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Part 37a: Fire and Ice
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Part 37a - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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The slab has stood here for untold years, cold and undisturbed for long centuries. Now though, something is happening.
Minds of Power are studying it now, examining it, probing it... and it
was designed to respond to such mental contact. Ancient forms,
buried deep in the stone, shift and change, and the chamber beneath the
old church blazes with a sudden brilliant, actinic light.
David cries out, "My eyes!" but his
voice is almost drowned by the eerie song from the slab itself, or
rather, from the doorway which used to be a slab of inert stone.
The glare pales, becoming more bearable, and beyond the door a chamber
comes into view, all polished marble, tapestries, expensive-looking
furnishings, and a single visible window. Beyond that window, the
sky glows the dull red of hot iron, and clouds of flame drift across it.
A cool breeze blows from the portal, bringing with it the sound of thousands of inhuman voices, singing in harmony...
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
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"Spirits above," Cyan whispers, quick-stepping to move in front of David, keeping between him and the shining light. Kirilindë's
hilt is in one hand, the sheath in the other, the blade just shy of
being drawn. But there is no fear, here, not yet. Only
wonder.
"This is...could this be from where Tamiel hails?" Cyan cries out,
staring into the beautiful, terrible vision before them. She
glances at Berd, still on Aaron's shoulder, and sees him staring
fixedly into the glare, studying the scene before him. He doesn't know. He did not recognize that power.
That comes as a shock. As long as she has known him, Cyan counted
on Berd for one thing - answers. Now, the little dragon is as
bereft as she.
Thinking furiously, she concentrates, her amethyst eyes glowing in the
burning light. As she does, her shirt darkens toward indigo,
slowly shifting and flowing, tiny points of light appearing within it
as she summons the power of the palanquet to her defense.
"Does...does anyone recognize this? Any of it?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Berd
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Berd stars into the hellish sky, at the opulant room, listens to the singing....
There is a surge of spiritual energies, and
suddenly an invitation is given to the members of the group - all of
them, including the newest, Devlin. An open hand, held out at the
edges of their psychic defenses, Berd's presence behind it. An
invitation to link, all together, to speak mind to mind without the
constraints of flesh, of sound. All defenses will still be up
between the members, and Berd himself will hold guardianship over the
minds within his link, adding his own strength to any who find
themselves assailed. This, the offer assures.
An instant later, Cyan opens through Berd, always spiriutally touching
him but now moving into 'view' of the others, the first to cross the
Great Bridge.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Sernena replies to Cyan,"It is nothing that I have ever seen or heard in My life" Then as she hears Berds call she grasps Devlin by the hand and sends into his mind,
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
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Devlin quickly shuts his eyes, the light almost blinding him because of
their current nature. When he opens them they are normal and he must
also change his hearing to that of normal. The sound that comes from
the 'Door'? almost deafening to his extra sensitive ear drums.
By the time he opens his eyes again he has backed up almost to the point of moving up the stairs again.
Devlin wonders how he mantianed control of his form. The last time he
was this confused and scared... but then he was somewhat prepared for
the unkown this time. He notices that Nightbrand is now in his hand. He
holds the ebony blade before him like a shield.
Then there is a voice in his head, only one other had ever done that.
It's as though a hand is reaching out to him, offering safety. It's the
Dragon creature, he's almost sure of that. He doesn't know what to do
and the confusion is plain on his face.
Then there is another thought is his head; Serana's... "Serena trusts these people," the thought shoots through his mind, "Trusts this creature."
Devlin reaches out to that hand and takes hold of it with his own mind because he knows of nothing else to do.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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"I've never felt its like. It feels..."
"Indescribable. But even that description can't truly describe whatever opened that door."
Aaron dropped his concentration and his focus on all things Primal. He then turned and looked to Cyan, shaking his head.
"I don't know. I'm unfamiliar with this. I don't like being surprised,
but whatever left this here left it for a reason. It's a doorway to a
place that powers of our type can gain access to, and I think it's
inviting us in."
Aaron looked to Dorian then and raised his eyebrows.
"What about you, my dark friend? Any inklings from your neck of the woods? Anything at all?"
With Cyan and Berd, Aaron and Arianne too joined in the mental link.
Should their voices be stilled, their minds would still retain
connection. It was a familiar thing for them, and an effortless one for
Aaron. He was used to sharing his mind with another, and Arianne
followed suit, though the blade that housed her remained sheathed upon
Aaron's back.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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Dorian's face is grim. "Unknown,
perhaps, but not entirely unexpected; in truth, I expected a different
unknown power. The universe is full of unknown powers and sometimes
they connect. This is a doorway. I believe somewhere beyond is a broken
pattern. Come, someone awaits us, if I'm not mistaken...."
He raps his walking staff firmly on the ground and steps forward and
enters through the door, letting hid black cloak and silence follow in
his wake.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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"Right behind you, Dorian." Aaron stated with a final glance behind him
to assure the state of his group. His single eye alighted upon Serena
and Devlin then, including them within the group as well.
He noted Devlin's unsheathed blade, and also Cyan's lack of a simliar
state. He resolved to keep his own blade sheathed as he turned and
followed Dorian through the gateway, making sure Berd was situated well
upon his shoulder.
We stand prepared and at the ready, my draconic friend. Let us hope this is not a trap.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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As Dorian turns his back to enter, there is a slow, almost tentative acceptance of the dragon's mindlink and a dull presense.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Berd
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I follow. Cyan's mindvoice is full of confidence as she steps up beside Dorian and Aaron. Lead us. Turning, she looks to James and Jonnee.
Berd, for his part, sits up straighter. He does not reply to
Aaron's comment, and not surprisingly, given his part as 'facilitator'
within the mindlink.
Or perhaps his attention may be somewhere else.
Six have joined crossed the Bridge. Two remain, three, should
Jonnee bring Hunter with him. Berd's eyes shine as he begins to
weave a mirrorbright fortress around the psychic link.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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James straightens quickly as the door opens. The view beyond is
awe-inspiring and not a little intimidating. Still, he's happy
enough to follow the others and accept both invitations, Berd's
mind-link and the invitation inherent in the open door.
One moment.
James moves to the priest, "Father David, are you ok?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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Jonnee steps back as the door opens. The light is blinding after the darkness of the vault.
"Ha! And I thought it was pretty damned amazing before it did that! C'mon, Hunter, time to go walkies." He steps through the portal, with the wolf on his heels.
"But if I end up back in the 1930s and change all of history, then it's not my fault!"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
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Cyan, prepared to leave, is caught off-guard by James' request.
She pauses, turning, and feels a hot rush of shame flood her as her
sapphire eyes seek out the Priest. How could I have-
Struggling, she attempts to keep her feelings from the link; then Berd
comes to her aid, easily settling a cloak of shadows about her
spirit. Within it, the bard castigates herself savagely. There was a time when I would not have forgotten David. What has happened to me? Is this...obsession?
