So stubborn... Lucas put a hand down on the table top and closed his eyes.
"Fine, then I guess I can't really stop you anyway. We're going to need some supplies before we head to the Koi ruins, I didn't tell you specifically where since I didn't expect you to muscle your way in. I also chose meeting here at the mall as it's the most versatile spot to grab supplies, since both you and Tony need to pick up some basic things before we go."
Tony stopped laughing with his date from the night before, remembering that Lucas was actually trust worthy as far as he could tell
Oh, that's right! Yes! We need... liquor... smokes... and of course burgers- LUCAS- would you like a burger? you seem tense, and it's the least I could do for the free ride for a stranger. Dionyssus would be much obliged and the Last Maenad even more so!
I've got my car outside with plenty of supplies and some tools and tactical gear. Let me grab something to eat. I had plans to grab something with a friend, but that never happened. I'll just grab some noodles and we can get going. What else do you think I need?
Lucas looked at Tony with a sigh. "No Tony, those are unnecessary items. Have you ever been out in less than desirable conditions? I don't know exactly what the Koi ruins are like or how long we'll be there, but we need light, food that will keep, a good bag or backpack..." he looked Tony up and down.
"And maybe some newer clothes and good boots for climbing. This could very well turn into an extended trip. Tell me you can at least contribute to some of that. I have some money but I'd rather not have to buy everything."
One would have been hard put to describe the look that Reilly gave Tony. It was something akin to the look he might have given a slug in a souffle.
Xander frowns softly, reaching in to his pocket for his tobacco and skins, and beginning to roll absentmindedly, as he speaks. "So it has been here for awhile... Is there anything that could have happened, down here, to drive it from this place to seek prey? Do you... do you know where it is and..." He looked up at the girl, frowning, as he lit the cigarette and took a slow deep draw, as his hand shook slightly. "Can you tell me how to beat it? Point me towards a weapon that will help me? I have little I can offer, but... if I can give you something or get you something, I will gladly!"
Gelma snaps from her daydreaming as Xander speaks to her. She notices Xander smoking and frowns slightly before breathing in very deeply. Xander can see the smoke in the air from his cigarette, he realizes that Gelma has sucked it up, she then exhales and small balls of baby blue light expel from her mouth. The balls of baby blue light then begin fluttering around. Xander notices his cigarette is no longer lit.
"If you need to relax please drink the water." Gelma says gently though with an air of firmness. Tilk yips in agreement.
Now to answer your questions. For the first one what the darkness is or what it wants is a mystery to me. Though as for a way to fight back... I do believe I can help you there. Please submerge yourself in the pond, traveler."
'What have I got to lose...?'
Xander nods and stands up, dropping his leather jacket, full of all of the contents of his pockets, on to the ground, before pulling off his boots and socks, and adding his shirt to the pile. Bare chested, wearing only his pair of torn jeans, Xander walks slowly in to the pond, till he can submerge himself completely, holding his breath.
'This better work...'
As Xander enters the pond the cool water against his skin. He then dunks under unceremoniously. He feels light headed a moment from the rush of the cold water. But then he feels warm. Cozy even. He opens his eyes and sees a soft warm light surrounding him. he feels more like he is floating in the clouds than submerged in a cold pond.
Xander then realizes he is laying next to the pond. Gelma is on her knees on the side of him looking him in the face with her blue eyes. "Now you are capable of fighting the darkness traveler."She says simply. As Xander sits up he realizes he feels wonderful. The best he has ever felt. All cuts a bruises from any point in his life are gone. He feels he could run a marathon. Gelma hands Xander a glowing white dagger. "This appeared after you came up from the pond, It should be useful."
Tony searched through his pockets with a laugh and another swig Uuuuuuuuuh-
You still have a small amount left from your gambling the other day at Rico's.
Tony gives a sheepish smile as he hands half of what he has left to Lucas
That should be enough to help you out, and she and I can get a little bit of food. Want to split up and grab supplies together, then meet up back here at the table?
Lucas nodded to Tony and Reilly. "Alright, we'll split up and meet back here when we're done. After that we'll leave for the Koi ruins."
Large Range Pack
Professional Radio w/ miltary and police bands
Surgery Kit
Evidence Kit
Lockpick Set
Binoculars
Chemical Light Sticks (10)
Compass
Tactical Flashlight
Mesh Vest (Tac Vest)
Trail Rations
Concealed Carry holster
Glock
Extra Ammo
Portable LED microscope (This is a thing that didn't exist when the book was made, but they are pretty portable and cool)
Survival Kit Knife (Like Bushmaster or something, matches, compass, light, fishing line, etc.)
Xander smiled and stood up slowly, spinning the knife casually back and forth over his hand, before sliding it through his belt. "Thank you for your help. But I must ask you for one more thing, a direction. Point and I will follow!" He bowed his head to the little girl and her pet fox.
Gelma ponders for a moment then says "Take the next right, traveler." she then calls out to Xander as he is getting ready to leave. "Another thing traveler. You have been imbued with a pure energy... Something to help fight the darkness, as you fight for the right cause you will grow more capable of conquering terrible foes... But be warned, if your actions are of something the darkness would approve, then you may eventually become one with what you hunt..."
Tony waddles up to Lucas with his arm still around the girl from last night- his face was still cheery and red but it was clear he had almost completely sobered up
Alriiiiight, we are READY! He held up the two different fifths to Lucas with a wider grin than thought possible She's ready too- right Abbie?
"Where are we goin, Bill?" Asks Abbie.
