This new world Hayalci finds himself in is expansive, yes, but at the same time quite restrictive. The starry, obsidian sky gleams in an eternal night under a dim, blue sun. Soul-sundered, winged beasts deliver letters across the sky, only seen as black silhouettes sharing positions both in the air and on the ground, only the latter being where the birds would affect the physical domain of this place. In terms of the ground, wide varieties of sentient creatures walk the unearthly-paved roads. Heels tok against what one would assume is glass that covers such walking areas, the material gleaming under the azure light. Faces pass by Hayalci- few, if any at all, give the slightest glance at him. He sees anything from Elite Elves, whose multicolored eyes dot from one pedestrian to another, to meek, bestial residents who simply keep their sights low and noninvasive.

Such is the concept of Chassa... “All Beings, Together Thriving,” a typical leader would say of the place. More like all beings changing each world as one. A well-traveled man as Hayalci would understand this world is much unlike the others around and within it. What happens in the mortal plane of Bea is wildly influenced by inner workings within the upper Ascentia and the lower Descentia. What happens within those worlds is wildly influenced by the close-held inner workings of Chassan inhabitants. One woman can say a single word in Chassa that erupts a war in Bea. Crazy, crazy lives we live.

“Caspian, dear friend!” A familiar voice approaches from the side, catching the man’s attention. His glance is enough to acknowledge a set of regal robes attached to a female Aether Elf, one of the snow-skinned, blue-eyed beings of Chassa. “You look so gloomy. Sorry to be back so soon?”

Without a smile to greet her with, Caspian lifts his eyes enough to remain decent, albeit holding no devious purposes beforehand either, but not enough to meet her gaze. “Alain... I had hoped for more time to recover before returning.” He shifts, showing the slightest limp as he faces her, having to lift his head slightly upwards to make eye contact at her natural height of six feet, matching him.

Her bleached skin shows no deviation, much like her eyes that remain plastered on his. “Ah, still in recovery? By the Council’s grace, has it not been nearly a few months now since that UnGod tried killing you for being contracted to correct it?”

“It was the first reaving of a deity in the last few decades; there was bound to be an overlooked trap or unexpected strike. Now, who am I to report to in the Council? I dearly wish to return to Bea soon.” Caspian’s stance straightens quickly before short, yet efficient steps start his way for a central building in this world, one such building with sleek, curved surfaces holding more secrets than those of Bea could even begin to imagine. Hayalci has been there many times and has even been one among the Council members before. That is in the past, however, before he began this new calling of his.

The Elf does not yet follow, but childishly teases with a smirk, “The omniscient Hunter expects all, or so say the kids.” A few brief steps after him begin before she continues. “Actually, you are speaking to whom you must report to.”

“Huh-? Among the Council now, Alain?” His words indicate confusion, but his voice denies as much. Caspian’s eyes keep their sharp, dark gaze forward as his head tilts just enough to speak backwards to her.

“Not... yet, no. However, Master Romell has become increasingly impressed with my work that he has authorized me to task you with your next reaving. Although... you won’t enjoy where you’re going first, which is why I, in part, think I was asked to administer this tasking.” Alain is talkative, yes, but professional. Her borderline curt pauses betray a kind tone, providing more mixed signals than a pubescent serpent-girl. “You must first meet with a Goddess in Ascentia, I’m afraid.”

“Gah, I should have known as much. Why send one from the Below, then? Why was I not carted away to the ‘holy land’ in a golden chariot instead?” Distaste for Ascentia or Descentia is natural in Chassa, for how both worlds take one hundred percent of the credit for all decisions made in their betwixt limbo world. However, this sharp tongue on Caspian seeking damage to Ascentia is anything but natural, even for Chassans.

“While as insane as that sounds, I refuse to acknowledge it further,” Alain smacks back, dismissing the insult to the upper Gods’ world. “This is the reason you were not pulled aside in Bea by an Ascentian. You find it difficult to work with them, so I must be a mediator to ensure all goes well. Last time, you nearly ceased a reaving because you wouldn’t satisfy the God of Fortune’s... ridiculous, though doable request.”

