Chapter 6 - "Halls of the Dead"
New Cast Appearing:
Storen as TheStoryteller, Various NPCs
Scott as DarkStar
Session Start: Sun Jul 11 22:46:06 1999
City of Reza, Afternoon
<TheStoryteller> You all went about organizing your things for the trip. Haylee's folks weren't too happy about her leaving, but they still had to recover from the previous incident fully. After outfitting yourself at the local shop, it was time to move out.. past the mountains to the east. But the question was, how do you get there before Sinel?
* Emili eats a two 6-scoop ice cream cones she got after getting some new armor. ^_^
* Haylee gazes about her surroundings...
* Scott walks along, a lot seemingly on his mind.
* Leon stands near Bree, who's been very silent lately..so he has been silent as well.
* Emili skips along.
* Jack just....um....stands there.
<Haylee> So...how far to the Illusion Woods, everyone?
* Johnathan is walking quietly, his face a mask of concentration as he works on holding a little ball of energy steady in his hands.
<Ishtar> It's a good day or so walk I think...
<Emili> We just keep going in this direction and in about two hours we'll be there!! ^_^
<Scott> I don't know. All my years in the guard and I never had to go there.
<Emili> ......
<TheStoryteller> On your way out of town, near the inn, you encounter Sumire, who has been very scarce the whole time you've been in town.
<Haylee> Two hours, Emili?
<Emili> I think....
<Johnathan> ...How often do people go there, anyway?
<Haylee> ...Who's that?
* Haylee points to Sumire.
<Scott> Hi, Sumire.
<Sumire> Hello, everyone...
<Emili> I can't remember!
<Johnathan> It's not like we're going to a major tourist stop..
<Leon> ....
<TheStoryteller> She shuffles her priestess robes a minute, before continuing.
<Scott> How might we be of service today?
<Sumire> I wanted to tell you.. that I can't go to the Woods with you...
<Scott> Why not?
<Haylee> ^_^; Um....sorry to hear that, Ma'am...
<Sumire> Everything was happening so fast.. I'm confused what to do as it is. I think I'm going to stay in town a while and organize my thoughts.
<Leon> ...
<Sumire> Or maybe return to my old shrine. They are probably worried about me.
<Jack> Old shrine?
<Haylee> ...You work for the Church, don't you?
* Sumire nods.
<Scott> Be careful, Sumire. The Church might try to kill you when you get there. They don't forget a thing. Trust me.
<Haylee> Are you sure it's safe to go back to that, after what you've seen? They could kill you..
<Sumire> But what else can I do? I don't know any other life...
<Sumire> Don't worry about me.. I'm sure we'll see each other again.
<Scott> Just be careful, Sumire. That's all I ask.
<Haylee> Hmm...
<Scott> And take care of yourself, ok?
<Sumire> By the way, I heard something interesting.
<Jack> Okay then...Take care.
<Leon> Don't get yourself killed.
<Jack> Hm?
<Scott> And that is?
<Haylee> Oh? What?
<Sumire> Someone in the Inn mentioned there's some kind of underground path past the mountains..
* Emili eats her ice creams.
<Haylee> Underground path..?
<Jack> Izzat so....
<Sumire> They also said it was in some ruins to the west... something about a graveyard.
* Haylee adjusts her backpack on her shoulder.
<Emili> Mmm.... yummy!
<Emili> ^_^
<Haylee> ...ugh. Haunted places... I hate going through graveyards...
<Emili> I like ice cream ^_^
<Johnathan> An underground path.. in a graveyard?
<Sumire> It's really dangerous, but it might get you there quicker..
* Jack looks at Emili.
<Emili> Oooh, The Phantom Graveyard!
<Emili> Spookie ^_^;;
<Emili> ......
<Haylee> ^_^; Do we, um...have to?
<Leon> ..who cares...let's just go...
* Johnathan nods to Haylee. "Really.. disturbing the spirits of the dead probably isn't the most healthy thing, huh? But if it gets us there quicker.."
* Emili looks to Jack. "What does Spookie mean?"
<Haylee> ...But...But...oh what's the use....you'll go anyway...
<Sumire> It's your choice.. I'm just trying to help. :)
<Jack> Spookie? Heh...
<Haylee> It means scary or frightening...Emili...
<Scott> Thank you, Sumire...it's appreciated.
<Emili> Oh!
<Haylee> Thank you, Ma'am, for all your help.
<Ishtar> I think we can do it..
<Emili> .....
<Emili> What does scary mean?
<Johnathan> Frightening, Emili.
<Emili> Uh.......
<Johnathan> Is..
* Jack turns to Emili quickly. "BOO!!"
<Haylee> . o O ( She's gotta ask what Frightening is...I know it ^_^; )
<Leon> Batgirl.
<Leon> I...am scary.
<Johnathan> Something that makes you uneasy, or startles you.
* Leon deadpans on her.
<Johnathan> Actually, Leon, not really.
* Emili looks at Jack strangely and points at him, and then laughs real loudly.
<Emili> Strange man!
<Sumire> Ok, I'm going to try to get some directions back home.. be well all of you, and may Althena guide you.
* Johnathan grins slightly. "I'd say more intimidating, than scary.."
<Haylee> You're not Leon...(w) You're ANNOYING....
<Jack> Damn....
<Emili> What does startles mean?
<Scott> Same to you, Sumire..till we meet again.
* Scott bows to Sumire.
<Jack> Well, I tried...
* Haylee winks at Jon.
<Emili> And what does easy mean?
<Haylee> My thoughts exactly.
<Ishtar> The same to you Sumire.. good luck.. :)
* Sumire bows back politely and walks off...
<TheStoryteller> ~~Sumire leaves the party.~~
<Jack> Umm...Not easy?
* Scott starts toward the Phantom Graveyard....
<Haylee> Let's say this, Emili...
<Emili> Oh... so uneasy means not easy!
<Emili> Kay...
<Haylee> What if you were locked in a room, and big scary guys were inside...and you had no idea how to get out?
* Leon follows everyone..not saying much.
<Haylee> How would you feel?
<Emili> Ummmm....
* Scott is lost in thought.
<Haylee> Scary...as in guys who were dumb dumb meanies? ^_^;
Madoria Plains
<TheStoryteller> The fields outside of town are fairly quiet, as you spot a large lake not too far to the east of your position. Across it, you can make out the faint shadow of a structure.
* Haylee thinks that's what Emili says.
<Emili> Ummm...
<Emili> Hmmmm...
<Haylee> And these mean men wanted to hurt you, and you couldn't run away. How would you feel?
<Emili> I'd just beat'em up!
* Johnathan looks at Haylee and Emili, then laughs.
<Haylee> What if they took your weapon away?
<Haylee> And you couldn't cast magic?
<Ishtar> Wait a minute...
<Jack> Hey! Look at that shadowy structure over there!
<Emili> Oh, that happens all the time. ^_^;
<Ishtar> I think I know what they meant now! :)
* Scott shakes his head...."Not again."
<Scott> What?
* Ishtar points to the building across the lake.
* Johnathan yelps in pain as the now-forgotten ball of energy resolves itself, temporarily, into a fireball in his hand before vanishing.
<Emili> See, I sometimes can't cast any magic, cause see.... well... I dunno why...
<Ishtar> That's what they call the "Mystic Ruins"..
<Scott> That looks like the Star Dragon Tower.
<Haylee> Jon!
<Haylee> Are you okay?
<Scott> Oh...I remember that place....a lot of wicked monsters in there.
<Emili> The Mystic Ruins!
* Johnathan looks more embarassed than hurt. "I'm fine.. that was... stupid."
<Haylee> Oooh...
<Scott> Had to do a rescue mission there a couple of years prior to being here.
* Jack turns to Ishtar. "Mystic Ruins?"
<Ishtar> Legends say many powerful people from Lunar's past are buried there.. even Ghaleon was once said to have walked it's halls.
<Emili> They have faeries there!
<Leon> Yes..it was stupid.
<Emili> I think....
<Emili> I can't remember...
<Jack> Hmmm.
* Haylee puts a hand on Emili's shoulder.
<Haylee> Don't worry about it. ^_^ Let's go exploring, eh?
<Scott> But if we run into any Persona monsters, kill them quickly. They can mute you.
<Johnathan> There's a lovely thought..
<Emili> I wanna go swimming! ^_^
<Leon> ...
* Jack heads toward the ruins.
* Johnathan grins. "I think I'd be almost half as useful as a quadraplegic in an arm-wrestling match without magic.."
<Haylee> Swimming? ^_^; Maybe later...
<Emili> The lake is very big see?
<Haylee> Oh that's not true Jon!
<Haylee> You have a staff, right? You could whack enemies to death.
<Jack> I can swim....
<Leon> ...any idiot can swim.
<Haylee> ...^_^; Um...I can't.
* Scott silently follows, his thoughts swimming through his mind...
* Haylee gives Leon a look of death.
<Jack> Any idiot, eh?
<Emili> I can swim! I swim really really good!
<Haylee> Well, I can dogpaddle...that's about it.
* Johnathan makes a swinging motion with his staff, and mutters "It'd bounce right off, no doubt. Leon I'm not."
<Scott> I can control the water...with my magic, but that's it.
<Ishtar> Well.. I can't swim with these things.. :/
Madoria Plains, Pier
<TheStoryteller> After walking the shoreline a bit, you spot a wooden pier. There's a man, apparently a fisherman, tying up some lines, preparing for what he does best.
* Haylee grins and picks up her step a bit, clearing her throat.
* Leon doesn't even notice anyone's comments.
* Emili appears right in the man's face. "Hello!"
<Haylee> O_o Em! Not so close!
<Haylee> ^_^; People like a little personal space.
<Scott> And I don't feel like swimming. Got too much on my mind right now.
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] Gah! O_O
<Emili> I'm Emili!
<TheStoryteller> He nearly falls over backwards..
<Emili> Nice to meetcha!
<Emili> ^_^
<Jack> I swear Emili, one day you'll give someone a heart attack.
<Johnathan> If she didn't just..
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] Confound it, girl, you nearly gave me a third heart attack..
<Jack> See?
<Haylee> ^_^: Sorry Sir...
<Emili> Is that bad?
<Haylee> Yeah...it can kill you.
<Emili> Oh....
<Leon> ...
<Emili> Kay!
<Emili> Sorry person!
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] So.. what's a bunch of kids like yourselves doing way out here? Nothin' but clear lake..
* Scott just sits on the pier, and keeps to himself.
<Emili> Whatcha doing?
* Leon stands alone..saying nothing.
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] I'm tying up me lines to catch me a big one, lass. :)
* Jack leans on the rail of the bridge, admiring the water floating by....
<Emili> A big one lass?
<Emili> What's a big one lass?
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] *blinks* A little out of it, are ya? Maybe the sea air do ya' good. :)
<Haylee> A fish, Emili!
<Emili> A fish?
* Emili perks up
<Emili> I like fish!
<Johnathan> We can only hope, sir, but quite frankly she's been out of it the entire time we've known her.
<Ishtar> Yes, Emili.. he's a fisherman.. they catch fish. ^^
<Emili> You gonna catch fish person?
* Scott sits there silently.....not even listening to the conversation.
<Haylee> She's very innocent...
<Emili> Oh neat!
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] Aye... getting my boat ready to sail.
<Leon> ..she means stupid.
<Emili> I can help!
<Haylee> No I do not!
<Haylee> Will you stop putting words in my mouth! Sheesh!
<Emili> I catch fish all the time!
<Emili> They're yummy!
<Emili> ^_^
<Johnathan> Innocent, ignorant, stupid.. they're all quite different things.
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] Good for the brain, they say... maybe one will perk you up.
* Johnathan smiles. "I'm going to have to agree with Haylee on this one, Leon, sorry. She's a little too quick on her mental feet to be dumb."
<Emili> Want a really big fish, person?
<Emili> I can catch it for ya!
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] That's alright.. don't want you drowning or anything, Emili.
<Leon> No...she's quite stupid.
<Haylee> He's fine, Emmy. It's his job.
<Haylee> And will you SHUT IT, Leon?
<TheStoryteller> [Fisherman] By the way, I'm Angus.
<Emili> No, I don't drown! I'm really good, watch!
<Haylee> Hi Mister Angus. :)
<Leon> I don't take orders.
* Scott nods.
* Emili unfolds her wings and flies into the air, she then dives down into the water with a big splash.
<TheStoryteller> [Angus] So, you want to buy any fi.. eh? o_o
* Johnathan rolls his eyes heavenward, sighs deeply, and walks away from Leon and Haylee. "I give up."
<Leon> ...I do what I want..when I want to.
* Haylee gets a peeved look and crosses her hands over her chest, turning away from Leon with a humph!
<TheStoryteller> [Angus] By Althena, the girl's got wings...
<TheStoryteller> The fisherman promptly faints.
<Haylee> O_o
<Tahn> Oh, spiff.
<Haylee> Um...Em...
<Scott> Emmi tends to have that effect on people.
* Leon snickers to himself.
<Ishtar> Oh no.. :(
<Tahn> Look what you just did, Emmi... ^^;
<Jack> Okaaayy.....
<Leon> Like I said..stupid.
<Haylee> ^_^; Hmm...well...
* Ishtar tries to revive him, will little success...
<Tahn> For once, I agree, Leon.
<Haylee> Bleh...forget it...
* Johnathan walks over and kneels next to the fisherman, checking his vital signs.
* Emili leaps out of the water with two 20-pound fish in each hand.
* Haylee walks back away from the party....
* Scott doesn't know what to think...too wrapped up in internal problems.
<Ishtar> Emili, pelase be more careful.. you could have killed the poor old man..
* Emili lands on the bridge. "Taa-daa!"
<Tahn> ...what's buggin ya, Scott?
<Emili> Huh? What?
<Emili> Why did the person go to sleep?
<Leon> ..because you're stupid.
<Scott> It's nothing, Tahn...at least for now, it's nothing.
<TheStoryteller> The fishing ship is still tied to the pier, awaiting a master to pilot it.
<Emili> I'm stupid?
* Tahn can't help but chuckle at Leon's comment.
<Emili> What's stupid?
<Leon> Yes, you're stupid.
<Ishtar> No Emili.. you just gave him a shock..
* Jack slaps himself in the forhead with a sigh.
<Haylee> ...
* Emili looks at Ishtar. "What's a shock?"
<Emili> Does that make people go to sleep?
