Rivieran Exterminator Pt 1: Rallying the Troops

[Kai]

Kai sat back in the seat as the projection walked about and displayed a bit of abilities that particular capture was known for: it shot fireballs from its mouth, created shields of condensed Naten, rained down like in a downpour of destruction on the page. The part that made Kai grit his teeth was the beginning of a transformation. The beast began to glow with and eerie, pastel purple energy. Spikes began to sprout down the spine. As the arms began to twist and contort, Kai slammed the journal closed with a furrowed brow. Tidra pat his thumb with a calming hum.

"I do, actually. Since I've been here, I've been keeping track of where they've popped up. I've only found one or two anywhere else, thankfully. They haven't spread and the few that have were apparently dealt with." Kai exhaled. "One place seems to be crawling with them, and they've stayed off radar somehow." Kai took a sip of coffee. "How familiar are you with the Malukiian Woods?"

[Zero Venkage]

"Most of what I know I learned while learning the ways of the blade from our Cursed Flame. But I'm a quick study."

Zero already stood up and leaped to the second floor of the Atelier, running his hands along the shelves separated by location. He found a single book on the Forest of Resonance and pulled it out, a little disappointed that he left much of his education on the area to Zeik himself. He leaned back with the book in hand, fell oer the banister and landed directly in the chair next to Kai with the page open to the Maalukian Woods, complete with images of the elvs of the Woods' namesake. They are highly sensitive with psionic abilities and tended to keep intruders away from them, hiding the woods' location with illusory techniques. Zero may have remembered seeing one once during his training there, but learning from the locals wasn't a highlight of his tenure there, the Paryi arts took precedence.

"If we need to, I'll bring the book." Zero shrugged and yawned, waiting for Kai's initiative. He cleared his schedule for the day and was able to leave at a moment's notice. Subori and Jaq could watch the fort while he was gone again.

[Kai]

Kai watched Zero's feat of agility, unsurprised that such movement was a natural as the breath he took. He pulled over the thought of him training with the protector of the Astral. "I've been so busy with my own things, I never inquired about that title, Cursed Flame..." he thought to himself. One thing he knew was that titles carried stories, a legend that wasn't as far fetched as it sounded if it brought about another way of mentioning someone. And THAT thought made Kai wonder how many titles his current comrade racked up in his travels, whether they were screamed in praise or whispered in fear.

His train of thought derailed when Zero landed next him, seated, with a book open. That one surprised him. Happy that he wasn't the only one keeping detailed recordings on the lands around, Kai glanced at the page and saw the image of an elf that looked familiar. "So, I wasn't imagining it," Kai spoke. "I thought I felt another presence somewhere. I guess I stumbled a little to close when I was looking for civilization." Kai looked to Tidra who he noted averted his gaze. They'd be having a conversation later.

"If there are elves there, we really need to go." Kai threw his journal back into his bag and tossed it on his shoulder. Tidra took her spot, tucked underneath Kai's hood for security. "The last set I hunted were more mature than I'd like. We're getting rid of them, today." The young angel strode to the door with a new fire in his eyes. He had to admit, with Zero joining him, he felt a surge of confidence. The scales were tipped in their favor.

[Zero Venkage]

"Wait, hunting who?" Zero asked, snapping the book shut and dashing out behind his friend and his sprite.

[Kai]

Kai looked over his shoulder to Zero. "I think I found where the Lighteater hive is. I've been tracking and hunting them down for months. We're going after the queen and whatever or whoever the hell is the reason they're here." Kai just couldn't shake the feeling that something, or someone, played a huge part in the infestation of the Malukiian Woods. He was going to get to the bottom of things and end it for good, finally.