Final Fantasy Reimagining (Still Recruiting)

[DarthArminius]

Final Fantasy Reimagining

Now, in the Temple Of The Great Hyne, our protagonists follow world renowned Archaeologist Doctor Unne and his accompaniment of other scholars and assistants, where the dear Doctor has made the most historical archaeological breakthrough in the history of archaeology.

So far, various subterranean pests, timid monsters and the like have bothered the excavation teams, but there has been no fighting. Some of the creatures had stolen rations, or caused some trouble, however. The small army of scholars, adventurers and guards has been at camp at the Great Temple of Hyne for four days now.

A solid stone structure outside the Temple is being used for camp now. According to scholars, it was The City Hall of an old city once used by the Ancients. Perhaps the Dwarve's ancestors?


The Old City Hall

The protagonists are there, in an off center room at the Old City Hall. For some reason, Richard Davis is not there. However, screams can be heard in the central place of the Old City Hall.

[Parlortricks]

And there, in the makeshift kitchen and storage room, a certain young noble had found himself quite… Bored. As a part of the old ruins, even this room had been of some interest to him, but that time had long passed with the days they had spent there. Arctomiy had managed to find the best spot to laze about – and that wasn't any of the actual chairs in there, heavens no. Those things were as uncomfortable as ever. No, the bag of… Whatever soft set onto a wooden box made for a much nicer cushion to sit and lean upon. Who cared if it was food that someone had to eat later?

Arctomiy's legs dangled off the edge as he twirled an ink pen in his hand, its tip long since dried of ink. His eyes were reading through the thick bundle of notes, but that wasn't enough to keep his mind occupied. Nor his mouth. He had parked himself close to his bodyguard on this excavation, Acantha, and she was the one who had to listen to his constant stream of words. Well, the others in the room may have had to do that, too, but she was the one everything was directed to.

"And seriously, can you believe him? Acted like he owned the place! Didn't even know who I was. There was absolutely no way I would have stooped so low and done what he asked, so despite that initial shock, I let him have a piece of my mind. Served him right. I'm hungry, by the way. See if you can find something fresh. Fruit would be good. Peel and cut one up for me. Hey. Are you listening?"

Arctomiy wasn't even looking up from his reading material. Perhaps, despite all the talking, he was actually managing to keep reading with the way his eyes actually seemed to follow the words on the pages.

Until… What was clearly a scream made his eyes grow wide and look up from the papers. Shrill, horrifying shrieks, multiple of them – was it a monster, or a human? Which one was worse? Real or fake? He hoped for the latter, of course, but the way his skin had turned pale and clammy, how his blood had suddenly turned cold… It was difficult to convince himself of that. Arctomiy finally looked at Acantha with fear in his eyes, and for once, he had been silenced.

[JNAProductions]

Connie, who's only recently arrived, starts to slither as fast as she can towards the screams. "I'm coming! I'm here to help!" she calls ahead.

[Merilan]

Eskha's been unnerved ever since the second day or so of their expedition; the longer she stayed in one place, the more chances she'll be discovered by someone, something she didn't spot, she thinks. Still, she has to do this -- a job's a job, and she's running low on funds. She's been spending the last few days making sure her gadgets are scattered around the site, running security for people -- so she's got eyes when something unexpected happens, like a monster attack. Still, the shriek does get her jumpy, and she hurries towards the source of the shriek, the gunblade drawn in her hand. She checks the camera feeds with her other hand, on a little screen, to see if she can spot anything.

[DarthArminius]

Eskha's been unnerved ever since the second day or so of their expedition; the longer she stayed in one place, the more chances she'll be discovered by someone, something she didn't spot, she thinks. Still, she has to do this -- a job's a job, and she's running low on funds. She's been spending the last few days making sure her gadgets are scattered around the site, running security for people -- so she's got eyes when something unexpected happens, like a monster attack. Still, the shriek does get her jumpy, and she hurries towards the source of the shriek, the gunblade drawn in her hand. She checks the camera feeds with her other hand, on a little screen, to see if she can spot anything.

There are already a dozen dead guards, with a single dead scholar joining them. There are several more guards injured and laying on the ground. Currently as the group, and the creature named Connie finds their way in the main hall. They arrive to see a startling sight. It's Richard, the Red Coat Captain. He's opening fire on the remaining guards, and it's clear he's been the source of the terror. He barely seems to have a scratch on him.

[JNAProductions]

"Hey! Stop that, you!" Connie shouts, moving to place herself in between the captain and any remaining living targets.

[DarthArminius]

Two red coat soldiers, alarmed at Richard's behavior, are both relieved to see what appeared to be one of Cid's creations attempting to stop the slaughter. "Sir. We regret this order for you to lay down your arms and come with us." Both of their bayonet rifles were aimed at Red's person. Biggs, a five foot eleven and a half stood two inches taller than Wedge. From behind the two red coats, a White Mage woman gasped at the carnage. Biggs wore a single moustache, with no beard, while Wedge was totally unshaven.

The white mage regained herself. "I have no idea why you'd snap like this, Red." She scolded.

[Merilan]

Eskha grimaces and runs onto the scene, though her instinct is to duck behind some crates for cover the moment she spots the gun in Richard's hand. Her eyes widen as Connie dashes into the scene, though. "Connie, it's dangerous!" she calls desperately for her friend, but pauses as two more red coat soldiers and a white mage woman arrives on scene. "We need to try to save those that we can still save...!"

[herastor]

As bored as Arctomiy might have been, he'd have to cross the endless gulf that Acantha viewed to reach the ennui she'd achieved. Half-attention to his endless stream of words had given way to a restless fidget, then to an agressive disinterest, and, finally, to vacant staring. Her legs were staring to go numb, but she knew, deep in the pit of her soul, any movement might provoke more words.

No, this was an endurance contest to see just who could pass out first. Did Arc know he won with a few sentences?

"I'm hungry, by the way. See if you can find something fresh. Fruit would be good. Peel and cut one up for me. Hey. Are you listening?"

She was shocked by the intensity of the outrage that'd taken her. If she gripped the shaft of her spear any tighter it would've snapped in half. She wasn't going to kill him, her dearest friend, just maim him.

"Did you just order me to make you a fruit bowl like a common maid?"

It was a question that would never get an answer as the shots rang out and the screams followed. In an instant everything changed. Acantha could see Arc lose all his snobbish bravado as his fear took him. He, in turn, could see the anger leave her face with only genuine concern.

She was off like a comet after that, blazing towards the source of the conflict. Corridors, and bodies, flashed by as she skidded to a halt in the central hall. She didn't understand Richard's sudden change and she didn't need to process it. The only thing she knew for certain was a rebuttal to Eskha's statement.

"Then we save them by stopping him!"

With that, she charged the Red Coat captain...

[Parlortricks]

And off she was, rushing out of the room to go check the source of the screams. Arctomiy, in turn, did not want to be left alone and defenseless, though it definitely took him a moment before he really caught up with what had happened and slid off the crate, leaving the notes behind as he dashed out of the door. Keeping up with Acantha was no easy task, especially for someone like him who, in general, did not do any running. Adrenaline coursing through his veins was powerful in moving him faster than he should have, forcing him to hold onto his hat. But it wasn't enough, the distance between the two growing until Acantha finally came to a stop.

And so did Arctomiy, gasping for air as his lungs burned and his heart felt like it was going to crawl out of his throat or punch through his chest. His legs were already feeling the burn and his vision felt hazy. Perhaps it staying that way would have been a blessing to him. His downcast eyes slowly but surely started to take flick around the floor, noticing the unmoving bodies. The scent of blood hit his nose next – or perhaps it was just the realization of what he was looking at.

He let out a gasp, as he took a step back, finally noticing the full scale of the carnage. It took a moment for his brain to piece everything together, especially when there was some kind of… Mechanical monster in there with them. An easy culprit to blame, but there was not a speck of blood on it. No, the one with the bloodied sword was… A familiar man, standing there rather menacingly with many gathered around him to stop him.
"D-Davis! Have you lost your mind?!" He managed to squeak. He didn't really need an answer. Surely, he already knew.

Arctomiy bit his lower lip. It was fine. It was going to be fine! They had the numbers on their side!

[DarthArminius]

And off she was, rushing out of the room to go check the source of the screams. Arctomiy, in turn, did not want to be left alone and defenseless, though it definitely took him a moment before he really caught up with what had happened and slid off the crate, leaving the notes behind as he dashed out of the door. Keeping up with Acantha was no easy task, especially for someone like him who, in general, did not do any running. Adrenaline coursing through his veins was powerful in moving him faster than he should have, forcing him to hold onto his hat. But it wasn't enough, the distance between the two growing until Acantha finally came to a stop.

And so did Arctomiy, gasping for air as his lungs burned and his heart felt like it was going to crawl out of his throat or punch through his chest. His legs were already feeling the burn and his vision felt hazy. Perhaps it staying that way would have been a blessing to him. His downcast eyes slowly but surely started to take flick around the floor, noticing the unmoving bodies. The scent of blood hit his nose next – or perhaps it was just the realization of what he was looking at.

He let out a gasp, as he took a step back, finally noticing the full scale of the carnage. It took a moment for his brain to piece everything together, especially when there was some kind of… Mechanical monster in there with them. An easy culprit to blame, but there was not a speck of blood on it. No, the one with the bloodied sword was… A familiar man, standing there rather menacingly with many gathered around him to stop him.
"D-Davis! Have you lost your mind?!" He managed to squeak. He didn't really need an answer. Surely, he already knew.

Arctomiy bit his lower lip. It was fine. It was going to be fine! They had the numbers on their side!

"You have your orders." Were the words that rang through Richard's ears. Wordlessly he opened fire on another wounded guard, who worthlessly tried to shield himself with his hands, who was now dead. With a pained expression, Richard pulled his fire arm faster than the others could react, except for Biggs and Wedge, who immediately began firing into the Red Coat Captain. Richard tanked both shots to his chest, yet the bullets did little harm him. He quickly aimed his pistol at Biggs and Wedge, before they could react. He would have opened fire, wounding one of them, had he any ammunition left. He let out a loud sigh of exasperation. His family and kingdom was on the line. "You don't understand.", the Red Coat thought. They have everything dear to me. He quick drew his sword and sprang with supernatural speed, ignoring Connie, towards the pair. Lucky for the them, Anna, the White Mage hammered Richard, literally, with a warhammer.

Were it not for her blow, one of them would be either severely wounded or dead.

[JNAProductions]

Connie snakes her tail out, aiming to trip and entrap the villain. She tries to form words, but can't think of anything that would actually help the situation.

[DarthArminius]

Connie snakes her tail out, aiming to trip and entrap the villain. She tries to form words, but can't think of anything that would actually help the situation.

Well, it works. Richard Ethan Davis is caught in Connie's tail. He attempts a powerful struggle, but Connie seems to be stronger. She needs to strain a little to keep him contained. Meanwhile, Biggs and Wedge look at each other with surprise.

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy was not able to spring into action very fast. It was not everyday he came across a crazed madman seeming to be hellbent on killing them all. And never before had he seen so many… Dead. He swallowed, the earlier run having made him very lightheaded – or so he told himself, at least.

But seeing the strange mechanical… Snake-thing lunge at Davis and seeming to be able to quite securely contain him gave the young noble some confidence to stop his hands from trembling. Well, at least try to stop them from trembling, that was.
"Get him some restraints!" Acrtomiy called out to anyone in particular who was able to handle such a command – not that anyone really needed him telling anyone that. He himself, of course, did not want to go anywhere near Davis. But perhaps even such a dire situation could make someone as selfish and spoiled as Arctomiy act, as he went around desperately looking at the fallen people, doing his best to heal them with his magic…

At least the ones that were still alive.

[Merilan]

Eskha hurries as well, her gunblade out to try to take a clear shot at Richard -- but pauses once Connie restricts the man. Moving next to Arctomiy, she procures a medicinal kit and starts work on those she believes she can still save -- the reactor in the gunblade focuses as errant energies are drawn around the air, synthesised into basic Cure magic. "This should do in a pinch... come on..."

[DarthArminius]

Ominous Voice
An evil, disembodied force speaks to Richard. Only the protagonists can hear it. "You have failed me."
"You know the price of failure. Your kingdom, your family and all your loved ones are now in my hands to do as I see fit." The evil voice was supernaturally ugly. After hearing it, the party's life force sinks down low, and they find it difficult to stand. The white mage, Anna is concerned as the party members are now all staggered to their knees. On the other side of the Hall, Doctor Unne arrives with his own retinue of guards. Two dragoons accompany of him, along with a handful of other warriors, and a couple of black mages.
When he finally approaches closer, he notices the multiple dead guards and a dead scholar, as well as Connie fighting to restrain the Red Coat Captain.
"What in the Dark World is going on here?" Unne demands to know.

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy scrambled to check up on the injured people, giving them a slight push on the shoulder to flip them over if necessary – or plain to just see if they were still alive. The first one that only revealed a lot of blood that no longer pooled out from their wounds, along with a very lifeless limp made him yelp and retreat rather quickly. He wouldn't have been able to handle too many of those, so it was only a good thing he could find someone he actually could try to help quickly. A green-ish hue of magic enveloped his hands as he started to pour his magic into closing the wounds, and Arctomiy did his best to try to calm his nerves and ragged breath, only focusing on the magic.

A focus that was broken by a voice. A horrible, hideous voice, where just hearing it could make one's blood run cold. Arctomiy stopped his magic, looking around for the source, though he was unable to find it. And soon, he couldn't even try to keep looking. Suddenly, it was like his breath was stolen from him, a great force pushing him down – or perhaps it was just his body that suddenly went awfully limp and weak, unable to even resist gravity anymore. Arctomiy found himself on all fours, his arms shaking as he did his best to try to stop himself from falling to the ground completely.

He couldn't really respond to anyone or anything happening around him at the moment, as he gasped for air.

[Merilan]

Eskha is glad to have Arctomiy's help, as she mentally triages those she can help; bleeding is stemmed, bandages come out, and synthesised para-magic Cures buy her time. As she works, though--

She hears that voice, and suddenly everything is heavy. She didn't think of herself as someone who could sense such things as 'palpable evil', given her inability to use or even sense magic, but... it's there. Fortunately, she's already kneeling, but she has to force herself to not be pulled over her patient. "What was that voice...? It spoke of failure, as if it was manipulating that man, Richard."

[JNAProductions]

"Hurry-please!" she says. "I don't want anyone else getting shot!"

Her coils continue to tighten around the red-coated captain, but she knows that while she might have the edge in raw power, her technique is unpracticed. He might be able to find a way out.

[herastor]

When Richard pulled the sword, Acantha knew it was the best time for her to continue her approach. Or she would have. The voice or the presence, whatever it could be called, took the dragoon straight to her knee mid stride.

Magic, forever the bane of her existence.

