Chapter 2: A Change in Tides

"Alright Kragel, how about I strike a balance? I'm looking for some fun, and tonight, or here very soon, at least, it seems you have something really amusing planned. Granted, knowing you, you probably would prefer to do this on your own, but how about a little help? For old times sake. I miss the good old days, and if I am going to be departing with your current company, I have a feeling it will be perhaps an even longer time before our paths cross again. Why not making it like a last run, just the two of us? Who knows when, or even if, we shall have any adventures together again?

Soul waited for a reply as he noticed Kragel's ring, and smiled. He glanced down at his own hand and remembered the ring he wore. It's magic was slightly different from that of Kragel's, but this was merely to disregard the need for multiple signet rings. His ring was attuned to Kragel's, as well as any other that wished to have that connection with Soul.

"You know, when we parted, I had forgotten about the rings. I figured back then, when we parted ways, it was for good. Maybe we will cross paths again."

"I'm sure we will...and we can go on one last run, but there's not much to do here." kragel said "hold on, I have to answer a call"

"Alright, we'll meet you at the restaurant later, there's someone I want you to meet" with that Kragel left the magic of the ring

"We'll go on a little raid...there's a weapon's bunker that stores gems in this area...might as well get some armaments as well as some jewels eh?"

Kragel had hit that bunker before, but he was sure that they had increased their defenses since then...it'd be nice to have a little help the second time around.

A grin swept across Soul's face. He remembered the skill involved when working with Kragel. This would be one grand going away party.

"Well, I know you have other plans. Gems and arms just don't seem to captivate your attention as these other plans do. Perhaps we shall do the raid as a warm up for your solo plans. Who knows? You could find something that would make you look even more stylish as you execute your plans. But for now, let's go meet these friends of yours. We can talk about our little...adventure later on."

Soul's eyes seemed to shine with the idea of a raid on the horizon. He needed something exhilarating. These past few years have been a bore for him.

"We shall...now let's be on our way."

And with this, the reunited friends walked down their way to the restaurant that Elazul and Lilea were at. They would need to meet them, and bring them back to Kragel's estate before planning the raid on the weapons bunker. It would be easier to do it tonight today anyway so Kragel could "overthrow" the guild tomorrow. Both would be a fun venture. But first the introductions. They should go well, but who knows with soul...since he would be taking Kragel's place in the group. He hated to leave...but the guild would be his.

"Well, it seems like you have barely spent time with them, so while we make our way to your friends, why not tell me of your adventures with them."

Soul was curious at the idea of new companions. He needed adventure, and Kragel seemed sure that they were going to be involved with plenty of it.

"to be honest, I never really wanted to join them...I was forced into it by the gods. I had just finished a job for the divine empire and was taking a nice long rest...but then I saw some person jumped out of the academy...most likely the research facility. I followed him into the forest of trials and they forced me into that damned forest...Then I went through a long trail to some ruins, and he regained his powers or something...then we ended up here. To say the least it was fun, and I do rather like them...but my aspirations wait no longer. The guild will be mine."

After a long pause Kragel patted Soul on his shoulder. "Come on old friend, let's go."

Soul walked alongside Kragel, heading towards the next chapter of his life. This seemed to be the path he needed to take. Kragel's friends most likely were lost as it was, so a guide could be useful.

Suddenly, he smiled.

"Hey Kragel, why not make this interesting? Tell me where we are heading, and we can have a race there."

((Lilea is, at the moment, a free character seeing as the player is gone. From this point i will control her actions untill she is replaced.))

Elazul ordered a couple of drinks for both Lilea and himself and relaxed a little in his chair. This place was so strange to him, as was most everything else, for he had never ventured beyond the realm of Divinity.

The drinks were sat in front of the two and Elazul sipped lazily at the strange drink. Lilea twirled the straw in her water and seemed to be thinking of other things, her eyes gazing at nothing.

"Lilea.....what is on you mind?" Elazul asked, "You seem to have alot on it."

Lilea jerked her head slightly as she focused on Elazuls question. She had been thinking of her past and what was to become of her future. Everything that had happened thus far had not pointed her in any familiar directions.

Quietly Lilea said, "Nothing really, just absorbing recent events." She stopped twirling her straw and decided to take a sip of the water.

"Well if you need to talk about anything, I am here for you" Elazul stated.

Lilea looked up from her drink perplexed. Why is he so kind to me? He does not owe me anything. Lilea thought to herself and replied with a soft thank you.

The two fell into a spell of silence after that, neither knowing what to say to the other. The both of them were busy thinking of what was going to happen next. Elazul felt a familiar presence coming towards his location and knew Kragel was on his way.

Soul continued following behind Kragel, keeping pace even though Kragel seemed to just pass through people than go around them on this busy street, taking in all the familiar smells he remembered from adventures and trips long gone.

Soul suddenly caught a whiff of a scent he would soon need to know well. The scent of the people Kragel was helping. It seemed to grow steadily stronger as they went along.

"I don't know what it is, but adventure always seems to keep me coming back for more. It might be the thrill, or just having someone's back in the middle of a battle. What about you? What makes you want the power, the control you always seem to be after? What drives you forward?"

"Soul, I do not mean to be rude, but my goals need not to be known...I adventure for power, that is all you need know...that is all anyone need know." Kragel said, trying to be as nice as possible. He knew what his future held...and he knew it wouldn't be easy for Soul or Elazul to accept, but it would happen whether they wanted it to or not... "Oh well, let us continue on our journey shall we, we're almost there" Kragel said after a long pause his thoughts still upon his grim future.

