Months had come to pass since Rinntoki had departed from his homeland of Eclipse City and headed out to traverse the world. He didn't have much of a goal in mind as he had set out and as such, had more or less been taking things day by day. Thanks to this carefree mindset of his, Rinn had managed to find himself quite literally on the other side of the continent and without a place to really stay. Given the intensity of the weather as of late, there were far too many people that resided within the Pale City. Many of these individuals had found themselves trapped here, unable to depart by ship, given that the waters had completely iced over. There were so many people here, in fact, that it was becoming difficult to find a place to stay for the night. A dangerous prospect considering the region that they were currently within.

Hoping to try and ascertain a room for the night, Rinn would find himself heading off towards the docks themselves. If he wasn't capable of finding a room within a tavern or inn than he was just going to have to force a few people out of the area. From what he had managed to gather, these people were really only even here because they had no way of leaving. In Rinn's mind, the simplest solution was to make it so that they could leave.

While he didn't exactly have a pickaxe or any sort of tool that might speed along the process, Rinn did have something within him that would likely help. This right arm of his.. He had spent a hefty amount of Solars to have his bones replaced with a unique material known as Durabone. He could only afford it for this one arm but it should be fine for what he intended on doing. "..honestly, all of these people just need to head on back to their homes. If breaking apart this ice is what it'll take than I'm more than willing to speed along the process."

It was an absolutely absurd idea but Rinn had intended on simply punching the ice until it shattered beneath his might. If he had done so with his right arm, the Durabone was sure to hold strong. Bouts of pain were likely to be felt.. but his bones wouldn't break. "In a way.. I can almost consider this as training." A bout of laughter would proceed to escape from the elf's lips as he finally arrived at one of the ports. "Alright.. Let's just get to it, I guess." Having said his piece, Rinn would walk down onto the ice, carefully watching his footing so that he wouldn't fall and bust his ass. Once he managed to make his way out towards one of the larger ships, he would get on his knees and pound his right fist into the ice time and time again. Pain would wrack all throughout his hand as he had done this of course. It was truly a foolish action.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Break the Ice
Participants: Two or more
Location: Frost Gale (Pale City)
Post Requirements: 5 posts per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: Despite the absence of Vulcadreaus, the world is still feeling his effects. The weather patterns around Charon have become unbalanced, with most weather across the continent becoming more extreme than normal. With winter quickly approaching, the ice, snow and frost in the north have become more dangerous. The ports around the Pale City have frozen over, months earlier than normal. In order to keep trade and commerce flowing, the city is asking for help in breaking the ice and freeing the harbors. This includes warming the ice, breaking it into smaller pieces, and removing in from the city.

Frost Gale was certainly a far cry from the enveloping heat of the Zeinav desert. Having wrapped themselves in mortal flesh, the demons Azazel and Arteron had a rare moment of agreement in disliking the frigid north, as it reminded them just how fragile their vessel was. Azazel was particularly disappointed with how the biting cold prevented his standard practice of showing off his vessel's body, needing to cover up to prevent debilitating sickness, the lesser of two evils. Still, given the demon's mastery over the physical world, it was a relatively routine alteration to make the clothing he wore skintight, hugging the honed ridges of his body. It served a dual purpose of encasing and trapping heat better as well as being able to show off his vessel in some small way.

The reason for the pair coming to the tundra in the first place was due to a call for help from the piteous mortals of this land, prevented from overwater travel due to thick sheets of ice having formed over their ports from the fight and slaying of Vulcadreus. Of course, neither demon much cared for the plight of the fleshlings, but Azazel's plans would be best served by fame, and thus the dominant demon subjected them both to discomfort to work towards his goals.

It was a rather ramshackle operation: entirely comprised of volunteers, and thus, not very efficient. Azazel hid a frown and a growl of frustration as a resigned man handed him a simple pickaxe and had the demon sign his name on a ledger. There's nothing for it. Only honest effort will rid us of this situation. But this is such a piteous implement. Perhaps I can use the sword. If you use my sword, especially on ice, I will kill you. Azazel scoffed, but eventually thought better of so provoking his servant's ire.

