Story Summary: Difference between revisions

The El Search Party is now prepared to head into the Demon Realm, [[Denif]] informs them of the unfortunate truth that the Dark El that [[Hennon]] had used was no longer a viable means to getting to the Demon Realm. Seeking another means, [[Add]] drags the group back to [[11-4|Debrian Laboratory]] where he intended to use Henir's Gate as a portal, however when they arrived, [[Eve]] pointed out that they'd need the exact coordinates of the Demon Realm, [[Lu/Ciel|Lu]] unfortunately was unaware of its exact coordinate. With that avenue no longer realistically possible, they head back to Elrianode where they tried brainstorming. They realized that the El was the key for interdimensional travel, or specifically disrupting said travel, then [[Ara]] remembers seeing something below the Large El when she had fallen down one time. Looking below, they find an ancient seal, so ancient it may have been placed by the goddess herself. [[Denif]] refuses to break the seal, but decides they could pry it open temporarily just long enough to let the El Search Party through, but he doesn't guarantee their safety beyond it.

Inside the seal, they find themselves in a subspace of Henir between the material and Demon Realm. Trying to go through the labyrinth, [[Elsword]] begins to have visions, visions that his friends would be wiped out by a large school of Chaos Leviathans. However, the group manage to get through without considerable issue, Elsword being relieved his visions had not come true. Making it out other side, they emerge from a place known as the Cave of Death by the local Dark Elves. Wandering through the forest, [[Rena]] spots a Dark Elf, she tries to talk with her in an Ancient Elven tongue, however the Dark Elf immediately becomes suspicious of the group and call for reinforcements for their capture. In their escape, they run into the Red Guardian, Forginay and defeat the guardian. In that moment, [[Chloe]] appears struck by what they had just done. [[Elesis]] suspects something is off when she notices that Chloe is without any troops, Chloe admits that she has long since left the demon ranks but refuses to elaborate any further. She says she had business with the Dark Elf Village and was on her way there when she saw that the group attacking the Red Guardian. Explaining that it was a guardian that lived in a symbiotic relationship with the other creatures of the forest. Elsword tries to ask Chloe for aid, but she shuts him down before he could even get a word out, Elesis then tries to strike a deal, telling her that they both need each other to get through to the Dark Elf Village, Chloe reluctantly agrees to working with them.

[[Lu/Ciel|Lu]] is skeptical of Chloe, but Elesis reassures that they're just using her to get to the Dark Elf Village but will remain vigilant. Making their way through the forest, Chloe notices an abnormally high number of guards, likely due to the El Search Party attacking the Red Guardian. They are spotted, and the Dark Elves begin to fire at them. Chloe reveals that the Dark Elves see her as a traitor, but she still believes in one person who she can reason with. Making their way deep into the [[12-3|Dark Elf Outpost]], they face off against [[Sentinel Commander]] and prove victorious, when [[Rena]] was about to make the final shot, her arrow vanished into thin air. The Dark Elf Elder, [[Edith]], appeared before them and told Sentinel Commander to stand down and remain at a distance. She, [[Rena]], and [[Chloe]] begin to have a discussion. Edith asks and answers Rena's questions about how the Dark Elves came to be, as well as their quest in the Demon Realm. Chloe interjects Edith and brings to her pressing news that the Demon Army is likely planning to launch an attack on the Dark Elf Village since she had abandoned their ranks. Edith confronts the El Search Party once more, telling them about the news Chloe had brought to them, suggests they meet up with their patron god, [[Nephilim Lord]], who had oddly gone silent over the past month. Saying that the village needs the help of the spirits and that Nephilim Lord is likely their best lead to learn of the whereabouts of the Dark El. Edith prepares an envoys capable of speaking the Elrios dialect to go with the El Search Party and meet with the spirits.

When they all arrive to the [[12-4|Forsaken Spirit Asylum]], they find that the spirits had turned hostile. They manage to save a [[Tiny Spirit]] who tells them that out of nowhere his friends just begun to attack him. They all couldn't believe what they saw, as the Asylum which would normally be vibrant and full of life, was a barren burnt wasteland. The Tiny Spirit guides the group all the way to Nephilim Lord where the beast goes berserk. After defeating the berserk lord, he regains consciousness and the Dark Elves pleas him to help them. Nephilim Lord recalls the tower in the distance appearing in Varnimyr around 500 years ago, but it posed no threat to the spirits until just a few months ago when it started to emit an aura that burned the land and turned spirits berserk. With all the spirits' aura running through Nephilim Lord, he was the first to be corrupted. [[Elsword]] asks if he could tell them about the location of the Dark El or if he had seen [[Henir's Order]]. The lord does not recall seeing anybody in particular related to Henir's Order but tells that many have come to him searching for the Dark El in the past. However he refuses to help the group, not trusting them yet. Instructing them to deal with the tower plaguing the sanctum first. The Dark Elves choose to stay behind and tend to the spirits while the Tiny Spirit chooses to guide the El Search Party to the tower.

