Acotali's Emerald City [Testing the Dungeon Changes - Deshitana, Puck, Safi]

60 EXP Gained

Looking back, he had remembered that one of his team members had been hit hard earlier. With that in mind, he channeled Asuramaru's energies into a single point on the tip of the blade before allowing it to shoot over his teammate's head to allow a shower of green lights to fall upon them. It wasn't harmful at all, in fact it would heal them. Since he did get into a fight immediately and one of them did get hurt a bit at his expense, this was the least he could do.

"Feeling a little bit better?" he asked Aria and Noah with some concern. Having someone not at their best would hinder them. And he didn't really like that, but is willing to deal with it.

Jason would begin sheathing Asuramaru. The green glow of the Shadow Weapon would disappear as each inch of its blade disappeared in the scabbard. For now, it was satisfied. But he could feel it tremble in anticipation for more blood to spill. Its owner was somewhat the same, but he kept his composure like any professional.

"Sorry. I got ahead of myself. Asuramaru here was pretty thirsty for blood ever since last night. I promise I won't make the same mistake again," the boy sheepishly apologized to them both as he scratched the back of his head and held up his sheathed blade at them to show them who he was referring to, "Call me Jason. And this is Asuramaru. What do you guys go by?"

Jason would gesture them to continue forward as he would continue down the path. They should at least be able to talk while they were on their way towards the objective. And there's no reason to stop to simply talk. The sooner they got this mission finished, the better. And it's generally unwise to stick around in dangerous areas, especially when the flora would actually try to kill you.

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“That sounds like a good plan,” Aria would respond back with a light giggle. She was amused to be sure and that in turn helped her relaxed a bit more and put her in a better mood. Even if she was agitated before with their third member, she would quickly begin to calm as the play continue. Even as their travel towards the battlefield continued the woman would remain in good spirits.

“Hey what can I say? It's the truth,” she would tell Noah in easy tones as they continued to move.

When they reach the battlefield and joined the fun, the easy banter would continue as the pair spoke about the plants and the creature there.

“Salad and a lovely meat on the side sounds like a fine meal. Too bad we don’t have a salad dressing and a good wine to finish it off,” she would tease back before attempting to poke at their third member. ..however, unlike Noah the guy remained as serious as ever. Welp! So much for that attempt.

In any case, this minor note wouldn’t matter in the long run for just when Aria had settled on Mr. Quick Feet being set on himself, the creature she had been eyeing as a side for the salad decided to attack her and unfortunately knock her over. While pissed at the turn of events, she found herself pleasantly surprised at both gents’ actions.

Mr. Quick Feet struck out with fire and Dragon Boy went after the creatures with a strike of his own. The combined effort of the pair took the creatures down easily enough. Making Aria proud on one hand for the guys getting the job done, but a bit sad on the other. It was a shame the battle had ended so soon. Aria had just gotten up and was in the mood for getting her revenge for the earlier blow. To bad she couldn't send the beast off with a nice heel to the face. Oh well.

Aria would sway slightly as Alexis shook off the blow and got to his feet. Keeping her balance, she would hold her left arm a bit the pain still lingering there.

“I suppose that is one way of putting it,” she grumbled lightly as she as she looked over at Mr. Quick Feet with a light frown. It was true that they were alive, but Aria was not exactly going to call this a good start. She was hurting after all. Still, she didn’t stay too angry with the guy for actions or words as the guy finally showed he did have some sense of care by casting a spell on her and Noah that healed rather than harm.

As the strange spell hit her, she found the pain from before easing up as some of her energy returned. With the healing, the girl was able to return to herself more or less.

“I’ll live,” she would say with as she stretched her arms a bit to knock out the remaining kinks from the strike. She was still sore, but felt better nonetheless. Her voice was light and friendly showing she held no ill will towards the guy despite what had happened. “How about you?” she would ask as her body relaxed once more and crimson eyes shifted between Mr. Quick Feet and Noah. In the end, no matter how she might tease or get pissed with certain actions what really mattered to her was that everyone came out of the situation more or less alive. It was always hard dealing with the dead….no matter what others said.

That dreary thought aside, Aria would watch the other sheathe his strange blade before absorbing the words that were said. Placing her hands on her hip, she leaned towards Jason’s direction with smile on her face.

