Lotus Petals & Hidden Shadows

Lately, Liuer Mihou had been struggling with getting rest as the days passed by after his visit from Hades and Xi'Lang. His hearing was the cause of his current insomnia as the sounds that filled his mind were troubling. Yet, Liuer was hesitant to investigate further into this oddity as he could not make sense of them. What the Six-Eared Macaque could understand from these auditory premonitions was that a shadow had begun to root itself across the Realms of Yggdrasil as a blinding light engulfed The Tree. A clash of power was coming, and disaster will ensue every Realm into annihilation. These sounds left Liuer in a cold sweat and restless as he tried to make sense of them. 'Doubtful that The Council would take this serious though...' Macaque lamented within his mind as he rubbed the bridge of his nose to loosen tension which began to build up, 'After all... The last time anyone tried to prevent the future ended up creating those damn messes in the first place...' He groaned as Liuer looked back at the time of Odin's paranoia as it led to many problems of today. Yet, Macaque did his best to play these sounds off. Only for them to grow worse over time as if something was screaming at him to look deeper into what was going on around Midgard. As the rediscovery of Arcane Crystals had begun, these sounds had flooded his mind with Tyrik's arrival. They have gotten very intense, like a warning saying that time was running out. With a heavy, Liuer arose from his bed and used his Glamour Magic to convert his form into Malik to start the day for himself as well as the Café.Yet, as he opened the doors for business. Malik was taken off guard by who was at his doors, an Overseer of Midgard. Even more so, he knew who this particular Overseer was as Malik groaned in minor annoyance due to his arrival. "Hello, Nez Ha..." Malik spoke with bitterness in his voice as he left the sign as closed before letting in The Third Lotus Prince. "What bring you here, Prince Stick-up-the-ass?" Malik questioned as Nez Ha entered the café, glaring at Malik for the little nickname which was given to him."Watch it, Macaque..." Threaten the Prince as Nez Ha glared at the Shadow Sorcerer, "I am here due to some... Arising Oddities we have been experiencing across Midgard." Nez Ha explained as he folded his arms behind his back, standing up straight like a disciplined soldier to make full use of his towering height. It was common among The Divine for them to be much taller than humans, when they weren't using Glamour Spells to mask their presence. Yet, Nez Ha did not fit this commonality as he was only seven feet and three inches tall due to what had occurred to him. Yet, Nez Ha wanted to express his royal status among Mythics and Divine alike through his posture as well as his sense of style. Wearing a Chinese-themed three-piece suit colored black with lotus pink highlights. The wristbands were made of gold with the engraving of flames on both of his arms, and he had a neatly combed as well as styled haircut to finish his appearance off. Though, Malik was a bit caught off guard by Nez Ha's statement, and he raised an eyebrow in interest. "What do you mean by 'Oddities' exactly, Nez Ha?" Questioned Malik as he turned towards the prince."Well, the Mythic world on Midgard has been experiencing attacks from Midgardians lately, and operations are being conducted by both Mythics and Midgardians alike with no records of them. Hinting at multiple illegal ops being carried out. Such as the Bounty on The Dark Elven Princess being carried out by June Malbec." Nez Ha explained with worry ringing through his voice. The Prince gave out a small sigh before going into what was bothering him most of all. "I have a feeling that something is coming back from The Darkness... Something Ancient and Powerful yet when I brought these details up to The Council..." Nez Ha explained through gritted teeth, "I was laughed off and declared as paranoia. Yet, through their laughter... I sense a degree of fear." He finished as Macaque quickly showed utter shock at these claims. Nez Ha turned to Malik once again, seeing that they shared a common sense of coming dread. "Guessing you have been hearing a lot about that from your expression." Replied the Prince with a satisfied smile.Malik gave a soft chuckle as he nodded to confirm this detail. "I have been. Why, why bring this up to me?" He questioned as Malik crossed his arms with a smudged smirk on his face, a small fang becoming visible. Nez Ha swiftly grew bitter, knowing what he would have to request from the Shadow Sorcerer and what it would entail. Malik began to give a solid laugh as he could already tell what was bothering Nez Ha. "Too timid to break the rules that you always preach about, Prince?" Snarkly remarked Malik as Nez Ha grew even more irritated with the monkey before him. "Do not rub this any more than needed Six-Eared Macaque..." Nez Ha barked with anger and narrowed eyes, "However, if I am right regarding my suspicions. Something is coming, and it is clear that The Council is too afraid to investigate it." He added on with a far calmer tone of voice.Macaque nodded while leaning against one of the booths within his café, "Expect for maybe Khonsu. He has been more active than usual lately. Hell, he has been helping a new group of Mythics get their bearings." He added with a small smile as Nez Ha turned to Malik a bit surprised by this information."Seriously? That is a bit surprising, to be honest..." Nez Ha proclaimed as he rubbed his chin a bit, "Is it the group that entails Princess Ravenna among them?