Ashton: "I will leave you to it then."
Alicia: "Th-Thank you."
Ashton: (I have a feeling this is going to be another long day.) *He left the room and walked back into his own.*
Lance: "Aha, did ya see it jump?" *He stared at Ashton and stuck out his tongue.*
Ashton: "Come on, Lance, let's get ready, and-" *He paused, as he wiped sleep under his eyes.*
Lance: "And?"
Ashton: "Try to be a little nicer to her."
Lance: "Pshht, why?"
Ashton: "She knows where to go, we don't."
Lance: "Fine." *He moaned like a child and rolled his eyes.*
Ashton: *He noticed Lance waiting for him to get ready.* "So, should we wait for Alicia then?"
Lance: "Wateva." *He left the room and started to make his way outside the Inn.*
Ashton: *He collected all their belongings and followed Lance outside.* "So, how are you feeling, Lance?"
Lance: "Feeling? Just wanna go home, gah." *He stopped near the plaza looking uncomfortable.* (Home..)
Ashton: *He folded his arms and patiently waited.* "Me too."
Lance: *He jumped up and down and started to walk in circles.* "..."
Ashton: (A little side of me was hoping I'd wake up-) *He closed his eyes and sighed in thought.*
Lance: "So wat are we actually doin' that will help us find a way home?"
Ashton: *He opened his eyes and looked at Lance.* "When the elder said that Surpreon was the biggest city, I figured that, if we needed information or answers, that's where we should start to look."
Alicia: *She opened the Inn door and noticed Ashton and Lance waiting.* "I-I'm sorry to keep you waiting." *She skipped up to the party and pulled out a map, unrolling it.*
Ashton: (She brought a map, excellent-)
Alicia: "So our next stop will be-" *She ran her finger along the map and nodded her head.* "The Library, but we'll need to go through The Igloo Forest-"
Lance: "Wat if we run into any of them Scoldrants?"
Ashton: (He's right, I've been worrying about that too.)
Alicia: "Cliff." *She whispered to herself and tilted her head down to the ground.* "I-I suppose, we'll just have to flee."
Ashton: (We'd have no choice but to make a run for it.)
Lance: "So, we're gonna run like little girls? Pssht."
Ashton: "There's no other option."
Lance: "I know." *He folded his arms and looked away.*
Ashton: *He glanced at Alicia, covering up his concern.* "What's so special about this library?"
Alicia: "It's a place where everything is stored." *She spoke with amazement, as she rolled the map back up.*
Ashton: "Everything is stored? What gets stored?"
Alicia: "All information, like discoveries, history, and even how to use Rostical."
Lance: (Yes! We can find our way home.) *He rubbed his hands together with excitement.*
Ashton: "Excellent, shall we get going then?"
*Lance and Alicia nodded their heads in response and the party walked towards Igloo Forest.*
Alicia: "Th-The Igloo Forest is just beyond AriAri's exit."
Villager: *She watched the party leave the village, causing her to run slightly faster.* (I nearly missed them-)
Lance: *He turned around and noticed the villager.* "The same chick that offered them rooms."
Ashton: "Hello."
Villager: *She tried to catch her breath, causing Lance to sigh with impatience.* "I just wanted to say thank you again for yesterday."
Ashton: "Like I said before, it's fine-"
Villager: "If it weren't for you all, many of my villagers may have passed away, so please." *She straightened her arms and presented a ball shaped object, wrapped in sheets.* "Please accept this as a token of our appreciation."
Lance: "Th-Thanks?" *He paused and looked confused.*
Villager: *She noticed Ashton and Alicia shaking their heads, as if they couldn't accept the gift.* "If you don't accept this, it would be a sign of great disrespect."
Ashton: "If it will cause disrespect, then we have no choice." *He smiled with gratitude.*
Villager: "If you all would excuse me, there are people that I must attend to." *She placed the object in Lance's hands and started to walk backwards.*
Alicia: "Th-Thank you very much." *She watched the villager walk into the village out of her sight.*
Lance: *He unravelled the sheets, revealing a yellow transparent orb.* "Aye?"
Villager: *She closed the Inn door behind her and sighed with relief.* (A lady with long black hair gave me that orb, saying to give it to people in strange garments-)
Lance: *He moved the orb up and down and stared through it like a child.* (I get that same strange feeling I got from the crystal-)
Ashton: "It fits perfectly in your hand."
Lance: "Yea." *He mumbled to himself, as he continued to inspect the orb.*
Alicia: "I think it may be one of those Rostical items."
Lance: "You mean like what that old fart used?"
Ashton: "Old fart?"
Lance: "That swirlin' fire thing?"
Ashton: (Oh, Millard.)
Alicia: "Indeed, but you would need-"
Lance: *He interrupted her, by just a raise of his hand.* "You may be quiet now."
Alicia: "..."
*Lance rudely walked into The Igloo Forest, causing the party to closely follow.*
Ashton: *He looked up with fascination.* "So why do they call this The Igloo Forest?"
