soul Reaver The lvl1 sword was referd to as Soul edge.

Well Karma U.Thanatos is still ofuse its just that if he is hurt badly... not sure what we can do. And if I summon him that will not waste his energy. But if I summon him to do his powerful attack then leave. (like f) this will drain down his energy. Not sure what to call his move but, all he does is freeze time (or enemy) and he will fire of homins missles, (basicaly red beams coming out of his body and staright into the monsters heart, taking out thier soul). Or a way to freeze time and buy more time to get to the castle and evaded a fight. confusing I know. ;) [/ooc]

[ooc]This is going to be interesting.......

In the mean time....Cuattles just going to relax:P[/ooc]



Edited By ledmonkey on Jan. 14 2004 at 18:15

while lying awake in her room at an Inn a cool breeze began to blow through Gabriels hair, Because of the emence darkness nights were very cold and unforgiving..
If it hadnt been for the thick cloak wraped around her frail body, Gabriel could have easily been overwhelmed by the frost in the night air.....
After what seemed an eternity of silence Gabriel hears what sounds like another human voice

{I wonder whos there}

Gabriel was always very curious and friendly, she couldnt stand the thought of combat and usually stayed out of physical conflicts with others. Gabriel has lived alone most of her life

While she was very young her father was assassinated because he was a decendent of powerful magic whelding demons, her mother was also assumed to be murdered......Although Gabriel has inherited most of her fathers abilities she is still lacking in endurance and physical strenght.

On Gabriels 16 birthday, she was confided in by her grandmother that when her father wa killed, her mother was kidnapped and taken to the land of "Gilsitesh"
which is inhabited by powerful demons and magicians ....
after hearing this news, against her grandmothers will Gabriel set off to find her lost mother.

This inn is but a stop on her journey to rescue her mother and destroy "Kalidor" the ruler of Gilsitesh................

[quote:post_uid0="Evil-Ryu-Goki-"]while lying awake in her room at an Inn a cool breeze began to blow through Gabriels hair, Because of the emence darkness nights were very cold and unforgiving..
If it hadnt been for the thick cloak wraped around her frail body, Gabriel could have easily been overwhelmed by the frost in the night air.....
After what seemed an eternity of silence Gabriel hears what sounds like another human voice

{I wonder whos there}

Gabriel was always very curious and friendly, she couldnt stand the thought of combat and usually stayed out of physical conflicts with others. Gabriel has lived alone most of her life

While she was very young her father was assassinated because he was a decendent of powerful magic whelding demons, her mother was also assumed to be murdered......Although Gabriel has inherited most of her fathers abilities she is still lacking in endurance and physical strenght.

On Gabriels 16 birthday, she was confided in by her grandmother that when her father wa killed, her mother was kidnapped and taken to the land of "Gilsitesh"
which is inhabited by powerful demons and magicians ....
after hearing this news, against her grandmothers will Gabriel set off to find her lost mother.

This inn is but a stop on her journey to rescue her mother and destroy "Kalidor" the ruler of Gilsitesh................[/quote]
[ooc]Err, I think you realize that this most of what you wrote came from blosom's first post in here.
..Gabriel's intro. I wonder, was this used with permission?[/ooc]

[quote:post_uid0="blossom"]while lying awake in her room at an Inn a cool breeze began to blow through Gabriels hair, Because of the emence darkness nights were very cold and unforgiving..
If it hadnt been for the thick cloak wraped around her frail body, Gabriel could have easily been overwhelmed by the frost in the night air.....
After what seemed an eternity of silence Gabriel hears what sounds like another human voice

{I wonder whos there}

Gabriel was always very curious and friendly, she couldnt stand the thought of combat and usually stayed out of physical conflicts with others. Gabriel has lived alone most of her life

While she was very young her father was assassinated because he was a decendent of powerful magic whelding demons, her mother was also assumed to be murdered......Although Gabriel has inherited most of her fathers abilities she is still lacking in endurance and physical strenght.