Once her vision stopped swimming, Acantha crawled over to Richard and Connie. The naga's backup was here, as well as the ever late reinforcements. With more strength returning by the second, she grappled the Red Coat in tandem with the construct.

"I don't want to get shot either. Can you get his other leg?"

[DarthArminius]

When Richard pulled the sword, Acantha knew it was the best time for her to continue her approach. Or she would have. The voice or the presence, whatever it could be called, took the dragoon straight to her knee mid stride.

Magic, forever the bane of her existence.

Once her vision stopped swimming, Acantha crawled over to Richard and Connie. The naga's backup was here, as well as the ever late reinforcements. With more strength returning by the second, she grappled the Red Coat in tandem with the construct.

"I don't want to get shot either. Can you get his other leg?"

"Ugh. I'm too late."
"It's Chaos. The god, Chaos."
"He has my wife and the royal family in his control."
"Forget about me, you have to get to the Royal Family!"
Unne looked uneasy. "It looks like Richard's gone psychotic."

[JNAProductions]

"Are you still gonna shoot us if I let you go?" Connie asks.

[Parlortricks]

It was a struggle, but Arctomiy finally had enough strength in his arms to push himself to his knees and then all the way to his feet. His legs still felt wobbly and his head felt woozy, but it seemed like the situation was… Over. There had been many casualties – though he tried to not think about that too much. He adjusted his hat and gave his clothes a quick dusting, as he seemed to be able to regain his composure with a huff. Or at least, the bare minimum to put up such airs.

"I say!" He started, definitely agreeing with the doctor. Davis had clearly lost it. Sure, there had been some kind of a voice, and a strange, oppressing aura, but… But that might not have been real, after all.
"I-I don't know what you're trying to get at, Davis, or w-what you did to us, but it's not going to work! I'm calling your bluff!"

[Merilan]

Eskha rises after she's done tending to the wounds of those she can help, walking over and grabbing the gun out of Richard's hands -- and makes sure to unload the rest of the chamber, before tossing it away. It didn't look like he was going to keep resisting, though.

"What did this Chaos ask you to do?" Eskha is direct, levelling the question at Richard.

[DarthArminius]

Eskha rises after she's done tending to the wounds of those she can help, walking over and grabbing the gun out of Richard's hands -- and makes sure to unload the rest of the chamber, before tossing it away. It didn't look like he was going to keep resisting, though.

"What did this Chaos ask you to do?" Eskha is direct, levelling the question at Richard.

"You've never heard of Chaos? The evil god?"
"Well anyway, he's going to kill the Royal Family and my wife!"
"I was supposed to wipe out the guards and scholars here, but Chaos didn't expect that the snake thing and you others would be here."

[Parlortricks]

"'Chaos made me do it' is just about the oldest excuse in the book!" Arctomiy huffed from the middle of his healing that he had gotten back to – though was there a slight crack in his voice, a tinge of actual worry? That voice he heard earlier – no, surely everyone here had heard it? Surely it had to just be a trick. Maybe Davis could produce something like that with his magic. …But would someone truly off his rocker be able to come up with such a plan? Was it actually impossible for Davis to both be insane and a criminal mastermind who could plan for an excuse like this?

…No no no. It all had to be some kind of a trick. Arctomiy didn't want to actually believe in the alternative, so he doubled down on not believing it. He swallowed, and felt a bead of sweat drip down the side of his face anyway.
"A-Anyway! Don't we have some kind of… Containment area for this kind of… Cr-Criminal activity?"

[JNAProductions]

"Is Chaos bad?" Connie asks. "Grant never mentioned anything about that."

[Parlortricks]

"Doesn't the name already give that away…?" Arctomiy asked, sounding like he was in disbelief as he eyed the strange… Thing. Snake-like, but also human, but also mechanical… What was this thing? Was it alive?
"…Look, I have no idea what you're supposed to be or what hole you crawled out of to not know something so basic… But I'll give you a short version, even if this is not the time and place for that," he adjusted his glasses with a frown, and cleared his throat,
"He is something of an ancient, evil deity. One supposedly unkillable, stuck in an eternal loop of coming back to life if someone did manage and the ability to affect different points of time. Someone who sows chaos where his grasp reaches. Obviously. Or so the stories go. Great scapegoat and excuse for these lunatics who go crazy and start hearing voices."

[DarthArminius]

"Doesn't the name already give that away…?" Arctomiy asked, sounding like he was in disbelief as he eyed the strange… Thing. Snake-like, but also human, but also mechanical… What was this thing? Was it alive?
"…Look, I have no idea what you're supposed to be or what hole you crawled out of to not know something so basic… But I'll give you a short version, even if this is not the time and place for that," he adjusted his glasses with a frown, and cleared his throat,
"He is something of an ancient, evil deity. One supposedly unkillable, stuck in an eternal loop of coming back to life if someone did manage and the ability to affect different points of time. Someone who sows chaos where his grasp reaches. Obviously. Or so the stories go. Great scapegoat and excuse for these lunatics who go crazy and start hearing voices."


"This has nothing to do with insanity, and everything to do with black mail."
"Go ahead, put me in jail or something, but get to the royal family."
"Unne can make contact with the Palace." Unne has a quizical look on his face.

[Parlortricks]

"Riiight," Arctomiy rolled his eyes as he turned his focus back on the healing,
"Gods are known for resorting to blackmail."

[Merilan]

Eskha still feels like she's missing a piece of the puzzle. "Why kill the guards and scholars here? What does he hope to gain by killing them?"

There's a sigh as she looks to Unne to say, "There's no harm in warning the royal family and his family in turn -- I did hear a particularly unpleasant voice. Could we get someone sent back to the palace, or would you have one of us ride there?"

[DarthArminius]

Eskha still feels like she's missing a piece of the puzzle. "Why kill the guards and scholars here? What does he hope to gain by killing them?"

There's a sigh as she looks to Unne to say, "There's no harm in warning the royal family and his family in turn -- I did hear a particularly unpleasant voice. Could we get someone sent back to the palace, or would you have one of us ride there?"

"See, I had to wipe out the whole excavation! Chaos is imprisoned here. There's knowledge here he doesn't want anyone to know. Since I failed, he'll tell his followers in Baron to off the Royal Family, not to mention my wife and friends."

[JNAProductions]

"Something seems off..." Connie muses. She taps her finger to her chin, in thought.

"Oh! I'm Connie-what's your name?" she asks Arctomiy. "I'm a creation of Grant Endill. He taught me everything I know! Which, uh... Has some large gaps, I'm realizing," she adds, a little sheepish. "I mean, I can make gizmos and gadgets and all kinds of things! But I don't really know much besides the sciences."

[Merilan]

"... even more curious," Eskha admits, with a sigh. "Doctor Unne, what do you make of this? Does this line up with your academic knowledge of what this Temple of Hyne is supposed to represent?"

She does look to Connie with a weak smile. "Ah, an inventor? I'm something of a tinkerer myself. We can trade notes sometime, if you'd like."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy stood up after he was finished with healing who he thought was the final injured guard – the sight of so many other, lifeless bodies still lying around was something he tried to push out of his mind. He really didn't want to go touch them to confirm their status. Perhaps he could find some solace in the fact that there currently was something else to focus on, with Davis' strange story about Chaos and blackmail and what-not.

"Maybe this Chaos of yours should have sent his lackeys here instead, huh," he gave his very important two cents about the matter. Davis had just lost his mind, right? No one else was actually in danger… Right? In the midst of everything, the mechanical lamia creature seemed to want to introduce herself to him, describing herself as a… Creation. Arctomiy didn't still quite know what to make of it, but he did have manners.
"Arctomiy of the de Labrousses. That prickly person over there is my bodyguard, Acantha."

The young noble let out a sigh. Why did everything have to turn out like this? This wasn't supposed to be a dangerous excavation, and now a respected captain goes and loses his mind!
"Didn't you ask for some kind of… Proof, Davis? Surely you don't go killing everyone because a voice in your head just threatens you, right?"

But Arctomiy was certain that was exactly what had been done. There was no proof, after all.

[JNAProductions]

"... even more curious," Eskha admits, with a sigh. "Doctor Unne, what do you make of this? Does this line up with your academic knowledge of what this Temple of Hyne is supposed to represent?"

She does look to Connie with a weak smile. "Ah, an inventor? I'm something of a tinkerer myself. We can trade notes sometime, if you'd like."

Connie nods. "That'd be great! What's your specialty, when it comes to making things?"


Arctomiy stood up after he was finished with healing who he thought was the final injured guard – the sight of so many other, lifeless bodies still lying around was something he tried to push out of his mind. He really didn't want to go touch them to confirm their status. Perhaps he could find some solace in the fact that there currently was something else to focus on, with Davis' strange story about Chaos and blackmail and what-not.

"Maybe this Chaos of yours should have sent his lackeys here instead, huh," he gave his very important two cents about the matter. Davis had just lost his mind, right? No one else was actually in danger… Right? In the midst of everything, the mechanical lamia creature seemed to want to introduce herself to him, describing herself as a… Creation. Arctomiy didn't still quite know what to make of it, but he did have manners.
"Arctomiy of the de Labrousses. That prickly person over there is my bodyguard, Acantha."

The young noble let out a sigh. Why did everything have to turn out like this? This wasn't supposed to be a dangerous excavation, and now a respected captain goes and loses his mind!
"Didn't you ask for some kind of… Proof, Davis? Surely you don't go killing everyone because a voice in your head just threatens you, right?"

But Arctomiy was certain that was exactly what had been done. There was no proof, after all.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Arctomiy. Why are you wearing that dumb hat, though?"

[Parlortricks]

"D-D-d-d-d–" Arctomiy was in shock over the lamia's comment, his eyes having grown larger from disbelief. Yet another thing he didn't want to believe he had witnessed, but this one was a bit more difficult to ignore. That shock turned into anger as he gritted his teeth and his face started to flush.
"I-I-It is fashionable! A part of my uniform! A mark of prestige! I-I-I shouldn't have to explain these kinds of things to a simpleton like you! Casting pearls before swine, I say!" Arctomiy was basically trembling from anger so much it made the fluffy feather on his hat vibrate.

[DarthArminius]

Arctomiy stood up after he was finished with healing who he thought was the final injured guard – the sight of so many other, lifeless bodies still lying around was something he tried to push out of his mind. He really didn't want to go touch them to confirm their status. Perhaps he could find some solace in the fact that there currently was something else to focus on, with Davis' strange story about Chaos and blackmail and what-not.

"Maybe this Chaos of yours should have sent his lackeys here instead, huh," he gave his very important two cents about the matter. Davis had just lost his mind, right? No one else was actually in danger… Right? In the midst of everything, the mechanical lamia creature seemed to want to introduce herself to him, describing herself as a… Creation. Arctomiy didn't still quite know what to make of it, but he did have manners.
"Arctomiy of the de Labrousses. That prickly person over there is my bodyguard, Acantha."

The young noble let out a sigh. Why did everything have to turn out like this? This wasn't supposed to be a dangerous excavation, and now a respected captain goes and loses his mind!
"Didn't you ask for some kind of… Proof, Davis? Surely you don't go killing everyone because a voice in your head just threatens you, right?"

But Arctomiy was certain that was exactly what had been done. There was no proof, after all.

"Well, Archtomiy of the de Labrousses, at first it wasn't a voice in my head at all. One of the Black Mages of the court put a knife to the Crown Prince's throat and threatened to kill him on the spot."
"You know, one of those shadow faced Black Mages, most likely a master."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy was still red in the face from his outburst, reeling from the terrible, horrible mean words someone dared to say to him. Clearly not something he was used to hearing… From someone other than Acantha, at least, and even she managed to get quite the overblown reaction out of him. His nostrils flared as his breathing had quickened, his gaze drifting towards the restrained captain.

There was a moment of silence. His breathing, still quick, might have calmed down slightly, before he snapped back into full attention.
"Wh-Why didn't you say that in the first place?!" He yelled, with more panic in his voice this time around. Chaos made me do it was far from the sanest reason to start murdering people. Who would believe something like that? But to say there actually was some sort of a conspiracy, Chaos or not, one where the crown prince himself could potentially act as a witness… Now that was a scenario with a lot more believability behind it. Not something most would immediately swallow, but it sounded like there was actually a chance for it to be true. Arctomiy bit his lip, as a wave of uncertainty washed over him. He looked over to Unne, that same uncertainty very apparent on his face, like he was looking for guidance from the one man who surely would know what to do in situations like these.
"Doctor Unne…"

[DarthArminius]

Arctomiy was still red in the face from his outburst, reeling from the terrible, horrible mean words someone dared to say to him. Clearly not something he was used to hearing… From someone other than Acantha, at least, and even she managed to get quite the overblown reaction out of him. His nostrils flared as his breathing had quickened, his gaze drifting towards the restrained captain.

There was a moment of silence. His breathing, still quick, might have calmed down slightly, before he snapped back into full attention.
"Wh-Why didn't you say that in the first place?!" He yelled, with more panic in his voice this time around. Chaos made me do it was far from the sanest reason to start murdering people. Who would believe something like that? But to say there actually was some sort of a conspiracy, Chaos or not, one where the crown prince himself could potentially act as a witness… Now that was a scenario with a lot more believability behind it. Not something most would immediately swallow, but it sounded like there was actually a chance for it to be true. Arctomiy bit his lip, as a wave of uncertainty washed over him. He looked over to Unne, that same uncertainty very apparent on his face, like he was looking for guidance from the one man who surely would know what to do in situations like these.
"Doctor Unne…"

Doctor Unne wasn't there. He was currently in a side room listening and speaking with the radio. You could hear his frantic voice, though you couldn't make out the words. The room used for the radio was off in the mid-distance. However, moments later he came back. "It doesn't look good."
"I don't know about Chaos, of all villains, but there's been assassination attempt against the entire royal family. The poor senile royal Father of the King has been murdered, the Queen has been injured, and the others have been ushered into safety, for a little hope in all this madness."

[JNAProductions]

Connie's face slides into sadness, as she realizes what exactly is going on. "Oh... Oh, that's awful. How can we help?" she asks, making the rather large assumptions that 1) she and her new friends can even do anything, and 2) the people she already considers friends reciprocate.

[Parlortricks]

"Th-That can't be," Arctomiy let out a defeated whine. Perhaps some could have enjoyed seeing him so dejected, but the subject matter didn't leave much enjoyment in that. Had at least this part of Davis' mad rambling been true? Arctomiy swallowed, nervous.
"H-Hey, Davis. That voice… You were behind it, right? You did… Some kind of magic to create it."

[DarthArminius]

"Th-That can't be," Arctomiy let out a defeated whine. Perhaps some could have enjoyed seeing him so dejected, but the subject matter didn't leave much enjoyment in that. Had at least this part of Davis' mad rambling been true? Arctomiy swallowed, nervous.
"H-Hey, Davis. That voice… You were behind it, right? You did… Some kind of magic to create it."

