Nick managed to evade the grab, snow and dirt flying all over the place. Great! His next actions fared less better, though. The giant let out a chuckle at Nick's hopeless situation, raising its other foot to punt the otherworlder into Lord-knows-where. Fortunately, the giant was still slow in its attack so Nick imagined he would be able to dive to the side and avoid the powerful kick. But he knew he couldn't just be dodging forever, the giant was bound to catch him at some point.
“Aha?”
Nick's pleas for help at least earned the warrior woman's brief attention. But he could not look as he still had a giant on him who was about to send him flying probably kilometers away and several feet into the air. The giant began to swing his foot and Nick prepared to dive to the side. But the giant foot coming towards him was huge, was a dive enough to avoid it? It needed to a complete dodge for a small graze can do significant damage to him.
But then, another giant crashed into the first one and the two tumbled down the mountain. Nick scrambled away, barely avoiding the two flesh boulders going down the snowy mount. He didn't need to guess who sent the giant flying. What did puzzle him was how the warrior woman sent the gigantic adversary into the air. Did she lift the creature and hurl? Was she that strong? How did that even work? This world continued to surprise Nick.
“Ooooi!~ Cute little guy, up here if you wanna live! Can’t be sure there aren’t any more of these guys that’d wanna take a nibble out of ya~!”
She didn't need to tell him twice. Nick was too tired to reply and climbed his way towards the warrior woman. There were still two giants though and his eyes widened as he instinctively summoned a bit of strength to yell. "Hey, hey! Watch out!" Nick pointed at the two giants with spears who looked just about ready to attack.
The offer given to Malphas was quite a tempting one. A steady income, knowledge of what this land finds valuable, and the potential to have his own business in exchange for his loyalty. Of course, one would assume Malphas, the man who had almost considered slaying his fellow cohorts just earlier, would be appalled at such an oath. While there is evidence that a man such as himself would not be afraid to fill a back with knives should it be revealed to him, the contrary is certain. Malphas is happy to bend the knee for others, especially if there is something in it for him, something that would particularly catch his eye...
In this case, it was dollar signs.
"But of course! You humble me with such an offer, Lady Mie. What a perfect way to utilize my talents, as well... Ah, but there is one more thing that I may ask of you. My identity has been... tarnished, as you know. If I am to successfully work with you, I would need a new identity, a new name, a new face. Perhaps before we shake on this agreement, we should take heed to what name is signed along the dotted line, hmm?"
Malphas stroked his chin exaggeratively, pondering on a new identity for himself. It was then that his wings came to mind.
"You wouldn't happen to have an avian mask, would you? Perhaps that of a wise owl, or a grand eagle? Ah, no... the royal and regal raven is likely the best for my sort, isn't it? Black is the new black, after all..." Malphas stroked his hair. "Ah, perhaps I should find a way to change my hair up a bit, as well."
That theme that had sounded melodic the other day now sounded so very disconcerting. And the one playing it...
An elderly man in fine clothing, tinged with silver. There was little doubt in her mind over the nature of the one she faced. Nobunaga had guessed he may make some move. It wasn't unlikely he already knew of her intentions.
That did not, however, change anything.
She faced the enemy general. The Illuminator sought her attention. Just as all gods did, he wished to take a part of her time away from something far more immediately important.
And as such, the petite girl would instead respond with her opening move. A first attack, so to speak.
"Forgive me, but I have little time to spare," Nobunaga began, "Should you wish to speak with me, you must wait. Like anyone else."
Bowing politely, as she would to any ordinary person, she continued on her way without further delay.
Enli would listen to Novak’s explanation, a concerned expression growing longer on his face the longer he spoke. The older man would exhale, long and tiredly as he’d seem to lose some of the vigor he had since last evening. He’d end up taking a seat in the usual place near the table by the time Novak would finish speaking, head held in his hand as he’d shake his head.
“...I assumed some of the hunters had. Why wouldn’t they? It is a logical choice, once the Kyrnith stops supporting us, but...to openly attack you...” He’d sigh again, shaking his head. “I have no reason to not believe you, after most of you outsiders have been so helpful already, and if Mie is helping you all, then its even more reason for me too.” He’d straighten his posture, the troubled frown turning towards one of more serious determination. “I do not believe it is just between me, no. I expect the Kyrnith would be fine with it as well...I am no fighter, either, so having a skilled one or two not affiliated with the hunters would be a welcome boon.”
Enli would stand again, having regained that brief lapse in seeming motivation.
“I suspect its not the act of worshiping him itself that is currently causing the Kyrnith to disassociate with us...its likely that the hunters are being completely irreverent of the deer in the forest, among other things as well. Once your companion arrives, we’ll set off. I’d rather get this over with sooner than later. In the mean time...please, ask me anything about the temple that needs discussing. I'd be happy to elaborate if I can.”
“..pfft. Ahaha, treating me like a random mortal! Outrageous!” He’d laugh, seemingly amused by the open opposition. “Ah, that makes me so furious if you were someone else I’d just turn your brain into a delicious little soup! Oh I like you!” The laughter would die down, as he would follow after Nobunaga, seemingly not really too perturbed by the thought of having to seek a mortals attention. “Ah, no matter. Opportunities only come knocking once, would be a shame for you to never get your hands on something you want.” He’d end up following Nobunaga for a little ways, seemingly intent on getting her to react or to open actual discussion in some manner.
“But as a man of opportunity and learning, I always know how to make more, y’see.” It seemed as though he was saying that he could give Nobunaga something she wanted, while he’d get something in return...but if she didn’t, then he’d simply find another way to get what he wanted, from someone else. “Course I understand if ye don’t trust me. Poor little Iva, always the one people blame. Not my fault you mortals don’t have a measure of self control. Unlike you...which is why maybe I think we can help each other. You get something you love, and I get something I want to know. Everybody wins. You, me, the people of this village! Well, one person wouldn’t win, but that’s a solution to all the other problems.”
That last phrase was said with a surprisingly serious, stern tone for the rest of his jovial demeanor. Of course, it was just words from a seemingly irreverent God who was connected to whatever bad was happening here. How much of it was truth? How much was it a lie? What was he offering anyways? He didn’t elaborate, and if she asked he didn’t seem intent on that, either. It really was up to Nobunaga if she was even listening to his rambling. It was probably best just to ignore him, after all.
If she decided to ignore him further, she’d arrive at Enli’s place just in time to overhear the end of the conversation he was having with Novak. He would seem to have vanished without further pestering.
With an agreement between them, Misaki would leave Lazhira’s house. Paper should be easy enough, and there were likely plenty of plants in the forest for Misaki to find of use. She’d eventually find her way back to where the ‘Bamboo’ shoots had been located. The only difference was, that this time, she was by herself. In a forest. Full of probably some creatures that wouldn’t mind an easy meal.
Pounding plants into pulp was something that was more time consuming than it was difficult, though she could reasonably do it after a bit of work. As she would work on whatever it was she was doing to prepare the bamboo for its making into paper, she’d find the forest a fairly quiet, relaxing place to work...at least until her two furry ears would make out the sound of a few twigs crunching nearby! In fact, something was approaching rapidly! A few things!
She’d have barely a few moments to react before a familiar blue furred foal would run into sight, being chased by what seemed to be two particularly hungry wolves. It would slow, upon seeing Misaki, though it would quickly make a beeline for her.
Narkissa would easily find herself able to find wood in the forest...but high quality wood? Well, that might have been somewhat difficult. Many of the trees in the forest were growing well as they could in the snow covered area, but they didn’t seem to be particularly suited for large scale projects. If she asked the villagers, they’d point her towards the northern end of a deeper part of the forest. As for wood laying around the place, there was quite a few cabins that had a decent stock of firewood laying around, but nothing she seemingly could use. After asking around a bit, though, she’d be able to find something towards the edge of the village, near the start of the forest. Some freshly cut trees, stumps sticking just above the ground. A small cabin nearby with a bunch of hand axes seemed to indicate this may have been the place where some villagers would gather lumber and wood if they needed it for construction, though it looked like it hadn’t been used much recently.
At some point though, she’d realize she was being followed...though it was soon apparent it wasn’t anyone she should be worried about mugging or causing her harm - rather it seemed Lazhira had found her after some time away.
“...hey. Uhm...we should probably talk. I erm, its probably obvious I know a lot more than I’m letting on, huh?” Lazhira would say with a sheepish, uncertain grin towards Narkissa. “I didn’t wanna say much in front of the others but you and Leannah are probably...the only ones I really trust a lot, and I’m sorry if I’m bothering you while you’re busy, but I want to go ahead and get this out of the way...if we could talk in private.” She'd hesitate for a moment before quietly adding, as if to convince her further. "...he's my dad. Erm, the Illuminator that is."
Of course, the giants would attack sooner than the woman seemed to have expected. The spear wielding giants would attack in tandem. One would swing its large, heavy spear in an upward strike with force enough to dig a deep cut in the earth with it. The woman would barely be able to deflect the blow, having little time to bring her sword up to deflect the blow which would send her own body spiralling across the snow covered mountain side. The second would immediately take this opportunity to attack her as well, the spear coming down upon her body as she’d lay recovering from the previous blow.
But the blow would never hit its mark.
Instead of attempting to defend, in the last few seconds she’d get to her knees...rolling forward and slashing the giants feet with her blade. The large cleaver like blade would slice each ankle, the tendons in each being severed with clean precision. It would bring the giant crashing to its knees, feet no longer able to hold its impressive weight as she’d then, in a rather cruel display, systematically render more of the giant’s muscles useless.
It would attempt raising its spear to cut her, but she’d slice its wrist muscles, severing the muscles in it. As it would make a grab for her with its good hand, the blade would slice the muscles in its forearm and shoulder, until it had been rendered completely immobile.
The final blow, the blade cleaving into its neck. A long, deep gash nearly severing it as it would fall onto its back where it would proceed to bleed out.
“Ahah, jeez, haven’t you heard that double teaming a lady is rude!” She’d jovially call out. The remaining giant was carefully gauging the situation, holding its spear defensively as it looked at its fallen comrade, and the ones struggling to get up at the base of the mountain...and it would make, perhaps the intelligent decision that this human was no longer worth it as it would turn and start running.
“Oh no you don’t! Nuh-uh, no one runs from me after picking a fight!” Instead of running him down, though, she’d throw the blade at it. It would careen through the air, spinning as it would soon impact its target. The hefty blade struck true, the blade nearly cleaving the head of the giant clean in two as its heavy body would soon crumple to the ground. The two giants that she had managed to throw off the cliff had gotten to their feet, but had no desire to continue the fight and were running.
“Heh, yep! You two down there run and tell your king not to mess with me!” She’d pull the blade from the head of the giant, grinning triumphantly. “...oh hey, almost forgot about you.” She’d say, running over to Nicholas. “Eh~ What’s a cute guy like you doing all the way out here by yourself? You get lost or something? Out hunting? You’re not very well dressed, but you don’t look like the cold bothers you at all, huh! You must be pretty powerful or somethin’ heheh!”
Seemed like Nicholas had stumbled on a somewhat terrifyingly energetic girl out here in these mountains.
“I see. Unfortunate. I was hoping you’d be more...open to learning more, but if that is your wish.” Rullphana would say mildly disappointed. “Well then, it was an enlightening experience for me nonetheless. Do not be late to the lessons with Leuca. I will not be waiting on anyone.” With that affirmation, Rullphana would wave Augusta off, turning back to her samples and cleaning up any other mess she or the pup had made during her experiments.
Vallanur would give them a dismissive huff as they left the tower, though Augusta wouldn’t get very far before Octavia seemingly started to act up for some reason. The pup was growling, digging at the ground and whining lightly. A quick check with the eye would show something a bit odd as its status.
Special attributes: Seed Carrier - this pup carries a seed from the garden that birthed it within. Insatiable Hunger: Having started to grow, this demon is developing intense and near insatiable hunger for whatever food it can get its maw on. If it doesn’t eat enough, it might go on a rampage.
Seems like she may want to find Octavia something to eat.
“E-eh? I-isidore!?” Raezel would shout, quickening her pace to keep up with the human and the one who had just pick-pocketed her. She wasn’t sure what Isidore was up to, but she was pretty sure she couldn’t do anything about this by herself. If the figure was upset about being seen, or being followed it didn’t seem to mind as Raezel did her best to keep up with the group.
“If you want answers, not here, and not with the brat.” The elf would reply. Their tone was urgent and curious, but not hostile - as they would keep walking, but not seeming set on any destination. As long as they were being followed by Raezel it seemed like they weren’t going to be heading to their actual destination. “But if you’re not working with Rullphana...then maybe we can be friends.” A simple request, and perhaps a bit of an assertion that whoever this was wasn’t a fan of the esteemed court wizard. “Lets just say someone with the authority to have you executed for this bit of interference asked me to do it.”
“Hm, a bird mask huh...” Mie would think for a moment, walking over to where a few chests and other things of hers were. Rummaging around for a few moments, she’d eventually find something Malphas was looking for. A number of masks - though they didn’t seem to be completely what he had described. In fact, Mie seemed to have a lot of these masks around come to think of it. Especially of the fox sort, despite not having seen anyone wearing those. Regardless of the thoughts on it, she’d soon return with something that Malphas may have found to his tastes.
A black mask, with a long...beak? Or rather, it seemed to in fact, be a nose? Or stylized to be both. Either way, under its long ‘beak’ there was clearly gold colored teeth turned upwards into a grin. Its eyes were a bit angry looking, with the eyebrows turned downwards into a serious expression, with large eyes and elfin like ears that would cover Malphas’ own. A number of feathers like engravings were under the chin and top of the mask, seeming to mimic a beard, or hair.
“I think this is about the only one I got with a more...bird-like appearance. Careful though. If you’re on a mountain in Chagawa, some mountain spirit might think you’re one of them and challenge you to a race.” She’d chuckle with a grin. “As for a name, fine. You’ll be Shigenaga Nomura. You’re from a small village in Chagawa that I took in to train when a raiding party of Oni destroyed your village. If anyone asks where you’ve been the past few days, simply tell them I had you finalizing a sale for me and were traveling with only a small group from our previous destination. I'll leave everything else up to you.”
For some reason, it seemed like Mie at least had some experience with quickly coming up with identities on the spot even if this one wasn’t too in depth.
“Anything else? If you want something more bird like, you can probably find something from one of the craftsman around here. If not...then lets sit. Go ahead and ask me any questions, otherwise...I’ll tell you some things about what we’ll be going through on the way back to Chagawa.”
Then, that was exactly the thing she wouldn't given him.
Nobunaga was quite aware of the type of person this was. Even if the deity's offer was genuine, there was no telling what else would be attached to it. This was the enemy general, and there was no denying the fact that he was a skilled manipulator.
So she would not grant him the opportunity to bait her into being manipulated. She would offer him nothing.
For Nobunaga did not truly intend to merely destroy his influence in this village. A reckless god had no place in the world. No matter how long it took, she would crush his influence and reduce him to nothing. Knowledge would be forged by discovery, by diplomacy, by interacting with the natural world.
Not by the whims of a reckless god.
But the first steps were much smaller ones.
The petite black-haired girl paused a moment. Ah, Novak? The man who had aided in killing the scaled beast that attacked the hunters. It appeared there were further pressing issues, and possibly quite tied to the matter at hand.
But first things first.
"Is something the matter, Enli-san?" she asked, as she approached, bowing politely after a moment's pause, "I certainly hope I find you well, but it seems there may be some matters worthy of concern afoot."
"I appreciate your offer, Enli," Novak replied, removing his helmet and placing it on his lap. "As it turns out I do have some questions about it."
Enli's offer to answer questions about the temple was fortuitous for Novak, who hadn't been able to get much from Lazhira. The adventurer hoped to further explain more about the temple if they had time, but couldn't pass up an opportunity to learn more about just what he had gotten himself into. In particular, he wanted to know more about the orb that he had perhaps foolishly agreed to help retrieve.
Before he could present his question, however, Nobunaga arrived. She spoke to Enli, claiming that there was a matter of concern that needed to discussed.
As if there wasn't enough bad news going around today...
"Hello, Nobunaga," Novak welcomed her. "I actually have a matter of concern myself that I was about to ask Enli, if you'd allow it." Novak didn't want to delay Nobunaga's news, but he really needed to get this question out of the way. It also might be a good idea to make a mental note to later thank her for killing that beast whose scales he now wore.
"As I was saying, there are some things that we discovered that we don't know the entire context of," he said, turning back to the village chief. "While I was searching the lower levels, I learned of an orb that had been stolen from a pedestal in the temple, and that the Illuminator is quite upset about its theft. Lazhira seems to think that returning it would be a bad thing, but she's been stubbornly elusive about what she knows. Just what is this orb? What's so important about it?"
There were many other things Novak wanted to ask about- what sort of twisted human experiments were people doing there? Are such dark deeds considered remotely morally acceptable by this friendly village? Were those slimes made from people? What's the deal with Lazhira, and how is she tied into this? Had there been any word of Leannah's return? However, between Enli's meeting with the Kyrinth and Nobunaga's news, it'd be better off to not burden the chief with too many questions.
