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 Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:23 pm
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:28 pm
*Daewyn nods and grasps their hands, giggling slightly at the appropriate nickname given her. She tuned her thoughts inward and down to the earth, connecting herself with the earth. As she did so the earth responded, opening a passage for Daewyn and everyone connected with her. As soon as they were in the earth Daewyn noticed a presence in the earth she had never felt before*
Terra? What is that?
Lets hope it will let us pass by unnoticed... I don't like the feel of that... it's too familiar... and up to no good. Daewyn you just concentrate on getting the others to the destination safely, I'll work on keeping us out of his notice.
Right.
"Um...you sure this is going to be safe?" Shuichi asked her, as the Void began to slowly surround them.
"You were the one who asked to come along with me, so no complaining," Naoko murmured, concentrating.
Phey stood her ground, desperately trying not to freak out as the Void began to completely surround them.
You're doing fine, child. No worries.
That's easy for you to say...
~~
It had been a couple of days since she could use her powers to her full ability. Her little fainting spell before had hit her hard, and Daemon had to tell her to take things slowly lest kill herself.
The Mistress of Void faded into her element, and her guardian appeared before her two companions, literally scaring Phey to her wits. The demon-like creature spread out its wings in the darkness, the only source of light that Shuichi and Phey could see from Daemon were his crimson eyes.
Don't mind the old man, Naoko told them in the Void, her voice echoing everywhere. He's just going to be your guide right now.
They both nodded, following Daemon with caution.
I wish I could go back...with all I know now, it wasn't worth it. So what if I have powers? I want my family back.
I understand you're frustrated, Bryce. But you don't know what happened.
That what makes me the angriest...I just wish I could have been there. I could have done something to save them...especially Rayne...
All is not yet lost.
...I know.
Use that power now, and save Layla. Maybe that'll lead us to your parents and Rayne.
Hopefully.
Let's get to Lilandre.
Right.
*Bryce summons up the wind again, and flies off across the fields towards the mountains and Lilandre.*
He was right here, gar-ul. Right here, damn his soul, and if Daemon had pushed a little faster, we might have stopped him.
"Enough about Daemon already," Nida muttered to herself. And so what? We couldn't stop him before. Sure, it was only us and the new girl. But do you honestly believe we could have done anything if it had been all of us at once? He's like some kind of minor god.
Not minor for long, it thinks.
"He was right here - Dante, that is - just above us, and not too long ago," Nida said to the others. Daewyn was pretty good at this tunneling thing; Nida only got a few annoying silica particles in her mouth instead of the faceful of dirt she had expected. "If we'd been quicker about getting out of Halconia, we could have tried to stop him."
They will defend Daemon. She shouldn't waste her time.
But privately to Terra, Xachta noted, Be quick, but be careful, she should. He may yet backtrack.
*Terra acknowledged Xachta's warning with an ethereal nod in its direction. The Melbane boy was very powerful indeed, and it was taking all of her concentration available to create a mask of earth around their position. Not waisting anymore concentration than needed, she sent a terse warning to Daewyn.*
Land on the outskirts of Lilandre
*Daewyn was having troubles of her own concentrating and didn't bother to reply. The tunnelling she had done before and been practicing recently so that wasn't the problem. And whatever this threatening entity was didn't bother her either because Terra was taking care of that. No, the problem came from within her own mind.
Joined with the earth, especially in this hauntingly familiar location, Daewyn was being bombarded by images she didn't recognize, coming simultaniously from the earth itself and her own memory.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*She could feel the rough bark beneath her hands. A large, shiny red apple was dangling tauntingly out of reach. She stretched her arm up as high as it could go, but her fingers just barely brushed the glossy skin. "Careful Rayne.." came a warning from her brother below. She bit her tounge in frustration and repositioned her feet a little higher before trying again, this time grasping the fruit firmly. As she gave it a sharp tug however, the sudden snap of the twig that had been connecting the apple to the tree tipped her precarious balance to far forward and she began to fall. She dropped the apple in her scramble to grasp something to halt her sudden descent, but her hands met nothing but air as she fell headlong towards the earth. At the last moment she felt his arms wrap around her just before she hit the ground. Her momentum knocked him to the ground, but when she looked down at him she saw his blue eyes smiling at her, and she knew he was ok.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*She felt Nida's hand gripping tighter to hers as her own grip slackened from her divided concentration. What were these images? She thrust the question aside, trying to focus. Three people had placed their lives in her hands, she would not fail them... but try as she might, another image insistantly bombarded her mind....*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Water... water lapped at her feet. A sob wracked her chest, and for the first time she noticed that her cheeks were also wetted with her own tears. She was sitting on the bank of a small pond, the same bank she had spent hours playing with him... but now he was gone. She heard a voice calling to her from behind. Turning quickly, her face lit with a smile as she half-expected to see her brother running back to her like she had been dreaming he would, but the smile quickly faded when she saw the green eyes of her father. She jumped up and ran to him anyway, clinging to his knees as fresh tears coursed down her cheeks. "Daddy..."*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*A spark in her mind from Terra brought her back to herself. They were almost there. Picking a small hollow shielded from the city by the foothills of the mountains, Daewyn directed their course up and out of the earth. Once they had emerged Daewyn released her slackening grip on Nida's hand and knelt to the ground weeping for reasons she didn't understand.
Terra continued to mask their presence while sparing the energy to send an invisible beacon to the other guardians to let them know the gathering point chosen since their party was the first to arrive.*
Bryce, Terra has confirmed the location of Daewyn and her party.
Right. Where are they?
Just up ahead. Right over that crest.
Got it.
*Bryce rushed over the hill, the mountains of Lilandre looming before him. He could see the path up to the city, and the sky beyond.*
This too...I came here right after leaving Aneidan...
****
What's wrong Bryce? You should be happy that you're going to Tuvidal to learn all of these wonderful things.
I am happy, sorry. It was nothing.
Why must I lie to myself? I miss them so much already...I can never forget their faces...Rayne's especially. I do hope to see them soon...but I have to be strong. I have to make them proud of me.
We'll stop here in Lilandre for a bit. The inn's right up there.
Okay.
*Bryce turns around to see Aneidan as a tiny speck on the horizon.*
Will I ever see you again?
****
*Bryce shakes his memories out of his head.*
I have to concentrate and be strong. I must make them proud of me. We have to save Layla. For Mom, Dad, and Rayne...wherever they may be...
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:32 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:36 pm
Xachta, too, remembered what had happened before.
It had been only three days since the high shaman had been killed. Xachta was out of her league and she knew it. The others either ignored her or condescended to her, neither of which she needed. She needed information. She needed to know what to do and how to do it. "When the time comes, we'll tell you" just wasn't cutting it.
That day, the day they encountered a dead Lilandre, the enormity of the task before her grew too heavy to bear. She was weary. She was sore. She was all alone, a child amongst adults. And to top it all off, she barely spoke any language other than her own, so it was a rarity for her to be included in conversation. So it was no wonder that she snapped in response to Melchior's asinine question.
The "cowards" bit had been mainly a jibe at Daemon and Terra, both of whom had taken her aside and done the usual "it's time for you to be brave now" speech that adults give children in such circumstances. Xachta felt bad for her spite, especially toward motherly Terra, but she couldn't hold it in any longer.
Xachta didn't sleep for three nights afterward.
*Bryce stood over Daewyn, surveying the ruined town.*
This is bad. Tuvidal could be in real trouble...and Dante wants what's in Tuvidal. He wants it badly. But we need to get there first.
Yes. We must not let him reach the crest before we do.
I have to get it.
"Guys, we need to figure out what happened here, then move to Tuvidal."
Baikasu: I sugest that Phey, Nida, New Girl, Bryuce and I go to the Shopping District to see what we can find, and maybe get some healing items to help the survivors, and then try to ask them what they know., while the others go to the Residential District to do the same. How does that sound?
Sounds good.. where should we meet after?
*Daewyn grips Bryce's hand, tears which were lingering in her eyes from before now newly falling from the scene of horror that now greeted her young eyes.*
I wanna come too! Please can I come Bryce? Nida? I know how to use potions, I know which ones to get. I won't be a bother I promise...
*Her jade eyes looked up into Bryce's hopefully, her emotions showing plainly on her face as usual*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was just as if time has stood still. The smell, the sight was all the same. Terra could almost feel her own body she had long forsaken once again as the memories returned sharply.
No...not again.
Her spectral eyes looked to the scortched earth, once again barren of life. It wasn't possible, and yet here it was. She had felt it before, while they were travelling under the earth, but she hadn't wanted to believe it. Terra's attention was caught by Daewyn's begging and her eyes burned with tears that couldn't fall. The child shouldn't have to see this. No one should. It was all to horrible... how could they defeat the Melbane boy if he possessed such power? On the other hand, something about the feel of the destruction didn't sit right with her, like it didn't quite add up somehow. Terra stored the thought for later contemplation. Now was time for action, before more destruction was wrought to the twice-tortured land.
What now? What do we do in light of this? she questioned no guardian in particular.
Baikasu:I've got no problems wit it. Sure, you can cme with us, Daewyn. This group idea okay with you, Phey? Nda? And what about you, New Girl?
*Gwyn walked over to the corpse of a woman holding her child, a little ways from the group. Gwyn bows his head, and tears begin falling down.*
"YOU b*****d!!!! I'LL KILL YOU, I SWEAR IT ON BAHAMUT'S HOLY BREATHE!!! YOU WILL FEEL THE PAIN AND SORROW OF EVERY LIFE YOU'VE PUT AN END TO!!!! I... CAN'T... LET YOU GET AWAY... WITH THIS!!!!"
*Kain's crystaline prison glowed fiercely, powered by the rage and courage of Gwyn.*
"Gwyn.... You've made an oath on the breathe of Bahamut... You must really be serious about this..."
"Kain... I have to. But I need your help... I'm still too weak, too fragile."
"I swear it, I will help you. This tragedy must not be repeated."
