GambolMuse

Dragon Ball: Legacy (Mogtaki and Vena Sera)

Over the dull roar of the engines outside it was difficult to make out what Viral was saying. Straining her ears just to pick up the noise Yumi smiled sadly at his comments, shaking her head in disagreement. "You did everything you needed to Viral, we're all alive because of it," she reassured in a soft tone, her fingers curling around his paw as she leaned closer, "I'm alive because of you. Thank you, I owe you my life." She had to repay him somehow after that, though shy of saving his life as well she hadn't a clue where to even begin. As the shuttle began to move along Yumi had to move herself over a bit to make space for the doctor as he approached, now having proper bandages to cover up Viral's wounds with. It wasn't much and he'd clearly need more than what he had but it would do for now, enough to make sure he could hold out until they touched back down.

A short ride of perhaps 5 minutes and they had set down once more, this time on the outskirts on the ravaged city. Though far from a proper hospital it had all the amenities they might need and there were plenty of staff to help. Rather than be made to tentatively carry Viral again the doctor called for help and several other medical aides hurried over with a stretcher, moving the Beastman before transporting him to a vacant tent. Due to the crowded nature of the site, there were easily a hundred other patients and nearly as many doctors, visitors were not permitted no matter how much Yumi argued. With their own minor injuries they were each seen to by their own practitioner as well, sat out along the grass and cleaned and patched up however needed. Despite the chaos that had engulfed the city it appeared that they had quite a lot in place for such an event, a somber reminder that the planet was probably on constant alert and ready for attacks. Would they have to live like that now that they had won today?

Almost an hour had elapsed when a doctor at last came to fetch them from their spot. Before he'd even reached the group Yumi was already on her feet, staring intently at the man as he came to meet them. The look on his face was not cause for worry and when he smiled she returned one of her own, her puffed up, swollen eye closing and the bandages wrapped around her head wrinkling. Viral was going to be okay after his surgery, they had removed some debris from the wounds and cleaned and sewn them shut, now he only needed to recover. It appeared that was the case for most of those who were here too which was a heartwarming turnout for their side. They were well aware of the occasional gurney, blanket draped over the top, and they all knew what it went but they had been mercifully far and few between, and Viral hadn't been on one of them. Before the doctor had a chance to give them permission to visit Yumi was already fast on her way, passing by him and walking swiftly through the thinning crowds to where Viral was resting.

"Oh thank goodness you're okay..." After how hectic things had become for them and how badly injured Viral was Yumi had of course considered and prepared herself for the worst. Yet despite all of that Viral would survive, and given enough time he would be as good as new again too. Feeling dampness on her cheeks for the umpteenth time today she rubbed at them preemptively and moved to the bedside, laying her hand across Viral's paw and gently stroking the back with her thumb. He was probably barely lucid and on all kinds of pain medications, plus the IVs stuck into him were probably drawing most of his focus from everything, but she wanted him to know she was there. Before any of the others showed up Yumi leaned down and lightly pressed her forehead against his, closing her eyes and letting out a soft sigh. "I'm so happy you're going to be okay, I was so scared..."

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

@Vena Sera I figured it was pugbutter in the same way peanuts make peanut butter....

@shylarah

You're sick D:

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

A pug... With butter? :o Poor dog must be sick D:

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

"Since when does saving people mean I have to be nice, eh? I saved your asses, you should be happy I bothered to even do that much," Taliya retorted with a grin as Amuné tried to berate her. Lucky for the child her temperament was more endearing than annoying otherwise she'd gag the Ydran and stuff her in the closet, out of sigh out of mind as it were. "I don't save people like you kids because I want to be some superhero, don't get the wrong idea. I'm doing it to fuck over the Church and keep them from getting more bodies to fight for them, that's all. I don't give a shit aside from that." If they joined her cause then she might care a bit more but right now they were just brats, simple strangers who she'd helped. The fact that anyone among them thought she owed them anything was hilarious and showed just how little they truly appreciated the situation.

After some explanation it appeared that the reality of their world was finally setting in. Even with her explaining matters though there was still plenty of confusion from everyone and Amuné was the first to voice such. She absolutely hated to have to repeat herself and she'd been as clear as she possibly could so why were there even questions anyways?

"You really don't know shit do you girl? The Church is the reason people hate us, and the Church is the reason we're fighting against each other. If you haven't noticed the world is changing and the Church is selling us off as relics of the past. We're trying to keep the kingdom from growing or some bullshit like that and only the ones who swear loyalty to the Church can be trusted. Any Magi not with them is against them, and against the whole kingdom. And the King? He's a pawn, him and his whole family. Sure they're powerful but they're being held by the balls, they can't do shit. Hell I hear the King is even siding with them willingly and the rest of his family is being dragged along. No one knows what goes on in the palace, all we know is we sure as shit don't seem to have many friends there, in the palace or in the Church." Sure, probably not all of the people in either place were there enemy but Taliya had never seen any proof of that. Anyone from the Church she'd ever met had been an enemy, plain and simple. She only knew of one person from the palace, or the royal family for that matter, but they were an exception. It was easier to think of everyone as an enemy, better to be careful rather than take risks with so many lives in her hands.

