First steps

It had been a few days since Clearblade had seemed to find what would become her home within the mortal realm, though having little to do with those her kind had an alliance she took it as a good omen as it was the first she had found. On entering she had met a few people and seemed to get along with them though her normal happy upbeat self she was nervous as she didn't know exactly how to react around people like them so it made things kind of awkward though she tried not to let it bother her to much. The first people she met was a male by the male who had introduced himself as Elyx Reiaki and his companion a lively Phoenix by the name of Ignite who had seemed somewhat excited to see a new face coming to seek refuge and learning at the guild.

This made her feel more at peace to be honest and had gotten into a conversation with the other female to find out where she would be able to learn magic only to find out that she could learn within the guild. Her personal fear was that she may have ended up within a dark place of learning but was quickly assured that this was not the case that the name of the guild was 'Golden Phoenix' and that they were treasure hunters. To the young Angel she didn't understand why people would be motivated in such a way but then she had never to go without, she then came to the conclusion they were trying to protect the heritage of their homeland, she knew of angels who done the exact same thing even finding forbidden objects so they could be studied though if they were thought to be to dangerous they instantly went to the lost vault only the head of the Seraphic council could open.

When she had woken in the morning there was a box awaiting her, she was a little confused as the ink used to write on the parcel was the same stuff her family used so they could read and write clearly, the ink blend was a family secret so that was something she would have to deal with but that could come later more so as she didn't recognise the handwriting nor the initials all it done was bring up more questions than answers. Sitting on the steps outside she opened the parcel and box carefully only to find what seemed like a hard back journal from someone named Martin Smith 'A family ally?' she thought to herself but she couldn't ever recall such a name be mentioned or noted in any of the many ledgers her family had for this and that. Placing her hand within the box she brought out what seemed to be a magical item 'This is what they called lacrima right...' she thought studying them both looking at them both for a moment it was then she seen the impurity "Blood... oh no..." she instantly stood up running into the guild trying to find someone who might be able to help.

"Elyx... Ignite..." she called out having become close to these two people particular since her acceptance as a member of the guild, they had even agreed to help her mentor her in things that seemed to confuse her at current that was pretty much everything from food to the guild itself, but it was to be expected she had never eaten the same food as humans so didn't know what was okay for consumption and what wasn't. "I got a parcel... a journal and a lacrima... they're covered in blood" she called out going to where the two normally seemed to be, holding out the two to Elyx. "They belong to a Mr. Martin Smith, I don't know anyone with that name and I don't recall it in any of my families ledgers" she hadn't gone to much into her own story or her family and thankfully the others didn't push the matter but she knew it may happen sooner or later given her talents.

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A journal and a parcel covered in blood? Those two signs were not too good together, a murder perhaps? Clear reached out her arm towards him, Ignite being the one to snatch before Elyx could take it for himself. Her purple eyes would scan some of the words that the journal had within them before they widened. “Yo, they got satan involved in this.” Ignite told them as she would toss the book to the side, Shima catching the book before floating over to Elyx, very much interested unlike Ignite, who seemed to not take it too seriously. He himself didn’t think it was too big of a deal, but what could he lose from checking it out? They were not going to face too much danger as long as he and Shima were together. As for Ignite, she did not seem to have an interest in joining the both of them on this little venture, not for the time being.

The brunette would pull out both rugers, then proceed to cock them both to make sure the hammer was pressed back and ready to fire. “While I don’t really believe it too much myself, I don’t mind giving it a good look.” Elyx replied to Clear after she presented the journal. Shima didn’t object, as chaos was perhaps her favorite pastime whenever she hung around him. And this could bring out much blood, perhaps even torture some beings that tortured others. That was eye and ear candy for the psychotic spirit, what reason was there to fight taking this job? “Well according to the journal, this sucker ended up having a stroke and made a bunch of static. Something about being stalked by the faceless ma-“

“Will you shut up?” Elyx interrupted, his eyes shifting to the side and glaring towards Shima. The spirit just giggled in response, not even the slightest bit phased. He then looked back over to Clear, this mission sounds dangerous for the amount of magic that he could sense in her. But this was a good chance to give his newest summon a test drive… Cooldown dragon, yes. “The Parcel doesn’t give us anything to go off of for now. Prepare to get stalked by some being, and bring some chocolate to keep yourself happy. If your sanity goes too low, you begin to hallucinate. Too much, you end up paralyzed and eventually…” This time, Elyx took the audiolog from Shima before she could react in time before throwing it onto the ground, making it switch on before static could be heard, the voice of a man non-existent. “If you’re still up for it, prepare yourself. I’m ready whenever you are.”

