--- Session 42: Angel Ascendant ---
Session Start: Sun Dec 02 15:25:11 2001

<Gayo> --SESSION START--
<Gayo> >> The dark man stands amidst crumbled rock, purple streams of energy rippling off of his cloak. In one hand he clutches a small round gem, which he slides into the folds of his cape. "I see you made short work of Caliban."
<Gayo> «ooc: ambition.mid here, though it gets hopelessly rambly at the end. »
* Shane picks himself off the ground, and grabs his gun.
* Ellena rubs her head and pulls herself to her feet, "Aghh..."
* Hikaru coughs a little, barely standing still.. "Let me guess.. *cough* You're either going to avenge him or are stronger and are just gonna beat us up anyway."
<Gayo> >> He waves a hand and Caliban is consumed in a whirlwind of energy, vanishing totally. "He's a bit like a dog, you know. Not very smart, but he's got a good bite to him."
<Ellena> (w) Happy thoughts, 'Karu...
<Gayo> Dark Man: I'll be quite happy to escort you off Malduc if you do not return.
<Hikaru> «ooc: standing, still. As in still standing »
* Neydisa struggles to get her feet, her body sore in more places she can count, trying to focus on the dark man.
<Shane> Are you the Master?
<Shane> (monotone)
<Gayo> Dark Man: ...Pardon?
* Hikaru facepalms
<Gayo> Rayle: (w) There's somethin' familiar about this bloke, but I can't quite place it...
<Shane> « hey, Gayo said he wasn't. That was OOC, tho. »
*** Rasis (jesse@166.102.7.172) has joined #warpg
* Hikaru glances at Rayne, nodding
<Neydisa> « Ras :D »
<Shane> We will not be leaving.  What are you doing here.
*** Rasis is now known as Jeff
<Neydisa> « we just started. ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: Hi! We just started. You're having the pre-fight banter with Cloaky the Evil Mime »
<Jeff> <<Wheee, what did I miss? Oh, ok.>>
* Allen studies the Dark Man, crouched defensively.
<Shane> « is Watcher okay? »
<DooM_GazE> <<Cloaky the Evil Mime???>>
<Gayo> «ooc: Yeah, he's good. Low MP though. »
<Shane> « rows? »
<Shane> ...
<Gayo> «ooc: Not yet. You're all sorta getting your shit together. »
<Gayo> Dark Man: I am the master of many; in the future I will be master of many more. What Master do you seek?
<Shane> No.  You're not the Master...
<Gayo> Dark Man: Hmm?
<Ellena> ..He's not? But his power....
* Shane reaches into his bag, and tosses an object at the man.
<Gayo> Dark man: AGH! SPAM! MY ONE WEAKNESS! *explodes*
<Gayo> «ooc: uh, nuke that »
* Hikaru shakes his head. "It's different, I guess, 'lena."
<Hikaru> «ooc: ....... »
<Hikaru> «ooc: *beats Gayo* »
<Ellena> «ooc: LOL!! »
* Neydisa shakes her head once to clear it, blue hair mussed from the previous fight. "The one who hides from the Guardians..."
<Allen> <<hee!>>
<Shane> « Elemental Spam. »
<Neydisa> « lol, wasabi :D »
<Gayo> >> Shane's Null orb strikes a dark barrier and clatters to the floor, untriggered.
<Gayo> «ooc: You still have it. »
<Shane> Hrmm...
<Gayo> Dark Man: Hmm. I think you would be surprised how many hide from the Guardians, Neydisa. They can be quite a difficulty.
<Ellena> «ooc: Hmm. To summon Stare Roe or not summon Stare Roe... »
<Shane> You can... hide...  from the Guardians?
<Ellena> ...He knows our names.
<Jeff> <<I have no MP! But you could. ;)>>
* Ellena shakes her head, "Should have expected as much, really."
* Shane would look intrested, but he can't!
<Jeff> I'm not too surprised.
<DooM_GazE> <<to summon Stare Roe!>>
<Gayo> Dark Man: I'm tired of this. I have a more interesting opponent than you awaiting me. However you got here, it's time to leave.
<Shane> (dead)Is everyone okay?
* Ellena nods quietly to Shane.
<Hikaru> Could be better, could be worse...
* Neydisa stares his way, shaking slightly. "...I can't go back... not until this is over..."
<Jeff> I'm all right..
<Gayo> Rayle: Got thrown fer a loop, but everythin's in th'right place...
* Allen mumbles something inaudible.
<Shane> Watcher, do you know what he's hiding behind?
<Gayo> Watcher: ...I've seen this before...*shakes his head* It's an old spell. I didn't think anyone still knew it.
<Gayo> Watcher: I don't think I have enough power left to negate it. We'll have to hit him with a lot of force if we want to dispel it...
* Shane starts concentrating.
* Ellena looks to Shane, wondering what she should do.
* Jeff clenches his fists, warily watching the man and trying to build up some force.
<Hikaru> (q) Force...?
<Gayo> >> The dark man's empty hole of a cowl turns to face Shane. "All right then...if that's how it has to be..."
* Shane holds up his hands in front of him, chanting arcanly, eyes glassy.
* Hikaru grins. "I can do force."
<Gayo> --Combat!--
<Gayo> «ooc: hikaru goes first, then Shane. »
<Gayo> «ooc: Hikaru is fast. :D »
<Gayo> Enemy Front: Dark Man
<Shane> « Right! »
<Gayo> «ooc: rows same as last time? »
<Ellena> «ooc: Yep! »
<Jeff> <<Yeah.>>
<Gayo> «ooc: Front J H N, back E S W A? »
<Gayo> «ooc: OK, Allen'/s in front. »
<Neydisa> « I'm back this time I think? ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: yp to you, Ney »
<Gayo> «ooc: http://rpgcafe.net/WARPG/files/ambition.mid »
<Gayo> «ooc: actually, this is a boss battle. pretend the combat was boss combat. :D »
<Jeff> <<Wonder if a Ge Ramtos high would toast his barrier...>>
<Gayo> «ooc: You can try. »
<Gayo> «ooc: He's been able to hide from the guardians somehow though. »
<Ellena> «ooc: Ooh, good idea. Should I boost defense or offense first, gang? »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Defense. »
<Allen> «ooc: defense »
<Ellena> «ooc: Kay. »
<Gayo> «ooc: You're going to be annoyed with this fight. :D »
<Gayo> Ally Front: Allen Jeff Hikaru Neydisa
<Gayo> Ally Back: Shane Ellena Watcher
<Gayo> Round 1!
<Gayo> Dark Man robs Watcher of 1 force!
<Jeff> <<Didn't Ney say she was back?>>
<Ellena> «ooc: She did. ^^ »
<Neydisa> « it's okay. ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: changed her mind »
<Jeff> <<Oh ok.>>
<Gayo> «ooc: and incidentally, the force-steal thing isn't an action, he does that every turn. »
<Gayo> Hikaru uses Hypercharge! Agi+2L!
* Hikaru holds his sword out in a fast draw manner, channeling energy into it until he and the blade blur together in a burst of speed... "Choudenka!"
<Jeff> <<Oh, great. So our actions could fizzle? ;)>>
* Shane 's face strains with concentration. The magically-active can feel the aether in the area somewhat dampering, but it's a directional drain, focused on the Dark Man.
<Ellena> «ooc: I told you say Choudenka! Not Chow--deer! »
<Shane> <mono> Natures balance is natures curse.  To everything, there is an opposite.  And sorcery is all the same.
<Gayo> Shane uses Counterspell! He opposes minds with the enemy until round 5!
<Jeff> <<Should raise Shane's mind. ;)>>
<Gayo> Watcher: Damn...I need some power.
<Ellena> «ooc: I'm doing that next round. ^^ »
<Gayo> Watcher eats a Mystic Carrot! Regains 30 MP!
<Jeff> <<ah ok.>>
<Shane> « ping? »
*** Gayo (foon@pix142166199140.nbtel.net) Quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<Jeff> <<Victory!>>
<Ellena> «ooc: WHOO! »
*** Gayo|Gone (foon@pix142166199140.nbtel.net) has joined #warpg
<Neydisa> « bad day for that :/ »
*** Gayo|Gone is now known as Gayo
<Gayo> «ooc: ow, shit. What did I miss? »
<Ellena> «ooc: High fives hte party and splits...doh! No champange for us! »
<Shane> « nothing »
<Jeff> <<Watcher ate a mystic carrot.>>
<Gayo> Jeff charges! Force+1!
<Jeff> <<Then you pinged. Nothing IC occured. ;)>>
* Neydisa holds her side, looking in her pouch for a potion berry. "...I can't fail the Guardians here... if this isn't the Master... the viel must be lifted..."
<Gayo> «ooc: Flash double. Attempt to negate? »
<Gayo> «ooc: actually, fuck it, I'll just assume you attempt to negate any spell he casts. »
<Shane> « yeah »
<Shane> « unless he's going to do something nice to us. »
<Jeff> <<Shane. You rule.>>
<Shane> « I try! »
<Neydisa> « lol »
<Gayo> «ooc: He failed, actually. only 53% chance to succeed currently. »
<Shane> « And if Shane ever does Rule, the PCs will probably be obliged to fight him ^_^; »
<Gayo> Dark Man casts Flash Double! Gets two more spells!
<Shane> « dammit. Need mind-up! »
<Gayo> «ooc: lala I'm gonna be rolling that Mind vs Mind a lot »
<Ellena> «ooc: It's coming, Shane ;_; »
<Jeff> <<Just on principle, it's cool. Because if Shane negates one of these two spells, the dark man cast flash double, thus wasting MP, for nothing. ;)>>
<Shane> « This is the first time I've ever used Counterspell! »
<Shane> « yeah, and odds are in our favor! :D »
<Gayo> Dark Man casts Darkness on the party!
<Gayo> «ooc: wait »
<Gayo> Dark Man casts Darkness on the front row!
<Gayo> «ooc: he can't do a party cast. »
<Shane> « no counter? :( »
<Gayo> «ooc: Nope. I'm glad. :D »
<Shane> Bollocks!
<Shane> « OOC THAT »
<Gayo> «ooc: ...awww »
<Jeff> <<Hehe.>>
<Allen> «ooc: stillwatered shane would never say such things. »
<Shane> « Stillwatered Shane wouldn't emote. »
<Allen> «ooc: right. »
<Shane> « what he said. »
<Gayo> >> The man raises one hand and a dozen rays of dark energy stream forth from his cowl.
* Neydisa attempts to shield herself from the worst of it with her arm... even if it may prove futile.
<Gayo> «ooc: agh, this'll take a bit of time »
<Jeff> <<Is this the blind spell?>>
<Gayo> «ooc: hahaha. no. »
<Neydisa> « no attack. this might end me. ^^ »
<Jeff> <<I can't keep your damned spells straight. ;)>>
<Gayo> «ooc: That's what the doc is for. :D »
<Shane> « He's preventing our warriors from warring./ »
<Shane> « since thats what we need to do. »
<Gayo> «ooc: I need to automate this more...wow, jeff lived »
<Jeff> <<Oh dear.>>
<Shane> « Darkness 7 S Y P N/A Does (MAP*5)/DP Dark damage; »
<Jeff> <Yeah, found it ;)>>
<Allen> «ooc: Ney, aren't you in the back row? So it won't affect you. »
<Shane> « He's basically Duras-Drumming you guys. »
<Gayo> 819 damage to Allen! KO'd! Hikaru dodges nimbly! 437 damage to Jeff! Jeff gains 1 force! 483 damage to Neydisa! Survives with 1 HP!
<Allen> «ooc: uh.. I'm in the back row. »
<Ellena> «ooc: Geez. O_o »
<Shane> « Isn't Ney in the Back? Isn't Allen in the... what he sdaid »
<Neydisa> « whoo! »
<Jeff> <<58 left. Ow.>>
<Gayo> «ooc: oh. OK, you live »
<Gayo> «ooc: wow, nobody died then. :D »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Ney's in front »
<Ellena> «ooc: Allen's in the back, Ney's in the front ^^ »
<Shane> « I think someone needs to Mind +2L me ;D »
<Allen> «ooc: hold your horses. »
<Ellena> «ooc: Yeah, geez, hang on Shane. ^^; »
<Jeff> <<No kidding. ow. Ow.>>
<Shane> « Then I can heal everyone better, and counter better! :) »
<Gayo> «ooc: dammit, one sec »
* Ellena 's widen at the display of power.
* Neydisa is knocked over, clawing at the stony ground to get back to her feet. "...ungh... I'm not giving up yet..."
<Jeff> <<Shane needs Mind +2L asap. ;)>>
<Ellena> «ooc: eyes, even ^^ »
<Gayo> Dark Man casts Enlighten on himself! Counteredc!
<Ellena> «ooc: Aww sexy! »
* Jeff staggers back, keeping his balance. "Ouch.."
<Shane> « Oh, thank god. »
<Gayo> Dark Man: Hmmm.
<Jeff> <<Wow.. why didn't he enlighten, THEN dark? ;)>>
<Ellena> «ooc: Prolly because Gayo is trying to be somewhat fair? ^_- »
<Gayo> «ooc: that's a good point »
<Gayo> «ooc: I suck »
<Shane> « Because he's dumb! »
<Jeff> <<Yeah! :D>>
*** Heather-afk is now known as Heather
<Hikaru> «ooc: Don't complain ;) »
<Shane> Was that Dark?  I'll show you how!
<Gayo> «ooc: hehe »
<Ellena> «ooc: Aww. Now I wish I summoned Aru Suluto. Oh well. »
<Shane> « Nix that! ;D »
<Neydisa> « LOL »
<Hikaru> «ooc: ... »
<Jeff> <<If I had MP..>>
<Gayo> Ellena summons Zeldukes! The party gains +2L def!
<Neydisa> « but def assist spellr esitance Ell :) »
<Jeff> <<Zeldukes is nevertheless very very helpfull. :D>>
<Gayo> Watcher: Whew, thanks.
<Shane> « I'm going to Analyse this fool, if everyone else can take healer-duty. »
<Neydisa> « was I skipped? ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: what was Allen's action again? »
* Ellena reaches down, and scoops up a handful of dirt, dust, and debris from the floor. She opens her hands slightly, and the stuff runs through her fingers, sparkling with light and magic. The debris swirls around her in all directions, creating a sphere around her of magical energy.
<Gayo> «ooc: Oh, you were. damn., What do you do? »
<Ellena> Zeldukes! Help us to stand tall! We can't fall here!
<Ellena> «ooc: Sorry, laggy. »
<Gayo> «ooc: wait, I remember »
<Neydisa> « it was a potion berry. though if you'd let me mystic ;) »
<Gayo> Neydisa Potion Berries herself! Regains 300 HP and it's lucky she waited!
* Allen holds a crest graph between two fingers and quietly begins to entone the spell.
<Gayo> Allen Wide Casts Enlighten on the ally back?
<Gayo> «ooc: Want to counter, Shane? :D »
* Allen lightly touches his face with his staff in three places. A golden halo backlights the crown of his head. "A sharpened mind can conquer all. Enlighten."
* Allen waves his staff in a wide circle and the spell energy arcs outward in a wave effect to catch everyone in his row. "Expand energy to its full potential. Wide cast."
<Gayo> «ooc: Hmm, what was allen's HP again? I lost it. »
<Allen> «ooc: in msg. »
<Neydisa> « 375. »
<Gayo> Back Row's mind up 1L!
* Allen puts the graph away and shuffles for another one.
<Ellena> Thank you, Allen...
* Allen nods.
<Gayo> Round 2! Dark Man robs Neydisa of 1 force!
<Gayo> «ooc: hrm. I need to streamline group attacks for the next fight. this takes too long. »
* Neydisa gasps slightly as she feels what little energy she has draining away, trying to stay focused.
<Neydisa> « any requests of me action wise? ^^ »
<Shane> « uh... why doesn't everyone who's healing coordinate? »
<Ellena> «ooc: I'm upping your mind one more time, Shane. ^^ »
<Allen> «ooc: I'm wide-cast hi-heal the front row. »
<Allen> «ooc: put an 'ing' in there somewhere. »
<Neydisa> « okay, I can berry Jeff, or charge. i have 0 force. :( »
<Shane> « Ell! Thanks! »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Oh. I'll step out of the "healing" business if Allen's doing that ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: Shane has 101 Mind. :D »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Berry Jeff if you could »
<Shane> « Right now? »
<Gayo> «ooc: yes. »
<Shane> « and aftyer 2L? »
<Gayo> «ooc: 1L. »
<Gayo> «ooc: after 2L it'll be like 134 »
<Allen> «ooc: ...? »
<Shane> « woot! :D »
<Ellena> «ooc: You should be happy, Shane ;) »
<Jeff> <<If you want to Berry me, that'd be great. I'm low. ;)>>
<Neydisa> « I'llg etcha :) »
<Shane> « <Shane> My mental penis is gargantuan! »
<Ellena> «ooc: ....Shane ;) »
<Shane> « Gayo, what's the current chance of countering? »
<Neydisa> « let's all feed his ego...er.. mind! »
<Gayo> «ooc: 63% »
<Shane> « need more :o »
<Ellena> «ooc: It's comin', baby ;) »
<Gayo> Dark Man uses Accellerate! Countered!
* Shane squints.
<Hikaru> «ooc: LOL »
<Shane> ...Who are you?
<Jeff> <<Yes!>>
<Hikaru> «ooc: <Shane> Go ahead, make my day. *squint* »
<Gayo> Watcher casts Double Dodge on himself! Gains super evade!
<Ellena> «ooc: Super...evade man! Super...evade man! »
<Gayo> Dark Man: I am the heir to the world.
<Gayo> Neydisa uses a Potion Berry on Jeff!
<Ellena> Heir...to the world?
<Gayo> Jeff regains 300 HP{!
<Hikaru> Good for you. So when this 'Master' Shane's talking about takes it over, you get it as a present?
<Gayo> Dark Man: I don't know of whom you speak.
* Neydisa hands a berry to jeff, determined to stay in the fight, somehow.
* Jeff straightens up. "Thank you, Neydsia.."
<Gayo> Hikaru charges! Force+1!
<Hikaru> We don't really, either. ^_^
* Hikaru stalls for time ^^
<Jeff> <<What's the MP status up front?>>
<Gayo> Dark Man: Then what brings you here?
<Gayo> «ooc: you have 3 MP. YOU SUCK HAHE »
<Hikaru> «ooc: 12 MP here. »
<Shane> We seek the one who controlled the Demon.
<Neydisa> « 10 here. I can carrot shortly. ^^ »
<Shane> « Ney, Mystic Carrot? »
<Gayo> Jeff uses Spiritual Attunement! Next Summon boosted!
<Jeff> <<I know I do. I was wondering if I need to mystic the darned carrot or just eat it... or if Neydisa is going to. ;)>>
<Neydisa> « but only the 10 kind sadly. »
<Ellena> . o O ( Speaking of which...where IS he? )
* Jeff closes his eyes briefly, murmuring.
<Gayo> Dark Man: Ah, Death's controller? You'd best leave then. I'm here to kill this "Master".
<Hikaru> So are we.
<Shane> Indeed.
* Ellena looks somewhat shocked, "You are?"
<Gayo> Ellena Mysticks the Weirding Stones on Shane! Enlighten released! Shane's Mind is +1L!
* Jeff snaps his eyes back open. "..what?"
* Neydisa looks surprised.
<Jeff> You are?
* Shane looks uninpressed.
<Shane> « impressed. »
* Allen places a finger to his temple, concentrating.
<Shane> « un. »
<Gayo> Dark Man: You'd best run along home. You haven't got a prayer against the forces at work here.
* Ellena finishes her mysticking thing, and smiles at Shane, "...You can do it Shane."
<Shane> There are forces within us as well.  How do you know you aren't the one who should fear?
<Gayo> The Dark Man casts Quadruple! Countered!
<Gayo> Dark Man: I fear nothing.
<Shane> Case in point.
<Shane> « Whats my counter rate now? »
<Hikaru> Okay, how do you know that you aren't the weaker of the two, then?
<Gayo> «ooc: 70% »
* Shane clenches his fists as he counters another spell.
<Shane> « 70's a good rate! :D »
<Jeff> <<if Shane used counter again, would it just increase the duration, or have two chances to counter each spell? ;)>>
<Gayo> «ooc: duration »
<Jeff> <<Doh.>>
<Shane> « duration. I'm doing that turn 5. Or should I do it turn 4? »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Try it in 4. Just in case. »
<Gayo> Allen Wide Casts Heal on the Front Row! Countered! Just kidding. The front row regains 348 HP!
<Gayo> «ooc: 4 prevents a break. »
* Allen reaches forward and places his hand on Neydisa's shoulder. "The river of life flows through us all, a raging torrent. High Heal." A plume of shimmering water rises from the ground and soaks into her skin, sealing wounds.
<Shane> « I'll do it in 4. »
<Gayo> «ooc: but you lose a turn. »
* Allen waves his staff in a wide circle and the spell energy arcs outward in a wave effect to catch everyone in the front row. "Expand energy to its full potential. Wide cast." Additional water splashes forth and covers Jeff and Hikaru in healing energy.
<Shane> « doesn't matter. »
<Shane> Who is Death's Master?
* Jeff grins now. "And thank you, Allen."
* Allen nods, shuffling for more graphs in a businesslike manner.
<Gayo> Dark Man: Hah. You've come all this way and don't even know? Are you really who you say you are?
* Neydisa looks to Allen, smiling once, but you can tell there is a great pain and weariness in her eyes. "Thank you..."
* Ellena makes a meek face, "You could enlighten us...if you please..."
<Shane> We are the sleeping giants.  We are those who know more than we know.
* Allen sees the expression in Neydisa's eyes and his mask of efficency cracks a trifle.
<Ellena> «ooc: I DID NOT USE A ^^; SEE? SEE? I didn't. I was good :D »
<Gayo> Shane Assesses the Dark Man! No scrutiny can pierce his aura of darkness!
<Shane> We are the tools of the gods, willing or not.
* Shane squints again.
<Gayo> Dark Man: Agents of the Guardians? So you don't want the power here...I see...
<Gayo> Dark Man: And here I thought you might be interesting.
<Gayo> Round 3! Everyone gains 1 force!
<Shane> ...But who are you, Inheritor?
<Gayo> Dark Man robs Hikaru of 1 force!
<Neydisa> ...
<Gayo> DM is CG!
* Hikaru glares. "Dammit."
<Gayo> Allen is CG!
<Ellena> «ooc: Hmm. What to do, what to do... ^^; »
<Gayo> Wait, no he isn't
*** Heather is now known as Heather-DefyingHamburgerHelper
<Ellena> «ooc: Hmm. Tempted to Feedback...Does anyone have a request? »
<Jeff> <<Ney.. you're mysticing a carrot, or should I?>>
<Gayo> Dark Man: If I tell you, I tell the Guardians...and I've gone to a great deal of trouble to keep them out of this.
