Even though the tip of her spear sliced through the air with just as much speed and dexterity as it always had, Seren’s mind and heart were elsewhere. Normally training was a time for her to lose track of the world around her and to just focus on weidling her weapon with the greatest expertise however, on this particular day, she was having a difficult time concentrating. Corelia, the adorable bookwyrm who’d managed to turn her head, had sent her a rather vague missive requesting that they meet up in what seemed like a random and out of the way location. It also stated that it was a matter of urgency but that it was also important that she arrive at the exact time specified and not a moment sooner. The cryptic nature of the note had left her feeling uneasy, wondering if perhaps Corelia had gotten into some trouble or if she was trying to remain hidden from something while also calling for help. It wouldn’t be the first time something like that had happened which is why Seren had

The walls of the maze were stifling with their height and sameness and it took a bit of inner dialogue for Vulcan to calm himself enough to keep going. Already the sun had shifted so much overhead and he would soon be trapped here in the dark. How many right turns had he made now? This wall looked familiar but so did the one he passed a few minutes before. Very little gave him any clue as to where he was going or where he had been aside from a few ominous sounds and whispers that were enough to send a shiver up and down his spine. Fear gripped him like a cold, clawed hand and he pressed himself against one of the walls to catch his breath and steady his thoughts. He hated confining spaces like this and, even more, he hated the feeling of being lost and helpless. Turning back was not an option now even if he wished it to be because he could no longer tell from which direction he had come. “The only way out is forward.” He told himself tightly, the mantra on desperate repeat in

Gathering everything he had needed in order to complete the quests assigned to him in the VIP Tea Party lounge had been no easy feat, especially considering his size or lack thereof. He had nearly smashed one of the chairs while dragging it along in order to place it at the long, empty table, and having to figure out the math paired with the symbols on wall after wall of graffiti before even being allowed in the stores had made him wish he could breathe fire right about now. It had taken him forever and had forced him to take multiple trips down confusing alleyways filled with onlookers who would sooner chuckle than give any kind of direction. But, Vulcan had never been a quitter and he was not about to start now. And so he made note of all of the symbols and their respective numbers, he located all of the chairs and filled that table, and he collected items of all kinds from the stores he had finally managed to enter after solving the riddle. All of which led him to this pivotal

Mae had, surprisingly, been thoroughly drawn into the shopping portion of this whole affair. She had managed to tangle with the beast in the forest, and even bumped into it occasionally on her run through town, but nothing excited her more than seeing all of the unique little baubles that lined each and every shelf within view on either side of the walkway. Normally she would not give such things a second glance, however the uniqueness of all of it made it difficult to ignore. While she knew she should continue on to solve more puzzles and perhaps even slay a persistent pest, she found herself lingering. Pins of all different shapes and colors lined painted windows and stuffed animals of every order looked up at her with sappy, ‘adopt me’ eyes. It was amusing to say the least, how easily she was persuaded to buy a pin or to squeeze a plush before shaking her head and walking on. She knew if she was not careful she would walk out of here with absolutely no tokens at all, which

Adrastea had been a whirlwind of energy and spunk ever since making her way through the neon forest and deeper into the park. She was right at home with all of the color and strange plants, the eyes growing out of her own flowers occasionally meeting with those of an especially odd mushroom or tree. She was as much a part of this park as they were to her way of thinking and so very little bothered here, aside from the creature that would occasionally crop up and attempt to corner or kill her. For now that was all behind her though as she took in the sights and sounds of the amusement part of this amusement park. Smiling at those who walked past her and stopping to gawk at all of the treasures being peddled in the cute little stalls and stores. Had she the tokens for it all she may very well have bought out every one, but for now her main goal was to find the perfect ride. She had wandered past many and watched them go, giggling at the way those riding them would react, but none

The more time Vulcan spent in this theme park the more he began to realize that very little of it made any sense. Some walkways would lead him in one direction only to come to a dead end while others seemed to spiral and twist endlessly only to spit him out in an even more confusing location than the one he had left behind. Really it all made his head hurt and he had just started to wonder why he was putting himself through any of this when the brightly lit sphere of a ferris wheel shone above some of the strange rooftops. All white and twinkling like starlight it’s grandeur called to him and before he realized he was making his way straight toward it. Perhaps it was because he spent the bulk of his life being miniature and never being able to see over the crowd, or maybe he just yearned for the rush of uncertainty at looking over a new place. Whatever it was, it called him to the line of Stygians waiting for their turn to ride. Vulcan hardly noticed the wait, so wrapped up was

The park was abuzz with all manner of activity and, while Vulcan had enjoyed himself for a time, he was beginning to feel a little grumpy again. It didn’t help that the crowd seemed to be looking out for only themselves as he was jostled and bumped for what had to have been the hundredth time in less than thirty minutes. If not for the lingering joy of finding that adorable white rabbit plushie he may very well have gone off on someone. Which likely would have only served to upset him more since people often remarked on how cute he was when upset on account of his small stature. Giving a growl as he was once again lost to the shuffle he finally squeezed his eyes shut and barreled through the tight groupings until he felt the cool air of emptiness kissing his cheeks. Drinking in the freshness he gave himself a moment before opening his eyes and looking at where his pushing and shoving had gotten him. The multicolored awning of a shopfront loomed overhead, shading him in rainbows

When at last the sounds of the forest were behind him and his sensitive hearing picked up the lively notes of music floating down to him from the path ahead Vulcan allowed himself to release his caged breath. The woods had certainly given him a run for his shadow tokens and by the time buildings finally came into view he was ready to fall flat in some cafe or other and attempt to once more bind his tattered nerves. He was by no means a habitually fearful creature, but he also was not ignorant of his small size and very snack-like qualities when in this form. And whatever that monster from before was called, it had done a number on him. Turning his attention away from that train of thought he looked around at the scene unfolding before him. While his eyes were still being assaulted by neon hues he was not altogether displeased to see them now that they were in a more civilized setting. He knew that his exploration was far from over but, for the moment at least, he had decided he

The various brain teasing tasks from before were nothing compared to the glaring forest of neon that greeted Vulcan the moment he reached the end of the starkly colorless corridor. Eyes squeezing immediately shut against the violent pinks, blues and yellows threatening to burn themselves forever into his retinas he gave a low grumble and scrubbed aggressively at his eyelids with the back of his paw in an attempt to ease the stinging sensation currently ricocheting through his skull and causing his ears to rumble. Really there should have been a pair of protective shades among the key and bottles he had uncovered but it seemed whoever was responsible for the maze had wanted those running it to embrace the full force of neon at its most brutal. After a few precious moments spent muttering curses and practicing paced blinking until the pain began to fade he was finally able to look up again and make out a myriad of tangled, confusing signs that were enough to force a dramatic sigh from

Mae was both quick and powerful when it came to the sword, her athletic abilities among some of the more impressive when compared to most other Stygian. Her training was regular and never ending and she prided herself on her discipline and her dedication. But, fishing? That was an entirely different matter altogether. Sitting stationary for hours on end staring off into nothing and becoming lost in thought just really didn’t seem like something she would enjoy. Not that she didn’t enjoy getting lost in thought, just that she preferred to do it while in motion where she felt she could physically work through things rather than sinking into a quagmire. It was likely this attitude that was the reason behind her inability to catch anything thus far. Impatient as she was she had forgone adorning her human-like appearance and instead was pawing and thrashing wildly at the water to catch a fish in hopes that it would somehow speed the process along. Normally she wouldn’t be bothered