<Bree> You know, why don't we just borrow the boat? Not like he needs it.. ^^;
<Scott> Hey, Tahn, can I ask you something?
<Haylee> You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves.. *shakes her head at Leon and Tahn and looks out over the water*
<Leon> ...good idea, Bree.
<Tahn> Yeah?
<Johnathan> There's that thief background of yours again, Bree. I think not..
<Scott> Have you noticed anything strange about my fighting style as of late?
<Ishtar> Well.. it's when you scare somebody.. with the unexpected.
<Emili> Oh.... okay....
<Tahn> ...the best way to describe it is.. well... you've been more angry.
<Bree> Hey, I don't see any other way of crossing the lake.
* Emili kneels down beside the fisherman. "Sorry person!"
<Leon> Come on Bree...I agree...we're going...
<Tahn> You're starting to attack a little like Leon would. Forget asking questions at all, just shoot.
<Johnathan> That still doesn't make it right for us to just steal his boat.
* Leon hops down into the boat.
<Scott> I thought so..
* Haylee walks toward the boat, not looking very happy at the moment.
<Tahn> Why?
* Scott follows Leon.
* Leon helps Bree into the boat.
* Emili puts her hand on the man's chest, as a tiny white light appears and fades without notice. "Don't let the bed bugs bite!"
* Emili stands up folds her wings and climbs into the boat.
* Tahn gets into the boat. ^^;
<Scott> Just a strange feeling I've got....I've gotten a lot worse in the past.
* Johnathan shakes his head, watching the group getting into the boat. "I don't believe this."
<TheStoryteller> Bree clambers aboard with Leon's help, and looks over the controls confusedly. Ishtar enters behind everyone.
<Leon> I'll drive.
* Leon sits down at the controls.
* Haylee sits at the back of the boat.
* Emili gets cramped with so many people on board the tiny boat. "Hey ummm move over!!"
* Johnathan is still standing on the pier, now with a completely disgusted look on his face.
<Emili> You're crushing me!
<Tahn> Johnny, would you rather we drug you behind the boat? Get in!
* Leon turns the key.
<Johnathan> I'll do no such thing, Tahn.
<Haylee> Please get in, Jon...
<Scott> *Whispers to self* I guess Evol's seal is beginning to deteriorate....please don't let it be that...
<Leon> I'll take care of this...
* Emili leaps up and grabs Johnathan's collar and pulls him in.
* Haylee gives him half smile...
* Tahn helps Emmi.
<Haylee> Hey! O_o
* Johnathan is dragged into the boat by about three or so people. "Hey! Hey!"
* Emili is now stuck between Tahn under her and John on top of her.
<Emili> Aaaaaah!
<Johnathan> ...I'll have you know that I'm coming along under extreme protest here!
<Leon> Are we all ready to go now or do we have some more protests over the matter?
<Scott> Let's go.
<Emili> Get off me, off off!
<Haylee> ...But I'm glad you're coming...
<Tahn> I'm ready... if I could move I would be, that is. ^^;
* Johnathan moves away from Emili, now looking disgusted and pissed off.
<Ishtar> Don't worry. We can apologize later.. I'm sure he would have let us.. :)
* Leon takes the wheel and puts the pedal to the metal.
<Tahn> Uh..
<TheStoryteller> The ship chugs out into the water, the floorboards shaking a bit.
Madoria Plains, Lake
* Haylee sits alone in the back, looking over the water...
<Tahn> Emmi? ^^;
* Emili sits up on Tahn's stomach. "That's better!"
<Tahn> o_O;
<Tahn> Please get off of me, Emmi. ^^;
<Johnathan> Oh, sure, yeah, Ishtar. "Excuse me, sir, we're a group of heretics. Could we take your boat?" I can see him giving it to us REAL quick..
* Emili bounces on Tahn's stomach. "Weeeee!"
* Tahn tries desperately to move.
* Scott has his eyes closed as he appears to be trying to cast some sort of magic on himself.
<Ishtar> I don't like it either, but we can't let Sinel do what he wants... :/
* Emili looks down. "Hi Tahn!"
* Leon drives on.
<Emili> Whatcha doing down there?
<Johnathan> So we slowly sink down to his level to stop him?
* Haylee clears her throat and begins singing softly to herself...
<Tahn> Could... someone... PLEASE... get... her... OFF... ME?!
<Emili> Huh... oh! Okay!
<Haylee> ~As travelling across the sea...~
* Emili gets off Tahn.
* Emili slides next to Haylee.
<Leon> Knock off the damn singing. I'm trying to drive.
<Haylee> ~from the unknown country, the wind passes behind my ears...~
* Haylee stops...
* Tahn leans over the side of the boat and starts puking.
<Johnathan> Oh, shut up, Leon.
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar looks over to Scott as he chants...
* Haylee then starts up again in a 'screw you' gesture. ^_^
* Emili starts singing. "La la la de la la lee la LA LA LA!!"
* Emili sings off key.
* Scott keeps his concentration....
<Haylee> ^_^ Nono, Em...here...
<Emili> De dum la de la la la!
<Ishtar> Scott, are you scared of something? That sounds like a protective spell..
<Leon> ....I swear I don't have to take this...
<Haylee> See, you're not using your lungs.. you gotta sing from your lungs. :D
<TheStoryteller> Moments pass.. soon the building is completely visible. It appears to be very old, made out of stone.. quite eroded in parts after standing the tests of time.
<Scott> Afraid of myself, Ishtar. What I might do should I let myself get too angry.
<Emili> Whats a lungs?
<Haylee> It's inside you, and helps you breathe.
<Jack> Wow...Nice structure!
<Johnathan> Yes, well, if you people hadn't DRAGGED me on here to begin with, you wouldn't be hearing it now, would you, Leon?
<Ishtar> I think I can understand.. I'm scared too.. -_-
* Scott goes back to his incantation..hoping it works.
<Emili> Haylee?
<Leon> Johnathan, do yourself a favor..shut up.
<Haylee> Yes Emili?
<Emili> What's lungs?
<Haylee> I just said...
<Haylee> It's inside your body...right...there!
* Haylee points to Emili's chest.
<Scott> You can't understand, Ishtar. You didn't flip out when you were a student and almost kill 7 others. The only reason I know I did it was because someone told me.
<Haylee> And it helps you breathe air.
<Johnathan> Fine.. but only if you do yourself the same favor.
<Haylee> Air is all around us. We use it to keep us alive. You can't see or smell it, but it's there.
<Ishtar> That's horrible Scott.. :(
<Leon> I only do what I feel like doing.
* Emili looks down. "How come Jack and Scott don't have lungs?"
<Ishtar> But.. you told me I destroyed an entire town while I was under control..
<Haylee> Oh but they do. ^_^ We all do.
* Johnathan slowly clenches and unclenches his fists, breathing deeply as his face calms.
<Leon> Which might include throwing your ass off this damn boat if you don't cool it.
<Emili> Well, theirs are very tiny!
<Emili> I can't see them!
<Scott> There's something wrong with me that I can't figure out. No one has been able to, not even the best people in the magic guild could find it.
<TheStoryteller> The sandy shoreline rapidly approaches...
<Johnathan> You throw me off this boat, and I'm sinking it.
<Tahn> ...
<Leon> ..then I'll shoot you instead.
* Tahn mutters something about the name "Professor Gregory"...
<Ishtar> It's hard, not being comfortable with yourself. I hope you can find what's behind it...
<Haylee> ^_^; We can't see our lungs cuz they're inside our bodies.
<Haylee> But see...watch...This is how to sing...
* Johnathan laughs suddenly. "I don't know why, but I find myself oddly respecting you, Leon."
<Scott> I hope so. A few years ago, Evol put a seal on that part of me, but something tells me that seal could be weakening...my fighting style shows that.
* Haylee takes a deep breath and sings another line from her song.
<Leon> ...the second you don't respect a gun, it kills you.
<Tahn> Deep, Leon.
* Leon pulls up to the shoreline.
<Haylee> ~Will you tell me if people live with the same bewildering feeling inside?~
<Haylee> ~To love someone-or be loved by someone...I wonder what those feelings are like?~
<Ishtar> Evol is very powerful.. what could break one of her seals? I'm worried now.. :/
<Leon> OK..let's go.
<Emili> I can see my lungs!
<Scott> I don't know...
<Haylee> ^_^; No you can't.
<Emili> That's very pretty!
<Emili> Let me try!
* Tahn leaps out of the boat quite glad to be on solid (kinda) ground.
<Haylee> Okay...you try now. :)
* Emili takes a deep breath.
* Scott steps from the boat and helps Ishtar out.
* Haylee helps Emili out of the boat.
* Johnathan gets out of the boat, stretching a little.
* Leon helps Bree out of the boat then gets out himself.
Before the Mystic Ruins
<TheStoryteller> Being only a few dozen yards from the Mystic Ruins, you can make out runic markings dotting the surface. At it's tip, many spikes flare out from the central pillar.
<Scott> This place....
<Tahn> ...
* Johnathan walks towards the ruins, looking for an entrance of some kind.
* Tahn follows.
* Haylee looks uneasy...
<Emili> ~Far, Far into the distant horizon, let's ride forgotten on wings in the wind.~
<Haylee> Hey...that's better.. ^_^
<Leon> Stop the damn singing...
<TheStoryteller> There's a doorway, framed in more of the archaic script.
<Leon> It's too..happy sounding.
<Haylee> Well, maybe we NEED some of that, Leon.
<Johnathan> Joy and sorrow, love and hate, peace and anger.. there's a place and a need for all of them, Leon..
<Leon> I don't need happiness.
<Ishtar> I feel nervous here...
<Leon> So stow it.
<Johnathan> ...though in the shadow of this place, I question the joy part..
* Emili pulls out her sword, Cherry Pup, whirling back and slamming the sheathed sword into Leon's stomach!
<Scott> So do I, Ishtar. This feeling I get only increases my feelings of dread.
* Johnathan looks at the doorway, and the writing around it, to see if he recognizes it at all.
* Ishtar spreads her metallic wings out unknowingly..
* Leon grabs Emili's arms and lifts her up off the ground. "You trying to hurt me, Batgirl?"
<Haylee> This place...
<Tahn> You recognize the writing, John?
* Haylee gulps.
<Emili> You're being mean!
* Leon pulls his rifle from his side. "Do you remember our deal?"
<Leon> If you hit me with your weapon..I get to hit you with mine.
<Emili> Ummm...
* Emili thinks.
<Tahn> Please don't start that again, Leon. ^^;
* Leon cocks the rifle.
<TheStoryteller> Johnathan can't make out any of the writing.. it appears to be unlike anything on Lunar.
<Emili> Nope!
* Haylee sighs. -_-
<Emili> Don't remember it at all!
* Scott surrounds himself in a starfield as he appears entranced.
<Leon> Too bad for you.
<Johnathan> ..no idea what it says.. I've never seen anything like this..
* Tahn readies his Kunai dagger, aiming to knock the gun out of Leon's hand before he shoots.
<Haylee> ...
* Emili looks at the writing on the wall and beams. "Hey neat!"
* Haylee narrows her eyes and tries to force Leon to let Emili go with her mind.
<TheStoryteller> It looks oddly familiar to Emili, although she can't recall exactly why..
* Emili fades out of Leon's grip and appears right in front of wall.
<Johnathan> Leon, Emili.. stop trying to kill each other, could you? I have a feeling we may need both of your respective sets of abilities in here..
<Emili> Hey, umm...
<Ishtar> I guess we should go in...
* Tahn repockets the dagger and looks at the doorway.
* Johnathan looks uneasily at the doorway, then walks through.
<Scott> Yes...we should.
* Haylee steps back. "Do...Do we really have to do this..?"
<Emili> Hey!
<Emili> I remember.... I remember this!
<Leon> ...I swear I'll kill her.
<Leon> Keep her the hell away from me.
* Haylee sighs, gulps again, and walks inside.
<Tahn> Yeah, we do, Hay.
* Tahn follows her.
<Leon> Or I'll paint these walls with her entrails.
* Scott makes the stars disappear and follows Haylee, hand on his sword.
<Emili> I remember this writing!
* Johnathan looks back, seeming relieved as Haylee comes through the door. "Glad I'm not going through here alone."
Mystic Ruins, 1F
<TheStoryteller> It's very dark inside, a few luminescent orbs lighting the way.
<Haylee> Do that Leon, and I'll make you think you're a lame duck.
* Tahn looks back out the doorway. "Take some prozac, Leon."
* Johnathan starts down whatever path there is.
* Tahn ducks back in.
* Emili looks at the departing group and quickly follows. "Hey wait for me!"
* Haylee grins at Jon.
<Leon> ...like I care what you think of me.
<Haylee> Yeah...me too.
<Leon> ...I don't want to be happy...I don't care about friends or anything....I'm just here...
<Emili> Hey umm!
<Tahn> Please no, Emmi.
<TheStoryteller> You pass more of the writing on the smooth stone brick walls... the path leads you to a circular central area.
<Emili> I remember that stuff in the wall!
<Emili> I do!
<Leon> ....I know none of you like me..and I could care less.
* Emili looks on the walls with the runic writing.
<Ishtar> I wonder how? I've never seen anything like it in any texts..
<Emili> See?
<Emili> I remember this stuff!
<Emili> Uh-huh!
<Johnathan> Don't be too hard on yourself, Leon..
<Emili> It says....
<Haylee> Then what does it say, Emmy?
<Leon> Shut up.
<Emili> Hey! Wissen!
<Emili> I think....
<TheStoryteller> There's a stairway leading higher up... Also, it seems there's a hole in the floor, made recently. It has some rough rocks and steps leading downward.
* Scott takes the stairs up.
<Emili> Hey, lookie!
<Haylee> Well...on the downward spiral, I guess. ^^;
<Emili> A recently made hole in the floor!
* Scott stops and looks. "What?"
<TheStoryteller> Scott notices a large, fallen brick blocking the top of the stairs leading up.
<Emili> Ummm....
<Scott> Let's go down there....
<Leon> ...
<Emili> What does recent mean.
<Johnathan> Down?
<Leon> Whatever we're doing..let's just do it...I'm tired of waiting.
<Tahn> Yes.
* Johnathan looks down through the hole. "How long of a drop is it?"
<Tahn> What Leo said.
<TheStoryteller> It's not a drop.. the fallen debris form crude steps to guide the way.
<Emili> Let's go up!
<Johnathan> ..this is almost too convenient..
