Cultist City Assault
"Understood. So as I understand things...you've entered into a sort of bet with those powers on the opposite side of the fence as you to see who could claim this girl first. 'Sam came by and took her before she could be delivered, and threw your plans into...chaos. So, you are now using this person as a bartering tool with us to get this girl, on the condition that you will release 'Sam once we've done so. Is this correct?"
he pauses
"Just so we're clear, you don't care about the rest of the cultists here, you just want the girl?"
"I would be completely lying if I said I did not care about the cultists. They hold a place in my thoughts, and even now in their deaths by your hand, more so. The dead ones seek revenge and beg such cruel things in response to your assault, it's a delight of voices. Quite ...delightful. Back to the discussion at hand, however."
A moment passes.
"Yes. You have the gist of it. Though, we /had/ the Chosen One, before the intrusion. The cultists had fended off the efforts of the opposition for more than a decade as the Chosen One grew under their guidance from the sweet innocence of a newly born. It was so delightful, having her, yet, not allowing the cultists to do their usual perversions and acts. Oh, the rage and dances they performed, the bartering and anguish they expressed, delicious. The heinous acts they did performed elsewhere to vent their vileness. Surely you can see the position I am in now. Chaos is a good way to put it, a delight to see, yes-- but, your hand thus far, crude work, if not your original intent. I'm all a fan of death and destruction, but ... artistically done, with guile and class. The measure of one's worth isn't by the body count from a tool, but by the mind, yes? If you want to destroy and kill more, by all means, you and I can work out an arrangement if interested, Prince. Perhaps you wish to let your pet there with the snake figure rend some flesh or flay people with magic, as a gift, as well? I'm so glad I heard you just before I fully left, so very glad you were not paying heed to your pet's words or thoughts, Prince."
One can almost imagine some feral grin occurring on the owner of the voice, if it were capable of such, given the tone. He's finding some odd delight in the conversation now.
Verris nods.
He picks up Julie in a bridal carry and brings her out after him quickly.
Kaetar is nowhere to be found. However, there is a massive pile of cards that have residual psionic energy on the floor.
The cards seem to be keyed to Iolth's mind. They may carry a message for him...
Hello, HRMS X, I'm Romulus, and I'm currently needing a little assistance in the movement of this boiler, I need to attach it to the right side of the torso... he says cheerfully as he clambers out from underneath the elemental reactor
the mass of metals in front of you is screaming impossibility and insanity. Thousands of dollars worth of technology has been disassembled for... An antique!
the tall creation's torso is as tall as the boy creating the clockwork and steam engine humanoid form
"I will assist with your request. However, I should advise you that I have observed[pause] one thousand, five hundred and sixty three inefficiencies in this design."
Hermes taps a few things on his nauseatingly colorful datapad and a cargo arm comes down and picks up the boiler, moving it towards the torso.
Hello, HRMS X, I'm Romulus, and I'm currently needing a little assistance in the movement of this boiler, I need to attach it to the right side of the torso... he says cheerfully as he clambers out from underneath the elemental reactor
the mass of metals in front of you is screaming impossibility and insanity. Thousands of dollars worth of technology has been disassembled for... An antique!
the tall creation's torso is as tall as the boy creating the clockwork and steam engine humanoid form
"I will assist with your request. However, I should advise you that I have observed[pause] one thousand, five hundred and sixty three inefficiencies in this design."
Hermes taps a few things on his nauseatingly colorful datapad and a cargo arm comes down and picks up the boiler, moving it towards the torso.
Romulus takes the welder and begins to secure the boiler to the side of the machine, "I don't know about that, because... He'll work" Romulus smiles, seemingly perfectly at ease around the metal ninja, after he has put the boiler into place, he begins to attach the stunning array of tubing and needles, along with the hydraulic arms to the side of the creation.
mid-welding Romulus looks at you curiously "how do you run without being wound, or have a steam engine?" he inquires
Phaezeriel nods, ::There is some time-related magic at play, and perhaps you can help. How much do you know about Chronomancy?:: As his thoughts are being sent, he walks a short distance down the hallway and beeckons to Nurse Velis to bring Nurse Julie to him.
I know a little, well mostly the science behind it, I am doing some research regarding the attack the other day, trying to determine the source. I don't really follow "magic" per-se, I.... oh I'm rambling again, I'm sorry. Is it safe in there, I saw the Nurse get carried out.
