Quests & Challenges

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this is my take on the Pinkerlocke challenge by Tar! rules will be modified here and there. other than that, i'm looking to have fun while writing (read: challenging myself to finally write lore...) and grinding in the coliseum!

to readers: thank you for subscribing to this thread! interactions are welcome ^^

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MODIFIED RULES.

[center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_3402200]Intro & Rules[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557942]Cast ([b]Main[/b],[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557944]Fallen & Cameos)[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557946]Table of Contents[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557947]Pinglist[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557948]Premise[/url][/center] ----- [size=5][b]THE CAST.[/b][/size] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101289411][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1012895/101289411_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]RINGLEADER[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'prozeugma'.[/i] Zeugma's younger sister. Oldest out of the remaining three siblings. Determined, boisterous, and thinks highly of herself as a leader. She initiated this quest in search of her missing older brother. Raised near the Behemoth in the Viridian Labyrinth, Ringleader is no stranger to the jungle... albeit a stranger to everything else. Can she make it out safely and find him?[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101379391][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1013794/101379391_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]MIDDLEMARCHER[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'mesozeugma'.[/i] Zeugma's younger sister. Middle child of the remaining three siblings. Middlemarcher is snarky and often sarcastic, but can be quite clever. Orphaned in the Highland Scrub, Middlemarcher, alongside her younger brother Rerewarder, made her way to the Viridian Labyrinth to seek refuge, and was eventually adopted as part of Ringleader's family. She has proven herself to be quite crafty, but will her craftiness save her in the coliseum?[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101379393][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1013794/101379393_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]REREWARDER[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'hypozeugma'.[/i] Zeugma's younger brother. Youngest out of the three. Biologically, Rerewarder is Middlemarcher's younger brother. Also orphaned in the Highland Scrub, he was dragged along with Middlemarcher to seek refuge in the Viridian Labyrinth. He is rather uncaring and distant from most petty matters, but has shown to have great street smarts. Would this prove him worthy on this journey (that he didn't sign up for)?[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/102699283][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1026993/102699283_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]NICKNAMER[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'prosonomasia'.[/i] Misnamer and Quickconceit's hatchling. Orphaned at a young age, he is now under Middlemarcher's care.[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/103003708][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1030038/103003708_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]CUCKOOSPELL[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'epizeuxis'.[/i] A gruff, foul-mouthed Spiral that's been in the wild for too long.[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/79314403][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/793145/79314403_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]OUTCRIE[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'ecphonesis'.[/i] TBA.[/columns]

[center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_3402200]Intro & Rules[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557942]Cast (Main,[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557944][b]Fallen & Cameos[/b])[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557946]Table of Contents[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557947]Pinglist[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557948]Premise[/url][/center] ----- [size=5][b]THE FALLEN AND OTHER CAMEOS.[/b][/size] [size=4][b]THE FALLEN.[/b][/size] [hidden title="Default"] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/100745159][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1007452/100745159_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]DEFAULT[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'ellipsis'.[/i] A scatterbrained, yet excitable mirror. Default has been stuck in the Boneyard for who knows how long, and he met his tragic fate in the Sandswept Delta.[/columns] [center][img alt=""]https://i.imgur.com/afOPtrq.png[/img] Drawn by unicornrabbit62![/center] [/hidden] [hidden title="Likeletter"] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101467102][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1014672/101467102_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]LIKELETTER[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'paroemion', now modernly known as 'alliteration'.[/i] Appeared in one day, gone too soon. Barely could establish himself before perishing.[/columns] [/hidden] [hidden title="Quickconceit"] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101542142][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1015422/101542142_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]QUICKCONCEIT[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'synecdoche'.[/i] A patient and kind-hearted Skydancer. She was empathetic and understanding, often taking on the role of some sort of mediator. Her conceit was quick, but she wasn't quick enough faced with a Pohip.[/columns] [/hidden] [hidden title="Report"] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101574607][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1015747/101574607_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]REPORT[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'anaphora'.[/i] A Mirror from an abandoned Light nest, picked up and taken care of by Middlemarcher. She was playful and rambunctious, but met her demise faced with a Pohip in the Blooming Grove.[/columns] [/hidden] [hidden title="Counterturn"] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101574622][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1015747/101574622_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]COUNTERTURN[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'antistrophe', otherwise known commonly as 'epistrophe'.[/i] A Spiral from an abandoned Light nest, picked up and taken care of by Middlemarcher. Boisterous and playful, but even that couldn't save her from the Pohip.[/columns] [/hidden] [hidden title="Misnamer"] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/100956450][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1009565/100956450_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]MISNAMER[/b] [i](n.) Puttenham's English term for 'metonymy'.[/i] Just a silly little guy. Loving and good-humoured, but unfortunately his love and care for his mate put him in grave danger.[/columns] [/hidden] ----- [size=4][b]CAMEOS.[/b][/size] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/101360454][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/1013605/101360454_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]ZEUGMA[/b] [i](n.) a figure of speech in which a word applies to two others in different senses.[/i] Born in the Viridian Labyrinth as Ringleader's older brother; forced to be a guardian to two more Pearlcatchers. Zeugma is described to be haughty and meticulous, but responsible and caring for his own family. However, he mysteriously vanished one day, prompting his sister to search for him.[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/97426736][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/974268/97426736_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]CACOPHONY[/b] [i](n.) a harsh discordant mixture of sounds.[/i] The mentor of a newbie coliseum group.[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/99094744][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/990948/99094744_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]HENDIADYS[/b] [i](n.) the expression of a single idea by two words connected with ‘and’, when one could be used to modify the other.[/i] A meek Spiral, seems to be the trainee of a newbie coliseum group.[/columns] [columns][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/98708899][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/987089/98708899_350.png[/img][/url][nextcol][b]PLEONASM[/b] [i](n.) the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning, either as a fault of style or for emphasis.[/i] A boisterous Obelisk, seems to be the trainee of a newbie coliseum group.[/columns]