<Haylee> Down, Em.
<Ishtar> I think it's safe...
<Haylee> Down.
* Johnathan starts down, since no one else seems to be inclined to go first.
* Haylee points up. "Up"
* Haylee points down. "Down."
* Haylee goes down with John.
* Scott goes down the makeshift stairs.
<Leon> Come on..hurry up...
* Tahn follows the two.
Mystic Ruins, B1F
<TheStoryteller> The minute Haylee descends the steps she starts to feel chilling voices clawing at the back of her mind. The rest of the party notices a strange air hanging about.
* Leon awaits Bree to go follow the party before he does.
* Haylee stops, clutching her head.
<Tahn> ...
<Haylee> ..It's happening again...
<Tahn> You okay, Hay?
<Tahn> What's happening?
* Johnathan turns, looking concerned. "What is? Are you all right?"
* Scott looks around, his feelings of dread increasing.
<Haylee> Voices....
<Haylee> I can hear them...jumbled...screaming at me...
<Haylee> I didn't want to come here...I knew this would happen...
<Tahn> How? What?
<Haylee> ..Wait...they're saying....leave...
<Ishtar> Maybe we should let them rest in peace..
<Haylee> They're telling us to leave...
<Johnathan> This place doesn't feel right.. are you going to be ok, Haylee?
<Haylee> ...I'm not sure. All they usually do is talk to me...
<Tahn> Well, like they always said...
<Haylee> But I've never had it feel this ...odd before...
<Tahn> Discretion is the better part of Valor. ^^;
<Tahn> Let's go and leave like they say. ^^;
<Tahn> I don't trust this place anyways.
<Scott> Good idea.
<Leon> I don't feel a damn thing.
<TheStoryteller> As you reach the base of the steps, you see rows and rows of sarcophagi resting in the very hallways, sealed tight.
<Scott> I do.
<Tahn> You never feel a damn thing, Leon.
<Haylee> W--what?
<Emili> What's are those thingies?
* Johnathan looks down the passageway, speaking defiantly into the air. "I don't know who you are.. and we mean you no harm.. but I, for one, WILL pass."
<Leon> That's not true...
<Emili> Golems?
<Leon> I feel...anger.
<Tahn> They're things that hold dead people, Emmi.
<Ishtar> It's a sacred burial place.. I can feel it..
<Leon> Would you...like to feel my anger, Tahn?
* Haylee holds her head tigher.
<Emili> Dead people....?
<Emili> Oooh....
* Leon narrows his eyes at Tahn
<Haylee> Don't...bother...him...Leon!
<Bree> Hey, maybe there's some treasures down here they don't need.. ^^;
* Johnathan starts walking forward.
<Haylee> Or...I'll...make...you think you're...a...drooling ice mongrel! I swear it!
* Emili rushes over to one of the sarcophagi and pops it open easily.
* Scott closes his eyes and tries that incantion he tried on the boat again...his feelings of imminent dread increasing exponentially.
<Leon> Haylee, I could give a rats ass what you think about me.
<Tahn> *m* just remember I'm faster than you, Blackfire..
<TheStoryteller> Scott feels like he knows this place in some strange way...
<Johnathan> Emili! Don't tou.... oh geez. Close that, Emili.
<Haylee> I know that. I give a rats ass about you constantly picking on Tahn.
<Scott> Hmmm....How do I know this place.....
<Leon> Like I care.
* Haylee walks forward and pulls Tahn along with her. ^_^;
* Johnathan shakes his head and turns back, walking alone down the passage.
* Scott is almost entranced.....
* Tahn is pulled. And quite frankly, doesn't mind it ^_~
* Leon's facial expression hasn't changed.
<TheStoryteller> Inside is.. well.. a mummified corpse. ^^
<Emili> Hey, neat!
<Scott> It's all like some sort of dream....what's going on?
<Emili> Lookie, a white thingie!
<Ishtar> Emili, don't touch them.. o_o
<Tahn> Uh..
<Emili> Where's it's eyes?
<Tahn> Hay..
<Tahn> Were are we going?
* Scott no longer realizes what's going on around him...completely in a trance from this place.
<Haylee> Forward. ^_^;
<TheStoryteller> The air escaping from the long sealed tomb washes over Emili, as she feels a little light headed..
<Tahn> ...
<Emili> Wooo...
<Tahn> What happens if there's a wall forward? Then where?
* Emili stumbles back.
<Haylee> ^_^; No clue...
<Emili> Hee hee!
<Leon> ..oxygen becomes poisonous if trapped for long periods of time.
<Tahn> ...
* Johnathan keeps going, not having met any resistance yet.
<Leon> ...I suggest not rushing into things.
<Haylee> Tell that to Emili...
<Haylee> Ah--!
* Haylee clutches her head again.
<Tahn> ...You okay?
* Ishtar bumps into Scott in the dark corridor.
<Tahn> Are they back again?
* Emili wanders back with the group dragging Scott along.
<Haylee> ...One voice...I can't make it out...but it...it's...close...
<Scott> This place....what is it about this place that's so familiar...
<Tahn> Ooooh boy. That doesn't sound good.
<Ishtar> Oh I'm sor... are you ok?
<Haylee> Oh by Althena, this is not fun...
* Scott wanders deeper into the tomb, not realizing that Ishtar bumped into him... He's really in a trance here.
<Leon> Why in the hell are we down here anyway...
<Leon> I thought we were going to a forest...
Mystic Ruins, Basement Chamber
<TheStoryteller> The air gets damper and thicker the further you descend. A large room opens up before you, a semi circle of more of the crypts laid out.
* Johnathan pauses briefly at the entrance to the room, then starts walking through.
<Tahn> Oh shit I really don't like this.
<Ishtar> *pokes him* Scott?
* Haylee stumbles a bit.
<Leon> Somebody better answer me.
* Scott wanders to the center of the circle of crypts....
* Emili drops Scott off in the center of the semi-circle and pops open another crypt.
<TheStoryteller> It seems fancy, with golden sconces on the wall burning, but the dust of time obscures their glow.
<Tahn> ...
<Leon> ..idiots.
* Tahn pulls out his Kunai Dagger again, not liking this one bit.
<TheStoryteller> Scott sees that one of the coffins is open.. and there is no body inside.
* Scott closes his eyes as the trance further takes him....a field of stars surrounds him as if his magic is responding to him somehow.
<Scott> This must be......
<Haylee> ...Oh screw this...Scott...
<Scott> The place..where.....
* Haylee walks toward Scott...
<Leon> Goddess dammit someone answer me!
<Tahn> Where what, Scott?
<Scott> It came from.....
<Haylee> Since we have...a little ghost problem....I'm not letting...anyone go off into trance land!
* Haylee slaps Scott HARD across the face!
<Scott> O_o;;;
<Tahn> Leon... I think Sumire told us to go here for something.
* Johnathan whirls, his eyes locking onto Leon. "WHAT?"
<Tahn> I don't know why though.
<Haylee> Scott! With us?
<Leon> I asked WHY we're down here!?
<Scott> Somewhat. This place really overtook me.
<Scott> It still has moderate control...but I wonder what I was babbling about.
<Johnathan> Through the tunnel to the forest. Wasn't that the plan from the beginning?
<Haylee> ^_^; Sorry about that...It's just that I'm hearing voices...when people go into trances...they can get possessed easily...I hate for that to happen to you.
<Leon> ...good...I'm glad we're all on the same page now.
<Haylee> So keep focused on me, okay?
<TheStoryteller> Scott can't seem to get over a feeling that tells him to hide.. a deep fear of something..
<Emili> Hey ummm, how come this one doesn't have those dead white thingie's with no eyes in them?
<Scott> I'll try, Haylee....
<Leon> Get a damn room or something...
<Scott> But this place keeps telling me to hide for some reason....
<Haylee> A-ah...
* Haylee holds her head again. "Stop laughing...stop..."
<Tahn> What?
* Johnathan nods. "And I, for one, would be happier if we could just keep going.. and leave this place behind."
<Haylee> Actually..better yet...keep an eye on Jon, okay?
* Ishtar looks around nervously...
<Haylee> Jon!
<Leon> You people are fucking weird. What in the world is wrong with you people.
<Ishtar> There's something wrong here..
<Johnathan> Can't you feel it, Leon? This place is unnatural..
* Emili looks about.
<Haylee> Keep...and eye...on Scott....okay...?
<Scott> I can sense it too, Ishtar...but what is it?
<Leon> I don't feel a damn thing.
<Tahn> Nothing worse than what's wrong with you, Leon.
* Johnathan nods. "All right, Haylee."
<Emili> Hey...... ummmmmm.
<TheStoryteller> Out of the corner of your eye, the shadows thrown onto the floors by the sconces begin to shift and move..
<Tahn> Oh SHIT.
<Emili> Ummmmmm.....
<Tahn> We are so in trouble.
<Haylee> ..Wh...what...?
<Emili> I think one of those white thingies are still alive.
<Haylee> A...AH!!
<Scott> O_O;;......
<Leon> Just hope and pray, Tahn, that you never have to go through what I have.
* Haylee goes down on her knees. "Stop laughing! Too many voices!"
<TheStoryteller> One of the lids begins to shake.
* Johnathan walks over to Haylee and Scott. "But do I need to keep an eye on you as well, Ha-..."
* Leon cocks his rifle. "Something's moving..."
<Haylee> Althena make it stop!!
<Scott> You may want to, Jon. This place has a real effect on people, I fear..
* Johnathan stares at her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Haylee. Haylee! Focus!"
<Haylee> I'm trying...it's so loud...!
<Scott> But if I start to flip out really bad, Leon, I want you to do your best to kill me, OK?
<TheStoryteller> It slides off and makes a dull thud on the floor, echoing throughout the room.
* Emili walks over to the now open crypt and peaks in.
<Leon> ....if you flip out...you don't have to tell me...you'll be dead.
<TheStoryteller> A mummy rises out of it, and grabs Emili!
<Haylee> Emili!
* Leon whirls and opens fire on the mummy.
<TheStoryteller> [Mummy] Uhhhh.....
* Emili grins.
* Scott draws his sword.
<TheStoryteller> Leon mows down the creature, reducing it to ash upon impact.
<Emili> Hehehee!
<Emili> Hello!
<Leon> ...Keep moving.
<Leon> NOW!
<TheStoryteller> Another lid starts to move.. and another...
<Tahn> Shit...
<Haylee> God they won't shut up!
<Scott> This is really bad.
<Tahn> We're screwed guys, unless you got an Uzi there, Leon.
<Emili> We have to beat'em up!
<Leon> I'll take care of this. You people just go.
<TheStoryteller> This time a skeleton rises out of it, in rotting steel armor...
<Leon> You people need to listen.
* Johnathan gently pulls Haylee up to her feet. "Focus on the here and now, Haylee. Fight the voices.."
<Tahn> What, are you insane? There's too many of em!
<Haylee> I'm...trying...
<Leon> Insane? I think you already know the answer. Now go.
<Johnathan> Leon, I'm certainly not leaving you here alone. If you're standing here, then we stand together.
<Leon> Bullshit. You're all being goofy.
<Ishtar> It's the undead.. o_o
<Scott> That's the problem, Jon. The voices she's hearing, so am I...but somehow they're not effecting me the same way they are her.
<Leon> I can't have you being goofy when I'm trying to fight.
<Leon> So get the fuck away from me.
<TheStoryteller> The skelton steps out of the coffin with clanking noises and twisting sinews, and swipes at Leon.
<Leon> You fucker.
<Haylee> God...I feel like they're trying to get in me or something...they're so close...
* Leon returns fire.
* Scott rushes the Skeleton, slicing with his sword.
<Emili> Why not just beat'em up!
<Emili> It'll be fun! ^_^
<Scott> GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY MIND!!!!
* Johnathan frowns, and does something that briefly surrounds Haylee with a dim light, trying to dampen the voices assaulting her.
<Tahn> I like your thinking, Emmi.
<TheStoryteller> Scott slices off a leg bone, and Leon's shells explode once more, reducing the thing to dust.
<Leon> Don't you morons know anything...undead are weak to fire..and I bought a flare bullet clip for this rifle back in town. Move it.
<Scott> Well, I have fire magic too, Leo.
<Haylee> It's not working, Jon...they're coming from within...
<TheStoryteller> Haylee feels a warmth in her mind, the voices dulling to a soft murmor.
<Leon> And you're also fucking goofy.
<Haylee> ...Oh nevermind. ^_^;;;
<Haylee> There we go...thanks...
* Haylee stands more upright.
<Leon> Don't argue with me...just go!
<Scott> Let's get the fuck out of dodge, folks.
<Haylee> If we can...
* Johnathan grins briefly. "You're welcome... but we have another problem now.."
<Tahn> Listen, Leo. *condescendingly* You don't die until we all do. We are a team. Got it?
<Scott> I'm afraid of what a I might do to you all if we stay, let's GO!
<TheStoryteller> The shadows leap up from the fallen foes.. forming into a solid mass..
<Tahn> ...
* Leon motiions to Bree. "Lead them out of here...I'll cover you all."
<Tahn> Shit. I see where yer coming from.
<Tahn> Let's get outta here! ^^;
<Bree> Um.. I can't... the door.. just disappeared! o_o;
<Emili> Lookie!
<Leon> I am no team. I am me, Leon Blackfire. I only need me.
<Johnathan> Leon, there's no way through...
<Emili> That black gook!
<TheStoryteller> Sure enough, the way out is no longer visible.
<Scott> O_o
<Johnathan> ..we HAVE to fight, now.
<Leon> Damn..
<Haylee> Well...looks like we're going to have fun. -_-
<Tahn> Shit.
<Leon> Then take cover and stay there!
<Tahn> Sorry guys. ^^
<Emili> Time to have some fun! ^_^
<Emili> YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!!
* Haylee tries mentally to connect with the beast. ~What do you want?!~
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow] Ahh.. I feel your fear.. it feels good..
<Leon> You don't feel anything from me, asshole!
<Tahn> ...
* Emili whips out Cherry Pup and dives through the Shadow.
* Leon sprays the room with fire.
<Johnathan> Fear.. bah. I told you I would pass.. and I WILL. You can get out of our way now..
<TheStoryteller> Haylee feels an icy chill come over her.. the voices returning even louder.
<Johnathan> ..or you can be removed.
<Haylee> Oh no...
* Scott pulls out his rapier...
* Emili teleports upwards and flies back to the group.