<Neydisa> The power here is not for humans to ever possess again.. for Filgaia could be lost forever. The Guardians have led me here to stop it. And I intend to do just that, no matter who or what is in the way...
<Shane> New plan.  We beat him to a pulp until the enchantment fails.
<Shane> (Shane says this evenly)
<Neydisa> « I'll get it. »
<Jeff> If you can keep doing.. whatever you're doing, Shane..
<Ellena> «ooc: Guys? You need anything? »
<Gayo> «ooc: Can you get me a coke? »
<Allen> «ooc: mp »
<Ellena> «ooc: Sure, bitch ;) »
<Ellena> «ooc: You need a carrot mysticked? »
<Allen> «ooc: I think Ney is doing that. »
<Neydisa> « yep. »
<Ellena> «ooc: Okay. »
<Neydisa> Tell us now, and there might.. be mercy for you yet... we have the same goal, however different in ideals.
<Shane> I do not wish to be the tool of the Guardians.  I am bound into this by the shadows of uncertain past, and by curses of what may come in the future.
<Gayo> Dark Man: You're very cocky, and very foolish.
* Jeff reaches into his pouch, fishing around.
<Shane> Why do you oppose the Guardians?  Why do they oppose you?
<Shane> And if it's Death's Master we both seek, why do we fight?
* Jeff looks at the dark man, murmuring to himself.. "Caliban was.. so full of hate..."
<Gayo> Dark Man: Selfish, they are. Not fond of anyone trying to gain more power than they feel he should. We fight because you are their agents, and they are my enemies.
<Shane> They are not my friends.  I do not understand them.  They use me.
* Shane 's five dots pulse.
<Gayo> >> The man thrusts his inky black hands before him, clenching his fingers as crackling energy begins to whip through the air.
<Gayo> Ellena uses Feedback!
* Ellena begins to look nervous.
* Ellena holds up a fist, as a thin trickle of blood flows down her forearm, spreading out into a complex lattice of crimson.
<Ellena> Like the strands of the world, we are all connected. Let the pain of one be the pain of another, so we may grieve together.
* Jeff frowns. "What's.."
<Gayo> Watcher: Oh, shit!
* Neydisa coughs once, gazing at the man as he draws in the energy...
* Ellena gulps quietly, and looks up to the Dark man, "...If I fall here...you shall join me...Hopefully."
<Jeff> Watcher! What is it?
* Hikaru backs up a little bit..
<Gayo> Watcher: It's some sort of summoning...if you guys can't stop that thing now, I'm going to have to do something...
<Gayo> Watcher delays...
<Ellena> Be careful...there is ...so much energy here...
<Gayo> Hikaru hurls a Starlight Dart! Miss!
<Gayo> «ooc: you can get it back after the fight if it misses. »
* Shane glares at the darkwave.
<Gayo> Neydisa Mysticks a magic carrot on the front row! They all gain 10 MP!
<Gayo> «ooc: We need Alys! »
<Jeff> Summoning..
<Shane> You summon as the Shamans do.  Who do you serve?
<Ellena> «ooc: LOL Gayo ^^ »
<Shane> « Desire? »
<Gayo> Dark Man: I serve myself...the only one worthy of my services...you will wish you had left when I told you to...
<Neydisa> This energy... I've felt it before...
<Gayo> «ooc: what was Jeff's action again? I forget... »
<Gayo> «ooc: >_< »
* Hikaru backs up a little more. "Watcher, you may have to make with the hocus pocus..."
<Shane> Your attitude is commendable.  However, you are interfering with our task.
<Gayo> Watcher: Damn it...I don't know if I can fight this guy on my own...but...*grits his teeth* 
* Neydisa produces a Magic Carrot from her pack and starts chanting softly, surrounded by a gentle, sea-green light.
<Neydisa> Mundane to magical, ordinary to extraordinary... release the hidden spirit within!
* Neydisa releases the latent Mystic power of the item, restoring an entire row at once!
<Neydisa> « sorry fogot :) »
<Gayo> Jeff uses Mystic Lens and Willforce to Meditate! Regains 6 MP!
<Neydisa> « er lagged too a bit. ^^ »
* Jeff pulls his lens out of his pouch, briefly focusing on it before sliding it back away. "Be careful, everyone..."
<Ellena> ...If I just had a little more power...perhaps....
<Neydisa> .o( Lucadia, protect me, if this is what I think it is... )
<Gayo> >> The shadowed man brings his hands together. A massive ball of energy forms in his palms, lost souls wailing from its depths.
<Gayo> Watcher: .....ugh. I am so dead.
<Ellena> ...Happy thoughts? 
* Ellena sounds very unsure.
<Hikaru> ...Hell. That means we are, too...
<Gayo> Watcher uses Portal Storm! Everyone but the Dark Man is teleported off the battlefield!
* Shane watches the summons through the calm of stillwater.
<Gayo> «ooc: You're nearby, just not that nearby. »
* Hikaru blinks and goes bwoooshbyebye
* Ellena blips!
<Allen> W- What?
<Jeff> <<Can't Shane counter? ;)>>
* Neydisa tenses up, staring at the ball of energy... then suddenly nothing at all.
<Shane> ...?
<Gayo> «ooc: that's a force. »
<Jeff> <<Ah.>>
* Jeff blinks. "Wha.. what happened?"
<Shane> « Crap! :( »
<Gayo> >> The group reforms a short distance from the graveyard. Watcher is outside the gates, bracing against a screaming wind that threatens to tear the town to shreds.
<Ellena> ...What on Filgaia?
<Neydisa> « watcher's been playing too much AC. ^^ »
<Gayo> Dark Man uses Dauphin's Spite!
<Gayo> «ooc: ack, brb »
<Ellena> «ooc: Oh ho ho. »
<Neydisa> « I KNEW IT o_O »
* Hikaru watches in mixed fascination and horror
* Jeff stares, his eyes widening.
<Ellena> ...Watcher...Oh no...
* Shane watches serenly, trying to sort out whats going on.
* Neydisa wideyes, memories flooding back of the temple...
<Hikaru> «ooc: I wasn't there for that, was I? »
<Jeff> <<Nope.>>
<Ellena> What is this energy? Neydisa...You look surprised. Do you know?
<Gayo> «ooc: Nope, nor Ell. »
<Jeff> No...
<Shane> « nor I »
<DooM_GazE> <<this reminds me of the mortisland thing Mortis vs. Asheron's Call. "You have died 103 times>>
* Allen glances at Jeff, then back at the Dark figure.
<Hikaru> Yeah... you look like you've seen this sorta thing before...
<Neydisa> the curse.. the curse of the Dauphin, the mark of Lucied!
<Ellena> Lucied?! O_o
* Jeff shudders. "How does he..?"
<Allen> «ooc: Luceid, right? »
<Hikaru> ...Lucied? Who's that? ^^;
<Shane> Lucied?  That's one of them, isn't it?
<Ellena> ...The guardian of desire...
<Ellena> The tainted one...
<Gayo> >> A ball of purple, crackling energy begins to rise forth from the centre of the graveyard, eradicating everythin g in its path...
<Jeff> Luceid..
<Hikaru> ...That...sounds to be right up that guy's ally, yeah...........oh, shit. O_o;
<Neydisa> It was what Sevena used... Watcher!
<Shane> .oO{ Desire. Hmm... }
<Ellena> Watcher!!
* Neydisa starts running towards him frantically!
<Ellena> Neydisa! Wait!
<Shane> Neydisa!  Stop!
<Jeff> Neydisa! You can't..!
<Gayo> Watcher takes 240 damage! Gains 1 force! Watcher resists the curse, and is Poisoned, Diseased, and Blinded.
* Allen chases after Neydisa, "Wait!"
*** DooM_GazE (~DooMGazE@h24-68-226-34.cg.shawcable.net) Quit (Quit: Bye-bye)
<Hikaru> Watcher... geh...
<Gayo> Watcher: ...this isn't going to work...nngh...*falls to one knee* Get back! I'm taking this to Unspace! It's the only place I have a chance...you guys go to whatever the snot it is you came for...
* Jeff starts after Neydisa, staring in amazement at Watcher. "He... he's still standing!"
<Gayo> «ooc: he has good resist. :D »
<Hikaru> Watcher...! Wait!
<Ellena> Watcher...are you sure? It could mean the end of your life...!
<Ellena> «ooc: eh, Life! even. ^^ »
<Gayo> Watcher: My life ended a long time ago!
<Gayo> >> The Dark Man approaches Watcher slowly.
<Ellena> What do you mean? Watcher?
* Jeff looks at Ellena. "Yes.. it could..."
* Shane starts chanting a spell, trying to get it off quickly.
* Hikaru tosses Watcher a War Respite before he leaves. "Take care of him, okay?"
<Hikaru> «ooc: he = Watcher »
*** DooM_GazE (~DooMGazE@h24-68-226-34.cg.shawcable.net) has joined #WARPG
<Gayo> >> Watcher grabs the War Respite and takes a bite out of it, nodding. He custom summons his patron! The Dark Man and Watcher blip into another dimension. The energy wave vanishes.
* Neydisa stops, in awe almost. "...Watcher..."
* Shane stops his spell.
<Ellena> Incredible...
<Gayo> Rayle: I 'ope 'e knows what 'e's doin'...
* Hikaru sighs. "He'll be alright. I hope."
<Shane> « What did the summon look like? »
<Ellena> I'll pray we'll see him again.
* Allen crashes into Neydisa, not having very good brakes.
<Shane> « Watcher pulled a Gandalf! »
* Hikaru sighs and idly walks over to pick up the dart he whiffed on.
<Allen> Agh, sorry!
<Shane> I...? mmm...
* Jeff slows to a walk, then stops, staring at where the two used to be. "The Dauphin's Spite.."
<Gayo> >> Rayle bobs slowly. The dead, mossy town soon returns to complete silence.
* Shane lets his counterspell abate, spinning his mind out of it's fervor slowly.
* Allen holds Neydisa's. "Don't. Watcher can handle him. I have faith in Watcher.."
<Allen> «ooc: Neydisa's shoulder. »
<Shane> Neydisa.  What was that?  Desire?  You've seen this before?
<Ellena> Yes, what exactly is the Dauphin's Spite. The mark of Lucied...but how?
* Neydisa slowly nods. "It was the curse Sevena placed upon us... infesting the Hidden Heart..."
<Shane> ...The Hidden Heart?
* Shane touches his face.
<Gayo> Rayle: Th'Idden 'Eart's a sorta conceptual place inside people. Ya wouldn't like it much.
<Hikaru> ...That must have been what had happened after Shrike abducted me, then, Ney? -_-
<Shane> I've... been there.
<Neydisa> IThat shadow.. that shadow.. was him.
<Gayo> Rayle: ...oh. Okay then.
<Shane> I recieved this mark in the Hidden Heart.
* Jeff sighs. "Yes, Hikaru.. that was how Sevena killed me.. and cursed them all."
* Shane 's fingers touch the five points simultaneously.
* Neydisa looks to Shane. "How's that possible? i thought only with Odoryuk's help..."
* Shane looks at Neydisa blankly.
<Shane> I know not how.  A Shaman was there.
* Neydisa looks uneasyily back.
* Hikaru sighs and looks at Jeff with sympathy. "Geez. Suddenly I'm -glad- that the worst that happened to me was getting half my fingernails ripped off."
* Hikaru flexes his right hand as he says that, wincing a little.
<Shane> What does this mean?  Deaths' Master is not behind Sevena's theft?
<Ellena> I do not like this...
<Jeff> It wasn't pleasant. If Ge Ramtos hadn't be there... but Watcher.. took it and survived. I hope he can do this..
<Neydisa> ...there's no time to ask how. I don't know what that energy watcher summoned was, but it may not alst forever.. we have to keep going to find the real master.
* Shane looks at Watcher's watch.
* Allen accompanies Neydisa back to the rest of the group and idly entones Hi-Heal while he has a bit of force to use.
* Hikaru nods to Neydisa. "Shame the guy was against us and all. He acted like he knew who the Master was...
* Jeff pauses for a few moments to try to focus on the lens again.
<Neydisa> Otherwise... *looks down*
* Shane ponders, one arm folded under the other which holds his chin.
<Gayo> «ooc: ack, afk a sec »
* Shane walks slowly towards where the Dark Man was when the party fought Caliban.
* Jeff looks up at Hikaru, then at Neydisa and Allen. "Do you think.. there might be some connection between him and Sevena?"
* Jeff lowers his head again, concentrating on the lens.
<Allen> Followers of L-l..
<Gayo> >> A small, round gem lies on the ground.
* Allen stutters.
<Neydisa> Jeff... I... all these things, Fear, and Anger...
<Ellena> What is that? *points to the gem*
<Shane> Jeff.  Watcher's last statement might be taken that he is as you are.
* Hikaru follows after Shane closely, looking around, but pausing to look back at Jeff. "They both take wing under the same guardian, right? And it's not the type of guardian you hear about in a school... so I'd think they're fairly closely knit, yeah."
* Hikaru blinks and slowly picks up the gem.
<Shane> I didn't hear about the Guardians in my schools.
* Jeff closes his eyes, murmuring to himself for a bit
* Allen looks at Shane.
* Shane enters the Mausoleum carefully, with an eye out.
* Hikaru glances at Shane. "I read a lot of picturebooks, okay?"
<Allen> .oO( But he went to the Abbey. )
<Gayo> >> The gem is small, but glitters brightly even in the twilight of the town. It is unharmed amidst the destruction. There appears to be a shape inscribed inside it, but it's difficult to make out.
<Gayo> Rayle: Ya went ta the wrong schools, chum.
* Hikaru peers closer, trying to make it out.
* Ellena blinks, "May I look at it, 'Karu?"
* Jeff opens them back up, looking at Shane, then Hikaru, then Neydisa.
<Jeff> ..but.. Luceid..
<Gayo> >> It appears to be a stylized carving of a pair of wings.
<Ellena> Wings?
* Hikaru blinks and nods.
<Gayo> Rayle: Wotcha got there, 'ik?
* Neydisa looks to Jeff, her mind awash with so many conflicting emotions...
* Jeff falls silent, looking troubled.
* Hikaru shakes his head and shows the Gem closer to Ellena and Rayle in turn.
<Shane> Hrmm...
<Hikaru> Maybe one of you understands that symbol?
* Shane steps out of the ruins.
* Allen wanders over to meet Shane. "Find anything?"
* Ellena hmms, and pulls out her tome, "I'm not sure if it's a symbol for languages, but I can certainly look."
<Shane> No.  Nothing.  Destruction.
<Allen> Oh.
<Hikaru> Ray'?
<Gayo> Rayle: Don't mean a thing ter me. Watcher prolly woulda known...
* Shane stares at Allen as the curse of stillwater fades.
* Shane lets out a sigh.
* Neydisa peers at the gem.
<Allen> Shane, how could you not have learned about Guardians?  Weren't you at the Abbey?
<Shane> That bloody thing itches.
* Ellena puts the book away, "Nothing..."
* Shane looks nervously at the watch again.,
<Hikaru> Hrm.
* Hikaru pockets it for now, following after Shane and co.
<Shane> We should press on.  We're on a time limit, after all.
<Jeff> <<Heeeey.. is Caliban still here? :D>>
<Neydisa> « no he got dark toasty-warped. or something. ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: he was teleported away. He might be on Malduc, but you don't know where. »
<Shane> We have one hundred minutes before we must turn back.
<Hikaru> «ooc: No, Dark Man made him go poofle. »
<Jeff> <<Doh.>>
<Ellena> Then let's hurry.
* Hikaru nods and hurries.
<Gayo> Rayle: So...where d'we go? Looks like them footprints didn't 'elp much...
<Shane> Neydisa, is there a trail left over up there you can pick up?
* Shane looks doubtful, but hopeful.
<Gayo> «ooc: http://rpgcafe.net/WARPG/files/wild_west.mid »
* Neydisa nods, and tries to look for anything that might help. "I can only find the way back. Nothing more."
<Shane> Blood and ashes.
* Shane grimaces.
<Gayo> Rayle: This tomb doesn't seem ter go anywhere...I wunner wot they were doin' 'ere...
<Neydisa> It's possible the master's in another section of Malduc entirely..
<Shane> The Master, The Guardians, and these other guys now.
<Ellena> Perhaps something is hidden...
<Gayo> Rayle: It's a reg'lar party, eh?
* Shane nods at Ellena.
<Shane> Exactly what I was about to suggest.  Mister Claren?
* Jeff looks up. "Hrm?"
<Shane> Could you summon the Secret-finding one?
<Hikaru> I think he wants you to do that summon thing.
<Jeff> Oh..
<Jeff> Right!
* Jeff nods. "Just give me a few moments."
* Jeff closes his eyes and bows his head, building up for a summon.
* Shane looks around slowly while he waits.
* Allen mutters something about tea and kicks a stone.
* Neydisa looks at the graves and the masoleum around her, eventually leaning on a pillar. She closes her eyes and takes some even breaths to calm herself.
* Hikaru examines the graves slowly
<Gayo> >> Jeff concentrates...after a moment, he calls for the light of Stare Roe to shine forth. The town is illuminated as if by daylight, taking on a whole new vitality. It's easier to see how someone might have lived here once.
<Gayo> «ooc: one sec »
<Gayo> >> The graves were mostly eradicated by the blast earlier.
<Jeff> Stare Roe, please shine your light on this place, and  show us whatever is hiding from our sight..
* Hikaru wonders if Stare Roe gives him LEETO X-RAY VISION. Probably not.
* Shane half-sighs as the curse of stillwater re-awakens, killing the sigh. He twitches slightly, then stands up.
<Hikaru> «ooc: uh, you should probably nuke that »
* Allen watches Shane's transformation of character and shivers slightly.
* Shane looks at Allen.
<Shane> (mono) Cold, Mister Harper?
<Allen> Yes.
* Allen looks away.
* Shane stares, unblinking for a short while, then begins to look for glowing objects.
<Gayo> >> The entire town seems slightly less real now...barriers can be sensed that don't actually appear to be there, as though the entire town is just a facade on top of a huge room, which, on reflection, it probably is.
* Neydisa looks behind her at the once more Stillwater-ed Shane. .o( So was he sent to a Shaman of Odoryuk by Raven? But why? )
<Shane> Intriguing feat of engineering.  I must return one day to study this.
<Shane> It would take a lifetime to fathom only a portion of the secrets here.
<Gayo> >> Shane begins scouring the area for any revelation...he notices, almost hidden beneath the rubble, a metal box. Only a box, though...
* Hikaru looks for anything that isn't "right", or more appropriately, is "secret"
* Shane regards the box.
<Gayo> >> Nice box.
* Hikaru spots the box as Shane picks it up. "What's that?
* Shane examines it without touching it for wards or traps./
<Hikaru> "
* Ellena also glances around, and concentrates.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Er, examines. »
<Neydisa> « darn Heather's not here to say something. ^^ »
<Hikaru> «ooc: He did not pick it up. »
* Jeff looks around briefly, then again bows his head and concentrates on his lens, trying to rebuild his reserves while the others search the area.
<Heather-DefyingHamburgerHelper> <<Come here often? Want to?>>
<Gayo> >> It's half-covered in rubble, and the top is caved in slightly. It appears to be a simple strongbox.
*** Heather-DefyingHamburgerHelper is now known as Heather
* Shane picks it up.
* Shane explodes.
<Ellena> «ooc: YAY! »
<Ellena> «ooc: I lead the party now! »
<Neydisa> « lol, I just recalled your old box quote. :) »
* Shane flys to bits as the castle explodes.
* Hikaru steps over to Shane. "So..."
<Hikaru> «ooc: .... »
<Shane> « >:D »
<Ellena> Something powerful...far away...Hmm...
* Hikaru steals all of Shane's stuff after he explodes.
<Allen> «ooc: *giggle. »
<Gayo> >> Shane lacks the muscle to clear off the box.
<Shane> « Shane still is wearing the bomb, although it's pretty pointless with the gate put together ^_^; »
<Shane> Hikaru.  Could you?
<Hikaru> «ooc: OOC that last line. »
* Hikaru nods. "Sure."
<Gayo> «ooc: be careful with that. if you ever meet someone else with a good level of aug. tech he can blow you up with it. :D »
* Hikaru tries to clear the top and retrieve the box.
<Shane> « Gayo! I could Sustain it! :D »
<Neydisa> « that would suck :D »
<Gayo> «ooc: well, yeah, it'd be a battle of wits »
<Gayo> >> Hikaru pushes aside the rocks, revealing the battered, ancient lid of the box.
<Gayo> Rayle: Careful, 'Ik.
<Shane> « Hrmm... But it's nice to have a shaped explosive! I want to use it in a creative way! »
<Shane> « mind you, not creativly blowing up. »
* Hikaru cautiously opens it..
* Jeff continues to stand out of the way, muttering to himself and holding the lens in his hand
* Shane watches.
<Ellena> «ooc: Inside was, A HAMBURGER. This is the way! »
<Shane> « Inside the HAMBUGER was... »
<Ellena> «ooc: brb »
<Hikaru> «ooc: We opened it with faith... and inside was... TOMATOES! »
<Gayo> >> Inside the box is a small, round device that appears to be some manner of ARM. It's in good condition.
<Shane> « ...Lettuce and Two Tomatoes! »
<Gayo> Rayle: Huh. That can't be it...
* Shane picks up the Arm.
* Shane examines it.
* Hikaru raises an eyebrow and examines it with Shane. "Hey, Ellena... you know what this is? I've seen you use some of those things like it..."
* Neydisa clears her head a moment, rubbing her side slowly, and gazing down at the tatterted fabric of her old windbreaker, which caliban shreeded with his assaults.
<Shane> ...I am a Meister, Hikaru.
<Hikaru> Are you, Shane? ^^
<Hikaru> Even better.
<Hikaru> So what is it?
<Neydisa> Ellena... did you say you sensed something?
<Shane> It's a Barrier Generator.
<Shane> For... holograms?
<Shane> (monotone questions sound weird.)
<Gayo> Rayle: Neato. Can't be what they wanted 'ere, tho'. 'Ey, mebbe it was that round thin'.
<Ellena> Yes...far from here.
<Shane> What round thing?
<Gayo> Rayle: You know, the dooickey. 'Ik 'as it.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Shane, I'm envisioning Data. »
* Hikaru blinks and pulls the gem out of his pocket. "This?"
<Ellena> As for the ...machine...Let me look.
<Shane> « Funny. I envision HAL >:D »
* Shane hands Ellena the Machine.
<Gayo> Rayle: *midair shrug* Good a guess as any.