[center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_3402200]Intro & Rules[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557942]Cast (Main,[/url] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557944]Fallen & Cameos)[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557946][b]Table of Contents[/b][/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557947]Pinglist[/url] | [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557948]Premise[/url][/center] ----- [size=5][b]TABLE OF CONTENTS.[/b][/size] [indent] [center][item=light runestone] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557948]Day 0: Premise[/url][/center] [columns][center][item=ruby tetras] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557995]Day 1[/url][/center] [nextcol][center][item=bonewood log] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58563893]Day 2[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=ornate iron bracelet] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58567834]Day 3[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=berserker] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58573272]Day 4[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=common locust] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/2#post_58578384]Day 5[/url][/center][/columns] [columns][center][item=clay fertility statue] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/2#post_58583459]Day 6[/center][/url] [nextcol][center][item=scholar] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/2#post_58589086]Day 7[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=two-tone june beetle] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/3#post_58598757]Day 8[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=wraith hound] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/3#post_58603173]Day 9[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=kelp cuttings] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/3#post_58607385]Day 10[/url][/center][/columns] [columns][center][item=copper steampunk goggles] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/3#post_58609260]Day 11[/url][/center] [nextcol][center][item=livewire endlers] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/3#post_58634183]Day 12[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=firestarter] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/3#post_58910080]Day 13[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=peacekeeping vest] [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/4#post_58921033]Day 14[/url][/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 15[/center][/columns] [columns][center][item=light runestone] Day 16[/center] [nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 17[/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 18[/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 19[/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 20[/center][/columns] [columns][center][item=light runestone] Day 21[/center] [nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 22[/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 23[/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 24[/center][nextcol][center][item=light runestone] Day 25[/center][/columns]

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STORY UPDATES.

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THE PREMISE.

It had been months since her brother left, or so she’d recall. She doesn’t remember if someone took him away, whether he’d left on his own accord, but one thing was certain: he’s gone.

His name rang in her ears, like an echo that never seemed to go away.

Zeugma.

Ringleader refused to let this slide. She was determined to learn his fate. Such a responsible individual wouldn’t vanish like that! With a thoughtful expression, she drummed her claws on the grass and paced restlessly. Her mind was brimming with ideas – fantasies explaining whatever happened to her brother, or plans to retrieve him back.

“Still thinking about him?” Middlemarcher sneered, prodding her daydreaming sister. “He’s gone. Who knows where he is? Maybe he’s gone off to serve the deities. He hasn’t returned, anyway; why bother about his whereabouts?”

Ringleader blinked as if she heard something utterly preposterous, then threw her head, scoffing at her sister. “No, you don’t understand. There’s something about his disappearance I need to uncover. We have to leave this place. I want to find him.”

A sleepy voice mumbled from a distance. “Mmmh… do you have to drag all three of us out? Zeug’s gone. He wants nothing to do with us anymore, just let him be...”

