Session 11b: Transit Sun Jul 23 2000 >> It's bright. Painfully bright. The walls are white, the ceiling is white, the floor is white. Ellena is in a corridor, a long corridor that goes for a million miles and ends in a pair of white doors. >> She is no longer in her ethereal clothes, but a simple seafoam hospital gown. * Ellena looks down at herself. "Wha...? How?" * Ellena shrugs it off and walks down the hall. Who knows? Maybe she'll make it to the double doors someday. ^^; >> Footsteps. From behind her. * Ellena then stops and turns around quickly! Ellena: Who is it? >> A green-haired woman in a lab coat is approaching, looking at a clipboard in her hands. >> She looks up. "Oh, there you are. Come along." Ellena: What? Why? Who are you? Woman: That's inconsequential. Come along. Ellena: But... * Ellena sighs and follows the woman, warily and on edge. Ellena: Can I know what you need me for? >> The woman turns around, heading to a much closer but identical door on the opposite end of the hall. She provides no answer, but instead reaches out a hand to open the door. It rattles, but stays closed. Woman: One minute. * Ellena looks like she wants to flee, not liking the manner of this woman one bit... >> Fishing for her keys and poking them into the lock, she frees the deadbolt and tugs the handle again, this time swinging to door wide open to reveal a maze of stark white walls and bloody grinding machinery with razor-sharp blades. "Right, in you go." Ellena: What? O_o No! I'm not going in there! Woman: Nonsense. Go on. Ellena: But why? Do you want to kill me? Look at all the blood! >> Ellena gets a helpful nudge from the woman. * Ellena resists. "No! Not until you tell me why!" Woman: Right...security! Ellena: No! No! >> The door behind them, much closer than it seemed at first, bangs open and two men in uniforms enter. * Ellena backs away. "Please, just tell me why!" * Ellena attempts to wiggle past the guards, knowing it'll be futile... :/ >> The guards stare at her in surprise as she bursts past them. One reaches out, grabbing her with a warm, clinging hand, but it slips away as she runs down and down the million-mile white hallway with men in pursuit. * Ellena runs as fast as her legs can carry her! >> She reaches the double doors with the uniformed guards close behind. Ellena: If you won't tell me why you're sending...*huff* me to that room, you might as well *puff* leave me alone! * Ellena tries to open the double doors, panicking! >> Flinging the doors open wide, she enters a slanted corridor where backlit fans make strange, twisting shadows on the walls. Here and there a bright red spatter of blood mars the white. Ellena: Oh guardians... * Ellena gulps and continues to run! >> The doors slam behind her, blocking her pursuers. Ellena: . o O ( I hope this'll lead to someplace safer...but with the blood on the walls...it doesn't look too promising... ) >> The corridor ends in blank walls on either side. The door she came through is gone. Ellena: Oh no! Ellena: How..how do I get out? * Ellena looks towards the ceiling...the fans...anyhting that'll give her a clue. >> Nothing. Ellena: Oh no...No... * Ellena backs up aganist one of the walls, and slides down it, falling on her behind...trying to weigh her limited options. >> A little panel in the wall flips down to reveal a fist-sized hole. Ellena: ...? * Ellena looks towards the hole...and cautiously tries to stick her hand inside....since she's got nothing else to stick in it...and she'd just die of starvation anyway. ^^; >> She feels a sharp sting in her hand. Ellena: Augh! * Ellena draws her hand away. * Ellena then looks down at her hand. >> A buzzing drill emerges from the hole. Her hand is now bleeding with a small cut. Ellena: . o O ( That...didn't help much... ) Ellena: . o O ( And I have nothing to stop that drill...Could the Guardians hear me here? ) * Ellena points her hand towards one of the walls. "Moa...Moa...Gault...bring your firery wrath unto this earth...blow away the wall which bars my exit...please!" >> No response. Either they can't hear her, or they don't care. * Ellena falls to her knees. Ellena: . o O ( What's left to try? I don't know what to do... ) * Ellena heads back to the fist sized hole, and examines it. The drill thrusts out again, nearly spearing her eye. She barely manages to lurch back in time. It buzzes angrily, then retracts. Ellena: . o O ( This is the key somehow...but I don't want to get cut anymore... All I have on is this gown...right? ) >> Three more panels open up next to her. Ellena: . o O ( I just gave up getting cut to death to starving to...oh? What's this? ) * Ellena examines the three panels. >> She is immediately speared by two sharp metal blades that shoot out of the wall, though one misses her. The side of her leg is torn open and gushing blood, and she has a hole in her side where she's impaled on one of the blades. * Ellena screams and falls, holding on to the side which was impaled. >> She slides smoothly off the blade and begins to bleed on the sterile white floor. >> Above, the shadow of a fan passes over her repeatedly. Ellena: I...I...I can't... * Ellena tries to stand...holding on to her bleeding side. >> She forces herself to her feet...her leg and side ache, but her panic fuels her. Ellena: . o O ( What is this place... a torture chamber? ) >> There's a metallic clanking behind her. * Ellena quickly turns aroumd, gasping in pain. >> A metal arm has descended from the ceiling. At the end of it is a buzzsaw at least two feet in diameter and wickedly edges. It whirrs to life and the arm slides along the ceiling towards her, swinging the blade. * Ellena cries out, and begins to back up, looking back and forth so that no more spears shoot at her. >> Behind her is a small door, wooden and latched. * Ellena rushes to the door, and attempts to open it! >> The door opens easily. The latch simply breaks off. * Ellena rushes inside as fast as possible with her injuries. >> She darts inside. Behind her the buzzsaw grows closer, then stops. >> It's dark. Very dark. Too dark to see. * Ellena stands for a second, hoping her eyes adjusts, panting heavily. >> Time passes. There's a constant drip from somewhere nearby, and the entire little room is damp and smells foul. Ellena: . o O ( Knowing this place...the drip could be blood. I have to be careful.... ) * Ellena takes VERY small, tentative steps forward. >> Something crawls over her hand. * Ellena screams and attempts to flick it off! >> The lights flick on suddenly. She's in a basement of corroded wood. The beetle from her hand lands on the floor and skitters into the pile of mutilated Elw corpses lying beside her. * Ellena screams! Loudly, covering her face with her hands. >> A head falls off the pile, pale, bloodless skin stretched tightly over its skull. It rolls to a stop at her feet, milky, pus-leaking eyes staring blankly up at her. * Ellena stumbles away. "Is...is this what they intended to do to me...? Why? Why?" >> She stumbles into the door she came in through. Ellena: . o O ( No! NO! I can't lose it now. I've got to get out! ) * Ellena oofs. * Ellena looks around for another way out. >> There blood seems to be draining through a loose grate in the far wall that she could conceivably crawl through. Ellena: ...Better then saws... * Ellena gulps, getting on her knees, and tries to wiggle her way through the grate, her body becoming even more bloodied as she does so. >> She manages to get through after suffering numberous painful scrapes and bruises, only to plunge downward and land in several inches of blood...in the dark again. * Ellena stumbles, noting that it's probably bloody down here, thanks to the smell. Ellena: . o O ( Got to keep going... ) * Ellena tries to take small, tentative steps through the bloody gore. >> She cracks her head on an unseen lowered ceiling and falls, dazed, her head aching. * Ellena falls on her behind, moaning. >> It seems the passage narrows out considerably. She'll have to crawl. Ellena: . o O ( Careful, Ellena...you have to be close to getting out...this might be the sewage system...it leads out... ) * Ellena ignores the fact that she's sitting in a gigantic pool of blood, closes her mouth tightly, and gets on her hands and knees, crawling onward. >> Slimy things wisp around her hands and legs as she crawls painfully onward into oblivion. Ellena: . o O ( Ignore them ignore them...if they don't hurt you ignore them... ) >> She crawls forever, or so it seems, increasingly conscious of the aches in her leg and side as they feed the stream of gore. Ellena: . o O ( Please...don't let me bleed to death...please... ) >> Finally, the ache is too much to bear, and she is forced to stop. As if on cue, there's a clack and a light appears in front of her, blinding after the darkness that seems to have encompassed her for days. * Ellena flinches away from the