<TheStoryteller> Emili and Leon go right through it..
* Haylee cringes visibly..
* Tahn closes his eyes and remembers those years in Vane.. and then opens them. "You are nothing. I have faced the devil himself and gotten through, so why would you scare me?"
* Leon fires more, never saying die.
<Leon> If you sap sucking sorry rootie pooh mother fuckers had listened to me, you'd all be out of here by now. But no. You're too fucking smart. You had to be "heroic". NOW LOOK! Idiots!
<Tahn> I'm surprised you know the meaning of the word "heroic".
* Johnathan keeps his hands supportingly on Haylee's shoulders, his voice quiet and his gaze locked onto the shadow. "It'll be all right."
~~ COMBAT!~~
<TheStoryteller> >> Combat Round 1!
<TheStoryteller> >> Enemy: Shadow?
* Scott eyes the shadow....
<TheStoryteller> The shadow runs it's hollow red eyes over the party..
<Leon> I do know the meaning of the word. I knew a very heroic man once. Fuck you.
<Haylee> ...I want to kick Leon so bad...
<Haylee> SO bad...
<TheStoryteller> It fixates on Haylee... then morphs into Sinel.
* Haylee jumps!
<Tahn> What the..!
<Haylee> Y...You!
<Scott> Jon, try casting twist when I cast Shooting Stars, OK?
<Tahn> Okay, now I have twice the reason to kick your candy ass!
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow Sinel] Hehehe.. you know you can't evade me forever girl...
<Haylee> I...I can...I will!
<Johnathan> It's feeding on your anger and fear, Haylee.. don't pay attention to it.. that's not Sinel..
<Ishtar> It must be using our fears..
* Haylee doesn't seem to hear Jon.
<Leon> I don't fear anything!
<Scott> Ishtar....right now, if it used my fears, it'd turn into a mirror image of me.
<Tahn> ...Please don't give it ideas, Scott.
<Leon> I am not scared of Sinel..or this place..or mummies or anything! Come fight me!
* Haylee shakes.
<Haylee> God...the voices....just shut UP!...
* Johnathan tries to hold her steady. "Haylee!"
<TheStoryteller> >> Johnathan's turn.
<Leon> Come on! Someone fight me!
<Leon> I'm waiting!
* Emili takes up the front row.
<Ishtar> Leon.. don't let the voices get you too..
* Tahn steps up to the thing, not afraid of his destiny.
<Leon> I don't hear any voices.
* Johnathan focuses his gaze on the apparation, murmuring quietly as light lines of energy work their way into him.
<Leon> In fact, I think I'm the only one who doesn't.
* Scott holds a ball of cosmic energy in his hand.
<TheStoryteller> >> Johnthan casts Concetrate.. he is empowered with 62 more Wisdom..
<Bree> I hope this thing has a weak spot...
<Leon> Don't worry Bree.
<Leon> I'll take care of it.
<TheStoryteller> >> Bree trys using Rage Punch! All 5 of her attacks slide through harmlessly...
<TheStoryteller> >> Emili's turn.
* Emili floats upwards and toward the creature, as six pulsing orbs float just above the monster, creating a circle. The orbs flash, and thunder bolts crackle downward creating a strange cage around the beast.
<Johnathan> Haylee.. can you hear me? Are you with us?
<TheStoryteller> The shadow peers around at the orbs, not paying them much heed...
<Haylee> Y...Yeah...
<TheStoryteller> >> Tahn's turn.
* Tahn starts chanting as an ever-so-familiar green aura encompasses him. Not that long after, he finishes the incantation and starts his actual spell... "Winds of Fury, Winds of Wrath! Poisonous.. Cloud!" He then centers the ever-so condensing winds around the shadow-thingie, trying to poison it!
<TheStoryteller> The form of Sinel gags as the vapors settle around it.. Shadow Sinel is Poisoned for 1 Round!
<Haylee> T...take that!
<Tahn> Hey! It worked! ^_^
* Haylee smiles uneasily at Tahn.
<TheStoryteller> Jack casts Rock Javelin at the form.... 18 damage!
<TheStoryteller> >> Scott's turn.
* Scott extends his hand to the enemy, as the cosmic energy ball becomes a rain of stars that shoot forward at the Shadow form.
<Leon> ...looks like Magic is the only thing that'll hurt it.
<Scott> SHOOTING STARS!
<TheStoryteller> >> Powerful cosmic forces assault the enemy.. 30 damage!
<TheStoryteller> >> Haylee's turn.
<Johnathan> It seems so, Leon. Ethereal opponent..
<Leon> Which means my gun will have no effect.
<Johnathan> Which means its a good thing we didn't leave you here alone..
<Leon> And why is that...
<Tahn> Because we need your skills against the REAL Sinel, Leon.
* Haylee pulls herself to her feet and concentrates, pointing a hand at the Shadow. "Althena...destroy...the cause...of...the evil here...Projection!" A wave of pure mind power zaps from her hand into the Sinel form, crackling and sparkling!
<Leon> ...ah..so you want to use me...I see.
<Johnathan> Not even that.
<TheStoryteller> The shadowy scientist is driven back... 49 damage!
<TheStoryteller> >> Leon's turn.
<Haylee> Take...that...you...sick...disgusting....
* Johnathan smiles slightly. "You're one of us, Leon, even if you don't like it.. and I'm certainly not letting any of us die if I can help it."
<Johnathan> Call it camraderie, friendship, idiocy, whatever you want to call it on my part, but.. we all need to stick together.
<Tahn> I agree. Wether or not our methods are approvable by the rest of the party.
<Leon> Johnathan, if I die, I die. I don't think you understand I dislike...everything and everybody...no..I hate everything and everybody..including myself.
<Haylee> What a sad...man you are Leon...
* Leon twirls his rifle, aims, and opens fire!
<TheStoryteller> The flame shrouded bullets seem to have some effect on the beast... Attack 1: Miss! Attack 2: Miss! Attack 3: 60 damage!
<Tahn> There's got to be a good reason for that, Leon..
<Leon> Why would you care? Shut up and fight.
<Johnathan> I understand one thing, Leon.. something happened in your past, something terrible.. and I think that group who tried to hijack that transport had something to do with it.
* Ishtar draws back for a moment.. and starts chanting...
<Leon> It's none of your business. So stay the fuck out of my personal affairs.
<Johnathan> I won't ask what it is.. its obviously none of my business..
<Ishtar> Althena.. give us the strength of will to remain vigilant! Vigor Litany!
<Johnathan> ..but that doesn't change the fact that you're one of us.
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar casts Vigor Litany on Haylee.. a small ring of energy circles her. She is now protected from all status attack.
<Haylee> Thank you, Ishtar! ^_^
<TheStoryteller> >> Combat Round 2!
<Johnathan> Like it or not, Leon.. Like US or not.. I'm going to watch your back.. and I'd appreciate it if you'd watch mine.
<Haylee> It hasn't attacked us yet...
<TheStoryteller> Posion takes effect.. Shadow takes 26 damage.
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow Sinel] Haha....it's just beginning.. that won't save you...
<Scott> O_O;
<Haylee> Wh..what are you talking about?
<Leon> ...a pat on the back is only 2 feet from a kick in the ass.
<Leon> Remember that.
* Johnathan laughs. "I like that one, Leon.."
<Leon> ..oh shut up and fight.
<TheStoryteller> The shadowy Sinel seems to shift, darting out in front of Haylee, and then approaching Leon...
<Tahn> ..oh shit.
<Haylee> Ack!
<Leon> Bring it on!
<Johnathan> Sorry.. it's just not in my nature. There's something about a tight situation that makes me ramble on. A bad habit, I know.
<TheStoryteller> It splits to become a man and woman....
* Leon shadowboxes.
* Scott starts to feel himself becoming on the verge of losing it...his eyes begin to change color to a deep reddish yellow.
<Leon> ...No..this isn't real..
<Tahn> Whoa...
<Tahn> Chill, Scott...
* Haylee turns back to Scott and SMACKS him across the face again.
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow Man] Leon, just give up.. you're worthless...
<Leon> I know.
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow Woman] A failure.. you couldn't even save us..
<Leon> I know...
<Haylee> Snap OUT of it, Scott!
* Scott does not hear Haylee and Tahn, or feel Haylee's slap. He's about 2 rounds from completely losing it.
* Tahn then shifts his attention over to the shadow-thingie..s.
<Haylee> Damit...guys hurry up! Scott about to skitz!
<Leon> ...this...isn't real...go away....you don't exist anymore...
<TheStoryteller> Leon feels strange thoughts assault his senses.. the room seems to begin spinning as his will gives out.. Leon is now Dazed!
<Leon> Hate...hate..hate...hate...hate....HATE...
<Tahn> ...
<TheStoryteller> >> Johnathan's turn.
* Scott lets out a low growl...as his face shows a obvious look of pure rage...
<Tahn> Looks like Scott's not the only one about to skitz.
<Haylee> Dammit...
* Johnathan stares at Leon briefly. "Oh hell."
<Leon> ...I...hate...everything....
* Leon cocks his rifle.
<Haylee> Yeah, well, you obviously don't hate them!
<Ishtar> Leon.. get a hold of yourself! o_o
<Tahn> Oh bloody hell.
* Haylee points to the shadows.
<Haylee> Are they your parents?
<Tahn> Haylee... ixnay..
<Haylee> ^_^; Sorry-say.
<Tahn> We don't wanna make him flip out.. again. ^^;
<Haylee> When ISN'T he flipped out.
* Johnathan forms a sphere of energy in his hands. "Spirits might have their place in reality.. but this isn't it.."
<Tahn> When he's drunk.
<Leon> ....hate...
* Scott holds his sword ready...an aura of darkness surrounding the blade.....
* Johnathan throws the sphere out between the two apparations, where it vanished. "So lets see what happens when we twist things a little, shall we..?"
<Haylee> He's actually sane when he's drunk? Hell, let's get to jack daniels then.
<TheStoryteller> The sphere explodes upon the two figures, the shadows screeching as rays of light explode into being around it...
<Tahn> I didn't say sane.
<Tahn> I said not flipped out.
<Haylee> Oh.
<Haylee> Pooh.
<TheStoryteller> 123 damage to Shadow Father!, 132 damage to Shadow Mother!
<TheStoryteller> The two things reform..
<Haylee> Wow...John...Did you ever know that you're my hero?
* Haylee giggles.
<TheStoryteller> Bree backs away hesitantly... she DEFENDS.
* Johnathan grins, and winks at Haylee. "What, not going to accuse me of showing off again?"
<TheStoryteller> >> Emili's turn.
<Haylee> Hell no. I'm going to say good job! Do that again! ^_^
* Johnathan turns his attention back to the apparations. "I can try.. can't guarantee identical results, but.."
* Scott eyes the shadow, eyes narrowing and ready to unload....
* Tahn looks to Haylee. "Is it possible you have a spell or song or somethign that can snap Leon out of it?"
* Leon continues chanting the word "Hate"...
<Haylee> Yes...I do...
<Haylee> Not a spell...more like a song...
<Tahn> Please use it.. please please please. ^^;
<Haylee> Keep an eye on Scott though, something is wrong...
<Tahn> I don't think you can help with that, Haylee... it goes back. Way back.
<Haylee> How far back?
<Ishtar> I can try to help him... if Leon shoots he could hurt us..
<Tahn> I'm not sure.
<Johnathan> Could?
<Leon> ....Hate....
<Haylee> More like will. -_-
* Emili summons a surge of enormous power, and in the distance, a dragon's roar can be heard....
<TheStoryteller> Emili feels new strength in her hands.. her AP rises by 46!
<Tahn> But long enough to wear a seal of Evol herself down..
<TheStoryteller> >> Tahn's turn.
* Tahn starts chanting as a green aura surrounds him.
<Tahn> Winds of fury, winds of wrath! Air Blade!!
* Tahn casts Air Blade as six little whirlwinds revolve around him... he directs them one by one at the shadow, who is promptly smited and given more than just a bad case of chapped lips.
<Haylee> Someone remind me to whap Evol around for making Scott skitz.
<Tahn> I don't think Evol did it.. I have some good suspicions on who did, however..
* Scott continues to emit his low growl as his gaze stays upon the Shaodw...
<TheStoryteller> Smack, smack, smack! The spirit is buffeted... 51 damage.
<Haylee> Scott is becoming a bulldog. Lovely.
<TheStoryteller> Jack tries to hack at the creature, but to no avail...
<TheStoryteller> >> Scott's turn.
* Tahn would chuckle if the circumstances were different.
<Leon> ...hate...I..hate..everything...
* Scott lets out a primal yell as he rushes the shadow, dark aura'ed blade in hand. He stabs the blade at the shadow..
<Johnathan> I think Tahn's right, Haylee.. we need to get Leon back into his right mind here..
<Haylee> ^^; All right...all right...
<Haylee> Although he said my singing was too happy.
<TheStoryteller> The blade connects with something....37 damage.
<Tahn> ...Holy shit!
<Haylee> He'll probably bitch at me again. -_-
<Tahn> I thought only magic could affect that thing!
<TheStoryteller> However, Scott begins to lose his focus...
<Johnathan> Oh, don't worry about it. Your voice is lovely.. he just has no taste.
* Scott eyes the shadow again.....his eyes reddening......losing the yellowish hue to them.....
<TheStoryteller> >> Haylee's turn.
* Haylee clasps her hands together and closes her eyes. Opening her mouth and lifting her head slightly upward, a beautiful song escapes from her lips and echos off the walls. The song fills Leon's ears and mind and seems to heal his from within!
<TheStoryteller> The song's blissful melody washes over him.... But it seems to have no effect.
<Tahn> ...
<Tahn> I don't think it worked ^^;
<Leon> I..hate...everything.....
* Haylee stops singing.
<Tahn> Oh. Shit.
<Haylee> ...I tried :/
<TheStoryteller> >> Leon is Dazed!
<Haylee> ....Oh great.
<Leon> I...hate..everyone...
* Leon turns to the party.
* Tahn sees Leon cock his gun. "OH SHIT!!"
<Haylee> Leon! NO!
<Johnathan> ..that's all right, Haylee.. we can't blame you for what he does.. hell, we can't blame him for what he does right now..
* Leon pulls his rifle up and opens fire on Emili.
<Leon> I hate YOU!
<Haylee> Emili! Look out!
<Emili> Why...?
* Tahn tries to knock Emili out of the way.
