The ARC Trials

Dropping out of the chute, into the trial, Leiytning was hardly fazed.

Immediately on the other side was open air, followed quickly by dense trees. Seamlessly dodging their branches, he landed without a sound. A quick scan proved there was no imminent presence, so he refocused on the trees above. Kita was right behind him, so surely she would drop soon.

He heard something off though and followed it a bit deeper into the woods. Knowing Kita was likely to be overwhelmed by the sudden drop, he was ready to catch her.

Only, it turned out that Kita was dangling from one of the tree branches without issue.

She grinned confidently. "Did you think I couldn't handle this?"

Leiytning just grunted, crossing his arms. "And the final twelve feet?"

"Easy..." Kita slid further along the branch, until it started to droop from her weight, crackling the entire way. The fall was reduced to about five feet, where she let go. She quickly brushed her hands off on the skirt of her dress, discarding most of the splinters she picked up on the way.

"Not bad," Leiytning spoke.

"Thank you," Kita replied. "I really wish I had forest magic about now though."

While she gained her bearings, Leiytning scanned the area.

Thankfully, this was a region familiar enough to either of them. It was a lush, temperate forest with plenty of trees and dense foliage, both of which they could exploit just as they did in their own territory.

Leiytning's ear ticced as he detected the sound of a stream in the distance, but rather than pinpointing it as the place to go, there was a well-worn trail aiming them toward some forested hills. Since there was a wall of even denser, possibly even impenetrable vegetation not far behind Kita, it was clearly the path meant to be taken.

Kita interrupted his train of thought; "Hey, our stuff is here."

Sure enough, refocusing on her, he was able to see the small collection of gear they had listed for the trial, sitting against the wall of flora. Kita took her shortsword, with its gunmetal-hued blade, black handle, and amethyst at the base of the blade. Then she took both daggers; both silver, but one was very basic , whereas the other one looked ritualistic with a ruby pommel.

Kita sheathed the sword and simple dagger to her dress belt, then extended the ritual dagger to him.

"Do you think we'll be able to keep up with just these weapons?" Asked Kita. "And your magic, of course. That's the main thing I'm worried about; whatever all that stuff we saw coming in was, it's absolutely wild."

"You're part of an eight-member group that keeps an entire kingdom in check," Leiytning said calmly, taking the dagger. "It's a concern, but by no means are we helpless."

"Good point," Kita agreed.

Leiytning picked up the more important weapon -his jagged pale gold spear, with its shortened shaft and dark, tattered red band tied along it. While he sheathed it to his back, Kita took the final two things. A small black knapsack with a collection of potions, tonics, herbs, and bandages inside, as well as a bag with the plain bread she had requested, and a stark white container with water inside.

Kita smiled, stuffing the rations into the bag. "This is everything, alright! I think we're set."

Leiytning nodded ."Stay close now."

"I know, I know," Kita murmured.

Leiytning led Kita along the path as it led through the hills. Thankfully, despite the uneven terrain, she wasn't having much trouble keeping up or losing too much stamina. Things seemed calm -almost too calm. The stream provided a pleasant white noise, the smell of earth and pine hung in the air, and the temperature was very moderate -if not on the warm side. This would at least be good for ensuring Kita's wellbeing as a mortal-bodied person, and he wouldn't have to be pushing his climate resilience on top of whatever lay ahead.

Suddenly however, at the crest of one hill (with plenty more uneven land and trees to obscure the distance), Leiytning heard something and froze immediately. Kita cursed under her breath as she ran into him.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

Leiytning's eyes narrowed. There was no movement amid the trees, but as he listened for a long moment, he caught trace of something suspicious. Voices, possibly even a struggle of some sort, echoing just enough for him to pick up on.

"There are other people around," he spoke.

Kita perked up. "Really? What do you hear?"

"About two, feminine, possibly in a fight of some sort..." His ears twitched. "Exact location is hard to pinpoint, but I believe it's northwest from here."

Kita stepped forward, looking that direction. "Well, it would be stupid to make enemies right off the bat. We should see if we can help them, and maybe we can see if they're willing to work together."

"That would be the most reasonable option," Leiytning concurred. "However, once the action dies down, I want you to read them. Let me know if there is anything suspicious about them. I probably won't act immediately, but we need to know who to keep an eye on."

Kita nodded. "Got it. Alright, let's go!"

Kita slid down the hill, Leiytning proceeding at a calmer pace behind her. From ahead, she snickered a bit and glanced back.

"What do you think their reaction will be to a demon coming in to help?" She teased. "IT's not every day a guardian demon shows up. Heck, do you think these people know about demons? Or are they like Sybilians, where the subject's kept lowkey? Furthermore, would it be the same kind of demon that we know, or is there another kind?"

"I don't know why you're asking me," Leiytning responded. "But judging from the lack of reaction from everyone else thus far, they probably don't care at least."

"Right..." Kita laughed nervously. "I guess I'm just curious, but-"

Suddenly, a noise tore through the woods that put the faintly-echoing voices to shame. A distorted, static screech that was enough to make someone's ears bleed.

Leiytning rushed ahead, a shadow amid the trees, leaving Kita to catch up behind him. He refused to move at full speed at the risk of her getting lost, which was a bit aggravating in this situation.

Soon enough though, in a wide clearing, they found the source of the chaos.

The clearing was almost entirely occupied by a hideous creature; a massive reptile, roughly ten meters long. It had tattered, leathery wings and patches of rot all over its body, giving it a nightmarish appearance. Its massive maw was closing in on one of two other people in the clearing.

A short woman with tanned, faintly-freckled skin. Her white hair stood out in the light, as did her light gray eyes, and she wore simple, muted clothes. Despite her short stature, she seemed very determined and capable of fighting -reminding Leiytning of his apprentice to an extent. The other woman, hardly taller, had vibrant blue eyes and even more vibrant red hair. Her white dress hardly stood out against her very fair skin.

Both of them were humans, or at least physically speaking. Despite meeting ones like Kate and Arianna, they hadn't encountered enough of this alien race to determine if they'd be as cooperative. Especially with one of them -Leiytning couldn't tell which- radiating an unusual energy. Therefore, the demon stayed on guard, lurking within the tree line. Neither the beast or the people had seen him yet -nor would they unless he allowed them.

A little bit deeper into the woods, kneeling in the foliage, Kita shot him an uneasy glance.

"Do you know what that creature is?" She whispered.

"I do not," Leiytning muttered. "Can you read them from here?"

"No, I need to be looking them in the eye," Kita replied.

Leiytning grunted, but recalling their plan, he knew it'd be foolish to go back now.

"Very well..."

As he seamlessly unsheathed his spear, a spark of electricity made the shaft extend, and the whole thing started sparking.

"Be prepared to defend yourself."

Kita nodded, gripping the hilt of her sword. Using his claws to pull himself up, Leiytning waited amid one of the trees. As soon as the reptilian behemoth shot by, he struck; jumping onto its back, his eye flashed black as he hacked into one of its wings, almost mutilating it. The creature let our a roar of pain and twisted back, but Leiytning already hopped off and immediately dodged its tail swipe.

While the beast recoiled with one limp wing, Leiytning turned to face the two women.

The shorter woman picked up a pinecone for a moment before tossing it right at the creature. It exploded on contact. The creature seemed remarkably unfazed by the explosion only staggering back for a moment before letting out another loud roar.

