"All right, I'll stay put," Ken said as he took yet another half-eaten fruit and threw it up in the air, turning it into healing spores that floated around the arena, rousing the unconscious back to full health and even curing any concussions or other head injuries they received. As half-eaten fruits, sticky burrs, or even clumps of dry weeds were now more common in the arena grounds, the young man decided to pick them up and play healer, not wandering too far off from his designated spot, but nevertheless finding enough to pick up, turn into healing spores, and let the wind carry them.

He then remarked to Takemura, "You know, for a slaving bastard, the Sand King can be a very affable fellow. Then again, that's probably why people tolerate him... Well, being a slaving asshole."

But Takemura didn't reply, and Ken could see that the Oni gladiator's expression was bored. So the young man decided not to annoy him and instead focused on trying to pass the time - Wait, was that a Cryptid?! Ken turned to Garrick's general direction and waved hi, shouting in Uveran, then Waltonian, "Honorable Scion of the Forest, you grace us with your presence! I am Bright Star in Uveran, while my Waltonian name is Ken Cooper - It is a very good omen to meet you!"

He then blinked and said, "Also, is that an Elf you're guarding? Is she okay? Does she need healing? She hasn't been enslaved, right? Mr. Cryptid, you wouldn't believe the barbarous customs of my fellow humans and other sapient beings here - Despite the advancements in technology and the numerous inventions that have occurred and been crafted over the past few decades, they still turn people into chattel!"

Then he remembered just what being from legend and myth the Cryptid before he resembled, but the young man decided not to broach the subject yet - That particular line will be said later when they know each other better.

@Renose@Sho Minazuki@Rezod92

To the Spines that were able to continue to flee in the face of the tempest of destruction no doubt the elf was a living nightmare. Her rampage no doubt would have continued until they were all smears upon the wall.

A repeat of another massacre that had been hidden from the world.

Fortunately for the retreating ne’er do wells, a Shaitan man chose to brave this storm.

Even if the elf was able to ignore damage, biology was something that not many could ignore and the unfortunate fact was that she was still rather short.

He landed on her back right as her claws slashed out.

“GNAAAGGHHH—!” Snarled the feral beast as it felt the weight suddenly land on her. It wasn’t going to let that stop it though. It’s glowing green claw switched to a downward raking motion.

The fleeing spine was mere inches away having his back be eviscerated by the claws, but unfortunately the reaper’s scythe is oft deceptively longer than it seems.

Razor sharp winds swirled from that single raking strike, as if the very tempest itself turned into a beast. These winds rended the Spine who thought he barely managed to get away as a guttural scream came from his mouth.

This covered the not only the elf in even more blood, but no doubt got some on this storm quelling horned Shaitan.

The elf also attempted to try and turn her shoulder, to use one of those large demonic spikes on her arms to impale this storm chaser, but to no avail. It was too much of a last minute attack, and mostly the predictable actions of a beast at that.

”KGNHGAAHHH!”

She let out a scream of primal fury as the winds surrounding her feet kicked into the highest gear, as if the tornado was exerting all its force to try and kick this man off of her.

Sadly the Shaitan quickly utilized his powers to attempt to drown her ferocity by attacking her mind directly.

Her mind resisted. Her ferocity resisted. It didn’t matter if her brain broke in two. This storm would not be so easily quelled, as it would rather break and die then to be stopped.

The two contradicting forces in her mind brought a different kind of damage, making her nose bleed as it tried to resist a power it couldn’t beat.

Right as her mind was on the verge of destroying itself, a scene was brought up from… somewhere.

. . .

TWANG

A vaguely arrow shaped shadow flew from a bow, impaling into the side of some kind of shadowy, bestial figure.

The no faced figure shook their head as it watched the shadowy prey quickly run away. The no faced figure’s bow vanished in the next moment.

“No… hunt?” Asked that weak voice.

The no faced figure shrouded in green fog shook its head and spoke, their voice muffled. “A good hunter knows the right moment to end the hunt”.

“———-“ the weak voice replied, but no sounds came. They were lost as two storms clashed.

. . .

All of this takes a while to describe, but it happened all in this one instant. The Shaitan’s power of suggestion stormed through the girl’s mind like a hurricane, bringing up some strange words deep from somewhere.

It’s those words, combined with that immense power of suggestion, that ended the beast’s primal fury in a near instant, the winds dissipating almost as quickly as they came.

The elf’s emerald eyes immediately returned to complete stillness with a hint of fog in them as if she wasn’t completely awake in that moment and her ferocious nature seemed to completely disappear, as if the vicious creature from before had been but a mere illusion that people dreamed up.

