Year 57

  *Emma and the group return to the ruins, upon reaching the sixth floor Emma stops everyone before crossing the archway.*

  Emma: Anyone want to volunteer to step through?

  *Thoris raises his hand as he steps forward.*

  Thoris: I’ll go Captain.

  *Everyone watches as Thoris steps through the archway. He stops after a few steps and looks himself over before looking back at the group.*

  Thoris: I feel fine.

  Monica: Maybe we passed the only ones?

  Emma: Or it’s me specifically.

  *Emma walks through.*

  Emma: Hmm. I feel fine. Okay, let's keep going.

  *As the last elf enters the room the pathway behind them disappears. An orange glow fills the room and Emma notices Wendy collapse.*

  Emma: Wendy! What’s wrong?

  *Emma helps Wendy get back on her feet, noticing that all the orange-eyed elves seem to have reacted.*

  Wendy: I’m fine, I just felt weak suddenly.

  Corey: Captain! It seems Anthony and the others are saying the same thing.

  *The sound of large footsteps shakes the room. The group looks to the door at the end of the large room.*

  Emma: Quick! Anyone affected! Get in the back!

  *The doors fling open to reveal a metal golem. Emma grabs Lily who becomes a Greathammer.*

  Emma: Until we can figure a way to beat that thing I’ll keep it distracted. If you can sneak past go for it. Corey. The discomfort seems to be gone from this floor already, go with them.

  Everyone: Yes Captain!

  *The Golem runs towards the group and as it swings its massive fist at Emma she swings Lily, the shockwave from the impact cracks the foundation.*

  Monica: Let’s get going.

  *The golem creaks for a moment before the room turns blue. Suddenly the elves with blue eyes begin to collapse and the ones with orange eyes feel light again. Emma turns to the group while straining to hold back the golem's fist.*

  Emma: Keep moving!

  *As the group starts to move again, the golem jumps towards them. In the blink of an eye, the golem fist crashes down, just missing the group. As the golem swings again, Monica calls an earth pillar to shove the Golem back. Monica places down Liam before running over to Emma.*

  Monica: Odds are it’ll be a color that will weaken you, Captain, You should step back.

  *The creaking begins and the room turns purple, Emma feels as if her ability to cast magic has been pulled from her. Lily changes back to herself and Emma pulls out her blades.*

  Emma: *Smiles* Just means we’ve got one more hit before I need to run.

  *Monica nods and swings her Hammer down on the Golem's head, Emma dashes to the Golem’s eyes and places a pouch of gunpowder. The creaking begins, and the room turns green, Emma stumbles, but manages to throw a firebolt, hitting the bag and blowing up the golem’s head, The room color blinks rapidly before leaving the room in different colors.*

  Emma: We can assume each area will lock off that elves' powers, so let's see what we have here before moving on. Monica, come with me let’s see how far this goes. Corey you too, Who knows when the discomfort will kick in again.

  Emma thinking: From everything Seraphina and Giovanni told me The elves supposedly had metal golem guards, but they also said the ruins we’ve explored have all been from the Spirit Walker’s plane.

  *Returning to the group, Priscilla calls Emma over.*

  Emma: So have we found anything yet?

  Priscilla: We found another language, but it was written into the walls.

  *Priscilla brings Emma to a detailed blueprint of the golem drawn on the wall.*

  Priscilla: it’s written in ancient Elvish. Well. Not quite ancient Elvish, But I can’t fully translate it. Therion should be able to though. I can make out the words magic and I think that one might be sealer. It’s also possible this is just nonsense.

  Emma: Okay, take Moris and Benjamin with you.

  —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *From that floor on the group had to fight weaker, smaller golems that resembled elves with antennae for ears. Each of the floors would rotate in color every hour, causing the group to move in bursts to allow the maximum amount of time using the Orange elf's strength. As the months pass, the group makes it to the twentieth floor. A huge, crudely built, door sits in front of them with a small inscription on it.*

  *Emma and Therion approach the door.*

  Therion:” Count your days you and your spirits will pay.”

  Emma: What is this guy’s problem? All we’ve learned is he blames everyone else for losing his wife.

  Therion: It would help if we had elves from back then, but I’ve never met an elf over four thousand myself.

  Emma: Was the language that different back then?

  Therion: My grandpa once called it “Native” Elvish. They’ve always been found in deeper ruins.

  Emma thinking: Maybe it’s from the actual elves? They mentioned the Jungle I found underground is what the elven lands used to look like, so Is it possible the underground was unaffected by the planes colliding?

  Emma(TL): Hey Lily. What if these elves are from the Spirit War?

  *Lily hops out and sits next to Emma.*

  Lily: What do you mean?

