"I see. She has every right to leave the practices if that's what she wishes. I would hope that she at least kept them in mind, but there's nothing I can do about that.I would think that she's at least practiced since she's gone through with becoming a shaman though," Aga said, starting to watch Ahnah, "It doesn't surprise me that she went for a more combat heavy practice though. She always used to read over the old tales of warriors past when she wasn't practicing her magic. It's good to know that she fallowed her dreams."

"Maybe now I can be more helpful in recovering from injuries. I'll need to go back and start practicing the spells more, but that's just going to come in time. I still remember the spells, I just haven't used them in quite some time," Ahnah said, nuzzling Goldenscale again, "I just hope I wont need to call on  Moonlight's strength all that often. While doing so would allow me to use some powerful healing spells, it would also mean I would be drawing energy away from Moonlight and her duties."

Moonlight turned her head and watched Ahnah as well, seeing her smile and being happy.  Moonlight then gave a laugh, amused by what Aga said.  "Well, it's all great that she is doing something she loves, but she might have a hard time actually doing her job now.  Goldenscale is definitely not a helpless child, and is more than capable of fending for herself.  She may be small, but I made it so that she is stronger and capable of more.  She's stubborn too, and would rather make it harder on herself than to have someone she cares about get hurt.  It's quite amusing watching those two." she purred, a wide grin stretching across her muzzle.

Goldenscale nuzzled Ahnah back, then gasped as an idea hit her.  "Since you are now a follower of Moonlight, maybe you can draw power from her other children, like me.  I can draw energy from the vegetation around me, so maybe that could help more than taking Moonlight's direct power." she said, the revelation bringing more joy to her.

"It's good knowing that. Ahnah was so stuborn in her time here, but I can sense that she isn't nearly as stuborn as she was back then. Having Goldenscale may bring back some of her older traits. Kyne knows  that they'll need to be stuborn to meet their goals," Aga said, her smile nearly matching Moonlight's, "I know not what they wish to achieve, but I can only wish the best tidings to them. Whatever the sands of time has in store for them will be met with capable boy and mind."

"That may be true. Normally, the spirit a shaman strikes a bond with  isn't of such position as Moonlight or Sunlight. Usually, they're only about as strong as you or myself, but Moonlight is well beyond that for sure. I do remember reading somewhere of a practice known as aspected  shamanism where one alignes themself with one of the aspects of nature," Ahnah said, running a claw over the new runes that were engraved upon the bone's surface, "There wasn't much to read about the subject, but it may aply here. There's only one way to find out. To draw on the energies of nature  would be useful in our jouney, but it would still need to be done in moderation."

Moonlight nodded in agreement to Aga's words.  "Ahnah has also changed Goldenscale.  She's not exactly the one to go about acxting like a lady, and was usually raised by the males of several species.  Though she does have her few feminie qualities, she definitely fought with more reckless abandon than a female would have,  Ahnah has taught her quite a few things concerning those specific male tendencies she has." Moonlight said, smiling.  She then gave a hum of agreement.  "They will be bringing the elemental spirits together in an attempt to bring back Kyne.  Their road will be tough, but they will do their best to make sure they succeed."

"Well, amybe if the time comes we can experiment a little with that to explore the new abilities you have." Goldenscale said with a shrug.

"Ah, what a goal to work towards. I assume the Lykos and black scaled female are with them as well then. It'll be interesting to see this world with nature restored to its rightful state, but all in due time. For now, it's nice knowing Ahnah's newfound abilities will be put to good use in the months to come," Aga said, her form starting to fade along with the light coming from the stone. "Well, it would seem my time here is drawing to an end," she said, looking to her own fading limbs, "I hope Ahnah can serve you well in her time."

"I would hope that such a time doesn't come soon. While I can if need be, I would rather have some time to famliarize myself with new energies that I can chanel," Ahnah said, closing a paw around the bone, "Once I know the energies, it'll be easier to direct it into the desired effect."

