Seeking answers in the human realm.

[Arin]

Aria closed her eyes and her entire demeanor changed when Jonathan started asking about why they had left. She was afraid this would come up, and prepared as she was t tell their tale, the memories continued to haunt her "...Because...Not everyone agreed with the peace and prosperity we shared among the 'beasts' and 'sub-human' races that lived alongside of us...Before the 8th continent was formed, we all used to live among the other 7 in harmony...However, one man despised the society we worked to build, and sought to destroy it." She lifted a hand, and a projection of a flag banner formed above her palm "This man planted the seed of hate among the human population, turning many to his side of prejudice and genocide...And with these masses, he formed the first purist crusaders...The Castus Cruorem..."

She kept the projection in place, so that Jonathan could memorize its design. But as she continued, her tone grew darker "...They used the very magic we've created to make life easier as a weapon to bring us to extermination...When we finally realized what was happening, we all fled, seeking refuge on the 8th continent...But the Castus Cruorem's crusade was undying...They tracked us down and brought ships of even more soldiers, ready to wipe us out...The only way to preserve our way of life, was to detach our world from theirs..." Her eyes slowly opened, the pain and horror within projecting the very agony that transpired that day "...It was I who separated the 8th continent from your world...Parallel to the one you know now, yet sharing many of the same problems that halt the progression of global society..."

[Lance]

Johnathan sighed, "Even in a world of magic, bigots and fools exist...how unfortunate. Guess there are some similarities between our realms even with your influence gone..." Johnathan got up and placed a comforting hand on Aria's shoulder. "I'm sorry, the fact that you hold no hatred for us is surprising, I don't know if I could be as forgiving." 

[Arin]

Aria took a deep breath and smiled, shaking her head dismissively "I've sworn my life to protecting my people, that includes those who were left behind when the worlds were split. And with our world on the verge of a devastating war, I cannot afford to focus my time on hatred." She looked up at Jonathan and gave him a soft gaze "Should you ever decide that you wish to see the world for yourself, I will take you there. But know that without the skill I possess to travel the realms, it will be a one way trip."

[Lance]

Johnathan smiled, "I'd love to...but, right now, I have to stay." Mary stood up and sucked in a breath, steeling herself. "Alright, Aria, I'm ready to go home...Lambert, what about you?" Lambert was silent for a moment, before nodding in agreement. "Yes...I'm ready too, I know a place where we can grab some old weapons, they should be in good shape if that shielding charm worked. If not, I stashed gold in Wheat town before we left, just in case we had to come back."

[Arin]

Aria rose to her feet, straightening her clothes and nodding to Mary and Lambert "Yes, of course. I will take you to the gateway if you cannot travel there yourselves. It may take some time before we find our children, but they should be on their way to the fire kingdom as we speak. I would advise returning here at some point to foreclose your home and collect your belongings, so that the human world does not believe you were abducted or worse." She turned her attention to Jonathan, smiling softly "It was a pleasure meeting you, Jonathan. I'll be sure to stop by now and then, should you ever want to learn more about our world."

[Lance]

Mary nodded, "Right, we can do that once we meet with Lance. I've made enough friends over the century and a half that I've lived here." If Johnathan was surprised by the fact that Mary had just admitted to being over 200 years old, he didn't say anything. When Aria told him that she would stop by now and again, he smiled. "Thank you Aria, it was good to meet you. And Mary, Lambert...good luck, and tell Lance that I said hi." Lambert nodded, a small smile on his face. "Of course, and thank you for keeping our secret." Johnathan nodded, "Eh, it's nothin'."

[Arin]

"You as well, Jonathan, take care of yourself." Aria started to channel mana into herself, preparing for her next spell "So, shall I bring you two to Bermuda, or will you find your way home without the rift to guide you?"

[Lance]

Mary looked at Lambert, who simply shrugged. "I think we'll try Bermuda...actually, is that family of fat assed Jarls still running Wheat Town? If so, I'm not even bothering to go in, their stink would make me gag."

[Arin]

Aria giggled and aimed her hand in front of the doorway to the living room, the space inside of the doorway seemed to distort and ripple, as if a rip in space-time was being opened before Jonathan's very eyes "Jaris has been dead for over a century now, his son actually took good care of the town but his grandson...Well, I'll tell you on the way home. Oh, make sure that Jonathan has a spare key, to lock up the house for you. You'll need a guardian for your belongings while you're away. Once you step into the tunnel, I'll follow and close it behind me. We will find ourselves underneath a beach harbor in Florida."

[Lance]

Mary pulled out her house key and handed it to Johnathan. "Take care of yourself Johnathan." The older man nodded, taking the key and putting it in his pocket. "You've got it."

Mary took one last look around the room before sighing. "Alright, Lambert, Aria. Let's go."

[Arin]

Aria waited for Lambert and Mary to walk through the portal, before doing so herself, and closing the portal behind herself, leaving Jonathan to close up the house and watch over their things while the couple was away. From there, it was as simple as acquiring a boat and traveling to the bermuda triangle to return to Terra Mystica.

(End thread)