Orlando
```Children's Stories```

*Another night where the stars dance among each other, partaking in their usual waltz to the music of the astral sea above. As the great moon changes phases, children laugh and giggle as they raise wooden swords. Tales of heroism, songs of royalty. Pots and pans clang against one another to the dismay of the mothers who eagerly await their rambunctious children to return. But the night is so young, the moon has only just risen. Besides, the angry monsters come out at night and should they fell the beasts... One will be herald a hero.*

"I'll be oinked as a king!" *A child yells, pointing his stick blade forward at his two unamused friends. Shaggy brown hair, a front tooth missing causing him to whistle with each breath. Blue orbs filled with determination despite the disbelief of his subordinates.*
"It's anointed, you dunce!" *The girl with twin-tails snaps back, arms folded as her princess story has been ruined by her brother and her friend's battle hardy behavior.*

*Yet they know better... For when the beasties creep out at night, they best run back home soon. Unless they wish for their lives to be without eternal light.*

"I am going to go beat the wicked witch!" *The swords-boy claims.*
"Huh!?" *The sibling duo exclaim, now shaking their heads as their friend is now over his head. They know better... They know better...*

*Yet the rumors on the hills and farms sing louder than any bard can in a tavern. How many go missing in a year? How many children never return as they had been pulled away by the haze. So how can one boy stand a chance? Sheer determination and heart wouldn't be enough. But they still argue... Arguing on the roads, disrupting the peace of the nearby homes. Candle light flickers on as the disturbed families scowl as they stare out of their windows.*

"Shut up! I can do it! I already chased one of dose' blue tings!" *The boy snarls, pointing the far woods on the horizon.*

*The children now scream. The girl worried for both while the boys challenge the honor and courage of the other. This is foolish, oh so foolish. And they are taking up space on the road. So if children can be lured by fated promises of fairytales and riches... They only need to find the grove where the witch lay... Then what is the reason for Valac travelling here?*
Michael
*Curiosity... The short youthful man, looking similarly to a child, or of a teen would walk past them. An aura of wickedness seeping from his body, as he passed by the children on the road. Heading toward the forest that lied on the horizon. In his hand, a sphere of darkness, he played around with it, tossing it as if it was merely nothing, before it recoiled back to him. He caught it, and continued. Tossing the sphere that was a perfect of perfect proportion and circumference. He muttered to himself.* 

"They shouldn't be out this late... It's dangerous..." 

*His quiet mutters of his thoughts escaping from his lips, making progress toward the forest. He seemed casual about it, though, a dark mark would be prominently exposed above his right eye... Tossing the ball once more before it quickly recoiled with speed. Having his hand out, pointing toward it, as it dispersed into many dark bubbles... Before dissolving back into his skin. His progress toward the forest seemed fast.* 

"Doing this, as much as it proved useful... Will probably drag attention..." 