I have to remember...I must remember. Nothing is
more important than life, at this time, this moment. I have the
choice - I am not controlled by my desires, I am not controlled by
anything but myself. I will not allow this Quest to become who I
am.
Pain ripples through her for an instant. Is that what became of Jack, I wonder? That, and other things? Berd?
The dragon remains silent, with no words. After a moment, with
Cyan's emotions mastered save for a lingering hint of shame, he
releases the cloak, allowing her back into the link.
The bard waits to see how the Priest fares.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena sends a mental thought to Devlin,*I cannot leave until I am sure the Priest is all right. You can wait or gothrough...you can trust Berd* then Serena turned and walked to the Priest
I hope i can help him and not get left behind...but this is what I
am and I cannot just walk away whether the door closes on me or not. If
Berd thinks I am going the wrong way I bet he'll let me know. then pulling up the Pattern first she looks to see what is wrong with the ailing Priest.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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"Yes, I am... unhurt." David replies to James' question, "But,
just for a moment, I thought I could see again, for the first time in
years. There was a flare of light. And that sound... has
the gate opened?"
His voice is filled with awe, as he asks again, "Tell me, please! Has the gate really opened, or is this some trick you're playing on me?"
Beyond the portal, those who have already passed through find
themselves in a large chamber, beautifully appointed, and filled with
light and music and the scent of roses. It echoes to their
footsteps on the marble slabs of the floor, while beyond the numerous
windows, the sky burns.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena hering that the Priest is actually fine drops the Patter and turns towards the doorway and says to Devlin.*We are going to cross over now..any last business before we cross* Serena will wait until Devlin tells her he is ready and then cross unless the doorway appears to start closing.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
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Devlin moves up beside Serena. His earlier confusion almost gone. Nightbrand returns to his forearm. We will wait.
There's nothing else he can do. Devlin is not going to leave Serena,
not now. She may trust the others, and he thinks he can trust Serena,
though he's still not sure why.
This contact with his mind is not unfamiliar. It is much like the
contact he shares with Nightbrand, yet different. Not sure what this
will protect him from he hopes that Nightbrand's connection through him
will also protect it.
The priest speaks saying that he is well and Serena is speaking to him
agian, she's ready to step through this gate, wherever it leads. We're right behind you, wherever you lead
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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Dorian releases a long, heavy sigh as he waits, wondering why the
strong are so often draw to the side of the weak. Perhaps it reinforced
their sense of self worth to aid those weaker than themselves. Whatever
the reason, it was a burning burden in the current circumstances.
Sadly, he'd grown wearily used to such burdens with this group, and it
seemed Serena's presense would only magnify the problem.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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As Aaron entered, he thought nothing of David for the moment, his attentions taken by the room the doorway had opened up.
It was nearly immaculate in its presentation, that was certain. He
decided to forgoe to manipulation of his abilities in favor of simply
using his eyes and his brains to investigate.
"Aside from the environment outside the window, and the particularly
interesting audio, do you see anything out of the ordinary, Dorian?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
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Still torn, Cyan pauses, half-in, half-out of the gate, hopefully
holding it 'open' for the nonce. She glances helplessly toward
Aaron and the rest, already passed through, then back to James and the
Priest, David. Her lips firm, and she waits.
Through the gate, still sitting on Aaron's shoulder, Berd stares around
himself with wide, burning eyes, sniffing the air carefully. A
long, reptilian tongue darts from his mouth to taste, then vanishes
just as quickly.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena with no further hesitation takes Devlin's hand and steps through
the gate. Once inside she let's go of Devlin's hand figuring if he had
any questions he would attempt to either ask outright at this point or
try the mind to mind touch.
Once inside she looks around the room and brings up the Pattern to see
if anything is amiss or unusual that way rather than starting with any
forms of spells. She already has a feeling Dorian may be doing the
latter.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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The chamber is vast, the ceiling high, and the doors at the far end are
at least four times the height of a man. As the last of the group
steps through the portal, or at least through the simple rectangle of
light which is its sole manifestation at this end, it simply folds in
upon itself, smaller and smaller, until it just... vanishes.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Berd
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Berd's eyes flare, and then his head sinks down, low. There is a
feeling of a cloudiness that comes over the link, a shifting, a
hiding...
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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"Ar door has been opened; and I, for one, have learned wisdom enough
to step through to the other side, even in foolishness." Dorain says, with a certain rote cadence that seems to speak of a quote, rather than an original thought.
"This world is founded upon a pattern so completely fractured that
it barely holds together. I can sense very little beyond that, through
all the chaos. Yet, I have a feeling there is more, I sense this is
merely a path to something else, deeper. Perhaps, something that
transcends.... it is merely a guess. Forget it, I stand upon only
fragments and clues, hints of what might be...."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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<backpost>
"Yes Father, the light you saw was the door opening. Here..."
James gently takes the priest's hand and leads him to the slab.
James presses Father David's hand first to the side of the slab, "The slab..." then runs the fingers around the front of the slab and the edge of the doorway, "...is the open door."
James then releases the priest's hand and steps through the doorway, as it closes he calls back. "You are blessed, Father. It is very rare that a man gets to witness the vindication of his faith. Farewell."
</backpost>
James brings his attention to bear on the group and the room around them. He notes the size of the room.
Here be giants.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
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Cyan, stepping through fully along with James, looks around the room
with stunned awe. "This...place. Is monstrous.
Terrible." Flicking her eyes to Berd, she keeps her hand on her
sword-hilt. "I...could never have anticipated a world so
strange. It is like a dream...or a nightmare."
Her amber eyes sharpen. Berd informs
me that something approaches. Something that reeks of the psychic
scent of the Archons, and that there are Archons here, as well.
"Well done with the Father," she whispers to James.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
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Devlin stands next to Serena. It's obvious that he's never seen
anything like this before. He looks around the room, if that's what it
is. One of the others says something about the world, Does he mean this is the whole world.
Leaning closer to Serena he speaks quietly, "Have you seen anything like this before?"
Then louder he speaks to no one in particular, maybe he is even
speaking to himself, "There now appears to be but one way to go."
Then there is the thoughts in his head again... Archons? even in that simple thought the confusion is evident.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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The great doors swing open to display a corridor which seems to lead
away into infinity, and a thing coming along that corridor. It
resembles the Archons, in that it takes the form of a wheel, but it
does not fit the pattern of those Archons previously encountered.
It burns with a fierce blue-white glare, and lightnings flicker and dance around its perimeter.
It sweeps into the room and seems to melt and transform, adopting the
shape of a humanoid giant with multiple wings, and a dozen or more eyes
revolving about its head like some strange halo.
+ WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF TAMIEL OF THE NEPHELIM
+ + IT IS LONG SINCE WE VISITED YOUR WORLD AND WE ALMOST HAD
GIVEN UP ALL HOPE +
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Taking the lead, Aaron stepped to the fore of his group and stood
before the great Archon. Though he was as unsure of this being as he
was of the entirety of their environment, he was unafraid. The Archon
spoke, and Aaron answered in turn.
"In order for you to have given up hope, hope for something would have
to exist. If I may ask, what was it your kind had hoped for?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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+ OTHERS OF OUR KIND HOPE FOR MANY DIFFERENT
THINGS + + PERSONALLY WE HOPED FOR A DAY WHEN THOSE OF YOUR WORLD
WOULD GROW IN SPIRIT SUFFICIENTLY FOR THE GATE TO OPEN WHEN IT DETECTED
YOUR PRESENCE +
There is a rippling motion, and Tamiel flows, briefly becoming a wheel
of lightning, then a tornado-like column of rushing air, and finally a
small woman of advancing years.
"But where are our manners? Do you require refreshments? Rest? Anything?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Before the voice spoke Serena dropped the Pattern and althoughit seemed redundant after Dorian speaking she said,"There
is something seriously wrong withthis place. I tried using the Pattern
and all I got was a feeling wrongness and a headache along with the
feelings of nails on a chalkboard scraping my mind."
When Devlin spoke to her she turned and said,"I honestlyw ish I could say that I have but I have not. In all the places I have been there has never been one quite like this." Serena then attempted a reassuring smile but it probably did not come off as reassuring as she wanted it to be.
After the voice began speaking Serena listened and felt that Aaron
would speak as the official leader and unless anything truly wayaward
happened she would not reply. However, Serena couldn't help but wonder
about the contrast of the wrongness to the excessive politeness of the
voice..was it a ruse to get ehm to relax and trust whoever or whatever
it was?
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
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Cyan watches, filled with amazement and fear, as the monstrous being
speaks to Aaron. Beautiful it is, and terrible to behold.
"By the spirits," she whispers, wondering what will happen next.
What does happen is the unexpected. The towering being
becomes...a woman, much like themselves. Cyan blinks emerald eyes
in astonishment - this is a trick she had not seen the Archons perform,
and certain the Archons themselves are related to this...Tamiel. Of the
Nephillim.
The bard starts as Berd launches from Aaron's shoulder, flapping over
to land on hers where he immediately begins to preen himself, as if he
were a bird. She concentrates, momentarily, then nods before
sending out a message over the hopefully still-hidden link.
Say nothing of Berd. Speak not to
him. He is an animal for the moment, nothing more. If you
wish to ask of him questions, ask myself.
Stepping foward, Cyan bows, setting Berd to an annoyed squawking.
"Tamiel, I am Cyan of No Place In Particular, a Walker of the Myriad
Worlds. Rest is welcome, as are refreshments, but there is
something we desire more urgently - knowledge. You are familiar
to us, your shapes...or at least some of them. We have seen
beings like yourself before, and heard talk of the Nephillim. Are
there more of your kind, scattered throughout the worlds?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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"No Serena," Dorian says quietly, almost reverently. "This
place is to Amber and your Pattern as dry land is to the ocean, if I am
correct--completely... alternate. You would do well to forget
everything you've been told about the way of things, if I am correct.
Or at least, be prepared to add a lot to them."
He turns back to the others. "And perhaps, Aaron, before we bend our thoughts to hopes and dreams, we should introduce ourselves, as Cyan has thought to do."
With a quick bow to the elderly woman, he says, "I am Dorian."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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At the approach of the Nephelim, Jonnee knots his fingers into Hunter's
fur. The last thing he wants is for the wolf to panic and start
an "incident", and he can feel the tension in the big alpha male.
Or maybe it's his own tension he can feel.
This thing looks a little too much like the fire wheels and the blade wheels that he had seen on Cargach's world.
And then it becomes a winged giant and welcomes them. Politely.
Then it becomes a little old lady, like a thousand others he'd seen in his life, before and after he left Las Angelos.
He steps back, content to let the brains of the group do the talking, until he hears Cyan and Dorian name themselves.
"Jonnee Kay." he adds, followed by, "Of Las Angelos."
Good one, Jonnee. Like they ever heard of the place.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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"Forget the Pattern, Serena. It is of no use to us here, and you know not what may occur should you probe too deeply."
Aaron's voice was matter-of-fact, for as Dorian had stated, Aaron too
believed that this place was far removed from their normal plane of
existence. The reason he didn't want to try to use the Pattern here,
was because there was no Pattern here. At least... not like the Pattern he was used to. It
wasn't a matter of sensation or detection. He just 'felt' it, all
around.
It almost... felt like Jack. A weird correlation, but one he just
couldn't shake. That was all he could relate it to, his memory of their
first encounter.
With a small smile, Aaron stepped forwards and gestured, palms up, to Tamiel.
"Forgive me, Tamiel. I am Aaron, of Ald Thiriel. I lead this group
across all manner of worlds as we search for answers and knowledge.
While rest would be of benefit, my colleague Cyan has stated that we
seek... information, and her questions echo mine as well."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
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Devlin watches everything that is going on. He actually seems to be a
bit more at ease after Serens tells him that she's never seen anything
like this either. It's strange that that relaxes him, maybe it's
because he knows he's not the only one facing the unknown.
He waits quietly by Serena's side. The others begin to introduce
themselves to what now appears to be an old woman. At least he is
learning their names. Cyan says that she is from no place in
particular, at least they have something in common. He wonders if he
has anything else in common with these people.
Deciding to wait until the others have done their own introductions,
especially Serena, before he introduces himself, Devlin remains quiet
for the moment.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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James can feel the tension radiating from the rest of the group.
It takes different forms in different people; that knife-edge fight ot
flight, awe, or simply uncertainty. James takes some comfort from
the assurance that Aaron projects. He seems sure of himself,
that's good.
In truth, James is a little wary himself, the second form taken by the Nephelim and the name itself harken back to some very old stories on James' world. He desperately hopes it doesn't come
to a fight. On this creature's home soil, it was sure to go badly
and that's without the constant ache of fractured ribs.
Taking a deep breath James steadies himself. No Pattern. No Berd. Acknowledged.
He takes his turn to introduce himself, saying simply, "James."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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Introductions are made, and acknowledged.
"We are pleased to welcome you to our dwelling. Long have we awaited your arrival."
Tamiel gestures for the group to follow her, and the great doors open
behind her to reveal, not the infinite corridor, but a smaller chamber,
where a table has been laid out with a feast fit for perhaps a hundred
people.
As she leads the way, three of the familiar burning wheels appear at
the far side of the dining hall, simply phasing through the wall...
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Aaron followed Tamiel, leading the way for the rest of his group. They
entered the dining hall, and while Aaron was glad to see that they had
plenty of food, he certainly wasn't glad to see who had joined them.
Oh, shit.