"I'm a Red Mage, and a washed up one at that. I can't even use second tier magic, except for fire anymore."
"No, something like that would take a Necromancer to pull off."
"Anyway, I ask of you, please save my wife. I can be put in whatever cell, if you wish."

[Parlortricks]

It was hard to say if it was a good or bad thing when Arctomiy went silent. Usually a good thing, but when it was a situation like this… Well, he still wanted to hang onto his disbelief, the only thing keeping him somewhat composed, but there were cracks that had started to form. He rubbed his arm, his eyes downcast as he kept chewing his lip. Davis could still be faking it, but… This far it seemed like he had dropped the secrecy and was willing to reveal what he knew. No no no, even if he was stating what he thought was the truth, maybe, just maybe, he was still someone screwed up in the head enough to just believe in something that wasn't actually true…

Arctomiy was fidgeting in place, the fear slowly creeping up his back.

[JNAProductions]

"You okay?" Connie asks. She slithers next to the nobleman, and, unless he shows discomfort at it, puts her arm around his shoulder. "Hey, hey-deep breath. There's trouble ahead, but we can handle it. We got this."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy hadn't even noticed the lamia's approach – an amazing feat, considering how strange her movements should have been to his eyes, as well as her size. But he was so focused on his internal battles, that only when she actually touched him did he react. He let out a yelp and jumped further away from surprise – but the one thing it all managed to do was finally release the tension.

"C-Come on!" He huffed, having put some distance between him and this… Connie, or whatever she had said her name was,
"You're going to give me a heart attack! I've lost multiple years of my life already with all of this going on! Acanthaaa," Arctomiy whined as he finally called Acantha over. His bodyguard really should be closer to him to keep all the riffraff away from him! And yet, perhaps it had somehow managed to… Well, calm him down was not the right phrase, he was far from calm. But maybe the worst panic had been pushed further away, for now. The nobleman rubbed his face, irritated, though also unable to stay still.

"I can't believe this," he muttered before letting his arms fall back to his side. It all still felt so unreal. What was going on here? What was happening? What was going to happen, if this kept up? Who was going to handle the mess? They weren't exactly trained guards. Well, he supposed Acantha was, but it wasn't like it was their job to try to deal with some crazy people trying to assassinate the royal family. And Davis' family, it sounded. But what could they even do about that?
"…They didn't want us to explore these ruins, right? Does that mean there's something here that can be used against them?"

[herastor]

“He’s going straight to a cell first.”

She motioned for Biggs and Wedge to take over her hold on Davis. As they did so, she kicked the sword he’d been pulling away. Whether it was gods, magic, or delusions, she had the one responsible and she wasn’t about to just let him go. Not when he considered all of the lives he’d snuffed out secondary to that of his wife. What about their families? That he had the nerve to ask that his wife be saved in the middle of all this…

She let Arc’s introduction on her part stand as the news of, well, chaos came back from the capital. She let it sink in for a moment before looking to the rest that were gathered. Standing around was getting them nowhere when it sounded like an entire coup was going on in Baron. Arc may have been better at the intellectual side of things, but Acantha was a doer and things were needing to be done.

“Right, so, by the power vested in House de Labrousses we’re going to have to commandeer an airship, chocobos, or any other way to get to the capital quickly.”

She nudged Arc’s shoulder to get him to speak up. Connie was there, and she appreciated that, but she could plainly see this was a moment for him. He’d wanted to be someone important as long as she’d knew him. Nobody was more important than the ones who saved the kingdom.

“We know who to look for and why. I’m not ready to fully believe this chained god **** Davis is spouting, but there are people back home that apparently do. If we calm things down there then we can send reinforcements back here to secure things better.”

[Parlortricks]

"Eh?" Arctomiy let out a questioning little gasp as Acantha gave him a nudge, the words she had said earlier starting to sink in. Bringing his family name into this… The young noble gave him bodyguard many looks. Questioning ones, uncertain ones, shocked ones. He was starting to get what she was putting down – maybe those looks started to turn into pondering ones, excited ones. The future indeed could be bright, if they waltzed in and took the glory of saving Baron.

"R-Right! As a de Labrousse, my duty is to upkeep my family's undying loyalty to the royal family! An attack on them is an attack on us – a-all of us, the people of Baron! This isn't something we can take sitting down, whoever these nutjobs are! We just have to show them that they have underestimated Baron and her people with this pitiful performance of theirs," he made a speech with more gusto than one might expect of someone his stature and earlier fidgety, nervous behavior. He did say a lot, but the actual execution of things… Arctomiy turned to Acantha, his voice lowered.
"But we don't exactly have an army here. There's more troops stationed in Baron. We're just, what, a handful of untrained mercenaries strong? Is that going to make it?"

[DarthArminius]

“He’s going straight to a cell first.”

She motioned for Biggs and Wedge to take over her hold on Davis. As they did so, she kicked the sword he’d been pulling away. Whether it was gods, magic, or delusions, she had the one responsible and she wasn’t about to just let him go. Not when he considered all of the lives he’d snuffed out secondary to that of his wife. What about their families? That he had the nerve to ask that his wife be saved in the middle of all this…

She let Arc’s introduction on her part stand as the news of, well, chaos came back from the capital. She let it sink in for a moment before looking to the rest that were gathered. Standing around was getting them nowhere when it sounded like an entire coup was going on in Baron. Arc may have been better at the intellectual side of things, but Acantha was a doer and things were needing to be done.

“Right, so, by the power vested in House de Labrousses we’re going to have to commandeer an airship, chocobos, or any other way to get to the capital quickly.”

She nudged Arc’s shoulder to get him to speak up. Connie was there, and she appreciated that, but she could plainly see this was a moment for him. He’d wanted to be someone important as long as she’d knew him. Nobody was more important than the ones who saved the kingdom.

“We know who to look for and why. I’m not ready to fully believe this chained god **** Davis is spouting, but there are people back home that apparently do. If we calm things down there then we can send reinforcements back here to secure things better.”

The black mages look at each other, and nod. "Okay, this is a closely guarded secret that we've been trying to never divulge for any reason, but Unne, Biggs, Wedge, and the mages of this expedition know of a way to get home almost immediately. It's a magical portal we can conjure called "The Serpent's Road."
"We can immediately transport whomever wants to make it to Baron as soon as possible."
Unne scrunched his nose. "Or, we could investigate the ruins here further."
"I suppose we could split up."
"There is another small security team coming, to help with the monster problem. We've found some that are stronger than the ordinary critters we've been stumbling across."

[Merilan]

Eskha speaks gently to Connie, "Ah, I've been researching synthetic magic, since I can't use magic myself... but I've been playing around with remote devices as well, things that'd be useful for adventuring."

The news of chaos from the capital is unwelcome indeed. She listens to Arctomiy and considers her options for a moment, but points out as he has: "If we are to take the idea that this is Chaos' doing, then... unfeeling as it may sound, the attack on the capitol may be a distraction to get us to turn back from what lies in this temple. This Chaos is desperate enough for us to not uncover what it is lies in here that he would possess someone for a slaughter, and have a back-up plan that involves regicide."

She glances aside. "Your point that we are only a few mercenaries is also a valid one. I haven't even set foot in Baron, and don't know what use I'd be defending someone there. On the other hand, we've been here for a few days and have more of a clue what we're doing here."

The Au Ra folds her arms. "... in the end, though, I'm not so cold I'd just abandon a town in need. Whichever path you pick, I'll go along."

[JNAProductions]

"What Eskha said!" Connie reinforces the point. "Especially because I know enough to know I don't know enough to really figure out the best path forward!"

[herastor]

Acantha grinned as Arc caught her cue. Despite how annoying he could be, he had the spark of something special in him when he wasn't caught up in his own head. They had to work a little on his confidence though.


"But we don't exactly have an army here. There's more troops stationed in Baron. We're just, what, a handful of untrained mercenaries strong? Is that going to make it?"

"That's true, but we don't exactly know the state of things over there either. If I was going to take out the royal family, and had time to prepare," she shot another icy look in Davis' direction, "then I'd want want to do what I could to hinder or harm the army. Like I said, we know what the attackers look like and their supposed goal. That means we have a better chance to spot the traitors that haven't revealed themselves. Or, am I wrong that you wouldn't be able to catch those clues?"

However, as Eska started talking, she found it hard to argue the Au Ra's points. There probably could be answers here. But the girl had missed one point that Acantha caught onto pretty quickly.


"If we are to take the idea that this is Chaos' doing, then... unfeeling as it may sound, the attack on the capitol may be a distraction to get us to turn back from what lies in this temple. This Chaos is desperate enough for us to not uncover what it is lies in here that he would possess someone for a slaughter, and have a back-up plan that involves regicide."

She glances aside. "Your point that we are only a few mercenaries is also a valid one. I haven't even set foot in Baron, and don't know what use I'd be defending someone there. On the other hand, we've been here for a few days and have more of a clue what we're doing here."

"It's true, maybe we get there and there's nothing for us to do. But there's no guarantee that we find any clues or anything else here. We can do something in Baron right now. This temple has been around for a while and will probably still be standing when we get back. Baron, if things have gotten bad, might not be able to say the same."

"Anyway, enough with the back and forth. Make a call and stick to it. We're wasting time otherwise."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy had wanted his speech to be something to rouse the troops and not make them worry about the details… And the fact that others had managed to hear his own doubts made him fidget. Everyone still luckily seemed to be on board, but their next course of action was still uncertain. Two different directions were pulling them in, and neither was looking like the obvious right answer. The wrong answer, meanwhile, could cost them much time. Too much time.

Acantha seemed to think that he'd be able to pick up any traitors – which was true as long as they were obvious! If any decided to still try to remain hidden, there was absolutely no way anyone could know by just looking, right? He gave a look of exasperation towards his bodyguard. He didn't want her to give others ideas that he had some kind of supernatural powers!

"Aaah!" Arctomiy whined, giving his temples a quick rub. They didn't have the time!
"Baron has been taken by surprise. I don't know what awaits us there. But I don't know what awaits us here, either. Even if we were to find something, do we have the time to use it to help Baron? Acantha is right. As long as we keep these ruins protected, they'll stay. It's just a guess, but Davis might have been the only one undercover here. I-I mean, wouldn't it have been better to reveal themselves earlier and use their numbers to their advantage? We can go to Baron quickly and let the ones staying behind here keep studying these ruins in the meantime. If we run at a problem in Baron, then we can return."

"…H-Hopefully just as fast."

[JNAProductions]

"Then let's go!" Connie says. She starts moving towards the exit, then pauses. "Erm... How do we get there? And where is there?"

I'm totally fine narrating past the travel, unless something interesting is gonna happen on the journey.

[Merilan]

Eskha quietly nods and glances aside. "Let's go to Baron. Like Acantha said, we know we can do something there now. It weighs a bit easier on my conscience to help people too. Would you do the honours of creating this portal, then?" She's looking to Unne, Biggs and Wedge.

[DarthArminius]

"Uh, I can't do it." Says Unne. "The black mages behind me know how to do it, as do the white mages."

He nods towards the others. "You might wanna feel honored, any mage, regardless of color that can do this, is either a bonafide master of their art, or at least very gifted."
A swirling blue flashing white and blue vortex of shining energy appeared suddenly in the air. When the protagonists enter Baron, the scene down town, where they appear is oddly peaceful. The Serpent's Road shuts down with the sound of crashing thunder.

The architecture and clothing of the people is reminiscent of 1920's London of our world. Nothing seems to be wrong at the moment.

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy was definitely interested in this magic he was about to witness – especially when Unne describe it as something special only those who were gifted could do. …The fact that he could not was better ignored, for now. It wasn't like he could do something he hadn't even ever seen in the first place! So he was keen on watching the mages work, taking note of the ritual – mentally. He didn't think it would be the right time to start taking actual notes, no matter how much he wanted to do so.

And just like that, they were gone. The ruins had disappeared, replaced by a very familiar scene that opened up in front of his eyes. The skyline of Baron as he looked up, and the streets below his feet as he gave them the first move after being transported. Seemed like he was still in one piece, in the right place.

But the streets were calm. The attack was not massive enough to cause a disturbance there, it seemed. That was a relief. The cult couldn't have been too large, but they had managed to slide in where it really mattered. Arctomiy's eyes started to look in the direction of the castle.
"I suppose the news haven't gotten out, yet. It's very… Normal, here."

[DarthArminius]

Arctomiy was definitely interested in this magic he was about to witness – especially when Unne describe it as something special only those who were gifted could do. …The fact that he could not was better ignored, for now. It wasn't like he could do something he hadn't even ever seen in the first place! So he was keen on watching the mages work, taking note of the ritual – mentally. He didn't think it would be the right time to start taking actual notes, no matter how much he wanted to do so.

And just like that, they were gone. The ruins had disappeared, replaced by a very familiar scene that opened up in front of his eyes. The skyline of Baron as he looked up, and the streets below his feet as he gave them the first move after being transported. Seemed like he was still in one piece, in the right place.

But the streets were calm. The attack was not massive enough to cause a disturbance there, it seemed. That was a relief. The cult couldn't have been too large, but they had managed to slide in where it really mattered. Arctomiy's eyes started to look in the direction of the castle.
"I suppose the news haven't gotten out, yet. It's very… Normal, here."

Baron Citadel did seem normal at the moment. However, more than several Red Coats, with a further handful of chocobo mounted elite guards marched towards the protagonist's position. "Citizens, it's not safe here, the Citadel is under siege!"

[JNAProductions]

"That's why we're here," Connie replies. "We're from the ruins-one of the red dudes turned traitor, and we're trying to help stop anyone else from being killed!"

[DarthArminius]

"That's why we're here," Connie replies. "We're from the ruins-one of the red dudes turned traitor, and we're trying to help stop anyone else from being killed!"

"Traitor? Who? What are you talking about, my good man?" The Red Coat officer asked seriously. "The ruins? You mean the Great Temple Of Hyne?"

[JNAProductions]

Connie nods. "Uh... Richard... Something? David? Richard David?" she says. "He said that Chaos was threatening his family if he didn't kill everyone there, but he failed. So now, the siege. Can we walk and talk? We should probably be getting closer to the badness."

[DarthArminius]

On the way: ((Speak with each other and the NPCS.))

"Well, we don't have time. You're going to have to follow us, though." The protagonists make their way to the Citadel, entering seperate automobiles. Eventually, within two minutes they were there.
Various Red Coats were fighting several different enemies. Goblins, then robed, saber wielding warriors, dark knights, long extinct as a single order, and what appeared to be old hags, armed with their spells and clawed hands. Without a word, the reinforcements charged with their bayonets, if they don't open fire right away.

[Parlortricks]

Maybe everything wasn't as normal as it seemed – though they already knew that, about what was happening under the surface if everything they had heard was correct. Guards were patrolling the area, definitely more of them than usual. And the moment they were noticed, the guards even came straight for their group to warn them of… A siege?

