{{Character Infobox
|firstname=Sköll
|lastname=Ulfang
|age=Adult
|image=Skoll Ulfang.jpg
|species=Werewolf, Unlimited
|sex=Male
|height=6'3
|weight=Atheletic
|series=Final Fantasy Unlimited
|styles=Chain Ravager, Werewolf Summoner
|hometown=Wonderland
|alignment=Forces of Ruin
|group=Shard Seekers
|occupation=Unlimited Hunter
|quote="I merely seek to destroy those who stand in the way of my Lords. I have no quarrel with you."
|footer=Having lost the darkness within his heart, the werewolf tries to find his place in life anew.
}}
{{CTable}}{{RTable}}
= Profile =
One of the few survivors of the destruction of the werewolf world, and unfortunate enough to be revived due to his Unlimited fate, Ulfang found himself in the clutches of Orcha with little of his memories remaining. Now, he is a pawn of the Gaudium Lords, sent to destroy those who stand in their way. Will his memories ever return? Will Orcha's control on him be broken? Or will Ulfang forever be trapped within the clutches of those who destroyed his very world? For now, he will do what must be done for his lords – within the bounds of his take on 'Honor'.

= Background =
[[File:Skoll_med.jpg|280px|left]]The werewolf world has always been a strange one – with its own sets of rules and behaviors. It's always been a world of strong beings – able to transform when staring into a reflective surface, or into one-another's eyes. And it is the latter that has always made this race be one of close-knit groups. Packs if you may. And amidst one of these packs, Sköll was born to a loving mother and a rugged father. His birth however, in many ways, goes without detail. Perhaps there had been something special about the day of his birth? Perhaps it had been the parents? Whatever the case may be, something occurred to make this Werewolf be born... special. He was born something that many only barely know of. An Unlimited. The knowledge to use this power he was born with, is something that simply came natural to him, especially as he grew older.

Of course, his young life wasn't without its hardships. His father was tough on him – being the only son of his and the one who was to lead the pack in the future. And with that, came the immense expectation to step into his footsteps by means of becoming a strong warrior. And whilst his Unlimited changed the way how his power was directed – he didn't disappoint his father. Showing an uncanny ability with his father's preferred weaponry: chains with weights at their ends, and the art of magically powering these items – he soon began to even overshadow his old man. Don't misunderstand though. For all the harsh training he was put through, and the fel disagreements that sometimes would spark between the two, the youth never came to hate his father. And his mother often helped him control his nature, and began to direct it with a code of conduct for him to act within. A code of honor. And this code was so far ingrained into him closer to his adult-hood, that even to this day... it has not been possible to destroy.

[[File:Zia_and_Skoll_Battle.jpg|right|400px]]What was possible to destroy however, was the very world that Sköll had lived his whole life on. It wasn't the first world to fall before the immense might of Chaos – many had come before. And this would be just another one. Where many tried to combat Chaos – and Sköll certainly was one of those. Before the immense might of Chaos, they were without power! Even he himself, an Unlimited, did not contain enough power on his own to even seem to scratch the mighty beast that day... and so it came to be that Sköll, for the first time, 'died'.

However, as it was mentioned, Sköll is an Unlimited. And such is their fate to be neigh immortal. The werewolf was found in the wake of all the destruction by Orcha however, who recognized him for 'what' he was... and took him into the commune of the Gaudium Lords. Using his powers of control, Orcha soon gained a new peon for the Gaudium Lords, and sent him out to seek out any Unlimited that might exist... while locking away the Werewolf's memories of the destruction of the world – and twisting it into the blame of something called 'an Unlimited' to have done this terrible deed.

== Legend of the Sky Wolves ==
The following is a short story/dream sequence/character development series revolving around Hati and Skoll. This includes their memories, and their beliefs in the mythical figures of the 'White Wolf' and 'Golden Wolf'. For more information, check out the Introduction & OOC Notes area.
* [[Legend_of_the_Sky_Wolves#Legend_of_the_Sky_Wolves_-_Introduction_.26_OOC_Notes|Introduction & OOC Notes]]
* [[Legend_of_the_Sky_Wolves#Chapter_1:_Children.27s_Stories|Chapter 1: Children's Stories]]
* [[Legend_of_the_Sky_Wolves#Chapter_3:_When_the_Sun_Cries|Chapter 3: When the Sun Cries]]

== Story Since Then ==
[[File:Skoll_Wolf.png|280px|left]]Since the formation of the the World of Ruin and the shadow portals made by Maleficent, Skoll was sent to investigate these occurrences by the Gaudium Lords. This led to his meeting with a mysterious gargoyle girl named Zia in Traverse Town, and not too long later - the group known as the Shard Seekers. Between helping Zia with trouble she got near, and joining the Shard Seekers for the sake of 'taking' their crystal when it is developed, Skoll's life got busy.

And for the first time since the fall of his world, he started to enjoy life again.[[File:Skoll KH.png|300px|right]]

Not long later, he meets with a girl named Avira. Or rather, Avira meets him - stalking him at first, followed by him becoming her teacher in hunting. The two become good friends in the process, but he gets a big scare when the girl ends up facing off against Kaze and 'almost gets herself killed'. He's quick to send her through some emergency training, which ends up setting her on track to becoming closer with nature.

Not long there-after, Skoll has a terrible nightmare that makes him realize that he's being somehow controlled by the Gaudium Lords. Not long there-after, the fight for Manhattan truly takes off. Afraid and more under the awareness of the darkness that stirs within him, Skoll still presses on and participates in the battle for the Heart of Manhattan - not long after having found out that his sister is alive.

The battle is long and painful, and sees to the changing of Avira and the harming of Zia. Zia is safely teleported out by King Mickey, and Skoll pulls Avira out of the place when the world comes to fall.

[[File:Skoll_C.jpg|280px|left]]Afraid of his own darkness, he begins to avoid people - while a particular (NPC) Gaudium Lord takes interest in Skoll's friendship. Jealous, she tries to harm Avira, which clues her in to Skoll's issue. Skoll tries to deal with Avira's change, and comes to know the secret to Zia's racial curse. His life gets made even harder when Hati finally pops into his life, and starts trying to get him to give up on 'chasing the Golden Wolf' and evaluate his current life... and the connections he has to those already around him - while also ridiculing him about having two girls he might be 'interested in' - or 'close to'.

But dare he open up his heart? He's afraid of what will happen if he does. But more-so... his heart is partially kept shut by the Gaudium Lords' control over him. Since then, he made advances on Avira - but this attempt at forming an intimate relationship was halted by the locking of lips between Avira and Mercade - and forming the bond of True Love before Hades himself. A little heartbroken, darkness filled Skoll further. This followed a series of struggles surrounding the darkness-infusing collar he still wore, until both Zia and Avira finally came to his rescue. And a few months later, the same group finally defeats the Gaia Sisters and frees Skoll from the collar. But nothing comes without a price. Zia's crystal is shattered.

Skoll helps Zia find a way to repair her crystal through finding a way to Atlantis - but also comes to know that now, without this darkness, much of his powers no longer work. The greatest of these - is the connection to the Espers in his Unlimited Summoner form as a werewolf.

== Combat ==
[[File:Skoll-Ulfang.gif]]

= Relations =
=== Allies ===
{| class="CTable RelationTable"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Short
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
| [[Ivo Galvan]]
| [[File:Skoll - Gonna Get Ya.jpg]]
| I think he's probably the smart one if the Shard Seekers. Also the reason I ended up wearing a Maid Uniform.
|-
| [[Faruja Senra]]
| [[File:Skoll - Prowling.jpg]]
| A friend... who has something with my sister, but also is interested in Zia.
|-
| [[Lily]]
| [[File:Skoll - Bacon.jpg]]
| Cute girl, seems to hang around Ivo.
|-
| [[Reize Seatlan]]
| [[File:Skoll - Happy.jpg]]
| Comes from a little town and seems to be pretty clueless on life... but that makes him an easy target - and he became my in for the Shard Seekers. (...) And here I thought Zia was the trouble-magnet. I wonder if he realizes just how attracted the Heartless are to his pure heart.
|-
| [[Shiki Misaki]]
| [[File:Skoll - Ease.jpg]]
| I don't really know her.
|-
| [[Zia]]
| [[File:Skoll - Happy Puppy.jpg]]
| Such a strange newcomer. She seemed lost when I first met her, but luckily has found her way back to her world. She has a strange ability to attract <s>muggers</s> trouble. Life around her certainly isn't boring! But what's up with us constantly running into one-another? And why does she believe I am out for her soul? Still, she seems nice, and her magic is kind of amazing. Especially how she zapped that Panda Heartless! Since then, I've gotten to know her a bit better. She hid a great secret. I wonder how much it took for her to trust me? But more-so... the fall of your world has changed you. I... I will protect you. I know I love you. And I am glad you will live for many more millenia to come.
|-
| [[Avira]]
| [[File:Skoll - Glassy.jpg]]
| She seems nice - but a bit overenthusiastic. But that can be forgiven. An aspiring hunter and mapper. Maybe I could teach her some of the things I know? So far, taught her a bit about moving around quietly in a forest - and after that, how to stalk people in the city. I just hope she won't use this for the wrong reasons. Also - really - there's no need to go blushing like that. But... I am glad I was able to keep you away from Khamja. Also, sorry - I missed your call. But since then, I've put you through some rigorous training to prepare you in case you need to hunt... or need to flee. To know how to cover your tracks. I just hope you won't hate me for this training. But one thing is certain. You've grown. And I am glad that you came to me about Hati! But after that mess in Manhattan... you changed. Part of me liked the new you, but I am glad you are human again. We've gone through our number of rough spots, and I came to grow strong feelings for you - but then... Mercade took your lips and your heart. Maybe it's better this way. No matter what, you are my greatest friend, and I will treat you well.
|-
| [[Hati]]
| [[File:Skoll - Happy Puppy.jpg]]
| I am glad I was finally able to meet you. I hope that your contact with Faruja and the VALKYRI will help lift you from the darkness,.
|-
| [[Katyna]]
| [[File:Skoll - Ugh.jpg]]
| You're a friend of Hati's. I am not sure I will ever forget your misdeeds against Avira... but I can at least try to forgive.
|-
| [[Mercade Alexander]]
| [[File:Skoll - Caught You.jpg]]
| Seems to not be very good with money. Good fellow. Avira's boyfriend - 'true love'. I don't resent you.
|}

=== Adversary ===
{| class="CTable RelationTable"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Short
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
| [[LEXUS]]
| [[File:Skoll - Go Away.jpg]]
| You were there, actively trying to make that world fall! ... You will pay.
|-
| [[Negaduck]]
| [[File:Skoll - Go Away.jpg]]
| "You Hurt Zia!"
|-
| [[Lords of Gaudium]]
| [[File:Skoll - Hiding.jpg]]
| They saved me from the destruction of my homeworld caused by the Unlimited. But I am uncertain now. They've lied to me... and I am distancing myself from them. Now, I hide from them, no longer willing to associate with them.
|}

=== Squeeky Toys ===
{| class="CTable RelationTable"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Short
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
| [[Sammy Colt]]
| [[File:Skoll - Hi.jpg]]
| I would not have expected an underground deal with someone looking like him. Note to self: Probably can be 'bought' with the power of noodles.
|-
| [[Minerva]]
| [[File:Skoll - Caught.jpg]]
| ???
|}

=== Awe ===
{| class="CTable RelationTable"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Short
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
| [[Maira]]
| [[File:Skoll - Heeeee.jpg]]
| What a strange woman. An amazing mage... but really - there was nobody standing next to you.
|}

=== Acquaintances ===
{| class="CTable RelationTable"
|-
! scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Short
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
| [[Sarafina Carenze]]
| [[File:Skoll - Hi.jpg]]
| You smell like my masters, yet different. Why do you smell of both human and monster?
|-
| [[Morgan]]
| [[File:Skoll - Ease.jpg]]
| Your reactions to Heartless are strange to me, and the way you seemed chilled when I mentioned the Shadow Lords... there's something about you... but I can't put my finger on it. Either way, you came across as a fair Lady in need of help, so I will assist.
|-
| [[Valencia]]
| [[File:Skoll - Hi.jpg]]
| A sorceress new from a fallen world. Seems to have a mechanical pet bird that decides if someone is a good person or not.
|-
| [[Will Sherman]]
| [[File:Skoll - Indignant.jpg]]
| I'm not really sure what to think about you. You were a major part of the cause of Manhattan's fall... but... you seem to have 'recovered'?
|-
| [[Riku]]
| [[File:Skoll - Disgusted.jpg]]
| How dare you betray your friends and make that world fall!? I just don't understand. Were you under someone's influence maybe?
|}

= Logs =
{| class="LogTable"
{{#ask:[[Category:{{{1|Roleplay Logs}}}]] [[Log Characters::Sköll Ulfang]] {{!!}} [[Log Characters::Skoll Ulfang]]
|?Log Date
|?Log Synopsis
|format=template
|template=Log List Single
|limit=99999
|sort=Log Date
|order=descending
|default={{!}} colspan=3 {{!}} No logs submitted yet.
}}
|}

= Cutscenes =
{{Character Logs|Cutscenes}}

Sköll Ulfang

2014-03-31T18:52:16Z

Oathkeeper: /* Story Since Then */

File:Skoll C.jpg

2014-03-31T18:50:34Z

Oathkeeper:

Dreaming of Dragons

2014-03-29T19:32:39Z

Oathkeeper: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/03/28 |Location=Golmore Jungle |Synopsis=Avira dreams of... |Thanks=Oathkeeper (Aka: Shinryu) |Cast of Characters=Avira, Shinryu |pretty=yes ..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/03/28
|Location=Golmore Jungle
|Synopsis=Avira dreams of...
|Thanks=Oathkeeper (Aka: Shinryu)
|Cast of Characters=Avira, Shinryu
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' As Avira opens her eyes after her ordeals in Gummispace, amidst the Golmore jungle, she's welcomed by the sounds of an active jungle. Birds making their bird-calls in the spring of World of Ruin, and beasts hissing and growling somewhere far off. It seems like any ol' morning here. Except for one thing. Those are the only sounds she's hearing. There's no sounds of people working around her. No gummiships taking off. No hammers pounding or saws at work. No nothing. There's not even anyone who is checking in on her. It's just her and the animals around her.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' The last thing Avira remembered before hearing that voice in her head was the cold. The horrible, oppressive, unrelenting cold held her in its grip for what felt like forever. She awakes gradually, the memory of what had happened to her coming through slowly. When she comprehends what had happened, she doesn't move for a spell, a sad frown on her face. Well she was alive, cold, but alive. But...in the middle of the jungle? Now she sits up. Did she fall to the earth from gummispace!?

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' Seeing as she isn't... dead... it's a good assumption that she either came here through a portal, or by ship. But there's still nobody around. And the sounds in the jungle are starting to dim. Did her hearing get affected?

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "Hello?" Avira calls out, standing shakily. Funny, she expected to be hurting more after all of that. More importantly, she expected someone from the safety team to pick her up out of space and at least take her back to camp. "WHERE IS EVERYONE?" she calls out, noticing the sounds around her fading. She sticks a finger in one of her ears.

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' When her finger dips into her ear, the hearing on that side fades as she'd expect. And removing it obviously brings it back. But the noise out there continues to fade. Slowly but surely. As if someone was turning down the volume on the world. That's when she'll notice something. Two enormous red moons in the skies. Moons with enormous yellow slits down their bodies. 'Looking' down upon her.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Strange. Avira shakes her head, as if to remove water, but still nothing. Her hearing was fading. Over the next few seconds, she receives the distinct impression of being watched. She looks frantically around her before eventually turning her head skywards. Her eyes widen. THOSE WERE NO MOONS! Gigantic eyes like those were also familiar to her in a way she did not enjoy. Right away, Avira looks for cover. It's a jungle, she should find it, right?

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' Oh, there's cover alright. But those moons are still gazing down upon her. She can distinctly tell that they're following her. Within a dream, vision doesn't stop things from seeing you. Somehow... those 'moons' can still see her. Glowering with anger; the beast from outside of the world's faint barrier between it and the Gummispace. "You can run... but you can't hide." The voice that had caused Maira to shake in fear last day galms throughout the world. Birds fly up, but they don't make any sound as they do.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira finds cover and waits. The feeling of being watched does not recede and Shinryu speaks to her. Unable to help herself, she shudders. "What do you want?" she calls out to the sky. "My Heart? You can't have it!" Why wasn't it coming closer? Maybe it couldn't? It would have gotten her by now if it could, Avira realizes.

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' What follows is laughter. The moons back off, indeed revealing to be ShinRyu's eyes. The beast opens its maw, showing its enormous teeth. "I don't want your pitiful tiny heart! I wish but for one thing. To restore the nature of this realm! To let this pitiful world slip to darkness where it belongs." But she'd stood in his way. What's more. She'd hurt him now. "All things that stand in the way... will be devoured." As his maw opens entirely, she starts hearing it. Another track. The wailing souls of the people she knows. The cries of people like Maira and Mercade, Skoll and Angantyr - people she'd never thought she'd ever hear crying out like that.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "Well I cannot and will not give that to you either!" Avira calls out defiantly, unsure why she's being harassed by the giant dragon. She wasn't conscious during the aftermath of the ice comet. This could very well be for standing up to the dragon earlier, right? Her words trail off as that enormous maw gapes at her and she starts hearing people she knows. Cringing, she clamps her hands over her ears, snarling at herself to not believe the voices. It wasn't them. They couldn't have been eaten by this thing! "That's all? You want to eat everything!?"

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' "Everything began in darkness. So I will return everything to darkness!" Shinryu answers her. "Such is the natural order!" Though - what would a creature of Chaos know of the 'natural order'. This beast is a force of nature. It isn't like Garland. "But I will give you this. You are the first mortal to ever truly wound me. So you have my attention now..." "I hope you are prepared for what that means." The cries of anguish continue, but Shinryu has begun to just talk into her mind. She can't stop herself from hearing him. Not within this dream.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' That was curious indeed. This a piece of Chaos? It was nothing at all like Garland. Completely different behavior-more direct, more...animalistic? Perhaps that is a function of the shell he chooses to portray himself? These questions are driven deep into the back of her mind as Shinryu's voice booms through her. "Wound you? How did I-" she trails off, the implications of his words suddenly falling into place. The magic she used...the water crystal. It /hurt/ him. Avira takes the moment to smile, though that smile quickly disappears as nothing seems to block out the screams of her friends and loved ones. "Depends on what that means? Does this mean you'll hunt me at every turn and try to eat me?"

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' The beast beyond the world's edge shows an enormous toothy grin, silencing the souls' cries. "You'll find out." Is all the beast answers her, as darkness begins to approach form all around her. Like deep water that starts to lap at Avira's feet - slowly trying to swallow her. "If you can even survive on that doomed world." The dark sea that is just pouring up from beneath her feet. Threatening to devour her before Shinryu even can. And then the dream comes to an end, as the massive form of Shinryu opens its maw one last time and literally devours the world in one slow swallowing chomp, drawing her to the dead souls' screams... and a rough awakening.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "Then...then be prepared to be amazed! Forces of nature have been shaping and tormenting me for well over a year now!" Avira calls back defiantly, her hands still uselessly clamped over her ears, as if it would somehow stop the screaming. Then the darkness starts to rise about her and her heart catches in her throat. Not again! She cries out as the world is swallowed and her with it, a sensation she's actually experienced multiple times before. Then, much to her surprise and relief.. ...she awakens. She awakens to a world of freezing and pain but it is so much better than being swallowed by Shinryu.

Ice Comet

2014-03-28T04:50:08Z

Oathkeeper: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/03/27 |Location=Destiny's Choice |Synopsis=Taking the water-crystal out of the safety of the camp, Avira tests the item with a unique Gummi-bl..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/03/27
|Location=Destiny's Choice
|Synopsis=Taking the water-crystal out of the safety of the camp, Avira tests the item with a unique Gummi-block out in the Realm Between!
|Thanks=Oathkeeper (Aka: Shinryu)
|Cast of Characters=Tifa Lockhart, Katyna, Avira, Maira, Minerva, Warden Thache, Shinryu
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Wagner Industries, currently the leader in Gummi Technology. This lucrative position has been maintained so far through rigorous testing and gummi block collection. Today, gummispace outside the Golmore Jungle has been appropriated for some very important testing. Details about the test have been kept oddly silent; only the closest of Avira's friends might be aware of just what the woman was trying to attempt today. Given the materials involved, her need for secrecy would be well understood. There seems to be a little extra security around the research facility today too. Out in gummispace itself, curiously enough, the Odin is not present-remainign grounded at camp in its much smaller form. Since the initial accident with the Catha Badb months ago, Avira's adopted several precautions she uses when testing gummi ships-namely, having people nearby to pick up the pieces in case something were to go horribly, horribly wrong. She is alone in her special Hrist today with her special cargo on board but outside the ship remains several other Hrists nearby, piloted by Responsible People and technicians monitoring the test. Everyone that has agreed to help today has received a safety briefing and instructions to remain a certain distance away from Avira's Hrist and away from a certain...well, Avira calls it the "firing vector." "Dusk Wolf here." Avira announces cheerfully, using her old gummi ship callsign. On the viewscreens equipped in all Hrists, the radio system does display a head-on visual of Avira, though her head is mostly obscured by a helmet. Safety precautions, again. "We are a minute away from beginning test one of the Water Crystal-magigummi weapon system alpha version. Report in with positions, everyone!"

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "The bird is ready." A 'certain man' is present on a solo Hrist by 'invitation'. He's not really doing much except for staring out of a window, his fingers against the cold translucent material. He's speaking softly enough that nobody else can hear him. Except for the other people at the 'other side of the line' to his communication device. He then sits down in front of the window and lights a small cigarette, and begins to enjoy it. He's a business man of sorts, of the mysterious kind. Just here for the show.

:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:''' At the helm of a Stingray, trusty attack model that suits her style to a tee, a spacesuit-dressed barmaid. Well, Tifa that is. While she's at ease behind a bar, or fighting with her fists, she's not as used to ship piloting, but these things pretty much pilot themselves fortunately. She just pushes buttons and aim in the right direction when she shoots magic missles. She makes the last second checks, calling out "Stingray-Theta ready for deployment... What is theta anyway?" She wonders, the commlink still open at the question, as readies for take off. She volunteered to help out as she usually does, and she's friends with Avira too, so its all karma.

:'''[[Warden Thache]] has posed:''' Hat down over his eyes, feet propped up on the control board of a little airship, a specific pirate cracks open one eye as his com crackles to life. "Ah. Well then." Saying that he promptly...closes his eye and settles in for a longer nap. He's a cat. This is totally getting ready.

:'''[[Katyna]] has posed:''' Katyna's pretty new to the whole gummi ship thing, but she had promised to help Avira out. Afterall, she owes her big time..Plus she's been markedly absent from the VALKYRIE for a while. Better get started before the VALKYRIE leader attracts more trouble, as she's prone to do. Kat's decked out in a flashy red, black and gold spacesuit of sorts, piloting the Red Phoenix as she awaits instructions. "Red Phoenix, ready for launch!" she exclaims through her communicator.

:'''[[Minerva]] has posed:''' Minerva knew Avira was up to more Gummi science as of late. This i where Minerva starts to worry she's again got her own Gummi ship ready, she's debated perhaps she should start to customize it a bit to make use of it. She takes a deep breath as Avira gets ready to make use of the water crystal. So it's time for madness and she better be ready. "Ice Queen ready." No she didn't pick it, some of the workers gave her the name and it stuck.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "Excellent." Avira grins behind her helmet. "Alright everyone, hold onto your butts, the test starts now!" In an instant, everything immediately seems to grow colder. Though it may be hard for the guardians to see, a single gummi block mounted near the cockpit suddenly glows a bright blue color. Then, in a flash, the blue glow expands into a massive blast of blue light that quickly widens to beyond the width of the Hrist. Double its width. Tripe its width. The blizzara gummis set into the Hrist, standard with every model, also glow brightly until their features are obscured. That blue light starts to leak out between the seams of the Hrist, illuminating every single gummi block the ship is constructed from. "H-holy..!" Avira's voice can be heard over the radio, startled and fuzzy. Communication from her Hrist quickly deteriorates. The ice beam tears through space, piercing the darkness with its fierce blue light. Avira's Hrist glows for a few moments longer before exploding in a blast of blue light, scattering frozen gummi blocks in all directions. Upon that, the spell seems to end, the beam tapering off into a point to create an extremely long, extremely large ice comet, which hurls off into the depths of space. Amongst the debris of a Hrist floats the Water Crystal and a frozen Avira.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' At a distance, a man smirks in that tiny little Gummiship. "The bird has... ... well..." He has to take a moment to figure out the right wording. "The bird has exploded. Concentrate on the goods - the others will take care of 'the girl'." The individual then goes quiet again, staring out the window like some kind of Illusive Man. Minus the weird eye thing. In the depth of gummi-space, nobody can hear you scream. Having fallen into it, Avira must be in a /really/ uncomfortable situation. It's perhaps a good thing that she's frozen as she is. But she shouldn't be left out there like that! The Crystal in the meantime is floating away from the fleet - as Items of Power usually do. The Ice Comet in the meantime, continues to hurl forwards further and further. And then... PLOOF. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjnZlBQDgt4 It is a roar that has the Mystery Man sit up, recognizing the sound from somewhere. But... where had it been? When? It'd been recent.

:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:''' Tifa Lockhart is veering through space, clicking on seemingly random buttons. "Why do you all get the cool names and I get 'theta' anyway?" Sounds like the ones that picked names really had a sense of humor anyway. Could have been worse, though. But then, her cameras catch what happens to Avira. Her eyes widen "Avira!" Looks like the frozen casket will keep her alive... don't question it, its magic after all. It ends up being the somewhat better alternative than being flung out in space without a suit at least. "So what's the plan then?" She asks over comm since they said they would handle Avira's recovery. At least she stayed away from Avira as she ordered... That blast could have wiped a few fleet worth. She got a bad feeling so she activates some shielding from her controls, covering herself and Minerva as the front line.

:'''[[Warden Thache]] has posed:''' "The damsel in distress always has enough people to save her," Warden murmurs with a smirk as he unfolds from his nap. "Espicially when she goes and does it to herself." His fingers dance over the controls of the little air-ship. Just something he's picked up from somewhere. Sleek. Single winged and double engined. His own take on the dragon skull and crossbones emblazoned on the sides and tail fins. Fast. Dodgy. POSSIBILY TWEAKED AFTER HE PILOTED A HIRST. Possibily. The engines on the little ship power up. "Did you actually tell her that was going to explode?" He adds with a slight twitch of a smile as he angles the machine towards the remains of the mess. "Tell me if anything /else/ is coming could you? I'm going to have to concentrate."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "No. I didn't know what was going to happen." The mysterious man answers Warden over the communicator. "But I felt that I had a good guess. You don't just pump that kind of magic into something without proper preparation." He glances out the window again. The man takes a wiff from the cigarette, and then blows a big puff of smoke into the air. "And yes. There's something coming. Something bad. Get the price and get out of here - or mingle with the fleet without them noticing you." Ah, now he remembers that sound! "Remember that big dragon that messed things up in World of Ruin? I give it ten minutes."

:'''[[Katyna]] has posed:''' Kat smirks through her communicator at Tifa's comment. "Heey, Theta's totally cool, no sweat!" But then things suddenly go from light-hearted to serious trouble when ice explodes from Avira's ship..And she gets hurled through space like a giant icy popsicle comet.. And what of the ice crystal? They cant just lose it like that! But Avira only has seconds..."Avira!! We gotta save her first!" Assuming she's still alive! She too, activates shielding against the blast, before trying to locate Avira on her controls as she flies out after where she thinks she saw her go.

:'''[[Minerva]] has posed:''' This was totally not what she was expecting now there's a world eating dragon coming for them. She goes to open her mouth to say something over the radio to Avira but really it's not Avira's fault. This would have happened the moment any one here stepped into ship. They just attract trouble an she freaking knows it. He Golem is now powering up and Minerva starts prepping her defences while she's got the time to do so. She totally needs to do so there' a hell of a fight coming. "I'm moving in for Avira now!"

:'''[[Warden Thache]] has posed:''' Yes. Yes. Moving in for Avira. As airships and rescue teams move for Avira herself just like he knew they would. Warden's little pirate-marked ship moves with them for the most part, near the leading edge of the pact. However... His systems ping something much more shiny than a frozen Avira. You know how pirates are with shinies. The snappy little airship turns away from the crystalized Avira, in order to angle towards the actual crystal itself as he kicks on the full speed of the swift little fighter. Zipping though debris most recklessly as he hrmmms happily to himself. She is going to be /so/ cross with him once she gets unfrozen. It'll be /glorious/.

:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:''' Tifa Lockhart lets the job of getting Avira back to the others. No use all going at it. But she still swerves around, patrolling the immediate area during the recuperation procedure "Get her back to safety... Whatever it is, its approaching fast, and I don't think having her floating in space is the right idea. Put up your shields too, whatever's coming is big."

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' A Hrist blasts through space, headed straight for Avira. This particular ship had fallen behind briefly due to an unfortunate cupcake-to-control accident, but as soon as Maira heard Avira was in trouble she'd given the thing all the speed it could get--and it /must/ be fast, its RED. Everyone knows if its red it goes faster. "I got her!" she cries over the radio, activating the counter-thruster thingies (ie the things that sort of go WOOSH!) to slow down as she approaches, throwing on her helmet in order to open the hatch and leap out of it toward Avira, terrified that she won't be on time! The young mage has her momentum to carry her through space, Shinru's roar sounding and sending a shiver through her bones that has nothing to do with the freezing temperature or the icicle-Avira about to be in her arms. Maira grits her teeth and grabs hold of Avira, using a blast of Aero to push them back toward Maira's Hrist, holding her best friend tightly with both arms and wondering just how they are going to get out of this one!

:'''[[Katyna]] has posed:''' It seems that three people are now headed for Avira's location. But what about that water crystal? Kat frowns, "Listen, looks like you guys got this under control! I'm gonna look for the water crystal! Keep me updated on Avira's condition!" Katyna veers off in search of the water crystal..And spies something else out there too. What's this, some sort of unfamiliar ship? "Hey, that's not part of the main crew? Is that a pirate ship?" She increases her speed, hoping to get there before the pirate ship grabs the water crystal.

:'''[[Katyna]] has posed:''' There is of course, the roar, it's loud enough to give Katyna pause, shuddering a bit in her seat. "Wuh..What the heck was that!? Someone get a reading on that noise?" She really doesnt like the sound of it, but first thing's first!

