Welcome to Gaia! ::

Castor sucked in a breath, another appeared, and his shoulders let go a bit of the tension.

"Hey, welcome to the party." He gave the knight a small smile, hopefully an encouraging one before turning back to Scylla. "Cadeus and I have an understanding. I doubt he would have brought me knowing my views as he does, so I suspect you're correct. The light and shapes..." He shook his head. "I've a fair deal of my past memories, but none of them resonate with any familiarity. They don't look like the script on the moon either, unless it were a more archaic or stylized form." He shrugged. Linguistics of the worlds was never much of an issue before.

"I'd also advise against trying the windows- as much as I'd like to get a better view, right now, the risk is high that by leaving this area we'd expose ourselves to the possibility of being removed from a habitable zone, as the knight said. Not to mention, whatever called us has power- a great deal of it no less. The fact I'm here is telling to that- however its possible they're... unaware." He looked towards both Scylla and Celsus. He was not royal- and if they kept that fact unknown, there would be an advantage to it.

"The closer we keep the cards to our chest the better, and by cards I mean all of them. Our power, our energy, is best reserved. Right now we need to treat this as hostile territory until we know more."

He gave a nod towards the smallest of them- the newly woken perhaps. "It's not that I don't value or appreciate the want and willingness, but right now, we're at a high disadvantage. I'm Castor by the way. For now, that will have to suffice for introductions."

He looked at the doorways.
"Let's go over what we know. Whatever summoned us here is powerful. Possibly old to have such a vast level of power required to do so. This is neither earth, nor, Elysion or Tartarus, which rules out Helios, the remnants or threat of the dark moon. We can also safely say this is not the work of a being known to us, as we all seem to be at a loss to the ruins and script. The commonality here is that we all align to order, and all have had rings placed upon our fingers which I'd hazard, are like my own and cannot be removed. Our powers are not bound, so there is a measure of freedom here and a question as to why. It is in-congruent to the purpose of taking us if the intent was to take us captive."

His arms crossed, he muddled over it.
"In a worst case scenario, Scylla and Celsus would either have the greatest advantage or the most obvious crutch. Provided we're not cut off entirely..." he hesitated.
"In the worst event I can get us safely away. You'll just have to take my word for it."

True, taking four others to his world from an unknown location would tax him heavily, but it was nothing he could not weather. And if it came down to it, he had his crystal. Hopefully, it would be enough to keep them all safe until the others could escape.

Castor held a blank face, considering Celsus's tone and dismissing it. He was not a Castor knight, and as far as he was concerned, he owed it to Chronos to try and align with him- if marginally.
"Only that we might be able to have the advantage of surprise Celsus. I arrived as I am, just as no doubt you did. If whoever, or whatever that took us all is aware of our limitations or not, remains to be seen. You and Scylla either might have a large advantage in being transcendent, or, be weakened for it. I don't doubt your ability, conviction, and willingness to do battle- only that we should consider ourselves in a position that places us at a great disadvantage."

He titled his head, huffing in annoyance.
"You're skilled and smart enough to know your limits. As is, we need to consider the worst case scenario. You and Scylla are our best bet when it comes to knowing of any changes to the aura of this place. Plus if you can still sense Chronos, that means her bond will likely help tether you all the more strongly should something untoward happen to the rest of us." He frowned.

"Chances are, if this goes south, you'll be the only one able to call for aid."

All calls to the outside world were met in vain; cell phones gave no indication that the message had sent, and if anyone tried to send a message with a knight ring there was no visible response. They may have had a connection with their world, but it was faint enough that they knew it existed but didn't seem to have any real contact with it.

They could not teleport out of here, they could not warp; they were stuck.

Cosmos did not call at Castor's call; it was very likely even she couldn't see or hear what the group was being met with inside this strange location.

While there weren't any hidden doors, there was a large, unmovable door that seemed like it was carved into the wall. It could not have been opened of its own means but there was certainly something happening.

It wasn't noticeable at first, but the longer the group spent together, the more their rings seemed to glisten. They were still dark--iridescent, but otherwise colorless. Every now and then a spark of light would shine, brighter and more frequent the closer they were, the longer they spent together.

The temple itself seemed to be in some way alive, or at least aware of their presence. It might have been some enchantment, or some fluke, but the ground below them had a beautiful scrolling symbol carved into it.