Resigning himself to a dismal fate of boredom, Azazel carried his little pickaxe to the edge of the bay and prepared himself for labor. Before he could begin properly chipping away at the ice, however, he was alerted to a powerful, if ultimately ineffectual, reverberation across the sheet. Cocking his head to spy the source of the disturbance, Azazel found a lavender-skinned elven man simply punching the ice.

Is this mortal stupid? My favorite kind. Azazel's innate grace and elegance were only further accentuated as he glided across the ice to his newest victim, second pickaxe in hand to offer assistance. 

"You know, as admirable and physically intoxicating as your display was, it might be a bit more efficient to use a tool designed for the task." Azazel statement was punctuated with a smile and an offering of his spare pickaxe.

Rinn's gaze would remain solely on the ice before him as another had approached him through a gliding motion. While he could have turned his gaze away from the ice and back towards this individual, Rinn had simply felt that there was no reason to do so at this moment. After all, unless the man was about to assist him, there was no real reason for Rinn to give the man his time of day. If anything, his time was better suited to this form of practice. A hastily measured one.. but a form of practice nonetheless.

Without missing a beat, Rinn would continue to bat away at the ice before him. From time to time, he would even go as far as to shift from one hand to another. The only way that he could test his bodily limitations was by undergoing pain tolerance training. Pair that with his desire to see just how far he can push his newfound Durabone arm and you had what was going on now. "You're likely right in that regard. Something with a bit of piercing power would likely be far more effective than what I'm doing now. I'm not too worried about it though." At this point, Rinn's gaze would drift over towards the man beside him, only to return to the ice below. "It's not like I'm one of these nobles that are trying to get out of here. So long as I can get a single ship free of the ice by the time night falls, I should be able to get what I want."

Given that Azazel had drawn closer to Rinntoki, it would have been fairly possible for the man to notice that Rinn's entire right arm had been formed of skeletal bone. Rather than flesh and bone, he simply had bone itself. To some, this might be a bit of a surprise. To one such as Rinn though? Well this was simply par for the course. In a years time, he was likely to be coated in an array of grafts and alterations. Some might even see him as more beast than man by that point. For now though? It was likely just an oddity to many others, if not a gruesome sight.

Azazel raised an eyebrow as an impish smile took shape over his face. "A man on a mission, I see. Might I inquire as to what drives you with such haste? I'm as little a fan of the cold as the next person, but surely punching the ice to free a ship speaks to another level of devotion."

The demon noted the elf's arm graft with a neutral dispassion. He supposed it would only make sense that a portion of fragile mortals would wish to shed their normal flesh trappings and choose genetic and magical augmentation. Such crude measures were a pale imitation of the strength that demons could achieve by simply exerting their will. Thus, Azazel saw no purpose in the practice, particularly given the macabre and unseemly appearance such alterations often entailed, as was plain to see by the example before him. Arteron, however, had a different viewpoint.

I could certainly do with bulking up this puny human body more. Imagine if I could use full power without worrying about fracturing weak mortal bones! Restrain yourself, Arteron, and don't sell yourself so short. Surely any mortal invention would be unable to withstand a demon's might. Besides... they're so ugly.

"I suppose that one could refer to me as that.." The more that Rinn had pounded his fist against the ice below, the more that the cracks he initially thrust into the ice would grow. Additionally, the more that he had thrust his fist into the ice below, the more the flesh on his left arm would find itself torn asunder. After a time, there would be very little flesh left upon this left arm of his. It was almost as though the bones beneath were rejecting said flesh. A likely case, considering that his other arm was also suffused with Durabone. ".. a man on a mission."