Aaron stilled his thoughts, then, not knowing how powerful the combined
mental force of a room full of Archons could get. He refused to let
himself get uncomfortable, though, and retained his calm demeanor. Even
despite the way the Archons had acted in the past, he wasn't about to
push that presumption upon Tamiel.
"Tamiel, I've a question. Do you know of any others of your race who
have moved beyond the boundaries of your world? Is it a common
occurence?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
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The three fire wheels descend behind Tamiel and shift into new forms,
three muscular male humans, with crimson skin. They are clad in
robes in all the colours of fire, and still they radiate a certain
amount of heat, even though no flames are present.
"These are associates of ours, allies, if you
will. Their names are Irathiel, Tishbash and Yesod. They
have followed our interest in your world closely, though it would be
somewhat uncomfortable for them to travel there as we once did." Each of the three bows in turn, as his name is given.
"It is true." remarks the one called Irathiel, "We have long wished to see the beings Tamiel spoke to us of."
"To answer your question... Aaron... you are
named Aaron, yes? Many of our people have travelled to other
places, but all return here, to our home." Tamiel replies then, "Sadly, not all do so for the sake of mere curiosity, as we once did."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
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"Sadly," Cyan murmurs quietly, "they do far more than indulge their own curiousity."
She stares at the brilliant beings with dark, ruby eyes, no longer dazzled by their appearance, their glory.
These are creatures no different than any other, when one gets right
down to the point. They have their falibilities - if they did
not, their people would not be rampaging through the Myriad Worlds,
slaying and enslaving in the name of some terrible plan.
"I hope we are as interesting to you as you are to us," she continues,
nodding to the trio. "You have, then, lost cousins who travel the
Myriad Worlds for their own reasons?" A glance to Aaron, then,
and Cyan shrugs, tossing the dice. "It is because of them that we
find ourselves here, Tamiel. They kill. They enslave.
They threaten everything. All in the name of their desires...and in the name of the Broken God."
Her lips thin. "Worlds crumble. Billions are
enslaved. The Breaks in the Patterns are used to create a line
between Order and Chaos. This has been planned...for centuries,
perhaps more. We require assistance...and assistance comes in
many forms."
Raising her hands palms up, Kirilindë dangling from its
cord around her wrist, Cyan continues in an imploring tone. "I
think...I hope you are not like the others. I think perhaps you
help people, as the legends in the world through which we passed to
come here have told us. Please, help us now. The Myriad
Worlds themselves implore you, for they die."
"Help us to understand."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
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Devlin listens intently to Cyan as she speaks to the creatures. Hes
head tilts to the side until his ear almost touches his shoulder.
Things are becoming more clear as she tells him much about the
situation he's been pulled into.
Looking at the four creatures that confront them he gets an uneasy
feeling. If these are in league with the ones these people try to
stop...
He can feel Nightbrand begin to change once again and he must enforce
his will upon it so that the thing remains on his wrist. He's not all
together certain that the blade would be of much use against these
creatures anyway.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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Something seems to fall into place in Jonnee's mind then. Somrthing he should have thought of long ago.
"Factions." he murmurs, then adds, louder, "It's
the factions. Not all of them are involved in the plan.
Some of them, maybe most of them, are just trying to live their own
lives."
"Maybe some are even working against it."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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Dorian nodded thoughtfully towards Cyan's words. She had a gift of
speech, which he admired and, at times, craved. As she finished, he
added, "There is more." He was loathe to give up too many secrets, but he delt this needed to be added. "We have reason to believe they work for or with one of our kind, though we know little of the relationship thereof."
Into the thoughtsteam of his friends, his distant voice warns, be
careful of what is revelaed here. They may merely play at games and
pose as potential help, knowing we are so desperate for such at this
time.
He keeps his cloak pulled tight around his shoulders, making no attempt
to appear casual or relaxed. His jaw is clenched tighter than an animal
trap, his brow furrowed. His eyes slide across the room with
inventory-like precision.
Skilled in the mental arts, his thoughts flit through their intertwined
thoughtstream probing for leaks, intrusions or stealth; any attempts to
breach their gestalt.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James struggled to remain calm as the Archons appeared through the
walls. Serenity was more difficult to maintain as the mental
exercise of the Pattern was denied to him, or at least dangerous, in
this place.
Cyab's statements were bold. Nodding his approval, James couldn't
help wondering which way things would fall. Powerful allies,
powerful enemies or just powerfully useless could all be decided very
shortly.
A thought crosses his mind, passed to the others through Berd's link, If the fire-wheels control the blade-wheels, then maybe Tamiel, the lightning-wheel, represents the next step up the hierarchy.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
My thoughts exactly, Dorian. James, you too may be correct. We must
be quite cautious at this point in the conversation. Berd has informed
me that we are, quite literally, surrounded.
"Cyan and Dorian are correct, Tamiel. We seek an end to the destruction
and bloodshed that we have run across on our terrible journey. It has
been... very hard."
Aaron suddenly felt very tired. Though he tried to hold it back, he
still couldn't stop thinking about all that they had run across. Quite
a mess it was.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Sadly, as the one called JonneeKay has said, we
are a people of factions. It has been remarked, with only minimal
overstatement, that there are as many factions as there are Archons,
plus one."
Tamiel sighs, a very human expression of sadness and resignation, "We
do not work well together. Even those of the same class often
barely tolerate each other's presence. Nephelim, Seraphim,
Thrones, Dominions, Malakim... all are Archons, but seldom do they work
together for long, or in large numbers. At least not without much
conflict."
"Sometimes a handful of us will find we have goals which coincide, and
we will work together for as long as that condition exists. A few
have seen other worlds where cooperation is more common, and find the
concept interesting enough to try it for a while. But it never
lasts once there is divergence in views, and the leader of the group
loses control."
"We know a little of this Broken God cult. They are very
successful. They offer increased prestige, control of entire
worlds, slaves... For many people of these worlds, the Broken God
is the first they know of the Archons, and the last. They have a
strong leader who can hold them together at most times."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Excuse me," James takes a half-step
forward and glances at Aaron to make sure he's not interrupting before
continuing, directing his questions at Tamiel. "I'm
not sure I know all of the words you are suing. Which is to say,
I am familiar with them but perhaps in a different context. You
have introduced yourself as of the Nephelim, and I believe your
honourable companions here are probably Seraphim. Would I be
right in assuming that those of your kind that are covered in blades,
please forgive the crude terminology, are Thrones? And what then
are Dominions and Malakim?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ah... I see you have misunderstood. The terms Nephelim and Seraphim, Thrones and Dominions, and the others, refer to a broad category of thoughts and beliefs, not to a form."
Tamiel gestures to the other three with her, "We
are all Nephelim. We believe that we have things we can learn
from other peoples, simply by befriending them. Thrones prefer
covert study, and have found ways to disguise their presence in the
midst of others. Dominions rarely leave this world, preferring to
concentrate on their own lives. Most of those involved in the
Broken God project are Seraphim, though not all Seraphim follow that
path, even if most believe that other creatures are, at best,
insignificant."