*Kain then projected an image of himself, and put his hand on Gwyn's shoulder.*
--------------------------
*Kain looked around at the destruction of Lilandre. It was unbearable. As a Dragoon, he was morally and mentally stupefied at the destruction and death at this town. Kain went through the town, looking for survivors. He saw a little huddled mass in a blanket, next to which lay a dying woman.*
Woman: Is someone there? I... I can't see..
"I'm here... I won't hurt you..."
Woman: Please.... I don't know who you are, but please.... take care of my child...
*The woman leaned over to the huddled mass in the cloth, kissed the child on the cheek and softly whispered:*
Woman: Now you have a chance to live... grow strong, my son...
*The woman slumped over, and saw no more. Kain bent down and gingerly held the baby boy in his arms. Tears began falling softly on the woman's corpse. Kain kneeled and closed her eyes. He solemnly walked away and found Daemon.*
"Daemon... I've found a survivor.... His name... is Fratley..."
Sounds good to me. Let's go looking for something. Lead the way Baikasu.
*Bryce followed the others, Daewyn's hand held tightly in his.*
It'll be okay, Daewyn. We'll get him.
...At least I can protect her...to make up for my failure with you, Rayne...
Um, I was kinda hopng you would lead the group, since you've probably been here before and know your way around. Welll, If you wana follow me, then g ahead. Just let me know when i take a wrong turn, okay? *says to the entire party*We all meet back here in 2 hours. That should give us plenty of time to find out what happened exactly.*turns to the newly-formed sub-party* Ok, let's go. The less time we spend here, the less time it'll take to give the lil' ******** a slow, painful, aganizing death.
*Starts walking towards the Market*
Right...sorry. Well, it's been a long time, but it should be close to the town square. So let's go this way.
*Bryce walks with Daewyn and Baikasu next to him towards the town's center.*
It's been over 10 years since i was here...so forgive me if we get lost.
As the others began to decide where to go, Naoko quietly said,
"I'm going to check out the residences. See if there's anybody still here."
With that, she quietly headed in the opposite direction where the others were, contemplating and looking around. So many dead...their corpses charred and spewed in different directions.
It couldn't be his doing...
You're right. It's not.
Naoko stopped in her tracks upon her guardian's answer. What?
*Daewyn gripped Bryce's hand tightly and tried to hide her eyes from the death around her, but they inevitably wandered. Seeing the blackened corpses opened her eyes to a new level of horror she had never imagined was possible.*
Why...why would anyone do this Bryce? I just don't...understand....
*As they walked on towards the center of the town the carnage worsened. Daewyn had to fight back the bile rising in the back of her throat. The stench of burned hair and flesh filled the air around them like a thick blanket. The very earth beneath her feet was screaming in anger and anguish at the atrocity once again acted out on its surface. She shuddered at the raw passion she felt beneath her, its power surging forth into her. After a few moments the expression on her face had changed from intense disbelief and sorrow to one of righteous anger. She was the earth's champion, she would avenge this wrong.*
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:43 pm
*Bryce watched as emotions surged through Daewyn*
I don't know...I can't give you an answer, Daewyn. All we can do is try our best to stop this from happening again. I will stop it. I promise.
*Bryce notices the town square just ahead*
Here we are. The shopping district should be around here somewhere.
"Be lucky to find anything in this mess," Nida mumbled. The area was pretty well leveled; one would be able to recognize this as a former city, but differentiating between residential and commercial districts would take more than a passing glance. The bodies, the blasted hulls of buildings... even the topsoil had been charred beyond hope. The ash made walking like wading through a dry swamp bed.
Nida might not be a champion of anything at all, let alone the very earth beneath her, but she too broiled with anger. Her own hometown had been wiped out... and for all she knew, her mother had shared the same fate as the dozen flash-baked residents of Lilandre.
She is enraged, Xachta. She demands revenge.
The poison guardian's reply was as grim and flat as Nida's thought. Then she would burn this into her memory. Sear it in the pit of her gut. When the time comes, she will let herself fall away. The anguish and thirst for revenge will do her job in her place.
"What in the world is up with this damned city? Seems that nobody wants to say anything at all to us."
Those words were spoken by Macnor, who wasn't in the fondest of moods to interfere with.
They had all gathered what was few of the survivors of the city into a shrine that was miraculously untouched. Unfortunately, the survivors weren't so open to their saviors to explain what had happened to their city.
"Why do you ask me? I'm not a mind reader," Xachta replied in a bored manner.
"I wasn't asking you."
"Then why don't you just keep your damn thoughts to yourself?"
"I can say whatever---"
One sharp look from Daemon made the two quiet down. He, too, like everyone else, were all exhausted by the rescue effort and arguements were the last thing he needed. Not only that, but many locals looked at him oddly. It was either the eyes or his cold appearance, or maybe both, he assumed.
A bit too quiet at his age of twenty, Daemon had left behind his wife and two children when he was sent away by the elders to investigate a disturbance over in the Trabian forest. Who would've thought that it would turn out to be something more than just a mere disturbance.
He could sense someone take a seat next to him. Not bothering to turn his head to see who it was, he replied,
"What is it?"
Kain shook his head and sighed. "Can't you think of nothing else except our goal? Relax a little bit and maybe at least talk to some of us here? Or maybe to some of the townsfolk? Fratley's more than willing to convince the people what we're doing is right."
"Then let him handle it; it's none of my business."
Kain shook his head again. It was no use trying to converse with the Master of Void. The more any of the others tried to speak to him, the more Daemon would follow the code of the Void: speak nothing and walk on the path of nothing.
"The jewel...the jewel of Rhea has been taken from them, or so I've heard," he changed subjects. "Terra and what's-it's-name, Quirk-something, have been asking the older children questions and entertaining the younger ones, which is how they found out."
"So...Ryden has been here."
The dragoon nodded. "She's not being nice about it, either."
~~~
Naoko entered into a somewhat constructed home. She had begun to ignore the corpses lying about the streets and began to focus on the auras that she sensed. There were still people alive here, but she wasn't just sure where.
She quickly reacted when one of the pillars to the structure crumbled, jumping backward. She eyed the structure curiously, wondering how concrete could turn into a pile of ash within seconds. It definitely wasn't Dante's doing, but he had played a part in manipulating whoever it was, for sure.
Slowly, carefully, she stepped forward again, hand outstretched to the structure. There was something about it that bugged her, but she needed to at least have physical contact with the object before she could find out what it was.
Her amulet glowed once. Either in warning or someone with an amulet was nearby, she wasn't sure because she froze when the click of a gun pointed to her head.
"Don't you move an inch," her assailant said.
In his realm, Daemon broke out of reverie, sensing the familiar aura of the Water guardian closeby.
It's been a long time, don't you think, Daemon?
Melchoir...
*On the other side of town...
lucavi had just gotten to the residential area when he heard louds explosions and screams around the corner of the next street.. he rushed towards the sound ...when he turned the corner he caught an unsightly seen of a bomb(ff creature) exploding in the center of a huge crowd of people... the scene was devestating .. limbs flew apart ...the individuals closest to the bomb were chared black the survivors in flames or had lost a limb and were crawling to safety*
*Creatures started coming in by the dozens some creatures as large as buildings they destroyed such as the behemoths and the hydras others like the small goblins came in large groups hacking the remaining populace*
Holy
*Unknowingly lucavi had cast a spellof light that headed toward the enemies killing off the smaller creatures and damaging heavily the larger ones with dark attributes*
*He then charged to the enemies that were now flowing by the hundreds casting destructive white magic and swinging his blade*
We need the others we cannot handle this on our own lucavi.
You lack faith in me Vormav... I can finish them off myself
*lucavi had hacked away at the creatures and not for long he was in the midst of the creatures*
Your running out of ether lucavi ... i wonder if the others are in the same positon as we are in right now
Holy Explosion
*creatures around lucavi fell*
I feel something bad happening
*lucavi blacks out and his alternate form appears with a dark aura that made him more powerful ... a mad laughter echoed to the surrounding areas as he began to hack and slashed the countless creatures surrounding him*
*Walking to the Shopping District, Baikasu and company pass building after building, the destruction seeming to get worse the further they went.*
Baikasu:All this sensless destruction... all this death... why the ******** did Dante do this? Damn him!
I'm starting to think that is was him that destroyed Baskai! This scene reminds me too much of it...
I don't think it was him that destroyed Baskai. I also don't think that this was all done by him, either. Though he most likely did something here.
Are you saying you know something, Macnor? Are you tryig to tell me that... you knew of Baskai's attackers all along?!
I'm not saying that. I'm making judgements based on observations.
Yeah, sure you are. Just like when you claimed to not know Melbane.
I said that I didn't know the language. I was referring to Draconian. It's a completely different language.
...
Damn you! Why didn't you just tell me you knew Melbane?!
You never asked. If you want, I'll teach it to you.
Yeah, sure. I kinda need it, and besides,*Looks around at the destruction*If I don't want to lose my sanity, I'm going to need to find some way of not letting the death around me get to me. The last thing we all need is a gun nut like nyself going on a misery journey.
I know that this is really getting to you allready. Tis is just like reliving those tragic events.
Ok, thanks Macnor. Anyway, I think that I should stop talking to the voices in my head for now.
I take offense from that.
Heh heh he- wait, what was that sound?
Baikasu:Shh. I hear something...
*Baikasu readies his rifle, then slowly walks towards the street corner, puts his back to thwe wall, and slowely pokes his head around the corner. To his horror there was a bahemoth eating a corpse about 100 yards down the street, and there were various other creatures around the street, killing the few survivors and destroying buildings.*
Phey:What the hell?!
Bryuce:Oh, god...
Baikasu biggrin amn them! Damnit, all to hell!
*A family of four suddenly runs screning from a building, being chased by a wyvern.*
Baikasu:Eat this, mother ********!
*Baikasu aims and opens fire on the wyvern, shooting it down after three tries.*
Baikasu:They're gonna need our help! Who's up to it?
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:46 pm
By the time Baikasu issued his call to arms, Nida was already on the move. Xachta slipped into the back of her brain on the second step. Within ten meters, the various oozes and goos had begun flowing.
