His prayer failed, but he wasn't surprised. Not after what the fairy had said. This was out of the goddesses realm, and dealt with nightmares, not Hyrule. Pyre's attention was quickly brought to the gem, and he started at it for a moment. He reached out with his hand hesitantly, but stopped when he heard what Elenina said.

A Nightmare Crest?... Alpha was powerful enough. This is not good... When the fairy proposed a cure, his heart sunk even deeper. He knew that the sheikah's mind was probably not a safe place to be. Especially with the jewel attached to him. He couldn't help but feel a bit downcast. He agreed with what Kasei had asked. How were they going to enter his mind.

He continued with the movement of his arm, almost unconsiously. He reached out to touch the gem while he was thinking about what they were going to do.

Dogura felt the vibrations in the ground, and his head turned just as Tayro's had. Suddenly, another thought wormed its way into Dogura's mind. Alpha had just left in that direction! The samurai doubted that the two were connected, but when Tayro dissapeared from sight, the samurai had no other option, than to chase after the boy. "Tayro!" Dogura cried, following Pyralin. Dogura too was a Ranger, and found it easier to move through the trees. It was the traveling in which he was acustomed to, and watched Tayro through the flitting leaves, following him until he could trace him no longer.

Relying on senses alone, Dogura stopped when Tayro did, immediately sensing Alpha. As he dropped from the tree he was in, he landed about 12 yards from the sheikah, who was unconcious. Dogura didnt even consider the thought that Alpha had died. He was too strong willed to die that easily, and from the numberous adventures Dogura had with the man, he knew this well. "Alpha!" Dogura took a few stepes towards the man, and immediately stopped. He sensed another presense in the area. Before he had time to look elsewhere, Dogura's eyes caught site of the strange marking on Alpha's head.

The commotion amoung his allys prevented him from concentrating on the issue. After two of the large group knelt in prayer, Dogura decided to watch out for anything that may come their way. They were vulnerable during prayer, and Dogura knew Alpha hadnt done this to himself. Something else was out there. Immediately, Dogura drew his sword, scanning the area. [Awareness Check]"What has happened here? Tayro!" Dogura then overheard the fairy of the group speaking of the nightmares being linked to this. "The nightmares?" Dogura pondered everything he had learned about the nightmares. Hang in there Alpha...

Hearing his companions inquiring him on how to enter the mage's mind, Tayro only shrugs. "I have absolutely no idea. Haven't ever done anything like that..." - the boy replies, still observing the jewel crested into Alpha's forehead. It glinted marvelously, emitting a purple-toned light to the area. It would be a rather valuable and beautiful stone if it wasn't for the added effects of despair and turning a person into a Nightmare. Elenina is finally the one to take the active again. "Well, you first must understand that it's rather extenuating to do so, besides being highly dangerous. Basically the concept is that you leave and enter the other's mind non-physically, that meaning your bodies will remain here, yet still you shall retain physical shape and regular abilities even there. You don't need to worry about being attacked while your consciousness is not on your outer body, though, as if that occurs, your mental self immediately leaves the mind and you regain your senses outside to deal with the threat. Still, one's mind is very unstable, and there's no telling what dangers you might face ahead. And, as you obviously imagine, it's a rather complicated process. It can only be done-"

Dogura's Awareness Check succeeds (15+5[Roll+INT]) and the samurai is able to spot just in time to avoid a dark claw as it attempts to make contact with a not-so-gentle scratch. Tayro and Elenina immediately turn to see the samurai escape unscathed from the strike, and to observe what had attacked him. Quickly, the owner of said claw shows himself off, and the creature was not very easy to describe. It could be said that it was a dark purple shadow with yellow eyes and a twisted yellow mouth creating a rather exquisite grin and with a pair of rather sharp claws connected to the body via arms. The main body was then attached as what could be described as a
average-sized sphere of purple mist, so highly concentrated that its interior was unable to be seen. Besides it, three other companions of the same characteristics appeared, staring at the group with their bizarre grin... and razor claws. "Watch out, it's a Shade, a Nightmare minion!" - Elenina warns her companions as she braces herself for battle.