* Emili dodges the bullet, or at least tries to.
<TheStoryteller> Leon connects with Emili's magical clothes, shredding through them...
<TheStoryteller> Attack 1: 23 damage!, Attack 2: 24 damage!
* Scott eyes Leon....with the reddening stare......regaining his focus somewhat...
<TheStoryteller> Emili can't seem to stand up anymore.. she is KO'd.
<Haylee> Dammit!!
<Tahn> Shit!
* Emili falls over.
<Tahn> Emmi!
<Leon> Graaaah!
<Leon> I hate everyone!
<Ishtar> Oh no! o_o
* Leon turns his attention to Tahn.
<Leon> I hate YOU!
<Bree> Leon.. you're scaring me here!
<Haylee> No!
* Leon fires at him!
<Tahn> Shit!
* Emili's magical powers fade from her and her wings reappear.
* Haylee tries to knock Tahn out of the way!
* Tahn tries to counter.
<TheStoryteller> No good... Attack 3: 35 damage. Tahn is toast.
<Haylee> Tahn!!
<Tahn> Agh!
<Leon> I hate everone!
* Tahn falls to the ground, bleeding heavily.
<TheStoryteller> The rage seems to slip away from Leon after the attack...
<Leon> ..I...I...I...
<Leon> What in the world happened to you all...?
<Haylee> You shot us!
<Leon> I did what?
<Haylee> Could you hate us another time please?!
<Ishtar> Emili.. get up! Revive Litany!
<Johnathan> Well.. you just gunned down Emili and Tahn..
<Leon> I..did..?
<Haylee> Yes you did!
* Johnathan nods. "The shadow did something to you.."
<Johnathan> ..and you lost it.
<TheStoryteller> Emili feels an angel touch her cheek.. she regains consciousness with 20 HP.
<Leon> The shadow....
<Leon> It's..not real...they...don't exist anymore...
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow] Ahahahaha....
* Emili slowly gets back up and shakes her head.
<TheStoryteller> >> Combat Round 3!
* Scott continues to eye the Shadow, now it's obvious that he's not himself....his face is a clear snarl, and his eyes are a deep crimson red, the color of blood.
<Johnathan> It's playing with us, Leon. Toying with our most vulnerable spots...
<Haylee> ...
* Emili folds her wings again and her clothes reappear.
* Haylee looks at Scott.
<Haylee> He's...he's not Scott....
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow] I feel a kindred spirit...
<Leon> How does he know about that....how...
* Tahn tries to move...forget that... he tries to fucking regain consciousness. :P
<Haylee> He's something else...I don't know what...
<Johnathan> It's invading our minds.. digging into our selves.
<Haylee> His mind...it's all jumbled...searing...
* Scott speaks in a soft whisper. "Not a kindred, shadow freak. Only your destroyer."
<Johnathan> ..and using what it finds.
<Leon> My memories are not to be known..I don't want anyone knowing them..no one...
<TheStoryteller> The shadow lances out against Emili... and hits the barrier of electricity.. 12 damage!
<Haylee> Agh! This is just NOT my day!
<Haylee> Emmy...
<TheStoryteller> Emili is unharmed.. but she feels all of her strength drawn away...
<TheStoryteller> >> Emili's curse takes effect! Her armor dissapates, and magic is sealed!
<Tahn> -_-
* Emili screams. "Ahhh!"
<Haylee> ...What's going on?
* Emili falls over on her knees.
* Scott continues to speak in a soft whisper. "They thought they could seal me away..but I won't be gotten rid of that easily."
<TheStoryteller> >> Johnathan's turn.
<Johnathan> Don't be too hard on yourself, Leon... we're all getting glimpses of each other's deepest problems here..
<Haylee> Why is everyone acting so...so..oh hell...screwed up! :/
<Haylee> I hate you...shadow thing with no name! Blah! I can't even INSULT you right!
* Emili moans. "Big dumb dumb...."
* Leon is very much silent.
* Johnathan forms another ball of energy, throwing it at the shadow. "You mess with our minds.. I'll bend your self."
* Emili yells "POO POO HEAD!!!"
<TheStoryteller> There's a noise of tearing.. and the reality around the shadow becomes twisted... 130 damage!
<Haylee> Keep it up Jon...
<TheStoryteller> The shadow seems to shrink in size somewhat...
* Scott holds his sword ready to strike the shadow again....
* Johnathan winces slightly. "I hate it when it makes weird sounds like that."
<TheStoryteller> >> Emili's turn.
* Tahn could make a further comment, but shall not. ;)
* Emili attacks the monster with her sword Cherry Pup!
<TheStoryteller> The blades edge nicks the monster, due to the spell's enhancement.. 14 damage.
* Emili returns to the party and groans in pain.
* Tahn lies there dead. :P
<TheStoryteller> >> Tahn is well.. REALLY out of it... as in KO'd. (And no Nall around either..)
<Haylee> Leon ...you killed Tahn...you....bastard!
<Emili> It hurts, it hurts....
<Haylee> ...Well it seemed appropriate. ^^;
<Leon> Oh shut up..he probably had it coming.
<Johnathan> Haylee, hush.. it wasn't his fault..
<TheStoryteller> Jack tries once again, but Barbarella can't touch the elusive figure..
<Haylee> ^_^; I know...
* Johnathan sighs, still talking fairly quietly to Haylee. "As much crap as we're all giving Leon, I'm not much surprised that he's a little hostile.."
<TheStoryteller> >> Scott's turn.
<Scott> Now, feel my true wrath...
* Scott rushes once again.....slicing his sword at the Shadow...taken by whatever dark force it is controlling him.
<TheStoryteller> [Shadow] So.. it's you... no wonder...
<TheStoryteller> The shadow takes 150 damage... it goes poof! o_o
<Haylee> Yeah..I...hey! Thanks Scott...I think.
* Scott still doesn't speak above a whisper. "It's me, alright. What is your sorry ass going to do about it?"
* Tahn is still dead here, people. By the way, thanks loads, Leon.
<Ishtar> I feel something else....
* Haylee takes a step towards Scott. "Scott?"
* Scott eyes Haylee, his eyes a deep crimson red, the color of blood.
* Haylee shoos everyone back. "Something has taken over him somehow...I think this is my department..."
<Johnathan> Be careful..
<Haylee> I know...
* Scott is in front of the party already....
<TheStoryteller> Scott loses any semblance of the man you once knew, his whole form wrapping in dark forces...
* Haylee steps in front of Scott and tries to probe his mind.
<Leon> ...
<TheStoryteller> Haylee is unable to pierce it.. all she can sense is pure fear...
* Haylee tries to speak inside Scott's mind ~Scott? Can you hear me?~
<TheStoryteller> >> Leon's turn.
<Scott> (w)Scott no longer exists, girl....
<Haylee> DarkStar, right? That's your name.
<TheStoryteller> >> Scott seems to be the only vaild target...
<Scott> Right....stand in my way and I will have no qualms about killing any one of you.
* Leon narrows his eyes. "Drink from the cup of my wrath!"
<Haylee> Wait!
* Leon opens fire on what used to be Scott.
* Haylee is in front of Scott you MORON. O_o
<Johnathan> Haylee.. stand back. Please.
<Ishtar> Scott...
* Scott is surrounded by dark forces....
<Haylee> A--Ah! O_o
<Scott> Now, move aside before I have to attack. You don't want that, trust me.
<TheStoryteller> Leon's bullets explode against his Chain armor, doing little damage... Attack 1: 2!, Attack 2: 1!, Attack 3: 1!
<Haylee> No.
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar revives Tahn....
<Haylee> I can still feel Scott inside of you.
<Haylee> And because of that I won't move.
<TheStoryteller> He comes back to his senses with 19 HP.
* Tahn slowly picks himself up off the ground.
<Scott> That little bitch Evol thought she could seal me away...but as you can see, that seal's broken.
<Tahn> Guh.. what hit me?
<Johnathan> Haylee.. please.. back away from him..
<Haylee> Maybe I can reseal you...
* Haylee tries to probe his mind again!
<Scott> Evol's seal was weak...you could do no better.
<Tahn> Oh, that's right. Leon did. Hopefully he's sane again.
<Leon> Fuck off.
<TheStoryteller> >> Combat Round 4!
<TheStoryteller> >> Enemy: DarkStar?
<Haylee> We will see about that....
* Haylee concentrates...
<TheStoryteller> >> DarkStar's turn.
<DarkStar> Shooting stars....
* DarkStar raises his hand to the skies, as waves of stars wash over the front row...
<TheStoryteller> The dark meteors seems to crash right through the very cieling and onto the party!
<TheStoryteller> Bree takes 100 damage! KO'd!
* Leon looks up at the meteors.
<Leon> You'd better kill me...
<TheStoryteller> Leon takes 106 damage.. he falls as well...
<DarkStar> Oh, you will die.....
* Leon falls over without saying another word...dead.
<TheStoryteller> Jack takes 99.. goodnight...
<Haylee> Oh no....
* Haylee concentrates more!
<DarkStar> Didn't I tell you that you couldn't win this one?
<TheStoryteller> Tahn takes 76.. in his weakened state he is no match.
* Tahn appears to be fucked again and ends up dead. Again.
<Tahn> x_x
* Haylee doesn't answer.
<Haylee> Scott! You have to be in there somewhere! Don't you see? You're hurting your friends!
<TheStoryteller> Without her armor to protect her, Emili goes down.. 86 damage.
* Emili goes down and sleeps the eternal sleep.
* DarkStar clutches his head... "The seal's still somewhat in place....dammit, he's awakening....and I was so close this time."
<TheStoryteller> >> Johnathan's turn.
<Haylee> So he's still in there....
* Tahn is dead again. It sucks, ne?
<Haylee> ~Scott! Can you hear me?~
<DarkStar> *Scott's voice* If you have any...mercy at all....kill me now, before he....can kill...everyone...
* Johnathan holds his hands forward. "Let's see if he can get out.. if I give him a little time advantage.."
<Haylee> ~ I can't kill you, Scott. There'll be no sacrifices...~
<DarkStar> *Scott's voice* I can barely fight his spirit....please....
<Johnathan> Time, come away from this one... betray the spirit as the spirit has betrayed Scott..
<Haylee> ~You're strong...I've seen it in battle. I'll help you. Just keep him busy and I'll try to strengthen the seal again...~
<TheStoryteller> Johnthan calls out to the river of time... DarkStar loses 40 Reaction.
<DarkStar> Now you die, mage boy.....
<DarkStar> *Scott's voice* John, look out!
<TheStoryteller> >> Haylee's turn.
<Johnathan> I'm not afraid to die, spirit.
<Johnathan> ..but something tells me you'll not kill me here.
<DarkStar> Oh, I will..believe that.
* Leon would probably say, "Kill me. See if I care". If he...weren't already dead...and...stuff.
* Tahn would too...and...stuff. :P
* Haylee concentrates harder, trying to probe Scott's mind...and finds the now broken seal!
<TheStoryteller> Haylee decides against attacking directly..
* DarkStar clutches his temples..."Dammit, get out of my mind."
<Ishtar> I don't know what to.. Althena, help Scott!
<Haylee> I don't think so, punky.
* Haylee strains a bit, but keeps it up.
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar's Fusion Litany fails...
* Johnathan blinks a few times, and mutters to himself. "Did she just call.. a malevolent, possessing spirit.. punky?"
<Ishtar> I can't do anything.. it's too strong.. :(
<Haylee> L...Leave it to me....
<TheStoryteller> >> Combat Round 5!
* DarkStar falls to his knees as his eyes close.....apparently Haylee's strengthening the seal....
<TheStoryteller> >> DarkStar's turn.
* Haylee staggers, but keeps it up! "Go back to where you came from..."
* DarkStar fires a shaft of fire up in the air.....Scott's personality is taking back over, but it's a hell of a fight.
<Haylee> ~Scott...keep fighting! Working together is the only way we're gonna win!~
<TheStoryteller> DarkStar's deadly fire hits nothing but the cieling, shaking some stone bricks loose...
<TheStoryteller> >> Johnathan's turn.
* Tahn gets smushed again by a piece of the cieling DarkShit just knocked loose. :(
* DarkStar clutches his head...."NOT AGAIN!!!"
* Haylee fights harder. "Just give it up! It's over!"
* DarkStar falls unconscious...
*** DarkStar is now known as Scott
* Haylee stops, and staggers. "I...I did it..."
* Haylee also falls unconcious! ^_^;
* Johnathan has a ball of energy in his hand, but hesitates, uncertain as to what to do.
<Scott> -_-
<TheStoryteller> Haylee is KO'd.... but DarkStar seems to have vanished from Scott...
~~ Victory! 19 XP, 100 $p, and 78 MEXP gained. ~~
<TheStoryteller> In all the fighting, chuncks of rocks started to break loose... and now they are coming down all around you.
* Scott is now unconscious. the fight with DarkStar has taken it's toll on the knight.
* Tahn gets hit by more rocks... god it isn't his day today.
* Johnathan walks over to Haylee, kneeling next to her and trying to bring her back to consciousness.
* Haylee remains out of it.
<TheStoryteller> The pieces of rock knock into Johnathan & Ishtar... they are KO'd.
* Johnathan looks up as the rocks fall. "...shit." *thunk*
<TheStoryteller> Everything goes black for what seems like an eternity....
<TheStoryteller> You all start to see a hazy form of a woman, with long blonde hair and snow white robes... She's calling out to you..
<Tahn> G..guh..
* Haylee moans softly...
* Scott is still out cold.
* Emili mumbles some stuff about teddy bears named Jean Paul...
<TheStoryteller> The scene begins to clear... you slowly open your eyes.
<Tahn> Wh..who's there?
* Leon sits up..doesn't say a word.
* Tahn slowly tries to sit up..
* Johnathan opens his eyes slowly, wincing in pain.
* Tahn shakes the cobwebs out of his head.
* Haylee tries to sit up, then falls back, mumbling.
<Tahn> Who..?
* Scott stays unconscious.
* Emili still mumbles.
<TheStoryteller> Before you is the same woman you saw... she seems to be chanting...
<Tahn> ...
<Leon> ...fuck..I'm still alive...
<Haylee> Who...are...
* Leon appears disappointed
<TheStoryteller> [Woman] Althena return the spark of life...
<Tahn> ...
<TheStoryteller> She looks relieved as you regain consciousness.
* Haylee blahs...and blahs again.
<Tahn> In the name of the Goddess...what the hell hit me?
