The twenty-two doors wreathing the outer wall of the auditorium simultaneously closed of their own accord precisely as the clock struck the designated time, the sudden gloom betrothed upon the chamber quickly distilled by the ignition of candles circling the parameter. If, for whatever reason, a selected pupil was too inept to arrive before the elected commencement, they would find the doors sealed, with no means of entry possible.

Four dozen rows formed a tapered ring around the center stage, offering those who occupied the massive room an excellent vantage point to witness the teachings and lectures that often took place thereupon. Seats were plush and covered with burgundy velvet, the rows spaced with enough room to accommodate even those students who had numerous appendages. Apart from for the dim linger of the surrounding candlelight the room was bathed in shadow throughout its bowl shaped construction, though the central dais was illuminated by a lavender luminosity that descended from an untraceable spot up high.

It was ominously fascinating.

A low tumble of whispers and murmurs wafted along the assembled body, the natural unease born of the grave chamber opposed by nervous chatter. Such pointless prattle ended as the robed figure ascended the steps of the stage and took his place upon it, and though his features may have been hidden by the shroud of wizardly vestments that enveloped his body and concealed his face, there was no denying the power that exuded from the Mastema of the Institute, Arkon Daraul.

Once silence had strangled out the volume of the anxious crowd, the Dark Mage lifted his hands waist high and expelled a dose of magic, beginning a staid drift upward. He levitated easily, offering no other movement save for the mindless drift of his robes as he floated through the air, and hung suspended without aid more than thirty feet off the ground, his fixture as the centerpiece of the assembly suddenly timeless and undeniable.

"Students." He began, his antiquated tone magically amplified to ensure that his even volume was heard by all in attendance. "You have been chosen to participate in this semesters opening Excavation Challenge. Through the course of the year there shall be several competitions that you are encouraged to participate in, this being the preliminary one. I wish you luck and success.

"The pamphlets you received at the door breakdown the rules and regulations involved in this particular challenge, ranging from base equipment to more advanced items if they are available. I highly recommend you study this literature as you may find a number of its suggestions immensely helpful. If you have any questions, I would urge you to seek out your unit overseer and request assistance. As with all magic, knowledge and understanding are the keys to power and success.

"Students have been divided into units, or squadrons, and these units have been broken into teams. As you can see, there are more than a dozen different units that encompass the challenge, so make sure that you are aware of which team you are a part of. There is also a breakdown of both units and teams near the back of the pamphlet. I advise you to remember that while you are separated into teams, it is the unit's success that will determine your triumph. For example, the members of the Viper Fang unit may wish to pit themselves against one another naturally, but that needs to subside for this challenge, as the team members of Shatter Stone, Storm Sabre, and Gorgon Horn will only benefit from their infighting."

Arkon paused and let the droll permeate lightly through the crowd, feeling the excitement starting to simmer within all of those gathered. He permitted their energized murmurs momentarily before raising his hand and silencing them once more.

"As I call each unit's name, Overseers shall proceed to the dais so that they may acquire their observation Orb. These orbs are to be embedded near or around one of the populated structures you find along the way. They will activate automatically. All that is required of you is to bury them."

Names were called, and one by one those who were the Overseers of their respective units descended to acquire their Observation Orbs; each team making up the unit awarded one.

Storm Sabres' Overseer, Fleur Rousseau, was one of them.

Stepping through the gate, Angelica seems to shift and change. She becomes more feral, feline in nature. Her hands becoming clawed and there was an almost stalking gait to her steps. Her Hazel eyes becoming cat slits and her teeth elongating into fangs. Shadows swirled around the young heir to the demon realm of Phoenicia.

She waited for the others to pass through the gate. She studied their surroundings almost tasting the stale air around them.

"I suspect there will be a price to passage with the ferryman." She said quietly.

"You." Myraddin said with a smirk as he stepped through the portal, lightly shouldering past the young Azer-kin. His hands were circled with wreathes of electrical current, a spell prepared on the prime material side of the gate to defend against any enemies awaiting them in Gehenna.

With no threat directly present he let the magic fade away, his lilac gaze leveled on the approaching ferryman.

The feral form of the team leader caught his attention, his appreciative gaze unabashed as he drank her in, though as the moment passed he shifted between Angelica and Xera, awaiting their orders.

The cloaked figured navigated the ferry through the calm waters with a shift of the elongated ore it held in its skeletal hands, steering the small vessel toward the dock. Standing upon the aft bench, it towered over the prone figure knelt near the front of the boat; a distinctly feminine form wrapped in the lace and silk robes of a noble woman with a diaphanous hood veiling her head. The only passenger aboard the skiff, she huddled within herself.

With an eerie ease the skiff approached, the sharp turn of the ore drawing it to a stop just beside the wretched pier. No form of eyes were seen within the abyssal depths of the driver's hood, though the turn of its cowl was evidence that it regarded the group. It said nothing as it awaited them in silent invitation.

Those of the keenest observation would note that the distant water continued to ripple with motion well after the waves carved by the skiff's travel died away. Something beneath the surface was stirring.

Kish hit upon the answer. "Thank you Kish..."

There was a smile on those apparently felinesque features. "Souls is the Currency in this realm." She palmed out two soulstones. The Soulstone literally held captured souls. It was something that her family used for healing and other measures.

She then looked at the snake coiled close to Kish. She could sense who that was, "Mystri, I'm giving you the Observation Orb." She was entrusting the object of their mission to the one who was trusted the least.