* Shane looks at the Gem.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Ah. Sorry, I prefer things to look more like humans than PS2s. »
<Shane> « I'm speaking of tone of voice. »
<Hikaru> «ooc: I can't fully remember the movie »
<Ellena> «ooc: Oogh. Laggy. ^^; Nuke my statement »
<Allen> Wings.
* Allen scratches his head.
* Hikaru nods.
<Hikaru> «ooc: <Allen> Extra absorbent, too. »
* Shane keeps the Machine, then. Neener.
<Allen> Eh, it's just a coincedence.
<Allen> «ooc: g'heh »
* Jeff opens his eyes again, slipping the lens back into his pouch. "Wings?"
<Shane> There's no magic in this.  
* Ellena looks at the machine as if it's a live snake, "...it doesn't seem that powerful."
<Shane> ...It bears examining with a microscope, though.
<Hikaru> There's no such thing as coincidence, Allen. What's on your mind?
<Shane> Ellena, you sensed something far away?
<Ellena> Yes. I'm not sure where, though.
* Allen shakes his head. "A smattering of arcane nonsense. Forget I said anything."
<Ellena> But it's growing stronger. I could try to focus again...
<Shane> Ellena, may I have the ARM back?
<Ellena> Of course.
<Shane> Please, try and focus.
* Ellena hands hte ARM to Shane.
* Shane takes it back.
<Neydisa> It's worth a try... maybe I could find a trail again if we get closer.
* Ellena nods, and closes her eyes.
<Ellena> . o O ( Guardians...please help me... )
<Jeff> Allen.. we're dealing with all sorts of crazy things now.. maybe that arcane nonsense of yours is more valuable than you think?
* Allen has a seat on a broken headstone.
<Allen> Nah.
* Ellena squints her eyes, trying to focus.
<Ellena> ...Something is above us!
* Hikaru tenses and looks up.
* Shane looks up.
<Ellena> It's some sort of barrier...
<Gayo> >> Rayle looks up. It's mostly stars above.
<Shane> « Anvil. The end. »
* Allen glances upward.
<Heather> <<The sun smiles and leers at the naked dancing Nadia. It then blinks, looking down. "What? I'm gettin' me some play!">>
<Ellena> «ooc: LOL »
<Gayo> «ooc: Ney and Hik can clearly see the tracks leading back the way they came while the summon is in effect. »
<Gayo> «ooc: just noting »
<Gayo> «ooc: you all have double per and perfect dark vision »
<Shane> « Nothing forward, though? »
<Ellena> It's not straight up...it's toward the...
<Gayo> «ooc: Nope. »
<Hikaru> «ooc: "the tracks"? Not our tracks? »
* Ellena focuses a bit more...
<Gayo> «ooc: Oh, yours too. »
<Shane> « Does my mad Per net me any more booty? »
<Gayo> «ooc: No, that's all the booty for now. »
<Gayo> «ooc: Ellena points off into the blackness. »
* Hikaru hrms, looking back down. "Tracks."
<Shane> « Aww. All that Per/Scrut, and I've only gotten two pieces of booty all game! :D »
<Ellena> «ooc: Is that OOC or in game, Gayo? ^^ »
<Gayo> «ooc: IC, my bad »
<Ellena> «ooc: Okay. »
<Shane> Stars?
<Ellena> That direction. I can't tell you much more...
<Shane> I don't see any Stars.
* Neydisa looks around, trying to fnd what she senses.
<Allen> Beyond the dome.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Is she pointing towards or away from the tracks, Gayo? »
<Gayo> «ooc: away »
<Gayo> «ooc: but at an oblique angle. »
<DooM_GazE> <<that's because there's an anvil right above you! *Splat*>>
<Allen> You can't tell how far, Ellena?
<Gayo> «ooc: could be random. this is an unspeakbly massive station »
<Ellena> I don't think so, no.
* Allen nods. "Okay, well.. er..
<Allen> How do we get up there?
<Gayo> Rayle: We don't even know where "there" is.
* Hikaru idly nudges Neydisa.
<Gayo> Rayle: Could be miles off in that d'rection.
* Allen imagines Marlene flying around, hooting about this and that, and he grins to himself.
<Hikaru> In that case, Rayle... why don't we follow the tracks...? It's just as much of a lead... and a lot easier to track down.
<Allen> Which tracks?
* Allen looks around?
* Neydisa looks to Hikaru. "Do you think we should try to return to the branch then?
<Gayo> Rayle: They'll jus' go back to where we were, tho', won't they?
<Allen> «ooc: ... »
* Allen looks around
<Hikaru> They might go farther, Ray. Or branch off in a direction we didn't.
<Shane> « Wait. There's a second set of tracks, and something in the sky? »
<Allen> And.. how much time do we have..?  I really doubt we'll be able to find anything in our alloted time if we sit around and talk about it.
<Gayo> «ooc: No. There are two sets of tracks. Yours and the ones you followed. »
<Gayo> «ooc: both go back the way you came »
* Allen stands up, brushes himself off, and starts following the tracks.
<Shane> « Right. They end here, right? »
<Gayo> «ooc: yes. »
<Shane> « Whats ahead »
<Shane> « ? »
<Ellena> «ooc: Huh! Whose footprints are these!? (Goes around the box) Huh! Who's footprints are these?! »
<Gayo> «ooc: hehehe »
<Neydisa> That gem... I wonder. Maybe it was why those two came here... it might be a key of some kind.
* Hikaru nods to Neydisa and follows Allen.
<Ellena> «ooc: All we have to do is hold to the gem and say "Angelic Moon Power!" And we'll grow WINGS! >:D »
<Gayo> Rayle: You said there weren't any stars over there, right? Mebbe if we get closer somethin'll turn up.
<Shane> « Where's Allen going? »
<Gayo> >> Allen and Hikaru head back towards the exit.
<Shane> « I'm confused. »
<Shane> Are they going back to the crossroads?
* Allen mutters something about losing time.
<Gayo> «ooc: yeah »
<Gayo> «ooc: ...er, IC »
<Gayo> «ooc: nm »
* Shane heads back, coming to the same conclusion.
* Ellena sighs, staying close to the party.
<Gayo> >> Rayle follows.
* Neydisa follows the trail while it's still revealed clearly.
<Gayo> «ooc: are ney and jeff coming too? »
<Gayo> «ooc: OK, good. »
<Shane> « *Shane plays the Guitar on the weird Seal! »
<Neydisa> « I'd think so :) »
<Gayo> «ooc: there isn't a seal in the town. ^^ »
<Shane> « And I don't have a guitar ;D »
* Jeff follows the others.
* Allen watches where he's going, careful not to start following the wrong set of tracks.
<Gayo> >> The group slowly makes its way back through the eerily dead town, through the long flickering tunnels and eventually into the bright light of the moss-covered travel hub they originally arrived in.
<Gayo> «ooc: That took about 5 minutes. »
<Gayo> «ooc: Just so you know. »
<Shane> « 'k »
* Hikaru keeps alert for any discrepancies in the place.
<Neydisa> Ellena, what other places did you make out...?
<Gayo> «ooc: the summon's off, incidentally. »
<Shane> « How many signs are there, how many were Xlated? »
<Hikaru> «ooc: I can still keep alert »
<Gayo> «ooc: uh, jesus. Like 10 signs, and about 5 translated. »
* Shane eases out of Stillwater.
* Neydisa looks to the labels on the paths again, and idly back to the ground, just incase more footprints had appeared.
* Shane shakes his head.
<Ellena> Hmm...
<Gayo> «ooc: and I forget half the translated ones, but none of them were like "evil villain this way" »
<Neydisa> « wellw e know the way to residential and elevator.. ^^ »
<Ellena> «ooc: There was engineering too, I remember that »
<Shane> « Yeah! »
<Shane> « I was about to say. »
<Shane> « That sounds evil to me! :D »
<Neydisa> « and the hydroponic place probably :) »
<Shane> « I mean, all the Engineers we've met have been clearly evil! :D »
<Gayo> «ooc: Shane will get stuck there and never leave. "Shane! Come save the world!" "In a minute!" »
<Ellena> «ooc: Oh ho ho »
<Neydisa> « *points to Shane * evil! »
<Shane> « See! Smart PCs kill engineers on sight! »
<Gayo> Rayle: So...now what. *sigh*
* Shane injects himself with Jenova Cells.
<Shane> « Nix that. »
<Shane> Well...
* Hikaru sighs and shrugs. "The spell wore off sooner than I expected."
<Shane> ...I thinkn we should try Hydroponics.
<Allen> «ooc: VENI VENI VENIAS.. oh nevermind. »
<Neydisa> Nobody else has been around here at least.
<Ellena> Hydrophonics? Why?
<Shane> Due to the nature of the Master's technology.
<Gayo> «ooc: Shane: Plants are evil! »
* Jeff frowns. "I wish there were some way to tell where they are.."
<Ellena> . o O ( If I could only find a way to that barrier somehow.... )
<Ellena> «ooc: But my per is just too shitty! »
<Ellena> «ooc: <:D »
<Shane> Everyone should continually raise Shane's Mind, so he can think fasdter! :D
<Gayo> «ooc: you could go as the crow flies if there weren't, you know, walls. »
<Shane> « .... »
<Shane> « OOC! »
<Gayo> «ooc: But there's obviously some fast way to get around a place this huge. »
<Shane> « Yeah. »
<Shane> « There's central transit somewhere. »
<Neydisa> That's right... there's some conenction.. that eye... the hand on Starling.
<Shane> « And Shane could get it working easily. »
<Shane> And the Heart of the Demon.
<Gayo> «ooc: one of the doors did say "transit", incidentally »
* Hikaru glances at Ney and Shane.
<Allen> «ooc: Yeah, I remember that. »
* Shane sighs.
<Shane> Let's go this way. 
<Allen> Wasn't there a door that s-
* Allen sighs.
<Allen> Nevermind.
* Shane walks through transit door.
<Gayo> >> Rayle alights on Shane's head.
<Ellena> You sure? One of the doors was a...
<Shane> We should be able to get anywhere from here.
<Neydisa> Ellena?
* Allen follows Shane.
<Ellena> Oh...okay. This is fine. ^^;
<Shane> « Trap? :) »
* Hikaru follows Shane.
<Ellena> Nevermind.
<Ellena> «ooc: I ONLY USED ONE ^^;. ONLY ONE »
<Gayo> «ooc: so far »
<Ellena> «ooc: Is doing better in her twelve step rehab program. »
<Shane> Waaah!  Gomen ^^;  ^^;  ^^; 
<Shane> « Okay. »
<Jeff> <<Heh!>>
<Ellena> «ooc: ....Fuck you :D »
<Neydisa> « o_O »
<Shane> « That's my last one. »
<Gayo> «ooc: hehehe »
<Shane> « ;D »
*** Jeff (jesse@166.102.7.172) has left #warpg
*** Jeff (jesse@166.102.7.172) has joined #warpg
<Shane> « O_o »
<Jeff> <<...dammit.>>
<Shane> « wb »
<Neydisa> « wb. »
<Shane> « The master came while you left, but she left again. »
<Jeff> <<I was closing excess message windows and got carried away. ;)>>
<Gayo> >> The group enters the room marked Transit. This place seems to be connected through a short tunnel, comparatively well-lit compared to the others. They soon emerge in a dim, industrial-looking room full of moving parts and the smell of moss. A large circular dais is in the center of the room, a raised control panel beside it.
<Allen> Hmm.
* Shane walks to the panel, and motions Ellena to come.
<Allen> Interesting.
<Hikaru> You think this still WORKS, Shane?
<Shane> « Ell: Uhh... UUUH! »
* Ellena blinks, and steps forward, "Yes?"
<Gayo> Rayle: I'm amazed anythin' 'ere still works.
<Shane> No.  But that doesn't matter.
* Shane smiles.
* Neydisa looks around, wondering how this might operate.
<Shane> Could you translate?
<Neydisa> Is it a lift of some kind?
<Ellena> Of course.
<Gayo> >> The panel is covered in moss.
* Shane clears off some moss.
* Ellena pulls out her tome and tries to brush some of the moss away herself.
<Neydisa> « Evil moss. watching me.. it has eyes.. :o »
* Ellena then gazes at the dais, and tries to translate.
* Shane smacks his head.
<Shane> Allen!
<Shane> Do you still have the Death Compass?
<Ellena> Hmm...a bunch of colored switches...
* Allen looks up.
<Allen> Yes.
<Shane> Is it working?
<Allen> But..
<Shane> But?
* Allen digs it out of his bag.
<Hikaru> «ooc: BRB IAF »
<DooM_GazE> <<no one hase ops on this chan...>>
<Allen> I have a feeling we're a little too far away... er..
<Shane> « Be Right Back... I Am Fucked? »
<Neydisa> « Gayo could op if he wants, but he's lazy. ^^ »
* Allen turns around.
<DooM_GazE> <<*has>>
<Hikaru> «ooc: in a few »
<Jeff> <<In a Few>>
<Allen> Wait, it's pointing that way.
* Allen points.
<Shane> Hrmmm...
<Ellena> There's a code system here...It lists a few names next to the pairs of colors...Three colors per name. Let me try to translate the code now.
<Gayo> >> Allen points behind him. Obviously, Boomerang is not standing behind you.
<Allen> But.. hell, it could mean it's still pointing toward Filgaia.
<Shane> He's here.
<Allen> I'm surprised it's still working.
<Shane> Count on it.
* Allen grins a little, happy his enchantment didn't wear off.
<Shane> I'm going to assume that where he is, the Master is.
<Neydisa> That's a good question... does he know where this master is?
* Neydisa wonders what's back in that direction.
<Shane> Like I said, I'm going to *assume*. 
* Shane smiles.
<Ellena> The names seem to have words like...HUN. No, that's not it...*looks again* Hub. ...In...duust...rial hub. Industrial Hub? And....Con.....trol Hub. Yes. Control hub.
<Shane> Is there something about Hydroponics?
<Ellena> Let me look...
<Gayo> Rayle: Ain't the hydroponics back that way?
* Shane looks for the same glyphs that were on the sign.
* Allen looks at Shane.
<Ellena> Well, there's more places...
<Allen> Didn't we just walk PAST Hydroponics?
<Ellena> Recrational...Residental...Machine...no Hydrophonics though...
<Gayo> >> The glyphs are similar, apparently letters in an alphabet.
<Shane> Indeed.  I'm trying to gleen the scheme.
<Shane> Are we in the Residential section?
<Neydisa> We were, before.
<Ellena> Ummm...
<Allen> No, it's that way.
* Shane tries to look around for matching colors.
* Allen points.
* Hikaru sighs and looks around the place
<Gayo> >> The only matching colors are on the switches.
<Ellena> I can't tell. Sorry, Shane.
<Shane> Yes, I know.  I'm trying to gauge the site of the facility.
<Shane> If this is the Transport near the Residential, then it's huge.
<Shane> Hrmph.
<Gayo> Rayle: Well, it must be big enough to change the tides...
* Neydisa nods slowly...
<Shane> This is an artificial moon, isn't it?
<Gayo> Rayle: That's what I 'ear.
<Shane> We'rent there tides before it existed?
<Gayo> Rayle: Supposedly, but diff'rent.
<Shane> Hrm...  Blood.
<Gayo> Rayle: Don't make much sense t'me.
* Shane swears.
<Shane> Lets try hydroponics, Then.
* Allen aboutfaces and walks out the door.
<Neydisa> Well, it makes them that much stronegr than the normal moon. But it's certainly big to even do that...
* Ellena nods, "If you're sure. Time is not on our side..."
<Shane> Allen, keep an eye on that Compass.
* Neydisa hrms and follwos them. "...I wonder if the control hub... is the center of command for this whole place... we should check that if we can."
<Shane> Hrmm..  You may have a point there.
<Shane> Allen, can you burn all of the moss out of a room?
<Jeff> <<dammit, dammit, dammit>>
* Shane stops.
<Gayo> >> In the meantime, the group reenters the hub and proceeds towards the door marked "hydroponics".
<Jeff> <<afk>>
<Gayo> «ooc: moa gault would be easier. »
<Neydisa> Well every ship needs a bridge. I assume a station wouldn't be different, right? If this doesn't show us anything.
<Gayo> Rayle: Uh, that's a lot of fire, Shane.
<Shane> Good point, Neydisa.
* Neydisa falls silent after that, heading after everyone.
<Ellena> I could burn it away, but Rayle is right...that's a lot of fire. O_o
<Shane> We'll try that after this...  
* Hikaru glances at Ellena and hands her something.
* Ellena blinks, and looks down at what Hikaru gave her.
<Ellena> «ooc: YAY RUNE »
<Hikaru> «ooc: That would be the Fire Rune, yes. ;) »
<Ellena> ...You sure, 'Karu?
<Hikaru> You need it more than I do, right now...
<Gayo> Rayle: If someone's gonna do some summonin' we'd best clear outta 'ere.
<Allen> To answer your question Shane, no I can't.
* Shane looks at the Rune, and shivers, then touches his coverall pocket.
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Let's go in already.
* Shane walks into Hydroponics.
<Ellena> Let me know if you need me to clear the moss away, Shane.
* Shane nods.
* Hikaru lemmingses.
<Neydisa> « brb one moment :) »
* Allen talks to the wall, "Why don't you assume I can't do anything, since most of your questions regarding my abilities are.. frankly, quite impossible at my current skill level."
<Gayo> >> The group enters the Hydroponics connecting tunnel, and is thrust back into green dimness.
* Allen shuts up and follows.
<Shane> Well, if we use the transport room, we'll need it cleared out, I imagine.
<Gayo> Rayle: It's bloody amazin' that all this lightin' and stuff still works, even wit' th'moss.
<Shane> Did Men or Elw make this?
<Gayo> Rayle: Bit o' both, s'far as I know.
<Shane> Well then, maybe it's still working *because* of the moss.
* Allen rolls the word "Elw" around in his mouth.
<Shane> « EEE-looo »
<Allen> «ooc: me know »
<Shane> « doo wee see anything? »
<Gayo> «ooc: hallway »
<Shane> « still? »
* Shane hurries.
<Gayo> «ooc: hallways are long. the town one was like half a mile »
<Shane> Allen, has the compass moved?
* Allen peers at the compass. "Nope."
<Shane> « Oh! »
<Shane> « I didn't realize O_o »
<Allen> He's on Filgaia, or very very far away.
<Gayo> >> The Hydroponics door opens on a thin catwalk suspended far above over what appears to be the canopy of canpoy of a forest. The catwalk is suspended by nothing, and only a high railing stands between it and a very long fall. Above a blazingly bright light shines down, too bright even to look at.
<Allen> Or this compass is broken.
<Shane> Lets assume it's working and he's here.
<Allen> Then following that logic, he's very very far away.
<Shane> Allen, can I see that?
<Allen> In other news, Wow!
<Gayo> «ooc: heee. cute »
* Allen looks around the huge hydroponics bay.
* Neydisa covers her eyes a moment, the change from dark to light quite abrupt.
<Gayo> Rayle: ...whoa.
<Gayo> Rayle: Watch yer feet, chums.
* Shane taps Allen on his shoulder.
* Shane has to reach. ^_^
* Allen turns around, "hmm?"
<Shane> Can I see the compass?
* Allen drops it into Shane's hand. "Sure."
* Allen goes back to taking in the miracle of nature.
<Jeff> <<And back. *grumble*>>
* Shane looks at the compass, and slowly turns it in it's z-axis, watching the pointer.
<Neydisa> I'm sure this would make the scientists home feel so humble...
<Jeff> Very.. this is incredible..
<Shane> It humbles me.  And I need to recreate this to some degree.
<Allen> It makes me feel humble, and I'm not even a scientist!
<Gayo> >> As Shane turns the compass, the needle abruprtly turns to become almost perpendicular to the floor.
<Shane> If... We had the gate here...
<Gayo> «ooc: brb »
<Shane> Whats this?
<Gayo> «ooc: talk amongst yourselves, don't fall off the catwalk »
<Shane> He's down?
* Jeff falls of the catwalk
<Allen> «ooc: a tall order for Allen, Gayo. »
<Jeff> <<ooc, of course. ;)>>
<Allen> If we had the gate here, what?
<Allen> And who's down?
<Ellena> Down? What's below here...?
<Shane> Wel, this is the thickest forect I've seen.  If we had the gate here, we could easily get home, I'd think...
<Shane> ...and it looks like Death's below us.
<Allen> Or on Filgaia.
<Jeff> What if he was in the tower..?
* Neydisa holds onto the railing very carefully, looking at the canopy from above.
<Allen> And his name is Boomerang, you know.
<Allen> «ooc: Woo, I'm a little snot. »
<Shane> I don't feel like going on a first-name basis with a Demon of his calibur.
<Ellena> «ooc: Hands you a tissue. »
<Jeff> Would it still point down, then?
<Shane> « wait until gayo comes back for that. »
<Shane> « Because if Filgaia was in Malduc's Sky, then no. »
<Gayo> >> The party reaches the end of the catwalk...it is just that, an end, terminating in midair with a small circular floor panel, a control device, and a sign.
<Shane> « Gayo, was Filgaia in the sky? »
<Gayo> «ooc: no »
<Shane> « And the compass was pointing straight down? »
<Gayo> «ooc: it's hard to tell where it is in relation to where you are »
<Gayo> «ooc: mostly. it was probably like 0.0000000005 degrees./ »
<Gayo> «ooc: which could be like a zillion miles depending on difference »
<Shane> « hrm. Does it move? »
<Gayo> «ooc: ...distance »
<Gayo> «ooc: not much »
<Shane> « not much? »
<Shane> « If it's noticable, he's on Malduc. »
<Gayo> «ooc: if you don't hold it completely steady, it moves just because you're moving it. However, you haven't come very far. You should get like a half mile away and then look »
<Shane> Anyone see anything?
<Allen> «ooc: Trees. »
<Gayo> Rayle: Trees. *floats over to the control device* Huh.
<Ellena> «ooc: Sorry I'm a bit quiet. LN thing. »
<Gayo> «ooc: hrm? You OK? »
<Ellena> «ooc: Better now. ^^ »
<Ellena> «ooc: oh I'm fine. »
<Shane> Bollocks.  
<Allen> I wonder what that sign says..
<Ellena> ...Bollock? O_o
* Ellena shakes her head.
* Allen grimaces.
* Neydisa shivers once, looking a little uneasy again.
<Shane> Yeah, Ellena, could you please?
<Ellena> Of course...
<Shane> Something wrong, Ney?
<Allen> (q) You don't have to swear so much.
* Ellena pulls out the tome, and tries to read.
<Neydisa> No.. no, I'm just.. a little hurt, still, I think.
<Ellena> ...It says ...watch...your...stoop.
<Ellena> ...No that's not it.
<Shane> Actually, Allen...  I do.  Otherwise I get very irate and murder.
