Pandemoniun (Pt. 1)

The other side of the portal is cold and alpine, with a veil of white mist over everything that offered a visibility of just a hundred feet.

The portal probably teleported them to a mountain somewhere.

But where?

The shopkeeper puts a single, wooden wand on the counter. "Ebony wood, a pheonix feather as the core. No gemstones or gold fittings, just simple and elegant." While not as fancy as some of the others, it had some nice carvings on it.

"everyone here?" "Nice. How much is it?"

"Yeah!" Sounds of behind her. The group is keeping close to one another.

"It's handmade and ebony is rare. Two hundred."

does anyone have a clue where we are?" "Hmm I'm short. How about I came back later and pay for it?"

"Not one bit," Gramps says. "Definitely not what I expected."

"We're near a mountain peak," Autumn procliams. "I used to go hiking out in the mountain when I was a kid. I see we make our descent. Carefully."

Legion, who had a lot more money on his person, offered to pay for it.

"well since you know how to go down mountains...You should lead us." "Really you would pay for it?"

Autumn proudly leads the entire party and sure enough, they do get down the mountain.

They seem to have stumbled upon a town, as there are marble walls right in the middle of what looks like a forest.

"Well, yeah, why not?" he says. "I don't usually buy stuff, so I have a lot of spare money."

"okay..Be prepared for anything. It could be kitsunes..Or it could not be.." "thanks then. I appreciate it!" Wendi sounded excited to get a wand even though she had no spell book.

They were discovered by a guard on patrol and luckily, it was a kitsune. "Refugees, huh?"

He paid for the wand and the shopkeeper even packed it in a neat, little box. "Anything else you want while we're at the market?"

"yes..." "A book"

The guard offered to take them to the city. "I hope you're the last; we've been getting refugees from all over Mobius. Barely any room left."

"A spellbook, a cookbook? What kind in particular?"

"I hope we are the last.." "a spell book silly. Why would I want a cook book in the land of the mages?"

The city has a architecture style very reminiscent of ancient history, with marble statues, pillars, houses. There are kitsune everywhere. Houses built on top of houses, catwalks that connect some houses.

It's rough, but it's still better than nothing.

"Oh, right!" he says. "Are you, though? Spellbook usually require some knowledge of the magic you want to use. They're not really for learning."

"wow......" Willow was just looking at it all. "Then what books are for learning magic? I thought all books were for learning?"

A kitsune in regal clothes comes over and gives them a look. "More refugees," she says in a bored tone. "How quaint. I'll need all of your names."

"Didn't mean it like that," Legion said. "Of course they are for learning, but you need some basics that you'll learn in school or else you won't understand it. Spellbook aren't meant for complete beginners, just novices and higher."

"I'm willow" "oh..i see...Well are there ones for beginners?"

The rest of the introduced themselves as Autumn and Lotus, whilst gramps gave his name as Maple.

The rest of the kitsune they brought with them didn't give out names, which got the kitsune's attention, as she needed to write them down. "I see. What about the rest of you? Do you not speak?" She approached one of them, his scared eyes meeting with her stern, unflinching ones. "Name?"

"Of course," he says. "Do you want those instead and have me get the spellbook later?"

"actually those have been stuck in soul gems this whole time. We just found out and realesed them out now. I don't they even remember their names.." "yeah"

"We can't waste resources or space on them," she says coldly, scanning the kitsune with her gaze. "They will be euthanized, like any wounded animal should be."

So Legion went and bought her a beginner's spellbook as well, which meant he spent three hundred of his cash on just this day.

The illustrations and the way it was written likely meant it was supposed to read by children.

"are to serious? That's...Are you even listening to yourself!!?! They are kitsunes just like you and me!! They just need some time to recover. " "You sure this will help me?"

"I already told you our resources and living space are limited," the kitsune stood her ground. "The countil will decide their fate, but as for me, as one of three councillor, I have made my decision clear."

This was a kitsune Autumn actually wanted to punch. He didn't like her one bit.

Legion shrugged. "Sure hope so."

"what a horrible mindset. They deserve a chance like any other..." Willow glared and turned back. She didn't want to look at her anymore. "Ever considered expansion on this city or something?" "Well I guess I can read it."

She didn't consider them to be worthwhile members of the society and she wasn't patient enough to wait whether or not they would turn a new lead.

"We are done talking."

The councillor was still being merciful; had they annoyed her further, she'd have them locked up and beaten.

"Whoa, what a b-" Autumn cut himself of in the presence of Lotus. "baaad lady."

"Let's head home, shall we?" Legion offered to carry the things he bought for her. "You can start practising right away."

"She acted just like one of the members of that group I was sent to find..Grrr...." Willow was pissed. "I knew if lillith was here she would of eaten her soul already..." "I can carry this. Thanks though"

"We all wish for a personal demon, don't we?" Maple said. "She didn't even tell us where to go."

Legion held hands with her as they left the city and went for the portal back to the fort.