So what was he supposed to do now? If Cedric really was dead then he had no reason to keep traveling, did he? Plus even trying to accomplish his goal now... Whatever it might be, it was tantamount to suicide wasn't it? What about Nymira's goal? Or Amuné, or even whatever Asta wanted to accomplish? If Magi were being attacked so harshly then maybe they should just all go home. There was no positive spin on the news he'd just been told, no degree of optimism that would make any of what they had learned be okay. His body shook with a sob as he tried desperately to bring himself down and not scare Amuné any more, or give Taliya any reason to hit him again. Closing his eyes and wiping at them fervently with his hands before dropping them in his lap when Amuné tugged on his shirt. She then tugged on his heart strings, asking questions that he had so desperately hoped she'd never ask. After learning about Cedric what was he supposed to say to her? The girl's face pleaded for some reassurance but he couldn't lie to her, not now.

"I do-don't know Amuné, I'm sorry..." Ethan said, his voice breaking when Amuné hid herself in his chest and buried her face into his shirt. With a trembling lip he wrapped his arms around the Ydran girl and slumped down once more, fighting back tears and trying instead to focus on consoling his young companion. There was just a good a chance of her parents being dead as there was alive now, perhaps even greater. At least before not knowing how bad things were he could ignorantly say the Church wouldn't do anything but now he wasn't so sure.

"Your story has been told before kids, probably a few hundred times at least. You think you're the first ones to ever lose someone to the Church?" Taliya asked with a roll of her eyes. Lifting herself from the crate she brushed it aside with her foot before going over to a shelf and taking from it a tattered shirt, bound with twine. "People die all the time because of them, whether they're guilty of anything or not. That's why we're fighting them. Those bastards think they're in charge and they decide who lives and who dies but we say that's a load of shit, everyone's life is their own. No one can force you to fight and we're going to remind them what happens when they try." Sooner or later, they needed more people and more strength before they could even begin to consider going on the offensive. Public opinion of the Church would have to change too somehow, they would need more than just fighters to help them win. It was a lot more tactical than what Taliya was used to but that's what she had other people here for too, to help plan out the best way to handle this fight of theirs.

"If you don't want to end up like them then you could join us and fight. Make their deaths mean something instead of just hiding like a fucking rodent," Taliya continued, clearing her throat as she tried to make Ethan and Amuné stop crying. Slamming her foot on the ground and cracking the foundation beneath them slightly she waited for silence before continuing. "Or you can just go home after this and live like nothing happened, and die in shame knowing you didn't do anything. I'm not forcing you to do anything but I think its obvious what you should do now. Think on it kids, whether you want to be useful or not. In the meantime go get some food and get cleaned up, you all smell like shit and it's giving me a headache. Kensen?" she added with a look to the Dimuran, "Help them find the mess hall, then you're relieved of duty for the day. Good work today."

So that was what Taliya was playing at then was it? Trying to spark a fire inside of them and use their emotions to spur them into action? Well she was certainly a leader if she could make people act on emotion so easily, it wasn't dissimilar to what many Dimuran commanders did. But unlike most commanders Nymira found she couldn't be wholly certain of what it was Taliya was after. She sounded like she wanted to bring down the Church and regardless of whether it was possible or not what happened next? If you took something from power then something else had to fill that void, that was just how it worked. When the Rumia clan took another clan into itself their ruling class was removed and Rumia's took its place, sometimes even including some of the former ruling clansmen to appease the new members. If the Church were to fall though what would take its place? Or rather, who would take its place?

All of that aside Nymira didn't see herself ever joining someone else's fight. She was already spending too much time trying to aid the others and she only did so because their goals may help with her own. But with this Cedric dead, and possibly even Amuné's parents what reason was there for her to continue? It was a lot to think on and she'd no doubt have a restless night despite the fatigue that plagued her. Hearing their dismissal she gave Ethan and Amuné another glance before sighing beneath her breath and moving for the door herself, waiting for them to collect themselves. Only once they were all together again and outside of the room did she speak, and bluntly at that.

"Loss is a fact of life, you both need to accept that," Nymira spoke as Kensen joined them, "The worst thing you can do for someone who has died is nothing. Doing nothing is an insult to their memory." Its why warriors fought on even when their brothers and sisters died on the battlefield. Its why chieftains continued to lead their people even when war ravaged their country, or why commanders forged ahead despite so many lives on their shoulders. It was why she too continued, because giving up now even with the threat of the Church would mean her people had died for nothing to help her get out this far. Not only was there no honor in turning back but she'd doom the Rumia clan, and potentially Dimurans everywhere. Her own goal wasn't in question here, but the others she couldn't be so certain.