*He looked up at the glistening stars in the night sky, mesmerized by the shine of their ancient primordial existences. The darkness between the light, for some reason, causing familiarity, belonging. The abyss. His attire consisted of a white collared button up shirt, brown trousers, and boots. Somewhat dirty, aged, causing the white shirt to have a sort of tannish hue to it. A blade holster by his right side, radiating unique energies, that of magic. He knew that once he was out of sight from the public, he can... Fly there... And with far more efficiency. Recalling the words of the boy he passed by, that of something blue. A blue thing. He was quite curious to investigate what lied within, and what was discovered by the youngsters. He still found it unusual that kids would be playing at night, it only begged for consequences, terrible consequences at that.*

*Though, he kept an eye on them as he continued to part toward the forest. Sometimes looking back, with no malice. Rather, the impact Noctis had on him, had him grow more... Worried, concerned for things. He has evolved from his previous colder demeanor. He would've been much more cruel, and cold... But he had quite the significant change with his continuous journey along side the only true comrade he had.*
Orlando
*The group of kids hush the moment Valac passes by them. Little murmurs of his appearance carry in the wind as one of the boys envies his looks, the other a bit intimidated. Will he do it? Will he actually go towards the woods? They look at each other, perplexed that anyone is bold enough to do it. Wait, no... There was one other. He hasn't been seen in a day. One boy pushes the other and as Valac draws further and further away, so does the continued arguing.*

*Yet the woods, despite the mysterious and ominous rumors that surround them. They are breathtaking and as the trees span to the heavens, their color shines vibrant even under the cloak of the night sky. As the foliage shimmies to the cold winds, the stars reflect off of the leaves of the trees. It produces small bits of light that rival the beauty that fireflies tend to hold. As a small mist floats upwards, a sweet scent that can only be described as something sugary can be smelled. It is faint to be noticeable, but not strong enough to make one intoxicated.*

*The prettiest things hold the darkest secrets and the rumors of this place precedes it. Strange voices can already be heard from within. Quiet to a point where their words are just too hushed to make out. Feminine? No... Masculine? Perhaps even childlike? Ask the farmers nearby and they make the claim that it is the very lost souls who could not make their way out of the mist.*

*How strange it is nonetheless. Whether it be lost souls or whimsical spirits, the forest breathes. Like a heart, it beats rhythmically, welcoming Valac in. For better or for worse, there are treasures to be found here. Secrets even greater. But the grove is mere speculation, there is no proof of existence... Or lack thereof. All one needs to do is cross the small mushroom border.*

*Valac need not feel alone. Perhaps he can find solace and comfort within the strange concoction that makes these words. Then again, there is a very faint crying that can be heard deeper within. Maybe it is best to listen to the farmers' tales and turn back...*
Michael
*Once he had reached to the point where he was a mere speck, now completely dissolving into the shroud of night, with his approach beginning to accelerate. Wings made of pure darkness began to sprout from his back, slowly growing into grand size. Similar to those of black feathered wings, manifested of aberration. Flying off toward the forest, with some luminous moonlight shining onto him. To those looking from afar, the speck would be like a bat, or a crow flying off toward the horizon where the forest lied. 

That infested with magic and fantasy, a calling to him. One to test and challenge. To further his practice, and to finally test out his new achieved form. It deemed a perfect place, one that is isolated from population, with beasts that lie within. May proving dangerous, yet to him they were all mere prey. He'd reach the forest within the span of minutes, before landing within it. There was no sound, a silence, a slow descent into the forest. Passing through the prism of colors that were the leaves and brushes of the tall luscious trees. He landed on his two feet, and tenderly. Creating minimal to no disturbance within the grandeur of shrubbery. 

His breathe became shallow, his senses began to expand. Listening to the forest, kneeling down in order to get a proper hearing of the faint cries that were within the forest. He tried to detect the exact direction of the resonance. The source of what emanated the sound. In order to investigate. His practice of retaining silence, similar to that of an assassin. He gripped the handle of his blade tightly, ensuring that he would easily react if there was an ambush, or a predator that would try to seek him as meek prey. Knowing that his was isolated in the forest. He was used to the loneliness, it did not bother him. He had always travelled alone before, so to seek out a quest in order to obtain so currency to aid with Noctis's journey... Was a must.*

*To him, he wanted to repay the favor, no matter how little, or how rich the prize maybe. Everything counts, even kindness. He needed this, he wanted to change more, and rid of his cruelness, erase the corruption of what lied within. His awakened power.*