By the time that fog cleared, she found herself sat against a pillar, metallic arms restrained behind her back and her legs tied to leave her in a sitting position.

Normal people would struggle, ask why they are in binds, but the elf did not. She merely sat there, eyes staring forward at who knows what. The guards? The lizardman? The gunner that approached them?

Her eyes were still and completely calm as she just looked forward, silently observing everything. It was indeed quite a stark contrast to the creature of brute ferocity that was there before, although traces of that could still be seen in other ways.

She was covered in blood!

Some of it definitely her’s, but most of it coming from the strewn remains of Spines that could be seen all throughout the stands wherever the elf’s previous path of carnage had taken her.

It was on her face, her clothes, her metallic arms, her legs. Everything about her was quite bloody.

Her clothes had various gashes and tears in them and the precious pack given to her by the doctors that she had been wearing on her back before had since fallen off somewhere when those two swords had slashed her back, cutting its straps along with her flesh.

She had various visible gashes on her body including quite the nasty one on her cheek and an arrow stuck in her side. Despite all of these wounds that would leave many in great agony she wasn’t letting out a single sound.

She was still.

Not even her hands were materialized, meaning she looked like she had just metallic arms with no hands for some reason.

She was calm, but on the inside she was observing all and waiting.

Waiting…

Her freedom was being stolen by these ropes, the guards… by everything.

So for now she was waiting…

For the right moment.

Al-Marabar, Sand King Arena

@Renose@Letter Bee@Rezod92

After the situation had calmed down, and the Sand King's men were getting about to cleaning up and repairing damage done, as well as putting away Aldugan Spines that were captured, Takemura and Ken were brought before the Sand King at his demand. The two had their hands bound, as they were slaves still, standing in front a new throne that Axom had created with his Geo abilities. He waved a hand, which in turn signaled to the pirates behind the two to cut their bindings.

"From this point on you are both free men, as a reward for assisting the recent disaster. I also extend invitation to join my crew, the Radiant Suns. Fear not though, for if you refuse you may simply walk free and go wherever you please", the offer was generous, as it was often extended to those he simply took interest in the arena, and such an event usually was only after many bouts and matches.

"Axom sir, I don't mean to interrupt, but I think it best I bring these two forth as well", a voice called out from behind the hallway as a Shaitan appeared, garbed in white, and some gold and browns.

"Ah, Rajeev, very well if that is what you think is best", with a bow he allowed through the two, Garrick, and being held by a few of the pirates, Kazue. The two were placed before the Sand King, standing beside Ken and Takemura. Though, at this point the only one bound was Kazue. One look in her eyes would inform Axom she was a bit of a wild one... Thus explaining the bindings that stayed firmly around her.

"Before I speak further I would ask you two explain your own circumstances. I believe my lieutenant has thought you two interesting enough to bring before me", what did he mean by that one might wonder? Well, it wasn't anything more than simple interest... Afterall, the two were perhaps some of the rarest, a Cryptid and an Elf, one that seems to be modified to unknown specs. He turned for a brief moment to Ken and Takemura too, "sorry you two, you both can ponder on your answer to me while I listen to these two".

@Sho Minazuki @Renose @Letter Bee

"Honorable Scion of the Forest, you grace us with your presence! I am Bright Star in Uveran, while my Waltonian name is Ken Cooper - It is a very good omen to meet you!"

Garrick turned his gaze to young Ken and the boy a nod of acknowledgement. It was good that there are humans that still remember the true natives of Walton's wilderness.

"Before I speak further I would ask you two explain your own circumstances. I believe my lieutenant has thought you two interesting enough to bring before me"

"I am Garrick, from the land of Walton, o desert king.", the cryptid responded, his attention back the monarch. Mine circumstance is one of great importance. A great change is coming. I've felt it in the very earth. A crisis I aim to prevent. Such a mission has lead me here to investigate. Seems it was the....right call, as one would say."

"I'm seriously tempted," Ken said to the Sand King, "But with all due respect, I am not a fan of slavery, although the gladiator arenas are more... palatable than the uses that the Aldugan Spines are putting my people - On both sides of my parentage - through. So if the gear I had during my capture could be returned to me, I am willing to offer to help fight them; a lesser and temporary service, if you will."

Ignore the fact that I was going to do so anyway; I need my gear back and I need to cultivate what favors and ties I have, Ken thought, all the while assuming he was being clever. If he can get hired for a temporary job by the Sand King, he would be able to get more Mona, the currency that made the world go round.

@Renose@Sho Minazuki@Rezod92

The elf… said nothing. Not a single word as she was carried to the Sand King’s throne like a sack of potatoes by the guards. While her metallic arms definitely added some weight, she was still a rather short girl so she was pretty light.

