Where does this even end? (Cara/Cillian/OPEN)

[Kaia Galanos]

The training grounds were not at all what she expected. Kaia had pictured more of a training pit...but there was so much more than that. She's not even entirely sure it was all wilderness. She'd bet if you looked hard enough you'd find any kind of terrain you'd want. Maybe a desert here, some mountains there? She heard something about Qi beasts lingering within too.

Only one way to REALLY find out though.

As she stood before the spot that connected the Academy grounds to the Training grounds, she'd glance around for anyone else in the area. Diving in face first is fun and all, but if anyone had any knowledge about this place it could make for smoother start. Or you know, she could start some sort of exploration party.

"Who wants to deep dive the training grounds?!"

There we go. Invite sent.

[Cillian McWolfe]

Cillian was there, armor polished and gleaming and sword at his hip. The training grounds were vast and dangerous. Rumors swirled around the Academy of the training grounds about Qi beasts and other dangers. Cillian had to admit that his interest was piqued, but he wasn't foolhardy enough to go without protection. He knew he was good, but pride came before the fall.

"If you need an Escort Madam, I would be more than happy to accompany you."

[Cara Dunn]

"Sure." Hearing the invite out of the open wasn't all that strange, but Cara found her acceptance was. She'd told Rhona the other day she didn't fight so much as hunt, and target practice was what shed had in mind. She had heard things about the training grounds, including qi beasts, but she also wanted to keep in shape after healing up from the festival.

"Got room for one more?" Bow over her shoulder, Cara headed over towards the others. She didn't recognize either of the other two, but she might have seen teh other girl somewhere? Call her intrigued.

[Kaia Galanos]

Kaia would look the man up and down, then give him a nod of approval. He could play the part of escort if he wanted.

"Alright, you're in then."

She'd turn to the girl next, and cross her arms. At first glance, she didn't much look a warrior but she DID have a bow. Having some ranged attacks sounded pretty good to her.

"Hmmm. Yeah. You'll do just fine."

She'd move so she could see them both, then offer a grin.

"Do we need a strategy, then? Go in a straight line as far as we can get? Do some zig-zagging? Look for some moss?"

She's fairly sure that last one was a thing...for something...

[Cillian McWolfe]

"Well, if we don't have a clear objective other than exploration then I would say we pick a direction and continue until we find a landmark or something of interest."

With no destination in mind, there was no real wrong way to go.

"But alas, I do not wish to be rude. I am Cillian McWolfe, at your service."

[Cara Dunn]

Cara waited for the other girl to make her decision, grinning when she was accepted.

"Yeah, I think we're good starting off in one direction and working from there. Unless there is something you're looking to do?" She was fine with it, either way. She hadn't called for the party, just joined it. At the introduction, she nodded.

"Cara Dunn. Nice to meet you two." She looked at the other girl, obviously waiting to be given a name!

[Kaia Galanos]

"Kaia Galanos." she'd say, before turning to look into the training grounds and shrug.

"I wasn't really aiming for anything. Maybe we should track a Qi beast or something. Or just see where we end up."

Despite still considering options, Kaia would just head in.

[Cillian McWolfe]

Cillian follows!

[Cara Dunn]

For all their options, Kaia seemed to have two particular hopes in mind, and one of them was easy enough since they were already doing it!

"I wouldn't mind both." She chuckled. "I take it you don't normally come in here." She'd said deep dive, but they were starting out with an adventurous mindset.

[Kaia Galanos]

"I've avoided it due to my injury and other more petty reasons, but I feel healthy enough to challenge it, now." she'd reply, just going forward into eternity for the moment. At least until they find something of interest.

"I see no downsides in attempting to familiarize myself with all aspects of the Academy."

Could prove advantageous in the future, even.

[Cillian McWolfe]

"I have, but not very far in. It seemed unwise while recovering from my injuries as well. But I am curious as to what secrets these grounds contain. Intentionally hidden, or otherwise."

It was large, far larger than the hunting grounds he was used to. He was positive there were figurative gems hidden all over the place for people to find.

[Cara Dunn]

The loaded 'more petty reasons suggested all kinds of things that had Cara regarding the other girl for a moment with mild interest, but she didn't press the subject on a total stranger.

"I see. It's new to me, too." She looked around to get a bearing of their situation, but wasn't fussed since they'd just started. Still, it wouldn't hurt to recognize the signs of the exit.

"I blame my injuries. That festival was wilder than I thought it'd be."

[Zack Asiv]

They can hear the sound of combat!

Kaia hears the battle cries of at least three different beings in combat.

Cillian hears the dull thud and clang of swords!

Cara can feel the earth beneath her feet shake like the rumble of a large herd of beasts running on a plane.

Should they move to investigate they would find a small battle taking place. Not unusual for the Training grounds to be honest, but to the group of newcomers to Cabal this was probably unusual. To start there is a green haired swordsman who looks like he is barely holding the long sword he is wielding. His stance is very loose and he seems to be swaying a bit side to side. He takes the offensive by attacking straight for his opponent a white haired, red eyed swordsman in a red jacket. He swings his blade from his right side to swipe across and the guy in the red jacket moves to block it with his large cleaver blade, but the last second the green haired guy literally stumbles to the left, changing his slash into an intense thrust. Cillian would be able to tell his loose swordsmanship wasn't hindered, but looked weak and amateurish. That thrust however looked deadly accurate and perfect let alone his motions or appearance.

The guy in the red jacket is able to adjust in time to clash blades and barely knock the thrust away from him. This causes the green haired swordsman to finish stumbling and spin with the shove away as the guy in the red jacket swings his cleaver blade over his head where the green haired guy looked like he was about to stop. However he lets his momentum work for him and shift his heel to just barely avoid the slash. However he hops away as the blade hits the ground with such force it rips through the earth tossing debris in every direction the wind lifts the green haired swordsman and even tosses him a bit. The debris lands on some odd white barrier that becomes visible around a third man as rocks hit it. He stands there with eyes nearly unblinking and his arms folded.

The smoke cloud from the slash clears and both swordsman can be seen smiling. For everyone the only thing for sure the man in the red jacket has monstrous levels of strength.

[Kaia Galanos]

Expecting the others to still be following her, Kaia would immediately follow the sounds she heard. If the combat wasn't nearly as interesting as it seemed to be, they could just carry on...but something in her gut told her she wanted to see this.

When they all arrived, she would stop at a respectable distance to watch the swords clashing. The styles were different, but effective all the same. She'd been so focused on the two she'd almost forgotten the third being she'd heard, though she finally noticed him when all the debris bounced off his barrier.

Interesting...

She would look at the man in the red jacket curiously, feeling the hair on her body raise from goosebumps. Was this inspiration? Awe? Jealousy? She wasn't sure.

"Now THAT was worth the watch!"

[Cillian McWolfe]

"Impressive strength, sure. But your form lacks strength and function. Are you new to the blade?"

Cillian put his hands on his hip, looking the group over.