Shade(Nightmare)

HP: 18
STR: 6
DEF: 2
AGI: 4
INT: 1
SPI: 1
SPL: 0

Shade x 4

Pyre watched in horor as the claw appeared. He snatched his hand back to his side, and watched the rest of the shade emerge. The hylian leapt backwards, and quickly rose to his feet, daggers flashing into his hands.

He looked around at those gathered. There were more of them than there were shades, but who knew what kind of powers they had. Caution was the most important thing at the moment. He rose his gaurd and prepared for an attack.

Pyre decided that he would wait for the shades to act first, and then strike. To do otherwise would be foolish. It would probably be best if the party acted as a unit to stop and counter the Shade's attack. If not all of them working together, at least some of them.

The hylian looked over at the other Ranger in the party, and nodded before concentrating completely on the Shades. Things were getting more and more uncertain every moment.

Dogura almost smiled as the creature appeared before him, and his smile turned to a large grin when more of them appeared. He grabbed the hilt of his sword, and removed the glimmering weapon from his newly purchased metal lined sheath. The sword made a soothing sound, as it reached fresh air, and sat tightly in Dogura's right hand. "These creatures sure are ugly..." Dogura said smiling. "But the shadows are what I use to attack. And I will never feel threatened by one... Even if it is wearing a twisted little smile." The samurai finished, twirling his blade around in his hand. "This will be most satisfying!" He cried, ready to anhilate anything that may have been responcible for Alpha's current state. Dogura dashed around side one of the little monsters, and prepared to slam into it's side, sword in it's belly...

At the start of the battle, everyone present almost immediately feel their magical powers be somewhat easier to accomplish. Tayro, for instance, feels slightly light-headed and more deft and able to preform skills. He nods affirmatively to Elenina, who replies in the same method, before explaining what had happened to the rest of the group. "I have an ability not very common in these regions of Hyrule. It is called Spell Abode, and technically I possess an aura around me that diminishes my allies' spell cost by a quarter." A very neat trick that would surely aid the magic-users of the party.

Spell Abode L1
Cost: None - Passive
Effect: Creates a constant magical aura around the user which reduces all friendly units (including self)'s spell costs to 75% of its original value, rounded up to the highest number.

Pyralin may be a patient youngster, but these dark spirits surely are not. Not waiting for the Ranger to act, a Shade decides to take matters into its own hand... or claws, and dashes towards the Vagabond. However, perhaps due to his concentration, Pyre can see the attack coming and effectively dodge the attack directed towards him (11+4[Roll+AGI]), the Shade just soaring past.

The samurai's sudden reaction must have been a surprise to the poor Shade, who was lying there, unsuspecting a strike so soon... and so, after the samurai's rotatory display, he effectively effects a blow to the ghastly Nightmare (5+6[Roll+AGI]), who bends its head backwards before returning to its original position, as if nothing had ever happened... albeit with less 9 HP. However, the creep recovers in time to effectively deal some damage to the samurai, who wasn't able to back out on time (19+4[Roll+AGI]), now with four rather long cuts and less 6 HP.

Tayro too enters the battle, although without any physical attack. As usual, the teenager prefers to use his magical skills to decimate the enemy. Drawing his Deku Staff forward, he grabs it at the lower tip, and proceeds into spinning it clockwise, the upper tip drawing an energy line, thus creating a geometrical circle. Placing the weapon on the line, the boy then draws inside it an eight-pointed star inside, resting it in the exact center afterwards. Channeling his magical energies into his 1/4 charged circle - thanks to Elenina's ability - the Hylian changes that value to maximum power before executing it. "Elemental Explosion!" the mage apprentice yells, pulling the staff towards him, then pushing it onwards again, the symbol twisting into a sphere, which then divided itself into four different energy orbs and gaining a dark tone of colour - signalizing the Shadow Element, forwarded towards the Shades. Not even one (3+1[Roll+SPI]) (1+1[Roll+SPI]) (7+1[Roll+SPI]) (18+1[Roll+AGI]) can withstand the attack, and weirdly, they don't seem to be resistant to the element. While three of them take 15 DMG, one of the Shades, the one Dogura attacked earlier, instead of regaining its usual position like its companions, simply vanishes as mist. However, a sound of something falling can be heard. As a reply to the youngster's spell, one of the Shades approaches him and scratches Tayro's torso (17+4[Roll+AGI]), producing nasty cuts and reducing the mage apprentice's HP by 6.