“Well, Rerewarder, what if I don’t want to let him be? I want to know that my brother to be safe and sound, not lying dead in the middle of nowhere!”

“And what does this have to do with us?”

Ringleader stared wide-eyed at both of her siblings. The nonchalance in these two! Don’t they care for their brother? Whatever it was, she was going to make it their problem to find him.

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[size=5][b]DAY 1.[/b][/size] [item=ruby tetras] [b]Pinkerlocke updates:[/b] - The trio are now at Level 4. [b]Notable Loot:[/b] - N/A ----- The trio found themselves in a clearing – almost placid, almost serene. Maybe too serene. Hours of walking left them exhausted and their legs sore. Rerewarder yawned; his eyelids could barely force themselves open. “Where are we?” “No idea,” shrugged Ringleader. “Whatever it is, we’re definitely on the right track!” She pulled out a compass she’d draped on her tail the entire journey. “We’re heading north.” “How would you know?” Middlemarcher rolled her eyes. “It’s not as if Zeugma’s magnetic.” Ringleader blinked, then looked away. Maybe she really didn’t know what she was doing. She just imitated whatever she saw in plays. She cleared her throat, then figuratively discarded Middlemarcher’s comments. “Anyway, he should be here… somewhere. Maybe we’ll find him by the end of today!” The skies of Sornieth were painted with hues of purple and black as nightfall washed across the land. Exhaustion crept into the Pearlcatchers, and they were feeling the brunt of it. “Maybe we should sleep. It’s getting late…” remarked Rerewarder. Middlemarcher nodded, and they settled for the night. Using moss, twigs, and other available materials, they fashioned a makeshift bed. It was uncomfortable, itchy, even, and Middlemarcher and Rerewarder wished they were back in the Viridian Labyrinth in the comfort of their nests. Ringleader was very much awake, however. Her shifty eyes were on a lookout for her brother. Ears perked up when she heard a distant rustling, and she leapt to her feet. She saw herself face to face with a life-sized… moth-deer-hybrid-thing? She forced a screech as she woke up her siblings, pointing to whatever the creature was. The siblings found themselves in a battle in the middle of the night… ----- [b]Misc. updates:[/b] - Ringleader has been changed from a mage build to a melee build. - So far, I plan on doing a Coli Clobber build for Middlemarcher. Tentative, though. - General mage for Rerewarder? ----- [pinglist=46840] ----- [right][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58563893]> Day 2[/url][/right] [left][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557948]Day 0 <[/url][/left]

[size=5][b]DAY 2.[/b][/size] [item=bonewood log] [b]Pinkerlocke updates:[/b] - The trio are now at Level 6. [b]Notable Loot:[/b] - N/A ----- “You freaked out over A MOTH!” snarled Middlemarcher. “You dragged us into this useless crusade and insisted on spanning Sornieth only to flinch at the smallest of insects! We might as well go home!” Ringleader watched in vain as her two siblings retired to their retreat. She huffed as she gazed at the sky, waiting for dawn to come round. She was lulled by distant snoring, squeaking mice, chirping crickets, and her eyelids grew heavier as she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Ringleader’s ear twitched. She could’ve sworn she heard something. She leapt up onto her feet and cried. “Zeug? Is that you?” She frantically turned in a desperate search for her brother. So far, there were no signs of him, only her two siblings in the distance. They seemed to have collected some food in the fields – a couple of insects, some sprouts of plants, and a miscellany of materials. “Shall we make a move?” Ringleader tilted her head towards North. She felt certain North would bring her to Zeugma, becoming the bridge to her brother. The other two didn’t seem as convinced. She sprang up and soared to inspect her surroundings, but all she could see was a vast sea of green. Squinting her eyes, Ringleader made out what appeared to be a forest in the distance. With a newfound glimmer of hope in her eyes, she dived downwards. She squealed, pointing to where she saw the forest. “That way! That must be where Zeugma is!” “Wonderful! First Zeugma’s magnetic, now he’s a forest bum. What’s next? He can evaporate and become a gas at will?” “Also, didn’t you say North was in that direction? Why did you change your mind?” mumbled Rerewarder. Ringleader didn’t respond and marched her way towards the woods. The trio had to swat away countless insects and small rodents, making do with the tiny ration of food that they had collected earlier. Walking across the Training Grounds were cruel to their feet; the Woodland Path was even crueller to them. Neither knew what to expect out of this journey, and this was clear to them the minute they stepped foot into the woods. They could hear scratching and ominous clucking from the distance. Internally, Ringleader trembled. She was slowly regretting this journey, but she needed to find her brother. Middlemarcher and Rerewarder were surprisingly uncaring about the situation they were in. She looked at her two aloof siblings, then she looked back in front; an air of feigned confidence surrounding her. “This way,” she remarked, continuing forward. With each step, the path dissolved, leaving only the silent, suffocating embrace of trees and the gnawing emptiness of what was coming. The scratching would only grow louder. “Do you hear that?” quivered Rerewarder, his eyes now darting around. Ringleader forced a chuckle. “No? I don’t know what you’re talking a-” Two basilisks interrupted her, leaping at the three. They were relentless with their attacks; a frenzied flurry of feathers would scratch and peck at them as the Pearlcatchers tried to defend themselves from the ongoing barrage. Ringleader would slash and scratch at them. Middlemarcher would ram into them. Poor Rerewarder took on the brunt of the attacks as he barely made it out alive, bloodied, battered, and bruised. Ringleader quickly rushed to the aid of her brother. “Hey… do you need any…” Middlemarcher, who was already dressing Rerewarder’s wounds, hissed at her sister. “This is YOUR FAULT! Had you not dragged us out, he would’ve gotten injured!” Ringleader felt somewhat guilty. She wanted to see her missing brother again, after all. These two shouldn’t have been injured because of her wants. She closed her eyes to reflect, hoping that her brother was fine, hoping that her siblings will remain safe throughout this journey, hoping that nothing will come and attack them again... ----- [b]Misc. updates:[/b] - The coli enemies really, [i]really[/i] like coming for Rerewarder, huh? I gave him bandages to reflect this! ----- @pinglist-46840 [pinglist=46840] ----- [right][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58567834]> Day 3[/url][/right] [left][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58557995]Day 1 <[/url][/left]

