Quest - Wish Upon a Star | Page 2

Iván's concentration suddenly faltered when one of the mages caught Vladimir sneaking up on them. Thankfully, he had already taken care of another mage. That left two of them still standing, the one who had caught Vladimir and another who was busy fighting off an illusory Iván Carl. Reacting instinctively at the sign of danger, the illusionist refocused his energy, dropping his cloning spell and choosing instead to provide cover for Vladimir. He had success using this invisibility spell a while back, against a more powerful illusionist. Unfortunately for them, that success was apparently hard to replicate.

As Iván's mirror images disappeared from the remaining mages' minds, both of them found a short window of enlightenment. Having been trained magic-users themselves, the pair quickly decided to divide their efforts, one taking on Vladimir and the other taking on Iván. Despite Iván's best efforts, Vladimir was going to be all on his own, as the illusionist's attempt at an invisibility spell was thwarted by the other mage, the one who had been fighting a clone. Iván was unable to finish his spell. The energy he tried to focus towards its success was suddenly scattered above them, turned into a useless, harmless version of its powered form.

"Spellbane?" was all Iván could say before being forced away, catapulted even, by a powerful gust of wind. The illusionist felt the brunt of his fall, a little too unprepared for such an attack. It was bad luck, to say the least. He was down on the ground but not completely beaten. He would need a major distraction from Vladimir, if Vladimir was even still standing himself, to get out of this one. He should've gone with his hammer.

Veil

(Illusion Magic) Now you see Iván, now you don't. Where did he go? No one knows. Well, he does. He probably didn't even move from where he was. Why aren't you seeing him? Because he has standards. He will never date you. He only dates curry.

8 + 20 (Illusion Magic) = 28
Roll​

 

By the looks of it things weren't going well for the two players...the enemies would react quick to their attacks and analyse the situation just as fast which allowed them to attack immediately after cancelling Iváns spell. Vladimir was still on his feet while they were creating their spell and he attempted to cancel it. Running with all he got, the male would jump from a small hill preparing his second attack with his leg, planning to kick his face which needed less distance than his fists as a result to manage and ban their spell...

At that moment of closeness their eyes met because of the small distance between them but before Vladimir could finish his attack a wind started to form around the mage which soon blasted from his body and threw the male away.
Both sent a gust of wind at them and successfully threw them away from the crystal, Vladimir landed with his back against a tree even though he attempted to escape but the spell was sent in wide range so it still got him.
"Ts...this doesn't look like it's going too well." He would mutter to himself as he saw Iván being pushed from the spell as well. Clenching his fists the male stood up and grabbed some rocks from the ground, he attempted to use them as his weapon for their next attack as of now he awaited for some sort of signal in case Ivàn had a plan otherwise he would strike again.

21​

 

"Wait, wait, wait," Iván called out just as the mage that was on him began to channel electricity through his hands, perhaps an aeromancer? It wasn't the most appropriate time to play guess the magic-user, but just like Iván was distracted by his own thoughts for just a split-second, so too was the aeromancer by the illusionist's call for mercy, perhaps a truce? That split-second was enough time for Iván to grab his hammer and smash his antagonist's knees with it, getting a pained scream from him and bringing him down to the ground. Well, maybe it wasn't technically just a split-second. The aeromancer was distracted not only by Iván's words but also by concern with his accomplices. Just goes to show you: relationships are a weakness.

Iván quickly turned himself from his back to all fours before rising up. The aeromancer was still on the ground, holding his broken knee, crying in pain. Iván could've taken that time to make a deal, perhaps explain themselves, but one quick glance at Vladimir's direction made that option too risky. Instead, Iván took his hammer and smashed the aeromancer's face in, not too much to murder him but just enough to knock him unconscious. Well, maybe he was dead, Iván wouldn't know. He was just an NPC, though. It's not that bad, is it?