Clearblade looked to them both for a moment, she hadn't spoken about the weakness that her family trait had, it was never spoken about to outsiders but she knew she may have to break the rules just this once so he knew why she seemed more panicked about it that what should have been normal for any kind of mage. She watched the three blinking unsure exactly what she was to expect from them, though she covered her mouth giggling for a moment as the seemed to have a friendly spat, it kind of reminded her of her own family when it came to creative differences or even training. "You all remind me of my own family" she explained knowing they would likely wonder why she was laughing when this was in no way a laughing matter. She already knew even if she was of the host she was still young and had much to learn and prove so she was glad that the others had agreed to go with her to find out what had happened.

"I'm a little concerned about this though Elyx..." she finally said chewing her bottom lip 'I hope they'll forgive me for the family law I'm about to break' she thought to herself as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking at him again her glowing blue eyes looking between him and the spirit holding the journal "You've likely noticed my eyes aren't normal due to the celestial blue colour and glow that goes with them." she didn't want to insult their intelligence anyone with half a brain cell would have noticed that "Please don't repeat to anyone what I'm about to tell you, it's very important... a family law I can be disowned for breaking" she explained, her voice showing them how serious she was on the matter as her eyes begging for them to agree. "My eyes have a unique strength but they also come with their own weakness..." she began quietly "It's said that those who came before the gods blessed my family to be perfect crafters, so we where given unique eyes to do this task. We can see the impurities in elements, metals, gems, fabric... with some degree of accuracy we could tell you if a tree or a silk worm was sick and what was wrong with it" she said calmly trying to make it as simple as she could.

"This is the strength of the blessing the ancients gave my family, however with every strength comes a weakness or balance is not kept. We can't see as you do and if things are to similar in element we tend to walk into things, as you can imagine it also makes reading and writing a nightmare so we designed a specific type of ink that we use for reading and writing, that parcel and the journal were both written in that same ink" her face showed she was concerned deeply on this fact as she didn't know anywhere outside her homeland that used it and even then it was only used in certain areas that her family were known to be such as the hosts or council but that was more a story for another day. 'They should understand the ink was in the hands of a mortal and with Elyx being my mentor there are things he would need to know about me right...' she tried to assure herself that what she had done was the best course of action.

Clearblade nodded to what it had been asked of her, she wanted this sorted, even if she wasn't of her family or even an Angel she still had a duty to help those in need or give closure to those who remained behind after a loved one had passed due to unnatural causes. "Yes, I'm sure. I want to find out what happened to this man and take out the threat that still lurks" she said looking to the lacrima "I don't know what chocolate is however, so I won't need to take that to be happy" she said with a smile. It was strange everyone within her family had always gone by the name 'Clearblade' except when it came to formal settings such as training so it was strange to be called just 'Clear' but it also made the youth feel a little special about having the slight difference with her family. "I am ready to travel" she said picking up the journal reading it. "I believe our destination is the spooky forest" he said after noticing some of the pages had been torn out "We should take the items, they may help give guidance when there if not the lacrima could at least be used as a distraction maybe if we need to make a quick escape for regrouping" she already knew that Elyx would be able to sort the issue on his own but the fact he was allowing her to go too showed her that her training had begun and it meant she would be expected to pull her weight which meant that regrouping and such might happen.

Word count for this post is: 859
Complete word count for the thread so far: 1'547

"What the hell kinda deranged kinda family do you have then?" Shima replied as Clear told them her thoughts of what the group reminded her of. Elyx was not too sure that was unusual, he heard all sorts of things about family members fighting among each other, sometimes even for fun. He never had any siblings, or legitimate parents for that matter, so he had a more or less peaceful family of one. Not the worst number to arrive at, it could be zero and he could be buried at this second when attacked by the Shadellian rogues that attacked Adrelissa. Fun times, he's going to be looking back at that and laughing when he grew old.

She then told him that she was concerned. In turn, he tilted his head to the side and crossed his arms. Hm?" Modified eye color was nothing too unusual, why she bothered to mention it was something he had no idea. Hell, his own eyes shifted to purple due to his Lerale bloodline, but only when he was pissed off. "Oh, so you're a naturist perhaps? Being able to read into nature and see what conditions they are in can be useful, having extra hands in certain areas sounds good. Try contracting with animals sometimes, to have some around in all areas consider you an ally would help you." It was how Elyx was with the phoenix bird, thanks to his immortal blood within his system. Any other animal, he was going to show them who he was.