light. Ellena: W...what...? >> A hand reaches out towards her. "Come on! It's this way." * Ellena closes her eyes... * Ellena opens them and tries to see the figure first. Ellena: Who are you...? >> It's a young man in a lab coat, but unlike the woman before, his coat is torn and bloodied, his hair is dishevelled, and he has a ring around his left eye so purple it's almost black. Ellena: . o O ( It's either them or help...I can't go on any more...if it's them...then I...I'll just have to find another way out...I can't run anymore. ) * Ellena tentatively takes the hand. >> She's pulled out of the hole into a large room similar to the stark corridor she originally appeared in, and the two of them lie there panting in a pool of blood and muck. Ellena: What happened to you? Why are you helping me...? Man: We have to get out of here. That's all that matters. None of this makes any sense to me. >> He pants, exhausted. Ellena: They...they want to hurt you too? It doesn't make any sense...to me either...but we can get out! I know we can... Ellena: Can you stand...? Man: Sure. How about you? Ellena: I think I can... >> He gets up wearily, helping her. * Ellena accepts the help, wincing a bit. Ellena: Thank you... * Ellena looks around for any doors. >> A crescendo of clangs and clacks ring out through the room as blades and saws pop out of the wall from every place imaginable and zoom at them. Man: This way! Come on! * Ellena nods, and follows the man! Ellena: Hurry! >> They run past winding corridors, the cold contraptions in quick pursuit, whirring and clacking. Finally in the distance, there's a pair of open double doors, and daylight beyond. Ellena: We're almost out! >> The man suddenly falls behind with an urk. Ellena: Sir! * Ellena looks behind her quickly, seeing how far off the blades are, and if there's time to rescue the man. >> He's about eight feet behind, and one of his legs lies neatly severed beside him. Ellena: I'm sorry sir... :/ * Ellena continues to run! Man: Damn it... * Ellena wipes the tears from her eyes. "So sorry...." * Ellena rushes towards the door, being weary of any traps that might spring up once she's there. >> Nothing. She gets out just in time to avoid a grasping pincer, and...falls. Everything around her is gone now, and she seems to be hovering weightlessly in the void. Ellena: I did it...I did it... * Ellena closes her eyes, lifeblood draining from her. "I did it..." >> The pain slowly fades away. Ellena: . o O ( Am I dying? ) * Ellena opens her eyes and looks down at herself. >> Everything is warm and comforting, but she cannot move except to breathe and shift her eyes. The latter means nothing, as it is a greyish haze everywhere. Ellena: . o O ( Where is this...? ) Ellena: . o O ( This feels like the time I first met Mariel...with the bathtub... ) Ellena: . o O ( Am I safe now? ) >> Light flashes before her, bright but not blinding. Something is hovering in front of her...a small grey tablet about the size of her head, turning slowly in the air. She regains control of her movements. * Ellena tries to crane her head downward to see if she's still bleeding to death. >> She is nude and unharmed. Ellena: . o O ( This...this makes no sense...I was ... ) * Ellena tries to position herself so she can better see the area in front of her. >> There's nothing in front of her except the rotating stone tablet. * Ellena tries to look at the tablet...seeing if it can be read. >> It's unreadable...the only marking on it is a strange rune. * Ellena attempts to grab onto the stone tablet. >> She grabs hold of it and the rune suddenly flares to painfully bright light, searing her head and paralyzing her with eenrgy as a powerful, deep voice echoes through her being. >> "I am Ione Pawa, the Spear of Heaven. I will lend my strong arm to your battle for as long as you seek to combat the enemies of virtue, but know this! You shall never find peace within the light." >> The light fades, and... >> Adlehyde is burning. A black-cloaked figure steps through the havoc calmly and quietly, carrying an enormous scythe easily in his right hand. He looks out over the chaos and destruction impassively, and the ashen wind blows aside his cowl to reveal the face of Shane. After a moment's pause, he turns and strides in the direction of the castle. >> Meanwhile, Shane runs down the deserted streets, the heat of the flames beating his sooty face. The castle... Shane: The castle... Shane: Must get to the castle... * Shane runs as fast as his legs can carry him for the castle. >> Along the way he is faced with destruction and the dead and wounded. A few people cry out to him; most are too concerned with their own troubles. * Shane looks towards those that cry to him, but does not slow running. >> He reaches the closed portcullis to see the Death, bearing his face, standing there, clutching his scythe in both hands. * Shane reaches for his gun and dodges out of the scythes reach >> Death/Shane doesn't even attempt to strike him. Rather, he lifts the scythe and slices through the portcullis in a blur, then nudges it with one thickly gloved hand, causing the lower half of it to collapse inward with a cacophonous clatter. * Shane casts Magic Sense, and follows. >> Death radiates a bizarre aura, and there are four red points on his forehead. He moves into the castle in great strides. "Don't bother to follow." The voice is Shane's own. Shane: Oh, and why not? * Shane bothers to follow. Death/Shane: Only I will touch the stars, Shane. You are bound to this world forever. >> He slices three thick stone pillars in a single lightning-fast strike. >> The room groans ominously as the walls begin to buckle... * Shane runs ahead. * Shane looks at himself with Magic Sense. >> Shane's loping run only barely allows him to stay behind his double, who's certainly TALLER than him, if nothing else. They pass the room just as it collapses thunderously. >> Shane's aura is normal. * Shane really wishes he knew the layout of the castle... * Shane shouts... "HELP! ANYBODY!" Shane: IT'S DEATH! >> Death/Shane seems to know where he is going. There are few live guards remaining, but those that are around scatter. Death/Shane: How pathetic. You need help? * Shane keeps following. Shane: Who are you? Death/Shane: I'm your rival and superior. What else matters? >> Slice. The room behind them collapses in on itself, killing a cowering maid. Shane: Why do you wear my face? Death/Shane: It doesn't matter to me...why does it matter to you? Shane: ... * Shane follows, wondering why he's being let follow... something's very very odd here. Death/Shane: You needn't bother tagging along like a sad puppy. Tonight will decide who reaches the sea of stars and who fails. Do you really think you stand a chance? Shane: If there was no hope, I would stop. You are taunting me... so I must be doing something right. Death/Shane: Keep thinking that. >> They arrive at a metal door sealed by a heavy valve. The cloaked figure lightly traces a sigil on it and it explodes inward, literally disentigrating before it hits the ground. Unfazed, he continues down the newly exposed stairs. Shane: You know, You're a lot more gabby than I'd've thought an evil, brooding, assassin-type to be. * Shane diligently follows. Death/Shane: Assassin? I'm more noble than that. You'd kill people to reach the stars...that's all I'm doing. Shane: I woul... * Shane ponders that. * Shane follows the shrouded one. >> Death/Shane descends deep within the bowels of the castle, finally emerging in a dark, lamplit area. The lights flicker dimply off the smooth metal surface of the legendary Metal Bird, flanked by what remains of the city's guards. * Shane dashes towards the access-doors to the electronics, not the cockpit. >> The electronics panels are unguarded. * Shane seeks but one thing, a single Gemini Chip. He has little hope of defeating the Giant, but stopping him from having the vitals of the bird is paramount. >> The chips are there, sitting quietly in their slots. >> Meanwhile, Death/Shane is quickly dispatching Adlehyde's last line of resistance. * Shane pulls out the chips, and jumps towards the cockpit. >> Shane lands safely in the pilot's seat while the guards are otherwise occupied. * Shane knows it'll fly without the chips, if low to the ground... * Shane starts up the bird. >> The engine roars to life. Meanwhile, Death/Shane discards his bloodied scythe and vaults onto the back of the Bird * Shane starts spinning the ship as fast as possible. >> That isn't very fast, at first. It apparently needs some time to rev up. >> Death stands and walks slowly towards the cockpit, his balance perfect on the sheer curvature of the moving machine. Death/Shane: You're wasting your time! * Shane aims the bird towards the doors, and starts lifting off a bit while inside, with the intent of scraping death off the plane... at the expense