* Shane smiles.
<Hikaru> ...Maybe "watch your step", 'Lena?
* Jeff blinks.
<Ellena> Step. ^^; Yes.
* Allen grimaces again.
<Gayo> Rayle: Better make sure our stoops are okay
<Gayo> .
<Shane> Lets go back to the Transport then.  We'll try the control center.
<Ellena> I'm sorry! This is hard to read sometimes!
<Shane> This is turning up all blasted.  Too much to cover!
<Shane> You're doing fine, Ellena.
* Allen steps over to Neydisa, muttering a healing spell under his breath.
* Ellena blushes still.
<Gayo> «ooc: who are you healing? »
<Shane> Can everyone jog?
<Neydisa> I'm fine, really...
<Ellena> I can...
<Allen> «ooc: Ney. »
<Gayo> >> Shane leads the rest of the scoobies down the corridor towards the hub.
<Jeff> I can.. Neydisa?
<Gayo> «ooc: ney has full HP »
* Allen holds the spell right before casting. "Wait a moment, you don't look.. damaged. Uh.."
<Shane> Can one of you big guys carry Ney?  She's been a bit worn down...
<Ellena> «ooc: LOL. Scoobies! »
<Shane> Emma knows we all have.
* Jeff looks questioningly at Neydisa.
<Gayo> Rayle: 'ealin' spells can't do everythin'...she needs bed rest after all this.
* Neydisa shakes her head. "No, please don't do that on my account. We can rest when this is done with..."
<Shane> Speaking of.
* Allen feels the spell fall apart.
* Shane reaches into his pocket and coifs a pill.
<Jeff> Don't push yourself too hard, but if you're sure.
<Ellena> «ooc: SPEED IS GOOD »
* Jeff nods.
<Shane> Let's go.
* Neydisa puts a hand on Allen's shoulder. "It's the tought that counts anyway."
* Shane jogs down the hall.
<Gayo> >> Moving at a clip, they quickly emerge back in the central hub.
* Allen shrugs, blushing a bit. "I owe you."
<Jeff> <<I'm tempted to mystic those shoes and just blaze around and run into walls! :D>>
* Shane leads back to the transport room.
<Gayo> «ooc: heh »
<Neydisa> « let's get rocket skates :D »
<Allen> «ooc: WheeeeE! *slam* OW! My nose! »
<Shane> « :D »
<Jeff> <<Yeah! No random battles then. :D>>
<Gayo> «ooc: that's actually what I do in WA. Run all the time and just bounce off any obstacle I hit. »
<Jeff> <<ditto.>>
<Shane> « I think everyone does. »
<Shane> « It's like getting the Hookshot. »
<Neydisa> « probably. I used that a ton in malduc. ^^ »
<Shane> « you never walk again. »
<Ellena> «ooc: SPROING! You got the HOOKSHOT! SPRONG! »
<Gayo> >> Shane reenters the transit room.
<Jeff> <<I never trusted the hookshot.>>
* Shane stops when he reaches the door.
<Gayo> >> Shane doesn't reenter the transit room
<Shane> Ellena, could you eradicate our plant problem?
<Shane> Actually, could you do it without the fire?  With your nature magic stuff?
* Allen hums the ballad of the useless mage.
<Ellena> Yes...I can.
<Shane> Please, then...
* Neydisa follows along, speaking quietly. "You'll repay the favor someday..."
<Shane> « See! Augments make you do things plot-wise! :D »
<Shane> « Spells just blow things up. »
<Allen> «ooc: or give you nifty halos. »
<Shane> « What spell gives you a halo? »
<Jeff> <<Nifty halos rule. Summoning can give you those too! But then you die.>>
<Ellena> Hmm..actually...let me try something else...
* Shane looks at the watch.
* Allen checks his notes.
<Shane> Hmm...
* Shane still looks giddy-nervous.
<Shane> « Cathay is the Master! »
<Gayo> «ooc: Why? :D »
<Jeff> <<Figures.>>
<Shane> « Because I have her Bromide! »
* Ellena closes her eyes, and begins to concentrate.
<Jeff> <<I'm still expecting it to be Marlene. ;)>>
<Gayo> «ooc: ...*snicker* »
<Shane> « and it gives me EVL+2%! ;D »
<Gayo> Ellena uses Domain Control!
<Allen> «ooc: Evil? »
* Ellena sweeps her hand forward, "Clear..."
* Shane shakes his head, his eyes regaining focus.
<Shane> Thanks Ellena.  Let's go.
<Gayo> >> The moss moves away from the walls, melting off in seconds and vanishing into ducts and vents. The walls are now completely clear, exposing a lot of new writing.
<Shane> Ellena, could you Translate those?
* Shane looks around for obvious station ID.
* Ellena nods, regaining focus.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Meh. »
*** Hikaru is now known as Ashton
<Shane> « Ash? »
* Ellena pulls out her tome and starts working on translating the writing.
* Neydisa feels a slight charge of energy, noticing the change. "You're really incredible, Ellena..."
<Gayo> >> Shane finds a very faded tricolor symbol near the transit entrance.
<Ashton> «ooc: I'm sorry, I can't concentrate.. -_- I need to clear my head or something... If I'm not back by SoM, have Lucca or Heather call me, okay? »
* Shane makes note of it, and tries to find it on the control panel.
*** Ashton is now known as AshAway
<Neydisa> « alright Ash.. »
<Gayo> «ooc: ......he's gonna have to deal with this. »
<Gayo> «ooc: Hmm. »
<Gayo> >> Shane doesn't see the color code listed on the panel.
<Shane> « *Grue licks Ashton. »
<Gayo> «ooc: ... »
<Gayo> «ooc: don't lick ashton »
<Allen> «ooc: bite bite. »
<Shane> « ... »
* Allen studies the control panel.
<Jeff> <<That's unhygenic. You'll give him Grueitis. ;)>>
<Allen> Hmm.  Hmmmmmmmmm.
<Shane> « *Grue erotically massages Ashton. »
<Allen> Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
<Allen> Nope.
* Allen shakes his head.
<Allen> I'll just stand over here.
* Allen knocks something over. "Oops, sorry."
* Ellena translates...or tries to.
<Ellena> First one is....G...General Hub...
<Ellena> ...Transit station...
<Shane> That's here?
<Ellena> Hmm...
<Ellena> Not sure.
<Gayo> Rayle: There wasn't a gen'ral 'ub on th'panel, was there?
* Shane looks at Ell.
<Ellena> I think so.
<Neydisa> They must be linked... the other went to Control and Industrial.
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Okay...  Shall we try this?
<Allen> Might as well.
<Allen> How much time do we have?
<Neydisa> If you can figure out how to operate it...
<Ellena> Let's do it then.
<Jeff> Here's hoping!
* Ellena smiles at Jeff.
* Shane starts murmuring again, like he did before at the Gate.
* Neydisa smiles. "Yes, we've got hope on our side..."
<Gayo> Shane uses Sustain on the control panel! It functions properly for the next minute!
<Ellena> «ooc: TAKE US PLACES, OH MAGICAL SHANE! »
* Shane 's brow furrows in concentration.
<Shane> Let's hope I don't get us all brutally killed.
<Gayo> Rayle: I'll drink ter that.
* Neydisa prays quietly...
* Jeff nods, smiling a little. "I think we can handle that, Shane. Just do your thing.. we trust you."
* Shane makes his best guess, and fiddles the widgets for Control Station!
<Shane> ...You have a drink on you?
<Gayo> Rayle: I don't 'ave anythin' on me. 'Ik might. *grin*
<Gayo> >> A button lights up.
<Ellena> «ooc: ...I thought that said bottom. »
<Shane> « someone's Butt holds a secret! »
* Shane presses the button!
<Jeff> << A bottom lights up! <Allen> So I'm part firefly! So what?>>
<Allen> «ooc: g'heh »
<Hikaru> Nope, nothing on me, though I'm definitely gonna pick something up once this is all over.
<Gayo> Rayle: Sounds good.
<Allen> «ooc: Wing, Fray, f- oops, my ass is shining again. »
<Jeff> <<*laughs*>>
<Shane> I have some in my pack, but now's not the time to drink...
<Gayo> >> Lights turn on underneath the floor panel, and the entire room whirs. Suddenly, the room isn't there at all any more. THe party briefly gets the sensation of floating, then reappears in a similar room.
<Jeff> Not a bad idea, Hikaru.
<Jeff> ..whoa.
* Shane stills himself.
<Ellena> Gah...vertigo...
* Neydisa flails slightly
* Hikaru wobbles around dizzily.
<Allen> That was fun!
<Shane> That was a bit of a ride.
<Allen> Let's do it again!
<Allen> Er..
<Allen> later.
* Allen grins.
<Gayo> Rayle: Astoundin'. *flies up to the door* Care ta see where we are?
<Neydisa> Ah.. oh.. I guess it did work.
* Shane clears the moss from where the big sign was in the other station.
<Gayo> «ooc: er,m which sign? »
* Neydisa looks to the grinning Allen..
<Shane> /ooc The big one that saidGeneral Hub...
<Shane> [18:18:49] <Ellena> ...Transit station...
<Gayo> «ooc: that was outside »
<Shane> « ... »
* Jeff smiles at Allen. "Fun? Your mages are made of tough stuff. I think my stomach's still trying to figure out what happened."
<Shane> « oh. »
<Gayo> «ooc: you have to leave the transit room. »
<Shane> Yeah, lets go...
<Allen> Stomach?
<Gayo> «ooc: hee hee. »
<Shane> Here's to not dying!
* Shane opens the door.
* Allen looks at Jeff.
* Jeff nods. "I think it's still back in the other room."
* Jeff shrugs a little, looking out the door as Shane opens it
* Allen ponders this.
<Allen> That would be troublesome.
* Hikaru peers out the door.
* Ellena shakes her head a little, "No, no dying today, hopefully."
* Shane looks around, seeing... whatever gayo says!
<Neydisa> We'll go back soon, hopefully..
<Gayo> >> The door slides open, revealing neither a hub nor a hall, but rather a huge room full of screens and machinery, all bleeping and flickering away unperturbed by a thousand years' abeyance. There is no moss here, leaving the metal sparkling. 
<Gayo> >> Directly across the room are two huge metal doors with no markings or panels on them whatsoever, save three indentations. Two of the indentations have glowing ggems in them; the third is empty.
<Ellena> ...The gem we found...maybe...in that empty slot?
* Shane laughs shorlt and moseys up to a computer bank.
* Jeff walks towards the doors. "Might just work.."
<Gayo> Rayle: So it is a key.
<Allen> That would be oh so very convenient.
* Neydisa goes forward, peering into the room.
* Allen has a look at the other gems.
<Shane> Gha!
<Shane> Why can't the ancients write in modern languages?
<Allen> Doesn't fit my idea of four, though.
<Gayo> >> One gem has a symbol of crossed arms in it, and the other a wide eye.
* Allen looks at Shane. "Because they hadn't been invented yet?"
<Ellena> «ooc: Aggghh! THE MALDUC GEMS »
* Neydisa is baffled by all the controls, but does notice the hole that is missing.
<Shane> Yeah.  Damn temporal mechanics.
<Ellena> «ooc: EEE! »
<Jeff> <<I hated those. ;)>>
<Allen> Seeing is believeing.  Might makes right.
* Allen ponders.
<Gayo> Rayle: 'Ik, care ter do the honors?
<Ellena> «ooc: May I please place it in? I think I have the gem last...right? Or did hik have it? »
<Ellena> «ooc: I thought I had it. ^^; »
<Gayo> «ooc: hik »
<Ellena> «ooc: Aww. »
<Gayo> «ooc: ...I THINk he had it. »
<Gayo> «ooc: ....hrm »
<Shane> « actually... »
<Hikaru> «ooc: What did I have? »
* Neydisa gazes at Allen again. "Is there something behind the symbols?"
<Allen> and... and..
<Shane> « I was the last to examine it ;) »
<Gayo> «ooc: the wing gem? »
* Allen shakes his head.
<Ellena> «ooc: I think I actually had it. Hik gave it to me to look at. »
<Gayo> «ooc: OK ellena has it. »
<Allen> Not what I thought was behind them.
<Ellena> «ooc: ...Just say I have it! That's that! »
<Gayo> «ooc: Change Hik to Ell in Rayle's thing then »
<Shane> « Ellena has it! »
<Shane> « :D »
<Ellena> ...Here goes nothing, then...
* Ellena takes the gem, and sticks it in the empty slot.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Sorry, I'm still trying to get back up to snuff »
<Gayo> «ooc: no problem. »
<Shane> What are you gu...?
<Gayo> >> The doors slide open smoothly, but with a deep rumbling of huge gears.
* Shane looks up from the computer banks.
* Jeff warily watches the doors as they open
* Shane looks at the screens for any reaction.
* Ellena concentrates.
<Jeff> << <Shane> I turn away for ONE SECOND, and you guys...>>
<Gayo> >> There are too many screens and too much activity to figure out what corresponds to what.
* Shane sighs.
<Gayo> >> The corridor ahead is long and well-lit, polished to a shine. 
<Shane> I definitly need to come back here later.
<Gayo> >> It seems to go a ways into the distance, then terminates in blackness.
<Ellena> Let's go...This must lead somewhere...
<Shane> We can assume that this is where Mister Inheritor of the World was going, then?
<Ellena> Probably.
<Jeff> It must be..
<Neydisa> It looks like it's been kept up, unlike everything else here..
<Shane> Hikaru, would you like to lead?
<Ellena> And...AGH!
<Gayo> Rayle: ...ell?
* Shane looks at Ellena.
<Allen> What?  What shouting?  What what?
* Ellena suddenly falls to her knees, clutching her head, "...He's here...Oh god what is this?!"
<Neydisa> Ellena?!
<Gayo> «ooc: hee hee. Allen amuses mke »
<Shane> Ellena?
<Jeff> Ellena! What's happening?
* Shane looks quite a bit worried.
<Ellena> The Master...he's this way. We're close...Oghhh...
<Shane> Whats happening to you?
<Hikaru> Ellena..! Hang in there... I won't let you die here.. 
<Gayo> Rayle: You gonna be okay?
<Ellena> ...I was ...trying to sense...Where he was...
* Neydisa kneels down, putting her hands on the Elw's shoulders. "Ellena.. will you be alright? Is it doing something?"
<Ellena> I think...I'll be okay.
<Shane> Can you go on?  Do you want to stay back?
* Ellena takes a few deep breaths, "...I've...had worse pain. Go on."
<Shane> « is everyone healed? »
<Gayo> «ooc: pretty much. »
<Shane> « is everyone at full MP? »
<Gayo> «ooc: not MP wisxe though »
<Gayo> «ooc: oh hell no »
* Hikaru helps Ellena up, steadying her
* Shane munches a carrot.
<Gayo> «ooc: You can mystic on the whole group from here though. »
<Jeff> <<Wait nooo!>>
<Neydisa> « I believe I'm at 20/31 ^^ »
* Ellena smiles at 'Karu.
<Ellena> «ooc: ^^ I'll mystic a carrot. »
*** Heather is now known as BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
<Jeff> <<Dammit, Shane, we could have mystic'd that carrot. ;)>>
<Ellena> Here...before we go on...
<Shane> « I have, like, a bandolier of them! »
<Gayo> «ooc: I'll let shane retract »
<Gayo> «ooc: if he wants. »
<Ellena> «ooc: Retract? :o »
<Shane> « Sure. »
* Shane holds a carrot up.
<Gayo> «ooc: ell, want to use magic or mystic carrot? »
<Neydisa> « Shane is really a rabbit. and we know how evil they are. »
<Shane> Anyone care to do the honors?
<Ellena> «ooc: Was gonna mystic a 30 mp carrot. ^^ »
<Allen> «ooc: Or Sully. »
* Shane holds up 3 carrots.
<Ellena> ...I can.
<Gayo> >> Shane hands Ellena a bunch of Magic Carrots.
<Shane> No need to waste the potent ones.
<Allen> «ooc: da, da da da da da da da, da da da da da da, da da da da da da. »
<Allen> «ooc: sorry. »
<Gayo> >> Ellena concentrates, summoning mystic force slowly...
<Shane> « You summoned the Guardian of the North! »
<Gayo> «ooc: this would normally take a minute or two but I'm speeding it up »
<Neydisa> « shall I help? »
<Shane> « Aurora! »
<Allen> «ooc: yep. »
* Ellena takes a deep breath, and mystics each carrot over the group...or something like that.
<Shane> « Sure! Ney/Ell/Jeff! »
<Gayo> >> Ellena Mysticks the Magic Carrots on the party! Everyone regains full MP!
<Gayo> «ooc: eh, that works »
<Jeff> <<Well we could increase the speed by 3 times if everyone did one. ;)>>
<Gayo> «ooc: I'm lazy »
* Hikaru feels much smarter now.
<Ellena> «ooc: Don't you mean magicy? »
* Ellena smiles, "Now...let's do this. We can do this. We can."
<Hikaru> «ooc: I dunno. »
<Allen> Hmm.  Eating a copied carrot is always somewhat strange.
<Shane> Hikaru, if you please?
* Jeff nods. "Right, Ellena!"
* Hikaru nods, making sure Ellena's okay, and then nodding, sword drawn. "Certainly, Shane."
* Neydisa bows slightly to her. "We will."
* Shane follows behind the walking tank of a swordsman.
* Neydisa turns around, hesitating a moment, then walks into the corridor...
<Ellena> «ooc: Ellena is suddenly miss pep talk. Even though she's so thinking "We're fucked! :D Oh, gotta love Ellena." »
<Gayo> >> The party continues tentatively down the corridor...the power is so thick here that everyone can sense it -- hair-raising, the kind of power that makes fillings tingle. What at a distance appeared to be a doorway into darkness is now clearly some sort of wall of shifting blackness intersperses with strands of silver.
<Gayo> «ooc: interspersed »
<Shane> Rrr...
* Shane tries to divine what he can from this.
* Jeff falls into step beside Hikaru, slowly cracking his knuckles one by one. "All right, everyone.. this is it."
<Shane> ...Breaking this would be a bad thing.  But would it be a good bad thing?
* Ellena shivers quite a bit, "...Such power...even when I'm trying not to feel it..."
<Gayo> Rayle: Can we get through it like it is? This must be what's keepin' the Guardians at bay.
<Allen> good bad?
* Shane pulls raymond and spins the barell full of ammo.
<Hikaru> ...I...don't know. If you try to find out, I'm probably going to be the first thing affected.
<Neydisa> It's immense spiritual force...
<Shane> Yeah.  Good for us, bad for them.
* Shane 's hackles raise.
<Allen> Oh, that's good.
<Shane> Spirits?
<Allen> And it's bad.
* Shane looks at Neydisa.
* Shane stops.
<Shane> ...Spirits?
<Allen> Oh hey.
<Allen> This would be a great place to use the gate.
* Hikaru glances at Allen. .oO(If it didn't weigh three and a half tonnes.)
<Gayo> >> Rayle lands on Hikaru's shoulder, tense.
* Shane looks like the Guardian of Worry, WoodyAllen
* Neydisa shakes her head. "I'm not sure. Anything now is just a guess..."
<Shane> Right.
<Gayo> «ooc: You're very weird today, Grue. :D »
* Shane tries to shake it off.
<Allen> What?  Spiritual energy, shaking your fillings, it would be very powerful here.
* Hikaru glances at Rayle. "You hangin' in there, Ray?"
<Allen> Maybe that's what they had in mind.
<Allen> But.. heh.
<Shane> « Sorry :( »
<Allen> How to get it here.
<Gayo> Rayle: Nothin' but ter go forward, eh?
* Ellena gulps, "Let's go."
<Shane> Yeah...  
<Shane> ...no time to get cold feet.
* Shane fakes confidence.
<Gayo> «ooc: * Shane fakes orgasm »
<Jeff> We can do this.
<Shane> « Guys can't fake that! »
* Hikaru nods, closing his eyes and steeling himself before taking a few steps forward. "We can."
<Allen> «ooc: that's kinda hard. »
<Ellena> «ooc: We find out the master is shane's MOM! Shane runs away, screaming like a woman! »
* Neydisa winces faintly, but tries to play it off. "Through that wall is what we seek, without a doubt."
<Shane> « Shane's mom would be kinda scary. »
<Shane> « Seeing as she's very dead. »
<Ellena> «ooc: See? Perfect master! Deadness! Hey..Jeff is dead, you know! »
<Shane> « Much deader than Jeff. »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Watcher is Shane's Mom! »
<Jeff> <<Eh. Dead people wandering around isn't THAT weird. ;)>>
<Shane> « They are if they've been buried for quite a number of years. »
<Gayo> >> The barrier resists...touching it is like trying to move through gelatin.
* Neydisa takes a few steps forward, her hand out... testingly approaching the shifting colors.
* Shane takes out a null orb.
<Hikaru> «ooc: How do you know they're buried? Have you dug up the corpse? »
* Shane presses it into the barrier.
<Jeff> <<Yeah maybe a necromancer stole the body.>>
<Allen> Um, er..
<Allen> Shane, is that wise?
<Shane> « Can we cut off the Shane's Mom bit? ;D »
<Shane> Allen, is it wise being here?
<Ellena> «ooc: We move through J-E-L-L-O...because there's always room for that. »
<Hikaru> «ooc: I'd rather cut off Shane's bits »
<Allen> Touché.
<Gayo> >> The orb flickers and crumbles, melting a man-sized hole in the barrier. Electricity crackles around the tattered edges as they gradually begin to reform.
<Allen> «ooc: Lucca, ouch. »
<Shane> Quickly.
* Shane holds out another one just in case.
* Hikaru quickly moves through before it reseals!
* Jeff nods, going through the hole behind Hikaru
* Shane jumps through.
* Neydisa takes a deep breath and runs!
<Allen> Oh, how convenient.
* Allen takes up the rear.
<Hikaru> «ooc: * Allen takes Neydisa's rear. »
<Neydisa> « lol. »
<Allen> «ooc: that too. »
* Ellena runs!
<Neydisa> « Fresh! ^_^ »
<Jeff> <<We left Ellena! Doh.>>
<Ellena> «ooc: Too BAD FOR YOU :D »
* Shane looks ahead.
<Gayo> >> The party stands at the base of a huge golden staircase suspended amidst the stars. Filgaia looms beneath the stairs, a beautiful aquamarine gem. The moss is absent here, but some strange, dried residue coats the stairs in spots.
<Gayo> «ooc: the hallway leads directly to the stairs. »
<Gayo> «ooc: if there was a door there, there isn't now. »
<Gayo> «ooc: obviously it doesn't open into space, but it looks like it does. »
<Shane> Hik, the lead?
* Neydisa looks down at her feet.
* Hikaru twitches a little and slowly, cautiously takes the staircase.