The other woman groaned and rolled her eyes. "Why is your hide so thick. This is just plain rude."

The shorter woman sighed. “I have to put my hand in its mouth.”

Leiytning spoke bluntly, "Am I to assume you'll need assistance in gaining a clear shot?"

“No, I’m just going to stick my hand down its throat.” the woman rolled up her sleeve. “Should I make the tongue explode or my hand explode, Susie?”

"Uhh. Okay I know you'll be fine if it bites your hand off but do you think that its really going to just open its mouth randomly?" The taller one, presumably Susie shot back.

Leiytning didn't even know how to respond to that; either this random lady already gave up on the trial and was accepting her fate in the slowest and most miserable way possible, or there was something else going on.

"I've done this too many times to count anyway," Leiytning muttered, spinning the spear in hand. "Just spare your limb and give me a minute, will you?"

“Oh, it’s fine. It grows back. Pretty quickly.” the short one sighed. “But the mouth is a good point. Maybe I just wrestle it open!”

Susie groaned. "Orrr...we take some help?" The creature chose that moment to direct a tail swipe at them. Susie jumped in front of both of them, her form becoming...oddly bright like she was somehow more solid than before. The tail glanced off her, bending at an odd angle.

The creature let out a wounded screech.

"Well we need to decide quick."

The short woman hummed. “Hey, you two. For anything to pry its mouth open?”

With an unamused expression, Leiytning held up the spear.

However, the plan immediately shifted as the beast -instead of going right back at them in retaliation- now had its eyes locked on one particular spot among the foliage.

Leiytning immediately snapped, "Kita, dodge now!"

Just as the beast dove, Kita jumped out of the foliage with a startled yelp, grunting as she landed on the ground. She unsheathed her sword and kept it up, but it looked like a toothpick in comparison to the monster as it reared its head up, ready to clamp down.

Brinley was used to scary monsters. After all, she had literally been in Hell where the ghosts of the damned found her soul quite tasty-looking. So a giant lizard thing really wasn't the worst thing on her list of "Terrible Encounters that Will Give Me Nightmares."

But it did happen to be one of the most stubborn.

"No you don't!" She rolled in front of the woman who had fallen. Brinly reached into the beast's mouth and grabbed one of its teeth. There wasn't much time to be had, so the resulting explosion was more of a distraction. The tooth still ruptured, shards of it imbedding into both the lizard's mouth and Brinley's hand.

"Brinnnn!" Sue huffed. "What did I say about putting your hand in there?"

"It didn't bite it off!" Brinley picked out the shards of teeth.

"It almost didd!" Sue huffed.

The woman who'd been saved staggered to her feet, stammering, "Uh, th-thanks for that."

Sue patted her shoulder. "No problem! We're all in this together!"

Brinley's hand healed right off, the shards she had been to slow to get to falling to the ground. "Knowing Kate, helping each other is the best way to make it through this. She's very much a 'power of friendship' kind of gal."

The black-haired spearman, already behind his comerade and checking her for injury, muttered, "How cliche."

The swordswoman elbowed him. "Alright, so any ideas on how to bring this thing down? Preferably quickly..."

Sue giggled. "Kate's the goddess of love after all. Its her motto." She shrugged. "Not sure if there's a trick to this one though. Feels unnaturally impenetrable at the moment."

"Then the best bet is probably still a shot inside the mouth," The spearman responded. "I can provide an opening if one of you has enough firepower ready."

"I'm all firepower. I got this!" Brinley grinned.

Watching the beast rear up for more, the spearman's eye narrowed. "Very well..."

The beast shot at him, mouth agape, but he gripped the upper jaw with one hand and forced the bottom down with his foot. Forcing its maw open, he jammed the spear upright within, keeping it open. Seeing Brinley brace for a strike, he rolled out of the way.

Sue jumped in between Brin and the others, her form solidifying completely, like a picture that had its contrast cranked incredibly high, her dress billowing in the wind as it touched on reality for a brief moment.

"Susan, can I borrow your knife?" Brinley smiled innocently.

Sue narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "The knife?"

"Yes, the knife."

"What are you going to do with it?" She fished it out slowly.

"Kill the monster! Now hurry before that spear snaps." Brinley held out her hands expectantly.

Sue tossed her the knife, pouting already. Brinley caught it easily.

"Thanks!" With a grin, she brought the knife on her wrist hard, jolting slightly at the flash of pain that rushed through her. "Would not recommend that, guys. Not fun." She picked up her severed hand and charged it with enough energy to make it the level of a pipebomb. "I would suggest running now." She tossed in the hand and grabbed the spear.

Sue groaned and glowed brighter, holding her ground to try to contain the blast. Brinley hid behind Susan. Her hand was already growing back, her wrist fully formed. The spearman shielded the swordswoman as if instinctively, but she defiantly weaseled out of his grip to watch it all go down.

It only took a few more seconds for the hand to explode in the beast's stomach. Its shell seemed to contain the mess, but blood and viscera leaked from its mouth before it collapsed.

Sue shuddered slightly before she returned back to her normal self. "That is. Disgusting."

"Better than if the armor was weaker!" Brinley looked at her hand. She had a palm now! No fingers yet, but it was an improvement.

"I suppose so," Sue took her hand gently. "Is this feeling okay?"

"A little tingly, but it doesn't hurt anymore." She wriggled her growing finger stumps.

The swordswoman hesitantly stepped forward. "That is...bizarre. Is it some kind of body magic?"

"No, I think its hide is just really tough." Brinley held up the spear. "You can have this back! By the way, what are both of your names?"

The swordswoman took the spear, handing it to her companion. "I'm Kita, and this is my leader-slash-mentor, Leiytning. What about you?"

"I'm Brinley, and this is my girlfriend Susan." Brinley pointed to Susie who was frowning down at the carcass now behind them.

Kita tilted her head curiously. "Um, Susan, are you okay?"

She nodded, stepping away from it and looking up again. "Yup! Just trying to see if there's some sort of clue about what to do on what's left of this thing."

Leiytning said something to Kita, but she just nodded in response and continued anyway, "Then, I assume you're also here because of the trial? The one hosted by Kate?"

"Yep! Trying to become an agent!" Brinley looked for a sign for what direction they had to go next. "Working with Kate's pretty cool."

"Interesting," Kita murmured. "Well, do you have any tips for people less familiar with her, or this...entity? I'm assuming it's okay for us to work together -it's not a free-for-all kind of trial..." She laughed awkwardly, but then asked with some concern, "Right?"

"Knowing Kate, probably not. She's sweet, sappy, and likes herself some good teamwork. If you have a 'wet kitten' persona, she'll probably start dating you." Brinly giggled. "Kidding. But, don't worry. She loves teams."

Sue giggled. "Don't let Vankous hear that. But yeah. I don't think she'd be opposed to teamwork."

Kita breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."

"So it could be worse," Leiytning muttered, though there was a mild hint of disappointment in his flat expression. He was probably hoping for more of a fight.

"It's not going to be easy, though. She did take us to Hell before." Brinley sighed.

"True dat," Sue shrugged. "I don't think connects to hell though. You can feel that place from miles away."

"I'm not saying we'll literally go to Hell again. But you will face your worst fears." Brinley sighed. "Not excited for that part."

"Oh...kay...." Kita aimed her violet eyes toward the path ahead. "What do we do from here? Keep going until we find something -or someone- else?"