"However, within each type, there is a wide spectrum of attitudes, and
there are those whose ideas blur the boundaries somewhat."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"And the Malakim are your...warriors. The bladed ones."
Cyan waves her hand toward the walls. "You have many of
them...they seem to be many in comparison to the others."
She despairs, inside. They came here looking for answers.
Hoping for answers. And for a time, Cyan felt she might actually
have a chance of finding some. But it's obvious that these
creatures, in this place, know little of their brethren's
activities. Or perhaps, she ruminates, it is that we do not ask the correct questions.
"From where do you hail?" she asks. "From this world? Or
another? From somewhere else entirely?" A hint of
excitement touches her tone as her amber eyes turn to the
Seraphim. "And what of these followers of the Broken God?
You call it a 'project'? Why is that? Where do they call
their home?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tamiel smiles, and for an instant all the splendour of her previous
gigantic form seems to flow out and fill the room with light.
"The Malakim are those who defend this
place. They enforce our laws and help to protect us from the
things that live beyond the end of all worlds. There are many... danioti, the bladed ones, among them, just as there are eshurianti like these three, and herenethi, such as ourselves, among the Malakim. There are danioti among the Nephelim and the Seraphim too, and among the other groups.
She stands then, and turns away from Cyan, just as one of the bladed
wheels appears through all four walls of the room, contracting to
something perhaps a little more than eight feet across.
"The danioti, like our beloved friend
Hecharoth, who we have called here, are by far the largest number of
our kindred. Like all the others, they may join any faction or
group, depending on their own views. Hecharoth is Nephelim, and
helps to hunt down those who commit crimes against worlds where we have
sworn an oath of protection."
"As to where we come from, this is the only world any of us have ever
called home. Even those who work to restore the one they call
Broken God."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
The huge form of the bladed Archon flowed into the room, and Aaron
found himself surprised that he was neither afraid, nor particularly
surprised at both the sheer size and the seemingly effortless
capabilities of not only this... danitoi... but also of Tamiel and her? its? companions.
"Tamiel, we may have run into a... piece, or pieces, of this 'Broken
God.' I know not where those pieces may lie any longer, but I will
admit that I am very intrigued by its existence. What do you know of
it, or of the project related to it?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We were just coming to that."
The Archon's voice is tinged with sadness as she continues, "Broken God. How we wish that we had never heard that name."
"Long ago, even by our standards, and we are a long-lived people compared to your kind, one of the herenthi found something while visiting another world. This herenthi, Metatron by name, came back here and brought word of the discovery - a thing that named itself Broken God. Metatron claimed that if the thing could be, somehow, made whole again, then it would serve as a powerful tool."
"Metatron saw Broken God as a tool for helping others, but the Seraphim
took the idea for themselves, claiming it as a weapon rather than a
tool."
She picks up a knife from the table, "This
is like Broken God. It can be used as a tool, making life easier
for the holder, or it can be used as a weapon, to take away life."
"A group of the Seraphim slew Metatron, and to this day he has shunned
contact with all others. The Seraphim then started their own
search for Broken God. It seems that Broken God is in many many
places, but only Metatron knows the location of the heart, and he refuses to reveal it, for fear that the Seraphim, who are now the largest group of Archons, will obtain it."
"The heart of Broken God would make their goal so much more
attainable. We Nephelim oppose them when we can, but we are much
fewer in number, and if we interfere in their scheme, then things go
badly for us."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron. Cyan's mouth forms the name, and a confused expression
comes in her topaz eyes. They glitter, slightly, in the odd
lighting.
Then she blinks at something else Tamiel says.
"A moment, Tamiel," the bard begins. "You say they slew Metatron. Yet, you speak of him as one who yet lives. Is
this possible? Has this Metatron somehow remained in existance
despite his 'death'? Or is this the case of all of your people?"
Perhaps it was an allegory of some kind, she thinks, puzzled and chilled by what she has heard. The heart.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin continues to remain silent and to listen. He's actually learning
more from this single conversation than he believed was possible. His
head continues to tilt back and forth as he stands beside Serena.
He should probably be scared and running and Devlin is surprised that
he's not. Perhaps it is his curiosity. He wants to know more. He
wonders... can he...
Devlin begins to concentrate on the creatures that surround the group...
[OOC: I hope that no one is tired of Devlin not doing anything yet and my continuous posts about him not doing anything.]
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron, the 'voice of god', in particular cultures and/or religions. Interesting, indeed.
Aaron felt the minds of everyone through the link that Berd had
established with the lot of them. The moment he felt one contract and
focus, not upon the group, but outwardly,
he immediatly focused his mental attention upon it. Someone was trying
to probe something in their surroundings, and he felt it was not a good
idea.
He was unfamiliar with this particular mind, unlike those of Berd or
Cyan or Arianne, or even Jack, for that matter. No doubt if he felt it,
he was certain Dorian and Berd and the others did as well.
Aaron made no outward note of it, and though he wished to warn whoever
was doing it to stop, he didn't want to cause any more alarm than
necessarry. He decided to wait it out and, if a storm did come, make
sure his group got out of it alive. Aaron immediately prepared himself
for both social and physical damage control.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian cleared his throat, and a slow, subtle smile caused his lips to curl slightly at the edges. "I'm
sure by now you understand we intend to stop their work, no matter the
cost or sacrifice. However, we've only just begun on this task--
seemingly moments ago-- and have had little time to gather information.
How should we go about this task?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee, like Devlin and Serena, says nothing as Cyan and Aaron, and now
Dorian too, question these beings. The arrival of the bladed one
had certainly been impressive, and he briefly wondered how large it
could grow. Had it originally surrounded the whole building,
however big that was?
Tamiel is talking about their politics. It seems that not all the
archons are evil world-murdering bastards. Just an awful lot of
them.
"I have a question, while everyone else is asking
stuff. Are there more of you opposed to this Broken God deal,
than support it?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin attention turns from the creatures to the man that seems to be
the groups spokesman, a thoughtfull look on his face. Perhaps he
is too used to being alone and not used to worrying about the safety of
others. His head tilts the other way, I stop for your safety, not my own. It is obvious from the thought that he means the entire group.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Tamiel regards Cyan with something resembling confusion, a look which
is mirrored by the three who stand with her, and perhaps by the bladed
wheel, though that one's expression is harder to read. "Do not your species reincarnate after death? Odd, we had thought... " her eyes narrow as she studies the bard, "Ah... no matter. We misunderstood."
"Metatron's mind, his spirit, if you will, transferred to a new body
soon after his death. He was fortunate that he had such a body
nearby, and had prepared for that eventuality. He always did
prefer to err on the side of caution." Again, the dazzlingly beautiful smile.