Orlando
*Silence, the voices are no more and the air comes to a halt. With tension rising in the woods, an intruder is in the midst. Yet there seems to be no nocturnal animals out at night, at least not at first glance. These lands seem completely untouched, not even the grass has been grazed by the usual herbivores that often frequent woods such as these.*

*But what is not quiet is the magic that free flows through every grain of dirt and every ounce of life inside. There is a strange chill in the air and while there is no howl to be heard. It is suffocating to say the least. Then... A single chime. It rings in the distance, an eternal spanning woods that seem to have no exit or end. It is likely the center maze of which the farmers have long rumored of. One of the biggest reasons on why the locals keep their distance for this place is haunted.*

*Haunted?*

*Two more chimes followed by a shrill sudden, childlike scream. Clearly it is panicked and there are sounds of swarming footsteps footsteps drawing closer. Heavy panting and despair filling the air, loud snarls bounce from tree to tree. Then the nearby bushes shake, moving west. Yet no appearances can be seen as they are moving past the strange in the midst of his training. Followed by a quaint 'help' and a loud smack.*

*Is it an illusion? Or is this cry of distress genuine? These woods are known for their never ending tricks. In addition, the length and the severity of these tricks know no bounds. Why would they? These are fey infested woods. Dance to death, lose a tongue, it's childs-play for them. At least historically. Then there's that troublesome haze... It may not be here yet but it could linger around elsewhere.*
Michael
*He got up, the sounds echoing, ringing in his ears that what may cause fear in people, instead felt welcoming to the dark being. Valac began to head toward the direction of the sound, his tread quick, yet silent. Not even his foot steps that grazed against the grass would even sound. He seemed prepared, a wide grin began to slowly form on his face. Then, he pulled out his blade slowly, the sound of its vibration echoed in the silence. The mark above his forehead began to slowly grow, beginning to emit that of something monstrous. Something that was supposed to considered abyssal. The radiance of wickedness that would come off of him, spread like wildfire, in a great area. 

Soon his quick stride became a dash, moving around the obstacles of bark that stood tall within the forest. A limitless maze, it didn't give him any sense of fear. Only seeking the source of the sound. Leaping up into the brushes of a tree, giving off a slight crack within the wood. He did generate some noise upon leaping onto the tree. Some leaves beginning to fall from the wake of the impact. He began to leap from branch to branch, not causing sound, but instead created a sort of trail of fallen leaves in his travel. 

He did not question the vast perplexity of forest. He knew his way of escape, but he craved to discover what lied within the unknown, what he would hunt. Maybe something monstrous. His blood rushed, boiled desiring a combative confrontation, but he'd probably be met with disappointment once discovering what it may be. Due to his efficiency, and abilities, he had reached where the source last sounded. Slowing down in order to investigate the area. He was a mere pair of dimly glowing violet irises. Viewing from the brushes, it may even prove difficult to see with the dimness almost fading in within the darkness of the bush. His eyes scanned thoroughly, his breathing now silent. Ensuring there was nothing to alert his presence, besides the wicked radiance.*
Orlando
*Grand beast capable of razing downs, monstrosities that corrupt the minds of the innocent, demons that steal the souls of the damned! Treasure of grand desires have to be guarded by such powerful creatures. Of course they do! They must! They mus-*

*What is this?*

*Lingering around the base of a smaller, older tree, two particularly strange looking critters. Standing no taller than the average house cat, produce small chirps and low growls. As if irritated, they dig with expressionless faces. Swiping at one another until the both of them turn to glance over their spotted shoulders. Eyes void of what looks to be thought, they give a blank stare over at Valac as they stand frozen in place.*

*Are they afraid? No, they do not seem capable of truly expressing emotion for whatever they are. Such a strange sight, magic radiates off of its body. Again, it growls, one getting low as if ready to pounce while the other continues to stare. Their body language seems to mimic familiar beasts so their intelligence cannot be that high. However, as to what has them so agitated is still unknown. Most importantly, they do not seem capable of speaking words let alone sentences. So who called for help earlier?* 

*Threat or not, they do not like the stranger and both seem ready in a small battle stance as if to contest for for this area. It is their right, not this intruder's. They may seem like small fry to Valac, but one can never be too careful in woods such as these. Snapping at the air, stomping at the ground, the grass slowly withering away around them. They produce a magic footprint that reeks of decay and sickness. The bright orange circles coating their bodies could be a clear indicator that these creatures are toxic. Best not to let them get too close.*