A soft yet erratic laugh would weakly push past the mans lips before dying out with each instance of pain. By the time the flesh on his hands had been completely pealed away, the rest would simply fall off. "All in all, I am simply hoping to find some room and board for the night. The city is overwhelmingly full this go around, considering how many have found themselves trapped within. Until their boats are free, these people will remain here. Just how am I supposed to rest comfortably in this weather, hm? Much easier to just get rid of the snow that is containing all of these people."

An overwhelming look of determination had currently resided within the Moon Elf's gaze. It hadn't been all that long since he had been within the Pale City but he quite honestly didn't know where else to go. He hit up just about every tavern and inn within the area. If he were forced to sleep in this snow.. It was exceedingly likely that he would perish over night. What was a bit of pain in the face of death? Besides.. Despite his seemingly dying appearance, Rinn was the kind of man that wanted to live. And this pain that he was facing now? It was enough to show him that he was alive.

"And yourself stranger? Just why is it that you have chosen to come out here and chip away at the ice?" While Azazel had yet to actually undertake such an action, it wasn't all that difficult for Rinn to note the pickaxe that had been within the mans grasp. "The same reasoning, I take it? Or are you more along the lines of someone that is willing to help others out, even if it means placing yourself into the worst possible situation?" A genuine curiosity had been hidden within the Moon Elf's words. He didn't know much about those that visited Frost Gale other than those that came here for business. To learn about another, from a land outside of his own, had always been something that intrigued the elf.

Azazel smiled, seeing a way to spring his trap and draw this man further into his web.

"I am a stranger in this land, even I imagine you are, friend. I wouldn't claim to be so noble as 'putting myself in the worst possible situation', but yes, my original intent was to alleviate some of the trouble for the people here. I'm an emerging... what's the word they use these days? An adventurer, you might say. An of yourself? A traveler, obviously, but trying to get back home or going further afield still?"

Azazel paused, adopting an approximation of a penitent look on his face: all a ploy to build up his credibility. Mortals these days were so easily offended. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that. We've just met, after all, and that was prying a bit too much." The demon extended his vessel's hand to the elf in a friendly gesture.

"Azazel, it's a pleasure to meet you, friend. If your primary concern is simply getting a place for the night, you needn't work yourself to the bone." The demon smirked at his pun. "I have a friendship with several of the innkeepers of the city. I am happy to extend that privilege to help such an earnest soul."

Rinn would find himself shaking his head from side to side in response to the mans words. "Nah, I'm all good on that. Rather than return back home, I'm taking the time to get to know myself. I might return at some point or another but it won't be to settle down. At the very least, I want to try and determine what kind of life it is that I want to lead. Perhaps a bit of adventuring might occur somewhere down the line." A small smirk would creep onto his features as he continued to pound away at the ice. There was only so long that he could do this before he got tired.. It likely would have been easier if Rinn wasn't undertaking the task himself. "I do like to fight after all."

This was all that the elf would manage to say before turning his gaze back towards the man beside him. It was clear that the man had wanted to shake hands with him. A typical greeting for many but not the kind of greeting that Rinn was all that fond of. In his experience, the only time someone wanted to shake hands with you was when they were an aristocrat of some sort of attempting to gauge your strength. Given the garb that this man had wore, it was hard to tell which variety Azazel would slot himself into.

A moment would pass in which Rinn had simply stared at the hand before him. Given the actions of the man before him, Rinn could only assume that the man was too difficult to gauge. Given the lack of assistance, Rinn had wanted to slot Azazel under the guise of an aristocrat. Someone that rarely offered aid to others, unless there was something in it for them. On the other hand though, Azazel had just admitted to being an up and coming adventurer. Just which of these possibilities had held more sway?

Realizing that it didn't quite matter what the answer was, Rinn would simply shrug before offering his hand to the man before him. Even if Azazel was attempting to gauge his strengths, Rinn was willing to take the man on in a fight. He would surely lose this fight, given his lack of control, but even that could be considered a learning experience. "Rinntoki. Most people just refer to me as Rinn though. And as for your offer? While I appreciate it, it's something that will have to wait. I've already resigned myself to completing this task. If you really want to help me than you can do so by cracking up the ice around these ships."