"Hey, Vlad," Iván called out to his companion, letting the head of his hammer fall to the ground. "You need any help?"

Batter Up

(Bludgeon) Hey, batta, batta, batta! Hey, batta, batta, batta! Hey, batta, batta, batta! Hit a home run to end a game, but with someone else's head instead of a baseball. Close enough. More fun, too.

66 + 15 (Bludgeon) = 81
Roll​

 

Seeing as the coast was clear he leaned down placing his hands against the ground getting ready to push his body for a spring as he examined the area, he thought that the forest was a good place to hide in case their attacks failed and HE WAS right...but so it worked as a shield for the others...
Before he managed to get closer to the other mage, the rocks in his hand were held firmly as he prepared himself for another attack however it didn't look like he would have an easy access to the enemy as they were already casting a spell once seeing him.
"Where you going of to?" The mage let out a short laughter as he spotted Vladimir and immediately moved his hand in front of him to casted a quick spell. It didn't look like it was complicated seeing how smooth and easy he started creating a fireball in his hands with letters forming around the element. His eyes met Vladimir with a smirk on his lips the moment he shot it all the way to the blonde haired player causing him to jump to the side with a roll as a result dropping the rocks and making him move even further to hide behind a tree.
"Now I am even-" Vladimir started getting pissed before he heard Iváns voice calling out to him from afar. Sighing in frustration to admit that he needed assistance he would look at him and nod. "Yeah...wouldn't hurt." He said louder at this time showing the anger in his voice because of the situation.

7​

 

Iván couldn’t help but smirk when Vlad admitted that he needed his help. It wouldn’t have been easy, couldn’t, as all new adventurers tend to exaggerate their own abilities as all new adventurers tend to do. New adventurers often think of themselves as invulnerable, infallible, the most powerful being they knew, they would ever know. That was probably technically true, up until they’d come across a powerful monster of course. Iván would know. He’s been there before, both at thinking himself omnipotent as a new adventurer and at realizing that that wasn’t the absolute case when he finally encountered a massive monster.

Turning to the remaining mage, Iván found himself in a stare down, which was odd, considering, like his grin, his eyes were well-hidden, specifically behind dark-tinted goggles. While Iván had the added advantage of clothing concealing his true feelings, the mage did not and was pretty much exposed to all sorts of internal strife. Facing a man you can’t read was bad. Facing a man you can’t read, who was standing in front of your unconscious buddy’s body, was worse. The hammer Iván wielded did not help the mage’s concerns. “You… You took out our leader…”

Iván turned the man he had just knocked out and sighed. That was their leader? An aeromancer? The leader was a powerful mage, it seemed, but his knees were weak, which Iván was grateful for. Then again, aren’t all knees end up weak against a hammer? He shifted his gaze back to the remaining mage who seemed frozen in time. Strange… I haven’t unlocked that kind of magic yet.

“You’re Ynglar Brotherhood…” Iván deadpanned, putting away his hammer. The statement, the question, made the remaining mage swallow air. Iván cut him off before he could speak. “…which means that this thing that crashed here, whatever it is, is a magical phenomenon or a magical catastrophe, whichever. The Ynglar Brotherhood wouldn’t send three of their people…”

Iván pointed at the still unconscious aeromancer, “…led by a powerful aeromancer to do some spoiled brat’s errands.”

The remaining mage gritted his teeth. Iván noticed he had started to clench his fist. Giving him more time to respond, the illusionist noted that this mage might be of no use to him conscious. Maybe if he would yield but that doesn’t look like it was going to happen. Pity. Iván was mightily impressed with the Ynglar Brotherhood. He hoped he might join them one day. Maybe he still will. Eventually.

“My name is Iván Carl,” he said dryly, prepping a spell, the very first spell he had used against the mages. “Remember it, for I will join your ranks someday, and you will be under my command.”

