1x1| Denym and ♠️eidolon♠️

[_Denym_]

Tobias Asiali
location: Mountain

The echoes of his shout was soon absorbed by a deep, rolling, growl. oh god He thought. I wonder it it's the dragon, from before? They're intelligent, but how can I know if it speaks common? It hasn't killed me immediately so that's good, but I can't heed it's warning and leave it alone! once again, Tobias was stuck and unsure of what to do. There was no good option. But he just couldn't back down. He adjusted his grip on his knives, his sweat making them slippery in his hands. He had to be ready to fight if this thing wouldn't move or communicate. As he readied himself, he called ou again "Do you speak common? I think there's something here. Something important for the people I care about. I was sent to retrieve it. If it's yours, I'm sure we can find an agreement, but otherwise, I just need to pass through and search for it. Will you let me onward?" he inched forward as he said this, using his knife to brighten the glow which had faded to nothing as he finished his speech. This was the last light he allowed himself, or he wouldn't have the strength to fight.

[♠️eidolon♠️]

➳Aiko Canmor
female - dragon shifter - location: mountain

Her growl only grew louder as the person approached closer. The glow faintly illuminated a few parts of her at this point, just enough to show she wasn’t fully human. ”I speak it,” she muttered and rose to her full height (or as much of it as the cave allowed at least). ”What you’re after belongs to me,” she snarled out. ”I believe it would be wise of you to leave before I make you my next victim.” She’d do anything to get this other person out at this point. The glint of their knives didn’t deter her one bit; she’d just respond with blades of her own.

[_Denym_]

Tobias Asiali
location: Mountain

The light began to show the source of the voice. Tobias. he thought to himself Put your knives away. They were more useless than toothpicks against this... half-dragon? A dragon shifter then. Who lived in a cave? unlikely. What was more likely was a Sun Walker! who else could have found it as well? If it truly was a Sun Walker then he knew they would not leave. Or let him past. But they would communicate. That was something. He was glad the light was dim. He may have left his saddlebags with their Blessed crest with Sasha, but he still wore the distinctive bracelet shared by the members of the guild. It might glint in what little light there was, but taking it off would be too obvious. Best to leave it where it was and hope this dragon wasn't too observant. "Well, seeing as we're both here, I assume it's no ones, really? We're both here to claim it, can't we both claim it?"

[♠️eidolon♠️]

➳Aiko Canmor
female - dragon shifter - location: mountain

Aiko scoffed at the suggestion of them sharing the power source, flaring her wings to block it from the other’s view. She didn’t even want them seeing the damn glow of the thing. Brutish as she seemed, she was actually pretty perceptive when it came down to things. The way her pupils narrowed and her lip curled up in a sneer indicated that she’d noticed the bracelet on the intruder’s wrist. No way she was letting The Blessed get their hands on this power. ”As if I’d share it with the likes of you. I can see your bracelet, blessed.” She spat out the last word almost as if it were a curse.

[_Denym_]

Tobias Asiali
location: Mountain

*****. Ok so there went that plan. At least it confirmed they were a Sun Walker... "Wait, maybe we can help each other! Sun Walker, right?" as much as it pained him to help the Sun Walkers, He knew he couldn't win this fight. So she was getting the power either way. If he could get it for The Blessed as well, they would at least be on level footing. "How's your infirmary? Got any healers down there? or are you still using traditional balms and herbs?" Healing people was what he did. What he was made for. Yes, they were Sun Walkers but they were still people. He decided he felt no shame in his offer. "I'm sure you're strong enough on your own and you don't need me, but... Could we make a deal? My services for a share of the power? I'd be happy to demonstrate what I mean, but only if you'll consider my offer." He swallowed hard, hoping that Sun Walkers were, in fact, exclusively fire elementals. The last thing he wanted was to offend this person, and if they had powerful healers, he was screwed.

[♠️eidolon♠️]

➳Aiko Canmor
female - dragon shifter - location: mountain

She stopped her agression for a moment at the offer, silent in thought as her ears flattened. She’d rather die than admit it but the guild was in need of healers. There was a national shortage of balms and other things throughout the region so even though they were doing the best they could, the infirmary just kept getting fuller and fuller. ****. She really couldn’t refuse the offer, no matter how much it hurt her pride to do so. ”...If I find out you’re lyin’ about this you’ll be wishing I just ended things now,” was all Aiko growled out before she turned to trek deeper into the cavern, tail lashing angrilly behind her as she went.

[_Denym_]

Tobias Asiali
location: Mountain

The shifter turned and continued towards the glow, letting Tobias follow. He breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm not lying, and you are more than welcome to end me if I am" He replied. With the danger passed, He turned his attention to his arm, focusing on it to heal faster instead of slowly to provide light. The outline of the shifter against the soft glow helped guide him through the winding caverns, all the time growing stronger and stronger. They clambered over, under, and through the rocks, the feeling within him growing with every step. They had a few shifters in The Blessed, although nothing anywhere near as powerful as a dragon. He guessed that meant she could feel it too. After 30 minutes of walking, the feeling grew so intense, Tobias knew they had to be close. The shifter was still a few meters in front of him, as she followed the rock around to the left.

[♠️eidolon♠️]

➳Aiko Canmor
female - dragon shifter - location: mountain

Aiko didn't look back to confirm if this alledged healer was following her or not, but the sound of footsteps behind her proved he was hot on her heels. The healer seemed to be having a much better time than she was in the cave. She spat out swears under her breath every few meters, her size really not made for the tiny caverns. If it wasn't her wings it was her tail getting stuck or her horns getting caught on the ceiling.

It was like a maze in there, the rocks making them go over things, under things, choose between branching paths. You name it, they probably had to do it. It seemed like their efforts wouldn't be for naught though. The thrum of power felt so strong at this point it was almost like it was physically pulling her. A final left, and she was met with a cavern large enough for her to be able to shift in and have room. It was all basked in a soft white glow, stepping stones leading a path over widing streams to where a gem sat perched on a pedestal. Woah.

[_Denym_]

Tobias Asiali
location: Mountain

Tobias followed the shifter into a large room, grateful for the claustrophobia easing. The glow now illuminated the room, an oasis in this dark and lifeless cave. "It's beautiful" Tobias said, almost in a trance. He followed the stones, crossing small streams until he reached the podium with the beautiful white gem. It was large, about the size of his head. By now the pull was overwhelming all thoughts in his mind, he had even completely lost track of the shifter. Slowly, he reached a hand out to the gem.

[♠️eidolon♠️]

➳Aiko Canmor
female - dragon shifter - location: mountain

Aiko hadn’t even heard the healer’s mutter, her focus solely on the crystal. It was like she couldn’t even think of anything else. The trance pulled her to the gem, water be damned. She reached out to lay her palm on it at the same time as the healer and... A loud crack echoed throughout the room followed by a blinding light and a sort of pulse that pushed the pair away. The shifter yelped as she was flung back, dropping into a crouch and bracing a hand out to lessen the impact while she shielded her eyes. The light amd sound left her disoriented for a good few moments.
She steadilly got up, making her way over to the gem only for it to be split in two. She grabbed one of the halves, cradling it in a palm. ”****.”