With a somewhat bitter smile, Misaki nodded her head in agreement with Narkissa's comments. Redefining a standardized system would take a great deal of work, but as far as the current situation went, it was less of a priority than the goal that they had in mind. Similarly, the fact that she knew the methodology but not the specifics with which to recreate a basic paper meant that there was a great deal of experimentation in order. With the load split and everyone moving to work on their own tasks for the day, the foxgirl was simply left to figure things out on her own.
A rather troublesome task, yes, but not one wholly impossible to do with what knowledge she had.
Bidding farewell to Narkissa for the moment, Misaki departed the town in pursuit of the bamboo-like plant she had mentioned earlier. The walk there was not without worry, of course—weaponless as she was, an ambush of any sort would likely not pan out well in the least—but by some miracle or another, no such worries seemed to befall her. Gathering the shoots would prove nice to test in terms of culinary value, but they afforded little value compared to the full-grown plant. The young woman found some manner of peace in her ability to at least snap the stalks and bring the longer plants down without a tool; trees, they were not.
Of course, that was where the foxgirl spent most of her time gathering; processing them here would be both inefficient and possibly add additional impurities, neither of which she wished for. But the slightest sound of something approaching caused her to stop in her tracks and look around in worry—
Only for the same deer she had befriended the day before to bound through the woods towards her. Momentarily taken aback as she was at its appearance, though, Misaki soon found herself understanding why it had come.
"...Oh no."
Panic gripped Misaki's heart as she immediately knelt down and grabbed one of the stalks of bamboo at her feet and lifted it up like a spear. She had no formal training, of course, but even a makeshift weapon like this would work better than nothing.
It was that thought that led her to posture aggressively towards the oncoming pair of predators, weapon in hand as she attempted to make them back off. If they approached, it would only make sense to try and swing back; if they got close, then the pole could work just as well to block... Right?
Narkissa wasn’t too picky about quality wood. She was just going to build a basic frame, after all, not a precision instrument or timber for an actual wood frame house. Even so, finding wood that suited her tastes –which paradoxically still remained at a high standard—took her a while. It was only after became fed up on her own that she found something that suited her task after asking some of the villagers.
Very conveniently, it was an actual lumber gathering site. Small, yes, but complete with all the basic tools that she needed, minus the convenient electric saw to reduce logs to nice uniform planks. She knew she couldn’t win it all, though, so she picked up an idle hand axe and got to work, grateful for her newfound youthful body.
It didn’t take long for her to realize that she had company, though, although she had to question the wisdom of anybody trying to sneak up on and attack anybody that was brandishing a handaxe. Thankfully, she realized it wasn’t a cultist on a misguided attack, but a friendly face.
“Oh, Lazhira! Fancy seeing you here,” she greeted, before giving the girl a bit of a questioning look. Despite her own words, she doubted she’d run into her here by coincidence, and indeed she wasn’t, as she quickly realized.
“It was pretty obvious from the start, yeah,” she agreed, before setting down the axe against a nearby log. “I can’t say I’m that busy since this is a bit of a side project… I do appreciate the trust you’ve put on me, though.” They’d only known each other for a few days, after all, so really, she was flattered.
“Ah, yes, the Illuminator is your dad—wait, what!?” Of all the secrets that Narkissa thought Lazhira was going to hit her with, that one was not what she expected. Wow, was she actually in the story of some ancient Greek legend? The new information made a lot of things make sense, though, but at the same time, it changed just about everything.
“Err… does that make you a demigod, then?” She couldn’t help but to open with that line, but immediately moved to rub her temple with her fingers. “Well, that explains why he wants you back so much.” She coughed. “What’s your story, then?”
Augusta smiled at Rullphana before she left. "It's not that I don't wish to know more, but a well sharpened knife cuts meat easier than rusty one, wouldn't you agree?" From there she turned and left with the guard woman huffing behind her. The woman smirked and looked at the guard. She used her power to glance a name from her.
"Yes, it's sad I must leave. But worry not Vallanur, I shall return tomorrow. It should only be a fleeting moment until I return. I just know how dearly you'll miss me~" The above ground elf said before walking off, waving goodbye.
But it wasn't much longer before Octavia started to act weird. Even without her eye she could tell something was really weird. Rampage, huh? Well, that could prove to be a problem. "Now then... How to rectify this problem..." The woman spoke to herself. Of course, she had no money. Another problem to compound on it. She pondered on it for a bit. She went through options in her head. People? Obviously not. In fact, she was slightly worried that thought popped in her head. The mushrooms around this place? Potential problems with that on multiple levels. A favor from the Queen? Perhaps she could ask the Queen. That prospect was possibly the most frightening yet... realistic option. As far as preparing a lot of food.
She ushered Octavia along and approached the Throne Room again. She mustered her courage before showing her face to the guards. They probably disliked her for her attitude earlier and that was all thr more reason not to back down. She didn't want the to look down on her for a weak personality that stepped back from a hostile glance.
"Greetings, I wish to have an audience with Her Majesty." She told the guard at the front of the door leading into the room. He let her in, though he hid his emotions well. She couldn't exactly tell what he thought of her.
As she entered the room, she took to walking towards the throne and at a certain distance, she stopped and gave the Queen a curtsy. "Greetings, Your Majesty. It pleases me to see you once again." The woman held her curtsy as she said that and returned to a normal stance with one hand cupped over the other in front of her after. She looked the Queen in the eyes though refused to use her power. Whenever she used it on these powerful beings, she would get this body-wracking headache and Augusta did not wish to feel that again.
"I came to request a favor, or perhaps a trade of something, though I have little to offer but my limited skills and an able body." Augusta said, giving the Queen a small wink for emphasis. Assistance to feed a seemingly ever hungry dog. She wondered what price she would have to pay for such a thing. "Of course, I assume you already know what favor I would ask?" She couldn't help but be a little cheeky in the situation."
Having instantly donned his mask, Malphas stroked his beak thoughtfully. It was quite a tragic backstory he was saddled with, as if the man under the mask was given a new part to play in the theater of this world. Of course, Malphas was already used to discarding and attaining new names on a whim. It was almost a hobby of his in his past life, although it did help very much that his followers were high out of their minds and could not remember Malphas's true name. Still, it seems that Malphas should begin properly playing the role of "Nomura."
"Ahh, I must thank you once again for your hospitality, Lady Mie! To save me at such a young and tender age... I'm glad I could repay you with my service!" Nomura bowed, once more. "Oh, perhaps I should get a haircut in the next town, this wild mane is rather... unbecoming of the one known as Shigenaga Nomura." Bundling his hair up, Nomura raised the hood of his cloak once more to complete his new look.
"But yes, I am indeed ready to talk business. Where will we be going? Are there any customs or courtesies I should be aware of in our next destination?"
The warrior woman reacted too late to the first attack, she barely blocked the spear thrust from the giant and was sent spiralling across the snow. Nick's heart fell at the sight but she was not out yet. In fact, she retaliated before the giants' could even follow up on their assault. With inhuman speed, she slashed at a giant's tendons and joints and rendered it practically paralyzed. She finished it off by cleaving her sword upon its neck.
The last, combat-effective giant saw the writing on the wall and began to run away. But the warrior woman had no intention of letting it get away, she hurled her blade at the fleeing giant, spinning as it rode the air, before finding its target and the giant's head was split by the large sword and fell to the snow dead. The two giants that were still alive, the ones that pursued Nick earlier, succeeded in getting away and the small(?) skirmish was over.
“...oh hey, almost forgot about you. Eh~ What’s a cute guy like you doing all the way out here by yourself? You get lost or something? Out hunting? You’re not very well dressed, but you don’t look like the cold bothers you at all, huh! You must be pretty powerful or somethin’ heheh!”
Nick opened his mouth to speak but as soon as the situation relaxed, his fatigue instantly caught up with him and his sight began blacking out. "You... thank you... for the save." Nick forced out his gratitude as he panted. "I'm Nick and I... really screwed up... Goodnight."
Nick then collapsed in front of the warrior woman. Hopefully not for the last time.
“Don’t regret ignoring opportunity, lass. Trustin’ everything you see or hear is how tragedy happens.” And he would simply turn and walk away, leaving Nobunaga to her own plans.
“Ah, hello. I was just discussing some things that happened with Novak here yesterday.” Enli would give a warm greeting. “Nothing troublesome, just...well, I’m sure you heard the talk on the way here.” He’d say with a light sigh, shaking his head. “Now, perhaps Novak you could continue?” He’d listen with mild concern as the traveler would speak, though his concern would turn to mild seeming confusion as he continued but he wouldn’t ask questions until Novak had said his piece.
“...I...orb? I don’t remember there being anything about an orb of some sort...” He’d frown in thought. “And...you say lazhira has knowledge of this? I assume its because she spends more time in the temple then she did doing anything else...I...hm. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help in this. I suppose I can go over the things we have again, but I don’t have the time for now.” He’d say. “I would not want to keep the Kyrnith waiting. If you’d like to instead, there’s still some scrolls that may tell some things. I’ll take a close look once I return this evening.”
The deer would bound towards Misaki, the wolves nipping at its heels as it would make a beeline for the fox. With the brief seconds she had to compose herself and think of an action, she decided to arm herself with what seemed to be a shaft of a bamboo-esque plant. The deer would leap past Misaki, as the fox girl would stand as steadfast as she could against the wolves as they would run up to her, slowing the dash for the deer as they would snarl, yip and bark towards the fox.
Her defensive posture at least, seemed to make them wary and question if the two were going after the kill - but wolves were also pack animals...there was likely more than just two around here, but at the same time she didn’t see any, and her ears didn’t pick anything up either, but it was difficult to focus as one of the wolves would make a few cautious steps towards Misaki, while the second would circle around to her right.
The Deer had positioned itself behind Misaki some ways, just close enough to her to give the predators pause if they attempted to go for her.
“Uhm...I guess? I say dad, but its more that well, he sort of made me?” Lazhira would respond slowly. “Uhm...I’m not sure how to explain it.” She’d say with a light chuckle. “My story well...He sort of tossed me out when he got bored of me. If It wasn’t for those fishermen that literally fished me out of the water I’d be dead. Dummy probably wanted to see how I’d adapt to life here as an experiment or something.” Lazhira would give Narkissa a look of mild annoyance and irritation. “So, erm, I guess? If that’s what a Demigod is. Anyways, other than that I don’t really have much of one. Ended up here after that, those parents raised me...well, that was a while ago. They ended up dying in a fishing accident when a storm hit the coast some years ago.” She’d take a seat on a nearby stump, seeming a bit wistful as she’d continue.
“Uhm, but that’s also why he’s looking for me. When I was still with him, I heard a lot about his plans...which is why I don’t think the Kyrnith has anything to do with this. Maybe not a curse, but its the easiest thing I could say to convince you guys, and that fog is sort of...I guess a side effect of whatever thing is sleeping beneath here.” She’d frown. “...which he wants to free. He needs two keys for it, and the first was well...destroyed, and the second...is the orb that went missing, and why I wanted to steal it...but someone beat me to it and I don’t know who or why. He probably thinks I could help him make another of those keys or something.” She sighed.
“He’s trying to break the seal - the fact that fog is here is evidence alone that he’s succeeded somewhat, but its probably taking longer without the key.” She’d look over to Narkissa. “So uhm...do y’think you could help? I know I’m asking a lot - getting on his bad side anymore is probably going to be dangerous, but if we do have the orb, could you give it to me? We can’t let him have it.”
“Eh? Wah hey! No passing out on me!” Was the last words he’d hear from the woman, before drifting off into unconsciousness as the fatigue of the trip and cold would finally be catching up with him.
…
…
…
The sky stretched above him, infinite stars and planetoids seeming so close, yet so far. He could likely reach out and just...pluck one from the sky and toss it around like a ball, should he desire. Where was he? Below was an endless vast expanse of white, though in the distance he could see something...a small...village? It was difficult to tell from this distance. How’d he get here? This was certainly not the place he had fallen unconscious in, but he certainly wasn’t dead...or was this simply his dying body’s attempt to make sense of his impending death?
...hm, no, somehow he’d feel that wasn’t the case.
Soon the planets would jerk forward, as though the plane of vast empty space he was standing on began rotating at impossibly high speeds. Faster and faster, until each was nothing but a blur in the heavens above, and he would be drawn to move towards the village as the heavens twirled above.
But soon, something would happen. A gust of wind would blow, an article of clothing with it. It would land some distance in front of him, it was...a maids dress? Well that was odd - but he’d have little time to think of it before something disconcerting would happen. Skeletal creatures would start rising from the snow, all rushing towards him - they were going to tear him apart -
And then he would wake.
Nightmare or dream, he’d wake..
He was close to the foothills of the mountain now, though it was hard to tell where exactly he had traveled, nothing looked familiar in this expanse of white. The only thing he could tell, was that she had seemed to carried him down the opposite side of the mountain.
“Wah! You’re awake!” She’d shout. “Jeez, I thought you were a goner! You had a bit of hypothermia and you look like you had been walking forever! You northern folk are crazy!” She’d laugh, though didn’t seem to mean that in a bad way. “Anyways, carried ya down the mountain. Should be pretty safe here. Ya should probably eat something. Them scrawny arms of yours probably aren’t gonna help ya a lot if ya don’t.”
She’d offer him a wooden bowl with a few freshly cooked bits of what seemed to be fowl in it.
“So what’s your name anyways? And why ya traveling them mountains?” She had set up what seemed to be some sorta makeshift camp, and he had been laying on a small, somewhat uncomfortable fur mat near a fire. Didn’t seem to be anything around for awhile, save for what seemed to be a forest far in the distance and the vast fields of snow that seemed to be normal here. “Don’t suppose you’re from that village I’m supposed to be looking for, do ya?”
Vallanur would click their tongue, only muttering a slur under their breath as they’d watch Augusta leave. Octavia would follow Augusta, though the pup would start barking and snapping at people as they passed in some manner of aggression, only stopping and seeming to barely restrain itself if Augusta ordered her not too. The guards would let her pass without a problem, the queen having already told them they’d be her guests, as such should be treated as one would treat any of the royal family, and as expected Augusta would find the queen right in her throne room.
“Greetings, Augusta” The queen would reply with a friendly tone. “Indeed...I can imagine that your pup gives you no end of trouble...demons can be quite...insatiable as we know all to well.” The Queen would observe the elvish woman and the pup, who was still restlessly pawing at the ground. Her tall, pale ethereal form would stand from her throne, the long dress seemingly gliding across the floor with the same odd, otherworldly grace.
“You are my guest, so of course it is my due responsibility to ensure your comfort...but of course, as you know a favor may often require another favor in return.” She would say. “And the favor I must ask in return...I will be holding a...gathering, of sorts in a few days. Important people from all of Gloom Hollow will be present. You will be my partner.” If Augusta looked at her eye, it seemed to not reveal anything of note.
“On to business then, good.” Mie would say, taking a seat again at the table. “Thankfully for the both of us, there’s not many villages on the trip north. A few small ones and some tribes roaming the snow fields here and there, but they shouldn’t cause us any problems. I think you could handle them well enough.” The fox would slowly frown. “The only one that will probably give us some problems...is the Rimewind tribe.” She sighed, voice turning troubled as she’d continue. “You’ve never been up there, but they’re a...hm, particular tribe of humans that worship an Elder Beast that calls themselves ‘Vechnyy Moroz’. These folks are zealous at best and fanatics at worst...but i’ve managed to work out a, shall we say, agreement. Their God has a particular fondness of an extremely pure Alcohol, so as long as I bring a few barrels of that we can pass. As long as you remain respectful to their God and don’t get in the way of their ceremonies we can pass unimpeded and are perfectly friendly otherwise.” Mie would swish her tail. “I’ll handle the talking with them. I hate to say it, but if we piss that thing off, we’ll end up in its trophy room. I mean that literally - it’ll freeze things alive and put them on display if it likes them. I’d like to keep my floofy tail unfrozen.”
“That beast sounds like real work...ain’t never heard of an Elder Beast being worshipped as a god...but I guess people will do what they have to.” Eirhild chimed in. “What’s it look like anyways?”
“Never seen it myself, but they describe it as ‘A giant winged, four legged creature made entirely of the purest ice that can freeze even flame.’. I don’t wanna test those claims or see it, either.” She’d humph. Mie would spend the next moments giving Malphas a rough crash course in Chagawa etiquette as well, so he could more easily play the part of a native. Honorifics, titles, a bit on the political situation, namely the constant clan warfare among the people as well as the most notable and prominent clans of Oni and Humans. If nothing else, he could probably pass on a surface level for any who was asking.
“Now, if there’s nothing else...there’s something you can do for me. Enli asked for some alcohol, and I’d like you to deliver it for me. Just ask one of the Oni and they’ll give you a crate to take to him. I’ve made a rather special reservation for him. Once you return, I may have...something else I’ll need you to do for me.”
Once the wolves seemed to pause their pursuit of the deer, Misaki took a moment to wrack her brains in order to come up with something—anything—to get them to drop their chase. The only thing that came to mind immediately, after all, was to refuse to back down. Running away would be tantamount to suicide against predators—even she knew that much.