"Hmmm. I honestly wouldn't know if there's anyone else out here or anything else out here, but there has to be a way out of some kind. My sisters mentioned three sections and having to traverse between them. So yeah."

"Easy enough," Leiytning said, turning to leave.

Kita grabbed his arm to make him stop. "Um, m-maybe we should stick together for now. You know, in case there are more lizards. We're very well-experienced with handling beasts, so we could help you!"

"Kita..." Seeing her puppy-dog eyes, Leiytning sighed, "If need be...fine..."

"Sticking together would be best." Brinley stretched her freshly grown fingers.

Sue beamed. "Yess. That would be amazing! You guys are so cool!" She promptly hugged Kita.

"Oh..." Though surprised at first, Kita gestured for Leiytning to not attack and hugged her back. "I-It's nice to meet you too!"

"So nice to meet you!" Sue grinned and pulled away before promptly hugging Leiytning as well.

"Hm, fair," Leiytning muttered awkwardly, restraining himself from reaching for a weapon.

Sue beamed and pulled away. "Ahh glad to have more teammates."

While Leiytning stepped away, Kita nodded. "Agreed. Hopefully we can all get through this. I'm not gonna lie, a lot of the machines and magic I've seen just getting here is so different from what I know. Which reminds me, I have to ask you both -are you actually humans?!"

"Uhhh." Sue nodded. "Sort of I guess. Its kind of a long story. Like. I am dead."

Brinley frowned. "I... don't know. It's complicated."

"Oh, I'm sorry..." Kita looked away with a faint smile. "I didn't mean to sound insensitive or anything. Humans have just been extinct for a long time where I come from, so I was really curious."

"Oooh," Sue nodded. "Not surprising honestly. Humans are great at making themselves extinct. Our human society is one of a lucky few that actually survived. One could argue thrived."

"Fascinating...Would you have guessed that there are still human societies, Leiytning?" She looked around, then arched one brow when realizing he was gone. "Um, Leiytning? Hello? Dangit, I hate it when he does this..."

Sue giggled. "Sounds like a common habit. Well I suppose that's our message to continue on."

"Yeah, we should probably-"

"Westward."

Kita let out an audible yelp as, with nobody realizing, Leiytning reappeared nearby. The faintest rustle of the tree branches implied he had just been looking for a vantage point.

Sue squeaked. "You are quiet Leiytning. Which by the way I forgot to say, that is a cool name. Not that Kita isn't. Kita's cool too!"

"Thank you!" Kita chimed. "I like both of yours too."

Leiytning just grunted, pointing behind him. "Suspicious noises and activity westward. If we're on the same page and want to confront this trial's obstacles head-on, I suggest we investigate."

"Investigating is always a cool thing." Brinley looked westward. "Let's go!" She went towards said suspicious noises.

"Suspicious noises you say?" Sue looked a little bit worried. "Well as long as it isn't two of these lizards again."

"No kidding," Kita murmured, following Brinley. Leiytning wasn't far behind, keeping an eye and ear out for trouble.

Soon, they broke through a clearing. It was surronded by trees taller than Brinley had ever seen in her life. Without foliage above them, she could see how they scraped the sky, looking like gods above man. The air was sweet, like melting caramel or a baked goods candle. No. That's not what flowers smelled like. The peace was interrupted by a banana flying in between Kita and Leiytning's heads.

Sue whirled around. "What was that?"

"A banana." Brinley frowned.

"A..." Kita gaped in disbelief. "Why? Where? How?"

"My bad. Thought you could be something else." A human woman was crouched on a tree branch, holding a vase.

Sue blinked. "But Banana?"

"Don't ask me why." She shrugged.

"Um, o-okay..." Kita fidgeted awkwardly. "Who-"

"Throw one again and you're getting electrocuted," Leiytning grumbled.

Kita elbowed him. "Anyway, who are you?"

"Andrea, and you all?" She pointedly ignored Leiytning.

"Uhh...Susan..." she began. "Are you also here for the trial?"

"I'm Brinley! We're all doing the trial and we've decided to work together." Brinley chewed on her thumb nail, looking up at Andrea.

"Brin, no chewing," Sue pouted.

She huffed, but stopped.

Kita hid her amused smile. "And I'm Kita, this is Leiytning."

Yeah, I'm doing the trial. Nice to meet all of you." She waved.

"Amaz...." Sue was cut off by a loud tremor in the Earth. The ground was beginning to shake. Brinley fell to her knees as Sue floated up into the air about an inch, her form fading slightly. A large tree branch, knotted and gnarled with time wrapped around Andrea's mid section. She yelped in surprise. As another branch swooped down, Leiytning jerked Kita out of the way, then punched the branch away. The trees shook, their trunks vibrating. They seemed to be somehow getting taller.

Brinley yelped and stumbled back. "The trees! There's something wrong." She watched as the one clear sky was filled with flailing branches, all of them coming down for her teammates still on the ground.

After narrowly escaping the reach of a stray branch, Kita stayed low and drew her sword. It was a scene of chaos; the forest, or at least these giants surrounding the glade, just came alive and wrought hell down on them.

"Leiyt, help Andrea!" Kita insisted.

Within a blink, Leiytning jumped, kicking off one of the trees as he unsheathed his spear, then rammed his spear into the tree Andrea was in. Using it to pull himself higher, the branch constraining her took a hit, but it wasn't deep enough to cut through. The branch jerked her away and forced him to block a hit. Andrea held the vase up to the best of her ability and fired a banana that shattered on impact with the tree, although it did remove some bark. She cursed.

Sue was floating up through the trees, several of them lunging for her only to just pass right through her.

"Trees are usually friendly, these ones are... mad."

Kita ducked to avoid another branch, then rolled away from a stray root.

She popped back up and even hacked through a smaller one. "We've taken on beasts, but I can't say I've ever fought a tree before!"

"Me neither," Sue agreed. "Well I've seen them fight before, but on our side."

Brinley groaned. “They don’t let me hold them for long.” She barely dodged a thwack to the head from a large knot. “This is so annoying!”

Kicking through one branch that snagged his spear, Leiytning muttered, "We can agree on that much."

Kita blinked hard. "Leiyt, shock them!"

"These woods are dry," Leiytning argued. "That risks a fire with a high chance that it won't be contained."

“Please!” Brinley groaned as she was thrown into a tree trunk.

Sue groaned. "I would risk a fire but maybe we'll wait, in case everything catches. Use that as a last resort perhaps? Maybe after Andrea is safe."

"Just light the things on fire!" Andrea grunted from the tree branch.

Leiytning's ear twitched. "It's your flesh that will burn."

Seeing Andrea whipped around in the branch, Kita tried to think of something -anything.

"Hey, I'm being eaten here!" Andrea hollered, her feet in the tree.

"Ohh..." Kita bit her knuckle. "Okay, light it up!"

Leiytning sighed, muttering, "I was afraid you would say that. Stand back."

Gesturing for Sue and Brinley to follow, Kita rushed a little deeper into the woods. [responses here]

Sue flashed a thumbs up, hovering closer to Andrea. "I'll be fine! You get to safety! I'll try to uhh catch Andrea if needed or whatever. I'll be on standby."

Kita nodded. "Okay, just please don't get yourself hurt!"

“I can help!” Brinley stood beside Sue.

"Mortal -whatever your name was," Leiytning spoke flatly to Andrea, sparks engulfing either hand and spreading along his spear. "You're going to want to run when you get the chance."

