Diver's Paradise
The remnants of battle. Well, that could have gone better.
Diver's Paradise was intact, but in shambles. Debris and bodies were scattered about, several of the makeshift buildings had been destroyed, and one of the support pillars had been completely destroyed, with the other three ranging from moderate to severe damage. For a sanctuary, Diver's Paradise had never been exactly a thing of beauty, but the personal majesty it held to its people was brought down low in one fell swoop of CMAS ambition. Surviving Divers were each responding to the chaos in their own way; some were solemn, moving forward, moving bodies and debris away from the center. Some were broken, on their knees in shock, crying over the loss of friends and home, wondering how to cope. Some were concerned, checking what had been destroyed to see what could be salvaged, and moving about to help their comrades.
The most common reaction to this all though, was fury. Even fresh from the fight, many Divers were gathering together, complaining and shouting over the audacity of Arcadia to have dared attack their home. They spoke of retaliation and revenge, how the Divers were more than just scattered loners, and how they would set upon the Four Nations banded together to answer this declaration of war.
"We beat 'em with less than a quarter of our guys! We should charge in and see how they like it!" "They'll pay for this in blood!" "We must show that we are not to be trifled with again." This battle had been both a victory and a loss. Diver's Paradise had been saved, but now CMAS knew its location. It wasn't a hideaway or safe spot for Divers. The future for this place had become uncertain.
Just like the rest of No-Man's Land, really.
Alvios didn't give any speeches yet, didn't gather them around to give them hope or reason. They each deserved to cope in their own ways for now. Hell, he wasn't 100% sure where to begin with the masses. There were other details to worry about first, details that had to be discussed with the one person he knew didn't have the heart to think about betrayal.
"Luke! Making your arrival as clutch as ever, I see. Listen, I need to talk to you about something." He looked around warily, and let out a sigh. It didn't really matter if he was quiet about it or not. No doubt many of them had come to the same conclusion anyway.
"Someone betrayed us, and the only reason this place is still standing is because you're a fast bastard, and because I ignored a very sudden request from Tinon to go all the way to Hyznia. ... I think we should go have a word with him and Laura."Southern Hyznia Ramparts
Magi from all across Hyznia were abuzz with rumors, interest, and excitement. Hyznia's prized Arch Mage, Sulfrax Lauchlin, had returned from his meeting with the CMAS Council... on foot, no less. They speculated on whether he had regained some of his authority within the Arcadian government back, or if he had lost any more. Did they try to banish him, which is why he didn't return in an Arcadian convoy? The man had been known to be erratic since the failed artificial arcane node several years back, but travelling through No-Man's Land all the way from Arcadia without a proper transport seemed a bit much.
Sulfrax himself had decided to take some time to consider what was going on, which is why he made his way up to the rampart's walls, to walk and reflect on recent events without interruption. He found that talking to himself from the perspective of someone else was an easier way for him to think alone as of late, although first, second, or third person could vary.
"Sydney wants them to fail. If he wanted them to succeed, he would have added more precautions, more preparations. Not a handful of random Junkers and some mouthy officials. It would have been like a military operation, and maybe he would have sent Sulfrax out as fodder. If he wants your nose far away though, it's something he knows you'll smell. Big things on the top shelf that I might be able to see." His mouth turned a little, annoyed with himself.
"I don't have any answers to your questions. I have some ideas though. I'll get results, one way or another." He stopped mumbling to himself, lifting his hood so he could see properly. Someone sitting up against the wall a short ways away. Unusual looking fellow, with unusual attire. Looked like he had been travelling recently, or was at least getting ready to set out. Why up here, though? The night patrol would be starting soon, and they really didn't enjoy Divers hanging around haphazardly. Actually, they didn't really enjoy Divers hanging out at all, but some people were hungry enough for knowledge or money that they'd explore outside of Hyznia's vast libraries and see what No-Man's Land had to offer, reputation be damned.
Exactly what he told himself he might need to do. What a coincidence. Sulfrax picked up his pace a bit, and pulled his hood back fully. He'd rather be recognized immediately, just in case he needed to exert some of his authority or influence on him, and approached Rem.
"You, Diver, stand up. You fall asleep on the wall and someone might consider tossing you over."