"They will take the right flank," the girl and her guardian shouted back to their companions. "Terra will either maintain her front and attack from afar or take to the underground. The others are given tactical freedom." They had chosen the right flank because that side was riddled with tall rubble piles and mostly-standing posts and beams, giving them cover to operate from and negating any range advantages the magic-using creatures might have.
Upon reaching the first area of cover, about twenty meters from the main body of the monsters, they began dancing. Having grown up in an urban area, Nida was already well-versed in the Love Sonata, and it took little effort to begin the routine. Results showed within seconds. A small Grenade cocked to one side, as though hearing something - then turned on the Behemoth and began casting Fira after Fira. A Thunder Flan felt the brunt of a burst of Sonata-induced fire rising from the roasted cobbles beneath it. To top it all off, the wind picked up a swirl of ashes which resolved into the silhouette of a tapir. With a toss of its head, the phantom creature vanished, taking with it any weariness which the subparty may have carried.
*Baikasu shoots an oncoming Bomb several times, thus putting his clip's ammo at 15 rounds*
Baikasu:New girl, give me cover while I bring those survivors to safty!
*Baikasu then started running towards the famil, stopping at a large chunk of roofing material half-way to reload his gun after shooting a flock of wyverns thast had crowded around a pile of corpses, thus putting his clip ammo back up to 30 and his reserve ammo down to 60.*
*He reaches the family*
Baikasu:Come with me and you'll be allright!
*They decided to follow his advice. They then started slowly going back towards the main subparty, Baikasu using Kasiko to kill two Fangs on the way.*
Dammit! As if the destruction wasn't bad enough!! Daewyn, be careful!
*Bryce surged forward towards the monsters, the wind already engulfing the street*
YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!
*He stops suddenly, raises his hands, and bombards the nearest monsters with aero spells*
Bryce, calm yourself. We can't chance another transformation...not yet.
Yes Narya...
*The wind dies a little, and Bryce chases some sahagins down an alleyway*
Hmmm...fire should be nice for you...
*Bryce closes his eyes, chants the words of the spell, and fire pours down upon the enemies*
How much more?!?!
*creatures now amassed in the torn city... around lucavi was a scene of chaos corpses of humans and monsters alike covered the streets, every inch of the ground was painted with blood*
Demon form lucavi:weak creatures... do you not understand that it is impossible to defeat a creature far more superior in every way than any of you can amount to... You fools think you can stop me BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHA I pity your efforts
*Daewyn, hearing the warnings from Bryce and the instructions from Nida/Xachta, dove quickly into the earth. She could fight better from there. Feeling the creatures above her, she created rifts in the ground beneath them, capturing a inside the earth and crushing its body. She then focused on harrying the flanks of the creatures, trying to keep them in a state of confusion while keeping the ground stable for her teammates, especially Nida and her complicated dances. Daewyn allowed the rage of the earth to fill her completely. Fueled by its anger, she swam through the ground effortlessly, popping up here to take a stab at the underbelly of a chimera, lobbing up a boulder at a bomb overhead. She got so enrapt in her own flurry of attacks that she barely dodged an abyss worm that came charging straight at her. She could feel the creature was also connected to the earth. *
Damn...I can't attack this one...
*Focusing her concentration, she tried to force the worm out into the open air, but only managed to expose it halfway. The rest of her stretched resources she devoted to harrying the creature, restricting its movements as much as possible while moving like quicksilver herself, stabbing it everywhere in search of a weak spot. She could tell her attacks were having little effect on the giant worm however.*
I can't use my items from my bag on this thing... they wouldn't work that well underground. Pity, a well placed frag grenade would probably knock this one out...
You need wind to attack this foe
But I don't have any wind items, and I don't know any wind spells!
But the one called Bryce does
Ok Terra, I'll see if I can get his attention.
*Daewyn stabbed the worm once last time before lobbing a small, glowing stone into the air like a becon. She then surfaced herself, yelling out Bryce! before diving back down to attack the half-exposed worm*
*lucavi regains back conciousness only remembering one thing .the monsters surrounding him and starts attacking the monsters surrounding him. He never felt the transformation and couldnt remember at thing but strangely he felt revitalized and started casting multiple spells at a time...*
Saint Cross.. Holy Blade.. Holy Explosion...
*His attackers fell wave by wave in explosions of light and crimson fountains*
Already, the monsters' ranks were thinned; most that hadn't died were fleeing, and those that weren't fleeing were... well, big. Like that Behemoth. The dance would do little against these, so on one of the backward kick-flips, they broke out of the routine and slid their spear out from between their pack and their shoulder blades. Of course, they didn't watch their landing too closely, resulting in a spectacular crash into the charcoaled remnants of a false store front.
"Ow," they grunted, levering themselves up and out of the rubble. They were a sight to behold, covered in grey and black soot - the stuff seemed positively attracted to the thin layer of slime covering their skin - glaring about them wild-eyed, spear in hand. Unfortunately, their wild-eyed glare didn't extend to their rear arc; an angered Garuda turned its sightless head in their direction and slapped down a wing, sending a gust of wind to knock them over again.
Nida and Xachta stood, their eyes now so filmed that no pupil or iris was evident. "THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH!" They started dancing again, a quick backstep with some forceful swings of the spear. Neither of them individually had any precedent for this routine, but it seemed to fit the situation.
The ground for several meters around them thickened with sludge. The ooze rose to the surface, creating small pools of rainbow-tinted oil which spilled over the charred cobblestones of the street. A brilliant green flash exploded overhead. The Garuda recoiled in shock, banked for a better angle of attack - and promptly flopped to the ground, the effort having killed it. The toxin released into its system was so overbearing that it never had time to realize it had been poisoned.
*The creatures still huddled by the dozens on the weakened lucavi...*
Already low on mp and only have 2 ethers left
Use your elixir
Heck no... you know how hard it is to get
(())~~~~ (())
*Sighs, shaking her head over the ******** running scared to help people to a safety that didn't exist. Just as well, as she needed room to work. Grabbing a charred and burning support beam from a nearby collapsed building, she swings the cylindrical chunk of far-lighter and far-crumblier wood at the flying giant beach-ball, knocking it back aways as the beam snapped and went with it. The pair flew back into a collaped beam, impaling the bomb in the 'back'. The resulting explosion caused quite a bit of fire, but the fire left when it realized the area was already burnt-out.*
*Glancing around and seeing nothing too lethal, she starts passively looking through the debris. Finding little that's living or usable, she's about to leave when she sees a melange of charred, partially-melted, and cracked weapons and shields on the ground. taking a closer look, she sees a lone sword of some kind resting with one end on the ground and the other proped-up by the nigh-unrecognizable forge. Curiously, even with an unburned support beam on it, it still appeared to be in pristine condition. She shoves the beam off and tests how hot it is; finding it bearable she picks it up and looks the revieled Katana over... Strange, meandering, flowing patterns adorn the surface, leaving her with only a vauge idea of what it could be made out of. Practice swings reveiled that it had a rather nice edge, heft, and center of balance. Clearly the pride and joy of a master blacksmith, and most likely a freak accident on this backwater planet. Sadly, there was no sheath, so one would have to be aquired later to keep that edge from dulling to useless.*
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:50 pm
*Baikasu finally leads the surviors to saftey. After doing so, he sees the New-Girl testing out a sword.*
Baikasu:Where the ******** did she get that?
*Baikasu then started to look for an item shop or weapons shop. Whichever was found first.*
*Bryce hears Daewyn's voice for a split second calling his name.*
Daewyn!
*The wind whips up around him as he rushes towards her location.*
Can't let anything happen to her....
*He notices, down one side street, half an abyss worm struggling around.*
There
*In one fluid motion, Bryce hovers over the worm, puts forth his hands, and closes his eyes. Almost instantaneously a green light emanates from his hands and mist swirls about him.*
Take this, b*****d.
*The mist focuses into a central point, then rushes downward in a spiral to the abyss worm.*
***FLASH***
*After the light clears, there is nothing left of the worm, only a slight indentation in the earth where a girl's red hair can be spotted.*
Daewyn.
*After shouting out to Bryce and hoping he heard her Daewyn dove back under the worm and tried to push him farther above the surface. After a few moments Daewyn thought she heard Bryce's voice, just before her vision flashed*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Daewyn was running, chasing after a blond-headed boy. I'll catch you this time Bry! she heard herself say. Her head started reeling. Where was she? Wasn't she supposed to be in the middle of a battle? As she ran she felt her knees give way under her and she hit the dirt face-first. The boy turned quickly at the sound and ran to her. Rayne! She felt a hand on her shoulder turn her...*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Daewyn woke groggily to see Bryce looking down at her with concern in his eyes. She coughed out a mouthful of dirt and smiled shakily at him.*
Thanks Bry...
*Chaos was rampant across the city ... the waves of monsters seemed endless to lucavi... although these creatures gave little to no damage to lucavi.. their combined strength could cause significant amounts of damages*
"Don't move an inch."
Naoko dared not breath. She knew what the consequences were if she made any rash moves in a situation like this. Before she could cook up something to get out of this mess, Daemon spoke in her mind:
Do not be alarmed by him. The human is the water bearer.
Naoko frowned. How do you know?
"Look," she began to say. "I just got here with my friends. We went to see if there were any--"
Another click. "I said, don't move, Melbane!"
Naoko glanced at her assailant. Behind her was a young man not nearly twenty. Grey hair and grey eyes looked a bit unnatural with his youthful face, but there was one distinct scar sliced vertically on his left eye. He wore rugged armor as if he had just returned from a journey. Besides the two guns pointed at her head, a sword rested on the side of his belt. Black boots covered his feet.
Cautiously, she tilted her head so that he could see part of her face.
"How do you know that I'm Melbane?" she said quietly.
She could clearly see that this man was struggling with his own emotions.
"You got the same damn eyes as that other one who came through here!" the man replied. "You're reinforcements, huh? Come to take out the rest of the survivors?"
Naoko frowned again. "This...'other one'....he looked similar to me?"
