Outside of Candartha, Adel was already quick on gathering some needed firewood and provide a proper campfire, whilst Lupina was hunting for any animals to cook over. Koina acted as recon in order to see any intruders that would come, as well as utilize her dagger to swish and create some fresh water to drink. It wasn't long until night arrived, with Adel going on his story with his time in Khepros and Salvandi, captivating Koina. "Really?? You endured all that??" She'd ask, baffled as she looked up and down at his figure, seeing the Carbon sticking out of his skin like a sore.
"...Aaaand managed to reach the strength of your king in Orochi! Admittedly, I think he was going a bit easy on me, but I'm sure the next time we fight, it'll be a good one!"
"Obviously. You said he didn't house his gauntlet at the time, right? That gauntlet is a deal breaker for many residents here."
"Really??" Adel was surprised, watching Koina inscribe different Kanji symbols on the ground, the shape changing from wyvern to carp as she used water pressure to cut through and write it down.
火
冰
木头
水
金属
头脑
宝石
雷
光
黑暗
地球
毒
悖论.
Fire.
Ice.
Water.
Wood.
Metal.
Mind.
Gem.
Thunder.
Light.
Dark.
Earth.
Poison.
Paradox.
"These are the Dragons of Orochi. Dragons that have existed alongside Taro in slaying the monster itself, using its body as the perfect temple and template for what it is now. Whatever issues you had before when fighting him are drops in a bucket compared to what he usually goes with."
"So what you're saying is he's stronger if he goes all out!"
"Are you not listening!?" Despite her admiration and excitement, she can't help but be annoyed and a bit concerned about Adel's stubbornness. She sighed, as she understood that Adel has become more unruly than before, a small smile to at least show her admiration was not entirely at fault. Right as they were talking, however, something would move from above.
"Aye, aye, aye! I thought we agreed no snitching on our magic styles here!" A cocky voice amidst the trees, prompting the two to get up and arm themselves, watching the silhouette descend down, stabbing into the 宝石 kanji by its square center. He'd rise and dust off any debris that was caught on his suit, the flames only illuminating his body and Cheshire-like grin.
Axel Broadway.
"YOU!? Why are you-" Koina would start, already preparing a swiping motion and changing the blade's design on its steel, but was abruptly halted, the ground already creeping in and stabbing into her feet, quickly trailing through her bones and nerves to prevent her from moving further. Adel would try to be at bay, but he'd also be just as caught, a shimmer of gold wrapping around his ankle and having his skin spread out, anchoring him down and preventing him from generating his poison. "Gah...You... Why..."
"Relaaaaax. I'm not here to kill you all. I'm just serving on behalf to ensure the goods are secured." Axel would make his way towards the box, kneeling down and seeing the substance on the locks. He was quick on unlocking it and seeing the Gingerbread House from above, noticing the visible damages and cracks that were recently patched. "...Hm. Weird. You guys didn't had a snack or anything, did you?" The man asked quietly, turning his head to see the two shake theirs. "...I thought so. You don't seem to be having any stains on your mouth or clothes, aside from your little scuffle. Seems these guys are starting to be more self-aware." He'd go back on his investigation, noticing no Gingerbread Man guarding the entrance. He'd take his cane and poked at the box, letting the gold grow and stretch out, invading the outside region of the House so as to not be turned to a confection by accident. He'd let the door open and peer inside through the hole, seeing the residents be just as inanimate, while also having their shops and buildings in the same state as the House.
"Let me guess. You're gonna tell us it's bad, isn't it?" Annoyance rang out from Koina's voice, but Axel disregarded such notion and get back up.
"Definitely being self-aware. Bruno's gonna hate this, then. I'll let him know in the morning so no other problems would arrive." Right as Axel said such words and turned around, Lupina would try to strike, lunging forward and hoping to ravage him while his guard was down. As she did so, however...
SHIKK!! SHIKK, SHIKK, SHIKK!!!
Skewered, one through each mouth. Golden spikes that glow amidst the flame's light, the mineral invading and tearing the monster to ribbons, the fur being pushed away so as to not dirty the confection, as Axel would close the box. Adel's eyes widened upon seeing him kill such a monster with such little effort, though based on a deep breath, his assessment could be proven wrong. "Well, all I need to see! You can keep going with your little campfire story. Pretend I didn't exist!" He'd demand as he began to walk away.
"Wait. You're just here as inspection? Why?? Wouldn't it be-"
"Whatever logic you're attempting to throw at me, forget it. I'm a gambler, first and foremost. If you're telling me something about either the kids or what they're bringing to the war, I'll quiet that sound. I want to test my luck here, not be given a winning edge on a silver platter. I want it as a surprise, so No Spoilers." Axel would lose his smile as he looked towards Koina, staring down to make sure she doesn't question his logic. Adel, however, would ask his own question.
"You sure? You'd probably die if you don't get any information here."
"And that's the best part! I wanna see what I'm working with when it comes out! If I get spoiled by what they can do, then the fun's over! I'd have to experience what I like with the knowledge told beforehand, and it'd be just boring! So, a reminder: No Spoilers. Keep those secrets and strats to yourself. I wanna take my chance when they finally do something. See yah, folks!" His smile grew right back as he'd answer, turning his head away and waving them goodbye, leaving them with a corpse of a monster beside them, the blood pooling over to the fire, the gold now gone, their bodies able to move again.
"Well he seems nice!"
"WE NEARLY DIED THERE!!" Koina couldn't keep her voice down throughout the night, baffled once more by such blatant disregard.