Next she turns to Dorian, "The
gathering of intelligence is important, as you realise, and you have an
opportunity to do so now. Ask what you will, and we will answer
it to the best of our ability, or summon those who may know more."
"And the answer to your question, Jonnee, is that those who do not buy
into the Broken God deal, as you put it, outnumber those who do, by two
to one. To forestall your next question, the problem lays in the
fact that not all of those who don't support it will actively oppose
it."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan frowns. There's something in what Tamiel is saying about
her, something important. These names, Metatron, Seraphim,
Nephillim...they sound so familiar to her. She isn't certain from
where, but if she could just put her finger on it....
Berd scratches his neck and yawns. Cyan jerks, ever so slightly,
her amethyst eyes clearing. She faces Tamiel, nodding slowly at
the woman's offer. Everyone else has questions, and good
ones. She doesn't know what Devlin was attempting, but he has
decided to set it aside, for now.
"You, those who would act, are outnumbered." She
stares warily at the bladed Archon - even here, in a place of safety,
the creature is disturbing. Very much so. They know
what the Followers of the Broken God do is wrong, but they do not
oppose them directly. They sit here, safe in their lands, and do
nothing. All because they believe themselves to be outnumbered.
Yes, they are very much like us. No different than any, in truth,
despite their glorious appearance. Perhaps some of them do work
against the Archons, but I see no will here to do so. Not yet.
"You cannot assist us physically, but you will do what you can to
help. Very well. I have questions, and one of your kind to
be summoned to answer. What is the Broken God? Where is its
heart?"
Her uncertainty is gone.
"We need to speak with Metatron."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
The others are asking their questions and Devlin has his own and he's
sure that this being can do many things at the same time. No one can
learn without asking questions. There is danger in everything but the
biggest danger is ignorance. There was contact from this being and
Devlin tries to keep that contact open.
Sure now that only he is in any danger if his decision is wrong Devlin takes a step forward, moving within reach of Tamiel.
Aloud, he asks, "May I touch you?" Tilting his head to the side he
holds out his left hand, not that he thinks it really matters but he'd
rather not reach out with the gauntleted arm.
Devlin waits and watches Tamiel, waiting for a response.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sighing, Aaron shook his head and moved towards the table, taking up a chair and dropping himself into it.
"Pardon me, but I've been on my feet for quite a while. Best to get my rest where I can."
Aaron gestured to Cyan and Tamiel, nodding his head in their directions.
"Cyan, you once more reflect my own ideas as well. Though Metatron may
hide himself, it would be good for us to speak to him, if he'd have our
company. He need not speak with our entire group, either."
"Tamiel, allow me to extend a personal apology. Sometimes I... have a
habit of underestimating those around me, and you have shown me but one
folly of my ways." He smiled somewhat, disturbing the scarring across
his face. "Another question I have for you, aside from the location of
Metatron, is this. Do you require anything from us?
We travel worlds not merely for knowledge or to seek an end to
destruction, but also, when we can, to help those who require aid. That
aid extends to your kind as well, for I would not wish to extend
towards you, the negative attitudes that we may hold against our
enemies."
The way Tamiel speaks of their kind... I find reflections of Amber's
family, and even a small tinge of the beasts of Ald Thiriel, in their
society. I can relate to these beings in some small part.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You do much for us simply by opposing this
threat to yourselves. There is a thing which Hecaroth has pointed
out though, something important to your cause. She inclines her head towards the bladed wheel, then continues, "You
carry with you certain items. Hecharoth can detect them, as can
all of his kind. Each of the tesseracts contains at its heart a
fragment of a danioti, and other danioti can sense it over vast distances. Not infinite, but vast."
"When you brought those items close to any danioti, they
would be allerted to your presence, if not your exact location.
As you came closer, they would gain a more precise idea of that
location."
"You must dispose of them, but not here."
"I will contact Metatron, if you so desire?
Though he may not come, and I believe you would not be welcomed at his
dwelling, nor find the conditions there tolerable."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Reaching into his jacket, Aaron removed the cubes from within its
confines. Setting them upon the table before him, he shook his head
again.
"These things are what's been causing all of our trouble... or most of it, anyway."
"We'll find a place to dispose of these. Someplace ridiculously hostile
and dangerous." He said with a slight chuckle added. "As far as
Metatron is concerned, I'd most certainly like to meet him." Raising
his eye to the rest of his companions, he looked at each of them in
turn. "What say you lot?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin lowers his hand but does not step back although he does turn to
look i Dorian's direction. Head tilted to the side as he contemplates
the man for a moment.
Then his attention returns to the beings that surround him. He knows he
can easily take on their form, albeit in a much smaller size. The
humanoid with multiple wings or the wheel shapes. Now that he has seen
them he's sure of that. But in order to mimic their powers, even in a
small way, he must see, or rather feel, them used. So far all he is
sure of is that they can change forms, float through the air, and
easily penetrate his own thoughts.
Devlin resumes his study, watching and feeling for anything that they
may do, the same way he has studied other creatures in the past.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
"If that is the wisest course, then most certainly we should talk to
Metatron. Or would it be wiser to discover the location of the heart
and set our sights on that objective? As far as Intelligence, I would
know more of the weaknesses of our foes, not just individually, but
when we find a camp of them that must be broken up. In addititon, I
would know the mental strength of my foes, and what would happen if I
confronted one directly, mind to mind, which of your species is
strongest in mind, and would one of them be willing to engage in a
friendly duel of wills?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Considering your particular talents, Dorian, I'd allow such a
contest." he smiled slightly after that. "Not that I'd be able to stop
you, aside from ordering you... but I too, am curious as to the mental
limitations of our enemies, though not necesserally the entire Archon
populace."
Cloistering himself mentally within the personal walls of Arianne's
defense, he hid himself from the minds of Dorian, and even Berd.
Perhaps it would do me well also, if I discovered just what happened to Jack on that Archonite stronghold. I only know they
captured him... but he had the reactions of one who had been broken and
in bondage.
It seems best then, to allow Dorian this test. If, that is, Tamiel and her guards would allow it.
The connection regained amongst the group, Aaron passed his gaze to Tamiel and awated her reaction.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Tesserect," Cyan whispers, nodding slowly. "A hypercube."
Another word that, given her vocabulary, sounds odd falling from her
mouth. "So there is a blade within that...small wonder they have
had little difficulty following us."
In a sense, they are all one, these danioti. Did we not see one of them absorb the blades of another?
She nods to Aaron's decision to destroy the cubes. Easily done, in fact...far more easily than one might think. Aaron, worry not. When we leave here, Berd can either dispose of or hide the cubes. We should discuss that, though.
She bows to Tamiel, staring at the woman with considering emerald eyes
as she offers to contact Metatron. Her eyes then flick to Dorian,
watching, measuring as he begins to consider strategies, and what
information he requires. No, not just information - knowledge,
experience in struggling with one of these creatures. And perhaps more? Layers on layers. Dorian can be a mass of hidden agendas, this she does not doubt.