<Hikaru> «ooc: Or the stairs, either. »
* Shane looks at the compass.
* Ellena sticks close to Hikaru, to give him back up.
<Gayo> >> The needle points off in what seems to be a random direction behind Shane.
* Shane stays at Hik's other shoulder.
<Shane> « it's spinnign? »
<Gayo> «ooc: no. »
* Shane pockets it again.
<Neydisa> .o( I've come so far from home on this wave... )
* Jeff follows Hikaru up the stairs, trying not to be distracted by the starscape outside.
* Shane flips the magic lenses of the Glasses of Citan away.
* Allen peers at Filgaia.
<Shane> Emma's Motors...
<Allen> Wow, I can see my house from here!
<Allen> Wait, no I cant.
<Ellena> Shh, Allen...
<Allen> Sorry.
<Shane> Shall we?
<Ellena> Yes.
<Gayo> >> The stairs continue up at an almost perpendicular angle, leading up and up.
* Neydisa looks back up, then hits the stairs, solemnly.
<Ellena> «ooc: Suddenly, the time runs out on the gate, and we HAVE TO TURN BACK :| (restart game?) »
<Neydisa> « hits as in takes that it. ^^ »
* Hikaru continues up and up
* Shane follows.
<Hikaru> «ooc: *Hikaru yawns and knocks Ellena and Shane off the steps! »
* Shane dies.
* Ellena is still close to Hikaru.
<Shane> « ... »
* Allen grumbles. "An elevator would be nice."
<Ellena> «ooc: ...Anticlimatic muhc, Shane ;) »
<Ellena> «ooc: MUCH »
<Jeff> << *sighs and flips the gameshark switch to 'on', giving Allen infinite HP and MP*>>
<Allen> «ooc: d00d! »
<Shane> « Unfortunatly, the baddies have that Queen Zeal "1" attack. »
<Gayo> >> Hikaru steps on something with a loud crunch.
<Allen> Shane, how are we doing for time?
<Shane> We're fine.
<Jeff> <<Doh.>>
* Ellena looks down at what Hikaru stepped on.
* Hikaru stops for a minute and looks down.
<Neydisa> « Hmm, Heimdal gazzo music fits here. ^^ »
* Allen manages to fidget nervously while climbing the stairs two at a time.
<Hikaru> «ooc: DOH »
<Shane> Lets just hope the transport back is as easy as it was here.
<Shane> ...hoping we live that long.
<Allen> Oh, yes.
<Ellena> «ooc: It's WACTCHER's DEAD BODY »
<Allen> «ooc: oops. »
<Gayo> >> Hikaru's boots have been slashed up by many shards of glass.
<Allen> «ooc: crunchy watcher. Scary. »
<Gayo> «ooc: not badly slashed, still usable »
* Neydisa looks up the stairs...
* Shane examines the shards.
<Ellena> 'Karu...you okay?
<Gayo> >> Finally the stairs level off...the group is on a platform suspended over Filgaia, empty save for a kneeling figure facing away in shadow.
<Hikaru> (q) For now..
* Shane regards the figure.
<Ellena> (q) You'll make it...somehow...Somehow...
* Neydisa reaches the platform, staring in the direction of the figure with her amber eyes.
<Allen> hmm.
<Gayo> >> The tension is palpable, but the room is silent.
* Hikaru quietly draws his sword with one motion
* Shane draws his gun.
<Gayo> «ooc: allen draws his picture »
* Jeff watches the figure, inhaling slowly and deeply.
<Allen> «ooc: hey, I was about to say that. »
<Hikaru> «ooc: heh »
<Shane> « Allen draws his bath! »
* Ellena pulls out her bauble, trying to hold it in a way so the light it gives off doesn't alert the Master towards them.
<Gayo> «ooc: the figure's a bit of a distance away, BTW »
<Allen> «ooc: ooooh, Allen shower scene! »
<Gayo> «ooc: like...20 meters »
* Neydisa takes a few more steps, reaching into what's left of her windbreaker for her katars.
* Shane advances slowly and quietly.
<Shane> « 20 meters isn't much for a bullet ;) »
<Gayo> «ooc: no, but it's dark and you'd have a hard time getting a kill shot. »
* Shane tries to aim, but it's all weird here.
* Hikaru follows Shane this time.
<Neydisa> .o( Lucadia have mercy on us all... )
<Gayo> >> The figure slowly stands.
* Hikaru stops, expecting to be greeted by someone who looks much like Dr. Claw.
<Shane> « So much for being sneaky. »
* Shane stops by Hik.
<Ellena> ...
<Gayo> Amelia: I wish you hadn't come.
<Ellena> «ooc: GAH! »
<Neydisa> « AGH O_O »
<Ellena> «ooc: Wow, you called it! Who called it!? »
<Shane> « Amelia's smarter than we thought! :D »
<Ellena> ...Amelia?
<Shane> « everyone called everything! »
* Ellena looks quite shocked. O_o
<Allen> P-princess.. aa..
* Neydisa walks several apces then stops dead, staring blankly forward. "...no...."
* Jeff blinks. "What.... Amelia.."
* Shane blinks.
* Allen is at a total loss.
<Shane> This...  makes no sense.
<Gayo> «ooc: Allen: BRAIN NO WORKY »
<Allen> «ooc: NEED MORE QUARTERS! »
<Ellena> «ooc: Amelia: I just wanted to be POPULAR ;_; »
<Gayo> >> Amelia turns, her hair swishing luightly about her face. She's been crying.
<Neydisa> A-amelia? This.. this can't be right.
<Jeff> <<Eh it's just Shrike. ;)>>
<Shane> « ... »
<Gayo> «ooc: I'm amelia's twin sister, uh...Bamelia! »
<Shane> « can't tell. too much magic interference. »
* Shane holsters his gun.
<Gayo> Amelia: Now that you're here...can we all...just wait?
* Jeff stares. "But.. why?"
<Ellena> Wait...for what? And why?
* Neydisa just stares, partly in disbelief, partly because she's afraid of the fact it IS true.
<Shane> You were controlling Death?
<Shane> You had him assassinate your family?
<Gayo> Amelia: ...*turns away* Please.
<Shane> You had us hunt him for what ...plausable denability?
<Ellena> And had him attack you to erase suspicion...no...Amelia...please say we're wrong on this...
<Gayo> >> She sighs, walking a few paces away. "It's...I'm not comfortable talking about it..."
<Neydisa> After everything...
<Gayo> Amelia: I wanted to do this with no one around. I didn't want to have to see you like this.
<Jeff> We.. trusted you..
<Ellena> «ooc: ...As my neighbors ruin my mood with drunken singing. Graaaaagh »
<Hikaru> ...I expected some sort of hell-bent powermad lunatic. Why are YOU the one doing this...?
<Shane> Comfortable is not an issue.  Your life is in peril, on a mission assigned, ironically by you.
<Jeff> ..I accompanied you to my death. We trusted you.. WHY? Why have you done this?
* Jeff looks angry and sad and confused all at once.
<Gayo> Amelia: I don't think anyone can kill me now. I don't...*she whirls, tears streaking into the open air* Just...just stop saying things like that!
<Neydisa> Amelia... I came all this way so you would be safe. So you wouldn't walk alone. And now.. this is my repayment?
<Ellena> Just tell us why! Please!
<Hikaru> ....I...I think I understand...
* Ellena looks visably upset.
* Shane clenches the bomb.
<Gayo> >> In the light, there's something slightly wrong with the left side of her face.
<Shane> « boom. »
* Hikaru raises an eyebrow. "I could be wrong, though. I usually am about things like this."
* Neydisa shakes, gripping her katars with white knuckles.
<Allen> «ooc: no boom today. »
<Allen> «ooc: boom tomorrow. »
<Shane> « BOOM »
<Gayo> Amelia: You don't understand! I did this for everyone!
<Gayo> «ooc: ignore the man behind the curtain »
<Hikaru> «ooc: <Toto> Woof! ^-^ »
<Ellena> H-how?
*** DooM_Supper is now known as DooM_GazE
<Gayo> >> She sits down on the edge of the platform, dangling her legs out over space and looking down at Filgaia.
<Neydisa> I...why.. tell me Amelia... why...
<Shane> « /me pushes her over. »
<Gayo> «ooc: heh, actually you just land like ten feet down. »
<Gayo> «ooc: it's all encased. »
* Shane is, for once, silent. He is ready to strike at the first offensive action.
* Ellena tries to see what was so strange about her face in the light a moment ago.
* Shane does not trust any of this. He frankly hasn't since stepping through the portal.
* Hikaru keeps quiet as well, preparing alongside Shane.
<Gayo> Amelia: I love the world...I love the Guardians. I love everyone and everything...and every day I see them hurt.
* Hikaru stops keeping quiet. "So you're putting it all out of it's misery, ne?"
<Gayo> Amelia: You can't really think that...I'm going to make everything better again.
<Allen> Really.
<Shane> Better how?  Why do the guardians want to stop you?
* Ellena speaks softly, "How, Princess?"
<Gayo> >> She traces a finger along the floor. "Do you know where we are now?"
<Jeff> Amelia.. the Guardians have sent us here.. they've pushed me back from my death.. to stop whatever you're doing. Please.. if you truly love them.. stop this. Don't make us stop you...
<Hikaru> ...
<Shane> ...In a very, very scary magic place.
* Shane says this with the utmost seriousness.
* Hikaru nods to Shane. "In a place that we can't quite figure out what "where" is."
<Shane> ...
<Gayo> Amelia: I read about this place years and years ago...this is the place where everything happened. Most people don't remember it, but a few records survive.
* Neydisa listens, but you can see her eyes are near tears...
<Gayo> >> She pulls the Tear Drop from her robes, releasing it to hover in midair, slowly rotating.
* Ellena looks up to Neydisa in total sympathy.
<Gayo> Amelia: It was here, like this.
* Shane frowns slightly at Neydisa, knowing the pain of betrayal is eating in her aat this moment, but unable to do anything.
<Gayo> Amelia: ...nggh...*shudders*
* Jeff stares at the Tear Drop. "..you carry that, and you're acting against the Guardians.... why... "
<Ellena> Princess...what are you...?
<Gayo> Amelia: I'm not...I'm not, really...they'll understand when it's done...they're afraid...we're all afraid, but sometimes...sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.
<Hikaru> ...
<Ellena> But what exactly are you trying to do, Princess? How will this make our world better?
*** DooM_GazE (DooMGazE@h24-68-226-34.cg.shawcable.net) Quit (Quit: Bye-bye)
* Neydisa swallows hard. "I've taken that leap long ago... I've suffered and wanted the pain to go away.. but..."
*** DooM_GazE (DooMGazE@h24-68-226-34.cg.shawcable.net) has joined #warpg
<Gayo> Amelia: Father...*bites her lip* Father didn't...couldn't...appreciate the power of the Yggdrasil projects...the power of Yggdrasil is no less than the power of life, harnessed by men and Elw...
<Gayo> Amelia: Selman understood. He showed me what could be done. 
<Shane> (w) Hikaru...  I think she's gone a bit craven mad...
<Ellena> ...Princess...having complete control over life is something that should not ever be done...
<Neydisa> But Amelia, to control life in such a way.. it's how Filgaia ended up like this!
<Jeff> What are you trying to do?
* Ellena pulls off her handkerchief, "Take it from a race who has experience. Even we know not to toy with such things."
<Ellena> Not fully...
<Shane> .oO{ ...She's really immortal? }
<Gayo> Amelia: Within Yggdrasil is the power to fix everything, you see...the power to make a new world unfettered by greed and hate and foolishness. 
<Ellena> «ooc: Shane: Is this to me or to Amelia? ^^ »
<Shane> « pondering amelia. »
<Shane> « You're not immortal! :D »
<Neydisa> The leviathans that changed the world mustn't be unleashed again... if you lost control of them, you'd doom the world we're trying to rpeserve...
<DooM_GazE> <<*cough* *cough* Bullshit!>>
<Hikaru> (w) No... not craven mad... just blinded by power..
<Neydisa> « er preserve »
<Gayo> Amelia: Yggdrasil can bathe the world in the glowing light of purity and restore it to a state of holiness...I needed to come here to get the second part of the formula, and to have a place to unleash it.
<Shane> Where is 'here'?
<Shane> This doesn't exactly look like the New Moon anymore...
<Gayo> Amelia: It is. This is the heart of Malduc. From here I can use the twin powers to heal the world.
<Gayo> >> Her shoulders shake, and her breath quickens for a moment.
<Shane> ...What twin powers?
* Ellena tries once again to see why her face looked different for a second in the light earlier, having failed the last time.
<Gayo> «ooc: she's facing away again »
<Shane> (w) Well...  we have to stop her.
* Neydisa shakes. "Amelia, please... please don't do this. I don't want to fight you."
* Ellena curses silently to herself.
<Shane> (w) This is why we're here.
<Gayo> Amelia: The powers of Life and Death, to wipe away the world full of pain and birth the new world from the spirits of the old.
<Hikaru> (w) Obviously...
<Hikaru> .oO(Damn, was GaiaCo -right- all along..?)
<Shane> .oO{ The Gaurdians want us to stop her...  but do I want what they want? }
<Allen> You mean... you plan to destroy everything in its current state and let a new world bloom from the energy of the first?
<Jeff> No.. we can't let you do that.
<Allen> That's... that's wrong!
* Hikaru closes his eyes and shakes his head, whispering to Shane. "Do what you think must be done. Don't do it because anyone wants you to."
<Gayo> Amelia: I had the power of Life, so I came here to get the power of Death...I...I didn't know it'd be so hard...I mean, I KNEW, but...I wish Selman were here to do this...he was the...he could have...
<Jeff> There's so many people down there.. they have dreams.. hopes.. you can't just snuff them all out.
<Ellena> ...Amelia...you don't plan to erase the current world and create a new one...
<Gayo> Amelia: Who are you to say what's wrong? You haven't seen a fraction of the pain and horrors of Filgaia! I don't just SEE them, I'm RESPONSIBLE for them!
<Gayo> Amelia: I'm the princess of Adlehyde...a princess of Adlehyde saved the world long ago, and it died anyway...I have to revive it now.
* Shane unholsters his gun while placing the bomb on the ground, and slides it towards amelia with the side of his foot while she's still turned around.
<Allen> I can understand wanting to fix the world, but it doesn't have to be like this.. does it?
* Ellena suddenly becomes livid, "Horrors? I've SEEN horrors! I've been part of them too, and I still don't wish the world to change! There is good along with the bad. This is life! It's not fair to everyone else!"
<Jeff> And who are you to  turn against the Guardians, and against Filgaia?
<Hikaru> ...A better question is why you gave us the means to stop you if you wanted your plan to succeed.
* Shane aims at the bomb, firing at the first opportunity.
<Neydisa> ...the Lonely Walker... if you try to save the world alone... it will fail... I don't want to see that. But I don't want to lose my home either...
<Gayo> Amelia: I'm the sister of the one who should have done it. I'm the last hope for a dead world. I'm...Amelia. I walk alone through a vale of tears, and I help others and am hated for it...I - 
<Gayo> >> The bomb explodes, decimating half the platform.
* Shane shields his face,.
<Gayo> «ooc: you all get knocked back a ways, though not down the stairs. »
<Gayo> Rayle: Ugh...!
* Ellena crires out, but manages to keep her footing, "...Guardians..."
* Neydisa is flung away by the unexpected explosion. "No!"
<Ellena> «ooc: cries, even »
* Jeff goes tumbling, wincing as he hits the ground
* Hikaru slides back a bit, Rayle toppling off his shoulder.. "Geez! What the hell..?"
<Shane> (m) I doubt it'll be that easy.
<DooM_GazE> <<Naughty Word!!>>
* Allen picks himself up.
* Shane scrambles to his feet quickly.
<Hikaru> No, neither do I! But you almost killed us...!
<Gayo> >> As the smoke clears, Amelia is revealed suspended in midair. Her clothes have vanished, and half of her body is covered in a strange brown scabby material.
<Shane> Ashes!
<Shane> What have you done to yourself?
<Ellena> ...What on Filgaia is this?!
<Hikaru> ....That's...rather...stomach-churning.
* Neydisa struggles to sit up. "Amelia...?"
<Shane> .oO{ Is that the path to eternal life?! }
<Hikaru> «ooc: Mmm, naked scabby chick. It's like Eve from Parasite Eve »
* Jeff pulls himself back to his feet. "What've you done.."
<Gayo> Amelia: I am Princess Amelia...but I'm not just that any longer. I'm the hopes of all living things, the hated prophet, martyred savior. Look...look at what I've had to do for you! Do you think this was easy...?
<Hikaru> ...Do you think it was RIGHT?
<Jeff> The hopes of all...
<Ellena> ...Amelia. It doesn't have to be like this...it doesn't...
* Jeff sets his face. "...you dare.."
<Shane> Did anyone ask you to be our martyr, dear?
<Gayo> Amelia: I never wanted to do this alone...but if I didn't...who would? Even the protectors of Filgaia don't understand. This is the only way.
<Ellena> Perhaps it is you who doesn't understand...Perhaps it's you.
<Gayo> Amelia: of course you didn't ask. You're all happy living in a dead, rotting world with no hope of salvation. You're so afraid of the beyond that you'd let Filgaia die to avoid facing it. I'm not afraid of the beyond...not any more.
<Neydisa> Noone has to bear the weight of the entire world by themself... nooen should.. why can't you understand? I wanted to help you... and now... I'm going to have to... *chokes on her words*
<Jeff> Did you even think to talk to them? You assume you're wiser than them..
<Shane> (m) Neydisa...  Can you hear the Guardians?  Do you know what to do?
<Hikaru> ...
<Hikaru> Amelia, you're killing Filgaia. So what's the difference between you and us?
<Ellena> There are things wrong with Filgaia...I knew that when I first arrived here...banished, no less. But there are beautiful...wonderful things too. These people with me are only a fraction of the good. There is so, so much more.
<Ellena> How could you have closed yourself off so much that all you can see is the wrong...and not the right on this world?
<Ellena> I pity you. I really, really do...
* Neydisa tries to come to her senses. "I can't hear anything.. only the swirling torrent of energy here."
<Ellena> ...I pity myself too...because there might have been a time when I would have agreed with you. No more.
<Gayo> Amelia: I used to think that, long ago. Before... *lowers her eyes* This place...this is where Mother was supposed to have died...you can't really kill death, though. Not for good.
<Hikaru> ...
<Shane> (m) My god...  She's the center of all this power...
<Shane> « er, 'my god' should be something suitable for shane to say. »
<Gayo> «ooc: great dragon gods? »
* Hikaru glances at Shane again. "Who is? All what power?"
<Gayo> Amelia: ...Mother is inside me now...I have to do this while I still hold the balance of life and death...
<Ellena> «ooc: Zeus! »
<Hikaru> «ooc: "Ashes". ;) »
<Shane> « "By the Abyss" »
<Ellena> ...What...? O_o
<Shane> « Ashes is too casual. »
<Shane> « ;D »
<Ellena> Did...Did I hear you right? The...'THE' Mother?
* Neydisa wideyes. "Mother?! Amelia..."
<Shane> The Demon Queen?
* Jeff stares, his voice going low. "Zephyr help us."
* Shane looks at the Death-compass.
<Ellena> «ooc: Oooh oooh my sweet Zei...I mean Amelia! »
<Gayo> Amelia: She lived only to destroy...it's ironic that she'll be used to create a world of beauty with Yggdrasil. *looks up, weeping openly* Please go now. We can't fight. I can't be harmed now, and I don't want to cause any more suffering before we're all reborn in a better world...
<Hikaru> ...
* Shane pockets it, frowning.
<Jeff> I have no choice.
<Hikaru> It's ironic that she'll be used to creat a world of beauty that she'll DESTROY. Get a clue, Amelia!
<Gayo> Rayle: This is nuts...
<DooM_GazE> <<cue big boss battle>>
<Hikaru> Demons are BAD, mmkay? You can't change that any more than you can change life and death themselves!
<Ellena> You can't control her, Amelia! Your ancestor fought her to save this world! How can you hope to contain her!?
<Shane> « Zed? »
<Hikaru> «ooc: Zed is insane. He doesn't count. »
<Gayo> Amelia: Mother wasn't just a demon...she was something else...something cosmic. If I don't do this now, she'll take over. Human bodies aren't strong enough to contain her...it's much too late to turn back.
<Hikaru> ...
<Jeff> I've given myself willingly and totally to the Guardians... I can't back away from that now. Even if it means I have to die again, I have to try.
<Shane> You cannot be immortal, Amelia.  You are deluding yourself.
<Shane> She was defeated twice before, and if you resurrect her, she will be again.
<Shane> And you know we must.
<Ellena> ...You will not only die then, but you will damn the world with Mother's rebirth. How could you...?
* Neydisa tries to bite back her tears. "..."
<Gayo> Amelia: No...immortality is a horrible thing...once I've summoned the dual powers, I will fade into nothingness. We'll all be reborn in a world of peace and happiness. Don't you want that?
<Shane> ...No.
<Ellena> ...Not like this....not like this...
<Shane> I want to live, and then I want to leave.
* Jeff sighs. "Amelia.. no."
<Neydisa> I want a world of peace and happiness... but if all I've struggled for till now is meaningless...
<Shane> I do not wish to die and be born again.  My existance must not be interrupted.
<Hikaru> ...Easy answers never work. I think that sums it up well enough.
<Ellena> «ooc: hehe. Hikaru is cooool »
<Shane> « actually, Occams Razor states that Easy answers are the best, and complicated ones are doomed to fail by entropy. »
<Shane> « This isn't easy. »
<Ellena> «ooc: Well, uh...he's still cool! ^^ »
<Gayo> Amelia: So selfish...don't you see that this is the only way? The world is surviving on borrowed time. It's a rotten, filthy thing, and every last bit of good in it is dying as we speak. I know this is hard -- god, believe me, I know -- but it's the right thing. 
<Shane> You presume to know the will of the universe, Amelia?
<Shane> Who are you to decide this?
<Shane> How do you know?
<Ellena> ...Amelia...did you even ask the people if this is what they want? What if you're the only person who wants this new world? Who is selfish then?
<Gayo> Amelia: If the fate of the world were left up to the people in it, do you think it would be any different than it is today?
<Gayo> Amelia: They're the ones who destroyed it!
<Hikaru> ...
* Hikaru shakes his head. "Poor, poor deluded woman."
<Ellena> ...And they're people just like you, Amelia. People who make mistakes and are flawed, but are people, with hopes and dreams, and good. You just have to gaze deep to see it...
<Shane> (m) Enough talk.  Let's dance.  Hikaru?
<Gayo> >> She rises slowly, her hair floating off her shoulders, power flashing behind her eyes.
* Hikaru nods to Shane. (m) "So long as you don't try to blow her up again."