So he was here...
Her amulet and his amulet glowed in synchronization, making the man pause in concentration. Naoko took his opporotunity to roll away from the aim of his weapons, casting a Paralyze spell. Her assailant looked no happier than before.
"Damn you..."
"I'm really sorry, but can you please answer my question?" Naoko asked urgently, walking to him. He was slightly taller than her, she realized when she looked at him in the eye. "Did the other person look like me?"
The other's eyes widened, seeing the honesty in her eyes. "....Yeah....sorta..."
Naoko released the spell, sighing. "..Was there a young girl with him?"
The young man rolled his head, stretching out sore limbs. "...Yeah..."
Naoko sighed again, eyes downcast. Layla now knew the truth. "...I'm guessing you arrived in town too late, didn't you?"
*As he noticed the hair, a scene flashed before his eyes.*
Rayne!
*He rushed forward to make sure his little sister was okay.*
Thanks Bry...
Anytime. I'm here for you, sis.
*His eyes refocused on the scene below.*
It has to be. Daewyn must be Rayne. But how? What happened to Mom and Dad? What happened in Aneidan while I was gone?
Kohki's explanation of what follows xd
Here's the description of the Items Shop:
There are items covering the walls and shelves in a 20' X 20' room, with a counter, on the side opposite the entrance. There is a door behind the counter, which leads into the stockroom and a staircase at the wall opposite the door to the main room. Up there, there are three rooms: A bedroom covering over the ceilingspace of the main room, a dining room, kitchen covering half the space above the stockroom, and a bathroom right above the other half of the stockroom. There was a balcony above the entrance to the store, coming from the bedroom. All of the rooms have doors leading out into a hallway that leads to the stairs. the doors also open into the room.
The preceding description of the items shop was just put in because I felt like it.
*Baikasu found an items shop, only mildly damaged despite the heavy destruction of the buildings nearby. He heard a sound inside, so with pistol in hand, he walked into the building. He entered the main shop, where there were products strewn all over the floor.*
Baikasu biggrin amn... perfectly good potions, wasted... *shouts*Hello? Anybody in here?
*No response, but he hear's the sound of shuffling of objects, and something moving up the stairs. Baikasu goes into the back room, runs up the stairs, and suddenyly hears something*
Voice:Gaahhh! Get back! Back, I say!
*This sound came from the bedroom. He got to be right up against the wall, then suddenly jumped out from behind the safty of the wall, and then aimed int the room, where he saw a fang trying to get to a grizzled-looking old man randomly slashing a steak knife and chair at it.*
Baikasu put the pistol away, took out Kasiko, and ran the blade blade through the Fang's head.*
Baikasu:Looked like you needed help. You okay?
Man:Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Thans for your help, kid.
Baikasu:No problem. Hey, are you the owner of this shop?
Shopkeeper(Man): Yeah, I own this here shop. You want enything?
Baikasu:Great. There's some items that I need to buy, if you don't mind.
Shopkeeper:Yeah, sure. But I gotta make ends meet, so I can't give any discounts.
Baikasu:I was going to pay full price, anyway. well, here's wat I need...
*Baikasu then lists various herbs and chemicals, then asks if he had any left in stock.*
---[In the main room]---
Shopkeeper:Yeah, I got those. The total comes to an even 1,000 Gil.
Baiksu:Thanks a lot! I'm gonna need this when I fight more of those creatures outside.
Shopkeeper biggrin amnit! There's another attack? We were just attacked my some guy with red eyes not a few hours ago!
Baikasu:So he was here...
Shopkeeper biggrin o you know tha b*****d?
Baikasu:I'm hunting him down, and hopefully going to kick his sorry a** back a millenia. Anyway, I've got a question...
Shopkeeper:Fire away.
Baiasu:Where's the nearest Inn? We've found some other survivors while getting here. We've found a family of four and you, so far.
Shopkeeper:Really? Survivors? Thank the gods! The Inn is just at the corner south of here. Can't miss it. I'm going to go there as well, in case someone needs some medical attention.
Baikasu:Thanks for the info. I'll brigng you to the others so that we can all go to the Inn together so we can all learn that the hell's going on.
Shopkeeper:Yeah, that's something I'd like to know.*Gathers potions, ethers, and remedies*
Shopkeeper:Ok, let's go. What's your name, anyway?
Baikasu:Baikasu.You?
Shopkeeper:Joe.
*They walk out of the shop and start towards where the main party is.*
Kohki's explanation, cont: This takes about 30 minutes to complete IC.
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:55 pm
*As Bryce looked at her a strange look came over his face. She watched him curiously for a moment, that feeling of recognition returning nagging in the back of her mind, until suddenly a memory of his face flashed across her vision.*
I know you!
*There was a hushed, awed tone to her voice.*
Nida and Xachta staggered, regained their balance, and leered at the already-deflating corpse of the Garuda. That had been pretty freakin' cool, if they did say so themselves. But it was so exhausting... and they couldn't really recall exactly how they did it. Eh... can't be helped, they thought. They turned and walked back toward Daewyn, Bryce, and Tanasha, still looking like a relic dug up from Pompeii.
"I know you!" came Daewyn's voice as they drew near. She was staring up at Bryce as if he'd suddenly revealed that his nose hairs were actually a colony of aliens bent on world domination. And the tone of her voice sounded as if she'd believed it.
"What a coincidence," Nida and Xachta sighed. "We know him, too. And he knows you, and we know you. Matter of fact, we'd posit that everyone in this party knows everyone else in this party. Now that the introductions are out of the way, would someone direct us to the nearest towel?"
*Daewyn blushed at Nida/Xachta's comment.*
No I mean I know him... you're my brother aren't you Bry?
*Baikasu reaches the party, shopkeeper in tow.*
Baikasu:Ok, guys. Here's what's goin' on. There's an Inn down the street that way. *points in the direction they were allready headed.* I suggest that we go there and use it as base camp so we can tell other survivors where to go. The local Item's Shopkeeper has decided to use some of his stock to help out there. When we reach the Inn, we're gonna need some people to stay there and protect the In from atack, while some of us go to the Residential District to check on Naoko and company. Sound like a good plan?"
Phey:I'd say it's one of our best bets.
Baikasu:Ok. Anyone else?
::A man in green can be seen running from a hill in the distance to the area of distruction::
::when he arrives, he runs into a small house::
::inside, he notices a woman dead on the floor with slashes all over her body and blood spilled::
(enter Platoon's "Adagio for Strings" music)
::he kneels down and picks her up::
::holding her in his arms, the man slumps his head downward::
::the man cries, but it is not noticable due to the mask he is wearing::
::carrying the woman, the man walks away with the woman out of town into the distance::
*Casually glances down the street, seeing more burnt-out and burning buildings, with only the screams and growling drowning-out the sound of the crackling*
You can really ******** these places up, just like that puppy's eyesocket. ... Where did those people you 'rescued' go anyway? there is no safe place in this town to leave them.
I see no inns areound here... None that you would want to sleep in anyway. ... Hey, can one of you do something about, maybe, making those buildings be *not* on fire or something? Just a thought.
... Now if you would excuse me, I am going to go win the gratitude of the people by making them not die.
*Walks into a random lightly-burning building with the imp, following a bloodcurdling scream.*
...I don't know. I've been thinking that for a long time. I had a sister who looked a lot like you...but I haven't seen her in years.
But that would make sense.
Yes.
Daewyn. Can you remember anything about Aneidan? Anything at all? You resemble my sister, Rayne, in so many ways. I've felt that connection since we met, so please tell me if you can remember anything.
Nida and Xachta flung an arm sharply to one side, slinging off a fair amount of ash-encrusted goo. "This is a waste of our time. What's the point of sticking around here? Either we regroup and wipe out the rest of the monsters hanging around, or we regroup and bug out after Dante and his new little chickadee. Whichever you guys want to do, it's fine by us. But we can save the touchy-feely reunion crap for later, wethinks. The broken one has the right idea."
They crossed their arms and waited for a consensus.
...Sorry Nida. I think we should try to do as much as we can, but we shouldn't waste too much time around here. We can't let Dante get too far away. Let's help out until we find Naoko.
*To Daewyn*
You can talk to me while we work.
*Daewyn gulped and nodded.*
I... I'm sorry. You're right, we have to help these people...
*She stood up and dusted herself off, a puzzled look on her face.*
I was just wondering. There doesn't seem to be any limit to them. While I was in the earth I could feel so many of them. Where are they all coming from?
I really don't have any idea where they came from. Let's look around a bit and see if we can locate Naoko.
*Walks out of the now-inflamed building covered in soot and gore, a bleeding gash torn down the outside of her right forearm and soaking the torn cloathing of some passed-out late-teen girl that she carries accross the back of her neck. The imp is grinning like a fool as he lugs-out a severed head that's larger than his whole body, and covered in sharp horns and spikes.*
*Settling down away from the now-burning home, she opens her pack and starts dressing the nasty gouges, tears, and bruises that are testament that the poor girl had been toyed with, rather than simply killed and eaten. Only after there's no visible damage left to treat does the ancient merc turn to her own wounds, being well aware of the fact that she's in nowhere near as bad a shape as her rescuee. Turning to the imp, she finally acknowledges it's external-monolog atempt to strike-up a conversation*
Imp: <... all in all better than I expected. I'd thank you for distracting it, but you'd probably prefer being able to use your arm for crap right now.>
Tanasha: *grunt*
Imp: *grin, giving a little laugh*
Tanasha: *laugh, seeming a bit cheered for a moment until a moment before she speaks*
Imp: *sighs*
Tanasha: *shrugs*
*They move the civie into the burnt-out shell of a single story brick building so they can talk for awhile away from the cold winds and hot burning buildings.*
Baikasu:So, who else besides Phey here will go along with the idea?
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:19 pm
"Does anybody know who did this to you??"
Silence.
Melchoir tried again. "If you do, we can help you!"
Again, silence.
"It's no use, Melchoir," Terra quietly said to him. "They won't say anything to us."
