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Post by Riku on Feb 21, 2021 20:56:09 GMT -6
Aslan They walked through the cavern side my side. It was a bit wider than the usual tunnel, and Riku appreciated the extra space. Sometimes they had to walk in a line, but this one allowed them to travel side by side, even with the buggy. The dirt was a little bit lighter and looser, and there were spikes in the ground and hanging from the ceiling that signified water at some point. He loved finding water so deep underground...it really peaked his curiosity! Aslan had his head high as he walked beside his new friend. He approved of the human and felt something quite special about his spirit and demeanor. He wasn't all to aware of the feeling, but it was there. He felt very proud to adventure with him today. He could smell the moisture in the ground and felt a familiar essence around him of different mosses that were discretely growing where they hopefully wouldn't be found by hungry scavengers. 26 // Aslan 8.2 // Riku 0.05 (Totally not OCD, putting this new venture on the next page) _____________________________________________ Riku often had some sort of Malii with him when he mined, but today he felt like keeping things simpler. Aslan was still new to the family and deserved some quality time. Besides, many of his favorite Malii didn’t like the dark or dirt of the mines. They were more fishing creatures than mining ones....Aslan, on the other hand, was literally a mining companion. This was his terrain and he was great for helping find stones. The Lionheart sniffed around as they neared a turn in the path. There were times when he just walked beside Riku, but there were other times he caught onto something and took the lead. Catching an interesting whiff, he let out a higher, playful growl and leapt onward ahead. Going around the corner, the cavern opened much, much wider...! It was possibly half a mile wide and just as long! Riku had never seen such a sight! 27 // Aslan 8.4 // Riku 0.10
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Post by Riku on Feb 21, 2021 22:29:29 GMT -6
The ceiling was several hundred feet high, and the sides rounded up like hills before tapering up. It was a whole world down here! An opening in the center of the top, maybe a hundred feet across, must have lead up to the outdoors because a great deal of sunlight was shining through.....but they must have been half a mile underground. It was amazing! He wondered if anything ever accidentally fell in such a deep hole.
In the middle of this area, directly under the sunroof, was a massive castle...! He couldn’t believe his eyes! Someone had built an impressive home down here....! However, it didn’t look occupied. Or at least, it wasn’t upkept like any castle he’d seen (or lived in) in the past.
Aslan’s fur rustled in the breeze such a huge opening was capable of maintaining. It was also very nice to feel the indirect sunlight on his body - he could sense it rejuvenating him from the way here.
28 // Aslan 8.6 // Riku 0.15
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Post by Riku on Feb 21, 2021 22:41:13 GMT -6
They walked towards the large architecture, although there was plenty else to explore in the area. Because of the light, there was grass in most of the visible place and even many trees in an apparent underground forrest. There seemed to be a large pond in one area that was likely formed by rain from above collecting in that lower region. And even though the sun was outside, Riku could already see in some parts of the ceiling that there was some sort of bioluminescent bacteria or moss.
There was a natural moat around the castle that had formed from direct rainfall over the years. A stone bridge had been constructed, also clearly several years ago. In fact, the rain had already smoothed the stone. How long had this place been here....?
Aslan was proud to see many vines and other plants growing along the sides of the castle. He felt connected to their enduring spirits.
29 // Aslan 8.8 // Riku 0.20
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Post by Riku on Feb 21, 2021 22:52:55 GMT -6
Stepping over the bridge, Aslan poked his head through the bottom to peer into the water beneath. Riku leaned over the edge to do the same. It was beautifully clear with a brilliant blue tint. There was also some sparkles here and there that hinted at possible gems. Maybe revealed by corrosion...? Or perhaps an old tradition to toss a shiny into the water for good luck.
It was tempting to go around and take a closer look...but that could wait. They both wanted to see what was inside - hopefully there weren’t people who would immediately kick them out! Walking up to the large wooden doors, Riku looked over at his companion, who had the same idea. Aslan slipped through the matter of the door and opened the lock from the other side. That intangible body and opposable thumbs sure came in handy today! It was heavy, but they managed to push it open together enough for Riku to slip through.
30 // Aslan 9.0 // Riku 0.25
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Post by Jack on Feb 22, 2021 7:44:15 GMT -6
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 12:30:43 GMT -6
Stepping through the narrow entrance, Riku was now inside. That front room was very large. Maybe thirty feet high, very wide and quite deep. An old red carpet walked from the door to the staircase in the middle of the area and up each step. The top of the stairs led both to the right and to the left. Things were cracked and dimmed from aging, but surprisingly well kept over time as well. The fabrics retained their colors under the dust. The glass and ceramics were mostly unbroken. The stones themselves had broken open here and there, and somehow different ore veins had broken through the surface and were bulging out. What time was the is place even from...? They didn’t seem to use electricity - but that was expected. However, the quality of many of the materials was quite advanced for such an old place.
Aslan felt around for different plants or gems in the area. He hadn’t been here before on his own, but he was curious.
31 // Aslan 9.2 // Riku 0.30
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 12:59:04 GMT -6
There was a room behind the staircase, if you went around it, ans they decided to go there first. It seemed to be some sort of dining room. A large, long table of wood spanned the space and had many chairs along it. There was still cutlery, cups, and plates at each setting - though many were tipped over or out of order. Perhaps a gust of wind blew through the place during a storm...? How windy could it get down here anyway? They followed the table to the left and entered another room. It was probably a kitchen. Lots of counter space and tools. An apparent wood or stone oven? To the right they found the same. Two kitchens for one dining room? In a pantry they found corroded containers of what probably was flower or something - but long wasted by nature. He imagined there was fruit and vegetables at some time - but those were completely gone by now.