:'''[[Warden Thache]] has posed:''' Sorry Katyna. It seems this ship both has a head start /and/ is fast. A bad combo when you're trying to catch up. Good news/bad news time! Good news? The nible ship seems to be slowing down. Bad news? It only slows down long enough so a long graple line can launch out and snag the water crystal itself. One that is secured? The afterburners are kicking in and a familiar to some voice cuts in over the short range and open channels. "If I were you loves," Warden's voice sounds rather amused. "I'd pack up what I can and get out of there. Seems Lady Wolf's little experiment pissed off a dragon." A pause. "And now? Excuse me. I think I have somewhere else to be." It seems the pirate craft does not want to stick around with the dragon.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' They can see him in the distance. A white dot at the horizon, blazing with a destructive purple haze near the tip. There's damage. Quite a lot of damage. But what's more, the beast is angry. So very angry. The power of a Water Crystal had severely hurt the Convulsing Chaos. But this small fleet of Hrists is certain to be /no/ match for the Dragon. It roars and cries out in anger, its eyes set on the group. They're delayed his hunt! These puny mortals would feel his anger! And in Gummispace... this beast is many times larger than even the Odin! It seems to cast shadows over the worlds it passes. Blotting out the stars behind him with an enormous swarm of heartless. << Shinryu will be here in 1 Round >>

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' The mysterious man slowly gets up from his seat and casually wanders off to the front of the Hrist's cockpit. "So hey Warden. You will want to get a move on. He's almost here. And I'm pretty sure he's pretty peeved." And for that matter, the mysterious man doesn't either. He settles down in his seat and drops the cigarette on the floor, and crushes it with the heel of his boot. "Let's get out of here, shall we?" He mumbles to himself, and begins to steer the little Hrist away. There's no way he can go and help Warden in this situation.

:'''[[Minerva]] has posed:''' Minerva can see the thing coming for them she know they don't have much time. She's going to try to get into a good spot to intercept the horror if he does get to them. She knows this is going to be bad, this is going to be so very bad but she needs to do something to by all he allies time to deal with Avira and the crystal. "I'll get ready to intercept if we need too." she's basically taking rear guard now with the formation aiming to cover for their primary ship. "...It just had to be one of those days didn't it?" She knows she may have to throw herself at the swarm if they can't get away in time but for now she's moving with the rest as they are aiming to get the heck out of dodge.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' As soon as Maira makes it back to her ship with Avira in tow, she closes the hatch switftly then begins to summon just enough of her magic to thaw Avira. She had to be very careful, or she will end up burning her, but she has to get her warm as quickly as possible or she will be in even greater danger! Not to mention, Shinryu. The great beast is coming, blotting out the stars, a swam of heartless in his shadow. They need to be running, but Maira can't let Avira /die/ in a block of ice! "Come on Avira...come on..." she says, increasing the heat a little. Its getting /quite/ warm in this little cockpit.

:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:''' Tifa Lockhart looks over to Katyna's direction, calling up over commlink "I'll come with you, they got Avira..." She steers her ship toward the crystal. She can practically feel the roar and the tremors through the space. This definitely won't be good. "Its incomming, everyone brace for impact. Get Avira out of there now!" She gives her warning, as she pushes the energy toward the shields, while she chases Katyna toward the crystal "I'm not sure we're going to get it in time, defense first."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' If Maira were able to see beneath the ice and beneath the helmet on Avira's head, she would notice Avira's eyes suddenly popping wide open. The ice around her slowly starts to thaw. To Avira's credit, her flight suit and her helmet seem to at least be protecting her skin from the ice she is frozen inside. There's also the fact that this is water crystal ice-it's probably magical to some degree.

:'''[[Katyna]] has posed:''' "Dammit! Lost the water crystal!" But who was that guy..And how'd he manage to sneak through so easily? "Some kinda pirate ship......" Woah...Seems there are bigger threats on the horizon, however. She hears the massive roar again as Shinryu rapidly comes into sight. "Geez..Where'd that ugly thing come from?" She activates her shields.

:'''[[Warden Thache]] has posed:''' Since Warden already has the crystal and he seems to be perfectly willing to kick in the afterburners in an attempt to get the hell out of the way regaining it might be difficult. He does not really feel like or /intend/ to engage the dragon. He just wants to get away. "...what in the name of Neptune's spear are you all doing?" He adds with a touch of exasperation. "Do you all /want/ to fight a great bloody angry dragon?"

:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:''' The commlink from Tifa's side "... No, I don't, but I can't leave people back here while I'm feeling either.

:'''[[Shinryu]] has posed:''' The beast approaches closer. And though it has not gotten in range yet to /devour/ those tasty tasty gummiships, it is more than close enough to threaten them by merely opening its mouth and letting that purple breath start coalescing. "Today I will FEAST!" It boasts, its terrible voice seeming to make space itself tremble! A wash of turbulence rattles the Hrists that haven't moved away yet. This is soon followed by an enormous purple beam that snaps from its jaws and then spreads far and wide towards them, more than capable of vaporizing anyone without their shields up... And some who /do/. Its demonic eyes gaze out towards the Hrist that carries Maira and Avira. Showing its enormous teeth, the beast grins. "Yesss.... yessss..." Shinryu, now voiced by Megatron from Beastwars.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira closes her eyes, gasping softly as Shinru's voice roars inside her mind, chasing away all thought and replacing it with raw, primal fear. Shaking, she opens her eyes and takes a few breaths, steadying herself. "Oh no, you are not. Not today, not any day," she replies quietly to that voice. Maira keeps the air hot, the heat radiating from her body in shift waves, the sort you'd see rising from pavement that has been baking in the summer sun. Avira should continue to thaw. Maira needs to get back to the controls and get them out of here! Scrambling back into the pilot seat, Maira presses buttons furiously before grabbing the /helm/ and turning the Hrist to begin to flee with the others. Though she blasts away as quickly as the Hrist will move, Shinryu has arrived. The purple tinged light flashes, blinding her temperarily as she tries to evade the horrible violet beam, screaming as it hits the shields and alarms sound in the cockpit. "I AM TRYING TO LEAVE! I had to start thawing Avira or her heart will stop!" she shouts over the radio to Warden. "Now lets GO!" The Hrist has taken quite a hit, the shields operating far below maximum strength...but the Hrist still flies. Maira floors it.

:'''[[Tifa Lockhart]] has posed:''' Tifa Lockhart's ship gets rattled harshly by the beam. It manages to make a really big gash on the gummi's exterior. Here you thought those were indestructible. Well, its Shinryu, probably doesn't care about those details. Tifa grips the control, bracing for the impact. Her shielding seems to do nothing at all. "I've been hit, bad damage too, there's no way we can face this thing now. If you're not retreating, DO IT NOW!" No, its not order. Its suggestion before the entrie group gets annihilated and more bodies in space need to be fished out. She's glad she put her space suit on, she might need it. Right now, her attention go to her controls, she needs to make sure this thing can still move fast enough to get out of here. Fortunately, it looks like the engines didn't get hit at least. She veers back away, since the crystal and Avira are accounted for.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' With the rapid departure of the Hrists, and the little things fast enough - a quick bend around a nearby planet puts them out of harm's way of the enormous gummispace bound dragon. The beast continues to follow after them. But landing certainly pulls them out of danger. It doesn't stop the World of Ruin to momentarily be covered in a dark shadow blotting out the planet's light. It's just a short moment - like an eclipse. Only this eclipse doesn't show a corona of light... Only two enormous red eyes looking in... before it departs again. Strange. Why didn't the beast follow them in landing onto the planet?

:'''[[Katyna]] has posed:''' Katyna follows after the others, zipping for the nearby planet. "Phew, looks like we lost 'em, but how come it didnt follow...?" Well, whatever. They're alive...But missing a water crystal, dammit! "Heey, how's Avira doing? She okay?"

:'''[[Minerva]] has posed:''' Minerva sees the rest of the fleet fleeing and is going as fast as she can and she's in the rear now, she wonders why it's not following them? That worries her but that's something she'll voice in a bit once she has some more distance between them and the dragon of chaos.

Chita

2014-03-26T23:07:13Z

Oathkeeper: /* Logs */

{{CTable}}{{RTable}}

{{Character Infobox
|firstname=Chita
|age=Physically 20's
|image=Split_Personality.jpg
|species=Viera
|sex=Male
|height=6'1" without ears, 7'1" with ears
|weight=Slight, 120's without his armor, 200+ with
|series=Final Fantasy Tactics A2
|styles=
|hometown=Fluorgis
|alignment=Wandering Force
|group=None
|occupation=Judge
|quote=
|footer=Trying to
}}

=Profile=

Chita is a male Viera who has been around in the World of Ruin for some time now. Since just before the Hades Cup, in fact. Having a history as a Judge of the Jylland lean as well as a background in a now-defunct clan, he is quite a capable fighter with various weapons and forms of combat, from swords and spears, to aerial-based combat more suited for Dragoons. His time in the World of Ruin has led him to making quite a few odd allies and more than a few enemies, mostly due to his generally overbearing sense of Morality combined with being stubborn about his choices to the point of seemingly uncaring about his own safety. At most points he can be found with his Chocobo whom he has jokingly begun calling Senra, and is, as of the moment, wanted by the company Shinra for 'liberating company property' in the form of a weapon from their R&D dept.

=Background=

Chita was born, like many other Viera in Jylland, outside of the forests. Born to a happy Vieran mother and a father he never met, it was at a young age when she was talked into giving him to the safety of a secluded village which was meant to make sure the rarely-born Vieran males were kept safe in the 'best interest' of their kind. Never really having met his parents past when he was newly born and quite young he has no memory of them. He grew up with the other malefolk in the village and being governed by the womenfolk like most other things were that was simply his way of life.

This went on for several decades, Vieran aging and society different as it was from others. Only having been allowed out of the village while supervised by others, besides a few sneaking trips that he got punished for as a child, he was quite naive when it came to the outside world. He only knew it from stories from the wandering Viera who came and went for various reasons, a friend of his whom he had grown quite fond of and the books he was always reading.

Despite having grown to care for his friend, whom had the name of Evja, she never returned his level of affection. Despite that, though, she agreed to help him find a way to get away from the village proper and join her clan out in the open of Jylland to explore and live his life without waiting it away to be told how to live it. Traveling with her and a few others to a nearby town, near the Targ Woods, a distraction in the form of some monsters presented them with the opportunity to vanish when no one else was looking and make off towards freedom. As fate would have it, though, they were attacked on the way by something and Chita found himself close to dead. By the time he came back around and realized what had happened, all he could find was his friends bloodied cloak and no signs of her running off so much as whatever had attacked them making its way off.

Assuming the worst and not wanting to damn his chances of following through with their plan, he put on the cloak and hid his face, and when the other Viera came, he pretended to be Evja, sending them off after where whatever attacked him went by claiming it had taken himself. Using the chance, he slipped away and came across Evja's previous clan that he was going to join, Verda. Explaining what had happened, and knowing what they were planning, the clan leader agreed to play along with it and he was taken elsewhere to safety and healed. What actually became of his friend he still has no idea to even to this day, despite only being able to assume the worst.

Time lead him to move on, and at that point he decided he'd have to throw away his old identity since Chita was assumed dead and carry on as Evja, despite hating the guise. Not having any real talent for magic or other normal Vieran classes of fighting led him to taking training under the clan Bangaa, who happened to be a Dragoon. And for years after 'she' traveled with the group as Evja and was allowed to explore the outside world as she'd always wanted to... even if the price that came with it made her wish, at times, that she'd never even tried.

Eventually she came to find out that her clan had been abusing the Clan Judge's powers and obtaining favors in the form of benefits in battles, which had lead to a string of victories that were garnering quite a but of rumors about them. Angry that they had the nerve to cheat the battles she had so long fantasized over from the books and stories of her youth Evja struck out and found another clans Judge and explained what was going on. Working with the Judges in secret for a time it was only when the Judges stepped in to strip Clan Verda's Judge of his power and imprison the clan itself for abusing the laws that Evja openly switched sides, joining with the Judges to detain her own clan.

Thus, she was offered a chance to join the Judges ranks, to join the academy and work hard with the chance that she, too, could eventually take a new, more lawful, way of life. Or go to jail with them since she was technically part of their clan when they were cheating the laws. She agreed to being a Judge, of course, and eventually a few years later graduated to becoming a proper Judge. A Clan Judge. When she went to meet her new clan, however, the Heartless came and destroyed what there was of her world, eventually casting the Judge out alone into the World of Ruin.

Once in the World of Ruin she wandered for some time and eventually learned of the state of the worlds, the Heartless, about various things like World Shards and of an up and coming tournament where world shards could be won. Seeing a chance to try and do something for the sake of another world, she made a bargain with the God who was running the tournament, Hades, Lord of the Dead of another world, for a guarantee of entry. In exchange, later down the line, he could call in an unspecified favor, lawful upon the ground she stood upon and carried out the favor in, at the time of asking.

Joining one of the teams there, she worked with them and eventually took second place. The shard, though, went to another.

Time passed and she went about attempting to help out others here and there in the World of Ruin as she could, and eventually Hades called in the favor. Kill Mercade Alexander. Murder being illegal in almost all worlds, as his planning had it, he demanded such of her on his own soil where he made the rules, he made the laws. And her oaths and the magic placed upon her when she became a Judge, to guarantee she would not betray them and carry on illegal activites, forced her to uphold the contract.

Several failed attempts on Mercade's life made her quite a few enemies. Seeking out a boy by the name of Luso while staying on grounds that dampened the law magics of the Judges, a Jagd, she hired him to find some way of breaking the magic upon her. The magic that was forcing her to try and kill someone. Eventually seeking out Lezaford, the very sage who helped to create the Law System as it is now in Jylland, the magic was broken and Evja informed Hades that she now had no intention of following through with the contract that she had the ability to, no matter the consequences.

Hades didn't like that, and she paid, with a part of her soul, eternal damnation and being cursed into being unable to deceive anyone again. Herself included.

Stripped of his ability to maintain the life he had been living until then, as a female Viera named Evja, or even pretend to be female, Chita lost his home in Fluorgis, his friends there and even quite a bit of confidence in himself.

During the time Chita had started the contract with Hades, and ended it, he had helped to destroy a monster that attacked the town of Goug. When it fell, he discovered that the beast temporarily formed into a keyblade before the weapon seemed to collapse on itself and become misshapen. Following the one who claimed the weapon, who admitted she had created it, a brief confrontation with the woman he discovered the name of was Rhiannon Zellen brought him on a much different path.

He couldn't bring himself to simply kill her and destroy the weapon, not having the nerve or heart to actually kill someone of his own choosing. So, instead, he walked away and tried to think up some method of settling the ordeal. He decided eventually on getting closer to her, to try and keep her from finishing it in her own ways. He couldn't bring himself to kill her, destroying it would simply leave her to make another, putting her in jail and destroying it would likely just leave her to get out of jail somehow and start over again and, ultimately, she still had all the research on it somewhere and he had no idea how much or where it was, or who had access.

If it had to be finished, he'd find a way without killing anyone else, or having it steal any other hearts... and along the way, he'd find a way to save the hearts in the weapon. Or at least, that was the plan.

Time went on and she played along with it, even giving him the weapon knowing she could simply take it back when she wished. What he didn't realize was how much the weapon was going to affect him, how much the hearts inside were going to drive him into a depressive state that made him reckless and aggressive in his desires to see the weapon redeemed and the hearts inside saved. His efforts eventually had him crossing paths with a powerful sorceress named Maleficent during which encounter he lost his sight due to being used as an example to get at someone he knew by the name of Avira.

Now blind, fate or chance had him come across another whom he had only briefly met before, a flowergirl by the name of Aerith. She saved him from falling into the darkness when he attempted to cross paths with Maleficent again to stop her from finding some artifact of power in Burmecia and in the process she exposed his heart to herself, despite it being accidental. Over the next several months they played a back and forth game of her trying to get him to calm down and let her help with things and him being too uneasy around her due to her having discovered a good bit about his thoughts and feelings on various subjects, and having had his very heart exposed to someone else - the last place he had to hide since he could no longer deceive others due to Hades' curse.

Rhiannon eventually took back the weapon and re-unleashed it on Narshe. While no one was hurt, it was destroyed despite his efforts to prevent that, and keep Rhiannon safe. It eventually reformed into a monstrous creature hellbent on killing Rhiannon, who was now with child from his time with her, having fallen victim as many males do to flirting, now that he was able to be openly male. Despite his morals and the weapon being the only reasons he had kept her safe before, or simply didn't kill her himself, now there was another reason.

Not long after the remnants of the hearts that had fallen to becoming a monster attacked them again in Shinra HQ during a meeting with others where Rhiannon openly bragged about her role in the creation of the Black Beast. The beast fell, but in it's place a new sword appeared. A sword that was pale white and almost alien-looking, as compared to the black misshapen sword that the last one was. Not to mention it was sentient and still wanted her demise. A fight ensued over control of the sword between various parties there and while no one in particular won, Chita was able to destroy the room they were in and use it as a distraction to escape with the weapon.

In the inbetween Aerith followed him, and he admitted to her that he was quite fond of her and wanted her to stick around more, given he was quite certain he wouldn't get to see her again after the events at Shinra took place.

It was not long after that he came to find out that all of his efforts, success and failures alike, had culminated to nothing as the research had seemingly gotten out to a man named Garland, whom had given a similar weapon of his(?) creation to a Dark Knight named Kaydin.

Frustrated and uncertain what to do, he made his way to the wizard Merlin to ask his advice on the matter, and discovered there that the weapon no longer even had any hearts in it... just the angry memories and wills of those who had fallen. Chita managed, once he realized this and once again made clear he had no intention of killing Rhiannon and that the sword had best make the best of the situation since he was the most likely one of anyone not to abuse it to hurt others, or lock it away for research or let it rot somewhere no one would find it, to convince the sword to aid him.

Only then finding out that he could see while he was holding the sword, now that it was willing to aid him for the time being.

Now with his sight back, and Shinra still out for his head, if the sword doesn't come away from him willingly, where will time take him?

=Personality=

Chita is generally a pretty good dude. He's friendly around most people he meets, goes out of his way to help others if he can, and looks at life with a pretty black and white view on what is right or wrong.

Despite that, though, he is quick to anger and since his time with the Black Beast weapon has gotten quite a temper. His views on right and wrong were cemented even more, his morality going to an extreme almost, in his stubborn desire to see the 'right thing' happen, that being solving every problem he had without any more lives being lost. Due to the fear of death he has that came along with losing someone he cared dearly for many years ago, along with his upbringing that life be cherished and not thoughtlessly destroyed, Chita now goes out of his way to avoid inflicting harm where he can and killing anyone is out of the question outside of radical moments where even his optimistic mind cannot think up some other way out of a situation.

Being a Judge still leaves him with a black and white view on the law, wanting to see it upheld and having no problem lambasting others with his morals and desire to see them do just that - be more lawful, hurt and kill others less, and generally follow and obey the laws as they were meant to be by society. This does leave him to come off as overly preachy and probably annoying to others though despite his intentions.

While his views on right and wrong are pretty set, his own ability to separate what he is doing from 'right', as he always tends to think what he is doing is 'right' in the sense that it is just and good, leaves him to annoy many people because of this. Likewise, his views on the Light and Darkness, and the power that comes with it, tends to be pretty absolute when regarding others actions and choices. Yet, his own, he loses sight of due to his involvement and inability to realize that his own actions aren't always the most 'good' despite his intention.

At times he hides openly behind his morality when put in a situation where he is brought to do something he doesn't like, often willing to go to lengths that would even hurt himself, greviously if necessary, to avoid breaking away from his morality.

Chita prefers to resolve things peacefully if possible, this includes talking things out, rationalizing things, bargaining and bartering and being willing to do things that others might not understand - like sitting down and having tea with Maleficent despite her quite clearly being an evil mastermind behind a lot of things and even being the source of his blindness. Despite his goals, and others goals, he is still generally willing to talk things out if possible and find a solution that works for everyone if it means less harm or killing overall.

Also, damn the heartless. He wants nothing to do with them.

=Combat and Powers=

Dragoon

Weapon skills

[[File:Chorus.png|right|thumb|100px|Chorus - Blade of Vengeance]]

Knowledge and Abilities

-Vieran Benefits

-Laws and Jylland

Connections

Inventory

[[File:Evja-FK-Profile.gif|right]]

= Relationships =

==The most important==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Aerith]]||"Seems you finally got me to crack. Here's to hoping, hm?" After the events at Shinra and having to accept he had probably screwed himself royally, he began to think he might not see Aerith again. And, of course, he also began to realize how much he would miss her and didn't want that to happen. Not thinking much, when he met her again, a hug and a kiss, followed by embarrassment on his part, led him to finally admit he had a thing for her... and that he wanted her around, and to help him. She finally seems to have gotten to him, at least regarding accepting her help and not trying to do everything himself. Only time will tell if it makes things better. He's certainly happier now though.
|-
|}

==Friends, or what can amount to such==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Hati|Hati]]||"I must admit it is quite a new thing to have someone show an honest interest in me not simply because of my appearance. A pity she seems so smitten with Faruja... else I might have even given her a chance, despite my own preferences and problems with non-Viera. But she probably hates me now that I said I would not be an executioner for her. Oh well... I hope not."
|-
|[[Tifa_Lockhart|Tifa]]||"I trust you to protect everyone if I fail."
|-
|[[Quistis_Trepe|Quistis]]||"A good woman and someone I can hopefully get to know better. Not to mention she seems to have ferreted out my secret. Tch... at least she is kind about it."
|-
|[[Maira]]||"How can you be so blind... If you are so lonely that you must cling onto another to feel safe, at least do that with someone who is not a madman."
|-
|[[Lia the Gria]]||"Please stay safe."
|-
|[[Priel_Aylin|Priel]]||"What has happened to you... and where have you gone?"
|-
|[[Shiki_Misaki|Shiki]]||"You obtained a Keyblade... save us all."
|-
|}

==Coworkers==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Gabranth]]||"According to Judge Magister Zargabaath, this one is a working leader of the Archades Judges due to his closeness with House Solidor, whatever that may be. So he is akin to their Judgemaster. A strong fighter too, though I am uncertain of his lurking in shadows and standoffishness among other Judges, he helped without a need, so that is good enough for me."
|-
|[[Zargabaath]]||"A well-spoken and just Judge, who also helped to take down the last rogue member of my old clan. If it weren't for these two... would Hermann still be alive? Would I be perished? No, I cannot blame them for what happens during a fight, especially one where they intended to help. Even if it was Gabranth's uncontrolled attack that knocked Zargabaath into Somer... and lead to the explosive activating."
|-
|[[Riku]]||"So he lives... and is a Judge too. What is this world coming to?"
|-
|[[Cirra_Constantine|Cirra]]||"Archadian Judge who attempted to arrest Rhiannon, blind in her mission and pursuit of justice. I do not fault her, nor hold any animosity towards her. Ironically I respect her all the more for doing her job. Yet still, I pity that we had to meet like that, on opposite sides of a fight."
|-
|}

==Amusing/Friendly==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Echo]]||"Apparently a bat-lady, and her personality is quite cute as well. I think I shall enjoy spending time with her more often if such is possible."
|-
|[[Freya_Crescent|Freya]]||"A polite and nice-enough Burmecian female I met."
|-
|[[Lumeria]]||"Still not quite sure if she is as old as she says she is, or rather, is not younger than she claims to be. Either way, still cute."
|-
|[[Faruja_Senra|Faruja]]||"Idiot, overly-pious rat. Still, he seems... morally inclined."
|-
|[[Rinoa_Heartilly|Rinoa]]||"I wonder what she would say if she saw me now, openly as a male."
|-
|[[Avira]]||"Be safe from Maleficent, and please trust in my intentions."
|-
|[[Mercade_Alexander|Mercade]]||"Please stay safe and protect us all, and trust in my intentions."
|-
|[[Deelel]]||"Finally you have realized I am not crazy or evil. Hopefully that will remain true."
|-
|[[Luso_Clemens|Luso]]||"A good kid, and responsible. He may go places one day."
|-
|[[Merlin]]||"Wise wizard who knows a lot about everything. I could only hope to be a fraction as wise as he one day."
|-
|}

==Met In Passing==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Pixi]]||"I cannot believe I let a female Viera catch me unawares, and let alone not have bathed recently enough that she was able to pick my sex out by scent on the air. Still... she cared for my wounds, and claimed to have no interest in forcing me back to the warren. I can only hope that is true. Besides, this is the first womanfolk of my kind I have spoken to openly in... years, since I fled the warrens safety as a boy. It felt nice to not hide."
|-
|[[Pete]]||"..."
|-
|[[Fran]]||"Stubborn Viera who was wounded yet still refused help. I hope she is well."
|-
|[[Ramza_Beoulve|Ramza]]||"Self-proclaimed heretic for killing an demonic archbishop or something of the sort. It is not my problem. I only helped him because he was about to be slaughtered in such a manner."
|-
|[[Artemis_Eurus|Artemis]]||"Works with Ramza. Nothing of note."
|-
|[[Sanel]]||"...strong grip. And how did you come to associate with Lia? More and more questions... just who are you, or what?"
|-
|[[Seymour_Guado|Seymour]]||"Maester of Yevon, whatever that may be. I am thankful to him for helping heal me though. Seems nice enough."
|-
|[[Professor Mister Green]]||"Self-Important Jackass, from the sounds of him. But, still, his control of magic... hopefully we never cross weapons."
|-
|[[Artyom]]||"No real opinion, seemed competent in a fight."
|-
|[[Sora]]||"Wielder of a mysterious weapon called a Keyblade. Despite being young, and untrained... he still did well enough in a fight. I am sure he could be a force to be reckoned with if given proper training. But until then... "
|-
|[[Isaac_Hanlon|Isaac]]||"Seriously, what was his problem? I do not even know who his 'friend' is that he claims to have 'learned of me' from. Is he... associated with Verda somehow? They are the only ones who truly have issue with me past the idiots in the last rounds of the tournament. ... was one of them badmouthing me?"
|-
|[[Brooklyn]]||"Strong fellow, not sure what he is though. Looks vaguely draconic though."
|-
|[[Will_Sherman|Will]]||"I do not like this one. He is a thief and a coward, stealing that and fleeing as he did, putting the rest of us in danger and leaving us on our own. I shant be trusting this one again."
|-
|[[Dameon]]||"...idiot."
|-
|[[Leida]]||"I do not understand this one. And... admittedly, for whatever reason, she cannot seem to understand me."
|-
|[[Rage]]||"Fool bounty hunter who took on a mark for me without researching who I was. Thankfully, she came to her senses when she realized it. I cannot say I felt bad for the shape she was in at the time, but I do hope there is a lesson learned."
|-
|[[Skoll_Ulfang|Skoll]]||"Hati's brother, I do not know much of him."
|-
|[[Oriane_Guado|Oriane]]||"Seems like a nice lady, some part of that Yevon religion."
|-
|}

==Adversaries==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Angantyr_Vespar|Angantyr]]||"Bloodthirsty would-be murderer. How did you ever get a Keyblade... and why, throughout it all, does everyone treat you like a hero when all you do is try to kill everyone and everything that you lay eyes on. How... are you considered by anyone to be a force of good and trustworthy... and yet, I, despite all I have ever tried to do for everyone, for... everything... get treated like I am a criminal and cad."
|-
|[[Hades]]||"I paid my due. I am, however, still angry at you that you tasked me to kill a man. You kept your word, though."
|-
|[[Clan Verda]]||"My old clan, the ones whom I betrayed and turned into the Judges for breaking the laws, whom I sided against in combat with the Judges and whom likely now want revenge on me. I have never been happy with how things turned out, though I know I did the right thing. But to know they all hate me so..."
|-
|[[Louis_Leblue|Louis]]||"Bastard crusader of Faram, attempted to kill a boy and my oldest friend to get at me. No mercy for this one."
|-
|[[Rhiannon_Zellen|Rhiannon]]||"After everything... how could you?"
|-
|}

==Unknown==

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" | Name
! scope="col" | Thoughts
|-
|[[Maleficent]]||"Your power will destroy worlds... but could you be the one who will teach me how to control darkness?"
|-
|[[Garland]]||"Who is this being of darkness?"
|-
|[[Seith]]||"What you did to me... I will never forget that anger, or fear, even if it was all a falsity. One day, you will regret it. Until then... perhaps my pursuit of darkness will have to deal with you."
|-
|[[Kaydin]]||"You are an idiot for accepting darkness and a horrible person for being willing to kill others just to protect the one person you seem to care for. Yet, now you may have to pay for your mistake with your life... can I even help you? Despite not wanting to, I am going to try if possible. Please... do not propogate the research that I tried to snuff out for so long."
|-
|}

= Misc =

Page, y u no fill urself out

= Gallery =

[[File:EvjaDiveLineart.png|500px]]
[[File:Cloak.png|500px]]
[[File:KHOutfit.png|500px]]
[[File:Summer_Dress.png|500px]]
[[File:Evjaarmor.png|500px]]
[[File:Evjacommish9.png|1000px]]

1-6 Random poses and clothing

7/8 Assassin and Elementalist custom design for Chita

9 and 10 Hades taking his due from the reneging Viera.

