Chapter 2 (Wonderland)

(S2) Separated and disoriented, four of the stragglers awoke in a mesmerizing forest, seemingly under the enchantment of the wondrous realm. First seeking the advise of an elder crystal tree, he gave them little aid, so they continued on. Later conversing with a Myria forester, a being derived from other souls' energies, and set out on a path to explore this mystical domain, yearning to unearth the mysteries presented by Ilyra's cryptic riddles and their unexpected arrival in Wonderland. On their journey, they crossed paths with another intrepid soul eager to join their ranks, further entwining their destinies in this magical wonderland. Yet, unbeknownst to them, the forest's magic wielded a perilous grip, and they faced a moment of impending doom, their lives hanging by a thread.

Fate, however, proved to be an ever-changing tapestry, as the stragglers emerged unharmed the following morning, only to find themselves apprehended by a rough but caring man inquiring about their night; he was interrupted by an enigmatic and audacious woman named Noull, The King of Silks. Brown hair that shifted every color the eye could perceive when light shone through it; Dressed in red, with tattered loose pants, a scarf that doubled as a top, and a small cloud always following her around, they were unsure if she was fashionable or homeless. Her captivating aura and crass demeanor left the stragglers intrigued and unsure if she was extremely carefree or simply unhinged. Noull's name triggered a faint memory of the legendary Mortal Kings, illustrious champions spoken of across the corners of Alveria for their defiance of anomalies, ties to celestial dragons, and transcending the boundaries between mortal and god. But the details of these kings remained elusive, hinting at a grand tapestry of history yet to be unveiled. Her power was obvious. Everyone made way for her and watched her carefree demeanor as if she was telling a childhood story, their eyes showed only love for her.

Intriguingly, Noull perceived untapped potential within the stragglers and sent them on a quest seemingly to test their mettle. Unbeknownst to the adventurers, their lighthearted prank on a sheepherder unwittingly attracted the hunger of the cunning vampiric parasite within. It was then that Noull revealed her astounding power, descending upon the stragglers trapped in the vampire den and dispatching the vile creatures with effortless grace. Despite the bloody scene, it was beautiful watching her dance in the sky, walking on fabrics like a spider on their web, or a trapeze swinger in a circus. Her mastery of spectacle and laughter-filled tales of battles against various powerful entities only deepened the mystery surrounding her true intentions.

Having quelled the threat of the vampiric parasites, Noull invited the stragglers and the rescued victims to her captivating concert that night. With nowhere else to go in this new world, they cautiously accepted her invitation. When they arrived, their minds began to rest. Enthralled by the ethereal music from another world, the stragglers found themselves immersed in this fantastical realm of Wonderland, further delving into its captivating lore. Amidst the music and wonder, they were introduced to the ageless and resplendent figure of Zellephine, the Mother of the Silver Dragons, who held the esteemed position of headmaster over Noull and others. Her presence exuded an overwhelming sense of majesty, leaving the stragglers in awe and wonder at the grand tapestry of this mystical world they now found themselves embroiled in.

The stragglers' epic journey has only just begun, and the threads of fate continue to weave a complex tapestry of adventure, discovery, and enigmatic encounters in the ever-expanding and wondrous realm of Wonderland.

(S3) The group of unconventional adventurers, each with their own unique quirks and backgrounds, find themselves in a surprising comfort as they take up residence in a colony of misfit refugees within the fantastical realm of Wonderland. Despite their camaraderie, they are united by a shared yearning to return to their homeland, the familiar Alveria. In the absence of the one they met known as Zellephine, leads them to their introduction to the colony's humble watcher, Bili. However, this newfound refuge does little to quench their burning desire for adventure and to find a way back home.

Growing impatient with the waiting for a journey to the gate to Alveria, their fortunes take an intriguing turn as they seek out Castella, known as the Queen of the Silver Dragons. Castella, a seemingly frail and ethereal human girl bearing a resemblance to a dragonkin, possesses a unique power to peer into the depths of their souls. After thorough contemplation, she extends to them the privilege of joining the enigmatic Silver Dragons, adorning them with a silver scale on their shoulders and bestowing upon them a floating prism crystal. This crystal harbors numerous enigmatic qualities unknown to the inexperienced adventurers, with the most apparent being its ability to broadcast their experiences through the many crystal pylons instaled by the Silver Dragons that adorn both Alveria and Wonderland. The allure of this feature is enough to sway them into accepting this mysterious contract, setting the stage for a new chapter in their lives where they will share their escapades with the wider universe.