Spotting Kragel making his way towards the pair, Elazul rose and beckoned for Lilea to as well. Together they closed the distance between themselves and Kragel. Elazul noticed that another had accompanied the vampire and immediately began analyzing the man. He seemed confident and skilled, definitely a man to watch closely.

As the two met up with the the others, Elazul lifted his hand in a greeting and stopping in front of the vampire.

"Where to Kragel?" Elazul asked and silently studied the Kragels companion out of the corner of his eye.

"We are to return to my house. I'm sure we're all tired from our trek...and I'm sure Soul here would like a place to stay. You three can get acquainted along the way...after all, you'll be spending a lot of time together in the days to come" Kragel trailed off, turning around to lead them to his "lair." His mind was still elsewhere...meeting up with Soul reminded him of how close the tasks at hand were. "If only I had more time..." he thought to himself.

"As you wish, Kragel. We both have our reasons for the secrets we keep. I can only hope there are good reasons behind this one. I think getting everyone settled for the night would be best. Your friends seem beat..."

Soul stopped abruptly and then continued.

"...I'm sorry, that was rude of me referring to you two as if you weren't there. I am Soul, as our mutual friend Kragel pointed out. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting this interesting evening?"

His gaze rose to the skies, studying the moon briefly before returning his gaze to the two unknown individuals.

Elazul held Soul's gaze for a moment and then decided to introduce himself and Lilea.

"My name is Elazul," He stated cautiously and then gestured to Lilea, "This is Lilea. A pleasure to meet you."

Elazul stared at Soul for another minute before turning to Kragel.

"What is the quickest way to our destination? Does it have to be a natural transport?" Elazul asked and waited for the reply.

"Well, Elazul, there are different ways for each of us. You can fly, Soul can...well, he's fast, and Lilea I'm sure can do something that can make her move..." Kragel said in a smart ass tone "buuuut, I suppose I can do things a little faster than you can...follow me" Kragel led the three adventurers to a place that was dark, and almost never traveled. "Hold on" he said as he placed his hand on his shadow. It immediately started to spread to the others, then within seconds each of them were engulfed by it. As the shadow flew from their bodies, they found themselves inside a large house similar to a mansion. "Welcome to chez Kragel" he said raising his arms and turning around to face the squad that stood in front of the enormous doors.

Soul glanced around and smiled. He knew this place all too well, even though some of the furniture and such seemed to have changed some. Even the smell seemed to have lingered after all of those years.

"Ah yes, my home away from home. You know, it's been a while since I've done that. I forgot what it felt like. I've strayed away the shadows for a while now."

Turning towards the other two, Soul asked: "Just out of curiosity since we will be traveling together, how well do you two handle danger?"

This time Soul's attention was fully on Elazul, waiting for his answer. His actions depended highly on the answer. He did not want to be caught off guard with these two strangers as he was with the last group he was with.

Kragel shot a look towards Lilea, though she was unable to notice, her attention fully on Soul. If only it didn't have to be this way he thought to himself.

"Well, I'd like to show you where you'll be sleeping for the night...buuuut, I'm not so big on bedrooms. After all, I haven't been in a real one since Soul here was born. Anywhere in the house you can find to sleep you can have, I know there are beds somewhere in the house...Soul would know more about it than I would, He keeps after my house while I'm away sometimes, In fact he's here more often than me, and that's saying something since he's not here that much either." Kragel said, obviously trying to make small talk and train away from his current thoughts. Though he knew if he were to succeed he would need to plan...but he had to try his hardest to keep Soul, and especially Elazul in the dark...he needed Elazul more than anyone right now.

"Well, my home is your home...If you want a meal, Elazul, you know how to reach me" Kragel said nodding towards Elazul's hand which held the signet ring. "Now if you'll excuse me, I would like to rest." And with that, Kragel left his new companions in the care of Soul.

Soul picked up on Kragel's small talk but knew better than to ask about it. Kragel is hiding something he doesn't want me to know. I guess I will find out when the time is right like usual. All I can do is trust him.

"Well guys, it looks like you are stuck with me. The bedrooms that are readily available are up those stairs and directly to the right. There are two rooms if you wish for separate beds. If you wish to share a room but not a bed, then I'd be more than happy to help move a bed," Soul said as he pointed towards the stairs.

"So, what is on the agenda now?"

"Heh. Kragel said the place was vacate most of the time. He never said it wasn't kept stocked with supplies and foodstuffs just in case it is no longer vacant. The kitchen is off this way if you wish for something to eat."

Turning towards Lilea, Soul said, "You have nothing to fear while in this mansion. As long as I am here, or Kragel is looking after things, nothing in here shall harm you. You have my word on that, and since I travel a lot, sometimes my word is all I have. Now, what do you wish to eat? There is a wide selection, I wouldn't mind cooking something."

With that, he turned and started walking towards the stairs and kitchen on the first floor.

"Hmm, anything, huh? How about some spaghetti?"

Soul stepped into the kitchen and starting hunting different items.

"And you are very welcome Lilea. Oh, and a note to the wise, if anything weird happens in this mansion, or something is after you, call me fast. Yelling my name or whispering it, I still will hear it. Anything in this house has to deal with me if they step out of line, employed or otherwise. Guests remain the exception, as long as they are invited by Kragel, or they are accompanied by me. One of the perks of knowing Kragel for so long...and please do not worry. I just wish for you two to be safe no matter the circumstances. I've learned that always staying positive tends to lead to trouble."