When the rings began to illuminate, so too did this pattern.

It lit up as if liquid light was filling the grooves, and it lead to a sixth door. This too rumbled, lifted, and exposed a long hallway. The path was illuminated by the light, guiding them. An unseen force nagged at them, brushed them, pushed them, to follow it.

If there was any hope of answers, or escape, this was it.

It was hard not to notice the occasional flashes of light the longer that they remained in the main room together. It didn't seem as if anything that had been going on with the senshi phones was working so early in the waiting period Lacerta had merely tucked hers away. Besides giving light (which was unnecessary at this point) the phone would have no use. Tilting her head this way and that the senshi of bandages had begun to nod off just a little bit until the newest door rumbling filled the air and jarred her into full wakefulness once more.

As Scylla made her comment about Gaia and the Planeteers Lacerta knit her brows in confusion before making the connection. She'd heard of the show that the older senshi was referring to but it had been before her time. She glanced down the tunnel that was now exposed to the group. Her mind was in conflict. Worry was setting in that she'd not get home. As she heard Scylla's "Ladies first" comment Lacerta chuckled and sidled past the entrance into the tunnel where she waited for the others. Her voice was clear as she passed, "If you call dibs on Heart, I want Wind then."

It was easier to joke about the situation even as she felt the gentle tug on her ring finger. It seemed as if the rings were the ones calling the shots now. She made an about face to look at Celsus, Tortuga and Castor. "So Earth, Fire and Water are left. Who wants what?"

The raised brow was still in place. "I'm sure I don't know quite what you mean about us being at a disadvantage," said Celsus, in the same calm and relaxed tones that one might use to discuss the weather. "But your concern is duly noted, Castor, thank you for your interest in my well-being."

He smiled cheerily, then turned back to Lacerta and the other - Tortuga, it seemed, the green eyes behind his glasses warming marginally. "No need to apologize," Celsus said kindly. "I'm sure it's all rather a bit overwhelming. I admittedly haven't had much preamble to this either - in fact, none at all - and I've been a knight for close to ten years now, give or take a year or two."

It felt both like no time at all and an extraordinary amount. Celsus's eyes flickered towards Lacerta's ring as she held it up to look, and his own felt heavier, more prominent on his hand. His gaze moved to rest on Scylla as she spoke, her voice cool and easygoing, almost as Celsus' had been, but lacking, probably, the same feelings that Celsus had inside for them. He was not going to work against Castor, because that would have been a waste of time and rather stupid in these circumstances; but he certainly did not have to take orders from a man who was not his prince if it came down to that.

But for now, he could set it aside and focus on where they were.

If only he knew more than that. Celsus was frowning in thought, left hand raised, fingers tapping at his chin. His own ring was on his index finger, his knight ring a mirror on his right hand, though neither seemed to be doing anything at the present moment except merely existing.

And possibly glowing a little.

Celsus, still lost in his musings, almost missed the grinding of the walls as they began to rumble to life again. He lifted his head and caught sight of Scylla standing beside a now open doorway, the tattoos tracing down her spine and along her back clearly visible as she peered around.

"Is this the part where we go into Mordor?" Celsus asked blithely. "Because if so, I'd rather not be attacked by any goblins or anything."

He felt a strange sort of tugging in his chest, a peculiar sort of...what was it? Longing? It was difficult to tell, Celsus frowning a little as he moved over to where Scylla was standing, fingers absently moving across the ring on his left hand. He had, quite honestly, no idea what on earth they were talking about - planeteers? - but that was the least of his problems at present.

"Well, then," said Celsus with a sigh. "Shall we press forward, then? Excelsior."

He gave Scylla a small wink and stepped forward.

At the lack of reception, and response from Cosmos, who had always told him she would come when needed- He bristled with unease.
"I'm concerned." He voiced the the group at large. "Cosmos is not responding. And she knows I don't make a call without reason. I-" He swallowed. "I am extremely uncomfortable with what is going on here."

As the rings seemed to be active in some form, he looked at his own, not wanting to think ill and that this was indeed, some elaborate trap or binding but- if felt wrong. There was always a link, always a presence and energy with things yet this place felt void. As if it had sucked away that which was a part of them.
He didn't like it- he never would like it when he felt that he was in a place, torn and rendered helpless. He was a warrior, a general and commander in his past and every cell in him screamed danger.

