darkSpyro

"Thank goodness," Shadow replied to Starz, "what do his friends look like anyway?"

"I just thought you liked me the way I like you" Kihei said

Noises of digging and rock smashing was heard in the distance, to those who would investigate would find a dragon wearing a helmet equipped with a iron mace onto his tail repeatably whacking the rock structure as if he were mining for something. Beside him lay equipment, various notes and strange artifacts.

He himself was personally not aware of his surroundings as most of the time he ventured out to mine the wildlife would ignore him unless he had waltz into the dens and nests or toyed with the animal cubs.

Just happily mining and digging.

George nodded stepping away from Aretis now, leaving the bag beside its owner. Derrick right beside him looked about the area the best he could. This place was familiar, he had been here before on one of his night stoles when the rest of the world slept. There wasn't much to it, just the average clearing smooth land and tall trees. It was like a home away from home to the eternally awake, self proclaimed monster. He hasn't traveled to the mountains before, but he would soon see them up close for the first time.

George had taken Derrick over to a spot by themselves, not entirely secluded from the others; they were at a more watchful position here. George knew his birth given element very well, but the new shadow based power would be an interesting self teaching experience. Sure it will take time to learn proper basic use, but he saw himself having plenty of time to do so. He was currently attempting to create the element from different parts of his body, testing the limits and setting just what he was capable of art the moment. Not much, from what he has found, is really available eyes to not knowing how to use another element besides his own.

Derrick swapped between watching George and the group they currently still don't know much about, "Hey George?"

George stopped forming shadow figures with his paws to turn his attention to the one under his wing, "Yes?" He replied.

"Would... Would it be too much to ask for a quick bite?" Derrick sank a little info the grass with a light smile, "I've traveled all this way in the day, and have exposed myself a little more than I would like to," he had a light cheesy smile as he scooted his body closer to George.

"Hmm," George groaned a little, "Can you hold out till night fall? I currently have you well covered at the moment. You'll be able to hunt, yes?"

Derrick tilted his head, "Yeah, but," he paused looking out to the group, then beyond them to the trees and mountains, "It's not the same as getting it from you."

"Kihei... I already told you that I would think about it. Besides, we only met this morning, so it would make more sense to start out as friends before going any further OK?" She explained, hoping he would understand. She had never been in a relationship before as she found it really... Awkward. Besides she didn't even know how to make friends as Shadow just kind of followed her wherever she went.

"Ok" Kihei said, still a little disheartened, but he was glad they were at least friends

"Thank you for understanding," she said bowing her head in thanks, "let's go see what the others are talking about."

Skyward's four horns went up, then laid back against her neck, where her fur met her scales. "Not something that I can tell what it is…" she growled. "But yes, I do."

"I guess we should, just in case something is following us," Kumara said overhearing Starz and Skyward.

"I guess we should check it out" Kihei said

Makil waited for the group to start moving

George looked up to the group then to the relative area they were hearing the beating noise that had caught their attention almost simultaneously, "We'll save that subject for a little later time," referring to Derrick's request, "I'll keep you protected for now, I still need to regain my own strength from yesterday," his house trailed off as he stood back up and started for the group again.

"You noticed it too then," he asked as they came within clear earshot, "What are our current standings on engagement? Such as supplies, is it worth looking into?"

Derrick looked out to the tree line toward the sound, "A continuous repetitive clash. Either someone is breaking something big down, or there is a training session with earth elementals," his eyes narrowed. His small ear fins switched around to hone in on the sound better.

George nodded, "Derrick and I will accompany you," his wing dipped down to tap Derrick's shoulder. Derrick looked up to Starz and nodded too. George then lifted away from the ground. The shadow spell vanished as Derrick bolted for the trees.

"I'll come as well," Skyward added. Her horns perked up again. "Now THAT'S what I call a crash. Something big's happening."

Makil followed too "I've got nothing better to do anyway" He said

Kumara and Shadow remained behind with the others. No need for everyone to go.

Derrick, with his ground speed, was first to run in on the scene, "Earth stuff, knew it," he said to himself before approaching the strange dragon, "Hey," he called out without the right timing, his house was cancled out by the clash of the digger's strikes.