When speaking with Bili they learn of the makeup of Wonderland, which he believes to be the seed of reality, where all realms exist on an open canvas. While he didn't seem to reveal all the secrets, he gave them a rough sketch of the canvas.

Filled with uncertainty about what lies ahead and where their allegiances truly lie, they follow Bili to a remote and desolate airship wreck concealed within the forest. Here, they are tasked with the challenging goal of repairing the vessel for their future adventures. While this endeavor provides them with a modicum of stability and a temporary home, their adventurous spirits continue to burn brightly, compelling them to take matters into their own hands. With no hints on where to find the pieces lost, they are left to their own devices to search around for resources.

Armed with a map graciously provided by Bili, they embark on a journey with the first destination in mind: an estate owned by an enigmatic figure known only as Wildred. Inexplicably, they choose not to inquire further about Wildred or the estate, opting instead to march forward with unwavering confidence. Along the way, the group's astral elf member, Rihanna, forges a unique bond with a mysterious horse-like creature she affectionately names Whorace.

Upon reaching Wildred's estate, Rihanna and Bloom employ their magical prowess to disguise themselves as royalty, with Lophrey serving as their imposing bodyguard. Through artful persuasion, they gain entry into Wildred's opulent abode, presenting themselves as potential buyers of his wares, oblivious to the fact that his sole merchandise comprises of trees, saplings, seedlings. Within the estate's ornate foyer, they chance upon a crucial piece of their broken airship. This discovery sets in motion a series of schemes aimed at obtaining the elusive airship's steering wheel for themselves. It becomes evident that Wildred holds an emotional attachment to this piece, one that he would never willingly part with, as it carries profound significance, having been found and cherished by his late father upon their arrival in Wonderland.

As if guided by divine intervention, an opportunity presents itself when Wildred's son becomes infatuated with Bloom, coercing her into spending an evening aboard his lake boat. Meanwhile, the rest of the group distracts Wildred with discussions about his beloved trees. This daring escapade thrusts Bloom into a perilous situation, alone on a boat with the recklessly adventurous young man and his loyal servant.

Chaos erupts as the son endeavors to bait and slay a legendary sea serpent inhabiting the lake, all in pursuit of glory and dominance over the waters. The trap is set, and the boat gently glides into the lake, prompting an uncharacteristically swift and aggressive response from the serpent. It bursts from the water, launching a fierce attack on the boat's occupants. In the ensuing pandemonium, the son and his servant are lost to the depths, leaving Bloom to face the ordeal of survival on her own. She battles the treacherous waters, teetering on the precipice of demise, until her newfound comrades intervene, rescuing her and bringing her safely ashore.

Wildred responds to the crisis by mobilizing all available guards and boats, hoping to defeat the serpent and rescue his beloved son. He also calls upon the group of mercenaries in his employ, as well as the permanent workforce at his estate. The Summer Stone, a group of paladins aboard a formidable airship, arrives with overwhelming force, joining the fight against the serpent. Attempting to capture the serpent and recover Wildred's son from the depths.

Amidst the frenetic battle, Bloom and Rihanna discreetly slip away from their group, who are left awestruck on the shoreline, as they watch the mercenaries contend with the mythical beast, realizing the futility of their attempts to assist. Seizing this opportune distraction, Bloom and Rihanna return to Wildred's mansion and commence a looting spree, laying claim to anything of value within its opulent walls. Their most coveted prize is the airship's steering wheel, prominently displayed on the wall. Among their plunder are also gold bars, an aged gilded tome yet to be perused, and a broken clock featuring an intriguing black metal hand perpetually pointing to 12.

With their ill-gotten gains in their possession, they signal to their companions that the situation is irredeemable, finally persuading them to abandon the scene before matters deteriorate further. They retreat into the forest through which they initially arrived, fleeing until the cover of night shrouds them in darkness. Here, they find a secluded spot to rest for the night, hoping the surrounding environment will offer respite from the tumultuous events that have unfolded.