Hanging from the ceiling, barely sheltered from the raging winds, was a small black crystal. The creature inside rested peacefully, completely unaware of the tornado swirling just outside of its home. However, as its time growing in its shell was nearing its end, consciousness began to flood its mind. It shifted in its chrysalis as it slowly woke, drowsy and woozy with new life.

It began to stretch out its wings, but then soon realized that its path was blocked by the hard shell of the crystal. Confused, and not knowing what it was touching, it tried to push itself out, but to no avail. It tried again, but harder this time. Its arms did nothing but thud against the side of the crystal.

It paused and brought its wings close to itself before shooting them out and striking the side of the crystal, hard. A crack appeared on both side and the crystal swayed before falling into the tornado.

The creature cried out in terror as it was swept into the howling wind, still trapped in its chrysalis. Thinking that it would be safe once it escaped, it banged hard against the side, trying to break its way free. Eventually, after lots of kicking, scratching, and banging, all the while being flung around the room in the swirling wind, the shell broke and the bat was free!

But it realized quickly that being out of the crystal was arguably worse then being inside as the tornado quickly caught on its wings and tossed her like a doll.

It shrieked loudly, trying to stop itself from being thrown around so much, but its new wings were weak and still wet and heavy from hatching. It didn't have the strength to fight the wind. So it just went around in circles, the wind never letting up, tossing and tumbling, shrieking all the way, terror gripping every inch of its body.

It wanted to crawl into herself, wanted to return to the blissful, mindless peace of the chrysalis. It didn't want to be alive if this is what living was.

I can help you.

It froze. Where was that voice coming from?

Let me take control and I'll get you out of here.

Take control? What did that mean? It honestly didn't care, as long as it got out of this mess. The voice must have sensed its affirmation as it said nothing else. Suddenly, feeling began to disappear from its body. Scared, the bat thrust its way back into control, mentally straining to ward off the presence that was fighting for control.

What are you doing? Give me control!

No, my body.

Give it to me!

My body!

GIVE ME YOUR BODY!

MY BODY! It screeched aloud with the small amount of breath the tornado allowed before its consciousness slipped away.

Caliante
Salvation
Rusty
Crack

Speech is "Bold". Thoughts are italicized.

Tag:
Notes:

((I am assuming in the post that the lights are still out, even if they apparently came back on just before this post was made. Feel free to reinterpret if not intended))

On the ground below a bright blue figure walked along upon two legs, holding in one talon what appeared to be a glowing white piece of chalk. He appeared to be relaxed despite the winds in his face as he traveled from the direction of Tunnel J toward a gorge near the tornado where a soft light shone.

As the poor bat let out a shriek, however, the creature's peaceful demeanor broke. Without hesitation it looked up and put the talc rod away into a drawstring pouch. While the area around it was no longer as illuminated as it had been its ears tracked the sound, and should his face still be visible it would show signs of worry, of remembrance. The creature folded its wings to its side, changing its center of balance so stood on four limbs as any animal might.

The gryphon sprinted forward, past the lit gorge and closer to the tornado than it had dared go in ages, up to the point that he found it difficult to stay on the ground. That scream, however appeared to resonate a kind of kinship in his memory.

Though some hesitance was present in his windswept expression the gryphon lifted his right talon and pointed it toward the sound of the voice. Almost without delay a brilliant white light shone from the milky quartz rod embedded in the creature's forearm, and almost as quickly the white light shifted to a brilliant purple color. An orb or purple energy formed in front of the gryphon, extremely translucent to the point of being almost invisible. In this light, however, it could be plainly seen as it shot forward and grasped onto the poor bat just as it had been tumbling past a bit of glowing debris.

The spell latched tight, fighting against the wind's competing grasp. The bat wasn't safe quite yet, but the strange blue bird-creature appeared determined to reel it in.

”I am a friend!” the gryphon called out barely above the winds as he slowly walked backwards from the tornado, keeping careful eye contact with the creature he had captured.

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x1	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Empty	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Umbra

The little bat did not notice its body being pulled away by the gryphon. It didn't really notice anything, actually, it was unconscious. However, as soon as the storm shifted as the telekinesis pulled it away, something within it awoke. It was not sentient, but there was something in its conscious that was now moving its body. It screeched again as it struggled, not hearing the gryphon's voice over the whipping of the wind and its own cries. It struggled, its wings flapping madly and its little feet kicking. Eventually, it upset the spell so much that it went flying out, immediately getting picked up by the storm again.

It cried out, fading in and out of consciousness, some kind of internal struggle going on over control of its body. What conscious was winning? Who were the contenders? There was too much going on so it went limp as the battle continued.

Caliante
Salvation
Rusty
Crack

Speech is "Bold". Thoughts are italicized.