= Logs =
{| class="LogTable"
{{#ask:[[Category:{{{1|Roleplay Logs}}}]] [[Log Characters::Chita]] {{!!}} [[Log Characters::Evja]]
|?Log Date
|?Log Synopsis
|format=template
|template=Log List Single
|limit=99999
|sort=Log Date
|order=descending
|default={{!}} colspan=3 {{!}} No logs submitted yet.
}}
|}

= Cutscenes =
{{Character Logs|Cutscenes}}

2014-03-22T17:03:41Z

Oathkeeper:

Maximilien Amadeus Renaud-Sylvianne

2014-03-21T13:20:04Z

Oathkeeper: /* Logs */

{{Character Infobox
|firstname=Maximilien
|middlename=Amadeus
|lastname=Renaud-Sylvianne
|age=Early 20s
|image=Maximilien_Amadeus_Renaud-Sylvianne.png
|caption=Phantom Thief MARS
|species=Insufferably French
|sex=Male
|height=6'3"
|weight=Skinny
|series=Final Kingdom
|styles=Phantom Thief MARS
|hometown=Paris, 1950
|alignment=Wandering Force
|group=Twilight Detective Agency
|occupation=Phantom Thief MARS
|themesong=Carmina Burana - O Fortuna
|quote="All the treasures of all the worlds will rightly belong to me."
|footer=Making progress.
}}

=Quotes=
{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" style="background: #FFFFFF;"| Quotes
|-
| "Sometimes, a man needs to hear understanding and forgiveness from someone who has no need to do either before he can move on."
|-
|"You see...I must confess, madamoiselle, that you have been on my mind. The tantalizing taste of your lips still lingers upon my own. How did you do it? Was it poison? Dark magic? I am so very curious, madamoiselle, how such beautiful lips can be turned to such a fearsome weapon. Will you please indulge me?"
|-
| "Ma chere, if there is anything I absolutely refuse to be, it is ''boring''; even unconscious, I've no doubt I could hold your interest, if merely to see how long it would take before my breath vanished in my throat."
|-
| "You have the same power everyone else does, monsieur. To keep your eyes and ears open; to look, to listen, and to think for yourself."
|-
| "There is something in this universe that I would sacrifice a world for, monsieur Mercade Alexander. I do not hope, nor do I expect, that it will ever come to that, but one day, you and I may be enemies. But I suspect that you too have something you value so highly that you would sacrifice a world for it, too. It is a very easy thing to say that you would not in our situation, that you would never...but we cannot ever truly be sure of who we are in the dark until the lights go out."
|-
| "But regrets are chains; they blind us to the world as it is, to the world as we must see it."
|-
| "That is because the illusions I live inside are crafted to fool others, not myself. I know the truth from the illusion quite well; I am its architect. The lies you are holding are lies of your own making, but they exist to fool you and you alone."
|-
| "I can only imagine that their idea of breaking into an establishment involves driving an automobile through the wall or somesuch other nonsense."
|-
| "Please forgive me for not standing, monsieur et madamoiselle; your chair is quite comfortable, you see, and I would be loathe to leave it and shuffle about in such a small office, oui?"
|-
| "I should certainly hope that I have made an impression on people, monsieur Alexander; impressions are priceless in addition to being free."
|-
| "A pretty girl should never have to cry; beautiful girls look their best when they smile, oui?"
|-
| "There are no foolish questions, petite; even the simplest of things is new to someone."
|-
|"Ah, but to you, it is a meaningless trinket, at least for now. It may be one of the most powerful objects in all the universe, and I suspect that it surely is...but compared to a friend, what object can possibly hold significance?"
|-
|"You assume too much of me, monsieur, to think I will not understand, or that you are somehow so special that your world cannot be broken down and analyzed like every other."
|-
|"Something about the unapproachable beauty makes it all the more appealing."
|-
|"I think that any philosophy is closed-minded, monsieur, if one is ''certain'' about anything in it; the only thing in life that is absolutely certain is death, after all."
|-
|"No matter how appealing the thought of you chasing me all across the worlds may be, I think it may impede my ability to work...and I am not so cold as to start a war for nothing but personal gain."
|-
|"If this Magicite allows me to survive until that is completed, then no force in all the worlds will stop me."
|-
|"If you were ordinary - someone who could not match me - I would not care in the slightest how beautiful you are."
|-
|"What a terrible burden, for a whole country to rest on your shoulders. Does it hurt, to bear so much for so many?"
|-
|"...because I look at you and I see someone as lonely as I am."
|-
|"It is the moment when all eyes are on her, when she knows that she above all others is the most special beauty, the rarest flower, that a woman's truest beauty comes forth."
|-
|"I tried to break free of the image of her face. She told me she did not understand how I could ever be attracted to her in the first place. So now I am telling her in exquisite detail, running the metaphorical knife of hope along my face as I hope like a juvenile schoolboy that perhaps this time she will actually understand, even though I know - I know, without a doubt, that she will not."
|-
|"I keep making the same mistakes, over and over and over...Dieu par-dessus, et le diable ci-dessous! It infuriates me!"
|-
|"But a crack in my resolve is still noticeable to one who wears his resolve as porcelain."
|-
|"If I walk down the pathway to Darkness, if I become a man who is willing to sacrifice all the worlds that sit in the sky, I will do it because I chose to do so, not because of the lies and false promises of demons and nightmares."
|-
|"I am a dangerous man. God forbid I become a dangerous man under the control of another."
|-
|"You know so very little about me, ma belle, and that is just the way I like it."
|-
|"It is a gentleman's duty to help a lady in distress, non?"
|-
|"I WILL NOT DIE BEFORE SYLVIE IS FREE! EVEN IF I MUST USE THE SHADOWS THEMSELVES TO SURVIVE!"
|-
|"Everything can be forgiven. Everything can be paid for, in the end, no matter how terrible the crime, if you are willing to work for that redemption. It does not come easily; it does not come swiftly. But it comes to all who seek it, in the end, if their hearts are earnest."
|-
|"...and it is about time that I accept that /this/ is my relationship, and stop chasing a fantasy and accept that I love you."
|-
|"I want to be able to trust, ma chere."
|-
|"Everyone, ma chere, is weak in their own ways. I do not think wanting to be stronger is something to be ashamed of, and I do not think any less of you for it."
|-
|"I love you. I love her, too. I am only slowly beginning to understand that hearts are complicated things, and that this is not something to be guilty about."
|-
|"Just know that you are very important to me, and when you are ready to let me into your heart, I will treat it as delicately as I do all my treasures."
|}

=Treasures Of The Worlds=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" style="background: #FF3300;"| Treasure
! scope="col" width="200" style="background: #AAAAAA;"| Title
! scope="col" style="background: #CC9900;"| Description
! scope="col" style="background: #FFFFFF;"| Thoughts
|-
|Sylvie||Younger Sister||There is nothing he would not sacrifice to save her.||I will not rest until I see you again.
|-
|[[Jihl Nabaat]]||Max's Treasure||All the women he likes are psychotic.||I love you. I will make you happy...both of you...no matter what.
|-
|[[Cirra Constantine]]||Max's Treasure||Love is...complicated.||I love you. You are neither shirking maiden nor in need of my protection...but I am still going to worry for you. I will make you happy - both of you.
|-
|[[Morrighan Alazne]]'s Smile||A First-Time Smile||A woman's smile is the most beautiful thing.||I told you I would make you smile, even if it is just once.
|-
|[[Emi Dennou]]||Adorable Little Sister||Innocence is the most precious treasure.||I refuse to disappoint such a sweet girl.
|-
|Jihl's Wristband||Bejeweled Silver Bracelet||A lovely silver bracelet with some pretty gems.||She traded it to me after our dance. I love being me.
|-
|Lightning Spear||Zeus's Own?||A long, electrified spear with exotic runes.||I took it from a dragon-man...something about an octopus? Ah well.
|-
|[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Mini-Figurines Mini-Figurines]||Rare Action Figures||A collection of four. Collect them all!||Are these...really treasures?
|-
|[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Stellazio Aries Stellazio]||First Zodiac Coin||"The Story of 12 Zodiacs"||There must be more of them. I'll have them all.
|-
|[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Thunder_Rock Thunder Rock]||Eternal Power Source||It looks like an ordinary rock, but holds immense power.||Where did I get this?
|-
|<s>[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Dusk_Shard Dusk Shard]</s>||<s>Sacred Nethicite</s>||<s>A piece of deifaceted nethicite cut from an ancient crystal.</s>||I returned it.
|-
|Record Of [[Percival]]'s Admission||French Superiority||An admission that the French are superior to the "commonwealth" in every way.||He didn't say which Commonwealth, but irrelevant.
|-
|}

=The Jazz Lounge=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" style="background: #AAAAAA;"| Track Name
! scope="col" width="200" style="background: #CC9900;"| Song Link
|-
|Leitmotif||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6McZTR070I Kareinaru Nusumi no Theme]
|-
|Theme Of Despair||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uExjqpn5FH8 Hikari No Machi]
|-
|Battle Music||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wInHktd7hU Gun's & Roses]
|-
|Cirra Constantine||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPoH19FuUJQ Futuristic Lover]
|-
|Also Cirra Constantine||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N9C2JS9mWc Marian The Librarian]
|-
|Yet More Cirra Constantine||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4A3gCWfgpU Heartache By The Numbers]
|-
|Victory Music||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm99tmzmXkk Lupin The Third]
|-
|Treasure Get||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqDrZZ0BLuc Treasure Sniper]
|-
|Class And Substance||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3VsesSBsw O Fortuna]
|-
|Jihl Nabaat||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_y_xiE9mpM Good Life]
|-
|Sylvie||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElncjuuP13Q A Thousand Miles]
|-
|Love||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dEqlceh_ms Galaxy Express 999 Platina Jazz Ver.]
|-
|Irony||[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIAEAVKcKrs You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You]
|}

=The Big Book Of Fairy Tales=

{| border="1" cellpadding="2"
|+ '''''
|-
! scope="col" width="150" style="background: #FF3300;"| Story
! scope="col" style="background: #AAAAAA;"| Description
! scope="col" style="background: #CC9900;"| Log
|-
|Death And The Thief||A tale about a bold thief who tried to steal a soul from Death to learn about immortality, only to realize that Death owned nothing, and thus could never be cheated.||[[Petite Legion]]
|}

=Trivia=

'''-'''Max prefers iceboxes to refrigerators.

[[File:Max's_Life.png|500px|thumb|center|Max's Life In Two Pictures]]

= Logs =
{| class="LogTable"
{{#ask:[[Category:{{{1|Roleplay Logs}}}]] [[Log Characters::Maximilien]]
|?Log Date
|?Log Synopsis
|format=template
|template=Log List Single
|limit=99999
|sort=Log Date
|order=descending
|default={{!}} colspan=3 {{!}} No logs submitted yet.
}}
|}

= Cutscenes =
{{Character Logs|Cutscenes|Maximilien}}

Wizard Visiting Hours

2014-03-20T22:50:17Z

Oathkeeper:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/03/17
|Location=Traverse Town - District 2
|Synopsis=Merlin gets visitors. A lot of them. The topics at hand seem to involve the strange blade that Chita holds, as well as Kaydin's new Keyblade.
|Thanks=Zero-One
|Cast of Characters=Faruja Senra, Kaydin, Aerith, Archimedes, Chita, Arkham Fisher, Merlin
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' The House of Merlin stands as it always does, on a small island in the middle of a pond in Traverse Town. Smoke rises up into the air, signaling that either something's on fire, or someone's home. Given it's Merlin, people give even odds. All that remains is to brave the incredibly dangeous stepping stones over the lake of doom- oh wait, wrong script. This lake is about as tame as it gets. All you have to do is get to the door. Some might find that easier than others.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' A lake, and a pair of Dragoons. Really, it's almost a sign from the Lord: at least to one Faruja Senra. He's of course had his issues with the whole thing, not the least amongst them being Chita himself! But for once, likely due to the support of one Arkham Fisher, his more altruistic side is winning out. After all, even if Chita's a wanted Heretic, the connection is weak at best. Faruja was there, after all. Maybe this is penance for the bunny. The Burmecian, should she let him, will happily leap-carry Arkie over the lake to the other side. "At least he is home, it seems. Hopefully he shalt be receptive to unannounced social calls." Faruja is privately hoping for tea.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' The previous day everyone had arrived in Traverse together. Chita, Arkham, Faruja, and another who had joined in Alexandria. Aerith. She was introduced by Chita at that point, and mentioned that she'd be coming along as well. Along the way, though, Chita realized that it'd be best if they didn't all go immediately to Merlin's in case someone was following. There was no telling who was working for Shinra, after all, or anyone else who wanted what he had. Thus, he suggested they split up whenever they arrive and go take care of any business they had. He'd assumed it would be church related, not that he mentioned that. The next day rolls around and mid-afternoon as it was, it was getting close to when he'd suggested they all wander towards Merlin's home. He gave them a rough idea where it was, if they didn't know already, and that's all they had. Better luck than a blind person at least. Thankfully Senra, his Chocobo, was relatively good at not running him into things and asking his way there of various people in town, Chita made it to the furthest point where one had to hop across moving, floating rocks. "I really need to find a better way to get ac--oh right. You." He gave his Chocobo a pat before hopping back onto him and letting the Chocobo hop his way across the platforms. "Aerith will not be joining us today, by the way." He didn't quite elaborate WHY that was. He was actually relatively nicely dressed today, which might surprise the two church types. A nice business suit, clean, freshly bathed, the sword wrapped in a cloak and held under his left arm. He had on a black silk blindfold and might actually look like he had a date. If he wasn't simply getting dressed up for the sake of feeling better. He did that at times. "And yes... he is okay with such. His bird less so, but do not mind the bird, he means well." or so Chita thinks.

:'''[[Arkham Fisher]] has posed:''' Certainly, it's a new look for the viera, but it does seem more in keeping with Traverse Town's typical fashion. Arkham herself has changed out of her field dress and into a slightly more presentable habit, no less appropriate here than anywhere else. She has tolerably little business in Traverse, herself; catch up with the three or so people she knows in town, stop in at a cafe perhaps. Her contacts at the agency weren't in, so there was nothing to be gained there. It was worth a try, maybe. "Do be careful." She follows a few paces behind Chita's chocobo, picking her way across the stones with apparent ease.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' The challenge, if you can call it that, is navigated with ease. Merlin doesn't REALLY dislike company, he just never got around to making an easier way to his house. Sorcerers. As they reach the front door, they can hear quite clearly a shrill voice. "... And don't leave those poor people out on the porch waiting!" A harried voice, Merlin's to those who remember it, responds, "Yes, yes, I'm getting to that! I thought you were an owl, not a nag!" Archimdes can be heard replying, "Ha. Ha." A moment later, the door opens, and Merlin stands in all of his old man glory. Which is to say, heavily frizzled, frazzled, and part of his beard is singed. "Well well, who have we here. Guests! Young Chita and friends, do come in and be seated, I have the tea all ready for you." He leads the way into the house, which is full of books and knick-knacks as always. The area around the table is reasonably clear, however, and a tea set stands at attention. Literally, as the sugar boel has a spoon in a present-arms position.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja can't help but feel a touch dissappointed by the lack of the local Flower Girl. Her manner is usually upbeat, and generally cheerful. With such heavy matters of darkness-blades filled with lost souls afoot, the rat could use some good cheer. "...Thank the Lord Reize is not along." Truly, the bird would have his ahoge in five seconds flat. Besides, the rat wouldn't want to endanger the boy. Once his companions are across the lake, he'll fall in step near Arkie protectively. Like a proper paladin. One may note, however, quite a few extra bandages on the rat today. His 'Church business' happened to involve Yevonites, an esper, and lots of ice-spikes to the back for ARkie to take care of. Faruja Senra is good for business, if you're a healer. Always giving them work to do. And here comes Merlin. Faruja immediately puts on his best smile, and offers a bow to the singed, frazzled mage. He's seen more than a few of these types, and his other visit with Merlin was rather pleasant despite the circumstances. The man even offers tea. The rat's tail sways. "Ahh, how generous honored Magi! Thank ye for thine time, Ser, may the Lord always give ye His blessings for such kindness to those whom fall upon thine doorstep!" All pleasantries, this rat. He holds open the door for the pair. This is Chita's show, after all. Faruja will pull out a chair for Arkie once inside, and then sit himself. Already, he's pouring tea, and setting his own with sugar. Sip. He glances to Chita, nodding.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Chita landed and slipped off his Chocobo only to hear Merlin approach. "Ah... hello again to you. Sorry for coming back unannounced such notice. A bit of bad news I believe." He followed along quietly while pulling out a large stave to use to walk along with. Senra, his Chocobo, waited outside and minded his own business. Making his way inside and taking a seat carefully in the same place he did last time, Chita quietly listened for teh others to get settled, for things to take place, before bringing out any bad news that was to come. Plus he got to enjoy the subtle things he liked about this house. Books, and the scent thereof. Old books. Something he got to enjoy as a child was books, and now that he's out in the world... the first thing he did was visit a library. So amazing. This little hut was always fun for him.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' "It's nothing, Ser Senra. It's been too long since I've had such /polite/ guests." Merlin replies with a pointed glance at Archimedes, who does not deign to respond. He instead puffs up and looks moderately indignant. The tea set reveals that it's animated for those who are not quick on the tea like Faruja. The pot moves, pouring itself into a glass while the sugar bowl taps, apparently trying to ask Chita how many sugars he wants. "Bad news?" Merlin sighs. "I see. All too often that's the only kind of news about these parts. But let's see what an old man can do for you, all right?" The air is redolent with the smell of fresh tea, overlaying the smell of old books, acrid smells from chemistry and alchemy, and of course, bird. Archimedes makes his mark known. Speaking of Archimedes, he pops his head out, looking over those present and twitching slightly. "So what cosmic horror are you going to beg for help about this time?"

:'''[[Arkham Fisher]] has posed:''' Arkham will take the offered seat, and hold her peace for the moment. She's only really here for medical monitoring, anyways, and Chita seems to be well-recovered. Ser Senra is... well. He's always like this, it never slows him down. The great wizard himself is interesting, of course; magic had always seemed sort of common to her-- a product of her upbringing-- and she has only rarely heard of mages of so great standing as this. What's his school? Divination? She gives the owl a sharp look. She only has the vaguest idea of the shape of Chita's troubles, and comments like that do not put her at her ease. She sips her tea and tries to wait for explanation.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja Senra is likely to run muzzle-first into his own body's limitations sooner or later. For now, he's quite stoically keeping himself together. Knowing lots of White Mages and healers helps. Two ears wiggle a bit at the compliment. "Remind me to make a proper social call some time when we art not begging upon thine doorstep; swap tea recipies. Why, I know this lovely blend of chamomi...ahem! Yes, later." Sip. The rat's mostly here to get the full story. He nods at appropriate points towards Chita, though decides to break the ice. "The matter of a blade. Specifically, one that contains imprisoned souls." The rat's tone darkens, his zealous feelings slowly filling him. The blade's mere existance fills him with rage and indignation.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Recalling the antics of the tea from the previous time, Chita holds up one finger towards the bowl and waits for what apparently was asked almost immediately. "I apologize, but I know I am not terribly bright. In fact, I would wager I am rather dull in relation to other players in this world. Yet... I have to rely on those who are, and plan as best I can." When Faruja speaks, Chita nods towards him, unsure if he was looking his way. "Souls, no, hearts, yes. I spoke to Merlin before on the matter of that weapon. This is... only partially about that, given something I discovered last night here in Traverse that kept me awake since." They couldn't see the bags under his eyes, but yes, Chita was up all night. The blindfold helps with that. "The weapon I spoke to you before about, Merlin? The one who made it unleashed it again on a town called Narshe. Thankfully no one was hurt, but an idiot with a keyblade rushed and destroyed it despite my best attempt to stop them and something happened. It... the hearts that were trapped inside, I can only imagine still vengeful since I had not had the chance to help them calm down, to give them some satisfaction that was not blood, came back. Some beast I have yet to see, and cannot fully describe thus. It was angry, spoke, seemed sentient. It... it wanted the death of the one who made it, immediately and at any cost." Lifting up the cloak-wrapped sword he had under one arm he sat it carefully on the table. "I helped the target of the beast escape. None deserve to die, none... not even her. Justice, yes, death or suffering, no. It... it followed us, and eventually confronted us again at the headquarters of the company Shinra in Goug. It was destroyed there, seemingly, and as chance would have it, it turned into a sword. The same sword I have here in this cloak. It... the sword is sentient, unlike the last. It has been haunting me since I stole it away and have been on the run, trying to convince me to kill the woman, flooding my mind with experiencing the deaths of those that lost their lives in Goug." He shivered a little at that, shaking his head. Dying over and over in his mind in so many different ways WAS getting to him, even if he was trying to tuck away his fears and panicks in one corner of his mind. He couldn't pretend they weren't there, he just had to deal with it.

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin had enough of waiting around for Mercade to find the people and he corridored when the detective wasnt looking, probably while he is off sleeping. He remembered the mage lived on the lake and once he found a boat, he crossed the lake. When his boat made it, he begins to head to the house. He can feel the darkness within him trying to be forced out, a ward he assumed and he just grit his teeth and went on.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' "That would be /most/ delightful, Ser Senra. I know a most wonderful..." He pauses. "Ah yes, to more pressing issues." Faruja might notice the faint sigh of resignation before he straightens up, preparing to face the problem presented to him. As Chita speaks, the sugar bowl will provide the requested sugar. Merlin, meanwhile, strokes his beard as he listens. "There's no need to be so critical of yourself, young Chita. Being too critical is as damaging to yourself as being too prideful." "I admit, I wonder... What is a soul, and what is a Heart? Do you know the difference, young Chita? I am most curious as to your opinion." He thinks for a moment. "The great beast was destroyed by a Keyblade? If it was as you say, then the Heartless should be destroyed." He looks down at the wrapped object. "Then what is..." He pauses, and begins unwrapping the object. "This..." He pauses, his eyes widening at the strange, alien-looking blade. The pommel area looks much like a heart-shape, flared outwards, thinning to a handgrip. A spiked crosspiece crosses it, the blade itself in a wavy pattern much like a flamberge. "Oh my." Merlin says. Archimedes doesn't even sass. He just stares. Merlin looks up. "I've never seen anything of its like before. You say it is intelligent?" Archimedes suddenly snaps his head up as Merlin seems engrossed with examining the sword. Notably, he does not touch it directly. "Merlin. Something's coming. Could be trouble." Merlin looks up, surprised as he looks out the window. "Hmm... He doesn't seem that threatening." Merlin says, cautiously.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' She'd made it, somehow. Following Chita here was no issue. She'd remembered where Merlin's house was in the past, and coming here was their intended goal anyway. For the most part, the conversation passed without her interrupting anything. She just listened, trying to figure everything out. Part of her wanted to talk to Chita some more, maybe Faruja for a bit, but business came first. Of course, more important business was coming, as the owl professed to. It probably wasn't long before it got here. Then again, trouble would be an understatement as to what tended to follow this weapon around...

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja will have to keep thoughts of tea for later. For now, there's evil swords about. When that blade is taken out, Faruja's eye all burn burns into the thing; if looks could kill, the blade would be a smoldering pile of iron right now. The fact that Merlin doesn't know what it is, makes things even worse. "An intelligent blade composed of soul.../hearts/." The rat /really/ hates that term. "I suppose the question is, /what/ is this blade? I know naught of artifacts that may so easily trap hearts. Know ye of any tomes that may enlighten us upon the calming of those within, Honored Magi?"

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin continued on and then raises a hand to pound on the door. "Wizard, I have come seeking your aid." He says as he waits for the door to open. He waits for the door to be answered, trying to ignore the fact that he felt incredibly sickened and the ward pushing against him didnt make the feeling better.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' Merlin gestures towards the door and it opens. It's easier than answering the door with so many people inside at the moment. "So sorry! I cannot come to the door, please come in, sir knight." Merlin responds to Kaydin's arrival. Aerith can slip in behind him should she choose. The door closes behind them afterwards. "Well, aren't we a merry group now." Archimedes comments. Merlin, however, looks back at the strange blade, and taps it with a spoon. It makes a strange 'tak' noise. "The weapon is forged of no metal I know of. It more resembles the chitin of insects if I guess correctly, but far stranger." He looks uover to Kaydin. "How can I help you, child? Please feel free to ask, It's a busy evening." He chuckles, then hums, muttering some words as he waves a wand over the strange white blade, pausing for a short time. "Aaaaah." he says. "Do you hear it?" He asks. In the background, you can hear a low cry, a sussurus of voice. "It's crying out... And you said it seeks vengeance? On the one who is responsible for their state, no doubt..." He pauses. "A terrible situation, but..." He shakes his head. "You cannot calm the hearts within this weapon." He looks over at them with a level gaze. "Because there are none within. This weapon is not full of hearts, it is full of memories. And that is what has been tormenting you all of this time, young Chita."

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith nodded. So that's what she felt all this time. Rage, pain, anger... but nothing as far as any kind of life or energy. It was quite literally empty. The sound that spoon gave when it tapped the sword proved it. But at the same time, such a weapon was quite strong when it came down to it, wasn't it? And then, Kaydin came in. No doubt to ask what to do about his own, very similar situation. She didn't respond to his entrance just yet though, simply sat there and observed.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Kaydin's voice causes Chita to let out an angry little growl of a sound before saying, "I will save you the trouble of letting him explain, Merlin. That was the other thing I had meant to bring to your attention. This idiot made a deal with someone by the name of Garland in exchange for the product of the very research and weapon I was trying to safely dispose of before... to safely save those within. Now he has another version of the weapon, if my assumption is correct, that is going to eat him alive unless he feeds it hearts. ... or someone breaks it away from him." By his tone, he didn't seem happy with Kaydin. Perhaps it was the whole 'voluntarily agreed to it' part. Even if he hadn't started feeding it hearts yet. ... that he knew of. "I shall share my thoughts on hearts later, if you do not mind, Merlin."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin comes in. When asked how he could help him, Kaydin simply holds out a hand. A black blast of energy extends out before solidifying into a blackened key about the size of a sword. The weapon definatly gave off a malevolent air, with a black and yellow keychain. "This keyblade was given to me by the one who calls himself Garland. It is a part of me but demands the hearts of light and the more I deprive it, the weaker I become. Infact simply being in the presence of so many hearts of light is incredibly sickening." Infact the man did look more pale then normal. When Chita speaks, he simply points the weapon. "Keep pushing." He growls out.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith grimaced. Great, here they go again... but the last time she'd tried to break these two up, she'd botched it. Aerith almost wanted to drag them out of the room and tell them to beat each other senseless, but that wouldn't be right. At the very least though, it'd settle things one way or another. She would speak with Chita again about making assumptions... they had no idea what that weapon was or who gave it to Garland. Mayhap he had it all along, waiting to give it to someone. No one would be able to find out, unless either speaking with the man himself, or digging through a certain mad scientist's notes. The second was more feasible. But she wouldn't say anything on it yet.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja is suspicously silent as he listens to the exchange between Chita, Kaydin, and Merlin. He lets out a long sigh. Aerith does get a tail-flick in greetings though. Save me, oh flower girl! "...Put away that foul blade, Kaydin. This is no house for threats. 'Tis one for solutions." No 'Ser' this time. He can all but feel the evil off of both blades. "Memories. What use would memories be within a blade? Doth it merely steal them?" The rat sounds a touch relieved here. Memory-stealing sword is better than soul stealing. It's still Heresy, though.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith shook her head. She spoke at last. "You ever had a grudge you couldn't let go of, Faruja?" She didn't need an answer. "Someone who took something away from you unfairly, without any sort of explanation or reason why?" She opened her eyes and looked at the sword. "That's another form of power. And this sword contains a lot of bad memories, all because of one person."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "Forgiveness is something not easily given, and even if something is forgiven, it isnt forgotten. If this blade has no heart, then there is no compassion within it to try and make peace. Without a soul to see beyond the memories, then all it is truely is those bad experiences. Sounds more like a Darkblade if I ever heard one, Dark knights sometimes use blades filled with bad memories and experiences to amplify themselves, since we become stronger the more we suffer." He says as he looks to the weapon. "Half the training a Dark Knight undergoes is to simply not go mad from the darkblades."

:'''[[Arkham Fisher]] has posed:''' They say that a blade remembers every drop of blood it spills. They drink a lot, though. Events in Merlin's cottage have escalated far beyond Arkham's reach, and quickly. It would serve her best to listen carefully, now; there are those who would find this very interesting. Her report will have to be detailed. So, let's see. She recognizes the dark knight from the unpleasantness at the chapel, and she recognizes his darkness readily enough. A kindred spirit, perhaps. Let him explain himself, then. She will listen, and learn.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' And then everyone gets aggressive. Merlin stands up, holding up his hands. "Now now, everyone calm down. We can discuss this like civilized people." Merlin tilts his head slightly as he sees the weapon. "Oh my, a Keyblade?" He says, leaning in towards it and peering. "It does appear to be a true Keyblade, but if what you say is true..." He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Poor child. You are in a difficult situation. I cannot condone the path you will take in order to feed this weapon." He turns and nods towards Aerith. "Indeed. This weapon is full of the memories of those who have fallen, and they want justice... or in this case, what passes for justice to it. What you will do with it, of course, is up to you. Convincing it to relent would be much akin to convincing a great host of ghosts for forgive their murderer." He looks back to Kaydin. "You have a dire situation, Keyblade Wielder... But I admit I am at a loss on what you would wish me to do. I have no power over the Heart. Dabbling in such things is dangerous and unwise."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "What I need is for it to not ask for hearts to consume. For that I will need someone who is an expert with keyblades to try and alter this one. If it cannot be done, then I dont know. I know it is about my heart and removal will kill me. Can you aid me wizard, tell me who to seek out?" He says calmly.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' "..." So... all of this mess with this sword has been for nothing? There's not even hearts in it, just... memories? Ghosts of the past and not even real ghosts, just... their memories? He thought about it, then said, "I suppose in that case I will simply use the weapon for the time being, to try and help keep any more atrocities like this from happening. They may want vengeance, their own justice, but I will not give it to them. I'm sure I can at least use the power, however, to bring an end to this all if I can try. How does that sound?" He spoke directly to the weapon before reaching out to grasp the hilt with his bare hand. It was something he hadn't done for some time, not that the cloth made too much of a difference. "It may not be Rhiannons blood, but it's certainly something to satisfy you until then. Doing something to stop others from suffering like you did." Kaydin is ignored for the moment in favor of the weapon.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith nodded. There, that was the question to ask. Not what to do, because there wasn't much he could do by himself, not about this. The question was who to see, because it was apparent no one here had answers. With that said, she watched as Chita attempted to placate the weapon, something that would certainly be dangerous. She would have tried to reach out for it, but this wasn't something she could deal with effectively. Technically it was in her range of expertise, though. It was why she could answer so easily the question put at hand. And while questions were being answered... "Merlin... I hope you don't mind asking something of my own. May I?"

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' If the weapon has a response for Chita's words, it is not audible to anyone else. Merlin shakes his head. "Don't underestimate the power of a lingering will, young Chita. But do as you will with it, the sword is your burden." Merlin looks to Kaydin. "Much like you, child. Your burden is heavy. I would not presume to understand what arrangement you have made to gain this weapon. From your words you cannot have had it long, and to do this... Well, I do not know of any who can solve your problem. Even the great Yen Sid did not forge Keyblades, or alter them. He was a teacher." Aerith then asks him a question. "Please, child, ask anything you like. Knowledge is meant to be shared." Perhaps a concept that has not spread to his peers.