Arctomiy glanced at Connie. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to tell the Red Coats that a captain of their was involved in this mess, but luckily no one tried to argue against. Or they just didn't recognize the butchered name. He certainly wasn't going to correct her.

"Right! We are a part of the excavation group sent to that very temple. There was a… Situation over there, too. When we heard that the royal family came under attack, well, I as a de Labrousse had to come over to give my aid," the young noble started, of course dropping a name… That may not have meant much to your usual guards, but perhaps that could have been an advantage.
"So, the details of the situation here, if you would."

It felt rather easy. Their help was accepted just like that and they already were being led to… Well, they weren't told that, but it became rather apparent soon enough as they got closer. Arctomiy let out a gasp. He probably should have been expecting the worst, yet to actually be there to witness it all… It was far from pretty.

[Merilan]

Eskha hurries along as they proceed through the portal - the effects feel particularly agitating and strange upon her magic-deficient body, but it's enough to get her through and not... somewhere else in some frek teleportation accident, fortunately. "Richard Davis," she corrects for Connie. "Captain, I believe. But that's a conversation for another time--"

The Au Ra summons her gunblade and hurries, running along the path and then hopping once to land atop a parked car, and then hopping once more to send her gunblade crashing upon one of the dark knights as she aggressively drives them back. "And what of the castle?!" she shouts out.

[JNAProductions]

Connie stays low when they reach the battle, slithering forward with surprising speed. As she nears one of the enemy knights, she launches herself up, letting loose with a flurry of blows!

One of the hags takes notice, and reaches out to grasp her tail. With her attention otherwise occupied, Connie only manages a "Yeep!" as the hag yanks her back.

"Such a pretty little thing..." the hag says as she draws Connie closer towards herself.

"Help!" Connie yells. "Overextended myself!"

[DarthArminius]

Connie stays low when they reach the battle, slithering forward with surprising speed. As she nears one of the enemy knights, she launches herself up, letting loose with a flurry of blows!

One of the hags takes notice, and reaches out to grasp her tail. With her attention otherwise occupied, Connie only manages a "Yeep!" as the hag yanks her back.

"Such a pretty little thing..." the hag says as she draws Connie closer towards herself.

"Help!" Connie yells. "Overextended myself!"

Biggs, and Wedge are right behind Connie, quickly advancing on the hag before she could react. Fending the swordsmen off with her claws, she seems to be doing exceedingly well, despite being out numbered, but Connie is no longer under assault.

[herastor]

Acantha didn't say a word as she was transported. It wasn't like she could anyway. The queasy feeling of the rapid relocation mixed with the sudden change in air pressure. It left her with a splitting headache, but that was fine. She'd take it out on the cultists as soon as she could.

Baron... It wasn't what she was expecting on arrival. Calm streets and open skies. It was unnerving to see it so peaceful after Davis' rampage. But, their trip wasn't a waste as the Red Coats led them to the battle.

Acantha and Eskha took the same line, using the car as a springboard. While the Au Ra dove straight into the fight, Acantha went vertical. The leap carried her high, higher than it had any right to. From that vantage point she could make out the whole of the battle. She spotted a fallen Red Coat with a robed warrior advancing towards her crumpled form. He'd never get a chance to revel in his victory. From on high she streaked down, a crimson thunderbolt, and buried her spear in him.

As he fell, she shouted back to Arc and those nearby, "We're going to need some spells soon de Labrousse! And someone rain some fire on those goblins before they swarm us!"

[Merilan]

"Connie!" Eskha exclaims, wishing to attend to her comrade's defence, but finding herself full with the dark knight in front of her; a few quick swipes later, she's managed to gain some space enough for the internal machine inside the gunblade to spin as ambient magic gathers into one source. She hears Acantha's call and yells, "Got it!"

She leaps back onto another car for a vantage point, and reaches her hand back -- "Draw and synth-cast... Fire!" The para-magic comes out with little errant glitches, but soon enough, a swift burst of fire washes towards the goblins. She's never going to be as powerful as a pure magic user, but being able to supplement her fighting style with magic as she needs it is a boon indeed.

[Parlortricks]

It took a moment for Arctomiy to feel like he had been able to return to the moment. Not that he really liked to, but he had to. He made sure to position himself where the enemies wouldn't be able to just charge at them freely without going through other people first, and took a deep breath. There was a slight glow of magic from his fingertips as he adjusted his glasses and cast his information gleaning spell, Libra. He did his best to quickly scan the witch-looking ones first and foremost, before trying to quickly get a peek at the various knights and warriors that were also fighting against them. The more information they knew about their enemy, the better.
"Try to hold for a little while before you already need my help, Acantha!" He called back to his bodyguard. She was right, though. He didn't have too much time to waste on other things.

[DarthArminius]

It took a moment for Arctomiy to feel like he had been able to return to the moment. Not that he really liked to, but he had to. He made sure to position himself where the enemies wouldn't be able to just charge at them freely without going through other people first, and took a deep breath. There was a slight glow of magic from his fingertips as he adjusted his glasses and cast his information gleaning spell, Libra. He did his best to quickly scan the witch-looking ones first and foremost, before trying to quickly get a peek at the various knights and warriors that were also fighting against them. The more information they knew about their enemy, the better.
"Try to hold for a little while before you already need my help, Acantha!" He called back to his bodyguard. She was right, though. He didn't have too much time to waste on other things.

All of the opponents, except the goblins have a strong life force. Dark Knights life force seems to shrink when they unleash their magical attacks from their swords, however, and the robed saber wielders seem to be the quickest. However, after what seems like more than a few moments, the fighting dies down in the entry way of the Citadel. Biggs and Wedge nod towards each other and turn to the party as they see a messenger scrambling down the hall with an arrow fired into his side.

"The enemies are traitors! These men are just the soldiers from the Noble Houses of Dunbar and Dubois!"

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy spent the early moments of the battle gathering information, when he wasn't going to be needed as much. They were fresh and ready, unlike their opponents – but chances were, the more powerful foes would be further in, and that was when they really had to be prepared. It was easy enough for them to take down the ones currently in their way. Of course Arctomiy was going to take credit for that.

Someone rushed in, injured, with horrifying news. Traitors like these would of course be ones that infiltrated the city and the castle, but to hear that they actually were noble families…
"S-Surely you jest!" Arctomiy gasped. He didn't want to believe that either.

But he was willing to heal any injuries the fighters this far had sustained, even the messenger's.

[DarthArminius]

The Citadel Courtyard
various enemies fell before the junction magic from the party's SeeD. All other attacks found their mark, as the heroes were highly skilled.
It was then that with various enemy mercenaries running around attacking the warriors of the fortification, reinforcements were needed, badly. The tide was beginning to turn against the defenders, until the heroes arrived. Biggs and Wedge, once again charged forward with their bayonets, skewering goblins that stood in there way. The Captain that our heroes met on the streets of Baron unleashed his assault rifle ammunition on the crowd of saber wielders and others, mowing more than a few down.

It should be noted the robed swordsmen did not fight stupidly. They were obviously special, not being downed in one, two, or even three shots most of the time, even when wounded in critical areas of the body. Furthermore, occasionally, these mercenaries would fire from their own guns, or utilize their expertly thrown knives.

It was in the center of the courtyard that a dangerous enemy could be seen. An Ifrit, horned like a demon, covered in fire was engaging in battle against it's enemies.

[Parlortricks]

Even an arrow on the battlefield wasn't nearly as dangerous when pulled out, with the power of magic. Arctomiy used cure to heal what he could before they started to advance, getting past the initial wave to the courtyard. More fighters – and more shockingly, the heat of the air that hit him, as his eyes looked past everyone, to a large creature wreathed in flames. His eyes grew wide and he came to a stop – good thing, that, as it was far from the only dangerous enemy within.

"I-It is an Ifrit!" Arctomiy called to the rest of the team. He didn't even need to scan it to know that, a famous beast.
"D-Definitely don't get too close to it or you'll be fried to a crisp! I-I might be able to mitigate some of that, but first, we need to make some room here!"

[Merilan]

"Traitors? Do you mean to say they were monsters in disguise, or...?" Eskha sounds just a bit surprised. Still, they didn't have that much time to think about it, but they push through... eventually. It's pretty hard work, and these enemies aren't just run of the mill creatures -- they were disciplined, trained, and had tactics on their side. She stops to receive a Cure spell from Arctomiy with a grateful nod. "Thank you, friend."

But there's an even more dangerous foe in the courtyard -- an Ifrit. "I'll assault it with magic," she nods to Arctomiy's suggestion to not get too close. She focuses, and the engine spins up again as more magic is Drawn into the internal reactor. "Draw and cast... Blizzard!"

Several sword-sized icicles appear in front of the Au Ra, sailing towards the large creature.

[Parlortricks]

"Aaah why are you trying to get its attention!" Whined Arctomiy. It's not like it would just stand there and take the assault and there were still so many enemies all around!

[JNAProductions]

"What are its weaknesses?" Connie asks, huddling behind a bit of cover. "I'm reasonably heat-resistant, so I could try distracting it, but I don't know how much good that'll do..."

[Parlortricks]

"W-Well. Ice magic, obviously. I suppose it is pretty… Top heavy? I don't know if any of us want to go close enough to try to trip it," Arctomiy seemed to calm down just a bit when he had something else to think about instead of their impending doom. He still fidgeted slightly before he focused his energy into a spell.
"Shell!" He called out, his hand having a slight pinkish glow to it as a slight sheen was apparent for a moment on Connie's body. He repeated the same spell on Eskha, and eventually Acantha once he had the time. Perhaps more magical defense was what they needed first and foremost, against the Ifrit.

[herastor]

While the battle was going in their favor, Acantha did find herself on the receiving end of some thrown knives. She easily gave as good as she got though. As the waves of healing and the migical barrier enveloped her, she caught sight of it. That thing she couldn't make out from above, not with the smoke. Ifrit. Of course she didn't know the name, but it definitely must have been the toughest objective in the whole of the enemy force.

"We can do both at the same time," a feral smile sat there, she was going to do something stupid, "I'll get in position. We'll surround it once it gets drawn out."

She leapt to the opposite side of Ifrit, wedging as much of the enemy force between them as possible. Maybe, with a little luck, this thing could do her job for her. First came the insults. She cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted at the demon.

"Hey, demon, anyone ever tell you that your smoke smells like ****? Were you an outhouse in a past life?"

Acantha uses Provoke from her Bandit (Pirate) side to draw the demon's attention.

[JNAProductions]

Connie nods. "Trip it... I can do that!"

When Acantha starts her distraction, Connie goes low. Her head barely a foot above the ground, she moves through the bodies and debris, finding a good spot to ambush the ifrit when he draws nearer to Acantha. Once so prepared, she goes limp, pretending to be a dead or unconscious body. But, despite her appearance, she's ready to lash out with her tail and knock the ifrit down.

[DarthArminius]

While the battle was going in their favor, Acantha did find herself on the receiving end of some thrown knives. She easily gave as good as she got though. As the waves of healing and the migical barrier enveloped her, she caught sight of it. That thing she couldn't make out from above, not with the smoke. Ifrit. Of course she didn't know the name, but it definitely must have been the toughest objective in the whole of the enemy force.

"We can do both at the same time," a feral smile sat there, she was going to do something stupid, "I'll get in position. We'll surround it once it gets drawn out."

She leapt to the opposite side of Ifrit, wedging as much of the enemy force between them as possible. Maybe, with a little luck, this thing could do her job for her. First came the insults. She cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted at the demon.

"Hey, demon, anyone ever tell you that your smoke smells like ****? Were you an outhouse in a past life?"

Acantha uses Provoke from her Bandit (Pirate) side to draw the demon's attention.


Connie nods. "Trip it... I can do that!"

When Acantha starts her distraction, Connie goes low. Her head barely a foot above the ground, she moves through the bodies and debris, finding a good spot to ambush the ifrit when he draws nearer to Acantha. Once so prepared, she goes limp, pretending to be a dead or unconscious body. But, despite her appearance, she's ready to lash out with her tail and knock the ifrit down.

The Ifrit charges towards the body, it's scimitar drawn, ready to cleave anyone in half. However, Biggs and Wedge open fire on it's physical body, causing tiny little red marks to appear on it's bare chest. The monster draws near, then Connie intelligently wraps her tail around it, causing him to drag her along the ground.

[JNAProductions]

"Gotcha, you big oaf!" she crows triumphantly.

[Merilan]

Surrounded by the Shell spell, Eskha leaps up with a nod as Connie trips the Ifrit and Acantha distracts it -- and she descends down from above with a powerful bisecting strike from her gunblade. "Divide!" she announces, pulling on the trigger as she unleashes the last of the ice magic she gathered earlier into a chilly explosion as she strikes out.

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy couldn't handle the sight of a large monster charging towards Acantha – luckily she was pulling it in another direction, but she had put quite a lot of distance between the two of them. What if the Ifrit didn't attack her with fire, but would use the sword instead? She'd be literally split in half!

He pulled back, taking cover where he could. He didn't even want to watch, but he couldn't not watch, either! If he wanted to do something to Acantha, he would need to get closer, but there was no way he would do that! All Arctomiy could do was try to calm himself and be prepared to do something when he could. For now, he cast Libra again on the Ifrit, wanting all knowledge he could gleam… About how much damage they actually were doing towards it, for example.

[DarthArminius]

Arctomiy couldn't handle the sight of a large monster charging towards Acantha – luckily she was pulling it in another direction, but she had put quite a lot of distance between the two of them. What if the Ifrit didn't attack her with fire, but would use the sword instead? She'd be literally split in half!

He pulled back, taking cover where he could. He didn't even want to watch, but he couldn't not watch, either! If he wanted to do something to Acantha, he would need to get closer, but there was no way he would do that! All Arctomiy could do was try to calm himself and be prepared to do something when he could. For now, he cast Libra again on the Ifrit, wanting all knowledge he could gleam… About how much damage they actually were doing towards it, for example.

As if in answer to Arctomiy's worst fears, Ifrit conjured an enormous sword, ready to swing and slice Acantha in half. The flames followed the sword as it arced towards her. However, the "Divide!" assault from Eshka manages to stagger the Ifrit briefly, causing the sword swint to barely miss Acantha, indeed it literally split just a small bit of hair off her head!

The soldiers continued to open fire, causing almost no harm to the fire elemental's body. However, the fight against the intruders was turning, as more reinforcements arrived. Now, there were few intruders other than the Ifrit, as some of them had the good sense to retreat from the Citadel. Meanwhile the Court Wizard, Tellah was seen obliterating small swarms of goblins somewhat north of Ifrit, in front of the throne room.

The old wizard was now moving towards the protagonists.

[JNAProductions]

Still wrapped around his legs, Connie swivels inwards and lays the smackdown on the ifrit, darting in and out of his reach. "You're gonna go down eventually!"