And so, instead of backing away as the two seemed to attempt to pincer her, the foxgirl straightened her posture and allowed her ears and tail to stand on end in an attempt to look larger before swinging in their general direction. As things turned out, that action seemed to buy her just enough time to properly consider her options beyond what she was doing now.
The ultimate conclusion to that, of course, was to attempt to continue to scare off the wolves. Ideally, this would be resolved without any fighting on either side, but who knew if the wildlife here were more aggressive than the ones back on Earth tended to be.
Hopefully she wouldn't have to find out how good she was at fighting quite yet.
She needed to practice with the whole ‘telekinesis’ thing, and a lot more to be honest with herself, but at the same time it was at least practice she was getting here. Prize or not at the end she was learning as well. A bit stupid in the first room, or at least she had to admit so in hindsight as the burns on her right side became exposed to the air once again and flared up for some more pain, but that was the good old tried and true process of ‘trial and error’ put into action. Couldn’t learn how to make a bomb unless you blew a few things sky high by mistake until you got the payload right. Could better help the others in combat, at least, once she got out of this predicament she’d landed herself in.
...By Auset-Kythet, it was not her smartest hour to get into a game with a God of Knowledge.
Likewise, the voice in the room seemed to agree that the Illuminator was taking up people’s time as well. However, as the voice was speaking of this divine realm and time and such it did at least pique the catgirl’s curiosity as well. Plus the easy grab of the statue and orb and such would be good at least, if the voice was being truthful. That was the key part, though, ‘if’. All the same, she’d be cautious and at least take the voice at some face value.
Still, as the catgirl began to walk up the platforms to the statue, she stopped at the top one before sitting down on it with crossed legs and looked up whilst facing in the direction of the platform the figure was standing on.
“My thanks for your welcome, though I’m sorry you got...er...roped into this while you’re still so very busy. Still, if you are willing the least I can do is buy you a few more short minutes here not having to run around doing things. Er, not too much though. Not that it matters much here, as you stated, of course. Buuuuut as a mortal I don’t want to keep a deity from their work, especially urgent things, for too long in all honesty.
Wish I could help you somehow though, not that a mortal like myself can perhaps do much. Then again I already have one quest to fulfill that could get me killed, so I might as well take on another one to try to complete! Haha!...ah.
May I at least be given the honor of knowing your name and who you are, so I may give my sincere thanks properly?”
She tried to speak as respectfully as she could, but even so the catgirl was trying to be appreciative and friendly in return. Hopefully. She was doing her best at it, but trying to be cautious all the same. Ruining the good favor of a deity, at least for the moment, wasn’t something on her bucket list. Still, the deity did seem to be in the best of moods. So she’d fulfill the request, or rather suggestions, of the deity in question to try to be at least peaceable. Kill a few more minutes, not that it mattered much as a concept in a divine realm like this, but not too many to avoid getting on their bad side.
Plus maybe she could get a name and identity, or a quest if her seriously dumb mouth was going to run any more than it was, but that would be maybe a side thing. If the being here was willing. Yes.
“...I already spoke my name. Were you not paying attention?” The figure replied with a light chuckle. Were they amused by something? It was weird though, Leannah definitely hadn’t heard anything of the sort. “Well, whatever. I’m no one special. Just someone who got too lucky in life, and ended up here, as I am. I need no thanks - for I am merely doing this for selfish reasons. Whether or not you succeed is really none of my concern.”
So far, it seemed every room served some lesson, or telling of something about the Illuminators history...there didn’t seem to be anything of the sort here, though.
The catgirl’s brows furrowed in thought as she put a hand to her chin. Already said their name? How could they have? She heard nothing! Unless this was somehow part of the test, coming to realize who this person was? Hmm. Maybe not. All the same, if they were tied to the Illuminator this figure was likely tied to the legend, right?
So what did she know so far from this place?
The Goddess of the Underworld was one potential thing, but she had no place being ordered about by the Illuminator. So that was off the table.
Couldn’t be Delphiti, she’d only met her once before after the whole ‘dying’ thing back on Earth. Or at least that is what she assumed.
Did Delphiti have that sister she’d theorized about before? Eh...no, actually. That older part of the theory was tossed out by now. The “secrets of the oceans” didn’t come from any such figure at all, really, as her theory currently noted after the prior room. Rather, the Sage went to plunder the Underworld for the stuff to satisfy Delphiti and make the-...the...oh. Oh. OH!!!
The catgirl’s face turned briefly pale as the realization of things hit her like a truck, though a few seconds later she couldn’t help but grin and let out a small chuckle herself. She rested her elbows on her crossed legs, looking up at the figure with a smile before sheepishly rubbing the back of her head with her right hand.
“So you did, so you did. I really wasn’t paying too much attention back there, was I?” Leannah said, her gaze for a moment almost like that of a child meeting a hero they admired, “But I must say it is an honor to meet you personally like this. Well, personally but from afar anyway. So I still give my thanks to you regardless! Haha!
Yet you say you aren’t special, but from what little I can perhaps say I’ve learned so far I still can't help but feel like this chance meeting is a privilege of sorts. Sure your presence here is due to a selfish desire, as you’ve noted yourself, but I think you deserve a moment too. You did a lot, braved a lot, and most of all gave up more than I could hope to ever fathom prior to arriving here in this world.
So while I probably sound like I’m trying to flatter you here pretty hard, I really do mean it. Wish I’d been able to meet you under better circumstances of course, maybe over a good meal just to talk with you about your life and maybe try to learn something or chat about whatever else you’d fancy to talk about. Though if it benefits you to be here a moment longer, then perhaps I did at least help in some minute and momentary fashion. Haha!”
The catgirl stretched her arms for a second before letting out a satisfied sigh. She then stood up and gave a humble bow to the figure before looking back at them.
“Most honored Sage and favored of the Moon, who gave even your very name to save this world, it has been an honestly genuine pleasure to meet you. Regardless of your reasons for being here, selfish or not, I’ll confess that I also selfishly wish I could just sit and talk to you for hours. Maybe I could learn some tricks or magic or such along the way, pick up some tips, even learn more about the gods and their names and even this world more than I’ve been able to so far.
But I’ll go ahead and get to grabbing what I need here, especially after all of that long-winded rambling I just did to kill time, so you can get to what urgent business you have. Just need to lug this all back myself really, get the last room done hopefully without dying, and get the right statue parts in the right spots on that table.
Maybe I’ll be able to meet you again, maybe not. The whims of the gods can be fickle, and likewise my own journey’s barely just begun after all!”
Giving her most cheeky and confident smile to the figure, Leannah gave a nod to the figure before turning to go grab the statue and orb. She did move slowly enough to be able to pay attention if the figure addressed her more, but all the same she’d killed enough time already. Heh. Hopefully she didn’t tick the Sage off though...that’d be worse in this situation.
“...Haa, why do you people always like talking so much?” The figure would reply, though they had turned their head away from Leannah. “Regardless...I’m nothing so grand. Just a love-struck fool, so let me leave you with a piece of advice; Do not let curiosity get the best of you, cat. Some secrets are meant to stay buried.” Unless Leannah would say anything more, the figure would remain quiet for the duration of her stay in this room.
Leannah, when she was halfway back towards the entrance whilst dragging the statue and accompanying orb, paused for a moment and wiped her forehead with one arm. She then looked back up at the Sage, before giving a small chuckle and putting her hands on her own hips.
“I’ll agree with you, some things are better left unknown. The price of them being too high, their potency being too dangerous in any hands, and perhaps even the consequences of them and so forth being too terrible to imagine at that. But don’t for a second say you are nothing so grand! That I’ll risk my life right here to tell you in-person before I go, just for that comment!” the catagirl said, grinning back like an upbeat idiot with all of the confidence in the world without skipping a beat, before beginning to drag the statue and its orb once more towards the exit.
Yet as she moved, Leannah continued to speak to the figure aloud.
“So what if you are some love-struck fool? So what if you got ‘too lucky’ in life? Hmpfh! It doesn’t matter one bit!
No individual gets to entirely choose for themselves the conditions of their life, but we do take what we have and run with it all the same! That was your mortal life, and you lived it the best you could then and there. Not perfectly, not with perfect knowledge and wisdom, none of the things any of us wish we had in hindsight, but instead like the brilliantly imperfect and colorful short-burning fires our mortals lives are! It’s only natural to regret things, I mean elders do pass down their wisdom to the young for a good reason, but to linger on it for so long is entirely stupid in my opinion!”
*CLUNK*
“Aah! ...Ok, whew.
But if there’s one thing true about mortals, especially myself these days, it is that we charge ahead into the uncertain future and make sacrifices and do incomprehensibly foolish things all over the place! We’re a burning bonfire of insatiable passion and drive, pushing on towards the horizon and beyond until we burn and fizzle out! We’re unable to sit still, and doing stupid things that get us in trouble all of the time with forces far beyond our own. It’s just a faaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!.”
Finally luffing her load off of the end of the lowest of the raised platforms, and falling off with a most un-graceful tumble after it, Leannah landed on her back abruptly on the floor near the doorway.Sweat was glistening on her skin, but the catgirl only laughed in response as she noticed before sitting and looking back up at who she assumed was the Sage still. Her smile hadn’t changed, despite the admitted struggle of hefting the load she had after all she’d been dragging along with her thus far.
“...Yet being fires ourselves, we also light the way for those who come after us even after we’re long gone. We are sparks left behind in the wake of burning out, at the least embers that sometimes help light another’s journey ahead or provide what little warmth they can to face the cold dark reality before them.
That's the best part, I think, of a mortal life.
I’m sure at least some of us have lived lives like wanton wildfires that scorched the very earth to seeming ruin in our fury, leaving naught but destruction in our wake...yet even this leaves ashes from which new life and such can be fostered. The tales of our lives inspire them, motivate them, teach them, guide them, and so forth, for better or for worse, and whether we want the praise or scorn or not we’ll get it anyway! Why? Because we frankly have no say in that at all, no matter how hard we might wish it otherwise!
So you, oh most honored Sage who lost their name, oh love-struck and lucky fool! What you’ve done before is done, for good or for bad, and you now stand at the precipice of what comes next...whatever that may be.”
Leannah struggled to stand once more, slightly woozy from the raw physical strain and clunky movement down the platforms, but all the same she pointed back at the figure with her left index finger without breaking her moronic smile.
“I probably will only ever be a blip on the radar of untold centuries and millennia you might’ve been through, a preachy and talkative speck of sand in the ocean of eternity that will go on to be forgotten sooner or later. Hell, I have no idea what business you have been up to or what other peoples’ mistakes you’ve tried to fix and such.
But in case we never speak again, hear this from my own big, stupid, running mouth and see my own sparks!
The past is the past. No amount of regret, no amount of work to ‘fix’ it, and no amount of other actions otherwise will erase what happened in your past. The story of your past lingers even now in the minds of those who know, so all you can do is move forward from where you are then! So if you are stuck as you are for eternity, even if you’ve seen and continue to see terrible things no one else can hope to fathom, then get up and start running forward again!
So burn like a shining star and don’t look back, not until you’ve finally burnt out at your own end! Then you have my permission to look back at the end of it all and determine, truly, if you ‘nothing so grand’ at that point!”
Heh. It was so stupid to do this, so incredibly, incomprehensibly, so utterly foolish to do what she was doing right now. The catgirl, in her former life, felt she could relate in a minute sense to the depreciation of one’s self at least. She had been a martial arts prodigy unlike any other in her old world, lived a life full of privilege and raw promise most others could only dream of, and could do and get anything she wanted at that. Now she was here, living a new second life without nothing but the clothes on her back and making a silent prayer to not die with each step. Really, not too long ago she was the very idiot who foolishly posed this game to a mad God of Knowledge of all things!
Though she did end things on a small note right after, mostly as she prepared herself to use Telekinesis and such to get the statue and orb through the exit and back into the main chamber of this divine realm she was in once more.
“Besides, you did say you were 'too lucky', after all. Suppose it could be the drawback of all that good fortune to keep running into overly-talkative and foolish individuals like myself, eh?”
“...I expected a cat to be more graceful.” The sage would reply with a mild huff. “I can see why the sun likes you though, you talk almost as much and as nonsensically as she does.” The sage would shake their head. “Well, I can’t say speeches like that aren’t inspiring...but maybe save those for people who need it. Regardless...perhaps we’ll meet again one day, far, far away at worlds end if the stars allow it.”
There wouldn’t be any more words from the sage. If Leannah cared to look, there would be a brief crackle of electrical energy as they would vanish in a blink of an eye, leaving her alone in the last room.
As she placed the, this time rather intact, statue and orb next to the table, Leannah let it fall to the floor with a loud ’clank’ before she sat down once more to catch her breath. Just for some more minutes. Enough to get her strength back a bit more and go about the last room, since she had avoided using telekinesis to try to conserve strength when leaving the Southern Room (ironically enough).
The Sage. Of all the people she could have met here, beyond the monstrosities at least, she met The Sage. They were right, she did need to have a bit more grace in hindsight. Heh. But at the same time she hoped they would meet again some day, perhaps over a nice hot meal and some tea rather than over a game played out by a Mad God. That would be rather nice wouldn’t it? However, she also couldn’t ignore one other thing The Sage had said to her as well.
“I can see why the sun likes you though, you talk almost as much and as nonsensically as she does.”
“YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!”
The catgirl let out a squeal of pure delight, kicking her legs out like a happy schoolgirl and putting her hands on her own cheeks. She didn’t care how silly it was, but hearing that had made her stupidly happy in the middle of all of the danger and learning. The cute, tsundere bird sun goddess Auset-Kythet liked her! Hahah! A step in the right direction!
Ah...ok...whew. She needed to reign it all back in there. Truth be told, Leannah was giddy and happy...but all the same she knew it wouldn’t be easy. There was a hard road ahead. Yet now she felt even more motivated to complete that quest the sun goddess had given her, at least, and to get through this game so she could head back to find the others and meet up. At least depending on how long she would have been trapped in here. Wibbly-wobbly divine realm time shenanigans were a real thing here, according to The Sage, so it was worth being cautious when or if she returned to the mortal realm once more.
To that end, as she stood up and dusted herself off, there was only one place she knew to go to now. Cautiously, carefully even, but still go to:
The Northern room was fairly simple. A single chamber, a large river of water separating either side, slowly flowing from one end of the room to the other. The statue she sought was at the very bottom, the deepest parts. The gleaming orb like a pearl, buried in the sands of the ocean. Nothing seemed dangerous or too out of place, here. As usual though, as she entered what could be described as a ‘holographic display’ would display a message.
“At the start, the abandoned half was plunged into the sea. A mistake. A needed action, lest humanity dies. Amidst stormy waves and heavy currents, will you find the truth of what he seeks.”
The cool water would ripple lightly.
“The truth of what he seeks?”
The God of Knowledge? Would this be a clue to what he was seeking? That was her first impression of the hint at any rate. But more than that the hint seemed to tell another notable part of the story.
An abandoned half was plunged into the sea. It was both a mistake, but a necessary action as well for humanity to survive. Hmm. Considering Delphiti’s own association with the sea, it seemed like this could have originated from her actions then.
Wait.
Wasn’t there the white-eyed child being dumped into the sea in that picture book?
Leannah would pick over the scattered remnants of the temple's previous occupants. There was little in the way of anything useful left behind. A few tattered robes. Some pottery. The books, ancient and faded with most of their words likely unintelligible...though one, seemed to stand out in particular. Simply marked with the same symbol Lazhira had on her arm. A quick check would allow Leannah to see it seemed to mostly be pictures depicting various things. A robed man with a cane. The stormy ocean and a fishing boat upon it. A woman wearing a tattered cloak...holding a white-eyed child and dropping it into the ocean.
Yes! This trial would most likely correspond to whatever that had been meant to depict. That felt sure enough. So, with that in mind, that gave two potential options so far of what had been abandoned. Importantly, the hint hadn't stated at all ‘what’ half of something was abandoned. In that vein, with her current version of a theory kept in-mind, only two things came to mind.
The first potential thing was ‘half of the world’ or ‘half of humanity’. But that didn’t feel like it fit the bill as well as the latter idea…
...that being that the Illuminator was actually searching for half of himself.
He seemed unhinged and crazy enough, but anyone would want to find that which made them ‘whole’ again. Likewise the Sage had gone in to dig up the literal parts of gods from the past, all to satiate Delphiti and save humanity, so something regarding ‘parts’ of a god felt like a fitting theme. But unlike the crying hooded figure statue from the Library puzzle, who she felt confident in assuming was the sage in all likelihood, the book distinctly pictured a woman in a tattered cloak dropping a child into the ocean.
As the ocean was stormy, that could symbolize grief, if not anger, present in the scene. If the tattered-robe-clad woman was in theory Delphiti, then it likely wasn’t a very happy moment for her. At the same time, however, it was a necessary action for humanity to survive at the same time. In other words, Delphiti herself had to take some part of her own child she’d created, The Illuminator, and get rid of it so things didn’t go to hell in a handbasket.
And if not the Illuminator, for some odd reason, then probably the white-eyed child was another child or another creation of Delphiti’s had been dumped into the ocean.