"Ahhhh. Sight is decent and all, but not really the best sense to use in combat. I don't think it will be much of a problem for you if you don't rely on it." Elyx explained. If he were to take a training course while his vision was bad, he was going to blindfold himself and hit targets before they hit him. Of course, it would probably be too late, as even if he were to close his eyes, he would still see everything around him with such vivid detail. But this was hypothetical.

"Escape? Pfft, are you kidding me!? We won't be needing that trash plan!" Shima declared boldly, followed up with some laughter. Their mental status was in no danger, that was without a doubt a reality, but they can't just underestimate the enemy itself. Then again, the pay for what this could be seems to be low, according to the Verisi Eyes of Prophecy. It was not that much a threat it seems, but that's all right. Elyx walked towards the door, it was going to be a long walk. "Bring the items, though I think they are of little importance to us right now, there's no harm in taking them. Make sure not to get too attached to them though.

Clearblade blinked hearing the question of the other, it wasn't something she had expected if she had to be honest with herself or any other if they had asked. "An abnormal one given we are all primarily crafters, but we're also warriors." she stated scratching her cheek a little "So creative differences are normal, but at least we don't go as bad as some families." she said with a warm smile, for all they did argue with each other over techniques and how to improve they where still one of the most distinguished families in Celestia but that wasn't just due to their crafting abilities but their fighting ones too. They all held high ranking positions within their fields or orders and often where the ones that kept the council on their toes reminding them they weren't gods but servants who had been given the duty to watch over those who watched over mortals and prevented evil taking to strong a foothold in any plain of existence.

She rolled her eyes remembering what she had been taught before coming down to the mortal plain "My eyes aren't modified in any way, shape or form" she said with a frustrated tone "Every Clearblade is born with ice blue eyes, when we reach awakening they gain what is known as a celestial blue glow it is at this point we can no longer see like anyone else and our family traits kick in fully" she tried to explain to the others "We need specialised ink to read and write..." she shook her head knowing it most likely would be lost in translation yet another reason why they never spoke about it, how could someone who could someone understand if they themselves never experienced it themselves and though she could show them what she meant that was was forbidden and a line she refused to cross no matter the reason. "Nevermind, forget I said anything about my eyes" she was more than a little vexed about having the sight in the first place and then telling a family secret that could get her disowned and it been as seen as nothing was irritating. 'Calm, they are not like you... how could they understand?' she reminded herself.

"Naturist?" she sounded a little confused as she repeated what was said to her "Not quite, but it does come in handy when I am doing botany, dying or needing to craft. My family are elementalists, we normally specialise on one or two of each however." she said honestly not fully understanding what the other was meaning. "I dislike when people harm nature, it just makes everyone and everything sick" she said honestly her tone saddened as she spoke on it "I am not a druid, I can't commune with nature or animals" she corrected the other "I was learning from a very powerful healer by the name of Rosiel" she said happily as she remembered the nature angel fondly, though that was one person who could get even the most battle hardened warrior to flinch with a single stare she had that mother aura around her so you knew when you where in trouble. "But I have taken leave of home for a while so I've had to put those studies on hold" she said knowing that she was going to have work stacked on her for a while but she didn't mind as she also needed to understand mortals.

"I can see impurities, flaws, poisons and sickness within elements, beings, ores, weapons, armours and the likes." she tried to explain the best she could, though she had a feeling this was just going to get more and more confusing and frustrating as she went on so would have to show them one day when something was wrong or when there was a weapon or the likes around. "I went though basic and advanced training with my eyes closed so I don't rely on my eyes like that, I rely more on sound and vibrations" she admitted to the others, then again she didn't think any on her family relied on their eyes when it came to fighting unless looking for weaknesses in defence and attack of their opponents equipment or abilities.

"Watch it!" she snapped shaking her head, she knew that the others wouldn't need such a plan given their strength she had already looked at their auras and knew they were indeed stronger than her own. "Sorry.." she apologised to the chaotic spirit "You need to remember you are all more experienced than I am... far much more" she admitted with no shame heard in her voice, she understood that she was young and had much to learn "I come from a place where every scenario is usually covered, there is nothing saying that we will not become separated or we won't find more of the story along the way" she explained her manner of thinking when she had suggested it in the first place. Hearing what the spirit had thought about the plan had upset her a little but she could tough it out given she knew it was the best thing to do "I don't get attached to items" she said calmly still looking at the journal wondering how the person got the ink.