  Emma(TL): What if these elves were survivors of the war who were planning to attack the surface? They were highly advanced they said. So I can imagine they were able to get deep underground where an ancient Elvish jungle was located. These ruins have been gradually heading towards the capital since the third floor.

  Therion: Wanna fill me in?

  Emma: Sorry. I can’t talk about it. Unless… What do you know about my grandma?

  Therion: Oh thank goodness! Queen Seraphina never told me whether you knew or not. *Laughs* So I can assume you think this is an “ELF” then too?

  Emma: Yeah, Lily and I were discussing it.

  *Emma pulls Therion away from everyone and explains what she found underground.*

  Therion: That confirms another theory we have as well.

  Emma: Oh?

  Therion: We believe only the surface of the world was changed in the collision. Everything we know of the past says the world was significantly more dangerous before then.

  Emma: Do we know what happened to the elves?

  Therion: From everything we know elves outside the capital disappeared after we collided. Your grandparents convinced the population that all elves had become spirit walkers, and if they performed the ritual they would be safe. But nothing says safe from what? All we know about this is the history of our world is passed on to our current queen and king through Luna when they are crowned. What if they’re still hiding things?

  Emma: Hey. Wasn’t it around three thousand years ago we found the other races?

  Therion: Yeah. The humans found us first, followed by the dwarves. Both had reports of an illness when we met them.

  Emma: Wait! I’ve heard every race has a “Near Extinction” event. What if all the royal families know?! What if they’re sharing it after the crowning? The dwarves had the Gravenborn disease. They said it made them like Zombies. What if that’s what they’re hiding?

  *Emma’s face lights up as she pieces everything together. Therion grabs Emma.*

  Therion: Calm down Emma. Even if that’s true it was probably to keep things calm. And avoid riots.

  Emma: But why hide it ever happened?

  Therion: Shame. Embarrassment is part of why the world doesn’t know about spirit walkers.

  Emma: Well and the devil threat. Head back to camp with the twins.

  Therion: Will you be fine? What if the ruins go deeper?

  Emma: Then we’ll come back. At that point, it might be better to go back to the capital to report in person.

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  *After Therion leaves, The group opens the door to a large glowing room, roots act as pillars for the roof. They walk up to the far wall where what looks to be a giant glowing calendar looks like it was torn from the ruins above and placed in this room. As they reach the center of the room, A deafening roar alerts everyone, they look to see the glowing, flickering hollow eyes. Its head carries terror into the troops as the discomfort flows over them. The last thing Emma sees is the beast's talon-like fingers pointing at her, and the eyes turning green and purple.*

  Monica: The captain’s down!

  *Liam and Corey attempt to cast comfort on Emma while the rest of the troops prepare for combat.*

  Monica: If she’s passed out she should be fine! Get up here and help!

  *The Wendigo jumps to the floor, its body towers over the troops as it swipes, and the elves jump back.*

  Corey: Captain said Wendigo’s are only able to move if you look at them!

  Monica: Everyone, watch the floor!

  *As they turn to the floor, They notice the Wendigo’s reflection and it vanishes. As Liam looks up he’s met face to face with the wendigo. The beast bites down, cleaving Liam in half. Monica grabs her Hammer and swings at the Wendigo, it jumps back but Monica uses magic to extend the stone handle and presses the beast into the wall. The ceiling rumbles.*

  Monica: I’ve got it pinned. Get in there and…

  *The hammer breaks and the Wendigo charges for Monica, but Moris intervenes and manages to land a blow, sending the Wendigo into one of the Pillars, and the room begins to shake. Eugene reinforces the pillar by creating roots along the forming cracks and the shaking stops.*

  Monica: Spellcasters! Move the calendar before the room collapses! Unless you think you can get what we need before the ceiling falls! Corey! Get the Captain out of here!

  *Corey helps lift Emma.*

  Monica: Our spirits seem afraid of this thing, so we’ll have to rely on magic and brute strength. Think we got it, everybody?

  *Cheers*

  Monica: Let’s show the Captain what we can do!

  *The orange elves switch between each other to keep the Wendigo at bay while the others fight. As the fight goes on, The casters slowly begin to run out of magic and the discomfort begins to set in again.*

  Eugene: I think we’ve got everything!

  Monica: Good, I don’t know how much more we had. Everyone out!

  *Emma wakes up in camp, Therion turns to her.*

  Therion: Thank goodness, I heard you just collapsed.

  *Emma holds her head in confusion.*

  Emma: What happened?

  *Monica walks in and explains the situation to Emma and Therion.*

  Emma: So we lost Liam… Did he have any next of kin?

  Monica: Not that anyone knows of.

  Emma: *Sigh* Okay. You said we have a sketch, can you bring it here?

  *Monica helps Emma to the table where the drawing is displayed. The drawing is made up of multiple parts, In the center looks like a dial with ancient symbols.*

  Emma: I’ve never seen those symbols before. What kind of calendar is this?