It reminded Leannah a bit of the tale of Sekhemet, who had been set loose on the world by Ra but had to be tricked by the gods and satiated to stop her rampage. What the gods had let loose, they also ended up having to correct and make right to avoid losing everything. So if Delphiti still had some love for humans, then dumping whatever child or part of The Illuminator or whoever into the ocean was a big deal indeed if the potential parallels had any merit to them. But if The Illuminator was also seeking what was tossed into the ocean...hmm, that didn’t bode well at all for anyone. At least depending on the context, which was hard enough to think of, much less work out correctly, in regards to this madman of a deity.
Deciding to take a ‘safe’ route, Leannah would walk just outside the room once more, briefly, and place her inventory of things safely on the operating table, weighted down by the dry orb from the Sage’s trial room. No sense in losing everything to this trial.
Then, returning to the room, the catgirl would get as close to the edge near the deepest part as she could, and would attempt to use telekinesis on one of the submerged statue’s arms to retrieve it. If she could, she’d go for both arms and the orb. Nothing else. But in the end it was all a simple test to see if it was possible to move it from here, or if like the cage from earlier it was going to not budge at all and was another obvious trap. Either way, she felt a sneaking suspicion that this would become a slog through what was likely (in hindsight) an obvious trap to get to the statue and orb...and probably struggling to not drown if the room erupted into a messy storm and the water got tumultuous the moment she was swimming down there.
So in the case her attempt at using telekinesis failed, and attempting to use it on other parts of the statue (including the orb) failed, she’d go with ‘Plan B’. This would mean doing some stretches, getting herself focused and in a rhythm so she could focus without panic-drowning (hopefully), and then getting into the water safely to swim down toward the statue. The aim was to take the statue’s distinctly gangly arms and the orb, rather than the whole thing. Or at least that was the intended plan, depending on what happened along the way as well.
Theories aside, Leannah would find her telekinesis actually latching onto something. It would take a few brief moments, but she’d successfully eventually be able to ‘twist’ one of the arms of the statue off...but the moment it would break from its base, just as she had assumed the water would start roiling. The river would start flowing faster - the current far to fast to even think about jumping into, as it would wrench the arm she had grabbed out of her grasp, sending it floating back to the bottom, the heavy current carrying it towards one end of the river, where it would rest against one of the metal grates the water seemed to be coming from.
...Leannah hadn’t even expected it to work that much, but ultimately it had seemingly made the task far harder with the one arm having gotten stuck down against one of the metal grates. It actually made it more frustrating. For a second, the catgirl’s brows furrowed as the brief thought of tossing a hot plasma explosion into the water to vaporize the mess. Yet as soon as the thought came to her mind, she chased it off with a sigh and a wave of her hand.
“Blowing myself up again won’t fix it…”
Maybe. Maybe it wouldn’t fix it, but if she went back to that idea it’d have to be a very desperate last resort after exhausting all others. To that end, there was only one path in front of her at the moment. Diving down.
Taking a few breaths and doing some stretches, Leannah prepared herself physically and mentally for the exertion ahead before sliding herself carefully into the water. She’d pushed herself so far, and gotten through it, but this wouldn’t be as easy as floating up at the end of the Underworld Trial. She’d have to keep a level head, given how the water would be fighting her at every turn in all likelihood and at some point or another inevitably. For a few seconds, if given the time, the catgirl would practice holding her breath and keeping focus.
Then, ultimately, Leannah would dive down into the water, aiming to keep a good pace as she tried to make her way to the arm that had floated down to the metal grate first. It would be the hardest of the things to get, or at least the farthest away, so going for it first was her initial goal.
The water was swift. Even the most athletic of swimmers would have trouble staying afloat and swimming in this current, but she wasn’t the average swimmer anymore, with her physical ability. Still, the water would indeed fight her. The only blessing initially, was that it was moving with her, so getting to the grate would be no problem....it’d be getting back that would be. The current was strong, doing its best to keep her locked down. She still had plenty of breath to spare, but she’d need to do something fast soon unless she wanted to end up drowned.
...Thus it seemed, in the catgirl’s mind, that the ‘quick’ method was going to be required to get this done. She could already tell this current wouldn’t make it easy, and the idea of multiple trips was feeling less and less optimal as she felt the pull of the current against her. She had plenty of breath left to spare due to the easy trip down, that was the silver lining, but as she tried to think of a way to escape the pull her conflict with the golem in the prison-lab complex came to mind.
Ah. Maybe that would work….maybe not.
‘If I boil myself alive, I’m calling for a do-over!’
Leannah pushed and swam until she made it over to the rest of the statue and the orb, and would do her best to try to tear off the other arm and tear out the orb. From there, she would carefully position herself at the base of the statue looking up at the surface. Her angle? Set as best as she could maneuver herself. Projected Trajectory? Unclear as hell but aiming for the surface. Chances of success? Small.
So what was she waiting for?
The catgirl imagined herself like she did back during the battle, to propel herself up and away like a rocket with everything she had left in her when it came to magic. She focused every bit of herself that she could on it, hoping and silently praying to the Sun Goddess in her mind that she wouldn’t kill herself in the process of doing this. Either way, though, it was a gamble she was taking. Being in this divine realm, she had no idea how long time had passed outside. What was likely hours for her could be days or longer out there! Hell, it had felt like months of being stuck in here by this point, at least for some odd reason.
Now was her time to shine, and get this blasted game completed!
It seemed her idea at least, would work. As she’d recall what she had done back in the prison, she’d noticeably feel the water around her heating up. For a moment, she might have thought she was going to ah, explode again but it seemed maybe she was slowly learning to control this unstable power. She could feel more heat around her legs, as they’d slowly heat up more and more as well, until she’d start to move upwards ever so slightly. Jets of fire would extend from her feet, until finally she’d simply launch herself upwards statue in hand.
She’d breach the surface of the water, barely having enough breath as she’d sail high into the sky, tumbling through the air as she’d slowly lose momentum and start heading back towards the ground! She should probably control her fall a bit, if she could.
Trying to grab herself with her ‘Telekinetic Harness’, the catgirl tried to control her fall and descent to soften it and make it as gentle as possible. It was a reflex reaction more than anything, though….maybe it would work, maybe not, but
The action was enough to at least slow her descent so she didn’t break anything when she landed on the ground with a soft thud, managing to control her fall well enough to simply hit the ground and roll, though the statue would crack slightly at the impact, but she had made it.
The catgirl lied on the floor for a few minutes as she let her body flop out, her lungs huffing and puffing for air, her arms stretched out to the sides as the statue pieces and orb lay there next to her. Yet after a minute, she pumped her right fist into the air in a victorious manner. A goofy grin, as goofy as she herself was at least, popped up on her face to boot.
“Ha! Take that you crusty-ass golem! I can do it better this time! Ha...ha...”
Ouch.
After some more minutes resting herself, the catgirl would drag herself up and drag herself, the statue's arms, and the orb into the main room. She would also make sure to pause, ensure she was dry enough, and get her inventory of the book and the journal page and put it back on her waistband in the prior position it was on...that being on the non-burned side of her body. It was time to put the orbs in their spots on the door, and the odd limbs from the statues in their corresponding places on the table.
She was ready.
One by one she’d add the orbs to the door, and the body to the table. Each limb she added to the table would seemingly ‘latch’ onto the other, as though they were somehow magnetically complete into what was ostensibly another image of the illuminator she had seen throughout both the temple and...wherever this was. It was quite a fascinating process, really, watching the soft white stone mold and form itself into a complete, humanoid form, horns and all. As it was completed, it would slowly raise into the air, where it would simply start levitating towards the door.
Once all the orbs had been placed in, the door would open with a rumble, bright white light shining from within, likely causing Leannah to be temporarily blinded by it. Once it had died down though, the interior room was...well, it looked more like a sci-fi tyrant's throne than something fantasy.
A pure white throne, with a black wall behind it. Lines of pulsing energy would hum and thrum through it, following unseen paths through it while several pipes would allow the energy to pass behind and through the throne. The black stone would extend all the way to the door, almost like a welcoming carpet as she’d step inside. The rest of the room was a large semi-circle, with a domed ceiling. Various paintings and contraptions had been placed on pedestals. Familiar contraptions, she might have seen on earth at some point. Was that a...engine? What was that doing here?
Nothing else in the room, as the table would stop in front of the statue.
“...Not going to lie, the statues are pretty thematic for a god. Well, a god with your colorful origins at least!”
Leannah mused aloud as she followed behind the floating statue to the statue of the “Faceless God”, entering the room. Yet as her eyes would drift over the pedestals, more than one eyebrow would be raised at seeing the paintings and contraptions. Those familiar to her from her life on Earth especially raised an eyebrow, especially the engine of all things. Did he look into her and the others’ memories to make that, or did that exist in the past of this world???
While her attention was focused on the paintings and contraptions within the domed room, she would likely not notice the ‘statue’ slowly moving. Slowly, as to not arouse suspicion or gain her attention, as it would then...clap its hands right by one of her ears.
“Ahahah, you made it! Wonderful!” It would say, laughing regardless as the statue would start pirouetting around the room, until it arrived in her vision. “Indeed, it is I! The ever so knowledgeable god of knowledge! Aahaha, bet you weren’t expecting that, were ye? If you were...eh, keep it to yourself. I’m in a bad mood already so let's keep things simple, shall we cat?”
The fact this...faceless white humanoid was speaking with a mildly scottish accent was maybe, just a bit off putting.
“We’re running out of a bit of time, so lets make this quick too. That riddle. You know, the one, the one in the temple? Try again! Amuse me again!”
The catgirl jumped at the sudden clap next to her ears, briefly falling onto the floor as the God of Knowledge startled her out of her wits. However, by the time she noticed what was going on, Leannah let out a long sigh as she stood back on her feet and listened to the Mad God ramble.
“No, no I did not expect that to be honest. Gotta’ learn the whole ‘cats landing on their feet’ thing though it seems...”
The accent was irritating, just a bit. Reminded her of Donovan, and she had no idea where in the world he was. A hell of a situation they all were in really. Even so, she needed to get back to the others as soon as she could! And maybe with some new info. Depended if the God of Knowledge upheld his end of the deal. Likewise, though, she felt rather confident answering his riddle this time!
“Your clues left me spinning, I’ll confess, but it was fun and a pain in the ass! Also left me a bit soggy and burnt...but that is just a side note. Really, the riddle seems to rely on someone overthinking the hell out of it.
The answer is ‘The Illuminator’! You were made by the Sage, the new, out of parts of the old gods of the past. A cobbled together thing, knowledge stolen from the past to build the future. You are a creature that only knows about the old world and how it worked, but not everything since you were made from fragments of the past stuffed into a new form!
Though this makes the whole concept I originally had of who your ‘Auntie’ and ‘Mother’ were feel veeeeery awkward now...but it makes sense all the same!”
It was a deduction she’d made. Or something. Truth be told, that idea of Delphiti making him didn’t sit well with her by now, not after he mentioned ‘Auntie’ nearly being locked up. There was no second deity, as only one had made the lab to learn about the past! Delphiti. Thus it made sense she was that angry when she was betrayed by part of the humans, who wanted to lock her up and take over! The other part, who didn’t want to try that stupid idea, then left and were led out by one of Delphiti’s favorites. The Sage was beloved by the goddess, and vice versa it seemed, but loving the moon is never safe in mythology. Never. Just ask Orion for a start!
Likewise the Sage sought out a means to get the knowledge of the past for Delphiti, and so decided to create a being that possessed what she desired. So then came the whole Underworld journey, before naturally it would make sense if the Sage was the one who put him together! So the Sage made the Illuminator and succeeded in their mission, lost their identity along the way, saved the world from Delphiti having a tantrum (even if a fairly understandable one), and then rose to immortality. In this vein it made sense that ‘Mother’ was the Sage and Delphiti was ‘Auntie’!
But that was going beyond the point, perhaps. She just hoped she had it right. It felt tricksy enough of a riddle to answer for a foreigner like herself, at least not in any small part due to overthinking it on her end.
The white statuesque being would be silent for a moment, observing Leannah as though contemplating something, before slowly turning his head to the side, and then...laughing. Laughing loud enough for the room to have a bit of an echo as he’d walk over to the throne and then rather lackadaisical, throw himself over it until his legs were hanging off one side of the armrest and his head the other.
“Bravo, bravo, wonderful, I bet you just are the smartest kitten out there.” He’d clap. “Oh well, no furry scarf from Bastelian tail for me. I’ll have to find it somewhere else.” The voice changed from masculine, to an oddly more feminine, if raspy one as he spoke. “Well, you’ve managed to entertain me, so I’ll let you in on a little secret!” The God would sit up, and in an oddly collected manner would rest his elbow on his knee, holding his head in his hand. “...unless you mortals stop meddling, that village is as good as gone. So why don’t the lot of you just leave already before I lose my temper?” He’d then laugh and shrug. “Ah, sorry, sorry, It’s a bit stressful trying to keep everything here together when everyone is working against me. Ah well, can’t blame ‘em. I’ve never been a good guy before, they can’t fathom I have good intentions, can they?”
“What about the free question and knowledge you promised, Illuminator? Does the kitten get her question and answer?”
Leannah responded, curling up a hand like a cat’s paw and pawing at the air to accentuate the last sentence.
“...you’re not an actual cat you know!” He’d laugh. “And they call me the crazy one...but ah, alright yes, yes, I did promise, go ahead, ask away.”
“"I want to know the full breakdown of your plan, all of it, the truth of it all from start to finish. This breakdown of course including if Lazhira and/or anyone else in the village is a part of any of this," the catgirl said with an added, "I can’t speak for everyone who came out of the pods back in the Old Lab, much less the village, and maybe have a couple of friends at best so far.
But if nothing else, me knowing could lead to potential help with the 'meddling' issue you are having, hmm? Gives me some context at least, something to work with if nothing else."
“Ah, Lazhira...little La-Zha. My little...creation. You know what it’s like being a parent? I don’t. I did. I think. Its always so hard to tell. Annnyways, yes, my little Lazhira is the key to all of this, you see. I made her as part of a plan to prevent all this from happenin’ y’see.” He’d get up from his seat, walking across the room, long legs carrying him over to what was some sort of painting hanging upon the wall. “Its an old story. One from...before? Or during. I can’t remember. I wasn’t there, not really. All I get are...brief glimpses. Not even Mother knows what happened back then, only Auntie does. She’s the only original Goddess still left, after all.” He’d grumble, something about cheese as he’d walk across the floor again.
“I won’t pretend to be god of upstanding morality. That bird of yours and my mother have that honor. Oh, and that dusty old hag down there in the underworld, ahah! Anyways...back when the moon was still cracked, broken, Auntie tried everything she could to bring humanity back from the brink, you see. But Auntie is inherently a goddess of conflict. Not of humanity or peace, mind you. Can’t have heroes without conflict, and sometimes...she gets a bit carried away with the conflict, y’see. In the end she kept creating more and more conflicts instead of being able to help the humans...so what does she do? Ahaha, she kills that part of herself.” The God would laugh hysterically, as though that was one of the funniest jokes.
“Well, she had some help from that creature that rules the underworld that calls itself a goddess, but the effect is still the same. While one part of her created conflict, she was free to help them unfettered by her desires to watch humans struggle. Oh she still loves it, but she can control herself now, usually. But as you can imagine,” He’d walk over back to a flute laying on a nearby pedestal as he’d pick it up and press it to his lips. “Well, it was an imperfect solution.”
Realizing he had no lips to play with, he’d toss the flute across the floor where it’d clatter to the ground.
“Well long story short that part that she killed is alive and well, and really wants to destroy humanity. So we sealed it here. Under the village. Mom and Auntie asked me to take care of it...but y’see, Auntie has grown bored and wants that part of her back, so she’s slowly been working to break the seal. Which...is where my little La-Zha comes in y’see. We made two keys for the seal,” He’d say, pirouetting back over to his throne. “One of those was an orb, and the other is...well, you guessed it. Its my little progeny. The problem with making a living key to something, is that the key can turn against you. I think that things influence is starting to affect her, which is why I dumped her in the mortal realm. She’d have stolen it sooner or later. Thankfully, I had...someone steal it before she could. Its nice and safe, with them. As for how things in the village got this way? Well, what can I say. I’m not a saint, and as long as the village is focused on killing each other, no one’s getting that orb.”
He’d sigh.
“...unfortunately, it was already weakened thanks to age. I put that old temple there to stop Lazhira from getting to it, but as you can see, she’s still meddling looking for it. Poor girl doesn’t realize if she gets the orb...well, she’s dead too.”
The catgirl’s blood ran as cold as ice as she listened to the plan, dedicating every bit of her memory she could to it. She couldn’t forget what she’d just heard after this anyways. This was...well, the God of Knowledge was mad in the head for understandable reasons, but she felt he was telling the full truth in this case. It all felt disturbed enough to work, so wrong that it couldn’t be anything but correct. It was a gut feeling, but hell was it an infobomb at the same time.
It was the difference between life and death, and she had no idea about the village beyond what little she knew so far. But from the sounds of it, if the Illuminator lost all of his ground then...hell. Her mind was racing. Hell hell hell. Delphiti, what was she thinking?! She wanted them to revive this world, but obliterating humanity would not solve it! All she worked for….damn.