Although no doubt whichever guards were tasked with carrying her would need to wash their clothes and hands afterwards as she was still covered in blood. Some of it her own. Most of it not. Plenty of it was dried, matting her hair and making her a sandy, bloody mess. There was still some though that was wet, but the heat of this desert country would take care of that soon enough.

And more importantly, she still had an arrow sticking out of her side that had yet to be addressed, but to this Elf it was as if such a thing wasn’t even there.

The Elf simply sat there and said nothing as two others of this small group spoke to the Sand King. Naturally after they said their pieces it was now her turn.

But she still said nothing. Her calm, emerald eyes just looked at Axom as she sat there in her bindings, not even struggling in them. She didn’t give her piece on why she was there. She said nothing of her pack which no doubt lay somewhere in the stands still that had her possessions in it.

Such a thing could no doubt tell of her purpose if it were found and brought before Axom, that purpose being that her coming here was just a choice of travel destination.

Unfortunately for both King and Elf, the latter continued to say nothing and just stared. This meant that the King wouldn’t get an answer to his questions and who knows what would happen to the Elf at this rate.

Al-Marabar, Sand King Arena

@Renose@Letter Bee@Rezod92

"Hoooh~! Interesting! A Cryptid, your kind is rare, and each unique! Without knowing our problems, you would offer us assistance? How fortunate of us", the smile of the Sand King begot his delight. Though, his expression would change as he seemed to take a moment to reflect on but one of the things he mentioned, a 'great change', he would mutter to himself. He did not let that moment last long though, "very well, your assistance will be welcome".

His address then turned to the young gunslinger, who also offered assistance, albeit for less mystical reasons, and more personal. Yes indeed, the slavery of peoples from other nations being brought here by slavers was an issue, and those from Walton and Averton are the most numerous. The Sand King nodded his head to the side in thought, "very well, you! Bring him his things, with luck the quartermaster hasn't decided to sell them off just yet", he said. The crewman standing off to the side did a bow, before walking off. "You will have them before long, but it seems you have some bone to pick with the Spines".

The Oni Takemura would shortly step forward, he took a hand to his chest and beat it, "of course! I will join the Radiant Suns! I had been searching for a place to be, ever since my homeland had ousted me, and I was sadly taken captive", Axom clapped, "excellent! An Oni would be a boon to this crew. I will see to it you get introduced after this audience", and with that... They had to address the elf in the room. The one tied up and staring a hole into the Sand King.

"Hmmmm...", he crossed his arms, and stared into her eyes, not breaking eye contact. She said nothing, of course, and this seeming staring contest seemed to last for an uncomfortable amount of time. The crewmen were... Understandably glancing at each other in confusion. This continued for... Yet a little while longer, before the silence was finally broken.

"Such pure eyes and yet it trusts no one... And you are no ordinary elf either", he was at an impasse, on what to do with her... He cannot very well just let her go free, afterall she seemed to be predisposed to deadly force, but it did not seem to be out of pure malice or hedonism, but rather rampaging and fear...

"Rajeev, what do you make of her?" The Shaitan known as Rajeev would also cross his arms in thought, nodding his head before scratching his chin, looking at the tied up elf girl.

"I think, she has simply yet to learn the ways of the world, and her power is impressive... We are not babysitters, however so we cannot spare anyone capable enough to watch her, what with the Spines on the move even as we speak...", he continued.

"Hmmm... I may know someone, who can be of help. Leave her with me to see to that, once my short business is concluded, I will return to assist in the chase and investigation", and there it was... It seems Kazue would be put under someone's care.

As she stared that hole into the Sand King, those three words she heard him say from earlier were playing in her mind again and again.

“Take Down” and “Freedom”.

And as he spoke, both his current words and the words from earlier were making the elf in truth confused. She did as those words said. Back in Mabel whenever she did tasks for others, she was given things. She didn’t always understand the words, but she understood enough to get the task done. Of course, those were always relatively simple tasks that required a pair of hands.

Was it because the enemy got away?

Her completely calm, still eyes seemed to move towards the Shaitan man. The one who suppressed her. The one who let her prey get away. Was he an enemy?

“…freedom?” Was the thought going through her mind as she turned her gaze back to the Sand King.

In truth, the Shaitan man was right. This elf really knew nothing of the world.

But she did learn a few things. When she wanted something, she needed to ask for it. She couldn’t point though. Her metallic arms were restrained behind her back and her bare, bloody feet were restrained in front of her.

So she had to use those things. “Words…” She thought to herself. So she decided to speak. After all…

It was the right moment to do so.

