Chapter 5 Home is where the Heart is (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke looked over the previous field of flowers with a hint of sadness. Once this was likely an absolutely awe-inspiring sight... now it was little more than a field of bramble, thorns and mysery. Still it would serve their purpose as a decent spot for their vehicle.

Getting out of the car the heroine turned to the forest and looked it over. In her times she had made more than a few trecks to 'Haunted forests' both true and fake, this one however seemed absolutely like the later "Well no haunting vails yet." she'd smirk confidently, glancing back to the duo hiding the car "Let's take the supplies, just incase we need to camp." honestly all Rikke needed was her sword and her wits, besides the forest didn't seem to hold too many dangers.

"We have any mana locators? A compass?" Rikke turned to her companions and after receiving her answer would head inside the Haunted forest. Her sword at the ready and her eyes sharp.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Both Kanna and Diana held up strange black pads. Rikke had heard them called smart phones but didn't exactly know what they did. As for the mana detector Rikke saw Diana slide a bracelet on that seemed similar to Rune's back at the nest. Grabbing the supplies the girls took the first few steps into the forest. It seemed nice enough so far. Thick moss covered the occasional fallen log with massive mushrooms growing out of it while the gentle hum of insects droned on in the background. Occasionally Rikke spotted a flying squirl soaring threw the trees. "Hum doesn't seem very haunted to me." Kanna pouted as she climbed over a log. Diana meanwhile wasn't taking the scenery in. Looking at her Rikke saw she was fiddling with her phone.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke most certainly stood out from the two, where the two seemed wholly unimpressed the rogues heart absolutely soared! "This way keep up!" she'd smile to the two with clear enthuasm as she navigated the forest with exceptional prowess. The fresh air, the silent hums or shrieks of the birds it all felt like... home!

Finally free from the concrete and constant sounds of the cities, Rikke quickly gained surprising speed as she moved. Be it dashing over a few logs to swinging from sturdy looking branches soon enough like it or not her companions literally had to join in on the mad dash or fall behind! "Come on girls! Are you that spoiled by your 'cars' hum~?" Rikke grinned cheerfully at the two, her tone all too teasing.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Kanna easily roused to the challenge her athletic build and cat reflexes easily a match for Rikke's own. Of course Rikke had a head start so Kanna had a little work to do. Behind them Dianna shouted with disapproval before beginning her own chase after the two. All there where were able and agile though Rikke seemed to have far more endurance than the rest. Be it her condition from walking everywhere or her supernatural adjustments she was still ready to go long after Kanna had to slow down. Some where to the back Rikke finally heard what Diana was shouting about. "Rikke STOP!" It sounded urgent so Rikke did stop allowing Kanna to catch up and immediately tackle her. Landing to the ground Kanna Sat atop Rikke holding her arms down. She was breathing heavily a slight feral glint in her eyes. It quickly faded as she smiled. "Phew its been a long time sense I had such a good run." Getting up she helped Rikke to her feet just as Diana arrived. "You idiots we are completely lost now. I tried to tell you my compass wasn't working but did you listen. Now we are lost in this woods." Sighing the blue haired woman sighed and looked back. "Maybe I can find a trail back but its gonna be hard." Kanna meanwhile reached for her phone only to pat an empty pocket. "Oh no! I must have dropped it during the run."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Hum?" Honestly the rogue was hardly even winded, heck she didn't have a proper chance to stretch her legs ever since her dash back in the base. The heroine looked to the catgirls rapid dash closer and closer... her eyes widening as she noted Kanna wasn't actually slowing down?! *poomf*

The two rolled across the patch a moss only to stop with Kanna right on top of the rogue, breathing heavily and surprisingly uplifted from the run. The rogue laughted merrily and looked to Kannas feral glint with a smile "Hum~ I can tell. Think this is the first time I've outrun a catgirl." she'd wink to her in a clearly teasing fashion. Though before Kanna could properly get back at her, Dianna arrived... her scolds echoing from a fair distance already.

"Eh? The compass is busted?!" the rogue approached Dianna, only for Kanna to note she was missing her own tech as well "Either way we wouldn't be going back." Rikke turned around and looked around the forest "Guess we'll need to do it the old fashioned way." she'd turn back to her group and smile "At the very least is our mana device still active? Let's find the artifact. We'll worry about getting back later."