Mel seems a bit nervous, but maybe after a good examination of the patient she may start to get into a "groove"
"My operation is strictly restricted as property of the Barren Weaponry Company®. I may not disclose schematics, operations, or designs save for the express purpose of repairing compromised units. I am allowed to say that I operate on a core running on the function know in layman's terms as 'nuclear fission.' Any further disclosure without express written permission of the Barren Weaponry Company constitutes basis for my immediate decommissioning."
He speaks almost like a recorded message. A lot like a recorded message, actually.
Romulus looks at you as if you are speaking in a manner he does not understand anything that you said... returning to work on the conglomeration of medical parts, shooting you an odd glance every so often...
The head of the construct seems to twitch and its geared eyes begin to glow as the cogs begin to move... steam coming out of the top of the boiler
"I think he's waking up." Romulus smiles
Vickory mutters under her breath in black speech (and I'm guessing is probably heard anyway) "I am no pet. What makes him so much better then I anyway?"
Kaetar is nowhere to be found. However, there is a massive pile of cards that have residual psionic energy on the floor.
** spoiler omitted **
Phaezeriel takes note of the pile of cards, and though he wants to investigate, caring for the living is a more critical concern. I will have to come back to this as soon as Julie is stable; and I am if truth be told.
Verris nods.
He picks up Julie in a bridal carry and brings her out after him quickly.
As soon as Veris and Julie clear the Null Psionic area, Phaezeriel emits a pulse of healing power that washes away his own injuries as well as restoring Nurse Julie to full health and vitality. Anyone within 20 feet of Phaezeriel that is hurt at all will be fully restored as well. ::Nurse Julie, please take the time you need to recover.:: He seems to glance between Veris and Julie, ::Nurse Veris, will you please assist her should she require it?::
Phaezeriel turns to the nurse still standing by Iolth's door, So many new staff. ::Nurse? I apologize, we have not yet met. I am Phaezeriel, and today's senior infirmary staff. Will you please fetch another of the Null Psi crystals and bring it back to this room?::
I know a little, well mostly the science behind it, I am doing some research regarding the attack the other day, trying to determine the source. I don't really follow "magic" per-se, I.... oh I'm rambling again, I'm sorry. Is it safe in there, I saw the Nurse get carried out.
Mel seems a bit nervous, but maybe after a good examination of the patient she may start to get into a "groove"
Phaezeriel turns back to Melody, ::I am not certain that it is safe. The entity to which Iolth is connected is powerful and hostile. I have taken steps to blunt his powers, but I cannot guarantee that you would be safe in that room. I am going to go investigate further, but I would suggest that if you want to go in with me you allow me to bring you into the collective once more.::
"Well, that's up to you, Jessa. We won't force you to take classes, but the option is open to you. You don't need to make a decision about that right now," she said, walking over to the door and opening it, gesturing for Jessa to follow her.
The tunnel leading out of the isolab is long and has a couple of decontamination stations they have to pass through, although they are currently shut down so it's just walking through them as opposed to going through the whole process. Eventually they reach another door.
"We'll be stepping into the infirmary so things may be a little crazy at first. It will be somewhat quieter once we get out into the hallway."
Jessa follows Nala down the long hallway not speaking. Her movements remain stiff, and seem to grow more so as they near the door to the infirmary. When Nala reaches the door, Jessa again speaks, "Can you wait just a moment before we go out? She is being difficult right now."
If Nala agrees to wait, Jessa moves a little ways back from the door and lowers herself down a wall until she is sitting on her heels and wraps her arms around her knees. For a few minutes she sits like that occasionally twitching. With any attention and skill at reading people, someone might notice that her motions seem like she is controlling the gestures a person might make if they were arguing with someone.
Finally she seems to relax a little and stands, straightening her school uniform where it was out of place, "Okay, thanks. I am as ready as I will be." She does, in fact, seem more relaxed now than at any point since she first tried to control her psychotic personality.
Mel simply nods. then says, I didn't know I left. but sure, I don't have any objection, It was fun last time.
Mel will follow Phaeze back into the room and use her sonic device for a temporal energy scan. looking for traces of Artron energy.