Alicia: "For a silly reason." *She paused, as she walked in line with Ashton.* "Because the further you enter the forest, the less sunlight shines through."
Ashton: "Giving the illusion you're inside an igloo?"
Alicia: "Y-Yep, that's exactly right."
Lance: "Ha, how lame." *He rolled his eyes, as he continued to play with the orb.*
Ashton: "These trees look familiar though." *He walked to the side of the trail and inspected the vegetation.*
Alicia: "Yes, that's because this is the same forest where we first met."
Ashton: "Same forest? But how?"
Alicia: "The trees strand around Hollow Plains and AriAri village."
Ashton: "That's a big forest."
Alicia: *She shook her head, as she continued to walk through the forest.* "It goes all the way down to the Great Coast and finishes off where Maserio starts."
Ashton: "Maserio?"
Alicia: "It's the name for the hottest and most driest area on the continent."
Ashton: (So it's like a desert.)
Lance: "Ah so much has happened in three days, information overload." *He waved his arms up and down child-like, as he growled like an animal.*
Alicia: "Tee hee, if you're complaining about information, wait until you get to The Library."
Lance: "Shh, your voice is annoyin', it's so high."
Alicia: "Y-You're annoying, grottom bottom-"
*The sounds of a screaming man could be heard, deep within the forest.*
Alicia: "W-Who-?" *She looked down the poorly lit trail and started to bite her bottom lip.*
Lance: "Oh how convenient, who are we goin' to save now?" *He rolled his eyes and looked at Ashton.*
Ashton: "Haha, it's like you can read my mind."
Alicia: "Y-You want to go d-d-deeper?" *Her voice started to tremble.*
Lance: "He has to, captain Ashton to the rescue." *He sighed and wrapped up the orb, placing it in his torn up pocket.*
*Several thumps rumbled the ground under the party's feet, followed by another scream.*
Alicia: "I-It was the same man-"
Ashton: "Quick, it came from here." *He pointed into the direction of the sounds, before running over roots and jumping through bushes.*
Alicia: (His eagerness, he looks like a crazed Scoldrant-) *Lance ran past her, causing her to run after them.*
Ashton: (We have to help whoever needs it!-) *He raised his arm, hitting a branch away from hi
s face.*
Alicia: (We're running West to the ocean, strong Scoldrants reside around there.) "Asht-" *She tried to yell in front and stopped, knowing Ashton and Lance wouldn't be able to hear her.*
Lance: *He ran past Ashton and stopped in front of a clearing.* "Phew-" *He took a deep breath, as Ashton and Alicia caught up to him.*
Ashton: "You're still as fast as ever-" *He stopped in mid-sentence to catch his breath.*
Lance: "I hear a beach." *He tilted his head on a side, as he tried to hear it better.*
Ashton: "The yell came from around here."
Alicia: "Look." *She pointed to a cave which led underground.*
Ashton: "A cave-" *He crept closer to the cave with curiosity.*
Lance: "No way we're goin' in there."
Alicia: *She unravelled the map and held it close to her face, squinting her eyes.* "I think this is called Concern's Gate."
Lance: "Wat a stupid name-"
*A scream echoed from inside the cave, causing the party to stare at the entrance in shock.*
Ashton: "I don't really want to go in myself, but I think someone needs our help." *He looked at Alicia and Lance with concern.*
Lance: "We should just ignore the cave and-"
*Four loud clashes echoed from the cave, causing the party to shuffle closer together.*
Ashton: "Okay so the plan is-"
Lance: "Run?"
Alicia: *She awkwardly breathed, as she prepared herself for the unexpected.* (I don't want to go in there.)
Ashton: "If we see a Scoldrant or a warrior, we'll run as fast as we can."
Lance: "Or we can just throw Alicia at them?"
Alicia: "H-Hey!"
Ashton: "Let's go." *He took a deep breath of bravery and walked into the cave, causing Lance and Alicia to closely follow.*
Lance: "Things I do for you, Ash." *He grunted and stayed close to Ashton and Alicia.*
Ashton: (It's much cooler in here, compared to outside.)
*The cave was damp and had an eerie green glow, caused by a stream of water on the left side.*
Alicia: "It looks like the cave gets wider further down." *She stared in front and noticed water dripping from the top.*
Lance: *He looked up and watched water dance on the ceiling.* (This cave is like from a game-)
*The party heard footsteps, which caused them to stop.*
Alicia: (I'm scared. I can hear footsteps in front of us.)
Lance: (Why am I effin' doin' this?! Damn you Ashton-)
*Scratching sounds screeched just in front of the party, causing Lance and Alicia to squeal like girls.*
Ashton: "Sorry-" *He turned around and watched Lance and Alicia hug in fear.* "Sorry that was me." *He lifted up his belt and pointed to the wall beside him.* "It scratched on the rocks."
Lance: "Oh? I knew that pssht." *He looked down and noticed Alicia in his arms.* "Gah, get it off."