But yet thus far, there was none, and somehow, that made it worse.

As the rings illuminated along the floor, he hissed, arms raised in defense before lowering. Perhaps, his mind said, he was being overly cautious. Yet both the words of Cosmos and the existence of Cadeus were stalk reminders- there were forced not yet known to them, and not all were kind.
Scylla's glib did bring a tiny smile back to his face, but the royal remained with a frown. He could feel the pulse, the pull from the ring, and it was unlike the pull he oft felt on his world. It wasn't familiar, and so, he automatically assumed danger.

He managed a small smile at Lacerta, finding the discussion a nice diversion from the nagging in his own mind. "I'll take Water then- only fitting for myself. But-" He did gasp out as small chuckle as Tortuga joined in their discussion of becoming the planeteers. "Scylla is one of the most warmhearted senshi I know. When we make if out of here, you should patrol with her if you can. And well, if she's amicable to it." He let them both see the genuine affection he had for the senshi of the Kraken.
"And we will make it out of here."

He had to tell himself that, because if he thought they would fail whatever this was- there would be fall out. Drastic fall out. A royal, one of the veteran senshi with a high ranking offensive power, one of the most powerful and aged knights, a well rounded squire and a new blood- the loss of them, both a strange motley crew yet those of such varied rank and power would be a deeply moral blow to order and the causes within.

They could not fall here.

Sucking in a breath towards Celsus he remained silent for once. He was no friend, would likely never be a friend given his words with Serenade that day, but he would, if Celsus wished it or not, be looked after in a way. Castor owed Chronos that much. She'd lost Eon. Lost most of her court. He couldn't, wouldn't, allow her to lose another.

Looking down the path he thought on formation. He was a good figure to place at the front, but his magic was focused on both wide range and close combat. He also might change but in the narrow passageway, he'd be at the greater disadvantage if they encountered resistance or a blockade. Thankfully, Celsus took the first step and for that, Castor was grateful.

"He's right to take point." He said to Scylla and the others. "I'll take rear. If something comes from behind I should be able to take the brunt of it. Tortuga, Lacerta, if you both can, try to keep your own senses open. While we three might have experience, you both have the advantage of being easily underestimated because of said experience. You can use that in your advantage if it comes down to it in a fight." He nodded at Scylla and then at their younger peers.

"I'll support you from behind. I trust Scylla and Celsus on forward guard." He paused then- "If Scylla goes next that does mean we all get a very nice view as well so really I think everyone would win in this formation."

"Too bad it wasn't Earth Wind and Fire back there," Scylla quipped, wondering how many of them would even know what reference she was making, "It would be really groovy."

Still, the Eternal laughed when Tortuga waggled his fingers at her, and shrugged. "All the Kraken wants is a hug. I don't know what else is more deserving of a little heart." she poked at him with one heeled boot, adding, "You're not the only redhead, so you can have Earth."

Calling back to Celsus, she said, "Unless you want to be in charge of taking the hobbits to Isengard. They had less goblins that way, but it still wasn't the Funvee Humvee."

She shook her head to Castor, sucking in a breath. "I understand your discomfort," she said after a moment, quietly, "But there isn't any going back. All we can do is keep a little levity and move forward. Staying here and worrying isn't going to take us anywhere, much less wherever the rings want us to go." She couldn't admit she wasn't uncomfortable herself- her instinctive fall back to bad jokes might make it a little obvious regarding that.

"I'm always open to a patrol with a friend," she assured them all with a smile, "Castor's right in that we're getting out of here. One way or another. Let's see what we have to work with. Celsus has decided it's going to be age before beauty-" and she tossed the tall knight a wink, to take out any sting- "which means more meatshield for me, and I'm good with that."

Her lips pursed, considering. "Castor's terrible thought process for debating what order we go in aside, I'd rather have him at the rear," she told Tortuga, "He's got a hell of a punch, and a few extra tricks up his sleeve that will let us spread out the damage if something comes at us." Plus the royal was used to being knifed in the back. Literally- not metaphorically.

Her heels clicked sharply as she strolled up a step behind Celsus, peering attentively around the path as the rings pulled them, intention clear.