Mina:

As she starts questioning what is happening around her, she starts hearing a familiar voice. Is that Kullogal? Then it all comes flooding back to you. This is not real, you in some sort of illusion! The moment that thought runs through your mind, your vision spins and you find yourself back in the room with the red dust. However, now you can see your companions clearly.

Mizu:

(Well you took care of that description for me XD. Twas literally what I would have said.)

Rowarin:

You take 5 psychic damage.

Your mind is breaking from the pain and destruction you've caused, not to mention the loneliness. You continue to float through the endless void, your eternal prison. 

(You may make another saving throw with advantage. If you succeed a DC12 you break free.)

Everyone who has broken out of the illusion can see that this room narrows at the end again creating another vine infested tunnel leading deeper into the dungeon.

In the vast expanse of space, Rowarin drifted, consumed with guilt and despair. Rowarins' sin was not of malevolence, but of hubris; did he really think he would be able to control all that cosmic power? World's crumbled like ancient parchment, their inhabitants lost to oblivion. The screams of dying suns echoed in his mind, and the weight of countless lives bore down upon him. He had become a harbinger of ruin. Of destruction. Chaos Eternal.... "My turn now..." Rowarin thinks aloud.

Wisdom Save: 22

Rowarin, gazing aimlessly towards the void, hears but a faint whispering from the stars around him. Pleading with him to wake up... for a moment he remembers the voices as a distant memory, some fellow comrades in the search of... "Wait... what?" Rowarins sudden realization grips him. Memories flooding back to him, like a door that had been locked long ago opening up in the dwellings of his mind. "I remember those... we were.... in Withermore. In a dungeon... did we leave?" The sudden dam blocking his perception bursting at the seams... visions rushing past him until he sees them - standing in a room with a red haze. He is suddenly aware that they are all crowded round him, calling on him, trying to wake him up.

"A dream? I... uhhh...." Rowarin croaks, his voice ragged from the experience. He lets out a massive sigh of relief, falling to his knees, hands to face. "My god, I am so glad that wasn't real..." 

Hope was almost vanquished, but now flickers anew. Rowarin stands up, brushes himself off. "Thanks all. I think I am OK now. Please tell me I was not the only one who saw that?" Looking around the room, he glances Mizu on the floor, looking like he too has experienced some vision. "What was that?"

Mina breathes heavy and she looks around and tries to contemplate what just happened.  Wiping the tears from her eyes, she sees Kulogall and runs over to him to give him a big hug.  She holds him tight for a good minute before letting him go.  "What happened?  Why... did my brother blame me?  How did he know?"  She looks around at the red dust, "Where are we?"

Leeta exhales. It looks like they have all managed to fight off their illusions, and everyone is safe. Shaken, but safe after all. She is intrigued by what each of them has experienced, especially Rowarin and Mizu, since they seem the most shaken of them all. But instead of asking about their visions, she decides to tell her own experience, as asking so soon may feel a little too blunt, even for one such as her.

"I don't know you saw, Rowarin, but I suddenly found myself myself returning home, to my mentor. I ... I know that next time I see him I will have to fight him to prove I'm worthy of everything he taught me, and everything I've learnt during the time we've been apart. And what I saw was ... me failing? Time and again. I saw myself being a dissapointment to him. Perhaps, deep inside, I'm terrified of facing him, and that vision magnified that fear."

The halfling remains silent after saying that, flashes of the nightmare running through her mind for a brief instant. But she shakes her head and focuses once again on her friends. "Uhm, do you guys need to talk about it? Or perhaps you prefer that we keep going?"

As she says this, she returns to stand next to Mizu. Knowing him, it is better not to ask just yet. Instead, she just smiles softly and says quietly,  "It was just a nightmare. Everything will be fine."

Kulogall looks down the hall as they all gather their senses, saying “Look.  It looks like this just goes deeper and deeper.  Should we have a look?”  

"Rowarin, breathe. Someone... someone tried to deceive us all. But we made it out. It's over." Rixi gently orders as he lays a warm hand on his shoulder as if the Aasimar was like his brother; Toning down the heat as he finally regains consciousness. However, he couldn't help himself from overhearing Leeta's anxiety from her side; Each and everyone of them must've experienced their own nightmares it seems. Turning to the tiny monk, he doesn't say a word as Leeta expresses what she had to deal with. And even then, he notices that she was the only one to say it. No one else is courageous as her to voice their fears... Perhaps it's best to say nothing. Especially since... since there are three of them around. And the most traumatised one, Mizu, is protected by her it seems...