Tag: @Amras
Notes: she can't see anyways, her eyes aren't open yet

Though his spell held firm the panicked creature within appeared to struggling against its pull until it finally broke free and went tumbling into the winds once more. The gryphon's eyes widened as the light on his arm sputtered out with the spell broken. Lesser gembounds knew better than to go too close to the storm, he'd lived here long enough to know that much. Beyond that this was an unusually small bat, quite possibly a newly emerged greater gembound.

He, too, had hatched into this unforgiving force of nature. His crystalline citadel had protected him from winds and debris for as long as it could before in his first moments of consciousness he broke into a world as dark as this one. he had been larger though, had possessed the strength to get out alive. Would this bat be able to do the same?

Fear and panic gripped as the gryphon's heart as his limbs began to move on their own. What was he doing? This had nearly killed him before. Was he really going to dive into the storm for the life of a stranger? Already the bat was lost in the darkness, his telekinesis wouldn't work without eye contact. Still he had to try. He was older now, he was stronger now, he could call upon half the elements of the cave to come to his aid if needed. Even if it terrified him his movement hastened until it became a full sprint and he cast himself into the unyielding twister toward the retreating bat.

As he did so his gem began to glow again, prompted by the terror in his heart at confronting the unstoppable force. A silent prayer of his heart was cast out from him into the winds themselves, the accidental spell directing itself into the mind of the poor creature.

"Eternal winds above, do not take the life of this youth. Spare them as you spared me. Guide my wings to bring them away from your fury."

As unusual as it was to direct thoughts toward the non-sentient force of nature this odd show of sentimentality just seemed right. The winds had always been there; singing to him in his chrysalis, howling above his tunnels, marking the trail back home. The lights may come and go but the winds would never stop. Amras flared his wings more, the winds carrying his unnaturally light weight with great speed toward the sounds of shrieking as the purple light in his gem continued to illuminate his surroundings.

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x1	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Empty	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Umbra

The little bat, still being flung around by the wind, faintly heard the voice of the gryphon calling into its mind. The words were soothing and its consciousness, while weak and tired, fluttered back. It tried to gain control again, but its wings were not strong enough to hold back the wind. It's whole body was getting tired.

Come now, haven't you had enough? Wouldn't it be best to give me a try?


...but its my body. I don't want you taking my body.

If this keeps happening, though, you'll die.

Die? What is that?

It is where you are no longer living. You will never use your body again.

B-but...

Give me your body and you will not die.

N-no, it's my body I don't want to die.

Give me your body!

I don't want to die! It cried aloud. It writhed and tossed and turned in its fear, opening its wings to try and fly into the gryphons' grasp, but the wind caught it and flung it away, the force on its wings tossing it right into a wall. And this time, as it was knocked unconscious, it would not wake again.

Caliante
Salvation
Rusty
Crack

Speech is "Bold". Thoughts are italicized.

Tag: @Amras
Notes: (it did not die)

Amras reached out to grasp at the bat but between the lack of light and a sudden cross-gust the tiny creature was flung aside and tossed deeper into the tornado's aura.

Pebble after pebble continued to pelt the gryphon's pelt of fur and feathers as he hovered there, trying desperately to catch up with the bat. At this range he could see it just barely well enough to possibly try telekinesis again, but was the environment too unstable for that? Beyond that what if he failed and got pulled into his own mind again?

And in your breath you will find the raging of the gale

The words of his dream resounded in his memory. Power over the wind, while probably not nearly enough to counter the tornado fully, might give him just enough aerial dexterity to catch the youth.

The gryphon veered deeper into the winds, wincing as now the debris swept by even faster and the winds themselves were beginning to burn into his skin. he had to ignore that though, concentrate on gathering magic, shaping it to filter into the core of his breath. He could feel the air outside, yes, but as the white light in his gem brightened he could feel his magic latch on to... twin tornados within? Just as the symbol had appeared before him the essence of wind seemed to be split in two.

There would be time to examine that further at a later time. For now he continued to shape his magic along the flow of the internal winds of life and the glow of his stone shifted to a soft blue.

As the magic manifested a new gale came into existence behind him, parallel to the winds of the tornado but softening the chaotic directions the eternal winds were trying to hurl him. With this gale behind him Amras easily charged forward until he was once more with arms reach of the tumbling creature. A talon reached out, hopeful that he would not only be able to grab them but also be able to get both of them out safely once they were together.

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x1	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Empty	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Umbra
notes: None

The little bat was falling, falling into the gust, no longer conscious and able to fight back against it. However, the gryphon was just in time. Before the tornado could pull it away again, their claws latched around its small body. It did not move, for it couldn't move. It did not think, for it couldn't think. Not even the strange presence could move the body now. Perhaps there was nobody left in the shell of the small creature's body. Perhaps they were all asleep or chased away. Or perhaps they hid from the wind.

Either way, the bat was at least no longer at the mercy of the wind. They were safe, for now, in the gryphon's claws.