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy was going to get a heart attack at this rate. It had already felt like his heart had stopped many times as he panicked behind cover. He had been separated from the rest, and that was no good. He had to get closer – not that the idea of being closer to the Ifrit was any better, but if he didn't have anyone protecting him from the other enemies, he was in trouble! Not to mention, he couldn't really provide much support like this.

All the young noble could do was to start moving closer to the rest, trying to stick to the sidelines and hope he wasn't noticed, ducking behind cover every time he had the chance.

[Merilan]

Eskha's eyes widen as Ifrit summons a sword that would no doubt do horrendous damage if it connected; she winces as she descends, just in time to stagger him enough to avoid the worst fate for her companion. "We can't let it get a foothold!" she shouts, wheeling around with a ratcheting twist as she grabs hold of her gunblade with both hands and seeks to just drive it straight into the abdomen of the fire elemental -- and pull the trigger once more, bursts of blizzard magic spiking in with her attack.

[DarthArminius]

Still wrapped around his legs, Connie swivels inwards and lays the smackdown on the ifrit, darting in and out of his reach. "You're gonna go down eventually!"

The hits connect, doing little harm, but at least doing something. . . Not quite enough to bruise, but it did start to eventually start to annoy the demonic elemental.


Arctomiy was going to get a heart attack at this rate. It had already felt like his heart had stopped many times as he panicked behind cover. He had been separated from the rest, and that was no good. He had to get closer – not that the idea of being closer to the Ifrit was any better, but if he didn't have anyone protecting him from the other enemies, he was in trouble! Not to mention, he couldn't really provide much support like this.

All the young noble could do was to start moving closer to the rest, trying to stick to the sidelines and hope he wasn't noticed, ducking behind cover every time he had the chance.

One of the Red Coats fell dead to the onslaught of scores of goblins, his pistol goes flying, and landing in front of Arctomiy.


Eskha's eyes widen as Ifrit summons a sword that would no doubt do horrendous damage if it connected; she winces as she descends, just in time to stagger him enough to avoid the worst fate for her companion. "We can't let it get a foothold!" she shouts, wheeling around with a ratcheting twist as she grabs hold of her gunblade with both hands and seeks to just drive it straight into the abdomen of the fire elemental -- and pull the trigger once more, bursts of blizzard magic spiking in with her attack.

Eskha actually caused Ifrit to wince. The monstrous fire demon was caused significant damage from the gun blade, fortunately, and it caused him to stagger ever so slightly for just a short moment. His sword would rise again, only for a volley of ice shards to start cutting his flesh, even as some of the frozen ice melted into steam. A few allied black mages smiled at their assault, which caused Ifrit to roar in pain. Finally, Tellah arrived and unleashed his blizzara spell. . . Raising his staff, the room caused nearby allies to shiver in cold, and finally, the Ifrit was downed. The wizard sage finally made it to the center of the room and sighed. He could sense the thoughts and auras of the party.
"The King and Queen are safely hiding under the Throne. Come with me."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy yelped as something landed right in front of him, almost jumping out of his skin. Luckily, it wasn't anything dangerous… To him, right now, at least. It looked like a gun. One that someone on the battlefield had lost. He knew he shouldn't have touched, but before he knew it, it was in his shaking hand as he examined it.

…He knew nothing about guns.

Pushing that thought out of his head, he continued to run towards the rest, holding his hat so it stayed in place. The Ifrit was a formidable foe. Only with many magical spells were they really able to hurt it, he realized, so once he got within earshot…
"Get out of there Acantha!" He called out to her. She probably didn't need him telling her that, but he never could be completely sure. She could not take a hit from that, even with his help.

The air started to feel cold. The moisture in the air started to freeze, turning into small, twinkling specks. Arctomiy could see his breath, as he glanced towards where the old mage had managed to run to, unleashing a spell…

A magnificent spell indeed, as the icy magic twirled and froze the Ifrit. It couldn't handle a barrage from a powerful mage – even Arctomiy could feel the icy cold wind lash at his face. He was left quite breathless, both from the cold air that had rushed into his lungs and the running he had done, only really able to try to catch his breath before he could say anything.

[JNAProductions]

Connie looks to the wizard who blasted the fire elemental. "Cool..." she murmurs, before she actually pays attention to what he says. "Right! Go with you, got it, sir!"

"..."

"Can you teach me how you did that?" Connie asks after a moment or two of quiet. "Not now, of course-there's other stuff to handle right now. But later?" she adds with a smile.

[Parlortricks]

Finally having caught his breath, Arctomiy straightened his back and adjusted both his hat and glasses to make sure they weren't skewed. It still took a moment for him to find any words, considering who he was currently looking at. Connie clearly had no issues.
"M-Mind your manners," he squeaked at the insolence. Best thing for him, it seemed, as it easily allowed him to return to his senses and be the noble he was raised to be.
"This is the court wizard, Tellah. He doesn't have time for, for… Amateur magicians," he continued, with more strength in his voice.

They had to get a move on. Tellah himself wanted to lead them deeper, a request they couldn't turn down for any price.
"T-Thank you for your aid. It was invaluable, sir," Arctomiy of course had to get the expected out first before anything else, as he started following,
"How did they even manage to get an Ifrit of all things? O-Oh, right! It is terrible, master Tellah. There, there is some kind of a Chaos cultist conspiracy unraveling, a-and they are behind all this…"

He hoped he wasn't sounding too crazy, saying all this…

[DarthArminius]

Finally having caught his breath, Arctomiy straightened his back and adjusted both his hat and glasses to make sure they weren't skewed. It still took a moment for him to find any words, considering who he was currently looking at. Connie clearly had no issues.
"M-Mind your manners," he squeaked at the insolence. Best thing for him, it seemed, as it easily allowed him to return to his senses and be the noble he was raised to be.
"This is the court wizard, Tellah. He doesn't have time for, for… Amateur magicians," he continued, with more strength in his voice.

They had to get a move on. Tellah himself wanted to lead them deeper, a request they couldn't turn down for any price.
"T-Thank you for your aid. It was invaluable, sir," Arctomiy of course had to get the expected out first before anything else, as he started following,
"How did they even manage to get an Ifrit of all things? O-Oh, right! It is terrible, master Tellah. There, there is some kind of a Chaos cultist conspiracy unraveling, a-and they are behind all this…"

He hoped he wasn't sounding too crazy, saying all this…

"House Dunbar and House Dubois, along with other Noble Houses are in this conspiracy. Follow me, we don't have much time." Finally the battle in the halls and the courtyard was over. Numerous Knights and Redcoats, and loyal mages followed Tellah along with the protagonists. The throne room was guarded by around a dozen Honor Guards. Unfortunately the old father of the King lay dead on the stones of the Throne Room, with arrows stuck in his body. The old wizard walked to behind the Throne and pressed his hands on a grey colored rock, opening a secret passage.
"Over here. The guards, Biggs and Wedge will follow us, along with the rest of you." He points towards the protagonists. "The rest of the you, search for survivors and more traitors. Help anyone you can, and rid the Citadel of vermin!"

[Merilan]

Eskha panics for a moment when she realises she overextended herself -- her sword is plunged in the fire elemental, and she's kind of pinned at striking range. She braces for the worst... and then the worst, fortunately, never comes, thanks to a volley of ice spells and a Blizzara finisher, coming from the old wizard. The Au Ra kind of has to roll and grab her gunblade out from under the creature, and marches to meet her allies with a sigh. "Too risky," she murmurs. She follows as Arctomiy explains the situation thus far, grimacing as she sees the King's father on the throne room.

"Well, wherever we're needed, then..."

[Parlortricks]

"D-Deplorable!" Arctomiy huffed, though there was some worry in his voice. It wasn't every day one heard that people they knew were actually some kind of Chaos cultists all along, even if he had heard about these families earlier. It still was difficult to swallow. Traitors under their noses. How horrible!
"Not worthy of their noble names! Their ancestors would surely be horrified!"

The castle was a mess. It was no surprise, if that was where it all had started. The throne room was a grisly scene. Arctomiy kept his head low, already feeling like they had failed. He did perk up a little once Tellah revealed a secret passageway accessed behind the thrones. He had no idea there was something like that in there!
"Where are we going?" The noble asked Tellah as they started to go inside.

[DarthArminius]

"D-Deplorable!" Arctomiy huffed, though there was some worry in his voice. It wasn't every day one heard that people they knew were actually some kind of Chaos cultists all along, even if he had heard about these families earlier. It still was difficult to swallow. Traitors under their noses. How horrible!
"Not worthy of their noble names! Their ancestors would surely be horrified!"

The castle was a mess. It was no surprise, if that was where it all had started. The throne room was a grisly scene. Arctomiy kept his head low, already feeling like they had failed. He did perk up a little once Tellah revealed a secret passageway accessed behind the thrones. He had no idea there was something like that in there!
"Where are we going?" The noble asked Tellah as they started to go inside.

"It's the catacombs. Leading past the ruins of Old Baron to the North. There's a whole underground stronghold there."
"The King and a retinue of guards have hopefully already made it there." Tellah breathed a little heavily.
The journey to the northern Under Guard, as it was called, was somewhat short. The people had made it in a couple of hours on foot. Tellah had shown himself to be remarkably spry, despite being at the ripe old age of eighty years.

The guards immediately recognized and let Tellah and the others enter.

[herastor]

Acantha reared back with her spear, thanks to the timely save by Eskha, and prepared to take advantage of the opening it created. Magic was not her forte, but even the most bereft had a little magic to draw on. As time slowed, she focused a rather large portion of what she possessed into her spear tip for another telling blow.

Nothing came of it though. The attack was aborted as soon as she heard Arctomiy cry out with a warning. The leap back was instinctual and just in time to avoid the worst of the court mage's spell. She shed her panicked momentum and landed easily next to the others.

The next few minutes were a blur as they got to the throne room. More carnage and a dead regent. It quickened a question, one she avoided asking since the start of the fight. One about her father. Her normal attitude would've cast aside any doubts about his survival, but these traitors could call on the power of summons. Who knew what else they could do?

"Tell me, what's the state of Rygard and the other dragoons? Are they part of the guard for the King and Queen?"

[DarthArminius]

Acantha reared back with her spear, thanks to the timely save by Eskha, and prepared to take advantage of the opening it created. Magic was not her forte, but even the most bereft had a little magic to draw on. As time slowed, she focused a rather large portion of what she possessed into her spear tip for another telling blow.

Nothing came of it though. The attack was aborted as soon as she heard Arctomiy cry out with a warning. The leap back was instinctual and just in time to avoid the worst of the court mage's spell. She shed her panicked momentum and landed easily next to the others.

The next few minutes were a blur as they got to the throne room. More carnage and a dead regent. It quickened a question, one she avoided asking since the start of the fight. One about her father. Her normal attitude would've cast aside any doubts about his survival, but these traitors could call on the power of summons. Who knew what else they could do?

"Tell me, what's the state of Rygard and the other dragoons? Are they part of the guard for the King and Queen?"

"No one's seen Ryguard since the dawn." Tellah responded. "Generally though, there are scores of dragoons protecting the King. We have enough food, water and warriors to withstand the siege of all history, should it occur."

"No one has tried to take any of our monarch's lives in three hundred years. This is truly a day that will be marked in darkness throughout generations." Biggs and Wedge sighed. The King and Queen must be protected at all costs. Some of our best mages are missing, and they know the Serpent's Road."

[JNAProductions]

"You have dragons?" Connie asks, a spot of wonder in her voice. "Awesome... But, uh, what are we going to do? We can keep fighting, but what's our end goal?"

I know, Dragoons are not dragons. Let Connie have her fun, dammit! :P

[Parlortricks]

"Dragoons," Arctomiy corrected, nodding towards Acantha.
"Warriors like her. Seriously, were you raised under a rock…?"



(Fun? Not on Arctomiy's watch!)

[JNAProductions]

"There was a cave network attached to the lab," Connie replies.

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy's palm found his face, though he stayed silent. Perhaps it was slightly painful, what with there being a grimace on his face, but maybe he saw it better to not cause more damage to himself mentally.

But maybe something like this that took his mind off of everything serious was good for him.

[herastor]

There was a distinct metallic clang as Acantha's hand followed a similar trajectory to Arc's. It lingered there though as she tried to pinch away the tension that was forming at her brow. Connie's obliviousness wasn't the sole cause either. The was no sign of Rygard. If something had happened to him...

"Rygard can take care of himself. We'll just have to meet up with him eventually. If we're good to move, we should. We're already playing catch up as it is."

[Merilan]

"Well, it is true that dragoons train in the image of dragons, is it not...?" Eskha smiles quietly, on Connie's favour. "Do we have any method to contact those that may have headed to the stronghold ahead of time?"

[DarthArminius]

"There was a cave network attached to the lab," Connie replies.

"Yes. . . " a young man with a lab coat approaches. "Cid is waiting for you. You may not know this, but he has been watching you for a while."


Arctomiy's palm found his face, though he stayed silent. Perhaps it was slightly painful, what with there being a grimace on his face, but maybe he saw it better to not cause more damage to himself mentally.

But maybe something like this that took his mind off of everything serious was good for him.



There was a distinct metallic clang as Acantha's hand followed a similar trajectory to Arc's. It lingered there though as she tried to pinch away the tension that was forming at her brow. Connie's obliviousness wasn't the sole cause either. The was no sign of Rygard. If something had happened to him...

"Rygard can take care of himself. We'll just have to meet up with him eventually. If we're good to move, we should. We're already playing catch up as it is."

"Sir!" A man in blue armor, a dragoon stood with his winged dragon helmet on his knees and saluting the other Dragoon. "Captain of the Guard, Baigan is waiting for you with the King. He has a most important matter to discuss."


"Well, it is true that dragoons train in the image of dragons, is it not...?" Eskha smiles quietly, on Connie's favour. "Do we have any method to contact those that may have headed to the stronghold ahead of time?"

"We have sorceresses, and a sorcerer. They all claim to be telepathic, whatever that means."

[JNAProductions]

Connie asks "Who? Did he know Grant?"

"Telepathy is the ability to communicate solely with your mind. It's possible to do one-way connections, sending messages without receiving them in turn, or to establish two-way or even hub-based communication. Weaker telepaths can only send vague notions and emotions, maybe an image, while greater ones are capable of sending massive amounts of information far faster than verbally. A telepath is also capable of worming their way into someone's mind-a combination of standard psychological approaches with the ability to leave one-way, subtle messages that can potentially be thought of as your own thoughts can, with care and practice, completely change who someone is. Or just break them entirely," Connie says. "In this case, you'd either need a currently-established link to send a message, a great deal of familiarity with the receiver of the message, or a rather powerful telepath to find them and get the message. It may be possible to simply broadcast the message as loud as possible, but that'd let a lot of people know, which is probably not best."

After a moment, she turns to face Eskha. "So... Was the first one trained by a real dragon? Because that'd be cool."

[herastor]

"The first dragoons were said to ride and train with wyverns, but that was a long time ago."

