Crystal Bonds

Crystal Bonds is a limited time Odyssey Event, and the twenty-seventh in the series. It was scheduled to start on September 8, 2014 at 12:00 AM (PDT) and end on September 10, 2014 at 11:59 PM (PDT).

Story
"Just wait a little longer," said Renoir softly, as she gazed at her longtime friend encased in the scarlet gemstone.

Of course there was no reply, only the same feeling of disappointment that swelled in her chest, leaving behind a dull pain.

"I must only bear this a little longer," she continued, pressing the palm of her hand into her chest as if holding back the ache.

Renoir saw her reflection in the so-called "bloodstone," a deep-red gem that possessed an abundance of magical qualities, and she now glared at it with pursed lips.

She had been so proud and selfish, and yet, there had also been none more cowardly, more afraid of being alone. It was by her own hand that she sealed her friend in the vermillion crystal. And it was all the more reason why she could never forgive herself.

Renoir recalled again their central creed, that their magic never be used for earthly desires. Still, she cursed her two friends' being so foolish as to have been tempted. How could they have been misled by someone so naive, no matter how much acclaim they may have desired?

"Never again."

The coldness of Renoir's voice frightened even herself, and she wrapped her arms around her trembling form. Soon the need for such a masochistic rite would be gone. Soon she would be free, the curse broken, and the days of innocence returned.

Looking through the glass at her dear friend Viluze once more, she whispered quietly, "I promise... I promise it will be soon."

...

Yvette and the heroes had arrived in a rather unique town, and they found themselves staring at a multitude of unusual sights. It was where the Regulators of the Dark Arts had built their headquarters, so it went without saying that the streets were filled with vendors selling all sorts of arcane trinkets as well as tomes and scrolls containing the highest class sorcery.

Having returned the book of forbidden magic they had received from an ex-Regulator named Lotesha, the Heroes now decided to take some time to explore the town.

"What do you think goes on in that tower?" said Yvette after a while, pointing to the most conspicuous building in the area.

Of course, the Heroes had not the slightest, and all in the party shook their heads. "What interest have you in my home?"

Surprised by the voice behind them, the Heroes quickly spun around to see a woman wearing elegant mage's robe and a bright-red jewel around her neck.

With her stern expression and silver hair, her appearance left just as much of an impression as the town did. What was more, the Heroes could not help but stare as they were hit by a tremendous feeling of deja vu. The young woman only stared back, then leaned in uncomfortably close to the nearest Hero and peered into their eyes.

"Wait, might you all be...?" The silver-haired woman asked loudly, her voice echoing throughout the city streets.

...

The Heroes had soon realized the reason for their deja vu.

"I called for Heroes, not a nosy fairy." "I don't remember you saying I couldn't come." "Oh, so you admit you'd let yourself into anyone's home unless they explicitly told you not to?" "Of course. That's what fairies do, y'know."

The Heroes had no choice but to wait for the skirmish to end. This woman, Renoir, seemed to be Yvette's equal in more ways than one, and, in particular, it was difficult to tell whose tongue was more venomous. They had been arguing since they met eyes, and the Heroes had no choice but to spectate with disinterest.

Once they reached Renoir's home, she invited them all inside. Within, they saw the tower was littered with items created with the power of a certain red stone. She had told the party she had a favor to ask of them, but as she had a favor to ask of them, but as she and Yvette had been quarrelling the whole time, they had still not heard what it might be.

The Heroes waited as they sipped the tea that had been brought out for them, when eventually Renoir seemed to tire of bickering with their companion. She now turned to the task at hand.

"I have been searching for the ingredients to make a certain potion," she began, almost quietly, as if she somehow felt guilty mentioning it. "I had not intended to ask for anyone's help with this. However, the materials I need are in a place of great peril, and I fear a young dame like myself will not be enough to retrieve them alone."

"That's not exactly how I would have described you, but..."

"What an annoying little fly..."

"I don't know about fly, but at the moment, I have real thorn in my side," parried Yvette.

Meanwhile, hoping to restore Renoir's focus, one of the Heroes inquired as to why she sought to create the potion.

"You will not... help me otherwise?"

"Of course we won't! What if it were a weapon?! I wouldn't be surprised..."

"I wish... to save a friend."

Renoir pointed to a larger red gemstone in the center of the room. As the Heroes peered inside it, they could see what looked to be a shadowy silhouette.

"For as long as anyone can remember, we, that is to say those of the same academy, have used bloodstones to cast our magic," said Renoir, gently caressing the stone with her hand.

"It feels like ages ago, but my childhood friend Viluze, another friend of ours, and I were researchers at the academy. One day, there was a terrible accident, and it caused Viluze to, um, transform."

"What do you mean?"

"Arcane research does not come without its fair share of risks. The spell we were testing turned Viluze into a demon. I had no choice but to encase her in this prison, in order to... delay the transformation process," said Renoir. A profound sadness palpable in her demeanor and expression, down to the darkest part of her eyes.

"I take full responsibility for what happened. I was tired, and... I did not take as much care as I should have. Viluze would have never gone along with it, if I had not encouraged her to do so."

"Hey, now, it's okay. Everyone makes mistakes," encouraged Yvette, but Renoir simply shook her head.

It was clear that the young woman was in fact kind of heart. The Heroes thought she resembled a particular fairy companion even more.

"All I want is to go back to the way things were. I am so tired of this guilt," began Renoir before whimpering like a lost child, "I want to be able to forgive myself."

At last, Yvette took Renoir's hand. "I promise... We'll get her back."

Chapters/Quests
* Encountered every 25 levels after level 100.