Arriving at the Crimson Edge, the group make their trek towards the tower. The sky turns from blue to a foggy red and [[Elsword]] describes the aura as almost indistinguishable from that of [[Lanox]] and the Fire El. [[Lu/Ciel|Ciel]] disagrees, seeing as the land is far more barren, [[Rena]] speculates perhaps the presence of demonic energy in Lanox is what felt familiar. Out of the tower, a large meteor hurls down and crashes near them, they are alright but a four headed dragon golem spawns from the meteor. [[Aisha]] was shocked to see such a powerful beast, one which she described as only being able to be summoned by the combined efforts of a hundred magician. [[Eve]] told the group she did not sense any demonic energy coming from the creature, but suddenly the ground below them collapses. They notices the walls of the cavern were filled with scorched cut marks and find a lone scythe, the weapon suddenly begins moving on its own. After a battle where the scythe nearly sets the entire cavern ablaze, it zooms past the group. As it flew past Elsword, he heard [[Rosso]]'s voice, saying he doesn't need the strength to protect others, just to fulfill his purpose. Eve mentions once again that the energy she is feeling isn't demonic and [[Elesis]] agrees. They chase after the Scythe and wind up just beneath the tower. The stone golem appears once more and the group fight it on the exterior of the tower. In the battle, the beast damages the tower and once it was defeated, the group managed to break a hole and enter its depths.

The El Search Party manage to defeat Rosso and the demonic stones fade away. [[Ara]] is shocked to see that it was a human, [[Rena]] not believing him to be any ordinary human. Elsword tried to grab hold of him but his body is burning hot. [[Ventus]] arrives out of the blue, having just witness their battle. [[Add]] and Ara were shocked to see him appear, Ventus apologizes for arriving late. Elsword asks if he knew the person they had just defeated, Ventus confirming they were long time friends. Rosso barely able to speaks tells Ventus to shut up and help him. Elsword surprised to see him already awake asks if he is okay. Rosso briefly introduces himself. Add asks why he would be in the Demon Realm surrounded by demonic energy, Rosso dismisses the question. Ventus interjects saying that he should take Rosso back to [[Elrianode]] where they can tend to his injuries. Before he left he gave Rena a Wind Stone, saying that he and Denif agreed upon a solution to getting the El Search party back to Elrios. Ventus jokes with Rosso to his dismay, and then asks the El Search Party if they should return to Elrianode together. [[Ara]] however mentions that they've found a lead about the Dark El and they need to head somewhere else. The two begin to leave, but Rosso warns Elsword that the Master of Crimson Eyes is near. They group go back and meet up with the [[Tiny Spirit]] before immediately collapsing of exhaustion. After they rested, the Tiny Spirit tells them he got word from Nephilim Lord of a location nearby they may want to check.

The Tiny Spirit lead them to a large deposit of Mystic Stones. [[Eve]], [[Lu/Ciel|Lu, and Ciel]] all confirm that the stones gave off a similar aura to the Dark El Hennon had used, though faint. [[Ara]] reflects that she remembers seeing similar stones when she was a child visiting the capital city. [[Aisha]] notices the stones were very similar to Magic Stones from Elrios, realizing that there are many similarities between the two worlds. Further down, they spot Shadow Demons with mining equipment, they try to sneak past them but are spotted. The group notice the soldiers didn't seem properly trained, likely just miners, but they are then greeted by [[Nero]] who introduces himself as [[Ran]]'s right-hand man. The group managed to corner Nero, in a last ditch effort, Nero exclaims that he sees a giant bat. The El Search Party still a bit out of it since their last battle all fall for his trick and Nero manages to strike and shatter the ground beneath them. They land and awaken the master of the vein, Dark Agate. After they defeat the gem monster, the [[Tiny Spirit]] thanks them, but a lone demon soldier tries to land a sneak attack. Caught off guard, the Tiny Spirit uses his powers and swiftly takes out the demon. He then reveals himself to be [[Stirbargen]]. Lu tells the rest of the group that he was one of the 4 Demon Lords. He goes on to explain he too had his powers stripped away, before Eun, taking over [[Ara]]'s body, interjects. Eun lashes out in rage, planning to kill the demon, Stirbargen only laughs at their reactions. He offers to strike a deal with the group, though [[Add]] is extremely suspicious of how words. [[Elsword]] asks what information he has, and if it was worth his life. Stirbargen tells them that he managed to get to the Demon Realm because he knew its exact coordinates, he then goes on to tell them that the Dark El has been an object of myth for a long time, with [[Barkat]] as the current leader of the Demon Army seeking it out. He reveals to them that the spirits in the Demon Realm are only able to vaguely sense the location of the Dark El, that even if they did ask Nephilim Lord, he'd still point them towards the mines due to it being the closest large scale deposit of them. He tells them that he had made a bet with Rosso in the past and had lost it, giving Rosso his eye. But now he has it back, though drained of its power. The Demon Lord then strikes another bet with the group. He mentions to them that the Dealm Realm has been in political disarray for quite some time.