Dogura: 36 HP
Elenina: 30 HP
Pyralin: 41 HP
Tayro: 27 HP 10 SPL

Shade #2: 3 HP
Shade #3: 3 HP
Shade #4: 3 HP

The hylian watched the shade attack him, and immediately reacted, jumping to the side. He knew that he had little time to strike, and took advantage of the shade's inertia, pumping his arms at the shade's back. [duel wield L1]

Pyre's twin daggers flew through the air at the monster, with a faint whistle. Pyre, now disarmed, prepared for any other attacks that might come his way, and settled down into a crouch, to lower his center of gravity, and make it easier to move around.

This was a nessecity in such a battle. It would be best to avoid injury when possible, and getting clawed may have worse results than just pain. Pyre wasn't sure if the claws were poisoned, or in any other way harmful to those they slashed into. The hylian wasn't about to take a chance. Instead he watched the other shades carefully, while waiting for his blades to hit their target, so he could retrieve them.

While he prepared, he thought about the effects of the battle, and what it meant. First of all, there was probably more where this came from. Also obviously a greater force was pulling the strings. Who knew when this... thing might show up. Not only that, but the more time they spent fighting, the less time they had to save Alpha. Pyre didn't know exactly how long it took for the crest to work, but he didn't want to find out.

Dogura seemed to elegantly dance, as he slayed the Shade, fading in and out of reallity. he appeared right in front of another shade, lashing out with his sword. He really seemed to fade in and out of existance as he floated around the enemies.

Shadow Dance of the WillowWisp new
Only one clan has been known to use this technique, and that particular clan has been gone for years. An incredibly rare attack, the user is able to use shadows to make it appear as if they are fading in and out of reality, making them hard to track.

From the surrounding bush came a startling yell, and through the dark foliage burst Blank, lagging far behind the others after they departed from the previous meeting place. He halted to a stop and gripped his chest; his heart was beating uncontrollably from rushing to this place.

Taking one look at the shadowy monsters, the nomad almost turned tail and fled. Well, he wasn't that cowardly, so he held his ground and shook his head solemnly as his hand drifted slowly, calmly, to the sheathes on back. The disgusting Shades, at least to Blank, seemed to have been worn down by the others before his arrival. He drew only his right sword.

What kind of blood will I be staining my sword with this time? I bet it's black as coal... What if it counterattacks? Oh! What if it's super-invulnerable to swords? Damn these Nightmares and their tricky appearance. Yes, Blank's mind was an absolute mess just thinking about attacking the middle Shade. Nonetheless, he knew that if he waited he would put at least one person in danger.

Not taking chances with a lazy, casual strike, Blank full-out ran at his target and pointed his sword towards the ground. As he reached a closer proximity, he swept the blade upwards towards the Nightmare creature's chest. If he were wielding a greater sword, and if he had been fighting an actual person, the effect of the attack could potentially slice the heathen in two; but as it was, he was unsure of just how flimsy the Shade's body was relevant to the sharpness of his cheap wooden sword.