* Johnathan slowly sits up. "What.. oh.. the cieling.."
<Leon> ...damn...
* Scott is out cold....unable to move. That internal fight with DarkStar took all his strength.
<Ishtar> My.. my head...
<Tahn> The cieling hit me? Oh, ain't that pleasant.
* Haylee sits up next to Jon.
<Haylee> Ow.
<Haylee> Oh ow...
* Emili mumbles, "Mommy... I'm cold....."
<Tahn> You okay, you two?
<Scott> -_-
<TheStoryteller> The woman stands up in the center of the room, looking you all over. She then goes over to Scott.
* Emili slowly opens her eyes and sits up rubbing her head.
<Haylee> I'm...tired....but okay...
<Emili> Ow.... ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow
<TheStoryteller> You see the robes of the church upon her, as well as a large golden staff in her hands.
* Johnathan blinks a few times. "Let me get back to you when there's only one of you in front of me, Tahn.."
<Leon> ...why was I brought back....
<TheStoryteller> [Woman] I see.. so the seal was broken..
<Tahn> The..seal?
<Haylee> ...Evol...you're Evol...aren't you?
* Tahn blinks
<Tahn> Lady Evol?
<Scott> --_--
<TheStoryteller> The priestess inscribes a small white star over Scott's forehead...
<Leon> ..should have let me die...
* Emili looks about
<Evol> Yes...
<Emili> I'm... hungry
<Leon> ...
<Scott> -_-
* Emili stands up and stretches her body and wings.
<Ishtar> E..evol.. but why?
<Johnathan> You're Evol... we're in your debt, then..
* Emili looks at Evol.
<Tahn> Why? Most likely because of Scott there.
<Leon> You should have let me die.
<Evol> Wake up, Scott....
<Emili> Hello pretty lady!
* Haylee smiles, happy that not all the church are blood sucking bastards. ^_^
<Emili> I'm Emili!
* Scott slowly awakens. "What happened..."
<Emili> Nice to meetcha!
<Emili> ^_^
<Scott> Where am....Lady Evol?
<Leon> Shaddup...would you Batgirl...
<Haylee> I partially sealed up DarkStar...Scott...Evol did the rest...
<Haylee> Oooh....wooozy...
* Emili wanders over to Evol.
<Evol> *nods* You are in the Crypts of the Mystic Ruins...
* Haylee holds her head.
<Scott> Thank the Goddess. That's happened twice before...
<Tahn> Emmi.. please.. I still have a headache from multiple things impacting my skull.
<Emili> Hello, where did you come from?
<Leon> Why did you revive me...why didn't you let me die...
* Evol stands back up.
* Johnathan reaches out a hand to support Haylee. "Are you ok... that seemed to take a lot out of you...?"
<Scott> Lady Evol, isn't there any way to break the spell of the DarkStar?
<Evol> I cam to pay my homage to the spirits of the dead.. you are fortunate..
<Haylee> Yeah...it took everything I had...
<Tahn> Yeah.. tell me about it.
<Leon> ..no..had I been fortunate..I'd still be dead...
<Scott> Even the best Magicians in the guild couldn't break the spell...
<Tahn> B..est...?
<Tahn> Wait..
<Tahn> Scott....
<Haylee> That spirit in Scott is unbelieveably strong...
<Evol> It's something more than a spell, that DarkStar..
<Haylee> ...But I was able to supress it....
<Haylee> It was funny...I just knew how...
<Haylee> I've never done that before...
<Scott> I am beginning to realize that. The DarkStar is pure evil.
* Evol looks over all of you..
<Leon> ...None of this shit concerns me..I'm leaving...
* Haylee looks down.
* Emili flaps her wings and smiles.
<Tahn> Leon..
<Scott> Do you think we should tell them everything we know about the DarkStar, High Priestess Evol?
<Evol> So you are all still alive after this much.. I admire you all.
<Johnathan> However you knew.. I'm certainly glad you did. We'd all be decorating the walls if not for you..
<Tahn> Just remember. If DarkStar gets out again, you may get what you wished... but in the worst way possible..
<Leon> You should have left me there, Evol or whatever your name is.
<Haylee> ...Thank you...Jon...it was nothing...
<Evol> You know as much as I do Scott, someone has cursed you deeply.
<Scott> I don't want that to happen, Tahn. Believe me. I've tried all my life to keep the DarkStar supressed.
<Johnathan> Something none of the rest of us could do? Hardly nothing, I'd think.
<Haylee> ....
<Tahn> Scott... Through this whole question..
* Leon stands up and looks for a door.
<Tahn> One thing's been bugging me.
<Scott> And that is?
<Evol> When you find him, you must overcome it yourself.
<Tahn> Does......does the name "Gregory" mean anything to you?
<TheStoryteller> Leon finds the way out is no longer blocked... but there's now multiple holes in the walls..
<Haylee> If DarkStar comes back, and tries to take over again...he could be stronger...I'm not sure if I could seal him again....
* Leon checks out the holes..for shits and giggles.
<Scott> Gregory. He was a professor at the Guild, but my instructor was Kash himself, so I had no dealings with him.
<Tahn> Hmm..
<Emili> Who's Gregory? Is he a mean person like Sinel?!
<Tahn> I swear this kind of thing would seem like his doing..
<Haylee> Emili!
<TheStoryteller> Evol stares at Haylee a moment..
<Haylee> ...Ma'am?
<Evol> You are the girl, Haylee? Sinel mentioned your incredible powers...
<Haylee> ....I...yes...I'm she...
* Tahn looks at Emili... "Much, much worse."
<Evol> May I ask you something?
<Scott> I wouldn't be surprised. His magic experiments basically had to do with possession and evil spirits.. but I've had to deal with DarkStar since I was but a child.
<Haylee> Sure...
<Emili> Really...?
<Evol> Has he been acting odd lately? He seems so engrossed in something..
<Haylee> I...
<Haylee> . o O ( You mean...she doesn't know? )
* Haylee looks at the party, wondering if she should say something.
<Tahn> Mistress...Evol.
<Johnathan> With all due respect, Miss Evol..
<Leon> Fine..I'm leaving now.
<Scott> I'll say he has, Lady Evol. He was dead set on capturing John and Haylee. Now he's headed for Illusion Woods for some odd reason.
* Leon walks out the exit.
<Tahn> I'm afraid to say that Sinel isn't the man he used to be... at least it doesn't seem that way.
<Johnathan> ...I have no way to compare.. but I'd say he's a little unbalanced.
<Haylee> I'm not sure why he captured me...but he used machines to control my aunt and uncle...and took me by force.
<Haylee> And my friend Jonathan.
<TheStoryteller> Leon finds the way back is too dangerous to travel, but there is one hole particularly wide enough to fit the party...
<Scott> We luckily rescued them.
<Leon> ...
<Evol> Is that so?
* Haylee smiles. "Well, Scott...I think we're even now. :)"
<Haylee> It's so..I' afraid...
* Leon looks back in. "Hurry the fuck up already."
* Haylee ignores Leon.
<Scott> I think so, Haylee. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
<Evol> I will have to ask him when next we meet... I think I know what he is planning.
* Johnathan nods. "He was talking about needing four people.. and said that Haylee and I were two of them.. I don't know for what, though.."
<Haylee> It's nothing. What are friends for? :D
<Leon> ...Get a room.
<Ishtar> Maybe everyone is the Church isn't bad..
<Tahn> I have the feeling that Sinel is working for some of Virtue's more.. dark...corrupt, evil, means..
* Haylee turns around and sticks her middle finger up in a way only Leon can see. ^_^
<Evol> No, Tahn. Sinel would never do such a thing.
* Emili runs her hands across the writings around the walls, not paying particular attention to anything really.
<Leon> Right back at you, Doll.
<Scott> Not everyone. I had the pleasure of protecting Lady Evol a few years ago during a re-arrangement in forces.
* Haylee winks back sarcastically. ;)
<Johnathan> Can I ask you what it is, Evol? The thought of being used as a guinea pig makes me a little nervous..
<Tahn> Maybe not by his own will, m'lady... but it looks almost that way..
* Leon's facial expression changes none.
<Evol> ... I can't tell you.
<Evol> Just be assured, it is nothing evil.
<Leon> Like I believe you.
<Scott> What abot this plan to resurrect Althena? Do you think there's any truth to that? Or that Althena would WANT to be resurrected?
<Leon> Come on, let's move it.
<Tahn> It may not have evil intentions...
<Johnathan> It isn't evil.. but you can't tell us what it is?
<Tahn> But even the best intentions have been more than turned to the use of evil.
<Evol> You'll see Scott.. you must wait like the rest of the world...
* Haylee doesn't feel comfy with this...but doesn't say anything.
<Tahn> ....
* Evol looks at Ishtar, sighing a moment.
<Haylee> I just don't want to be used in anything till I know what it is, ma'am..
<Tahn> You're hiding something, miss... I feel it...
* Leon walks up to Evol, and looks her over.
* Johnathan grumbles quietly, but with a little bit of anger. "I should just obliterate myself and screw whatever his plans are over..."
<Scott> I just don't see if Althena would WANT to be resurrected. If my history tells me right, she chose to remain a human when given the choice to become a goddess again.
<Evol> Ishtar, I must apologize.. it was I who gave you the command to attack Jinzel, acting under Virtue.
<Tahn> Your history tells you right, Scott.
* Tahn facefaults.
<Tahn> Say WHAT?!
* Haylee gasps and puts a hand on Jon's shoulder.
<Haylee> Don't you DARE.
<Ishtar> Evol.. why would you do that? You're a priestess like me.. :(
<Haylee> Jinzel?
<Leon> Enough with this bullshit, let's get a move on!
<Tahn> Long story, Haylee.
<Haylee> Oh shut up, you rootiee pooh! *ppbts at Leon*
<Scott> Lady Evol, we all have our paths to take, but I really hope yours leads you away from the church. There are some dark designs going on within the inner circles of that group.
<Johnathan> ..I was kidding, Haylee.
<Leon> Oh go sing to batgirl.
<Haylee> ...Were you? :/
<Evol> Yes Scott, but it's for the greater good, I assure you..
<Leon> Actually, Johnathan, I could blow your head off if you like.
<Haylee> You do that and I will fuckin' kill you, you got it?
<Evol> Now I must take my leave. Be careful.. you don't have much time.
* Leon bellows in laughter.
* Johnathan grins. "Thanks, Leon. I appreciate the offer... but I think I'd like to keep on breathing for a little while.."
<Tahn> Lady Evol.. please... make sure neither you nor Sir Kash get mixed up in this...
* Emili looks at the writings and begins to decipher them.
<Leon> A little squirt like you! Kill me? REALLY!? BWhahaahahaha!
<Scott> Thank you for strengthening the seal again, Lady Evol....and take care of yourself.
<Haylee> Yeah...
* Haylee walks up to Leon. "You think this whole imtimidating crap is gonna work on me? Well it's not!"
<Tahn> I'd wish that Vane doesn't suffer a fate like it did nearly 1100 years ago..
<Evol> Tahn.. I'm afraid it's too late for that... you shall be seeing me and Kashier again under much more harsh circumstances...
<Tahn> ...
* Leon grabs Haylee by the head. "I could squash your head like a grape if I wanted to, you know that?"
<Johnathan> If you did, Leon...
<Haylee> Why don't you then? I'll tell you why, becuase you're all talk!
* Haylee erghs.
<Johnathan> ...you'd find yourself in several different times, and continents. At once.
* Tahn looks at Leon and Haylee. "Get a room."
<TheStoryteller> Evol lifts her staff. "Recall!" She swirls to nothingness...
<Leon> And it would solve all this Sinel bullshit, and I could go back to being my hate filled, ALONE self!
<Emili> Let's see.... P.....
<Emili> Hmmmm oh!
<Emili> Ummm...
<Emili> R..... I think...
<Scott> At least we won't have to worry about DarkStar again for a while. With the seal strengthened, that is.
<Haylee> Do you seriously LIKE your hate filled alone self?
<Ishtar> I'm so confused...
<Haylee> Honestly?
* Johnathan is rolling a ball of energy around in his hand, his gaze locked on Leon. "Let her go."
* Emili continues with the deciphering of the runic writings.
<Scott> We'll talk about it later, Ishtar...right now, let's get moving again.
<Leon> That's none of your business, girl.
<TheStoryteller> Emili thinks she sees some pictographs resembling a dragon...
<Haylee> Humph, whatever. You know, I don't have to read minds to know there's a lot more about you than meets the eye.
<Haylee> And I'd appriecate it if you let me go, please.
<Emili> Oooh, pretty pictures. ^_^
<Bree> Hey guys, looks like there's a hole here.. and I smell fresh air...
<Leon> So what? Doesn't make a lick of difference.
<Tahn> Pi..what, Emmi?
* Tahn looks at the wall.
<TheStoryteller> Bree is pointing to the same place Leon found previously.
<Scott> Then let's go...
<Emili> Pictures!
<Leon> I thought you wanted me to crush your little head.
<Tahn> That...that kind of looks like Nall... sort of..
<Scott> Leon, come on.
<Emili> See!
<Johnathan> Leon. LET HER GO.
<Haylee> You're right. Only when you find the courage to stop denying will it make a difference.
<Haylee> So do it!
<Emili> Uh-huh...
<Tahn> Do you think the dragons have something to do with this place?
<Leon> ...Don't test me girl.
<Emili> 'cept it has four wings.... does Nall have four wings?
* Leon shoves her to the side.
<Haylee> Why stall? You're big and tough and full of hate, right?
* Haylee urks
<Haylee> Just as I thought...
<Tahn> ...Fo..no, he doesn't.
<Scott> But there are four dragons of Althena.
* Haylee stands up. "I rest my case."
<Leon> You rest what case?
<Tahn> True, scott.
<Haylee> You're full of shit.
<Emili> Hmmm....
<Leon> Grrr.....
<Haylee> You think you're tough and you hate everything, but you don't.
<Emili> O......
<Haylee> And until you accept that you're gonna lead a miserable life.
<Tahn> Pro?
<Haylee> But until you come to this revelation...don't fuck with me.
* Haylee walks away.
<Emili> P.....
<Tahn> Prop..
* Leon grabs her again and pushes her into the nearest wall. "You don't know a goddess damn thing about me! I didn't kill you because it's not in my best interests at the moment! But you DARE test me!"
<Emili> Hmmmmm....
