>>5989859The guide explains as two plain rocks pop into existence in his hand. They are small, round stones; they look completely normal.
"I'll go in first; someone lend me a shield!" You're curious to use the Talking Stones but one of the spear-wielding Baphomets protests. He is a well-scarred goat man with numerous marks of combat over his body.
"Nay, nay. Tis not a good idea for the strongest to risk an ambush. I'll go in first with the shield and Talking Stone to make sure the damn Wyvern be not lingering about at the Gate. Me shipmate will go unavenged if the most puissant dies."
"Hard to argue against a volunteer. All right then, go in first."
The scarred Baphomet enters the Gate without hesitation. The familiar flash of light briefly blinds you as the goat man disappears. Your group huddles over the stone in the hand of the guide and waits. Ten long seconds pass before you hear the voice of the brave warrior emitting itself from the Talking Stone.
"The deck is clear. No wyrm hangs about."
Then the Talking Stone splits in half as easily as a dirt ball. So the Talking Stones are a magical one-time walkie-talkie. No hesitation now. Your group steps boldly through the Gate under the watchful, apprehensive eyes of the other Baphomets. The light blinds for a second as you take a step forward and through.
The familiar stinging of the transfer washes over you but it is not painful. A clear sign that wherever you are going is not witnessed by anyone.
Your advancing bare foot splashes into ankle deep cold water before resting on an equally cold stone. The familiar night sky of Earth is above, with a familiar moon shining down. In the silvery moonlight, you see a grand abandoned estate. It is startling to see the size of the house looming above and the area you are in. You can't possibly be anywhere near Tokyo; a house this gigantic and derelict would have long since been demolished and built over. The place is not silent, but it is silent. There's no sound of birds, insects, or anything human, but the place 'breathes' in an unnatural manner.
You are not alone in this place. Goosebumps rise on your arm, and it is not from the cold wetness soaking your tender bare feet.
"<span class="mu-i">Huff</span>, I'll hold the light." The fat guide takes out from his voluminous pack an old look oil lantern and lights it. A feeble amount of luminescence creates a circle around your group.
"Meep, water everywhere but we aren't on a ship. Fortuna's fickle affection. So, what's the plan?" The three spear wielding Baphomets turn to you for orders.
Hm, where did that Wyvern go? You injured its wings very badly, so it can't fly any time soon.
"Try to find the tracks of the thing. Also, what happens if the Wyvern lingers too long in Japan?" You ask as the Baphomets look downwards to find out where the Wyvern has gone off to.