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "Then tell me how to find this Yen Sid, and I see what he knows. If he is a teacher and knows about these things, perhaps he knows how to remove this thing." Kaydin says before looking about. "I made a deal with one named Garland. I wanted power to protect someone special to me, and I do not care what I sacrifice as long as I can keep them safe. All I have met has given me nothing but suffering and pain. If it would not cause her pain, I could care less if the worlds fell to darkness."

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' She let Kaydin finish. This was important to him, after all. Then Aerith cleared her throat. "I um... I'm not really too proud of what I'm about to say. It was an accident, really." Wait, that sounded like she'd lost some of her confidence. She lowered her head as she considered her words. "I saw into someone's heart while trying to pull them back from the darkness they'd been cast into. Had no idea what I was doing." She sighed. "Might have done more harm than good, because what I saw, I can't unsee. I don't even know if I helped or not while I was in there." She wouldn't tell anyone about it, though. She looked up at Merlin. "There might not even be an answer for this, but I'd like to be able to understand this, maybe even do it again. I've been feeling useless lately, with what all's been going on. But with this, maybe I can..." She shrugged. "I dunno, actually help someone." Because she's certainly done a good job with Chita recently...

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' "No worries, Merlin. I understand that fully, but thank you for telling me any way of it. I do not mean to belittle their memory, only that it seems to be an impression of what they were, not actually them. Similar to my view on killing the undead... those undead who still linger with a purpose I do not think I could kill again, but those that are simply corpses that look like others... I probably could. I am strange, I admit." As Kaydin talks, then Aerith, Chita listens, even if he's paying attention to the sword. "If that is how you wish to be." he says in response, "I cannot stop it. However, that will never happen by my hand. If you remember all that, you also should remember how much I've gone out of my way to avoid letting any death come of it, or you. It will not start nor or in the future. As much as I hate to say it like this, get over it or do not, either way you will not be used to spill her blood or the blood of others. Help me and make the best of it."

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' Merlin gestures. "Go to the train station. There is a special train that goes to a lone tower. He's closer than you might think... But I cannot guarantee that he will meet with or help you, child. He is far more strict than I am." "You haven't seen the half of what he was like to the King." Archimedes comments from the side of the room. Merlin shrugs. "Everyone was young once." He says. "I remember a young lad who once told me something similar... And he had a dark fate indeed. Good luck, sir knight. You will need it." And then to Aerith, Merlin shakes his head. "No one is useless, child. Do not lose faith in yourself. Believe, and know what you are doing. If it is true and what you really wish, all you can do is follow your path." Merlin simply watches Chita make his declaration. The blade, once again, is silent. Or is it?

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith smiled. "Follow my path, huh...?" Even though that wasn't an answer, or at least a satisfactory one, she could pick up something from it. Maybe there was a way to resolve things with the Viera after all. But never mind that. "Right. I suppose I'll have to find my own way to do it, then. Is that it?"

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "Then I hope luck is with me." Kaydin says as he turns to Aerith. "He is right. The only time you are truely useless is when you acknowledge yourself as such." He says as he bows before leaving now.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' A small smile comes to Chita's face as something only he can hear is relayed to him. But what? Yet, he acts strange. Chita stops speaking or doing anything and turns his head towards Aerith, a confused expression on his face, then Merlin and the others in the room, Faruja, Arkham and even Kaydin. "..." Apparently it's screwing with his head again in some way. But what, or how?

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith glanced toward Chita for a moment, a brow quirked at his smile... and then blinked. He was looking around the room with an expression as if he wasn't all there. It was the same way he'd looked before... oh, no. She wanted to shake him out of it, but there probably wasn't anything she could do... physically, anyways. "Hey, you with us?"

:'''[[Archimedes]] has posed:''' Archimedes flutters down from his perch. "Well, maybe if you two-legged twits weren't so dag-blasted stubborn, you wouldn't be in this mess!" The owl hoots as he lands on one of the animated dressers. The dresser protests. Archimedes stamps on it for a moment, and the dresser backs down, aware of its position in the great mess. "Now you listen to me and you listen good. Merlin here isn't a box to reach into and pull solutions out of, he's an advisor. An advisor! As in, one who gives advice, one responsible for advising students on academic matters, or a fortune-teller." Archimedes shakes his foot at the group, his big expressive Owl eyebrows waggling up and down. "And he's done that to the best of his admittedly mediocre abilities, so now I'll be stepping in." "You there. You, girl. You want to know what lies inside a Heart, hmm? Think that you'll be any different than Morgan Le Faye or Mad Madame Mim just because your dress isn't open and your eyes are nice and pretty? Wellll, you won't!" Archimedes' feathers flutter around him. "Mark my words - no good can come of messing with that sort of malarkey! It leads to one place, and one place only, and no matter how strong in the Light you are, the minute you start thinking you're good enough to handle that sort of dark power, that's how it gets you! Snap! Wham! Just like a trap closed around your pretty little leg!" "I mean, look at him!" Archimedes waves his leg at Kaydin. "He clearly thought *he* was better. Too good to get your fancy keyblade the right way, eh? Or maybe you were scared that you couldn't make the climb, so you walked over to a terrible, evil thing and shook its hand, and now you want to get out of the consequences la-de-da free as a bird! Well, you won't be. If Yen Sid even can help you, there's no guarantee he will. You want to solve your problems? Maybe you should ask yourself what led you to take such a phoney-balogna deal in the first place, hmmmm?!" "And as for you!" Archimedes whirls around to stare at Chita, "You! ...well...I don't know what to do about you. All I can say is that a man who's willing to admit his mistakes is a far sight closer to the Light than a man blinded by his righteousness." Archimedes spreads his wings. "Well! There you go, then! You wanted your free, fancy, solve-it-all advice from the big advisor! Now go on, get! We've more important things to do, and I can already tell that you're testing Merlin's patience something fierce. Any longer and you're likely to see what happened to the Questing Beast firsthand! You got your fortune cookie platitudes and your hard truths - now shoo!"

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Well, there it was. If there was no other cue to leave, that was it. However, she wasn't all that pleased with the bird's response. In fact, she felt her ire rising for the thing. But she took in a breath and let it out as slowly as she could. "Right, advice noted." She rose from her seat and stretched out. They still needed to know what to do about Rhiannon. "Chita, whenever you're ready to go."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin simply listens before looking to Aerith. For a brief moment he seemed unsure, actually unsure on his next course of action. Still he strengthens his resolve and begins to head out one more. The ward pushing him internally only made him leave faster by boat.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Not seemingly paying attention to anything, when Merlin's pet bird goes on a rant, Chita only half listens to him. He didn't really mind the bird, had to come with the bird if he wanted to deal with Merlin, though his choice of words he didn't much like. But, he couldn't really say much to it due to what the sword had showed him. He... actually grinned a little. "So, that's how it is? That'll work then. Thank you Merlin... and Archimedes." and with that, he stands, takes his stuff(and the sword) and moves to wander out of the place. Incidentally, he doesn't seem to use the stave the same way as when he came in, to avoid bumping into things.

Wizard Visiting Hours

2014-03-20T22:49:55Z

Oathkeeper:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/03/17
|Location=Traverse Town - District 2
|Synopsis=Merlin gets visitors. A lot of them. The topics at hand seem to involve the strange blade that Chita holds, as well as Kaydin's new Keyblade.
|thanks=Zero-One
|Cast of Characters=Faruja Senra, Kaydin, Aerith, Archimedes, Chita, Arkham Fisher, Merlin
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' The House of Merlin stands as it always does, on a small island in the middle of a pond in Traverse Town. Smoke rises up into the air, signaling that either something's on fire, or someone's home. Given it's Merlin, people give even odds. All that remains is to brave the incredibly dangeous stepping stones over the lake of doom- oh wait, wrong script. This lake is about as tame as it gets. All you have to do is get to the door. Some might find that easier than others.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' A lake, and a pair of Dragoons. Really, it's almost a sign from the Lord: at least to one Faruja Senra. He's of course had his issues with the whole thing, not the least amongst them being Chita himself! But for once, likely due to the support of one Arkham Fisher, his more altruistic side is winning out. After all, even if Chita's a wanted Heretic, the connection is weak at best. Faruja was there, after all. Maybe this is penance for the bunny. The Burmecian, should she let him, will happily leap-carry Arkie over the lake to the other side. "At least he is home, it seems. Hopefully he shalt be receptive to unannounced social calls." Faruja is privately hoping for tea.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' The previous day everyone had arrived in Traverse together. Chita, Arkham, Faruja, and another who had joined in Alexandria. Aerith. She was introduced by Chita at that point, and mentioned that she'd be coming along as well. Along the way, though, Chita realized that it'd be best if they didn't all go immediately to Merlin's in case someone was following. There was no telling who was working for Shinra, after all, or anyone else who wanted what he had. Thus, he suggested they split up whenever they arrive and go take care of any business they had. He'd assumed it would be church related, not that he mentioned that. The next day rolls around and mid-afternoon as it was, it was getting close to when he'd suggested they all wander towards Merlin's home. He gave them a rough idea where it was, if they didn't know already, and that's all they had. Better luck than a blind person at least. Thankfully Senra, his Chocobo, was relatively good at not running him into things and asking his way there of various people in town, Chita made it to the furthest point where one had to hop across moving, floating rocks. "I really need to find a better way to get ac--oh right. You." He gave his Chocobo a pat before hopping back onto him and letting the Chocobo hop his way across the platforms. "Aerith will not be joining us today, by the way." He didn't quite elaborate WHY that was. He was actually relatively nicely dressed today, which might surprise the two church types. A nice business suit, clean, freshly bathed, the sword wrapped in a cloak and held under his left arm. He had on a black silk blindfold and might actually look like he had a date. If he wasn't simply getting dressed up for the sake of feeling better. He did that at times. "And yes... he is okay with such. His bird less so, but do not mind the bird, he means well." or so Chita thinks.

:'''[[Arkham Fisher]] has posed:''' Certainly, it's a new look for the viera, but it does seem more in keeping with Traverse Town's typical fashion. Arkham herself has changed out of her field dress and into a slightly more presentable habit, no less appropriate here than anywhere else. She has tolerably little business in Traverse, herself; catch up with the three or so people she knows in town, stop in at a cafe perhaps. Her contacts at the agency weren't in, so there was nothing to be gained there. It was worth a try, maybe. "Do be careful." She follows a few paces behind Chita's chocobo, picking her way across the stones with apparent ease.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' The challenge, if you can call it that, is navigated with ease. Merlin doesn't REALLY dislike company, he just never got around to making an easier way to his house. Sorcerers. As they reach the front door, they can hear quite clearly a shrill voice. "... And don't leave those poor people out on the porch waiting!" A harried voice, Merlin's to those who remember it, responds, "Yes, yes, I'm getting to that! I thought you were an owl, not a nag!" Archimdes can be heard replying, "Ha. Ha." A moment later, the door opens, and Merlin stands in all of his old man glory. Which is to say, heavily frizzled, frazzled, and part of his beard is singed. "Well well, who have we here. Guests! Young Chita and friends, do come in and be seated, I have the tea all ready for you." He leads the way into the house, which is full of books and knick-knacks as always. The area around the table is reasonably clear, however, and a tea set stands at attention. Literally, as the sugar boel has a spoon in a present-arms position.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja can't help but feel a touch dissappointed by the lack of the local Flower Girl. Her manner is usually upbeat, and generally cheerful. With such heavy matters of darkness-blades filled with lost souls afoot, the rat could use some good cheer. "...Thank the Lord Reize is not along." Truly, the bird would have his ahoge in five seconds flat. Besides, the rat wouldn't want to endanger the boy. Once his companions are across the lake, he'll fall in step near Arkie protectively. Like a proper paladin. One may note, however, quite a few extra bandages on the rat today. His 'Church business' happened to involve Yevonites, an esper, and lots of ice-spikes to the back for ARkie to take care of. Faruja Senra is good for business, if you're a healer. Always giving them work to do. And here comes Merlin. Faruja immediately puts on his best smile, and offers a bow to the singed, frazzled mage. He's seen more than a few of these types, and his other visit with Merlin was rather pleasant despite the circumstances. The man even offers tea. The rat's tail sways. "Ahh, how generous honored Magi! Thank ye for thine time, Ser, may the Lord always give ye His blessings for such kindness to those whom fall upon thine doorstep!" All pleasantries, this rat. He holds open the door for the pair. This is Chita's show, after all. Faruja will pull out a chair for Arkie once inside, and then sit himself. Already, he's pouring tea, and setting his own with sugar. Sip. He glances to Chita, nodding.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Chita landed and slipped off his Chocobo only to hear Merlin approach. "Ah... hello again to you. Sorry for coming back unannounced such notice. A bit of bad news I believe." He followed along quietly while pulling out a large stave to use to walk along with. Senra, his Chocobo, waited outside and minded his own business. Making his way inside and taking a seat carefully in the same place he did last time, Chita quietly listened for teh others to get settled, for things to take place, before bringing out any bad news that was to come. Plus he got to enjoy the subtle things he liked about this house. Books, and the scent thereof. Old books. Something he got to enjoy as a child was books, and now that he's out in the world... the first thing he did was visit a library. So amazing. This little hut was always fun for him.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' "It's nothing, Ser Senra. It's been too long since I've had such /polite/ guests." Merlin replies with a pointed glance at Archimedes, who does not deign to respond. He instead puffs up and looks moderately indignant. The tea set reveals that it's animated for those who are not quick on the tea like Faruja. The pot moves, pouring itself into a glass while the sugar bowl taps, apparently trying to ask Chita how many sugars he wants. "Bad news?" Merlin sighs. "I see. All too often that's the only kind of news about these parts. But let's see what an old man can do for you, all right?" The air is redolent with the smell of fresh tea, overlaying the smell of old books, acrid smells from chemistry and alchemy, and of course, bird. Archimedes makes his mark known. Speaking of Archimedes, he pops his head out, looking over those present and twitching slightly. "So what cosmic horror are you going to beg for help about this time?"

:'''[[Arkham Fisher]] has posed:''' Arkham will take the offered seat, and hold her peace for the moment. She's only really here for medical monitoring, anyways, and Chita seems to be well-recovered. Ser Senra is... well. He's always like this, it never slows him down. The great wizard himself is interesting, of course; magic had always seemed sort of common to her-- a product of her upbringing-- and she has only rarely heard of mages of so great standing as this. What's his school? Divination? She gives the owl a sharp look. She only has the vaguest idea of the shape of Chita's troubles, and comments like that do not put her at her ease. She sips her tea and tries to wait for explanation.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja Senra is likely to run muzzle-first into his own body's limitations sooner or later. For now, he's quite stoically keeping himself together. Knowing lots of White Mages and healers helps. Two ears wiggle a bit at the compliment. "Remind me to make a proper social call some time when we art not begging upon thine doorstep; swap tea recipies. Why, I know this lovely blend of chamomi...ahem! Yes, later." Sip. The rat's mostly here to get the full story. He nods at appropriate points towards Chita, though decides to break the ice. "The matter of a blade. Specifically, one that contains imprisoned souls." The rat's tone darkens, his zealous feelings slowly filling him. The blade's mere existance fills him with rage and indignation.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Recalling the antics of the tea from the previous time, Chita holds up one finger towards the bowl and waits for what apparently was asked almost immediately. "I apologize, but I know I am not terribly bright. In fact, I would wager I am rather dull in relation to other players in this world. Yet... I have to rely on those who are, and plan as best I can." When Faruja speaks, Chita nods towards him, unsure if he was looking his way. "Souls, no, hearts, yes. I spoke to Merlin before on the matter of that weapon. This is... only partially about that, given something I discovered last night here in Traverse that kept me awake since." They couldn't see the bags under his eyes, but yes, Chita was up all night. The blindfold helps with that. "The weapon I spoke to you before about, Merlin? The one who made it unleashed it again on a town called Narshe. Thankfully no one was hurt, but an idiot with a keyblade rushed and destroyed it despite my best attempt to stop them and something happened. It... the hearts that were trapped inside, I can only imagine still vengeful since I had not had the chance to help them calm down, to give them some satisfaction that was not blood, came back. Some beast I have yet to see, and cannot fully describe thus. It was angry, spoke, seemed sentient. It... it wanted the death of the one who made it, immediately and at any cost." Lifting up the cloak-wrapped sword he had under one arm he sat it carefully on the table. "I helped the target of the beast escape. None deserve to die, none... not even her. Justice, yes, death or suffering, no. It... it followed us, and eventually confronted us again at the headquarters of the company Shinra in Goug. It was destroyed there, seemingly, and as chance would have it, it turned into a sword. The same sword I have here in this cloak. It... the sword is sentient, unlike the last. It has been haunting me since I stole it away and have been on the run, trying to convince me to kill the woman, flooding my mind with experiencing the deaths of those that lost their lives in Goug." He shivered a little at that, shaking his head. Dying over and over in his mind in so many different ways WAS getting to him, even if he was trying to tuck away his fears and panicks in one corner of his mind. He couldn't pretend they weren't there, he just had to deal with it.

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin had enough of waiting around for Mercade to find the people and he corridored when the detective wasnt looking, probably while he is off sleeping. He remembered the mage lived on the lake and once he found a boat, he crossed the lake. When his boat made it, he begins to head to the house. He can feel the darkness within him trying to be forced out, a ward he assumed and he just grit his teeth and went on.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' "That would be /most/ delightful, Ser Senra. I know a most wonderful..." He pauses. "Ah yes, to more pressing issues." Faruja might notice the faint sigh of resignation before he straightens up, preparing to face the problem presented to him. As Chita speaks, the sugar bowl will provide the requested sugar. Merlin, meanwhile, strokes his beard as he listens. "There's no need to be so critical of yourself, young Chita. Being too critical is as damaging to yourself as being too prideful." "I admit, I wonder... What is a soul, and what is a Heart? Do you know the difference, young Chita? I am most curious as to your opinion." He thinks for a moment. "The great beast was destroyed by a Keyblade? If it was as you say, then the Heartless should be destroyed." He looks down at the wrapped object. "Then what is..." He pauses, and begins unwrapping the object. "This..." He pauses, his eyes widening at the strange, alien-looking blade. The pommel area looks much like a heart-shape, flared outwards, thinning to a handgrip. A spiked crosspiece crosses it, the blade itself in a wavy pattern much like a flamberge. "Oh my." Merlin says. Archimedes doesn't even sass. He just stares. Merlin looks up. "I've never seen anything of its like before. You say it is intelligent?" Archimedes suddenly snaps his head up as Merlin seems engrossed with examining the sword. Notably, he does not touch it directly. "Merlin. Something's coming. Could be trouble." Merlin looks up, surprised as he looks out the window. "Hmm... He doesn't seem that threatening." Merlin says, cautiously.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' She'd made it, somehow. Following Chita here was no issue. She'd remembered where Merlin's house was in the past, and coming here was their intended goal anyway. For the most part, the conversation passed without her interrupting anything. She just listened, trying to figure everything out. Part of her wanted to talk to Chita some more, maybe Faruja for a bit, but business came first. Of course, more important business was coming, as the owl professed to. It probably wasn't long before it got here. Then again, trouble would be an understatement as to what tended to follow this weapon around...

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja will have to keep thoughts of tea for later. For now, there's evil swords about. When that blade is taken out, Faruja's eye all burn burns into the thing; if looks could kill, the blade would be a smoldering pile of iron right now. The fact that Merlin doesn't know what it is, makes things even worse. "An intelligent blade composed of soul.../hearts/." The rat /really/ hates that term. "I suppose the question is, /what/ is this blade? I know naught of artifacts that may so easily trap hearts. Know ye of any tomes that may enlighten us upon the calming of those within, Honored Magi?"

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin continued on and then raises a hand to pound on the door. "Wizard, I have come seeking your aid." He says as he waits for the door to open. He waits for the door to be answered, trying to ignore the fact that he felt incredibly sickened and the ward pushing against him didnt make the feeling better.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' Merlin gestures towards the door and it opens. It's easier than answering the door with so many people inside at the moment. "So sorry! I cannot come to the door, please come in, sir knight." Merlin responds to Kaydin's arrival. Aerith can slip in behind him should she choose. The door closes behind them afterwards. "Well, aren't we a merry group now." Archimedes comments. Merlin, however, looks back at the strange blade, and taps it with a spoon. It makes a strange 'tak' noise. "The weapon is forged of no metal I know of. It more resembles the chitin of insects if I guess correctly, but far stranger." He looks uover to Kaydin. "How can I help you, child? Please feel free to ask, It's a busy evening." He chuckles, then hums, muttering some words as he waves a wand over the strange white blade, pausing for a short time. "Aaaaah." he says. "Do you hear it?" He asks. In the background, you can hear a low cry, a sussurus of voice. "It's crying out... And you said it seeks vengeance? On the one who is responsible for their state, no doubt..." He pauses. "A terrible situation, but..." He shakes his head. "You cannot calm the hearts within this weapon." He looks over at them with a level gaze. "Because there are none within. This weapon is not full of hearts, it is full of memories. And that is what has been tormenting you all of this time, young Chita."

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith nodded. So that's what she felt all this time. Rage, pain, anger... but nothing as far as any kind of life or energy. It was quite literally empty. The sound that spoon gave when it tapped the sword proved it. But at the same time, such a weapon was quite strong when it came down to it, wasn't it? And then, Kaydin came in. No doubt to ask what to do about his own, very similar situation. She didn't respond to his entrance just yet though, simply sat there and observed.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Kaydin's voice causes Chita to let out an angry little growl of a sound before saying, "I will save you the trouble of letting him explain, Merlin. That was the other thing I had meant to bring to your attention. This idiot made a deal with someone by the name of Garland in exchange for the product of the very research and weapon I was trying to safely dispose of before... to safely save those within. Now he has another version of the weapon, if my assumption is correct, that is going to eat him alive unless he feeds it hearts. ... or someone breaks it away from him." By his tone, he didn't seem happy with Kaydin. Perhaps it was the whole 'voluntarily agreed to it' part. Even if he hadn't started feeding it hearts yet. ... that he knew of. "I shall share my thoughts on hearts later, if you do not mind, Merlin."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin comes in. When asked how he could help him, Kaydin simply holds out a hand. A black blast of energy extends out before solidifying into a blackened key about the size of a sword. The weapon definatly gave off a malevolent air, with a black and yellow keychain. "This keyblade was given to me by the one who calls himself Garland. It is a part of me but demands the hearts of light and the more I deprive it, the weaker I become. Infact simply being in the presence of so many hearts of light is incredibly sickening." Infact the man did look more pale then normal. When Chita speaks, he simply points the weapon. "Keep pushing." He growls out.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith grimaced. Great, here they go again... but the last time she'd tried to break these two up, she'd botched it. Aerith almost wanted to drag them out of the room and tell them to beat each other senseless, but that wouldn't be right. At the very least though, it'd settle things one way or another. She would speak with Chita again about making assumptions... they had no idea what that weapon was or who gave it to Garland. Mayhap he had it all along, waiting to give it to someone. No one would be able to find out, unless either speaking with the man himself, or digging through a certain mad scientist's notes. The second was more feasible. But she wouldn't say anything on it yet.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja is suspicously silent as he listens to the exchange between Chita, Kaydin, and Merlin. He lets out a long sigh. Aerith does get a tail-flick in greetings though. Save me, oh flower girl! "...Put away that foul blade, Kaydin. This is no house for threats. 'Tis one for solutions." No 'Ser' this time. He can all but feel the evil off of both blades. "Memories. What use would memories be within a blade? Doth it merely steal them?" The rat sounds a touch relieved here. Memory-stealing sword is better than soul stealing. It's still Heresy, though.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith shook her head. She spoke at last. "You ever had a grudge you couldn't let go of, Faruja?" She didn't need an answer. "Someone who took something away from you unfairly, without any sort of explanation or reason why?" She opened her eyes and looked at the sword. "That's another form of power. And this sword contains a lot of bad memories, all because of one person."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "Forgiveness is something not easily given, and even if something is forgiven, it isnt forgotten. If this blade has no heart, then there is no compassion within it to try and make peace. Without a soul to see beyond the memories, then all it is truely is those bad experiences. Sounds more like a Darkblade if I ever heard one, Dark knights sometimes use blades filled with bad memories and experiences to amplify themselves, since we become stronger the more we suffer." He says as he looks to the weapon. "Half the training a Dark Knight undergoes is to simply not go mad from the darkblades."

:'''[[Arkham Fisher]] has posed:''' They say that a blade remembers every drop of blood it spills. They drink a lot, though. Events in Merlin's cottage have escalated far beyond Arkham's reach, and quickly. It would serve her best to listen carefully, now; there are those who would find this very interesting. Her report will have to be detailed. So, let's see. She recognizes the dark knight from the unpleasantness at the chapel, and she recognizes his darkness readily enough. A kindred spirit, perhaps. Let him explain himself, then. She will listen, and learn.

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' And then everyone gets aggressive. Merlin stands up, holding up his hands. "Now now, everyone calm down. We can discuss this like civilized people." Merlin tilts his head slightly as he sees the weapon. "Oh my, a Keyblade?" He says, leaning in towards it and peering. "It does appear to be a true Keyblade, but if what you say is true..." He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Poor child. You are in a difficult situation. I cannot condone the path you will take in order to feed this weapon." He turns and nods towards Aerith. "Indeed. This weapon is full of the memories of those who have fallen, and they want justice... or in this case, what passes for justice to it. What you will do with it, of course, is up to you. Convincing it to relent would be much akin to convincing a great host of ghosts for forgive their murderer." He looks back to Kaydin. "You have a dire situation, Keyblade Wielder... But I admit I am at a loss on what you would wish me to do. I have no power over the Heart. Dabbling in such things is dangerous and unwise."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "What I need is for it to not ask for hearts to consume. For that I will need someone who is an expert with keyblades to try and alter this one. If it cannot be done, then I dont know. I know it is about my heart and removal will kill me. Can you aid me wizard, tell me who to seek out?" He says calmly.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' "..." So... all of this mess with this sword has been for nothing? There's not even hearts in it, just... memories? Ghosts of the past and not even real ghosts, just... their memories? He thought about it, then said, "I suppose in that case I will simply use the weapon for the time being, to try and help keep any more atrocities like this from happening. They may want vengeance, their own justice, but I will not give it to them. I'm sure I can at least use the power, however, to bring an end to this all if I can try. How does that sound?" He spoke directly to the weapon before reaching out to grasp the hilt with his bare hand. It was something he hadn't done for some time, not that the cloth made too much of a difference. "It may not be Rhiannons blood, but it's certainly something to satisfy you until then. Doing something to stop others from suffering like you did." Kaydin is ignored for the moment in favor of the weapon.

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith nodded. There, that was the question to ask. Not what to do, because there wasn't much he could do by himself, not about this. The question was who to see, because it was apparent no one here had answers. With that said, she watched as Chita attempted to placate the weapon, something that would certainly be dangerous. She would have tried to reach out for it, but this wasn't something she could deal with effectively. Technically it was in her range of expertise, though. It was why she could answer so easily the question put at hand. And while questions were being answered... "Merlin... I hope you don't mind asking something of my own. May I?"

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' If the weapon has a response for Chita's words, it is not audible to anyone else. Merlin shakes his head. "Don't underestimate the power of a lingering will, young Chita. But do as you will with it, the sword is your burden." Merlin looks to Kaydin. "Much like you, child. Your burden is heavy. I would not presume to understand what arrangement you have made to gain this weapon. From your words you cannot have had it long, and to do this... Well, I do not know of any who can solve your problem. Even the great Yen Sid did not forge Keyblades, or alter them. He was a teacher." Aerith then asks him a question. "Please, child, ask anything you like. Knowledge is meant to be shared." Perhaps a concept that has not spread to his peers.

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "Then tell me how to find this Yen Sid, and I see what he knows. If he is a teacher and knows about these things, perhaps he knows how to remove this thing." Kaydin says before looking about. "I made a deal with one named Garland. I wanted power to protect someone special to me, and I do not care what I sacrifice as long as I can keep them safe. All I have met has given me nothing but suffering and pain. If it would not cause her pain, I could care less if the worlds fell to darkness."

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' She let Kaydin finish. This was important to him, after all. Then Aerith cleared her throat. "I um... I'm not really too proud of what I'm about to say. It was an accident, really." Wait, that sounded like she'd lost some of her confidence. She lowered her head as she considered her words. "I saw into someone's heart while trying to pull them back from the darkness they'd been cast into. Had no idea what I was doing." She sighed. "Might have done more harm than good, because what I saw, I can't unsee. I don't even know if I helped or not while I was in there." She wouldn't tell anyone about it, though. She looked up at Merlin. "There might not even be an answer for this, but I'd like to be able to understand this, maybe even do it again. I've been feeling useless lately, with what all's been going on. But with this, maybe I can..." She shrugged. "I dunno, actually help someone." Because she's certainly done a good job with Chita recently...

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' "No worries, Merlin. I understand that fully, but thank you for telling me any way of it. I do not mean to belittle their memory, only that it seems to be an impression of what they were, not actually them. Similar to my view on killing the undead... those undead who still linger with a purpose I do not think I could kill again, but those that are simply corpses that look like others... I probably could. I am strange, I admit." As Kaydin talks, then Aerith, Chita listens, even if he's paying attention to the sword. "If that is how you wish to be." he says in response, "I cannot stop it. However, that will never happen by my hand. If you remember all that, you also should remember how much I've gone out of my way to avoid letting any death come of it, or you. It will not start nor or in the future. As much as I hate to say it like this, get over it or do not, either way you will not be used to spill her blood or the blood of others. Help me and make the best of it."

:'''[[Zero-One]] has posed:''' Merlin gestures. "Go to the train station. There is a special train that goes to a lone tower. He's closer than you might think... But I cannot guarantee that he will meet with or help you, child. He is far more strict than I am." "You haven't seen the half of what he was like to the King." Archimedes comments from the side of the room. Merlin shrugs. "Everyone was young once." He says. "I remember a young lad who once told me something similar... And he had a dark fate indeed. Good luck, sir knight. You will need it." And then to Aerith, Merlin shakes his head. "No one is useless, child. Do not lose faith in yourself. Believe, and know what you are doing. If it is true and what you really wish, all you can do is follow your path." Merlin simply watches Chita make his declaration. The blade, once again, is silent. Or is it?

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith smiled. "Follow my path, huh...?" Even though that wasn't an answer, or at least a satisfactory one, she could pick up something from it. Maybe there was a way to resolve things with the Viera after all. But never mind that. "Right. I suppose I'll have to find my own way to do it, then. Is that it?"