of the tailfins... Death/Shane: You think you can do this before me? Remember who you're dealing with! Shane: Oh? Who *am* I dealing with? Shane: I don't think we've ever been formally introduced! (hits the gas harder) >> Death/Shane looks up, then frowns. "You stupid moron, you don't even know how to fly the contraption. You can't lift off inside!" Shane: We'll see about that... * Shane attempts closing the bay doors as they go past. >> The doors SLOWLY begin to grind closed. Death/Shane: *frowns* I don't think you realize what you're doing! This is the only way off the planet, Shane! You can't do it without Metal Bird! >> Death's words ring with an eerie veracity. * Shane freaks. * Shane stops the doors. Death/Shane: Ha ha ha...I thought so. >> Death continues striding towards the cockpit. The doors stop only slightly open, but the plane is still on a collision trajectory. * Shane hits the gas again. * Shane will not be taken a fool again.... he knows he can make a space-shot himself. >> The Metal Bird speeds up. Death/Shane scowls. "Are you that confident in your own abilities, or are you throwing away your only hope at reaching 'outer space'?" * Shane rams the throttle in answer. Death/Shane: Hmph. It's a moot point! >> Death dives at the cockpit with inhuman speed as the Bird leaves the ground. Shane: !!! * Shane hits the eject. >> The cockpit literally explodes as the seat bursts upwards. Death is caught by the blast and vanishes in a burst of smoke and blood. Simultaneously, the Bird clears the bay doors, which shear off its tail-fins with the horrible shriek of twisting metal. * Shane clings for dear life to the eject-couch. >> The Bird soars high into the air before slowly arcing downward on a deadly nose-dive. Meanwhile, thhe ejection seat deploys a parachute, and drifts slowly downward, providing Shane with a view of the burning city as he descends. Shane: .oO{ Blood and ashes... what happened to the shining city!? } >> The seat touches earth with a thud and the parachute wafts down to cover it. * Shane unbuckles and runs clear of it, brandishing his gun for good measure. >> He's not far from the bay doors of the castle. The smoking heaps that were the Bird's tailfins lie behind him. * Shane scans the area once quickly, then again thouroughly. >> The first time he sees nothing, but the second a dark shape emerges from behind the wreck of the fins, approaching slowly. * Shane fires. * Shane fires a lot. >> The figure lurches a little each time, but the by the time Shane is out of ammo it hasn't stopped. >> As Death/Shane approaches, it's clear that he's no longer clothed in Death's clothes, but Shane's own, and the red marks on his face are blazing brightly. * Shane starts casting spells at the fiend. * Shane then realizes he has no attack spells... Shane: ... * Shane runs. >> His double pulls out a gun and shoots him in the left foot without even bothering to aim. Shane falls, his gun and the Gemini chips skittering away. * Shane shrieks, and dives for one of the chips a split second later. Death/Shane: You needn't bother. I wasn't kidding when I said that was the only way to space. We're here forever, chips or no. * Shane glares at Death. Shane: That can't be the only way. It's ancient! Death/Shane: Hm. *he cracks a grin, but it's gone in a flash* Maybe if you kill enough people you can realize my dreams. >> He kneels and picks up the other chip, regarding it. Shane: Who are you?! Death/Shane: I don't know. It's strange. Shane: Why do you want to go to space? Shane: You aren't me! Death/Shane: I don't know. Maybe the same reason as you. Death/Shane: I want it badly, though. Shane: Are you going to kill me? Death/Shane: I don't need to. >> He regards the chip for a moment longer, then flicks it at Shane's feet and walks away. Shane: ... >> Somewhere in the distance, the Metal Bird bursts into flames. * Shane picks up the chip, hardly noticing the explosion. Too much going through his head... * Shane watches the figure, and decides to follow. >> When he looks up again, Death is gone. * Shane gulps twice, and looks back, seeing the bird on fire. * Shane lingers on it, sighs, and looks around for anyone still alive. >> Death's words ring out in his mind. Never, without the bird. Was it a lie? The New Moon stares mournfully down upon the fire-stained fields of the castle gardens. It seems farther away this night than it ever has before... >> Slowly the surroundings fade, and with them their memory. Everything is black. >> Gradually, Shane awakens. It's hard and cold. Very cold. >> He's lying on wet concrete in an alley. Downtown Adlehyde at night... Shane: Unnngh... * Shane gets up, groggily. * Shane looks down to see what he's wearing. >> His body is in perfect condition, though chilled, and he has all his attire and possessions from the boat, including Thrise's texts. The world around him lacks the faintly surreal nature of the past...how long has it been, anyhow? * Shane looks up at Adlehyde, checking to see if it's partly burned or not. >> Everything seems normal. People walk past the alley without sparing him a glance. * Shane grunts, shakes his head, picks up his stuff, and heads for his place. >> As he takes a step, he kicks something that skitters ahead of him along the cobblestones before coming to a stop. It's a stone tablet, about six inches by five, with an unrecognizable yet strangely familiar rune on it. It's slick with water, and gleams with a strange allure. * Shane gives it a short kick, like any other city refuse, and starts walking by... but something about it catches his eye... * Shane bends down wearily to get a closer look at it... it's like something nibbling at the back of his mind... >> The rune on it is very strange. It's definitely part of the magely runic language, but not something he recognizes. * Shane yawns, and stuffs it in his pack, able to give it a run-through with his extensive book collection at the lab... >> His skin prickles with energy at the touch of it, and his thoughts seem a little less fogged by exhaustion. Strange. Still, it's passing. * Shane heads home. >> He sets off through the darkened streets, and... >> Lightning bursts across the sky, illuminating the dull grey stone of the stormy wastelands briefly before vanishing, leaving nothing but ominous rolling thunder. Neydisa stands alone, drenched, in robes and geta. * Neydisa clutches at her wet robes in the storm, looking around the landscape. "This place.." >> It's dark...the only light comes from the momentary flashes of lightning reflected on the ceiling of black clouds. * Neydisa slowly wanders forward, looking for some shelter instinctively, her odd footwear clacking as she goes. >> Her steps sound out, loud clacks as her geta slap against the cracked mosaic of stone tiles. >> All around is grey darkness and rain...only the movement of the tiles beneath her feet provides evidence she is making progress at all, until eventually, aching from the cold, she sees the remains of a large building, the walls slightly less crumbled than the others, though still simply a square space of ruin. A doorway leads in between the walls, and vague dark shape looms beyond. Neydisa: I was here before.. but was it a dream? Was I always here and never left? >> Philisophical and metaphysical concerns fade somewhat in the face of the numbing cold that permeates her body like veins of ice. * Neydisa shivers, heading to the oddly familiar building. "The cold..." * Neydisa comes up to the doorway, slipping past it and hoping for a fragment of roof to exist somewhere.. a brief respite. >> Dark everywhere; cold everywhere. Her muscles knot from the cold as the rain beats down without cessation. Wearily, she manages to stumble through the doorway. Rather than the inside of a building, the interior is now revealed as a sort of walled courtyard, empty except for the stone blocks that have crumbled from the walls, and for the giant shape in the middle, a strange, tall hump with protrusions here and there, on top of what looks like a circular dais. It's impossible to tell from this distance, in the dark and deluge. * Neydisa leans on the wall, coughing briefly. She stares at the shape. "This was it.. I know I remember.." >> From the dais, two points of light pierce the darkness. * Neydisa makes her way to the shape partially out of curiosity.. >> A streak of quicksilver lightning lights the courtyard momentarily, revealing the figure to be made of heavily rusted metal armor. Its face is masked, and it is posed (?) with one hand reaching to its face as if to lift its mask, the other pointing forward, palm out, warding off some nonexistant enemy, or perhaps the viewer herself. Angelic wings sprout from the back of the armor, made of rusty corroded metal like the rest of it. Neydisa: The mask... >> Something glows beneath the mask, shining through the vacant