  Therion: We can’t check. The Wendigo is guarding it.

  Emma: And it has that power to make you look at it.

  *The figure whispers in the back of Emma’s mind.*

  Figure: Numbers.

  Emma: What if they’re numbers? What if that’s the date?

  Therion: Hmmm. It’s possible, no one got the full symbols. And Some of these look like numbers, but I’ve never seen most of these.

  Emma: Well let's take a break, then head back there after we prepare.

  Therion: What if the seers get in there before us?

  Emma: Then we’ll have some less of a fight later.

  Therion: So you think your collapsing is because of being a seer?

  Emma: I can vaguely remember its eyes turning both green and purple before I collapsed.

  Monica: they didn’t change for anyone else.

  Emma: Oh? Then maybe I imagined it. Either way. Monica, can you and the casters go put out the last floor? If the seers are affected then they won’t stand a chance.

  Monica: That won’t be a problem. On our way out we noticed some golems had repaired themselves enough to start extinguishing the lights. But none of them attacked this time.

  Emma: Is it all of them?

  Monica: The boss is still out of commission. It wasn’t even moving when we passed by. So if I had to guess, it’s probably dead, dead.

  Emma: Yes, but if they won’t attack then the seers will just walk through. Tomorrow I’ll take Corey and investigate.

  *The next day Emma and Corey return to the room where they fought the giant Golem, its body nowhere to be found. As they approach the doorway the room turns blue and a smaller Golem attacks them, so they swiftly retreat.*

  Emma: Good news. We’ve got time even if they show up.

  Therion: Oh?

  Emma: Yeah, because now the rooms are all blue, preventing our casters.

  Therion: *Sigh* Well I was hoping to avoid this ever since you mentioned the golem, but we might need to look into hiring another race. Our best bet would be humans.

  Emma: I’ll talk to Queen Seraphina when we get back. Maybe I can convince her.

  —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  *Emma sits down for dinner. Next to Seraphina sits Giovanni. On one side of the table sits: Goren, Faelar, a male Elf with Green eyes, Therion, and Bastion, who waves to Emma. On the other side sits: Isabelle, a female elf with purple eyes, Ariella sits close to Emma, and another female elf with orange eyes.*

  Giovanni: So you want to bring humans into our Sacred ruins?

  Emma: We don’t have much of another choice. The ruins seem to have been tampered with in a way where the rooms are capable of locking off our magic. And with the Wendigo.

  *Everyone begins to talk amongst themselves.*

  Seraphina: So it’s confirmed then?

  Emma: Yes, My Soldiers fought against it just long enough to get some sketches of the calendar it was protecting. It seems to still be working but we didn’t have enough time to properly sketch the symbols so we need to go back to get the date.

  Giovanni: Well. It’ll take some time but I’ll put a request in with the church.

  *The table goes silent as they start eating.*

  Ariella:*Whispers* Couldn’t you just ask David?

  Emma: Last I heard, he went on a trip with Levi.

  Bastion: So Emma. Would you mind if I joined you next time?

  Emma: Is that allowed? I almost died, had Monica not taken command.

  Bastion: You said it affects those under the blue moon. So I want to know what it feels like.

  *They both look to Giovanni and Seraphina.*

  Seraphina: I’ll allow it. But listen to Emma.

  Purple: Until then, Emma would you stop by the workshop tomorrow? Jasmine and I were hoping to take a look at your active gear.

  *Ariella whispers to Emma*

  Ariella: My sisters, Jasmine the Orange, and Ginnie the Purple.

  Emma: Yeah, that’s fine.

  Seraphina: How are the Twilight Fangs?

  Emma: Currently waiting with Brent. I can’t have them sent out since the seers go through my mail now.

  Seraphina: Then Faelar. Can you go get them?

  Faelar: Yes, my Queen.

  Seraphina: Winston. *looks to the elf with green eyes* How are things on your part?

  Winston: They’ve gone quiet recently. We’re not sure what it means but they made it sound like they were way off from their plans.

  *The next day Emma walks into the large workshop just outside the Glade. Jasmine walks over wearing overalls, her short fire red hair flicks away sweat from working.*

  Jasmine: Morning. I didn’t think you’d be here until tonight.

  Emma: *Concerned* Did I miss something? I struggle to stay focused at those dinners.

  Jasmine: No. *Laughs* But you seemed so tired we thought you might sleep in.

  Emma: I usually wake up right after talks. It’s why I left them to Arie and the others.

  Jasmine: I normally come down here and hammer a few things out.

  *Emma follows Jasmine and places her knives and blades out on the table. A door closes and the two turn to see Ginnie walking in, half-asleep.*

  Ginnie: Oh, Emma. You’re here already.