[size=5][b]DAY 3.[/b][/size] [item=Ornate Iron Bracelet][item=crystal jellyfish] I will not be breeding either of these three together – instead, I will be picking a hatchling from one of my current nests when the time comes. For this day, I will be using the first item Crim suggests to me. [b]Pinkerlocke updates:[/b] - The trio are now at Level 8. [b]Notable Loot:[/b] - N/A ----- Their journey through the Woodland Path seemed unforgiving. Plants, dryads, birds, porcupines; all lunged at them mercilessly. Even if they were heavily injured, the creatures still dived and slashed away at the three. Ringleader, with determination in her eyes, was aware of the daunting journey the three of them had ahead, but she was sure that an exit would be nearby. She took a deep breath, then violently hacked. The distinct odour of smoke filled the air and her lungs; an overwhelming scent of burning ash. She fanned away smoke billowing towards her, cautiously marching forward toward the smoke. “Do you want us [i]dead[/i]?” Middlemarcher bared her teeth at Ringleader, hissing amidst complaints. “You’re leading us into a burning forest! Don’t tell me your plan all along was to get us all singed to death!” “She’s got a point; you are leading us into smoke, after all…” affirmed Rerewarder; now limping from his injuries. “We don’t have time to waste. The exit should be somewhere around here.” Ringleader knew that time would be of the essence. Who knows what would happen to Zeugma if they continued to idle? She brushed off those thoughts and continued forward. The trio found themselves in a barren land, with wisps of smoke and flickering embers jumping from the ground. The heat was practically unbearable for Ringleader, already accustomed to the coolness of the Viridian Labyrinth. She was used to shade from the canopies, but no such canopy existed where they were — only charred tree trunks. Middlemarcher barely made it out of the woods, coughing violently and wincing in pain. Each cough brought a sharp reminder of the acrid smoke she had inhaled. She spat at her older sister, a look of disdain washing over her face. “Gee, Ringleader, you make the [i]best[/i] decisions! [i]Surely[/i] there’d be food and a comfortable place to sleep here!” Despite the physical discomfort, she pushed on, driven by a tiny flicker of hope that she might find something to ease the gnawing hunger in her belly. She trotted away from the other two in search of insects and plants, scratching away at burnt tree bark in hopes of finding even the tiniest morsel of food. Rerewarder was already on the hunt. He was more accustomed to the heat than he'd thought, and in spite of his injuries, he could still take down the enemies that came his way – gyres, jackalopes, he'd defeat them without breaking a sweat. He called for his siblings as he dragged the fruits and insects he'd collected towards them. Tonight, they could finally feast. ----- [b]Misc. updates:[/b] - ...I keep accidentally putting these three in the Mire... - Also, I got around to dressing Middlemarcher a bit! I might get around to dressing Rerewarder soon to reflect the loot he'd collected. ----- @pinglist-46840 [pinglist=46840] ----- [right][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58573272]> Day 4[/url][/right] [left][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58563893]Day 2 <[/url][/left]

