LU 131 - Shadow 10

The discussion that was brought forward from Space and others' visit had split the majority of them into three teams, for each of the trees that have not been visited yet. Illios's team didn't exactly know where they were headed first, but Illios relied on the old ringing in her ears to guide her way. Chizzy's group had travelled alongside them for a ways, then parted towards a direction that Illios pointed to. That left Jeremy, and Mira with her. Illios marched as she usually would, her armor jingling in a tune of satisfaction. Odd to say for armor, but getting used to travel for 500 years does a number on you as you attempt to keep your sanity. Jeremy skipped through the endless fields happily, with his mother trailing awkwardly behind them both, ensuring Jeremy doesn't trail off too far. Interesting topics such as being nervous about visiting a tree was brought up, funnily enough Illios wasn't too bothered, unlike Mira. Mira having a past experience with Morphious, just had something else to pile on top of them to shake off. *We can't trust them.* They thought to themselves. But, nonetheless they were headed to a 50/50 chance of doom. Jeremy was also nervous, but paired with the excitement a child would have. A child's dream was to march through the treacherous, after all.

And then, the colossal destination gloomed over them, it's odd shape looking exactly like it's other siblings, besides Morphious. Illios screwing about with Mira, Mira decides to take the lead up the tree, Jeremy following close behind. A swirl of wind spun around them, mysteriously, then vanished. The back of their mind had sensed something, but was brushed aside with a single, similar thought: the tree knows they have arrived.

At last, they have stepped foot atop the mighty foe that has stood for 5 centuries, to be taken back by the skeleton sat before them. Its armor gleamed in a dull, dark gray color, and quite tight for a structure of a normal humanoid being. The armor was made for the skeleton. A cape was attached to the back of the armor, however its symbol facing away from the curious yet frightened persons in front of it. The pendant it wore had a shape of a "t", but with two more horizontal lines below it. The symbol of Katharos. The helmet, was the most disturbing however. Two horns, strutted and curved out of the helmet, similar to demon horns. It was exactly the same shape to Illios's helmet. Illios froze when she saw the skeletal man before her.

*"...Ajan."*

The skeleton rose its head, slowly.... and menacingly. Jeremy hid behind Mira, scared of the undead creature of familiarity before them. Mira rested her hand on her blade, ready to draw at will. The bones of 'Ajan' quietly creaked with his armor as 'he' stood up. The voice 'he' had however, was demonic, and impossible to understand, if 'he' was speaking a language at all. It was hoarse, and scratchy. 'Ajan's' head lulled back, then lowered to their eye level again, 'his' gaze dead as 'his' soul. 'Ajan's' voice spoke to them, deep and clear as it used to be, dropping the jaw of the head.

*"Is this what you see?"*

Illios disturbed, stepped back, and heaved her great sword in front of her, now threatened.

*"Who are you, and how dare you use the voice and body of my friend to speak to me. ANSWER ME."*

The soulless body drops the jaw once more.

*"I am Illusion, puppeteer of images, voices, and the mind. What stands before you is simply what you have seen before, as well as our little friend here."*

Mira draws her sword, on guard. Illios stands in front of her, the great sword also in the defensive. Illusion did not move.

*"Now now, let us not get to feisty. Perhaps a better image will calm your senses?"*

Illusion waved Ajan's arm, and the scene changed. They were standing on top of the very top of the tree itself, as if there was an invisible platform that did not allow them to fall through the leaves. It was raining, and Mira shuddered, worried, and thinking to themselves about the water touching them. It didn't.

*"Rain. A saddening sight... let me change it to daybreak for us.*"

The group blinked, and the time was sunrise, the beautiful, yet disturbing sunrise stood still, as if all time had stopped, just for them.

*"Better, Mira?"*

Mira froze, pondering cautiously as to why the soulless bones had focused it's attention on them. Illios squinted, putting two and two together. Illusion had read their minds, and memories. This was how she was able to use Ajan's image to her will, as well as his voice.

*"So you read minds? Not surprising, you trees always have some stupid quirk that makes you all so special, hm?"*

The guardian's voice changed, to another voice Illios remembered so clearly, the emperor that had worked along side her for years, and created the castle that still majestically stands to this day. Fallen.

*"Special indeed. For example, this is voice of the one who rose the flag with you on the fateful day of the Empire uprise."*

Her voice changed again, this time a more mature, deeper, yet calmer voice of Jeremy.

*"Little one... does this ring a bell?"*

Jeremy frightened, gripped onto Mira's hand, yet he looked down, with his eyes wide. He remembered something, but it did not surface.

*"I suppose not. Oh well, his loss. But speaking of which, this leads me to my next question. You know where 'she' is, don't you?"*

Mira glares at the fake Ajan, yet they attempt to process who might they be referring to. Illios knew, as she already figured out the mind reading properties.

*"Why don't you answer that for yourself, mind reader? What even was the point of asking that?"*

Illusion's voice changed again, this time to Chizzy's voice.

*"Oh, only to see if you would answer yourself, was all. Don't worry, by walking here, I've already confirmed the last location you remember Edelle being."*

Mira was annoyed.

*"Phf, do you enjoy using the memories of others and messing with people? What's wrong with you!?"*

"*Hmph. I suppose it is quite a wonder, isn't it? I simply cannot speak to you with my... 'voice'... I do not have one. The voices of others shall suffice, although sticking to one is quite boring, I must say.*"

Illios rested the great sword on her back, but her hand gripped on it, as comfort for herself, and ready for what the tree might present.

*"So you must be one of the more powerful of the trees. No, the* most *powerful of them?*"

*"Oh, no. I wouldn't dare put myself above dear Slumber... that would be rude, and quite frankly he is considerately stronger."*

*"Him you say?"*

*"Yes... the only male of our generation."*

Illios attempts to persuade Illusion into competition of receiving Edelle for Slumber, being the only one capable of doing so over her other sisters, being the one to please their all mighty brother in blood. Illusion disregarded this easily, not easily persuaded it seems. Illusion needed not to take their time much longer, she already knew their purpose of being there. She waved them off, the bones crumbling, then fading to dust, along with the armor.

The three distance themselves from the tree... the small feeling in the back of their mind now being very minor, but very much present.