George flew only within tail's reach of Starz as they flew toward the noises being emitted from the base of the mountain.

Makil landed behind the dragon "Hey!" He yelled, not in a mean way, just to get his attention

Kihei was still next to Kumara "I wonder what it is" He said

At first he couldn't probably hear the first "hey" and jogged it down to hearing things but the second time caused him to halt his digging. Turning his head it appeared he had guests and he was right but not the kind he expected to find out here at this time, his body wasn't tense at all and any trace of caution was gone.

"A bunch of kids at this time at a place like this, somewhat strange but regardless what can I do for you?"

"Kids? I'm 17!" Kumara said glaring.
Shadow also appeared pissed, "and I'm 19. We don't need any help." Shadow refused to have help from others. It was bad enough that he was with a hole group.
"I'm sorry about my friend," Kumara said, trying to make up for her hostile approach, "who are you?"

((I thought Kumara and Shadow stayed behind with Kihei))

"I have a daughter sir, and I'm Makil" Makil said "What's your name and what are you doing?"

Slowly putting the equipment and tools down he revealed more of himself "I am Drenyz Aman'Thul and that's all I need to and have to say, now tell your girlfriend to calm down before she blows a casket"

((They obviously didn't go very far as it literally happened after they left. K'ara overheard them (griffins have excellent hearing abilities) but if they are further, I'll just pretend she followed because she was bored. Sorry if I was being confusing '))

"Sounds suspicious to me," Kumara said with an eyebrow raised.

"She's not my girlfriend, she's my friend's crush" Makil said

She growled quietly.
Great, another embarrassing situation...
"I'm alone right now thank you," she defended herself. She hated awkward situations...

Derrick was seated just inside the shade of the mountain side, "uhh... Guys," he called out rather softly, "I don't think this is the time for that topic right now," his expression a little limp with curious subtlety. His child like face stared at the group with dull eyes as they watched for the moment.

George came in just next to Derrick, "What, may I ask, is it your are doing here?" He stepped up to view the results of Drenyz's efforts, "Are you an earth elemental?" He questioned seeing as he had been making so much ruckus just seconds ago.

"I'm digging for archaeological finds as it's said beneath this ground lies the early cities of our ancestors before the cataclysm shifted the lands and swallowed it whole" he replied nonchalantly "As for my element, not telling and don't care"

"Charming," was Kumara's simple reply, "why would you be looking for this... Underground city?"

"Is there something down there that could help end the dark mists?" Makil asked

George was slightly shocked with Drenyz's reply, but he allowed Starz to take the lead in the conversation. Derrick sat down in the thickest shade he could locate within earshot of the group. Derrick was scanning the area, this particular location was not familiar, it was an area he hadn't been to on his night runs.

"Whatever is going on with the mist in Siyalor is no doubt news to me and the locals but it sounds similar to something going on in the depths of these woods" He slowly unraveled a little map detailing each site he had been digging in and marked in red whilst the larger but further greenzone drawn with crude little skulls on. "There is a mist that changes color deep there, whenever I have gone near it the feeling of unspeakable dread overcomes me, animals don't even go near it and those that I have seen wander in and out almost seem changed by it"

"That might be what we're looking for" Makil said "Can you lead us to it?"

George investigated the map himself, "These locations are still unfamiliar to me, but," he turned to Derrick who was off in his own world at this point, "My... Brother," he cleared his that trying to find a better word was hard at this time, "Might know the land better. Maybe it came from else where. You say it changes colors, then it can't necessarily be darkness can it?" He turned to Starz, "We will follow those orders, but id like to see this different mist myself if you wouldn't mind keeping your pace down for the time being?"

"I'm sure Kihei would help you George, he should be back where we left him" Makil said

George nodded to Makil, "His assistance would be much appreciated," he then noticed Starz's discomfort, "Is something bothering you?" He stepped over gently as not to make any sudden movements to present the feeling of both concern and trust, "It is not wise to hold concerns to yourself, maybe your friends can help relieve the weight upon your mind."

"Than we better get a move on before another attack," Kumara said.

"We all know the way to the Emerald City, so why don't George and Derrick get Kihei, find out about the color-changing mist while everyone else goes to the Emerald City?" Makil asked