Was this actually happening? Was this the truth, the reality? And if it was... why and what for? Ciaran hurried out of the Dome, into the grasslands before him and closely followed by the others who joined the adventure, hoping to help Lament and Deceit escape the cruel, binding grasp of their 'Master'. The thought of one person owning others despised the halfbreed. He too had been a subject under a powerful and cruel deity. Now he was returning to him?!

"I have to be out of my mind..." he murmured to himself, ignoring everyone around him for those few moments. Ciaran started to realize how foolish this quest is. How impossible it would be to attempt this feat of folly. Ciaran looked back and the others accompanying him. Ciaran reached into his pocket and felt the cool red stone. He picked it up and brought it closer to look at its perplexing features. It reminded him of so many things.

Ciaran looked at his gauntlet and the two identical sapphires embedded into the metal workings. This gauntlet was bound to him... maybe holding him prisoner in its own way. Ciaran couldn't remove it. He didn't want it, but he also needs it. Yes, it was holding him prisoner, holding his soul captive, his heart hostage. He sighed, putting it under his sleeve and trying to forget.

He looked back at everyone, waiting for him. Ciaran remembered what had to be done. He rolled up his sleeve and signaled Marcus through his gauntlet. After a few moments, the sapphire on the back of his hand gleamed. The cynical voice rang out, "What do you want, exile?"

Ciaran hesitated to respond... but he eventually spoke and said, "I'm bringing your father's staff back to him so open a portal... you can arrest me when I reach the palace."

The was a long and awkward silence. After the dreaded moments, the sapphire gleamed again. "Very well... but once you reach the palace throne room, submit or be destroyed!" Suddenly, the sapphire shot a brilliant blue blast of light, stopping in the air before them. The light expanded, making a swirling blue portal. Once more, Ciaran eyed his companions. Lex, Akira, Kellson, Shinu, Kevin, Sakume and Kyralie. Hopefully their efforts would suffice.

Without another second of hesitation, they stepped into the portal, falling through the circling, blue void...

...After a few minutes through the portal, the group was cast on solid ground. Red rocky terrain under them, as if the ground were heated embers. The sky was a tranquil blue, no clouds hanging overhead. Numerous white trees surrounded them with strange shaped green leaves. To the right flowed a rushing river rapid, leading to a canyon. No other people were there besides the team. Only the black and blue feathered birds in the trees.

"This is my... home, the Maelstrom Realm," Ciaran mumbled. "I... can't believe I'm back here again. Nothing has changed... Same eccentric world waiting for me..."

"Well, which way to the palace?" Shinu asked, observing everything around him with a cautious eye.

"Past the river canyon, and in the center of my capitol city. We're going to have to be extremely discrete because only my race is allowed to be here. In fact, bringing intruders without permission into the palace would be treason."

"So once we get to the palace, kill all the guards and get what we need, then out?" Kellson asked, readying one of his swords.

"Y-yes... but if it's possible... don't kill too many of my people. Save the prince and his father for me, however." Ciaran's tone going from a nervous fear to an angered tone. "My people aren't too accepting of the rules that Antipholus, the current ruler... more like dictator... laid down, so most of them won't rat us out if they see us, but watch out for others wearing armor identical to mine."

With that, the group moved on, following the river to a narrow canyon pass, its rocks as red as fire with white streaks. The light gave it a glossy and calm texture, taking away from its strange colorings. After marching through the canyon, they reached a dirt path that slowly developed to cobblestone. It lead straight to a giant wall with a humongous iron gate and wooden doors behind it.

"This isn't going to be easy..."

OoC: Sorry if I forgot to mention anyone else, but I don't know who else is playing...

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Did you just... double post?
Ciaran ~ Drake Serra & Sam Salis Ralis