Three Iván Carls appeared from out of nowhere, one from each unencumbered side of where the remaining mage stood, which meant that in every direction he looked, there was now an Iván Carl standing ominously before him. In a matter of seconds, all three new Iván Carls, with the exception of the original who stood calmly in front of the remaining mage, charged their lone target. Fists, feet, knees, elbows… It wouldn’t matter which appendage they’d choose. The result will stay the same. That remaining mage? He was going to get knocked out.

Mirror Images

(Illusion Magic) "Are you all quadruplets?! Ivan Carl the First, Ivan Carl, the Second, Ivan Carl the Third, and Ivan Carl the fourth? Was your dad named Ivan Carl? Are you guys all Ivan Carl Juniors?!" -Alphabet Chocolate. Spoiler alert: There's only one Iván. The rest are just posers. Illusionary posers.

65 + 20 (Bludgeon) = 85
Roll​

 

Vladimir stood behind the tree in silence. His back leaned against the hard and cold wood as he kept looking down on the ground near his feet with his arms crossed. The conversation was open for him to hear but he didn't want to interfere since it looked like Ivan had to do something with the brotherhood. His statement wasn't for Vladimir to judge even if it confused him...why would he want to join such clan when those guys did this kind of things and after what he said about them...? On the other hand he said that he wanted to be their leader so maybe it wasn't a bad thing and those stereotypes would change with him in charge. He did mention that it was a place for mages...and Iván was one...but so was Vladimir.
"Ah... I don't even know you man...hope you're not like them." He muttered with a sigh and awaited for them to finish.

Everything ended with Iváns spell and allowed the blonde player to jump from the hill to get all the way down near the rock/crystal/star or whatever it was with a shirt laughter and awakes movement of hands.
"Looks like it's over... I have to thank you really, I messed up there. I should be able to get some kind of weapon from the merchant after the quest is over and we get rewarded. Hopefully I'll learn." Showing a smile across his lips he would turn his head to the lady astrologer that came out of the trees and started running up to them.
"I SAW THE FIGHT!" she said in excitement causing Vladimir to tilt his head. She enjoyed it?! "I have to congratulate you both on a nicely done job! I am very glad I got you with..." her voice was slowly fading before she could finish her sentence and her eyes would open wider realising that the star was right in front of her. "Woah...it looks better up close." Her tone was quiet when she spoke since the attention she paid to the star made her forget that she had to speak louder to be heard from others.

"You're done here?" Vladimir asked turning back to Iván allowing Monasilva to do her own job taking the fragments she needed. Obviously the two still had to escort her back safely but for now everything seemed quiet and peaceful...if you don't include the unconscious bodies of the Mages around them.

 

When the dust cleared, the three mages from the Ynglar Brotherhood were all down in the ground, all knocked unconscious by the combined might and effort of Iván and Vlad. The illusionist admired his handiwork, proud that he was able to stand toe to toe with three agents from such a faction. Iván had admired the Brotherhood ever since he had heard of them. As someone who wanted to become one of the most powerful mages of all time, getting into the Brotherhood would be the most logical step. He just hoped that they would appreciate his skills here than the fact that they just cost them three of their finest.

Iván shifted his gaze from his final prey to Vlad who had made his way to Monasilva's prize. He had heard him mutter about not knowing him, hoping he wasn't like them. He wondered if Vlad had heard what the Brotherhood was really about. Was Vlad a mage? Iván couldn't remember if he had mentioned a magical affinity or something, though the way that most Players tend to pick at least one field of magic, considering his companion one wouldn't be far fetched. But if that was the case, then maybe Vlad would end up joining the Brotherhood in the future as well. That or maybe he'd be more at home with the Pride.