Leannah looked to the side, and found herself clutching her right fist so tight, a couple drops of blood had already plinked down onto the floor. At that moment the catgirl tried to slow her breathing, eventually getting her heart rate down enough and forcing herself to let go a bit using some good martial arts related focusing skills. Anything to get her head level again.
Ok. Breathe. Gotta make sure of one thing though.
“My gut is telling me you are telling the full truth here in all honesty, I just wish I had a way to confirm it all. But that is just the scientist in me talking, the archaeologist who wanted an adventure and got into one here. Plus that was my one question, so I’ll hold myself honest to that.
But...hell, I have no idea what Delphiti is thinking by wanting to get that part back. If it is going to wipe out all of her work to save humans, is she that bored? Argh. I just need to process this, just a mortal and all on my end.”
Leannah ran her left hand through her hair, took a deep breath, and let out a sigh.
“Well, not sure if anyone will believe me, but maybe I can do something about this. Maybe. Somehow. Or all hell will break loose due to things out of my control, etc, which is always possible.
That’s part of the adventure. Not like I can control everything, not like I won’t be a fool in the process.”
The catgirl spoke before letting out a hearty laugh.
“Well, I’ve frankly taken up enough of your time I feel. And patience, for which I give my thanks to you of course. Is a lot to process here, and I’ve probably been away for too long from the others at this point!”
“Don’t be too hard on auntie. Divine beings such as us are always held captive by our natures. I’m sure she thinks she’s helping - if she takes that killed off part of her again, she can control it...and likely allow the world to slowly wake.” He’d shrug. “Or not, who knows! Maybe she is utterly mad ahah!” He’d sit back in his throne, idly inspecting his hands. “I’m...working on several contingency plans, just in case, but the best case scenario is we stop Lazhira from getting near that seal. What will you do with this knowledge? I’m curious, heehee.” A light chuckle as he’d snap his fingers. “Oh, and thanks for making my new sculpture. I broke the last one after that dumb bird of yours threw a tantrum on my doorstep. Ta-ta for now, come back later for tea and maybe some cookies later.”
And Leannah would find herself suddenly losing feeling in her body as she’d notice herself becoming increasingly translucent white, the world seeming to bend inwards as she was slowly lifted into the air until her entire vision was slowly engulfed in white. Rather than in front of the temple, though, she’d end up finding herself falling some feet some distance away from the village, falling face first into a pile of snow.
She was incredibly tired, and a bit exhausted, but otherwise fine. She should probably see just how long she had been gone.
The hunter wouldn’t bother to check to see if he was being followed. After all, it wasn’t exactly odd for a hunter to be walking around the town, or leave the tent. Seemed Donovan may have an easy time so long as he didn’t make it overly obvious he was tailing the guy.
After saying a hurried goodbye to Mie and the Dwarf as politely as he could-- Don would quickly begin to follow the hunter at a distance; close enough that he could quickly close on the man if necessary, but not so close that he’d be immediately noticed. Wasting no time, Donovan would quickly strap on his new Gambeson as he walked, taking care to button his jacket tight over the primitive armor to ensure his new gear would remain hidden. Before long, the man would lead Don to some form of marketplace. A thrilling shudder trailed down Donovan’s spine as he pretended to browse the various wares and food on display, keeping careful watch out of the corner of his eye on the hunter he was pursuing… If it weren’t for the village’s aesthetic, Don would’ve felt like he was starring in a Bond movie.
The hunter would act as natural as one could expect. In fact, he probably was planning on coming here anyways. The ‘market’ was quite sparse, as for the seaside village didn’t quite have much in the way of traditional wares. More that they simply had storehouses where fishermen would trade for fish, a few herbalists would trade for herbs, and some other various crafts of skill were on display.
The hunter would browse a few fish, buying a few from the fishermen, before moving to where someone was selling a few fruits, or vegetables from the forest. He would spend a few minutes haggling, obviously not quite pleased with the price, before finally settling on something and moving.
Eventually he would move out of the market and towards a more residential part of the village - specifically to a large hall where a number of other hunters seemed to have gathered. Perhaps this was their main gathering building?
Don’s eyes narrowed his eyes as he followed the hunter toward the gathering; why would they be gathering here? Would it not be more sensible to gather in the temple that Enli mentioned-- or some other more secretive spot? What was this gathering about? Was something about to happen? He could only wait for the time being. Lengthening his follow distance, Don would do his best to stay out of sight as he drew closer to the building.
The hunter casually walked in the building. It was quite likely this was merely the place where they spent their time in the village, much like some barracks or some such, though the only purpose seeming to be a mustering ground of sorts. The smell of meat cooking came from within. From outside, he could hear a bit of a conversation that followed.
“Akando! How goes the hunt.” The hunter he had been following spoke, greeting the other hunters casually.
“Aha, we’ve gotten several deer recently. Along with the meat from that other beast earlier we’ve enough to last for a few days yet, and Lady Mie has given us sufficient tools and trade to last for some time, so might as well celebrate.”
“Excellent. The light has yet to set, so I was planning on going myself, though. I was wondering if you’d like to come with me. There was a moment of silence.
“...I see. Hm...well, I had other things to take care of, but if you insist, I’d be a fool to pass up a hunt.”
Don’s brow would furrow as he heard the two men talk, he was hoping to actually catch Akando alone for a one on one chat if he could… But he’d have to make due with what he had.
Creeping away from the hall, Don repositioned himself as if he’d just been heading over from the market, giving himself enough distance from the building that the hunters wouldn't suspect him of anything. Standing tall, he would then strut toward the hall proudly attempting to time his approach so he’d bump into Akando and the other hunter on their way out.
“I’m thinking perhaps around the old temple. There’s plenty of creatures there that the mist has-” The other hunter had started walking out alongside Akando, Donovan’s plan seeming to work as intended here. He’d bump shoulders with Akando as he exited, the other hunter pausing mid sentence, obviously a little perturbed to see Donovan here.
“Ah...one of the many visitors recently. I heard you helped lady Mie wrangle one of her lost beasts.”
Don smiled brightly at the duo, feigning pleasant surprise that he had happened across them so suddenly. "Aye, that be me--" Don cheerily replied, extending a hand in greeting to the two men, "Tha name's Don!" If Akando was already aware of what he'd done for Mie, Don knew he'd likely also have heard about how he'd helped the dwarf-- it was time to turn the tables; and show that he knew things as well. "Ya strike meh as tha leadin' sort lad, you must be Akando! I were actually lookin tah speak with ya!" he confidently exclaimed, turning to face the ringleader of the hunters.
“Oh? You’re correct. I am sort of the leader of the hunters here, though mostly because I’ve been here the longest. I’m certainly not the most skilled - that belongs to Soyala.” Akando would look over to the hunter. “Hm...seems our hunt may have to wait.”
“I see. I’ll find another partner, then.”
“Do as you wish. Tell me how it goes later.” He would turn back to Donovan. “Well, if you want to speak with me I have time now.”
"Right then lad, c’mon an’ walk with meh." Don responded as he would retract his hand, heading toward the docks as he would gesture for the man to follow. "Bein’ ah hunter long as you ave’ oughta net yah some good stories eh lad?" Don would ask in a jovial tone as he and Akando would head toward the docks, "How bout yah tell meh a wee bit about yerself?"
“You...want to know about me?” The hunter would say with a mildly curious tone, shrugging lightly before following after Donovan. “Hm, well what can I say? I’m the oldest hunter here. Took over the when the previous one died in a hunt with a real tough beast. Odd, that was...wasn’t anything like that in the forest we can recall, but I managed to take it down with some traps and a bit of waiting. I suppose that’s when they started looking to me for guidance. As for stories...hm…” He would hum quietly in brief thought. “I’ve a few - mostly of more unexplainable and more odd occurrences while hunting, more than anything if you’d want to hear a few.
"But ah course lad!" Don spoke with enthusiasm; as he probed to figure out the man’s values, "Aye want em all! Everythin’ wild an crazy ya dealt with-- tha stories what make yer folks at home nervous an yer lass scare; and how ya dealt with em! Hell, tell meh some good un’s an I’ll share yah some stories ah meh own!"
“Well if you insist.” Akando would chuckle. The hunter would take a moment to think, looking out over the sea with a thoughtful expression. “Ah, we’ll start with that one. It was when I was a lad - just barely learned to hold a spear in my hands.” He would begin. “It was getting late, one day. The sun starting to set over the sea - mom and dad were running low on food and supplies. I suppose I should have stayed home, but....I was younger and eager to prove myself.” He would exhale. “We were still on good terms with the Kyrnith then, I think. Or at least, he wasn’t openly hostile. The forest though, has always been...difficult. Its cold on the warmest of days, and the further you travel in the more lost one becomes. I was chasing a boar I had found, deep into the forest, past even the old temple and likely further than I should have.”
Akando went on to tell the story with a steady, but uncertain voice. After he had gotten lost in the forest, hunting the boar, he had taken shelter in a nearby outcropping of rocks, gathering just enough wood to make a fire to keep warm. At some point in the night however, the ground began to shake - as if something heavy and lumbering were moving across its surface. In the distance he noticed a small ball of light weaving through the trees, as a shrill, hoarse cry echoed through the dark forest. In the distance he said to see a massive creature with a skeletal deer head for a face looming over the trees.
“Probably the most scared I was, that night.” He’d comment. “...mhm, another time, though -” He went on to tell a few more tales. One time he had been out with a few other men, hunting a wounded creature like the one another group of travelers slew their first day here. They were tracking it and had tracked it to what appeared to be the place it had died...only to find only a bloody patch of ground left behind. No carcass, no tracks, nothing else left to suggest anything happened other than the corpse just simply vanished.
A third story involved the sea, this time. Akando had been helping a fisherman a distance from the village, off the coast closer to the mountains. It had been business as usual at first...but when the pulled in the nets, something had started pulling back - strong enough that the boat had been completely overturned. He had to drag the fisherman back to shore as the entire sea began to rumble - by the time they had made it back to shoreline, all they could see was something indescribably huge moving beneath the sea and water, creating a huge wave of water that crashed against the cliffs. For a week afterwards, dead fish washed up onto the shore.
Don would listen to Akando’s stories intently, nodding every so often to show his investment in the tales; only opening his mouth to speak after the man had finished his stories.
"Well lad, aye’d be lyin if aye didn’t tell yah that yeh got a mighty hefteh pair ah’ stones tah constantleh face down shite like that… That’s damn near enough tah send a shiver down tha’ spine just thinkin bout et. " Donovan chuckled warmly, "Aye can onleh imagine what yer ladeh might think ah such stories…. But--" Donovan paused, his eyebrow raising quizzically. "Yah said this happened when you lot were on good terms with tha Kyrnith back then… What happened bout’ that if yah dont mind meh askin?"
“The Kyrnith?” Akando would reply with a frown. “I don’t know. One day, we simply found the forest was unwelcoming to us. The fog around the temple...the ferocity of the creatures, even normally peaceful ones...the Kyrnith has dominion over all the forest. As far as we hunters care, the Kyrnith is to blame, and we protect this village as best we can. We did try speaking, but it was clearly hostile towards us. We lost several good men attempting it once...”
A simple explanation, but a somewhat believable one.
Donovan would nod solemnly as he'd place a hand on the other man's shoulder, "Tell meh lad--" Donovan would begin with a deep sigh as his 'divine sense' of sorts would work over the hunter, "You th' religious sort? Because aye got ahn old bible storeh er' two they tell back home for ya… A tale that aye think might be similar to yer troubles."
“Bible?” He would ask questioningly. “Is that some holy text from your village? If you wish to share, go ahead...I can’t say I’m particularly religious though.” He’d fold his arms across his chest. “Even if I do believe the Illuminator is at least better for the village for now.”
Don would nod, "Aye. Et is…" the man would begin with a soft chuckle, "In th' bible-- humaniteh began with but ah single man. Th' creator placed him within a great garden; ah paradise where e'd never know starvation er hardship… But, the man was lonely. The countless animals o' tha garden were tame an' friendless as can be, but he desired ah companion." scooping up a nearby stick, Don would mime tearing it out of himself, "An' so, th' creator took ah rib from th’ man, and made from et the first woman… Tah be his wife. Together they lived blissfully within th’ garden, enjoyin th’ simplicity and comfort et offered… Now, all of th’ garden an’ its many plants an’ animals were free reign fer th’ man an woman, cept’ fer one… At th’ center o’ th’ garden was a single apple tree. Th’ tree o’ knowledge." Don would make a small pause for dramatic effect before continuing, "Th’ onleh rule o’ th’ garden was not to eat from that one tree. However, one day while passin’ by, a serpent; a demon in clever disguise, called out to th’ woman. Using et’s silvered tongue an’ honeyed words et convinced th’ woman to partake o’ th’ fruit; not by force, but coaxed her to eat of her own volition. She in turn convinced th’ man to eat as well, upon eating th’ fruit the man an woman gained knowledge. Thus, they knew what they done, an’ tried tah hide from th’ creator; but th’ creator’s eyes were all seein’ an’ he cast em’ out. Standing guard over th’ entrance o’ the garden for the rest ah time would a single angel with ah’ flaming sword… Forever keepin’ man from what we’d lost."
Don would clear his throat, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically. "Now, regardless ah’ how literalleh ya take th’ story, there’s a lesson in et… What do yeh reckon the lesson is lad?"
Akando was silent for a moment as he pondered Donovan’s words.
“...Hm, to not go against what the gods tell you?” Akando would reply with a bit uncertainty. “Its not that odd of a lesson. I hear from that merchant the guardian beasts of Chagawa have similar laws.” Akando would frown.
"Perhaps… But that’s tha beauty of tha old stories, et’s all up tah interpretation... As fer me, I think et also speaks volumes about how with knowledge comes th’ temptations of sin. Dark powers tuggin’ at yah tah commit terrible sins to know even a wee bit more. Now, as fer the second tale--"
Donovan would go on to regale Akando with the story of the tower of Babel, carefully omitting the fact that it was God that punished the men building the tower. Before meeting the man’s eyes once more "Now lad, whaddya suppose the lesson is in that storeh?"
“...that...story seems familiar.” Akando would take a moment to think before giving a levelheaded reply. “I would say its a lesson in mortals not chasing something that is out of their reach. The sky is for Beasts and Gods, not us.”
"It’s a warnin’." Don would coldly respond, "It aint that man can’t take to th’ skies, but that man reached fer somethin’ it weren’t readeh fer." The man’s expression would darken, his shifting toward something deeply serious. "There are things man ain’t readeh to touch yet lad. Things mankind ain’t meant to learn just yet… An’ yet-- there are fools that chase these things, blind tah tha calamiteh they invite tah their own doorstep; and thoughtlessleh bringin’ ruin on those around em."
"Now lad… Do yah know why ayem here?"
Akando would level a look at Donovan as the man finished his biblical story. The hunter didn’t seem overly impressed with the tale, and his question seemed to irritate the hunter.
“Who says humanity is ready or not for something? The Gods?” The hunter would reply. “The Illuminator would say that humans are ready for anything they think they can handle. You can’t learn how to hunt without first doing so, you can’t know how to wield a bow, spear, or axe without first training.” He would lower his arms from his chest. It was perhaps, a slightly bad analogy he was making but the point was there - you can’t learn if you don’t take an initial step, even dangerous things.
“I’m not sure of why you are here - but I think it would be in everyone’s best interests if you leave. Ever since you travelers arrived, things have only gotten worse around here.” There was clear hostility in his tone, but he did not seem interested in fighting as of now, though if Donovan continued it might not stay that way.
Donovan would calmly raise his hand, "Aye never said th’ gods decide what man is readeh fer."
He would let the words sink in for a moment, "Tha onleh one who can truleh decide that is man ‘imself. The gods can offer men guidance, yes-- but to do only the will o’ the gods blindleh is damn stupid. A man chooses what he does; be it right er wrong, wise er foolish… But the best of men, are disciplined tah know when they’re readeh fer somethin… An more importantleh; when they aint. Takin' risks tah learn is natural boyo, don't get meh wrong. Aye ain't here tah condemn yah, an' aye'd ask yah not tah lump meh in with th' other travelers lad." Donovan continued, in a calm, but serious tone, "If things're worse off because o' th' new faces in town, tell meh, explain why an' how, an' aye'll see what aye can do. Aye came tah talk because aye want tah understand yer perspective. An' learn more about what's goin on. Not tah start fights over philosophy."
The man would pause, allowing his words to sink in for a moment, "I know it ain't easy lad. Et's frustratin' as all hell tah talk about this shite… But despite that, would yah be willing to speak bout' these things like civilized folk?"
“Civilized folk don’t come into some unknown village and get into their business.” Akando would reply coolly. “It is true some in the village follow the illuminators ‘will’, I won’t deny that...but that has served us well. We have food, we can hunt the beasts in the forest with his blessings, and even the fog pales against his light. If he wants something...as long as the village is mostly safe, I see no reason to not do as asked...if he were to ask me to do something. The only thing we currently have to fear is the Kyrnith approaching us for hunting its deer...and I suppose other ones, we can not solve merely by hunting.”