Trustworthy? Yes, this too, she does not doubt. Trustworthy
to do what he thinks is best for us...and not to do something
precipitous without inquiry. With a thousand years of experience,
I suspect he knows what he is doing.
And I shall trust to that.
"Metatron may be capable of giving us the location of the heart, though
it might prove difficult to convince him." Cyan shrugs. "We
must make the attempt - it would be quicker than searching for it
ourselves. I only hope we can convince him."
Berd hacks up a small puff of smoke, then bats at it curiously with his foreclaws.
"Should Metatron not wish to speak to me, I am willing to brave the
danger of his dwelling to implore him," Cyan continues quietly.
"I have my own means of protection against dangerous worlds."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
His misunderstanding resolved, James merely listens as the others
continue to question Tamiel, each in their own way. Dorian's
request for a contest of wills is no great surprise, but James is
curious about Cyan's, or perhaps that should be Berd's, protection from
the hostile environment outside and about Devlin's request to touch
Tamiel.
Oh. Silly me. I thought we'd already
ditched the cubes after you decided they drew the ambush down on
us. And we brought them here. The enemy will know we've
visited their homeworld. James gives the mental equivalent of a sigh.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Silly is correct, James. It seems no matter how
many times we're warned and ambushed, Aaron seems intent on holding
onto them.... he was warned as far back as his own homeworld by one he
trusts, even. And warned that something they carried was a beacon
before that..... I'm sorry, Aaron, but I cannot fathom why we yet carry
them with us. They do nothing but endanger us and our mission... it is
becoming worthy of suspicion.... Twice I have held my tongue, but I
must insist we do something about them, and soon.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rather than sigh, Aaron sent a mental chuckle through the link.
Concern yourselves not with my designs, friends. I had every
intention of removing these annoyances from our presence.
Unfortunately, we were... delayed, before I could impliment my idea.
Cyan, however, informs me that we needent worry about it. You would do
well to take her word to heart.
Aaron ran a hand through his hair and leaned his head back to gaze up at the ceiling for a moment.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Metatron... will come. Soon. We
managed to impress upon him the importance of this matter. There
is something he must complete first, but it will take only a short
time, even by your own standards."
Tamiel seems to relax, as if she had been deeply concerned regarding Metatron's answer. "Be warned, though, that since his death he has been... well, you would call him 'a little cranky', we believe."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shoots a sharp, ruby glance toward Tamiel as she paces, then
slowly nods, relaxing. A wan smile crosses her face. "My
thanks, Tamiel - you may have assisted us a great deal. I shall
endeavor to hold to patience, here. There is too much at stake to
risk butting heads with the one being who might hold the knowledge we
require to save billions."
Too much...far, far too much. It's all she can do to hold
back from crying out at the Archons, from shaking them. Do they
know what's at stake? They must! And yet they concern
themselves with Metatron's mood. Perhaps they were wise to do so,
she reflects. Metatron may deny them the knowledge they require
if they approach him too quickly. Diplomacy is required, here,
despite the urgency. The thought makes her faintly ill, but she
bows to necessity.
Berd can and will remove the cubes...he can do
so, now, if you desire, but does not wish to give himself away to these
people. I am uncertain as to why.
Berd, on her shoulder, lies down and promptly goes to sleep. Apparantly.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian merely nods and waits.
It was apparent, now as much as ever; they were all doomed.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
We will wait, Cyan. Somehow, I believe that it won't matter one way
or the other that the Archons knew we were here. I think they'll be
focused, not on the fact that we were here, but rather, on wanting to
know of what we learned while we were. Either way, it won't be
any different from our current state of affairs, and this place is in
just as much danger as any other. Perhaps even less, considering its
population.
Rising from his chair, Aaron glanced at the cubes upon the table for a
moment, before returning them to his jacket once more. Such troublesome
objects, indeed.
"It pleases me, Tamiel, that Metatron has decided to join us. He may
arrive when he deems it proper. You have my thanks, on behalf of my
group." he said, returning his attention to their hosts.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
A few minutes pass and everybody eats, including the Archons, though they do so sparingly.
Another fire wheel appears, and shifts form. This one does not
adopt a human shape though, seemingly preferring the form of a
six-armed winged giant, wreathed in flame.
"We greet you, Metatron, it is good of you to agree to join us." Tamiel stands as the creature strides towards the table, "I am sure you will agree that the matter is, at least, as important as I described, when you have spoken to these visitors."
The fiery giant studies the group at the table, then points directly at Cyan, "WHY HAVE YOU FETCHED THAT HERE?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
When the giant being comes through the wall, Cyan is awestruck, again,
by the appearance it takes on. Awe turns to shocked surprise, and
the bard blinks topaz eyes in confusion, glancing at the others with
some worry evident on her face. "Greetings," she manages, almost
stumbling over the word. "My apologies, but I am not-"
The bard, obviously shaken, turns toward the others with a quizzical,
almost frightened expression on her features. Then she swings
back toward Metatron, drawing herself up. "You know me,
sir? I fear you have me at a disadvantage - I do not believe we
have ever met."
Inside, her stomach turns over sickeningly. Something is wrong, here. Desperately wrong.
I know their names...like a half-forgotten dream. I know their forms, but I have never seen them before.
Spirits help me, what is happening?
Berd remains silent, but in the link his shadowy presence is close, now, and tense.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Silence over the link...from Berd, in any case.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron found himself somewhat surprised. Not by the form of Metatron,
but rather the direction of the being's attentions. It seemed to know
either Cyan or Berd, and considering Cyan's seeming dumbfoundedness,
Aaron figured it was Berd.
Not wanting to incite the wrath of Metatron, and since he was quite
curious as to why Berd was so silent, he decided to let the drama
continue. If it got out of hand... well, he hoped it wouldn't.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian's mind spreads like an inky cloud across the thoughtsteam of the
coterie, soothing and reassuring, but much like the defense mechanism
of a startled squid. There is the mental impression of a hiss, a sharp
intake of breath, bracing for something.
The dark man's posture straightens, and his cloak seems to envelope
him, like a comforting blanket. His eyes narrow and sweep the room.
Cyan, be calm! We don't know what he
means, but whatever you do don't give too much away in your emotions or
your face. For all we know it could be a ruse to shake us up--
doubtful, yes-- just find a calm place inside yourself and stay there
until we assess the situation. You're among friends.
Berd.... do you know what this is about? Does he mean you or Cyan? You
hinted once there was more to Cyan than she herself knew. If you know--
or even suspect-- something, old man, we need information expeditiously.
And can someone try to stall Metatron for a moment-- verbally, I mean....
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee's first impulse is to switch to combat mode. This Metatron seems to have some problem with Cyan, or perhaps Berd. That
means, as far as Jonnee is concerned, that he has a problem with Jonnee
and Hunter too.