The young man sighed before taking a seat back down next to Anuubi. It had been two weeks since Lilandre's disaster of the city's history and still, nobody would say anything to help the group of weary travellers to figure out what had caused the devestation. Even Frately, though commonly tied with Kain, had nothing new to say nor could he alone could convince the surivors to aid them.
~~~~
Naoko looked around the area. It looked like another small business district, or something of the sort. Her new comrade walked silently next to her, eyes downcast.
She was used to silence, but him not speaking to her in a situation like this was unnerving.
"I assume that you want to know my name," she finally spoke, stopping in front of a dilapidated restaurant to examine some engravings etched onto the stone. "As you can already see, I have no intention of doing anything that might be of a threat to anybody else."
"......Sion...." the water bearer replied. "My name is Sion Zell."
"Naoko Rolfe," Naoko returned the greeting, standing up. "Mistress of Void."
"Of Melbane, right?"
She nodded, "You used to live here?"
"Lilandre was my hometown."
"What made you come back?"
"....."
She sighed again. Well, it was better than nothing. Their amulets glowed in synchronization all of a sudden.
"Seems that the others are closeby," Naoko murmured.
Suddenly, Nida and Xachta cocked their head to one side. They stood as though listening for several seconds, then glowered. "Heads up, boys and girls. Wethinks Void has company."
Another couple seconds passed. Then: "God, do I need a shower."
Ah. Naoko seems to have found us. I wonder who the newcomer is?
*Eyes filled with the desire to shed more blood the twisted lucavi draws his sword to both monsters and civilians alike ... by the time lucavi got control only he was left standing ...but finally colapsed in exhaustion*
*Daewyn felt at change in her amulet and looked down to see it glowing*
Hey look! Do you think that guy with Naoko could be...?
*She trailed off as they drew closer*
Hi Naoko! Who's he?
Naoko and Sion had crossed through a couple of boulders before reaching the others. It didn't seem as long as she thought to see that there were very few people alive.
She could hear Nida/Xachta murmur something before their arrival, but it wasn't until they finally came closer when Naoko heard Daewyn say,
"Hey, Naoko, who's he?"
The man next to her frowned a bit, lips pursed. Naoko guessed that she had to do the talking.
"This is Sion Zell. I..uh...stumbled on him while searching through some residences."
Interesting...another amulet-bearer.
Hmm...any thoughts Narya?
We shall see...
Nida and Xachta wandered over to the clutch of party members. In their oozed-up state, coated with a thick layer of ash and soot, they looked more like a shadow monster than a young woman. Their eyes ran up and down the water bearer, sizing him up. After a long moment, they spoke.
"He gonna give us any trouble?"
Sion raised an eyebrow, but apparently felt taciturn for the moment.
"Whatever. So anyway, shall we scrounge for salvage and open a bed and breakfast here to service all the monsters, or are we still bothering with that Dante guy?"
Hmm...It would seem wrong to just walk away from all this destruction, but we have to catch up to Dante before he gets to Tuvidal. If he beats me there...*shudder*...nevermind. We just need to hurry up and make a decision.
*Daewyn looked over the newcomer with curiosity.*
It's nice to meet you Sion! Where did you come from? Were you here when the town was attacked?
*A hundred questions begin to rattle around in Daewyn's head, but a gentle prompting from Terra reminds her that time is short. Daewyn clasps her hands over her mouth and blushes slightly.*
I'm sorry, I guess now isn't a very good time for questions.
*She looked over at Nida/Xachta, who had an impatient look on her face, what could be seen of it beneath the goo and soot anyway. Daewyn didn't want to make her upset again.*
Naoko looked up into the sky, shading her eyes.
"Well, the sun is about to set, so I think we should rest before going any further..."
"But what about---" Phey began to protest.
"Tuvidal will have to keep on its own front for now," Naoko murmured, voicing her own guardian's opinion. "Besides...I think we're already do late for that..."
Sion was able to speak out his first words, staring at the ground. "You are.."
NPC Layla:
Layla slept endlessly, falling into nightmare after nightmare.
It's useless, child, you can't possibly fight me once the time arrives. a sweet, soothing voice told her.
The young Halconian priestess opened her eyes. That was not coming from her mind nor did it speak her tongue. Yet...why was she able to understand it?
"(Who's there?)"
What do you mean who's there? You know precisely who I am.
A flash of amber eyes peaked through the darkness. Either she was certain that there was someone there, or she was seeing things. Red hair began to form around the eyes, and the shadow of a face began to show. Layla looked on half in curiosity and half in fear. She wasn't exactly sure what was going on.
A hand outstreched itself from the shadows. Come, child.
As if entranced by this figure's eyes, Layla slowly began to walk towards those amber eyes. She could feel warmth, security....
Then nothing.
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:24 pm
Dammit! What are we supposed to do now that Dante has the crest!!
...I don't know.
That means he has ultimate power over magic...
He possesses the magic essence of Tuvidal...that which gives it power.
We're royally screwed.
...to put it bluntly, yes.
Unless...
Nida and Xachta blinked. Once. Twice. Three times.
"...too late? Giving up, he is?"
Without warning, they whirled, drawing their spear and longarming it into Naoko's face (and incidentally slinging a load of grimy goo all over Shuichi). Their eyes burned with a faint green glow.
"We're having it out here and now, Daemon," they hissed. "Thanks to you, thanks to your secrets and your withholdings, Tuvidal suffers the fate of Lilandre? Of the countless other villages which suffered long ago, and will suffer again? No more, Voidy ol' pal. No more will your total lack of leadership acumen lead innocent people to their deaths!"
Their face grew animated; they gestured with their spear. "Protect the bearers, but let the others die? What kind of philosophy is that?! Use the bearers. That is why they are given to us - to protect the greater good. Or has he forgotten? Xslth!" They accentuated this last curse by spitting to the side; their viscous expectorant sizzled briefly in the ash, burning a shallow depression. "We're this close, this close to hauling off and finishing this thing ourselves. Either Daemon starts spilling the beans for the greater good of the people as a whole, or Daemon can do this without Xachta - and whoever will follow it."
*Rigged-up a backpack system up for carrying the still-unconsious girl around in, having determined that it was at least safe for any kind of movement that wasn't of the fast variety... Givin her mangled primary arm, that meant the kind of situation she desired to avoid anyway.*
*She set-off wandering around the town with the imp, avoiding any monsters that they saw; an act rendered easier by the creature's tendancy to eat the corpses and ignore anybody that didn't look threatening while they did so. She found several areas where bands of villiagers had skirmishes with the monsters... Telling the victors was easy, as the villagers left the monster corpses, and the monsters left bone and bloodstains.*
*Her trek came to an abrupt and disturbing end when she found a spot where it seemed niether side had won... She took-off the girl-pack and set her down with the imp as guard while she investigated, checking her suspicions with him without her eyes ever leaving the scene.*
*The monsters were sliced into pieces and left there - The intact corpses and complete lack of any signs of survivors leaving the area would mean that the villiagers won... Except the villiager corpses were left behind as well, and were *also* showing signs of being the victims of a bladed weapon... Judging by the blood splatters and footprint patterns, it was a lone biped that was wearing some kind of boot. The generals of the fighting style were also apparant, as the speed of the step is shown by skid and distance, while position shows where the center of mass is and how it's being compensated for... How tall the attacker was wasn't too much work from there, as the angle of the cuts on the people is the result of position, stance, and hight. The cuts also revielded the length and type of thier sword, as well as it's shape and weight; from that the person's counterbalancing reveiled about how much they weigh. They were strong, they were fast, and, judging by the footprints and scatter, they came-in with the group of villiagers. The bodies were still fairly warm, leaving this as being no more than a couple of hours ago. Something else was horribly wrong aside from all this... Of all the feasting on the dead that was going on, none of the monsters dared to enter this unholy site, as-if it were a cursed no-mans-land... This all took only a quarter hour or so, and when she looked-up, she saw the pale, shakign face of the little girl, mutely transfixed on the scene.*
*She stood up and walked over, slowly and gently moving behind her and rummaging through ehr pack with one hand as she stroked the poor girl's hair in a way that would have been comforting if such a thing wasn't beyond such a stunned state. Quietly, quickly, she jabbed an supersonic injector filled with seditaves into the pale neck, garnering a shocked gasp before the teenager slumped back over into a peaceful slumber once more.*
*There was no need for words as they preped to continue the search for the rest of the party. The imp grabed one of the villiager's corpses to aid the memory of anybody that might have seen the killer, dragging it behind him since he couldn't carry so much weight as that... And kind of hoping that the mystical monster-repellant nature of the thing would keep them to an uneventful search from here on out.*
Naoko had allowed herself to fall back into the Void, letting Daemon settle what was going on. She knew that this dispute was going to erupt at any moment; it was better if it happened now.
Kaen appeared by her side, and mother and daughter shared a mutual silence.
~~
Physically, Naoko had not changed into the demon that the others had seen before their entrance to Halconia. Instead, she remained where she was, dark veins creeping up to her face.
This let them know that Naoko was no longer there.
"I am surprised that you do not remember what had happened here centuries before," he had calmly replied, a deep, rumbling voice uttering out of Naoko's throat. "Or am I the only one who has remembered the destruction that Ryden can cause no matter what we can do? You do not remember how much damage that creature cast upon your own body? That girl is no longer who she was before. Because of Wyvern's influence, she has turned into the very person that you yourself had fallen death to."
A flashback. The young Master of Void had kneeled before Xachta who was suffering from severe burns, all the while keeping an eye on the very person who had caused the damage. Ryden, the archangel, hovered above them. Her sinister cackle echoed in the destruction of Nekleska City, black wings spread that were attached to her head. Crimson hair flowed down her shoulders, and tattoos etched itself all around her naked body.
And all this time, her amber eyes gleamed with delight.
"My, the little one survived much longer than I thought she would," her sweet voice echoed.
~~~
Sion had scratched his head, trying to wash away the guilt and hurt that lingered inside him.
"Gee, these two still don't seem to like each other, do they?" he murmured.