Azazel let out an exhalation of breath, paired with a guilty smile that spread over his face at Rinn's words.

"I was afraid you'd be a proud and determined sort. Nothing for it, then. You may want to stand back a bit." Worried that the foolish mortal would not give proper credence to his words, Azazel turned to the side to avoid shattering the ice beneath the elf. As a demon of manipulation, Azazel was certainly less suited to this sort of routine feat of physicality as a demon of wrath like Arteron might be, but that was a far cry from saying that he was ineffectual. Demons were made of sterner stuff than the corporealized races of the realm, and even the physically weakest of their number could reach heights few mortals could hope to achieve with some concentrated effort.

Calling upon his unholy heritage, Azazel channeled the strength of the Abyss into his arms to deliver a mighty strike into the ice with his pickaxe ^{[Fiend, Abyssal Infusion]}. So powerful was the blow that it not only shattered an area around the point of impact, but also traced a spiderwebbed line across the face of the sheet before him, compromising its resilience. Grabbing a sheet of the remaining frost, larger than himself, Azazel heaved it out of the water and across to another section of the frozen water, shattering both.

All the while, Azazel directed the spare pick to begin more modestly chipping at the ice around them ^{[Telekinesis]}.

As Rinn was directed out of the way, he would willingly follow the orders that were thrown at him. He was no fool. If he were to remain atop of a strip of ice that was about to be shattered, or even nearby, it was quite likely that he would fall into the frigid waters below. That wasn't something that Rinn had wanted to face at this moment. While his arms might be impervious to breakage, the rest of himself hadn't been. All it took was one bout of hypothermia and everything could come crumbling down. Having been so early on in his journey, Rinn wasn't about to take that risk.

The events that transpired after he moved out of the way had left him floored. Not only had Azazel just utilized his strength in such a way that the entire sheet of ice had found itself full of cracks but he had followed that up by hurling that sheet of ice further away. This was a feat that Rinn had only dreamed about! While he had thought of the various ways to reach such strengths, he simply couldn't accomplish them yet. It was going to take time, training, and quite a few alterations to his body. But this man, this supposed fledgling adventurer, had completed such a feat with little to no efforts. There was no way in hell that this man standing before him was simply a newcomer on the adventuring scene.

Rinn had been left in such a state of shock that he hadn't even realized the actions that the spare pick had been completing. It wouldn't be too far of a stretch to say that the Moon Elf's jaw had been hanging open at the sight. That was only for a moment of course. Once Rinn had realized how stupid he had looked with his jaw hanging down in such a manner, he would quickly place it back to the manner in which it should be. "..who are you really? With that kind of strength, it's crazy for me to believe that you're new to this whole adventuring scene." A thought would soon don upon the Moon Elf, prompting him to believe that there might be some truth to the mans words. "You wouldn't happen to be from that Martial Academy, would you?" That was the only thing that would make this all make sense to the Moon Elf.

Azazel allowed himself a small, prideful smile at Rinn's implied praise. "Well, dear Rinn, I believe most strongly in the preciseness of language. I spoke truly when I told you I was an emerging adventurer. That does not necessarily imply that I am weak, nor does it obviate my life before my change of lifestyle. I have simply adopted new goals that made such changes necessary."

Azazel's green eyes danced with the reflection of the now-freed waters dancing in the noon-day sun. He cocked his head slightly at the mention of a mortal academy of martial techniques being used as a justification of his strength. "Self-taught. There are many ways to achieve mastery, and seldom is the most popular the most effective. I can see you are trying to better yourself: a worthy endeavor. I could be persuaded to impart some of my knowledge to a friend."