Though, judging by his vulnerable state, and after the illusion he had gone through, maybe, just maybe, he might be starting to see a different side of those waters... Some side that might convince him otherwise that there's more than meets his fiery eyes... but still, he isn't going to drop his guard down like what happened. Arching his head down, he reattaches his polearm to his back and turns back to the tiny monk with a fearsome flare in his troubled eyes.

"You should proceed, Leeta-san. Go. G... Go with them." Rixi orders in a firm, but shaky voice, still dazed from the nightmares of his teammates; Though he doesn't mention them, it's clear that his command is also supposed to be mentioned to everyone else too. "I'll stay behind for now... but I'll catch when I've made sure this area is clear. The safety of you guys... is more important than... than anything else." 

Regardless of what they say back, Rixi will wait a few minutes as everyone clears out and into the next room. Once he's alone, he scans the surroundings one more time just to make sure there's nothing that could interrupt the group again, never mind the fact that his fears are still reeling in his tear-filled eyes as everyone else's are; Struggling not to break down, It might sounds like a mundane move to them, but it never hurts to play safe. If anyone chooses to stay behind with him, he'll at most ignore them for the time being until they call him to catch his attention. (Perception: 8)

Mizu lets out a long breath, not lifting his head as he runs one hand through his hair before picking up his sabers and dragging himself to his feet. It takes an effort not to wipe his face again, as he doesn't want everyone to see his tears. His expression has returned to his usual placid one, though a shadow hangs over him. In response to Leeta's quiet words, he just nods. Perhaps he should say something. After all, it wasn't just him who'd been trapped inside some nightmare. Leeta just told them what she'd experienced. He just couldn't help but feel that his was somehow worse... perhaps he really is still just a child after all. As much as he doesn't want to admit it. 

His watery eyes follow Kullogal as he gestures to the tunnel. Yes, they should keep going... but is he in the right place mentally to move on just yet? He lets out a long breath through his teeth, closing his eyes and focusing on just calming himself. Like Leeta said, it was just a nightmare... it just felt too real and to... possible. He just can't get it out of his head, and the blood... He grips his sabers tightly, reminding himself that his hands are clean and even though Ashtar isn't here, he is still alive elsewhere. 

His eyes turn to Rixian as the fire genasi urges everyone to move on. It... doesn't seem wise to leave someone alone here. What if the visions come back? As everyone begins to move, he hangs back for a short time, eyeing Rixian. He can tell that his fellow genasi is also shaken up by whatever he'd seen. Out of respect, he won't pry. He won't even acknowledge that anyone else might have cracked under whatever their vision was. Whether right or not, that's what he expects everyone else (save Leeta) to do for him too. Still, he can tell that perhaps Rixian's desire to hang back is to give himself some time to calm his own nerves. As much as Mizu would like the same chance, he doesn't want to intrude either. So, he'll just follow at the back of the company. Whatever rush he'd been in before... this event has beaten that out of him. 

As he walks past Rixian (likely following closely in Leeta's wake) he pauses. For a couple seconds he just stands there, not looking at the fire genasi... then he lowers his head, the shadow settling over him further as he momentarily flashes back to the vision of his fire genasi mentor dying. After that, he quickly follows after Leeta, his steps slightly faster than they should be. 

Seeing Rixian and Mizu's reactions, the monk decides that it is best to leave the matter aside for now. Hoping that their next encounter will be an easier one—or at least one they can face together rather than individually—Leeta nods towards Rixian and Kulogall, who have voiced the need to progress down the tunnel, and ventures deeper into it. 

Now that everyone is out of their nightmares, the party slowly starts funneling down the path. Rixian and Mizu stay behind for a short while, however it's quickly becomes obvious that there is nothing else to see here. There doesn't seem to be anything or anyone following you either.

You continue moving down yet another vine infested tunnel before eventually reaching a small room. Unlike the room with the red haze, this appears to be an actual room rather than just a swollen section of the tunnel. There is no strange mist or anything inside this area.

The room is circular, and at the other end, you see a closed stone door. Walking over to it, there is a large code dial in it's center. However, it has letters rather than numbers on it. Above the dial is a code: 19 5 1 12   15 6   20 12 5   2 12 15 15 4   18 15 19 5

“Seal of tle blood rose!  Do you think they meant - - Seal of the Blood Rose?  I’m going to try it…”. Kulogall dials in those letters to see what will happen….

Rowarin let's out a loud sigh, relieved he is free. The others confirming that it was indeed, some vision bringing out their worst fears. Makes sense... "Ah, that makes some sort of sense. Perhaps something to bring up later over a stiff drink, or 3..." Rowarin turns to Rixi, warming to the affirmation being received. "Thank you, Rixi. Yes, it's a relief to be back in reality. I'll be OK now. Hopefully all of us will be."