Moonlighyt gave a nod.  "Yes, they are.  Ahnah and Goldenscale were the starting party, but Midnight, the black-scaled dragon, joined in the beginning and Kaden, the Lykos, was just recently added to the roster after they survived the Fortress.  And that will indeed be interesting to see, and experience since it will have been eons since Kyne has walked the earth." Moonlight replied.  She then chuckled.  "Ahnah already has been for quite a while, even though she only became a representative of myself only moments ago.  It was certainly nice meeting you, Aga." 

Goldenscale gave a nod.  "That's understandable.  I wonder what new abilities and powers have been given to you, Ahnah." she said with wonder in her voice.  She had finally calmed down enough to sit still, but the energy still made her hyper enough to make her tail quiver.

"I can only hazard a guess at what all I have access to now. My only guess is that it would have something to do with the moon and what aspects of nature Moonlight has delved into," Ahnah said,placing the bone within her bag, "Whatever abilities are now at my control, I will learn them in time. For now, there's a day's workk ahead of us to prepare for the next leg of our journey."

"There may be a day's work ahead of us, but you should get some rest AHnah. You've been up all night working to make this ceremony a success," Midnight said, aproaching the two, "Even if you're not tired, I think you should avoid exerting yourself for now."

Goldenscale gave a shrug in response.  "That's true.  And knowing Moonlight, she would have given you a wide spectrum of powers."  She then gave a sigh when Midnight said they would have to start getting ready for their next journey.  She hadn't realized how much time had elapsed, but as she thought, she realized that they had been traveling for more than a week now.  Though she wished they could rest for another day, she knew that they would all most likely be leaving the next day to continue their journey.  They did need to leave to get to their next destination, just in case something hppened where they would have to take a detour.  Hearing Midnight's statement, Goldenscale made a nod in agreement.  "You should rest Ahnah.  I'm sure Midnight, Kaden and I can manage everything." she said with a smile.

"That sounds like a plan. I spent half the night gathering those materials. I knew she would only choose to take a single item, but I didn't want to come across as only doing the bare minimum. I'm glad it went well though," Ahnah said, giving a nod to Goldenscale, "While our next destination is the Tangled Wood , I do believe the region known as the Shifting Expanse stands between us and the Woods."

"Ah yes, the Shifting Exspance. A land forever caught in an eternal storm. While suffering from being a deser, its skies are constantly covered in thick, lightning filled clouds. If I remember correctly, it's watched over by the aspect of lightning, Stormcatcher. I can't say I've been there, but information of the region has always been abundant for those looking to transverse the sands," Kaden said, making his way around the fire, "As we sit now, I don't believe we have what it takes to pass the challenges found within the Tempest Spire. Right now, we have no way to prevent ourselves from being eletricuted the instant we enter."

"We might need to wait till we've retrieced the earth rune then. It could produce the protection we would need. It might be possible with the nature rune when we find it, but earth would a sure shot," Ahnah said, thinking over the risks, "In any case, there's no safe way for use to enter the Spire at this time. For now, we just need to focus on stocking up on food and water for the trip through the Exspance. With it being a desert, our resource supply will need to be carefully managed."

Goldenscale smiled when Ahnah said that resting would be a good idea, then listened as Ahnah spoke about their next destination.  Hearing Kaden's explanation of the Shifting Expanse, her eyes widened before her ears fell and she frowned.  "I don't want to go through storms..." she said quietly.  Thunderstorms, and just thunder and lightning in general scared the daylights out of her.  There would be no way to get her through unless she was blindfolded and had something in her ears so she couldn't hear the thunder.  After hearing that they wouldn't be able to enter the Spire, she relaxed a little bit in hopes that they wouldn't end up going through the desert and the storms.  But her hopes were bashed when she heard they were still going through the desert, and she looked miserable with the thought.  Goldenscale then perked a little when she thought about what they could do.  She did know about deserts from what her Cockatrice friends had taught her, but she had never endured the real thing.  "Well, I suggest we eat foods that are high in nutrients and carbonates before we leave so that we can have enough energy .  We'll need to carry rations and lots of water, since I doubt there will really be anything there to eat or drink.  I don't even think the ground would be able to support plant growth, so I would be incapable of growing vegetation for food.  Deserts are also quite hot, so we shouldn't carry too much because we will tire ourselves out faster and use wup our water supply quicker." she said, trying to think of the best plan of action.