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow, greeted by Malik, nodding to confirm this. The Lotus Prince gave out a small laugh as he felt a sense of happiness for the young Dark Elf. "About time, he got out of her shell and made some friends for once. Xi'Lang has even mentioned that Esmeralda is being accompanied by a young lad named..." He began before trying to recall the name."Tyrik Kage." Malik quickly reminded him, "He's a good kid, and it seems like he has a massive crush on the princess." He went on with a smile. "I think he would be good for her and even help Esmeralda improve over time as she does the same for him." "Anyways, I have an idea where we should begin our own private investigation into this mysterious force that seems to be lurking about behind the scenes..." He finished as Malik nodded in understanding."Where then?" He questioned with a serious expression, awaiting the location. Macaque knew that he could go undetected to investigate what was really at play across Midgard. They needed to figure out what was going on before whatever it was could be ready to strike back.Though, Nez Ha shook his head briefly. "Where you will be heading isn't a simple walk in the part, Liuer. My sister will be accompanying you in this effort." The Lotus Prince added to Malik's surprise. "We shall first visit my palace in The Jade Realm before we proceed any further. Though, the very mention of Realm Travel did not sit well with either of them due to a particular Asier who they will be encountering on their way there. "Not looking forward to running into that bratty asshole..." Lamented Nez Ha while groaning in frustration, which Malik was indeed quick to share in."Let's just get that over with... No need to deal with Heimdall any more than we need to..." Added The Six-Eared Sorcerer as Nez Ha pulled out a phone to make a swift call before a powerful aura of energy appeared before the two with an outline of the various colors akin to a rainbow. As the energy soon formed into a gateway, both Macaque and Nez Ha walked through The Rainbow Gateway. Once they cross through it, they were greeted by the smudged radiance of Asgard's primary security officer.As the Asier removed his blade, Hǫfuð or better known as Hofund, from one of the most useful means of travel made by the efforts of Odin as well as other members living among the Asier Realm dubbed as The Rainbow Bifrost Bridge. Despite the very idea of using a subclass of Arcane Crystals that created a form of Mythic Energy known as Bifrost, the construction of The Rainbow Bridge had traces of unique gems and metals from the multiple Realms. Moonstone, Jade, Diamonds, Uru, Silver, Gold, and Amethyst as examples to create the main room to be colored to reflect the unification between the current Nine Realms of Yggdrasil. However, unlike other Divine, Asiers were very full of themselves as the majority of technological developments that are currently used by Divine, Demon Kind, and Mythic alike came from Asier Origin. "Well to Asgard you two. Now are you here to dive into the most recent meeting among The Council or just dropping by to your actual destination?" Remarked Heimdall as he twirled his sword accompanied by a cocky smirk across his face. "The Council is in another session already?" Questioned Macaque with genuine surprise, despite his unique hearing. "Didn't think that The Divine would be as petty and argumentative as The Midgardian's Washington DC back where I reside..." Joked the Shadow Sorcerer as the other two couldn't help themselves to grow amused by these words."Nice one, Monkey." Heimdall praised while tilting his blade towards Liuer with a wink, "Though, you're not the only one surprised by how things have gone on. From shutting down that Dragon Emperor's multiple requests to invade Midgard, to ignoring that Lighting Slut's desires to join The Council and other minor annoyances... Things have just gone a bit out of control between them." The Asier finished off with an exhausted groan.Nez Ha nodded in the common viewpoints regarding the nature of The Ethereal Council and how the members among it were unable to set aside their egos and desires to role their Realms as they saw fit long enough to actually work together. "Why did they even form The Council if they are so unwilling to work aside each other