Nurse Julie open her eyes slightly, but the feeling of warmth and comfort about her, and seing with whom she is resting she quickly closes her eyes again.
she seems to feign unconciousness, enjoying the comfort being provided. a feeling she has not experienced in a very long time.
Verris nods.
He picks up Julie in a bridal carry and brings her out after him quickly.As soon as Veris and Julie clear the Null Psionic area, Phaezeriel emits a pulse of healing power that washes away his own injuries as well as restoring Nurse Julie to full health and vitality. Anyone within 20 feet of Phaezeriel that is hurt at all will be fully restored as well. ::Nurse Julie, please take the time you need to recover.:: He seems to glance between Veris and Julie, ::Nurse Veris, will you please assist her should she require it?::
Phaezeriel turns to the nurse still standing by Iolth's door, So many new staff. ::Nurse? I apologize, we have not yet met. I am Phaezeriel, and today's senior infirmary staff. Will you please fetch another of the Null Psi crystals and bring it back to this room?::
"Of course, Senior infirmary staff." the woman says as she turns and begins to get the item that she was asked to retrieve.
her long golden hair brushes her hips as she walks
"Let's leave then tied up and go see what's for breakfast. If they can't play nuce they can go hungry fir a bit longer."Kitty gave a reassuring pat to both Saffire and Nova. "Sorry, but he's right. You have to learn to get along. You'll just have to wait for your breakfast."
"Okay, let's go see about breakfast...and apologies to your parents."
Kitty padded quietly down the stairs. She was still wearing the dress she'd borrowed from Michael's mother the day before, although it was quite rumpled now from being slept in. And dirty from being tossed aside at the lake. Her hair was still damp from their swim. She gripped Michael's hand tightly. Unlike her, it was easy to hear him walking down the stairs.
Kaetar snatches a strange looking Harrow deck from Iolth's pocket. If one examines it, you can see that all of the cards are twisted, somehow, distorted into a dark reflection.
The azata's mouth goes wide as you schism your mind, but makes no comment.
** spoiler omitted **...
Phaezeriel watches the scene for a time, then his primary mind begins examining the strange bonding between Iolth and the Horseman to see if there are any foci of the mingled aura.
His secondary mind resurfaces and his head turns to look at a point on the wall. Kaetar may notice that it is in the direction of the room he had been in before.
** spoiler omitted **
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Cindra gives a small smile to Archena and speaks quietly, "Something called 'Gunkata'. I think it has to do with guns."
Jessa follows Nala down the long hallway not speaking. Her movements remain stiff, and seem to grow more so as they near the door to the infirmary. When Nala reaches the door, Jessa again speaks, "Can you wait just a moment before we go out? She is being difficult right now."If Nala agrees to wait, Jessa moves a little ways back from the door and lowers herself down a wall until she is sitting on her heels and wraps her arms around her knees. For a few minutes she sits like that occasionally twitching. With any attention and skill at reading people, someone might notice that her motions seem like she is controlling the gestures a person might make if they were arguing with someone.
Finally she seems to relax a little and stands, straightening her school uniform where it was out of place, "Okay, thanks. I am as ready as I will be." She does, in fact, seem more relaxed now than at any point since she first tried to control her psychotic personality.
Nala waits patiently until Jessa is ready before opening the door. She is pleased to see that the infirmary is looking much more organized and calm than before. Phaezeriel's leadership was obviously working well.
"Follow me. This is the infirmary. But I'm guessing you are eager to see something that isn't a medical facility," she said, smiling, leading Jessa towards the hallway.
In spite of his earlier agitation, Jeran now sat completely still, tail wrapped around his legs. He appears totally calm. Which seems a bit strange for him since he usually seems to be wound a bit too tight. Kind of a worrier.
Kaetar snatches a strange looking Harrow deck from Iolth's pocket. If one examines it, you can see that all of the cards are twisted, somehow, distorted into a dark reflection.
The azata's mouth goes wide as you schism your mind, but makes no comment.
** spoiler omitted **...
Phaezeriel watches the scene for a time, then his primary mind begins examining the strange bonding between Iolth and the Horseman to see if there are any foci of the mingled aura.
His secondary mind resurfaces and his head turns to look at a point on the wall. Kaetar may notice that it is in the direction of the room he had been in before.