The group return to Nephilim Lord to see if he had any knowledge of the Dark El's location, the lord tells them exactly what Stirbargen had predicated. They group was left with no real lead, however decided to procure a Mystic Stone to aid them. They choose to return back to [[Elrianode]]. [[Elsword]] takes the time to confess to his friends about the visions he had when they first passed through the [[12-1|Labyrinth of Ruin]]. The group take caution to Elsword's vision. They decide they need to report to Denif about their findings, especially what they learned from Stirbargen. The Demon Realm coordinates, the faltering political structure of the demons, among other things. They soon embark of their way back.

Following the compass made by [[Calonne]], [[Laby]] is once again alone but on her way to [[Elrianode]]. Laby entered the Fallenode region, the ruined Henir infested wastelands left outside of Elrianode after the El Explosion, her compass begins to stop working. She feels the energy from where she is and senses it as being somewhat familiar but still different than the feeling of the Black Forest. Laby approaches and starts to notice the effects of Henir in the environment, the feeling of familiarity grows on her but she feels determined that she must get to the city. In that moment, [[Gaia]] who had been combing the continent, found her and the two reunited. Gaia is relieved that the girl is okay after the two lost each other. He tells her that he was combing the coast of Fluone in search of her to no avail, Laby then tells Bellonde what had happened since they split ways and tells him they should visit her friends in the future. Gaia had been searching for her because they promised to go the Elrianode together, now that they are together they would try to get into the city. However, the city is now surrounded by a large Henir barrier, the two approach the city dealing with the nests of draugr. On the way, Bellonde expressed his regrets, both for leaving Laby on her own and in the distant past when he failed to protect the El. Expressing prior hesitation to return to Elrianode, but says that Laby who he had met at his sister's grave, inspired him to press onward. On the way they find an exceptionally large pool of Henir which housed a Giant Draugr, not wanting to leave such a beast free to roam, Gaia and Laby defeat it. Letting go of the past, Gaia is filled with his original drive to protect everybody. Faced with the Henir barrier, he first tells Laby about Henir, he then creates a barrier around them with his El energy that will last them long enough to get through and they both delve into the barrier.

Inside the barrier, Laby and Bellonde are isolated from each other. Remembering her teacher telling her that she must focus on leaving the barrier, she presses onward, with the goal of reaching Elrianode so close. She thanks Nisha for being by her side but her mind then begins to space out. Nisha begins to react and then takes on the form of [[Laby's Friend]], Laby begins to remember it. She follows it but is surprised to feel that she is still inside the barrier. Having severed the memory of her friend's death, she wonders why it is here and notices the gaps in her memory. Stepping forwards she find herself in a room identical to [[Nenya]]'s chamber. [[Calonne]] appears in front of Laby and criticizes her for feeling nothing when [[Mao]] died, Laby became confused and tries to run away. She runs into Mao who similarly criticizes Laby for feeling glad when Calonne was taken away, Laby keeps running away. She panics and wants to run away, even back to her forest, but she runs into a monster, the same one that attacked the ports of Lurensia, the ones that reminded her of her friend. It called out to her, asking if she had forgotten it. She tells herself she hasn't forgotten and tries to keep running forwards till she finds herself exactly where she met Bellonde. He appears before her and she pleas to him that she wants to leave. Bellonde tells her to go back to the place where these memories all began. She wakes up deep in the Black Forest, wondering if everything was a dream, she begins to feel as if she shouldn't ever leave the forest, so she can just be alone with Nisha. Her friend appears before her, she expresses joy that they could be together and have fun forever but it transforms into formless monster and attacks her. She remembers all the good times they spent together, but then the memories begin to return to her, she remembers its death. Remembers the sorrow she felt and how her tears created Nisha, that she had severed the memory and feelings she felt, that this was the first time she truly knew what Nisha was, her sadness. She feels glad she finally knew what Nisha was, but she still feels scared of the sadness she once felt. She however decides she would face the future with Nisha.