effectively? It feels like every day there is yet another argument of some petty dispute or minor insult between them..." Questioned The Lotus Prince aloud and without thought towards his view on The Council. Heimdall shrugged at this question, not even he could figure out why this group was formed. After all, the foundation of The Ethereal Council was made during the first major war between The First Generation and Second Generation of Divine as well as Demon alike. To the Realm of Midgard, this was referred to as The War Between The Titans and The Olympians. Though, the details of this great conflict that rocked the very trunk of Yggdrasil were altered by the interpretation of Midgardians within Greek that were around to witness the conflict."Moving away from that. We are trying to reach The Jade Realm currently, Heimdall. Me and Nez Ha need to visit his palace for a bit. How much for the trip?" Questioned Liuer Mihou with a raised eyebrow, expecting a large charge for their minor trip through the Realms. After all, both Asgard and the accountant of The Divine, Hades, often charged people quite the price for any form of travel. Either through Realms or passage into The Duat Realm for those who desired to pass onto the Afterlife through Anubis' Court. As these words left Liuer's mouth, Heimdall rubbed his chin in deep thought about their fee. "Well, considering this is a minor trip and it has been requested by The Lotus Prince... Best to say roughly around five Drachma, two Yuanbao, and twenty-five Rūpya. I would dare to say that is a nice bargain price, right?" Remarked the Asier to the dismay of both Nez Ha and Liuer Mihou, as this would translate to Five Thousand, Two Hundred, and Twenty-Five dollars. "The Fuck!?" Nez Ha yelled in outrage at the absurd cost of a basic journey between worlds as a blood vessel began to bulge due to rage. "I am not paying THAT, asshole!" He yelled in fury towards the Manager of The Bifrost.Yet, before Heimdall would go about his little scam any further. The Murderous aura of a newcomer began to send chills down his spine as Heimdall turned slowly to see an Olympian woman approaching him with rage glowing from her eyes. "My husband would not be very happy to learn that you are overcharging people again, Heimdall..." She announced with crossed arms, her wavy red hair shifting upon her body to reflect her current mood as the woman posed in disapproval. Heimdall gulped in terror as he tried to make some bullshit lie to cover his tracks."Thanks for the save, Persephone..." Nez Ha announced with gratitude as he bow formally before the Olympian. "Now, what would be the actual fee for our travels?" Asked The Lotus Prince as he rose from his bow. "I'll give granting you two a generous discount due to the scam attempt." Persephone told them as she gave a violent glare towards Heimdall, making him shiver in fear as he saw what The Olympian would do to him if he ever tried something like that again. After all, Heimdall's foresight does grant him a means to read the minds of others aside from just immunity to illusionary attacks and the ability to foresee incoming attacks. "I will be charging you two three Rūpya and fifteen Shekel instead. Sound fair?" Asked the beautiful Olympian with a warm smile as Nez Ha agreed to this price compared to what the Asier requested for their endeavors. "Three dollars and fifteen cents is far better than what he tried to pull on us..." Macaque announced as he glared at Heimdall with disgust while crossing his arms in rage. Once the payment was completed, Heimdall swiftly began to operate The Bifrost Bridge to send Nez Ha and Liuer Mihou to their destination. After crossing the Bridge, Nez Ha and Liuer Mihou found themselves before a royal palace designed with Chinese Architecture and various engraves of Lotus Flowers. The pair quickly made their way through the palace gates and into the building to locate Xi'Lang. Liuer took the time to admire the palace's luxurious designs as they traverse to the palace's garden, which was in place under Xi'Lang's "request" to her brother. Once there, Nez Ha and Liuer Mihou saw Xi'Lang humming a pleasant tune to herself as she tended to the garden, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene for the two as they made their way to her. "Glad to see you are enjoying yourself within the gardens, dear sister." Announced The Lotus Prince with a small grin forming on his face, a rare sight to behold from him. "Though, I would need your assistance with a personal endeavor of mine along with Liuer Mihou if you may?" He added on with arms crossed behind his back, akin to a military officer about to give orders to his subordinates. Though, Nez Ha's need to uphold the demeanor of a soldier was seen as drawn out and annoying to the Water Monkey as she sighed while rising from her work among the flora."What would that be exactly, dear prince?" Xi'Lang wondered as she dragged out the words of dear prince to express her annoyance