[the amazon] hot heads and cold hearts. [volker]

A bead of sweat rolled down the back of his neck as the elemental seriously considering morphing and whisking himself to their destination. Actually travelling by foot into the Amazon jungle was literally one of the most physically challenging things the young man had faced in some time. He wasn't in terrible shape, quite the opposite actually due to the fact that physical appearances mattered entirely too much to him. But that didn't mean he was prepared for this type of challenge. Every day Memphis, ever the over achiever, got a little bit close to becoming an expert in the field of Type Elementalism, which of course meant never walking anywhere. Typically he just morphed into the wind and flew wherever he needed. He'd learned the hard way that that wasn't really an option when there was a different elemental in the party. "You sure it's this way?" He asked his friend with a shrug as he pointed toward where the sun was barely beginning to set. It was near the end of the afternoon but that didn't mean the heat was going to give them any kind of a break and the humidity was nearly a hundred percent. Memphis felt heavier than normal but in the back of his mind an empathetic voice reminded him that it was no where near as bad for him as what Volker was possibly feeling. Heat and humidity didn't quite agree with a Garth elemental.

Stopping for the moment Memphis leaned against a thick tree and pulled his ruck sack from his shoulder. In one swift motion as it swung from his back he began to open it before finally leaning down and setting it on the jungle floor. He spent a good minute searching through it and it's space defying enchantments before finally retrieving the map they'd managed to get their hands on before setting out on this journey. Memphis had been safe at Inverness when the idea of travelling across the globe in search of lost elemental magic had come up but it wasn't like he would of ever passed up the opportunity. Yes he liked being alive but even more he liked knowledge and nothing could stand in the way of their pursuit.

Not even an endless jungle of unforgiving magic and hungry creatures.

He spun the map around as he unfolded it and watched as its charms began to create a picture showing where they were in relation to the few landmarks they had managed to find on their journey. It was an enchanted map but it wasn't perfect. It only showed where they had been and the direction that they were supposed to be headed but it neglected to show the dangers that lie in between. Magic could only do so much, even elemental magic. "I think were supposed to go that way." He said pointed toward a line of trees that honestly looked exactly the same as the line of trees to each side of them. Maybe they were lost but that was the least of their worries as a large, and most likely poisonous, spider begun to descend rapidly from the tree Memphis was leaning up against.

@Volker Blauvelt

“With what have I sinned so badly?” Volker whined in a particularly girlish voice, feeling that the amount of sweat coming out of him would add to the planet an entire new ocean. While he was all for exploring and discovering new runes, parchments and artefacts, Volker wasn’t particularly keen on warm weather. He had recently gotten back from Latin America, just to end up in the Amazon, where the weather was not only equally hot, but also ridiculously humid as well, sometimes making it a bit difficult for Volker to breathe properly. “In all honesty though, why couldn’t it have been the South Pole? We’d be playing with penguins by now.” The ice elemental sighed deeply and loudly, thinking that he should pull off his usual habit of freezing an area when he felt particularly hot. However, being there with Memphis made Volker feel like he should be on his best behaviour, if not one even better than the best.

Quickly catching Memphis’ question, Volker wiped his forehead before gazing down at the map he was carrying. It had been open for quite a while, and while the German was sure they were heading the right way, it seemed to be taking more than anticipated. Memphis stopped and Volker followed, leaning against the tree next to his friend, as he examined the map. “It is the right direction, however I believe the estimated distance is not well calculated?” Volker inquired, exactly when Memphis took out his own map, and waited for the air elemental to confirm or deny his suspicion. It wouldn’t be a surprise if that were the case though, as old maps had a tendency to not be completely accurate, particularly if they were from ancient times, such as the map the two young men were working on that day.

“Oh.” Volker said, bewildered, only now realising that he had been holding the map he carried upside down. Well, at least there was one adult in that expedition, and it certainly wasn't him. Memphis was a hero, truly, a god among men. Turning his map around, the ice elemental wanted to excuse himself and blame it on the hot weather and the fact that the mere thought that they were in the Amazon exasperated him. But he did not, because none of that was actually true. Taking out his flask, Volker drank some water, before blinking in Memphis’ direction. “Well, with my skills of reading maps, I suppose I should be happy I’m still alive.” He laughed, while pouring some of the water from the never-ending amount in the flask on his hair. He was hot, he was melting, and even cold water couldn’t help him at that point.