Acantha tossed out the bit of trivia she knew about her order casually enough. The unstated part was that was about the extent of her knowledge on it. In truth, Arc probably knew more than she did about dragoons and their history. Considering her friend, she had to wonder if he wasn't a little intimidated by the disturbing facts about telepaths the liberally spilled from Connie's mouth.

"I'm sure you'll get to ask Cid how he knows you. For now, we should hear what the Captain has to say."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy did give Connie a questioning glance. For this entire time she had been clueless about just about everything… And now suddenly she was some sort of a well-read scholar of telepathy. What was he supposed to make of that?

He tried to shake that thought out of his head and focus on the present.
"If the Captain is asking for you, Acantha, you can go. I don't think I am currently in any sort of danger."

[JNAProductions]

When she notices Arctomiy's glance, she looks back. "What? It's telepathy-doesn't everyone know about it?"

[Parlortricks]

"Well, excuse me for not expecting you of all people to know, after not knowing what Chaos or dragoons were," Arctomiy huffed and adjusted his glasses.

[Merilan]

"Maybe," Eskha answers Connie gently, listening to her lecture. Hmm. Well... that's interesting. She hasn't said to anyone, but one of the side effects she discovered from her Junctioning abilities was a loss of memory. Hopefully she can get a telepath to fish those out if that was the case.

"C'mon, let's all go. Unless this is a closed doors meeting, I'd like to hear what the Captain has to say."

[DarthArminius]

The King, Benjamin was noticeably covered in superficial wounds. He had his sword on his scabbard. Meanwhile the Queen seemed wore an eyepatch on her right eye socket. From the smell it seemed like the servants had only recently cleaned the floor. Captain Baigan was seen speaking to the royalty in a hushed tone, when the protagonists finally enter the audience chamber. Tellah brought them and bowed slightly. He would have bowed deeper but he was having mild back problems. "I see your wounds are healing, majesties." The wizard sage complemented. He nodded to the Queen, Anne. "How goes the eye, majesty?" He asked in a concerned voice, before she responded. "Indeed, it heals."

"Now on to the matter at hand." King Ben interjected. "Baigan, Anne, our honor guard and our old friend would speak with you in private." They addressed the protagonists.

"So, Biggs and Wedge have informed us that Chaos is responsible for harrowing events at the Temple of Great Hyne? Is that correct?"

[herastor]

"You're going to be in danger if you think that I'm the only one who has to 'Yes, please' with the royalty and the captain."

****

The smell. That's the thing that stuck out to her. It was a scent she couldn't identify, and she'd been around her fair share of dead bodies. There was something rancid to it. Whatever "it" was, Acantha stuffed her distaste for it and bowed. When the royals asked their question, she answered as best she could with an official tone she'd not used until this point.

"It is, as far as we can tell. Davis killed a number of people there before he was apprehended. Apparently these cultists threatened both his wife and the prince to coerce him into committing treason. Apparently the temple is important to Chaos somehow. We rushed here when we found out about the coup to assist as well as request reinforcements for the temple from your majesties."

[Parlortricks]

"I-It is a great honor if they want to have a private conversation with you! You better behave. You're with me, so your actions reflect upon myself, got it?" Arctomiy warned Acantha, his voice surprisingly stern. Or perhaps unsurprisingly stern. She had spent way too much time with him, after all, and knew what he considered important.

They were led into the deeper chambers, and Arctomiy's stomach was already full of butterflies. His heart was beating so fast. Here he was, face to face with the king and the queen. If only the circumstances were better for this visit! It was very difficult for him to try to calm his nerves, his hands basically trembling as he removed his hat and bowed. Even if etiquette was hammered into him the moment he was born, it still felt like his head was so cloudy it was almost impossible to remember everything.
"S-She speaks the truth, Your Majesty," Arctomiy squeaked and cleared his voice. Wrong time for voice cracks!
"If there truly is a word of Chaos in play or it is just Chaos cultists doing what crazed cultists do best, I cannot say. But the conspiracy is there, and something is hidden within those ruins they don't want us to find. The stakes seemed to be high enough for them to even commit an act as grave as this attack…"

He fidgeted slightly. He still couldn't believe he was talking to the royal family!
"I-I am Arctomiy Bartolone de Labrousse. Of the de Labrousse family. We are your loyal subjects and we cannot accept actions such as these. We offer our aid in any way we can. I-If your wounds require further healing, I still have plenty of magic left."

[RatboyDemiurge]

As they spoke, the doors to the throne room were suddenly pushed open. Standing before them, encased head to toe in purple armor with a draconic helmet, the imposing figure of a dark knight appeared. His aura was entrenched with dark magic, and he bore with him a dreadful great blade of obsidian. However, what was most odd was what he was clinging to his chest; a ragged doll of a moogle, which looked like it had been repaired many times over the years.


Before anyone could strike, he placed his sword on the ground and knelt before the king. Slowly, he looked up and spoke. ”I am Jeth. I come not to fight, but to serve.” His voice was hollow and deep, void of emotion. ”I understand if you do not believe me; I bear the same powers that have brought terrible harm to your kingdom. If you decide to strike me down, then do so; it would be as much as a relief for me as it would for you.”

[JNAProductions]

When Arctomiy talks, Connie looks over to him. She smiles to encourage him, but stays quiet-it might be fun to see how he reacts to various things she says, but she can understand that this is a big deal to him. No need to mess it up.

After that, when Jeth makes his arrival, she moves to interpose herself between the group and the knight, her arms spread in a defensive gesture. But when he talks, she lowers them a bit. "Er..." she lets out, unsure as to whether or not to trust him. "We already had someone good go traitor on us, so it makes sense someone bad goes traitor on them? But... How do we know we can trust you?"

[RatboyDemiurge]

Jeth bows his head as he listens to her speak. He pauses, and then answers her. ”It is true there is very little I can do to prove I am not telling the truth. However, I do not require your trust; all I need is to be of service.”

[DarthArminius]

Jeth bows his head as he listens to her speak. He pauses, and then answers her. ”It is true there is very little I can do to prove I am not telling the truth. However, I do not require your trust; all I need is to be of service.”

"Eh, well. Our Kingdom doesn't believe in torture. Uh. " The King thinks for a moment or two and scratches his chin. "Spend some time in our luxury suite dungeon cell!"
"Free room and board!"

The King jokes. "Seriously though, I don't know what you were thinking coming here to serve us like this. In case you are telling the truth, our sorceresses will prove it for you."

"Do not attempt to leave your cell."

[RatboyDemiurge]

The dark knight nods. ”Thank you; you are most kind,” he says as he stands up, before dutifully walking into the cells and sitting down on the bed. ”I shall await for further instructions, your majesty.”

[Merilan]

Eskha listens in as the King and Queen speak; she's a bit more uncomfortable around royalty than Arctomiy, but it's not like she's dealing with a despot at the moment. Her attention is more on the already attended-to wounds. "If you need more healing, you only need ask -- between Arctomiy and I, we're able to mend any discomfort you may have, your majesty."

Jeth arrives, though, and uncharacteristically for Eskha, her attention is drawn to... the moogle doll he's carrying. Her horns actually start to wilt.

"That moogle... So cute......."

Just like that?!

[Parlortricks]

Someone suddenly burst into the room. Arctomiy was so on edge he made a rather high-pitched yelp and was immediately behind Acantha, putting his bodyguard between him and whatever was trying to come to them. What came out was human-shaped, but… Was it a human? Arctomiy swallowed. He supposed he had heard something about the darkest of dark knights, giving away their lives for power…

He did speak. Strange words. Unbelievable words. Surely he didn't have to voice his concerns, say what they all were thinking? …Not that the rest of those he had fought alongside seemed to be as against the idea. Clearly this was another traitor trying to worm their way in when the first one didn't work. A pitiful attempt. How did he manage to get all the way to the king?! How bad was the security here?!

Luckily the king was a sane man. Of course he was. Arctomiy let out a sigh of relief, seeming to be able to regain his composure when it seemed like the situation was handled. He just gave the strange armored man a glare… And picked up his hat that he seemed to have dropped in his surprise.
"W-W-Who does he think he is, coming in here like that to bother His and Her Majesty?! Is this what the Chaos cultists are truly like?"

[DarthArminius]

((I apologize. I have been cleaning house for several hours. I'm preparing for a surprise re-union.))

[herastor]

There was no hesitation in her as Jeth makes his entrance. She was in front of Arctomiy before the dark knight finished drawing his sword to surrender. Maybe the shrimp was right about her attitude, but she still took her job seriously. She didn't even groan as the king made his bad joke.

"I've got to agree with Honorable de Labrousse," Acantha used Arc's technical title for a little more emphasis, "Traitors usually make terrible friends and worse partners. I know the sorceresses can read minds, but if he is telling the truth then how can they be sure he won't change his mind again later?"

[JNAProductions]

"We could just do a cranial explosive..." Connie muses. "Stick a small bomb right in the base of the skull-he decides to go bad again, he doesn't get his head."

[Parlortricks]

"E-Explosives?" Arctomiy swallowed, his face looking paler than usual as he imagined the aftermath. He had seen a bit too much of that, lately, and the idea made his stomach churn.
"S-Surely not…"

[DarthArminius]

Sorceresses
There were four women there, in the Dark Knight's cell. It was ironically, almost as the King had described. Not so much of a prison cell so much as a small hotel room, in a way. The women read his mind, found it impossible that he would be lying or that was a single reason he would be distrusted. Catherine, the Arch Sorceress looked towards the King. . . "It would appear the Dark Knight is telling the truth."

Captain Baigan
To the Dragoon, Acantha, in a private room.
"Okay, so I have a confession to make. I am, a werewolf." Baigan let the eery silence fill the mid sized room.

[herastor]

If Baigan's announcement ate up the audible space of the room, then Acantha's incredulous look took up the visual. To just come out with that bit of news was telling. Their captain was expecting this to be an issue, probably one that would affect them all soon. But why take the risk?

"And you're telling me this, right now, because...? If you haven't noticed, we don't have a lot of time for games. Out with the rest of it."

Her grip tightened on her spear, but she didn't level it at him yet. That would depend on his answer.

[DarthArminius]

If Baigan's announcement ate up the audible space of the room, then Acantha's incredulous look took up the visual. To just come out with that bit of news was telling. Their captain was expecting this to be an issue, probably one that would affect them all soon. But why take the risk?

"And you're telling me this, right now, because...? If you haven't noticed, we don't have a lot of time for games. Out with the rest of it."

Her grip tightened on her spear, but she didn't level it at him yet. That would depend on his answer.

"I"ve been having black outs."
"It used to be that I could control my shape changing powers, but then, I discovered Chaos Cultists in a war camp across the world. We found his temple, Chaos Temple, the Temple of Fiends, I think it was called."
"Ever since then, I've lost control. I suddenly black out, transform, and only a few survivors have managed to let me know."
"For some reason Chaos'es magic doesn't work on me here."
"I think it's because there's a dwarven city outside the stronghold."

[JNAProductions]

"Well, there's timing to it, right?" Connie asks. "If you can time it, or feel when it's oncoming, that can be worked around."

[herastor]

Acantha gave Baigan a once over again. If there was some sign about being a werewolf, then she couldn't see it. He just looked as he always did. The most important thing to glean was the part about the dwarven city.

"So how does the city play into it? I don't recall many dwarves being known for magic."

[DarthArminius]

Acantha gave Baigan a once over again. If there was some sign about being a werewolf, then she couldn't see it. He just looked as he always did. The most important thing to glean was the part about the dwarven city.

"So how does the city play into it? I don't recall many dwarves being known for magic."

"Dwarves had their own magic, but though it's low scale, they were particularly known for being well guarded against curses and magic in general."

[JNAProductions]

"Wonder why they're so resilient... Think it can be replicated?" Connie muses aloud, her voice quieting into not more than a mutter to herself."If it's a mystical thing, maybe not, but if it's biological... Would crossbreeding work? That might diminish normal magical aptitude, which isn't good... But perhaps isolate samples? Dwarven skin-grafts, for surface curse protection without affecting the full magical spectrum? Maybe, maybe... Do short people have the same resistance? Is it correlated with height? Or girth?"

[DarthArminius]

"Wonder why they're so resilient... Think it can be replicated?" Connie muses aloud, her voice quieting into not more than a mutter to herself."If it's a mystical thing, maybe not, but if it's biological... Would crossbreeding work? That might diminish normal magical aptitude, which isn't good... But perhaps isolate samples? Dwarven skin-grafts, for surface curse protection without affecting the full magical spectrum? Maybe, maybe... Do short people have the same resistance? Is it correlated with height? Or girth?"


The wolf man, Baigan snapped around at the sound of Connie's voice and growled in an unearthly snarl.

[JNAProductions]

"Hi!" she says. "So, what exactly does the transformation do? Is it more a mental shift, or physical? Do you have increased resistance to normal weapons, or anything like that? And, uh..." she peters off a bit, noticing how large his teeth are. "Wowza. Those are some chompers."

[herastor]

How the hell had Connie snuck in with them? It actually hurt Acantha's pride. Just a little. She was a professional bodyguard after all. It was a bad look. It also meant she wasn't going to reprimand Baigan for snapping at her. Still, she wasn't about to let this go any further than that.

She stepped between captain and construct, taking care with her movements. Eye contact was also out of the question. If werewolves were anything like the wolf packs that roamed the mountains, then they could both be one threatening gesture from being reared on. That kind of fight wouldn't be contained to the secrecy of one room.

"So you're wanting something brought back from the city to help with your curse or to ward off influence? Right?"

[Merilan]

Left in the main room and having no idea where Connie has gone, Eskha shifts uncomfortably and folds her arms, looking towards Arctomiy. "... so... tell me a bit more about yourself. I figure it'd be good to know each other better if we're going to be working together for a while."

[DarthArminius]

"Hi!" she says. "So, what exactly does the transformation do? Is it more a mental shift, or physical? Do you have increased resistance to normal weapons, or anything like that? And, uh..." she peters off a bit, noticing how large his teeth are. "Wowza. Those are some chompers."

"Thanks!" Baigan retorts.


How the hell had Connie snuck in with them? It actually hurt Acantha's pride. Just a little. She was a professional bodyguard after all. It was a bad look. It also meant she wasn't going to reprimand Baigan for snapping at her. Still, she wasn't about to let this go any further than that.

She stepped between captain and construct, taking care with her movements. Eye contact was also out of the question. If werewolves were anything like the wolf packs that roamed the mountains, then they could both be one threatening gesture from being reared on. That kind of fight wouldn't be contained to the secrecy of one room.

"So you're wanting something brought back from the city to help with your curse or to ward off influence? Right?"

"Yeh, at least I'd like to know if it's safe for me to return to the surface."
"Please look around, maybe listen to the locals and see if they have any idea what's going on."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy had stayed behind when Acantha had been summoned. It was best to leave the military talk for the militarily inclined – or that at least was what he assumed was happening behind closed doors. General with his dragoon. That only made sense.