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Kanna pouted "But my phone!" Diana sighed at the girl, "No worries Kanna Ill buy you a new one when we get back to base. Besides Rikke is right we need to find the item and get out of here." Tapping her key bad Diana nodded as a small beep echoed out. "Getting a signal in that direction." Stepping forward Diana lead the way while Kanna muttered about her lost phone. Still the forest still was pleasant enough. Following Diana Rikke saw a few interesting sights but after an hour they seemed to still be no where near their target. Stopping for some water as the forest heated up in the mid day sun Rikke caught a glimpse of something colorful in the distance.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"So whats this phone anyway? A heirloom from your family?" Rikke looked to Kanna casually, honestly by the amount of heartache the girl was experiencing it seemed like something pretty major.

Still the treck was nothing short of lovely, though the nature here was lacking that special touch from her times. There was still a clear sense of wilderness all around, be it the distant snapping branches of some boar or the chirps of a few bushy suqrels fighting over a treat.

"I wonder what we'll find... hopefully it won't be something like a small ring." Rikke subtly glanced to the sky, daylight wouldn't last forever. Rikke wasn't too thirsty, but joined in on a small sip of the water, until something peculiar caught her eye "Hum...?" being the curious rogue she was, Rikke quickly got up and went over to investigate.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Its not a family heirloom just one of my favorite things in the whole world!" Kanna looked pretty dejected over it but changed the topic. "Is is this what all the world looked like back in your time Rikke?" Answering as she would Rikke and group stopped for their drink. Heading over to the obviously non-natural object Rikke saw that it was a scrap of bright yellow cloth with a small brass ring attached to one corner. The rest of it was torn so there was no clue at lest to Rikke as to what it used to be but the brass ring did have a frayed cord still attacked to it.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Hum?" Rikke smiled at the question "No, it's much more beautiful." the heroine jumped over a mossy log and waited for the duo to do the same "There was this spark, this certain feeling of the forest being alive onto itself." she'd smirk "More often than not, it usually was. Be it having a guardian or a sorts of avatar of nature guarding it."

With a all too happy smile the heroine continued "As well as bearing certain dangers beyond potential slaves... hunters, ooze, slimes, corrupt wolves..." Rikke subtly giggled "This deep into a forest we'd have encounter atleast a fair number of them or maybe some Alraunes." she'd wince strongly "And if we're REALLY unlucky spiders the size of your 'cars'."

"Though... even with all that danger, the rewards are wonderful. From artifacts, to sights to meeting creatures you'd never even imagine." the rogue sighed nostalgically "That bombed left scars far too deep in this world. That's why we'll stop it from ever activating." she'd give her company a sly wink.

Still back to the situation at hand, Rikke looked to the clearly foreign object with great curiousity "Hey girls! This doesn't seem to be part of the forest." she'd approach the object and look to the small ring and attempt to take it.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Pulling the torn cloth up Rikke brought it over for the girls to look at. "Humm looks like a tent flap or something." Diana nodded in agreement. "Strange but not unreasonable for it to be here." Kanna nodded as well. "Yeah someone probably just tore their tent and left it behind, so messy." Making a face Kanna packed into her own light bag before asking Diana about the mana detector. Still to Rikke it stood out something she had heard echoed in the back of her mind.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Maybe..." Rikke looked over the tent and then to the girls "I'm not sure, but remember that story I told you two about? About the six missing girls?" the rogue looked over the cloth "We might have found a piece of their camp." still, unless there were other signs of a previous campsite nearby... who could've ripped the tent apart this much? Messy slavers or something else entirely?

"Let's scan the area. Look for any signs of previous camping. Judging by how dense the forest here is, this is far too deep for casual campers." then again without a clear compass, the girls may literally be at the very of the forest. Jumping to conclusions was never a good a idea.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Both Kanna and Diana frowned but agreed. "Lets stick in light of sight of each other alright." Heading in the direction of where Rikke found the fabric the girls found it easy going. It seemed this part of the forest had opened up a little with only small stubby trees and surprisingly flat ground. Looking about besides small vegetation no signs of larger trees were present. The only fallen logs where from the outside falling in. Pondering this a moment Rikke heard Diana call out. "I found something!"

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Girls does this area seem... off to you?" Rikke looked to her companions and then to the surprisingly flat area "It's usually never this flat." this coupled with oddly stubby trees and overall lack of flora... The area seemed almost worked over for some unknown reason.

