Welcome to Gaia! ::

After a very successful mission, Team ELIXER have come back as something of a miracle. As soon as they had arrived back, the leader of the syndicate welcomed them, offered them space to recover and then celebrate. BEcause right now, the team was ready to be called from behind curtains to the center stage built in the main hall. Where marble statues reach out from the walls, great crystals hang from their hands lighting up the rooms. Before them, a small crowd of important people and many syndicate guild members. There was even one member of the Circle of castayu Del'yir at the back. But more importantly the leader of Asmodius was here, at the front, awaiting for the view of his next two best soldiers. And beside him, the close friend that was the Arcaz Sovereignty's leader. They both looked different, from red and dull colours with metal and leather, to a man of blue robes and longer hair.

And from the murmuring of the crowd, it could be head above them. Lucas' voice mid-speech.

'And so, though our mission was interrupted, from start to finish. Our finest heroes of the latest age have given me a new hope. That peace will persist. And though they may not know what surprise i have in store for them... I would like to invite them to the stage for a welcome home'

As they three stood nervously on the stage behind Lucas, the relatively small crowd cheered and Lucas looked to them with a pleased smile. But this was short lived when three shadowy figures flew in like black smoke from the great open double doors. From Angel Bridge they had forsaken the floors when they landed, leaving a mess of shadows. Two of them landed on the ground amongst the crowd, the other towards the back of the Hall, towards the room of Elysium.

They were just like before! And as the more regular people here began to stumble and try to get away, many of the others were followers of Injustira, and so began to fight back with various forms of light, just like Lucas. But the black warriors were fast, in any given shadow they disappeared and whenever they linked their powers they doubled in speed. Most of the men were disposed off quickly, unconscious but unharmed in corners of the room.

That was when the leaders began. They nodded to each other as the leader of the Injustira Syndicate ran after the 3rd, the great wizard of the Arcaz Sovereignty readied his magic and that of the Asmodius Corps leader pulled out a great unfolding axe. Laxion and the others were almost ready to help, but the leaders.. they were far better than even Lucas.

The first of the shadowy warriors was taken by surprise when a long staff materialised out of no where in his hand. It was simple looking, but woven majestically with metallic threads and sapphire. First, he delivered a blow to the man's head, and then the staff came round to strike the underside of his crotch. Then he pulled back the staff and its tip was super charged with arcane force as it blasted the man against a wall, where he fell unconscious. The 2nd of them was taken by the great leader of Asmodius, his giant axe swung but clashed with a shadowy blade. But the veteran soldier wasn't just a simple axe wielder. He then held the axe with one hand whilst the other palm let loose a blast of fire. He then grabbed his axe again that split into two, the weapon then shifted and changed into 2 thing, long halberds that he could dual-wield.

It seemed this one would take longer to defeat, but everyone was surprised when the asmodian leader thew one weapon, it swung and distracted the shadowy man as he defended himself. But meanwhile the red leader threw his second axe that struck the man's legs, causing him to fall to the ground. He then threatened with a very big, very hot ball of molten fire. The 2nd shadowy warrior... then gave it.

(sorry if this is long!)

Laxion and Alexis were in fact quite amused, they felt smaller compared to the leaders. they almost felt privileged to see them in action, if it weren't for the circumstances. Alexis and Laxion looked to each other and then R.E.D. They smiled and knew the time was now to begin again. Each readied their weapons when a sudden shadow descended upon the entirety of Skyfall. The room then suddenly felt cold.

Lucas hesitated and his light grew bright. 'It's the conclave' he resentfully suggested. 'But why are they plunging us into darkness?!' and then the last shadowy warrior burst back into the room, as if thrown and he slid across the marble floor. Lucas prepared for a final blow but the leader of the syndicate threw his sword, it spun in the air a few times before shooting downwards as a spear of light. But it stopped inches from the man's throat.

'Enough!' said the almost angelic leader. He was dressed in long white robes like Lucas, but this man was older. It would seem that Lucas was perhaps second in command. Spells of protection then let loose as sources of light beams from the hands of the statues on the walls and uncased the 3 men in impenetrable walls. Lucas turned to the team and said 'I must apologize... i'll get back to the surprise in store shortly'.

Then the aged leader yelled with a wise sounding voice 'Tell me! How do I relinquish the curse you place upon my domain!' he spoke of Fallstreak, it was the area of clouds that Skyfull existed in, within the skypunch, the circular gap in the clouds. One of the dark men then said 'no..' or more so struggled. This was the man now regaining his breath after waking up. 'It mustn't be-'
'Tell us now before we take you to the court' the asmodian said. The man then sighed and said 'use this...' as he held out a small medallion. It was made of dark metal and purple and black gems lie inside, it looked quite old. The item was then taken into the back room, that of Elysium, where suddenly the shadow over the domain was lifted.

