<span style="color: #FF0000">Meanwhile, on the island of the Demons, Ophelia was traveling to the temple where her husband would often commune with the gods. When she reached the building, a cheerful looking ancient demon bowed to her. He had been charged to protect the stone in their possession until they could get the other two, but his unusual expression unnerved her.<br/><br/>"What is it that you are scheming ancient?" Ophelia asked the elder.<br/><br/>"Nothing ma'am, it is just a beautiful day, don't yah think?" the elder asked. The demon was thousands of years old, and beyond that, Viktor's father.<br/><br/>"You've grown daft! Are you senile or something?" Ophelia asked, her lips curled in a sneer.<br/><br/>"No ma'am! Not daft. Old yes, but as a demon, age is nothing. I'm simply peaceful. You need to learn to live, ma'am. Forgive me for saying so, but..." Having heard enough, Ophelia waved her hand dismissively and effectively silenced her father in law.<br/><br/>"It must be that cursed stone! It's completely taken that last of your sense old man!" Ophelia observed, losing her cool politeness. She began to chant, and when she finished her spell, the demon ancient's chest cavity exploded. Though the spell had drained her of her energy, Ophelia stood unwaveringly as black blood gushed in rivers from her father in law. The man fell forward, crashing into the ever-growing puddle of his own blood. "Sad really, what will Viktor say when he finds out your folly?" She spoke softly to the man, before entering the temple. She found the white, silvery orb where it was meant to be, and Ophelia glared at it. "I suppose one of you gods is laughing at us right now! Turning an ancient into a soft old fool!"</span><br/><br/>~~~~~<br/><br/>Skippy stood behind Nymeri, but he wasn't quite sure why. The black and orange orb was already tucked away in his vest, but he was more interested in the new comers than what Nymeri had to say. Lysonna was standing next to him, but he was having a hard time seeing everything that was going on. When the sword was dropped so deep into the ground and so easily, Skippy was very intrigued.<span style="font-style: italic">Either it's enchanted, or it's one heavy sword!</span>Skippy thought excitedly, wondering how any human could manage such weight. Rethinking himself, Skippy felt oddly naive, a human couldn't carry anything that heavy, so it must be a trick or magic.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Lysonna on the other hand was unimpressed. Two beings show up and start picking a fight. The red-headed guy asked to join, but after showing his sudden loyalty, Lysonna wasn't sure what he was after, but she couldn't trust him just yet. Not to mention the wolf Anithrope seemed arrogant, and his recklessness could prove to make their journey more difficult.<br/><br/>"You'll have to prove yourself first, and your first impression has you off to a rotten start," Lysonna said bluntly. "The rest of us have been through battles together, and we each know what each other are capable of, at least for the most part." After speaking she looked pointedly at Black. His black blood oozing from a wound in his hand suddenly flashed in her mind, and she wondered why a stranger would ask <span style="font-style: italic">him</span> if he knew a demon. It couldn't just be coincidence. Still, she felt she could trust him, and said nothing of her memory.</span><br/><br/>"I hope you'll come with us! If you can make your sword as sharp as you say, I bet battling by your side will be tons of fun! You could cut people like they were made of butter!" Skippy said excitedly.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Lysonna shifted her gaze from Black to stare astonished at Skippy. He acted so innocent most of the time, so serious in battle, and now he was sounding as though he enjoyed fighting? He certainly is full of surprises!</span><br/><br/>As the Elf watched him with the odd look on her face, Skippy ran over to the wolf Anithrope. "Hi! I'm from Luumae Forest, and I'm sure you were too! If you ever protected me from those damned felines, thanks! I don't really remember you though... Sorry. Do you miss home though? I do sometimes, but I usually don't think about it. Being on the road and adventuring is way more fun than being stuck in a forest with predators on all sides!"