"I know that..." A pitiful reply but all Ethan could muster right now as his throat felt raw from crying. He knew he had to do something now, that going back to Kinsgrove wouldn't cut it. He just didn't know what that something was. Could he really fight the Church? He hated fighting, he hated the idea of taking lives, and yet if he were to fight the Church he'd clearly have to do both. Today though had proved what inaction would do though and it'd always serve as a reminder of how his silly ideals put other people in danger. If they'd killed the Varuna before Cecil wouldn't have had to risk himself like that, or none of them would be in the state they were in. Then again if they had killed the Varuna what might the Church have done? The very thought sent a chill down his spine and his grasp on Amuné tightened slightly as he considered it. As if they needed more reason to come after him and his friends.

Dragon Ball: Legacy (Mogtaki and Vena Sera)

There had been a collective sigh of relief when Kai returned with a shuttle for their use and it appeared to be large enough to carry them all. Moving Viral was going to be very difficult given his injuries and the doctor was certain to stress as much, addressing anyone who seemed able bodied enough to work. "Anyone who can help carry him to the shuttle. We need to keep his body level and his head supported, we don't know if there is a spine injury or not," the doctor cautioned, pausing as he went back to the shuttle and peered inside. No stretcher or gurney or anything of the sort, they would have to lay Viral out on the seats and hold him still. "There is a hospital not far from here we'll take him to. It's busy with other soldiers and civilians but we should find help there. Who will fly? I need to remain in back to tend to him."

"I know the hospital, I'll fly us there." Even in ruins Leto recognized the city plenty well and could find his way even now after being away for so long. A bittersweet victory to be sure, the city was destroyed but it, along with Lioma, was saved. "Be strong Viral, your fight is not yet over. We will fly there swiftly and get you the help you need!" Good thing the shuttles on his world were larger than those the rebels typically deployed otherwise he'd have a difficult time fitting into the cockpit. Standing before the vehicle he made a quick inspection of its thrusters and wings, wanting to be absolutely certain nothing was damaged, before climbing inside. With his knees in his chest from the seat being so far forward Leto quickly adjusted it and beamed at those outside, waving everyone in. "Come on now, the hospital awaits!"

They just had to be gentle with Viral then and get him on-board, easy. That being said it did Yumi's nerves no good when Kabocha, the doctor and the twins went about moving him and she watched with baited breath as he was carried across the wreckage to the rear of the shuttle. Hot on their heels the entire way she was quick to move to Viral's side when he was placed down on the seats, sitting on the floor before him and placing one of her hands on his paw. "You're doing great Viral, we'll be there in no time," she spoke in a soft voice, as if worried speaking too loudly might somehow worsen his condition. Glancing back as the shuttle bay door was closed she smiled nervously, moving closer to be sure to keep Viral still if he was jostled at all. As the vehicle rose back into the air she felt her head become light and the room spun slightly, biting her lip and groaning as she rested her forehead against the edge of the seats. She definitely had a concussion, no question about it.

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

There was a large part of Taliya that wanted to slap Amuné for being such a brat and kicking her, wondering where the hell a child got off acting like that. If it weren't for the fact she had to look good for those following her she probably would have too instead of just sneering at the little Ydran. The kid wasn't worth it anyways, the idiot had kicked her in her shinguard and probably hurt herself instead. Rolling her eyes as Ethan continued to blubber and Amuné again tried to act high and mighty she shook her head, sticking a finger in her ear and cleaning it disinterestedly.

"Look her kiddo, you're our guest here so watch your fucking tongue and don't mouth off to us. Or did you forget the reason you're even alive now is because of us?" Taliya asked as she flicked wax away, looking over at Ethan annoyed, "People die in this line of work, we're criminals as far as the Church is concerned. But we're here fighting against those bastards and the mess they're making, we're the good guys here. If you're so upset about Cedric dying then honor his death and carry on what he was doing, don't sit there blubbering like a newborn who shit himself and needs a new diaper. Shit you're pathetic..."

"You still haven't explained entirely who you are, or what this place is," Nymira pointed out, ignoring Ethan's stifled whimpering and sobbing as she addressed Taliya pointedly, "So you're fighting the Church? Why? Why is it that they're after Magi the way they are, and why are you fighting against them? What exactly is going on in this kingdom?" They had many more questions than answers and she was sick and tired of being in the dark. If they were going to be making allies here in Adelon then she needed to appreciate the full situation, know who to trust and who to avoid. Taliya hardly came across as a woman she'd like to call an ally but she did seem to know a thing or two, and so far no one else had given them any real answers.