<Jeff> But some of them still have love.. courage.. hopes and desires. Filgaia isn't dead. There's still hope for our world. We won't let you wipe it away..
<Shane> (m) No more bombs.
<Ellena> «ooc: Shane: I have bottle rockets though! Hikaru: *facepalm* »
* Allen pulls out the dispel crest graph, not really expecting to acheive much... but it's always worth trying.
<Hikaru> (m) Okay, let's dance.
* Shane tosses Allen the Spell-amplifier, just in case.
<Gayo> Amelia: I don't expect you to understand...I don't expect you to love me, to know me, to realize that what I do is the only way it can be done...there was only one person who ever did that, and that person is gone. I will do this, and I will die, and no one will remain to thank me...
* Shane pulls out his rod, and starts casting Mystic.
<Shane> « ... »
<Neydisa> Amelia!
<Ellena> Amelia...please don't! That's not true!
<Gayo> Amelia: ...but that's my lot...and if you have to suffer for the greater good...well...I've made sacrifices. 
<Neydisa> By the Guardians, I didn't come this far to let you die!
<Gayo> >> She thrusts her arms out to the side, white and black energy flaring from her palms. "Everyone dies. I just want to make sure it's worthwhile."
<Gayo> --SESSION END--
Session Close: Mon Dec 03 02:21:12 2001

Session Start: Sun Dec 09 2001
<Gayo> --SESSION START--
<Gayo> >> The room blazes with energy of every element, ancient forces twisting and spiralling in a tornado of sheer power.
<Gayo> ---{ ULTIMATE BATTLE }---
<Gayo> Enemy Front: Amelia
<Gayo> Ally Front: Jeff, Hikaru
<Gayo> Ally Back: Ellena, Shane, Allen, Neydisa
* Shane braces himself against the palpatable energy crackling through the air, steeling himself to the logic of survival without the benefit of his curse in place yet.
<Gayo> Round 1! Allen, Ellena, Hikaru, Jeff, Neydisa and Shane are Condition Green!
* Ellena draws in a deep breath, and prepares herself for what's to come.
* Hikaru growls and switches his sword to his other hand, digging in one of the pouches on his belt...
* Neydisa hangs at the rear of the group, looking hard at Amelia. "If I have to make a choice... I have to choose my family... I have to choose Filgaia... I have to fight! Don't force me to do this, Amelia..."
<Gayo> Hikaru throws the Venom Dart at Amelia! Miss!
* Hikaru snarls and pulls out a green-striped dart, looking at the twisted figure of a woman... "That's sickening... that Shrike was right..."
* Hikaru chucks the dart, but biffs it. Doh.
<Gayo> >> The dart clanks to the ground below the platform.
<Gayo> Amelia casts Accellerator! Preempts!
<Gayo> Amelia casts Flash Double! 
<Gayo> >> Amelia lifts both hands in front of her, each forming a shimmering barrier...
<Gayo> >> Amelia places a Negation Ward between herself and the party! Lasts until round 5!
<Gayo> >> Amelia places a Damage Ward between herself and the party! Lasts until round 4!
* Shane squints at the barrier, not used to magic being cast without the benefit of his Magic Specs...
<Gayo> Neydisa summons Rigdobrite! The party's Willpower is raised one level!
* Neydisa traces the Star rune in the air, shimmering amidst the sea of them all around. "The essence of the whole, the falling star that brings hope for a new day... come forth, Rigdobrite, I entreat you! Give us enduring strength from the heavens beyond..."
<Gayo> Jeff uses Spiritual Attunement! he synchronizes wth the essence of spirits!
* Jeff closes his eyes for a moment, murmuring gently to himself.
<Gayo> Allen Wide Casts Enlighten on the back row!
* Allen reaches for a crest graph and trembles slightly as he tries to concentrate on channeling the energy.
<Allen> The sharpened mind can conquer all.  Enlighten!
* Allen gets a halo. The rest of his row does too, woo.
<Gayo> Ellena High Summons Zeldukes!
* Ellena reaches down, and scoops up a handful of dirt, dust, and debris from the floor. She opens her hands slightly, and the stuff runs through her fingers, sparkling with light and magic. The debris swirls around her in all directions, creating a sphere around her of magical energy.
<Ellena> Steel pushes back the rain. Steel pushes back the wind. Steel pushes back the hate. Steel pushes back the horror! Bring your shield! Zeldukes!
<Gayo> >> The mystic barrier around the room strains as streamers of energy push their way through it to form glimmering barriers in front of the group.
<Gayo> Defense and Agility +2L!
<Allen> <<argh, need to rewrite stupid spell descs.>>
<Gayo> Shane uses Counterspell! Matching minds with spellcasters until Round 5!
<Gayo> Amelia's Dark Half uses Magic Seal on Shane!
<Gayo> >> A tendril of knotty darkness shoots from Amelia's left side, winding around Shane.
* Shane flinches at the unknown ensorcery.
<Gayo> Miss!
<Gayo> >> Shane manages to shake off the effects of the attack....
<Gayo> Round 2!
* Shane 's brow furrows, but he continues chanting his counter-magicks.
* Allen grimaces... .oO( What can I do? I don't want to hurt Amelia. )
<Gayo> Amelia uses Accellerate!
* Neydisa is shaking slightly, the battle raging on just as much inside of her emotions, as it is in the chamber.
* Shane squints at Amelia's glyphs, quickly adapting a counter-charm.
<Gayo> Countered!
* Shane would smile vengefully, but for the five glowing dots that are blessedly removing the cloud of emotion in this perilous battle.
<Gayo> Neydisa charges! Force+1.
<Gayo> Jeff uses Spiritual Attunement a second time!
<Gayo> Allen Wide Casts Suction on the back row!
* Allen swaps crest graphs and focuses his attention on damage control. .oO( I'll do what I can to keep us safe. That's all I can do, anyway.)
* Jeff bows his head for a moment, strengthening his tie to the spirits.
<Allen> A transfer of energy to remain unaffected, Suction!
<Gayo> Ellena charges! Force+1.
* Allen gets a little greenish shimmering barrier, too. Now all he needs is the matching shoes and handbag.
<Gayo> Hikaru Assesses Amelia.
* Hikaru closes his eyes and tries to concentrate on the battle at hand, laying out his options in front of him, mentally..
<Gayo> 2 questions!
* Shane acknowledges the new field with a approving nod.
>> <Hikaru>  First of all, HP on her main body? »
<Gayo> She only has the main body. The second part is part of her. And...840
>> <Hikaru> Secondly, any weaknesses, elemental or non-elemental?
<Gayo> No.
<Gayo> Shane assesses! 4 questions.
>> <Shane> Tell me her forces.
<Gayo> Abyss Gate       1        Reduce single target's force to 0
<Gayo> Mind's Eye       1        Take a Physical action using Mind instead of Dex to hit.
<Gayo> Overdrive        2        Regain any amount of MP, but lose 8 times that many HP
<Gayo> Soul Vortex      2        Preemptive; Like Suction, but has 1 turn duration
<Gayo> Double Cast      3        Cast two spells in a row; they needn't be the same spell
<Gayo> Aura Curse       3        All target party's elemental resistances go down 1 
<Gayo> Neverland        4        Target party's elemental resists and stats -2L each
<Gayo> Final Invocation 4        MAP*2 omni-elemental attack on target party (dex to hit)
>> <Shane> Question 2: Does Solus Emsu hurt her?
<Gayo> Yes.
>> <Shane> What's she attempting next turn?
<Gayo> Stat boost.
>> <Shane> Gayo: DP 
<Gayo> 40
<Gayo> she's wussy
<Gayo> Dark Half uses Stat Drain on Shane! Shane's Mind is lowered 1L!
<Gayo> Round 3! The party gains 1 force!
<Gayo> Neydisa is CG!
<Gayo> Jeff High Summons Equitus!
<Gayo> >> An aura of power surrounds the group...Str/Dex+2L!
<Jeff> Equitus, lend us your strength in this hour of need..
<Gayo> Allen casts Suction on the front row!
* Allen spins his staff in a circle twice and waves it toward the front row. "A transfer of energy to remain unaffected, Suction!" A faint sheen of green slides into place in front of Hikaru and Jeff.
* Hikaru glows pretty :D
<Gayo> Ellena low summons Rigrobrite! The party's mind rises 1 level!
* Shane mutters his counter-charms continuously, leaning all of his mental capacity into it, silent for all effective purposes...
* Ellena reaches down, and scoops up a handful of dirt, dust, and debris from the floor. She opens her hands slightly, and the stuff runs through her fingers, sparkling with light and magic. The debris swirls around her in all directions, creating a sphere around her of magical energy.
<Ellena> Rigdobrite! White rage falls down, rage burns rage, down falls rage white! Rigdobrite!
<Gayo> Neydisa uses Dance of Tides! water resistance maxed!
* Jeff actually pauses to shoot Ellena a bewildered look
* Neydisa holds her arms out to her side, small motes of bluish energy seeping from her fingertips into the air. "Become as the sea, lest it consume you... join in the Dance of Tide." Many tiny droplets of water begin to instantly condense about Neydisa before seeping into their skin, forming a natural barrier to water attack.
* Ellena sweatdrops, "...It sounded okay in my head...^^;"
<Gayo> Hikaru uses Runaround!
* Hikaru opens his eyes wide and clenches his sword, glaring at Mother Amelia.. "That's it... you're going down, babe..."
* Hikaru rushes out at Amelia, leaping into the air... "What, you think I'm stupid?"
* Hikaru comes down, quickly seathing his sword and frisking Amelia for anything he can take.. "Yeah, just keep thinkin' that."
<Gayo> Amelia has nothing to take!
<Gayo> Amelia: ...
* Hikaru shrugs, hopping back to the party. "If all else fails, well... she's pissed at me now?"
<Gayo> Rayle: We'll win this, dammit...
<Gayo> Rayle: We gotta...
* Hikaru shakes his head. "Never said we wouldn't."
* Hikaru draws his sword again and readies himself.
<Gayo> Shane renews Counterspell! Lasts until Round 7!
* Shane 's curse pulses on his face as Shane's demons appear in turn, the curse allowing him to blissfully ignore his true feelings... Cold thought racing through his mind.
* Jeff nods. "Rayle's right. We can't let her do this. We won't."
<Gayo> Amelia casts Dragon Soul!
<Gayo> All stats +2L!
* Neydisa shakes her head. "Amelia... I believed in you... I knew you were doing the best for Filgaia after Surf. I wanted to be your friend... I chased Death to protect you, and now...? Is Claudius right in the end?"
<Gayo> Amelia: *dazed* Don't be a fool...this is the...the only way things can be now.
<Gayo> Dark Half uses Stat Drain on Shane! Shane's Mind-1L
<Gayo> Round 4! The Damage Ward dissipates.
<Shane> Princess, you have acted and spoken for those who did not wish to have either done.  Nobody wishes you to do this.
<Gayo> Amelia: Sometimes...someone has...to rise above...
<Shane> You have not Risen.  You have fallen as far as one can fall.
<Gayo> Amelia: I wouldn't expect...you to understand...*closes eyes*
* Shane 's face-dots whir, emotion being supressed.
<Shane> ...
<Shane> ...Foolish.
<Ellena> You cannot rise above if you rely on Mother. Don't you see? Your ancestor risked her life to stop this. How can you tarnish her name like that?
<Gayo> >> Amelia says no more.
<Shane> Okay.
<Gayo> Amelia casts Accellerator! Preempts!
<Gayo> Amelia casts Flash Double! Gets two spells!
<Gayo> Amelia casts Damage Ward! Countered!
<Gayo> Amelia casts Flash Double! Gets two more spells!
* Shane starts sweating under the mental strain.
<Gayo> >> Amelia casts Damage Ward! Warded until Turn 9!
<Gayo> Amelia casts Intiative! Countered! 
* Neydisa reaches into her pack hastily, trying to stay clear headed. .o( It's got to be Mother doing this to her... it has to be... there has got to be a way... )
<Gayo> Jeff attacks!
<Gayo> 0!
* Jeff throws a couple punches at Amelia, muttering a curse as the ward stops him
<Gayo> Allen casts Hi-Freeze on Amelia!
<Gayo> 0 damage! Amelia adapts...Water+1, Fire-1
* Allen waves his staff toward Amelia, a blast of frozen air explodes from the end and surounds her.
<Allen> Hmm.
* Shane regards the change.
<Gayo> Amelia: I wish you wouldn't...
<Gayo> Ellena delays.
<Hikaru> We wish you wouldn't, too. We don't want you to die, Amelia, just stop this nonsense.
<Allen> I'm sorry, it was reflexive?
* Allen pouts.
<Gayo> >> Amelia sighs.
<Shane> It is okay.  Stay focused.  
<Shane> This is not our Patron.  This is a fell beast.
<Gayo> Neydisa mystics the Weirding Stones on Shane! Enlighten released. Shane's Mind+1L.
<Neydisa> ...
<Ellena> ...Amelia is in there somewhere, Shane. She just made a very fatal choice.
<Hikaru> Shane, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we don't die. Death is.. uh...
* Neydisa produces a set of Weirding Stones from her pack and starts chanting softly, surrounded by a gentle, sea-green light.
<Neydisa> Mundane to magical, ordinary to extraordinary... release the hidden spirit within!
* Hikaru glances at Jeff. "Very very bad."
* Neydisa releases the latent Mystic power of Enlighten!
<Gayo> Hikaru uses Ultra Strike! 
<Gayo> 0 damage.
* Hikaru lunges forth, but then rears back a bit, knowing it's a waste of energy anyways.
<Gayo> Shane casts Mystic on the Mystic Carrot! The back row regains full MP.
<Gayo> Ellena summons Solus Emsu!
* Ellena reaches down, and scoops up a handful of dirt, dust, and debris from the floor. She opens her hands slightly, and the stuff runs through her fingers, sparkling with light and magic. The debris swirls around her in all directions, creating a sphere around her of magical energy.
<Ellena> Sacred judge of the swinging scales. Stand firm between the shade and glimmer, saint and sinner! Shine upon us with your fearsome judgement!
* Ellena watches her handiwork, knowing it'll do little good.
<Gayo> >> Two glimmering eyes appear in the dim, staring at Amelia. She looks away, but resists the effects.
<Gayo> 0 damage.
* Jeff looks up at Solus.
* Shane turns to the summon, Solus getting his attention even through the buffer of Stillwater.
<Shane> ...
<Gayo> Rayle: Bugger all...
* Shane 's face-dots burn very brightly.
<Gayo> Dark Half uses Stat Drain on Shane! Mind-1L!
<Gayo> Round 5! The Negation Ward dissipates!
* Shane pauses, and considers.
* Shane looks to Jeff, and considers.
* Shane clenches the cloth in his right hand.
<Neydisa> Though you turn away from the Guardians, I still have that wish... even if it means saving you from yourself...
* Allen notices Shane pulling out a crest graph and realizes that he must have had the same thought... so he puts his own away and concentrates instead.
* Shane looks at the ward dubiously, trying to figure out what to do.
<Gayo> Jeff delays.
<Gayo> Amelia casts Flash Double!
* Jeff watches Amelia closely, hoping
<Gayo> Amelia casts Negation Ward! Counterted!
<Gayo> Amelia: ...hmm...
* Shane 's visibly shaking under the mental stress.
<Gayo> Amelia casts Flash Double! 
<Gayo> Amelia casts Infuse! Countered.
* Ellena looks back to Shane and smiles softly, "You're doing fine...keep this up!"
<Gayo> Amelia casts Infuse. Force+1!
<Shane> You...   Cannot...
* Shane 's fists tighten.
<Shane> Mister Claren...  I hope you are right about this.
<Gayo> Allen charges! Force+1!
* Shane looks at the Zombie-Shaman's loaned rune.
* Jeff nods. "I hope so too.."
<Gayo> Neydisa and Ellena both Mystic Weirding Stones on Shane. Mind+1L twice!
* Allen mumbles to himself, "we can do this we can do this we can do this..."
* Shane breaths more evenly, as he focuses.
* Neydisa stares at Amelia again, trying to find the words that would reach her... she continues to draw power from the stones to Shane.
<Gayo> «ooc: there is one upside to all this. But I'm still screwedc »
* Shane holds The rune in front of him, trying to do what he ineffably does with the Dark Guardian's sigil...
<Jeff> You can do this, Shane.
<Neydisa> Amelia... I wish i could be the one to judge your actions...
<Gayo> Hikaru delays...
<Gayo> Shane summons Ge Ramtos!
* Hikaru snarls slightly, tensing and getting into a battle-ready position, his sword flaring up with its own unearthly fire as Shane's rune glows...
* Shane closes his eyes, and wills the True Death forward.
<Gayo> >> A bone-curdling screech rips through the battlefield, accompanied by a freezing wind and swarms of something too small to see.
<Gayo> Amelia is Dispelled!
<Jeff> Ge Ramtos.. thank you.
* Shane opens his eyes...
<Shane> (emotionless) Did...  it work?
* Neydisa softly adds. "But, only the great Guardians alone can reserve that right..."
<Ellena> Yes!
<Jeff> I believe it did..
* Shane hides the rune away again.
<Gayo> Amelia: I can't lose here...
<Shane> Then destroy the demon.  
<Gayo> Jeff attacks Amelia!
* Shane resumes his concentrating stance.
* Jeff nods again, clenching his fists before rushing in at Amelia with a flurry of blows
* Neydisa looks away, closing her eyes tightly.
<Jeff> We won't let you do this, Amelia! We can't!
* Shane watches, craven with strain.
<Gayo> 112! Critical-188! 125! 126! (551) Amelia gains 1 force!
<Gayo> Dark Half attacks Shane!
* Shane braces, face strained with focus.
<Gayo> 300! Shane gains 1 force.
<Gayo> Hikaru uses Frenzy Blade!
* Hikaru pulls back his sword, flames spreading down the length of his sword and outlining his body. "Aaron Thompson, Eater of Souls... give me your power in body and mind... give me the power to defeat that which is led down the wrong path... Furudanuki no ougi....batsu no kyoujin!!"
* Hikaru lets charges forward, surrounded in flames! He jumps at Amelia and comes down with a fury of strikes before finishing by channeling the aura into his sword and cleaving through his foe, flipping over and kicking him into the floor before attacking two more times!! "...Now die, and be silent..."
* Allen 's breath catches in his throat seeing Hikaru acting so abusively to Amelia.
* Allen clamps his eyes closed and reminds himself that she's not the same Amelia.
<Gayo> Miss! critical-178! Critical-178! Miss! 121! (490) Amelia survives with 1 HP!
<Gayo> Round 6! Everyone gains 1 force! Allen is CG!
* Shane , bleeding heavily from the face, disregards his wounds.
<Shane> (m) ...Zember Zom...
<Gayo> Amelia uses Accellerator! Countered!
<Gayo> Hikaru uses Flash Rush!
* Hikaru holds his blade out and channels energy into it in a typical Fast draw manner, glares at his opposition, and cries out "Issen sattou!" He immediately springs into action and slashes at Amelia!
<Gayo> 125! Critical-162! 113! (400) KO'd!
* Neydisa starts sobbing softly. "If you can hear my prayers Ge Ramtos, take her gently into the Sea of Eternity... away from the suffering and the pain... give her this wish. My wish for her."
<Gayo> Victory!
<Gayo> 6000 EXP!
* Ellena closes her eyes, and turns away...
* Jeff bows his head again. "Amelia.. I'm sorry. why couldn't you have backed down?"
* Shane continues to chant, in precaution.
<Gayo> >> Amelia floats in mid-air, suspended in the nothingness, stars at her back. Slowly, her left side begins to flake and splinter, peeling away into dust. Her remaining half remains suspended a moment longer, serene, before collapsing in a bloody heap on the clear bubble beneath the platform, Filgaia spread below her.
* Hikaru sighs and seathes his sword, turning away. "I'm sorry I had to do that, but the world couldn't just be recycled like that. That's not how life works."
* Shane reaches for a Berry with his unclenched hand.
<Gayo> >> Her remains disentigrate rapidly. Soon only a pile of dust remains.
* Hikaru reaches over and cautiously picks up the unused Venom Dart.
* Shane looks around cautiously, and re-dons his glasses experimentally.
* Ellena sighs, sadly watching Amelia's last moments.
<Gayo> >> The barrier surrounding the room ripples and vanishes.
* Allen stares at the spot where she faded away for a few unblinking moments.
<Gayo> Rayle: ...so...
* Neydisa looks back in Amelia's direction, only to find her gone all but for the dust..
* Jeff looks sadly at the pile for a moment, then slowly smiles. "We did it."
<Ellena> Yes, that we did.
* Hikaru looks at Ellena sadly. "We were right, back at Adlehyde.  Amelia was dead..."
* Ellena blinks, and frowns, considering this, "...I guess she was, wasn't she?"
<Shane> Ellena.
<Ellena> Shane?
<Gayo> Rayle: No...she wasn't. She was just...lost. Real, real lost...
<Shane> If you could please...  would you incinerate the demon-remains in this room?
<Gayo> Rayle: S'pose now she'll never find 'er way back.
<Hikaru> ...Rayle, she was.
<Shane> I would.... prefer if this were not repeated.
* Neydisa falls to her kness. "Amelia..."
* Ellena nods, "I can do that..."
* Jeff passes the fire rune back to Ellena
* Hikaru steps away from the remains. "She doomed herself the minute she considered using the demons for her purposes..."
<Shane> Mother should have her final death, if possible.
<Ellena> Thank you, Jeff. *takes it*
<Jeff> No problem..
<Ellena> Everyone please leave the room? I'd hate for you to be caught in Moa Gault's fury...
<Gayo> Rayle: Not sure if Mother can ever be really destroyed if bein' splatted didn't do it...best ter leave this place alone...
* Shane walks ahead to the stairs.
* Allen kneels next to Neydisa and gently places a hand on her shoulder. "I.. hope we did the right thing."
* Hikaru glances at Allen before following after Shane. "No telling... everything has a cost..."
<Gayo> Rayle: ain't a matter o' doin' th'right thin', s'just doin' the only thin'.
* Jeff sighs, the smile leaving his face. "There was no choice. We did what had to be done."
* Allen nods, hearing their words... but not wanting to listen.
<Ellena> I still feel bad. Amelia wasn't totally evil...she just...made the wrong choices...
* Shane sits down on the stairs.
* Neydisa looks extremely wearily into Allen's eyes, her voice is low, and her eyes seem heavy.
* Shane looks down.
* Ellena blinks, and looks up.
<Shane> .oO{ Boomerandg, maybe? }
* Hikaru looks down the hallway, trying to make out the source of the footsteps.
* Shane walks down the stairs, cautiously.
<Ellena> ...It could be those men from before...What if Watcher...?