for Nez Ha's current demeanor. "I would need you to help Liuer Mihou with reaching the site of Chernobyl's Nuclear Powerplant..." He explained as both Elemental Monkeys became utterly shocked by the extreme danger that they would come to face.With that, the scene shifted to a town on Midgard known as Dytyatky in the country of Ukraine. Xi'Lang and Malik within their Human Forms were close enough to the disaster region without having to endure the lethal effects that Gamma Radiation would pose to even powerful Mythics like themselves. Malik could not believe that their destination of the first lead into this Mysterious Force within The Shadows would be held. Yet, it made sense as not even The Ethereal Council could make sense of what had taken place within Chernobyl and the devastating Meltdown that followed. Oddly, Gamma Energy was akin to artificially made Demonic Energy through the various experiments that were carried out by Midgardians during The Second World War. Leading to such a deadly weapon that not even the current Aspect of War, Aries, could have seen coming. The destruction of both Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were examples of why many Mythics, Demons, and even The Divine themselves became wary of Humanity. Their tenacity and ingenuity are the very things which made them such a deadly force that they were even able to wipe out incredibly powerful beings such as Dragons, Kitsunes, Garudas, Gorgons, and much, much more with very little effort. Even if Midgardians had no real power, the threat that they were should never be forgotten. Yet, reaching the powerplant was deemed as fruitless as many would have simply died before even getting close to the town due to the amount of radiation that still lingered.Though, Malik was left frustrated as he couldn't find a solution to deal with the Gamma Radiation without deadly consequences. Even if Malik and Xi'Lang were to use their magic to begin their travel, it wouldn't do them much good as Arcane and Gamma go together like water and oil. "How the hell does Nez Ha expect us to even reach Chernobyl?! Seriously, not even guys like Horus or Thor would try to make this trip. What makes us any more likely to get there!?" Malik yelled aloud in frustration at their task. Slumping back into the chair that he sat in with a large thud, further showing his anger. "Well... There must be something we can do. Midgardians have managed to develop some kind of defense against their weapons before... It wouldn't be THAT hard to make our own." Announced Xi'Lang as she tried to think of solutions as well until she began to roughly recall something she read online regarding fungi. With that, Xi'Lang used her phone to search for what she recalled. "I think I can work something out to protect us from the radiation." She announced as Xi'Lang conducted her search on the web."I doubt that Lead Suits would be enough for this, Xi'Lang... The levels of Radiation within the area are way too much for something like that." Malik protested with little hope in Xi'Lang's assumed idea. Groaning in defeat as he stretched his body as he sat within the surprisingly comfy recliner where he resided in. She chuckled before showing her phone to Malik, entailing unique fungi called Cryptococcus neoformans. From what Malik was able to read, this particular Fungi was not only native to the surroundings of Chernobyl within The Exclusion Zone. It could also absorb radiation as a food source, giving them what they needed to transverse the Gamma infused areas without having to endure the effects. "With a little bit of Mana, I think I would be able to create a path without the radiation." She remarked with a smirk as Xi'Lang enjoyed seeing Malik's dropped jaw from hearing about this information. Letting out a small giggle, The Lotus Monkey helped The Six-Eared Macaque shut his mouth with a playful gesture of her hand as the two began their work to make their path forward. With gameplay set into motion, they set off from their motel room on their quest.However, for a brief second, Malik sensed someone close by and tried to locate the source. Though, the Sorcerer was not able to locate anything or anyone when he searched. Leaving him minorly confused as he continued to follow the Lotus Monkey. As Malik walked off, however, a man wearing a cloak and a form of medieval armor with modern technological enhancements walked out of a clearing of trees. In one of his metallic hands, he carried a book engraved with runes and other symbols as he examined the pair while remaining hidden from them. "As the wheel of history continues to turn, our plans don't seem to falter despite the unexpected variables arising." The armored man chuckled with a vibrating metallic voice, pleased to see the two. "All pieces on the board are falling into place perfectly. Soon, the second phase of our plans can be set into motion." With a chuckle, the armored individual took a few steps before vanishing from sight.