While placing back the flask in his trousers’ pocket, Volker’s eyes widened with horror as they fell on Memphis’ figure. “Don’t move. Just. Don’t.” A huge, ugly, and absolutely horrifying spider was on his friend’s head, or almost wanting to settle itself there. “Garth.” Volker said louder than usual, almost yelling, the simple spell of freezing something generally being said in his mind. Actually, ever since he was thirteen he hadn’t said the incantation out loud, the act revealing that the panic he felt when seeing the spider was probably getting the best of him this time round. Immediately, he took Memphis by the arm and pulled the air elemental in his direction.

“What the fuck is that? I’ll have nightmares for the next fifty years.” He asked, his grip on Memphis’ arm getting tighter, as the idea of being more than that just one spider simply horrified the ice elemental. Again, the idea of freezing half of the Amazon suddenly didn’t seem bad and childish at all. As he looked very much disturbed at the frozen spider, Volker felt a chill behind him. It wasn’t the good, cold kind, but mostly the kind which made one yell like a three year old and run away as quickly as possible.

Why did you kill my child~

Volker heard a faint whisper, in the voice of a woman. The language the voice talked in was Gaelic, causing the ice elemental quite the panic, as he clung with both hands to Memphis’ arm. “D-d-d-did you hear that?” He whispered this time around, drawing closer and closer to his friend, like a small puppy which wanted protection.

“Don’t move. Just. Don’t.”

Memphis fell entirely still in that moment, silent as the grave, as time seemed to slow down. He wanted nothing more than to move, to figure out whatever was happening and especially to stop it. In his mind he was praying, please don't let it be a bug, but he was never quite so lucky. When Volker used his magic to freeze the menacing creature Memphis had still yet to see he sucked in a harsh breath of icy cold air. Having not seen the spider yet almost made it entirely worse. In his mind he was imagining an arachnid the size of a quaffle with hairy legs and sharp venomous teeth and deathly pincers and glowing red eyes. He was terrified. Back at home if there was a spider he'd typically just shoo it about and go on with his day. It wasn't like he was scared of them in general but out here they were worth fearing. Even the non-magical breeds tended to be far more dangerous than a common house spider and the magical ones were devastating.

As soon as he could move the elemental was jumping as far as he could from the previous spot, hands swiping at his hair and making it all manner of messy as he did. "Is it gone?! Is it gone?" He asked, a fear in his wide silver colored eyes as began to pat his hair back down. "No idea but I'm glad its dead.... it is dead right?" He asked, leaning forward to look at it without actually getting any closer. He tugged on the hem of his shirt, finally pulling himself together just in time to have the crap scared out of him once more.

Maybe they weren't quite cut out for this gig.

The whisper fell over them like a cold breeze and it made the Welshman shiver with goosebumps that ran up his spine. He was acutely aware of how close Volker was standing to him, his grip getting tighter, but Memphis was thankful for the company. At least if the voice killed them they would go together. Memphis couldn't watch anymore friends die. "Maaaaan." He basically whined under his breath as the whisper grew louder. It was like a hiss but almost softer, feminime even. This wasn't the first time Memphis had gone out in search of some lost bit of magic and run into unwaivering spirits along the way. He had enough pressence of mind to understand it was some kind of creature or spirit or maybe even a ghost speaking to them but knowing didn't make it any less terrifying. As the goosebumps on the back of his neck spread across his arms like a plague he backed up, moving inches closer to his fellow adventurer out of instinct and looked around them. "Volker, thaw it." He whispered to the other man, "Maybe it's still alive...." God he hoped not but at this point he assumed they'd have better chances with the frozen spider than the ominous voice of the jungle.

"We didn't mean it any harm!" He called out to the voice even as his heart was racing. Maybe they should leave. Probably, absolutely, they should leave but they had already come so far and they were so close now. Despite their efforts the whisper continued to call out to them and as it did Memphis began to feel something changing. It was like a light headed feeling, a dizziness really and he feared perhaps the spider had bitten him.