Daewyn turned her head. "Huh?"
His violet eyes glowed a soft blue, in resonance with his amulet. Daewyn could tell that the newcomer was trying to think about something. What it was, she couldn't be sure of.
You're right, they never will. echoed Anubi in its wolf form.
"Can I just, like, splash them with water or something?" Sion's voice, that seemed to sound like two people, softly echoed.
They'll get mad if you do that, Melchoir, Anubi replied. Still the prankster, I see.
Daewyn blinked a few times, not sure what was going on. Melchoir?
Phey had turned around, sensing the young girl taking steps backwards.
"Hey, Daewyn, what's up?"
"Uh..."
Another broad gesture with the spear; another load of goo slung aside, this time to slap against Bryce's cheek. "Things are different now, Void. We were very young, very scared, and very human then. In case you've forgotten, we are all now like unto the gods. We have a feeling that if we alone - just Xachta and Nida, best of pals - if we went to face Wyvern, Ryden, any of our old foes, we would stand much longer and fight much stronger before we fell. And perhaps we wouldn't fall if we had the rest of the unit backing us." Their face didn't flinch at the mention of Ryden; apparently they'd either already considered the possibility of Ryden's return or they just hadn't cared.
"Look at this body. Look at it. It's a machine, built for endurance and strength. Both its owner and Xachta know how to use it. And both are willing to drive it until it breaks for the sake of the cause." A circumstantial statement; Xachta and Nida knew full well that Nida alone was too indecisive and lacked the commitment to die for any cause at this point in time. But the guardian spirit in her brain brought the average up. "In the meantime, you give us no reasons, no explanations. If Wyvern is just too hard for poor, old, feeble Daemon, then why does Daemon bother? Why doesn't he go home and stop ******** with his great-great-great granddaughter's head? Or however she's related to you; frankly, we never really cared."
They snorted and spun on their heel. "Go home. Leave this to those dedicated enough to both formulate a plan and follow through, as you seem reluctant to engage in either course of action."
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:29 pm
*Bryce wiped the goo off his cheek, a sour look on his face.*
Let me speak through you.
Okay Narya.
We all know what we have been through before. All spirits travelled before, to Nekleska. I understand your fears, Daemon, but we cannot stand back and allow Wyvern and Ryden to control this world. I agree with Xachta on this one. There has to be a way to defeat them...and it involves the temples we seek. Two of us are already powered to potential...but the others need growth. Dante has gained great power through his posession of Tuvidal's crest...but there is a greater power in the shrine at Tuvidal. That is where Bryce comes into play. If he can succeed and take in the four winds...that takes us one step closer to being able to defeat them. We must try.
*Terra tried to calm Daewyn down as she sensed her getting confused.*
Don't worry child, the guardians are speaking through their bearers. Xachta and Daemon have a longstanding...disagreement. But this is not the time to be arguing amongst ourselves. Would you mind if I talked through you.
I...don't mind...can you do that?
Of course I can. I just prefer not to. But this time I believe it is necessary.
Alright...what do I have to do?
Nothing... just relax.
*Daewyn tried to relax, breathing slower. Terra easily entered the child's head, the complete trust between guardian and bearer making the merger easy. Daewyn's green eyes lost their pupils and glowed brighter, signaling the change. She opened her mouth, and instead of the young soprano voice everyone was used to, a deeper alto took its place.*
Now is not the time for this bickering and squabbling. While we fight amongst ourselves the Melbane boy and the Halconian priestess move farther and farther ahead of us. The destruction here is terrible, but if we linger any longer to help these people this same devistation will happen to the next village. We must act now, and do what we came here to do. Narya is right; Bryce must attempt to take the four winds.
*With this Terra retracted her spirit back into her amulet, leaving Daewyn with a residual crackle of power sizzling over her skin. The girl sat there listening to everything, breathless from what had just happened.*
Thank you Terra. So what are we going to do? Shall we split up or stay together? Whatever we decide, we need to do it quickly.
Naoko could sense that her guardian was still churning. What did he know that everybody else did not?
To be cursed to see what everyone else could not, Kaen told her. I'm not quite sure myself, but I believe it has been something that he has kept quiet to himself even during his journey with the other guardian spirits long ago.
Naoko frowned. It still didn't make sense to her.
If you have been in here with the Void as long as I have, Naoko, then maybe you would understand the curse that our ancestor holds, Kaen explained.
~~~
Daemon had frowned, conflicting between what he knew and what he didn't know. Before he could speak, however, Naoko's body convulsed, forcing him back to his realm as Naoko regained control.
"Ugh...that was interesting..." Naoko murmured, rubbing her temples. She could feel a migraine starting to rise. She opened her eyes, blinking a few times.
"Can we take a rest?" she asked everyone. She held up her hands, knowing that Xachta/Nida had been impatient. "Ten minutes at the most. We've been walking this entire time, and I'm sure that some of you feel the strain of what the Shoku's power does on your bodies."
She looked around again. "Well...at least until we find everyone. Where's Tanasha and Lucavi?"
NPC Dante:
He paced through the halls a second time through the airship, a normal routine for the Master of Wind. He paused in mid-step while passing in front of the door to Layla's room, sensing something...different.
She has awoken, Wyvern told him.
Curious, Dante opened the door, his eyes widening with mild shock. A young woman sat on the bed, looking out the window with her fierce amber eyes. Her crimson hair flowed below her waist, covering most of what appeared to be Layla's tattered priestess clothing. Black angel wings adorned her head, long nails decorated her fingers. She turned her head slightly at Dante's entrance with one hand under her chin.
She smiled.
Dante uttered a low chuckle, shaking his head before looking back up to her.
"Welcome back, Ryden."
*As the crackle of power faded from her skin Daewyn began to feel extremely tired, just like Naoko said she would.*
Yeah, a rest sounds like a good idea...
*She kicked a charred monster carcas to the side and took a seat on the ground, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. She stared up at Bryce. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but she knew that it still wasn't the time for that. Resting her chin on her knees, she sat there waiting to be told it was time to go.*
Rest sounds like a good idea.
Rest, and then decisions.
Nida and Xachta regarded Naoko for a long moment. "For her sake, we will rest, Daemon," they said, relatively sure that Void's bearer had usurped his control over her body out of exhaustion. "Rather, you will rest. Continue to coddle your bearers, all of you. We are both strong and able; we will prepare while you wait."
With that, they turned and stalked off in the direction of a cluster of buildings which all had at least two walls standing, apparently in search of salvage. A fresh batch of gunk oozing from their skin began to replace the black layer above, which now ran down their back, giving their entire posture a sickeningly melty look.
*After a moment or two of rest Daewyn started to get twitchy again. She looked through her bag and pulled out some dried meat she had stashed in there who knew how long ago, then began to look around. Her pack of belongings had been getting rather low, lower than she usually kept it anyway. Recalling she had seen a few items shops while they were fighting a little ways back, she decided to see if there was anything there that hadn't been destroyed or pilfered by the remaining survivors.
Her mind made up, she hopped to her feet and started to walk off. She started to go towards the cluster of buildings that Nida had walked to, but then thought better of it, not wanting to irritate the edgy dancer who already seemed to be fed up with her. She walked off in the opposite direction instead, making for a the sole surviving building in the midst of a large pile of charred rubble.
The building still had half of the roof and three walls amazingly intact, but even they weren't looking to stable. Daewyn decided she'd better be careful or the whole mess would come tumbling down on her head. Not that she couldn't escape the mess by travelling through the earth, but that would stop her scavenging prematurely, and she was in sore need of some new items to replenish her bag.
Stepping gingerly through the debris on the floor, Daewyn made her way to behind the counter. From the items on the floor and scattered broken across the counters this shop seemed to have been an accessory shop before the destruction. Sifting carefully through the ashes and broken pieces of this and that coating the floor, she was able to find several jewels in various settings, from brooches to earrings. She wondered if any of them had any magical properties, then decided she'd ask Phey and see if she knew. She was sure Naoko would know, but she seemed troubled lately and Daewyn didn't want to bother her.
Stepping out from behind the counter, Daewyn picked a careful path to one of the back rooms. There where a wall had burned out all that was left was a scorched safe. Daewyn tried the handle to see if the fire had weakened the latch any, but it held firm. Thrusting her hand into her bag, she came up with a set of lockpicks, obviously well-used but still in good condition. She expertly chose one and started to work on the safe, a concentrated look on her face.*
I can't just sit around anymore. I have to occupy my time before I go insane.
*Bryce stood up, looked at the others as if saying 'I'll be back in a sec' and walked off. He headed toward an open courtyard...well, what was left of one.*
This is so horrible. We're all just sitting around doing nothing. Heaven knows what Dante is doing now!
You should relax now. Much is in store for you Bryce.
...what was that about the Four Winds, anyways?
Your final test to come into your true power.
Ah.
It won't be easy. And failure is a greater chance than success. So enjoy it now.
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:35 pm
Mysterious NPCs:
"Hmm....they seem to be quite a lovely bunch," a voice replied in the darkness.
"Lovely indeed, sister," another voice hissed. "You just like to think that way."
"Oh, please, do you think that they'll be any match for us?"
The two shadows turned around at the new voice.
"Master," the sister voices called in unison.
Red eyes glowed in the darkness, eyes fixed on the image in front of them.
"....Amulet bearers, huh?"
Naoko decided to distance herself from the rest for a bit, choosing a large boulder to sit on as the sun began to set. There wasn't much time, she knew, but there was still something that she needed to know. Something that her ancestor was hiding from her.
You will find out in due time, child, he told her.
Naoko closed her eyes, leaning backwards. So what are you hiding?
Nothing and everything.
Hmph, typical of you.
Just remember that what the elders have taught to you long ago means nothing now.
She opened her eyes halfway. ...What?
NPC Sion:
He was bored. Bored as hell. With nothing to do, with no reason to do anything, and with no one to talk to. This is what Sion Zell, bearer of the Water, called hell.
Lost in his thoughts, he hopped on top of a nearby ruin and sat on it, taking out his guns in the process. Not for killing anything, really...just...looking at them.