* Jeff walks over to the stairs, following Shane down.
* Hikaru keeps going down the stairs, passing Shane... "We'll be fine..."
* Neydisa pulls the Sigil of Adlehyde from underneath her tattered outwear, it glinting once.
* Ellena follows Shane
* Shane feels fear encroach again, and pauses as Stillwater fades.
<Gayo> >> Boomerang stands at the base of the stairs, splattered faintly with human blood. "Where is the Master?"
<Shane> She's dead.
<Ellena> She *is* dead.
<Shane> We've finished her.
* Hikaru glances at Boomerang. "Dead. Dust."
* Jeff nods. "It's over."
* Neydisa stands up, a little off balance. "...Princess Amelia... is gone."
<Gayo> Boomerang: *pause* I see. Then...I have lost my chance.
<Shane> It was Amelia and the Demon Mother.
<Hikaru> Your chance?
* Shane watches the demon.
<Gayo> >> Boomerang turns away. "Mother...I see. I regret not having the chance to slay her personally. You had best beware, though. Mother does not fear the boundaries of death. I say this as one who has clambered his way from the depths of hell himself, once."
* Neydisa backs out of the room slowly.
* Shane nods slowly.
* Allen takes one last look over his shoulder, then starts descending the stairs.
<Hikaru> ...I figured as much. We'll come to that when it happens, though. After all, if Van Burace was able to slay her 100 years back, I have a chance...
<Gayo> Boomerang: I hope you're correct about your victory. Either way...this is a place that should not be returned to. 
* Neydisa mumbles to herself, sounding distant. "...Filgaia... we need.. to go back...
<Gayo> Rayle: Yer right about that...Malduc's prolly best left 'lone...
<Shane> ...
<Shane> .oO{ We'll see about that. }
* Ellena, noting that everyone has left the room, heads back upstairs to torch the place, as Shane requested.
<Shane> It's hard enough getting here.
* Hikaru glances at Shane...
<Shane> I don't believe it'll be a problem.
<Gayo> >> The party slowly heads down the hallway. Behind them, the rush of flames echoes.
<Shane> Since I'll be removing the gate from Filgaia.
<Gayo> Rayle: Th'gate...amazin'...but so deadly...
<Shane> What... will you do now, Demon?
<Hikaru> ...It should be dismantled, Shane.
* Neydisa still has tears staining her face, but is trying not to show them.
<Gayo> Boomerang: I have no interest in the affairs of the world. 
* Shane looks at Hikaru.
* Hikaru looks back.
<Shane> Hikaru, I'm the only one that can operate it that is alive.
<Hikaru> ...Exactly.
<Hikaru> So that your nature doesn't shift to one similar to Amelia's, it should be dismantled.
<Shane> ...
<Gayo> Rayle: Some thin's are best left undisturbed...
<Ellena> Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
<Shane> ...
<Shane> !
* Shane turns around.
* Jeff glances at Neydisa, then back to Shane and Hikaru. "Is it safe to keep, Shane? If the governments of the world knew, it cou... what?"
<Shane> Ellena?
<Gayo> >> Boomerang turns. "Who is that?"
* Neydisa stops, turning around
<Neydisa> Ellena!
* Shane speedy-boots up.
* Hikaru turns back, running towards the stairs. "'Lena! What's wrong!
* Jeff turns, running back as well.
* Shane blazes to Ellena, instinct on high.
<Ellena> (From the room) The ...the Ashes! They're coming...!
* Neydisa climbs back up the stairs in a hurry to the room.
<Shane> .oO{ How could I leave her behind?! }
* Hikaru runs up the stairs, cursing..
<Gayo> >> Boomerang blasts past the party with disturbing speed, rushing up the stairs in a wake of blue fire. The rest of the group returns moments later. On the ruined platform, sooty ashes are slowly coalescing into a ball of blackness.
<Neydisa> is Mother trying to revive?!
* Allen trails the others.
<Shane> Ellena!
<Ellena> S...Shane!
* Shane flips down the lenses, prepared for anything.
* Shane looks frantically.
<Gayo> Boomerang: It appears so. She needs a body to take over to return to her full power. 
<Hikaru> ...
<Jeff> Can we stop this?
<Ellena> Then we should run! If she doesn't have a body...
* Hikaru glares at Boomerang, stepping in front of Ellena cautiously...
<Shane> Can we destroy this section of the Moon?
<Shane> ...Would that even stop her?
<Gayo> Rayle: Uh, that might be bad news, Shane...
<Shane> .oO{ Damn you Amelia!  Why'd you wake this? }
<Gayo> >> Grouped into a ball about the size of a cat, the ash form rises up, facing one way and then the next.
<Neydisa> Shane, we have to get out of here, and seal it off for good.. it's the only way...
<Jeff> Guardians...
<Ellena> ...What to do...what to do...It's happening all over again...
<Hikaru> ...Guys... We need to make haste..seriously... before it starts getting ideas...
<Ellena> Amelia...this is what I warned you of...Why didn't you listen?
<Gayo> Boomerang: Hmph. What a pathetic creature. And yet, you cannot kill her.
<Shane> We...  should shop it.
* Shane turns to Boomerang.
<Ellena> Can we stop it?
<Shane> Is it possible?
<Hikaru> Shouldn't we try anyways?
<Gayo> >> The ashen form faces each person in turn, finally settling on Boomerang and slithering towards him.
<Neydisa> Boomerang, look out!
<Ellena> Boomerang! It's coming towards you!
<Gayo> Boomerang: It may be possible. Stand back.
* Hikaru stands back, still huddling over Ellena protectively.
<Shane> ...if it takes you over...  We may not be able to stop you.
* Ellena steps back, sticking close to 'Karu.
<Shane> ...You were hard enough before.
* Jeff steps back, slipping his hands into the opposite sleeves on his cloak for a moment, then clenching his fists and watches the mother-creature
* Allen blanches, this is not looking good.
<Gayo> >> Tiny snakes of ash slither from the distant corners of the room to join the main form, all converging on Boomerang, who kneels.
* Shane frowns at Ellena hiding behind Hikaru.
* Ellena 's eyes widen, "...What on...?"
<Allen> I.. I don't like the look of this..
<Gayo> Boomerang: Ha ha ha...I am sure that you can do anything, if you put your mind to it, human. 
<Allen> Shane.. I don't think he...
<Allen> Oh shit.
<Shane> .oO{ Hope is like a thousand small deaths stealing you away. }
* Allen fumbles for a graph.
<Allen> «ooc: heh heh »
<Ellena> N-nonono....
<Shane> Thank you for the vote of confidence, Demon...
* Shane glares.
<Gayo> >> In a flash, the ash winds around Boomerang. He pushes himself to his feet as the tiny ash strands begin to climb his leg, surrounding him in a slithering mass of blackness.
* Shane pulls his gun.
* Neydisa widens her eyes, taking a step back.
<Gayo> Boomerang: ..ngh...is that all of it, Mother? Is that all that remains of the great eater of worlds?
<Gayo> >> He clenches and unclenches his hand.
<Hikaru> «ooc: <Mother> NOM NOM NOM »
<Shane> Demon, do not try and control her.  She is slow and insidious!
<Shane> Please...  Destroy her if you can!
* Ellena begins to tremble.
* Shane 's brow furrows.
<Gayo> Boomerang: *cracks his neck to the side, his rasping voice low* She is that. I, however, am in no way slow.
<Shane> (whispered) ...kema...  please...?
<Neydisa> Mother controlled demons in the past...
* Hikaru twitches, gripping the hilt of his sword, his knuckles turning white.
<Allen> Shane... he's not... I...
<Shane> Boomerang, What should we do?
* Allen chants the Hi-freeze.
<Gayo> >> The spell does little damage to Boomerang.
<Allen> Rrr!  Don't you see?!
* Jeff clenches and unclenches his fists, watching Boomerang.
<Gayo> Boomerang: I tire of this. I am a demon warrior. I have exacted my vengeance on my enemies, and left my mark on countless worlds. My name is known and feared across the galaxy, and it is time for me to leave.
<Ellena> L-Leave?
<Hikaru> ...So long as Filgaia keeps in one piece..
<Gayo> >> Boomerang lifts one hand, slowly, deliberately. Suddenly, in a blur of darkness, he plunges his hand into his chest with a wet squelch. Liquid soaks his robes. "This device...is...an annoyance!"
* Shane watches with morbid professional curiosity.
<Gayo> >> With a sickening shred, he rips the false, twisting heart gem from his chest, crushing it in his fist.
<Gayo> Boomerang: I am through with the living. Be gone, small beings.
<Gayo> >> He collapses.
* Shane nods.
<Allen> Oh.
<Allen> Maybe I was mistaken.
* Neydisa cirnges a moment, then her fear turns to sorrow..
<Shane> I... think we should heed him.
* Allen 's face reddens.
<Hikaru>  ....Yeah. Let's get out of here, guys....
<Shane> I think we should leave, very quickly...
<Gayo> >> His body rapidly shrinks and disentigrates into nothingness, until all that remains is a boomerang and a suit of armor.
<Gayo> Rayle: ...I see..
* Allen gestures to the door, "After you."
* Shane starts casting mystic->SpeedyBoots on everyone.
* Hikaru blinks and picks up both items... "Boomer'... Your sacrifice won't be forgotten, boyo."
* Shane wants to go home very quickly.
* Ellena is still trembling slightly, but nods.
* Hikaru then proceeds to get all speedy.
* Shane glances at the watch.
<Gayo> >> a handful of dust falls out of the armor. Nothing else is left of the demon.
<Hikaru> ...dust...
* Neydisa begins backing away to the stairs, mimicing Shane's action with her pair. "Boomerang... rest in peace with Amelia..."
<Shane> Ashes... no Blood.
* Jeff nods slowly. "Boomerang... thank you. Everyone.. he's right. We should leave here... and not return."
* Hikaru suddenly gets a bad feeling, but shakes it off. "He's a metal demon. Who's to say they had blood?"
* Ellena also casts swift on her boots, and hi-tails it outta there.
* Shane touches his brow, and laughs quietly at the crimson.
* Shane shakes his head to himself.
* Hikaru follows everyone as Shane goes insaen
<Gayo> >> Energized, the group blazes through the hallway and out into the control room.
* Neydisa cannot bear the thoughts in her mind anymore, and leaves this place quickly, running down to the control room.
* Shane runs to the controls, waits for everyone to get in, and propells everyone to the loading bay.
<Gayo> >> Moving with similar alacrity, Shane leads the party through the general hub area and into the corridor from whence they originally arrived. The gate is still there, offering a peaceful, sideways view of the jungle.
<Shane> I...  Don't hink I like this place right now.
<Ellena> Hurry! Let's leave!
<Gayo> Rayle: Never did, meself.
<Jeff> I don't blame you!
* Allen hops through the gate.
* Hikaru takes a deep breath and does the smart thing - steps through the gate
* Shane hands Jeff a hanky-wrapped rune.
<Shane> Speaking of things I don't like.  Here.
* Ellena follows closely after Hikaru.
<Jeff> ...thank you, Shane.
<Neydisa> Let it sleep forever... I can't look at it another minute...
* Shane walks through, and takes a position at the panel, ready to close it when everyone's in.
* Jeff gladly takes the run back, and heads through the gate
<Shane> Nobody can get there without Ellena.  
<Gayo> >> Passing through the portal, everyone is momentarily disoriented at the perpendicular shift in gravity.
<Shane> Her magic gave the engine a boost.
* Hikaru bwahs and bwahs again
* Ellena holds her stomach.
* Allen flails and lands in a heap on the ground.
* Shane 's mind whirs.
<Gayo> >> Rayle loops in the air as he flies through.
* Shane slumps at the controls.
* Allen rubs his nose. "Ouchie."
* Neydisa moves through the gateway, unsteady and sick to her stomach, but she still keeps going.. trying to run as fast as she can back to home.
* Shane wipes his brow of blood.
<Shane> What... about Watcher?
<Jeff> Neydisa!
<Shane> Ney...?
<Gayo> Rayle: ...dunno if 'e's even alive, after touslin' with that big bugger...
* Hikaru glances at Shane. "I always figured Watcher could get home himself, without the gate."
<Allen> He said something about going to Unspace.
* Shane powers down the gate when Ney clears it.
* Neydisa comes to a halt, right next to the Bird, flushed.
<Gayo> «ooc: http://rpgcafe.net/WARPG/files/front_battle.mid »
* Ellena touches her head, realizing she accidentally left her head scarf back on Malduc.
<Ellena> ...(w) Shoot.
* Shane would offer his hanky, but it's soaked in blood...
* Shane kneels by the machine, propped up by it.
<Shane> I...  We should rest.
* Hikaru blinks at Ellena and takes off his hat, placing it on Ell's head.
<Shane> I feel...
<Gayo> >> Rayle slowly sinks to the gradd, rolling on his back. "Guh."
<Hikaru> We should.
* Neydisa closes her eyes tightly, mumbling. "...why did I run again? Amelia... I'm right back where I started..."
* Shane closes his eyes.
* Hikaru sighs and leans against a tree.
* Ellena meeps, and looks up at the hat, "It's a bit big, I think. Thanks, 'Karu."
* Hikaru blinks. "Rayle...?"
* Allen does his part and wanders around to everyone, healing them.
<Shane> Neydisa...  Claren....
<Shane> ....are we safe?
* Jeff places a hand on Neydisa's shoulder. "Are you all right..?"
<Shane> Are your masters pleased?
<Shane> Can we... stop?
* Hikaru examines the small wind rat, seeing if he's okay.
* Shane smiles to something personal.
<Gayo> Rayle: We're okay, for now.
* Jeff looks back at Shane, his face a little troubled. "I... don't know. Why am I still here..?"
* Hikaru blinks and nods, unsure. "For now?"
<Gayo> Rayle: *shrugs* Always somethin' else, 'Ik.
<Shane> You'll... disappear?
<Shane> When you're done?
<Hikaru> ...Yeh, I suppose.
<Jeff> I.. don't know.
* Neydisa doesn't seem to respond quickly to Jeff or Shane's questions.
* Allen sparklies here, sparklies there.
<Shane> I...
* Shane sits down to think.
* Shane sighs.
<Neydisa> Filgaia's saved... but the pain. The pain's still here.... I'm tired of bearing it...
<Jeff> Caliban and that man... 
<Shane> I think we're in more danger, personally, than we were before.
<Jeff> ...like Sevena..
<Gayo> Rayle: Lurvely
* Neydisa is half talking to herself.
* Ellena overhears Neydisa, "You don't have to bear it alone..."
<Shane> ...Until we can be sure of it...  we can assume we're all fugitives from the major world governments...
<Jeff> There's more too all this than just Amelia.. but I think we're all right.. for now. But that machine, Shane.. if people find out about it..
* Shane swears under his breath.
* Hikaru glances at Jeff. "They wanted Amelia dead... I think I might know where they're getting orders.."
<Jeff> Where, Hikaru?
<Shane> ...?
* Shane looks at Hikaru.
<Gayo> >> Rayle starts to snore softly.
* Neydisa slides down the side of the Bird's fuselage to the ground, sitting here, with her head in her hands.
<Hikaru> ...It's only an educated guess, but, well...
<Hikaru> ...let's just say I have some papers to find still.
* Allen sits next to Neydisa and puts his arm around her shoulders.. "shhsshhh... it's okay..."
<Shane> Jeff.  I don't think we need to worry about anyone getting this machine...  and it may just save us a lot of hassle.  I have an idea...
<Jeff> We do know that... she.. is involved somehow.
<Neydisa> Just so tired of trying so hard for so little, Allen... I wanted the same thing as Amelia. I could have been like her...
<Jeff> An idea?
<Shane> We won't be safe here.  I need to rest.  Neydisa definitly needs to rest.
* Shane looks at her with a noticable concern.
* Hikaru glances at Shane. "You guys could go back to my old hovel to rest..."
<Shane> Yeah...  look, we need to get this into the engine room.  Can you boys carry it in?
* Hikaru nods.
<Jeff> Sure..
<Shane> Please do.  Be careful. 
* Allen nods. "I know.. the dream of a better world glimmering on the horizon is quite appealing for some reasons."
<Hikaru> «ooc: brb »
* Shane grunts, and stands up, leaving his pack on the ground.
* Shane walks to Allen and Ney.
* Neydisa whimpers once. "No, no, you don't understand... it's.. it's..."
* Jeff helps Hikaru manhandle the machine into the bird.
<Shane> Allen...  let's get her inside...  The chairs recline.
* Shane looks to him with a question on his face, eager to stop giving orders soon.
* Ellena stands up, adjusting Hikaru's hat, and glancing sadly at Neydisa.
<Gayo> >> Rayle sneezes and looks around groggily, woken by the noise.
* Allen nods, and gently helps Neydisa to stand. "We have all the time in the world to sort it out."
* Neydisa shakes. "The Bird... I've got to... pilot it..."
* Ellena heads to the Bird.
* Shane grabs a shoulder of Ney, and slowly helps her in.
<Gayo> Rayle: Wossay...we sleep 'ere tonight, eh...? 
<Shane> .oO{ ...what can we do?  Assume fugitives...  toting around national relics from Adlehyde, Arctica, and Seim? }
<Gayo> >> Rayle scratches under his arm, yawns, and hitches a ride on Ellena's leg.
<Ellena> Perhaps, Rayle...I'm tired too.
* Hikaru kneels down, just staring at the ground.
* Ellena goes inside the Bird.
<Jeff> We can.. do you think it'll be safe?
* Neydisa doesn't protest, she isn't looking to good as it stands.
* Shane sets back a seat, and lets Allen put her in.
* Shane proffers a blanket, and gets into the pilot seat.
* Shane lies his head on the dash, and sigh/sobs quietly.
* Hikaru sighs and gets into the bird..
* Neydisa snaps to her senses as she sees Shane glide into the controls. "Shane... I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry..."
* Ellena stops, glancing at Shane, "Shane?"
* Allen helps Neydisa settle into her seat, his brow furrowed with worry.
* Shane looks up, startled.
<Shane> ...Ney...?
<Shane> ...why?  What?
<Gayo> >> Rayle flops again as soon as he's inside.
<Shane> What happened?
* Shane looks surprised and worried. Off guard.
* Jeff watches Hikaru go into the bird, then sighs and looks around at the jungle. "How could she have thought there was no hope for this world..."
<Neydisa> I'm sorry if I ever was a burden to you. To everyone...
<Ellena> Nothing...I'm just making sure you're all right.
* Hikaru just goes to a corner and stares at the cieling for a while, thinking..
* Shane looks dumbfounded.
<Shane> Neydisa Kingfisher.
<Shane> You have been the single bright spot in this whole ordeal.
* Ellena smiles, then heads to the back of the bird, sitting on one of the chairs.
<Shane> If there is anyone who could possibly be an anti-burden, it was you.
<Shane> ...I...
* Neydisa pushes some hair out of her face, not expecting this reaction.
* Allen nods, "You weren't a burden, Neydisa."
<Shane> How...  I...
<Neydisa> I... still.. I could've done more...
* Shane smiles, warmly. It's a very odd smile on Shane.
* Hikaru sighs, mumbling though not really caring who hears him. "Come on... it's in the past..."
* Shane shakes his head gently.
<Shane> No more was asked, nor needed.  I could not have asked for more than you gave, Neydisa.
<Shane> I only have one thing more to ask of you.  If you would heed my request?
* Shane smiles, waiting for an answer.
* Neydisa looks at him and Allen and everyone, her eyes a bit glassy. "I guess, without realizing it, you became my boss..."
<Shane> I've...  been a bit bossy latly.  I do that when neccesary.
<Neydisa> But also my friend.  I.. I owe you so much.
* Allen raises an eyebrow.
<Shane> ...but... I think your masters will have little need of me soon enough, thankfully.
* Shane chuckles at the word 'friend'.
* Shane pauses on reflection.
<Shane> Hrmm...
<Neydisa> Shane... we'll figure.. it out. I want to help you... find answers... I need them..
* Shane looks very worn down, suddenly.
<Shane> I need answers too.  But that's not what I'm about to ask you to do, Neydisa.
<Shane> If there's anything you'll ever do for me from now on, please let it be this.
* Neydisa blinks, trying to clear her foggy eprception. "What then?"
* Shane shakes the tiredness away, and smiles again.
<Shane> Could you lie down?  Please?
<Shane> Allen will watch over you, I'm sure.
* Neydisa leans her head back into the chair, not arguing.
* Shane takes a nearby seat.
* Shane leans back.
* Shane looks around, waiting for the Strongmen and Ellena...
<Neydisa> ...Shane? Please tell me. I need something.. anything to focus on to stop thinking about what's just happened.
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Well, I don't want to worry you, but if you want my thoughts...
* Shane looks at her for permission.
<Shane> Allen...  could you bring the others in?  I think...  everyone should hear this.
* Ellena is inside the ship, sitting in one of the chairs and watching Shane's conversation quietly.
* Allen nods.
* Allen goes to the door and asks the others to come in.
* Neydisa looks at him, wondering if it's what she thinks it is.
* Hikaru is inside, concentrating and Meditating, not really paying attention
* Shane sighs, and starts into it.
* Neydisa holds her breath once, biting her lip...
<Shane> I don't know how much you've all realized this, seeing as we've just had several traumatic and shocking events happen all in the row, but it's in my nature to make sure I'm safe before resting, so...
<Shane> ...I'm fairly sure our task is over.  That's the good news.
* Shane frowns.
<Ellena> ...The bad?
<Jeff> What's the bad news?
<Allen> The fact that there's bad news at this point is hardly a surprise.
<Shane> The bad news is...  We're all, with the exception of Mister Harper here, in grave, grave danger.
* Allen blinks.
<Allen> How so?
<Shane> You're lucky, son.  You're noble-born.
* Allen 's face darkens considerably.
* Hikaru looks up. "We just killed Adlehyde's crown princess. That's rather... illegal."
* Shane touches his nose, and points at the swordsman.
* Neydisa frowns slowly, more and more.
<Ellena> They may not find out for a while...
<Jeff> But we had to... and no one but us knows.
<Ellena> But they eventually will.
<Shane> Furthermore, we can assume all of the higherups were in on it...  if not realizing they were assisting their death, then at least the point of doing the tasks.
<Shane> ...So...
<Shane> ...furthermore...
<Allen> ..going back to Adlehyde is out of the question?
<Shane> ...We'll be hunted by Adlehyde, Arctica, Seim, and GaiaCo... at the least.
<Shane> Well, Allen...  It is for us.
* Ellena shudders, "GaiaCo..."
<Hikaru> We're already being hunted by GaiaCo.
* Allen shakes his head, mumbling, "I'm not special."
<Shane> I'd hazard that you're safe again, and have a small task for you that I think you'd be happy to take.  As it probably means never having to listen to me again.