"It's cool," Iván muttered dryly as he started walking towards Vlad and the meteorite. It didn't take long for Monasilva to finally rear her head, considering that there was no longer any sign of danger. The astrologer congratulated the pair before eventually getting distracted by what she came all the way here for. Monasilva quickly dropped to her knees in front of what had been a shooting star before starting to get at it, taking out her tools to take pieces of the cosmic rock for her study. Iván simply sighed and shook his head. "Don't forget my share of that thing."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Monasilva responded despite all her attention on her task at hand. Raising an eyebrow, she stopped and turned to Iván, realizing something strange. "What are you going to do with your share of this, anyway? This isn't worth anything aside from further research."

Behind his dark-tinted goggles, Iván narrowed his eyes. What? Then why did the Brotherhood send this three? Iván turned to the unconscious mages, an eyebrow raised. Was this all for nothing? Was this a mere recon mission for them? Gathering information on something that didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things? Iván sighed, feeling a bit defeated. Maybe these three aren't even high-ranked agents of the Brotherhood... What if they were just here by accident? Maybe they got lost and found something they thought was useful but was actually useless? He heaved another sigh before shaking his head.

"I still want whatever piece of that you can give me..." It probably won't be anything but he can't be too sure. Iván wondered if his piece would end up missing, maybe misplaced, after long periods of it being useless to him. That would probably be the case. He turned to Vlad, frowning behind his goggles and turtleneck. "Maybe we should tie these three. Just in case they wake up while she's still doing her thing. Did you bring some rope?"

 

Vladimir turned his head to the female astrologer as she started picking pieces of the stone and putting them inside her leather bag, it looked like the stone would have a huge value judging by the fact that it is a star one way or another. At least in the real world there would be a huge conversation about it and everyone would want to see and get it to themselves. From the beginning Vladimir had a different reason for wanting part of the stone. To be clear. Yes, he thought that the stone would have some value and he would be able to get a better reward BUT after the fight and experiences they went through he realised that it wasn't worth selling...the journey and the results were more important
"I'd like one as well." He said in the silence while Monasilva kept digging letting out a sigh before she spoke up once turning her eyes to look up at him for a second.

"What you want it for any-"
"Memory. I want to keep it as a reminder of my first quest...and collaboration." He gestured with his hand towards Ivan giving him a polite nod after cutting her off to show who he was referring to.
"Well. For all I care get your pieces. My job here is done..." she muttered while she kept examining the stone to find the best part and take it with her for her experiments. Monasilva was getting quite a lot and by the looks of it the carrying would be not easy...Vladimir was already willing to help her.

Ivan was the one that gave them further instructions and the other player was only happy to help despite not having what they needed but suddenly an idea popped in his head.
"Right. We could use the ropes on our horses. They must be tied since she's here." He said awaiting for an agreement from Monasilva after looking at her intensively for a response which she gave with a quick nod.
"Oh yes they are there!" Her hand pointed behind a few trees without her actually turning her body or even looking at the direction she showed since she was too busy with what she was working on. Vladimir besided to take those direction and go...he felt like he had to do at least something more after Ivan dealed with two mages by himself and so he headed out of Iváns vision range and went looking for the horses.

After a few second he was back with ropes in his hands and the horse walking behind him as he held all of their laces together so they wouldn't ran away.
"I think this is barely enough... we will need to find a small tree because it won't be enough to go around then many times." He spoke seeing how small was the size of the role however it would be enough if they would find a slimmer tree which would have all of them tied and pressed together when they wake up.

 

Iván simply nodded at Vlad's suggestion of using the ropes they had with their horses. It was pretty darn smart. Why didn't he think of that? He started thinking about what Vlad had said, about him wanting to keep a memory of his very first quest, which also his first collaboration. That reminded Iván of his own first quest, which was technically not his quest but was most definitely his first collaboration.

He had just appeared in Terra Sphere when he bumped into Madison Freebird and a berserker girl that did not falter in the face of another berserker, the latter cursed. Neither of those girls he was able to know their respective names, at least that was true with Madison until his first mission with the Aristocracy. It turned out, he and Madison had joined the same faction. Finding out information on her, specifically her name, was easy once he established where to look.