"Why? Because they're a bunch of fucking hypocrites, that's why. They use Magi like tools to kill Magi and enforce order, they say they support Magi, but only if the Magi support them, and anyone else is as good as a cockroach as far as they're concerned. We've never had to serve the Church like this before, sure some fought for them but most were let to live their lives how they wanted. We're basically being conscripted or killed for refusing and you're wondering why we're fighting against it? Shit you really aren't from around here are you?" They were going to have to cover the very basics with these kids from the looks of it, right down to how the entire mess started. Taliya hated giving long winded speeches, that had always been more Cedric's style where she would let her fists do the talking for her. But if they were going to be traveling around they should know what was going on, if only to keep them alive.

"Here's the deal, and listen good because I'm not repeating myself here. The Church isn't what it used to be, hasn't been for years. Instead of helping people they're trying to control everything, from Magi to technology, to who you can worship and when, trade, the military, they've got their grubby fucking fingers in everything nowadays. And they're using Magi to clamp down on anyone that doesn't like what they're doing, or they work through the military or one of the companies. The royal family's supposed to run most of it and there's supposed to be separate groups for everything, but its all the Church now. The royal family, the ones who ought to be running the show, are nothing more than puppets with the Church's hands up their asses. Once upon a time folks like us served the royal family if anyone, and now we're all expected to be dogs of the Church."

"I still don't understand why you're fighting. Aren't you weakening yourselves from infighting like this?" Nymira questioned as she looked to Kensen and then Taliya, confusion clear on her face. "My people have lived that way for generations and we've only become weaker for it. It's why I'm here now trying to change that on my father's behalf. You're fools if you're going to continue like this, no one will win."

"Maybe we are fools but that's not changing the way things are. Church's calling the shots now and you're either with them or against them. What happened to Cedric is what happens to a lot of us, it's a story we've heard dozens of times. Get caught, interrogated, and whether you talk or not they kill you, unless you join them. Anyone serving the Church is a spineless bastard, its not living if someone else has you by the balls."

Were things really this bad out here? Ethan had never expected that any of the rumors he had heard were true, even after Cedric had been taken away. Like Nymira he only found himself questioning the validity of what Taliya was saying and wondering why they were being allowed to do what they were. If the Church was as bad as she was saying wouldn't they do something about people like these?

"Wh-why haven't they killed any of you then, huh? Why only Cedric?" Ethan asked in a trembling voice, wiping his eyes again on his sleeve and sniffling as he turned to Taliya again, "You said he g-got caught, how? If he got caught then how come none of you have?" It didn't make any sense why all of these people here were able to stay out of the Church's sights when one man was found.

"We've been wondering that ourselves kid, and we still don't have an answer. It'd be one thing if Cedric settled in an inner city and they found him, there's Church dogs all around them. But way out in the woods? Hell if I know, doesn't make any sense. Only guess is someone sold our teacher out and they came knocking." Had Cedric gone down without a fight? From the sounds of it the old man hadn't fought back when he'd been initially taken and he probably didn't fight back even while in the capital, so what gives? He wasn't exactly the violent type but he had to have known what was going to happen to him, why wouldn't he fight back? Was it all for the sake of this little brat here? To make sure he didn't get the wrong idea of him? Why would he even care?

"So that's the deal kids. The Saints are either ignoring us or they're powerless to help us, and we're getting killed off like flies. Meanwhile the Church is drunk on power and trying to control the entire fucking kingdom, and with the royal family all but useless they're doing to be doing that before long. This 'gift' of yours is probably going to end up getting you all killed unless you do something about it. Though that pretty much means taking on the entire kingdom of Adelon at this point." With a scoff Taliya laughed and shook her head, a whimsical twinkle in her eye as she grinned. "Sounds like a fucking long shot to me but I'd rather go down fighting than tuck my tail between my legs like a bitch, waiting for them to kill me when I don't have a purpose. It isn't living if you don't have free will."

Was that the situation here then? Adelon sounded like it was the verge of imploding, like a clan whose power had stretched to thinly and their hold on other clans was poised to break. But the way Taliya talked about them, having so much control still, it didn't seem like the Church was going to lose that power any time soon. Was there any use in trying to gain allies here then? If so many were against Magi, against anyone who opposed the Church, would she be able to garner support? Her thoughts went back to Norman and she had to question his insistence she continue, his determination that she'd be successful in her journey. How was she meant to succeed when everything was so clearly stacked against her?

"Even so... My clan's survival, my people's survival may rely on finding ourselves allies among the kingdom. If we continue the way we are now we'll kill each other until there's no one left, and I will not allow that to happen," Nymira said, her hands balled into fists and her eyes fierce, locked on Taliya. "Not everyone can be against Magi, there must still be places like Mutebo that exist. I'll simply have to look there then, and my first will be here in this city. I'll ask again: will you take me to meet the leader of this place? If they support Magi then I don't see why they would refuse me."

"No, you're not meeting anyone, Dimuran. Not yet," Taliya answered sharply as she met Nymira's angry gaze with a smile, "See, around here we don't give a shit who you are, where you're from or what you can do. There's a little thing called trust that's as valuable as gold, and nothing gets done unless we know you're someone we can rely on. If you want anything then you've got to prove to us and this city that you're worth it. If you can show you're not going to stab us in the back or be a waste of our time then you've got everything you need, but until then you don't get an inch. Any other questions brats?"