<Shane> But I have to come back to that...
* Allen nods.
<Shane> The fact of the matter is, we can't stick together.
* Ellena frowns on that, "..."
* Neydisa starts slightly. "Splitting up?"
* Hikaru looks at Shane, and frowns. "I'm staying with Ellena, no matter what the danger is, Shane.
<Shane> We're too vulnerable.  Large groups are always dangerous.  Concern for all of the parts makes running impossible.
<Hikaru> "
<Shane> I... was counting on that, Hikaru.
<Jeff> Shane.. are you sure about this? About.. fugitives?
* Ellena blinks, and looks up to 'Karu silently.
<Shane> Jeff, we should assume the worst.
<Allen> Yeah, I was hoping for the ticker-tape parade down Adlehyde Avenue.
* Hikaru raises his eyebrow at Shane and glances at Jeff. "GaiaCo is hunting us. I'm almost sure of it. I just..need..the proof."
<Allen> But... I'm an optimist sometimes.
<Shane> Hikaru, I can put you anywhere you need to go.  
<Shane> That's the beauty of the machine.
* Neydisa nods. "Given Endwell's reputation... Shane's.. probably right." She finishes her sentence with the slight tone of fear.
<Shane> Say where, and you're there.  Within the hour, if need be.
* Hikaru sighs and thinks. "Actually... I might want to stay here."
<Shane> On the isle?
* Hikaru nods... "What's his name.. Achilles something. He'd know about the papers."
* Ellena looks down at the ground.
<Jeff> This is a dangerous place..
* Shane nods.
<Shane> If you don't want to walk, I can drop you in a room.
<Ellena> ...I...Sometime...I need to check up on a...a friend.
<Shane> And...  I need to talk to you in private before you go, Swordsman.
* Shane looks dead.
<Ellena> But...I guess it can wait.
<Shane> But... this is how it must be.
* Hikaru shakes his head. "See about the others, first. And... Ellena gets first pick on where to go, because I promised her a few things."
* Shane looks like he's ignoring Ellena.
* Shane nods.
* Ellena smiles greatfully at 'Karu, "Thank you."
<Shane> If...  Any of you ever need to contact me...
* Ellena looks at Shane, a bit hurt.
* Shane looks down to avoid her gaze.
<Ellena> . o O ( ...Is he avoiding me?...Maybe this seperation is for the best.... )
* Shane trembles a bit.
<Shane> ...You can send a letter to the Headmaster of AiT.
<Shane> I would encode any location instructions in a riddle if possible.  Don't be overt.
<Gayo> Rayle: Snk...zz...
<Shane> Trust that I can decode it.  Feel free to be obscure.
<Shane> Okay?
* Jeff nods.
<Ellena> Okay.
* Hikaru nods. "I'll keep it in mind. Should we mention you by name?"
* Shane scratches his head.
* Neydisa sighs deeply.
* Allen stares at a random spot on the floor.
<Neydisa> .o( It's for the best.. for safety.. but.. I don't want them to go... )
<Shane> Yes, refer to me as "Doctor Grays".  The Professor will know it's a certain type of hold for me.
<Allen> .oO( I thought we could help each other out.  We need each other. )
<Shane> I...  
* Allen 's gaze crosses over Neydisa's face for a moment, then he looks away, brooding.
* Hikaru nods, looking down again and trying to regain his concentration.
<Shane> Anyway...  Allen, I will leave you at your Residence in the Alley.  You've always been browbeaten into coming, really, and if you do get in any trouble...  Well, I'm fairly certain I can lay evidence through contacts that shifts the blame soley to me for your actions.
<Shane> If you wish, I can drop you in your Manorhouse, instead.
<Jeff> I hope you're wrong about all this, Shane.. but caution can't hurt.
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Jeff, if anyone can find out if I'm wrong, it'll be Allen.
* Allen is shaken from his reverie. "What? Oh... um.."
* Jeff nods.
<Shane> He's the only one who can approach Kestrel, feasbly.
* Shane looks at Allen, newfound remorse on his face... as if he recently learned the trick to the feeling.
<Allen> Then I guess you had better send me to Chateau Johanssen.. so I can get right to work.
<Shane> I'm serious.  If you do get in trouble...  well, I'll be listening in through channels.  I'll find a way to clear you, and you can lead whatever life you want from now on.  
* Shane nods.
* Allen grimaces a bit and nods.
<Neydisa> Allen...
<Shane> And, if you ever need me...  the quickest way is to go to the Black Light.. er, the ARMS-brokering distrcit, and ask for a job by "Professor Grays", as well.
* Allen 's eyes fall upon Neydisa for a moment and he smiles a little awkwardly. "I'll be okay. And if not, well, then I'll do my best."
* Allen nods and commits Shane's instructions to memory.
* Ellena nods.
* Neydisa tries to offer him a smile. "Allen, you always do your best... I've seen many sides of you but I know this. Be safe if I can't go along..."
* Shane slowly turns to the pair of Shamans... The one whom looks dead, and the one whom is dead.
<Shane> As for you two...  And for me...  I can leave you where you want to go.  And I don't know where I can go...
<Shane> ...I need a place to hide the bird.  And sleep.  A lot of sleep.
<Neydisa> hide..?
* Shane nods.
<Jeff> I don't know where you could hide something like this..
* Neydisa struggles under her sheets. "Shane.. help me to the controls. I.. I can take you somewhere."
<Shane> You can bet, sure as fire, that as I was the one attracting all of the good attention galavanting around, that I'm the one sought most.  Especially since I'm basically 'stealing' the bird.
* Shane shakes his head.
<Jeff> Neydisa, there's no hurry. We'll be fine here.. for a little while, at least.
* Allen places a hand on Neydisa's shoulder, "We can wait for now.."
<Shane> Neydisa, the bird cannot fly for a while.  I need to locate a cave or some such, and open a gate there...
<Jeff> As to where to go..
<Shane> ...we're far to conspicuous in the air.  Everyone will be looking for us.
<Neydisa> East of Port Timney... the straights leading to what remains of Pandemonium and Tripillar...
<Shane> In fact, I'm worried just staying here...  they would've been tracking us before, I believe...  it's been a few hours... we have maybe a few hours more at the most...
* Shane looks at Neydisa questioningly.
<Shane> What's... there?
* Neydisa continues on. "The coves... they could hide a ship.. and this can glide on the sea... can't it?"
<Shane> I...  Think so.
<Neydisa> Only monsters are there now... it is too rough and too poor a place for people to venture to without good reason.
* Shane nods.
<Shane> How do you know of this place?
* Neydisa coughs. "I come from port Timney. The sea... is my life. It is my home.... I knowit better than I know myself."
<Shane> ...Your home?
* Ellena remains somewhat quiet, thinking to herself.
<Shane> Is this wher eyou want to be let off as well?  Port Timney is loosly aligned, If I recall...
* Neydisa nods. "I left my mother and father to work in Rosetta, but that's where I was born."
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Mister Claren...  Am I right in assuming you'll be coming along?  Or do you wish to go on your own way?
<Jeff> I'm not sure what to do.. I wanted to see my parents again.. to tell them I'm not.. well.. 
* Neydisa mutters low. "I'm not ready to go home yet, but.. I can help you stay out of sight for however long.. we have to."
* Shane nods.
* Jeff shakes his head. "But they live in Adlehyde.. so if you're right, that might not be a good idea."
* Shane looks to Neydisa, somberly.
<Jeff> Neydisa or I could probably find sanctuary at the Guardian shrine...
<Shane> I'm afraid, Neydisa... our fates are still tied together.  You're my pilot as long as you're willing...  But I'd rather you did it of your own volition.
<Shane> Instead of just me being 'your boss'.
<Shane> I'm...  in for some dire straights coming up, I think.  It'd be an honor to have someone as trustworthy as you've proven through it.
<Neydisa> No, you're not my boss. I said... you're my friend. I didn't come all this way because I had to...
* Shane raises his lowered head.
<Neydisa> It's not just faith in the Guardians that got me safely thus far... I want to be strong, and I want to make a difference... so I have.. to keep going...
* Neydisa sighs, her voice trailing off. "Just let me rest awhile... I'll guide you to safety... I... promise."
* Shane nods.
<Allen> We all have to keep going.
<Allen> .oO( But just.. not together, and more's the pity.)
<Jeff> Yes.. we do.
<Shane> I... plan on resting myself, Neydisa.  We'll be hiding the most of anyone, I gather.
<Shane> Allen, I'll be moving you last of any of us...  We need to get underway now, I fear.
* Shane looks to Hikaru.
* Neydisa appears to have fallen into a exhausted sleep once again.
<Shane> May I speak to you in the engine room now, sir?
* Hikaru blinks and looks up. "Hm? Sure."
* Ellena glances between Hikaru and Shane, and then looks down at the floora gain.
* Jeff looks thoughtful. "Where..."
* Allen studies the slumbering Neydisa for a moment, then sits up straight keeping watch.
<Shane> >> The door opens, and Shane walks out.
* Ellena looks up at the two men entering, then looks down at the floor again.
* Hikaru walks out as well, looking at Ellena, seeming concerned with something.
* Neydisa is snoring faintly in the reclined chair as Allen keeps watch
<Gayo> Rayle: Snzz.
<Shane> So...  we need to hurry, I think.  It's been the theme for this month, no?
<Shane> If you two will follow me to the gate, and direct me to the general location you wish...
* Jeff looks over at the two as they return.
* Hikaru sighs, glancing at Ellena. "'Lena..?"
<Ellena> ...Yes?
* Hikaru smiles a little, trying to cheer her up. "...Where was it you wanted to go?"
<Ellena> ...Well...
* Shane looks at Ellena forlornly.
* Shane catches a glimpse of the chain connected to the locket that's nary seen the light of day since he gave it...
* Shane looks at the floor.
* Ellena whispers what she believes the location of her friend's place.
* Shane heads back to the gate silently, waiting for them to follow.
* Hikaru offers a hand up to Ellena.
<Jeff> Ellena.. Hikaru..
<Gayo> «ooc: Don't forget Rayle. :P »
<Jeff> Take care of yourselves.
<Ellena> You too, Jeff. I hope I see you again...someday.
* Hikaru nods to Jeff. "You too. If you keep looking for those people, I'm sure we'll meet again."
<Ellena> This goes for everyone...I'll...Miss you...
* Jeff smiles. "The Guardians will be with you, I'm sure. And perhaps we will meet again.."
* Neydisa shifts a bit in her sleep as they say their farewells...
* Hikaru reaches down and picks up Rayle, tucking the small, unconscious windrat in his coat pocket.
* Allen waves a little sullenly as the three of them start to leave.
<Ellena> Allen...please take care of yourself...and tell Neydisa I said goodbye...?
<Gayo> Rayle: ...mrzzl...*snooze*
<Allen> Okay.  Be well, Ellena.
* Allen smiles warmly.
* Ellena smiles back, "You too, Allen. :)"
* Ellena looks up to 'Karu, "Let's go..."
* Hikaru nods, leading her towards Shane and the gate of powaa
* Shane watches them enter the back room fom a stool in front of the gate controls, quietly.
<Shane> So...  where to?
* Shane looks pretty damn sad.
* Hikaru sighs and looks at Shane. "Rosetta."
* Shane nods, without saying a word.
<Ellena> ...Shane?
* Shane turns to Ellena.
* Shane looks at her, waiting.
* Ellena bites her lip, tears streaming from her eyes, and she suddenly reaches over, hugging Shane fiercely, "...Please....stay safe..."
* Shane boggles.
<Shane> I...
* Shane hugs her back.
* Hikaru nods, smiling softly. "And cheer up, too, Shane. After all, today's the first day of the rest of your life."
<Shane> You too, Ellena...
* Shane tears up a little.
<Shane> You'll be in good hands...
* Shane looks like every puppy everywhere just got run over.
* Hikaru sighs and ruffles Shane's hair.
<Ellena> If you need my help in any way...Just...look for me.
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Hikaru knows how to find me, if you need me.
<Shane> I...
<Shane> ...
* Ellena reluctantly disengages herself, sobbing quietly.
* Shane hangs limp for a second, and then stiffly fiddles with some knobs, wiping his eyes.
* Shane opens a foot-diameter portal across the room, scanning the landscape for a good place.
<Shane> I...
<Shane> ...well...  time...
<Shane> ...
* Shane grimaces. Words fail.
<Shane> .oO{ ...She cares?  }
<Shane> .oO{ ...it ...doesn't ...matter. }
* Allen , back in the other room, pulls out a slip of slightly used paper and writes something in his flowing hand.
* Shane closes his eyes.
<Shane> Is...  this close enough.
<Ellena> ...I think so...*sniffle*
* Hikaru nudges Shane a little, nodding. "It's fine.. but... c'mon, Shanie. Buck up... things'll be great for you.."
* Shane nods comatose-like.
* Shane widens the portal.
<Shane> I...
<Shane> ...
<Shane> ...Be seeing you.
<Ellena> Shane...My...My friend...I...
<Hikaru> Yeah, Shane... be seein' you.
<Shane> Please...  It's better this way.
* Ellena gulps, and looks up through the tears with a small smile, "...Yes...Be seeing you."
<Shane> You'll...  be safer.
<Ellena> Someday...I know...
* Hikaru sighs a little and looks at Ellena reluctantly. "C'mon..we should go before the thing closes.."
<Shane> Hey.  Who knows.  Maybe we'll see each other again after I've... changed.
* Ellena nods, wiping away some of her tears, "...I suppose..."
* Shane trys to look consoling while looking worried and distraught. It aint working.
* Shane nods at the gate. Please. Quickly.
<Shane> It's not goodbye.  Isn't that what you Shamans think?
<Ellena> No...it's not goodbye...I'm sure.
* Shane gives a wry smile.
* Hikaru steps through the gate, beckoning Ellena to follow... ^^
* Ellena gives Shane one last look...one last smile through the tears, "...Be safe..."
<Ellena> I'll miss you...
* Ellena steps through the portal.
* Shane holds up a hand.
* Shane tries to smile before he closes the gate.
* Shane powers it down, and slumps against the board. In a few minutes, he comes out of his little death.
<Shane> .oO{ ... }
* Shane walks out to the main cabin.
<Shane> (m) Allen.  Your turn.
* Allen signs his name with a flourish. Then, while putting the rest of his notes away finds another slip of paper that has a drawing he made on it. After mulling it over for a moment, he slides both slips of paper into Neydisa's bag.
* Shane tottles back to the stool.
* Allen stands and gets one last look at Neydisa. "Okay."
* Allen walks into the other room.
<Jeff> Allen.. farewell, and be well. Good luck.
<Shane> Allen...  
* Neydisa sleeping peacefully... she seems so diffeernt when you look at her this way.
<Shane> I'm going to give you a safety...
* Allen nods to Jeff, shaking his hand and smiling.
* Allen looks to Shane, "A what?"
<Shane> I'll let you out in a closet in the manor, I think...  and I'll save the coordinates.
* Jeff seems just a little surprised, but shakes hands and grins.
<Shane> In a day or so, I'll keep a small portal open in that closet as long as I can...  So if you need to escape, give a yell and stand back.
<Shane> ...And if it's open, and we're able, we'll let you through.
<Shane> No promises...  but I'll try.
<Allen> Okay.  I'll keep that in mind.  Thanks, Shane.
<Allen> And if I find anything out that would help, I'll contact you through normal channels.
* Shane nods.
* Shane scans quicker this time, trying not to slice too much woodwork.
<Shane> Which room is yours?
<Allen> Oh, it's on the second floor in the East wing.
* Shane scans around until he gets an affirmative from Allen.
<Shane> This good?
* Allen peeks through the hole in reality, noting some dusty old coats. "Yeah, that's it."
* Shane opens up a portal.
<Shane> Be safe, Allen.  I'm sorry to've put you in through all of that.
* Shane offers his hand.
* Allen shakes his head, "Don't be sorry. Be safe. I'll do what I can and keep out of trouble."
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Give my regards to your sister.  I'm glad we found her in the end.
* Allen shakes Shane's hand heartily (for Allen) and smiles.
* Shane shakes his head. That boat ride seems an eternity again.
<Allen> Yeah.  Thanks for.. eh, you know I've got lots to thank you for, but time is short.  So I'll write them all down and we'll sort it all out eventually.
* Shane nods.
* Allen aboutfaces and steps through the portal. "seeya!"
<Shane> Hey... I'll still need a good theoretical thaumaturgist, if I live through this.  The job's yours if you want it!
* Allen mumbles, "mmph. furcoat. not tasty."
* Shane smiles through the gate, a yard away, several thousand miles away.
<Shane> Maybe?
* Allen nods to Shane, keeping quiet just in case.
* Shane closes the gate.
* Shane walks out once more, and looks to Neydisa.
<Shane> You've got it there, Ney...  
* Neydisa shifts slightly to the side, one hands draped over the arm near the note Allen left.
* Shane sits down a row ahead.
* Shane leans back, himself.
<Shane> Jeff...  Could you stand watch?
* Jeff looks to Shane. "They're gone?"
* Shane nods.
<Shane> We should have a few hours before anything come up.  I'd rather have Ney well rested before she directs me...  and I wouldn't mind some myself.
<Shane> Are...  you good?
<Jeff> I'll be fine.
<Jeff> I don't really need to sleep..
* Shane nods.
<Shane> Thanks.
<Jeff> And I guess I'll stick around.. for now, anyway.
<Jeff> No problem.
<Shane> There's no real need.  You weren't as associated...  if you want to go, I'd bet you could....  but I'd rather if you stayed.
* Neydisa mumbles softly...
<Shane> You know... There's a saying in some of my circles...
<Jeff> Oh?
* Shane smiles.
<Shane> "You can only trust a man when he's dead."
* Jeff stares for a moment, then laughs. "I guess that makes me very trustworthy."
<Shane> I...  Well, you've done okay by me.  I won't ever hold your condition against you.
<Shane> Just don't go advertising it to the gentry, if you catch my drift.
<Jeff> Thank you Shane.. that means a lot to me. and Neydisa.. I owe her thanks too.. for making me welcome when I.. came back.
* Shane nods.
* Jeff grins. "But yeah.. I don't plan on advertising. "
<Shane> Well, wake me at the first sign of trouble.  The bird's locked down...
<Shane> And if there's no trouble... well...  It'd be the first day in a month.
<Shane> And I wouldn't begrudge that at all.
<Shane> And Jeff?
<Jeff> Yes?
<Shane> ...Thanks again.
* Shane pulls a hat over his eyes, and is snoring softly within the minute. Who knows... maybe he won't have nightmares while he sleep.

<Gayo> --End of Chapter 2--


<Gayo> --Epilogue...--


<Gayo> >> Glimmering orbs of every color float in the air around the mountain, and the sky is alight with energy. The messenger slowly climbs the path, gossamer strands of starlight brushing against his weathered travelling cloak with each step forward. He reaches the precipice at the end of the path and steps off into ephemeral air, his steps resounding as if against tiles. 
<Gayo> >> A hallway fades into existence around him, lush but empty. The walls are pictures, telling the story of a world from time immemorial. He passes the age of legend, the demon wars, and the ascendance of man, approaching the two vast doors at the hallway's end.
<Gayo> >> He stops at the doors. The murals depict six figures battling an angelic woman with a sinister, demonic side. One hand raises, and he knocks. Three times.
<Gayo> >> "Who calls?"
<Gayo> Traveller: It is the messenger, come with news of the world of men.
<Gayo> >> The doors slowly creak open, revealing nothing but darkness, and the man proceeds within. He kneels, and the doors close behind him, surrounding him in nothingness.
<Gayo> Traveller: Great Guardians of Filgaia, your humble servant presents himself before you.
<Gayo> >> Coloured lights flicker in the black, dancing like flames.
<Gayo> Solus Emsu: What news?
<Gayo> Traveller: All has turned out for the best. Filgaia will be spared, and the Rayline preserved.
<Gayo> Rigdobrite: What happened to Mother?
<Gayo> Traveller: The demon wandered absorbed her essence into himself, and perished. Hopefully she has passed on for eternity.
<Gayo> Ione Pawa: Ge Ramtos. Death is your domain; is Mother in fact dead?
<Gayo> Ge Ramtos: Mother and the Demon will never pass through my realm. You know this as well as I, Ione Pawa. I cannot say what lies beyond for they who come from the stars.
<Gayo> Odoryuk: It is no matter. We must rebuild now...attempt to regain what we have lost.
<Gayo> Duras Drum: You're nothing but a passel of fools.
<Gayo> Stare Roe: You cannot goad us with such words, brother. 
<Gayo> Duras Drum: Do you think this is over? Do you think Filgaia is safe now? You cannot rest even a moment or everything will vanish in that second of weakness.  What of the Dauphin? What of the Holmcross? We are surrounded on all sides, and it is only a matter of time before we are struck down. If you wish to prolong the life of Filgaia as long as possible, I would suggest you remain on the defensive.
<Gayo> Denogenos: Your passion betrays you as always, Duras Drum, but you are right about one thing. Steady, always steady. We must not allow our guard to slip, but rather use this momentary respite to strike out against our enemies while we are strong enough to do so.
<Gayo> Odoryuk: The Tear Drop...it is no longer safe in the hands of the monarchs of light.
<Gayo> Duras Drum: It would be foolish to allow a mortal man to hold the Tear Drop. Any child could see this. We would be wise to destroy it now, and regain the essence we sacrificed in its making.
<Gayo> Stoldark: No. The Tear Drop must remain intact, and it must remain in the hands of humans. You know this, Duras, regardless of your words.
<Gayo> Duras: Then whom would you trust, dear Stoldark? Pray, tell us. Whom would you trust when the Lonely Walker has betrayed all of us, when the very foundations that hold the world are crumbling?
<Gayo> Stoldark: We shall see. Respected servant...
<Gayo> Traveller: *stands* I await your command.
<Gayo> >> A blue light shines out of the darkness, piercing yet focused.
<<Gayo> Stoldark: Take this to the world of men. Find one worthy of it, and give it to him.
<Gayo> >> The traveller reaches out, gently folding his hand around the light. "I live to serve."
<Gayo> Stare Roe: Be wary. Even the best of men may change in time. 
<Gayo> >> The doors open again, and the man exits, cloak flowing around him.
<Gayo> >> As he makes his way down the hall back to the mountain, the doors close again.
<Gayo> >> The inner chamber is as black as pitch.
<Gayo> Duras Drum: You are making an error, as you always have and always will. 
<Gayo> Stare Roe: What, then, is your plan, Duras Drum? How would YOU propose to save Filgaia?
<Gayo> Duras Drum: I keep my own counsel, brother. Rest assured, I do indeed have a plan.
<Gayo> >> The voices fade gradually into the blackness, and the void encompasses all.
<Gayo> --SESSION END--