#sorryipostedthissolate

“We met with Berrod at the Agents Place, and went over the details.  In short, there were none.  We’d be going in blind.  Or so we thought, until one person spoke up.  The team comprised of myself, Reks, and a man named Avenio. Interesting fellow, though he seemed to rather harbor doubts about anyone he did not know.  Had this been fifteen years or so ago, I would have seen it as a challenge.  Nowadays, it’s a non issue.  Get in, complete the job, get out, get paid. Avenio knew some details about the area, but had no idea about the target.  He went and used the aetheryte network to go ahead, while Reks and I went in the submarine.”

“It was my first submarine ride.  It was... interesting.  It was piloted by a mammet and not a person.  I wouldn’t have been worried, had we not been surrounded by water, but beggars can’t be choosers. Reks and I made small talk on the way there.  He confirmed my suspicions that this mission was part of a bigger issue that Berrod and students have been wrapped up in. And, unfortunately, some others outside of his circle that got tangled up in as well.  I didn’t dig too deep and I have been purposefully staying away from it.  Not out of fear, but because I simply have too much going on already, and cannot afford to have any more complications for me or my own students.”

"Of course, the comments came about my heavy armor, and his lack thereof. He was concerned I’d burn up and be immobile in this suit.  I was concerned that he would get scorched with how little he wore. I explained to him that my former blacksmith Ozgur Kurt made it specifically to withstand and protect me from extreme heat, in addition to the insulation and magical augmentations I’ve provided to keep the inside cool.  He explained to me that the pauldron he wore was warded with the affect of strengthening the heat resistance of his body and the rest of his clothing, forming an invisible barrier around him.  We decided to discuss this in detail later, as we had arrived at the dock nearest our destination.”

“We linked up with Avenio at the docks and did our last minute checks before checking in with Berrod.  Avenio knew the area and knew the way to the target location. After one last brief, and check of our equipment, we were off, with Avenio leading us to our destination.”

"We ran along the beach to a molten rock formation, which was full of lava filled caves below.  One could say it were a volcano, but it was a bit different.  Avenio didn’t think I could make the running and climbing necessary to get to where we’re going.  Fortunately my constant training and lifestyle outside of my business ensures I can do just that. And so, we reached the top and the entrance.  It was VERY hot, and I was wondering if Reks would get any of that exposed skin of his burned.”

"Inside the cave, we looked around for a place to start our search.  I also looked around for a weapon, and there was plenty of material for it.  Using an earth core to amplify my affinity, I used what I learned from months ago to pull together a weapon of stone, cobbled and held together with my chakra attuned to the earth.  The place was hot. Very hot.  We had no idea where our target might be.  Fortunately, the path seemed pretty linear, so we may not have to look too hard.”

"Along the way, a man approached us.  Apparently he caught wind of the bounty and jumped on the job as well.  The man was a bit eccentric, but he could prove a useful ally.  He was skilled in arcanima, and was able to hold his own against the aggressive fauna in this place. Fauna that was odd, even for a hellish place like this. Giant humanoids, lions, and literal walls with arms and faces, all made out of magma and wanting to kill us at first sight.  The man seemed to marvel at our combat prowess.  Even Avenio, who seemed to me to play the hero, often flinging himself headfirst into everything instantly, shouting orders and whatnot.  Seemed kinda reckless... he reminded me of myself about fifteen years ago, heh heh.”

"All seemed to be going smoothly, until something snatched up our guest from underneath the lava.  It took the rest of us to pull him free before he perished, and he was VERY thankful for it. Moments later, the culprit revealed itself; the hellfrog.  A giant, lava filled frog that emerged from the magma and had a very large chip on it’s shoulder in addition to it’s very large tongue.”

"It was pissed that we ruined its chance at a meal.  No worries. We were prepared to take it down.  Losing my weapon, I spent the energy of my earth core to disrupt the ground beneath the frog, to keep it off balance and hold it still.  It didn’t really like that, and so it spit a particularly large glob of magma at me.  I had to shift my energy to re-enforce my defense with an aetheric barrier and hardened flesh underneath my armor.  I was both grateful and annoyed that it was a waste, as the other two decided to come to my ‘rescue’; with Reks stopping the magma before it reached me and the hero charging directly face first at the frog.  Fortunately, it went down pretty easily to his attacks.”

"With the target down, we called to report in to Berrod, only for him to tell us to run.  Something was very wrong, and we found out when man covered in red suddenly appeared from the remains of the target... I’m unsure if it was blood, magma, or what. But, we didn’t stick around to find out.  We hurried as fast as we could further into the place to find a way out, only to be harried by everything that was in front of us. Whoever or whatever this person was, he was catching up as we kept being distracted.  Caught in a dead end, there was a hole in the floor we were able to use to escape further below.”

"Down below seemed like some sort of old ruin or temple.  We had no time to explore, as the figure was still following behind us.  My gut told me that we should stand and fight, but Berrod’s order to run sounded urgent enough that this person was most likely very dangerous. Berrod knows what we’re capable of, and if he believes we’d be in trouble, then this person or thing is nothing to mess with.  Avenio finds a bridge that leads to an exit, but it is broken.  Reks had to work his magic to fix it so we could escape.  Unfortunately, the time spent doing that would result in tragedy.  Our guest sent his carbuncle familiar off to distract the red figure approaching.  As we were crossing the bridge, some very strange magic happened.  The guest and his familiar were suddenly forced to switch places in an instant, and now within the mystery figure’s reach, has had something very lethal turned on him.  I could not tell what, but he did not survive, let alone remain in one piece.  My gut screamed at me to avenge him, but again, I could not.  I have far too many important things to deal with to be mixed up further in this.  Keeping my face hidden, I joined the others in escaping.”

“I told Berrod that he could forward my pay for this job directly to the orphanage, and said nothing further.  I went straight home, took a shower, and went to bed angry. My Sye was not with me, and it was difficult to fall asleep.  The nightmares started again.  The voice in my head taunted me.  Called me a coward for running.  Weak.  Sorry.  By Rhalgr’s grace, I hope I can figure out a way to silence this voice for good.  Going with them was a mistake.  But, it was my fault.  I should have known something like this would happen, as it always does in missions with these folks.”

Worren sighs as he finishes reading over the journal passage once more.  Then, with a wave of his hand in front of the holographic panel, all of the lights and holograms shut down.  “Fuck this...” He mutters as he gets to his feet and leaves the office, intent on doing more training and meditation.