Donovan would grin slightly at Akando's initial jab, a slight chuckle escaping his lips "Aye suppose not." Donovan's gaze would shift away from Akando, and instead toward the ocean. "Truth beh told Akando, I'm glad to hear yer perspective on th' matter… An' yer reasonin' fer givin' th' Illuminator yer support. Makes et a helluva lot easier tah get to th' point."
His gaze would return to the hunter, "Lad, aye've come bearin' ill tidins… I been told that th' Illumintor es hell-bent on openin' paths that hold somethin' prisoner under th' ocean; somethin' that wreaked havoc on th' old world. An' that if he does-- tha ocean will swallow this land."
“...that’s...” Akando would stare at Donovan in mild disbelief. “I won’t deny that the Illuminator has asked some of the more fervent hunters to do some...unsavory things, but I see no reason or nothing that he would gain by destroying this place - or his followers...” He would gaze over the sea again. “...unless whatever is imprisoned is important enough for him to...” He would inhale, shaking his head. “No. I will not so easily be deceived, outsider. You bring me some form of proof, and then I’ll see about believing you.”
Don would nod to Akando; the man's cautious nature was respectable. "Then aye suppose it's off tah scout th' temple a wee bit fore' et gets too dark..."
The large man would pause as he was turning away; as if something had suddenly crossed his mind, "Oi Akando… Them beasts yah mentioned; they all stick tah some certain areah?"
“Hm...all the beasts in the forest can be dangerous if provoked. But the fog that surrounds the old temple makes even the more peaceful ones full of some sort of...anger, rage and causes them to attack anything near, even those that would normally be plant eaters. If you mean the one from my stories...I can’t say. I wouldn’t go that deep into the forest. Strange things live there, deep within.” He would reply. “...best of luck to you, outsider. I think you’re still more trouble than we need, but I won’t get in your way as long as you do nothing directly harmful.”
Donovan would give the man a final chuckle as he would part ways with the hunter, "Then aye hope tah prove yeh wrong."
So Donovan would travel into the forest. The cold air less biting through his new gear courtesy of the merchant as he’d soon find himself approaching the old temple from the eastern side. The exact mist that the hunters mentioned would soon be apparent - it covered the ground, about neck height and obscured the forest floor below. What exactly it was was difficult to tell, but considering the effects it had on animals, it may not be a good idea to linger. He caught a few glimpses of a hunter every now and then as he traveled, but they’d have left him alone.
The fact that none of the hunters he’d passed on the way over to the temple held him up at all had Don in something of a pleasant mood, humming softly to himself as he approached the edge of the fog surrounding the temple he’d heard about. Narrowing his eyes, Donovan shifted side to side as he inspected the fog’s border. Reaching out a single hand, he’d wave it through the fog; closing his eyes as he’d reach into the substance with his ‘divine sense’, attempting to get a solid idea of the fog’s nature, whether it was of divine origin or otherwise. Perhaps the fog was being created by the illuminator in order to ingratiate the townsfolk with the ability to guide them through the fog? Regardless-- Donovan would spend a minute or so feeling out the mist, before retracting his hand and spending a long moment staring at the stuff before him as he would attempt to focus magic into his eyes; attempting to replicate what he’d seen Augusta do back in the ruin.
To Donovan’s mundane senses, the fog seemed like just that. Fog. Thick, cold, mundane fog that one may find anywhere in the world. As he would reach in and touch it however, his ‘divine’ sense would react rather harshly. A deep, dark presence would fill his mind as a pressure would assault his chest, breath shortening almost as though he was drowning - as though something was trying to pull him into some abyss. It was clearly divine, but it was unlike the nature he had felt from Lazhira, or from his own patron.
Once he had collected his breath and wits, he would attempt to emulate what he had seen a former companion of his do - focusing that magical energy in his eyes in an effort to analyze what exactly he was looking at. A pressure formed behind his eyes, but nothing to be concerned about as his vision would flicker, the world slowly losing color as grey, black, and white would slowly creep into the edge of his vision. The fog, though, would remain a deep, dark color of blue, but he’d only be able to maintain the ability for a few brief moments before he’d have to rapidly blink, the world returning to normal.
Don would scratch his chin in quiet thought as he stepped back from the mist. Whatever the hell was causing it was indeed divine… But it was distinctly separate from anything he’d encountered thus far; and was outright malevolent at that. There was clearly more at play here than Donovan had initially expected, perhaps the fog was directly connected to whatever the thing the Illuminator was trying to release? Even so; if that were the case, why would he provide mortals with the means to traverse within it? Could he not simply use the resulting shroud to hide his machinations from any who might interfere and do it himself? Or perhaps he required mortal assistance for some reason? Regardless of what this new revelation implied, there was only a single way he’d learn the truth. Grasping his talisman within his left hand and bowing his head, Don would hold his hammer before him in an upward position as he would use [Suthainn’s Appeal (lesser)] to ask for his patron deity’s assistance.
"Oh mighteh Suthainn-- ye who have been watchin’ tha world since ages untold, aye call upon ye once more. Aye ask of ye to bless meh with yer timeless wisdom, an’ that with yer guidance that I may walk forth unmolested by th’ malevolence within this accursed fog. That aye may walk this land as it once was, and shall be once more someday; untouched by such wickedness, and free from th’ horrid abyss that fuels et. Amen."
It was a simple appeal, a question, a prayer to be able to traverse this fog without harm. And thus, it was asked of the deity...and so Donovan would be given passage. There was a faint sound of something moving - an almost slithering like sound accompanied by a ticking. To Donovan, it would appear as though the fog simply...stopped. Everything else seemed to be still moving, but to him, it seemed as though it had temporarily paused. If he attempted to move through it, he’d find it cold as a still harsh pressure would be exerted on his chest, but it was tolerable as though whatever malevolent effects this fog had was being kept just at bay.
But, he would know almost instinctively this would not last long. If he intended to move through the fog, he’d need to do so with haste.
Pausing just long enough to take in what might lie in the fog ahead, Donovan stepped forward into the fog; about to move toward the bit of commotion he could hear coming from the temple-- when a small flash of light caught his eye.
Within moments, a flame would begin to spread atop the ancient building, its ravenous tongues fattening themselves on the temple's dry old wood. Following the arrow back to where it had originated with his eyes, Don set off into the dense fog, making haste toward the origin. Back in the ruined compound, a mysterious archer had nearly gotten himself and several others turned to paste by that damn golem… For some random individual to loose a flaming arrow on a temple that had stood untouched for god knows how long only a day after the previous event-- it couldn't just be coincidence. Could it?
Obscured by the fog, alone a few of the hunters would have taken notice of Donovan, though they’d be too occupied with their task to do much. He’d have to move quickly through the fog, and it was difficult to see through it as he’d approach the commotion, but what he’d hear was the all too familiar voice of Malphas...giving instructions to the hunters. Seemed like some of the other people he had ended up with here was inside!
It seemed the hunters were coming from somewhere on the opposite side of the temple grounds. As long as he could avoid being seen, he could perhaps find where they were coming from.
If he did choose to follow, he’d somewhat easily manage to avoid most of the hunters as long as he kept his head down. They were coming from a cave - where a stylized image of the Illuminator was carved into a wall. A small indent had been made, circular, about the size of a penny. Some sort of secret door? Seemed like most had left already, he just needed to find a way in.
Gritting his teeth, Don would silently curse the fact he could do nothing to help the others that the hunters were seemingly after, especially if Malphas was; for whatever reason, was aiding the search. Even if he did have a means of intervention, there were far too many hunters to make his intervention likely to garner any measure of success… Best he could hope to do was take advantage of the hunters' distraction.
Don would peer closely at the carving, attempting to channel his ‘divine sense’ into his eyes as he would run his fingers over the penny-sized slot. If the man had to wager, this was a keyhole of sorts; which likely meant there might be some kind of ‘spare’ nearby.
Try as Donovan might search, there was nothing resembling anything that might have fit into the slot. It was small, but there was definitely some sort of divine energy coming from this carving. Perhaps he could interfere with it in some way with his own? Either way, if he didn’t find a way in soon, it might be best to leave.
Returning his fingertips to the penny-sized hole, Donovan would once again focus the divine power he was entrusted with as he would firmly grasp his pendant with his free hand. Suthainn’s domain was time. This ‘door’ had an open and closed state that likely hinged on the presence of something being present in the hole. Though that something wasn’t there now, it had likely been there recently... Meaning that with a bit of temporal distortion, one could simulate the ‘key’ being back in it’s place-- right?
"All things come an’ go. Ebbin an’ flowin like tha tide. Oh Suthainn, I seek tah recall what had been ere’ not so long ago. May time bring meh the key tah open th’ path ahead ah’ meh. Amen."
Drawing upon this divine energy once more, Donovan would feel the world around him shift. The ticking of a clock. Gears grinding...then coming to an abrupt halt as the door would shudder, something like a small crack appearing in the hole as he’d pray...and then intense pain. Blood would drip from his nose, as reality around him would shift lightly, rippling and shifting, his arm caught in whatever these ripples were as they would then twist violently.
Pain would shoot through his wrist...yet, he’d almost feel something wrap around his wrist, like a warm, reassuring hand that would suddenly jerk it away from this anomaly before any lasting damage would be done by whatever this seeming backlash would cause. Only a numbing pain would be left.
The door, however, would be open leading inside. Where it once had been was now a transparent door, bright iridescent cracks having formed in its surface, shifting with rainbow like patterns...but he could pass.
Donovan would stumble several steps back in sheer exertion as the door would open before him. "Christ, that were ah close un’--" the man would mutter as he would wipe the blood from his nose; idly rubbing his aching wrist as he quickly regained his bearings and musing quietly to his patron god, "Damn good thing yer watchin’ me back eh Suthainn?". Ensuring his shield was firmly secured on his arm and at the ready before him, Donavan would take a tentative step past the shimmering barrier, scanning the room furiously with his eyes as he’d listen intently for movement ahead of him or behind him… He wasn’t sure how loud that stunt was, but even if it had gone unnoticed-- it would be damn stupid to let his guard down when entering the den of an enemy.
And so Donovan would enter the old temple...its white walls built of some odd stone. Marble? Polished granite? It was difficult for even his experienced eyes to tell what it was made out of, but at least for now it seemed as though no one had heard his intrusion. The cave would give way to a large hallway, an altar at the far end. Macabre paintings depicting various scenes of carnage, or some product of a maddened mind. A two-faced being, hands of some being shoving either side together in a haphazard way. A surreal painting of what seemed to be a man, hanging from the tail of some mechanical serpent while the serpent hung onto the root of some tree with its fangs. What seemed to be a self portrait that would hurt his eyes. Each time it blinked it’d change from a distinguished looking male playing what seemed to be a flute made of bone, to that of an old hag plucking the eyes out of some corpse.
It was quiet, and well lit with bright white stones and torches. A plush red carpet led from the entrance to the altar further in. Two hallways branched off, and a balcony could be seen above overlooking the altar.
Donovan would quietly make his way down the corridor, staring at the painting with the serpent; sparing a moment to ponder if that was Suthainn… Or was the man clinging to it’s tail Suthainn? Regardless, he’d need to save such considerations for after he’d gotten this taken care of. Stopping at the split, he’d peer down both halls before proceeding further.
The hallways were seemingly fairly simple constructions, of the same white stone as everything else. The hallway towards his right would seem to lead to some sort of large, square chamber. The interior was simple enough, with a large domed ceiling with spines slowly sloping from the walls until they met at a small circular opening in the center of the ceiling, a shaft of light spilling from it into the floor where a single chair was positioned. Heavy metal shackles were built into its legs and arms, leaving little doubt as to what sort of chair it was, though the purpose of the room seemed to still be illusive. Something else may be in the room, though.
The one on his left would extend further, making a sharp right angle turn in the direction of the altar. A few rooms seemed to be on either side, behind large closed metal doors. A faint smell of acid would meet his nose as he would get close enough for his feet to fall upon another carpet, this one blue and gold. He could faintly make out some people talking further down.
Hearing the voices down the right hall, Donovan would turn down the right hallway, opting to explore the section where he didn't think anyone was rather than risk getting noticed straight off the bat. Besides that, something in that room was reacting with his 'divine sense'... If he was especially fortunate, there may even be something incriminating he could provide Akando as proof.
The room didn’t seem to be very remarkable. The square room was almost unsettlingly quiet, in a sort of calm before the storm sort of way. The seat itself also didn’t seem very special...rather it seemed like the light itself might be something that he sensed as vaguely divine in nature. Something told him sitting in that light for a long time might be a bad idea, but if he briefly looked he could see some sort of...crystal shining light down onto the chair.
Don would narrow his eyes at the crystal for a moment before looking about the room for anything else of note. The moment he confirmed he would find nothing beyond the blatantly visible crystal and chair the man would promptly turn heel and quickly exit. If he had to guess, this room had something to do with 'illuminating' the village folk. Don shuddered at the thought of how many minds had been altered forcibly in that horrible seat… But he couldn't act yet, he needed to secure allies first. That's why he was here in the first place. Without wasting a single precious moment, he'd then begin creeping down the other hallway, his senses sharp for any sign he may run into someone… Or something.
The voices would grow louder, just enough for Donovan to hear as he would walk down the hallway.
“...what about Akando? When is Soyala going to stop putting it off?”
“Whenever she thinks he’s ready. He’s neutral towards us, but he’ll put what he thinks is good for the village first.”
“Tch, the coward just doesn’t have the guts to make a decision.”
“Doesn’t matter. Deliver this to the drop. Usual spot. Usual time. Don’t screw it up, we get the timing wrong tomorrow we’ll be on the chair or in the lab ourselves.” The voices were coming from a nearby room, and seemed to be having a brief discussion about something regarding taking something to a drop somewhere...which left the problem of the hunters sounding like they were heading out into the hallway!
A brief check would reveal a few unlocked doors he could take a brief duck into if he was fast enough, though maybe he could hide better in the altar room, behind it or something.
Moving as quickly (and quietly) as he could, Donovan would hastily duck into one of the unlocked side rooms, his hand keeping the knob turned as to not let its click alert the pair of hunters as they would pass by. Listening closely, Don would open the door just a crack after the two had passed by his hiding place; hoping to glimpse what the two looked like.
Inside the room, seemed to be some sort of lab that was thankfully empty but he didn’t get a good look as he’d instead turn his attention towards the hunters. One would be walking towards the entrance he had used, while the other would head deeper down the Hallway. The one heading towards the entrance had a bow slung over his shoulder, an older man with a scar across his nose, with slightly greying hair and wearing fur armor seemingly made out of bear fur. The one heading down the hallway...had what seemed to be a pouch of coins tied to his waist, and in his hand seemed to be...dried slips of wood? Something with something written on it, at least, but he couldn’t read it. They had light brown hair, blue eyes and at their side was a spear.
Neither seemed to notice Donovan.
Don's eyes would narrow as he looked both men up and down with his expanded senses… But finding nothing. Taking another quick look around the lab he seemed to be in for any form of notes or documents he could snag; stuffing them into his pockets, before quietly exiting the room and proceeding to cautiously stalk the courier through the halls.
The men indeed, simply seemed to simply be hunters. As for the small lab he ducked into, the only thing that seemed of importance was a small white crystal, with faint traces of divine energy laying nearby. What it could be though, he couldn’t tell but it was definitely connected to the illuminator. If he wanted to still have it pocketed -
Item acquired - Illu Gem A more refined version of the Illu Crystal. Said to grow in places the illuminator favorites. Has a tendency to cause headaches if stared at too long. A hint of its divine energy can be felt from it, from those attuned.
But he couldn’t linger too long, lest he’d lose sight of his quarry. The courier would walk down the hallway, passing through an archway at the end of it where it seemed to open up into another room. A chamber with a number of more...interesting art pieces while some odd contraptions also seemed to be displayed. It’d be easy enough to follow him, as he’d ascend some stairs and enter above what seemed to be a more natural cavern...where Donovan would find another hunter seemingly posted as some sort of guard. The two would exchange brief greetings before the other one would leave out that way.
That just left him figuring out how to get past the other.
Backtracking a bit, Don would hastily go back to the room with the various displays, biting his lip as he'd quickly topple one over before hiding himself in a corner beside the doorway where the posted guard would approach from. Poised to either slip past him once he'd enter the room, or to crack him over the head with the pommel of his warhammer if he was noticed.
The display would easily tumble over, the mechanical parts on it briefly whirring to live as they would clang together and likely have alerted the entire temple, had they not already been out. Of course, the hunter above would easily take note of this, coming down the stairs to see what exactly the commotion had been. He didn’t see Donovan, initially as he made his way down the stairs, noticing the knocked over display as he’d mutter something under his breath about it being the wind or some such having knocked it over.
Assuming he did, eventually he’d be able to follow the rather linear path of the cavern out to the forest proper, where he would once again find the courier...who seemed to have briefly stopped, and was taking a moment to seemingly make sure he wasn’t being followed.
The moment Don recognized that the courier had stopped to ensure there wasn't someone following him, the man froze. Slowly, he would lower himself; as to prevent any sudden movement from drawing the young hunter's eye, and carefully reposition himself behind a nearby tree. Quieting even his breath, Donovan would wait, carefully listening for the courier to continue.
