LU 50 - Nautilus 3 / Shadow 2

Nat woke up today, and he didn't even hit his head on the wall this time. There was one thing on his cheeky child minded head, and he wanted to go places again. Not just any place... the old Empire Castle. To Nat, it hasn't been that long since he's been to the castle... but he's heard so much about 'how he was gone for 500 years.' So, why not visit the castle?

It took a bit of convincing, but eventually Illios and Edelle agreed to go with him to the castle... not that he forgot where to go... before then they made a pit stop at the cafe. After a few introductions to Mira's adoptive kid Una, and a little short guy name Sytamni, they were on their way to the collasal fort, where he met his boring, and a little old friends.

And... there it was. The once great castle of The Empire, stood in shambles. Pieces of the wall had fallen off, and smashed to debris. Vines, grass, and leaves grew everywhere, up the side of the wall, along the ground, and in the cracks of the wall. The door to the entrance had allen down and withered on the ground. The inside wasn't much better. Walking around... there seemed to be a trend. Roots and leaves. But these roots weren't small- they were huge, as if part of a tree! Nat jumped across some of the holes in the ground, excited to see the rest of the castle. In a way, it was all like a piece of art, just waiting to be revealed. The throne room had a hole in it's center, below lead to the dining hall, then prison. And above, the garden. Behind the hole were the two thrones.... the one on the right was more intact, a light shone on it like a beam. The other throne was withered, tattered, water fell on it, the contrast was interesting in a way, if you knew about the Emperor and Empress. Stepping closer to the tattered throne... the ringing in his ears got louder... Nat began to glow... fade... and then disappear.

...A dream. That's what it felt like. It was just like before, after he talked to Morpheus. Nat floated around in his dark space. There was nothing at all. It didn't matter what he did, he could only sit there. And then he blinked, and woke up. He must have just dozed off. He turned to his right, still expecting Illios to be next to her throne, inspecting it. She wasn't there. He turned around. No one. Then little foot steps came running.

*"Oh there you are! We were looking for you."* Sytamni looked like he had the stress loaded off his shoulders when he found where Nat was. But that sentance only confused Nat.*"...Looking for me? But I though you all were in the same room me and Illios were-"*

After a little bit of confusion, Nat and Sytamni walk over to the main foyer, where they met up with... well, the usual angry Illios.

*"Fish kid, you're gonna be fish fillet when I'm done with you!"*

Chizzy and Mira were close behind. Chizzy had a gash on her arm... all Nat could think was where it came from in such a short time. Edelle arrived not too long after. She was shakey, and teary eyed when she walked over to Nat to see if he was ok. This only confused Nat more. What happened? After a bit of re-grouping, Illios and the others walked into the cathedral, leaving Nat and Edelle alone. Edelle wanted to take Nat back into the throne room. After a bit of stumbling over holes, roots and vines, they were at the throne again. Nat could feel the ring... he was near the same spot where he "fell asleep." When he started to glow, Edelle turned and realized his condition. Nat quickly asked to leave... he didn't want to worry them again.After regrouping once more, they returned home. If... home was the right word.

*"What do they think of me...?"*