Celestia and Ivory were his beauties, after all.
I swear, one more time looking at them and they'll make you go smiling silly like last time, Melchoir scolded.
"Hey, what are you, my father?" Sion murmured, frowning. Or oh, wait a sec, I forgot I never had one.
You know he meant well, Sion. Stop complaining about it.
I ain't complainin'! Sion unconsciously let out a low growl, his violet eyes flashing. Noticing the strange looks from the others, he laughed sheepishly and looked elsewhere.
This was going to be one long ten minutes....
Rest is so overrated.
*Bryce got up and began to look around for something worthwile to waste his time on.*
Hmm...not much left in this town anyways. Everyone else is off doing their own thing...
*He walks toward what used to be a fountain in the middle of the square.*
This place is awful-looking. I can't imagine Tuvidal...it's such a beautiful town: the Magic Academy towering over the city with the Wind Shrine floating about through the clouds...too bad it's probably all wrecked by now...
Nida stood in the corner of the former library, now a gutted monument of charcoal. She slung goo from her body with quick motions; in her mind, her body's actions were mirrored by her efforts to rid herself of Xachta's overwhelming presence.
Look, we had a thing going, right? I don't ******** with you, you don't ******** with me, and we keep things civil. When it's necessary, like that monster s**t back there, I don't b***h if you pop into my skull.
If she's going to complain about what it said to Daemon, then perhaps she should reexamine her reasons.
"Frankly, I don't give a steaming heap of shoopuf s**t for how you and Void carry on your little spat." Nida switched to using her voice; it felt so much more forecful and real than merely thinking at the mind in the amulet around her neck. "I'm more concerned about how you were dragging me in with you. I never agreed to anything you said. I never would have allowed you to speak for me like that, and I find the actions of the past hour to be more insulting and degrading than everything else you've done to me combined."
She will--
"She will be treated with exactly the same respect it originally accorded her, Xachta. She will be Xachta's tool for the purpose of the mission. Nothing less. I'm not your ideological slave, gooball. Try to speak for me again and I'll hand you off to Naoko and leave."
The sun began to arc beneath the treeline, and birdsong could be heard echoing from the mountains.
It shouldn't be too much longer. I guess I'll just wait here until the others begin to stir.
*Daewyn easily cracked the safe open, the lock hadn't been difficult in the first place and it was weakened from the fire damage. Inside was a modest pile of gil Daewyn quickly stashed into her bag. She was about to close the safe and move on when a gleam caught her eye. In the back corner of the safe, just lying there was a small ring, just big enough for Daewyn's tiny fingers. She slipped it on and admired it. The stone of it looked to be a ruby, and it was etched in the shape of an apple, set into a silver band that wrapped snugly around the stone. At the site of the stone Daewyn thought of Bryce, but she immediately pushed the thought aside for later and did another quick search of the safe for any hidden compartments, but finding none she exited the building.*
Hmm... I'm getting low on healing items too.... I wonder if there was an apothecary shoppe that survived...
Don't stray too far child, haste is still needed, indeed now more than ever.
What do you mean Terra?
I'm not sure, but I fear a terrible power has awakened. Just be wary.
*Daewyn looked up the road from the way she came and saw the group still sitting there, so she went on to the next building*
::After quite some time, the man in green came back to the town::
::The man entered a building::
::He looked at all of the destruction, and then took a key out of his pocket::
I should probably get her valuables like she asked
::After taking out the key, he noticed a safe left open in the room::
Damn. Too late. Probably the works of a thief of some sort.
::The man left the building with his head hung low::
::Once outside, he chucked the key away, since it was of no use to him anymore::
::He then trailed off in the same direction he left last time::
Naoko:...And I'm sure your starting to feel the shokus effects.
Baikasu: I feel kinda worn out, myself.
...What?
The elders have told you lies in order to keep the prophecy as clean as it is, Daemon told her. She could feel him c**k his head to the side in his realm. You don't really think that we could so easily defeat the seven archangels especially when they were known as the most powerful and demonic beings in the known world then.
She contemplated for a moment. ...No...I didn't really think that...
Then you realize what I hide is right before you eyes.
Naoko opened her eyes and a momentary flashback swept past her. It wasn't hers...but someone else's....
~~~
Daemon stood on the cliff in shock, overviewing of what was Melbane. Fires and ruins, demons from below....
It just couldn't be...
...How could this have happened?
He didn't want to believe what he saw before his eyes.
NPC Sion:
Sion looked away from the sky, momentarily blinded by the sunlight to see Daewyn run off at the corner of his eye.
Where's she going to?
To scavange around, perhaps, Melchoir answered. Terra, her guardian, just clued me in that the girl's a natural thief.
He arched a curious eyebrow. Should I go after her? There could be some more of those stupid creatures out there.
No, let her be. Terra is watching her, so she'll be fine.
Sion flopped back into his previous position, taking a look at his compass dial. Only two minutes have passed.
Nida spent the next hour or so sitting on a grassy bank just beyond the circle of destruction, watching the sunset fade. She felt out of place, useless, helpless, used, and not a little weary. The unarticulated truce between herself and Xachta was apparently breaking, and while she felt more confident that she could hold her own in the face of the elemental spirit's anger, she also felt uneasy at the prospect of having to carry Xachta with her. She was basically obligated now - she couldn't pass up a mission of this global import just because she didn't want to deal with the stress - but did that mean she was obligated to listen to Xachta? Or to Daemon, or any of the other spirits for that matter?
These were the sort of times when Nida wished she could know her mother was safe and happy.
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Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 2:39 pm
*Bryce sat around for another hour or so, then got up and paced some more.*
"We can't just keep sitting here. I can't just keep sitting here. I'm going to go insane if we can't get out of here soon..."
*Baikasu took this free time to mix together some kind of beverage, which took him two hours to make[I'm assuming this is taking a while].*
Baikasu: Calm down and get some rest. I've got a feeling that it's not gonna take much more time.
What the HELL is that blue sphere that I got from that last test?
I've got no clue. We'll most likely find out when we get to your temple, since you heard a voice that said "possession will gain you entry." Either that, or it will open a rift in the space-time continuum(sp?), thus killing us and everyone else. Another possibility is that you may find a way to counteract those headaches without taking your medicine.
I dunno what the hell I should do with it, besides hang on to it.
I've got an idea. Instead of worrying about the inevitable but unexpected, why don't we focus on the task at hand?
Yeah, your right. I'll worry AFTER we're on he road again.
Ten minutes lurking in Void wasn't ten minutes in real time. That was one thing that Naoko had forgotten about.
Her eyes snapped open when she heard Sion accidentally threw a rock in her direction.
The water bearer cringed a bit at her glance before giving a limp wave back at her. She shrugged and then sighed, frowning more to herself than to anything else.
Why is the...
You've forgotten, haven't you? Daemon told her. It's been one hour since then.
She hopped off of the boulder, stretching her stiff limbs a bit before walking towards the center of the scattered group. She noticed that Daewyn had disappeared yet again and Lucavi still had not yet returned. Something was odd about the area....she could feel it in the air.
NPC Sion:
THIS is what you call ten minutes? Sion growled to himself. It's been more than an hour! What in the world is that woman doing?
Hush, boy. She's been meditating. Melchoir told him.
He began forming a small water sphere to lift up a stone that had caught his eye. Fortunately, nobody noticed.
Meditating? Bah, what for? Tuvidal has been ravaged and those freaks are still on the loose.
....You don't know, do you?
About what?
He could hear Melchoir sigh in his head. Someone who holds the Void element uses a lot of their energy in even the slightest amount of magic cast in battle. Even if it's for healing...something like the disadvantages for the Void element.
So...it's not the best thing in the world?
Idiot, of course not. She could die if she uses too much, and it's not because of her inherited disease.
"WHAT??"
Zoom went the water rock that splattered just inches away from Naoko. The Mistress of Void in turn had snapped open her eyes.
Noticing all the stares, Sion (as politely as he could) waved before sitting back down again.
So...you're saying that she's been fated to die?
Yes and no. It all depends on how this little legend works out. Melchoir inquired enigmatically. I remember Daemon like this as well, except that he was more...grumpy...and pissed off...
She winced at the sound echoing in her head, rubbing her temples.
What in the world was THAT for, Daemon?
Nothing.
*Bryce decided it was time to go look for the others, so he walked away from the courtyard.*
I wonder where everyone else is.
It seems like most of them haven't moved...
Great. I'll head over there then.
*Bryce approached the street where Naoko and Sion were sitting.*
Well, I've found them.
*He headed over toward Naoko.*
"Did you all have a nice rest? Shall we get going, then?"
"Yes...I suppose so."
She really was dreading to enter Tuvidal. The locals had bad tastes in foreign foreigners, and her kind was one of the most hated.
Of course, she didn't feel like telling anyone.
"I guess I'll try to find Daewyn and the others."
*Bryce headed off in the general direction Daewyn headed off in about an hour ago.*
I hope she didn't get too far...
*Baikasu sits down somewhere near Naoko.*
Baikasu: Now to just just hang out and wait for everyone else to get back.
I'm so freakin' sick of waiting around, though. I wanna hurry up and get to Tuvidal.
You think waiting around for a few hours is bad? Try waiting around for over a century with only your own mind to keep you occupied.
You've got a point...[2 minute pause]...You know, if that new guy shoots another needless ball of water or stone at someone, I think I'm gonna give him a small electric shock.
As much as I think it would be ammusing, I don't think that would be a wise thing to do.
Just a littl-
No!
Damn, Macnor! Can't you tell I'm joking? I know what you can do. You can teach me more of the Melbane language. Since so far, all I know of the language is how to ask where the nearest Inn is.
Yeah, you haven't been able to learn since we left the Earth Temple, have you.
