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Ragnar's brows furrow as he looks around. He slowly runs his hands down his arms and across his chest as if trying to brush away pests. If his is bothered or pained as the others seem to be, he does not show it, seeming more confused than anything. He nods to something unheard and closes his eyes, reaching out a hand and moving forward as if being pulled. His other hand sweeps back and forth, trying to make contact with Ilona, but misses.
Anang walks slowly around the perimeter of the group, muttering under his breath in Jungle Mouth as thick fog seems to pour into existence, rapidly filling the tunnel and blanketing everyone in a thick layer of white. Once the spell is cast, not having known his new companions long and not wanting to surprise any of them with his still slightly unfamiliar appearance Anang moves to the forward edge of the fog and keeps watch on the tunnel ahead.
"Good idea, Anang." says Gilian with a low voice.
Her voice then increases to a louder commanding tone, as her mother used to do with people mad with fear or despair. "Ilona, Ragnar and Chops, close your eyes and listen to me. We've already been through that, in the tunnel before the stepping stone. You know you can overcome that. Breathe deeply and think of all we've shared since we are together. The victories and the defeats, and above all, the friendship and love you've found...
"Now breathe deeply", she adds through her breath "and hold on to that feeling. We are here so that others can feel the same. That's why we were sent out here and why we CHOOSE to come here. Do not let that demon play with you. Let's strike through his horror and illusion.
Ragnar blinks and looks around sharply, then focuses on something invisible before him. His voice comes muffled through the fog.
"Thank you. I... am not sure what came over me."
He inhales sharply frantically looking aorund.
"I can't see anything in this. Can you see the others? Ilona.. Can you see Ilona?!"
The red glow of his blade flares trying to cut through the fog. He begins following someone unseen back to the group.
You blink and the fog clears and you find yourself in a madman's dream. Organic growth all around you seems like some sort of a hive. There are dead... life forms, for the lack of better word everywhere. The fleshy ground seems to devour them slowly, almost imperceptibly. A carnage seems to be greatest in the direction of a large chamber opening, slightly to the left of you.
As the fog clears, Ragnar only has eyes for Ilona. In the past, tense and traumatic situations seemed to have rolled off of him once through, forgotten as soon as they had passed. Something about this time was different.
In a few long, swift strides he is by her side, but once there, stops, seemingly at a loss. His mouth opens, then clicks shut, saying nothing, just looking at her for a moment.
Then he has his arms around her, lifting her off the ground, burying his face in her hair, breathing her in and squeezing her hard enough to stop her breath for a moment. He leans his head back, looks at her with a look full of wild fierceness and terror, then gently sets her down.
As the others begin to run off he glances toward them and follows, staying close by her.
Lanik once again looks back.
Well, are we all put together? River willing, today we will end that demon. I'll Take the lead, I may be small but I'll be the first one to see this thing coming.
He moves to take the lead but then pauses. Looking back at everyone, his eyes finally fall upon the dorn.
Well I suppose if we are going to fight and probably die together you should know my true name. My name is Lanik Clearwater, and I was a smuggler of the bluff.
Lanik quickly hops up to the front of pack.
"Yeah, maybe." the bird says, responding to someone the rest cannot see. "Or maybe he just didn't like the look of you 'til now. Don't know what's changed. You still look like you'd be improved by sticking your face in a campfire and letting everyone stomp you out. It's the beard. Ain't no creature anywhere ever looked good with all that crud hangin' off the front of their face.
As Ragnar lifts Ilona she elicits a sound that seems to play across the senses, a throaty growling chuckle that seems to scent the air with pure arousal.
Breathing deeply she locks eyes with him, her calm smile belied by the blazing intensity in her eyes, like twin points of flame.
Her hand comes up to hisface for but a moment, comforting, soothing, greatful, promising.
Without a word she turns and breaks into a lope, secure in the feeling of his mighty form striding aa long but a step behind her.
Pebble had watched anxiously the whole party cross the water towards the distant stalagmite. Would they come back? And in the mean tme, what could he do?
Sitting on the ledge, he stood still for a moment before jumping on his feet and rumbling back to the small entrance tunnel. I will dig that tunnel larger so that the big ones won't get stuck again when they come out.
And with the energy of a tireless elemental, he brings his two fist down on a rocky edge to break it down.
Pebble had watched anxiously the whole party cross the water towards the distant stalagmite. Would they come back? And in the mean tme, what could he do?
Sitting on the ledge, he stood still for a moment before jumping on his feet and rumbling back to the small entrance tunnel. I will dig that tunnel larger so that the big ones won't get stuck again when they come out.
And with the energy of a tireless elemental, he brings his two fist down on a rocky edge to break it down.
Chops' comment elicits an involuntary burst of laughter from Ilona that seems to momentarily banish some of the gloom.
Sword whirling into a guard position. "You heard the man, let's do this." she says with a resolute expression.
Along her blade purple light flares as the spirit in REQUIEM responds to her energy.