Speaking of where to look, while Vlad went off to take care of the horses and the ropes, he spent that time taking it easy, catching his breath. Those agents of the Brotherhood were no joke. They were pretty hard to beat. Iván contemplated on whether every agent of the Brotherhood really did get sent on exclusively important missions. Maybe this thing, maybe it was a misfire from them. Maybe he was right about these three just stumbling upon something unimportant. Maybe the Brotherhood didn't even send them officially. So many maybes, not a lot of time to figure it out.

Vlad came back with the horses and the ropes, and Iván was quick to help him get to tying the unconscious mages. All they needed to find was a slimmer tree or two, considering the ropes they had weren't long enough for a bigger tree. After much hunting, less than an hour but still too much time to be spending at looking for a slim tree, they finally found what they were looking for. Together, Iván and Vlad tied the three agents of the Brotherhood, all still unconscious from their combined effort.

"So," Iván muttered dryly. "You have any plans on joining a faction? You don't have to, but it'll make your adventuring way easier than if you don't."

 

They were all done and ready to leave when they tied everyone up, carefully so they wouldn't bring them more injuries, and they were left looking at each other awaiting for Monasilva to finish gathering her materials. She places all her tools back on their place in a small tool box and stood up dusting off her knees, pulling the bag up it was obvious she struggled not to mention that she looked like she was ready to fall over so Vladimir offered his help right away.
"I'll help you, princess~" his tone cheerful and flirty as he slide the bag from her hands and moved it over his shoulder with a charming smile. It wasn't just an act to make an impression but he knew that it wasn't so easy for a girl to carry heavy stuff no matter if she was an npc or not.
"Yeah yeah, alright." Since the astrologer didn't have a choice she just rolled her eyes and sighed letting the male carry her things making it seem like she was annoyed even though she wouldn't say no because it benefit her after all.

"A faction? Yeah I joined one already...funny because it was the first thing I did. I hope I joined the right one but they also said that I can leave whenever I want if I am not satisfied with the...members and the occupation." The party was going on top of their horses as he heard Ivan speak up and ask him about the factions. Bringing their horse closer he decided that having a conversation on their way back would be a good idea...plus the ride would seem shorter and more fun.
"Aristocracy. You?" He added after raising his hand to move the laces and give a signal to the horse to start walking leaving his eyes looking at his partner.

 

Iván couldn't help but smirk at the sight of the astrologer trying her best, her hardest, to carry all that she could all on her own. Was it her excitement, or was it her ego, that was preventing her from asking for help? Times like this, greed can confuse a mind, make a person less efficient than they truly were. For all of Monasilva's genius, her knowledge in her field, she was still programmed to act human, to be human, and what's more human than getting distracted by the weight of material possession?

Vladimir was still trying to woo her, so it seemed. Iván found that somewhat entertaining, too. What was it with people and their affection towards another? The need for a mate was not as important to Iván. All that he wanted in this game, from this game, was to satiate his curiosity, reach his full potential in this environment, become what others have failed to be. He wanted to be one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, magic-user in this game. The Ynglar Brotherhood would be a step in the right direction, but for now, he would be contented with the Aristocracy.

Iván was caught surprised when Vlad revealed that he, too, had joined the same faction as him. Was it a coincidence that they stumbled upon another on this quest? Or was it someone else's plan, perhaps someone higher on the rungs of the Aristocracy? The faction was big enough for its members not to know all of the others, so it did not surprise Iván that he had never seen this fellow Aristocrat. The only thing that surprised him was the manner by which they had been put together. Maybe it was just coincidence, but with the Aristocracy, one could never be sure.

He sighed before muttering dryly, "We're both in the same faction if that's the case." It dawned on Iván that perhaps this wouldn't be the last time he'd be in the same team with this Caenis. Perhaps that would be beneficial for him. They've already seen what each other could do and, well, built some sort of trust between them. Maybe Vlad could be someone he could count on in the near future. Maybe. "Didn't like the lions, huh?"

