+++ 奇跡国 - Miracle Country +++

a.
[ With the sense that there are plenty of mysteries about the forests in Miracle Country to investigate, the three make their way through them first, initially actually passing the areas full of welcoming paths and flowers, seeing the ponds and all the different (for now still normal) animals. It’s a pretty sight, that much can’t be denied and they walk casually along. ]

[ Alisha can be seen walking behind Mikleo and Sorey both, hands tucked behind her back as she looks around with a soft smile. ]

It’s been a rather long time since we’ve explored like this, hasn’t it?

[That gains a quick smile from Sorey as he nods in agreement, a bounce in his step. ] It has… I’m really glad we decided to do this! Think of all the things we might find!

[ It really has been a while. Mikleo, ever the practical one, looks around beside Alisha and Sorey and firstly thinks of the things they've heard about this place until now. ] It's not what one might expect of a forest that holds dangerous creatures in it if you wander too far. We should stay alert.

[ The deeper they go, past the barrier and the pretty pathways that are already becoming more rough nature and earth, the look of the surroundings does start to match better. They might even start to encounter the different monsters within. Will there really dragons here? Beyond the caves that follows one of the deeper paths, the skeletal remains of one single massive, unmistakable dragon certainly shows some proof. ]


b.
[ Every bridge that connects to the other islands is so unique and specific to the locations beyond that they can't help but stop and look at them before going forward. They see the bridge to the garden and zoo islands that is made up for roots, wondering what tree these came from or how old it is. There's the museum islands bridge lined up with bookshelves, fossils and stones that they just can't pass up. Even the light up metal bridge leading to the amusement park gets their attention. Anyone passing by or simply trying to get past the bridge to the other side may very well be obstructed by the geeking out happening here. ]

[ It’s Alisha who stops by one of the fossils, eyes going wide at one of the especially larger ones. ] T-This one-- is rather large, isn’t it?

[ Sorey crouches down next to her, a contemplating look crossing over his features as he stares at the fossil. What secrets it must hold! ] Do you think… the bridge would miss that one? [ Provided they can actually remove it from the structure without damaging it. ]


c.
[ To get to the garden island first they pass the zoo and this is where the animals getstrange. You might see the three of them at a display of sparkling gemstone-looking birds. Or llamas made of literal cotton candy. Mikleo wants nothing to do with the exhibition of colorful felt fabric wolves, even if it looks perfectly safe (and despite Sorey’s numerous assurances that the wolves look really cute and harmless!!). Nope. ]

[ The walk around the gardens is much more calm in comparison. Even more than the start of the forests, the beautiful nature here is hard not to be awed by. And even more impressive is the hedge maze in the middle. Do others really challenge through a large maze like that? It does have the look of a main attraction. ]


d.
[ The final stop will be the winged island, a careful journey along the bridge of large stepping stones, and through the desert area that leads to the winged ruins. The reservoir might very well be the most impressive sight of all on this exploration.

Mikleo can't help but feel how the water holds a special sort of purity to it, different from any of the rivers or ponds around Miracle Country. The memories of the people they care for are strong here, for reasons they can't begin to understand just yet. ]

This is...

[ When faced with the best find they’ve had all day, the ruins that just call to be explored… even so, Sorey manages to stop for a moment, close his eyes and breathe in the air. ] Somehow… the whole atmosphere in these ruins is really calm!

[ Alisha smiles fondly at the river beneath them, stopping to take in how clear and pure the water actually looks. ]

This resembles Ladylake after we purified it, doesn’t it? The water looks much more clear here than it does in other areas.

[ Anyone that happens to come across them now may very well share in the nostalgia between the three of them here, as they stand together at the reservoir. At least... the calm feeling in the air is undeniable. A fitting end to their day of exploring. ]


[[ooc: Alisha, Sorey and Mikleo are on an expedition! Join them around, pick your flavor with any location prompt and feel free to specify which character(s) your tag is for. All three will be available.]]

[At first, the change might not seem as immediate – there is, after all, the giant Sakura in the center of the park, still visible and still large and blooming. But today, all the trees seem to be sakura, surrounding the area and everywhere you look. It’ll soon be clear that you are no longer in the Miracle Country you know and love.

The city isn’t as you know it. Gone are the more modern-style houses and replaced with an ancient Japanese aesthetic. The sakura curve around the paths, made of stone, little streams of water and sakura blossoms falling to line the way.

And for those sensitive to magic, you’ll notice the giant barrier right away. It branches out from the giant sakura in the center of the town. Even those who can’t sense magic will be able to tell this is an old and powerful tree – it emanates its aura, the barrier strong and expansive. Seems simple enough, right?

In fact, this new ‘world’ seems idyllic in many ways. There are fields to plant crops, some vegetables already ready to harvest. The river remains, full of fish just waiting to be caught. The houses are in good repair and there’s enough supplies for everyone. The sun is shining, and it’s a warm spring day. Maybe despite yourself, you have to feel cheerful – it’s hard to see something so peaceful and lovely and not feel a simple joy with it, after all.

Well, except for the part where if you step out beyond the barriers held up by the sakura trees, you’ll find monsters lurking, just waiting to attack. And if they get past the barrier – which is known to happen – they’re aiming for one thing: sakura. They’ll do everything they can to get to them – destroying them or consuming them.

Thankfully for right now, these monsters are weak – and don’t show up that often. The barrier is strong enough to keep them out, after all, and they’re easily dispatched. And you aren’t going to necessarily know the connection between the trees and the monsters. It’s still too early to tell – if anything, it’s easy to mistake the monster’s intent: surely they’d be after the people, right? You should protect them. You'll find some basic weaponry in the houses around you - just basic-level swords or bows, nothing too fancy but it'll get the job done.

How do you fit into this, then? Characters are sorted as warriors or as priests/priestesses. The warriors are in charge of fighting the monsters that come through and the priest/priestesses are responsible for keeping the barriers strong. Warriors are unable to affect the barriers on their own just as priest/priestesses are unable to fight against the monsters with any sort of success. You’ll know which one you’ve been sorted into based on the outfits you’ll suddenly find yourself in – appropriately, the warriors will have more samurai-like garb while the priest/priestesses have outfits inspired by traditional miko.

For now, your purpose isn’t entirely clear. It seems you should be making the best of the situation you’re in: if anything, it’s like a mini-vacation. So long as you stay inside the barrier, you should be perfectly safe.]


[[ooc: our sacred sakura event begins! The event plotting post is here if you need a refresher. Other logs will be up during the timeline to show the advancement of the event. Keep in mind that things are relatively calm and peaceful at this point and the character would not know their role in everything just yet.]]