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' "Then I hope luck is with me." Kaydin says as he turns to Aerith. "He is right. The only time you are truely useless is when you acknowledge yourself as such." He says as he bows before leaving now.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' A small smile comes to Chita's face as something only he can hear is relayed to him. But what? Yet, he acts strange. Chita stops speaking or doing anything and turns his head towards Aerith, a confused expression on his face, then Merlin and the others in the room, Faruja, Arkham and even Kaydin. "..." Apparently it's screwing with his head again in some way. But what, or how?

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Aerith glanced toward Chita for a moment, a brow quirked at his smile... and then blinked. He was looking around the room with an expression as if he wasn't all there. It was the same way he'd looked before... oh, no. She wanted to shake him out of it, but there probably wasn't anything she could do... physically, anyways. "Hey, you with us?"

:'''[[Archimedes]] has posed:''' Archimedes flutters down from his perch. "Well, maybe if you two-legged twits weren't so dag-blasted stubborn, you wouldn't be in this mess!" The owl hoots as he lands on one of the animated dressers. The dresser protests. Archimedes stamps on it for a moment, and the dresser backs down, aware of its position in the great mess. "Now you listen to me and you listen good. Merlin here isn't a box to reach into and pull solutions out of, he's an advisor. An advisor! As in, one who gives advice, one responsible for advising students on academic matters, or a fortune-teller." Archimedes shakes his foot at the group, his big expressive Owl eyebrows waggling up and down. "And he's done that to the best of his admittedly mediocre abilities, so now I'll be stepping in." "You there. You, girl. You want to know what lies inside a Heart, hmm? Think that you'll be any different than Morgan Le Faye or Mad Madame Mim just because your dress isn't open and your eyes are nice and pretty? Wellll, you won't!" Archimedes' feathers flutter around him. "Mark my words - no good can come of messing with that sort of malarkey! It leads to one place, and one place only, and no matter how strong in the Light you are, the minute you start thinking you're good enough to handle that sort of dark power, that's how it gets you! Snap! Wham! Just like a trap closed around your pretty little leg!" "I mean, look at him!" Archimedes waves his leg at Kaydin. "He clearly thought *he* was better. Too good to get your fancy keyblade the right way, eh? Or maybe you were scared that you couldn't make the climb, so you walked over to a terrible, evil thing and shook its hand, and now you want to get out of the consequences la-de-da free as a bird! Well, you won't be. If Yen Sid even can help you, there's no guarantee he will. You want to solve your problems? Maybe you should ask yourself what led you to take such a phoney-balogna deal in the first place, hmmmm?!" "And as for you!" Archimedes whirls around to stare at Chita, "You! ...well...I don't know what to do about you. All I can say is that a man who's willing to admit his mistakes is a far sight closer to the Light than a man blinded by his righteousness." Archimedes spreads his wings. "Well! There you go, then! You wanted your free, fancy, solve-it-all advice from the big advisor! Now go on, get! We've more important things to do, and I can already tell that you're testing Merlin's patience something fierce. Any longer and you're likely to see what happened to the Questing Beast firsthand! You got your fortune cookie platitudes and your hard truths - now shoo!"

:'''[[Aerith]] has posed:''' Well, there it was. If there was no other cue to leave, that was it. However, she wasn't all that pleased with the bird's response. In fact, she felt her ire rising for the thing. But she took in a breath and let it out as slowly as she could. "Right, advice noted." She rose from her seat and stretched out. They still needed to know what to do about Rhiannon. "Chita, whenever you're ready to go."

:'''[[Kaydin]] has posed:''' Kaydin simply listens before looking to Aerith. For a brief moment he seemed unsure, actually unsure on his next course of action. Still he strengthens his resolve and begins to head out one more. The ward pushing him internally only made him leave faster by boat.

:'''[[Chita]] has posed:''' Not seemingly paying attention to anything, when Merlin's pet bird goes on a rant, Chita only half listens to him. He didn't really mind the bird, had to come with the bird if he wanted to deal with Merlin, though his choice of words he didn't much like. But, he couldn't really say much to it due to what the sword had showed him. He... actually grinned a little. "So, that's how it is? That'll work then. Thank you Merlin... and Archimedes." and with that, he stands, takes his stuff(and the sword) and moves to wander out of the place. Incidentally, he doesn't seem to use the stave the same way as when he came in, to avoid bumping into things.

The Cloister of Shiva

2014-03-17T03:18:16Z

Oathkeeper: Oathkeeper moved page Cloister of Shiva to The Cloister of Shiva without leaving a redirect

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/03/16
|Location=Shiva's Cloister
|Synopsis=A group of adventurers make it to the Cloister of Shiva. But what will they find inside?
|Thanks=Lionheart as Shiva
|Cast of Characters=Reize Seatlan, Faruja Senra, Deidra, Skoll Ulfang, Zia, Avira, Violet, Mir Clarence, Shiva
|Tinyplot=A Summoner's Journey
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' Mt. Bur-Omicase. A pillar of stone that rises up among a garden of peeks that all stretch above the clouds, their rocky expanses set as dark contrasts against the pure blue of the distant sky. It's hard to imagine anyone living here, but this is where the Kiltian sect worships in their reclusive temple. The walls of the great structure are carved from the mountain rock. The great towers extend their shadows down onto the turrain below. In the distance, the snowy peek of Mt. Gagazet looms against the skyline. A makeshift city has built up on the mountain, made up of those who have come in pilgrimage to this site, and for others who have no homes to return to. Refugees and religious seem to now call this place home. Creatures of all races dwell here, with modern-day humans working alongside the rarely seen Nu Mou. The most recent addition to these mountain-dwellers seems to be a group of Yevonites, drawn to the ruins that were found here shortly after the fall of the worlds. Along one section of the path towards the mountain, rocky turrain gives way to strange shapes like crystaline trees. These seem to have been plucked from another world and dropped here unceremoniously, all leading towards a crack in the mountain. Frost clings to the rocks, here, and a cold wind blows from deep within the mountain. Priests of Yevon along with researchers from other cultures have made a sort of tent-city outside of the entrance. Some talk excitedly about the prospect of having a summoner enter the temple. The chill of the mountain seems to grow icy here, as if some force from within were freezing it from the inside. It doesn't take long to find the source of this power, though. An ornate set of doors lies just within the cave, itself, blue lines of power inviting only those who hear the song of the Fayth.

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' There are two things working against Zia at the moment. Firstly, it's cold. Second, it's daytime. The cold wouldn't normally be much of a bother to a gargoyle, but her connection to the weather does tend to make her a little more sensitive to it than most. Then again, she looks a bit silly with bare feet and legs while wearing a thicker coat. Gargoyles are strange. For the moment, she's avoiding the throng of Yevonites who seem curious about their expedition, stiffling a yawn as she peeks in at the door to the cloister. "Ah dinnae think Ah'll ever understand all this esper nonsense." She murmurs, her wings stretching slightly before caping on her shoulders. Tail flicking, she glances towards the others, "So, these priests seem familiar wi' the place. Ah imagine it was part of some other world by the look of it. They know anythin' aboot the trials?" After having gone into one already with Skoll, the idea that only summoners might be allowed is a foreign concept.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' This is Mt. Bur-Omicase. Reize had arrived to makeshift city yesterday from his long journey. His arrival was not guided by a map, but instead by trusting an unknown source. This source has been the one that has guided him from the Heartless taking over his homeland to the events today. To this day, Reize has no other reason but to trust this source. More importantly. His pendant has responded to the source within this location. As he traveled closer to the region, his pendant reacted strongly. It was not his will that it responded to, but the will of something else lurking within the halls. It is strange, his pendant has not been illuminating in such of a rapid pulse as it has been today. Reize cannot help but to stare at the ornate set of doors from far off, looking at it in awe. "I don't understand it either," Reize notes to Zia, then he rubs the back of his head sheepishly, "However, it looks like my pendant has been responding to the source here." 

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' A wolfish looking young man is leading a small group of people. Gray hair, wolven ears, and a thick winter coat with a thick fur collar, Skoll is looking a little less gentleman-ish, and more like a young man who belongs in a Host Club. Skoll doesn't really fit in the backdrop of a cold mountain. Not even the less cold regions of this particular mountain range. He came from plains far warmed than these. Yet he's never had trouble staying warm. A wolven tail lazily wags behind him as the werewolf idly plays with one of his gloves' straps at its base. A series of chains hang down from his pants like they usually do, and there's even a pair of looped long chains hanging off of the back of his thick winter coat. You'd think he'd be a mountainclimber... but they use rope. And the metal chains that hang from his back end in darts - not hooks. He knows that people have heard that he'd be coming. And to entertain those who have come, he's brought a present in the form of a chipper little bunny like creature running at the side of his feet. Green in color, with a red gem on its forehead, the Summoned Carbuncle remains close to the werewolf even as he comes to a halt at the gates. "I understand it." Skoll answers Zia, and kneels down in front of the entrance in order to pick up Carbuncle. "In my world, the Ancestors held a great importance. They were worshipped, and for good reason." He explains. "As for these people. From what I understand by now, they come from a world name Spira? I believe your friend Deidra knows more about this." The werewolf turns towards the rest of those who have come with them. He notices Reize's pendant of course, and a mildest of frown appears on his expression for but a moment. After all. A year ago, he had joined the Shard Seekers merely to obtain that treasure.

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Day Light, it's something she's missed. Thanks to something Zia did she got to enjoy it normally for a time. However to her body clock it's like being up in the middle of the night for a human. She's got a thermos with her full of coffee which she's taking a drink from. Just to keep her from beign too sluggish. It's been said Civilization didn't run on Oil, nay that it runs on coffee. She finds herself agreeing with this line of thought. With the coffee consumed she returns the thermos to a hitch on her belt. She yawns a bit giving the world a view of fangs and pushes on. Hopefully she'll be able to lend Skoll a hand. She had been the one to find this place after all she wanted to see things through to the end. "They sound like the best ones to ask." She smiles seemingly able to keep going, Reize meanwhile looks over at him for a moment. "Been a while Rieze." She takes a moment to brings her wings about her body like a cloak, so she doesn't end up catching them on anythign as they go further in.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' It has been quite a bit of time since Avira was last here, in fact. This is due to an incident she had involving Garland near this most holy of places. At the time, she struck first and had appeared to slay the ancient evil. Avira knew better-that a single blow from her could not stop him, the priests had treated this act of violence with great offense. Nevertheless, Avira is low-key in her movements and does not announce her presence. Attendence today was solely based on assisting Skoll in another one of his quests to recruit a summon. She did remember the Cloister of Phoenix after all. The snow does not bother her. Avira has dressed warm enough for the occasion in slightly heavier leather armor and a leather longcoat.

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' Walking alongside Reize was Mir. She wore a heavier coat that stopped at about her thighs, but looked warm enough. They'd taken a look before, but now here they were again. "..." She glanced at Zia, listening as the gargoyle spoke. ...Of course, she knew nothing about esper trials, so it was better for her to stay quiet. A lot of these people looked like they'd been around the bend more than their fair share of times. ...And then there was herself. Ah, why was she here again? Right, to make sure the idiot with the yelow scarf didn't get himself killed. Of course. The girl rubbed her arms a bit as she slowed down, eyes drawn to that summoned spirit hanging around Skoll. "....Cute." She muttered to herself, unconsciously smiling a little more than she otherwise would have. After a few moments, Mir snapped out of her trance and glanced off at the temple gates, frowning a bit. "...Everything is going to go wrong, isn't it?" She mumbled, asiding to Reize mostly, but audible enough for others to hear.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' "Espers art servant-spirits of Holy Faram, given to our ordained Summoners in order to destroy the corrupt and wicked." 'Helpfully' answers one Faruja Senra. The Burmecian, despite any and all calls to do the opposite, is fully dressed in parade uniform. He couldn't be more Glabadosian if he tried, light shining off of his golden armor. The death-glares he offers many of the Yevonites, however, is softer than usual. It seems, for Skoll's sake, he's /trying/. The Kiltians, however, are treated much more respectfully. They, at least, seem to worship fAram in some incarnation. Like slightly crazy uncles, these ones. Still, he's here, just behind Skoll and near Reize and Zia. "...Though I suppose the Heret...ahem, /Yevonites/ may well know something."

:'''[[Violet]] has posed:''' Yet another Shard Seeker. Though if anything, those that belong to the Shard Seekers Guild are anything but ordinary. Violet is one of them. The princess in hiding rests a hand lightly on the hilt of the blade at her hip, out of habit perhaps, as she follows the others. Her cloak billowing lightly behind her while her gaze glances around their surroundings.

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' The white gargoyle opens her mouth to say something, only to find whatever her comment is cut off by Faruja's explination of things. It wouldn't do much good to point out that this cloister certainly isn't part of his world, nor the fact that Skoll is hardly an ordained anything, buuuuttt... she's learned to leave well enough alone, and just nods once, offering the mouseling a small smile. "Aye, somethin' like tha. Ah suppose Ah'm just nae used te all the fuss around one wee lil' thing." Her eyes find Reize's pendant, which often reminds her of her own. Though the two might be different, it's still the sort of thing that leads her in various ways. "Maybe there's somethin' there for ye te find, too. Who knows. These places are a wee bit confusin." Her gaze slips past him towards Mir, head tilting. "Ah dinnae know if we've met. Ah'm Zia." She offers, inclining her head. "The one who tries, but usually fails te keep te male Shard Seekers outta trouble." As for Skoll, "Speak of the devil. Ye ready for this?" She asks, shruging back into her coat slightly. Ah dinnae know if Shiva will be quite so nice as yer other summons." The gargoyle crouches and reaches out to give Carbuncle an affectionate scratch - as if he were some sort of pet.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Skoll keeps his hand to the gate as he looks at the others. Reize was being drawn to this place as well. So certainly, there was more to the threads of the world that intertwined everyone. Like hearts, bound together by a red string of fate. "No need to be /that/ pessimistic." There werewolf has wolf-like hearing, as his race might imply. "Don't worry..." Mir. He hasn't learned her name yet. "Whatever may come, will come. But we're amongst friends. We can weather anything." Faruja's attempt at tactfulness, though failing here and there, is appreciated by the werewolf. He knows that the Burmecian has some /firmly/ set beliefs, and that it's difficult to sway him from thinking otherwise. But yet still, he is here helping them. "In our world, the 'Espers' were nobody's but their own." Espers, Aeons, Eidelons, Guardian Force, Summons, Calls, Ancestors... they all come down to the same beings, inheriting memories from a strange world. He looks uChuuuu.". Skoll keeps holding the little beast and glances over at Avira, smiling at her. It's an obvious 'thank you for common'. The werewolf then turns and sets Carbuncle down onto the ground - which hops off towards Mir - and lays his hands to the doors and pushes, opening them and moving inside. "To adventure!"

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' Reize, oddly enough, had been dressed for the wintry weather. His red shirt had been replaced with a fur-covered red top along all sides. His gauntlets has some fur lining along it. Even his boots have the fur lining against it. It gives the boy a wooly look. Reize cannot help but to glance over at Carbuncle out of curiosity. Yet, Faruja's description earns a glance over. "Oh, I see!" "Spirits that crush the corrupt and wicked." He then frowns as he sees the glances Faruja exchanges with the Yevonites, "Errr, perhaps we could ask them as well." A wave is extended towards Deidra, "Ooiii! It has been a while!" And of course, he sees Avira, "Oooi, Avira!" The boy beams, then he looks over at Zia with a subdued smile, "Perhaps. It could explain the feeling here." A glance is given to Mir, "Oh, come on. With us all around, this shouldn't go too bad." Reize isn't running off without them and getting chased by giant crabs this time. The boy frowns at Zia's remark on keeping the male members out of trouble, "Hey! Trouble finds us!" He sticks his tongue out at her playfully. Then, he turns to face Skoll, "... We can do this, Skoll!" He takes a moment to look back at Violet, "Glad you could make it! It looks like we are in for an interesting adventure, here!" As Skoll chimes out, Reize lifts a hand into the air, "To adventure!!!"

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' A harsh wind blows from within the temple, cold enough to make breathing difficult. It certainly isn't a warm greeting. What might have once been beautifully, ornately carved walls are now frozen over with ice. Statues of former summoners line the entryway, their faces obscured by a layer of snow. It seems as if this place has gotten more inhospitable since it's arrival here atop the mountain, or perhaps it is the visitors that are being shown just how unwelcome they are. The floor is layer of ice, which leads to a set of equally dangerous stairs which descend into the temple below. Those who have steady feet might be able to make it down if they are careful, but the others are in for a bumpy ride down the stairs. The temple, itself, is a wide-open room, with three levels. The upper level has a door on the far end, but the path seems to drop off suddenly - which is the likely end-result for anyone who slipped. Luckily, there's a pile of snow below to keep them from being injured. On the lower level, there are icy spires as well as what seem to be pillars meant to support the missing upper paths. Oddly, it appears as if some things may have already been moved around inside the temple. Who could have been there before them? Whomever it is, it appears as if the puzzle has been completed half-way and then left. The hymns heard above are silent here. The entire place seems eerie. Breath hangs in the air. It's quiet. A little too quiet. There are patches of ice on the middle-level of the temple, which seem to be there to push around small pedestals. The glow from one of the spheres still illuminates one that seems to be stopped halfway by a pile of snow. Strange, how could snow have stopped it from moving?

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra now all wired off with some caffeine Deidra is looking a bit more animated at this point. "I shall keep it simple the Fayth or as some might call them an Esper. They are powerful creatures of magic which certain people are able to make pacts with to summon them. Summoners go from temple to temple attempting to form pacts with the known Fayth on a Pilgrimage which is an attempt to learn the final summon and confront an being known as Sin which has ravaged Spira for a 1000 years and force it into a calm for a time." That should hopefully explain thing as she falls in with Skoll and everyone else moving to get the iTome she's taken to using, also it has other handy things on it like a local map. She enters with the otehrs and things look well cold it does bother her a bit but it does help keep her awake as she looks at the puzzel ahead.

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' Mir looked towards Zia and nodded in return. "H-Hello..." She replied, looking a bit uncertain. All of these people were dangerous, weren't they? That was the thought at the forefront of her mind. But nonetheless, she managed to stand for herself and smile a little. "I'm Mir. I...travel around and sell stuff." That was said a bit sheepishly, finger scratching at her cheek lightly. The girl blinked at the mention of Shard Seekers though and tilted her head slightly. "Oh, so you're in the group too? I didn't see you when I hired them last." And then she looked the white gargoyle up and down briefly, a hand on her chin in thought. "...You look mildly more capable than this moron here at least." Mir jerked a thumb in Reize's direction at that, smiling at the boy's expense. And she wasn't disapointed as he did what he did best and bluster confidently without any basis. As they entered, Mir glanced at Skoll briefly, a bit intimidated by his appearance. Dude looked like a thug! "....Um....right. Well, I-" She didn't get to finish, as her feet met ice. "Huh? Wait whawahwahwaaaaaaaaa-!" FLOOMPH. The girl went sliding comically across the ice ahead of the others and then crashing right into a pile of snow...which then fell down and covered her completely.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Zia's efforts at least have Faruja's burning gaze of intolerance softening, the group slowly cooling his head as they head in. He peers about, pulling his robes closer as the chill bites to the bone. Unwelcomed indeed. Soon enough, the rat's glowing white, as if in defiance of all that surrounds him. Sometimes he can be petulant like that when confronted by the beliefs of others. Reize though, finally brings a smile from the rat. "Ahh, but methinks Reize hath the right idea! Let us allow naught to deter our passage, for our cause here is holy (...Dear Lord tell me 'tis so, Skoll) and just! The honored Esper shalt surely see our intentions art pure." Surely. When there's an ice floor, however, Faruja smartly draws his spear. Using it almost like a crutch, he stabs it into the ground to avoid slipping too much. Stab-walk-stab-walk. "And Sister Henrietta said I should hath learned to use a sword." Then Mir goes skidding. Faruja hides a snicker. "Art ye alright, M'Lady?" Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. He offers a hand to anyone who needs it. Stick-walk!

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira grins and gives a salute to Skoll in response to that smile. Casually, she slips her gloved hands into her coat's pockets-that is until she gets close enough to Carbuncle. Unless Carbuncle bounces away, she picks up the summon and gives it an enthusiastic hug. Her cheek rubs against the top of its furry head. Stoically, she puts Carbuncle down. "Hello Reize." Avira smirks at him. "Are you supposed to be here for Skoll or did you run into him along the way?" She teases. Onward they go and right away, Avira notices that the floor is entirely covered in ice. How does she notice this? By immediately slipping and falling down the /entire/ flight of stairs. When the others catch up with her at the bottom, she's already picking herself up and casting a basic healing spell on herself. "So it looks like we've got a block-pushing puzzle on our hands." Avira says casually and in a manner betraying prior experience with block pushing puzzles. Such a thing was pretty much required for adventurers in the World of Ruin.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Skoll listens to Deidra as he steps in, pulling his collar a little closer up along his neck to stay warm. "A Pilgrimage?" It echoes with how things had been for him and his people. His father had made them all travel along the lands. Partially to ensure a rich food source - they were nomads after all. But they went through a harsher path when his father found out that he - his son - was an Unlimited. He'd known what that meant. Skoll, not so much. When they move through the main room, the werewolf takes a moment to stop and look at the statues of the summoners. He finally continues on to the stairs, turns around, and faces them all. It takes him a few moments to recall, but eventually he moves one arm over the other, and makes the Yevonite gesture, along with the bow. The werewolf has respect for those who came before him. And he 'thanks' them for creating an opportunity like this. "I should learn more about these people." Skoll notes. He's hardly likely to become a Yevonite. But there's nothing wrong with perhaps helping people destroy a great beast. He's of course unaware about the whole Final Summon thing, and the sacrificing. And everything else that entails. Finally, he descends down the stairs by putting one foot before the other and slides down while crossing his arms. He just patiently lets the ice slide him down to the ground. Before he gets to the edge, he naturally slows down. That doesn't help those who might pass him by and go tumbling down into the snow below of course. --- Carbuncle in the meantime, was trying to get Mir's attention. Of course, this meant first being subjected to Avira's warm snuggle. And the little Esper responds possitively by nuzzling back against her cheek like a cat. When he's put down, he heads over towards Mir, who by that point is at the stairway. And when she ended up slipping and rushing down, it quickly jumps on. Which ends up following into Carbuncle 'surfing' on Mir's belly, one paw forwards, one paw backwards. "Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" And when they finally drop down into the snow, it jumps and ends up landing on Mir's head. "Chu-chuuuu!" It raises its paws. (Ta-daaaa!) --- "You alright down there?" Skoll calls on down to the others who weren't as lucky. Indeed, it looks like they have another block-puzzle on their hands. But the /state/ in which it is in... "Well, there looks to be only one sphere." He notes. It's at the mid-level though. Surely there's someone closer to it than him.

:'''[[Violet]] has posed:''' Violet... hadn't seen the ice... at all. Or if she had, she saw it at the last minute. Just like Avira, she falls down the steps, sliding across the ice down the stairs, to land in the snow in a heap with Avira. At the bottom she groans and rolls over. "Ow..." she murmurs.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' Oh man, it is a good thing that Reize dressed for the weather. If he did not, he would be a lot colder than he was already. However, it is still bone-chilling given that the ability to breathe is difficult. Reize gazes at all of the ice-covered walls and then the statues, "... I d-d-d-don't think that a-a-anyone has been h-h-here in a while." Reize shivers with a grimace, but he shakes his head and moves to bear it. Reize coughs, "Ran into him along the way! I didn't get lost this time! ... I was following something." While they walk along the layered floor, Reize tries to tread carefully along the solid ground. The stairs are very slippery. Reize has to keep his steps pretty accurate. One wrong move and he may end up rolling down the stairs. ---like Mir and Violet. Reize /winces/ at the sight, trying to keep a careful step, but a bit hurried. "Violet, Mir!" He finally makes it down upon the patch of snow. "Are you guys alri--..." His eyes fall upon the temple itself as a wide area. "Whoa..." Reize glances over towards the icy spires and pillars. This seems odd. Something seems off about the spot, but Reize is not sure what. As he looks around the area, Reize can feel the chills of the silence. Nevertheless, his attention focuses on Mir and Violet. "Don't worry, you two! We can do this! No ice shall defeat us here!" He pumps a fist into the air with a look of determination. ...Is that fire in his eyes? 

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' The information about 'Sin' just leaves Zia standing there with a blank look on her features. In her mind, the whole thing translates as: Oh, by the way, there's another 'big bad' out there you need to keep an eye out for. Oh, and it might eat your boyfriend. Her ears tuck down slightly. "Nice te know." She looks at Carbuncle then, "Multi-talented little things ye are, huh?" That said, Zia is on her feet, offering a rueful sort of smile towards Mir. "Ye'd be surprised wha feats the lad can manage from time te time." Though the boy can have his moments, she's loyal enough to the cause. Besides, stories of small animals hijacking Reize with his ahoge make for good tavern conversation. As some others go sliding on the icy floor, Zia's feet slip just slightly, but not enough to have her following them down. In fact, she grabs onto a passing statue to get her footing. "Ah dinnae think Shiva is happy te see us." Dropping down onto all fours, Zia uses her talons to latch onto the ice as she makes her way down, peeking over the edge towards those in the snow-drift. "Doesnae look like there's a good way across. The wind's too harsh for glidin, 'n Ah dinnae see any good place for a climbin' hook.

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Oh look ice, she's got talons on her feet. What does she got to worry about, it's not like she can slip, right? She's wrong for soon she's not only slipped but is now going for a bit of ride on the ice and off over the edge into a snowdrift. There's a plume of snow and one snow covered gargoyle head poking out of it a moment later. "...I meant to do that really!" Direct hit to the pride and it looks like it's been sunk. She's pulls herself out of the snow shakes her self off and move to follow after the group looking quite embarrassed as she does so. She looks at the party coughs for a moment. "So who knew they had Russia in a bottle here." She's taking a look around as she moves to recover a little bit from her little spill, her tail gives away though she's annoyed given how it's twitching. "Agreed, I'd not try flying over that myself...I don't think I have enough mastery of my powers to form a bridge..."

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' There was a moment of silence, and then a gloved hand thrust through the snow, followed by the rest of Mir's body. "Reize Seatlan, I swear to god I will throw you off a ledge if you say another word." She grumbled, glaring at Carbuncle as well, but that only lasted a second before she sighed and shook her head. "At least one of us had fun." She mumbled, managed a small smile for the creature. That said, she picked the esper up and set it aside before attempting to stand. "...Huh?" Feeling her foot bump against something, Mir looked back behind her and into the snow pile. "What's this?" Reaching back in, she pulled out some sort of belt pouch. "...?" It felt slightly weighed down. Was there something inside? Curious now, Mir opened the pouch to see just what it was. "Huh..." It looked to be some manner of sphere. Purple and glass-like. But why was it under there? Did someone lose it "Uh, you guys?" The girl called out to the others, holding up the sphere slightly. "Any of you know what this thing is?" Because she sure as hell didn't.

:'''[[Violet]] has posed:''' Violet grumbles for a short moment, her eyes turning to Mir beside her first and for another moment she's thankful she hadn't landed on top of her. Though her reply to Reize /is/ amusing. She chuckles once and she pushes herself up. "Ignore him. He's always like that." she answers Mir with a smile. As the sphere is found... Violet frowns to herself and moves a little closer, inspecting it. "Odd..."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira examines the block puzzle from afar, the woman zeroing in on the drift that seems to be blocking some of the clearly movable pillars (see they are a slightly different color than the background pillars meaning that they are objects that can be interacted with!) Mentally, she starts pushing the blocks around, not touching anything, but just thinking. Then Mir holds up a spherical object with a purple hue. Avira looks thoughtful. "Well, it's either a piece of materia or a key. We had to put spheres in pillars, if I'm remembering correctly."

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Sniff sniff. Faruja's comments stop almost immediately, as the scent of burning enters his nose. He shivers, and not from the cold, the rat's hand immediately going to his eye. Taking a deep breath, he's suddenly glad for Shiva's unwelcome. Maybe it's a sign from the Lord? Steeling himself, he follows the scent, peering downwards. "Mmm...'tis as though someone hath attempted to tamper with the local mechanisms." Calls out the rat to the others, indicating a charred wall upon the lower level. It's as though in a fit of rage, they used the wrong sphere! With that, he leaps down to investigate! Dragoon powers go!

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' "Shiva never really... clicked well with me." Skoll comments, giving a bit of backstory. "It was a really cold winter when we ended up meeting. And I do have to say... back then... I found her incredibly attractive." "I think I was too young at the time. Stumbling over my words and everything." Can you imagine it? Young little 'cub' Skoll, blustering and flustered in front of Shiva? Ears folded down. Stupid blush on his face. Barely able to get a word in edge-wise. Right, Hati did tell him not to tell Zia about that. But he doubts Zia will punch him for that. The werewolf inches forwards a little to glance over the edge, and gets to watch Carbuncle being taken off of Mir's head and set into the snow. The little thing doesn't take long before it's sniffing the purple sphere made out of a glass like material. "Looks like one of those spheres that blows up walls." Skoll notes. A destruction sphere? "At least, that's what one of those did in Carbuncle's place." Carbuncle Chu?" Headtilt. "We're certainly not the first people here though." Skoll mentions. /That/ much he feels he can tell. "I wonder how long it's been." He'd have a hard time smelling them though. This cold is making it hard to breathe, so he is trying to only breathe through his mouth. Faruja then calls his attention to the burnt wall. "Mir, maybe try tossing that sphere over to Faruja, so he can try it out?" He offers, before he jumps on down to the second (mid) level, and starts to approach the snow-drift area with Avira.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' Mir's threat earns a wilted look from Reize. His antenna hair flops low as well, "...You know how to bring a guy down, Mir." A river of comical tears flow along his eyes. Even Violet recommends for Mir to ignore him! He huffs and sticks his tongue out at both of them! Hmph! The feigned indignantion lasts only but a moment. The strangest thing that seems to continue are the hymns. Reize had been listening to the others most of the time, but he could not help but let his mind wander to the voices singing the hymn. "Wow... that sounds beautiful." Mir's discovery brings Reize back into attention, "Huh?" He turns to see the fairy as she reveals a purple, glass-like sphere. "I don't know, actually." He peers at the object, "Maybe it's a key here?" And Avira sheds light on what they would likely have to do. "Oh! Well, then, we should put the spheres on the pillars." The forest hunter smiles, "This should be simple!" He reaches his hands out for the sphere, but Skoll recommends for Mir to give it to Faruja. Reize deflates, "Awww..." Denied to try a puzzle! Then he muses, "I suppose Faruja would be best for this." He rubs the back of his head, "He can jump pretty high!" 