** spoiler omitted **
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Nala waits patiently until Jessa is ready before opening the door. She is pleased to see that the infirmary is looking much more organized and calm than before. Phaezeriel's leadership was obviously working well.
"Follow me. This is the infirmary. But I'm guessing you are eager to see something that isn't a medical facility," she said, smiling, leading Jessa towards the hallway.
Jessa shows a little life with a small smile, "You have no idea. I have been in a medical facility for ... several years, I think."
"Interesting choice, that"
Cindra blushes and ducks her head, and her voice is a little defensive, "Well, it seemed interesting. I have never really seen one, only read about them." She shrugs, helpless to explain her choice.
Cultist City Assault
If either Jeran or Vickory were expecting a response, it appears the disembodied mental speaker provides nothing to support such.
Clearly, whatever 'status' Casseus has with this being, seems to only prompt it to speak with him, thus far.
Then again, it had referred to the two as Casseus' pets, or the like.
::Well?:: Casseus send to Jeran and Vickory. ::What do you think?::
Cindra smiles warmly at Lucas, then waves to the group as she touches the wall and begins to walk away after the arrows.
Some short time later, having dropped her stuff off in her new room, Cindra steps hesitantly into a classroom and stands near the door waiting for the professor to arrive.
Gives Jessa a look of sympathy as she fights her inner demon, but waits patiently, and follows them out.
** spoiler omitted **Kaetar snatches a strange looking Harrow deck from Iolth's pocket. If one examines it, you can see that all of the cards are twisted, somehow, distorted into a dark reflection.
The azata's mouth goes wide as you schism your mind, but makes no comment.
** spoiler omitted **...
Phaezeriel watches the scene for a time, then his primary mind begins examining the strange bonding between Iolth and the Horseman to see if there are any foci of the mingled aura.
His secondary mind resurfaces and his head turns to look at a point on the wall. Kaetar may notice that it is in the direction of the room he had been in before.
** spoiler omitted **
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The young, attractive nurse returns, gently cradling the small purple crystal. "Here is the object you asked for, Senior Infirmary Staff, Phaezeriel"
The young, attractive nurse returns, gently cradling the small purple crystal. "Here is the object you asked for, Senior Infirmary Staff, Phaezeriel"
Phaezeriel takes the gem, ::Thank you, nurse. We are not quite so formal as that here. My name will be sufficient. Please keep anyone from entering Iolth's room, I am not certain of its safety.::
Phaezeriel follows Melody into the room and first check's Iolth's vitals before turning his attention to the pile of cards upon the floor.
The young, attractive nurse returns, gently cradling the small purple crystal. "Here is the object you asked for, Senior Infirmary Staff, Phaezeriel"Phaezeriel takes the gem, ::Thank you, nurse. We are not quite so formal as that here. My name will be sufficient. Please keep anyone from entering Iolth's room, I am not certain of its safety.::
Phaezeriel follows Melody into the room and first check's Iolth's vitals before turning his attention to the pile of cards upon the floor.
"Of course, Phaezeriel she says with a curtsy, stepping just inside the room as well, and closing it firmly behind herself.
** spoiler omitted **
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Jessa shows a little life with a small smile, "You have no idea. I have been in a medical facility for ... several years, I think."Nala waits patiently until Jessa is ready before opening the door. She is pleased to see that the infirmary is looking much more organized and calm than before. Phaezeriel's leadership was obviously working well.
"Follow me. This is the infirmary. But I'm guessing you are eager to see something that isn't a medical facility," she said, smiling, leading Jessa towards the hallway.
"Well, then this should be a treat," she joked, as she led Jessa out of the infirmary into the stone corridor of the school. "Now, I know, it's not much. It's just a hallway after all. So I'll ask you...would you rather have a tour of the school or go and see the SIM rooms. They're virtual reality rooms, so not as good as actually going outside, but they feel real while you're in them. It's up to you, Jessa."
::Well?:: Casseus send to Jeran and Vickory. ::What do you think?::
::We need some outside help. We can't give him what he wants, but we can't let him keep Tryko'Sam. And his threats of hurting innocents if we don't cooperate are disturbing. We need a free the slaves/stop the cultists team, and a defend against demons in the areas around the school team, and a search and rescue team to get Tryko'Sam back. Three of us just aren't enough.:: Jeran's tone seems unnaturally calm, and he continues to maintain outward stillness, likely some form of meditation.