Word count for this post is: 882
Complete word count for the thread so far: 2'429

They don't go as far as some families. The thought of Nea was what that statement brought to his mind and what she said. "I suppose so." Elyx would reply to her, but add nothing to that. He was not going to bring Shadelle into this, especially with Adrelissa. They both needed to agree before any of that background data became a thing, and only one other person in Fiore knew about it. As of currently, he would rather not remind them of it as well, as that would just bring up the same problem that he had with them for a bit. The bet they made, if only he won... Damn it. Damn it! But that mattered little now, he was going to escape next time anyways, on his own journey to find out what Shadelle was up to and see what was really going on behind the scenes. No one could stop him while he was that far, and he's making Utopiasphere the instant anyone tried to follow him, not a single trace of his existence left behind.

"Hm, it's a miracle you can even bother standing around Ignite. A phoenix bird and her flames are not the most eco-friendly thing you'll ever see in your life." The brunette would explain, placing his left palm on his hip, letting his right hand sway loosely to the side and his head tilting to the side. Ignite would yawn, uninterested and barely paying any attention to the conversation. They all kind of lost her the moment anything spiritual was brought into it. While she did believe in spirits and that sort of thing, she was refusing to believe such a low paying job would have anything to do with the fallen one out of all beings. If they were fighting that insane enemy, they should never have to do another one-hundred year job again.

"Ooooooo, you are so lucky Elyx is here or I would rip that damn tongue from your-" And with that, Elyx snapped his fingers to seal the lips of Shima with his magic, which was now under more his control rather than hers. Any chance she wanted to take to try to control him was over, he had a far better grip on the Fabled Equilibruim than her, meaning he can do anything he wanted without much a problem. Shima crossed her arms, a little bit pissed, but unable to do anything about the seal on her lips. With that out of the way, I don't disagree with Shima. My eyes reveal the truth easily as long as it's within range. And trust me, it's always within range.

Sophita watched the interactions between them all a small smile on her face, it hadn't changed how she seen them. She was a strong believer that it didn't take blood to make a family but the bonds that done such a thing and could clearly see the bonds with them where so strong that they would do whatever was needed to protect one another. "You're not a very talkitive person are you Elyx." she let out a sigh of frustration over the observation, her family were much the same and that annoyed her to no end. It was all business and very little leisure, she had hoped that things would be different here but it was to soon to find out if she was seeing things in the wrong light when it came to her mentor. She bit her lip for a second as she thought the best way to ask the question that had been on her mind since, but didn't want to seem ungrateful to the elder male. "Why did you take me on as a student Elyx?" she finally asked "I mean, I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn but aren't there others more worthy of your time?" she continued her voice meeker than she had ever had it almost like she was afraid asking would make him reject to continue teaching her.

She then listened to the next statement about their phoenix companion and covered her mouth as she chuckled a little. "My families forges are lit by phoenix fire, so I am use to the heat of phoenix's." she said honestly, she seen no reason to hide the fact given several forges where lit in the same manner within her home realm, they did have an alliance with them after all. "They hope I will marry one of the princes or nobles to be honest" she rolled her eyes as if she was going to go forward with an arranged marriage, if she was going to marry it was going to be out of love and nothing else; it was as simple as that to her. "Or what?!" she glared, she didn't care if the chaotic spirit was stronger, even she knew that strength alone couldn't win a fight, that sometimes a weaker opponent could win due to tactics and the opponents overly arrogant ego. "I told you already, I realise I'm not as strong as any of you... but I'll sure as hell don't back down if challenged regardless of cost to myself!" her voice that of a steeled warrior, her eyes showing she would back every word she just spoke if she was forced to.

Sighing she took a deep breath, she wasn't the one to look for confrontations but it seemed that she and Shima would butt heads until she could prove herself one way or another. She moved to the door of the guild following Elyx "Do you have a mode of transportation?" she asked guessing that there was no door to door service where they where heading, if needed she could fly herself and Elyx to the area but she wanted to try not reveal her wings as long as possible. She placed the lacrima recording and journal in the folds of her clothing where she knew it would be safe. "A persons perception of the truth can alter things." she reminded the other with a shrug walking down the steps of the guild.

Word count for this post is: 577
Complete word count for the thread so far: 3'006