The demon's smile grew wider: his offer of help cordoned off by a veiled contract of relationship that would bind this mortal to him. Internally, Azazel practically squirmed with delight. After the disastrous encounter with the frost knight, the manipulation demon had to adjust his strategy to the modern age. It seemed there was no expiration date on showmanship.

Rinn would attempt to withhold a squint that was forming in his eyes as Azazel brushed off Rinn's own words. It wasn't as though he hadn't acknowledged them. He had simply stated a few things that left Rinn all the more curious about the mans background. If Azazel hadn't attended the martial academy, and was truly self taught, then he must have been risen within a chilling environment. One that was fueled by a fighting environment. It was quite possible that he had been raised within the military, much like Rinn himself. It was also possible that he simply led a life full of complication. Whatever the reason, Rinn couldn't hope to understand why it was that he had only now become an adventurer.

Rather than devote too much of his time to understanding the background of another, Rinn would simply nod and continue on with his previous actions. Thanks to Azazel's efforts, the majority of their work had more or less been completed. All that was really left was for them to clear out the hunks of ice that remained. Hoping to try and speed along the process, Rinn would attempt to replicate the actions that Azazel had just performed. Or one of them anyways. With his overall lackluster strength, Rinn would pry his skeletal hands directly into the cracks surrounding one of these hunks of ice before lifting it from the waters below. One it was within his grasp, he would lift the sheet of ice overhead before throwing it out towards the other cracked ice. With the combined weight, several hunks of ice would begin to descend from the surface.

"I'd be lying if I were to say that I wasn't interested in this offer of yours." A bit winded from having just hurled the sheet of ice, Rinn would need to take a moment to catch his breath. Once he had done so however, he would continue on. "At the same time though, there is only so much that you could probably teach me. Much like yourself, I'm primarily self trained. With that being the case, I'm sure that you can understand that we all have our own paths to tread in the way of training. What works for you might not necessarily work for me."

Taking a moment to turn back towards Azazel, Rinn would proceed to offer the man a nonchalant shrug. "There's no guarantee that I'll be able to get what I want out of such a deal. The same could be said about joining up with the Martial Academy. Hence why I've found myself out here, all on my lonesome." A short bout of laughter would slip past his lips at this point before eradicating itself. "Still.. It'd be interesting to see what another is willing to teach me. If you're up for offering me a few lessons here and there, I'm all the more willing to sit through them. Especially if it means that we get the chance to fight."

As the wrath demon within became elated at the prospect of a fight, Azazel failed to restrain the great, wracking laughs that erupted from his mouth at the absurdity of the suggestion. Everything, from the implication of Azazel teaching in a classroom setting to this mortal assuming he would be anywhere close to being able to comprehend the difference in power between them was positively comedic. The tiny mortal wants to fight. I respect that. He may be marching to his death, but he goes so willingly, not like the sheep that other mortals are. The absolute, unflinching confidence on this mortal makes him the most interesting I've seen in quite some time. To spurn an offer from me, after a display of demonic power verges on the insane. I think I like this one.



The demon's cackles gradually subsided as he turned to eye the elf once more, a mirthful twinkle still dancing in his green eyes. "You're certainly not one to shy away from saying what you mean. I can't imagine that's made you very popular back home. Be that as it may, I enjoy your forthrightness. You may call upon me if you need a lesson, and I will strongly consider granting your request. I will, however spare you the indignity of a proper duel. That arm of yours might be the only thing that survives five seconds."

As Azazel, or what Rinn had presumed to be Azazel, had bellowed out in laughter, Rinn himself would break out into a bout of laughter as well. The mere thought of sparring with another had been enough to set his blood boiling. If the two were to reach the act of it, just how much fun would Rinn be able to have? The very thought was enough to send his laughter to the skies and back. Once Azazel's laughter had come to an end though, Rinn was sure to cease his own as well. There was no need for him to seem as crazy as he very likely was.