"Why have you come here~"

“Yes, frozen.” Volker replied to Memphis’ question of whether or not the spider was dead, relieved himself that the problem ended. However, the voice of the haunting spirit or ghost which was there, beside them, was the more important issue at hand. The German was so scared, he could barely think straight; not that before this happening he thought in such a manner, as the heat probably melted off half of Volker’s functioning neurons by now. However, upon hearing Memphis’ whisper, he snapped. Even if he were to end up in the seventh circle of hell, Volker would definitely not thaw that spider. His emotions got the best of him, and the frozen spider cracked, turning into a decent amount of snowflakes which melted in the still burning (in Volker’s opinion) sunlight.

“If that creature did the talking, then it’s not alive anymore.” The ice elemental nodded his head in approval, his reckless gesture probably being the future source of embarrassment. Openly disagreed with Memphis hadn’t been on his list, for Volker really desired to be the obedient student type, to learn as much as he could from the air elemental. And he did have a lot to learn, as Memphis himself was a walking encyclopaedia. It fascinated Volker and, well, soon enough he will realise that his gesture wasn’t the best approach he could’ve done. His impulsiveness was always something he regretted, yet not a characteristic of his which could be controlled, much to his displeasure.

As Memphis stated that they didn’t come in harm, Volker retrieved one of his arms to show a peace sign with his hand. Hopefully, whatever was there, if it was still there, would get the message. If not, the idea that Memphis was there was very reassuring, Volker being positive that the man could save them out of every possible scenario, for the better or for the worse.

"Why have you come here~"

It was clearly a ghost, a spirit which hadn’t revealed themselves yet. Still very close to his friend, Volker the hand he previously freed from the grip, to raise it, just like a student asking for permission to talk. After a few seconds passed, he responded to the ghost’s inquiry. “We got lost on the way to the mall.” Volker cleared his throat, hoping the lost spirit would understand and, furthermore, buy the explanation. “It’s apparently this ancient building, with a very retro vibe going on. Hence our matching outfits too, so we can fit in.” His hand gestured the peace sign once again, the ice elemental truly hoping the two of them would get out of this alive.

“We’re looking for that Bon Jovi CD, the limited edition one of ‘Crush’, you know.” Volker added, genuinely wondering how he had survived during the past two years, travelling by himself. Clearly, it was because he never came before to the Amazon. And surely, the German would avoid the Amazon in the future, as much as humanly possible. At least, unless he would have to visit along with Memphis again. “Did she buy it?” He whispered on a low tone, to his friend.

There is always a moment during events like this, the life and death kind, where everything slows down and one is forced to examine the choices that brought them here. For Memphis that moment could not of come sooner as Volker began to taunt the spirit with his particular brand of sass. He could barely believe what Volker was saying even as he was standing right there listening to it. He had to work double time to keep from laughing at how outrageous it was. Instead he jabbed his elbow backwards, hoping to catch Volker's stomach to signal for him to put a sock in it. When Volker whispered to him Memphis closed his eyes and sucked in a hard breath, half expecting to die painfully right then and there. But the pain never came, and slowly he managed to reopen one eye and then the other. Moving around sharply in a circle he saw that the jungle before them hadn't changed, no fire breathing dragons or poisonous snakes cascading down from the trees, no panthers or demons or really anything. Just two lost wizards in the trees waiting. Memphis knew they should be taking this moment to run away and flee the area but there was no way that was going to happen now.

"He's just kidding--"

The elemental began before he was cut off sharply by the rustling of trees in the distance. The sound grew louder and louder as the original high pitched one began again. Memphis felt his nerves tingling as he grew light headed once more. Something was coming from far away, the rustling got closer and closer until it was right in front of them. The trees not ten feet away shook violently and then out from it walked the pale glowing vision of a once beautiful witch. She seemed less out of place than the two of them, dressed in leathers and beads in her hair, and her long black hair nearly swept across the jungle floor has she walked toward them. Memphis wasn't sure if her feet were even touching the ground as she did. As she grew closer he began to realize that she was the voice. Her skin was translucent, shining even, and it distorted the world behind her. "I don't think she bought it." Memphis whispered back to Volker just before the apparition reached them.