Her words finally came out in a calm, quiet tone. They were almost like a whisper of the wind, impossible to hear unless one was listening. As she said these words her expression was ever unchanging. Ever the same.

They were an insane level of contrast from the howling, vicious laughter of a mad, rampaging beast that the Cryptid had heard earlier or the feral snarling that the Shaitan had been the target of when he pinned the elf to the ground and used his powers to forcibly calm her tempest.

If it wasn’t for the fact that the elf was currently covered in blood and seemingly unaware of the numerous ghastly wounds that she had on her one would assume that said feral, savage sounds of madness had come from something else.

As for what those words said… they only said this:

“Enemy… take douwne… freedom?”

Al-Marabar, Sand King Arena - Throne Platform

@Letter Bee@Rezod92@Renose

"Hooh, hear that? She wants to take down the 'enemy', so to speak", he laughed for a short while, the Sand King seemed to be a fairly jovial fellow, but after calming down he gave some cutting words. "To a beast who sees all as possible enemies, it would take the world to be burned down to satisfy them... Young lady, my lieutenant here seems aware of your state. Please, allow him to see to your needs", his words were cutting. Kazue was still young to the ways of the world, despite her experiences, but it seemed at this moment what the Sand King needed were people who had the right mindset. If she did not accept, she would likely be detained, and if she did, Rajeev would take her to see someone by the sounds of him. Rajeev though, gave Kazue a knowing wink, she seemed to want to be part of all this, so it was a sign to just go along with it for now.

Regardless of whether or not she would accept right now, he did intend to keep her around for what came next, and it was to talk about what happened earlier today.

"Right, so it appeared that during the attack by the Aldugan Spines, some mysterious interlopers had made off with the Geo Gnosis", indeed, one of exceedingly powerful Electro capabilities kept Axom occupied, while the other, an Anemo user had stolen the Gnosis itself, then running off together using their abilities to traverse the sandy dunes. "The Gnosis was left behind by my predecessor, and brother. It was he who built the technology that powers this very city. Ordinarily such a humongous craft would use a whole fleet's worth of energy in mere minutes, but knowing the power source that the Gnosis could be, he built this city", some of this was known to residents here, but it wasn't common knowledge what actually kept the city running. No one who came by here were people for details afterall.

"It seems the recent attack was specifically to target the Gnosis. I know not their motive, and whether or not their motive is good doesn't matter to me either way. This city needs that Gnosis to survive, as it is what allows us to generate essential resources. We will last maybe... A week, before people would have to start deserting this city, or requiring it to root itself right here", he rubbed his chin a little, pausing for a bit. He looked to the direction that the thieves had gone off to.

"I believe they made for a ruins east of here. It's close by, and there is an oasis, it is quite likely that without proper craft, they cannot cross the sands safely. Especially where we are now. The Aldugan Spines get their namesake from giant monsters that roam the sands around here. Hmph. Talk about bad luck, I suppose...", he turned to the group and the crew assembled before him.

"You all will take some of our sandcraft and hunt the thieves down. I will give a reward for a successful mission naturally. If there are any questions, I have but a few moments to answer, before I too must see to my own duties", he commanded.

The downside to a distinct lack of communication skills is that it makes it very easy for even the most astute to misunderstand one’s intentions. Both parties seemed to not understand one another at all and neither party seemed to be aware of it.

The elf seemed to say nothing, not even acknowledging the Sand King’s words with a nod or anything. She just continued to stare forward, a calm expression on her serene, blood covered face.

She did see the man who had pinned her down earlier make a strange gesture with his eye at her. She had no idea what that meant, but she didn’t make that fact known either. She did look at him now.

”Enemy…” was a thought that went through her mind. He had stopped her hunt and put her in these ropes. ”Guard?” Was another word that went through her mind. She was confused though on that front as this man had let her enemies escape, yet seemed to be like a Guard as well who had put her in restraints.

”That’s your enemy Subject KA2U3! Take them down and you’ll get extra bread!”

”Guards, restrain them!”

Two sets of words played in her mind from that ambitious voice from her past. ”Guard… enemy… enemy…guard?” Guards did sometimes prevent her from taking down the enemies. She had killed many guards before.

Her eyes seemed to look away from Rajeev as she returned to staring forward at the Sand King once again, yet her ears were listening. Listening to the Guards all around her.

These Guards that were preventing her from attaining her Freedom by preventing her from taking down the enemies by keeping her in these restraints.

”Right… moment…” Those two words went through her mind once again and so she decided to wait once again.