“Oh that is alright. I can forgive you for this on the condition you don’t do it again. I sure would hate to have to break a leg or arm to make sure we all remained on the same page, you follow?” the woman would say in friendly and bubbly tones; however, underneath that smile and tone their rested something that was dead serious about what she was saying. While Aria didn’t like to break comrades to teach them lessons, her eyes would tell anyone that could read them well that she had no problem doing just that if that is what it took to get a point across.

Despite the threat, the girl remained non-hostile for now. A reward for the good Jason had done to make up for his error. Once that was done, she would relax as she looked at the guy and then the blade with a amused smirk as she debated if she should pull chains or not. When she made a decision, her smirk would soften into a small smile.

“My name is Aria and this is Alexis,” she would say gesturing to the odd cat that was sitting between herself and Jason. The cat was quiet as it seemed to be looking at the sword. Apparently, the cat was interested in the blade and who could blame it. After all it wasn’t everyday, one found both a blade and an owner thirsting for blood so much. Perhaps this one would be an interesting creature to watch.

Despite her interests, the woman wouldn’t go any further with the words as she fell silent to give Noah a chance to speak if he wanted to. When Jason made a gesture for them to follow, Aria would hesitate only long enough to push back her hair. Once her hair was out of the way, she would move forward to follow their leader her steps light despite heels. Alexis would follow at her side.
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He shrugged at them. This Noah had a good point, but it was important at least to keep up some level of morale. Jason knew the importance of having great morale and how bad the lack of it could affect the chances of success of any operation. Though at least don't seem hopeless and they were competent too.


So he took out Asuramaru again and did the same thing. He healed both of them and this should at least bring both of them to full health, or at least very close to it.

"Aria. Alexis. Noah. Gotcha," he nodded at the three of them, "Nice to meet you all. Hope this whole operation goes well. I got a lot of reading to catch up on after this."

Jason was clearly taking a light joking manner with them, as a form of camaraderie. They seemed to be alright people. So there's no reason to not be friendly with any of them.

They would finally arrive at a place that seemed to be heavily infested with vegetation. But it seems their support member had much misgivings which caused Jason to smirk.

"Danger is part of the job. And I like a challenge. Let's get through this. We can always run if we need to anyway."

With that said, he continued onward with his Shadow Weapon cutting through the organic obstacles.

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Aria would give the other a grin as she looked him up and down quite impressed at his bold play. Most wouldn’t think of doing such a thing around her, but this guy didn’t let her intimidate him at all. Very nice.

“Alright handsome. I expect you to keep your word,” she said to him before moving onward. Sure it was just play, but the play had the girl curious about this guy. Just what would it be like to hang out him outside of a mission situation? Would they continue to get along or would they find themselves at each others throat before long? A curiosity, but one the girl didn’t dive into too much at the moment. She could figure out compatibility when they weren’t on a mission.

Still, the play kept the girl in high spirits and even made her grin at the thought of a nice glass of wine at the end of this all. “Yes indeed,” she would state as she dove into that battle…that ended rather quickly. Granted, she didn’t get to toss much out due to ending up on her ass and the two males actually wiping the small gang out before she could actually get up. Disappointing, but nothing the girl held a grudge against as she got up and did her best to recover from that heavy smack. The healing worked wonders, but the lingering effects of the smack still rested on her shoulders as she moved forward trailing just behind Noah who was now human again.

She would listen to the chatter and feel even better when their leader decided to do that healing spell again. Hehe. Maybe she should’ve paid more attention when mother was trying to teach her healing. Perhaps she too would’ve mastered the useful spell.

Speaking of teaching, Aria’s red eyes would shift to Jason as he mentioned reading.

“You’d choose the books over some fun?” she asked as she moved along keeping only a few paces behind the pair as she looked around. Her tones remained light-hearted thanks to the guy finally lowering that serious demeanor from earlier. Maybe she had pegged him all wrong. Maybe he wasn’t a stick in the mud after all...which was wonderful. There was nothing like a stick in the mud to cramp her style.

In any case, she would continue to follow only drifting forward when they came to the strange obstacle of toppled buildings and thick vegetation. Just what had this place been? And more than that what had taken it down?

Curious, she wander closer to the buildings stepping carefully in the lush vegetation around them to keep herself from falling. As she neared one of the windows, she would pause to study the flowers. They were quite the sight, but in the way of whatever was beyond. It was sad, but they would simply have to go. She wondered if she could cut them down without upsetting something. Hmmm…huh?

The support's voice again. Looking up towards the ceiling (if there were any) Aria would listen before smirking and shaking her head. So the human was telling them not to go in there? Said there was something dangerous in there? Well then that was all the reason one needed to explore such a place!