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra sees some people are ahead of her on figuring out the puzzel here, that's all right. The Imporant thing is they are able to get past these tests, collectively right? She's looking to Faruja as he mounds away ahead, he's a dragoon after all and can jump better than she can fly really. So she's going to keep to the mid level as she follows after Skoll and Avira.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' The lower level of the cloister seems smaller than the others, as if entire chunks of the floor were missing. Some glyphs down here have already been lit. There is clearly a spot for the pillar up above to fit into, and glowing lines tat seem to suggest, yet again, that the puzzle has been partially completed. More than that, there are footprints here in the snow. They look like they were made by some large animal pacing back and forth. Someone was frustrated. There are claw-marks in the walls. The snow drift looks quite unusual, even at a distance. The moment that Skoll begins to move the snow out of the way, it would become clear why. A frozen hand creepily sticks out of the snow, clawed fingers clenched around something. It wouldn't take long to uncover what is clearly the body of a werewolf. He looks a bit younger than Skoll, and has clearly been here a while. Unfortunately, this is also a trap. Hidden underneath the snow is a small magical device, which when exposed... glows briefly, before lashing out and sending a shockwave along the middle level of the cloister. It causes ice to crack in some areas, and the corpsicle of the werewolf to fall over, allowing the pedestal to continue on it's way... Hey look, it's heading down the ramp lower level.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "I helped Skoll in the Cloister of Phoenix a while back. It too had puzzles to challenge the applicant." When it is mentioned that the purple orb might be a destructive thing, she flinches when it is tossed to Faruja. When he doesn't explode in a shower of rat and heritic-smiting power, she lets out a sigh of relief. "Maybe it works differently in this cloister. They each seem to have their own thing, no?" Following after Skoll to investigate the mysterious snowdrift, she seizes up when a frozen body is uncovered. A sick feeling gathers in her stomach as she gingerly helps move the werewolf out of the way, unaware of the trap hidden beneath. Strange, that shockwave didn't feel like it physically hurt her at all. "We'll have to bury him later." Avira mutters as she follows the descending pedestal.

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' Still playing 'look out' on the upper level, Zia flicks her tail as she looks across towards the doors. They'd have to find a way to re-build the pathway across. It isn't the first time that they'd encountered puzzles that required certain actions to allow them to move forward. There's probably a whole chapter on it in the walkthrough. "It looks like we needte somehow get energy te the two pillars." She suggests, and then looks down just intime to see Skoll uncovering something creepy from the snow. "Alright, glad Ah'm up here now." She shivers. The distraction of the sight below is enough to make the sudden blast catch her off-guard. One foot slips, then her claws scramble, and then... *whoomp* Down Zia goes into the snow-drift below. Two eyes blink from the snow, and then she starts trying to dig her way out of it, coming out looking like the abominable snow gargoyle. "Uhm... Does he look like he's holdin somethin?" She asks, keeping well away from the frozen wolf. The thought of trying to get whatever it is... kind of turns her stomach. "Somethin is seriously wrong here."

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' Mir glanced at Violet, who'd unwillingly joined her in her slippery trip into the snow. "...Hehe, I know. I've had to deal with the idiot for a little while now." There was a pause as the fairy sized up the other girl. "...Who are you anyway? You seem pretty familiar with him." She narrowed her eyes and leaned forward a tad, their faces in closer proximity. "...I didn't know that moron had a girlfriend. You must either be patient, or you /really/ lost a bet. Which is it?" Mir's attention was drawn to Avira then and she straightened up, nodding slightly. "So you've been to a similar place before?" She knew was Materia was, not that she used it herself, but it didn't seem likely. So it must have been the latter. "I wonder where it gets used then..." The girl mumbled, looking about curiously, not minding Carbuncle too much. She listened as Skoll explained what the purpose of the where could possibly be. "Hmm...Well okay." Not like she needed it for anything. "Faruja! Catch!" She called out and then she tossed the sphere over towards him. After that was done, the fairy turned to look and see what Skoll was doing once more...to find him revealing a creepy frozen hand. "....Ergh! Ew! What the heck!?" The following activation of the magic trap caused the girl to trap and fall back onto her behind as the ice cracked, sending the frozen corpse tumbling away and the pedestal sliding down to the lower level. "....!" Not about to go taking crash ride down below, Mir focused, quickly willing her wings out, which they did. Extending from her back and taking on a green glow, the girl took flight, staying aloft in the air. "...What's with this place!?" She complained loudly as she lowered herself to the lower level, after the ensuing fiasco.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Catch! Mir's throw is pretty accurate, and the ratling once again takes a look down below. "Down 'tis, the..." Pause. That is a woofcicle. Faruja shivers a bit. He's seen corpses before, but someone being so utterly frozen in a temple? All it does is confirm everything he's thought about this place, and the the Yevonites too. Nope, no exploding Avira. Or any freezing either! There's a shockwave, though, and the ratling deftly makes his leap to avoid it! He floats into the air in his jump, hanging for a while as that corpse-pillar goes downwards. Only when it plops into place does he finally land! Skitter. Skitter skitter stab! Only thanks to his sphere does he not end up on his butt, instead very nearly slipping on his landing. He ends up wit one foot in the air, tail downwards to balance himself. "...Do be careful, Sers and Dames!" Bloody ice physics! "Wish me luck. Lord save us from darkness..." With that, he'll put it into the nearest, lower-level slot. One within the pillar that just came down, perhaps? "He shalt be suitably buried, Lady Avira, Lord rest his soul. I know a few funerary rites." He'll be darned if he lets a few Yevonites take care of /that/.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' When the snow drift clears and a hand come visible - holding on to something - Skoll immediately backs off. He may be an adventurer, but corpses still freak him out. But far more than that, he recognized the young one. "Muninn...?" Skoll whispers just before his eyes lock on the magical device... and ends up being thrown straight back by the sudden mild explosion that rips through the middle level of the Cloister. Skoll /firmly/ falls onto his ass and skids a ways back. Like flashes; in that moment, things start coming to him. The footsteps. The clawstrikes. The half-finished puzzle. "No..." He utters, his eyes wide in surprise and... partially disgust. But he's supposed to be dead! Destroyed with his world! He starts getting up, and looks around at the others. Should he really let them get involved in this? In getting involve with... /him/?! Who knows if that beast is still here? It's easy to tell that he's nervous. But what's more, he's tempted to ask the others to leave right now. But Muninn had also been carrying something. It could be another trap. But it could also be something they need to carry on. So, Skoll kneels down besides the displaced corpse, and hangs his head. "You didn't deserve this kind of fate..." He reaches out towards Muninn's hand.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' On one hand, Reize is doing pretty well, trying to get adjusted to the place. On the other hand, well, the situation proves a bit worse for wear when Skoll manages to move the snow out of the way to reveal a frozen hand. His antenna hair shoots up, shaking in fear as the boy steps back, "Gah!" His eyes widen with a shocked look at the sight of the frozen corpse of the werewolf. ...And then a trap activates. There is a glow. "Everyone! Watch ou---OOOF!" Unfortunately, Reize is one of those that is caught by the vicinity of the devastating shockwave. It bowls through him, causing the ice to crack in the area. The impact sends Reize flying across the ground, "Whoaaaaaa!" Reize is knocked over towards one of the edges where the ice has cracked and the corpse tumbles away. It seems like everything has stopped. "...Okay, I think we're...." Crack. "...good?" The ground along Reize cracks and shatters. And the boy falls. "Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!" There is a heavy thud on the ground. "I'm okay..." Reize is now on the lower level of the cloister. He rolls along the ground, holding his stomach in pain. "Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow." He grimaces, sucking in a breath. As he looks up, he can see a few lit glyphs and a pillar. "It looks like there was a puzzle here as well!" Reize shouts.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' As Reize goes tumbling to the lower floor there is a moment of good luck. Just... not for him. He ice and snow fall just next to the pedestal, knocking it sideways and sending it right along the path into the pillar, where it neaty slots into place. A green light spirals up along the pillar, activating it, high above. On the highest level of the cloister, a platform of ice appears out of nowhere, extending the path halfway to the door. Success! Right?! Of course, the weight of the pathway being formed above causes some more snow and ice to fall... right on top of Reize. Poor guy just can't get a break. As for what the frozen wolf seems to be holding, it is two-fold. The most obvious thing is a glowing green sphere. It must be the one that can be used in the pillar there on the middle-level to complete the walkway. However, there's also something else. Between his fingers is a clump of dark fur. Far too familiar dark fur for a certain werewolf summoner.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' "I'm still okay!" ...Reize's voice is a tad pitch higher. He's alive. Right? ...Right.

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' Mir touched down onto the ground beside Reize, smirking to herself as the boy doubled over in pain. "It's okay Reize! You just need to believe in yourself and the bonds of your friends! You can do it!" This was all said in an imitation of the boy's own 'inspiring voice' for the express purpose of mocking him.

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra is pressing on she's being wary now she's making sure to use her talons to keep from losing her footing. This still does ngo well something is comming it'a a trap and it goes off. She's caught in the effect and has a thin layer of ice forming on her she's force to shake it off and she's shivering now. "ugg this is not my day." Oh heavnes more Puzzel and then she sees Skoll knows the frozen werewolf and frowns. "I'm Sorry Skoll..." The connection that Skoll knew the dead person is enough to snap her out of any self pitty. She checks her iTome for a moment and then Reize goes for a dive, she's about to go ate rhim however he seems to be all right, okay he's alive. "Reize do you need a hand?"

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Sigh. Faruja just shakes his head, and starts to help dig out Reize from the snow. "...At least the snow broke thine tumble." The rat sounds just a little amused. For all of five seconds. An ear perks. The Burmecian doesn't comment, as the corpse turns out to be someone Skoll knows, and likely very closely if his tone is any indication. He might make an exception here if Skoll wants a Yevonite funeral for the man.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "You knew this one?" Avira sounds shocked as she watches Skoll's reaction. She didn't want to assume that something as silly as all werewolves knowing each other was true. Skoll has mentioned that betrothed was a golden-furred werewolf from another tribe in the past. Clearly others existed. But seeing this corpse here, clearly having been alive at one point, was just too sad to see. She doesn't make any move to touch the corpse now or to remove the object from its hand. Skoll can-and should-handle that himself. Instead, she follows, holding back a laugh as Reize is assaulted by snow.

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' Despite that though, Mir knelt down and pressed her hands against his shoulders, facing him from the front. "Don't be too much of an idiot, okay?" She mumbled, emanating a soothing energy. Not quite a healing spell, but it should be enough for this level of tumble. "You still need to complete your own trial, don't you?" She glanced off at the pillar that was activated after that and smiled a tad. "At least that's one part of the puzzle down."

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Once poor Reize is unburied, Faruja squints at the orb. With a deep breath, he walks up to the charred wall. "Back, everyone, if ye please." He gives them all a moment, before sticking in the sphere. Then, he makes a leaping dragoon-dive backwards into a roll, just in case is tries to explode in his face. He's already had enough traps for one evening.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' As Faruja places the orb into the wall socket, a purple line lights up. Whomever was looking for the treasure was clearly looking in the wrong place. The line snakes around to the edge of the lower level, where a small chunk of ice breaks free, revealing a treasure chest. Score.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Skoll finds the second sphere, and very carefully pries it out of Muninn's hand. This man had been loyal to his father for so long. What could possible have happened that this one would have turned on his father. Or... had his father simply gone completely off the deep end? The werewolf faintly nods, a little in shock and out of it, when Deidra gives her condolences. He leaves the shred of werewolf fur alone, and lets out a long sigh. "So it's true... he's alive." You'd think that Skoll would be the first person to get excited at one of his race being alive. But here lies a corpse, also one of his race; a race he thought almost entirely exterminated. But they'd been killed not by that destruction. But by one of his own. He looks up at Avira when she comments about him knowing this one. "Muninn. One of my father's loyal followers. One might even have called him his eyes and ears in the wilderness of my former world." So he explains. His voice is sad. "This is the last place I'd thought I'd find him. And least of all... like this." He closes his eyes and keeps his head held down for a moment, before lifting it to the skies and letting out a sorrowful howl. A sorrowful howl, commemorating a fallen one of his race. It echoes through the icy halls, filled with Skoll's feelings. After all, all werewolves of his pack had been - at least in some way - family. Only then, does the young man stand up, picking up the sphere, and tries to look down for any slots that logically still need to be filled.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' And, as Skoll manages to find the remaining sphere slot on the middle level, the other pillar lights up, completing the pathway above. Time to trek back to the upper level and make their way into the chamber of the esper herself.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' The Good: Reize may have incidentally solved a puzzle completely by accident. The Bad: Reize's well-being may have been a sacrifice in order to solve the puzzle to its proper place. As Reize is managing to get onto his knees, a shadow looms over the boy. His eyes lift up to see the source--- ---oh hi snow---wait what?"ACCCKK!!!" Thwack! The snow and ice collapses on Reize, sending him face planted to the patch of snow beneath him. This is not one of the days that he can get a break. Mir's comment earns a frown as comical tears roll along his eyes, "...So mean..." His antenna hair looks like it gotten a beating. As Faruja and Mir help dig him out of the mess. The fairy's healing magic helps Reize get back to a nominal strength; it's warm and alleviating to the harsh coldness of the weather. "Thanks..." He smiles towards Faruja, and then Mir. A glance is given to Deidra, "They managed to get me out, thanks!" ...However, his eyes drifts upward to see Skoll with someone. He has heard a bit of the somber voices. ... And then, that somber howl. Reize lowers his head from the lower level, "...Skoll..." The youth feels horrible for his friend. He will allow Skoll the time to grief. After the moment, Reize looks up to see a light emanating from the pillars. Reize looks over towards Mir, "Time to meet up with the others." 

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' It was hard to figure out how much of what was going on was actually Shiva's ill will, and what seemed to be leftovers from whomever had tresspassed before. There were plenty of reasons that she might be angry at him - from stumbling juvenile flirting to the whole 'dark esper' thing, but the sight of another werewolf being frozen down here seems to suggest there is more to the story. "Do ye think... he might have found his way here?" She asks in a quiet voice, taking a few steps closer to the werewolf. As he goes on to explain the connection between this wolf and Odin, it only seems to affirm her fears. "His father is trying to get to the espers before we do." Zia looks across towars Avira, expression serious. Then, the wolf howls, and her ears tuck back. Something within her stirs, but other than the goosebumps she tries warm away from her arms, Zia does little else but lower her head. Walking to the edge, she looks down and calls out to the others. "Come on up. Looks like we've got a way across now." Yep, time to get going. She'll wait for Skoll to finish his moment of mourning, and then start her way to the upper level.

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' At Skoll's howl, Mir went quiet, she could understand his grief...and now she felt a bit guilty for indirectly calling that frozen corpse gross. That wasn't very respectful to the dead. ".....Sorry." She mumbled mostly to herself, and then nodded, raising her head as Reize spoke up. "Okay, let's get going then." She stood then, lowering her hands to her sides as her wings began to flutter, expelling a shimmering green dust as she started to float up to the level above. "Did we get everything now?" Sighing as it apparently was the case, Mir casually extended her hands a bit, casting some supportive spells on Reize and Faruja...just in case. She had every right to be paranoid after all the traps and pitfalls so far!

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra hears that Zia seems to ahve found a wya up and she drops out of whatever she'd been thinking about. She pockets the tome, spread her wings and heads up hopefully to catch up with Zia. "This is some good news, shall we get a move on. If someone else is after Shiva we need to get there before they do." With that she's flying to catch up with Zia.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira looks utterly confused, "But how could he...wasn't he..." Slowly she grows to accept that maybe Skoll isn't alone as he had thought. Valeth was alive, after all. ...well, sort of alive, if one could consider being a fiend alive. Where had he gotten off to anyway? She doubted he stuck around after the Shinryuu came and made a mess of that place. Wordlessly, she follows after the others to the upper level.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Faruja accepts the fairy's buffs, reaching over to ruffle Reize as he's righted. "Ye did well." Even if he bumbles about, Reize always gets the job done. Then, with a quick cast, he Warps up to the treasure. Open! Dun-na-nuh-nanannana-naaaaah! Doo-doodly-doo! It's a....letter? Faruja opens it. Upon reading the contents, his eye narrows. 'IOU: One Thunder Spear. <Dragon Symbol>. "Oh, by Ajora's pantaloons! I hate this Temple!" Laments the rat. Still, he stuffs taht letter away. Yeah, he's keeping whoever wrote the letter to that. Then, Faruja listens as Skoll and Zia speak. His eye goes wide. Another Warp spell, and he's on the bridge, crossing over. Memories of a dream, a bloody wolf in the snow, and a bounding figure ignites the rat's fury. Holy magic bleeds off of the Burmecian even as he casts magic upon Skoll and Zia. "Come, Ser Ulfang. We hath work to do." His tone is one of barely restrained rage. He knows well who puts those scarrs on Hati. The ratling mutters something about affixing heads to pikes as he stalks into the inner chamber.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Skoll's ears continue to hang down even as he finally does slot the final sphere, and proceeds to make his way up in order to cross the bridge. In doing so, he joins up with Zia and allows her to explain just what may be going on. "But why..." He whispers. Why would his father want to get to the espers? He can't summon them! ... right? He's not an Unlimited, like himself. He's a normal werewolf. Or has something happened to him? Is there something he simply doesn't know yet? It'll take the werewolf a moment to get his act back together, whether he's mourned or not. "I can't believe that he's alive either, Avira. But the evidence speaks for itself. That fur... it was my father's. I'm sure of it." Sure, he's not as alone as he'd thought. But somehow... this. All of /THIS/... it only made him feel more alone in that regards. Hearing Avira's surprise, and both Faruja and Zia supporting him, Skoll does feel a bit better as he crosses the bridge. "Thank you guys." He whispers.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' As the doors are opened into the Chamber of Shiva, the cold seems to grow just that much deeper. The song of the Fayth (or the hymn of Farm, or the tribal songs of the wolves) plays, moprhing itself to the ears of those who hear it. Each would hear a song they consider sacred before it returns to the haunting melody they had heard in the entryway. Oddly, there is also a frozen over painting that seems to show clouds against a dark sky, complete with metal spires and lightning. It seems strange in this place. Yet... the icy esper is waiting for them. Shiva floats in the center of the chamber, her white eyes staring towards the adventurers as they arrive. As Reize steps through the doorway, his pendant seems to glow brighter, resonating with a crystal that lies within one of the Esper's wrist-bands. Her eyes find him first, then move on to Skoll, watching these two as if they were the reason for all of her troubles. "You may have found my temple, but I will not fall to darkness so easily." Her arms extend, snowflakes drifting from her fingertips as wisps of wind sweep them around her like a blizzard. "The last one who came failed, and so will you." Her hand extends towards them, as if she were grouping the party as a whole. "This place will be your tomb." Her hand closes, and as it does, a series of ice spikes shoot up from the ground, trying to catch them within like a cage - or spear them through. The Esper doesn't seem picky about that at the moment.

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' As they entered into Shiva's chamber, Mir's eyes were immediately drawn to the iced over painting. "...What's that place?" She asked aloud, and to no one in particular. She was curious, but it seemed like now would not be the time to get an answer as Mir's gaze went from the painting, to Shiva. "...Oh." She looked mean. And out of the corner of her eye, she could spy Reize's pendant glowing even brighter than before. "..." Looks like this was it. Thankfully, the girl had prepared herself for trouble this time, and as the ice came, she shielded herself with her arms, erecting a small scale magic barrier to cause the freezing assault to hit everywhere but the area she'd been standing in. "That's not funny! Someone could get hurt! ...Which is probably the point." Sigh. Mir quickly lowered the hastily erected barrier to look over her companions...Skoll and Avira took some heavy hits. Nodding to herself, the fairy floated over to them, already beginning to cast stronger restorative magics. "Are you two okay? That looks really painful...Try to stay with me, okay?" Not physically, but mentally. Yeah. Oh whatever, she sucked with words, casting magic now!

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' Zia doesn't have any answers for Skoll. Instead, she just shakes her head. There are so many implications of the werewolf's father being alive in this realm. Trying to make sense of why he might be going after the Espers is something she can't quite grasp just yet. Though, they'd been warned about it, hadn't they? The dark form that stalks Skoll's path to recovering his power... the Espers had talked about it, and now it seems that much more clear just who it means. "Seems like we arenae in for a warm welcome." She murmurs under her breath as the Esper begins talking. Perhaps it's 'heretical', but her world doesn't have these creatures, and thus she doesn't have the reverence for them that some others have. Sure, there's some nice ones - like Carbuncle, but one that greets them with spikey, icy death - not so good. Pushing off into the air, the white gargoyle manages to avoid the worst of the spell, her wing clipping the edge of one icy shard. It's one of those moments where her other 'persona' would probably be of more use, but this isn't quite the moment where she wants that known - not yet. Instead, she'll have to depend on her her own magic and hope that will serve well enough. "Ye know, Ah'm nae a fan of the whole shoot-first ask questions later thing. Ye might try lettin' people explain before ye go off turnin em' inte popcicles." That said, Zia sweeps her wings forward, sending a gust of wind towards the Esper, hoping to catch her off-guard and buffet her around a bit, or at least keep her from being able to aim those wicked ice spells quite so much.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Gregorian chanting in latin fills Avira's ears as they near what is no doubt the esper. She slows near the painting, frowning with confusion as she looks upon it. That didn't seem like a landscape commonly associated with /ice/. "...I'm afraid you are mistaken, Esper Shiva." Avira begins, respect clearly reflecting in her words. This is, after all, the esper that resonates with her chosen element. "We are not here to promote the darkness, we're here to recruit your help in fighting it." With a heavy sigh, Avira draws her blade and steps forward, unafraid to do battle with Shiva. In short order, the ice cages her but with a shout, she smashes through the ice around her, making use of her own magic to manipulate the element to her will. She only uses it to free herself, figuring using ice magic on Shiva would be pretty...ineffective. "..damnit, my magic is going to be useless here." she doesn't even bother channeling it through her blade. Instead, she tries to close on the esper, resorting to plain swordplay. With a burst of air she leaps skyward, coming down upon her with an overhead cleave. Should the esper be knocked down to her level, she follows up briskly with a series of rapid jabs, spinning sideways to finish with a horizontal slash before sidestepping to flank.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' Re-joining with the others, Reize walks alongside of Faruja and Mir. As Faruja ruffles his hair, the boy chuckles and grins up at Faruja, "Thanks!" His antenna hair bobs about, looking dizzily. Once the young adventurer joins with the others, Reize makes his way over towards the bridge. The essence of magic flow along the boy as time itself seems to be still for a brief moment. He feels rejuvinated, as if a burst of energy has heightened. While they cross the bridge, Reize places a hand over towards Skoll's back. "Skoll, you're not alone on this. You got your friends by your side. We won't give up. We can't." He grins. However, as the doors opened, Reize can feel the chill becoming bone-cutting. As the song of the Fayth plays, the boy can hear those haunting tunes. "...Wow.." The boy looks over at the paintings. He squints over to see the paintin a bit more. "..." The more strange part... His pendant reacts strongly. It brightens, resonating with that essence. As the boy looks over towards the center to see Shiva. His eyes widen as he sees a crystal glimmering along the band. "Wh--hoa..." And her eyes focuses on him for that brief moment. He tenses considerably, giving a nervous look. "Wh--what? Wait, we're not trying to make you fall into the darkness!" The attempt to reason with her fails as she releases a fierce wind of the blizzard. Even more terrible, ice spikes forming to the ground to try to spear through them. "Gah!" With an alarmed yelp, Reize takes a dive towards the ground to evade the rising spikes and then he pulls out his boomerangs. "We aren't going to fall either! Everyone, let's do this!" Reize charges ahead towards Shiva, taking opposite of Avira's flank besides Shiva while Zia works her weather magic. The boy makes his way up towards the wall and he leaps up to it. He springs back over to dash at Shiva with a twist of his body to launch a double spinning kick at Shiva. "Sparrondo!" Then, the boy twists downward to bring his foot out to strike her with a downward kick. "Saaa!" 

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' They enter, and Odin isn't there. The white-knuckled grip Faruja has on his spear slowly loosens. His scowling lessens, as he looks upon the icey esper, settling into simple 'foul mood'. The Burmecian is quiet for a moment. An old Church hymn with notes from home helps lessen his temper. "...The one whom came here previously. The failure. Did ye slay him, honored spirit?" It's a simple question, and one he desperately wants to know. Then, there's ice-spikes, and Faruja has a trio of them spear through his sides. Tearing away before he's lifted upwards, he falls upon his tail with a squeak of pain. Quickly righting himself with his spear, he ignores the bleeding for a moment as he notes the others. Luckily, there's a healer in the party. Two in fact! Like a proper knight, he leaps over to Mir, sliding the last few inches into something akin to a guarding stance. Setting his sharp claws behind him, he starts to heal his own wounds, even as he attempts to defend the party's healer like a proper paladin!

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Stepping into Shiva's Chamber, they are immediately met by the woman of ice. Skoll doesn't even notice the strange painting. Instead, he's mesmerized by the beauty of the floating woman before them. Not in a way that is normal though. But more like there is a connection there. Once she'd been his summon after all. But the pact made between the two had been 'dark' at one point. He can't blame her for not wanting to return to that. "I have nothing to do with 'that' last one." Skoll calls out to Shiva, throwing one hand to his side. "I no longer harbor that darkness." But before his words can even reach her, Shiva shows that she's made up her mind, and lets a flash of ice break across the ground towards them. Skoll braces himself, putting his other hand before his face as the icy shapes stab up from the ground and try to puncture them. Skoll stands strong against the ice, but the frost tears through him no matter what, chilling him to the very bone. "Shiva! Stop this! Please!" The werewolf grabs for the two rings of chains on his back, and throws them out like whips, holding onto them tightly in his hands. He doesn't really want to hurt the Esper. But he can't let her hurt his friends! Crossing his arms, he whispers into the chains. His eyes closed, summoning the power of the sun into the chains. From his hands, a golden aura quickly stretches out along the chains, filling them with something that can only be described as Light. A beautiful golden light. The werewolf bares his fangs, growling at Shiva as his eyes suddenly open, a golden light momentarily flashing from them. "LUMINOUS SUN CAGE!" The chains begin to move, as if living entities of their own, and stretch beyond their normal lengths. More and more links appearing out of nowhere as they snake towards Shiva and try to bind her - grapling for her arms and legs, and to tie them to her body. "Power Imprisoning Bond." Skoll then finally announces. A flash of gold spears up from ground to ceiling, trying to 'cage' Shiva. "Tssk... I can't believe I am fighting one of the Ancestors. This isn't how it should be. Please forgive me.

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Hey they got to Shiva, this is good news. Wait Shiva's not very happy with them, oh she's not very happy at all. She seems to think they are working for someone else and there seems to be no chance to convice her yet, or is it due to Skoll? That could be it, she's got her tome out and she chants quickly bringing up a barrier that takes the brunt of the attack. Even then some gets past Deidra's spell craft and she's been hurt. She starts chanting again this time trying to sap some of Shiva's magical power and hopefully give the party a chance to talk her down.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' A gust of cold wind is thrown in the direction of the talkative gargoyle, "I know the sight of one who has held me in chains before. His kind have forgotten the ancestors they once worshiped." At least she is responding to them, even if it is not in the most pleasant of manners. The glowing wristband seems to absorb the energy from Deidra's attack, preventing it from ever reaching her, while the other us used to block Avira. Normally, an Esper would face a summoner one on one. Shiva isn't used to fighting large groups, though. Once these two attacks are diverted, she is left open to the remaining attacks from others. The power of Zia's lightning flickers across her icy exterior, the wind buffeting back against the snow that surrounds her. "Your power is nothing compared to that of Ixion, or Ramuh. No mortal can compare to our stre---OOF." Reize's slash and kick knock her back slightly, the larger Esper narrowing her eyes at the boy. Then, Skoll's chains catch her, and Shiva hesitates. "If you have truly thrown off the darkness, then fight me with all your strength, wolf. Show me the power of your heart and earn your right." She pulls herself free, looking towards Reize, "The same for you, little mortal. Can you prove yourself?" She sweeps her arms close into herself, drawing snow and ice around her like a shield. "The other one never got this far. Others may let him into their sanctuary, but we have decided. Not again." Who is we? It's hard to tell. Regardless, the Esper's back arches slightly as she lashes out. Hail like golfballs strikes out towards them, followed by icy shards that threaten to spear the unwary.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Mir's healing magic doesn't come a moment too soon. The healing magic washes over Skoll's body, and revitalizes him. "Thank you! Mir!" He may be Unlimited, but that doesn't mean things don't /HURT/. Sadly, it doesn't do away with the rediculous cold in this room. Or the ice that is sticking to his clothing and making him look like a porcupine! Skoll's technique is disrupted, and Shiva breaks free. His chains are thrown back for a moment, during which the werewolf naturally returns them to himself and creates a chain-wrought shield before him that the hail strikes into. Each strike causes his feet to grind back just a little. "Don't be so quick to ignore the strength of us mortals." Though Skoll is hardly a 'Mortal' in the normal sense of the word, and it might be considered a foolish statement by others. "But very well, I will prove myself to you. And assuming the 'others' are those who I once called my own, I will prove myself to them as well!" Bringing the chain-shield out of its form, the werewolf whips them forward once more, jumping into the air and bringing up first the right side -- burning with a blazing aura -- and then the left -- chilled with a deep cold -- trying to lash them over Shiva's body, before letting them both descend upon her. "WARP CHAIN!" Arcane magic burning through it, trying to disrupt her connection with her own power. He quickly glances around at the others. "Zia!" She got hurt. "All of you - Hang in there!"

