Jeffrey
They remained in the tavern a bit longer, for Ram explained that there was little in the way of stores at the enclave, which was part of the reason he had come. Whatever the great work was that required such diligence of Ram's people, it provided little other time for chores such as gardening or hunting, especially when the population had dwindled down to a single person.

Once the rotund tavern keeper had brought them some food to take with them on their journey, they were away. They went by foot, out into the mountains that surrounded Anduillan, soon leaving behind the well-marked paths for least used ones, and then left even those behind to pick over crags and narrow passages between fallen boulders and even through small cave segments. 

The way was often treacherous, but the awkward robed figure proved to be particularly agile in this climate, their sandaled feet easily scampering up over rocks or fallen trees, knowing the path as if it were a clearly marked trail.

It was several hours before Ram paused before a small round gorge that had three large boulders in the center. "Welcome to Andu, second of the great dragon holds," Ran bid Nerissa. "You are the first visitor in many generations."

It did not look like much: three huge round rocks in a stone bowl, but Ram's big eyes gleamed with something akin to excitement. They left her to the vet brink of the closest stone, and then *Stepped into it*, vanishing from sight. 

It was no illusion that Nerissa had ever seen, and as an accomplished mage herself, she would know even a quality illusion when presented with it firsthand like this. The stone *Was* Actually there, and yet... She could see water dripping down onto it from an overhanging yew branch above, and it splashed and subsequently pooled on the surface. 

Ram's voice called to her from within the rock. "Believe and enter. You have come too far to turn back now, Nerissa of none."
Reba
Once the journey began, she definitely knew this was going to be a tough one going up following the figure that accompanied her. She was almost envious that the other was able to easily make their way up in the terrain in mere sandals, meanwhile Nerissa was struggling a bit in her boots and almost tumbled forward a few times. She could feel beads of sweat drip down her forehead and she'd occasionally have to wipe it away. After the several hours had past, she was slightly panting as they both stopped before three huge rocks almost confused why they stopped and almost gasped in astonishment as Ram had entered the rock. It was quite astonishing work, her eyes a little widened and her mouth gaped the slightest as she stared into the great illusion before her. She was almost dumbfounded staring at the illusion before she had heard the voice of Ram , *Inside the rock*. She felt a little unsure but a surge of confidence boiled inside her. The woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she started to hurriedly took a few steps forward into the rock in a rush, almost tripping as she got inside as she stopped in her tracks.. *Inside the rock*. Nerissa quickly opened her eyes and gave out a relieving sigh. "Now whoever did *That* Is amazing. But I'm glad I'm the first to visit in a while, that was a beautiful little *Trip* For me."
Jeffrey
Ram was waiting inside, and it *Was* Inside: as she had entered, she would literally feel the surface of rock as she passed through.

Ram smiled warmly. "When mortality is not an issue, some normal boundaries can be set aside," He explained vaguely.

Within was quite different than outside: here was a long hall of smooth, dark granite floors, walks, and ceiling, lit by a light source that could not be seen. 

Ram began walking, and perhaps another aspect of illusion made the hall ahead apart to continue farther as they walked. The way was level with no stairs or slopes, but Nerissa would feel the sensation that with every step forward, they were going *Deeper*.

"The dragons owned this world before us," Ram explained as they walked onward. "And the demons before them, when all was Chaos."

There was a building pressure in her head, in her ears, as if they were very deep in the earth.

"When the blood mages tried to consume all the world using dragon blood, the elder dragons collected the sworn to begin Their work."

Now there was a dark red glow being added to the otherwise invisible light, and the whispering of voices in the air, just indiscernible. 

Ram glanced down to her, for he was now seemingly much taller than she. Or was she much smaller? With every step the unbalance seemed to grow...
Reba
As Nerissa eyed her surroundings curiously, she hurried to make sure she was following Ram behind them and felt a bit disoriented as she was walking right behind. She knew it was a straight level line they were walking in, but the feeling of going deeper almost threw her off. She put a hand to her temple and slowly rubbed at it, listening to Ram as he spoke and tried to orientate herself to this knew depth she was at. She noticed the light change and took a slight step back seeing how Ram was , taller? She tilted her head in confusion, her disorientation coming back and she rubbed her temples once more. Though she knew she had to collect herself, she simply didn't question the disorientation and wavered her hand away from her head. "But dragons, they haven't been spotted for ages it's like they're legends in par with the sworn.." Nerissa trailed off, in thought with Ram's statement. "And if they have been, it's rumors and it's the quickest of glimpses. With the sworn, there's hardly *Any* Coverage of them.." She paused for a moment, pursing her lips. "Are you.. Perhaps... Correlated with them?"
Jeffrey
As the red glow continued to increase, Ram finally came to a stop to smile down at Nerissa, almost like a condescending adult to a child, their sizes were now that exaggerated. The raised formations and tattoos on Ram's skin and face more seemed to glow and radiate in this mixed light.

The hall had led them to a huge cavern-like chamber with high-vaulted ceilings, and much like the bowl in the world above with the three boulders, here were three enormous blood-red crystals, half buried into the rocky ground. Clouds of steamy mist escaped from the earth at the base of each, as if the weight of the crystals were generating such intense pressure that it was crushing the ground beneath.

And the crystals! A flickering light at the core of each flooded the chamber in that awful red light, but at the edges, there were shadows moving— there were things trapped *Inside* Each of them, and there could be little doubt that the whisperings in the air, in her mind came from these.