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Ethan had known since Cedric had been taken away that the Church had been responsible. Yet he'd never fully understood why they had taken his mentor, nor why they had taken him for as long as they had. They'd encountered some resistance to their being Magi while traveling but never anything serious, nothing that would earn them the Church's aggression. Or so he'd like to think but clearly he was mistaken as they had been attacked several times now. That was because of Cedric? Or rather because Ethan himself knew Cedric? A pit formed in his stomach when he contemplated that and came to a rather unpleasant and disheartening realization: the Church had attacked them because of him. Or if not solely because of him he had given them reason to chase and exposed everyone else to the danger. How hadn't he managed to realize that before? He was such an idiot!

"Kid, I don't know what shit you've been spoon fed but the Saints aren't exactly benevolent sorts. They're up heck knows where watching while we scurry around like rats, killing each other over trivial shit," Taliya rebutted, "Don't be getting the idea that they're your friends. Yeah us Magi get our magic from them but that's where the relationship ends, got it? No praying or offerings are going to get them on your side, they're more content to watch us flounder about." That was the cold hard truth of the matter, no childish naivete was going to change that. At the end of the day Magi were no different from a regular soldier, they were given tools to fight and made to do so, like it or not. If one died then so be it, such was the cost of wielding their power. Whether the enemy was the Void, the Church or one of the corporations they were simply used to fight, nothing more.

Hearing that the Saints were so indifferent to them didn't sit right with Ethan either. Why would they bother granting anyone power if they didn't care? Why would they give people the ability to heal or protect others if they just saw mortals as ants? It didn't add up but he couldn't find it in himself to totally rebuke it either; the Church had been trying to kill them for some time and they had never gotten any help from the Saints, chances were they weren't even being watched right now. They were just some kids out in the world struggling to make it then huh?

Even so they had gotten this far on their own and they had to keep going. They needed to find Amuné's parents, or at the very least what happened to them. They had to help Cecil discover who he truly was and find some peace of mind. Nymira had her clan's goals in mind and they could help her along the way too. Ethan himself needed to find Cedric and figure out what was going on with everything. Though his goal might not have to wait, not if there was someone right before him who had the answers. Swallowing back nerves he looked to Taliya and smiled nervously as she arched an eyebrow, uncertain how to even go about asking now that it was finally coming up.

"I'm uh... 18. And I haven't seen Cedric in... About a month, maybe a little more. He was taken away and when people started to talk I got worried and went after him." They had left in a carriage however and Ethan had been on foot, catching up to them was clearly not going to happen. With a massive head start and moving faster they were no doubt already in the inner cities while he was still out here, aimlessly wandering trying to pick up a trail.

"If you know where he's being kept please tell me. I can't just leave now that I found someone with answers," Ethan pleaded with a look between Kensen and Taliya both. Feeling a lump forming in his throat he tried to clear it, pushing a smile to his lips again as he moved forward. "If he's in one of the inner cities I'll keep going, I'll find a way to help him out. Or if he was accused of some crime then I'll help to clear him, I don't care what it is. Just let me know how I can get to him and-" The next few words made Ethan's voice catch in his throat and his heart nearly stop. He'd misheard, right?

"Cedric is dead, kid."

"D-Dead...?" Ethan repeated as though the words were utterly alien to him. Staring back at Taliya's stern expression he blinked once before letting out a nervous laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "N-No way! Cedric wouldn't be dead! They have no reason to hurt him, never mind kill him! They have to be just holding him somewhere, waiting for a trail. Don't joke like that, tell me where he is!" No response came and an inaudible sob escaped Ethan's mouth as his eyes began to shine.

"It's not a fucking joke, Cedric's gone kiddo. They executed him about two weeks ago." Taliya didn't like saying it anymore than Ethan wanted to hear it but he had to know the truth. The look on his face was a lot like her own had been when she'd heard the news, something between anguish and disbelief. It was better that he learn though than be allowed to believe a lie.

"The old man you knew wasn't exactly some homebody, some innocent old geezer who just sat on his fucking porch all day telling stories to brats like you. Before he lived in that dump you call home he was here with us. Hell he was the leader of this little group of ours." Rising to her feet Taliya approached Ethan and frowned at his emotionless expression. Growling in frustration she reached out and smacked him across the face, a look of disgust on her face as he whimpered and stumbled back. "Accept the truth kid, he's dead! He thought he'd have a comfy retirement off in the woods somewhere but they hunted his ass down and brought him back. He knew the risk when he was fighting against them but he did it anyways, and he paid the price."