[size=5][b]DAY 4.[/b][/size] [item=berserker][item=renegade aviar] [b]Pinkerlocke updates:[/b] - Default has been added to the team. RNG will be used to select which 3 members will be battling and/or levelling up that day. - Default is now Level 6. - The trio are at level 9. [b]Notable Loot:[/b] - N/A ----- The land would only seem drier the further the three of them progressed. Likewise, Ringleader’s laments about the heat would become increasingly incessant throughout their journey. “I want out…” she’d occasionally grumble, dragging her feet on the warm ground. “it’s sooooo hooooooot…” Middlemarcher’s face soured hearing the cacophonous cries of her sister. “Play stupid games, win stupider prizes. You got us into this and now you want out?” “I know…” Ringleader wanted to tear her hair out hearing Middlemarcher’s quips and bitter taunts. “Just… just let me complain for five seconds, okay? We’ll see Zeugma in no time, and you two will finally thank me instead of complaining!” There never seemed to be an end to the desolate lands, only more charred trees and scorched grounds. Ringleader’s breath hitched. Her legs; sore and burning. But she marched forward, clinging to the smallest sliver of hope. She was actively looking for a change of scenery – that way, she knew she was progressing. A wave of optimism would wash over her as she spotted a glowing aura in the distance, a seeming beacon of promise within the darkness darkness. Her march quickened into a gallop as she bounded towards the light. “That way! I’m sure we’ll find something there!” Middlemarcher and Rerewarder could barely catch up with her speed, panting as they sped up to follow her. “Do you… know… where we’re… going…?” huffed Rerewarder, struggling to keep pace. “No clue… if she’s going to come up with some funny statement… like Zeugma being some convoluted metaphor… for the light… I swear by the Stormcatcher that I will throw hands with someone.” snarled Middlemarcher in between gasps for air. As soon as the other two caught up with Ringleader, they were greeted with a forlorn wasteland, no more barren than their last resting spot. Scattered bones, some embedded within the lands like skeletal trees reaching out from the ground, created an air of ominousness. A lingering, pungent scent of decay wafted in the air, and an eerie whistle of the wind set the already tense atmosphere. “Metaphor indeed,” mused Rerewarder. “Is this supposed to imply that he’s–” “[i]ZEUGMA ISN’T DEAD[/i]!” Ringleader snapped. “It’s just – I was led here. Come on. Let’s go.” The trio’s search for food was relatively easy this time. Creatures were crawling just about anywhere, and they happily restocked their supply. Middlemarcher’s mood now seemed to improve; now delighted by the abundance of food. They thought they were alone until they heard tearing and splattering just nearby. They turned to see a Mirror, sinking his teeth into what appeared to be a carcass. “Who’s [i]that[/i] guy?” Middlemarcher gave the Mirror a side-eye. Before Ringleader or Rerewarder could answer, the Mirror excitedly leapt up, wagging his tail. “Hello! Hi! I’m Default. I thought I’d be here alone FOREVER! But! I’m lost.” He clapped his hands together, giving the three some sort of puppy-dog eyes, or whatever a Mirror’s equivalent would be. ”Sooooo… I don’t know where I can go from here. Can I join you instead? Maybe I’d be able to find a new home!” Before Middlemarcher could even spit out a “no”, Ringleader extended her arm towards Default. “Sure! By the way, I’m Ringleader. Great meeting you, welcome to the team.” Middlemarcher’s eyes widened and jaw dropped. In absolute disbelief, she turned to Rerewarder. “Are you SEEING THIS?” “With my eyes I am.” “I don’t really trust that guy. If Ringleader regrets this decision, so be it.” Thus, the trio expanded into a quartet. ----- [b]Misc. updates:[/b] - ...I STILL keep accidentally putting these three in the Mire... - Shoutout to Rerewarder for surviving on 1 HP for half of these matches. You're solid. ----- @pinglist-46840 [pinglist=46840] ----- [right][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/2#post_58578384]> Day 5[/url][/right] [left][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/3402200/1#post_58567834]Day 3 <[/url][/left]