Rowarin starts to follow the others down the corridor ahead, trying to be careful with the vines. For a moment, it's almost serene - before remembering why they are down here. Focus Rowarin, don't let your senses be fooled a second time!

Upon entering the new room, seeing Kulogall read out the coded message on the door, Rowarin will come close and would also like to confirm whether this message is correct. "It appears that is the case, but maybe there is another meaning to it..."

Investigation: 24

Even as everyone clears out, there wasn't much that Rixi could find. Well, not that he expected anything special anyways; He only stayed behind to also clear the after effects of the illusion too. Even as Rowarin thanks him, the Fire Genasi couldn't bring himself to say anything back with his back turned to the next room. 

After 15 minutes of standing motionless, Rixi briefly takes out an emerald pendant that Daisy gave him a while back and stares at it. The thoughts of reuniting with the elf girl he loves and living a normal life fill his empty thoughts... only to hastily put it away when he senses that someone has halted and looks back. It's Mizu. He's still here when everyone else has left. But why? Following his instincts, he suddenly finds himself latching his left hand onto his polearm again as he turns his back towards the water genasi again. At least, when he turns around again the next thing he hears is the sound of the Water Genasi's footsteps scurrying in the distance, prompting him to loosen his grip. Whatever. No point in letting the last of his anger loose. Taking one last breath, he steadily spins back towards the door, eyeing the emptiness of it before he slowly walks at his own pace and leaves the room last.

Downstairs, Rixi could hear the endless chatter of his teammates; Seal of the blood rose he heard; Seal of Kurobara, the black rose. What...? Sore wa... ittai nanidatta nodeshou ka? (それは一体何だったのでしょうか, What was that all about?) He thinks silently, keeping his distance from the closest person after him. Maybe they must've encountered a puzzle. That might be why they're chatting about it. He doesn't know what the rest are up to as he stays 10ft away from the entrance, hanging back just in case his instability returns; His pendant is still blood red, meaning that Kurobara he has been speculating about... she's definitely nearby. And he knows, if she needs to be fought... he can't deal the final strike without cursing himself.

While Mizu is wrapped up in his own thoughts, Soma proceeds to act as mother hen for the rest of the group. First, noticing her master's discomfort, she lands on his head and tugs at his hair a few times in attempt to get his attention. Unfortunately Mizu is not in the mood for her and doesn't give her the time of day, instead he just continues after Leeta. Soma lets out a concerned noise before glancing back at Rixian, who for some reason is staying behind. 

Soma senses all sorts of negative feelings coming from everyone in the group, and finds herself overwhelmed with the need to try and fix that... but how is she supposed to do so when one of them isn't coming? She flies back to Rixian and circles his head a few times in attempt to get him to come down the tunnel before heading after the rest of the group. Next she lands on Leeta's shoulder, making a couple happier noises since the mini monk seems to be coping with the situation much better than some of the others. She nuzzles Leeta's cheek, then lets out the hawk's equivalent of a chirp before checking on everyone else. She lands momentarily on Rowaran's shoulder, eyeing him as if asking whether or not he's okay. Seems how he's managed to recover quickly from whatever it was that made everyone act this way, she gives a nod and then flies over to Kullogal and Mina. Kullogal, like Rowaran and Leeta, seems to have brushed off whatever happened and is coping fine. Mina on the other hand seems more distraught, having looked to Kullogal for comfort before everyone decided to move on to this strange puzzle door... which makes absolutely no sense to Soma, so she figures she'll focus on doing what she does best... trying to be a therapy birdie. That in mind, she lands on Mina's shoulder and puffs out her feathers, attempting to offer some emotional support since her master doesn't seem to want any at the moment. 

Mizu eyes the door from the back of the group. Puzzles aren't his thing, so naturally codebreaking isn't either. So he just nods when Kullogal quickly comes up with a logical answer. That makes sense to him... though he can't help but feel like it's too easy. This whole... what is it? A prison? Seems... well, odd. Then again, it seems that Rose might have some sort of control over what is happening in here.... where else would those stupid visions have come from? 

(Cough cough, yes it was definitly tle not the. The dm never makes mistakes. Cough. XD Lol I love how you just played along with that.)

Swiftly decoding the puzzle, Kullogal chooses the logical answer and dials in the words, Seal of the Blood Rose. The lock makes a loud 'click' and it swings open on silent hinges....

Heading through this extraordinarily easy puzzle door, the group continues deeper into the winding depths. After a short while, you start to hear a man's voice. “Why did it come to this? I didn’t want this. I’m sorry.”

