The Secrets of Sundering - Log 1 - Open to All

[paradoxical_personality]

The sooner Hel could learn something about the sort of magic that brought them here in the first place the sooner she might be able to return herself home. It was with that thought in mind that she carried out the week seeking information and listening to anything she could glean from her fellow students and staff as to where to even begin. One set of rumors specifically got her attention. It had the makings to either become a fool's errand or to great some insight into her query. Machalabie, was the oldest temple in Ascelion, and apparently if it was to be believed it could have very well been the backdrop to a religious cults attempts at sundering. The vintage itself bespoke of the possibility of being infused with arcane magic, so the appeal of investigating it was too great.

It would have been better, if she had her own magic to call upon or a few willing compatriots to bounce ideas off of, but seeing as she had only made a few acquaintances she wasn't sure who to ask. Besides, the building likely wasn't still in use so the danger was likely minute.

Leaving the school grounds, to head to the temple she didn't try to mask where she was going so anyone so inclined could have followed her. When she arrived at Machalabie, she took a moment to pause and look upon it. You could tell it was older compared to the temples that had built up around it, it must have seemed rather imposing in it's day. Walking up to it she soon entered the building and started getting a feel for the layout. Finding a secret chamber shouldn't be easy, but worthwhile.

[OOC: I re-read the faqs and such but if I'm doing this wrong please let me know! I can edit accordingly!]

Comments

[paradoxical_personality]

The name gave her pause. Although Hel had never heard anyone call Yggdrasil a "she" before the tree was still very much a source of all life in her dimension as well. "If I'm ever able to return to my world I could personally visit Yggdrasil on your behalf."

She reached out to touch the altar, gently fiddling with some of the decorations to see if anything was movable. Without explanation it likely looked like a random and fruitless series of gestures.

"...... I didn't." Continuing to be ever-so forthcoming with the details of her quest. Noticing that he was beginning to search to, she finally elaborated. "..... but presumably there is supposed to be a hidden chamber in this temple. I'm trying to find it."

[bearshermark]

His pulse pounded in his ears, questions burning on his tongue. She knew Yggdrasil, and claimed to be able to visit it in her realm. Could she be from Erdrea? And if she wasn't, what would that Yggdrasil say to her? The sudden fear of it clutched his heart and stalled every other one of his questions short.

"Um, thank you." Eleven swallowed past the din in his ears and refocused. "A hidden chamber, you said?"

It didn't feel terribly appropriate, but curiosity and the promise of distraction won out. His eyes swept the floor and glanced over the walls.

"Can I ask why you're looking for it?"

[paradoxical_personality]

This boy didn't have to say anything for Hel to realize how devoted he was to Yggdrasil, as most should be if she were being honest. The world couldn't really exist without it. All of the realms were connected through the twisting of branches and roots. Little did she know that there were likely some variations between the Yggdrasil she knew and the one he did.

"Mm" She hummed her ascent lightly. "That's what I have heard."

That curiosity she could certainly relate to and well it did beat sitting around at the school waiting for something to happen.

"There is no harm in asking it." Hel began softly. She walked around to the other side of the altar as she spoke, still examining it for clues. "... because the rituals that took place in that chamber might have had something to do with the sort of magic that brought us here."

[bearshermark]

"Really?" Eleven stepped forward despite his reservations.

The magic that brought them there. If it really was Yggdrasil's will that he was here, then maybe She was connected to it somehow. Maybe that magic was the key to restoring Her.

He approached the altar and heart pulsing in his ears, pressed the palm of his marked hand to the stone. Something clicked.

Eleven sprung away, hand flying to the hilt of his sword, then watched a compartment fold away. "What- what is it?"

[paradoxical_personality]

"Did you hear...?" Before Hel could finish the question her companion was on the defensive. At least she'd gotten her answer and rather swiftly. She looked to the source of the sound in time to witness the opening of the hidden panel. The edge of her lips tipped upward on one side in a satisfied smirk. Now, they might be getting somewhere, providing that there was anything to see and it wasn't just a hidden compartment for hiding a flask or a scroll.

"Suspicious." To say the least. "Keep your distance, we're not sure what that thing is capable of..."

The opening was small, but when you peered into it Hel could swear she could see something swirling around inside of it. The stains around it, filled her with a sense of unease. They had browned with age but that could mean they were once blood red when they were freshly touched to the altar. If there was anything she hadn't the stomach for it was blood.

"Let's try poking something in there... like a stick or tossing in a rock." It was simply safer to be cautious. Looking around the chamber she spotted a broken bit of stone near his foot. "Like that".

[bearshermark]

He didn't need told twice, but when nothing jumped out at them, he straightened and loosed his grip on his sword. Just a secret compartment, from what he could see- certainly not a passage.

His eyes followed hers to the stone, then bent to pick it up and shifted closer. An odd test, but sensible upon further thought. Better this than his hand.

This close, he could see the stains and swirling- was that magic..? Eleven glanced at his fellow student, but held the stone over the opening then let it drop with a wince.

Goddess above, but he prayed nothing happened.

[paradoxical_personality]

It certainly looked too small for a person to fit through- which is partially why the stains around the lip were so disconcerting. Hel thought there might have been a gravitational force within the vortex that could have been strong enough to suck a person right in and the stains would have been all that was left as evidence. A grim and gory thought on her part. Especially for someone who detested the sight of blood.

In hindsight she should have shared her concerns out loud but her companion was in no were shape for the omission.

When he looked towards her, Hel gave a nod to ascent that she was ready and would be observing the results. The stone fell towards the vortex and it seem like the air stilled. What would happen....?