eyeholes. * Neydisa reaches the side of the dias, panting a bit, and looking up. "But I took it off, didn't I?" Neydisa: Maybe I made a mistake... why did I come here again? -_- I'm going to freeze if I don't move... * Neydisa moves around the statue, leaning on the dais, as she looks for another doorway. >> The other side of the crumbling walls are also open in what once must have been an entrance, but it merely leads out. >> The stormy wasteland is desolate and devoid of shelter. * Neydisa looks down. "Where can I go? It's desolate.. but I can't stay here.. I have to get back.." >> The night offers no answer save the low roar of distant thunder. * Neydisa tilts her head back, in the direction of the angel statue. >> A rusty creak - the finger moves. * Neydisa blinks. "Did it move?" >> . . . * Neydisa watches it another few seconds through the rain.. >> Nothing, again. Perhaps it was all in her mind... Neydisa: No, I'm probably seeing things again... * Neydisa looks back out at the wasteland, weighing her options. >> The statue's hand is difficult to see, as it is thrust in the direction it is facing, opposite her. It continues staring off into oblivion, locked in terror for the ages. * Neydisa looks at the statue, and it's wings. "Maybe I could at least rest a minute.. and not.. get even more soaked.. " * Neydisa walks carefully towards the statue in the courtyard again, hoping nothing moves this time. >> A metallic squeak emanates from somewhere in the metal angel...rust sifts downward slowly. * Neydisa stops at the squeaking noise, hard to hear above the pattering raindrops, but definitely there. Neydisa: M.. maybe this is a bad idea.. what if it's going to fall on me? >> The statue stands silent and motionless in the night. All is calm save the storm. * Neydisa steps carefully over to the statue's back, under a wing, seeing if it protects any.. and ready to run if it falls. >> From close behind, a pebble clatters across the stone. * Neydisa turns her neck, some matted hair whipping about as she hears yet another noise. >> She catches a whisper of something dark as it slips behind the wall. Behind her, lightning flashes as a horrible, loud metallic squal pierces the night. * Neydisa shivers. "Something's here.. Guardians.." * Neydisa slowly edges to the wasteland doorway, suddenly not wanting to stay in the open courtyard at all anymore. >> The mosaic desert stretches out beyond the doorway, no movement visible but the pounding rain. * Neydisa leans over and peers back into the courtyard at the statue again. >> Nothing. Its eyeholes stares blankly at her, silent and motionless as ever. All in her head... Neydisa: .oO( Maybe I am imagining things... I can barely think in this cold... ) Neydisa: I just have to go forward.. it shouldn't be far.. where I'm going.. I can make it.. right? * Neydisa starts walking to the wastelands around the ruin...still not too far out as to lose it from sight though. >> Something clatters across the stones behind her as she exits the courtyard. Bigger than a pebble this time, definitely bigger than a pebble. >> . . . * Neydisa turns around, starting to get nervous. >> A flicker of dark behind the wall. The statue stares blankly in mute, sculpted terror. * Neydisa starts heading into the wastelands a little faster... moving away from the sounds. >> As she turns her back on the courtyard, a wet shuffling follows her in short bursts. * Neydisa shivers a little, and starts breaking into a small run. .oO( Don't look back.. it's probably imagination.. it has to be..) >> The sound gets louder and more frantic, shuffling and splashing as she rushes into the light, shoes clattering against the cold stone. * Neydisa keeps moving quicky, hoping to shake some of the chill off... and try not to think about the fact her heart is pounding. >> She runs, her heart pounding like the rain...bits of brick and stone rush past in a blur, but the desolation extends forever in every direction save the one she is running from. Neydisa: .oO( It's not real... oh Guardians.. what if it is.. keep going! ) >> Her muscles begin to ache...it's impossible to tell how long she's been running. Each second seems like an hour. * Neydisa pants a little, trying to manage the geta on the tiled ground.. now is not a time to slip. * Neydisa slows down, her small legs aching. "I can't keep going like this.." * Neydisa finally gets the courage to look behind her.. for the thing. >> A...form stands behind her. Dressed in tattered khaki pants, its skin hangs off it in strips and is deeply intertwined with barbed wire. Its chest is simply a pit of bones and hanging flesh, and its face is lipless and corpselike. It smiles as pus dripples from its gums. * Neydisa blinks. "Wait.. that.. you.." o_o >> It steps closer, lifting a hand. * Neydisa backs up, and breaks into a run. "No, not again!" >> She careens from the splurting and splashing...and suddenly there's a loud, sickening crack, and it simply stops. * Neydisa reels a little from her momentum, landing on the stony ground, hard. She stares up and behind her as the crack rings out. >> The figure is grasping at its chest, where milky white bone now juts through its slimy red exposed flesh at unhealthy angles. Suddenly its chest caves in entirely, and it crumples to reveal a fair-featured but unfamiliar man behind it, his fists bloodied. * Neydisa streas up from the ground, composing herself to a standing position. "Just.. who are you? What do you want? I didn't touch anything..." Man: I'm a friend. Neydisa: A friend... but you.. before.. >> The man nudges the dead creature with a foot. "We'd better get going. We need to find shelter." * Neydisa coughs, collapsing to the floor slightly as the chill gets worse and worse. "I need to find shelter... t..too.." >> The man brushes past her, flicking the blood and pus off his hands and onto the stone. * Neydisa stands shakily. >> The creature twitches. It gurgles, and a blackish, viscous goo bubbles up from its throat. * Neydisa starts following after the man, turning her head. Neydisa: Is.. is it dead? Man: Should be. >> He looks back, frowning. "Wait..." >> Walking back to the twitching shape, he kicks it, hard. It rolls over with a wet splutch. Man: Funny...a second ago... * Neydisa looks at it. "What?" Man: it looked like it moved. Neydisa: You saw it too? >> He nods, kneeling in the water to examine the figure. "Summon us some shelter, would you?" Man: I think we're far enough away from the source now that you can. * Neydisa looks around. "Summon it?" Man: Yeah. >> He prods the creature in vagious spots, roling it over and looking into its eyes one at a time. Neydisa: I.. I guess I could try... Man: Try? You've never done it before? * Neydisa stutters. "I..I mean I'm not very good." >> The man looks over his shoulder at her incredulously. "What kind of savior are you?" * Neydisa touches the ground, thinking, her thoughts suddenly interrupted unexpectedly. Neydisa: Savior... I'm a savior? Man: Well, apparently. But you can't do a decent job of it if you're going to be meek and useless. Neydisa: I don't want to be useless. -_- Man: Yeah, well, you'd think not, but... * Neydisa hits the stoney tiles with a small fist, a little frustrated suddenly, mumbling something about Gurdijeff moving mountains with willpower... >> Faster than fast, the creature's arm shoots up to grab the neck of the man, shattering Neydisa's concentration. * Neydisa blinks. "Ah!" o_o >> The thing lurches to its feet, its spine snapped cleanly in half and protruding from its back. Neydisa: Sir..! >> He doesn't bother to try and force a response through his constricted throat, busy trying to get a grip on his adversary. * Neydisa lifts her hand up, scrambling to her feet. "Please stop it!" >> Strangely, that doesn't work. >> The thing takes a step towards her, reaching out with its other hand...bony fingers claw the air in front of her as it shuffles closer. * Neydisa backs up, trying to edge away from the grip and think fast. "Gurdijeff... rise up!" >> Her connection falters and fails. She is unable to connect with the tainted ground. Neydisa: Not again... I.. can't do anything! >> The man seems to have given up trying to strike out at the thing, and now simply tries to pry its figners from his throat. It continues to advance on Neydisa. * Neydisa backs up more and more. "What saved me before..." >> The thing keeps pace with her awkward stumblings easily. * Neydisa tries to look brave. "If I can't persevere... give me a place I can...!" * Neydisa holds a hand to her chest and thinks of her patron. "Lucadia... hear me..." Neydisa: I know I'm unworthy... but... I need you.. * Neydisa keeps backing away, attempting a high summoning of Lucadia! >> A draconic shriek pierces the night air as the entire are a is enveloped in a massive bubble of water that repels the foul storm rain. * Neydisa uses this opportunity to swim right through the huge bubble of water, trying to drag the man out of the creature's clutches fast enough (for his breathing's sake) while it is harmed by the water pressure... >> It swipes at her angrily, holding fast to the strange man. The creature attacks Neydisa with its free hand! * Neydisa breaks away a second, breathing water instead of the air.. it actually feels almost invigorating. >> The creature's claws rake across Neydisa's face, and her blood fogs the water. 