Tony mulled it over in his head- though he was sober, he had enjoyed a little too much of the previous fifth to remember everything.
Wanting to be a smart ass to make her laugh, Tony said Eeeeh, something something "Koi Ruins" something something "make shop keeper a lot of money"- You in? I could... Use some company...
With that Tony gave Abbie a wink and a nod
Abbie gives Tony a irritable look, "I'm not goin in there you crazy or something? Nah I'm meeting some friends soon I'll talk to ya later maybe." With that she stands up and walks off.
Tony shrugs with a hearty laugh back at Lucas Well that settles that- The Last Maenad is ready to roll!
Lucas let out a sigh of relief as he hefted his new bag of supplies.
"It's probably for the best that she didn't come with us anyway, Tony. Let's get going."
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Lucas, Reilly and Tony now supplied and raring to go, hop in the cars and head to the Koi ruins. Tony makes a few raunchy jokes to Lucas who ignores him, thinking of the events that lay ahead. Reilly is pondering the safety of his second cousin and curious what could be within the ruins.
The three men finally arrive at Kanji beach at 4 in the afternoon. where they drive along it looking for the ruins entrance.
After a half hour or so the find what Lucas feels matches the description. They park and put on the packs. They then turn on their head lamps and slowly make their way inside.
A short ways in they come across descending steps, they make head down them. The steps go for a a pretty long time as they walk down in silence they can hear the wind blowing through the tunnel.
Finally after almost 40 minutes they reach the bottom of the steps, to discover...
Large cracks and many small holes along the caves ceiling for the sun to shine through illuminating a massive underground Japanese style palace. covered in green upon the walls, deep red on the tiled roof with an outline of gold. The palace takes up most of the cave space to where there is no way around it.
It was called the Koi ruins, but the palace looked very much intact almost new.
Lucas looked up, pure amazement on his face. "These are the ruins?! I had been expecting... well a more decrepit look. Doesn't look like we can go around, I suppose we have to go through the front." With an almost eager pace he made his way up the stairs to the doors.
Tony spun Wichita in his hands in a sober celebration of the palace Aaaaah, thank you for bringing me here, Lucas- this may end up being my new home! Oh, damn-
I forgot. Need to keep on the look out for something valuable for that shopkeeper fella. Heh- well there's definitely gonna be something here.
I can't imagine what this strange place has to do with a serial killing, but at least I can try to keep Lucas safe down here.
So, boys, what is it that we are trying to accomplish down here? Other than getting ourselves killed, that is.
Tony you notice the doors leading into the palace have large diamond handles.
The rest of you are walking up the steps as you talk and Lucas pulls open the doors to reveal a large room covered in gold walls three brass doors lied ahead one next to the other.
Lucas marvels at the walls and doors for a moment before turning to answer Riley.
"We're looking for something. A mask, somehow this feels like the right area to search. My mother said we'll need to find it. Then, once we have it, our real work can begin. There might be other things of interest to find too, which is part of why Tony came along. I don't really care to go out of my way to find anything else though."
He then adjusted the sword at his side.
"So, which door should we take?"
Tony rests Wichita on his belly as he stands before the palace doors, shooting a grin at Lucas Well, I do owe something after all, let's see here-
After his attempt Tony grins Well, boys, I am a gambling man after all, heh, lemme see if I can figure this out, here...
Tony is not able to pull any of the diamonds out of the doors.
Nor can he find any clues indicating anyone else has been through these doors.
After failing to inspect the doors, Tony knowingly taps the third door of the three bronze with Wichita and a grin Gotta be this one, guys!
Lucas eyed Tony suspiciously.
"How percepti... wait a minute you're just guessing, aren't you?"
The third door rattles slightly, could it just be the wind?
Tony shrugged as he took out a lighter and lit a new cigarette. After a few puffs inbetween a few laughs he answered cheerily Doesn't count as guessing when I ask good ol' Dionyssus for help now does it???
Lucas shook his head at the dubious reason. Then glanced warily back at the rattling door.
"Well whatever your reason, we've got no way to know for sure... but I'd rather not tempt fate. Let's go through this one." he said warily, reaching instead for the middle door.
Reilley stands back, letting the two younger men take the lead, covering them with his pistol. He still didn't particularly see the wisdom of opening any of the doors, and there didn't appear to be any logical reason to choose one over another.
"And, and I explained to your mother tomorrow, those were Lucas' last words. Let's do it."
Lucas pushes open the middle door, to see... A long gold hallway with a single door at the far end.
The trio move forward with caution. when they reach the door they examine it a moment then push it open slowly to discover...what looks to be a large room again covered in gold with murals on the wall, the murals seem to be of a warrior facing a shadowy figure, sword in hand. Ahead of the trio is a staircase going up and left of it a staircase going down.
You know, I'd love to say I could make it up the stairs, but uh... I might be barrel chested still, but my legs are NOT as excited about stairs as they used to be... Down?
Tony continued to puff around on his cigarette as he kept looking for something to give the shopkeeper
Lucas looked at the murals of the figure with the sword. "Hmm, well my inclination was to go up. What do you think, Reilly?"
"If you go down now, you just have to come up later when you are tired. And since we have no evidence driving a decision, up is as good as down. "
"I hear you and I heed. I will make sure to fight and not fall to the shadow. Thank you for all of your help Gelma, I appreciate it!" Xander snapped off a smart bow, before turning and darting from the area, heading right, like the little girl had said.
'I will find this Shadow and I will slay it!"
Tony sees nothing he can take.