"I do not know what your CD is but I have trouble believing two attractive young elementals would have a hard time finding a crush." She smiled at them, it was a haunting smile that might of been beautiful once but was now just short of creepy. The way she was looking at them made Memphis uncomfortable and he shifted his weight slightly, moving away from her just a little and closer to Volker at the same time. She had a hunger in her eyes that was just not right and Memphis didn't trust it.

Volker felt Memphis’ jab probably more sharply than he would have liked. It wasn’t that it hurt physically, as much as it had hurt him on an emotional level. There were times when the German was very impulsive and did a lot of things without thinking them through, which wasn’t especially good, particularly when he was accompanied by one of the Zealots he admired the most. He was stupid and rash. Volker bit his lower lip, trying to encourage himself internally, however, upon thinking that mainly in Japan, that he had learned that dealing with spirits and ghosts wasn’t a joking matter he wanted to slap himself into reality. Nonetheless, Volker wouldn’t be himself it he lost his sass and sarcasm. Plus, sometimes the forever living enjoyed such comments. He highly doubted that the comment which he made would have bothered anyone too much, as it was an innocent joke; but soon his doubt proved wrong as Memphis’ own dialogue with the unknown guest had been cut off by the rustling of trees.

The sound, which was originally soft and muffled, turned into something inexplicably loud and high-pitched, making Volker decide that he would definitely not set foot in the Amazon anytime soon, at least for the following fifty years. It was a promise to himself which he dared himself to respect, at least out of his desire to continue living like a normal human being and preferably not be haunted by goodness knew what magical spirit. The noise drew closer and closer and as soon as Volker heard Memphis’ whisper, he opened his eyes wide, to get a better gist of what was going on. It was a ghost; an image of a once gorgeous woman, who now haunted eternity and most likely made people like the two of them regret they had even stepped out of their houses.

After a few seconds of observing her, Volker realised it was a ghost. An actual ghost. Fuck. He thought, the hand with which he clung to Memphis’ arm tightening its grip as Volker quickly whispered under his breath the incantation which would protect his mentor from whatever would happen next, should the ice elemental be forced to use his abilities. “Garth Penulae.” Better safe than sorry. 

The issue at hand wasn’t Volker’s lack of familiarity with ghosts, but the fact that he was by far too accustomed with them, probably much more acquainted than he would have liked. Especially since discovering his second affinity, the ice elemental had avoided any kind of ‘physical’ contact with a spirit, ghost or whatever undead magical creature which still roamed around. Volker had no idea what could happen if one touched him directly, and because he hadn’t found yet any parchments which treated this issue, the German decided that he would definitely not be the one to experiment and even allow one to get near him should he not be completely covered up. Garth. As he thought the incantation, a thin and quite slippery layer of frost, barely noticeable to the unexperienced eye, appeared on his skin, causing his rolled up sleeves to fall down, completely covering up his arms.

Volker loosened his grip on Memphis’ arm, retrieving his hand only far enough for him to pull out his dragon leather gloves, Swedish Short-Snout, and while he hadn’t desired to use this spell, as it particularly weakened him when used in especially warm and humid places, Volker mentally cast Garth Frigus, to lower the temperature around him. It had been done especially so he wouldn’t literally faint due to too many layers of clothes, and the spell had been a minor one, Volker only lowering the temperature around him, at most a half a meter wide radius. However, most likely due to his conflicted emotions when catching sight of the ghost, the temperature around had gone down more than he initially planned, now being somewhere around minus twenty degrees Celsius. 

Every action of his had been completed particularly quickly, for as when he barely raised his hands so he could put on his gloves, Volker heard the voice of the ghost. He arched his eyebrow, gaze focusing on her figure as he put on his other glove as well. It was a good thing his English had improved, for perhaps three or even two years ago Volker wouldn’t have caught that word play so easily. She was flirting. Naturally, a ghost who had once been a beautiful woman would have such an attitude, nonetheless, Volker found it more repulsing than endearing. She was dead and the dead should never mingle too much with the living.