"Fun." Andrea grunted, consumed up to her knees.

As Leiytning spun the spear, the sparks turned into a series of pale golden bolts, emitting ear-piercing pops. He then slammed his spear down into the earth before the tree.

'CRACK!'

A series of bolts rained down on the tree; the bark was blackened in massive patches, and some branches were snapped clean off while others immediately went up in crackling flames.

One bolt specifically targeted the branch ensnaring Andrea, scorching and breaking it at the base. The branch that held Andrea let go, however the trunk didn't and she found herself hanging upside down. Leiytning hucked the spear, the remnants of its electrified energy blackening and burning the area.

Brinley ducked. “Timberrr.”

Sue floated higher up to Andrea, before solidifying just her hands and supporting Andrea's shoulders. "I've got you. We just need to cut that trunk lose...urghh. Any ideas?"

"I've got bananas. Usually normal bananas and porcelain ones." She grunted.

As Leiytning sparked electricity in his hand, the spear shot back, snapping with sparks and bolts upon impact. "Cause another explosion, and I should be able to handle the rest. But be quick. The flames are already spreading."

Sue wrapped around Andrea, hugging her, body solidifying once again to seem just too bright for this world. "Andrea should be safe. Go for it Brin!"

Brinley gave him finger guns. “On it boss.” She picked up a dead stick and chucked it at the trunk, blowing up a sizable chunk. Andrea's legs were freed and she dangled from Sue's grip. His eye flashing black, and the ends of his hair flaring like black fire, Leiytning charged in and unleashed a kick powerful enough to cause a minor shockwave. What remained of the trunk immediately snapped, colliding into other trees as it collapsed.

With the fire obliterating many stray branches as well, things were going well -apart from the quickly-rising heat and smoke.

"I believe we can leave them to their fate about now," Leiytning spoke.

“No one’s leaving anyone!” Brinley protested.

"I meant the trees," Leiytning muttered.

Brinley helped Sue pull Andrea down, wiping Andrea’s hair off to make it less flammable. Andrea politely protested. Sue held on firmly until they were completely free from the trees at which point Sue hovered in the air just enough to ensure all three of them landed safely.

Sue let go, setting Andrea down on the grass and offering a hand.

"Take my hand. I think we have to run now."

Andrea took her hand. "That I can do."

Sue pulled Andrea to her feet. "Amazing! Brin are you okay? Any bruises that'll stop you running?"

“I’ll be good! Let’s get out of here before we’re toast.”

Watching her team catch up, Kita was relieved to count four heads retreating from the quickly-burning glade. One last flaming tendril reached out toward them, and she took her chance to cut through it with her sword, then retreat immediately.

Once they were a fair distance from the fire, Kita asked, "Is everyone okay?"

"Fine." Andrea replied, inspecting her vase. "And yourself?"

Kita nodded. "I'm okay."

Leiytning just grunted, probably the closest they'd get to a 'yes.'

“I’m good! Only got a minor burn. Not the worst one I’ve had.” Brinley flashed a thumbs up.

Sue nodded. "It's been a while since I last got hurt." She grinned. "I think we're all okay then?"

Kita nodded, smiling back. "I think so. That's good. On a side note, in case anybody is, our spirit-walker gave us a ton of healing tonics, herbs, and bandages..." She snickered, "She's kind of the fretful type."

"With you, we have valid reason to be," Leiytning muttered.

Sue beamed. "Or that seems lovely. Quite helpful. We didn't really bring anything cause the two of us aren't super prone to injury, well injuries that last anyway in Brin's case."

“Sorry, we probably should have brought something to be good sports.” Brinley sighed.

"I've got a food source." Andrea added in.

"That's good," Kita replied. "And that's okay, Brinley. We have a good amount, and Leiyt's not likely to get injured either..." She muttered, "Or, if he does, he won't let me treat him because he's stubborn anyway..."

Leiytning glanced back the way they came. "This region of the forest will hopefully be lush enough to not catch fire easily, but I would recommend crossing the path. That should hopefully cut it off if it spreads that far."

"Right..." Kita smiled and nodded toward the right. "Let's get going!"

Brinley nodded. “You seem to know a lot about fire, so I’ll follow your leaddd.”

Sue giggled. "I have to concur on the fire thing. I trust you to lead as well."

"I agree with it." Andrea inputted.

Leiytning sighed, "Raise a fire elemental as a brother and you get an understanding of it."

As the group started to head out, Leiytning pulled Kita back and spoke in a low tone.

"What have you picked up from them?" He asked.

"Well..." Kita smiled awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I keep trying, but I either get distracted or it becomes hard. They have more power than you probably assume."

"Kita, one of them cut off a limb to explode a reptilian behemoth, then regenerated said limb. I have a pretty good understanding of their power -that's not what I'm worried about right now."

"They seem very reasonable though, and we all worked together so well..." Kita looked down and fidgeted. "I think it'd be best if I just asked them. I'm sure their readings will come back fine, and even if one of them does have ulterior motives, everybody underestimates me anyway so they won't believe I'll pick up on it. I think."

Leiytning's eye narrowed. "I take issue with this plan."

"I really believe they're genuine," Kita insisted. "And trust me, I've gotten very good at picking out fake people. Can't you trust me on this, please?"

After a moment of thought, Leiytning sighed, "Fine. But don't cover for them. At the first sign of trouble or treachery, I'm either attacking them or getting you out of there."

Kita smiled and nodded, bouncing on her heels. "Thank you! Come on, we should catch up or else we'll be the suspicious ones."

Leiytning lingered behind Kita as she raced to catch up to the others, who thankfully weren't too far off. She could only hope that the odd side-conversation didn't put them on edge. They pressed on until they found the main path again, crossing to the other side. It didn't take much longer before Kita noticed some of them -including herself- seemed a little run down from the fight.

This could be a good opportunity...

She hesitantly piped up, "Hey, why don't we stop for a while? That was two big fights, plus the traveling and getting into the trial, so a break might help."

Sue hummed. "That is a good point. I think a little break could do us some good here."

“Some would be good.” Brinley nodded.

Andrea nodded. "That's a good idea."

Encouraged by their responses, the group settled down in a small glade nearby. There were some patches of mud in this region alongside some plants more appropriate for a moorland, like cattails and reeds. Kita wondered if the stream they kept hearing was nearby, but it didn't sound any closer either.

Once everyone had settled down a bit, Kita stepped closer. "So...I have something I want to ask all of you. Normally, I do this without people knowing -honestly, it's kind of an inherent thing a lot of the time, but I'd rather be straightforward with you."

"Ohh? That sounds a little suspicious I'll be honest, but the honestly is appreciated. What is this exactly?" Sue's open smile didn't waver.

"We're all ears!" Brinley grinned.

Kita cleared her throat. "So, I picked up an ability because of...well, my situation. I can read people. Not in the sense that I'm telepathic, but I can look at someone long enough, and I start to understand who they are, their motives, their power, things like that. And most importantly, I can tell who's being deceptive and who harbors any ill will toward us. I don't think any of you do, but we are still strangers. If you wouldn't mind me reading you, I think that could put any lingering hesitations or tensions at ease. I won't do it without your permission though, I promise."

"That seems reasonable," Sue nodded.

"Sure, go ahead. Is it like memory reading? Because I would advise you against that for your own sake."

