<div style="text-align: justify">The Sun has yet to reach the horizon. Elric stopped his rush in front of the master’s building with Cullen just behind him, saying “Hi” to Leila that was adjusting her garments before entering the building. Elric had his suspicions after meeting his friend at the lobby of the dorms…<br/>
<br/>
Popcorn noticed the sleepy figure first, greeting him with a bark and a few jumps. The enchanter’s eyes crossed the shadowmancer as they got closer.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Crow?</span>” - Greeting his compatriot with a nod as their path became parallel.​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(184, 49, 47)">Crow</span>.” - Cullen mumbled affirmatively back, still shaking the slumber from his dream.​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Like old times… Come on!</span>” - Elric said with a nostalgic smile as they left the building and started jogging, trying to incentivize with a light march, reminding his numerous early morning runs.​</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
… But seeing Leila outside the Master’s Offices, the same building he had been summoned to consolidate in his mind, this was a Kardia Issue. They three headed inside just to find Geered already there. -<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)"> <i><i>He was always the first</i></i> </span>- and whispered around what they thought this was about while waiting for the last two.​</div><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--2"/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
Outside of the office after the “encouraging” words of master Lyndell, Elric tapped Helena’s shoulders with just enough weight on his hands to surprise her, pulling it back quickly so that her “scarf” wouldn't turn and bite his fingers like it happened more than once before.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">The masters said no heels, but don't show up in sandals either, use that boot you wore at the games, that should be good enough</span>” - The Sorian smirked and kept walking, not really waiting for the retort it was surely coming.​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Popcorn!</span>” - Grabbing the attention of the dog, he tapped at his own chest twice and opened his arms.​</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
The corgi got a short run start and jumped to her human’s arms. The enchanter hugged her tight as he started to slide over the ground activating his boots, and shot up over the buildings in a straight line to the dorms, entering in his room by the same window the crow tapped less than an hour ago. Holding the dog by its armpits, making her face him, he said:<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">It is a serious mission, so only one toy</span>” - Landing the dog over the bed and petting her head and ears for a bit before unlocking the door and leaving half open - “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Grab what you need to grab, do what you have to do and i will meet you in front of the building in 20 minutes with your suit.</span>”​</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
Leaving Popcorn at her own will, Elric opened his dresser drawers, grabbing a few items for the trip and separating what he would wear as he undressed and organized his gear on top of the bed. He slid into his boxer briefs and his thigh fit long sleeved white shirt, pulled up his old pants he brought from military school, sat down on the bed to stretch his over the calf socks and put back the boots. All this gearing gave Elric a nostalgic mood, buttoning up his dark blue vest he meditated on his orders. He was still skeptical about the stone and honestly, part of him was hoping it was another fluke. These last six years had calmed down his warrior flame that the military and his country pushed into him. - <i><i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)">Is this how comfort molds you, this city on top of this white marble tower, the peak of technological advancement really blinds you to the world and how it truly is</span></i></i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)">. </span><br/>
Packing the items, he equipped the bandolier over his belt, rolled up his school cloak and strapped at the satchel, tightened his vambrace on the left arm, hammer hooked at his right side on the belt and put on his light jacket. Elric looked at his fruit bowl he filled yesterday with ten mixed color apples. He couldn't let them rot, so decided to throw them into a sack and take them with him. Binoculars around the neck, he put his rifle on his back and never felt so ready to deal with whatever life could throw at him since he stepped on Isunia. Elric locked the window and gave the room a good look, checking if he didn't miss anything before locking the door for the second time this day and rushed downstairs with Popcorn’s suit in hand.<br/>
<br/>
The dog was waiting outside by a tree with her white rubber rat toy in her mouth. She started wiggling her tail and her entire body as she saw her human approaching.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Oh! Are you sure you're gonna take Beatrice?</span>” -  the rodent toy whistled as the dog’s teeth squeezed it. - “<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Yeah, you’re right, it's gonna be funny… Come here!</span>”​</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
Smiling as he put the satchel and apple sack on the ground, crouching and putting the suit on Popcorn. - <i><i><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)">Like putting a saddle on a mini furry horse.</span></i></i><br/>
<br/>
Popcorn’s suit was just a dog’s body suit, it was made of padded fabric and provided some protection, but its main function was to distribute and support the dog’s weight and attach her to Elric’s vest, like a baby carrier, so he could fly without having to hold her. It had three straps, one at the front and back “sleeves” and one over the rib cage to not overload the dog’s spine.<br/>
With Popcorn ready, Elric leaned forward while crouching and interlocked the hooks, grabbed his stuff and stood up with a derpy corgi looking around and up, licking at this spiky chin, and flew towards the city gates where the carriage would be waiting.​</div><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--2"/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
A shout came from the sky:<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">GEREED! THINK FAST!</span>”​</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
The toss was terribl,e and it was only with the full extension of his arm that Gerred managed to catch the apple, saving it from certain doom on the street pavement. The Hexxer admired the green succulent looking fruit as Elric landed.<br/>​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Oof… I need to practice my aim. Good catch</span>.” - Said tossing his satchel and rifle on the front side of the cart like marking his seat. Retrieving a red apple from the sack and approaching Leila.​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">Heeere you go.</span>” - He took her hand, twisting her palm up and landing the apple there.​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 0, 204)">Thank you Elric</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(153, 0, 204)">.</span>” - Leila answered with a warm smile.​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">​</div><div style="margin-left: 40px">“<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(41, 105, 176)">If the group were only you two I would have no doubts you would get to that stone first… If there is one…</span>” - He joked, letting some of his disbelief surface as he unhooked Popcorn and went to overlook the cliff at the city gates.​</div><br/><div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
One of the few paths leading down the volcano, a well kept thin street that flirted with the border of at least 200 meters drop down to the rocks.<br/>
And somewhere down there it was that damned magical stone.​</div>