"No! He's not dead! You're lying!" Ethan shouted as tears fell, shaking his head and trying to shove Taliya, only to have his arm grabbed and wrenched behind his back while he was pushed to the ground. "He's not... He's not dead! He can't be!" He just couldn't fathom it, Cedric being part of... Whatever this was, fighting against the Church. That wasn't the smiling old man he remembered, the one who cracked bad jokes and spent almost every afternoon teaching him how to use magic. The man who told stories to children in the town, the man who helped the town with is magic, no way could that person have done anything to earn his execution. Sobbing as he struggled against Taliya's grasp he groaned when his face was pushed against the floor, looking back up at the woman holding him. There was no sympathy there or understanding, only annoyance and disgust.

"If he was your teacher too then why aren't you sad? Why aren't you crying too?!" Ethan shouted, choking out a sob and finally pulling free as Taliya released him. Settling on his rear he looked up at Taliya in confusion, visibly shaking as his emotions ran wild. "I don't... He can't... He..."

"He's dead. I don't care if you believe me or not but that's the reality of it. It's why I'm here in charge now instead of him." Scoffing as Ethan continued to cry she rolled her eyes and walked back to the crate she'd sat on, easing herself down onto it and running a hand back through her hair. "I had my grieving and now life goes on, time doesn't stop when someone dies. We owe it to Cedric to keep moving and not turn into a wallowing fucking mess like you are right now. Are you just going to give up on everything now that you know that? Come on kid, show me you've got some spine." Nothing, no response other than rattled sobs and the occasional unintelligible word. Shaking her head in disbelief she looked at Nymira then, seeing the Dimuran more confused than anything by the exchange. She didn't expect Nymira to get it, their type always were funny about people dying. So long as it had honor then there was no reason to be sad or something like it.

Dragon Ball: Legacy (Mogtaki and Vena Sera)

"It worked though, he's d-dead and you're still here," Yumi whimpered, her lips trembling as she tried to force a smile to them unsuccessfully. Viral was adamant about not dying yet it was hard not to fear the worst with how poorly he looked. She couldn't relax, not until a doctor looked at him and told them he would be okay. For now all that could be done was a haphazard bandaging job with scraps of cloth, she would have to hope that it would suffice. Wiping at her eyes with her wrists Yumi took a long, deep breath and tried to settle herself, looking up and nodding appreciatively as Leto began to clear rubble to make reaching Viral easier for the medics. Half-tempted to pick him up and move Viral out herself she'd reached forward before halting when Choi warned her against it, her ears folding flat as she lowered her gaze.

"You're right... But we need to find help..." she mumbled sadly as she withdrew, resigning herself to having to wait.

"Kabocha and Kai are doing just that my dear Yumi. Fear not, they will return and our friend Viral will be saved yet!" Leto boomed reassuringly, "A true man will not go down so easily, this is..." he paused, straining to shove aside a large slab of rockwall, "Merely... Hng... A set back!"

Yumi did sincerely hope Leto was right and Viral would be okay from all of this. But there was no Vegeta here to fix him quickly, nor Aito, or any of the fantastic doctors that had helped them before on Uuonoe. Here they were in a war torn city desperately trying to find a medic that wasn't already busy working with the countless other injured there doubtless were. Sighing somberly Yumi looked at Viral again before crawling over to him, wincing as pain shot up her arm and sitting down beside him, getting as close as she could without actually touching him. Between the pain in her skull and her arm she almost felt like passing out, but between residual adrenaline and her concern for Viral she couldn't possibly do that.

If it weren't for the fact Viral desperately needed medical attention Kabocha might well have dropped the doctor by now. After the millionth time of being yelled at and demanded to be released he stopped in mid-air and glared down at the doctor, shaking him slightly and watching as he clung desperately to his arm. "Look doctor, this guy is possibly dying over here and he's the reason you're even still alive right now. We're helping him and that's that, the other soldiers can wait." What right did this man think he had demanding anything of them? It was because of the rebel forces here that their world wasn't in ashes right about now, if they needed something then these people should be jumping at every chance to do so.

Fortunately not having to fly awfully far to find help meant it didn't take long for Kabocha to return with help. It was curious to not see Kai around but he figured he'd gone off for some more help, leaving it be as he set down outside the ruined building. The doctor was quick to move away after he was released but Kabocha quickly grabbed hold of his coat again to stop him from walking off, narrowing his eyes and pushing the man forward. "I'm running on fumes here, don't make me waste the last bit of energy kicking your butt," he threatened halfheartedly, watching as the doctor gave him a look of discontent before heading over to Viral. Seeing the doctor slow down when he got close enough to properly see Viral made him worry, and when the doctor rubbed at his face it made Kabocha shift nervously on the spot. Unless things were different here it was usually not a good sign that the doctor looked that concerned.