Pyre's daggers fly fast and deftly, cutting the wind as the carelessly soar the air that covers the distance between the Hylian and the Nightmare. Their razor blades, although made of wood, are ready to cause some serious damage, their sharpness increased due to the travelling speed. The Shade never knew what hit him (4+5[Roll+AGI]), the twin daggers slicing... whatever corporeal form it might have, and colliding straight against a tree, patiently awaiting their master to remove them from their current position [Pyralin is now Disarmed]. The Nightmare minion just twists itself... before fading into mist and vanishing from the realm of existence. Unlike his previous friend, though, when he dies, one cannot hear the sound of anything falling...

Dogura's sudden ability surprises both Tayro and Elenina, who watch astonished as the samurai uses his ability to meld into the shadows in a very rhythmic manner, as one second he's there, the next he's not. That same example of power confuses the Shades as well, their distorted face twisting around, trying to look out for any hints of the Vagabond's appearance, to no avail. Dogura is easily able to slash his sword into the remaining Shades (5+6[Roll+AGI]) (16+6[Roll+AGI]), dealing the final blow to finish this short battle, both Nightmare minions repeating their comrades' previous death show, in which their corporeal form starts twisting around, before fading with the mist... and these too do not produce a sound... a further research would be good. Finally, the battle seems to be over, and Blank's attack is of no use, as the opponents are already dead. Seeing them all lie defeated, Tayro lets out a sigh and returns to his usual stance, looking towards the Faera for her to continue her explanation.

Blank: 41 HP
Dogura: 36 HP
Elenina: 30 HP
Pyralin: 41 HP
Tayro: 27 HP

Shade #1: Defeated
Shade #2: Defeated
Shade #3: Defeated
Shade #4: Defeated

And she does so. "Well, as I was saying, entering one's mind is a rather hard process, and can only be done by one person." - she spoke, looking at the anxious teenager in front of her. "You." - she speaks. Tayro is taken aback by that sentence, and steps back, turning his look to the amethyst fully housed in Alpha's forehead. "Yes, according to the book. Only the possessor of the Pearl of Dreams can enter a person's mind while it's asleep or in a comatose state. Many people can read others' minds, though actually enter the other's mind is quite different." Tayro recalled at this moment what the Fiery General had spoke when he had encountered him the past day. He said that he wanted the Pearl... his parents' memento. Tayro shrugged and placed his right hand on the pearl. This... has the power to save Alpha? - he thought, though he was sure that Elenina wouldn't say so if it wasn't the case. The boy felt happy. At last, he knew of his own special ability, something that differed him from the other mages. He was glad. The boy nodded affirmatively. He was going to save Alpha, no matter the cost. "Okay. So what must I do?" - he asked, determination preset in his voice. " Well, you must place your right hand on the Dream Pearl, and your left on the Nightmare Crest. Everyone, you must place one hand on Master Tayro." - she explained, approaching the mage apprentice, and touching his left shoulder gently. The boy nodded, and waited until the others were ready.

Dogura appeared, and landed on the rocky road with a soft tak, and sheathed his sword, which had gathered no bodlily fluids as it normally would after a battle. The samurai was a bit winded from the technique, but soon regained his composure. Standing upright, he smiled confidently. When Elenina began to speak, he listened intently, liking the direction that the convorsation was taking. As soon as she had finished speaking, Tayro had already taken the first step to healing the Shiekah. Dogura kneeled down next to Tayro, placing a calased hand on the boy's shoulder."For Alpha!" Dogura shouted overjoyed that hope was shining on the situation. So our prayers were acknowledged after all... The samurai thought, gaining peace of mind.

Pyre yanked the blades from the trunk of the tree with a slight grimace. He didn't like to harm nature if he could help it, but the shade didn't provide a place for the daggers to stick. He jammed them into their hilts, and thought over what happened.

The shades hadn't been to difficult to destroy, but that was no indicator of the strength of other monsters that may be waiting for them. There was also the question of their composition. They didn't follow the laws of any classical theory he knew of. They were matter but not matter. They could be destroyed, but not touched. They seemed like poes, except those were easily explained in Hylian physics by an ancient sheikan cleric.