On Gabriels 16 birthday, she was confided in by her grandmother that when her father wa killed, her mother was kidnapped and taken to the land of "Gilsitesh"
which is inhabited by powerful demons and magicians ....
after hearing this news, against her grandmothers will Gabriel set off to find her lost mother.

This inn is but a stop on her journey to rescue her mother and destroy "Kalidor" the ruler of Gilsitesh................


.................................................. ........................

*Gabiel steps into the hall of the Inn*

"whos there?".................. "anybody"

as she glances she sees a dark figure dissapear into the room at the end of the hall way....

{i thought that room was vacant for the night}

*Gabriel slowly walks towards the once empty room*

TO BE CONTINUED[/quote]
[ooc]A hahahaa.......What is the guy trying to pull here?? Its almost the exact same thing:p[/ooc]



Edited By ledmonkey on Jan. 15 2004 at 16:01

[ooc]I'm still not motivated but this topic has to stay on the front page[/ooc]

[ooc]I'm sorry you guys... it looks like I did it again. But this time, I have a valid reason (or at least I hope it is); which is to say I'm trying to draw a few pictures for this event. It is, after all, very important to Angela, and just as much important to Welf's past. For now, however, Cuattle, and whoever wants to control Maria and Drake (for now) should try and make a way for everyone to leave the island. I don't think everyone would like to stay there longer than needed. Just remember, energies are bad to use on this island, except for body energy, and mystical abilities are bad too. This means magic and telepathy are very difficult to use at their full effectiveness, except for two types of magic at this time: Lunar and wood type magic. In any case, please be patient with me. I've been drawing for quite a long long time for this, among other things. Again, I'm absolutely sorry for this long wait. *bows* [/ooc]



Edited By Roll on Jan. 18 2004 at 20:30

[ooc]I have a really.....really strange way of getting Cuattle and Maria n' Drake off.....but here it goes...[/ooc]

Cuattle layed there barely breathing.....His vision was growing dimmer....his physic energy being sucked away

Maria: Cuattle are you alright?
Drake: I think its dead
Maria: Hush this is not a time to joke

Cuattle: Help......me up...
*Maria Dragges Cuattle to his feet...he stumbles for a moment and then stands up*

Cuattle: Please don't worry
Maria: Worry about what?
Cuattle: OF THIS!

*Cuattle raises all three of his tails and stabs himself in the sides*

Maria: Oh my God! What is he doing?
Drake: I guess the guy couldn't take the pressure.

*Suddenly Cuattle fell over and he seemed to shrink*

There was no blood coming from Cuattle's wounds, and soon he was nothing but a little ball of fur

*The ball started to shake, small movements at first, but then started to move rapidly*

Maria & Drake: What the!?

The fur ball began to grow, when it reached about 6ft in diameter, it started to form into shapes, a head, eyes, legs, and one huge giant tail. When the forming was complete it looked like a long-haired, one tailed, giant version of Cuattle with eyes.

*Maria and Drake take a step back*

Cuattle: Your problaby wondering what happened.

*Maria nodds here head, eyes wide*

Cuattle: Well I was granted to move on to my next life, I am now of the starmong species. Let's not waste time and get off this island.

[ooc]EDIT[/ooc]

Maria: How do you suppose we do that?
Cuattle: A raft, of course:P
Drake: With what wood?
Cuattle: Well this is a forest isn't it?
Drake: Yes but did you think that these tree might be a little hard to cut down?

*Cuattle raises his now giant tail*

Maria: Oh! That will work!

Cuattle: {Hmm......this big one should do}

*Cuattle slices at the tree with his tail, in one motion it is down. He then cuts the ends off and cuts them into many long boards*

Cuattle: That should be enough. Now we just need to work on rope.

*They all work on cutting short,thin,flimsy branches. They then wind them together to make around 40 feet of rope. In four hours, they were lashing the last of the boards together. They shove it into the sea. Maria and Drake hop on*

Cuattle: I hope this holds us all!

The raft almost sinks under the water when he jumps on.

Cuattle: Where are we heading?
Maria: Err........That way *she points* should lead us back to the mainland.

Cuattle: All right, then off we go!

