Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nebula looked at Kai and waved him over to her. "Let's go." She wanted out of the underground as soon as she could. She really didn't like it down there.

Nebula began to fly through the tunnels trying to find a way out. She had also tried to follow the worms hoping that they would be going out. The Slyph found herself at a temple where she saw other Ghostlings.

Still near the entrance of the cavern, Yami watched as two other ghostlings entered the ominous looking temple. She wasn't sure she wanted to go in there in the first place, but the temple seemed to be the destination of choice for all the inhabitants of Etheria. There also seemed to be a foreboding air lingering outside the temple. She did not want to be left alone with that..

Making her way quickly across the great room, Yami noticed a glint of shimmer from a pile of dirt and rubble. She chose to ignore it at first and passed by, but a feeling nagged at her so she turned back. Digging it out took very little effort, the dirt was soft and crumbly. It was a very small silver ring - it was either made to wear on a pinkie finger or for a child. It had a small moonstone in the middle with intricate swirly designs to each side inlayed in iridescent abalone shell. She quickly slid it on her right hand and covered the remaining distance to the temple steps.

((ooc: Eftemie, if this is not ok, please let me know and I'll have her drop it. XP))

Noting that Zion had slipped away, Valkon frowned. Had he taken too long for the boy? There was that promise to fulfill yet. And he would. The boy was impatient and he grinned at the thought. So was he most of the time and they could return here later. Perhaps with the intention of exploring the ruins fully. He rather liked this place. But he still frowned at the sound he heard coming down one fo the tunnels. But which one?

They should leave.

"Let's go." Valkon stated moving towards the bottom step. "I think it's time we left this place. There will be another chance."

Touma glanced at the larger ghostling then nodded. "Do you know the way out? Stay close, Chai, Wudeia." He did not want to lose them now.

"I do not." Arthas stated watching them all. For now he would bide his time and stay with this group. There was safety in numbers but he also might be able to manipulate this to his needs still.

Hawke glanced over at his father. "I don't see Zion, dad. Did you see where he went?" He poked Fosull noting she was pushing and shoving bones around and not paying attention to anything.

"I do not know the way out. But I suspect it is in that direction." Valkon stated pointing at the entrance directly across from them. "He got impatient, but we will find him on the way. Grab hold of a tail for I'm moving quickly." Shifting to panther form, Valkon focused until he had nine tails as he did as a wolf. Shoving his children onto his back, he glanced at the others. His expression said they only had a moment to do so.

The sound grew louder and louder until a dark cloud burst free of one of the tunnels. They swirled, dove, and began picking off the worms that straggled behind. Their wings echoing as they whirled in the air. The flock of birds began to eat all the worms they could find.

Inside the ruins, the worms there began to mass growing larger and larger as more and more merged together. This was war and they were defending their home against the intruders. The worms hidden on the ghostlings, dove for cover knowing what was coming. Their choices had been made and they were leaving.

(( Tunnel C is the option that Valkon is taking. Feel free to take a different one. You can also choose to stay and fight to help the worms but there is a chance you may lose yours as a result. ))

Nebula was confused at what was going on. All she really cared about at that point was getting out of there and back to the where she could see trees and the sky.

The girl saw her worm and picked it up before heading off towards the big legend guy. He was old and big, right? He'd know where to go, right?

The birds then came in. Nebula saw them and was frozen in her spot for a moment. They were so big and they were eating the worms. What to do now? She just kept flying where she was.

The panther grinned, baring his fangs as Valkon was slighlty amused at Loa's comment. No matter how big or how much power he had, he had already understood that Azmodeus and Kita had more. It did not matter. He was still loyal to his dark lord. Mostly.

It was time to leave. Glancing around at those nearby, Valkon figured they would either grab on or follow behind. Either way it was up to them.

Moving quickly, Valkon leaped forwards running across the cavern. He waited for noone and avoided the birds once or twice as they whirled through the air. His own crows were behind them moving where they knew he was going. Running up the slight hill, Valkon entered the tunnel on the opposite side. Hopefully this was the way out.

Arthas grabbed one of Valkon's tails as the panther suddenly moved. Normally he would walk or even ridden, but there were more enemies than he cared to have to destroy. Without his full power, it was best to side himself where he knew power lay. At least for now it was with Valkon.

Touma likewise had grabbed a tail. He indicated that Chai and Wudeia do the same thing. They had come this far together. He would chance trusting the yokai. For now. With the birds coming in mass quantity, he wanted to get out. Valkon would be the quickest way.

"Grab hold, Chai, Wudeia. It's best for now. Hang on tight!"

Hawke had slid onto his father's back with a wide grin. A panther ride this time. It was getting more and more fun to see what his dad did. And he was very glad that Valkon was his dad. A laugh slipped free as he smirked at Fosull. She could keep their mother. He definitely liked being with his dad.

"This is gonna be soooo much fun." He stated, but his hand rubbed absently at the bracelet he had on his arm.