<Emili> This one looks like..... ummmm uh...
* Emili thinks.
<Haylee> You're right I dare test you, because I'm not afraid of you!
<Leon> Fine..don't be afraid.
<Leon> I've killed brave men before.
* Scott puts his sword up to Leon's chest. "Don't even think about it, Leo."
* Emili yells at both Haylee and Leon. "SHUT THE HELL UP!!!"
* Haylee turns to Emili. O_o
<Emili> I'm trying to read.... ^_^;
* Leon picks up a rock and crushes it right in front of her face.
<Tahn> Yeah! I mean, we're tring to figure this thing out ^^;
* Haylee keeps a straight face at Leon.
<Tahn> In other words.. to steal one of your lines, Leon..
<Tahn> Haylee... Leon.. Get a room.
* Tahn turns back.
* Emili returns to deciphering...
<Leon> Didn't I kill you already...?
* Johnathan walks forward and puts himself between Haylee and Leon, holding up a sphere of energy where he had the rock. "Since violence seems to be the only language you understand.."
<Emili> Oh... this is... H... I think.... and..... E
<Tahn> Prophe... Prophecy?
<Johnathan> ..let me put it this way. You so much as touch her again.. this is going down your throat.
<Haylee> Jon...
<Scott> Or Prophet.
<Emili> Ummmm... I think so....
* Leon looks at the ball, unimpressed. "Is that a promise?"
<Emili> What're those?
<Johnathan> It is.
<Ishtar]>Stop it all of you! Don't fight, or those spirits may come back!
<Tahn> What're what?
<Leon> Good. Remember it.
<Emili> Prophecy... and Prophet?
<Leon> I look forward to that death.
<Scott> Prophecies are ancient predictions of the future...Prophets are the ones that make such predictions.
<Haylee> ^_^; I'm not doing a damn thing.
<Tahn> Yeah.
<Emili> Oh...
<Tahn> Go on..
* Leon turns and walks away, dropping what's left of the rock.
<Emili> Hey... wait... there's more too!
<Emili> T....
* Haylee sags against the wall. "Whew..."
<Emili> Ummm..... E .....
<Haylee> Let's get out of here...
<Emili> And..... two S's
<Scott> tess?
* Johnathan lowers his hand and bows his head, the ball disspating harmlessly.
<Tahn> Prophetess.
<Haylee> It's okay Jon...let him go.
<Scott> Prohetess......
<Emili> That's all there is....
* Tahn answers before Emili asks "A female Prophet."
<Emili> But umm....
<Emili> Oh!
<Emili> Kay. ^_^
<TheStoryteller> The hole is in the far right wall...
* Johnathan slowly shakes his head. "I shouldn't have done that.."
<Emili> There's more.... but its all faded and scratched up and all.
* Leon walks through the hole to the surface.
* Scott goes through the hole.
* Haylee leads Jon to the hole in the far right wall. ^_^;
<Tahn> Hmm..
<Emili> Oh well!
<Haylee> It's okay....someone had to stand up to him....
* Emili wanders off, following the group.
<Tahn> We need to get going anyways..
<TheStoryteller> It's wide enough to fit through, except for the occasional jutting cinderblock. :)
* Tahn is stabbed by an occasional jutting cinderblock.
* Emili folds her wings and enters the hole.
<Tahn> Goddess damnit!
* Johnathan shakes his head again. "Which you were.. but when he shoved you, it.."
* Leon punches out the cinderblocks on his way out...obviously even more pissed off than usual.
* Haylee grabs Tahn's hand. "Careful!"
<Tahn> ...
<Tahn> This has so not been my day. :\
<Scott> Same here, Tahn..
* Haylee giggles. "C'mon! We're alive! We should be happy!"
* Ishtar manages to fit through, and crawls along.
<Tahn> I still think Professor Gregory has something to do with this, Scott... I don't know why.. it's just a gut feeling..
<Leon> ...be happy you're alive. Heh. Death is too good for me....
* Haylee begins to sing again. ~Far, far into the distant horizon, let's ride fogotten on wings in the wind.~
<Leon> ...great..more..goddess damned singing...
<Scott> Somehow, I think you might be right, Tahn. His magic experiments almost always dealt with spirits and possession.
<Haylee> ~Sometime we'll surely meet - as the charming future beckons us on!~
<Emili> ~Let's start a journey!~
<Haylee> ~To a new world~
* Leon picks up the pace to get the hell away from all the happy joyous singing before he vomits.
<Emili> ~Open the door to a memorable Legend~
<Haylee> ~Open a door to a memorable legend~ ^_^
<Haylee> You know the words, Emmy! ^_^
Elrika's Secret Garden
<TheStoryteller> After travelling some way down, you stumble out into another circular chamber. This time it's lit by sunlight from a large stained glass window. The ground under your feet is also soft.. looking down, you see it's a grassy garden of marigolds.
<Emili> Uh-huh!
<Emili> I don't how... but I know them!
<Emili> ^_^
* Johnathan frowns. "Who is this Gregory, you two? All the time I spent in Vane.. and I never really heard much of him..?"
* Haylee giggles. "Here's another!"
<Haylee> ~Toward the world beyond the floating clouds...~
<Haylee> ~You continue to gaze at the sky, so your thoughts can reach there...~
* Leon seems to make the flowers turn away from him as he walks through the field....makes it a point to step on a few too
* Tahn looks at Johnathan oddly.
<Scott> He was a top level professor in the magic academy, John.
<Haylee> ~Renewed strength is leading an undefiled world afar...~
<TheStoryteller> Across from you, is the exit.. a similar runic encarved doorway from before.
<Haylee> ~Though you sometimes lose your heart...~
<Johnathan> ...that would explain why I never heard of him... I never got past the lower level classes..
<Haylee> ~to trust others and stand still in burnt yesterdays....~
<Scott> As I said, I had no dealing with him. Kash himself was my instructor. But I did hear about Gregory's experiments.
<Haylee> ~Make your dreams fly toward a future world...~
<Haylee> ~that's beginning to unfold.~
<Emili> Pretty song Haylee. ^_^
<TheStoryteller> Around the room, you notice some signs of occupants.. a few jars, filled with fresh water.
<Haylee> ~fmmm~
<Haylee> ~Do not forget love that always watches over you~
<Scott> This oddly looks like a shrine of sorts.....
<Haylee> ~The unending battle marks the prelude toward eternal peace.~
<Leon> Go drink or something.
<Leon> You've all had a long day.
<TheStoryteller> Beyond the doorway is unabated forests in all directions.
<Haylee> ~ You wish to encounter a forgiving heart tomorrow~
<Johnathan> I seem to have spent my entire life with my head in a bag, it seems.. I didn't know anything of the sort was going on in Vane..
* Emili walks toward the door and into the forest.
<Haylee> ~ Work a miracle in this vast land......~
<Emili> Come on!
<Haylee> ~ Cherish you wishes with a future world in mind...~
* Haylee follows the party and sings on! ^^
* Leon is already there, being very far ahead of everyone...damn singing.
<Haylee> ~ Cherish you wishes with a future world in mind...
<Scott> Gregory's experiments always did deal with possession....so I wouldn't be surprised.
<Haylee> ~that's beginning to unfold.....~
<Haylee> ~Do not forget love, that will surely be awaiting you....~
<Scott> Tahn, how do you know of Gregory?
<TheStoryteller> The sunlit garden seems very peaceful, almost like it's protected..
<Scott> I thought you left before getting to a high level in the Magic Academy.
<Haylee> ~Until the "day of dawn" go on loving with your dreams reflected in your shining eyes....~
<Tahn> He... he was my professor in Vane.
* Haylee finishes her song and mock bows. ^_^
<Leon> Thank the Goddess it's over....
<Ishtar. That was wonderful, Haylee. :)
<Haylee> Thank you. ^_^
<Haylee> My mother taught me that.
<Scott> That was a beautiful song, Haylee.
<Tahn> I didn't leave before getting a high level.. I had no reason to. Until then.
<Leon> My ears can only take so much goodie two shoes happy horseshit.
<Johnathan> Lovely, Haylee.
<Ishtar> How about we stay inside here... this place has an odd serenity about it.
<Scott> What happened to make you leave?
<Leon> Whatever you all want to do..do it.
* Tahn pales.
<Tahn> I...
<Ishtar> And this grass is so soft! ^^
<Leon> I'll be over here...alone.
* Emili plops down and picks up a marigold.
<Emili> Hey! Pretty flower!
* Haylee sits down.
* Emili puts it in her hair.
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar lays out on it.. the patch seems flatter than the rest of the garden, almost as if it's SUPPOSED to be a bed..
<Tahn> I...it..
* Leon sits down off somewhere and seems to be meditating some.
<Emili> Taa-daa!
<Emili> ^_^
* Tahn closes his eyes, trying not to remember..
<Haylee> Did you really like my song, Jon? ^^;
<Scott> by the way, what happened when DarkStar took over me this last time, Haylee?
<Leon> ..fucking songs..I hate them.
* Haylee ignores Leon. ^_^
<Johnathan> Your song? Yeah.. it was nice.
<Haylee> Thank you. :)
<Emili> I wanna sit here all day!
<Haylee> Anyway, Scott...
<Emili> It's very comfy!
<Haylee> He attacked us...
* Emili lays back and unfolds her wings.
* Leon meditates more.
<TheStoryteller> Ishtar looks like she has fallen asleep..
<Haylee> Said that we couldn't defeat him...but we did. :)
<Scott> What real changes took place in me? Was it like last time with the red eyes, primal yells and such?
<Haylee> Yes...like that...
<Haylee> And your mind was full of fear...I could feel it.
<TheStoryteller> It's almost sunset, as the reddish glow pervades the garden through the window above.
<Scott> I really have to wonder why I was possessed with that spirit...
<Haylee> I'm not sure if it was coming from you or DarkStar though.
<Leon> ..fear...weakling...
<Haylee> But...it was strange...
<Haylee> I never...you know...did that before.
<Scott> The DarkStar only will come out when I experience extremes of fear, anger, hatred and such....but that seal was supposed to prevent that.
<Leon> ..well it was better than your singing.
* Haylee gives Leon a look.
<Haylee> I see...
<Scott> And before last time, it only happened twice....
<Haylee> Well, hopefully, this new seal will stick.
<Leon> ..seals are made to be broken.
<Scott> Once in the magic academy, and the other time protecting Evol on the road to Azado.
* Emili hums to herself.
<Johnathan> I thought it was rules?
<Haylee> ...I think Leon needs prozac.
<Emili> What's a seal?
<Leon> I think Haylee needs a muzzle.
<Scott> And that second time, it was against Leon's favorite people, the Rancor's Fang.
<Haylee> I think Leon needs a brain. ;D
<Leon> I think Haylee needs to shut her fucking mouth.
<Haylee> ^_^ Okay. I don't like talking to you anyway.
* Emili sprawls her wings across the grass and sighs.
<Leon> Good.
<Emili> No one's listening to meeeee...
* Ishtar has her mettalic wings sprawled out as well, the circuitry humming as she dozes...
<Haylee> (w) Little baastaaard. ;)
<Leon> Do what makes you happy...and I do what..I normally do.
<Haylee> Well, singing makes me happy. :D Thanks for the permission, Leon!
<Leon> ...
* Haylee sings a few bars :D
* Leon pulls up his rifle. "I did say I'd do what I normally do."
<Haylee> ^_^ Let's not get into this whole argument again, eh?
<Scott> Smoke choke...
<Leon> ...then don't piss me off...
* Scott points to Leon as a field of smoke surrounds him.
<Leon> Well...I'm always pissed off...
<Leon> Don't piss me off anymore.
* Leon looks at the smoke. "What a cute trick..."
<Emili> ~I will never shed sorrowful tears anymore, That would flow even when I looked at the sky~
<TheStoryteller> Leon feels a distinct lack of oxygen...
* Leon closes his eyes and starts to meditate.
<Emili> ~For I know that two of us will surely meet again~
<Haylee> Anyway....Jon... ^_^;
<Haylee> Scott...
<Scott> yes?
<Johnathan> You seem to have influenced Emili here, Haylee..
<Johnathan> ...what is it?
<Haylee> Do you think Evol really is ignorant of what's going on?
<Johnathan> It seems likely.
<Scott> I think so. She's really not a evil person, but Virtue, Sinel and Zylk do seem to have a darker, ulterior motive.
<Emili> ~It might not be very hard if we were only friends. I wish we could depart lightheartedly, With a quick smilre and simple "bye".~
<Emili> ~Or holding hands casually~
<Johnathan> If she was in on the whole plan, there was nothing stopping her from taking us back..
<Haylee> It could be a cover...though..
* Emili falls gently to sleep, curling up into a fetal position and sleeping like a little lost child.
<Scott> Or a reason for her to seal away DarkStar again....why would she do that if she was in on everything.
<Haylee> Why would she send Ishtar to destroy a town and not know about their plans?
* Leon shoots an eye open. "I don't know enough about Evol to make a choice on her..but I hate her...she brought me back."
<Johnathan> Well.. she could have killed us all right then and there, you know. But she didn't.
<Haylee> You hate everything. Go to bed.
<Haylee> True...I don't know...
<Scott> She could have let me kill everything too...but she didn't.
<Leon> I don't need to sleep.
<Haylee> I just can't believe she's the wife of Sinel and not know at least something of what's going on.
* Leon coughs. "But anyway, if you want my professional opinion, I don't trust her."
<Johnathan> It doesn't make sense for her to have done what she did if she was in on it all.. you KNOW Sinel wouldn't have done that..
<Johnathan> ..oh, I'm not saying I trust her, Leon..
* Emili mumbles "Mommy.... I'm a hungry...."
<Scott> Well, word around the church while I was there was that she and Sinel were never really seen together.
<Haylee> Of course he would..we're his 'Star Players'.
<Leon> Good. See that you don't. Don't trust anyone.
<Johnathan> ..I'm just saying I don't think she's intentionally evil.
<Haylee> Maybe. She COULD be manipulated by Virtue. That I could see.
<Leon> That's the first rule of survival. Don't trust anyone.
<Haylee> But she's not lily-white. That's obvious.
<Scott> I had the honor of protecting her a long time ago. I don't think she's really evil, but she's not a very pure soul either. Something's up.
<Johnathan> No, Haylee.. if Sinel had found us.. you and I both probably would have woken up trapped somewhere.. and I doubt he would have bothered to heal the others..