"I'm guessing you're the one that needs help, my word..." Well the Saiyan had been wise to seek help, this man's injuries were far more serious than any of the soldiers he'd been tending to. Obviously heavy blood loss, possibly ruptured organs and clear abrasions and burns, and that was only what could be seen at a first glance. If this man was to have any hopes of survival he had to be transported somewhere and be operated on immediately. "Do you have a vehicle nearby? He needs to be moved immediately," the doctor said, looking to Leto and Choi. "And you young lady, can you stand? I know you're injured as well but we're pulled thin as it is. If you're able to move then you'll have to wait."

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

Time for reveals stuff/story stoof! :o

Adelon: Steeling the Faith [Open!]

It wasn't that Ethan didn't want to take Amuné along with him, certainly given all she'd gone through today. But something about bringing a child to meet with a woman who cussed like the dockworkers didn't quite sit well with him. Yet if she was adamant about tagging along foul language included then he couldn't quite turn her away. Hearing that Wyth might have to wait a bit longer to be tended to was disheartening but then Amuné knew him best and if he was doing okay then they couldn't force him to go along either.

"Oh, well if that's what you want dear. We'll be waiting for you after your meeting then," the woman said as she turned, pointing past the front door to a long hallway besides, "Just take that to the end, we're the last door on the left. We'll have a bed prepared for your friend there when you do come." Taliya wanted them to look at the children as well but none of them had nearly as serious wounds as the moorcat did, they could wait a little longer then. On her way to the medical ward she passed by a rather angry Dimuran woman, looking at her quizzically before giving Kensen and equally puzzling look. Neither of them looked terribly happy, did they know each other?

"These people are insufferable. Speaking to me like that, who do they think they are..." Nymira grumbled irritably as she approached Ethan and Amuné.

"Hey Nymira, just in time! We're going to talk to the lady who saved us!" Ethan said as he waved in greeting, promptly yelping then as his arm was grabbed and he was all but dragged along by the Dimuran, "H-Hey, what's the hurry?"

"It seems I need to teach the people here respect. Come on, she's waiting for us." They were guests here and Nymira understood as much but that did not diminish who she was or where she had come from. She was here as an ambassador to the most powerful Dimuran clan and she'd be damned if she were treated like anything less. Releasing Ethan's wrist once they had reached a wide set of doors she looked testily to the two men stood at either side, her foot tapping against the ground impatiently until they opened the door. As soon as they were parted enough for her to enter she slipped past the guards and into the room, marching right to where Taliya stood by a window, several other men around her.

"You asked to see us so here we are. Let's get some answers," Nymira interrupted, frowning as several of the men gave her dirty looks, folding her arms across her chest, "Don't be angry with me, we're simply doing as we were told. Do you want to speak with us or not?"

"You're a sassy little bitch aren't you? I like you kiddo, you've got spunk! Come on in, I was getting bored of this anyways," Taliya laughed, leaning against the wall and gesturing for the men to leave the room, "Go on, get going! Finish up your duties and you're done for the day, get some chow. And tell the two outside not to let anyone else in will ya?" If these brats were wanting answers she'd give them some, she'd tell them everything and then some if they really wanted to know. Of course they would probably regret knowing it all once they were informed, most people did, the situation was a lot more dire for Magi than most realized. Waiting for the other men to leave she smiled when the doors were closed and locked, tilting her head and giving the group a curious look. "Since you stormed in here I'm guessing you already know what you're going to ask don't you? Out with it then, ask away."

"Uh... Well actually we wanted to say thank you first, for helping us," Ethan chimed in as he smiled down at Amuné, "Right? Things were kind of bad there for a moment so we're lucky you came along when you did. If you hadn't shown up with your friend then Cecil might have gotten even more damaged, or one of us- OW!"

Nymira stomped back on Ethan's toes and shot him a glare, ignoring his almost comical hopping about as she looked back to Taliya. They weren't here to lick the woman's boots for goodness sake, she knew something about those attacking them and she was going to tell them everything. "You said you'd answer our questions, so do it. Who was that man that attacked us? The Varuna almost seems to be following us and we have no idea why. There was another man too, a Muran, though last time we saw him he fought the Varuna. Who are they? And why are we being targeted?"

"Well I know the fish bastard is a member of the Church, or he's one of their dogs anyways. One of their Magi they've got on a leash, running around and capturing or locking up Magi who refuse to join them. I guess you kids must have done something to piss someone off," Taliya mused with a shrug, "You brats barely seem capable enough to threaten a cow, never mind the Church. And 'another man' isn't much to go off of, but if he wasn't one of ours then who knows? Maybe another Church Magi and they just got into a fight, or maybe he's just some roamer. But seems like you kids have a target on your backs for some reason and the Church wants you dead, so they sent the Varuna after you. He'll probably show up again if you don't do something about him."

"We've done nothing to anger the Church though! We've only defended ourselves against attacks so far," Nymira argued, "I am not here to cause trouble or to wage battle against anyone, I am here acting as my father's ambassador. That can't be reason for them to attack us."