*Cuattle paddles with his tail, they slowly begin to move towards the horizon*

[ooc]Emkay this is pretty much what we need to do right?[/ooc]



Edited By ledmonkey on Jan. 21 2004 at 15:35

[OOC]Bringing it up, roll i know its hard to make pictures and the likes, but we seriously need to go on right now ! in any case i don't want this to die like this... tho i think it dies evenmore each passing days, we kept on thing here, but i think we failed to make this a good story, let's hope for the better as new players will join in if they ever join in. in any case can't wait to see that story of yours, just keep it up and be fast er please.... its been 2 weeks now ![/OOC]

[quote:post_uid0="SSJKarma"][OOC]Bringing it up, roll i know its hard to make pictures and the likes, but we seriously need to go on right now ! in any case i don't want this to die like this... tho i think it dies evenmore each passing days, we kept on thing here, but i think we failed to make this a good story, let's hope for the better as new players will join in if they ever join in. in any case can't wait to see that story of yours, just keep it up and be fast er please.... its been 2 weeks now ![/OOC][/quote]
[ooc]yeah.... ive been waiting forever....
is it almost done, if i may ask?[/ooc]

[ooc]I will make my post in this post[/ooc]

[ooc] me too its been days and still nothing, Ill continue our journy to save Angela and get off the island.[/ooc]

[ooc]Gomenasai. I'm afraid... that in the past few days, I have become ill. Because of this, I was away from the forum, along with everything else. Mind you, I could not do anymore drawings. I tried. Oh, heavens, how I've tried... Welf is very difficult to draw, after all. I've only created a few pictures, and only two of them are actually good enough (in my eyes) to fit in with the story. So, please wait patiently as I try and scan them in by tomorrow. I do not own a scanner, and I have to use a school's scanner according to a schedule. Again, please forgive me. Continue, if you would like, today. Just... do not proceed to do something short, like "everyone goes in the mansion, opens a door, and -- Oh my! There's Angela asleep! all of a sudden she is waking up mysteriously without us doing anything important." or of the like. For now... Ledmonkey..[/ooc]

Back on the other continent, all of hell was beginning to rise to the surface of the world. The life of all that lived in the villages by the shore was being threatened by the savage violence that raged upon the dark and dirty street corner. The many voices crying out in pain, rage, or despair drowned out all forms of sinister laughter coming from what seemed like everything. A little child ran down the street, looking for his mother who was currently biting on a mans nowbloody, torn, and deattached upper leg. As the little boy cried out to her, she stopped her menacing chews of glee and look into the boys eyes. She brought him over to her, and held him once more as a mother should hold a child. The child smiled once more, before being impaled by what seemed like a bone shooting out from the mothers body. The child, though bloody and dead, was held once more by his mother; the same thing that he had wanted when this disaster began. Yet over the horizon, he knew, there was a little bit of hope for his continent which he used to call home. The sun set in on his eyes, which were left open as his mother left him to lie there, until she had her previous body..

...This was to be the beginning of their new nightmare; a harsh dream that makes one want to wake up. Yet, if it was a dream, then one can only hope that they will wake up before losing all hope. If they did not wake up, then it was reality. The dream is reality...

ok ill post either tonight or tomorrow, This journy shall come to a end.

[ooc]Whether it will be done or not will be seen soon enough. That it will be done just because you want it to be? Master, if that's what you think, you're going to be slapped in the head harder than you've ever been punched in your life with this next comment:
I don't think so.
I've worked too hard on the pictures, redone them after they were destroyed, got sick with a disease that has disabled me, and still got here in order to try and move the story along a little bit. I am not going to let it end too quickly, or too mildly after going through what I did, just because you're becoming impatient with me. I told you my story, and I expected you to understand. I suppose next time, I will belittle you instead of overestimate you in the arts ofunderstanding.