Rounding the corner, you find an open doorway. Directly inside, you find Cassian kneeling beside the crumpled body of Elenor. “I should never have brought you into this.” His voice catches, “But you must understand! I had no choice! I had too…”

"You had to what?! Spill it!" Rixi couldn't help but snarl from behind in a dangerously low voice, wrist flaring in absolute anger upon witnessing the horrific scene of Cassian holding a deceased Elenor. So he was right. Rose is in fact alive; Again the pain in his chest resurges in response but he manages to keep his urge to scream in check. "All this time we had been searching for answers to this entire scenario... we had to ask everyone including you two for answers... and the first thing we spot after leaving that place is... you? Again?! In this wretched location out of all places?! Why... Why have you suddenly turned tails to help her... to unseal Kurobara (黒バラ)... to help unseal... the Black Rose?!"

Leeta felt her spirits lift with each of Soma's kind gestures. It was as if the hawk was saying, "You are not alone, you can do this". The mini monk returned the hawk's nuzzles with a soft kiss on the bird's little head, whispering, "You're the best girl, you know that, right, Soma?"

Once at the door, she stepped in front of it to get a better look at the numbers, but she hadn’t even begun to read the third one when Kullogal had already deciphered the coded text. She looked impressed at the triton, but her expression soon turned to worry, and then to anger, when they found Cassian standing over Elenor's crushed body. What the hell happened here? What has the paladin done, and why? This time, it was Rixian who acted quicker than the rest, stepping forward to face Cassian. Meanwhile, the monk took a quick look around the room. Were there any exits, or anything else remarkable in it? If there was an exit, she would quickly move toward it in case Cassian tried to make a run for it. Leeta also tries to determine if Elenor is definitely dead or if she is still clinging to life.  (Perception: 7. Medicine: 26)

Rowarin starts pondering if there is alternative meaning in the code, before realizing that it was already being entered. The large stone door opened, and surprisingly quietly Rowarin had thought to himself.

Standing off-shoot, he peers inside to see if he can see anything and is surprised when he sees Cassian talking over a crumpled... Elenor?? "What the hell....?" Rowarin gasps in shock. Immediately, Rixi confronts Cassian and asking the question we are all wanting to know... How? Why?

Rowarin will pull out some gizmos from his satchel, and without trying to make it too obvious, will begin crafting a miniature device that will house the spell Cure Wounds at level 3. This takes but a few seconds, his dexterous fingers seemingly working on their own will, to craft the small spherical object. If Leeta senses that Elenor is still alive, he will roll the ball towards her and upon contact, will activate the spell doing 21 points of healing (otherwise he will store the device back in his satchel).

Kulogall moves forward when he sees the scene, anger boiling up in his body when he sees what Cassian is doing.  His hands start to twist and move, forming a spell depending on Cassian’s next actions.  “Step away, Cassian.  And explain yourself.  Now!”  

Held action : if Cassian attacks any of us or harms Elenor, or runs, he will cast chromatic orb at him.  

(Mistakenly hit initiative on my character sheet, but if it is needed : 7)

Mina feels a bit better after Soma takes the time to check on her.  What an interesting animal, she thinks.  She was really glad she was a part of their group, their very eclectic group she muses.  She follows the rest of the group, towards the back, still troubled by her dreams.

She then hears the arguing and Rixi yelling at someone.  Hearing the name, Cassian she pushes forward and then seeing the scene in front of her, stops short with her hand over her mouth.  She liked the girl Elenor, she felt that she had made a connection with her.  She waited for Cassian to answer and hoped they were not too late. 

Soma makes a purring sound when Leeta and Mina at least appreciate her efforts. However, that purr quickly turns to the screech of a mother hen when she catches sight of Cassian standing over Elenor's corps... at least, she's assuming Elenor is dead. Either way, her feathers are now fluffed out aggressively instead of in her previous friendly fashion--the feathers on her head standing straight up and her neck seems to disappear in the fluff as her mouth opens in a hissing screech. 

Mizu raises his sabers, his placid expression shifting to anger as he sees the knight standing over his own squire. That's the person he's supposed to protect and support, and now look. But what is he talking about. Mizu grits his teeth, nearly pushing through the rest of the company to get at this horrid excuse for a mentor. "What have you done?" His voice shakes as he hisses the words, his nonchalant mask cracking under the weight of what he'd just witnessed in that nightmare alongside the loss of Twig, her friend, and now Elenor. "What have you done." 

He prepares the spell Ice Knife, which he intends to throw at Cassian if he makes any aggressive moves towards them or Elenor... though depending on what the knight says Mizu might throw them anyways. The frozen spikes materialize in the air around him, ice particles sparkling, reflecting the glitter of sadness and anger in his eyes. This has to end. They have to end this now.