Why? She was counting on Mystriana's skill and powers in being able to get the job done.

"Let's see if the ferryman is willing to accept our payment."

He shot a dry smirk at the Azer, though could secretly appreciate her compliment. He started to speak though noticed the currency Angelica withdrew and refrained from asking, figuring that she seemed to know what she was doing.

Upon hearing that Mystriana would be the possessor of the Orb he slid a step toward her, or Kish to be more accurate. He wasn't the heroic type, but he was the victorious type, and would do everything he could to make sure the achieved their goal of getting some of Yugoloth arms and planting that little sphere in the dirt.

"This should be fun." He whispered to himself, though any that heard him and looked his way would receive a grin.

She shifted forms and poured from Kish's shoulders to reform as a hybrid: half-cat, half human. Pink hair parted to reveal silken white ears and a tail fluffed indolently behind her, flicking up to lash Kish in the face as if by accident.

Accepting the orb from their team leader with a nod that exhibited her understanding of her position. Her mint blue gaze demonstrating her inhumanity with the cat slanted and slitted eyes. Claws gently grazed Angel's skin as she then quickly deposited the orb in a pouch she wore about her neck.

"Let's do this."

She'd get the job done.

She made her way onto the ferry, handing over the payment. She ushered the rest of the team on board the boat and waited for the journey to commence.

She did not need to see the horde to know they were there. "Everyone, stay on your guard." She said lowly. The young demoness was prepared.

She looked to Mystriana, placing her arm between the shapeshifter and the other passenger. "No." There was power behind the word as she moved to protect her teammate.

Sharp Storm Elf features drew into an expression of bored amusement as he watched Mystri's little banter with the veiled woman. The demeanor was a natural one as he was starting to get anxious and hated waiting. There were threats all around them, he could even feel the ill intention of the boat's driver, and there he was, sitting with the others unable to do anything.

The bolt that lit the sky drew his gaze, it's tempest quality appealing to his very soul, and because of that he was able to make out the mass of flying creatures residing there. He nearly smiled, his fingers clenching, his magic ready.

One wrong move, deliberate ...or at least perceived deliberate...and he would have plenty of targets.




Come on, wrong move.

She spoke, and with those words Mystri would feel the dark grasp of the Handmaiden's power reach out to claim her soul, snatch it from her body and replace it with that of her trapped essence. It seemed that Kish's warning was warranted, and while physically it seemed as though the veiled woman had yet to really move, on an incorporeal level there was a furious battle for dominance.

The veiled woman watched Mystri with an interest that was growing heated, and if she were paying attention, Mystriana would see the corners of the woman's eyes starting to pulsate as though the veins beneath writhed as serpents under the surface. "I'd just like to see it." She whispered. "No need to be rude."

Their drift along the water was rocky even though the water seemed to be as calm as could be, growing more active the closer they got to the opposing shore. The boat shifted and jolted as it crossed toward where the city lay.

Water exploded all about them as a burst of movement sent the river upward into a powerful eruption, and from it poured the thick tendrils of monsters below. They lashed out across the boat in search of anything they could find to grab and draw beneath the black water, though only seemed to target Angelica, Xera, Myraddin, and Kish, leaving Mystri to fend off the possession of a much greater evil.

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A look would find that the driver was no more, having fled from its duty of steering the skiff, the glimmer of soul stones seen where it once stood. Payment had not been claimed.

A swoop from above sought Angelica as the massive Nycaloth descended from the heavenly darkness upon a swift, arching path, three of its arms grappling to take her however it could, head and arms sought, the fourth massive hand toting the battleaxe in preparation. Claws the size of daggers sought her flesh, seeking to tear her from the boat.

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The boat was still twenty yards from the shore, the wake of the water sending it off in an aimless spiral, neither gaining ground or losing it.

"Rain? What fucking rain?"

She was desperately trying to keep her balance in a rocking boat while being attacked. "Don'tgointhewaterdon'tgointhewaterdon'tgointh ewater." The mantra was overpowering her ability to reason and she finally gave up any semblance of sanity.

WHHHOOOOSHHHHHHHHHH!

She went up in a pillar of flame that thankfully shot skyward and not downward. Levitating with the casting of a spell she hovered above their little skiff and shot hot bolts of magma from her fists, punching in the direction of the water and its murky denizens.

Magic erupted all about KISH's fingers as danger presented itself from above and below. Though still a young evoker Kish was a still a rather proficient caster more than capable of unloading balls of fire and bolts of lightning to any who came near. He maneuvered himself to say between those of higher rank, thinking that they would be more prepared to defend than he, which gave him the ability to focus strictly on offense.

Mystri had no idea what was going on around her. The intense battle lost on her as she was sucked into a potent trap. The sticky consciousness of the Handmaiden pulled at her. Fought her for control, sought to seek the switching of places.

Mystri snarled, her features shifting as she felt the anger at such an intrusion build. Her mobile mouth became a maw filled with teeth and her ears elongated into triangular tufts of fur. A tail poured forth and lashed the air in a sign of her agitation as her claws grew to razored curves meant to rip flesh from the bone.

Her soul was difficult to grasp, a transmutative thing, it slid like quicksilver as she shifted, twisting free from whatever hold the handmaiden might've garnered. And with a supernatural fury, edged in magic, she attacked, her entire being glowing with her innate power.

She intended to shred the Handmaiden where she sat and her mint blue eyes shone with primordial hunger and pride.