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' All the talk of darkness, espers, Ixions, Ramuhs, and ancestors just left Mir confused. She was just a...relatively normal girl who, by all rights, had no business being here. And thus, she just frowned as she failed to understand anything. ".....What are you people even talking about?" The girl grumbled, standing waaaaay in the back, not about to go flailing her arms at Shiva uselessly. Leave that to the big, strong adventurers. A glance at Reize. ...Small, twiggy adventurers too. Not that she had room to criticise on people's heights. She was probably the smallest here! ".....!?" Caught by surprise, Mir shielded her face with her arms as a storm of ice pelted her, and the others. "Ow! Ow, ow ow! That hurts!" Of course it does. Once the assault had passed, Mir once again took a look around and proceeded to heal the most wounded looking ones, this time being Zia and Faruja. "Just a second..." She said quickly, stepping over to them and casting her magic again. Skoll is given a nod in the meantime before being left to do what he does best; or better than her. And that's to fight.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' "Good job, Zia!" Even if Zia did not exactly make the exact damage that she intended, it gave enough of a distraction for Reize to step in and clock her with a kick and the slash of his boomerang. The boy rolls towards the ground, landing on a knee and then he looks up at shiva. "Don't underestimate us, Shiva!" Reize gives her that look of determination, then he starts running around her as his boomerangs are still drawn. The boy springs back from Shiva, jumping to a distance to throw a boomerang out her way. The boomerang intentionally misses her, only to hit a wall. It ricochets from the wall and zips past her to hit the ceiling. The boomerang starts darting all directions to smack out her way. "...We?" Reize quirks an eyebrow. As the ice shards flow to spear against Reize, he yelps and he reaches into his bag of tricks. He procures his hookshot from the bag of tricks and then he shoots it into the air. As the hookshot prepares to clamp out, the boy launches the hookshot over towards Shiva's form. "Here we go!" The hook dislodges from its holder and seeks to latch onto Shiva's arm. Yet, even if the hook miss her arm, it'll latch onto one of the walls. The Lightning Materia will likely activate at the process, shooting Reize towards Shiva in the dash. As Reize is zooming her way, he is seeking to catch his boomerang and use the pull as a momentum. The ricocheting boomerang coming back in time for Reize to release the hookshot and catch the boomerang. Then... Reize bursts her way in a blinding speed while mid-air. He prepares to swing the arcing boomerangs out like a pair of swords as he passes by her. "Hunting Hawk!" 

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' Shiva seems to have a good idea about how to shut up the white gargoyle, as an ice-ball to the face to do the trick. Zia winces, grabbing at her nose. For now, all she can manage is a nasal-sounding muttering of: "Tha isnae very nice." A bit of blood drips between her fingers from what is likely a broken nose. She'll likely have those 'racoon eye' bruises tomorrow without some healing, too. Stupid Espers. Of course, the golf-ball to the face isn't the end of her troubles. Drawing her wings in quickly is only enough to ward off some of the ice shards, and it forces her to have to catch herself on the wall of the cloister with scrambling talons. It leaves Zia hanging semi-upside down, hair dangling forward. It seems only one spear had hit it's mark, and she tugs it out of one shoulder. "Alright. Ah've had enough." The nasaly-broken-nosed Scottish would be funny in any other situation, really. Shoving off of the wall, Zia sweeps over the head of the Esper, sending down small torrents of wind which should, at least, keep her somewhat distracted, even if they aren't the most powerful of her magics. She lands, bat-like on the other side of the cloister, only to hear Skoll call out, "Ah'm fine." Goosenose. Then, Mir's magic comes over her. One minute pain, the next... "By the egg." Zia touches her nose, "Yer a miracle worker, lass!" She calls out, no more goose-nose.

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra now sees it is Skoll, that has set Shiva off. Given Skoll's few comments about his life and family before she knew him? She could see why Shiva has made the assumptions she has. Her magic amounts to little as Shiva absorbs her spell. She'll have to think of something else but what? She must think quickly and act quickly she says nothing for she's caught in the icy power of the Esper as she lashes out. She's speared by several of the shards and lets out a cry pf pain, her eyes also are glowing red. No she's not happy, then again who is happy to be stabbed like that?" She needs to figure out how to weaken Shiva in some other way so she starts chanting once more tyring to bite through the pain and unleash a minor curse or two upon Shiva. She's clearly not doing so well from the bleeding wounds and well how much she seems to be fighting to keep on her feet.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' "Ye underestimate the power of mortals, honored spirit. Though we may not have thine power, 'tis our faith: in God, in our friends, and in ourselves that allows us to rise above the frailties of the flesh! We shalt not fall before ye." Faruja gives a swift nod to Skoll. He'll be damned if he dies to some Esper! Thrusting his blade, even as he's forced to keep his head down by showering ice, and more spikey ice-bits, the ratling goes to work with rising blades of Holy Fire beneath Shiva! Even if they may not be that strong, the Esper might feel weaker to the holy element after the strike. "The doom of a planet! Crush Punch!"

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Healing magic well on the order of what she's experienced from Maira overwhelms Avira, causing her quite a bit of surprise. It takes her a moment for her to realize that it came from Mir-and when she does, she gives the fair-winged girl a thumbs up. "Chains? Is that really what a summoning pact is?" Avira huffs as her attack is repelled and she drops back to the floor in a crouched position. "I thought it was a partnership, not slavery." Nope, pokemon they are certainly not. Stepping back, Avira transfers the Spine to one hand and lifts the other into the air. With a gesture, the hail and ice that descend towards her part, falling all around her, not a single stone or icicle. "Odin, huh. Well that's good to know he will never succeed. Looks like you'll have the edge, Skoll." She switches her weapon to her other hand before charing again, leading with a jab, then spinning to follow up wth a back heel kick rather than a blow with her weapon. Whirling again, she chases after Shiva to finish off the combo with a strangely close-in upward knee.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' Perhaps Shiva has never seen the strange chain-magic that Skoll uses, or she is unprepared for it. Whatever the case, as the chains descend upon her, she pays them little heed as there is no pain to come with them. Yet, after a moment, it becomes clear to her that there is more to this spell than meets the eye. "Clever..." Her voice is like ice as she pokes at one of the chains. "But not good enough." The Esper barely follows the ziping about of some of the faster members of the party, especially Reize. It isn't until he is rocketing in her direction that she looks up, blocking him with her wristband. There is a strange energy that resonates when his attack comes so near to the 'source' that his pendant seems to be calling to. The back-lash is enough to leave her wincing. Like an insect, she bats once at Zia's passing magic, which seems to irritate rather than do great harm. The same goes for the holy blades which lash at her feet. With a blast if gale-force winds she pushes herself away from them. Deidra's curses add to the feeling of weight being held on her shoulders by Skoll's chains. It makes it harder to avoid Avira's attack, but the Esper spins in mid-air and lands again, her form seeming slightly smaller than before. Was she losing strength? "You are clever to have brought your friends, but I am not done yet." Uh oh. There is a sound like ice cracking, the floor beneath their feet freezing as the icy Esper spins once in the air, wind and ice shooting out in all directions. This is the height of Shiva's power. If they can survive this, they might stand a chance...

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' For all of her healing others, Mir hasn't been taking very good care of herself. Not that she can do much more at the moment than support the people who were actually capable of fighting. Thus, when Shiva acknowledges the strength of the others, she was taken aback by the sheer force of power the Esper displayed as she unleahsed her ultimate attack; Diamond Dust. The storm of freezing air and ice chunks tears into the fairy and she let out a cry of pain before falling to her knees. "Aghhhh!" Panting heavily, keeping herself upright with her hands, the girl's vision flickered in and out of focus as she looked on at the battle. Shiva was still standing strong, and here she was, nearing collapsing. "...Haaahhahaha...Figures." She muttered, shaking her head slowly. There were definitely others in worse condition though, so mustering up the strength to stand, Mir extended a hand towards Avira and Faruja, casting additional healing magic. "Guys? Try to finish this soon...!"

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' Victory is at hand! Or maybe not, as the floor itself begins to freeze and crack, the temperature almost enough to freeze the blood. As the storm of ice and snow kicks up, Faruja leaps over to Deidra; practically tackling the once-human Gargoyle. Using his body to shield her, jagged shards of ice pierce through plate mail, the Burmecian squeaking and yalping as he's made into a rattish pincushion. And for once, it isn't because he's pissed off the local esper. He'll blame this all on Reize when he can feel anything that /isn't/ cold and pain. There's ice-cicles forming on his tail and ears, and some part of his brain is sure he's getting frost bite in the extremities. At least he won't bleed out; the cold freezes the blood, stopping that health risk.

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' Most of the time, Zia seems to be the one who usually takes the bront of major attacks like these straight to the face, no matter how much she tries to avoid it. Today, she just seems to have luck on her side. There is a pillar of ice hanging down from the ceiling, and with a quick movement, she ducks behind it and presses her back against it, watching as the force of the Esper's magical blast goes by. "Whew... Tha was close." With a peek out from her hiding place, Zia watches the chaos below, "Hang in there, Faruja!" She calls out, concerned after seeing him throw himself in harm's way as he tends to do. It's just a Faruja-ism. "Alright... lets see how she likes a taste of her own medicine." Pushing off of the wall, the white gargoyle extends her wings, gliding to the highest point in the domed room. There, with the winds summoned up to keep her airborn, she calls down some of the strongest of her own magic. In the close confines, it isn't quite the storm she can manage elsewhere, but it should do a good bit of damage - hopefully. There's rain, tempest winds, her own icy chunks of precipitation, and enough lightning to make the hair on the back of people's necks stand up.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' This was distressing. Had Avira been relying on her magic to boost her strikes so much that her actual swordmanship had suffered? She'd have to go off and practice it more lately. This performance was, frankly, unacceptable. Angantyr would be /so/ disappointed. "I'm trying." she grumbles as she bares the full brunt of the ice leveled at her. As she stands firm against the gale, refusing to drop even as it freezes her in place, a distant memory stirs inside of her... ...standing upon a mountain, facing a blizzard raging down from above, feeling the bitter cold of the ice in every bit of her body. Understanding its true essence. Knowing the ice so intimately, not a single secret escaping. A ragged sigh escapes her as she charges the esper once more, her Spine berfit of magic.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Hehehe... by the egg. Skoll can't help but be amused. "Some people create a summoning pact through chains." Skoll answers Avira, accompanied by a sorrowful look. "I don't know if they can truly stop Odin. My father has power even beyond what I know." "I've heard rumors, and have seen it on other worlds. Ancestors trapped in stones. Or worse. For me, the pacts were not always dark or light. But they soon grew to chains as the darkness within me grew." The werewolf turns his gaze down for but a moment, before looking up once more. "But that was /then/. I will no longer allow darkness to befoul my heart!" <SKOLL: WILL +70> The werewolf throws his hand dramatically to the side again and retracts his chains, "Bringing my friends had nothing to do with smarts. They are here simply because we're friends! Because that's what friends do! They're there for eachother!" The chains come back to life, glowing and growing larger as a pale while light starts to pervail through them. It starts at his hands, two stands of light on each side twisting between the chains, forming a second set of chains interlinked with the first. Skoll hangs in there even as the ice start to crack and wind and ice shoots towards them. Diamond Dust. Skoll knows its power well. He's been on the receiving end of it more than once in his past. And he's used its power as a Summoner. It tries to blow him away, the frost tearing into his flesh. He can feel the pain spreading through his body. Barely able to see in front of him. And then... "I must protect my friends." Skoll howls, and takes a firm step forwards. The light in his chains grows brighter. "And in order to do that, I must defeat you. Not just because I need your power - Shiva. But because right now, you're hurting those who are dear to me!" Another step forwards, and he draws one chain closer to himself and it starts to shape, while the other suddenly dives into the earth below. "Let me show you my power then! If you must see it so badly. The power of AN UNLIMITED!" Without his summons, it's clearly not his true full power. But... Taking another step forwards, Skoll weathers the storm, his winter coat ripping at the seams. Shards of ice cut through it, cut along his flesh, but he still approaches Shiva. The chains in his right hand by now have formed a mighty spear of chain. Where-as the chains on his left hand continue to be bound around his hand and are starting to cause tremmors in the ground. And then... finally... it comes. "INFINITE CHAIN!" The ground rocks, and breaks open. Not just in one place, but in multiple places! It catches onto Zia's lightning and grows like enormous chain snakes into the room, slicing from ground to ceiling in multiple places. It's like that one chain had become multiple! "ANNIHILATOR!" And then, from multiple directions, it comes. Enormous chain spears try to stab and cage and grab Shiva! The werewolf then pulls on the chain, and throws himself up into the air and forwards. The spear in his hand grows, the jingling of metalic chains rattles through the room. "UNLIMITED... HOWLING CHAIN!" And down he comes, with the spear aimed for Shiva - splitting into a two-pronged spear just at the last moment as he attempts to pin her into a wall!

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' Reize has been doing good with the strike downs against Shiva. However, he turns to see that some of his friends have not been faring off well in the midst of it all. "Guys!" He looks worried. However, Avira's words call true to the boy regarding the use of chains, "...It does feel like imprisonment.." Reize thoughtfully adds. However, hearing Skoll's explanation, the boy offers a smile. Then, he looks over towards Shiva, "...You may have experienced the worst in humans, but you haven't forgotten the best in them, right?" Reize managed to zip in and strike the ethereal being down, managing to get ot the other side right behind her. While he distances himself, the boy does wince a bit. There was some sort of backlash from the impact. The pendant is starting to glow with a bright aura. And yet... Shiva is showing her strength. His eyes widen as Shiva summons forth her wrath; the ice cracking and the floor freezing as ice shoots at all directions. The boy's eyes widen at the sharp, frigid blades. "Whoooaaaa!" The young adventurer begins moving as fast as he can, springing back from the darting pins. He springs back from the pins... His form is fading away from sight. As the boy's form becomes like a phantom, he blinks out of the existence. ...Only to re-appear behind Shiva. The boy exclaims his fury. "THIS IS MY WILL!" As his pendant gives off an ominously bright glow, his aura expels off a force of energy. The will of the young adventurer manifests as a luminous aura that flares out in a burst. That burst of energy lashes all over as the boy extends his right hand to his side. "This is why you should not underestimate us humans, Shiva! This is a reminder for you!" Sparking blaze, I call upon your wrath... A tarot manifests around his hand and he extends his right hand to his left side, the aura manifesting to a glittering tarot. The boy shoots the tarot overhead. Cry out your mighty roar! The tarot spins around and forms into three small orbs of crimson energy. The flames flicker. Nova Flash! The blazing energy swirls around the boy, they form like a ring and then the flames converge together to form into a massive fireball to lash against Shiva at close vicinity. 

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra is closing in she's getting ready to cat a spell, but Shiva is faster. This is going to be bad there's no way she's going to be able to endure a hit like this. Then suddenly a Dragoon. Faruja has taken the hit, she's shocked for half a second but needs to make use of Faruja's heroic action. She has time to chant and this goes on a bit longer before she finishes weaving the spell, that's when a bolt of raw arcane energy strikes from above towards Shiva, but will it be enough to put her down? The Gargyole struggles with her wounds and the strain of casting the spell, hit or miss that may be the last of what she's able to do in this battle, she prays this that will be enough to stop the fight, if not? She will not last much longer and she knows it.

:'''[[Shiva]] has posed:''' So much strength. It is impossible for the Esper to ignore the fighting hearts of those who have come here to her temple. They have come here for curiousity, strength, friendship, love. Whatever the reasons, the power she has seen is enough. This is enough. Avira's spine lashes against her icy hide. Zia's magic rains down from above. Reize's flames sear away her layers of protection. Deidra's powerful winds lash against her. And last, the chains that bind and the spear coming towards her. Her eyes close, as if accepting her fate. Then, at the last moment, she catches the spear in one hand, looking Skoll straight in the eyes. "Enough." Her magic pushes them back, but it is more gentle this time. The Esper seems to settle slightly, her magic sweeping around her like an icy cloak. "You have shown your strength, Skoll Ulfang, and honored your ancestors. I once gave my power to a fledgling boy, and he used it for dark purposes. I will give you a second chance to use my power for something better." The light around Shiva glows briefly, and an echo of the same power flickers over towards SKoll Then, her eyes find Reize. "You come seeking something else, young adventurer." Shiva touches the crystal at her wrist, the light glowing softly before it rises up into the air, floating over to vanish into the glow of his pendant. "Like for your friend, this is only just one step on a longer journey." The last one that finds her attention seems to be Avira - a kindred spirit, perhaps? "There may be a path for you, as well, but only time will tell." She closes her eyes, letting out an icy breath. "For now, I must rest. I am tired, and the road is long. There is darkness at your heels. It will find you soon enough." Who is she talking to? It could easily be any of them. In this world of ruin, it is no doubt that there will be more trials than just this one. The Esper's form begins to fade, leaving only the lingering hymn in it's place.

:'''[[Faruja Senra]] has posed:''' The icey death fades, and Faruja slowly manages to push himself to a sitting position. He's quick to start knocking off pieces of ice, the rat quietly watching, and listening. His vision swims a bit, the ratling barely noticing the ice-shards still in his back. His single eye turns to Skoll. That light...what is he? The more the rat thinks about it, the more he smiles. Skoll's a friend, freed of darkness. And that's all that matters. "Well done, Ser Ulfang. Ye shalt bring honor to thine forfathers." Then, he turns to Reize. What /is/ that pendant he holds? Using his spear, he gets to his feet. "Methinks the Esper is quite right." Dark dragons, corrupt stones, empires galore? "No lack of corruption in this world." Time to get to healing everyone, starting with himself. Ow. He needs a hot bath, some bandages, and a wolfess-related massage. She's going to /kill/ him.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira will take this moment to get the hell out of the way of everyone else, using the reprieve to gather herself and tend to her own shivering cold. Although adept with ice magic, she couldn't deny her body's biological reaction to such extreme temperatures. Fortunately, their combined might overcomes the raging esper and Avira sighs in relief. "Like we said earlier, we're not with the darkness. We're not with Skoll's father-we're against it if anything. By his honor, he will certainly not abuse your trust and if he does, feel free to forsake him again." She did recall that his other summons had left him over being in service of the Gaudium Lords. With a swift motion, she sheathes the spine and watches as the pact is completed. Then...confusion as the esper addresses her. "I'm...sorry, what exactly do you mean by that? I'm not a summoner or anything like that." Though she can't help but be a tiny bit disappointed. Phoenix was way nicer. It must be a warmth/coldness thing.

:'''[[Zia]] has posed:''' There is a moment where Zia is still in mid-air while the fighting stops. She swoops around one more circle of the chamber before landing near Skoll, her wings caping over her shoulders. There is something about that moment that leaves her silent and reverant, watching the transfer of power from Esper to Summoner. The creature's response to the others draws a curious look passed across them, head tilted, ears perked slightly. It seems like these Espers always have more of a role to pla than just being a site of pilgrimage. "Yer sister isnae gointe be happy." She murmurs in the aftermath, once the Esper has faded. The news of their father's return had been only rumor before now, and it seems to be confirmed. And that's before any news about mouse-pin-cushions. "But... we did it at least?" She reaches out to touch his shoulder. "Just a few more and ye'll be back te full strength." Her eyes sweep the others, making sure they are mostly in one piece, "Anyways... let's get out of here. This place gives me the creeps and Ah'm nae a fan of the cold." Shiver. Snuggle into coat.

:'''[[Deidra]] has posed:''' Deidra has reached her limit when the Esper says Enough. She just kinda sinks down to her knees for the moment hoping to rest for now. She has no desire to press the fight and is thinking a period of stone sleep is just what she'll need to recover from this beating. She does not wish to fight Shiva again i she can help it. She's just happy her resarch and help turned out well when all thigns are considered. "Very well Shiva and thank you." She smiles a bit and has to agree they all have much to do.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' After the spell fades, the pendant loses its glow for a brief moment. It is a silent humm now. Reize looks pretty calm, and then he shifts his stance with his boomerangs out. When Shiva finally declares the fight finished, Reize looks over at Shiva and Skoll. As the two begin to exchange words, Reize is grinning. Skoll has managed to earn a second chance for the werewolves. Reize runs over to pat Skoll on the back and he grins. "Hee! You did it, Skoll!" But then, Shiva turns to face him. "...Ah..." She touches the crystal and then that light... That glow on the crystal is resonating along his pendant. As the boy holds onto the glowing pendant, it's light shines like a beacon. If anyone was to look at Reize at this point, they would see that the icy aura around Reize breaks apart... It appears as water surrounding the boy as he grasps along the crystal of his pendant. "...It feels like it has grown." It is a moment later that the glow fades away, leaving the pendant to carry a resting glimmer. However, there was something that has drawn Reize's attention earlier. ...The painting. Reize turns around and grins, "I'll catch up with you guys. Just want to see this painting. The location looks interesting!" 

:'''[[Mir Clarence]] has posed:''' Mir stood back and watched as Shiva repelled Skoll's last attack, or rather, caught it. "You have got to be kidding me..." She grumbled, at first preparing herself for the long haul, but she soon realized that the Esper wasn't going to attack further, but rather, told everyone to stay their hands. "That's it? ...Huh." Well good. She wasn't sure she was prepared for another round. And with a huge sigh, the girl sunk down to her knees, her wings dissipating from physical and mental fatigue. She really had used up a lot of her magic in such a short frame of time. It wasn't a common occurence. "...So we're done here now?" Mir asked no one in particular, just tiredly observing the aftermath. "Because I...could really use...a nice...." Flop. She just fell over, unconscious. Closer inspection would reveal that she was...asleep.

:'''[[Skoll Ulfang]] has posed:''' Skoll finds his spear halted, is pushed back from Shiva. Espers... the Ancestors. Truly, they are powerful beings. To think this was possibly not even a fraction of her true power. Skoll lands deftly on his feet, and the chains grow inert and go slack. Some of the disappearing in the sparkle of rising beads of light. He takes a knee and bows his head before Shiva, as she speaks of his strength. He tries his best not to flinch as Reize pats his back. "I won't let you down, Shiva." Skoll answers the icy Esper, feeling her soul come to resonate with him once more. Even with all that cold that she wields, her joining herself into a connection with him once more is something that feels 'warm'. "Welcome back." He whispers. He then slowly stands up once more, one hand to his knee, and gazes around the room. It seems that Avira had caught Shiva's attention - as had Reize. The latter even ending up with a gift of sorts. Skoll nods his head at Avira. The werewolf doesn't mind her addendum. He will never abuse Shiva's trust ever again. Closing his fist, he looks down at his chest, before looking at the others again and wanding over to where Reize is. The frozen painting. He actually stands there, looking at it for a bit, before deciding; "I don't recognize it." The werewolf then turn-faces and nods at Zia. "You guys can all leave. But someone... ehmmm." He glances at Mir, who has fallen over. "Someone pick up our little healing hero. If it wasn't for her, we'd been in a pickle." He then wanders out of the room. "I'll be a bit behind you guys. I want to give my kinsmate a proper burial pyre - so his spirit may join the ancestors."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira reaches over and gives Skoll's shoulder a squeeze. She doesn't comment about the burial, leaving him to honor his fallen clanmember in the ways only he is familiar with. "I'll give her a hand. She seems small enough." Avira announces, shouldering Mir up off the floor. With a grunt, she drags the girl along with her, stepping very carefully so she doesn't slip on the ice-encased floor.

:'''[[Reize Seatlan]] has posed:''' Reize's intent was to see the painting up close. For some reason, it seemed very familiar. It looks like with the worst of it all over, Reize can actually see what it could be. "It looks familair, the style. It caught my attention before, so I wanted to see...----" As the boy wipes his hand along the ice to free the painting... There is a sense of familiarity with the style of the painting. Where he previously had a cheerful smile, it fades and is replaced with a wide-eyed gazed. His hands droop low as he gazes at the painting itself. That music box... that familiar tune is ringing in his mind. A clatter echoes as Reize's boomerangs drop. As he stares at the painting, Reize gets a feeling that is similar to a knife stabbing him in the gut. "..." The shocked look fades before he reaches to his side to procure the deck of tarots. His fingers thumb along the cards until he finds the one that matches the painting on the wall. Holding it up to the painting, the hand shakes as he takes in a breath. Closing his eyes, the boy places the card towards his side, shaking his head. His head lowers, a shadow obscuring his face. ...She was here, wasn't she?

The Cloister of Shiva

2014-03-17T02:37:11Z

Oathkeeper: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/03/16 |Location=Shiva's Cloister |Synopsis=A group of adventurers make it to the Cloister of Shiva. But what will they find inside? |Thanks=Li..."

Logs

2014-03-14T15:40:03Z

Oathkeeper:

__NOTOC__
{| style="vertical-align:text-top; align:center; width:100%;"
|
===Transfer a SceneSys Log===
# Go to [http://finalkingdom.net/scene this link], then find your scene, and click on it.
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|
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To create a log from scratch, just put in the title below, and follow the instructions from there.
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Monthly Log View

2014-03-14T15:39:24Z

Oathkeeper:

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Monthly Log View

2014-03-14T15:37:52Z

Escaping Darkness

2014-03-01T03:37:32Z

Oathkeeper:

{{#set:Information=Theme}}== Characters ==
When worlds fall to darkness, their citizens are often drawn into eternal slumber or transformed non-sentient Heartless. However, those with a strong heart - be it one of Light or Darkness - can often find their way out of it. Sometimes these journeys are long-lived - sometimes they are short.

Those whose worlds became the [[World of Ruin]] are guided by their World Heart - which often manifests as white light surrounding them - and are drawn into what remains of that world. It may be a sudden awakening on the beach of Costa Del Sol, or appearing within one of the many Cids' latest invention, but they find themselves once again conscious within that world.

Others may find their way lit by other means. A prayer that goes out to them, an exceptionally strong thought, or perhaps their own longing for a world to live within. They might even be picked up by one of Montressor's space-faring vessels. Often, those not drawn to the remains of their own world find themselves on the threshold of [[Traverse_Area|Traverse Town]].

Those with dark hearts whose desires are strong enough may find themselves willing a one-time [[Portals|Corridor of Darkness]] to open through which to step onto the Crossroads, a place from whence they will choose their own path.

However, the further one goes towards the Realm of Darkness, the harder it becomes. And once one reaches even the edge (the 'coast') of darkness, it beings neigh-impossible to escape even for beings such as the Shadow Lords. There is much preparation and things such as Master-level Sorcery required to escape it.

== Worlds ==
At times, those worlds which have fallen to darkness can be lit with the light of Hope. Perhaps many children wished for the same thing within that world. Perhaps the Heartless menace has ended. Whatever the means, it is possible for those worlds to be revived to their former glory, or to fall to another world as a [[World Shards|World Shard]]. It is said that those who wield a 'keyblade' can resurrect those worlds.

[[Category:Information Files]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Theme

2014-03-01T03:35:34Z

Oathkeeper:

Seven: Dark Dominion

2014-02-16T07:17:17Z

Oathkeeper:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/02/15
|Location=Enchanted Dominion
|Synopsis=With the World of Ruin becoming more ruinous, a group of people have instead settled in the southwestern region of the Old Kingdom. But they found a strange mountain they don't dare to climb. So they've asked adventurers to check it out - to put their minds to ease.
|Thanks=Oathkeeper (Aka: Prince Phillip)
|Cast of Characters=Prince Phillip, Mercade Alexander, Avira, Deelel, Maira
|Tinyplot=Seven
|pretty=yes
}}
:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' Dark Clouds have been hovering over the World of Ruin. And as such, some people have been leaving the world in fear of being cast into Darkness. It's a small sum of people. But they matter none-the-less. Cowards, one might call these people. The Old Kingdom has welcomed these people, who wish to live the simpler life. A far slimmer quantity of heartless roams these lands. And while magic may be far more scarce, knights do keep the people safe here and there! But with this influx of people, there is also a need for founding a new village. And as such, people have started to work in the southwestern areas of the Old Kingdom. Previous unsettled since the fall of the conglomerate of worlds that came together here. Wooden frames have been erected. But people have also noticed the mountains nearby showing strange... signs. And as such, adventurers have of course been asked to figure out just what the heck is going on! So welcome to the base of a long stretching mountain road littered with rocks and other objects that make travel harder, and clear the way for exploration!

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Having survived the fall of worlds before, she can certainly understand people wanting to leave. So when the call came, Maira was there to lend a hand. It was a lot like helping the refugees from Manhattan, which seems like ages ago but really wasn't. People needed food, shelter, healing...and hope. She figured she would do the most good setting up a healing tent where anyone hurt could come, and indeed she'd spent most of the day bandaging, making potions and using her magic to heal the people who came for help. It was there that she first heard people's unease about the mountains, and that a group was forming to check it out. So, picking up her pack, Maira leaves the next most qualified person in charge and goes with the others to check it out. "Never a dull moment, huh?" she comments to her friends, flashing a smile.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' What better adventurers than VALKRYI? Waiting for jobs never really worked out so Avira and the others need to be proactive and TAKE jobs when they come up! Compared to all the world-destroying, Grid-infecting stuff that had transpired lately, this job, on the surface sounded somewhat simple. But such things were never that simple. For this mission, Avira's opted to go on foot. Walking for long distances used to be a tiring thing for her but since she is in so much better shape than she used to be, 'Rosalie' can easily hike this mountain path. "Actually, a dull moment might be welcome." She seems distant, listening to something in her earpiece.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel had dark clouds over her head already. Mara has been kidnapped by LEXUS and it put a real crimp int things, worse Java had been crafty enough to escape from her allies and the Black Guard. She had to give it to the criminal, he was smarter than some people in Clu's employ. Deelel has been out exploring to try to clear her head as she listens to music, likely acquired from DJ Zero. She just seems to trying to make her way but the road is well quite unsuited to light cycle travel. Worse her jet's still undergoing repairs from one of the few people she can safely take it to. She looks over to Maira for a moment and nods. "No it never seems to, this world is chaos incarnate from my world's point of view. I'd welcome some fullness to be4 very honest.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira didn't even know what had happened yet on the Grid, she'd come right here and had been busy all the while. But by the mood of Avira and Deelel, it wasn't good. "Heh...yeah, I would welcome a dull moment too," she replies to Avira, frowning in concern. "What happened, huh? You're both seeming pretty down," she says, linking one arm with Avira then the other with Deelel, looking between them in askance.

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' With how things have been going lately, Mercade has been wanting to stick to more familiar people lately. Like Avira. As much as he might be planning for a nice dinner and maybe a romanting night out, however, business calls. So he's slogging along the mountains with Avira. If he can't spend a peaceful night with her, then he'll settle for the next best thing: Adventuring with her! Mercade walks along with the others, working his way over the rocky road as he looks over their path up the mountain. "So this is the place, huh?" He stifles a sigh. "This is going to be an Evening, I think." He says, trying to keep himself on task. "Let's get this checked out. Sooner we get that handled, the sooner we can make sure it's safe for everyone." Maybe he's still holding out hope of that dinner.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' A series of blue birds fly up in a small flock as the small group of adventurers approach. Other than that, the mountainpath seems pretty empty. Here and there are old signs of battle. Strange strikes against the walls and the ground. But they're too old to tell what they come from - or who might have made them. It's probably relief enough that there is not much in the way of Heartless here either. Maybe there's a lone Shadow somewhere if someone wants to pop him into a cloud of darkness and reclaim some Munny. But really, it's hardly a reliable source of income unless one is a professional who is willing to wade their way through large groups of them in the far more dangerous areas of the World of Ruin. Time to move forwards!