The wise gentlemen, after having destroyed the tainting gem in Elysium, he looked up to Lucas and said 'I'm very sorry, Lucas. But im afraid we are going to have to leave... I feel these three must answer to the Court of Absolution. They come under law of the last Forbidden Statement'. Lucas understood, the statement was in fact that of the forbidden use of shadow magic ever since the conclave was forcefully collapsed by the court many years ago.

The 3 leaders then placed a hand on each light cage around the shadowy men. The men looked disappointed. The gentleman evaporated in a small blast of light. Whilst the wizard leader opened a portal for him and the other to pass, and they were gone with the prisoners.

'Once again' lucas sighed. 'I'm sorry for that. I'll explain now briefly. Those three, after some discussion with the 3 leaders you just saw, and know so much of, are reckoned to be from the Conclave of Declasia. Two of which were on the ship with us only a few days ago. In the High Court, i guess we can all rest assured they will be answering for their crimes rightfully. We also believe that the scarred invasion was because of them also. ' he then paused and took the steps off the front of the stage.

'oh' he then turned around and said with a grin. 'You're surprise. Myself.. and your headmasters believe that you should take part in a special program. And when i say your headmasters think so. They agreed to someone elses' request.' he paused dramatically, teasing them, wanting them to guess. But Alexis and Laxion couldn't have a better clue!

'The monks of Timol'bet are offering you their time' he finished with a respectful nod and smile. Laxion's face was perhaps the most shocked. He looked with blasphemy. Alexis then said 'Wait' with a gasp. 'You mean, we're going to Shiyobusa Summit?!' and then Laxion looked to R.E.D for her opinion.

Most people knew the monks were well respected, and not many people were lucky enough to have been personally requested by the monks!

Laxion and Alexis then looked back to Lucas and asked when they leave, and for what purpose they were invited. Lucas then replied with 'We leave this evening, on the Lightcleaver once again. And I believe they are interested you in giving you the best training, equal to that of Ravencrest Academy... in the Land of Crows'.

The two then looked to R.E.D, who didn't seem quite the same as usual.Alexis then asked, concerned. 'Red... are you okay?'
'One moment, would you to be alright giving me and R.E.D some time please?' the two then left after his request. When they were alone, Lucas smiled and held his blade before him, pressing his palms on the handle as the tip touched the floor, though it was invisible. 'Red...' he began. 'I know you may feel confused. ((i hope you don't mind me saying what hes going to say, its almost reminding me of Slavic and her all knowing characters, but i have reasons for his knowledge razz )). But i know about the head master of Hope, infact i spoke with him prior to this team being set up. He even told me you would apply. But i know one thing for certain. You deserve this. Alexis and Laxion, i can tell that you three have already formed a friendship. The way you three worked together, even though you hardly knew each other, it was outstanding. And you show great leadership skills, R.E.D. ' he smiled to her... and then after thinking he said.

'Is there something... you wish to tell me?'

She thought herself a robot? Honestly... it didn't surprise him... her background information showed what she was taught, when and where. And the headmaster told him that he admired her skills, a lot. He spoke of her more like a weapon of power rather than a person. It was not the upbringing she deserved. And after this... he made his mind up. Perhaps there would be a new headmaster soon. But for now he wanted to talk to her about who she was.

'Red' he began. Lifting his face he gave a respectful stand beside her. 'These people. The statues you see around you' he gazed at the ones on the walls particularly. 'They were all great fighters. They fulfilled missions, saved our world various times. But they were all different to each other. They all had feelings, different pasts, different outlooks on life. And so do you.'

'I know that you're not a robot. And to be honest, you look nothing like the security robots of Entei' he teased. 'But you're living, breathing person. You show emotion, you show dedication and you think with your heart. No program can do any of those. You triumphed, and i believe you can be much more. Alexis and Laxion out there, they believe in you too, they think of you as no less than someone just like themselves.

you have a destiny'

Lucas gave her a proud smile. He was about ready to turn with her, but she mentioned a dream. He quickly raised a brow and grew interest when she mentioned the Conclave. And then some of the words that related closely to it. 'It could be very well that you happened to dream about them after we saw some of its members... but on the other hand... your dream was quite specific. Considering the Shade and the forgotten guild itself are rarely even mentioned these days. ' he paused for some thought. 'It doesn't do well to dwell on things for too long.. so how about we come back to this matter later? Say... at the summit?' he stepped to the side to reveal the large great doorway out. The double doors that were open were tall enough to let a giant in.

'I think you will find the Monks are surprisingly knowledgeable in the unknown'