He didn't bother himself with the nature of the creatures however for there were more pressing matters to attend to: Alpha. He replayed the last things the fairy had said, and nodded slowly to himself, moving up behind the fairy to take his place at Tayro's side.

He extended a hand, and took a hold of Tayro's shoulder with his ungauntleted hand. His other hand was clenched, the shine of the red jewels in the sunlight was strong, and with observation, one could sense the fire within them. Pyre was ready, and he was certain that the others shared similar thoughts.

Blank fell forward as the last of the Shades disappeared, his attack having no point. He landed with a thud on the ground and emitted a muffled "Oof!" before his face impacted the ground. He felt the hilt of his sword jam into his gut, and he winced in discomfort as he slumped down in a heap on the cool forest grass. The blow to his stomach caused him to lose his breath for a moment, and an audible gag could be heard by all the people present.

Well, this was embarrassing, he thought, standing and brushing a small amount of dirt from the front of his body. He grabbed the Deku sword from off the ground and lazily shoved it back into its sheathe on his back. He listened intently to Elenina speak, letting his jaw drop a little upon realization that Tayro endowed by some special privilege that allowed him to take people into Alpha's mind. "Am I the only one here who doesn't have some sort of magnificent quality?" he spoke aloud, with a bit of annoyed tone, despite knowing how amusing it really was.

"Right... for Alpha..." Blank had not really noticed too much of the unconscious Sheikah until just now; he had arrived late and had instantly begun to attack - although, it was hardly necessary. Now he saw what was going on; the party was about to enter their ally's mind. This worried the nomad; Alpha was a mysterious person, what kinds of things would the group see inside there? He hoped the answer was "Nothing," but doubted that such an answer would be greeting them. He placed his hand on the young mage's back and prepared to enter...

Well, he would have kept his hand there, as this entire dilemma made him very anxious to help Alpha become freed of his comatose state. However, something had been bothering him. When one Shade had been defeated, the sound of something falling could be heard. It puzzled Blank to no ends when the same sound was not heard again with the successive deaths afterwards. The display made by the Shades as they were stripped of life had been consecutively the same; the falling sound was heard only once. Something was amiss, and Blank could not help but gaze around the forest, searching for a sign of what had really caused the sound.

[Awareness Check]

OOC:

OoC: Thank you! *sighs*

IC:

Blank's Awareness Check effectively works (12+4[Roll+INT]) and the Nomad is able to denote a special glittery sparkle on the grassy floor, and if a Thief was present, he'd already have swiped the item for himself. Standing calmly and shining slightly on the floor lies a jewel - in fact, a shard of one, purple in color. The tone of the glow reminded of the Nightmare Crest, but this one didn't seem to possess the same energy. Upon closer inspection, a symbol was carved on the side, red as blood... though it couldn't be made of that... right? Elenina also seems to notice the particular item on the floor and lets go of Tayro's shoulder to further examine the probably precious item. "It's a sigma. A letter of an old alphabet." - she explains, pointing at the symbol carefully painted upon the shard's surface. "I have no idea what's its use, but if it did come from a Nightmare, we'd better keep it for a further examination later." - she adds - "Blank, right? Since you found it, I believe you have the right to have it if you want." She then flutters back to her original position, awaiting the Nomad to do the same, and enter Alpha's sub-conscious. Tayro spoke. "For common use, let's dub it Sigma Shard."

The sun shimmered through the trees, and seemed to shine upon the newly proclaimed Sigma Shard. Dogura glanced at the Sigma Shard, and then turned his head back to Alpha. Alpha's sub-conscious eh?... Wonder what lies in there... The samurai thought twice about sending sombody into Alpha's mind, and was worried about Blank. Dogura shook the thought. Sure, Blank was on the clumbsy side, but when it came right down to it, he was reliable. Shaming himself for having such thoughts, he gathered new thoughts, mostly concerning the shard that was found. It would be best to keep it. It may serve as a sort of pass-port to wherever those monsters came from. He thought, still worrying for Blank's safety...