The hunters gaze would linger on where Donovan hid for a few seconds before he’d let out a breath and start walking again. He would walk further away from the secondary entrance, and if he so happened to look back he’d see that he had somehow been locked out - the door taking a form similar to the one he had seen at the other end, a carving of the illuminator donning where the door had once been.
Regardless, it seemed like he had successfully managed to avoid being seen as the hunter would keep moving, eventually making his way towards a tall tree that had a hollow spot in its trunk about chest high.The hunter would place the wooden looking sheet inside, along with the coin pouch. He would then quickly check his surroundings, before walking off in the direction of the village. Donovan could check and see what had been placed there, or he could wait and see who would be coming later…
Waiting patiently, Don would bide his time until the courier was far out of sight before approaching the tree himself and retrieving what had been stashed inside. Retreating to a ditch some distance from the tree, he'd cobble together something of a hunter's blind using fallen branches and dead leaves. Only after he'd done this, and hidden himself within, would he take a look at what he'd lifted from the cult's drop.
The ‘wooden’ planks rather, seemed to in fact be Bamboo or a plant similar. Upon it was written a rather rambling request of services, as well as offer of payment, and a thanks again for previous services rendered.
“Hello you old furball! Thanks again for that quality service, last time. Hard to find good help these days, what with the whole problem we have with the old seal coming undone. Ah well. No matter that, I’ve got another little request for your furry tail! Seems some outsiders are tryin’ to repair the relationship between the old Chief, Kadisht, or whatever title their using these days. Can’t be having that, can we? Not unless we want that little creation of mine getting what she wants.
Kill the deer, enrage the beast, and make sure Enli is taken out of the picture. Payment is within, along with something else I think you’ll like. I found it on a trip to your homeland recently.”
Checking the pouch would reveal several gold coins in payment, the hefty sum no small amount. Within was also what seemed to be some sort of...sharp metal fragment? It was inscribed with what was ostensibly oriental lettering.
Donovan grit his teeth as he read the note. Intentionally using Kyrnith to off Enli was fucking low. Shit like that made Don want to walk right up to that illuminator bastard and punch him square in the jaw! Taking several deep breaths to calm himself, Donovan would read over the letter again, drinking in the new information. The old seal was coming undone? Or is it that the old seal had come nigh undone only to be reforged? Even more concerning, was the fact that it referenced some kind of creation of the Illuminator, a sentient one. There were more pieces on the board than Don had initially thought… And there was without a doubt, much he still had yet to uncover.
With a heaving sigh, the man resigned himself to watch for whoever it was that would be picking up the drop… And after they left, he intended to bring this straight to Akando.
He would be waiting a few hours before anyone else would show up to the dead drop. It...was maybe not who they were expecting either, considering he would have never seen them around before once, not even among Mie’s troupe. A woman, long dark hair tipped with white at the end towards her ponytail, appearing almost as suddenly as a gust of wind. Donovan would nearly miss her arrival if he had blinked. She was dressed in what was quite obviously traditional ‘ninja’ attire.
“...not here? Eh? Not here? Oh no nono, I’m gonna get scolded!” The woman would seemingly pout a few seconds before muttering again, in a slightly less loud and more hopeful tone. “...I’m gonna get scolded, heheh...ahem.” taking a moment to clear her throat, she’d look around the hollow in the tree and the forest, making sure someone simply didn’t drop it. “Tsk, she’s working me super hard too...ugh...my poor little feet hurt so much. I’ll have to go talk to them directly...” She’d complain as she’d finish her checking around, before seeming content that there was nothing here for her.
Once more, Donovan would blink and he’d nearly miss her departure. A small kicking up of snow and her footprints would be all that remained here.
Slowly exiting his hiding spot, Donovan would step out into the night air, narrowing his eyes as he’d scan the forest for any other movement. Upon finding none, the man would begin trudging back to the village, hiding the goods in his coat and making his way to Akando’s hut with haste.
It would be sunset by the time Donovan returned to the village, the sun beginning to sink low over the horizon as he would find Akando near his cabin with a number of other hunters, discussing something about their hunts that day. As soon as he’d see Donovan approach, he’d get up from his seat, the other hunters quieting themselves as he’d approach Donovan with a mildly irritable expression, though he wasn’t hostile he was clearly not entirely enthused to see Donovan.
“So, you’ve come back.” He’d simply say, a bit out of earshot of the other hunters now.
Don would stare quietly at Akando, moving his gaze over the other hunters for a brief moment, . Leaning toward Akando, he’d speak in hushed tone; "They’re plannin’ tah off Enli. An tah blame et on Kynrith. Aye got proof on meh but aye can’t show yah in front ah th’ others yah got ere’. I’ll bet yeh thats what happened to th’ other lads yah sent out way back when."
“...that’s...a strong claim.” Akando would say, voice stern but still not hostile. “But fine, if you have proof, show me.” The hunter would say, walking closer towards the ocean once more, out of earshot of the others. “Here. Show me this proof.”
Don would pull the message from his coat and handed it to Akando discreetly. "Followed one ah tha blokes back there outta their hideout an' tah some kinda drop. Took th' note an th' pay, some lass dressin' like ah ninja came tah pick it up… Ain't sure what events er folk that note es referrin' to at some parts, but I was hopin' yah'd be able tah give me an idea."
Akando would take the note, face shifting between mild irritation and confusion as he’d read it.
“...I don’t know what events they are referring to, either.” Akando would frown deeply, as though troubled by something. “But the only ones who communicate using these...wood? Planks are those from the merchants group.” He would shake his head. “I’m...hesitant to still believe you, but there’s an easy way to fix this. If they’re planning on harming the Kyrnith’s deer to enrage it, then we simply need to stop them from doing that. I’m hesitant to enter into its forest when its already shown hostility, but if what you are saying is true, I must at least see for myself...but that leaves Enli unguarded if they do wish him harm.”
Donovan would nod, "Aye lad, yah make ah fair point. But even so, that's onleh an immediate problem… Aye checked th' fog. Whatever th' hell that seal es holdin' back is ancient, malevolent, an' hungry as hell. Aye think et's some kinda dark god. Damn thing es even divine in nature! Whatever's keepin' et down es clearleh comin' loose, an all this ere' shite centers aroun' that fact. But weh can worry bout that later. Look lad, s'far as th' Kynrith es concerned, you an' me should be fine goin in es' woods an stoppin' th' plot tah off Enli, after all Kynrith asked meh tah come help you lot in th' first place… As fer Enli's protection, es there not anyone yeh can trust tah keep an eye on em?"
“...the Kyrnith sent you?” Akando would frown. “Another outlandish claim, but if...there is some truth to it then...” Akando would sigh. “Fine, I’ll choose to believe you for now. If the rest of the hunters are all plotting something...and if the merchant is involved, judging from that slip, then...Bolcha.” Akando would say with a nod. “Him and Enli are good friends. He’s a craftsman by trade, but he’s a sturdy fellow. I’ll talk to him.”
Donovan nodded slowly, his hand reaching up to wipe away a fresh trickle of blood from his nose with a grunt. "Right then. How bout we meet up first thing in th' mornin right back ere? An do yah know ah place that'll put meh up fer th' night?"
“Mhm, fine. If you want lodging, Enli would likely allow you to stay...otherwise, I think a number of the others are staying with Lazhira.” Akando would say with a grunt. “I’ll be waiting here tomorrow. Don’t show up, I’ll be going myself.” Unless there was anything else to exchange between the two, Akando would heft his spear and walk off, down the beach away from the other hunters. Their conversation may not have been overheard, but they were clearly eyeing Donovan with some manner of suspicion but didn’t say anything as they’d allow him to leave.
Noticing the suspicion of the other hunters, Don would turn to them with a frown. "Shame. Seems some folk dont got time fer preachers…" Donovan would pause, regarding the hunters for a moment as a beaming smile would form atop his lips, "Would any ah you lads mayhaps care sparin' ah moment tah hear th' good word ah Suthainn?
Augusta had followed along with the Queen's words until she mentioned "partner". Augusta blinked a few times and gave the Queen a slightly quizzical look. "Pardon, Your Majesty. Partner? Could you please elaborate?"
“Well, as my husband is no longer with me, it would be awfully lonely to go alone, wouldn’t you agree?” The queen replied, starting to walk from the throne, gliding gracefully across the floor as she would motion for Augusta to follow. It was unclear if there were ulterior motives to that, with how it was difficult for her eye or everything else to get a read on the Queen. “And who knows...you might find getting to know the important people in Shadow Elf society a good thing.”
Augusta let her eyes rest on the Queen for some seconds, studying her and her expression. After some seconds of an intense stare as the otherworldly woman moved with elegance from her throne, Augusta relented and followed. There was little she could figure out from this woman. And it irked her a small bit. Perhaps she was being a small bit vexed from not being able to gleam information from her. “I don’t suppose it would be bad to make connections.” The actual otherworlder mentioned as she went to follow the Queen. There’s a couple of reasons she could think of why the queen would possibly want her as a partner there. Use of her ability perhaps. Though, she wondered if the queen didn’t already have something similar. Perhaps to use her as a sign of ‘I’ve taken an elf from aboveground in as a guest’ for some reason or another. Of course, she reasoned that it’s possible that she really just wanted a partner to go along with her but…
“While I agree this would be a favorable situation for me and for you as well if you wanted someone with you… Is that all to it?” She asked. There was little to lose at this point. The only way for her to get information out of this woman was to ask. She couldn’t use her more indirect way with her.
“Of course. Everyone always has ulterior motives, Augusta. Especially in a society like ours. Rullphana...the smith, the captain of the Pale Hand. I can assure you though, we are not enemies.” She’d continue as she’d lead Augusta down a few corridors where they’d eventually reach a large open patio that seemed to be some form of underground garden, full with all the foliage and plants one may find underground here, and some not.
“Whether you find those out or not...that is up to you, and whether you can use that gift of yours effectively.” She would glide over to a nearby elegant looking table, located under a gazebo. “Go on, sit. We should speak more. What does your little Octavia prefer?”
“She tends to eat whatever she can get her little paws on.” She then looked down to the demon dog. “Meat, I assume?” She would ask. She wasn’t wholly sure, but there was an assumption there from dogs in her prior world.
“Meat...hm, I suppose I should expect as much from a demon. And you, then?” The queen would ask. “I’m sure an elf such as yourself would prefer boar, or some fruits from the forest of your home, no?” There was a subtle curl to the end of her mouth suggesting that perhaps she already knew this was not the case.
“Me? Boar? Fruits of the forest? No, I believe I would like to understand the cuisine of your people. Is that not one of the beautiful things about traveling to distant places?” Augusta would question as she sat down across from the woman. “Besides, I doubt your people would truly be able to imitate the taste of my home. Not without thorough instruction, at the least.”
“Very well.” The Queen would reply with a nod. She’d give instructions to a nearby servant who would bow politely, likely off to relay her orders to whatever chefs or kitchens were here. Of course, this also meant there would be quite some time between now and when Octavia would get her own food. “Now then...Augusta, tell me. Why are you here? I don’t mean for the pup, either. Why are you, personally here?”
“Why?” Augusta questioned in return. “In a metaphysical sense, I’ve wondered that very thing.” She shook her head, “No… No. That’s not what you meant of course. Travel perhaps. To find my place in the world? You could say we had a disagreement with some other companions and I found myself needing to come this way. Perhaps it was some power at work as we found young Leuca and brought her here.” After that, she merely shrugged, unsure of what else to really add. “If anything else… Perhaps I thought I could become stronger after hearing of this place. The Urutha are gifted with magic, so I thought I could perhaps learn in some way or another. Why do you ask?”
“Hmm...I see.” Vasserassa would place a hand against her cheek as she’d consider Augusta’s words thoughtfully. “An unknown Sirithen, traveling the world seeking magic...hm.” It seemed at least, on some level the queen did believe her, though how far was difficult to tell. “I...have a proposition that may help the both of us. I seek to establish ties with Talman. We can not continue as we have, quarreling with our forest kin so readily and condemning them. With their troubles with the Apostles we could easily crush them, no doubt but...the royal family of Gloomhollow was gifted with the ability to glimpse into the future by the Moon and the old God of the stars in the previous ages. Such an action would doom both of us, but opinions among my people are not so easily swayed.”
Augusta believed her words about glimpsing the future. Not like she could do much but believe at this point. “If it would doom the both of you, I suppose it would have something to do with the Apostles. Forging ties with the others would do wonders in that case… However, how would you manage to do so if the popular opinion is antithetical to that end?” She shifted in her chair slightly with an arm resting on it and the other raised up as if she were ready to rest her head on it. “As you said, I’m an unknown Sirithen. What would your proposition be?”
The Queen’s mouth would curl into a smirk.
“You are unknown...but you are also skilled, beautiful, and not adverse to parts of our culture other Sirithen would scoff at. People with unknown pasts can be given one, if they desire it. I’d have to talk things over with their King once more, but I’m sure he wouldn’t be too adverse.” She’d lean back in her chair, plucking a flower from a nearby plant and gazing at it. “Marry my son as a princess of the Sirithen. Doing so would forge an alliance between our two peoples, so long as we manage to pass you off as one. This would also...well, make you royalty and give you access to unlimited magical teaching offered. You’d have to learn to wield a blade or spear, but Sorcha could easily teach you.”
Augusta held her breath as she saw the Queen smirk. Her eyes narrowed as the woman started to praise her, or what she assumed was praise but it was hard to tell with this woman. “Too… Adverse?” She asked before the Queen started to speak again. And her words left Augusta speechless. Her jaw slightly dropped as she tried to vocalize her thoughts, but that would require legible thoughts to do so. Her hand raised as if she were going to protest but the words couldn’t leave.
She took a couple of seconds to regroup her thoughts before she could speak. “Your Majesty… Surely you jest…?”
“A queen must always be serious, my dear Elf.” She’d reply with a smirk. “It is not a bad deal, no? Our society is rather matriarchal to start with, so aside from you being from Talman, no one would have any objections. Or...perhaps you object because you already have someone you love? Hm, well, you could easily have both if you wish. I had quite a number of lovers in my youth.”
“Someone I love? No such thing.” Augusta stated bluntly. Hell, she didn’t really have anyone she liked back on Earth. She was too busy to think about it, really. “I question it because this seems very… Questionable. You’ve known me for a day if that. Even if you can glimpse the future…” She trailed off and gave a sigh. “Haa… What would even be my responsibilities should I accept.” Realistically it was a good offer… Perhaps… Too good. There had to be some sort of catch.
“Well...obviously you would become Queen, once I passed, with all the responsibilities that has.” She’d reply with a chuckle. She’d lean back in her chair, placing the luminescent flower between them. “Feel free to think it over, as long as you wish. It may be quite sudden, but time always moves forward, dear Augusta. It runs out for some, sooner, rather than later. Decisions must be made, or it will be made for you.” She’d lower her voice. “Or perhaps you don’t want it? I can understand.” She’d sigh, but look towards Octavia, just as a handful of servants would make their way into the courtyard carrying trays of freshly roasted mushrooms, meat, and a number of fish and other things from this underground forest.
One was carrying what seemed to be the massive corpse of a crystal eater, quite a large one, too. It’d be tossed on the ground near Octavia.
“I suppose we can discuss it more later, if you want for now we can enjoy a bit of food, hm? You’ll have to tell me how this compares to your homeland.” Well, that crystal eater was probably just fine for Octavia. For now at least. She then looked to her own food. Really, there was a lot. Mushrooms, meats of all sorts and a couple of other things. Luckily, this food all sat well with her Italian palate. “So far, seasoning aside, it looks fine to me.” She grabbed one of the nearby, fork-like utensils and used it to pick at the food a small bit. She took something small and put it in her mouth. “Hmm…” She took her small amount of time to chew and savor it before swallowing it. “It's delicious. Absolutely delicious.” Really, what should she expect from the food, royalty eats. “Have you discussed this with the Prince yet?” Augusta needed to ask between bites.
“Hm...no, I have not.” The queen would reply with a light giggle. “But, he has nothing to complain about. If anything I’m certain he quite likes you already. He’s always been a bit...ah, well, lets just say where we are gifted in magical arts, he took to the more obscure martial learnings the old demons passed down to us. I’m sure he’d find a Sirithen who also goes against what their peoples normally do quite fascinating.” She’d take a bite of the lake fish, savoring its flavor. Meanwhile, Octavia was making an absolute mess of the crystal eater, having already devoured a large section of it whole.
“You’re certain he likes me?” Augusta questioned. They’ve talked all of once so that didn’t make much sense. She ate a bit more of the food in front of her before speaking again. “What if I wanted to travel and see more of this world?”
“You’re a queen. You could do whatever you wished.” She’d reply with a smile. “Obviously there would be some...logistical concerns with leaving your country, but I doubt it wouldn’t be anything you couldn’t solve.” She’d muse, taking a quiet drink. “And if he doesn’t like you, well, what does it matter? He wouldn’t say no. Marriages such as this are not uncommon here, especially among the royalty. He’s of age and needs a partner anyways. So I’ll be finding someone if he does not himself, soon.”