He felt Memphis drawing closer to him just one tiny bit, and then Volker decided that there were clearly only two ways to handle this matter. The most obvious one would be that they would have to please her, flirt back, and hopefully get out of there without any severe injuries. Preferably, without her getting too close to him as well. He had thought that perhaps he could let down his hair and as he let it fall back on his shoulders to sensually approach her and compliment her beauty and also her ‘open’ attitude. However, that was completely out of the question, not because Volker wouldn’t actually do it, but because his hair was braided that day, and tied into a bun at the back of his head, so him doing an entire enrapturing show around that was not going to happen. 

So there was only one other option left for him to approach.

“Oh, I do thank you for your most exquisite of compliments.” Volker playfully smiled at her, winking provocatively. “From the very bottom of my very beating heart.” He placed his right hand on his chest, slowly making a courteous reverence in front of the ghost. Straightening his back, Volker drew closer to Memphis, and once again placed his hand on the air elemental’s arm. “However, it’s so sad that I must say that both of us are taken.” The German playfully leaned his head on Memphis’ shoulder, a bit more flirty in regards to the ghost than before. “By each other.” He nodded his head, theatrically expressing his false sadness, as he later on sighed, while drawing even nearer to his exploration partner, placing his other arm around Memphis’ waist.

“My lover here is very jealous unfortunately, so I can’t talk with you much without permission, but if you show us the way to the mall, we can totally make out just for your eyes only.” Memphis will kill him for that remark, he was sure of it. However, there was a fifty percent chance that the air elemental there would play along, both for the fun of it and the interesting twist of the situation. And truthfully, Volker would rather cling to Memphis as much as possible than be put in the situation of getting closer to the ghost, so lying about being concubines would give him the best excuse to openly cling to his friend without causing any kind of suspicions from the ghost.

Her reaction was a slightly amused one, letting out what was mostly likely supposed to be a giggle but sounded like a screeching to him. “Of course.” She whispered harshly, toying with her hair as her right hand passed through it. The sight of her frightened Volker to his very core, truly hoping that she wouldn’t draw closer than necessary. She did come forward, but stopped right before Volker’s lowering of temperature spell would meet with her. “I can show you the way.” She eyed Memphis, her smile widening, with particular interest. “You sure you wouldn’t mind a different partner though? I’m by far much more beautiful than him.” She most likely referred to Volker, however, at that point the ice elemental was too preoccupied with her not getting even closer to them, that he didn’t even have time to feel offended about her remark.

"You've got to be.." freaking kidding me. Memphis was lost for words. Every time he thought he understood where Volker's head was at the iceman went and set things on fire. Honestly he was like a conundrum inside of a firecracker wrapped with hair entirely too silky to belong to a male. Memphis snorted at the other elemental's words, his lover, CDs, literally he had no idea how to respond. And apparently neither did the forest wraith. She stared at them behind black and green beady eyes that Memphis was sure reflected more than just the two of them. Never the less Volkers insane antics seemed to be working and in that split second Memphis some what understood the plan. That or the toxic hallucinogenic spores they must have both ingested were starting to work their way through his mind. Either way he jumped on the crazy train and fed his arm around Volkers waist, letting it fall casually on his hip bone.

"The cutest boyfriend ever." He played along up until the moment when the figure came toward them, slowed by the cooling spell, and then Memphis let his arm fall off of the other man as he took a step back. "Maybe we will just find our own way? If that's okay?" He said softly, having literally no clue how to get out of this one. Normally he was capable of being quite the social butterfly. Soft and smooth and able to charm the pants off of a giant but Volker put a serious dent in his flow. He was off of his game and if today ended in his face getting in any way damaged there was going to be hell to pay.

He shot the other wizard a pointed look before reaching into his pocket for literally anything he could find. He reached for a rune stone, muttering words, and calling upon the wind as much as he could in his frazzled state. The leaves from the forest floor began to rustle and surge toward the figure. He hoped it would gain them a little bit of cover to make an escape but he didn't know where they would go.

"Quick Run!" He shouted, nearly dragging Volker away from the spirit and naturally leading them right into the next trap.