Wait for the right moment. For in her mind, she wasn’t getting her promised Freedom because she hadn’t completed the job of taking down the enemies as some of them managed to escape. And that was the fault of these Guards.

In her mind, the words “Guard” and “Enemy” were starting to mean the same thing. Which was never a good thing for anyone involved.

But she was no moron. This wasn’t the right moment. So she was going to simply wait. She had waited many years before. This amount of waiting was nothing.

”A good hunter knows the right moment to end the hunt.”

The hunt was currently over and the right moment to start it hadn’t arrived. This meant for now, the elf was going to wait.

—-

So in the end, the blood covered huntress made no objection to going along with whatever was going to happen to her or wherever they planned on taking her. Since she was making no objections, her silence could easily be misconstrued as compliance.

She listened to the rest of the words that the Sand King had to say. For the elf, they were all simply noise in the wind. The man spoke a lot and was reminding the elf of a certain ambitious man who she knew very well. That man also spoke a lot of strange, long, confusing words and in long rambles.

“Hunt”. “Enemy”. “Reward”. These were the only words that the elf understood from what the Sand King had to say.

Yet she didn’t say anything in response to them or ask any questions. In the end she continued to be silent and simply look forward at the Sand King despite her current physical condition.

"Can I accompany the wounded elf to where she's going?" Ken said after having reholstered his guns and put his long coat and boots back on - The other parts of his gear can be put on later, in privacy. "My Vision can turn plant matter into healing spores, an underused ability in the arena, but one that might be of use here."

While he kept himself courteous, the young man knew that he would never see eye to eye with the Sand King over the practice of slavery and that while they can be on cordial terms, they would one day oppose each other. But for now, he had a tentative appreciation of the Archon's genuine personal magnetism and respect for his position and how he earned that through merit. Speaking of which... There was something else he was curious about.

"Your brother was instrumental in developing Magitech and ensuring its widespread adoption, right? Did people have a grudge against him and his legacy and not just the position he embodied and you occupy now? That may be a question relevant to the Aldugan Spines' blatantly treasonous actions..." Ken spoke this knowing he might annoy the Sand King but felt that he had inserted enough flattery and practicality into his question to avoid more than the slightest amount of annoyance.

Then he turned towards Garrick, saying, "Mr. Garrick, or Honorable Garrick if you'd prefer to be called that, would you mind leading our little group once we meet up again? I would also like to ask you about the 'great change' you foresaw for this land once we depart on the mission, and if it's the sort of calamity that requires certain... grudges to be set aside."

@Renose@Sho Minazuki@Rezod92

@Sho Minazuki @Renose @Letter Bee

"Mr. Garrick, or Honorable Garrick if you'd prefer to be called that, would you mind leading our little group once we meet up again? I would also like to ask you about the 'great change' you foresaw for this land once we depart on the mission, and if it's the sort of calamity that requires certain... grudges to be set aside."

Garrick looked at Ken as the boy said his statement. Leading was something the cryptid had never put much thought into. Not because he hated leading, but more because he was always alone and used to being alone. Yet here was, tasked with a mission to retrieve a Gnosis with Ken and the elf. Speaking of which....

"Garrick will do, young one.", he answered before walking over to the elf and crouching down in front of her. Even when down to her level like this, his shadow completely engulfed the elf girl.

However, the size difference didn't mean anything. Not when Garrick had witnessed firsthand just how destructive this girl can be, both to everything around her and to herself. The lizardman gazed deeply into her eyes.....and there, he saw it.

The waiting. The calm eye of the storm.

Without prompt or ceremony, Garrick reached out and took hold of the arrow embedded in her before quickly pulling it out.

"Thy moments will come, girl of the tempest. But be warned: such rage and carnage shall only bring strife to all, thyself included. Care for thyself, for even gods can only take so much.", he advised, tossing the bloody arrow aside before standing up and turning his attention back to the Sand King. "I accept thy request, o desert king."

Most would be intimidated by a creature of Garrick’s height and bulk towering over them at this close of a level, but this Elf didn’t even seem phased in the slightest. Not even as he stared back into her calm, quiet, and seemingly reserved eyes, which look him over as he approached her before he crouched down before her.

One might expect a wince, a grunt, a groan from one with the gift of speech when an arrow is pulled out. Even if they refused to make a sound, one would expect some sort of involuntary twitch or other reflex.

Yet when the arrow was pulled from the elf’s flesh there was nothing but calm.

Not a sound.

Not a twitch.

It was as if the arrow and the impact it was having on her body hadn’t even registered to her in the slightest, even as the newly opened wound started to bleed and further stain her with blood.