He was happy to be in the presence of the royal family, even if they weren't needing him at the moment. He still couldn't believe he had managed to get there! Arctomiy was constantly preening and dusting his clothes and hair, making sure everything was as clean as they could be considering the circumstances, and nice and straight. Oh, he should have brought a mirror along. Was he presentable in his current state…?

One of the people who had been with them since Davis lost his mind had also been left behind. Actually, that was a good observation to make – where did the strange snake-like thing go? Arctomiy just had to push that thought away for now, as his gaze shifted to Eskha.
"Mh. Well, as I am sure you know, I am a scion of the house de Lebrousse. One of the younger ones. We are loyal servants of the royal family and important as nobles, so you should keep that in mind," he started. Alright, maybe they weren't as important as he made it sound, but in his mind, they were climbing up the ranks. Definitely after this, when too many families seemed to have sided with the losing side!
"I am a scholar of white magic. My academic achievements place me among the best at my school. It is very prestigious, so it's not like I am fighting for that spot among imbeciles," Arctomiy's voice seemed to beam with some mixture of pride and bragging,
"So. I am well-read and well practiced. I am not planning on letting anyone overpower me magically."

[Merilan]

Eskha is incredibly young, on the grand scheme of things - she's not certain about Actomiy's age, but she's pretty sure he's a bit older than him, and yet... hearing him speak so proudly of his house reminded her of when she still could have pride in her own family, back in Midgar. "Of course," she chuckles with a smile. "It must be a shock, to see that so much of the nobility you trusted had thrown their lot in with the dark. It's just as well we returned here, so you could show that your house could be trusted."

There's a nod of understanding as Arctomiy boasts about his magical prowess. "I myself was born with a magical deficiency - aether doesn't gather around me, as if I were a void. I studied hard despite being bullied for this, and thought I'd be pleased when I achieved results with the reactor..."

A pause. "But Midgar was quick to desire to weaponise my invention. They wanted to mass produce and militarise it -- and I decided to have none of it. I ran in the midst of the night with all the plans. ... and I ostracised my house to the empire, in turn." She brushes her hair for a moment. "I can only hope you never have to make a choice like that."

[Parlortricks]

"It is despicable," Arctomiy basically spat as Eskha brought out the other nobles conniving against the royal family,
"I don't even want to recognize such scum as that of noble blood. Chaos cultists! Their whole bloodline would be horrified to know what has become of their name!" He went on about his rant. She certainly was right. It was a good thing that he had been there to make himself and his name known to the king. It was good that he could immediately clear up any potential misunderstandings and make sure the loyalty of their family wasn't called into question with the rest. …Surely his family would be pretty impressed with how he was handling things!

He stayed quiet as he listened to Eskha's tale, though. He raised an eyebrow as she spoke about being unable to use magic – but he had seen her use it. But the pieces that he was given started telling a story where she may actually be speaking the truth. An invention…
"Oi. Are you sure you should even be telling me that? Consider who you are speaking to," the young noble furrowed his brow once she started talking about running away, acting against the empire's will and dooming her family at the same time. Clearly, Arctomiy had very different values, it must have been apparent the whole time. The individual worked to keep the name they had bestowed upon afloat, with all the consequences that came with, good and bad. Eskha had done something very different – and he wasn't entirely sure if she was considered a criminal now or not.

Still, such selfish acts to save oneself weren't to his liking, either. Despite that, Eskha didn't get a long tirade about it. Not yet, at least.
"Of course I won't have to make a choice like that. The will of my family is my will, and the will of the king is the will of my family. That is how it is."

[Merilan]

It's true. Eskha should've known Arctomiy is the last person who'd sympathise with her -- but perhaps it's because she knows he'd respond in this way? Because she knew his opinion was going to be the direct opposite of sympathy. Because he had strong opinions about nobility, house and family...

"Maybe I'm choosing to entrust you with this information," Eskha chuckles, tilting her head. Maybe she just wanted someone to know, in case something happened to her, she reflects. It's a bit unfair, divulging such sensitive information like this. But as much as she tries to hide it, she's pretty scared too.

"I do worry about what may have happened to my family," Eskha admits. "I suppose you would've chosen otherwise, if you were in my place."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy pursed his lips as his eyes looked into Eskha's. This wasn't exactly the kind of information he should know – in fact, out of them all, he was the one who was not going to be giving her any words of comfort. But it didn't seem like she was after those. Or if she was, she was even more messed up in the head than he thought, coming to him of all people.

He let out a sigh.
"Well. I suppose I should expect you to be selfish."

Who knew what she was getting out of this, but it must have been something she wanted – even if he now had to deal with something that would have been easier for him to not hear. What if they had to deal with the mess she left behind? He definitely didn't want to get caught in something when he wasn't in it out of ignorance! What was she asking him to be, an accomplice?!

"Obviously! Nothing would be worth becoming a stain on my family tree," Arctomiy huffed. He knew next to nothing about inventions, and even less about Eskha's own, but he still felt like he knew exactly what he would do. But what had happened to her family in the end? Both of them were just as clueless about that.
"You should worry. Such actions can never be undone, so the least you do is carry the weight of that for the rest of your life. Hopefully your family cast you out as well as you did to them, and your burden on them was lessened."

[Merilan]

"I can only hope so," Eskha admits, and she does mean that; if her family cut ties with her and branded her a traitor, that's probably the best outcome for them. Maybe she spoke a bit hastily, but... maybe she also saw something of who she used to be in Arctomiy -- someone who was proud of her family lineage, who'd do anything to make that name shine brighter. Until the day she had to make an impossible choice...

Maybe she's just afraid that pride will come before a fall for him.

But Arctomiy has companions -- Acantha seemed a steadfast defender, so he wouldn't be alone either. "So who's in the family? I imagine they're white mages too? Do they live here in Baron?"

[Parlortricks]

Well, Arctomiy couldn't blame anyone for being curious. It wasn't every day one met with someone who came from such a prestigious background like him. He cleared his throat.
"Well, my lineage obviously has strong magical powers, but no, not all of us study white magic. Not all of us are classified as mages, either. Baron is where the main family estate is located, among with the head of this branch, indeed. My pa– father, my mother. But I have many siblings, so some have spread and handle matters in other regions as well. We all have our part to play."

[JNAProductions]

"I'll just... You know, give you guys some space," Connie says, slithering out of the private area.

Back in the main room, she sees Eskha and Arctomiy chatting. Catching the tail end of the talk...

"We all have our part to play."

Her mechanical mind starts whirring. And reaches a completely wrong conclusion. "Ooh! Let me guess, let me guess!" she says. "You've got an arranged marriage? But you're not in love with your spouse. Maybe you're really in love with your bodyguard!" Connie sighs, smiling. "It's so romantic... You ever read The Travails Of Lady Sin? That happened in one of the books! But the arranged marriage man was in love with Sin, and of course, she doesn't settle for anyone, so it was all a big mess!"

Thread I used to roll. (https://forums.giantitp.com/showthread.php?648276-FF-Dice-Rolls&p=25533356#post25533356)

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy practically jumped once another voice joined the conversation – when had that big, weird, clunky body of hers gotten so close, so silently?! And what was she even talking about?!
"W-W-Wh-What are you even suggesting?! Where did that come from?!" The young noble sputtered. What kind of a conversation had this turned into? Marriage? Of all things? How? Why?! And, and his bodyguard? Acantha?
"I-I absolutely do not harbor any such feelings towards her! She is my bodyguard! It is a strictly professional relationship!"

[JNAProductions]

"Well, you said you had your part to play. Usually people say that when it's something they don't want to do, but know they have to-and I know you're big on duty and family and honor and all that, but I'm pretty sure your family will be fine if you marry for love. Come on," Connie says, "Don't they want you to be happy?"

She pauses a moment. "Maybe it really is just professional, from her end? What does she like? Chocolate? Guns? Swords? Chocolate swords? Look, I've never had the chance to play matchmaker, but I bet it'd be fun! Or are you worried that you're not enough for her?" she continues. "Because listen-you might be a nerd, and you might have a stick lodged firmly in your tuckus, but you're a good guy! You're smart, and funny, and you're kind, and you care a lot! Sure, you're not the pinnacle of masculinity, but that's okay! You're a good man, and I bet you she sees that."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy's mouth just dropped open. He had no words. He did not know if it was him who was actually going insane and hearing things that were completely absurd. His eyes searched around – perhaps for Acantha, who normally was the one putting a stop to foolishness he didn't want to deal with. Then again, perhaps it was better that she was not here for something like this.
"Th- H-How did you even come to a conclusion like this?!" He finally managed to find his voice, even if he was completely dumbfounded,
"A-And what is with all these backhanded compliments!"

He was getting flustered and sidetracked.

[herastor]

"Alright... Alright," Acantha turned to follow her slithering companion, "We'll investigate. Hopefully there will be results."

Unfortunately for Arctomiy, and Acantha as well, the mentioned body guard was there to hear most of it. It being this wild tangent that came from nowhere. She had no choice but to spectate the twisted wreckage of Connie's conversation with Arc. The was not enough air to speak until the hulk came to a rest.

"It's purely professional," she couldn't breath. Her gaze snapped to him, decisively.

"Purely professional."

[Merilan]

Eskha can't help but laugh as the scene before her plays out; Arctomiy's flusteredness and Acantha's sternness were both a wonderful contrast to each other. "We... shouldn't stay in one place too long. What should we do next?"

[JNAProductions]

"There was something about meeting Cid?" Connie offers. "That might've been more for me, but it's a goal, at least."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy's gaze settled on Acantha. He still seemed rather flustered, but her presence was more than enough to set everything straight. But, as their eyes met, he didn't really feel relief. Though the others were either laughing or quickly moving on like nothing happened, to Arctomiy, the time seemed to come to a standstill, the air grew cold.

He eventually averted his gaze.
"R-Right."

There was a moment before he really could try to move on from what had happened. He adjusted his glasses, his hat, his cravat – fidgeting with whatever he really got his hands on, really.
"Well. W-We do eventually need to return to the temple and see what is happening over there. Baron needs to be secured first, as well as we can. Cid had requested an examination of this… Creature. I would like to visit my family to make sure they are still alright. M-Maybe there is something we can find to help us further."

[herastor]

Eager for any distraction from the previous topic, Acantha chimed in as well.

"We've gotten a request from the Captain as well. Apparently there's a dwarven city outside the stronghold. The rumor is that some of their magic might assist with warding off the influence of Chaos. He also suggested that we should talk to some of the locals, in case they caught wind of some of the cult's plans."

She paused, mentally kicking herself for what she was about to suggest. Richard's betrayal still stung and she hated feeling like she was doing the man any favors. But a lead was a lead...

"In that case we should probably check in with Richard's wife. She might know something he didn't, if the cult really is keep as close a tab on her as he said..."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy listened. There had started to be quite a lot on their plate, but there was a common theme he could see emerging.
"Collecting information. Got it. It would be a good idea to walk around Baron and chat with those we can, we can get a lot done that way. …Including talking to Davis' wife."

…If she still was alive. Could they truly have done her in, due to Davis' connections and failure? One would think they would have focused on taking down the royal family first, instead of such trivial blackmail.
"We're going to need to have to secure some form of transportation, too, depending on where we are headed first after we are done here."

[Merilan]

"Hmm... all right. We'd best check in with these dwarves first, if they're out here; I wouldn't want to go to the temple unprepared and end up just like Davis. Then I think we can split up with the remaining tasks -- you can touch base with your family and speak to locals and I can sort out transport afterwards -- I know a few mechanics who might be able to give us a loaner that I can fix up," Eskha explains.

[JNAProductions]

She nods. "Okay-target locked, mission acquired. Let's talk to some dwarves!"

[DarthArminius]

Time Skip
"Khaz'Olgarr
The stronghold's dwarven city was tiny compared to Baron. However it was still large enough to be considered one, just over fifty thousand individuals lived there, and this city is spread out. There is one large central building in the middle. This building is the fittingly called the City Hall. Khaz'Olgarr is well guarded now, with it's thick walls able to withstand cannon fire, for a little while at least.

[Parlortricks]

The dwarven city was closer to them than Arctomiy had initially assumed, once they started asking around. They had indeed walked quite a bit to get to where the royal family had retreated to during the invasion, but only now could he really understand where they had ended up, What with them being underground, it was rather difficult to get one's bearings.

"Dwarves are known for being resistant to magic. I'm not entirely sure if there's more at play than that with this rumor, but even still… Dwarven allies might prove to be useful," Arctomiy offered some of his knowledge on the matter, before they started asking around. Did the dwarves actually have something that would help them, or was it just the way their bodies were built? If that meant they could resist the influence of Chaos – if that truly was what was happening – then maybe they could make use of it.

[RatboyDemiurge]

Having accompanied the group to the dwarven city, albeit under supervision from a pair of redcoat guards, Jeth stood behind the rest of the group, observing the strong-built dwarven city. Sword over shoulder, he stared up at the mighty central building, still clutching the moogle doll.

The dark knight had been silent on the trip there, not saying a word as he followed their path. Whatever his feelings were on this situation, it was impossible to tell with neither a face nor voice. Regardless, he seemed to be in complete control of himself, and was entirely passive throughout their journey.

[JNAProductions]

"Well, in we go!" Connie says, and knocks on the gated entrance. Her metallic fist makes a series of rap-tap-tapping noises on the gate, and she rests back on her coils.

[herastor]

As Connie knocked, Acantha ran her hand over the stonework next to the gate. She knew nothing about dwarven craftsmanship, but there was a... sense? A feeling? Some sort of animal instinct about its quality. It was just something she knew in her bones.

Without twisting her head to look at him, she tossed a question back to Jeth.

"So turncoat, what do the forces of Chaos know about the dwarves?"

[RatboyDemiurge]

Jeth, his movements somewhat slow, turned his head over to Acantha. ”I am sorry, but do not know; I was not in the service of chaos, from what I recall. I may have once been a human, but I don’t remember anything…I came out from the dark, a being of shadow and void, barely clinging on to what’s left of my self being…I lack knowledge of the world, and do not believe I can help you much…”

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy didn't even object as Connie took the lead and started already knocking. He didn't even know what the right protocol here was, but it was already done. Perhaps he was focused a bit more on the strange man that had joined them. The suspicious, armor-clad man – if he even could be called a man. Acantha too was already busy interrogating him, but this Jeth didn't seem to have much in the way of… Well, anything.
"Well… That is to be expected, I would say. I don't think there's ever one of you who doesn't end up losing themselves in the process," the young noble adjusted his hat.

[JNAProductions]

Connie muses "You think there's actually the original person left? Or is it just the animus stolen to empower something entirely new?" She faces Jeth. "Do you have any kind of recollection of who you were before? Any sensations, any memories, anything at all? Because... Thinking this through, if there is some of the original person left behind, then perhaps you were an exceptionally strong-willed person? That's why you turned your back on the badness. But if not... If it's really just vitalizing force, not a person behind the armor... Well, makes me worry a bit."