Memphis was the best ever. His mentor, his closest friend, his partner-in-crime. Volker was always grateful for the air elemental’s presence in his life, however now, as he saw Memphis be the perfect hero and rescue them from the life-threatening situation in which they were, it was different. It always was. Memphis always shined in a way that both blinded him yet caused a never-ending source of admiration. He was the greatest adventurer there was.

The wind was his signal that he had to run.

As soon as Memphis confirmed, Volker ran as fast as he could, following Memphis’s lead. They had gone deeper into the forest, which was probably good – if an ancient ghost wanted to find them, then she could do so at any point. However, being in the forest was easier for them to go by unnoticed. If anything, the ghost would be their only worry. I hope. Volker though, slowing down a bit as the heat was starting to get to him once more. It was hard being an ice cube in one of the planet’s hottest and most humid areas. Horribly so.

“Memphis!” Volker yelped, between two breaths as he stopped, and leaned against a tree. “There.” He then pointed in their left where, behind some heliconia flowers. They were around fifteen feet in height, and each of their leaves were around ten feet themselves – therefore, it was hard to notice, but not impossible. There was a wall behind them, most surely the entrance to the temple they’ve been looking for.

After catching his breath and regaining his composure, Volker headed towards the wall, and cut off a few leaves, to make sure that the ruin in itself was the one they were looking for. And after noticing a bas-relief, which matched the description the two of them had previously read in some old parchments, Volker nodded in approval. “Yes, this is it.” He said, relieved that they’ve finally found their destination. “Now we need to figure out how to open this.” The German then summoned on small, sharp bits of ice, to cut off all the leaves, for them to properly examine the ruin and see how they can get in the temple.

Little did he know that the plant’s lianas were slowly making their way to their feet. And Volker didn’t notice them until their grip on his legs got especially tight, and it pulled him towards an underground and underwater trap – a dark, morbid cave, filled with cold as ice water. “Memphis!” He yelled, hoping the other elemental didn’t fall along with him.

As they always did things around Volker quickly became out of hand. Honestly after years of friendship and ridiculous amounts of ridiculousness Memphis should of been used it by now but the Ice Elemental never ceased to amaze. They'd some how convinced themselves that they were explorers and completely prepared for this and it took all of ten minutes for the wild lands of South America to prove them wrong. They'd manage to get away from the spirit, sure they ran like chickens but it was still a getaway, and now they had some how found exactly what they were looking for. If his ego hadn't gotten in the way Memphis might have realized that this was entirely too easy but of course it did. Of course he just assumed they were awesome and found it because they were worthy, not because they were being tricked again.

"You mean you need to figure out how to open that." Memphis mumbled sarcastically under his voice with a smile on his face as he cupped his hands over his eyes to shade them from the sunlight. The strange clearing in the middle of the forest was warm and quiet and it was strange. He was sure the spirit had followed them, his cheeks still a bit red from the exertion of running away like a big fat chicken. He was squinting into the burning rays of sunlight, peering out into the thick jungle, when he heard something give way and turned sharply around just in time to see the silky soft locks of Volker's hair disappearing into a hole in the ground. "Volker!" He called out, mirroring the other man's panic as he ran forward.

"Grab onto something I'll pull you out!" He shouted as he crossed the distance between them. He reached the pit much faster than he expected to and his heart was racing as he peered down into the darkness of it. He looked around for something to use to get Volker out of the hole and found a string of vines not far from where he was standing. Rushing over to them he yanked a few times, huffed, and then finally broke them free from the tree. By the time he reached the opening he hadn't noticed the snake slithering down from the home he'd just stolen from it. He lowered the vine into the hole quickly before screaming and dropping the whole thing as the striped snake coiled around his arm. "Get off me! Get off!" He said, winds rustling around them violently as his element grew out of control. He managed to rid himself of the snake after a moment of jumping and shaking around at the ledge but only to find himself off balance and quickly teetering over. He shouted as he fell into the hole only to find himself crashing into the ice cold water rushing underneath. The current carried him to a cave system until he washed up on a muddy shore, ceiling lit by strange bugs and an odd smell in the air. Blinking as his eyes focused the wizard caught his breath and crawled out of the water. His hair was a mess and he knew it.

"Volker.....?" He called out cautiously into the cave, his voice echoing down further than he wanted to admit. They were in trouble now.