And neither did Garrick’s words unfortunately. Her lack of command even over the simpler parts of the language meant that his formal, complex speech sailed right over her head.

She just knew that he was speaking to her. For some reason. ”Doctor?” was a word that crossed her mind for a singular moment as she listened to him with no understanding of his words at all.

After all, he said a bunch of complicated words that she didn’t understand while treating a wound. To her, Doctors were somewhat like that.

Of course, given how calm she was, no hint of not understanding Garrick’s words crossed her expression. Not that the cryptid had looked long enough to see if such a hint of non-understanding existed.

Once Garrick had returned to looking at the Sand King, the elf did as well, her emerald eyes on her blood-stained face continuing to ever so calmly and quietly bore a hole into him, one that would probably go unnoticed by most if the elf’s face wasn’t so conspicuous in her current state.

Al-Marabar, Sand King Arena - Throne Platform

"Then it is decided. Also I give you permission to accompany the elf, it seems to me she may be in need of some", which left Garrick to join the forward group to pursue the attackers. The Sand King after his proclamation would get up, and walk around behind his throne towards the building, "this meeting is adjourned, you know your tasks, I will see to mine", he said. One would presume it was to do with the inner workings of the city, though details of such for now would remain known only to Axom and his crew. The young looking Shaitan Rajeev would step forward now in place of Axom, and help direct Garrick to the hangar bay where some of the crew was going, and then turn to Kazue to take her to where he had intended, with Ken following close behind as he had decided

---

Al-Marabar, Docking Bay
@Rezod92
If he followed the instructions he would soon find himself in a large docking facility built into the city. Unsurprisingly, they arrived rather quickly, seeing as it was made to be connected to the Sand King's own headquarters within the city. A tactical structural decision.

"Garrick, sir, please board the sand skiff. Our scouts that had been tracking the two thieves, we'll simply be following them in tow as reinforcements. They've been told not to engage, so hopefully we'll end up meeting with them to coordinate an assault", the Radiant Sun member informed the cryptid, though with a little bit of nervousness. Afterall, Garrick to the untrained eye would appear no more than a monster, and he was quite large to boot.

---

Underhull, Mayleaf Orphanage
@Letter Bee@Renose

The young Shaitan led Kazue and Ken down into the Underhull, a shadowy underground part of the city, where some of the oldest ships that made up the city's architecture were. The darkness and maze-like nature of this layer of the city made it the ideal place for many to hide out, and for awhile it seemed as if he might lead the two somewhere unsavory. Those thoughts would be put to rest though as the darkness lent way to a warm light down the wooden narrow path, until it opened up to a dilapidated looking wooden building, or rather, it might be easier to call it an oversized shack.

As the group approached, the door would slowly slide open. Their eyes would look for someone, but not find them until they looked down, to see the eyes of a small child. After but a moment, they slammed it shut, and some shouting could be heard from within. "Ms. Mayleaf! Rajeev is here! There's some strange people too!"

After a couple moments, a lady would emerge from those same doors. She had dark hair, caramel skin, and was dressed rather modestly, warm even, especially for the type of nation that Al-Marabar was. Her eyes were a blue and purple hue, and there was a matronly aura about her. In short, she was a mature beauty. "Rajeev? My, and you've brought some friends too, how are the Suns? I notice the power's been out, is everything ok?", she asked much like how a mother would, as if he was her son.

"It is all under control Ms. Mayleaf, I am here to introduce someone to your care for a short while. You were also once a talented doctor and scientist no? Perhaps you can help her", it wasn't hard to figure out who he meant, the young elf girl with abnormal arms. While they were all talking, a few kids had come out to get a better look at her too, with such curiosity, especially since she appeared no older than a couple of them. Ms. Mayleaf rested her eyes upon Kazue, she pursed her lips, and her expression changed. Given her pause it didn't look like she knew what it all was, but she seemed rather concerned. Her expression changed back though as she addressed the Shaitan.

"Of course, I'll see what I can do", she said, walking forward, then kneeling in front of Kazue to have her eyes level.

"So what is your name? And you too young man", she asked, first looking at the young elf, and then to Ken.

"Ken Cooper, Ms. Mayleaf; I'm a professional," The young man, barely out of boyhood, introduced himself with a smile as he did not expect this surprise, for the Sand King to actually fulfill his duty to his people by funding or allowing his loyal subordinates to fund an orphanage. "Let's just say I volunteered to help the Elf."

His smile held as he listed his nonlethal talents, "I know cooking, cleaning, first aid, maintenance of machine parts, and taking care of riding and draft animals. But right now, I'm ready to help you heal your new patient or anyone else you need; I hope you don't object to someone who can transmute waste plant matter into healing spores."

