Thunder boomed through the air, filling the dark cavern in the side of the mountains with the echo of the storm outside along with the following downpour of rain. Not that the cave was quiet in the first place. What echoed from the inside out was the clanging of rocks together as a drenched tiger-kin smacked two stones together with whatever wood she could find. This was how it was done, right?! This was how she had seen others do it: smack stones together, causing little bright bits to come off and hotpit! Another flash of light from outside gave light to the gave, ensuring what she had was, indeed, in front of her, so give her hotpit already!

However, the clanging of rocks stopped when there was more of a heavy stomp that filled the air. Eden remained quiet, curling up as she looked out the mouth to watch the odd figure move on by, feet heavy with every step, as it scouted out the land. If she had her weapon, she would not be as timid, but the first one she met not only was able to knock it away, but the flash of light that followed directly behind it told her it was probably best not to chase after it. Still, as each stepped vibrated the air in the room, a shiver filled her spine, causing the beast girl to curl up and rub her arms, ears carefully looking out for the footsteps. Once they were gone, she was back at it, clanging the stones together.

"You do know I can easily ignite that, right?" echoed in her mind as the spectral form of a manticore took form next to her. Heat was emanating from its jaws as he readied to light the wood before her, though Eden was quick to throw a rock at it.

"No. Want learn to do. Not rely on you," she mustered in the quiet tongue of beasts.

"And yet as you stand, you risk death."

"Not first," she quickly remarked, fighting another shiver before taking a third stone and began smacking it into the other once again. Give Eden bright bits!

There was no disguising the expression of agitation on the face of the demon hunter. He had made his way in travels further than he had before for the sake of adventure. Grand adventure that was outside the scope of his duties to the Jiyu Clan. What grand adventures could be found in the world of Revaliir? Rain. That was what he had found. Jedrek took in a deep breath in an effort to calm down, but the technique just was not working. He had heard of the golems that roamed the lands of Railoch. There were interested parties in attempting to get anything in regards to these golems. Jedrek had spoken to local mages in regards to the lore, but he had no interest in helping them build new creatures for their own sakes. The hunter felt pity for the constructs. He wished to witness their movements personally before passing judgement on the necessity for their dealings. In truth, there were ways that Jedrek could see the Jiyu Clans rituals being similar to the creation of golems.

All of this had been a phenomenal, well-thought out plan; besides the constant raining and thunderstorms. Jedrek did not mind the lightning considering his bonded beast. What his issue was with being drenched on a consistent basis that soaked even his feet through his ‘waterproof’ boots that he had recently purchased. Right hand readjusted the sheathed katana in grasp considering how slippery it was feeling. The hunter jumped down from a height in a hopes of finding some decent cover from an overhang.

The land was not in terrible condition considering the constant rain. Somehow the ground was able to maintain a harder consistency with the onslaught of water. He had expected the place to be nothing but a field of mud at the very least. Somehow the land had adapted to the water that constantly was assaulting it. Jedrek had to admit his admiration of the plot.

Jedrek followed along the wall face until he heard the sound of rocks colliding with one another from further ahead. Brow lifted as it reminded him of the young recruits as they attempted to learn how to start a fire…wrongly. He pushed his hair back with a frustrated hand as the rain continued to have it stream in his sight. Moving on, he waited for another flash of lightening to illuminate where the cave was located. Jedrek was about to head for the cover as the sound of heavy footfalls echoed in his ears. ”Golem…now? That’s great,” he muttered under his breath. There was no possibility of him getting to the cavern in time before being spotted. Instead, he pressed his body against the rock face to blend. There were many times that Jedrek had to bide his time for a way to strike at his enemy, so this was nothing out of the norm for him.

Golden eyes watched as the giant golem passed by him without a notice. ”Let’s not get ourselves tangled up with that, shall we?” He chuckled internally at the thought of him attempting to fight such a creature. Being bonded to an electricity based dragon would do little against a rock golem. Once the creature had left, Jedrek jogged to the cave mouth to get out of the rain. There he saw a tigerfolk female smacking rocks together in an attempt to get a spark.

”Greetings, miss. I wonder if you wouldn’t mind sharing the cover until I get the courage to face the rain again?” He did his best to give a pleasant enough smile, though his senses told him that there was something else there besides the woman. ”I am Jedrek of the Jiyu Clan.” He did not wait for an invitation as he took off his black coat and laid it on a rock to attempt to dry. His white shirt that had sleeves cut to his mid-bicep clung furiously to his body from the rain that had soaked through. ”Would you like some help getting a fire going? We can get it warmed up in here and dry off.”

New footsteps began to echo closer. Smaller step for sure, most likely human-esque in form. Sure, the rain made it a challenge to hear, as the echo of the downpour nearly drowned out any other minor noise, but it was the rhythm that made it more notable, especially when it stepped into the cavern with her. Eden's eyes glanced up carefully, rocks still as her eyes darted the darkness while the flames from the manticore began to pour from his mouth, as if readying himself in case the new entity was hostile.

