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Arakiel, at this point, merely watched the group leave. She took it upon herself to leave as well, but not at the same point. She would flank the group, rally some monsters, and maybe have a little fun with them. As she left, she effortlessly, shrugged off her bindings, making herself scarce as she left Luin to follow the group, at a very safe distance. At this point, fun was the only thing on Arakiel's mind.

Jason was wondering how he could speak to someone who he couldn't see. Some sort of technology of magic, perhaps?
"'E's invisible? Careful with that. A bunch 'a lugs could leap outta nowhere an' tease yeh 'bout imaginary friends and wha'not." He didn't seem inclined to do so himself, but he seemed to suspect the possibility.
"Well, 'long as he ain't one a those golems, I'm good. 'Cause they scare the 'ell outta this dwarf," he said with a bit of contempt on his voice, presumably about the things he mentioned. He pointed to himself with his thumb, then waved that hand as if dismissing imaginary golems. "Assumin' that ain't the case, it'd be nice ta meet that thar invisible man."

((Color tag, why do you fail me?!...))

((No I did not forget this RP. I just got sidetracked and a nasty case of writer's block for this one. sweatdrop In any case, I got nothing and Faung seems to have disappeared, so I guess we'll get into an encounter with Arakiel right away. Oh, and Team Travelocity can also chance upon the encounter if they want. 3nodding ))

It was perhaps half an hour that the group was on the path to Hima. For a large group, they were mostly silent. Zaul was keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings, since meeting that strange woman back in Luin felt like an omen.

Lloyd yawned and casually put his arms behind his head. "I guess it's just as well that we're not getting any trouble, but man I'm already bored." He ended that remark with a chuckle.

Zaul stared straight ahead but returned a response, smirking. "Heh. I'd say I got my fair share of action last night, but I know th' feelin'. Y'know what they say, though. Be careful what ya wish for."

Meteo was silent for one particularly obvious reason, but even he was put off by the quiet hanging over the group. With the way they acted an attack could come at any moment. He had to wonder if the witch wasn't watching now, waiting to strike from the shadows.

There was a look of confusion on Colette's face when Cinkel mentioned that Malphas wasn't invisible yet couldn't be seen. "So is Malphas a part of you?" She asked. It almost sounded like it could be similar case with Emil and Ratatosk.

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Emil had a sheepish expression as he listened to Lloyd and Zaul's conversation. "I think we all had our share of action last night. Those two guys were pretty tough." He said as he walked. Hearing Cleo's question regarding Arakiel, he glanced over to her. "I wonder what she could be..." He said. "She did seem interested on meeting Lloyd and the others."

Nepheus continued to look behind her, and scan her surroundings. Something was bothering her, she felt someone was watching her, but who? Just as that thought reached her head, she heard the others mention the woman earlier.

"Huh, wait...What are we talking about? confused "

Just as she also spaced out, she could hear something coming towards her, then finally realized a lance was heading in her direction!

"Ahhh!"
She narrowly avoided it, but cut her left cheek somewhat.
"Ow...Who threw that??"

((Awwh yeah I'm finally bringin' this back. >.<9 And our random baddie looks like...))

"What the---"

The instant he saw that spear hit the ground, Zaul whirled around, quickly stepped in front of Nepheus.

There certainly was a slightly inhuman look to the mysterious foe. Those ornamental horns and his satyr-like legs looked quite real.


"What sheer luck. I rarely mi---"

BANG.

Zaul had fired an energy bullet in the direction that spear came from. He stared at the offender that had appeared behind the group with a hard eye and gritted teeth. The bullet's impact made a loud sound as it hit the enemy's shoulder. The armor ensured it wouldn't cut into his flesh, but he could feel it was enough force to leave a bruise if it sent him staggering backward.

He narrowed his eyes at the gunman after catching himself from falling over. "You'll pay for that....ah! You're one of the Doc's star children, aren't you? Big surprise that the likes of you would be traveling with Lloyd the Great." The way he referred to the hero was in a mocking tone.

"Hey! Just who are you?!" Lloyd stepped forward to Zaul's right, drawing his swords and training a hard stare on the foe himself. Aside, he asked, "You know this guy, Zaul?"

"I might know who he's workin' for, but pers'nally? Naw."

Lloyd would press further, but he was aware that action was going to be inevitable. He assumed a defensive stance. "Tch..."

The enemy smirked. "I don't see why you should concern yourself with that, young man. But since you're going down, it should be the last thing you'll ever know. I am Torus, and we are going to end your endeavors right here, right now, Exsphere hunter."

"Wha...we?"

Torus clenched a fist and grinned deviously. "Arise, my minions!" However...what followed was a pause of awkward silence, which turned his grin into a scowl "Reluctant to follow my orders again?! Don't forget who holds the power to decide when you live and when you die!"

A slight rumble could be felt in the earth beneath the group's feet. Suddenly, bursting out in a circle surrounding them were a number of Mandragora- and Lamia-like monsters. For every member of the party, there were one of each, making that 12 in all. The humanoid Mandragora looked different from the usual specimen---their skins were a deep green rather than colored like humans', their leafy "hair" was red instead of green, and starting from the elbow their arms split into five vines each rather than ending in hands. The Lamia were different too, their human halves looking deathly pale and their snake halves donning black scales.

Upon all their chests (in the center where collar bones would meet) appeared to be Key Crests that held green Exspheres. And rather than looking threatening, they all bore forlorn expressions on their faces.

One of the Lamias fetched Torus' spear and returned it to him. After which, he raised it and barked, "Now attack, with gusto! If you're not going to put your heart into it, you know what will happen!"

Lloyd looked at the monsters their enemy summoned with an appalled look on his face. "They're---"

Feeling this was an inopportune time for more chatter and knowing what he was about to say anyway, Zaul interjected, "E'zactly! So we should be aimin' ta knock 'em out cold instead, and put more'a th' force on ol' Toro over there!"

((You guys are allowed to control however many monster-people are supposed to be going after your character(s). Remember, the ratio is 2 to 1. I'll be the one controlling Torus, though.))