Caliante
Salvation
Rusty
Crack

Speech is "Bold". Thoughts are italicized.

Tag: @Amras
Notes: sorry its short, but there isn't a lot of thought going on right now

"I've got you, small one" Amras spoke to the bat, though he could see now that the poor thing had fallen unconscious. Hopefully just unconscious.

Once more he veered away from the heart of the storm, flairing his wings and using his body to shield the small creature as more and more sand and pebbles flew past. If he flew perfectly with the wind he would lessen the damage, but every time he tried to move away from its flow they rallied against him.

With time no doubt he would be able to make his way out, but there was no telling how batter he would be by the time that happened. Instead of relying on that he decided to try once again delving into the pressure element. If he could get one good rush toward the edge of the winds he could fly around and bring them back to his tunnel system to recover.

The gryphon inhaled as his magic shone, shaping itself almost effortlessly now into the pattern of the winds within. The winds without answered his intention and with a ferocity that almost matched the tornado's own gusts propelled him diagonally out into relatively calm air.

Though slightly battered, with a few scratches and torn fur, he had survived a second run-in with the eternal winds. Now that they were leisurely gliding back to the lit chasm Amras could feel a beating within the bat in his talons.

The primal core he thought almost without realizing it. His study of magic and the newfound instinct that the arcane element had gifted him told him that as long as the primal core functioned the rivers within flowed and the breath of life would still come.

Amras landed gently next to an illuminated hole in the side of the chasm, folding his wings behind him so his center of balance stayed on back two legs. Bat still in hand he walked within to the entry room he had so diligently constructed long ago and placed the creature upon a flat shelf of rock near the scattered black talc rods.

It might take some time for them to recover, but in the meantime he would wait and consider the new element he had stumbled upon out of need.

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x1	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Empty	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Umbra
notes: None

It was peace. Was it peace? What was peace? What was the opposite of peace? Surely the raging winds, but the winds gave it life. Surely the voice in the back who had promised hope, but it never delivered. But they had never the chance, right?

What was going on? What was this? Life? Body? Death? Darkness? What was all of that? And who were they, where did they come from? Where they always there, were they always alive?

Why were they so still? Hadn't they been moving forever? Had life not been a constant struggle? But they couldn't remember. It was all dark, all dark all dark!

With a gasp, the bat's eyes shot open and light rushed into their face. With a squeal, they shut their eyes again.

What is that?

What is this?

What's going on?

Who are you?

Who am I?

There were voices, so many voices. The bat reeled as the three fought and the three struggled and the three questioned. It's eyes popped open again, clean, shining black, and then immediately groaned at the aches and pains all over its body.

Hey, what's the big deal?

Wait, why can't I move?

What do you mean? This is my body.

No, it's mine!

No, it's mine!

No, it's mine!

No, it is mine.

The voices paused at this new intrusion. They had thought there were only three, but apparently they were wrong. It was only a moment of silence before the questions started again.

Who are you?

What is that?

What is this?

Who am I?

"SHUT UP," she bat yelled out loud. The other two voices paused, but then started yelling with confusion at her tone of voice. She slapped her wings over her ears, but it did nothing to block the voices.

"Please, can't we just work this out?"

Not while you have control of my body!

Hey, I was here first!

Were not, this is my body!

Actually, I was here first...

"I don't care who was here first, please just stop talking, you're giving me a headache."

Oh-ho, really? You have a headeache?
With my body? If only you'd stop pretending to be me!

"But I'm not. I'm me!"

As the voices started calling again, she tried to shut them out and instead hummed quietly. Tears collected at her eyes as her head pounded with the intensity of her confusion and the voices screaming in her ears.

Caliante
Salvation
Rusty
Crack

Speech is "Bold". Thoughts are italicized.

Tag: @Amras
Notes:

Amras lay nearby in a bed of dry vegetation brought in from Orion long before. It would need to be shuffled soon, but for now it was at least better than resting on the cold stone floor after the earlier adventure. His muscles ached a bit and he was a bit mentally tired from using so much magic in such quick succession. He hadn't yet learned to be efficient with those elements, it was a wonder he was able to use them so consistently at all.

A shout from the bat broke the silence, causing the gryphon to flinch and sit up with talons lightly clutching the straw below him. He glanced at the entrance but there was nothing that would cause alarm there, only the baubled orb resting in its nook.

The bat continued to talk, a confusing mess of words like Amras was only hearing one side of a larger conversation. "There are no others here, small one." he tried to comfort, stepping forward to get a better view and try to figure out what was happening.

"There are none to doubt your existence in this world."

Even as he spoke though his thoughts rushed to find a possible reasoning beyond bad dreams. Could the youth be like his sparring partner, afflicted by an arcane element gone awry? Was their stone in a location that caused them hardship like Envy? None of that seemed likely upon visual assessment, what else could it be though?

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x1	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Empty	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Umbra
notes: None