He was not, but it was a little bit strange. After all, he was acting like Eden was sitting alone within the cavern when the noble and ruthless form of a manticore stood next to her… Maybe not everyone could see spectral entities? As much as she wanted to give an introduction, she didn't have her weapon that had her name written down upon it, and the only other option was a bit of a chore… Still, as she learned, it was rude not to do so. With the manticore's heat helping resist another shiver, she set the stones down before the sound of a metal snap echoed through the cavern, coming from the the metal shackle around her neck being opened up. With a strong gulp, she worked hard to try to get her voice to comply. "E…E-Ed–" Her voice already seemed strained as is before finding herself in a coughing fit. After working so hard, it still seemed strenuous to try to say anything. All because of the metal collar that rested around her next before the Lord of Magic modified it.

The shackle echoed once more as it was snapped shut before Eden went back to picking up the rocks and smacking them together. Another flash of lighting filled the cavern, revealing Eden's soaked form within the moment, as well as what she was trying to work with. Not only were they typical stones that would struggle to get a spark going, but what she was trying to ignote was terrible as well. No kindle to get it started and the wood itself was soaked to the bone. If there would have been anything to ignite the wood at this point, it would have been a magical flame… one being offered to Eden right now as she smacked rocks together helplessly yet stubbornness was refusing.

Upon entering the cave his eyes worked diligently to adjust to the enhanced darkness. Jedrek still was finding himself becoming accustomed to the world outside his normal home. Things were greatly different than what he was used to, but he was slowly making adjustments. He welcomed the lack of rain beating down upon his head. The cavern provided shelter, but it did not provide any source of warmth. A chill rippled down his spine as an indication it was time to get heat into the space.

Jedrek moved across the small distance to gather up some abandoned fire wood that must have been brought there by prior occupants. Wood now collected he watched the tiger woman out of the corner of his eye. Sparks formed at the very tips of his fingertips until small flames were created to make the wood alight. Head turned to look at her to finally notice the manticore off to the side of her as a silent protective guardian. Jedrek twitched a smile on one side of his mouth as he warmed his hands near the fire. ”Sorry I didn’t notice you before, big guy. Still getting used to the consistent wet and dark place.” He kept his tone light in order to ensure they understood he didn’t mean any kind of harm.

With light now being provided by the fire he could take better notice of his new companion. The woman was of the tigerfolk, and they were seldom in connection with his own people. They rarely called upon the demon hunters to help with any sort of issues with demons since they were capable mostly on their own. He doubted she had ever heard of his clan. Brows knit together as he heard a metal snap echo in the cavern. Then they lifted in surprise to see that it had come from the shackle that hung about her neck. It was uncommon to see anyone with a bondage around their neck, but it appeared that it could be removed at her will.

A strained voice made effort to become audible. ”Ed? Is that your name? It seems like it takes effort for you to speak. Don’t stress on my account.” He waved his hand while sitting down against the wall. Knee was propped up for his elbow to drape across it. ”If you want to start a fire over there, I can help you with that.” Jedrek pushed away from the wall to inch over to Ed. He smiled at her with a quirky hint to his mouth. Fingers snapped to create lightening that would strike the wood. Flames ignited on the wood to allow a second fire to light and heat the area. ”Feel better?” He moved back to his corner to rest against the wall. ”So, tell me. Why are you here? What brought you here in this rain soaked land?”

The sudden light in the cavern drew her attention over as the other individual brought flame to other scraps of wood in the region. How did he do it so easily?! How long had she been here smacking stones with no results and yet it seemed as if he commanded the ball of warmth to him?! It was unfair… Still, the extra hint of light did let her catch an extra look at what she was doing, as if it would gain her any real benefit. However, the moment he got up, her eyes watched him step forward before lighting her stack himself, causing her jaw to hit the floor for a brief moment. Unfortunately, once it was picked up, it was followed by puffy cheeks and a dagger's glare.

"FINE!" she surrendered, though the only real audible part on her end would have been a dreadful sigh and the clanging of stone as they were tossed aside. This turned the manticore's action from a simple stare to what one would hint as aggression as flames began to build up within its jaw, flickering through the fangs. However, it was more like a spit of flame aimed at the firewood than the lighter as the flame overpowered what small bit Jedrek set up, filling the cavern up with the new heat source.

Now that the fire was roaring alive, the cold feel of wet cloth was much more notable as she began to work the kimono-esque wrap around her off before the tight garment that rested underneath. Sure, she was laying herself bare to a complete stranger now as she laid out the fabric to dry next to the fire, but the stare in her eyes seemed to have shown no real restraint in terms of hiding herself. So sign of selling herself off, yet at the same time, a glance that seemed to have called out that she didn't even think of it as improper in the first place.

With the bare woman sitting next to the flames to finally dry off and hopefully avoid sickness, she addressed the question the male gave off earlier by pointing outside: the constant rainfall, the flash of lightning, and the echoing steps of another golem following down the road. It was a safe haven for the time being.