::True...:: he waits for Vickory's input.
Mel finishes her scan and quickly loads the data from her sonic device to her datapad.
she seems lost a bit in thought as she starts running through all the information.
basic racial information, normal vitals, physically no problems. hmmmm, a lot of brain activity, psychic energies?
she look to Iolth, do you possess mental abilities, such as telepathic communication? or are you what they would call innately "magic"
she uses the finger quote thing at the word magic, her tone seems to indicate that she does not truly believe in what most would call magic.
In any event. you have a very unique and also very dangerous situation here. I am detecting a concentration of Artron energy, it is a mutated energy wave, emanating at over 1200 Mev while the usual levels, such as those that surround me operate at only about 500 Mev. Now while this is not really a concern, what is a concern is the source.
she sets the datapad on the floor and taps the screen. suddenly a 3D hologram of Iolth appears floating above the pad, with a slight reddish aura. the red aura glows brightest in the center of his chest.
Now see this spot here? she says pointing to the chest. This is the receiving point of the energy field around you. now of course you must be holding some sort of receiving device.
she makes some motions and its like she zoomed out as the hologram shrunk and the red aura seems to form a line that extends out a few inches from his chest there is a red sphere then it continues on off the view area.
where this line goes, is actually across the Time-Space Vortex, I guess you could call in another dimension. but in short it goes to another timeline, another reality. I have no idea what is on the other side, but it has a great deal of influence over you in this time line.
Mel pauses a bit as though there is something she is suddenly realizing... just a sec,
::Phaeze, I need you to see this, it is real important, and possibly a danger to the school::
Phaezeriel straightens from where he was examining the cards, ::Yes? what is it?::
Iolth does not answer your questions. He is comatose.
The psychic abilities seem to be suppressed by an extremely high concentration of pure, unadulterated, Artron energy. He probably can't even access them.
The receiving point is a deck of cards, which with an initial scan you can see that their function is to decrease the energy coming from the link, which suggests that the link isn't always as strong. However, the massive influx of Artron is causing it to have to dump stored energy back into Iolth, adding to the problem.
Iolth seems to have large amounts of strange, modulating energy that seems to come from the link outside the Artron. If you have studied "magical" energy before, you would definitely recognize it as the strange wavelength magic seems to exist and travel on, though in a "purer" form. If wizardly energy was steel and sorcerous energy was iron, this would be the unchanged ore. It's extremely primal, and it seems that again, it is accustomed to channeling itself through the strange deck, limiting the destruction caused by the energy. There seems to be multiple ways that it can be channeled, such as animating dead bodies and channeling pure cold to create strange tentacles.
The young man, if he did not develop a link to this strange being, would've developed approximately Basic 34 psychic power-in other words, extremely powerful. However, the being is constantly draining the psychic power from him, leaving Iolth unable to use it.
All of these results indicate that the being that is linked with Iolth is extremely powerful, something you would expect from a theoretical "god" being. However, there are two vastly different types and levels of energy influencing Iolth. However, they come from the same source, which means that something has further modified the being. Perhaps this is an internal or external source. Either way, the being is vastly powerful, and not to be trifled with.
Mel steps out pulling Phaeze with her. she seems a bit troubled. she makes sure they are alone.
:: I was looking st the energy signatures around the patient, and I thought they looked familiar. at first i couldn't quite put my finger on it as to where I saw it before. Then suddenly it dawned on me, The attack on the school, I started to do some preliminary research into how it happened. and based on energy signatures I identified then, and energy signatures here, There are very close. A little to close for my liking. ::
pausing for a bit.
reverting to a regular voice but hushed so to not disturb anyone, this connection he has may be acting as both a beacon and a "back door" past the wards and allow for where ever the "evil Vai" came from to bring support. its a possible invitation to another attack. I haven't completed my research from the attack yet so I cannot say for certain, but when there are temporal and multi-reality events, that acts as a homing signal for those that look for such things. I need to sever the connection he has, but i don't know what is at the other end, nor how it will effect him or us.
Iolth does not answer your questions. He is comatose.
** spoiler omitted **
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The nurse looks completely and totally baffled by the explanation, little wrinkles on her forehead showing he lack of understanding