The group moved quickly down the tunnel. The birds continued pouring into the larger cavern. By this time the worms had banded together forming a much much MUCH larger worm. Its body moved around bashing and crushing the avians it faced. It had definitely done this before.

The river flowed along the tunnel Valkon was heading down in the direction he guessed lay their exit. As the tunnel curved back and forth twisting around, it became much darker and began to lead them slightly upwards. There was little light to be had and what few worms they had did not give off much glow.

But as they continued forwards, the ground leveled out. In the distance a faint glow could almost be seen. Was it a trick of the imagination? Or did it mean they were heading back to the upper world? If these thoughts crossed their minds, none said as Valkon continued moving closer and closer.

As the group rounded the last curve, there was an odd shimmer in the air in front of them. Valkon ignored it as he charged on through, but the rest of the party were surprised. Each one he carried or held onto him, were suddenly tossed off to land on the rocky ground as he slipped directly through the now glowing brightly barrier between them. It was then Valkon noticed that Zion was sitting to one side as if waiting. Loa, however, was able to step directly through it as had Valkon.

Why could none but the older two ghostlings not go through this barrier when the exit to the tunnel could easily be seen behind Loa and Valkon? Perhaps they would figure it out.

Jenga barrelled alongside the panther, feeling irked at just about everything. He still refused to do much more than acknowledge her presence, and theat even only minimally. Her tail bristled faintly and she skipped a stride to brush her hair out of her face in irritation as even it defied her. There were the birds as well, she supposed, but that was minor as far as she was concerned. They were only birds, after all. Perhaps one would fly in her path and provide a tasty snack. But also, despite her offer, everyone had grabbed onto 'his majesty' the panther and rode along with him. She huffed faintly, but didn't really feel as much exasperation and disgruntlement as she told herself she did.

Truth was, she was trying to deny that she was drawn to him. Her fascination went beyond its original, niggling memory that he triggered. Now it was firmly centered on what he was, what he might be. He had many forms... a shapechanger? And those tails! She felt one whoosh behind her heels as they zigzagged with the curving tunnel and the meandering underground stream. It made her smile, though she quickly stifled it when she realized what she was doing. Yes indeed, what exactly was he? Was he bewitching her? Those feline eyes! It was easy to imagine that he was in fact casting a spell on her... but no, that was silly. Why would he trouble to do so, and then ignore her so? Her claws dug deeper into the floor as her frustration mounted. He was so... so....

Right about then, she slammed nose first into a barrier she hadn't noticed existed. It was a painful shock, siezing her lungs in immobility as the rest of her body sailed forward to scrunch almost comically against the invisible wall. She hissed the last of her breath between her fangs before crumpling bonelessly.


(will add more)

When the others were thrown off him, Valkon skidded to a halt. His tails twitched as he watched the rest in amusement.

"Well, that was interesting. I think we are safe from the birds here anyhow, but now to get you all through the barrier." he commented after he shifted back to his normal self. Moving towards the barrier, he reached out running his hands along its surface. Then he walked back through it. Easily. It gave such little resistance to him.

Why?

His worm was unaffected on his shoulder too and it seemed to be able to go through. Did the others? If so, then it was not based on magic or age. They were all ghosts, so it had to be something else.

Glancing at Hawke, he laughed, "Shove your worm forwards and see if it will go through, Hawke."

Then he turned to Zion, smiling slightly. "Get a little impatient, Zion?" Then.. "I can't blame you. We were taking out time and looking around." He winked, adding, "I'll get you there but be careful going off by yourself especially in a place none of us have seen before."

His eyes traveled upwards taking in the size of the tunnel and the barrier. There was no way to go over it. So why were the rest trapped here?

Hawke stared at his father from where he sat. Being tossed off was no fun at all, but at least Fosull had been too. His lips curved upwards as he saw his sister nearby. A snicker slipped free as he glanced around. He glanced over at Nebula as she spoke and snickered. "None of us can until we figure this out."

Taking his worm, he pushed it forwards indicating that it go through. The creature stared sightlessly at him for a long moment then it began to go through as easily as Valkon had.

Worried that it would not return, Hawke tapped on the ground a few times. The worm's antennae twitched as they turned towards the sound coming from the ghostling's fingers. Crawling back, it once more found its way into his hand and up his arm.

"I guess that works." he shrugged glancing at Valkon. "Still don't see why we can't."

Arthas growled as he landed with a thud nearly losing Frostmourne in the process. His annoyance was plainly written on his face though his worm had managed to hang onto him.

"Why are you able and we are not? What has been done to us?"

Touma got to his feet quickly to check on Chai and Wudeia. Then he looked around the others. "Is everyone alright?" He listened down the tunnel but heard none of the birds coming their direction.

"The worms live here. Maybe they are immune to the barrier here, just like the crystal." he shrugged, as he placed his hand on the shimmering wall. "It would explain why we cannot, but not you or she."