"No, no memories," Kita quickly explained. "It's just...Well, you know how you look at some people and you can immediately tell there's something honest about them, or on the flipside, something fake or even dangerous? It's like that, but way more accurate and fine-tuned with magic."

"Ah, I see." Brinley nodded. "Go ahead."

Andrea thought for a bit, and then smiled. "That's fine."

Kita smiled. "Thank you all. Alright, Sue, I'll start with you since I feel like you're the most open." Sue flashed a thumbs up.

Standing before her, Kita took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. It didn't take too long for her to come to a conclusion, which she spoke aloud in a hushed voice.

"I..." Kita furrowed her brow. "Huh. You're not...I mean, there's something about you that's the opposite of demons. It's like divine energy almost. I think. Very bright. I can tell you're kind, resilient, and despite something about you being unstable...you're honest, and definitely not a threat to any of us."

Sue giggled. "Aww thank you. Well. I'd be quite surprised if you didn't read me as unstable somehow. My form is fairly uhh.. chaotic let's say."

"That would explain it," Kita agreed. She moved in front of Brinley this time, taking another moment to get her bearings. Behind her, Leiytning kept a sharp eye on the situation, like a lurking beast.

Kita spoke her findings, "I...Bear with me. I do sense something dark in you, but it's not dangerous. It's just there...Well, I don't know what to call it, but I recognize it. Not just from other people, but on a personal level too..." She cleared her throat. "Sorry- anyway, no deception. You're very genuine and I don't think you're a threat."

Brinley hissed. "Yeahh. Hence the no memories part. But yay! Glad I passed the test."

Finally, Kita stopped in front of Andrea. After a moment, she blinked hard and perked up. "Ah. You're not too much different from a sylph, aside from your powers. I like that! Also polite, well-spoken, a strong leader type -and hopefully that won't clash with Leiyt, heh. Not a threat!"

"What exactly is a sylph?" Andrea asked curiously.

"Heh, right," Kita murmured, laughing a bit awkwardly. "In short, me. The mortals of my world."

She turned and nodded to Leiytning, who seemed a bit calmer now.

Kita stepped back. "That's great! Everybody here is genuine, and I know we'll make great teammates. If we encounter anyone else in the trial, I'll let you know if I pick up something shifty too. That should help keep us safe. Just because Kate likes people to work together, it doesn't mean everyone will play by the rules, right?"

“That’s probably one of her main ways to weed people out.” Brinley sighed. “So good idea.”

Sue nodded. "Yup. My sisters never explicitly mentioned it, but I think that did happen to them."

Andrea nodded.

Kita let out a discreet breath of relief. While it felt like the right thing to do, she was worried that being honest about the readings would be taken the wrong way, or even make herself or Leiytning look suspicious. She was glad that everyone was able to understand. Better yet, now that she did this, that would hopefully mean Leiytning would lighten up.

Even that aside... Kita looked around with a childlike smile. I'm feeling a little bit excited about moving forward now!

She appreciated Kita being open about the reading. It made sense not to be trusting of people you just met who are weaponized. But being that open about mistrusting just wasn't something you normally do, according to Earth standards anyways. That was like dating someone and asking your partner if they're cheating on you off of a worry in the corner of your mind.

Other than that, she seemed fine, and so did the other two, Sue and Brin. As for Leiytning, she was still iffy on. But no one was bothering anyone else, so it was all good.

"So, how do y'all like your bananas? Fried? Roasted? Charcoal? Raw?" Andrea asked, creating some conversation in the quietness.

"Hmm..." Kita paused to think. "I never tried roasted before...."

She piled up some nearby sticks, then circled them with stones. With one word, Leiytning -sitting against one of the trees- snapped his fingers and a bolt lit them ablaze.

"There we go, fire!" Kita remarked.

"Oooh fried bananas are a vibe." Susan said.

“Can we fry bananas out here? Don’t you need oil for that?”

"Honestly, I was just asking a question just to ask one." Andrea shrugged. "Who wants to start roasting bananas first?"

Kita raised one hand. "I'll give it a go."

"I'm gonna watch the first time." Sue giggled. "I haven't done that one before. I have roasted marshmellows though...I mean who hasn't?"

Andrea pointed the opening of the vase up- as it should normally- and fired a banana into the air. As it fell back down she caught it and handed it to Kita. She fired a few more and handed them out to the rest of the group.

Kita started trying to skewer one of the bananas, clearly struggling. "So, what kind of magic is on that vase, if you don't mind me asking?"

"The vase itself isn't magical." Andrea replied, finding a nice forked stick that she let the banana just rest on. "Bananas just sort of appear in anything made of porcelain if I'm near."

Kita gaped with awe. "Wow. Learning about all yours powers is amazing."

As the banana she tried to skewer split, she grunted and tried another one.

"Yes, it's very interesting until your tea is tainted by a banana."

Kita laughed a bit. "I bet!"

Sue giggled. "Banana tea. That's a delicacy on Ann Var Tu."

“Not fan. Blegh.” Brinley made a face.

"Huh." Andrea nodded. That was impressive. "Is porcelain a delicacy somewhere?"

"It is actually," Sue nodded. "Out in the dark dark. Like the Flouvorian System or thereabouts."

"Not surprising. If it's edible it's a delicacy somewhere." Andrea flipped her banana.

"Yup. You'd be surprised how often that holds up," Sue giggled.

“Some times, it doesn’t have to edible…” Brinley sighed.

Andrea took her banana off of the stick, and started eating it. Mmmm she loved the crispy, caramelized part. "So Leiytning, what's a delicacy for you?"

Leiytning spoke blankly, "Eating is more of a recreation for my tribe, not a necessity. But I suppose tea or alcohol would be your best bet."

Kita smirked. "Oh come on, there has to be more."

Leiytning just grunted, clearly not wanting to talk much.

"Ooh tea and alcohol. Now those don't go together too often."

Andrea picked up a clump of dirt and flicked it at Leiytning.

One ear twitching, Leiytning flicked the debris off. "Oh please, I have six siblings. Takes more than that to faze me."

Kita cringed. "Leiytning, I wouldn't..."

"I have two wild siblings and a mother. There's some nice conversation here, and I'm dragging you into it so you're not a 5th wheel."

Leiytning looked unamused. "About fruit? I'll pass."

Kita eyed one of the dirt patches, but resisted the temptation.

Brinley sighed. “Here we go.” She started making a dirt ball.

Sue whistled. "Yesss."

Leiytning's eye narrowed. "Don't you dare..."

Brinley tossed the ball at Leiytning.

Leiytning held up his cloak, blocking it. "Are you really this immature-"

One suddenly pelted him in the neck, and to his obvious surprise, Kita was giggling -clearly the guilty one that time.

"You little..."

Andrea grinned, throwing her own full dirtball at Leiytning.

Sue chose that moment to throw her own dirtball, also at Leiytning.

Leiytning got up and used his claws to climb up and take cover in the branches, grumbling, "So much for Kita reading you as 'the nice one'..."

"Okay, I have to be fair..." With a playful smirk, Kita tossed a smaller ball at Andrea, only aiming for the leg. "As a Zyrean warrior, I must retaliate!"

Andrea continued to grin. "Oh, it's on." She threw a dirtball back at Kita.

Kita giggled madly, taking cover behind a nearby trees as she restocked her ammunition. "It's a free-for-all, no one is safe!"

Sue grinned. "Hey I have to support my girlfriend!" Sue dived towards the other side of the path.