27 damage! * Neydisa tries to use her increased agility in the water to dodge, failing.. as she clutches her face. Neydisa: I.. I wanted to save someone... but can I only save me in the end? >> The thing swims slowly towards her, its mouth open in a macabre silent snarl. * Neydisa hesitates no longer, and makes for the other side of the bubble. Neydisa attempts to withdraw...failure! >> She gets to the edge of the bubble, but the creature swipes at her again, with increased force. >> It misses by a mile, the bubble of water severely impeding its movements. * Neydisa hovers at the edge of the bubble, making one last attempt, as the arm swings by slowly, to grab the man and use the momentum in the water to yank him outside the encased water. >> She manages to tug him free, as the water seems to be harming the creature's ability to function. He bobs in the water in her arms, unconscious from lack of air. >> The momentum brings them closer to the bubble's edge, and the creature's next swing falls short. * Neydisa takes a deep breath and kisses his lips gently, trying to give him oxygen quickly, and she uses a free arm to attempt to escape to the dry ground! >> Horrible-smelling bile bubbles out of the thing's throat as it swims awkwardly towards them. Neydisa withdraws! >> Neydisa bursts from the bubble, holding the man. He's heavy outside the water. Meanwhile, the thing is swimming slowly towards the bubble's edge... * Neydisa tries to muster whatever strength she has left to walk/run/limp away with the strange man... >> It's clear after a few meters that she won't be able to escape with him in tow like this. >> The thing pierces the bubble, collapsing to the ground and slowly getting to its feet. Neydisa: Maybe if I could just... * Neydisa attempts to increase her magical power in desperation.. >> The creature lurches closer, its bloodied claws gleaming... Neydisa meditates...regains 4 MP! Neydisa: .oO( I want to save him.. but.. ) * Neydisa sets the man down, hunching in front of him. "Please... don't come any closer.. why are you trying to kill us?" >> The creature pulls its lipless mouth into something resembling a grin and points to her chest. Neydisa: Is it me you want? Neydisa: Then leave him alone... >> As she stops to speak, it follows up with a lightning quick strike from the other hand. Its claws slice bloody gashes across her face...she barely lurches away in time to avoid losing an eye. 27 damage! * Neydisa teeters, holding more of her slashed face, then literally falls to the ground to the side of the man. Neydisa: Ugh... what am I doing... was this a good idea... but... the man... * Neydisa tries to meditate! Neydisa regains 4 MP! >> The creature kneels, slashing at her immobile form. >> Sharp pain brings herfully back to her senses as both of its hands leave deep, bloody marks. 25! 27! (52) * Neydisa tries to dodge the worst of it, rolling to the side a little. >> Her position makes it difficult, and she merely winds up taking the blow on her side instead. Neydisa is Condition Green! * Neydisa winces.. >> It steps around her for a better shot at her exposed neck. * Neydisa tries to wind away and summon a Guardian right in it's eyes as it gets close. "Ione Pawa.. blind it with your light!" >> Neydisa's eyes flare, and two spears of light shoot from them, solidly blasting the creature and sending it careening back, its broken spine causing it to almost literally bend over backwards as it stumbles. ? is weak against light! 162 damage! ? gains a level of force! ? is Condition Green! >> Slowly it forces its torso back into an upright position, revealing a smoking, oozing crater where its head was before the shot. * Neydisa tries to roll away with her unruly footwear and snag the man while it composes itself. >> It flails its arms angrily at her. Neydisa: What more can I do... it's.. it's not even stopping... >> One blow misses, but the second connects solidly, sending spears of pain deep into her left thigh. Miss! 25! (25) * Neydisa buckles a little, trying to regain her composure. "I"m..I"m sorry.. I tried so hard.. but I still can't save anyone.." * Neydisa withdraws, sadly... >> Neydisa runs. The creature begins to pursue, then stops, turning back to attack the man's prone form. * Neydisa cries, limping away... >> Her body goes limp from ache, and her mind spirals into blackness as she collapses into the watersoaked stone floor... >> She's floating in nothingness...can't speak, can barely think...the only point of focus is a distant square of grey... * Neydisa is drawn to the grey square... the only sensation she feels is even real in the void... >> As she reaches out towards the square mentally, it draws closer to her. It's impossible to judge scale or distance, but it seems to be a stone tablet with some sort of symbol on it. * Neydisa tries to reach closer... understand whatever it is... >> She reaches out to the strange thing, and her fingers brush against it...startlingly, as it seemed somehow more distant. As she touches it, the symbol flares to life and the water bubbles and warms. Her mind is enveloped again as the tablet lulls her into a dreamless sleep, and... >> Allen stands on a clear floor in the midst of utter void. The floorway continues, and faint green and red lights shimmer through it, offering the only indication that it's there at all. * Allen looks about, a determined look on his face. Allen: .oO( I knew getting home wouldn't be easy. ) * Allen takes a deep breath and starts forward. >> There's no horizon to speak of...the floorway appears to remain completely flat into the distance. The air is deathly silent...the sounds he makes are the only ones heard. * Allen stops for a moment and studies the floorway. He taps against it with his staff a couple times. >> Seems solid. It makes a sound like glass, but is clearly much stronger. >> Still, it's rather disconcerting to imagine what would happen if it broke. * Allen resolves to tread lightly as he moves onward. >> In the distance, a vague throbbing sound echoes across the void, despite the lack of anything to echo across. It seems to be all around. * Allen stops at the sound and looks around nervously. "Hello?" >> Gradually, the sound becomes louder, and he can hear the faint whooshing of air beneath the greater beats. * Allen frowns. * Allen starts forward again, but at a quicker pace. >> Something swoops above him from behind, causing a rush of air. An enormous white eagle lands on the trail thirty meters away, the fainly glowing path the only indication of its size. Allen: .oO( What is it with birds lately? ) * Allen slowly wanders toward the eagle. "Hello there, Mister Eagle!" he calls. >> The bird hunches over and seems to melt into a lump. After a moment it raises a very different head, revealing that it has transformed into a snowy white lion. It looks at Allen for a moment, then trots off in the opposite direction. Allen: .oO( I hope it's friendl- whoa. ) * Allen wonders if he should follow it or not. "A Guardian.. at least, I think so. I wish I'd paid more attention to Mom and her Guardian Studies.. " * Allen decides he should follow it. >> Allen slowly meanders through the shining path, which proves rather difficult. The walkways form a sort of maze, and jumping from path to path seems like a dubious proposition. Allen: .oO( This would be easy for Marlene. She has her wings to carry her. ) * Allen ventures on, trying not the think of the infinity below him. >> He walks for a while. Hard to tell how long, exactly. Whenever the lion gets too far ahead, it stops and sits on its haunches until he catches up a bit. Finally it lies down even after he begins to approach. After a few more minutes, he winds up near a large circular piece of floor with no way out other than the one he came in, and the lion lying in the center * Allen approaches cautiously, but doesn't get too close to the lion. He waves a little apprehensively. "Um.. hello." >> No response. * Allen frowns. Allen: Are you trying to go back to Adlehyde too? >> The lion swishes its tail back and forth, but doesn't talk. * Allen glances away for a moment... then looks the lion in the eye. "Who are you?" * Allen wonders if his friend here can even respond to his questions. >> The lion stands, stretches, and bounds off the walkway. It disappears slowly into the darkness below. * Allen goes wide-eyed. Allen: Now that was unexpected. * Allen wanders to the edge to look over.. Allen: I don't think I can do the same and survive. Perhaps I'd land, or fall forever. * Allen glances about, looking to the way he came. Allen: But what else is there to do...? >> The path seems to go on in many directions besides forward, even if this is a dead end. * Allen steps away from the edge. Allen: I can't just jump without knowing if there's some other way out of here. * Allen returns to the mazelike floorway >> It's hard to tell what direction he should head out in with no obvious landmarks in sight. * Allen is paralyzed by indecision. Allen: What did she say... Allen: "How far will you go." Allen: ... * Allen looks back to where the lion jumped from. >> Just black, as ever. * Allen goes over it in his mind some more Allen: .oO( The lion wasn't outwardly friendly. So it may be a trick. But he wasn't *un*friendly either. Just kind of bored. ) Allen: .oO( There are other avenues I could take to find a way out, but there's no guarantee I'll find my way back here. ) Allen: .oO( However, this place might not actually be very important. Jumping from anywhere could have the same result. ) Allen: .oO( And the result could be good or bad, depending on where this infinity of blackness leads to... ) Allen: .oO( So it all leads back to that bird... lion... thing. Was it helping me? Was it bored with me? ) Allen: .oO( Was it a trick? I've been tricked before. That illusionist back when we were searching the temple of memory. ) * Allen remembers that fall with painful clarity. Allen: .oO( I think I had better keep looking. ) * Allen starts off, walking along the floorway. >> As soon as he turns around, he sees something in the distance. It's a small, white object of some sort, barely a speck in the distance. * Allen squints... Allen: Hmm. * Allen keeps walking along the path, trying to get closer to the white thing. >> Eventually he does. It seems to be a person in white robes. He's still nowhere near close enough to detect features or even gender. * Allen cups his hands around his mouth and calls to the robed figure, "HELLOOOOOO!!" >> No response. It feels like a trend. * Allen frowns in determination and continues to navigate the floorway to reach the robed one. "STAY PUT, I'LL BE THERE SOON!!" he calls. >> Whoever it is doesn't seem to be in any hurry to leave. He gradually comes close enough to see that it's a woman in totally plain white robes, otherwise unadorned. >> She's facing away from him, making her features unidentifiable. Allen: .oO( Amelia? Neydisa? ...Sam? ) Allen: .oO( Well.. I'll see for myself. ) >> He finally gets close enough to see that the person does bear a striking resemblance to Samantha, though still viewed from behind. * Allen's breathing quickens.. Sam..! * Allen forces himself to calm down. .oO( What if this is another illusion? ) * Allen frowns. Allen: .oO( I'll be careful.. ) * Allen goes on. >> He has to go on a bit of a roundabout trip to get to the front of her, but when he does, he notices that she has no face. Upon a second glance, it's some sort of mannequin. * Allen 's spirits sink a bit. Allen: .oO( What have I been doing..? Chasing after someone when I need to find a way out of here. ) * Allen doesn't know where else to go, so he continues to make toward the mannequin. >> Eventually he stands in front of it. It's proportioned perfectly, but is porcelain and featureless. * Allen approaches it carefully. He reaches out with his wand and taps it on the shoulder. Allen: .oO( Can't be too careful.. ) >> It sounds like solic porcelain, ceramic or polished stone of some sort. Allen: .oO( What a waste.. bait to throw me off the trail, I guess. ) Allen: .oO( So now what..? ) >> Suddenly, the thing moves. Just like that. Its surface stretches without a sound or ripple, just as if it was skin above a body, and a hollow, distant filtration of Samantha's voice emanates from somewhere within the head. "Where am I?" * Allen 's eyes go wide Allen: Sam? Mannequin: *shakes its head* I don't think so. * Allen sweatdrops. Allen: Oh. Um.. well, to answer your question, I don't know where you... we are. Allen: Who are you? Mannequin: I thought I was Samantha, but I guess not. * Allen thinks about this for a moment. Allen: .oO( Thinks it was Samantha... ) Allen: Um.. Do you know who I am? Mannequin: That's a strange question. >> "She" sits, dangling her legs over the edge of the walkway. Mannequin: I don't even know who I am. Mannequin: But until before, I thought I did. I think I know who you are, but I may be wrong about that too. * Allen stands behind her. Mannequin: Why don't I ask you? Who are you? Allen: I'm... Allen. Allen Harper. I went to school with Samantha. It turns out she's my half- sister. Allen: And.. well, we were friends a school before we knew we were related. Allen: Do you remember any of this? Mannequin: I remember it happening, but I'm not sure if it was real or a dream. * Allen frowns. Allen: Well... there's so much to remember. Allen: Do you remember sitting in front of Johann in Graphing, and how he'd always pull your hair? The weird way that Professor Harmonum blinked every few seconds? My mother, Quillenne? She taught Guardianism and she told me you were in her class. >> She nods. "I remember it. But I'm still confused." * Allen sits down next to her. Allen: Do you remember the first time I told you I loved you? Allen: The first time we kissed? Mannequin: I don't remember that. But that doesn't prove anything, I've discovered. Allen: Well.. * Allen sighs. Allen: I know, do you know what happened before you came here? The last thing I remember is joining hands with my friends and... hmm. >> Allen is suddenly hit by a wave of nausea that vanishes almost the moment it arrives. Mannequin: I don't remember exactly. Allen: Yeah.. me neither. Well, I guess there's nothing left to say but, 'would you like to come with me to find a way out of here'? Mannequin: Why? * Allen gestures to the nothingness. Allen: There's not much here worth hanging around for. Allen: Except you... and this bird... lion... thing I saw earlier. * Allen frowns. Strange things happen, what does it mean? Mannequin: The chimera. But I'm confused. You know I am not Samantha, yet you treat me as if I were. Allen: That doesn't matter. I'm looking for Sam, and you have something to do with her. And anyway, even if you aren't Sam, I'd still like to find a way out of here. Allen: Do you want to come with me? Mannequin: Sure. But is this place any better or worse than any other, really? * Allen looks at her. "This place is not terribly bad, but it's also quite dull. At least in the spirit world there were my friends." Mannequin: You shouldn't have friends. * Allen blinks. Allen: Shouldn't I? Why not? Allen: .oO( Sam wouldn't say something like this. At least, I don't think so. Perhaps she has changed since the Abbey. ) Mannequin: It's important to only have one thing in your life that matters. * Allen smiles. "Is that so? But what if two things in life are just as important as each other?" Mannequin: What would you do if you had to choose between those things? >> She walks on, raising a smooth white hand. "View the chimera." * Allen looks around, "Huh?" >> A much smaller eagle appears out of the void to land on the walkway in front of her, where it transforms into a small, perfectly white scorpion. * Allen studies the creature. "A scorpion, or a bird." >> It changes again, into the full-sized albino lion, trotting off uninterestedly. Mannequin: The chimera is many things, and so its interests are divided. In the end, it will have to sacrifice all of those aspects by trying not to give any of them up. Allen: I see what you mean. Allen: But I still don't believe that life can be dedicated to one thing alone. Mannequin: Maybe not. Allen: There is so much to hope for in the world. What if I took up... I dunno... music while continuing to study magic? Allen: All I would be doing is diversifying my life. I wouldn't be worse off in one respect or the other. Mannequin: Mm. Well, it's not worth worrying about now. * Allen looks around. "Yeah, I don't know if this is the place for philosophical discussion." Allen: On the other hand, there's not much else to do here. :) Mannequin: You know we can't stay together. Allen: We can't? Allen: You mean not after we leave? Allen: Or... do we have to part ways now? Mannequin: Well, it doesn't really matter how it happens. But if you stay with me, you won't be you any more. Allen: I- what? * Allen blinks Mannequin: *shakes her head* Don't worry. * Allen frowns. Allen: Well.. I want to get home. If you want to come with me and help me find a way out of here, you are welcome to. Mannequin: The way out was here all along. * Allen blinks, wowed. "What?" Allen: Do you mean I could just leave whenever I please? >> The mannequin steps off the path