When Laby arrived to the El Tower, she was struck with awe when she saw the Large El, saying that it was the same light she called morning. Denif asked her what she meant, she told him of the Black Forest she came from. Denif called all the priestesses in to the conversation, though Ignia was absent due to overworking herself earlier in the day. Curious, Denif asks her about the light she called morning, after she explains the three mornings and the voices. Denif suspects the possibility of mind control magic. Laby goes on to explains each individual light in detail. Denif concludes that the morning Laby spoke of were most definitely related to the Large El. [[Sasha]] equating the first light to the Nasod War, Artea relating the second to the El Explosion, and Darkmoon noting the last having been the return of the Large El that had just happened months prior. Denif notes [[Elsword]]'s involvement with the current El's restoration, Gaia is alarmed to learn of a boy with such power. Denif believing he either might be an Elrian of unprecedented power or a being similar to the El Lady. Laby gathers that the boy's actions freed her and wishes to meet him, Denif notes that Elsword doesn't himself even realize what he might be, so no real answers would come from that. Denif then asks Laby about Nisha, but Laby hesitates, simply calling it he friend.

Darkmoon wonders if she could be a demon, sensing a similar aura. Laby says that [[Calonne]] had said a similar thing. Denif and Artea ask about Calonne, Laby tells them about Calonne being a demon in [[North Fluone]]. Gloria tells Laby what the demons had done to Darkmoon and the Moon El. Sasha tells her beliefs that either demon or human are capable of just as much good or bad, citing [[Rod Ross]]'s foul actions. Laby promises to stop anybody who bullies her friends, pleading them to not hate Calonne. The priestesses trust Laby, Denif was still a tad suspicious. Laby tells him that Calonne was at odds with some of the other demons, Denif hoping so. With the day soon reaching its end, Denif calls an end to their meeting and suggests they all rest for now as [[Anduran]] prepares dinner.

That night, while [[Laby]] contemplated what she should do with Nisha, [[Ignia]] met up with her. The two talked, Ignia reflects on her life, her determination and purpose after becoming the Fire Priestess and the regrets she harbored when she became a pawn for the demons. She explains that ever since, she has been giving her all to duty, so much so that she had exhausted herself and passed out earlier in the day, she says that she aspires to meet the Fire Master and learn under him to better her abilities. Laby opens up to Ignia and tells her that Nisha is her sadness. Ignia presents the information to [[Denif]] who is a bit skeptical but the priestesses trust her. Laby tells them what she experienced in the Henir barrier. Denif is vexed by Laby's situation, having never seen somebody's emotion take on a physical form. Laby mentions the energy she felt inside the barrier felt somewhat familiar to something she felt in the distant past. Denif then brings up ancient theories of portals opening up in the core of the Black Forest as a potential explanation, siting the El Search Party's discoveries. Gaia, unsure what to make of the El Search Party, worries they have given them their burdens. Denif then goes on to explain the situation in regards to [[Henir's Order]], the El Search Party, and their current objective.

Laby feels she might need to go to the Demon Realm for answers. [[Ventus]] appears before Laby using the power of the wind. She asks him if he and the wind are one, which he replies that he accepts the wind. Seeing the girl ponder his statement, he tells her of the [[11-6|Forgotten Elrian Sanctum]] where she could train and grow. Laby takes the offer and goes off. [[Lincy]] questions his decision as she knew he was still suspicious of the girl, Ventus himself being unsure, perhaps he simply wished to act as an elder for once.

Back in the city, [[Denif]] recalls to Gaia the events following the El Explosion, informing Gaia that while he fell asleep after he poured his energy into the El, Denif remained awake and used the last of his energy to seal off [[Elrianode]]. Gaia wondered why Denif decided to seal the city alone and not requested the aid of the other masters. Denif gave two reasons, the first being that making the Elemental El was the more important priority they could not afford to fail, and the other was he suspected the possibility of a traitor. Gaia is saddened that Denif did not trust him enough but understands his judgement and promises to earn his trust in the present. Denif applause Gaia's growth in the time they've been apart, noting that he and Ventus haven't been as affected due to their already inherent long lives, he thanks Gaia for returning. Gaia states his new resolves came from Laby, believing their meeting at his sister's grave was a sign.

In the sanctum, she began to hear the voices of the past, mistaking it for the voice which prevented her from leaving the forest. She begins hearing her own voice asking herself what she is afraid of, where she replies she fears losing Nisha. She wonders what would happen if they did become one. Afraid of losing herself, she doesn't quite want to become one with Nisha, but wants them to share with each other. For Nisha to teach her sadness, and for her to teach Nisha other emotions. To understand each other not as one being, but as partners. With her new perspective, she heads back to Elrianode.

The priestesses talk among each other. [[Ignia]] notices that controlling the El has become slightly easier since Rosso returned. The other priestesses tell her that she and Rosso should try and make up. Ignia is still hesitant. During their conversation, Laby returns back to the tower and seeks out her teacher. Gaia is glad to see Laby return and she tells him her decision to accept Nisha. Laby's new goal is to find the voice that kept her in the forest and seek out answers from them and thanks Bellonde for everything he has taught her.