Still soon enough one of the girls found something of note, for the time being Rikke still lacked a key to this mysterious plot of lands purpose. Perhaps Dia find would shed some light.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"It dose seem strange." Kanna looked the area over before joining Diana and Rikke. Reaching Diana Rikke saw the long abandoned remains of a camp. Grass had reclaimed the small fire pit the only hint of its existence was the stone circle which was made out of stone bricks. Nearby partly burried by debris where 3 colorful tents one yellow the other blue and one green. All where collapsed and ruined. Nearby six long destroyed and ruined back packs sat their contents spilled out. Nearby was a sealed box however with a latch. Written on the top was University of Corlia survey gear.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

1,2...6 packs "Looks like we found our missing girls camp." Rikke looked between her friends in a surprisingly serious manner. While she may have stepped in a few tombs, the rogue still held respect to the dead... though not so much towards their possessions "Well we might as well try and see if we can find anything. I'll check the locked box you two rummage through the other stuff, shoutout if anything stands out."

So their possessions were still here.. all of them, the kidnappers didn't even try to clean up the scene. Judging by the plainly spilled contents the girls never saw the attack coming, nor did any of them managed to return her.

While the camps current state, as weathered as it was may hint at the events here, the locked box may shed some light as well. A plain lock should be simple enough... all it would take was a little patience and a bit of luck!

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Kanna and Diana looked about the ruins of the camp not finding anything of to much note. Meanwhile Rikke bent down to the box. It was a simple latch and lock nothing to complex and it was something the rogue could pop in her sleep, one handed, and drunk. A twist and a click later Rikke opened the box. Its weathered hinges protesting. Looking over the contents Rikke was surprised to see heavy equipment. Collapsible poles and a strange looking gun thing as well as other stuff underneath them. Heavy looking boxes and a folder. Opening the folder Rikke saw an aerial view of this location as well as a note written. Possible temple site.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Girls look at this." Rikke would take out all the objects inside the box and lay them out for her group to see "Is that..." the rogue glanced back to the area and then to the picture "Hey! It's the exact same isn't it? Only from a bird point of view!"

"Temple..." Rikke raised an eyebrow, normally the threat of undead would be very much real, but.. she knew this world didn't have magic "So does that mean this was once sacred ground or..." the heroine once more glanced to the trees all suspiciously seemingly sinking towards the plot of land "Is the temple underground?"

"Dia, how's our mana locator doing?" this area had something about it, if no other object in the locked box aided them in finding out more about this location. The girls would need to spread out and look around for anything else of note.

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Checking her wrist Diana pursed her lips. "Faint interference but nothing concrete. If something was here its been moved." Meanwhile Kanna looked over the gear that Rikke had found. "Humm its survey gear. Ground sonar and such. These girls must have been archeologists or something." A chill wind seem to blow across the field causing goosebumps to rise on the girls arms. Despite the sun riding high in the sky the area felt cold and dank.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Er... ground Sonar?" Rikke looked to Kanna with a light smile "Might need a refresher on it..." still their objective was the artifact, if the rogues suspicions were correct they were standing right above where it was held!... though unfortunately her suspicions seemed to only be that - an inaccurate guess.

"I see..." so their object wasn't here afterall "You sure about it?" if it was an affirmative, the heroine would give her companions a firm nod "So what do you two make of this attack? Messy slavers?" the rogue crossed her hands listening to each of the girls input, before they could continue.

Though the rogues gaze lingered on the trees all around the valley... right now there was just no hints of any entrance or the like... perhaps the temple was above ground and literally moved bit by bit away? "Well looks like there's nothing for us here. Which way Dia?"

 

[ranger]

Re: Chapter 4 An Uncertain Future(Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Yeah sonar its basically a low sound that can penetrate threw dirt and mud and stone. A sound wave goes into the ground and when it hits something a image bounces back. Doesn't look like they even got it set up before they where attacked." Diana was next to speak. "I don't know Rikke we are getting alot of interference here as for the girls...." Diana looked to the tents and stuff a moment. "Its hard to say it wasn't animals there is no blood stains and slavers would have taken the valuable equipment. Not to mention the survivor said nothing about slavers." Kanna shook her head. "Slavers would have made sure nothing was left to find. What ever got these girls didn't care much for the stuff at the camp. Doesn't even look like there was a fight. Looking at Diana Rikke saw the girl scrunch up her face and look in a direction. Well if the detector is right it should be east of our location. But Im getting weird signals