32 // Aslan 9.4 // Riku 0.35
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 13:04:03 GMT -6
Going up the stairs, they diced to go left first again. There was a hallway with a few rooms. Guest rooms? One or two were definitely some sort of study room or office. At the end of the hallway was a large master bedroom. Adorned with more fabrics, paintings that had become too stained to discern, and many other decorations and trinkets. To the right of the staircase was the same thing. This place was interesting but not quite as eventful as they had originally hoped...If there were gens inside, they may have been salvaged before them....which made sense. Surely they couldn’t be the first modern people to come upon this place. However, it could be useful later. Storage, a hideout - maybe even remodel and redecorate it and turn it into an actual home! Wow...that was an idea.
There were other rooms and halls....but they weren’t sure if they wanted to keep traveling through them.
33 // Aslan 9.6 // Riku 0.40
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 13:09:19 GMT -6
Aslan perked his ears up and sniffed the air. Another hallway leading to a tower caught his attention, and he gestured for Riku to follow him. It was nice that he enjoyed Riku’s company. They seemed to be a pretty good pair. Going through the door, they found a staircase and followed it up to the top where another door awaited. Opening it, they found a more.....energetic room, which had a view of the area. This place felt different. It wasn’t just a study or a bedroom or a dining room. It had old papers and scrolls rhat didn’t seem salvageable, but also a few tools and trinkets that Riku hadn’t seen before but felt magical. Maybe not that they had magic, but that they were used to measure or study it. He almost wished that he had brought his Hollow node - but hadn’t in fear of losing it.
34 // Aslan 9.8 // Riku 0.45
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 13:14:36 GMT -6
They both looked out the window and were in awe of the view. From this height, they were able to look out into the grass and the trees. They could see the castle from above and even were able to look up into the ‘sun-window’ of the chasm. Riku could more clearly see the soft clouds way above them and could almost smell the fresher air. He stuck his arm out to catch some direct sun rays, closed his eyes, and smiled warmly. This tower was directly in the center of the opening, which couldn’t have been a coincidence. Perhaps they used lightning from above (somehow) or sunlight for some sort of spells...? Maybe to fuel an air or chaos node or something. Was that even a thing....? Recharging nodes? He knew natural nodes were more prevalent before the rediscovered crafting process was made popular. Perhaps they were attempting another version of the process. He searched around with Aslan for a Chaos Crystal, hopeful but not too hopeful....
35 // Aslan 10.0 // Riku 0.50
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Post by Jack on Feb 27, 2021 13:22:46 GMT -6
All the ore!
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 15:40:25 GMT -6
They didn’t seem to find anything of magical use here...but they didn’t regret exploring! It was cool and interesting. A great bonding experience. They definitely needed to come back some time and do something with the place. Maybe a sleep over...?
They exited the castle and both decided to go down towards the water. They saw a bunch of glimmering again and underneath the bridge decided to dig a bit under the water. They were able to find a few different ores that had been broken loose! Riku put those in the bag he had with him and they kept searching. They had left the buggy near the bridge, so of they needed a tool of some sort they’d just use that. For now, the dirt was thin enough to sift through. Aslan used his gem-claws to dig into the firmer bits of earth to see if he could find something.
36 // Aslan 10.2 // Riku 0.55
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 16:15:22 GMT -6
As they splashed in the water and scraped into the dirt, suddenly they heard a strange noise in the distance....both looking up and around, they wondered what it was. Almost like a crashing sounds. They heard it again, and it was moving closer....and closer! Riku shot up and hid under the bridge and gestured Aslan to join him. It was just in the nick of time, as a giant crystal dragon appeared atop the castle. Its eyes were a mystical deep, dark rainbow. Its scales were transparent crystals. It’s claws and wings were made of that same material, and it seemed to glow a faint blue...like a mist or fog coming off of its body. Clearly, it was a magical creature. Almost like an ancient gem sarane or something. It looked around, but they dared not let it see them. The odds of it being benevolent weren’t too high, especially at it growled deeply.
37 // Aslan 10.4 // Riku 0.60
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 16:23:12 GMT -6
This was one of those times when Riku wished he had brought another creature that could battle. Technically Aslan could fight, but he wasn’t trained and was a bit on the weaker side - though he did have some awesome abilities to make up for it...not that they would save them now if they were under attack. Perhaps Riku should invest in one of those transportation collars for Scarlet or something. And why didn’t he bring his node with him!? He could have teleported them away....
The dragon scaled the side of the tower, careful not to damage the building. It seemed....precious to it somehow. It was about half the side of the castle - so pretty freakibg huge. It was a marvel it even fit in this chasm...it made a strange cooing sound, which made the gems on Aslan glow brightly. The creature looked at Riku, starting to panic.
38 // Aslan 10.6 // Riku 0.65
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Post by Riku on Feb 27, 2021 16:29:12 GMT -6
“What is it doing!?” Riku sent through the ribbon, thankful they could use telepathy. He was crouched down beside the lionheart, who replied “It feels like he’s calling to the gems....and I am made of gems!” Riku put his hands on his friend to try to calm him. He massaged into his thick fur. “Does it hurt...?” Riku asked. “No. It sort of...tickles?”
The dragon let out a coo again, and Aslan glowed even more. It then looked over towards the bridge where they were hiding. It stepped closer, and Riku tried to breathe as silently as possible...however the light of the gems was giving away their location. It tucked its snout under the bridge, unable to angle its eyes to see below because it was too large. It inhaled sharply and growled as it smelled them both, snorting as well as the smell of Riku.
39 // Aslan 10.8 // Riku 0.70
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