He was turning on the charm, helped by the fact that he genuinely liked orphanages, orphans, and kindhearted caretakers. Nevertheless, the young man memorized how Ms. Mayleaf was a scientist, before turning to Rajeev and saying, "Be careful with what you say about scientists in front of the person you're trying to help; those arms without hands are clearly a product of their... arts."

Ken was not blind, he knew that those arms were not natural and that the Elf was clearly not in a state to have accepted them willingly unless she was a psychopath - And he didn't think she was. So he warned Rajeev, "Even in Uvera - Or Uvera-Walton if one must be exact - We've heard tales of mad science. If our guest comes to the conclusion that we're taking her to... something less than pleasant, you know what she might try."

Then the youth turned to Kazue and looked at her warmly before saying, in a warm, kind tone, "She's a Doctor. Don't worry, she won't hurt you, so you just need to relax, to rest. We'll get your wounds cleaned out and cured; don't worry."

He leaned down towards her, pushing past his fear that she might try and kill him, "Not. Enemy. Not. Hurt. You."

Deep inside, however, the fear still ate at him, not just that she'd turn against them but that his own interest in helping her might be snuffed out by a quick rebuff or other sign of mistrust. Which is a shame, as he liked the Elf; she was a good combatant, a fierce lover of her own freedom, was also beautiful when not stained with blood, and finally... She seemed to have suffered a lot, more than he had.

That was her biggest draw to him, more than her beauty (if he only wanted someone cute, he'd have gone ga-ga over other young men of compatible orientation). It was also what made him, despite his desire not to suffer physical or emotional damage, want to help her. So Ken Cooper pointed at himself and said, "My name is Ken. What is yours?"

Please believe me, please don't hate me, were his thoughts.

@Renose@Sho Minazuki

@Sho Minazuki

Garrick gave a silent nod of acknowledgement as he boarded the skiff, paying no mind to the unsettled and intimidated stares he was getting.

He was used to it.

Zabar Ruins - Southern Region

@Rezod92

The trip on the sandcraft was quiet, only with the occasional crewmen chatter, and the hum of the craft's engine. It was sand and dunes, far as the eye can see, and after riding one of these it was easy to see why traversing these sands without a craft was near unthinkable. Eventually though, a mess of trees and shapes would begin to be visible on the horizon, especially as they climbed up some of the larger dunes.

"Ah I see, so our rogues have taken to a ruin. That would make sense", mentioned the driver. The hummed along for a little while longer as they got closer, and would soon see another craft just like theirs, also with the colours of the Radiant Suns. Though, it was empty... Reasonable assumption, it belonged to the scouts they were tailing. Soon as they spotted it, the driver would hone in on it immediately, drawing closer.

Within moments of stopping by the craft the crew jumped out, spreading out while some examined the craft, as it seems no one was here...

"This certainly belongs to us too...", it seems they were expecting at least one of the scouts to stay behind to meet up with them, but unfortunately that was not the case.

"Strange... Right, we'll have to take a look around these ruins then. See if we can find our scouting team", the one in charge of this little group after making his orders would approach Garrick.

"Garrick, was it? Me and my men will secure the area around the ruin, perhaps you could take a look at the ruin itself? Some of my men will be with you", he said, referring to the pyramid-like structure in the center of this oasis... Though, it would be called that, there was not a body of water in sight. Still, that was not a matter of importance at this time.

Her ropes were finally undone so that she could be walked and lead to wherever it was that the Shaitan wanted to take her.

”Freedom?” The elf could move.

”No…” She was being lead somewhere else now. By both the man who had gotten her tied up and some guard with guns.

He dressed differently than the other guards, but nonetheless he was being lead with her while holding weapons.

That was all the Elf needed to identify Ken as another “guard”.

Which meant to her, Ken was an enemy.

This Shaitan was an enemy as well. He had kept her from taking down the enemies and getting her freedom. He had attacked her. He had tied her up.

But this elf was many things. Small. Silent. Calm. Reserved. She was many things. But there was one thing she was above all else and it certainly wasn’t ferocious or brutal, although those certainly weren’t wrong answers.

No, the answer to that question was but one thing: Patient.

She had time. She’d wait. Wait for the right moment.

It wasn’t now as she was being lead down the street.

It wasn’t even as they arrived at a dilapidated building where they were greeted by children.

Her eyes did quietly scan over the new arrivals. A woman. Along with other children who seemed quite curious about her arms despite the fact that they were stained with blood, just like the rest of her.

The bloodstained elf simply listened as the Shaitan talked to the woman, and that was when particular sounds crossed into her ears from both Ken and the Shaitan.