*Daewyn stepped out of the ruins of the second building - which turned out to be a potions shop - she had been scavaging in, her bag now containing the few bottles of various potions that had managed to remain intact in spite of the destruction. She looked up at the sun and realized that she had been gone a bit longer than she intended. She started heading back to where she had left the group sitting when she saw Bryce heading up the hill towards her. She ran up to him and gave him a big hug, then grinned broadly up at him*
Hi Bryce! I've just been looking for stuff in the ruins. Did the others send you to look for me? I was gone longer than I meant to be.
*Bryce caught Daewyn in a hug and gladly returned it.*
"No, we all just decided to get going. Have you seen anyone else?"
*Daewyn thought a moment, then shook her head slightly.*
"Well then, let's go look for them."
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:53 am
It was nightfall. The family that Baikasu and the others had found sat around huddled together in the cold. For some odd reason, Naoko felt no pity in her heart.
We must leave quickly once the Wind and Earth bearers return.
What? Why?
Demons lurk in the air...
*Daewyn looked up at Bryce*
Let's go back to where we stopped to rest. Maybe everyone's back there already.
*Daewyn slipped her small hand into Bryce's and they walked back to the group*
"Alright."
*Bryce walked with Daewyn back to where Naoko, Baikasu, and the others were waiting."
An ear-piercing screech echoed in the air, sending everyone into a sudden defensive panic.
"What the hell was that?" Gwyn shouted, his eyes wary.
Everyone looked up, around, below, everywhere. The night was so dark...
"...We have to get out of here and head to Tuvidal, fast," Naoko announced, her eyes following the creatures soaring above them.
"But wait a sec, how are we supposed to do that now?" Phey protested. "It's pitch black! We can't fight against these things and protect the survivors at the same time."
Sion took out one of his guns. "Does it matter now? Even if we stay here, we're in trouble."
The screeches became louder every second they stayed in the ruins. With her sharp eyesight, Naoko saw Bryce and Daewyn approaching them. She waved frantically, knowing that they would be able to see her eyes.
"We have to get out of here!" she shouted. "Head for Tuvidal immediately!"
"Why can't we just take these things out?" Baikasu wondered to himself.
"We can't see them, that's the damn problem," Nida replied, hoisting up one of the children into her arms.
"Man, what a day..." Sion muttered more to himself than to anyone else, pushing the survivors ahead while he and the others continued to gather their things to run.
Naoko watched them leave, using the Void to hide. She then knelt down, whispering an old spell in her native tongue, that summoned a light faerie in her cover. There was no time in worrying about Lucavi and Tanasha. She just hoped that they would see her spell.
"Look for them, and take them to the city of magic," she whispered to it.
The faerie nodded, watching her mistress fade away in to the Void just before the winged creatures could dig their poisonous talons into her flesh.
[At Tuvidal...]
Fires roared across the town, and the citizens fled for the castle. The soldiers of Tuvidal were exhausted; it was their third day of constant assault.
One woman, however, continued to fight, encouraging her soldiers in every way she could possibly can. Her auburn hair clung annoyingly onto her face, streaks of perspiration clearing away the dirt from it. She glared at the instigators in the distance, growling.
There was no way that the Mistress of Fire would give up her city without a fight.
s**t.
*Bryce heard Naoko's warning and it finally registered to him.*
I wanted to get to Tuvidal...but this is not quite what I expected.
"Let's go Daewyn. Run with me."
I can't see anything around here!
Blow the darkness back.
Yes.
*Bryce lifted his free hand ahead of him as they ran, and whispered a small spell to the wind.*
Wind, protect your bearer. Clear the darkness that obstructs the path forward.
*A small area became dimly lit in front of them. Bryce turned around to the others.*
"This way! Hurry!"
*Daewyn and Bryce ran towards Tuvidal, avoiding the danger around them, hearts pounding through their chests.*
*Daewyn ran alongside Bryce, staring at the strange, pale light diffused in the sky in front of them. She nearly didn't duck in time as a winged beast swooped down at her and instinctively dove into the earth for protection, the deadly talons of the creature missing her by mere inches. She travelled along through the earth for a short distance, recovering from the shock of the close encounter, when she sensed a feeling of anxiety coming from above her. Realizing Bryce hadn't seen what happened to her, she reemerged next to him.*
It's ok, I'm here. I got scared when that thing flew at me. How much farther do we have to run until we get to Tuvidal?
*She was breathing rather hard from the running and the fear of the creatures swarming above them, but she managed to keep up with Bryce's long strides as they made their flight to safety*
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:01 am
*Daewyn nodded*
Ok...
*She looked up at the sky; it was filled with the black beasts*
Where could they have come from? I've never seen anything like those in my life.
*Strides into the now-vacant inn, noticing the still-warm food and still-dripping spills from drinks knocked over in a hurry. A hurry likely caused by the ear-splitting screeching and whatever is making them. Clearly, in the face of something that could scare that group of people shitless was a smidge more imperative than feeding a murderer their own intestine.*
*The Imp sets the corpse down on a table as Tanasha closes and bars the door, bracing it with a table before setting the girl down. The imp helps Tanasha move whatever shelves, overturned tables, and ballast they can find to block the windows and other openings. Her wounded arm and his diminished size does a great deal towards hindering thier efforts.*
*Once the downstairs is secured Tanasha takes the girl to the second floor, where they get to work doing much the same thing up there. They hope there are some nails and a hammer somewhere, but don't hold-out much hope.*
*After the major holes are covered, they take the girl downstairs and pile crap in front of the basement door.*
Daewyn...I really don't know where they came from. Somewhere dark and evil I imagine.
*Bryce is gasping for air as they run toward the edge of town.*
I don't know how much longer I can do this...
Wind...help us make it to safety.
*A gust of air sweeps up around Bryce, Daewyn, and those running with them and carries them quickly toward the town entrance.*
Thank you Narya.
Don't thank me. You're the one commanding the air.
*Daewyn giggles in spite of her fear and the danger as she's swept of her feet literally by the gust of air. The feeling of flying is exhilarating, and when they finally land she stands for a moment, speechless and breathless.*
Alright. Let's head over there to those trees and wait for everyone else. It seems the shadow thingies only affect the city.
*Tanasha finds a box of nails on a shelf, and takes a small frying pan from the kitchen. She leaves the Imp guarding the girl as she goes around and pounds nails into the barricades, affixing the various parts firmly to the walls, floors, cielings, and each other.*
*While she's upstairs, she radios in a call to base asking for them to prep an evac with figher compliment in case it's needed.*
*Daewyn walks over to the trees Bryce indicated and plops down on the ground with all the grace of a sack of potatoes, slipping into the earth only enough to make the ground soft to rest on.*
She rolled away from the talons just as the Void surrounded her.
Whew...that was close.
Close for nothing. I'm wondering how these creatures could literally strike through the Void.
"I was about to ask the same thing to you..." Naoko murmured, pulling ahead into the track that lead to the exiting gates of Lilandre. "So the all-knowing first Master of Void doesn't know what they are?"
Her guardian flew overhead, lost in thought. They do seem familiar...but my memory is vague.
"Vague?"
Over a couple of thousand years of being stuck in a piece of rock, it's not unusual that all of us have lost a few of our memories.
"...Well, you are old..." Naoko mumbled under her breath.
NPC Sion:
Sion and his group ran as fast as they could. They were mainly following Sion, since he knew the way.
He, however, was really just following Naoko. Even though it was pitch black, he could still make out the shape of the Void that surrounded her.
What's that for, anyway? he wondered.
Protection, mainly. And a little bit of camaflouge here and there. Melchoir told him.
Sion skidded to a stop, turning around for a second to blindly shoot at the direction of the screech. Unfortunately for him, he missed and continued to run.
"Damn, ain't there some way to get these things?"
Mostly likely not. These creatures aren't made from this world.
"...wha??"
*Baikasu, while running about 10 yards behind Sion and 5 yards to the right, puts his M4 away and takes out his sword.*
I think that it'd be a good idea to power up my sword, don't ya think?
*He powers up Kasiko[His katana], all the while fllowing Sion, using his sword as a light source.*
Heh. Even though it hurts like a b***h, It's still damn useful. Hey, macnor? You *can* contact the guardians of the other bearers, right?
Yeah. Why do you ask?
Think you could go ask anyone if there's rendevous point? I hate running in total darkness for my life.
I'll try and contact Kain, since he's more than likely on his drake.
Thanks. If not, then call up Naoko, if possible.*2 second pause* Now all I have to do is keep running around like an idiot dodging the attacks from 'The Birds'.
*He jumps to the side to avoid an attack.*
Baikasu biggrin amn, I wish I had a flashbang.
*Bryce sits down against a tree.*
Whew. It's good that we got away. Hopefully the others will get here soon.
Narya?
Yes?
Could you tell the other guardians our position so they can meet us?
Certainly.
Naoko continued running through the Void, ducking underneath every object that ran her way.
How much further till we reach the forest?
It shouldn't be any longer now.
She rolled out of the way from another screeching demon, annoyed that they were still following them.
This is getting a little bit annoying...how can they puncture in the Void?
Silence was her response.
Don't tell me you don't remember. She saw at the corner of her eye light from Baikasu's sword.
...Or you're just not willing to tell me.
You better watch out for those trees ahead or run right through them.
Naoko frowned and skidded to a stop, running right through a huge redwood, causing it to shudder in reality.
....Oops...
NPC Sion:
Sion saw Baikasu draw out his katana, shooting at another "bird" that swooped by.
Hey, is light going to work on these things?
Maybe, maybe not.
You know something...don't you?
It's something that I'd rather not remember.
They had suddenly entered some sort of forest, where Sion stumbled over a rock only to fall flat on his face. He slowly got up, shaking off any pain that his body could feel.
"Agh..."
A rumble of a tree echoed next to him. He blinked. Whew, not the only one.
NPCing Phey:
Phey noticed something odd about the creatures. They entered the forest...and those things that were chasing after them were...gone.
It's interesting how those things play out, don't you think? her guardian mused.
What?
The trees. They seem to scare them.
"Hey! You guys are finally here!"
She jumped literally three feet in the air at the sound of Daewyn's chirpy voice. The fox girl swiftly turned around, ears flat.
"Don't SCARE me like that, Daewyn!"
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