Alicia: "Eww."
Lance: *He stepped back and looked away, filled with embarrassment.* "Eww yourself."
Alicia: *Her face was red and she bit her bottom lip.* (What a loser-)
*More scratching sounds screeched in front of the party.*
Lance: "Aha, very funny."
Ashton: "Th-That's not me."
?????: "You guys should leave."
Alicia: "Eek." *She gasped and covered her mouth, taking a step back.*
Lance: "Who the-?" *He stared at a man covered in dirt, stagger towards the party.*
?????: "I thought I heard someone."
Ashton: "Hello?" *He nervously stared at the numerous cuts on the man's face.*
?????: "I want to forewarn you all, that there is a very powerful Guardian around here." *He spoke in a deep tone, as he glanced at each party member.*
Alicia: (Guardian?)
Lance: "So, why are you here then?"
?????: "My friend got frightened by something and ended up running in here."
Ashton: "Excuse my rudeness, my name is Ashton, that's Alicia and-"
Lance: "Lance."
?????: "My name is Holland."
Ashton: "Would you like some help finding your friend?"
Holland: "I wouldn't recommend going any further into this cave."
Ashton: "Why is that?"
Holland: "It ends up becoming a maze further down."
Holland: "We must hurry then. I last heard her over here." *He stopped and stared at six caves.*
Ashton: *He stared at the caves.* (They look like catacombs.)
Holland: "I just heard her, let's go in this one." *He walked into the largest tunnel.*
Lance: "Huh? I didn't hear anythin'?"
Alicia: "M-Me neither."
Holland: (I heard her easily.)
*The party walked down the tunnel and growls could be heard.*
Alicia: "G-Growls?" *She whispered in fear.*
*Loud thuds echoed down the cave, causing rocks to fall from the ceiling.*
Holland: "Quick I heard her!" *He sprinted towards the noises, ignoring the party which struggled to keep up with him.*
Lance: "He's as fast as a friggin' animal-" *He slipped on the slimy moss and hit the ground.* "Argh."
Ashton: *He turned around and looked worried.* "Lance, are you-?"
Lance: "Go!"
Ashton: "G-Got it!" *He faced in front and started to run after Holland.*
Lance: "Shit nuggets, that hurt-" *He rubbed the back of his head and stood up, brushing small stones off his clothing.*
Alicia: *She caught up to Lance and stopped.* "Are you hurt?"
Lance: "Pssht, as if! Didn't feel a thing." *He stretched and continued to run down the tunnel.*
Ashton: *He found himself in a large sandy, dry clearing.* "Holland?"
Holland: *He glanced around the clearing and watched flames flicker in torches on the walls.* (Where are you?)
*Lance and Alicia ran into the clearing behind Ashton.*
Ashton: (This place looks different than the rest of the cave or tunnels.) *He turned around and noticed four other tunnels.* (So all the tunnels besides one, ended up here?)
Alicia: *She noticed a large stone door with several different hieroglyphs engraved on it.* "Wow."
Lance: "Wat are them markings?" *He pointed at the door with curiosity.*
Alicia: "It's a glyph."
Ashton: "A glyph?"
Alicia: "For Rostical?" *She looked at Ashton, as if he should already know that.*
Alicia: *She looked back to the door and took several steps towards it.* (I've never seen this type of glyph before, yet I feel like I know it?)
Lance: (I get a strange feeling in here.)
*The yellow orb started to glow in Lance's pocket, unnoticed by the party.*
Holland: (It's gotten really quiet-)
*An explosion of rocks suddenly blasted from the wall, as a huge metallic Scoldrant stamped out of it.*
Holland: *He noticed a black dog-like Scoldrant jump away from the metallic Scoldrant.* "Everyone, be careful!"
Ashton: *He looked up and stared at the metallic Scoldrant in disbelief.* "Good flaming grief!"
Lance: "Shit nuggets!"
Alicia: "Th-Those Scoldrant energy levels are very high-" (It's so strong, I'm getting light headed.) *Her knees started to buckle and she bit her bottom lip with fear.* (Is that a Guardian?)
Scoldrant: *Its eyes glowed an eerie yellow colour, causing it to act violent.* "Geroar!"
Holland: (What's wrong with this Scoldrant-!?) "Everyone let's run, now!"
Ashton: "What about your friend?"
Holland: "She's safe, let's go!"
Lance: "Ya don't have to ask me twice, come on shit nugget seven thousand-" *He grunted to Alicia before running back down the tunnel.*
Alicia: "Y-Yep." *She nodded her head and quickly followed Lance.*
Ashton: "But your friend-"
Scoldrant: *It
roared again and punched the wall, causing rocks to fall from the ceiling.* "Geroarh!"
Holland: "Quick let's go." *He pushed Ashton towards the tunnel.*
Scoldrant: *The ground shook with every step it took.* "Gerr-?" *It noticed Ashton and Holland running into the tunnel, causing it to trample towards them.*
*The black dog-like Scoldrant chased after the party.*