Brinley giggled. “We have an alliance. We’ll win!” She tossed a dirt ball at Andrea.

"Not on my watch!" Kita called back with a grin, launching a ball toward Sue -and still didn't aim above the knee.

Sue shrieked as she promptly tried, and failed, to dodge. She was already grabbing another one.

Andrea ducked and tossed one at Brin. "Hey Kita! How do you feel about a temporary alliance?"

Kita ducked to avoid another ball. "Deal!" She picked up another ball and hurled it toward Brinley.

Brinley squeaked and flopped to the floor, the balls narrowly avoiding her. “Unfair!”

Andrea flung one towards Sue. Sue turned intangible, the ball passing through her this time as she smirked.

"Don't worry I'll avenge you!" She tossed one back toward Andrea.

Kita readied another shot. "I got your back Andrea!"

Before she could throw, a dirt clump fell directly onto her head, making her groan through her smile. She looked up to see Leiytning in the branch above her, with the faintest crroked smirk.

"Having fun down there, Kita?" He asked tauntingly.

"No fair!" Kita argued. "Get down!"

Leiytning sighed as he hopped down, "Very well, if you're close to being done with-"

A dirtball hit him, thanks to Andrea. "Talk while fighting!"

With an unamused ear twitch, Leiytning sighed, "Should've figured..."

Kita hit him with another one as he took cover behind another tree.

"Attack the silent one!" Kita called.

Andrea moved to get into a better position to hit Leiytning, aimed and hurled the dirtball.

Sue grinned and joined in, floating a little higher and hurling one at Leiytning. "We shall conquer the storm with dirt-stardly plans."

Taking fire from multiple angles, Leiytning argued with Kita, "Need I remind you who your leader is?!"

"Then consider this..." Kita threw another one. "A mud-tiny!"

“No need to mud-dle the waters when we can just unite to fight him!” Brinley joined the assault, tossing dirt at Leiytning.

"Launch the dirt-apaults!" Sue tossed another one.

Keeping his cloak up, Leiytning grumbled, "'Join the trial,' they said. 'It will be dangerous,' they said. Not what I had in mind..."

"It was your dust-iny to be stuck with us!" Andrea replied gleefully, hurling another at him.

"Sorry to soil your thoughts!" Sue giggled.

"Can we at least stay grounded in our objectives?" Leiytning argued. "And no, that was not a pun..." He muttered, "Maybe."

"We're perfectly down-to-earth," Kita argued with a smirk, hucking another ball.

"This is a great way to learn to be one with nature." Andrea couldn't stop grinning and her face was starting to hurt.

Previously hidden by his cloak, Leiytning hurled a ball back, hitting her right in the forehead. "I reject your offer."

Andrea yelped with surprise, but laughed and tossed one back at him. "Hey, at least you aren't six feet under. That's a much different way to become one with nature."

“You were warned that the trial would be rocky!” Brinley fell into a similar fit of giggles.

"Hey, start throwing rocks and you get shocked," Leiytning argued, kicking another ball her way.

"You should have expected to get some dirt on you, after all you are surrounded by it."

Sue gasped. "Now that's a shocking revelation!"

Still trying to stop laughing, Kita stepped closer. "Alright, alright, let's have some sympathy. After all..." She pointed to Leiytning. "He's hit rock-bottom here."

Sue giggled. "Things did get a little out of sand."

“Due to the current state of affairs, it’s safe to say that Leiytning’s a little dusty when it comes to fighting our epic puns and good throws.” Brinley supplied them with another round of finger guns.

Leiytning sighed, "I've been dropped into a trial with a bunch of children. Gods have mercy on me..."

"At least we're not all old," Kita remarked. "Just you."

Leiytning shot her a glare.

A voice boomed across the lands. "GOD IS PRESENT. AND HE DECREES YOU THROW MORE DIR-"

"Vankous no that's a terrible id-"

"-But Arianna the dirt puns were imma-clod-ulate"

There was a loud groan.

"Children. I come to work with childr- oh dear the microphone is still-"

Brinley burst out laughing. “We got Vankous to weight in.”

Leiytning looked baffled at this point. "What the hell even is this place anymore?!"

Kita burst out laughing. "This is way more fun than you made it sound!"

Andrea, like me, is laughing and struggling to breathe.

Sue was just on the floor now, laughing and rolling in the dirt. One could say she was having a mudd-ificient time.

Still trying to catch her breath, Kita brushed out her dress. "Oh wow, that was great."

"Says you," Leiytning muttered. "I thought the intention was to rest -which, for the record, wouldn't be a bad idea for you all."

"Anyone here have a knife I can borrow?" Andrea asked.

"Why?" Asked Kita.

"So I can make a weapon that isn't just bananas."

Leiytning grunted, taking out his ritualistic dagger. "Fair plan."

He handed the blade to Andrea.

"Thank you." She took it carefully.

"Ooh that sounds like a great plan there!" Susan nodded. "What kind of weapon are you making?"

"A bow and some arrows." Andrea looked around for a skinny tree. One that wouldn't pick her up and eat her. She found one that mostly fitted her requirements, and tested it's ability to bend. Nope. Not it. She tested about 3 more trees before she found a good one. She cut it down, and started her work near the fire.

Brinley was still recovering from her giggle fit, sitting cross legged on the ground. "Bows and arrows... are good."

Sue nodded. "You look like you really know your stuff!"

While Leiytning settled down at the base of a nearby tree, Kita replied, "I spent half my childhood out in the woods and still never did that. Nice!"

Andrea nodded. "In my free time I learned to shoot one, so I figured why not learn to make one?"

Sue nodded. "Definitely a wise move."

"The more weapons you can make yourself, the better!" Brinley piked up a stray pinecone and tossed it into the air. It went off like a fire cracker, spreading fine dust everywhere.

While Andrea worked on the weapon, Kita looked out past the trees. "What do you think will be next? First was a big beast, then killer trees..."

"Who knows? I'm sure we can take it in stride." Brinely flopped on to her stomach, sighing in bliss.

Sue shrugged. "Yeah. We should just focus on getting to the next bit I think. Whatever attacks us will attack us.I mean we should be on guard of course. In case of another tree moment."

"No kidding," Kita murmured. "Now we have to watch the environment too."

"If it gets too bad, I can make a pretty big crater as long as you run fast enough." Brinley held up her hand.

Sue grinned and patted her shoulder. "She can make a pretty big crater. But yeah. We should watch where we step."

Kita cocked her head. "What's the biggest explosion you've ever caused?"

Andrea finished shaping the bow, and once more tested it's flexibility. Still good. She took the string that she was using for a shoelace and tied it on to make the bow shape. She drew the string back. The bow worked perfectly. She set it down, smiling in satisfaction. She got down on her knees to use the rock she was sitting on as a surface to shape the pieces of obsidian she found.

Sue grinned. "Brin go onn. Tell themm."

Brinley sighed. "I blew up a skyscraper. The whole thing sort of... came crashing down."

"Sky...scraper..." Kita arched one brow.

"Imagine the largest tower in the Aubade Palace suddenly collapsing," Leiytning spoke to her. "That's my assumption."

Kita flinched. "Oh wow! That's terrifying and amazing!"

Brinley laughed awkwardly. "It was on accident. The first time I really tried to blow something up."

Sue patted her back. "She's got much more explosive power than she thinks."

Brinley rolled her eyes. "Not very well tested."

