Muscle dragged Illias by the rags he still donned, pulling them till strained and taut, marching towards the encampment in brisk and long strides. Illias noticed how well the camp was prepared as he got pulled along. Tents were pitched in a circle, surrounding a large campfire in the centre and the bags of supplies that were placed neatly away from the heat. Over the fire was a slab of roasting meat, skewered through the middle, with it's tantalising aroma wafting towards Illias's nose. Surrounding the fire were nine figures, but the four nearer to the heat were obviously of more importance as of now.

Muscle strode to the group, still laughing heartily with Illias in tow. The group made room for him, probably intimidated by the sheer size of the man, Illias thought, then Muscle clapped Illias's back once more putting him down to one of the makeshift log-seats, warm from the fire.

Illias gave those he suspected to be Called a quick cursory glance; A pair of black haired twins, one with glasses; The big muscle-brained idiot and a gorgeous blonde girl with an air of authority. Muscle cut his thought midway though -

He laughed loudly once more before booming "It's time for introductions again" Illias jumped a bit at the volume he outputted, like thunder to his ears. He clapped Illias's back once more before pointing to himself. "My name is Ricky Steel" he bellowed, and Illias did his best to remember his name with a smile on his face"- and I am 15 years old."

Illias's face stiffened at that declaration, that is a fifteen year old? he couldn't believe it was true but to Illias's knowledge he had no reason to lie. He peered again at Ricky, Illias himself only made it up to his collarbone and he didn't consider himself short - and not to mention those muscles, it looked as if a master spent decades sculpting him.

"My name is Simon Swing, age 17" one of the twins interrupted, not the one with glasses but the one with a confident air and shining eyes. He continued "- and this is my younger brother" pointing to his right, where his other half stood "Reko'' Obviously incensed by his brother (probably for being called Younger but it was none of his business), Reko went to speak but was immediately cut of by the only girl;

"Ysolda Mazshi" she said, whipping her head away from him in a dignified manner, Ysolda had an ornate air to her quite similar to a precious treasure one mustn't touch. She signalled towards one of her servants who then spoke up,

"M-matri'' she whispered, Illias could see her shaking from simply raising her voice - he could only hope that her resolve was steadier than her shoulders. It was quite a cast of characters, Illias thought, he was definitely doubtful of Ricky's age but then who'd think that himself was 17, compared to the rest of them he was quite average height but on the scraggly side build-wise. He definitely thought that Ysolda was royalty of some kind, possibly even high nobility - in his time around nobles he had felt the same air she exuded - a confidence of sorts. The twins he found slightly harder to pinpoint, his first opinion was rich - very rich for the clothes they donned were vibrant, bright and showed no signs of wear or tear. But now he saw naivete at the childish behaviour on display, he knew the journey they were soon to embark was not deadly beyond compare but simply perilous for those lacking in drive. Illias introduced himself -

"My name is Illias Finn. and I am 17 years old." he did realise he might have sounded like a bit of stretch but since Ricky did it could work both ways, even though malnourished he was 17 through and through so he didn't care, what was he supposed to do? he'd come here straight from prison straight from weeks of neglect and eventual abandonment.

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After Illias introduced himself Ricky picked up a sharp utensil, looking like an oversize knife, and sliced into the meat over the fire, blood dipped down, he frowned - probably annoyed that he'd have to wait longer for food than that he spilt blood on the fire dampening the heat to the point that Illias began to feel a slight chill, most likely due to the absence of any real clothing on his body. Illias asked for what being a Called was all about, and about the curtain but they just kind of stared blankly at him for a moment before Ricky started his trademark thunderclap laughter.

"You really know nothing" he admonished, with a wide grin on his face - Illias felt that this idiot probably was just happy that he got to explain to someone else after having the same done to him. he continued "We are called to descend the curtain to make ourselves known." Ricky boomed as if it was the most obvious thing ever, "Nobody around here really knows what the curtain is, or why it is there. But they do why we - the Called are so special, It is because we have something that is completely unique inside the curtain and that all those who are called are talented enough to reach its deepest depths because of these gifts."

"That thing that makes us so special is our souls." Ricky said, these words slow and precise before continuing in his overbearing tone "The brand of our souls have guaranteed potential unseen before in the people who reside within the curtain, the Called are so welcomed because they expand the culture that is soul-brands adding variety to the generation next." Ricky said before turning his attention back to the meat, his lips wet from drool as was Illias's. By the time that the meat was done, they portioned it up quite kindly - even giving Illias a piece despite intruding their meal. With a huge slab going to Ricky, who he guessed probably needs it to keep all that muscle in order.

Illias's sleep tonight was probably one of the best he'd had in his 17 years of existence, cold stone truly couldn't compare to bedding he thought. Illias awoke to a buzzing in his chest, the heat ever growing as he felt the time for the reverse wave growing ever closer, minutes away. He groaned his way out of the bedding one of the Swing brothers had given him - Simon if he remembered correct, and left his tent to allow The Great Curtain into his view, it was still. Unnaturally still, like the calm before the storm, and it's colours were muted compared the usual vibrant reds, blues and greens with it now becoming a dull pink with only some of its crystalline greatness coming to light. As Illias made his way ever closer, with a painful ache in his calves from the trek he made the day prior, he heard the others getting up in their tents - probably either awoken from the racket he made or the Calls pulling ever tighter at their souls. Illias stood in awe as the curtains form shifted, from the calm stillness to a beast trapped in a cage. In defiance, the waves pulled ever further from the curtain as if massive fingers were trying to pierce through.

Illias felt dread staring at the gargantuan waves as they shifted and changed, still a dull pink colour but as they began to curve inwards the texture became more crystalline like before. The waves contorted and twisted like the mouth of a gigantic beast darkening the land below with its sheer size. Then, like lightning from a clear sky, a thick linear crack descended from the stars splitting the curtain as the maw widened further completely crystalline at this point before settling, a rapid of ever-shifting liquid swirled before them and before Illias had the time to even react to the changes -

It devoured them.