I will post soon tonight. [/ooc]

[ooc] What I tell ya? [/ooc]

As Welf and the others ran alongside with Asa, who was currently chanting a spell very softly into the eternal darkness of the forest, everyone couldn't help noticing that everything was becoming still darker. The once lush green trees had just lost their luster, and began to become brown and tattered. The ground that was so wondrously covered in mosses, grasses, and flowers was nowbecoming to be just a dirt road. Even the elevation levels, though they seemed normal, began to change rapidly. The ground was rising with each step that everyone had taken, and though he was utterly confused, Welf continued his periless dash through the forest region with the thought of his dear friend. Asa had stopped chanting her spell and drew Welfs attention. He went closer to her to inquire what she wanted, but all she would say was that they were near. Welfunderstood well enough to nod, and tell the others that they were near to the mansion that would hold Angela.

Surprisingly enough, the elevation level seemed to stop rising, which was a good thing at the time because the elevation was so high that Welf was nowbending his knees in an attempt to climb. They had all just scraped past a fewbranches when Asa stopped them from continuing further. She pointed upwards, at a stone. Welf and the others looked closely at her, and noticed that she was not joking about her point. She really meant what she intended to mean with it. That was the mansion. As they continued further, they slowed down to a steady walk. Asa went next to them once more.

Asa: "When we enter the mansion, we will be in a lot of danger. Many things probably reside inside of it now, because of how long it was left deserted. Yet, once we enter, we cannot stop for anything until you find Angela."
Welf: "I understand perfectly, and that was my intention from the start."
Asa: "You are sure of your intention?"
Welf: "eh?"
Asa: "You are sure that you do not care that Angela will most likely bring you some kind of misfortune in your life? You are sure that no matter what warnings I can give you, you will disregard them and head for her anyway? You must think carefully before you enter. When you enter this mansion, you must enter while holding your true feelings for your reason for entering in your heart. If you do not, you may not come back out alive."
Welf looked forward at the hill they were walking on, and Tikalis spoke up.
Tikalis: "So what are you trying to say? That if we don't tell the truth about why we're going into the mansion we'll be killed?"
Asa: "Yes, and one other thing. If you enter and you know and admit to why you're going, then you still will have to relate your feelings on that reasons. At the very least, you can't disguise it from yourself. It would be dangerous."
Tikalis: "I see.."
Welf: "Then in that case, I'm sure that I'm going to go in."
Asa looked at him with surprised eyes, and Welf only returned the look with his smile.
Welf: "I'm sure I'll be alright."
Asa only smiled and was now sure of what she had suspected in the first place. She had no more doubts, and finally the mansion was visible to the group. However surprising it was to Welf and the others, the surprise seemed to have slipped past Asa. She just continued to make her way up to the old building.

The mansion itself was more of an antique than the entire group had seen before. It looked beat up and battered by endless weather and wind. There were cracks all along the stone edges, and the windows only shined in an eerie manner. There were two stone statues that stood in front of the doorway, one in the shape of a horse with a man on top, and one in the shape of a lady wielding a mirror in her delicate arms. They did not, strangely enough, look very damaged at all, and almost seemed completely alive. As Asa and the others closed in on the doors, Asa stopped them and had them turn around. What they saw was very shocking. Everything, the forest, the sky, the ground... everything had turned black and gray. The trees were no longer their beautiful green selves, and the sky was filled with clouds that warned of deadly storms. The ground was just as gray as everything else, and was very dead. They had finally seen the true state of the land where Angela came from.

Asa pulled out her rod once more, and waved it once in front of the door, which had opened after the wave. The wings on her rod began to flutter drastically as well, and Asa turned around in circles as if looking for something. Then, she stopped and was staring at the statues. The statues had not moved an inch, but Asa told her suspicions aloud, and began to prod the statues in a careful manner. She found them to be made purely of magical rock, but the rock needed to be activated before they would be in any danger. Luckily, the only people that could do that, she explained, were people who had this lands power in their bloodline. So, they all entered into the mansion. Welf looked around at the old interior.

