Beliefs

[Zerrif]

"Frost Diver!" Came the strangled voice from behind the mask, echoing eerily through the caverns of Ant Hell. Ice ran through the ground like a wave, before it encapsulated an Ant Egg, and then everything exploded in a dazzling rain of glittering ice, leaving nothing behind but a puddle of ooze where the egg had been, a shell from the unformed ant, and a bottle. The flower-mage strode over and picked up the bottle, turning around to see an annoyed Gerik tapping his foot.

"Seriously? We came down here so you could break open eggs for bottles?" Gerik asked, and the mage just shrugged. "Come on, Bascht, there's got to be something else in Ant Hell that entices you other than easy prey! I mean, hooray for the experience and all but don't you feel bad for this? It's like... farming all the ants' hard work. That, and the queen probably wouldn't like it."

"I just wanted some bottles..." Bascht replied, sounding kind of sad. Gerik sighed a little, and clapped a palm to his face, before a second clapping was heard from behind. The Priest was clapping white-gloved hands together, chuckling to himself.

"Did you know about Ant Hell, why it's called that? Your little quip about the queen reminded me." The Priest said. He waved a hand at the mage for him to keep going, since he didn't seem much too interested in it. The holy man moved closer to the Novice, speaking above the dim echoes of "Frost Diver!" in the background.

"Long ago, they say that this place was entered by a group of adventurers, much like ourselves. At that time, it was called the Ant Hill, not Ant Hell. The entrance was this large, foreboding cave dug into the sand, not the crater we see today. The party consisted of... hm, a Merchant, a Mage, a Swordsman, an Acolyte, an Assassin, and a Hunter, if I remember correctly."

"You notice how the ants don't attack us, right? That's because they're a new breed, many of them are born every day. It's just not in their nature to attack travelers. You stay out of their way, and they won't mind you at all. However, the Queen of the Ants, Maya, hates all adventurers with a passion. If she sees you in here, you're as good as done, for she will attack with her elite guard."

Gerik blinked for a moment. "Wh-why?" He asked, though he sort of already knew the answer. He just hoped that they wouldn't stumble across her-- though if their mage was going to be camping these eggs all day just for bottles, then they probably wouldn't get the chance.

"They say that they went in, and destroyed a very special egg. The one containing the next queen, that is only laid once in a blue moon. I don't know the real length of time, but it's about as rare as being able to dig up gold." The Blacksmith interjected. "Ever since then, she's wanted revenge against all humans. None can enter in her sight, else she instantly goes into a mad, protective rage. These little ones don't attack us because they just live too far from her. Most work, live, and die, never meeting their Queen. So they haven't changed from the ants of old. But if you're near her, watch out. They might turn on you."

Gerik blinked. "Though, there's always danger to a good adventure, right? Besides, you're in good hands. Even if we did somehow stumble upon Maya in this maze, we wouldn't let her hurt you. You know that. You have to trust your group." The Priest said, with a warm smile. Gerik nodded. "Though... we've only seen a small part of the maze."

The three of them looked at the moving flower, who bent over and picked up another bottle. "You know," Gerik started. "If you really want bottles that bad, I've got well over a hundred stored with the Kafra. Why do you need them anyway?"

"For my Pillow." The mage started. That earned him a few stares, and he just rummaged around inside of his cloak, before pulling out a pure white egg, about the size of his arm, really. "My pet Lunatic, Pillow. I need the bottles so I can store carrot juice-- they're the only thing he eats. I ran out of bottles, and I'm running low on juice-- so when I get enough, I'll release him via a Pet Incubator, and let him follow me around. He's... really cute."

The blacksmith just laughed, and rummaged around in his cart. "This stuff, right? I've got tons of it-- you can have it all. I've been needing to get rid of it. So come on, we'll get you an Incubator, and pass over bottles and juice after. We're here for adventure!"

Gerik pumped a fist into the air, earning him a small giggle form the priest. The mage simply stepped behind him almost loyally, though whether he was more loyal to the group or to his lunatic didn't really seemed to make much of a different. "Well then," Bascht started, adjusting the mask a little. "Shall we?"

---

"Kyrie Eleison!" The Priest chanted, as a transparent barrier instantly formed around the Novice, absorbing a headbutt from an incoming, flying Vitata. The bug bounced and rolled off to the side, the Novice giving the clergyman a thumbs up over his shoulder.

"Just a little more time!" Bascht shouted, and Gerik nodded. He darted straight at the Vitata, who easily outmatched him in speed and strength. But he wasn't intending to beat the ant all on his- own-- that would take ages. No, he was just being a good distraction for the bug, whilst the mage charged up a powerful spell. Gerik brought his mace down, hitting the ground again as the Vitata deftly hopped to the side. It reared back for another leaping headbutt, before the Novice felt heat whizz over his bent shoulder. "Fire Bolt!" The mage chanted, sending ten bolts of pure flame straight at the airborne ant, who was unable to dodge so deftly in the air.

Each bolt hit with a sizzling explosion, sending the ant flying off slightly, rolling along on the ground. It's legs twitched sort of comically before curling up, the ant soon dissipating into sand. "Phew, that was a close one!" Gerik said, before he stood straight. "Good job, though! Nice timing!"

The mage gave him a thumbs up signal back. "Yes, excellent work. You two are already working together, on your very first adventure. Great synergy between you two." The Blacksmith said as he stepped up to the two. Gerik beamed, and placed his hands on his hips. "Yeah... you seem ready enough. Shall we head back? it's about time you chose your first "class", and I've still got to get most of my juices from the Kafra girl for B. Besides, didn't you say you had someone waiting for you?" The smith asked the Mage.

The forever smiling face just nodded, before a deafening screech echoed through the halls. The smile behind that mask faded, as everyone seemed to blanch in fear at the curdling scream. "Wh-what..." Bascht started, staring into the distance into the caverns. "What was that?" He dreaded the noise, and instantly pressed into the smith.

"... Maya."