Under his turtleneck, a grin streaked across Iván's face. The Lion's Pride were heroic and noble and all sorts of things, but they were also loud and annoying. With his romantic personality and penchant for physical combat, Vladimir had the makings of a stereotypical cub. Unlike him, Iván could never be a part of that camaraderie. He was too introverted, too quiet, too disinterested in being anyone's knight-in-shining armor. The Aristocracy was the perfect fit for him. The Monster Hunters were also too wild and too out there for him. His skills were more of use to the rich, to the elite, to the politicians.

He hoped that one day, that would change. The jobs the Aristocracy had were too political and too sneaky for him sometimes. He just really wanted to learn to be better at magic, to even be the best, without getting encumbered by the rest of his faction mates. That would be an impossibility with the Hunters and the Pride. With the Brotherhood being all sneaky and mysterious, they weren't an option either. At least for now. Maybe Iván would find a way to join their ranks. Maybe some day that could be true.

 

"Same faction huh..." That's wierd. He didn't expect Ivan to be in that kind of group of people but that's the reason you communicate...he is probably a lot more different than he shows to be.
"Well...Aristocracy is the first one I choose. Maybe if I don't like this I will go to lions since that was my second choice. I'll have to experiment before deciding...as of now we are on the same team." Vladimir stated with a smile since Ivan was the first person he met from the same faction and he didn't seem that bad so maybe his choice wasn't wrong.

As their adventure continued they had a safe trip back to Yladia, Esuilus. Monasilva thanked the two players once they reached her home which looked like it was an experiment of its own and gave each their rewards showing a much more kinder side once the stress of danger was gone and she was now free to go and test her theories. The two guys were left with the rewards of coins and of course a piece of the star...what more could you ask for?
"I'll see you later then. Hopefully we will meet somewhere once again...maybe in the faction hall, who knows. I hope the next time we meet...I will be stronger as well." Vladimir waved at Ivan and took off on his next journey. He was glad he managed to meet a kind person like him because that kind was the one that made him enjoy the game even more.

 

"Oh," Iván muttered dryly. "As long as you don't go on a mission that'll piss off the lions, I guess." Considering that both the Pride and the Aristocracy were Player factions, and both often go against each other in terms of objectives, that may be hard to do, though it wasn't impossible. The Pride, as heroic and noble as they were, could still believe in a former member of the Aristocracy, give them the benefit of the doubt, let them redeem themselves, so to speak. On the other but somewhat similar hand, the Aristocracy could always open its doors to a former lion, especially since the knowledge they'd have about the other faction would be quite valuable.

As soon as they got out of the crash site and back into the much safer premise of Monasilva's home, the two adventurers received their just rewards, including fragments of the meteorite or shooting star or whatever. Iván took his time staring at his piece, wondering if it indeed was worthless. The Brotherhood seemed to have thought it somewhat valuable. Maybe it was and it wasn't. Iván smirked behind his turtleneck as Vladimir bid him adieu, making a mental note to keep an eye out on that guy. He could be an asset if they would ever cross paths again. "I'll see you around," he simply nodded.

"Weird kid," the astrologer murmured, standing next to Iván, also watching as Vladimir went off. "I take it you're going elsewhere, too? You can come in, though... If you want."

Iván raised an eyebrow at her, narrowing his eyes behind his dark-tinted goggles, "Sounds good, but I have some unfinished business back at the Ratattle Tavern. Maybe some other time."

While he did not admit it openly, Iván appreciated having someone like Vladimir watching his back. They might have not known each other for long, if only during the quest itself, but somehow, Iván felt like he could trust Vladimir, which was a huge leap considering the kind of folks he has been hanging around as a member of the Aristocracy. Maybe he was just glad that neither of them died.

"Ynglar Brotherhood... I'm coming for you."