"That would work, but that would be something we look into when we stop by the next human settlement. The next one we'll likely encounter will probably be some form of trading outpost for those traveling the regions, and will most likely have the supplies we need for our own treck through the sands," Ahnah said, giving a nod, "The main issue I'm going to need to work out is how I'm going to keep cool. I'm in no way physically prepared to hand the heat of a desert, and I don't have the reseerves to maintain a field of ice around myself for the entire trip through."

"That will be an issue then. I can't provide too much reliefe from that myself. The field of chilled air around me can only do so much for something larger than myself like you," Kaden said, flicking the acumulated ice off his tail.

Watching the frost grow on Kaden's fur, Ahnah thought for a moment before speaking. "No, but we can still make use of that trait of yours. You may not be able to cool me directly, but we might be able to maintain a set of frozen water pouches. While one set is in use, one set can be getting refrozen, and we'd switch them out as needed," she suggested, "It shouldn't be hard to aquire the pouches or water. That, and it'll keep you cool as well."

"It's and idea, but I'd like to see how it would work first when we get there. Regardless of what they're used for, the pouches will be needed to maintain our water supply anyways," Kaden said, taking a seat. Looking to Goldenscale, he tilted his head, "You seem a bit aprehensive about going to the Shifting Expanse. We should be fine so long as we prepare ourselves properly."

Goldenscale listened to Ahnah and nodded, trusting Ahnah.  She had traveled much more than she had.  Before this quest, she had never left the forest, and Ahnah had traveled from her home village to their home in the forest, and to who knows where if she traveled more than that.  She frowned when Ahnah mentioned the heat, not really knowing how to help.  Ahnah and her species were adapted to a cold climate, and her fur would hold in too much heat in a hot climate.  Goldenscale herself might do better in the hot climate since her scales were still thin, and she would certainly do better than Ahnah.  " I could shade you with my wings..." she offered, not sure how to help otherwise.  Hearing Kaden's idea, Goldenscale smiled.  "That might work." she said.  She then gasped when she realized something else about the deserts.  "Oh!  I just remembered that the nights will be cold in the desert.  Such heat comes at a cost, and the sand is incapable of holding anything in.  As soon as the sun sets, the sand will loose its heat, so in that sense, you'd be better equipped, Ahnah." she said.  Hearing Kaden again, she frowned and looked down at her front paws.  "It's not that I don't think we'll be more than ready.  I'm just..." she said, messing with her paws as her ears went back and her tail wrapped around her feet, " deathly afraid of lightning and thunder...  I wouldn't even be able to get remotely close.  I'll just hinder the expedition, and we can't afford that..." she said quietly, her wings hugging her small frame.

"It's fine dear,, lightning is a force anyone in the right mind would fear. To be honest, I'm too keen on entering the Tempest Spire either. Even with the earth rune to protect us, it's just natural to fear electricity. It can cause damage on its own, or indirectly with its ability to cause fire. More than likely, we'll have to rely on the Champion of Earth, if they accompany us by then, to get through safely," Ahnah said, placing a wing over Goldenscale, "As for your idea, that can help. During the nights, I can then return the favor in keeping you and Midnight warm."

"I could help with blocking out the heat during the day. With my scales being black, my wings would absorb a good potion of the heat as well," Midnight said, stretching her wings briefly before placing one over Goldenscale as well, "Ahnah's right about lightning though. None of us are going to be too keen on entering the lair of the aspect of lightning."

"Remember, I'm more lik you in regards to maintaining body heat. Where you have your fur, I have my scale coloration. Regardless, we can all help each other in this trip. We'll all need to rely on each other when we do eventually need to enter the Spire. For now, let's focus on getting through the desert," Midnight said, smiling when Goldenscale did, "We're all in this together. If we don't have each other to work with, then we will surely fail."

"Midnight's right. For now, there's no reason for us to try and enter the Spire. It's too risky, and we're in no way prepared for the challenges within. In truth, it'll likely be one of the last places we visit," Ahnah said with a nod, "We all need to work together. If we can't do that, what hope do we have for completing this journey? We can't let ourselves fail."