The inside of the mansion was worse than the exterior. There were many many cobwebs that told tales of many poisonous spiders, and the cracks on the floor proved to be dangerous as Welf took a step forward and fell through the ground. With half of his body in the floor and the other half above the floor, he saw the entire mansion at a different view. He saw more cobwebs than before, and the floor was so covered with dust, that it seemed to look like flour. There were a few tables and chairs sitting around, each covered with miscellaneous pieces of art, or some other decoration, and there was a particularly large painting that was so covered in dust, that no one could make out what it had depicted. Strangely enough, it seemed to missing something anyway, so no one really minded. When Welf had gotten out of the floor, however, he looked to Asa for help, hoping she could tell him where he could go. She just shook her head and spoke simple words:
"Let's split up."
Welf and the others stared at her. She only smiled and walked off after wishing them luck, and everyone decided to do the same. Welf looked around in the main room just a little bit more before continuing to find some more stairs on the opposite side. As he was climbing the stairs slowly and carefully, he noticed the stairs had been used recently, because they lacked dust coverage and was wiped clean of cobwebs. He followed the stairs all the way to the second level, and turned to look at the first door he came across. Then he opened the door. He had the room, only to find what looked like some misplaced objects, and some toys. The toys were wooden toys, and one of them was a toy he remembered. He remembered playing with it when he was really little, but what he didn't remember was how he received the toy in the first place because it wasn't in any market he had come across. He went over and picked it up, and swung it slowly, which made the ball attached to the wooden stake fly up and fall into the cup. He smiled upon his remembered skill, and then was hit with a thought. He closed his eyes only for a moment, yet he had seen something. He was someone giving him the toy, but the person was engulfed in shadow and light in his vision. He could imagine a sweet and loving voice that was similar to Angelas (except that it was deeper)that chuckled alongside the gift giving. However, he shaked off the thought, and left the room to enter the next one down the hall.

When he entered the next few rooms, they turned out to be normal bedrooms, except that they were filled with broken furniture and tattered cloths that could have been fine a bit ago. However, at the end of that hallway that he went to, he found a door with an engraving of a small rose at the top. He looked at it for a moment before placing his hand on the doorknob, and twisting it slowly, opened the door. He entered the room, which looked amazingly clean in comparison to the rest of the house: it was sparkling, there was no damage at all, and everything looked crisp and new. He walked up to the bed that was in there, and felt its cloth while he examined the rest of the room. When he looked at the rest of the room, he saw a painting that looked like it was made fairly recently of a large tree with a bench underneath it, as well as some rocks that were in front of it. He looked at that painting with an unconscious interest, until he realized that it looked like the old tree that was in his hometown. He remembered the tree: It was the biggest tree the eye could ever see, and was filled with millions of leaves, and covered in branches and twigs. The leaves were always a treat to see, because they were very abnormal to every other tree in the area. Yet, there was something else that he was remembering slowly.

Yes... it was a memory; he was sure of it. It was very sunny, and there was a few kids chasing him. The reason was unknown, but they were chasing him. He remembered tripping over himself, and falling down, so that the kids had caught up to him. Then he remembered seeing a lot of leaves and dirt, as well as hearing a lot of "OW"'s at the moment.... and then...

"Hey! Leave him alone!"
There was a child standing on a rock that had seen what was going on. They wearing awkward clothing, which stood out to him, yet, it was very appealing, since it seemed to look well with their shimmering blue hair. However, the kids that heard the voice stopped what they were doing to turn and look at the stray child. The child just began to walk forward in a defiant manner as the other children stared on, and Welf did the same. The child turned out to be a little girl, who didn't stop until she was a few feet away from the other children. Her eyes burned with anger and concern as she spoke.
Little girl: "What he ever do to you?"
One of the Children took a step forward and spoke. "He's a freak of nature, that's what he is. That's reason enough right there." The little girl's anger seemed to increase with the flow of the statements that reeled afterwards, and she screamed something unintelligible at them, which stopped their lengthy words.
"You're hurting an innocent person just because they're different than you? That's not fair, and it's not something that should be done! So, please leave him alone."
Children: "What are you going to do if we don't?"
Girl: "If you don't, I... I will... will..." She started to look very unsure about something.
Child: "Well, alright. We'll leave him alone. He was too easy to get anyway, so we can get him again later.. for now... we'll get you!"

The little girl