forum Elemental kingdoms (STILL OPEN 2/4/24) Large group.3/?

Started April 01, 2022 by @CaseyJ group

tune

"Have you checked the doors?" Devon asked calmly, his expression hidden behind the mask he wore. "How long since the illusion fell?" He added, as Eli ran to the other end of the alley, looking around.

"The illusion–" Ginger held a hand in front of her face, eyes wide. "I – I don't know! I didn't even notice!" she took a breath, telling herself that there was nothing to be done about it. "Ciana can put it back up when we get her. Yes, I checked the doors, except for that one. Those three are restaurants, this one is some sort of apartment complex or something, I don't know." She gestured with a frantic energy as she spoke.

"Calm yourself, getting frantic can cloud your thoughts, we have to be rational" Devon put a hand on her shoulder gently, "lets check the last door, Elias, Stay here in case something happens…and so you dont get in the way, you cant fight for shit-"

Near the last door there was a small armband with a yellow star embroidered onto it. It seemed to have something on the inside of it, small and sewn into it.

Ginger nodded as Devon spoke, slowing her breathing. "Yeah…yeah sorry." She laughed dryly at herself. "Didn't expect to get this attached to you guys so quick…" She muttered under her breath.
A small yellow cloth near the door Eli was making his way toward caught her eye. "Hey Eli…what's that?"

Elias picked up the cloth in question and brought it over to Ginger. "Trash?"

Inside the band was a small hole, in which there was a light colored stone, shining softly. It was Ciana's source piece, looking like it had been torn off in desperation.

"Wait…" Ginger snatched it from him, bringing it close to her eyes. The small pulsing stone cast a faint glow across her face. "Hey… do you guys think it's her source piece from home? she held it out for inspection, twisting the cloth so the gem, set on the inside of the band, could be clearly seen. She could detect a subtle energy from it, like static electricity. The band of cheery yellow fabric looked like it had been a loop to fit around a wrist, but the seam had been torn; frayed threads hung dejectedly from the tear.

Devon took the gem, it glowing faintly at his touch, "definitely. I can put your illusion back up with it" He looks at Ginger, holding the Gem in the palm of his hand.

"You can do that?" she raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Well make it quick, we gotta keep looking." She bounced on the balls of her feet anxiously. She called out to Elias, who had reached the last door. "What'cha got Eli?"

"A door" Elias calls back, the wooden door seeming to challenge him. "We should burn it down"

Devon ignored him, closing his eyes he focused on redoing the illusion, the source gem in his hand glowing. Beings that he can use any of the powers as long as he has a peics of the source, doesn't mean he knows how to, but he had spent his entire life training, the gem atop staff in his other hand glowed a faint purple, and the illusion reformed, the same as it was, he opened his eyes and handed the gem to Ginger, "the illusion will hold as long as you have this"

Ginger took the gem hurriedly, settling it the bottom one of the leather pouches on her belt. She marched to the door, tried the handle to no avail. She set her jaw. "Stand back Eli." Without waiting for a response from him, or checking to see if he had indeed moved, she raised her hands. Ginger's fingernails glowed like live coals, heat radiating from her palms. It took more slightly concentration than usual to summon up the fire, she figured it was because of her distance from her home and her source stone around her neck was small and old. Or perhaps the thought of her new friend in danger effectively dispelled her concentration.
Flames flickered up from her fingertips. Ginger pressed her palms to the thin wooden door, willing it to catch. The rich aroma of burning wood filled her nostrils, smoke and steam hissing up around her hands, now embedded an inch inside the door. Flames finally began to spread outward, tracing a pattern of veins across the wood and widening. Barely any ash fell as the door was incinerated in a matter of minutes. Ginger's arms fell bonelessly to her sides, stumbling a little into Eli. "Oh… I'll be alright, just got a lil lightheaded…" She took a deep breath to steady herself, her vision clearing.

"Could be a number of things, Id wager being closer to the ice source than your own is no help" Devon said simply, stepping in front of Ginger to lead the way, if anything attacked then, he didnt want to risk her getting hurt, not that he would say it.

Elias caught Ginger, helping her not fall over, "nah its cool, like me, cool"

She gave herself a shake, steadying. To Eli she said a murmured thanks, and asked of Devon, "What do you see?" She peered around Devon, drawing her knife.

(Avhira, do you want to decide what's behind this door? im sorry you haven't had much opportunity to jump in 😅)

"Looks like she was took this way" Devon motions to the blood drops on the floor, and golden hair, signs of a struggle.

Ginger nodded, steadying her resolve. She took a deep breath. "Ok. We go quickly but quietly, so we can hear if there are any sounds of Ciana struggling. I'll go first–" she took a big step to put herself in front of the boys. Her footsteps were light and quick. Ginger kept her knife at the ready, unsheathed and held in front of her. Nerves and anticipation coiled in her gut as she crept, hoping neither of the boys would decide that noo, they had to be front.

"You do you," Devon shrugged, following behind her, his footsteps natrually almost silent.

Elias walked behind Devon, focusing on moving quietly, something he usually sucked at.