Kita laughed a bit. "In fairness, that'd be hard to test."

"Has not stopped Sue from making wild tests." Brinely patted Sue's back.

Sue shushed her. "Stop exposing meee."

Leiytning sneered to himself, muttering, "Maybe I'll enlist you two to handle an extremely annoying sylph queen."

Kita snickered, "I doubt anybody would be interested in our world after seeing what Kate has to offer."

"I can blow up annoying people!" Brinley grinned. "Assuming by annoying you mean unethical and highly dangerous."

"If you talk to Kate about this person and like this person is causing sizeable harm, Kate might dispatch us to deal with her! As our first mission!"

Seeing the smirk Leiytning gained, Kita shot him a wary glare. "Leiyt, let's slow down there..."

Andrea fixed the arrowheads to sticks she deemed worthy to be used for arrow shafts. Now for fletchings... "Can anyone here kill a bird? Good food source. I also need fletchings."

She held up the end of an arrow which did not have a fletching.

Sue hummed. "Hmm. A bird. Have you seen one around?"

She shrugged. "Honestly, now that I think of it I haven't looked around to notice any."

"Yeah, this forest seems empty -apart from the dangerous stuff," Kita remarked.

Brinley hummed. “I’ve heard birdsong, but I haven’t seen any actual birds.”

"Does it repeat? Like a soundtrack?"

Sue frowned. "Now that you bring it up. It kind of does? I think? I could just be hearing things now that you've introduced the idea to my head."

Leiytning got up and headed deeper into the woods, not even bothering with an explanation.

Kita looked unamused. "Aaaaand, there he goes."

“Wow he does that a lot, huh? Man of little words but much action.” Brinley nodded.

"That he does," Sue agreed.

Kita shrugged her shoulders. "I swear he's more talkative at home. Maybe it's the new environment."

Suddenly, Leiytning had returned, dropping from one of the trees. He was now holding something, which to their surprise, turned out to be a live dove, looking around with a curious demeanor.

"They can loose approximately..." He quickly plucked some of the tail feathers. "This much and still retain almost full mobility. And if that wasn't a good hint..." He released the bird. "I don't do hunting."

Kita sighed, "Right. The demon who can cut through soldiers without mercy, but can't bring himself to kill a creature that isn't actively trying to eat somebody."

Sue's eyes widened. "That is.. admirable."

Taking out a few more feathers, presumably from other birds, he handed them to Andrea.

"That'll work great, thank you." She started splitting the feathers.

As the last of the arrows were touched up and ready, the little fire they'd created began to hiss and spark. The sound of whistling air surrounded them on all sides. The ground rumbled, shaking ever so slightly. The sticks that were keeping the fire lit began to float upward, glowing red hot like molten steel. The fire began to rise, in a big column, up and up until the orange inferno was taller than Leiytning.

It split down the middle, like someone had taken a sword to the very fabric of reality.

It began to spread wide, opening a...rift. On the other side, a black void beckoned. The stick bracketed it from the top and bottom, forming what could only be described as some sort of gateway.

The ground around their campfire fell away, starting to sink in. As it opened up a circular moat formed around the doorway. There was a shimmer and the opening rippled. Far down below, a grassy plain appeared to form.

A voice boomed across the plains.

Susan's eyes grew wide as the fire began to rise. Stumbling back as the entire campfire began to take on what felt like a life of its own, she got to her feet. The voice that promptly began blaring over the speakers was the cherry on top.

She recognized that particular voice. It was easy enough to distinguish, business like, calm and at the same time relaxing. Raymond. She didn't know if this was Kate's work, Arianna's work or even Ray's. It was most likely Ray forbidding anyone else from delivering it after the little incident earlier.

She shook her head, rubbing her eyes as a clear portal formed, both in front of them and on the ground. She groaned. A black void and a grassy plain. Did they really have to go with those two options out of everything?

The heat from the fire was searing. She took a few more steps back. It was probably wise to not be too close to the ground while that portal was active. The chasm was really started to widen out now.

"Soo...what do we make of that? Did someone write that down?"

"I don't think any of us had paper for that." Andrea replied, slinging her bow on her shoulder.

Sue nodded. "Good point."

"Even if we did have something..." Kita arched one brow. "I honestly wouldn't know what to write. That didn't make any sense. Did you guys understand?"

Sue hummed. "Uhh vaguely. I'm not sure what we were supposed to make of that honestly."

"Yeah, the most I caught was 'the fire is your friend, divided you stand, united you jump'..." Leiytning looked into the chasm. "I'm calling bullshit on that."

Sue giggled. "Fair enough. Uhh... should we ask them to repeat?"

"I don't see why not. If we're going to do that could we at least ask for it on paper once?" Andrea looked down.

Brinley hummed. “Look, I’m not a prophecy nerd, but I had to solve a lot of riddles as a kid. And I think it’s being… purposely confusing? It’s telling us of two paths we can take. One where we fight, and the other where we stand together.”

"Okay, okay..." Kita took a deep breath. "'Does orange mean good, or green mean bad.' Then 'the fire is your friend.' Is it saying..." She hesitated. "Is it saying to go where the fire is directing us?"

Sue hummed. This really was a properly confusing medley. "How about we as..."

A pen flew out of the fire, followed by a piece of paper from the chasm. Emblazoned on the piece of paper was the riddle/prophecy/poem/vague nonsense from earlier.



"Well that helps us."

Looking over the riddle again, Leiytning sneered, "As far as Brinley's assumption that they're intentionally making it more confusing? I can concur."

Andrea quietly looked over the riddle again.

Sue nodded, giggling. "They do love making it confusing."

“See! Two converging paths.” Brinley rubbed the almost circular shape.

Kita nodded. "Okay, converging paths, the team that stands on a single log will cross their river -does that just mean we have to work together, or..."

Leiytning spoke, "More pressingly, 'make haste, fire doesn't burn forever, holes get larger.' That may imply there's a time limit."

"Urgh the team stuff is just very confusing but I do agree on that time limit thing. That seems to heavily hint at it."

"So exactly how would fire be our friend in this case? That's what limiting us right now, it seems."

"Unless they only want us to think it's limiting us..." Kita shuddered. "As much as I don't like the idea of testing."

"Hmm testing is a little iffy when it comes to this stuff."

To Kita's shock, Leiytning stuck his hand directly into one of the flames, not even flinching.

"Hm..." He pulled it out, revealing some blackened patches of skin. "Doesn't seem friendly."

Kita groaned, "I wish you wouldn't do that..."

"Hmm well we definitely shouldn't stand in the fire then, but I think this is a portal as far as through the fire is concerned cause that's got to be how the pen came through. Right?"

Kita grinned. "Great point! Alright, so this is where all the clues are pointing, and the poem insisted we jump together, stand united, and all that. Should we, you know..." she pointed to the portal. "Jump? 'Have faith'?"

“I mean this whole thing is a test.” Brinley sighed.

Andrea picked up a rock, and tossed it into the portal. The rock disappeared. A few seconds later it reappeared with a doodle of a venison steak on it in white chalk.

Leiytning looked baffled. "How does that make sense?"

"Something to do with the 'picnic' line, maybe?" Kita offered.

"No. Not at all, for the most part." Andrea grinned, on the verge of laughing.

Kita's eyes narrowed. 'What do you know about this, Andrea?"

"Oh? You think its not the picnic?" Sue frowned.

