Yliakum Journeys (vol.1)

[spyke01]

Anduin finally tracks Laragorn to a large hill, the air is very humid at this altitude, and Anduin struggles to catch his breath as he speaks "I....them...Zorbels...find you.." Finally catching his breath, Anduin says "I'm glad to see that you're ok, if you donn't mind my asking, what is you're name?" After hearing the name, anduin recounts his encounter with Zorbels and he guides Laragorn back towards the correct path as they rush towards the camp.

[zhai]

Zhai looks at Xylaal and then nods at Odessa. "Very well then. We must hurry now... I have a bad feeling". Zhai starts running, leaving Xylaal a few steps behind still in the middle of her bow. Xylaal turns to her friend and starts her sprint. She grins and mutters as she tries to catch the fenki ahead: "I'd like to see you swimming..."

[Spetyco]

Elsewhere, the false Spetyco in a seculded area near the magic shop begins to summon the spirit of the great searpent Zhai whose hung in the magic shop.

The real Spetyco grows tired but continues to try to contact someone, "Is there anyone out there?  Can you hear me?"

[Odessa Wildfire]

Odessa watches the two run off and smiles.  She talks to herself a great deal recently.

"Damn stones in my boots make travelling anywhere impossible"

Followed seconds later by a distant thudding sound which seems to approach the unaware Odessa from beyond her field of vision.

"Hmm... must be a storm approaching." she says absent mindedly looking to the skies which are free from clouds.

The thudding stops suddenly, only to be replaced by the sounds of loud and deep growling very close by.  Odessa drops both her boots and turns slowly, her jaw drops and two words escape.

"Ah crap!"

In an instance she springs to her feet and races in the direction of the two strangers and away from the small group Tefusangs who are only too happy and curious of a pair of tefusang skin boots left behind.

[lanser]

Hokinon returns Zorbels hug and nods his appreciation of her offer before saying " I'll look after the little one and these two if you need to get away ma'am" he watches as she jogs off in search of Laragorn then turns to the fire and puts another kettle of water on the fire before settling down where he can see them all and slowly going through the items he collected.

Out of the corner of his eye Hoki catches sight of a Pterosaur high overhead, the one he saw earlier? possibly before he could stand for a better look something falls from its grasp landing with a thump by Spetyco and Farren and the aforementioned Spetyco exclaims "thats my book". Hokinon now on his feet gives a start and looks around as his bracelet  goes cold and a huge fireball falls from above to obliterate Spetyco and Hoki dives infront of Tovera

[LARAGORN]

Laragorn is still confused as they head back to the camp, and the evil that awaits. Not yet half way there He stops. Dropping to his knees he yells “STOP, STOP IT, I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT” As quickly as he stopped, he got up and started running again.
As they continue Laragorn starts to speak “I fear we will be too late Anduin. Blackness fills my heart. The poor souls will never see it coming.” Anduin Looks at him with a confused look on his face. “I know you have no part in this, but I must ask you to do one last thing. You must vow to me that you will do as I say, no matter what awaits us when we reach the others” His serious solemn voice cuts through Anduin confusion. Still running Laragorn explains his wishes.

[Spetyco]

As the huge serpent rises from the magic shop the false Spetyco laughs wildly!  "No one can stand in my way now!"  He climbs onto the serpent and they head towards the campsite.  "First we shall take care of those meddlesome 'campers'.  Then I'll make all of Yliakum bow to me, or die!"
On the way he sees a lone diablo heading towards the campsite.  He considers killing her, just for his own amusement, but decides he must stay focued.  "Onward!"  he cries.

[Xylaal]

Zhai and Xylaal run at top speed up hills and though valleys. They splash through a familliar stream. Xylaal remembers how refreshing its waters felt this morning and in a second they are climbing the muddy bank on the other side heading up toward the camp. Pushing bushes aside making a path as they go they reach the edge of the clearing where the camp lay. Laragorn and Spetyco are no where to be seen. They see Lady Zorbels and Hokinon among the others by the fire. They rush over to deliver their findings.

Xylaal speaks of the mysterious red book and relays all the information learned from Levrus. 

 

[Odessa Wildfire]

Odessa runs after Zhai and Xylaal trying to call out for them to wait.  Minutes later she passes through a stream but with no time quench her thirst, the smell of burning wood heavy in the air

"They must be near now" she pants and runs onwards soon reaching a muddy bank and noticing tracks smeared in the mud.

"At least I know they passed this way." she says.  Then seeing something out of the corner of her eye she turns to see a huge winged serpent flying in her direction, she slips and falls harshly into the muddy floor.

"In the name of the gods!" she says in horror and awe, with mud sliding off her face.

Picking herself up she runs beyond exhaustion towards the every growing smell of burning.

Seeing a camp fire ahead & movement she screams a warning at the top of her lungs.

"Danger! Were all in Danger! Move!"

[lanser]

Hokinon springs to his feet knife in hand and goes to look at where Spetyco stood "you OK Farren?" he asks as he plays with the blue stone bracelet and turns back to check on the others

[spyke01]

Anduin gives Laragorn his word and as they travel, Anduin parts ways with  him close to the camp, and continues on his way to the gobble cave, poositioning himself in the shadows nearby, he watches the cave entrance looking for any fiends that may be guarding it.

[Spetyco]

Right behind the you diaboli, the serpent comes flying over the campsite with the false Spetyco on its back.  "You fools!  You thought you could stop me?!?  You will pay with your lives!"  As he hovers over the adventurers another pack of thirty ulbernaughts gather around them.  "Let us see if you are ready for round two with the ulbers.  After all, I would hate for you to die too quickly!"  His eyes are ablaze with uncontrolled rage as he laughs wildly.  "Then if there is anything left of you, I will let you play with my snake!"
At that moment all thirty ulbers charge at the group.

Inside the cave dozens of gobbles patrol, eager to kill.  Spetyco, in his new body, lies in a chamber deep within the cave.  The false Spetyco's loyal servant guards the body, but being so deep underground, and since no one even knows where they are, he decides now would be a good time for a drink.  As he has more and more to drink, his control over the gobbles slips away and they begin to lose interest in their current duties.  After some time, he difts to sleep...

[Siteri Kidachi]

Siteri stares into the sky, then at the Ulbernauts. "So it was him, huh? Time to... what's that?" Out of the corner of her eye, Siteri notices some activity in the distance. It looked like some of the Gobbles were leaving the cave. They can't fight the Gobbles, the Ulbers, and Spetyco all at once. If I take out the little guys it'll save the others some annoyance... Siteri thought, and rushed off to the cave to fight Gobbles. As an Enkidukai, she knew she'd be able to climb out easily.

It didn't take too long before she ran into an unexpected sight... "Who are these guys?!"

[zhai]

Zhai looks at the incoming ulbers coldly. Without saying anything she unsheathes her blades and charges. "No more games..."

[Odessa Wildfire]

Odessa still dripping with mud, stares at the enormous creatures and grits her teeth with determination.

"I believe introductions can wait" she says acknowledging those who apear to be the intended targets.

Drawing both her short swords she takes a defensive stance, her eyes flash as they were fire.  She whispers incantations which cause the blades to burn and glow.

"Who first then?" she asks causally.