She shrugs. "Tell us if you start having evil thoughts, okay?"

[herastor]

Acantha huffed at Jeth's answer. Clearly that was a line of questioning that led nowhere.

"Fair enough."

And so she played the waiting game, absently listening for the responses to Connie's questions. As the minutes dragged on, she began to wonder if anyone had even noticed that they'd arrived. She knocked again, metal fist clanging.

"Don't think you can magic us up an open gate, can you Arc?"

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy glanced at Acantha, and then at the door, and then back at Acantha. It had remained shut for quite a while despite the earlier knocking. Real heavy duty kind of thing made to block unwanted entry.
"I… Don't think any open sesames are going to do us any good."

He definitely did not have magic to open any doors or gates, no. Unless there was a handle or another mechanism to pull, of course.

[Merilan]

Eskha paused and folded her arms as she watched her companions, humming in thought. "Perhaps we should check elsewhere...?" She glanced around the rest of the town, given City Hall seemed to unavail them of answers.

[DarthArminius]

Eskha paused and folded her arms as she watched her companions, humming in thought. "Perhaps we should check elsewhere...?" She glanced around the rest of the town, given City Hall seemed to unavail them of answers.

Ovehearing the party, an old dwarf walked over. "This is at the time of a religious ceremony. You can't enter City Hall. You might wanna stop trying to get in."
"What do you need inside the Halls for?"

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy pursed his lips – perhaps they were not going to find any answers here, indeed. A question that was quickly answered as someone approached them, causing the young noble to stir and turn his attention to the old dwarf.
"What timing," he huffed after hearing the reason for the lackluster welcome – though perhaps it was less of that of him being annoyed, and more about truly finding the timing of everything unfortunate. Or had this all been on purpose?
"Chaos cultists are running amok! They've caused awful damage to Baron. Surely the news have reached here, as well?"

[DarthArminius]

Arctomiy pursed his lips – perhaps they were not going to find any answers here, indeed. A question that was quickly answered as someone approached them, causing the young noble to stir and turn his attention to the old dwarf.
"What timing," he huffed after hearing the reason for the lackluster welcome – though perhaps it was less of that of him being annoyed, and more about truly finding the timing of everything unfortunate. Or had this all been on purpose?
"Chaos cultists are running amok! They've caused awful damage to Baron. Surely the news have reached here, as well?"

"Of course! There's a ritual going on for the settlement's protection!"
"That's why this is happening now. It should be over soon."
"Is there anything you'd like to know? I'm an ex cleric of the gods."

[JNAProductions]

"Yes-can I have some skin or hair?" Connie asks. "And do you have a way of extending the protection further than just the city? Or a way of inverting it, so that way it loops out and corrals the goons? Do you have plans for the oncoming apocalypse that's probably gonna happen if you just shut yourselves in and hope it blows over?"

[Parlortricks]

It definitely made sense. Arctomiy mulled it over – though he immediately did a double take when Connie asked for something very strange and inappropriate.
"S-Strike that odd request!" He did his best to avert a crisis – and gave the snake-lady a glare,
"B-But otherwise, yes. We are here trying to figure out what can be done to protect ourselves in the future, as it is clear the Chaos cultists are not yet beaten into submission. They'll try something in the future, for sure. We would want to be prepared. A-As a scholar of magic, I am quite keen on learning more about the dwarven resistance."

[DarthArminius]

It definitely made sense. Arctomiy mulled it over – though he immediately did a double take when Connie asked for something very strange and inappropriate.
"S-Strike that odd request!" He did his best to avert a crisis – and gave the snake-lady a glare,
"B-But otherwise, yes. We are here trying to figure out what can be done to protect ourselves in the future, as it is clear the Chaos cultists are not yet beaten into submission. They'll try something in the future, for sure. We would want to be prepared. A-As a scholar of magic, I am quite keen on learning more about the dwarven resistance."

"Well, it's our natural resistance to curses. There are ways around our resistance to magic in general but our ability to stave off purely black magic curses is even stronger."
The old dwarf states. "Our ancestors found out how to amplify our resistance to curses even further. It only seems to work here in the city for some reason. Personally I think it's because of the God Stone."
"It's a symbol of the City that's right outside the Halls. In fact. . . "The old dwarf points in front of himself at the lower level of the city, downhill."There it is there, It's called the God Stone because Hyne blessed the city when it was created, long ago."
"If I recall, the Dwarves were friendly towards Hyne, long ago, before he left."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy seemed to be getting interested, his eyes widening from curiosity. Perhaps not the right reason or the right timing, considering that there was a whole thing about Chaos cultists attacking and even having managed to kill a member of the royal family… But he couldn't quite contain his excitement. His gaze snapped back from the direction the dwarf pointed at, and back to the dwarf himself.
"This may be a good time to really study the stone! After all, there are plenty of legends and rumors about it, but not enough… Anything concrete. Perhaps it could be harnessed somehow…"

Or perhaps Arctomiy shouldn't have been putting the cart before the horse and suggesting doing things to a sacred relic.

[herastor]

It was fortunate that the dwarf showed up when he did. The next thought Acantha had involved vaulting the gate. Not the wisest coarse, but they were running of borrowed time. Who knew when the next attack would come ore when the Captain might have his next transformation.

"Since we have to wait anyway, why don't we take a look at that stone. Couldn't hurt to learn more about it."

[JNAProductions]

Connie rises up a bit (enough to be head-height to Arctomiy) and claps his shoulder. "Yes! Let's do some science!"

[DarthArminius]

Examining the God Stone, it appears to have Dwarven Runic Script. Unless one of the party members knows some Dwarven, it is illegible. "Do any of you know Dwarven runes?" The Dwarf asked.

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy's whole body basically reacted as his shoulder was clapped, lightweight enough for most such actions to shift his posture. He gave the snake-lady a frown, not entirely sure if he should be excited about the same thing she was… But even that worry couldn't quite push back the thirst for studying he currently had.

He followed eagerly, as the old dwarf took them to the stone. Perhaps, it wouldn't have been as special if they didn't know it was special – and it wasn't in the middle of a settlement like a piece of something important. Arctomiy was already circling it and looking at it from various angles, with a notebook and inkpen in hand as he scribbled away, writing down notes. What power was hidden within? That could be something he might have been able to check with his own magic, soon. But first…

"Ah. No. I can recognize the script, but I don't understand it," the young noble answered to the question, looking up from his notebook. He had already copied some of the runes down, but indeed, he could not actually read them.

[DarthArminius]

Arctomiy's whole body basically reacted as his shoulder was clapped, lightweight enough for most such actions to shift his posture. He gave the snake-lady a frown, not entirely sure if he should be excited about the same thing she was… But even that worry couldn't quite push back the thirst for studying he currently had.

He followed eagerly, as the old dwarf took them to the stone. Perhaps, it wouldn't have been as special if they didn't know it was special – and it wasn't in the middle of a settlement like a piece of something important. Arctomiy was already circling it and looking at it from various angles, with a notebook and inkpen in hand as he scribbled away, writing down notes. What power was hidden within? That could be something he might have been able to check with his own magic, soon. But first…

"Ah. No. I can recognize the script, but I don't understand it," the young noble answered to the question, looking up from his notebook. He had already copied some of the runes down, but indeed, he could not actually read them.

The old dwarf remembers, suddenly. "Oh!! There's a scholar named Dvwer who's just about to leave City Hall!"
"He knows all about the Godstone!"
With the sound of a large gong resounding throughout the city square, the tall doors suddenly open.
"You can't miss him! Dvwer's house is in an Enclave between the stronghold and City Hall. If you somehow miss him, you won't miss his mansion."

[JNAProductions]

"Thank you very much," Connie says, and slithers her way inside. "No time like the present-let's go find him!"

[Parlortricks]

"A-Ah. Right. Yes. Thank you," Arctomiy stammered out something, as his gaze flicked between the stone and Connie, who was already busy slithering away. He was still in the middle of taking notes! And, well, he definitely wanted to see if there was anything his magic could gleam from the stone. Casting a little Libra on it to try to study it quickly wouldn't hurt…

[herastor]

The script was essentially lost on Acantha, who wasn't unfamiliar with being left out of something. Arc being at a loss in this field, that was new. Tracking down somebody? That was definitely in her wheelhouse. As arc cast his spell, she grabbed him by the collar and leapt to catch up to their metal snake.

[DarthArminius]

The aforementioned scholar, Dwver had noticed the folks eyeing the God Stone. Curious, he made his way to our protagonists and with a smile, began to speak. "Oh, out of towners!"
"Welcome!"
"You seem interested in this."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy allowed his magic to scan the stone – and indeed, he did get something back. It was no ordinary rock, with magic within. That was about everything he could get from it before he was grabbed and dragged along by his bodyguard, letting out a quiet urk as his air was cut off for a moment and he scrambled to keep up with Acantha.

He certainly hoped the dwarf that had approached and talked to them was enough for her to stop, so he could finally squirm free and do his best to first adjust his lopsided hat and glasses, and then the rest of his clothes. They had gotten all out of place and ruffled!
"Euh… Y-Yes. Yes, that is right," Arctomiy wheezed, before clearing out his throat with a cough and giving Acantha a quick glare. He'd have to give her a lecture about proper manners later!
"With the new development and… Chaos cultists, the powers that this stone of yours has according to legends could be an immeasurable tool in the fight against them," he continued, his gaze flicking back to the dwarf as he straightened his back properly,
"Ah, but my manners. I am Arctomiy, of the de Labrousses."

[JNAProductions]

Connie waves to the dwarf. "Yeah, we're trying to figure out how to deal with cults and crazies and all sorts of stuff. I'm Connie, by the way-nice to meet you, Mr.!"

[ArlEammon]

"Oh I see. Yes, that's true, but it's only part of the weapon our people used against Chaos all those years ago."
"There's something more."

[Parlortricks]

"Such as…?" Arctomiy tried to probe, seeing if the old dwarf was keen on sharing more.

[ArlEammon]

"Such as…?" Arctomiy tried to probe, seeing if the old dwarf was keen on sharing more.

"It's complicated, but to simply it, there is a piece of Chaos embedded in the stone that reminds him of a time when he was good, before he was evil."
"Even many of his own cult don't know Chaos was once a person who was noble and kind."

[Parlortricks]

There was a slow blink from Arctomiy before the words really sunk in.
"D-Definitely the first time I am hearing anything like that!" He exclaimed. True, he wasn't exactly a scholar of Chaos, but that was not a theory he had heard presented anywhere. Something that even the cultists themselves hadn't heard? Could it actually be true, or was it just yet another assumption, or a myth the dwarves in this town had?
"I have always thought Chaos to have been… An eternal concept that existed before there really were, well, people."

[JNAProductions]

"How do you know people weren't made in Chaos' image?" Connie asks. "If it came before us, wouldn't it make sense that we aped it?"

[ArlEammon]

There was a slow blink from Arctomiy before the words really sunk in.
"D-Definitely the first time I am hearing anything like that!" He exclaimed. True, he wasn't exactly a scholar of Chaos, but that was not a theory he had heard presented anywhere. Something that even the cultists themselves hadn't heard? Could it actually be true, or was it just yet another assumption, or a myth the dwarves in this town had?
"I have always thought Chaos to have been… An eternal concept that existed before there really were, well, people."


"How do you know people weren't made in Chaos' image?" Connie asks. "If it came before us, wouldn't it make sense that we aped it?"

The scholar gives a slight giggle. "No. See, Chaos was once a man, known for his skill at arms, strength and magic many eons ago. His name was Garland."
"As he grew old, he pined for the old days and for his youth. Thus, he searched for power to regain his youth. However, the wizard, Noah, blessed him with a mysterious gift called "Mortality".
'Noah meant to extend his life to be a very long and prosperous one, but Garland misunderstood."
"He believed Noah cursed him to die."
"Chaos, the force, entered Garland through an evil ritual, and Garland became "Chaos" the entity."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy listened. It didn't seem like he was completely off the mark – there was Chaos as the eternal, primal force, just like there was Chaos some crazy cultists worshipped. Different, yet according to this story, the same now.
"Well. That definitely is a… Stretch of the meaning of gift," he cleared his throat. It was a lot to take in. Which part was a myth, which part was the truth – or was there actually any truth in there? He didn't know enough to be able to say. That was a position he disliked finding himself in.
"So… You say that there's a part of the mortal man in that stone that is the source of the power it has over Chaos…?"

[ArlEammon]

Arctomiy listened. It didn't seem like he was completely off the mark – there was Chaos as the eternal, primal force, just like there was Chaos some crazy cultists worshipped. Different, yet according to this story, the same now.
"Well. That definitely is a… Stretch of the meaning of gift," he cleared his throat. It was a lot to take in. Which part was a myth, which part was the truth – or was there actually any truth in there? He didn't know enough to be able to say. That was a position he disliked finding himself in.
"So… You say that there's a part of the mortal man in that stone that is the source of the power it has over Chaos…?"

"Even I can only do conjecture on what exactly is in the God Stone."
"Some say it's a mysterious crystal, others say it's his blackened heart."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy's gaze started to drift back in the direction of the stone. Was there truly something physical inside it, something that was the source of everything…?
"W-Well, the point right now is about whether or not it can be used to our advantage. Perhaps if we can harness its power somehow…"

[ArlEammon]

"According to tradition, we just did something like that in City Hall just now." Dvwer stated matter of factly.
"We all did prayers to our ancestors for protection, and apparently, the God Stone answers."

[JNAProductions]

"How does it answer? Audio, visuals, telepathic resonance?" Connie asks. "Or is this a 'faith' thing?"

[ArlEammon]

"How does it answer? Audio, visuals, telepathic resonance?" Connie asks. "Or is this a 'faith' thing?"

"It's something magical, for sure, but it's not religious like we used to think it is. I only said "prayers" by habit."
"THere are a few religionists that still have the Godstone in a place with their faith."

[JNAProductions]

Connie nods, muttering "Good, good."

She then speaks a little louder, asking "How do you know it's working, then? And is there any way to use it offensively, or at least to protect more than just the dwarven home?"

[ArlEammon]

Connie nods, muttering "Good, good."

She then speaks a little louder, asking "How do you know it's working, then? And is there any way to use it offensively, or at least to protect more than just the dwarven home?"

"The Godstone works because we local inhabitants can still live here. This city is surrounded by incredibly dangerous wild life and monsters. Even more so than some of the more dangerous locations on the surface world."
"The Gostone keeps them out."

[Parlortricks]

Arctomiy had listened to the exchange, his lips now pursed in thought.
"In that case, it would be difficult to remove it from this location," unless they were willing to sacrifice the village,
"If we can't find a way to either boost its range of curse-repelling or a way to reproduce it in a form that can be shared, the only way for us to use it against Chaos would be to bring everyone here. Which… Isn't very plausible."