“Would you be expecting… Marital duties?” Augusta asked. She wanted every little bit of information she could get before even thinking about giving an answer. It’s not something she seemed wholly interested in.
“Well...you will need an heir, of course. How you go about that is entirely up to you.” She’d reply with a chuckle. “Its a duty of a ruler to ensure their lineage survives, after all.” The queen would be silent for a moment, contemplating Augusta as she’d reach for a slice of bread. “Ah...are you uncertain because you’re ah, partial to the more...womanly, lovers?~”
“Womanly?” Augusta returned the question for a second. “Perhaps. Perhaps I find certain unworldly beautiful women attractive. Perhaps not and I do find a certain young prince moreso. Who is to say?” Augusta mentioned before chewing on a small mushroom. “What do you think, Your Highness?”
“I think were I younger, I’d have you in my bedroom already.” The queen laughed lightly. “But alas, I’m far too old for such dalliances and it would be improper.” She’d stand from her seat, picking up the flower again as she passed, briefly walking by Augusta and placing a hand on her shoulder. “It was...perhaps a silly idea. I should return to the throne, lest someone miss my absence.” She’d say, placing the flower in augusta’s hair, before quietly and quickly walking away, unless she would be stopped.
Augusta stood from her chair after the queen put the flower in her hair. “If it’s about the marriage idea, I’ve not said no. It’s a very possible thing I might agree to after all.. That aside, just looking at you I doubt you’re ‘too’ old for anything.” The woman mentioned.
“Ahahah, Augusta you should know I’m old enough to be a grandmother in elvish years.” She’d say with a light chuckle as she’d leave. “But if you agree to it, we can talk later...there’s enough time, still, no need to rush. If you want, speak with my son. Get to know him a bit, if you’re unsure.” And with that she’d leave, leaving Augusta alone with a pup that had single handedly devoured an entire crystal eater twice the size of her as she’d plop at Augusta’s feet, seemingly content.
Augusta just watched as the Queen left. “I wonder if she has any other hidden plans.” She asked herself as Octavia finished all of the food and wandered over to her. “Well, it doesn’t look like you’re going to raid the village stores to fill your stomach for now.” She knelt down to scratch the pup behind the ears. “Well, we’re here in the castle anyhow. Perhaps we should talk to the Prince and get his opinion on this matter?”
Internal strife within Gloomhaven? Or an agent from Tamaln? Perhaps a third party altogether. Perhaps a master of disguise who wasn’t even Sirithen to begin with. Possibilities emerged, but no evidence could be gathered so quickly. Rather than hypothesizing then, Isidore gave his own demands. “Hand the seed to me. I will have Raezel leave. After, we talk.”
He felt for the heat within his core, stoking the coals once more. “Rullphana is no friend, but neither is a thief who borrows another’s authority.”
“Seed?” The elf would question, but they would quickly click their tongue. “...whatever, fine. Here.” They would hand the thing they had stolen from Raezel over to Isidore. The seed, back in his possession.
“Hey! Guh...” Raezel would shout, though she was looking like she was a bit winded from trying to keep up. “Gimme that back you elvish dummy! Or I’ll...take it back from you, just stand still!”
“Mhm. Give me a moment.”
Isidore furrowed his brows, surprised that it was given up so quickly. But it was of no concern. He slid the seed into the folds of his mismatched clothing, turned, and then strode towards Raezel. “Meet me at the Rusty Ale Lake after. I’ll hand it to you over there, and we can head for the Tower together. Understood?”
There was no sense that this was a suggestion.
“H...huh? What? But why! And why that dingy dwarvish hangout!” Raezel would complain. She didn’t seem to be one for picking up on subtle cues like this, but at the same time...she wasn’t a complete idiot. She might have been able to overpower some random elf, but Isidore? She could at least tell when she was outclassed by someone by a wide margin. “...urgh, fine! But you better not be lyin!” She’d say, running off without another word...leaving Isidore with his newest elf acquaintance.
“...well, maybe we can be friends.” It was then, he’d notice the elf grinning...and the fact that the elf reached into their pockets and pulled out the seed. A quick check where he’d put the seed, would reveal a small rock about the same weight. “Elves like me may not be as well versed in magic as these shadow elves, but we still have a few fancy tricks...like deceiving the senses.”
“Impressive,” Isidore replied, unimpressed. “Would be a good pickpocket with more practice with your hands.” He tossed the rock up and down a couple of times, before pocketing it once more. “Now, will you hand it over?”
“That depends,” The elf would reply. “This is a ‘seed’ as you said...which means you know what its from and what you want to do with it. If you intend to do something with it, then no. My...employer needs it as evidence since its clearly demonic in nature.”
“I’ve many things I want to do to it; nothing I wish to do with it.” Isidore began walking, pushing for the livelier portions of the markets. “But there are far livelier demons roaming Gloomhaven. Why just a seed?”
The Sirithen would start following Isidore, speaking quietly as they’d walk through the market.
“We didn’t know what it was,” They’d reply. “But we know Rullphana is up to something. I was...asked to help gather evidence. Going after anything Rullphana has herself would be foolish...but the apprentice is well, you saw that yourself.” They’d chuckle. “Rullphana often has her make errands. I was just hoping to see if she was carrying anything important...turns out I got lucky, it seems.”
They’d quicken their pace, eventually taking the lead.
“If you want to know more, then...I think your trustworthy enough. If so...I could probably convince my employer to ah, maybe employ you as well.”
“A clarification.” Isidore slowed his own steps. If the Sirithen wanted to hear what he said next, they’d have to slow down too. “Whatever Rullphana plans, the seed has nothing to do with it.”
This of course, would cause the elf to slow, just enough to catch what Isidore said before stopping their steps entirely in order to reply.
“...and you know this how? The thing is clearly demonic in nature, and considering what Rullphana is trying to do...I don’t believe it.”
“Because she only learned this existed a few hours ago,” Isidore replied. “And only by chance.”
“Hm.” The elf would frown. “Still, even in that case I can’t simply let her have this...unless you have some other idea maybe? Otherwise, I’m walking off with this.”
“A seed, stolen before anything can be done to it, is not evidence.” The dark-haired youth continued in a measured tone. “It’s just a gift that was lost. Until it is used, any connection between this and her plans are nebulous, hypothetical.”
And in the worst case scenario, it would be easy enough for Rullphana to shift the blame on her apprentice instead. Better to save one’s own neck, at the expense of just a promising underling.
“But I have a partner on the inside, one that will, if the transferral of the seed to Rullphana is complete, be working intimately with her on the matter of demonic studies. Do you see how this could be more beneficial than just...troubling a child?”
“...Hm...” The elf would pause a moment, but after brief deliberation would give in. “Fine. You don’t seem to be lying.” A quick pull of the seed from the elves pocket, a swift hand would pass it back to Isidore. “But you will be meeting my employer. Small tavern. Rusty Ale lake. Tomorrow night. Come yourself...or not, and I’ll come pick you up personally.”
Isidore smiled, pocketing the demon seed once more.
“Of course.”
And with that, he continued his stroll, gradually splitting away from the Sirithen before disappearing down the alleyways and sidestreets that lead towards what was gradually becoming the only clandestine meeting place within all of Gloomhaven.
“Uh… huh. Indulge my curiosity, what is the full extent of your abilities?” So not quite the same as the Greek gods after all. She’d always heard about gods creating this and that person or thing in earth mythology, but Narkissa really had to wonder how that looked like when they were doing it, or how it worked. On second thought, it was probably something that she didn’t necessarily want to know. Especially with the things she had seen, the god she had spoken to. “Oh… I see. Sorry to hear that,” she frowned, offering her brief condolences. Well, that explained why somebody that was as young as her –if she was created by a god, how old was she actually? —was living by herself. “Well, that makes sense. The Kyrnith is just the local god… entity that just wants to be left alone with the village to its own devices, if I understand it correctly. I’m afraid I’ve only heard bits and pieces of this all, so my knowledge is slightly fragmented.” Either way, Narkissa was starting to get the big overall picture here, although it felt like there was still a piece missing, somehow.
She sat down on another stump across from Lazhira, picking up a half-transformed plank as she did so. “Okay. First thing’s first, though; what is the first key? How was it destroyed, and how exactly do the mechanisms work? I’d have thought you’d want to preserve the key to open the seal, rather than destroy it,” she frowned, before taking the axe to try and reduce the wood down to a proper plank of her specifications.
“For that matter, what does the fog, or the seal, have to do with the fact that the temple has disappeared?” Mildly distracted, Narkissa tried to work out her questions in her head. What Lazhira was asking was a bit of a tall order, especially when she didn’t have all the pieces. “Well, I’ll certainly help. I’m not sure if keeping the orb with you, if I find it, would be a good idea, though. Your father’s specifically still going to look for you, and if he finds you together with the orb, then doesn’t that accomplish his goals in one fell swoop? Ideally, I’d split the orb up, send it off somewhere distant, or with another person, somewhere where he won’t think to look, as a contingency. Keeping it on yourself would be too obvious, and risky, I’d think.”
Nomura nodded at the explanation Mie gave about their next locales, learning more of the local peoples of this land. To hear that they worship these "elder beasts" was... interesting, to say the least. Civilizing the coming regions is likely to not end in his favor, with this in mind.
"Well, I think this 'Fetch Me My Raws' sounds like a lovely fellow. Of course, we'll defer to your expertise on the matter." Nomura nodded alongside Eirhilde.
As Mie acquainted Malphas with the surface-level details to play the part of Nomura, he took many mental notes down, also keeping to mind her manner of speaking in comparison to the locals here. After all, it seemed like Malphas would need to play this part well if he wishes to leave with much of himself intact.
"Ah, yes, you wouldn't happen to have any spare fragrances I could use on myself, at least while we're here, do you? I'm afraid at least one of the locals here may be familiar with my scent."
In any case, Nomura would proceed with the task given to him, making his way to the Oni. With a friendly Chagawan gesture, Nomura collected the wine, avoiding on getting too acquainted with his monstrous companions for a time. He detested working with such brutes, and Mie seemed to imply they'd feel the same about him. Still, he cannot deny the protection they may provide, and it was unwise to get on their bad sides due to biases on his part.
Now all that's left is to deliver the wine to this Enli. Funny, he's avoided the village leader all this time... Hopefully, Nomura doesn't attract any unwanted attention on the way there.
Nick gasped as he woke. He was panting as he stared at the white snow, yet his mind was elsewhere. He saw something when he was unconscious. Dreams? No, they seemed too... mystical to be dreams. Visions borne from his power? The likeliest reason. He saw a snow-covered village in the vision, but it wasn't Dawn. There was also that French maid dress, which Nick found quite out of place but then skeletons rose from the snow and came at him. What did it all mean?
“Wah! You’re awake! Jeez, I thought you were a goner! You had a bit of hypothermia and you look like you had been walking forever! You northern folk are crazy! Anyways, carried ya down the mountain. Should be pretty safe here. Ya should probably eat something. Them scrawny arms of yours probably aren’t gonna help ya a lot if ya don’t.”
Nick looked all around him. He just saw snow, really, but it appeared he was indeed down from the mountain and on the other side it seemed. The warrior woman's shouting rang Nick's ears, but he didn't mind. It was like an angel screaming at him in concern. She then handed him a bowl of cooked bits of meat. Nick didn't care what it was and immediately dug in, savoring the feeling of simply having prepared food in his mouth.
It hasn't even been a week into this world and Nick found himself already down in the dumps and barely surviving. He couldn't wait to get back home.
“So what’s your name anyways? And why ya traveling them mountains? Don’t suppose you’re from that village I’m supposed to be looking for, do ya?”
Nick swallowed the food in his mouth before answering. "Uh, my name's Nick. Nicholas Gallagher, but just call me Nick for short." He answered the first question. "I was looking for the people who live in the mountains. Got something I have to ask them about." Nick showed off his black, diamond-shaped artifact to the warrior woman without hesitation. "I heard they might know a lot about it."
She then asked about a village she was looking for. "Well, I did come from a village. A fishing village called 'Dawn'. It's a nice little town and it has a god, an Elder Beast, sorta friendly with them. A deer deity named Kyrnith." Nick replied earnestly. Nothing but the best for his savior. "There's trouble afoot there, though. But... it's got people already on it. Capable people, I would think."
"Then there's this village that had a... skeleton problem." Nick decided to also reveal his vision. Albeit, in digestible terms. "I... only caught a brief glance at the place before I... ran off. Not exactly sure where it is, either."
"A-Anyway, you have my deepest gratitude for saving me, Miss--" He indirectly asked for the warrior woman's name. "If there's anything I can do in return, let me know. If you'd like, I can help you look for this village."
An orb desired by the Illuminator? How coincidental, she had just spoken to him.
Without knowing anything else about the situation, Nobunaga's immediate conclusion was an obvious one: Lazhira was absolutely correct in her judgement. Giving the reckless god anything he desired would only allow him greater hold on this place. As such, rejection of such a bargain wholeheartedly was the only way forward.
She would not permit anything to interfere with her plan.
Brushing her gleaming black hair back with one hand, her response was an obvious one, at least to her.
"Well, we cannot allow him to have it, then," Nobunaga asserted. If he desired it, obtaining it would not mean anything good. Therefore it was only reasonable not to permit anything of the sort.
However, the matter of the meeting with the Kyrinth was by far the most important one at the moment.
"But that discussion can wait until later. For the moment, we have business to attend to, do we not?
Novak was conflicted about whether to stay and rummage through the scrolls, or accompany Enli to meet the Kyrinth.
Would the Kyrinth take offense to me wearing an animal's scales like this? he wondered. No, everyone is wearing clothing made from animal hide, and it's not probably not making a fuss over that. Novak recalled Enli mentioning that the hunters killing deer might be angering the Kyrinth, so perhaps it might take exception to something made of deer hide, but as far as Novak knew, his outfit came entirely from that armored beast.
His other concern was that he wasn't entirely sure that the Kyrinth would want to see him. Would it know of the deal he had made with the Illuminator? Would it view him in the same light as the hunters who served the Illuminator? No, I'm not the same as them. I didn't break a covenant like they did, nor did I kill any deer, he tried to reassure himself.
There were a few reasons he wanted to meet the Kyrinth- he hoped that the Elder Beast would be able to explain some of what was going on, that it'd be able to identify who among the hunters are up to no good, and lastly, he wanted to keep Enli safe. Lazhira seemed to believe that they wouldn't move against the chief, but Novak had been concerned for some time that they might move to eliminate Enli if there was any chance that he could discover the misdeeds they were committing behind his back. With plenty of newcomers in town, they'd have plenty of scapegoats and suspects to pin the crime on. Perhaps he was just being paranoid, but it seemed like a good idea to keep their main benefactor safe.
Novak wasn't much of a fighter at this point so he wasn't sure if he'd be any use in a fight against anything stronger than a pitiful, injured slime. On the other hand, he'd be with Nobunaga, a trained swordswoman, and he distinctly recalled the hunters not showing much martial skill in the fight against that armadillo-like creature.
"I'm ready to go when you two are," he finally replied, his mind made up. "I can always search through the scrolls later."
For now, he'd keep his deal with the Illuminator a secret. He still wasn't sure what the Kyrinth or Enli would make of it, but Nobunaga had made her stance on it quite clear and he didn't want to give her a reason to turn her katana on him.
The catgirl drug herself groggily out of the snow pile, wiping the mess off of her face and spitting out any snow that had made its way into her mouth. Her muscles ached with an incredible tiredness, though the sting of her burned right half seemed to lessen a bit in contact with the snow. At least she had that much going for her. She was only a bit exhausted, however, which meant she could at least try to find her way...ah...wait, where was she?
Letting out a long sigh, the catgirl looked about herself in the forest area she'd arrived in, before trying to listen in with her improved sense of hearing. Eventually, though, familiar-ish sounds of people from afar touched her cat-like ears at the very least. Ah. The village! She was some distance away, but close enough to be able to figure out where she was. That was good at least! Maybe.
But wait, how long had she been gone? The Sage had said time flows oddly in a divine realm, so it could have been hours, days, maybe even weeks or months! Truth be told, the catgirl had no idea, but there was one way to find out.
Making her way toward the village proper, or at least in the direction of the sounds of people she'd heard, Leannah would eventually make her way to the find herself seeing a small cabin from afar. And glimpses of stumps at that! The voices were louder though, though she couldn't make out the words due to her tiredness, so onward the catgirl moved until she found herself emerging from the trees and into the cleared area proper-
-...oh. Oh! That was Lazhira sitting on a stump! And she could see Narkissa's face from here!
The catgirl moved toward the duo, but ultimately running was out of the picture for her at the moment. Crap. She really was out of energy at this point, for the most part at least.
"Hey...Hey...HEEEEEEY!!!"
She tried shouting out to the duo, albeit having to build up the energy to do so, whilst waving her arms to try to get their attention. For a little she hoped it would work, only for one of her feet to catch a stray root and send her face-first into the snowy ground once more. This time, she simply rolled over on her back, spitting out the snow and ground debris mixed in with it.
"Ok...that one...was on me this time." she mumbled quietly to herself.