”I am Doctor Galleus Morgans. The scientist who shall revolutionize the world and you, I am designating you as Subject KA2U3. Work well and…”

She heard that word. Those sounds. Many times. Many, many, many, many, many, many times.

Scientist. Doctor. M.

She now knew where she was.

The arena where people fought while being watched.
The training room where subjects fought while being watched.

The guards who captured her and prevented her from killing her enemies.
The guards who restrained her and prevented her from killing her opponents.

The curious eyes of younger children looking at her.
The curious eyes of younger subjects looking at her.

The scientist.
The scientist.

“Enemy”. Ken’s words reached her ears at this particular point. But only one of them registered. Only one of them mattered.

The enemies.
The enemies.

Guards.Guards.

Arena.Training Room.

Children.Subjects.

Scientist.Prey.

She was simply silent as the three people PREY looked at her, waiting for a reply. They said many words NOISE.

Ken PREY may not have wanted to be rebuked and Ms. Mayleef PREY may have thought that their words and tone were getting through to the Elf HUNT.

But a storm was already starting to brew.

All was calm though. Her expression, her eyes. None of them changed even once. They were soft, still, calm, and quiet.

”Not… right moment…”

Throats and hearts were right within eyes. But she had to wait. To be patient.

So she decided she’d use those things. ”Words… noise…”. She had to find the right ones. She thought back, to when she was in Mabel. The word, the noise, that the people often made to her.

So to these people PREY, she let out a couple of noises. Her voice was quiet, soft, calm. Like a gentle brush of the wind.

“Elf” was all she said in response to Ms. Mayleef’s PREY’s question.

It was what the people in Mabel often said to her. She figured it’d work here.

For PREY though… she wasn’t going to bother with remembering both words.

One would suffice.

@Sho Minazuki

"Garrick, was it? Me and my men will secure the area around the ruin, perhaps you could take a look at the ruin itself? Some of my men will be with you"

Garrick nodded and gave a hum of acknowledgment as he strode forward toward the ruins, his eyes surveying the surroundings for anything unusual.

Zabar Ruins - Southern Region

@Rezod92

The ruins themselves were rather plain, as in, there weren't a lot of markings, and any that could be found were too faded to be of any significance. No, it was the architecture that held any value here. Sturdy, pyramid-based structures, pillars that became thinner the higher they went, but also as Garrick might delve deeper into the ruins, some structures he saw outside would pierce into the ruins, becoming thinner the further down they went. Of course, they were expectedly dusty, what with all the sand and age, so finding the path he should take did not require much effort. There were portions that were a little less untouched than others, until finally, he found footsteps.

Two pairs of them, then after a little while, just the one, and the other had split briefly before disappearing onto a stone corridor. Before he could make a decision for where to go, he could hear some movement up ahead, as someone walked out. A sharp eye would recognize them as the Anemo thief, one of the duo he was here to track down. Before he could say another world, behind the man would be Radiant Sun pirates. For a moment, he thought he might have been setup or betrayed... But then, the way they moved was a bit unusual. A small orb was in the man's hand though... Perhaps that had something to do with it?

Any case, Garrick was now beset by some rather unfortunate Radiant Suns, the man sending them at the large cryptid, before turning tail and running further into the ruin. There were three Radiant Suns wielding scimitars, and two who had Geo guns. Were they of normal mind they might put up a sustained fight, but as they were, their movements held no thought behind them. Against someone like Garrick, they were only a time waster.

---

Underhull, Mayleaf Orphanage

@Letter Bee@Renose

"Elf? And Ken... Wonderful", along with the display before her, she could see the things Rajeev wanted her to help with. She pursed her lips... Looking at the elf's arms. Almost lost in thought for awhile, until Rajeev snapped her out of it, "Ms. Mayleaf, I will leave these two with you. I believe I have some duties I need to attend to", he announced.

"Y-yes of course... Now you two, come along inside, tell me more about yourselves... Get comfortable... Whatever you like" she assured them, letting them inside the orphanage while waving goodbye to Rajeev, who was off to likely join Garrick in some time. The way she spoke had changed a little, especially after examining Kazue just visually. When the two entered, she offered them tea, or juice, whatever their choice she would return to the table with them while the other kids either played, or watched the pair curiously. Particularly Kazue, who's metal arms were a most unusual sight.

"Now that we're all settled... There's something I wish to do first... 'Elf' was it? Is it ok, if I take a closer look at you? I promise, I'm not going to hurt you", she had picked up on her suspicion it seems. Perhaps from a place of knowledge... Or was it in her nature? Either way, she seemed to genuinely wish to examine her.