Danger meant challenges and challenges sometimes meant treasure, but more than that the unknown meant some form of knowledge was to be gained. Yes. Yes. She must go in…Oh! That’s right, she had other folk with her didn’t she? Maybe she should consider asking them what they thought on the matter…or not.

It seemed their leader wasn’t afraid of anything. Even at the quivering of the girl’s voice, he decided to plow right in. Hehe. Excellent. At least that was something she could approve of. Besides now, she could see what was inside. Wonderful!

“Alright then my dear, just keep your eyes on us. I don’t want anyone getting lost or tangled up without my knowledge okay?” she would tell Victoria in light tones trying to ease the girl’s panic. Sure she had gotten knocked about pretty bad the last time, but they had survived together no? So what was one change up in danger going to do?

Quite ready for whatever was beyond, Aria would return to the pathway and hurry after their leader; however, she would pause a few pace ahead and turn to Noah with a grin.

“Come on! Come on!” she would say doing her best not to jump up and down. She so excited it was a miracle, she didn't just grab the guy's hand to drag him along. Whether that got Noah to move faster or not, she eventually turn and head in the direction the leader was carving.

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"If the book's good enough to keep my attention. But now, they're required readings for classes," Jason shrugged at her.

Even he had a life outside of the job. While still being a student and working as a swordsman, slashing and reading are his primary forms of 'work', to say. But he had to admit that the readings he had now are rather boring and lackluster.


Upon entering, it seemed lonesome. But they were clearly not alone. It was heavy and it was big. So much for escape, it was going to be hard to get out. This also meant that they had to fight this thing off if they wished to get through this alive.

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“Excellent,” Aria would tell the guy as he pretty much sealed a deal with the demon. She wasn’t quite sure why he decided to do what he did, but then again she wasn’t going to say anything to change the matter either. After all, now they could really hang out and see what each other was all about. Win/Win in her mind.

Deals and battles aside, the group would continue to travel along the pathways of the ruins the subject shifting to books as they moved.

“Well, I suppose that is alright if you’re entertained,” Aria would respond back as she tried to imagine herself sitting that long to do anything. Sure, her bodyguard back home might do that, but her? Maybe not so much. That would have to be one awesome book to keep her attention. Anyway…

“Oh wow. You’re a pretty busy guy if you do this and study for classes too. What are you studying anyway?” she would ask as they continued to move. Her lips would curl into a smirk as the conversation on throwing books came up. Ah yes. They were indeed good weapons. She had used some of her own against folk that got on her bad side at home and her body guard was no stranger to tossing things that should not be thrown around either. The thought was amusing, but the girl wouldn’t add anything further onto the subject matter nor would she make a comment when it came to being careful either.

When they got to the ruins if there was any idle chat, Aria wasn’t paying too much attention to it as she was instead distracted by the possibility of what they held inside. She was so excited, that she didn’t know what to do with herself honestly. While she would wait only a few seconds for Noah, she would eventually turn to follow their leader, her pace slowing as she stepped within the coolness of the new location.

Red eyes would scan the area full of vegetation taking notes of the machinery and shape of the room. She wasn’t sure what sort of business had gone on here, but now it was gone leaving behind no traces of its former masters or what they may have done. The only odd thing in the room was a golden statute that seemed to be in good condition considering its surroundings. How very peculiar....

Aria’s red eyes would narrow as she stood on the opposite side of the remains of the leaning desk eyeing the statute until form behind, she heard a sound that made her turn slightly. Eh? They were sealed in?

“…” she would glance at the blocked exit before her eyes turned back to that statue…just in time to see it move. Going from displeased to shock, Aria would take a step back as Alexis hopped up the desk hissing at the creature.

“A golem, huh?” she would say knowing these creatures by sight. Not only she encountered the big guys from some of the missions she had taken along her travels, but on a rare occassion one ended up in her front yard at home. This one was smaller than the giants she was hired to take down or even the ones that liked to clomp around in the yard, but still these earth based bullies were a pain the butt no matter what one did. This could be painful. Still, she wasn’t one to give up. Shock would turn into an amused smirk as she gave her command.

“Alexis do something about him will ya?” she would tell her companion, who would crouch on the table before leaping off and bounding towards the enemy.

Once it was close it would raise a paw and swipe the creature with its claws with a small sound of agression; however, no damaged seemed to be done to the creature as the cat ran back to its master who had fallen into a battle position....

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