and the surroundings suddenly fade into being. They are outside in the midst of a desert plain, and the ground is no longer a shining path, but rather a vast design of darker sand than the rest. Mannequin: Does it matter where you go? Mannequin: Does it change you? * Allen looks around, taken aback. Allen: Well.. yes. Yes it does. Allen: I am not the person today I was when I lived at the abbey. Mannequin: No? Allen: Things were so much easier back then. Now the world is falling into chaos and no one cares. Except for a few of us. My friends, wherever they've made off to... Allen: And what did I care about then? Allen: The next midterm. Mannequin: Yet you still have marks on your body from when you were a child. Aren't you the same? Mannequin: You are still you, by whatever name. Allen: Well.. the path I take changes the way I develop. If I hadn't run away when Johansen had visited the abbey, I would be somewhere else. I would be someone else. Allen: Perhaps I would be dead. Allen: Perhaps I would have taken up noble rank and title. Mannequin: Eh. Maybe. *she sets off in some random direction* Let me ask you something else. What makes you put so much effort into this affair that entails so much risk? * Allen follows her. Allen: I.. I don't know, really. I just know that someone needs to do something to help people see what is wrong with the world. Allen: Why not me? I may not be terribly strong or powerful, but I've talked to a Guardian who needs our help. Mannequin: So you're doing this for the good of everyone on Filgaia. * Allen frowns. Allen: For the good of everyone? I.. guess I am. Allen: Sure, I can do this. And if I can't, at least I tried. Allen: If no one tries, it will just fall apart. Mannequin: But don't you want to help Samantha? Allen: Yes, I also want to help Samantha. Allen: I hope she knows that I care about her, and that I'll go look for her. And perhaps if my friends are willing, they can help me. Mannequin: Hmm. I see. >> She walks on in silence. * Allen follows, trudging through the sand. Allen: So. What do you want? Mannequin: Dunno. Why does it matter to you? Allen: I don't know... Perhaps I see a lot of Sam in you, and I worry about her. Allen: And perhaps I'm just making conversation. Mannequin: I'm not her, you know. That's plain from looking at me, and you know it. That's why you tried to test me before by asking me that thing that didn't happen. Allen: Yes, that's right... Allen: Can I also care about what *you* think? Mannequin: You can, but you shouldn't. You're divided enough already. * Allen shrugs. Allen: Perhaps. * Allen walks on. Allen: So.. where are you going? * Allen gestures in the direction they've been walking. Mannequin: Don't know. You can never see too far ahead. Allen: Just as it is in life. Mannequin: You don't think this is life? * Allen shrugs. Allen: The road ahead can't be seen in life, just as it is here. Allen: How's that? Mannequin: Well, have you ever known anything besides life? Allen: I guess not. Mannequin: So this must be life. Allen: Well, was the spirit world "life"? Mannequin: I would imagine. Allen: Or was it the shadows that are left behind by reality? I still can't figure it out. Mannequin: I'm beginning to think that any sort of knowledge is a lie, so I don't concern myself with it. Allen: Don't you trust anyone? Mannequin: I used to. But then, I used to trust myself. * Allen stops for a moment and sits down. >> The mannequin sits too, 'looking' at him with her utterly blank, flat face. "Do you trust yourself?" Allen: I think so. Allen: But then, I don't know how far I would go. Allen: .oO( "How far will you go?" ) * Allen sighs. Mannequin: That's always the question, then, isn't it? Think of it like this. You used to trust that you were Allen Harper. Now you know otherwise. Allen: That's true. Mannequin: How do you know that everything you believe now is not also a lie? Allen: Well, I don't know for certain. But it has presented itself in a very convincing manner. Allen: If it hadn't, I probably wouldn't belive it. Mannequin: Do you have a wand? * Allen pulls out the wand he was carrying. >> She holds out a hand for it. * Allen gives it to her. >> Accepting the wand, she gets a good grip and then shoves it into his hand. It hurts for a second, and then she pulls it out, leaving a hole which leaks golden sparkles and nothing more. * Allen cries out. Then he stares at his hand. Allen: That.. . * Allen holds his hand so that it doesn't "bleed". Allen: I don't believe it. I've been tricked by illusion before. * Allen remembers that fall again. Stupid stupid... * Allen pulls off his vest and wraps it around his hand. >> Some of the sparkles leak through the vest, but it quells the flow for the most part. Mannequin: Was it illusion when you found out you were half nobility? Allen: Well, no... * Allen thinks along other lines. .oO( In the spirit world, you are merely a spiritual representation of yourself. So if you are damaged, it is your soul that bleeds. Now I'm here, and this place is... different. ) Allen: What if everyone who comes here does the same thing? Allen: Bleeds gold dust, that is. Allen: What difference would that make? Mannequin: You didn't expect it. Allen: I.. * Allen frowns. Allen: This doesn't make sense. Mannequin: If you say so. Mannequin: ... * Allen gets up and starts to walk again. >> The mannequin doesn't move. Mannequin: Allen. You have to make a choice now. * Allen turns around and faces her. Allen: A choice. Mannequin: *nods* You may save me from this place and cease your search for your sister, or leave me behind and continue. Either way, the choice is irrevocable. Allen: And I can't have both? * Allen frowns. Mannequin: You can try, but your efforts will prove futile. Mannequin: It is not my decision to force this choice upon you. Don't think that. * Allen sighs. Allen: .oO( Sam or this being here? ) Allen: .oO( I promised myself to save my sister. ) Allen: .oO( But what about this woman who will just wander on...? ) Allen: Well, I know that Sam is in danger. And you say that this world is no worse than the other. You don't tell me what you want, but I still feel as though I shouldn't leave you behind... * Allen is once again paralyzed by indecision. Mannequin: What would you do if you were required to make this choice in the space of a few seconds? You see what I mean when I say more than one love cannot succeed. Luckily, you have as long as you want to choose...this time. Allen: Well.. I'd probably flip a coin. But then I'd agonize over what the other choice would have yielded. * Allen takes her hand in his. Allen: I've decided. And though I know this means leaving you behind, you haven't seemed to mind the idea of spending some time here. Perhaps one day I'll try to come back. But I have to rescue my sister. Allen: She's the only thing that has been a constant since all this started: my friend. >> She nods. Mannequin: Do not be surprised if you find something other than what you expected. Allen: I'll try to live with my decision. And I wish you well. Mannequin: Before you go...take this. * Allen looks up from his introspection. >> She removes a small stone tablet from the long, open sleeves of her plain white robe. "It will help you along the way. Whether that is a good thing or not remains to be seen." * Allen takes the tablet. >> As soon as he touches it, his world explodes in a burst of light and smoke. He chokes down the scent of ozone, then passes out. Darkness clouds his mind, and... >> Dark, dripping walls flash by as Joseph runs through the catacombs. The sounds of pursuit echo from behind, and the sounds of escape from ahead. * Joseph continues to run, the Cormorant in hand, looking back to see if he can see anything. >> As he turns a corner, he can see the shadows of running men approaching, but not their forms...yet. * Joseph continues to run, but is getting rather annoyed at this and considers stopping and fighting. Joseph: Hmph...enough of this. * Joseph stops and turns around. >> Three men in strange suits that hide their faces run around the corner, carrying ARMs. * Joseph says nothing at first...then speaks up. "Hey...why are you following me?" >> They look at each other, then back to him. The middle one speaks, a strangely filtered voice through his mask. "Stay where you are." * Joseph points the Cormorant at the middle man. "Why should I?" >> The three men point their ARMs at him in response. "Stay where you are." * Joseph draws the machine gun with his other hand. "And I said...why should I?" Joseph: Would you like to repeat the same thing again? >> They all shoot as soon as he reaches to draw his other weapon. He feels the heat in the air as bullets whiz by inches from him, but somehow manages to avoid taking a hit. * Joseph looks at the 3 men. "Not very good with your aim are you. Now it's my turn." * Joseph fires the Cormorant, aiming