World Between: Intro: part 3

Some strange bell shaped plants grew outward from the vines wrapped around a rock. Their dark yellow color made it seem even stranger that they didn’t make any sound when the wind blew. The fog was much more manageable, so Jared started to walk over. “Only one.” Sofia and Aaron warned him before looking at each other.

“Well, you read it properly at least.” Sofia stated as Aaron rubbed the back of his head.

“It was mentioned… a lot.” Aaron stated. “...harsh side effects?”

“Something like that.” Sofia stated rather casually as Jared walked back over. “See? Not too much to it. Just some pretty harsh terrain. She tilted her head as Jared almost glared at her. “Is there a problem?” Jared simply walked past her. So the group walked back down the tunnel with Jared leading this time.

“Thought there be more-” Aaron nearly fell forward, and then got yanked backwards. Both tumbling into a pitfall, which somehow ended with Sofia falling on top of Aaron. A giant slug hissed at them only to get light squished with a hoof, which seemed to calm it down. Sofia was squirming a bit. “You umm..”

“Were right the first time.” Aaron stated proud of his comeback.

“Well that too.” Sofia responded slowly looking a brighter red than normal. Her left goat leg fidget a bit, alerting Aaron to where one of his hands had ended up. There was a quick yip which sounded like a mix between, surprise, objection, and unexpected pleasure. “If you’re done pouting your way into possible pitfalls.” Sofia looked up at Jared as he looked into the pit before turning to Aaron. “And if you aren’t gonna cook that Jasper slug first, I’d like to go back to leading.”

“Something happen?” Cain asked as the other met up with him again. 

“Just a lack of information.” Jared stated.

“Well, it’s gotta be slowed down, right?” Cain questioned. “Or something.”

“So your leader is the person who doesn’t do proper research.” Sofia stated. “Interesting tactic…” In an attempt to avoid conflict Aaron insisted the group push forward, so Sofia led them to the shop that had requested the Ecchi flower to begin with.

“What is it you’re after then?” A mid-age elf stated, and simply smiled as the remaining group looked at each other.

“We…” Jen began only after no one else did, but struggled to form the words
“Here all already, huh?.” Anna stated walking in. “Sorry i’m ‘late’ but it seemed like eventually you’d come to Tilf here.” Tilf sighed.

“Can’t you people go after something else for once?” Tilf began. “A place like this must have made countless treasures worth a forchant. But all I ever hear about is how improper this place is, some women find improper charming, you know?”

“We seem to have met a few.” Jen stated. “Personally however there’s enough madness back in our world as is, and we didn’t need more.”

“If we could just get the vision slowed down?” Cain stated.

 “Displayed, and anything to get this business out of my shop.” Jared handed Tilf the flower as she looked slightly passed him. “Did you find something, dear?” Sofia walked up with a blueprint in hand.

“I don't suppose I could use a workbench while you’re out?” Sofia questioned. “Can’t make too much yet, but I am getting into a sub-craft.” Tilf handed a key to Sofia.

“You’ve been-” Tilf was about to say something, but caught Sofia nervously glancing. “More than helpful enough. I think you can manage.” 

“You’re going somewhere?” Jared questioned as Tilf crushed the Ecchi flower glowing yellow dust bursted out, and both Jared and Tilf seemed someplace else entirely.

A large, almost robot, of a man walked through them both. Iron boots echoing through the temple halls. Stopping two tiles short of a large green gem. Wider than even the strange giant that approached it. Each side the shape of a stretch out hexagon condensing into a point at its top and bottom. The large man looked it over for some time in fascination before a new female voice snapped everyone out of the near still image. “You Realm-breakers really don’t believe in introductions, huh?”

“Sis!” A young female child shouted before going to a whisper. “You’re embarrassing me in front of Talmo Le-gaaah!” The giant, apparently called Talmo, picked up the girl much to her surprise.
“Bring children are we now?” There was an almost scottist tint to his booming voice, but the rest of  his character was closer to someplace where armored wild things lived. Whatever that was. “Lydria, I believe?”

“Quite so.” Lydria took a bow. “I don’t normally bring Miesa, but she’s such a huge fan. Wants to be a Far-seeker one day.”

“A Far-seeker, eh? From Minerrus?” Talmo questioned. Lydria looked a little surprised, but Miesa giggled before eagerly shaking her head. Talmo chuckled. “Well young Miesa, Does this seem like a world-pull to ye?” 

“I think it pushes.” Miesa pouted after she answered. “But no one believes me.” 

“Yes, well.” Talmo adjusted his metal glove of his right hand, and walked closer to the gem. “I find being correct helps ya get used to that.” Lydria protested in small rage before pointing to an elder male and pouting. The elder man responded after remaining silent for all this time.

“The council thought it acted too similar to a world pull to be pushing.” The elder stated. “But, like Meisa, some felt a push of sorts.” Talmo nodded before delivering a swift yet powerful punch to the gem, which in turn sent a shockwave outwards. Talmo’s cape flew up into the air. And even Jared felt knocked back, but not in a traditional way. “A rather large amount of souls.” The elder man stated.

“A rather large amount of souls not native to this world.” Talmo stated. “Connection to a gem that few people know anything about.”

“Wait so…” Meisa stated before her eyes went wide “It is hindering world pulls? Can you even do that?”

“The way that shockwave acted with even a few more of these there’d be a tug on every world pull ever brought in.” Talmo stated.

“And this is one is directly tied to the soul element, which likely means there remain another 7 in this world.” Time span forward and flash the other 7 gems clearly as Jared as Tilf faded back. With a final warning from Talmo 

“The cost of breaking those gems is greater than you’d ever understand.” There was an anger in Talmo’s voice as he had somehow pinned Jared to a wall. The group gathered around Jared with a plan and goal finally in sight...