<Johnathan> ..damn, I wish I knew what he wanted..
<Leon> I'm sure you'll find out Johnathan.
* Emili mumbles "Daddy.... how come I have no daddy, mommy.....?"
<Johnathan> Something tells me I won't like the finding out, though.
* Leon snickers to himself, "But I'm also sure you won't like it when you do."
<Haylee> Yeah...
<Scott> Well, he was after you and Haylee. So he's probably after people who command rare magicks.
* Leon sighs at what Emili said... "Dad..."
* Haylee raises her eyebrow at Leon, but says nothing.
<Johnathan> That's probably true, Scott.. but why?
<Haylee> We're special...
<Scott> To get all the ones with some sort of rare magic power under the church's control?
<Johnathan> It's not like he needs me to get at what I know.. if I could learn what I learned.. why couldn't he?
<Haylee> Not many people can do what we do.
<Leon> ...I hope I didn't say that out loud...
<Haylee> You did. But I'm letting it go, Leon.
<Leon> ...
<Haylee> I don't know...my mind powers were just there...
<Haylee> And my parents helped me cultivate them till they died...
<Leon> ..just stay out of my mind.
<Scott> Well, you two and I control probably the rarest of magics....me with the Stars, Haylee's Mind and your Reality, John.
<Haylee> I am, Leon. You said it out loud.
<Leon> I'm talking about your mind powers.
<Leon> Don't use them on me.
<Haylee> I won't.
<Scott> To think if we could combine those three skills....
<Leon> I'm quite serious. I would take it much more serious than anything I've demanded of you thus far.
<Haylee> ...it'd be horible..
* Johnathan grins briefly. "It's not like I was some sort of stunning protoge in Vane or anything.. in fact, I never passed a single class there.. it doesn't make sense for him to need me.. simpler to kill me and have someone else look into them.. or do it himself."
<Scott> ...on anything in our way...
* Emili wakes up in a little trance and blinks.
<Haylee> Leon. I will not get into your mind. Period.
<Leon> Good..let's keep it that way.
* Emili pulls out a thick spell book and starts reading away.
<Scott> I wasn't a stellar student either, John.
* Johnathan laughs. "Pun unintended?"
<Haylee> I never showed my magic to others...
<Scott> Not really.
<Haylee> Which is why I'm surprised Sinel found out eventually..
<Leon> ...how in the world did I get caught up in this...
<Scott> My star magic only showed itself when I was in a ceremony in the Star Chamber.
<Haylee> ...! Scott...Tell me more about that...
<Haylee> Who brought out your magic? What happened there?
* Johnathan nods, looking at Scott.
<Leon> ...why couldn't my life just go on the way it was...bouncing from town to town...killing anyone who pissed me off....
<Scott> It was strange. I just felt the power surge into me. Wait a minute....who was there? Kash and....that's it....GREGORY.
<Haylee> I knew it!
<Haylee> That must be who infused you with..that spirit!
* Emili finds a little item that works out perfectly as a dish.
<Johnathan> Did you ever have the problem.. before that incident?
* Emili grinds a little grass and puts it in the dish.
<Haylee> Or Kash. One of the two! Based on the books I read, the Star Chamber is only used for the most rare of magic rituals...
<TheStoryteller> Emili notices Ishtar mutter something about the streets being cold...
<Scott> DarkStar? That was before the Ceremony. It was my third year in the academy. The Star magic thing happened in my 4th year.
* Johnathan frowns.
<Haylee> And when did DarkStar show up?
<Haylee> ah...
* Emili looks at Ishtar.
<Haylee> Well....
* Haylee hmms.
<Scott> I was being held back from protecting a close friend who was being beaten almost to death....
* Leon walks over to a tree and starts to punch it rather hard..looking as if he's boxing.
<Bree> I know how you feel Leon.. this is all way over my head. ^^;
* Emili shrugs and returns to her alchemy.
<Scott> The next thing I remember, I saw a bunch of senior students lying on the floor with serious slash wounds.
<Leon> No kidding Bree. *slugs the tree again*
* Emili takes a petal from a marigold and puts it into the dish.
<Haylee> ...
<Haylee> Did anything happen Before DarkStar came out?
<Haylee> Anything unusual?
* Emili stirs it and shouts "Done!"
<Emili> Anyone wanna try it?
<Haylee> What is it, Emmy?
<Scott> I felt myself becoming more and more angry at the seniors and at myself for being so weak that I couldn't help her.
<Leon> No.
* Leon slugs the tree again.
<Emili> Please?
<Haylee> I'll try it, Emmy. :)
* Emili hands the dish over to Haylee.
<Johnathan> So your rage brought it out..
<Emili> Drink it ^_^
<Scott> More than likely.
<Leon> ...rage.
<Leon> Grrahh!
* Leon slams his fist into the tree again.
<Scott> And the second time DarkStar happened, was on the Road between Meribia and Azado....
<Emili> It's very tastey. ^_^
* Haylee hmms...closes her eyes...and drinks it, hoping she doesn't drop dead! :)
<Scott> It was a re-arrangement in forces. I was assigned to protect Lady Evol on a trip to Azado. I was with 3 others from the guard.
<TheStoryteller> Haylee doesn't drop dead.. instead she feels a very sweet, cool taste in her mouth.
<Emili> Like it?
<Haylee> Hmm...this is nice Emmy. ^_^ My compliments to the chef. :D
<Emili> I call it...
<Emili> Kool-Aid! ^_^
* Leon continues taking out agressions on the tree, making very loud thumping noises.
* Haylee laughs! ^_^
<Haylee> It's good. :D
* Emili heaves her very thick spell book over.
<Emili> See?
<Emili> Says so right in this book on how to make it!
<Johnathan> The question is, Scott.. is this spirit connected to your star magic somehow?
<Scott> We ran into the Rancor's Fang a mile from Vane. They were mericiless and my three counterparts were being beaten within an inch of their lives..
<Johnathan> ...better question yet.. is it maybe the SOURCE of that power?
<Leon> ...Rancor's Fang...
<TheStoryteller> Haylee sees dozens of arcane recipes, most of which she can barely understand the ingredients..
<Haylee> Cool! I'm an okay cook, so you and I gotta make something together sometime!
* Haylee raises her eye at Leon yet again.
<Scott> I doubt it, John. But the DarkStar does seem to use the Star magic a lot, when he's not slicing people to ribbons.
* Leon slugs the tree again, this time busting the tree in half.
<Leon> ..oops.
* Emili watches as Haylee reads through miles and miles of arcane text that is written in runic writing several hundred years old. =)
<Haylee> ...Well...maybe I should let you handle this book ^_^;
* Haylee hands the book back to Emmy.
* Emili takes it and smiles.
<Leon> ...timber....*quietly*
<Scott> Word has it that DarkStar had possessed a priest before he possessed me...so that's all I know.
<Johnathan> So maybe it can be driven out, huh?
* Emili takes the dish and starts making another reciepe. ^_^
<TheStoryteller> The tree before Leon seem to heal itself somehow, once again standing firm.
<Scott> I hope so...I really do.
<Leon> ..how very weird.
* Haylee turns back to Scott and Jon and yawns. "I'm beat." ^_^;
<Scott> But DarkStar is one of those spirits that if it's driven out, the one that was possessed will have to fight it.
<Johnathan> Any insights, Haylee? Anything you might have felt?
<Haylee> With DarkStar, you mean?
* Johnathan nods.
<Leon> ...too much shit has happened to me today...
<Haylee> Well...
<Haylee> He's strong. Very strong.
* Emili puts a stem of marigold and some grinded grass...
<Haylee> He's like a cancer...
<Haylee> He feeds off hatred and fear, like you said.
* Emili crawls over to Leon, and pulls out a gray hair and adds it to her dish.
<Haylee> He might be controlled by you controlling that fear and anger.
<Haylee> If you feel him coming on, just take a few deep breaths and stuff. Don't let it just 'happen'.
* Leon looks at Emili. "Don't do that again.
<Scott> That's the problem, Haylee. I was drafted into the guard right after my graduation from the academy. I was made a knight right out of school. Combat high also tends to make him come out.
* Emili stirs it together and places a bit of her own hair into the dish.
<Johnathan> Maybe we should.. no offense, Scott.. take you down if we see it starting..
<Haylee> That could work. Simply knock you out...
<Leon> No doubt about that shit, Johnathan.
<Haylee> I mean... ^_^;
<Leon> If I see him wacking out again, I'm going to put a bullet in his skull.
<Haylee> Agh...but I don't like hurting anyone...
<Scott> That could also fuel his hatred more, John.
<Haylee> And you'd kill Scott, Leon.
<Scott> I have a feeling that I'll have to drive him from me and fight him myself.
<Leon> ....and your point?
<Scott> DarkStar is one of those spirits that if it's driven from it's host body, then it will attack the former host.
* Emili adds some dirt and shouts...
<Emili> Done!
* Johnathan shakes his head. "You won't have to fight him yourself. Not if I'm around, anyway.."
<Haylee> My point is please don't kill people if you can help it. :P
<Haylee> Do you think DarkStar could jump into anyone else?
<Emili> Who wants to try it now?
<Leon> Haylee..let me inform you of something...
<Scott> Thanks, John. I appreciate it.
<Leon> I have one mode.
<Leon> Kill.
<Haylee> Oh scary. :P
<Haylee> Anyway...
<Leon> That's just the way I am.
<Emili> Anyone wanna try my new one?
<Scott> Not if it gets used to a host, Haylee. I've read up on the type of spirit that DarkStar is. He's gotten used to my magic power...so he won't leave unless driven..
<Haylee> Don't worry, Scott.
* Haylee whispers to Emmy. "Leon would like it."
* Emili beams.
<Emili> Kay!
<Haylee> Maybe that's what we need to do next time. Drive him out.
* Emili wanders over to Leon.
* Leon decks the tree again, shattering it once more.
<Haylee> If I could beef up my own skills, I might be able to enter minds someday...on a spiritual level.
<Scott> If that's possible without an exorcist or a....that's it...a high priest...
* Emili splashes some of the water on Leon's hair, and hands him the dish.
<Emili> Drink it! ^_^
<Leon> ...what is this....
<Ishtar> *mubling in her sleep* ..Virtue.. I'm going to be.. a priestess...?
<Emili> I call it, Turkey dinner. ^_^
<Emili> Drink it!
<Leon> Turkey Dinner...
<Johnathan> You know, Haylee..
<Leon> What makes you think I trust you..I know you hate me. This could be poison.
<Scott> Haylee, do you think you and Ishtar could somehow drive him from me? When we become strong enough to destroy him?
<Haylee> Hmm. Maybe we should find one..
<Haylee> Yeah...I think we could. :)
<Emili> What does hate mean?
<Haylee> Jon?
<Leon> ..you think I'm a "fucking bastard."
<Scott> At our current levels, we'd be no match for DarkStar....
<Emili> No I don't
<Emili> Drink it!
<Emili> You'll like it!
<Leon> ...what makes you so sure.
<Emili> Cause...
<Leon> Why should I trust you..
<Scott> What do you guys think, John, Haylee?
* Emili leaps onto Leon and force feeds the drink down his throat.
* Johnathan looks like he was about to say something, but just shakes his head. "..nevermind."
<Leon> Grrrrr.
* Johnathan looks at Scott. "It's.."
* Leon throws Emili onto the ground.
<Haylee> Hey...! She was just giving you something she made!
<Leon> How would you like to be de-winged?
* Haylee pulls Emili away and to the others.
* Scott smoke chokes Leon again.
<Johnathan> ...how can I say? I don't understand what I do, let alone what Haylee and Ishtar can do, let alone what this Darkstar thing is capable of..
* Leon is actually tasting the stuff too, BTW..not like he had a choice...;)
<TheStoryteller> Leon's anger doesn't block the pleasant taste of the thing.. he fells like he just ate a Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings... :)
<Leon> ...well it's not poison...
* Haylee returns to the others with Emmy.
<Johnathan> ..doing anything, now, would be premature.
<Haylee> Sorry bout that..
<Emili> It's okay... =)
<Emili> I hope it likes it though!
<TheStoryteller> Leon notices a marigold sprouting out of his hair.
<Johnathan> I don't want to sound callous.. but..
* Leon gets a sweatdrop.
<Emili> Oooops....
<Leon> Emili!
<Emili> Sorry! ^^;;;
<Leon> What the fuck is this?
<Scott> I'd call it Miracle-gro if I was you, Emmi.
* Leon points to the flower.
<Emili> A marigold ^_^
<TheStoryteller> It falls off though, seeing as Leon's no good at all for a sweet flower.. :)
<Leon> ...
<Haylee> Anyway, you guys...
<Haylee> I'm sleepy...so I'm gonna hit the sack. ^_^
<Leon> You should probably all get to sleep.
<Scott> Let's get some rest. It's been a long day for us all.
<Leon> I'll keep watch.
<Johnathan> ..yeah.. perhaps we should.
<Haylee> Yeah...don't worry Scott...we'll figure something out.
* Scott lies back and closes his eyes, but he can't help wonder how he'll end the possession of te DarkStar.
<TheStoryteller> Night is soon upon you, but the cold doesn't seem to enter the holy area...
* Emili pulls her wings around her bare body, curls up and lays on the grass.
<Emili> Night Scott!
<Emili> Night Haylee!
<Emili> Night Leon!
<Scott> Night, Emmi, folks.
<Leon> ...
<Haylee> Night Emmy! Night Jon! Night Scott...and...ugh. Night Leon.
<Emili> Night John!
<Leon> ...Goddess I hate this....
* Emili looks up at the sky.
* Haylee falls to sleep. ^_^
<Scott> -_-
<Johnathan> Goodnight, people.. Leon.. wake me up before too long.. I'll take second watch.
<Emili> Hey umm, what're the stars made out of?
<Leon> Just sleep. There is no need for a second watch.
<Haylee> zzzz...^_^
* Johnathan lays back, staring into the sky. "You sure?"
<Leon> Yes.
<Johnathan> As you wish, my friend.
* Emili yawns, letting out a breath of terrible odor. ^^;;
<Leon> ...friend...
* Emili turns to her side and quickly, and quietly falls to sleep.
* Scott is dead to the world.
<TheStoryteller> Could this place be tied to the mysterious girl of the forest? And can Scott be sure of what lies in store for the next time he loses control? When morning comes, you'll certainly find out.
~~ SESSION END ~~
Session Close: Mon Jul 12 03:04:44 1999