“Let’s not speak of the ‘Gold Case,’ please, Alain. Fine, then... which door?” Of course, he speaks in regard to a natural ability of all within Ascentia, Descentia, and Chassa, which is quite simply teleportation. While there are physical, mental, and social limits, any being of those three worlds can hold the ability to port between any other world, including Bea, through any door of their choosing. This inherent gift is lost to Caspian, however, as he prefers cruder methods of travel between planes of existence.

Before directing him to a surely random building at the side, the Elf takes a few strides in front of him in order to lead and set some form of standard for the two. This building, likely a Chassan resident’s home- maybe a Council member’s, maybe a common worker’s- has a rather plain-looking door that lacks any hint of what may be inside. It’s true possessions remain a mystery as the entrance leads to a brighter, much more beautiful land. Almost instantly, heads begin to turn to see which being of Chassa was both able and willing to open a door to Ascentia- it is uncommon for Chassans to leave their native land, let alone travel to the world of the Gods. 

Alain keeps the portal open very briefly, probably to keep the glow of Ascentia from flowing into Chassa any longer than needed. Her eyes rest now over her acquaintance’s expression. A faint smile appears as his scowl lightens the smallest bit. “I thought you were unhappy with this place.”

“I am.” Caspian shrugs off a metaphorical weight, removing his gaze from the amber glow draped over every rooftop and building wall of the Gods’ land. The world would almost seem to be made entirely of gold save for the foot traffic below the two. His eyes scan the room Alain had brought them into- a meeting hall, surely. However, it isn’t royally-owned; there are personal belongings, indicating that they had stepped into someone’s home. One framed picture shows two smiling women, one with dark red hair and the other with blonde. The blonde emits an incredible aura, even through a simple image. The other, he feels, emits immense pain.

One of the many gifts the silver-locked man had been bestowed with is a sort of sixth sense that allows him information to those around him otherwise unbeknownst to most of the room. Throughout his travels, he has been equipped with extra abilities and rewarded with supernatural powers anyone else would find unusable. However, being a former Council member and a current Reaver, Caspian requires such skills. Among other talents, he can port from one plane to another without doors, alter reality, harness the Elements, and become a mere projection of himself, the latter for the use of stealth.

Alain glances over Caspian. “Please lose the coat to at least give the impression that you have no secrets to hide.” She’s given a sharp look before being obeyed, and her agent is left in the scarlet vest and the shirt, pants, and short boots. This is a typical look among those of Bea, and Cas has adopted it well. “Lovely, and me? How do I look?”

The Aether Elf, on the other hand, wears tighter robes akin to Chassan culture. Summing up the people in a few words, they are humble, ambitious, and tenacious. Their typical clothing shows the same, often hiding skin other than the face and hands while maintaining a trustworthy appearance. Patterns in her robes give depth, allowing the tall, yet elfin woman to flaunt curves without being indecent. Her darker-shaded base hue works wonders to match the bleached skin she was born with while straying away from radiating a dark nature. A band stretched around and tied at her waist clearly separates her upper and lower halves, making it undeniable that she is fit and well-kept.

Chassan residents are not exposed to the same sun as those of Bea or Ascentia, so their skin undergoes different effects. In Bea, it is common for the sun to darken or redden those its rays touch, overall resulting in mortals that are rarely very pale except in colder regions. In Ascentia, the angels’ sun is blessed by the Sun God, of course, on a monthly basis so that it revitalizes all that bask in its presence. This means that most angels and Gods have nearly perfect skin, needed very little to make them any more attractive. Within Chassa, the azure sun merely keeps the people warm, not affecting its people positively or negatively. Many, if not most residents in Chassa are lighter skinned, though it is especially true for Aether Elves like Alain. She doesn’t need to wear any cosmetics to appear more attractive, though it is common she reddens her cheeks to appear more lively. It is part of her duty, after all, to be sociable.

“Good.” Caspian simply responds. When shared the same glare he gave his Controller, he adds, “You look good, presentable to even Gods and Goddesses of Ascentia.”

“Ah, guests!” a cheerful, though surprised voice rings from a doorway behind the two. When they turn, startled, they see a green-eyed human woman, which is odd to see in Ascentia. “I apologize for not knocking first; honestly, I wasn’t sure this meeting would happen in the first place.”

Alain snaps a final glance at Cas before turning to their host. “People of Chassa do not fail to make meetings when set... Miss Liston, is it?”