  Emma: Morning. Maybe you should’ve stayed in for a few more minutes of sleep.*Giggles*

  Jasmine: No, That’s how she always is in the morning.

  Ginnie: I have a guy coming here who’s teaching me MageSmithing. He should be here by noon. Can you hang out until then?

  Emma: I was going to go see about sparing at the guild but sure. I can wait.

  Ginnie: Good. I’ll be right back.

  *Ginnie leaves for a few minutes. Emma talks to Jasmine about the knives she makes during combat when Ginnie returns, looking much more awake.*

  Ginnie: Okay. I want to track your magic output.

  Emma: Huh?

  *Ginnie brings Emma to an open room with a magic circle drawn in the center.*

  Ginnie: I’m working on a better way to read Magic levels. The downside is it won't show numbers but this stone.

  *Ginnie holds up a crystal with eleven sides, with different symbols on each face.*

  Ginnie: It’s linked to the circle, and depending on which side that lights up. It means you are efficient in that magic. The brighter it shines the more efficient. I’ve got it to read magic but I need help tuning it for stop casters. I was going to have Monica on her day off, but you have multiple moons. I want to see what shows.

  *Emma walks into the magic circle.*

  Emma: Okay. Now what?

  *Ginnie hands the Crystal to Emma.*

  Ginnie: Focus on the crystal.

  *Emma focuses her mana into the crystal and two of the symbols glow white.*

  Ginnia: White. If it’s working that means your Illusion and General magic are ‘S’ Rank. When was the last time you got evaluated?

  Emma: From the guild? I didn’t know I was supposed to.

  Ginnie: No one is required, but They recommend it because of the lack of higher-ranking quests. We can run one now if you’d like, I can report it later for you.

  Emma: First! You said ‘S’ Rank. How many ‘S’ Rank people exist?

  Ginnie: Depends. Your stepmom is one. So is Monica. But they both don’t register with the guild so the public doesn’t know. Most ‘S’ Ranks prefer to keep it hidden. As an ‘S’ rank you can be hired by nobles. And if you decline, you can lose your adventuring license.

  Emma: I have questions. But first. What about IN the guild?

  Ginnie: Like I said. Suppose you’re worried about people knowing. Most ‘S’ rank individuals keep their ‘A’ rank information so they can avoid the public. Have you heard of Dallas?

  Emma: Not really, Keya said Dad sent her to go recruit him, but he said no.

  Ginnie: He’s a well-known ‘S’ rank. He lives along the southern border, I hear he trains in the desert regularly.

  *Jasmine walks in*

  Jasmine: Okay, I’m here. Now, why are we evaluating Emma? She’s the only elf to take down a Leawk. Do you need to?

  Ginnie: Well, it might be to test out the crystal more.

  *Ginnie places the crystal in a golem and it powers up.*

  Ginnie: Okay, Emma. This Golem was designed by our ancestors. It’s not like the one from the ruins you talked about, but. Well, just don’t break it, please.

  Ginnie: I’m setting it to max!

  *Emma gives the go-ahead and Ginnie presses a button. The golem jitters for a moment then dashes towards Emma. The two look evenly matched as Emma dodges the attacks, Landing a kick on its abdomen, she pushes it back.*

  Jasmine: Hey Ginnie. Shouldn’t you have waited until Emma has her weapons at least?

  Ginnie: I’m sure she’ll be fine.

  *Ginnie watches the fight intensely, Writing down everything she sees in detail.*

  *The golem’s arm turns into a club and Emma jumps back, Barely managing to dodge the attack. As the Golem Speeds up, Emma jumps back and grabs a nearby metal rod. The sound of ringing metal hums throughout the building as the Golem’s arm and the rod collide. The eyes turn red, and the Golem club becomes a sword. Emma notices Ginnie smacking on the control panel. The Golem speeds up again, Emma heats up the rod and bends one of the ends. Using the molten metal, Emma throws it at the Golem, The rod pierces through its body, pinning it to the wall. As the metal cools, the Golem is unable to escape. The building shakes as the Golem tries to break free before powering down.*

  Emma: Sorry about your Golem.

  Ginnie: No…*Sigh* It’s fine. Everything was fine until you grabbed a weapon.

  Jasmine: That doesn’t make sense, Those poles are made to spar with it. They’ve never caused an issue before.

  Emma: Maybe, it knew who I was? You said they’re ancient. Maybe they were designed to fight the seers.

  Ginnie: Either way. I’m comfortable putting you at the ‘S’ rank. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.

  Emma: Except for your mom?

  Jasmine: And Dad.

  Emma: Dad?

  Ginnie: Did Arie not tell you? Giovanni is our dad.

  Emma: No. *Angry* She conveniently left that out! If you two will excuse me. Jasmine, I’ll be back for the gear.

  *Emma storms out of the building towards the capitol.*