"No. My last name is Venison. Like deer meat."

“I can send a body part through it!” Brinley held up her hand.

"Brinnn!" Sue protested. "And uhhh. Is that an acknowledgment that they know who threw it or a threat? Probably not a threat."

"Probably not a threat?"

"I mean..." Kita shrugged her shoulders. "I feel like they could do worse?"

"I would," Leiytning muttered. "No offense."

Sue hummed. "Hmm that's fair."

"Okay..." Kita took a deep breath. "I'm leaning more toward the plan to jump through the fire portal. Am I insane? Do we want to try something else?"

“I feel like just a finger would tell us how this works,” Brinley held out her index finger.

"By all means, give that thing the finger," Leiytning responded.

“Susieee? Can I have the knife again?” Brinley grinned.

Sue groaned but held it out. "If you're going to insist that hard. But only a small finger."

Brinley took it and immediately cut off her index finger. “This one’s the least important, though!” She tossed it into the portal.

It took a few seconds this time before anything happened, the portal just sitting there, still hissing and sparking. Then the color shifted, the fire turning the faintest purple color before the finger flew back out and into Brinley's hands.

Tattooed onto the finger was the word 'POG'.

"What does that mean?" Asked Kita, pointing to the tattoo.

“I think it means we need to go through it. I’ll go first!” Brinley used the knife to scrape off the tattoo before holding her finger to the wound, the finger reattaching almost instantly

"Alright, sounds fun." Andrea eyed Brinley slightly.

“What?” Brinley frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

"Nothing." She shook her head and looked back down the portal.

Leiytning shrugged his shoulders. "Thus far, it seems that the worst that could happen is being spat back out with an unwanted tattoo."

Sue giggled. "That's a good summary."

“I mean, that’s why I’m a good test subject. Tattoos don’t last for me.” She held up her finger, which had already healed from the missing tattoo and was back to normal. “Honestly that’s why I wanted to use a finger. To see if it was a clone or the real object just changed.”

Sue nodded. "Oooh good point. Well I guess no we know it is the real object. That's a good thing. I think."

“Well, it means our DNA isn’t being consumed to spit out a replacement that could attack the group.” Brinley hummed. “So good thing indeed.”

Kita blinked in shock. "That's a thing that happens?"

Sue nodded, brushing aside some rather unpleasant memories that happened to come up at the mention of that. "Oh yeah."

“It’s always a thing to test for.” Brinley nodded

"Well then..." Leiytning turned to Brin. "I don't fear the presented risks thus far, so which of us is going through first?"

Andrea jumped into the portal.

The portal flared, the smell of cooking meat coming through as it glowed pure white. A large deer hopped out of the portal, stood on its hind legs, performed a small pirouette and proceeded to charge out into the unknown.

Kita yelped with surprise. "Did Andrea turn into a deer?!"

Leiytning looked unamused. "I think that's just a normal deer, Kita."

Brinley sighed. “Guess that answers that.” She jumped in after her.

The stench of burning hair followed her entrance into the portal, the sound of a freshly set of explosive echoing through the forest. A Molotov cocktail hurled out of the portal and well over everyone's heads, setting fire to the forest behind them.

Kita stepped closer to the portal. "Andrea?! Brinley?! Can you hear me?!"

There was no reply.

Sue frowned. "Well this is getting a little dangerous. I'm going through though. If Brin is on the other side, then that's where I want to be."

Kita groaned nervously. "I don't like that they're not responding."

"Since I have the feeling that I know what will come back out..." Leiytning calmly spoke, "One bolt, non-response. Two bolts, response."

With that, he jumped through the portal.

The portal turned gray, blackened and burnt. The smell of burning trees permeated the air. That was probably just the forest burning in the back.

A bolt of lightning struck the portal, pure inky black.

Then a second one.

Kita perked up. "That's two! Sue, you ready? Do you want to go first?"

Sue grinned. That was a comforting pair of lightning bolts. "I think we're safe then. You can go first! I may as well bring up the rear, just in case things fall apart further when I go through. The forest is already on fire after all."

Kita smiled and nodded. "Okay. Be careful!"

She ran ahead, into the portal. The portal flared blue this time, shimmering as bright as the sky. Monkeys emerged from the burning trees, all wearing various masks like one would wear to a masquerade ball.

Sue gulped. It was probably about time to jump into the portal. After all everyone was waiting for her on the other side. She could do this.

Taking a deep breath, she hopped in, jumping over the chasm leading down to whatever greenery it showed and headfirst into the fiery circle.

Everything was black.

Arylist sighed, looking down at the contract in front of him. The flight here was far too long for any kind of meeting. He looked back at the two women in front of him, then back down at the contract, scribbling his name at the line. (He dotted the "i" with a star!!!!) "There, I did it."

Kate beamed. "Excellent! So next up we have a station you can order any food you'd like from. Either to access at a later time or to have now before you enter. Would you like any?"

"Hm. Perchance." Arylist sifted through the items on the screen, finally picking a purple stardust flavored milkshake.

"Delightful. Would you like that now or later?" Arianna asked.

"I can have it now."

There was a cha-ching and a milkshake flew out from a vent in the wall. Kate caught it deftly and offered it to Arylist, stepping forward from her little spot. "There you go!"

Arylist took it gently out of her hand and took a long sip. "Thank you. Mmm... tastes like supernova."

Ariana nodded. "Only the very best of course."

Arylist took it gently out of her hand and took a long sip. "Thank you. Mmm... tastes like supernova."

Kate beamed. "Yup! Once you're ready, the next step will be to note down any equipment that you've brought with you!"

"I do not possess any. I can form some though."

"Ooh. Absolutely nothing? You're just here with the clothes on your back?"

"Yes." Arylist said, as if it wasn't obvious earlier when the two were both looking at him.

"Alright, then go ahead and just note down 'None' and submit that. Then you'll be moving right along to the next step. You're actually pretty much done at that point."

He did as she said and took another sip of his milkshake. "Alright."

Kate flashed a thumbs up. "Amazing. We're moving right along. Next up would be the decontamination chamber."

Arianna nodded. "Just want to remove any contaminants that could be there. Honestly I don't expect it to find anything given your reputation for cleanliness."

Arylist nodded. Half-smiling from the cleanliness comment. He stepped into the chamber and dusted off his shoulders.

The chamber closed behind him, the door barely closing before it was opening right away just a single second having passed.

"Yup it found nothing." Kate grinned. 'I don't think that's ever happened before. A new record for most clean."

"Well, when you're being professional, cleanliness is the least you can contribute."

Kate nodded. "True that." A small red light flashed overhead and a door opened up in the wall.

"Thank you for your professionalism. Its greatly appreciated,' said Arianna.

"Thank you for the compliment."

Kate beamed. "When you're ready you can just head into the tunnel, there's a camera halfway down on your right. Just smile into that. Then into the chute you go. Just jump!"

"Understood, thank you." He said, walking into the tunnel.

The two of them grinned. "You're quite welcome! Good Luck!" The wall closed up behind him, shutting with a gentle thud.

Arylist walked down the tunnel, milkshake in hand. As he neared the middle of the tunnel, he noticed a camera to the right of him. He set his milkshake on the ground and made a... "smile" if that's what you want to call it. It flashed briefly before closing away.

The chute at the end of the tunnel beckoned. He walked towards it, and took a quick peek down. Taking a sip of his milkshake, he jumped down.