Taliya merely shrugged her shoulders at the idea, stepping away from the wall and walking closer to the group. "Who knows? Sometimes they don't need a reason, they just do whatever they want. The Church keeps a leash on them but they can't watch them all the time, sometime their pets get a little restless and do crazy shit. As long as they're not upsetting order they can get away with whatever they want to," she said with a grin as she looked to Ethan, "Sometimes they just go after someone because they don't like how they look, or because of even a minor offense," she continued as her gaze then turned to Amuné, "Or... Sometimes they do it just because. They don't always need a reason, they're cold bastards. No reason is reason enough."

"So... It might not even be the Church? He could just... Be attacking us because he wants to?" Ethan asked, perplexed as he tried to make sense of that. Brow creasing in worry he looked at his feet and rubbed at his forehead, his brow then shooting up in realization as he looked back at Taliya. "Wait! The man that attacked us, he said something about the Church wanting us dead. So there has to be a reason right? Maybe if we know what the reason is we can make it right! We could apologize, or maybe there's a fine, or maybe-"

"Are you fucking stupid? The Church doesn't care about money! The only people with more wealth than them are the companies whose dicks they're sucking!" Taliya laughed, "Maybe there is a reason then, but hell if I know what it is. None of you brats have any connections to the Church do you? You all seem like backwater sorts, especially you Dimuran. I can tell city folks from those who live in the country and none of you have the air of city dwellers about you. So beats me what you might have done, they usually don't bother with people so far from the cities."

There had to be a reason for the attacks, something they weren't seeing. Did anyone of them have a connection? Nymira couldn't given how far she had lived from everything, even if she was royalty. Amuné was just a kid from a small village so chances were she wasn't a target either. Cecil had been with them since the beginning and they didn't know much about him, but then was he the target? Those men in suits often appeared and tried to capture him but they didn't seem like the usual Church types, definitely from the inner cities. If it wasn't Cecil though then that only left him. But what connection might he have to the Church? He'd never been to a city, they were allowed to worship as they pleased back in Kinsgrove. They hadn't done anything really until meeting Cecil and even at that he'd just used a gust of wind, it didn't seem like that'd warrant their execution. So what else was there? At a loss for a moment he wracked his brains until he finally remembered something, a fact that he'd somehow overlooked until just now. He did have a connection if a loose one, one which made no sense until now. But could that really be the cause?

"Cedric..."

Taliya's brow rose in curiosity at the mention of the name 'Cedric', her lips in a thin smile as she stared at Ethan. How'd that kid know that name? Was it the same one that she was thinking of? Before they got too much into this they had best figure out where they were coming from and what they actually did know, no sense in wasting time going over redundant shit. "Hey kid... Who's this Cedric? Mind sharing with the rest of us?"

"Oh! Uh... Sure! Cedric's from Kinsgrove like me, he's one of the oldest members of the town. And like a lot of us here he's a Magi, an Earth Magi. Cedric taught me how to use my magic before he was... Taken away." Though a pang struck his heart at the mention of his mentor it almost felt distant, like his entire purpose for being so far from home was but a blurred memory. Maybe it was just the fatigue of the day weighing on him. "Uh... Why are you asking though? What's that got to do with anything?"

"So it is him! That old bastard couldn't stay out of trouble even all the way out there huh?" Taliya mused with a shake of her head.

"Wait, so you know him?" Ethan asked as his face lit up, stepping forward and gesturing excitably, "Do you know where he is? Please, if you know anything tell me!"

"Easy there kid, keep your pants on. Yeah I know him, he was my teacher too. So he went back home and then some men took him away, what are you doing out here then huh? Looking for trouble?" He wasn't thinking what Taliya was suspecting he was, was he? If he seriously thought he could do something to help then this kid was a colossal idiot.

"N-Not exactly. I just uh... Well..." Uncertain of where to begin Ethan exhaled, rubbing the back of his head before looking back at his friends. He should probably explain himself shouldn't he? This far our and he hadn't shared his own reason for traveling yet, he owed it to them at the very least. Plus Taliya clearly knew something and he had to find out what. "Cedric taught me magic, and we were trying to be discreet about it. But I guess somewhere along the way someone saw us and reported it, and Church members showed up asking around for a Magi. I... I think I was the one they were after, I used to practice in the woods alone and I probably messed up. But Cedric went with them instead and I haven't seen him since. If it's my fault he's missing then I can't just sit around, I have to try and find him," Ethan explained with a somber smile, "He's probably in one of the inner cities, that's what people have told me. So I'm trying to get there and find him."

Wow, so he really was as big an idiot as she'd thought. Just what in the hell did he even plan on doing if he did find the old man other than dying? "You're a damned fool kid, running after someone like that. But seems like you're pretty determined to find him huh?" Taliya asked, frowning when Ethan gave her a nod. Letting out a reluctant sigh she stepped back and pulled over an empty crate, sitting on it and folding her arms across her knees. "Kensen! Get in here! This brat knows about Cedric. We're gonna fill him in!"