"You'd be surprised. The majority of those that I grew up around have become quite accustomed to this personality of mine. The amount of individuals that find themselves fawning over me quite likely exceed these expectations of yours." It was merely a jest, of course, but one that Rinn had enjoyed toying around with the idea of. "Besides, what I'm interested in has nothing to do with the personality. As you might have noticed, the majority of my conversations stem from the ones that deal with my fists."

Another round of laughter would escape the Moon Elf's lips as he teasingly threw his hands up into a fighting position. It was lacking overall, given that Rinn never really bothered to learn any real combat techniques, showing his rather low understanding of combat. The fact had remained though that there was a willingness within his eyes. One that would allow for him to push past his limits, even if he knew that he was going to be beaten down.

"Once we're all said and done here, I'll certainly take you up on this offer of yours. Just give me a bit of time to acclimate to my grafts. While they haven't quite shown themselves as of yet, I've put quite a bit of work into them. With enough time, they should come out in full force. Then I'll at least have a few more things to keep me in the fight." From this point, Rinn would focus on that fire that currently dwelled within him. Rather than picking up the pace for the sake of room and board, Rinn had been doing so with the hopes of getting closer to their upcoming match. Azazel might have claimed it to be nothing more than a lesson but with enough persistence, Rinn was certain that he could convince the man to spar with him.

The change in Azazel's demeanor as Rinn raised his fists was as sudden as it was deadly serious. In a low tone, with flickering green eyes the demon spoke. "Don't brandish your weapons unless you're ready to die." The gravitas was swiftly broken as Azazel's face split into a smirk once more, so abruptly that his warning may have been a trick of the imagination.

"I don't want you getting killed before your time, there, Rinn. Take a moderate pace and you'll make something of yourself one day. Charon wasn't built in a day, and over-eagerness is a fast track to the grave." The demon quirked his brow and crossed his arms bemusedly as he watched the elf continue to work.

This one will go far, or die within a week, with the brashness on him. My bet's on the latter. As is mine, dear Arteron, but I make my business on the what-ifs and the maybes. Perhaps he'll grow into a warrior yet. Better to have him under our thumb and him die than to see him flourish without us. At worst, we'll have wasted a bit of effort in the gamble, but we must consider the upside. What's the point? He'll never be on my level. Of course not, imbecile, he's a mortal. Even so, we can't be everywhere at once. If our empire is to span far and wide, we need capable mortals as administrators in our stead, well, whatever passes for capable for the lesser beings.

The words that Azazel had prompted him with were enough to cause Rinn to grow hesitant for a moment. To have such a reaction after Rinn had mockingly raised his hands into a fighting stance.. Just what kind of life had this supposedly up and coming adventurer lived to react in such a manner? The curiosity that Rinn had over the mans past had grown all the more in that moment, making it all the more difficult to suppress it. While it was difficult, however, Rinn would successfully complete this task of his.

"Alright, alright. Jeez. No need to get so testy, yeah?" While his urge to spar with the man had continued to grow, his blood boiling hotter than it had in awhile, Rinn would have to stifle this urge with everything that he had. Instead of throwing himself into a fight, he would simply wait until he had grown a bit stronger. Perhaps once he had finished up with these lessons of his.. Only time could tell, honestly. "Anywayssss... It looks like we've more or less finished up with our task. If a couple of these ships can't escape the ice after all we've done then they deserve to stay trapped within the city's walls." Another bout of laughter would escape the elfs lips as he waved off what he said as a joke.

Figuring that the two were more or less done at this point, Rinn would throw his skeletal hands behind his head and would then start walking back towards the Pale City. While he was technically within the confines of the city, he had been a bit farther away from his desired inn than he would prefer. Better to get a move on now so that he could inform the respective captains that they could leave now. As he had begun to walk away though, he would call out to Azazel once more. "I'll be sure to return here in the morning. We can start the lessons then, if you're ready. Otherwise, we can wait a bit longer. I'll still wait out here, come morning, just incase."