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira looks over her shoulder toward Mercade, smiling. Well, alright. Avira might rather be holding his hand. After all, maybe this would just turn out to be a lovely, peaceful walk! Okay, probably not, but strange things do happen sometimes! Maira lets go of the others and moves off to look at the strikes on the walls and path, investigating close, peering thoughtfully... "Nope, no idea what these are from," she concludes, then walks on. Lightly, she begins to hum.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' But Mercade, this IS a romantic night out to Avira! Adventuring totally counts as a date! Though...maybe the pair of them should go do one on their own without other people around. (No offense, Maira and Deelel.) Avira seems to be sticking by Mercade as they walk along...pretty closely out of obvious affection. "It's...ugh, on the Grid. I was investigating something to help Beck. Turns out it was LEXUS spreading weird weapons through a crime lord. He captured one of Beck's close friends during the fight. I kind of feel like I let him down 'cause I promised I'd look after her." Max was also saying some...interesting things about her latest advertisement attempt for a business partner. But there was no sense in bringing that up. Mercade would have heard it all and know how down that was getting her. "Don't worry, Mercade." she nudges the detective with a smile, "We can handle it." She points at the small flock of bluebirds that stir from the branches, "Look, bluebirds, that's a good sign."

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' If Mercade wanted to farm Munny from beating up Heartless, he'd have Will Sherman in his party. But Will, as much as he's a bro, is not on his To Party With list at the moment. "That's a hell of a situation, Avira." Mercade says. "We'll find a way to make it work out, though. We can't let a setback get us too down." Mercade says, grimacing to himself slightly. IT's not like he hasn't had some setbacks of his own to deal with lately. Chin up. He smirks at the sight of the bluebirds. "Bluebirds of happiness, maybe?" He chuckles. "Come on, Avira. Race you!" As he speaks, he suddenly bursts into a run up the rocky road, trying to gain some distance on the parkour master. "Let's go, everyone!"

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel has not brought it up yet but it seems like it's about to come up. "All the problems on the grid were caused by LEXUS, he was apparently after a single program. Her name is Mara and she is a mechanic. I don't get why LEXUS' master would want them. What would Maleficent want with a mechanic program? She's already got LEXUS and his resources if she needed such skills." She however looks over at Mercade for a moment pondering something and sighs. "Your right, we need to do what we can, about the things we can change." "It gets worse now a very unbalanced program is aware of what was going on too. I don't want to think about what Pavel might do. Tesler or Captain Paige would be easier to deal with I think." She looks over to Avira for a moment "I know how you feel I feel the same way, we let him down. The Garage's staff isn't doing well. Far as you could consider things the programs there? Are one extended family."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' As the group continues up the mountain, signs of ancient combat grow a little. It's hardly something ominous however. It's more like a memory. A thick and deep memory of a struggle that once took place here. What is odd however, is when they get near the top of the mountainous pass. In the middle of the path lies a single crown... or diadem if you may. It's not as old as the combat scars. But still, it has been here for a while. Somehow, there's the feeling that it had been abandoned as someone left this place. It's Maira out of all the people in this area who gets the greatest feeling of 'something' from that crown. Although Avira probably senses 'something' from it as well. Although it's incredibly hard to put a finger on what that 'something' is. Perhaps what lies further up this path might hold the answer?

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "If Mara is where I think she is right now..." she trails off, looking kind of haunted. Her brief stay in the dungeons of Hollow Bastion was not pleasant. "Mmm-I can think of one reason why Maleficent would want a native girl from a unique world. But I could be biased and jumping to conclusions here." Mercade challenges her to a race and speeds off, "-hey!!" she exclaims and takes after him, tiny little legs moving furiously to keep up with the detective. Kicking up dirt in her wake, she spies the diadem left discarded on the trail. It seemed old indeed and... Weird. Avira can't put her finger on it. "Oooh." Unless someone gets to it before her, Avira will scoop it up as she runs along after Mercade.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira frowns gently. "You did your best, how could you let him down if you did your best? It isn't like its over--I know you guys, and you will find a way to get her back. I'll certainly help if I can!" she says, reaching over to give Deelel's shoulder a squeeze. Maira has an idea why Maleficent would want this Mara person--just a mechanic? No one is 'just' anything. "Maybe she's...you know, like us," Maira says, looking to Avira for a moment. Then Mercade and Avira run up ahead, and Maira laughs as they zoom past. No way will she catch up, but she jogs at least, keeping an eye out. The signs of battle grow as they continue, and Maira stops once more, looking around, listening...a battleground may well be the sight of old ghosts. Maybe, she might speak to one. As they continue however, they find a diadem discarded on the ground. That seems...really strange...something feels odd about it. "Avira wait don't--

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' Nothing really happens as Avira picks up the Diadem. It seems to be safe. As for ghosts. Unfortunately, there are no ghosts to speak off. That is to say, not in this valley. A pity, perhaps. They could have told her so much.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "What?" Avira spins the diadem around on a finger, "Seems fine to me." Though Maira's earlier words. "Well more like...you." Avira looks troubled, still bothered by the words of Shinryu. "I'm not sure if I count as a Princess of Heart anymore. It's probably better that way. I get into enough trouble already."

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' "Relax and think about it. There's always hope, as long as one can think. I've heard that line somewhere..." Mercade says, as he runs along. He laughs as Avira races with him. It is invigorating, a moment where he can forget things and just be the wind. But that moment ends all too soon as they get up closer to the top of the path, where he slows down for a moment to catch his breath. "Heh. Nice find. I wonder why it's there? A diadem for the princess..." He says, before he turns. "We can ask about it later, let's get going and finish looking around." Dinner is looking more and more like a possibility at this rate. Mercade waves to the others and continues leading the way, looking around at what's going on around him. He's curious, but he's no Isaac Hanlon or a Princess like Avira or Maira, he can't spot possible shenanigans like this easily.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "But if it's still the case..." Avira says as she saucily puts the diadem on her head. "Feel free to call me queen, Mercade!" She laughs, then takes off again after the detective.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira places her hands on her hips. "Don't say that--it belittles what you did and could still do," she scolds Avira. Maira will have no of this putting herself down thing! They take off again, and Maira huffs. Supposes its good exercise at least, though she'd much rather be--well nevermind. Maira moves to Avira again, coming to stand beside her. Maira reaches out for the diadem. "May I see it?" she asks. "I don't see any ghosts around...which is actually kind of weird, considering...but I might get something if I touch the thingy. I'm getting some kind of...I don't know, feeling from it. A pyschic impression maybe."

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel says "What do you think? I'd be an easier target with how often I'm off grid and LEXUS knows he can rip me apart in a fight.." She looks at Avira she want to know why she truely want to know why. She haklts at maira's warning and wonders about just what /is/ wrong here. "Queen Avira? I dunno you seem more like a Dame. Not one to sit around and be in court all day."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' As the group proceeds, they finally come to head on an enormously long pale gray bridge. There are charred marks across its body. As if a great blaze scorched over it, and then was wisked away. There's marks of dark 'green' that seems to be reminiscent of something from ancient times. But also something our heroes might have seen once before. Burried, faintly in their memories. A fact that refuses to surface, for it is so light a hint, that it doesn't resonate. In the meantime, Maira tries to get a reading off of the Diadem. And she gets a read alright! A faint pale light beams out from the diadem, revealing the faint outline of a girl. It doesn't last long however. It is barely enough for the _single_ person present who has met this person to maybe recognize her. Deelel may recognize a certain blonde beauty not too unlike Cinderella: Aurora.

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' "Only if you're going to call me King!" Mercade retorts, chuckling himself. He moves forward, stopping when he gets to the Bridge. Huh. Wait a minute. Mercade's seen enough fire-blackened bridges to get a Bad Feeling when he sees one. And he hasn't even played Dark Souls. He kneels on the bridge, looking over the scorchmarks intently, and looks up. "Huh. This wasn't made by an normal battle. Look at the way the scorches move. It's like someone brought in a flamethrower in the middle of a medieval battle." He stands, his expression darkening. "Or maybe a dragon." He looks out and around for a moment, proceeding cautiously as he walks the bridge.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' By the time either Avira or Maira reach the bridge, they might feel something. A darkness, somewhat faint. Is it sleeping? Or is it... something else?

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira jumps back a little in surprise as she touches the tiara, the projection of a young woman probably around Maira's age appearing very briefly. "Oh...who was that? Did you guys see that?" she asks. Maira walks forward as they come to the bridge, her brow furrowing in, the tiara held before her almost reverently--the way any poor girl might hold something of such obvious value and significance. With one hand she reaches out to touch the scorch marks, shivering as she does so. "Flames, green and dark...dragon..." Maira says quietly, distantly, memories cycling backward. "Maleficent."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "...maybe I will call you king." Avira smirks at Mercade, following along and giving Maira a sheepish look. She doesn't want to argue about the whole princess thing at the moment but...well, maybe later. People seem to know something that she's missing about that. Walking along, Avira actually misses the image from the diadem but notices the charred bridge. Her eyes squint a little and she looks ahead. Something about this felt..familiar? "What in a medieval battle would make fire? Torches...dragons...flaming arrows, maybe. Magic." She nods, agreeing with his assessment of a dragon and stiffening after as she realizes the implications. Maira confirms those implications and Avira shivers. "But...clearly that fight was a long time ago. These markings all look very old."

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel looks at the bridge and wonders how stable it might be. She looks over the bridge for a moment longer an feels like she's maybe seen it once but that's strange. She can't find anything in her own memory indexes, but can not shake the feeling. The it its her as she recalls now she looks at the woman for a moment it takes a moment for her to put it together. "Aurora?!" She ain't talking about the allied Siren either. "I know her!" She recalls the princess from a low tech world who had an uncanny way of at least getting the gist of more advanced things and a will to want to understand. She's not sure as she nears the bridge but she seems on edge.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira looks to Avira, "I don't think time means a whole lot to people like Maleficent..." Maira looks back to Deelel then, blinking. "You do? Who is she?"

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Mercade just quirks an eyebrow at Avira's response, shooting a glance at Maira himself. He shakes his head as he crosses the bridge, looking out over the valley below with an intent expression. "Hmm." Doesn't seem like he has much to say in response to revelations yet.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira leans over toward Deelel, as an aside; "I reeeaaally think those two need some alone time," she comments lowly, grinning.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel says "I do know her her name is as I said. I encountered her back in Transverse Town. We spoke for quite a bit on things she was curious about worlds like mine. Even with as alien as it was, to her own." At Maira's other words it takes the program half a second to click, but when she doe she get a predatory grin on her face. "Yes, yes they do."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' At the end of the bridge stands a beautiful white castle. It almost seems to be floating in the air, the way it is at the end of the bridge. But it is, in fact, supported below by a tall hill. Who-ever decided to build a castle here was a genius... or a fool. Whatever the case may be, it seems like the castle is the end of the road. If our adventurers want to find out more, and set the villagers' minds at ease... They'll have to approach the direction of that faint darkness.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Grinning like a little fox, Maira looks to Avira and Mercade. Best get all this done so the two can enjoy each other's company for a while! Maira walks on, the tiara still in one hand, looking up at the castle. "Beautiful...lonely and beautiful," she comments. "Well, here we go," she says before taking off across the bridge to approach the castle, magic tingling in her veins, ready to be unleashed if needed.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira frowns a little. Was her flirting really not hitting the mark? They continue onward and reach the endge of the bridge which happens to be a large, white castle. Avira slowly removes the diadem from her head. "Well I don't think Maleficent is here." Avira says slowly, knowing she'd be feeling a lot more darkness if she was. Avira's kind of glad...ever since that fight in Manhattan, she's wanted to avoid that witch. "Something feels familiar about this place. Shouldn't there be more....plants?" Pain shoots through her head and Avira cringes. "L-let's keep moving."

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Maybe Mercade is just distracted at the moment. He remembers getting roflstomped by Maleficent before. Mercade looks over at the White Castle at the end of the bridge. "Well, if we're going to find answers, they're going to be in that Castle." Mercade comments, and waves for everyone to come along. He doesn't even respond to Maira. He reaches out, and puts a comforting hand on Avira's shoulder. "Everything will be all right." He says, reassuring her.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel says "Looks like we're going to need to head this way from the looks of things." Deelel is feeling a bit odfd but she can't help but be in slightly better spirits thanks to the thought of Avira and Mercade having some alone time. "Inded here we goo." She rezzes her light staff out and takes to ising it as a walking stick for the moment.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' As they move further through the gates of the castle, they come into a courtyard. It looks like there may be life here. Not only because there is recent signs of use on a training doll nearby. But also because the birds and the does that walk freely through the area don't shy away from them. Perhaps that's why there are not as many plants here as there used to. Or maybe when the thorned prison disappeared, so did the ability for this area to truly overgrow this area ever again. Further up, there is an entrance into the actual castle. It looks like this place is absolutely /enormous/ on the inside though. And the darkness seems to come from within. From high inside of the building, though not the highest place.

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Mercade looks to Avira and Maira as they get inside. Mercade, having all of the mystical senses of a pound of wet meatloaf, just lets them answer the question of where they need to go.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira gives Mercade a worried look. It's strange, she rarely gets this nervous about adventuring anymore. Maleficent just brought out the worry in her big time ever since that last encounter. That aside, she doesn't really seem able to sense anything, other than a strange familarity. "Oh, that's right. I think I saw this place in a dream once. But it was darker and full of thorns." Avira notes, looking around, then across the courtyard to the building. "...we need to go up I think."

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira smiles when she sees a doe just walking about. She would very much like to just sit down here and pet it. As usual though, they have to continue questing into the darkness for answers. Maira looks up at the imposing castle, comparing it to other castles she's seen now. "Wow..." she comments. The darkness from inside makes her shiver, but she reminds herself that darkness does not /always/ mean something is waiting to eat you. Sometimes, darkness is just the place where things are waiting to be discovered. Maira looks to her companions, shrugs, then approaches the entrance. "It looks like someone is here at least..." to Avira she raises a brow. "In a dream? Really?" she asks. Upon reaching the door, well, she knocks? That's what you do when you come to closed doors.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel is already inside with Avira and Maira and she's still seemingly on edge she's also taking great care to go over what she sees here. She's looking for signs of anything of notes. "It does seem like someone is here. A Dream you say? It might be imporant, after all I had dreams proven to be real. You know most basics would consider me damaged or insane for a comment like that..." Well theya re knocking and as Maira knocks? She calls out. "Hello is anyone home?"

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' Nobody answers the door. But as if by magic (or maybe it's just setting the air of the scene), the doors slowly open after Maira has knocked on the doors. The insides of the castle look beautiful. But it's also here that Maira will notice flashbacks of ghosts. Guards fighting and fleeing from wretched looking creatures. Not heartless. No. Far more wretched than that: Maleficent's creatures! Twisted visages of what might have once perhaps been called humanoid. Long and ancient memories. Ones only Maira sees. Some of the 'ghost guards' protect the stairway that heads upstairs. Perhaps that is where they must go?

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "Yeah, in a dream. I get all kinds of super vivid dreams about a bunch of different adventures. Some of them repeat. The whole gummi ship thing was partially inspired by a dream...so was my first idea to become a sky pirate. Though Ivalice probably helped with that." Avira looks thoughtful. "The gummi ship is happening. I am calling it the Odin. I don't think Archades has an airship named the Odin so I'm going to name mine that." She trails off and falls silent, looking around the room carefully. Since she cannot see ghosts, nothing really out of the ordinary catches her eye.

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Mercade frowns as the door opens on its own. "Nope. Not spooky /at all/." Mercade says, sighing to himself. Dinner is looking less likely at the moment. "You have some pretty crazy dreams, Avira. But interesting ones. They can't all be bad, right?" He shrugs, and then smiles. "Come on, let's move on." He walks into the building, not seeing the ghosts even if his skin prickles, his teeth on edge, following wherever that Avira or Maira indicate.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira blinks as the doors open of their own accord, but honestly this is hardly strange, considering the sort of company she kept for most of her life (that of the spirit variety). The familiar feeling of ghosts in the vacinity hits her as she moves inside, chewing her lip anxiously as she watches the ghosts reenact their struggle in this place. It's just an impression, feelings so strong they've made an imprint on the world, replaying for those who are sensitive to it. Maira is still and quiet for a moment, digesting. She takes a deep breath, then looks back to the others. "Up the stairs," she says. When Avira explains her dreams, Maira's brow furrows. "Really? Why didn't you ever tell me this? Dreams are important you know...especially if they repeat," someone has been reading Jung apparently. Maira moves to the stairs, looking to the ghostly guards. They may be just impressions left on the world now, but she acknowledges them with a smile and a curtsy before she moves up the steps. "Can you imagine living in a place like this? I thought having my own room was luxury," she comments quietly.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "I don't think they're bad or anything..." Avira trails off, looking at Maira. "Oh...well the dreams don't seem to be prophetic so they really didn't seem worth mentioning to you? They're fun and sometimes scary but not really hurting anything."

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel pauses at the ghosts, the memories of things past. She looks about making note of what she sees. She is just looking to Avira now raising one eyebrow and she says nothing for the moment. She moves along feeling like what's the human term? Like she's walking on someone's grave.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' With Maira's instructions, the group finds their way up a long flight of circular stairs along the edge of the inner castle. It takes a while before they manage to find their way upstairs. But when they finaly do, they make their way into an enormous throneroom. It is truly /far/ too big for any one person to live in. Even a family would have a hard time making use of this much space. And there, at the end of the big room, stand two thrones. One empty. Smaller than the other. And one made for a king - with a man sitting in it. A blackened dark shield, and a fully armored body. A crown that looks halfway like a helmet adorning his head. This man stares out at the group before him. A 'wisp' of darkness keeps rising from his shield arm. "It is not often I get visitors." The man's gravely yet young voice sounds through the throneroom.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira groans softly as the stairs just keep going. Imagine carrying laundry up these things? Of course, the people who lived here wouldn't do their own laundry.. Maira moves into the enormous throne room, eyes widening in awe as she walks toward the throne. Of course, then she notices someone is sitting in it and jumps back a little, gasping her surprise before she settles herself, and looks to the man sitting there. She's still a ways back, so she moves closer to him before she returns his greeting. First, a curtsy, because he's obviously royalty, right? "I'm sorry to introdude, um, we did known. We didn't know if anyone was at home....um, I'm Maira, and this is Avira, Deelel and Mercade--" Maira looks to his arm and the wisp of darkness that rises from it, her brow creasing in concern. "Are you hurt..?" she asks, motioning to his arm. "I'm a healer, I could maybe help," she offers.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Dreams aside, up the stairs they go! Avira shows no sign of slowing, even after all that Mercade-racing and walking previously. She can GO THE DISTANCE! Much to everyone's surprise, there is a person here. Given the darkness she was feeling earlier, Avira had assumed it was some lingering dark magic from Maleficent or maybe a lone Heartless left behind. But a person? She inspects this person carefully and... Avira looks guarded but politely bows since she doesn't normally wear a dress (curtseying looks silly without a dress). "Hello. You wouldn't happen to be a dark knight, would you?"

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Mercade climbs stairs. NOW LOADING... The Detective looks around the throne room as they enter, his gaze inevitably drawn to the man in the throne. Huh. He gives a short bow and removes his hat for the introduction. "Mercade Alexander, Detective, your Majesty." Whoever it is, they appear to have some semblance of their mind left. It's not looking good for them, however. "We had received word of unusual occurrences up in these mountains and sought to determine their nature."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "A Healer?" The man asks, gazing at the 'vent' of darkness in his arm, before shaking his head. "No, I am afraid I am far beyond the skills of a Healer." His voice continues along that gravely line, but never sinks far enough into the Christian Bale area of 'please take whatever you have in your mouth out of it'. The man lifts his head a little, glancing as Avira as she speaks. At least they are all curtseying before him. "A Dark Knight you say... perhaps such a name would be fitting for a man such as I now." The man seems to ponder this name for a good long time. Just sitting there, staring at nothing in particular. Something about this man seems off. Not in the 'evil man' kind of way. But more in the... sense that he seems to have lost something. "They probably speak of me." The man finally answers Mercade. "I go out on walks now and again. I had noticed they are settling a village near the bottom of the mountains, so they drew my curiousity. Did I startle the people?"

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira inhales. "I'd like to take a look. I do have some tricks..." she says, looking again to the darkness. But she won't press it, not now. Something is not right here, obviously. An almost empty castle, inhabited by only this man? Yeah, something wrong for sure. "You didn't startle them, I think they just wanted to know what was up here--yes, people are starting a village down there. They are refugees from other worlds, fleeing the Darkness," she continues, fidgeting with her dress a little before settling on clasping her hands behind her back. "Um...who are you?" she asks finally.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel keeps quiet now shakes her head a little bit as they enter, the place her eis vast and impressiv ebut no one person or small group could make use of all of this space. She looks at the man for a moment, and she wonders about him. He appears to be a dark knight but that doesn't make him a threat and he's taken no action agianst htem as they entered. She bows slightly as Avirta asks the question of his status. "I see Sir Knight, and you seem ... damaged in more than just your apprent injury...."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Maira beats Avira to the question she was going to ask. Instead, she folds her arms over her chest and patiently waits for an answer.

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' "We are not here to do any harm if there is none meant to the people who come to this land. We simply seek the truth." Mercade replies. "Would you be willing to tell us your story?"

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "You are correct. I am... damaged in more than what might be apparent. I went through an ordeal I would like to see nobody repeat." The man explains to Deelel, before he turns his attention to Maira. "My name, as I was once called in a time past, is Prince Phillip. Although that title seems to garner me little except for this castle you stand within right now." He makes a handmotion with his 'good' hand. "You can tell the villagers they have nothing to fear from me." The man then brings a hand to his chin. "My story you ask..." The man pauses for a moment, before he starts; "I guess my story starts a long long time ago... with the birth of a child to this kingdom. A girl named Aurora."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' A guilty look crosses Avira's face. She actually didn't assume this guy to be royalty just because he was sitting on this castle's throne. There was nobody else here. It could have been some guy that just took up living here. Avira had to admit if she was alone in a castle, she'd definitely take up sitting in one of the thrones for fun. "Aurora..." Avira looks over at Deelel, who mentioned that woman's name earlier.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira glances back at Deelel when the name Aurora was said. Maira then approaches further, stubborn healer that she is. She's putting pieces together. "You fought Maleficent," she says, then pulls out the diadem they found on the way up, offering it to the Prince. "We found this, it belongs to Aurora right? Deelel has met her," she says, then looks down at the darkness that rises from his arm again. "I really might be able to help...if its, well, sort of infected with Darkness..."

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Mercade nods, patiently allowing the devastated man to explain what happened to him. He will not be interrupting.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel says "I know her, I have met het traveling the worlds she was well last I saw of her, if we speak of the same woman." Deelel tilts her head looking at Prince Philip for a moment she's curious. She thinks for a moment pauses and then moves to pull the disc off her back. The weapon does not power up, she fiddles with it. She's clearly got an alternate use in mind but she's going to wait till the man's tale is done.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' The man shakes his head at Maira. "Listen to my story, and judge afterwards." "Also, it'd seem you've had the misfortune of meeting that accursed dark fairy. Then this tale will perhaps be important to you. A warning, if you may. If her, and those who gathered around her. I believe she called them her... Shadow Lords." The man glances towards Mercade, and then towards Deelel. "You've met Aurora? Good. Then she is still okay. I wonder how much she still remembers... you see..." The man proceeds to tell his tale. About the two fairies who blessed Aurora, followed by Maleficent's curse. The last blessing that turned her death into an endless sleep, and the promise of a True Love's Kiss. He doesn't go into the history of Aurora as Briar. After all, he barely knows the tale. The fairies never had told him of that part of Aurora's life. He does however get to the part where she'd fallen into a deep sleep - along with the rest of the kingdom, and he'd traveled to come and save her. And then... The tale of a kingdom asleep might sound... familiar. "It was only through the help of a young boy and his blue haired friend that we were able to best Maleficent and stop the curse. A boy named Ventus, Keyblade in hand, defeated Maleficent. And not long there-after, a young lady named Aqua finally did another number on the Dark Fairy." "For a while, we were safe. The court was alive and bustling with light. Aurora and I... we were in love. But then she came again. The Dark Fairy. She came, and took Aurora's heart." The man's expression furrows.

:'''[[Maira]] has posed:''' Maira nods to him, taking a seat on the floor nearby, listening to the story, frown growing deeper as he continued. She glanced to her friends when certain names came up. Maira's eyes widen when he says Maleficent took Aurora's heart. If she took her heart, then...how was she still alive? Maira looks confused, but sadness is what rules her mien. "I'm so sorry..."

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel listens to the tale for a moment as she nods to the Prince. "We have fought her several times, she's been casting entire worlds into darkness. She is what my people would call a virus." She contiunes to fiddle with her disc once the tale is finished and she nods bringing up an image as she scrolls through her memories, wait she was the one who took the last slice of pizza at Valk HQ last week? Woops wrong memory index she brings up an image of the princess. "This is the woman of which I speak." She pauses at the next two names that are dropped. "...Wait the keyblade knights? Were here too?"

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' Avira listens quietly, her expression growing grim as Maleficent is repeated time and again. She moves a bit closer to Mercade, her hand finding his to squeeze tightly. But those names, she looks to the detective. "Aqua...she was here before. And there were keyblade wielders before? Hmm." Strange, wasn't a similar thing depicted in those paintings at Cinderella's castle? "How long ago was it that Maleficent came?"

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' Maira is right to question Aurora running around if she had no heart. For indeed, the story is not over yet. He looks up when Deelel shows the hologram of Aurora. "Yes. That is her..." The man then looks towards Avira for some reason. Perhaps it's her question. Or perhaps it's something else. The way she's holding Mercade right then. "A few years ago. I'm sorry... I lost track of time. Aqua and Ventus were their names - indeed." The man lets out a sigh. "Even when Maleficent took her heart, this kingdom never lost its light. Her presence was still here. Her body locked away in the highest tower. One might even say her... Spirit was still here. But it wasn't enough for me. I wanted her to come back to my side again..." The man lowers his gaze for a moment, and then looks towards Mercade. "So I followed Maleficent. I don't know how I did it. But I forced my way through the 'barriers', I followed her into darkness without heed of my body or my heart. And so, I was cursed with this." He holds up his darkness soaked arm. "And I found my way into the depths of her new castle. A place without life, and filled with heartless. A true fortress. A... Hollow Bastion if you will. And once there, I took Aurora's heart back by force. But that attempt came at a price. Maleficent had already gathered allies. I fought, and found my way back here. But... when I finally came back." He looks up towards the highest tower. "I thought it be best she didn't see me like this. That nobody see me like this. Every day, I struggle with this darkness. It tries to suffocate my heart. Even her light, when I let her heart return to her body, did not wash it all away." His gaze returns to the 'audience'. "And so I am here now. Alone. Where I, nor the darkness, is any danger to anyone."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "But...why? Why hide yourself from the one you love so much?" Avira sounds confused, "You went to hell and back for her. If she knows that, if she loves you, she won't care about that darkness latched onto you. She's going to see her hero prince and want that!" Avira looks disturbed nonetheless. She's been to the Hollow Bastion. Even as a mutate, they overpowered her and dragged her into the dungeon. She is absolutely impressed that this guy broke into there and rescued his princess's heart, even with great personal loss to himself. "It isn't good to be alone."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "Because it physically hurts for me to be with her. And I don't want her to see me like this." Prince Phillip answers Avira. "I made up my mind about that a long time ago. But what's more... she never really wanted this life. When she was younger, she was just a peasant girl." He makes a sweeping arm motion. "This isn't the life for her. And I can't just go around strolling out there in the world outside. Who knows what would happen. I've felt it. The feeling of losing control."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "She never really wanted to live with you? Here? Is that why she's not here anymore?" Avira looks dejected. She already was a little down coming into this adventure. But now, after hearing all of this... "No, this is wrong. Something must be done. Something /has/ to be able to be done about this. Somehow the darkness has to leave you."

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel thinks for a moment frowning she understand why he's isolated himself but Avira is right. "If somethin can be done, we will seek out a way to cure you of this condtion or ease it. You have kept you mind where many would be mindless or lost to the darkness." She closes her eyes and puts here disc back into it's dock.

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "It's not quite like that, little miss. I don't think she remembers. She found the castle empty, and she left it, knowing there would be a better place for her out there." Prince Phillip answers Avira. "Perhaps, if there is a cure for this, it will be found one day. But I don't think it'll be so easy. For now, all I can do is temper the darkness."

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "...you should talk to Angantyr about tempering the darkness." Avira mutters, wondering if that dark knight would have the time. No doubt just mentioning Ang's name will have an efect on Maira. Otherwise, she gives Mercade a helpless look.

:'''[[Deelel]] has posed:''' Deelel says "...Angantyr would be a choice for help, yes." "She was exploring when I last saw her. I wonder if she was seeking help, she asked me quite a bit about what I am and where I was from. Do not give up hope, we will not forget this."

:'''[[Oathkeeper]] has posed:''' "I am glad to hear she is well. If you meet her again... well..." He pauses for a moment, before he shakes his head. "Well... I just hope she'll remain well." He smiles a little. "For now, I think it's best you folk be on your way back home. Night is coming, and the mountain pass can be treacherous during the dark."

:'''[[Mercade Alexander]] has posed:''' Mercade nods. "I can see why you would believe that. In your position... Well... I can't say I hadn't had similar thoughts on occasion. My world was destroyed while I was held captive by a Shadow Lord, and all I could do was watch." He looked down for a moment, and shook his head. "It's important that you keep remembering what keeps you going. I am sure she will want to see you, if she knows you still live. Have faith in those you love... It was all that helped me, back then. It is something that will help you too." He smiles faintly. "Hold onto that light. We will find a way, your Majesty." Mercade bows again.

:'''[[Avira]] has posed:''' "Keep holding onto hope...we will figure out something eventually, alright?" Avira manages a weak smile to Phillup and tightens her grip around Mercade just a little bi tmore.

Seven: Dark Dominion

2014-02-16T07:17:00Z

Oathkeeper: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/02/15 |Location=Enchanted Dominion |Synopsis=With the World of Ruin becoming more ruinous, a group of people have instead settled in the south..."