Of faint shadows, and constant humming.

Quickly gathering my dust collected axes from my Moogle guarded Storage I set out. My aim, to decimate an area filled to the brim with experimental monsters. Hideous beasts created by the Zilartians, or the self-pitying Kuluu, in their quest for glory over the Vanadiel species!

Either way, my target was Al’Taieu. Accessed through a portal that was nothing more than a corrupted Crag Crystal. And in the blink of my eyes, the windy highlands of Konschtat were far behind. And the salty warm breeze of the Artificial Al’Taieu was spread out before me.

We explored this new area of Al’Taieu, carefully evading Yovra’s and Phaubo’s as they continued their search for any unsuspecting Hpemde to lunch upon. And before our very eyes, the clean waters were concealed beneath a thick fog of expanding darkness. An abyss. Our target.

Armed with the items needed to plunge into battle, we settled on South West Apollyon, and thus we began our battles.

We were greeted by Fomors. An unusual race within Vanadiel. They have a secret culture involving subligars and random cloths and ingots. And write with chicken-scratch writing in Codex’s no-one can understand.

But regardless of that culture, like a wave of barbaric force, we cleaved through them. Rewarded with but a few Ancient Beastcoins, clearly we had found the cheapskate Fomor’s…

However we were able to sweep down upon their treasure and escape deeper into the abyss. Awarded with a few extra coins, and a mysterious strand of thread enchanted for Black Mage armour for our efforts. We gave it to someone, either Pindaro or Kyata. I’m not certain whom.

The next level of Apollyon was plagued with Treant’s, many many Treant’s. With a twist however, they had animals LIVING on them. Makes sense I guess. For each Treant we defeated, we were assailed by Crawlers, Birds, Opo-Opo’s, Bee’s. And things of that nature. However, with the strength of this young Taru. We killed them anyway.

However we then discovered another Treant, bereft of of leafy foliage in his branches. And looking considerably meaner than the local Treant’s we had just mercilessly slain. He fought with incredible strength and rage; fortunately Hulktified handled it well, his big Galkan muscles rippling under his taut skin. Its really a shame about the standard Galkan face. I need a paper bag over here, stat!

Sadly though, our Cosmo-cleanse was wearing off, and without it, the darkness in Apollyon can swallow you entirely. Probably forcing you to become one of those cheapskate Fomors with only 1 Ancient Beastcoin to your name. (Least now we know what happened to Sethe, eh?)

So we were thrown back out into the fresh air of Al’Taieu. And there we distributed our meager rewards amongst everyone gathered.

Be careful Apollyon. My band of Konohan adventurers are becoming more proficient. Soon I will command an alliance within Apollyon, and you will fall defeated beneath me!

And then we will investigate the source of the accursed “Faint Hum” that plagues us!