for the middle guy. >> They all shoot again while he's insulting them. Luckily he squeezes off a shot at the middle man at the same time, who falls. One of the remaining two's bullets clips him on the shoulder, prompting a spurt of blood but doing little damage. The other's misses and ricochets off down the hallway. * Joseph slightly winces as the bullet clips him, then fires again at the guy who shot him. >> He falls too. One more man remains, currently stopped to reload. * Joseph aims the cormorant at the remaining man and fires. >> The last man falls too, a hole through his neck. Joseph: Hmph...not being prepared gets you killed. * Joseph turns around and walks off. >> He slowly heads off in the opposite direction, only to hear lighter footfalls behind him. * Joseph mumbles to himself as he draws the machine gun at the same time. "They never give up..." * Joseph runs as he points the machine gun behind him and fires it. >> It's impossible to tell if he hit anything...all sound is drowned out under the roar of the gun. * Joseph stops firing and continues to run, just because he wants to get out of this stupid place. >> The catacombs seem endless. After a long time running, he stumbles upon a three-way fork almost without realizing. The acoustics blur the sound of footsteps, making it hard to say which way the people heading in front of him went. * Joseph thinks to himself then fires the machine gun down all corridors. He then takes the left path. >> Again he seems to be running for ages. The corridors are all the same. * Joseph continues to run then stops for a second. He fires the Cormorant at the wall to use as a marker so he doesn't run around in circles. >> The bullet ricochets a BIT near to him, but he gets what he wanted, a nice little mark. * Joseph slightly nods to himself and continues to run. >> He barely manages to start going again before he runs into someone directly in front of him. * Joseph stops in front of the man, but doesn't say anything. >> It's a somewhat short, lithe person, his face hidden beneath a hooded cape. He's dressed entirely in black, and barely registers as a shadow in the near-darkness of the catacombs. Wordlessly, he raises a hand and the walls close in with a hurrendous bang, creating a dead end behind Joseph. * Joseph looks behind then at the little man. "Let me guess. You want me to stay where I am?" Dark Man: Zebet trimall. Haiagash nestrum dellox! *he turns the outraised hand on Joseph, who is brought to his knees with a crippling chill* * Joseph falls to his knees, but tries to aim the Cormorant to fire it... >> Weakened as he is, the shot misses by a mile. The man simply turns and walks away. After a moment the chill subsides, leaving nothing but great exhaustion and aching. * Joseph breathes heavily and tries to stand up using the wall as leverage. >> He manages to stand, but feels extremely drained. * Joseph tries to walk using his staff as a walking stick. >> Gradually, he moves forward, slowly regaining the energy to stand on two feet. No more sounds of pursuit can be heard. * Joseph slowly continues to walk mumbling something about shooting that little prick. >> The corridor is straight and empty, eventually leading to a dead end with a set of double metal doors. * Joseph walks up to open the door then stops himself. He steps back and fires the Cormorant at the door since he just knows there has to be some sort of trap. >> The bullet sticks in the door and leaves a hole. Joseph: ... * Joseph fires the machine gun then. >> The machine gun chews up the door nicely. * Joseph holsters both of his ARMs and walks through the door, his staff in an evasive position. >> Walking through the door, he steps outside. The bright light is almost blinding at first. * Joseph covers his eyes with his arm, then looks around once the light isn't so blinding. >> He seems to be in an unfamiliar town. It's rather rural looking, and people walk through the streets unconcernedly. * Joseph takes a couple steps forward, still looking around and never letting his guard down. >> He still feels very weak. Spring air warms his skin, but it's like his soul has been frozen solid. * Joseph continues to look around seeing if he can spot anything that might help him regain his strength. >> There's an inn and a church. * Joseph considers going to the inn then changes his mind as he doesn't have time to rest up. He walks toward the church. >> Entering the church, Joseph sees that it's deserted except for one man in priestly robes, who is busying himself lighting all the many candles arranged throughout. * Joseph looks at the man then speaks. "Hey you." >> The man looks up, frowning. "You have a dark pall about you. What is this?" * Joseph doesn't say anything at first since he hates to be helped, but finally speaks because he knows that it can't be avoided. "Some little thing back there did this." Priest: Hmmmmmmm. How very peculiar. Come closer, let me see. Joseph: Fine...but don't pull anything funny. And let me know before you do anything. * Joseph walks towards the priest. >> The priest just looks him over with a scowl. Finally he speaks. "I'm afraid I can't do anything about this. This curse only works on those with weakness in their heart. To purge the weakness in your body, you must come to terms with yourself." Joseph: Yeah sure, whatever. Just tell me what I need to do. Priest: That is all I can tell you. You must confront the weakness in your heart and defeat it. Joseph: Damn...didn't I just go through all of this? -_- Priest: You didn't defeat the weakness in your heart, so the curse never truly left. You are still a weak man at the core. >> He shakes his head. * Joseph look up at the priest. "Don't call me weak." Joseph: Now how do I go about confronting all of this? Priest: Until you admit that you are weak, you can't hope to make yourself otherwise. It's not something I can help with...it's a personal journey. Joseph: I don't consider myself weak. In the past maybe, but I have become stronger. Priest: *shrug* As you say. I cannot do any more for you. Joseph: A lot of help you were. Hey, what village is this anyways? Priest: The village is named Ash. Priest: And I have given you as much help as anyone can. Joseph: Ash...I've never heard of it. Joseph: I've been all over the world as well. Priest: We are a small village...and clearly if you are here, you have not seen every place, even if you have seen some of every place. Joseph: Yes, you have a point. What is the nearest major village? Priest: Rosetta is some distance from here, if you need to go there. But I'm not sure you can make the trip in this condition. * Joseph shakes his head. "I am not returning to Rosetta." Priest: Wise of you. You are too weak to travel alone. Joseph: Come to terms with myself...but with what? What about myself is making me weak... Priest: I cannot see inside your soul. Only you can do that. Joseph: Is there some way to make this easier? That fool Zed said he could do this. >> The priest shrugs, apparently losing interest. * Joseph finally tries to remember the memories he has blocked out for so long. "Is there a way I can get to Rosetta? Caravan or something?" Priest: There will indeed be a caravan later in the week. Perhaps you should rest at the inn until then? Joseph: Yes....maybe I'll do that. * Joseph walks out of the church looking confused. Oh, and he didn't say thanks or anything like that...that's Joseph for you. >> He hears snickering from behind him. * Joseph quickly turns around as he notices hears the noises. >> There's a kid there. He's well-dressed and well-groomed, apparently wealthy. He snickers and examines his nails. "Well, you're screwed." Joseph: Leave me alone kid...I don't have time to talk to a rugrat. Kid: Hmph. I'm worth more than you'll ever be. Watch how you speak. Joseph: Whatever...go buy yourself something and leave me alone. Kid: Sure. >> The kid snickers again, tossing a pouch of money onto the ground at Joseph's feet. "Go get a whore or something." >> He then walks off. * Joseph shurgs and picks up the money. "Well, at least he paid for my boarding at the inn." * Joseph walks into the inn. >> The inkeeper looks him over with a critical eye, seeing that he's in less than great shape from the chase. "Yes?" Joseph: Gimme a room till the Caravan arrives. >> The innkeeper nods. "You got money?" * Joseph tosses the pouch that the kid so kindly left him on the counter. >> The innkeeper opens it, looking inside dubiously. "Okay, you're good." He pulls out a strange stone tablet. "But keep your junk." He tosses the tablet at Joseph. * Joseph catches the tablet. "What's this?" >> He catches it, a strange sigil facing him on the tablet's surface. The sigil suddenly bursts into bright light, blinding and disorienting Joseph. He feels his consciousness slipping away from him, crumpling to the ground, and...