But there are people, friends, calling for calm. He restrains
himself, waiting to see what happens next. He grabs Hunter by the
scruff, and lets the wolf know that things haven't gone that far yet.
Maybe it's all just a misunderstanding?
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James takes a half-step forward and to the front, positioning himself
behind Cyan's left shoulder. He draws at the re-assurance Dorian
sends at the same time as beating it away furiously, angered that
Dorian has imposed his will over the link.
In his mind, James pictures himself in ceremonial full plate, ornate
but still indisputably practical. If these Archons can read his
thoughts, and James suspects they can, link or no, the implication
should be obvious. At the same time James hands stay well clear
of Fangmir at his side, it is not his intention to present an immediate
threat.
OOC: James will speak to 'stall' Metatron, but
making assumptions about reaction time, I thought it better to let the
Archon speak again first.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin quietly watches the proceedings. The creature is not pointing at
him. He wonders why this Metatron called Cyan a thing. Not that Devlin
had missed the way parts of her seemed to change colors. Perhaps he
should be studying the Cyan instead of the Archons. Devlin does stop
studingy the Archons though so as not to upset Metatron further.
On the outside Devlin looks calm, but on the inside... He has never seen so many interesting things.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd looks a bit nonplussed. Then a new voice echoes through the
link before Cyan can reply to Dorian*. Old, tired, and more than
a little curious. And very, very alien.
(Designation: Voice/firewheel/Metatron) {indicates/pointsto} I/Berd, not (Cyanfriend).
Then, almost as though 'turning' to Dorian.
I/Berd {told/explained} to (Shademind/icespirit), I/Berd {need/require} to (give/offer) {knowledge/information} I/Berd have {acquired/remembered} recently. Possible/likely I/Berd have {contacted/met/fought?} (Spiritwheels/brightmessengers) in (distantpast/longago)? Perhaps...
There is a pause and consideration.
Did I/Berd {assist/help} in {slaying/murder} of (Voice/firewheel)?
I/Berd do not {recall/remember}, (Shademind/icespirit). Frustration spikes the link for an instant.
All of this information is imparted in an instant of psychic communication, to all of the Questors.
*OOC - Like James, Cyan has things to say, but...probably not before
the Archons say something. Berd, on the other hand, talks
faster. :) Metaphorically, as well.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Metatron! They are our guests. You
will explain to us why you have come here in this aspect and threaten
those who we have welcomed." Tamiel's form shimmers and flows, and she too is a winged giant once more, and in each hand she holds a curved sword.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron stops in his tracks as Tamiel confronts him.
For a long moment he faces her, without speaking. When he does finally break his silence, he seems somewhat subdued, "Our
apologies, Tamiel. The lapse was... unforgivable. If you
have offered these creatures your protection then we have no right to
approach them in such a manner."
"There is though, something you should know about one of your guests."
"That one," again he points, "is
not what it appears to be, and by being here it may destroy you.
Indeed it may already have brought unwanted attention upon us all."
"If we had ever suspected that this time might come... But no, it
is too late for such regrets now. This creature, which you have
welcomed into your dwelling, Tamiel, despite its appearance, is a
remnant of the thing which shattered the Broken God. If the
Seraphim suspected that it held such power within it... "
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
With the threat of open hostility subsiding, James lets the image of
armour drop from his mind. Indeed, it's hard to concentrate on
any one thing while trying to absorb the implications of what Metatron
had revealed.
This creature...is a remnant of the thing which shattered the Broken
God. Do the Seraphim know this? No, they can't, we'd be
dead already. A remnant? Thing? How can a living
creature be a remnant of a thing?
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan's head snaps back and forth like a whip - first to Metatron, then
to Dorian, then back again. Her eyes have gone hard and sharp,
agate chips with razor edges as she struggles to deal with at least two
different stresses. Possibly more.
Dorian - what, exactly, did Berd tell you?
I - no, this is not the time for it. I will hold to
control. The threat here, I think, is minimal. A surge of frustration ripples through the link, directed at both the current standoff and, apparantly, Berd.
And Tamiel has now stepped in, with more information forthcoming from
Metatron. Cyan blinks at the revelation, but doesn't take her
gaze from the hostile Archon, not now, and watches the bladed wheel
from the corner of her eyes.
Berd has sat up on her shoulder, eyeridges cocked, and now his tail
rises, much as a hand might, and points the tip back at himself.
He might as well be waving a 'Who, me?' sign.
We place these people in danger. Our presence is a
threat. Metatron will likely not discuss with Aaron or the others
while we reside here. Stepping forward, Cyan raises her hand, slinging Kirilindë over her shoulder by its red cord (and narrowly missing beaning the
little dragon). "Aaron, you have a means to bespeak me?
Well, it might be best for all that Berd and I left, for a short time,
to provide our hosts with more safety."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Despite the fact that Aaron didn't like the idea of any of his group departing, he also felt that it would befit them well to
err on the side of caution. At Cyan's request, he nodded in affirmation.
"So be it. I understand your reasons, and agree. We'll take care of
things here, Cyan, but I expect an explanation from a particular drake
when we meet again. Oh, and take these with you, please."
Aaron reached into his jacket and handed the cubes to Cyan.
"If you plan on going far, it would do me good to know that those
things were no longer a concern of ours. If our enemies are going to
track them, then let them track them into the depths of oblivion."
Placing a hand on her shoulder, he nodded and slowly sighed.
"I'll call you when we're finished."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin watches what unfolds before him. He's still somewhat lost but
he's catching on. Then the Archon, the name name means nothing to him,
says some interesting things. Devlin is then sure it is this Cyan, or
perhaps it's the small dragon like creature, that he should be studying.
...And he's sure he will learn what was discovered here eventually...
Doing as he has always tended to do he goes in the direction that his
curiousity takes him. Cyan suggests that she should leave. Aaron tells
her to go.
Devlin steps quickly over to Cyan, "I would accompany you, if there is no objection." he says to the woman.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Devlin, the ghost in the crowd, suddenly stepped up and approached
Cyan. Aaron was surprised that the man, so silent until now, bothered
to ask. Not only that, he felt it was a good idea.
And besides, with herself and Berd together, Aaron figured Cyan wasn't
in much danger. If Serena could trust him, then Aaron supposed he could
as well.
"I think that's a good idea, actually. Cyan, if you'd allow it, I'd prefer if... Devlin, right? If Devlin went along with you."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, as the discussion continues, lances a burning-eyed glance at
Aaron, then draws himself up. His wings open for an instant, then
shut.
The bridge between the Questors dissolves like ice in a blast furnace.
An instant later, Cyan jerks, a wounded look coming into her ruby
eyes. Reaching out, she takes the cubes, both of them.
"I...we will destroy them. Berd knows of a place." A slight
wince, then, as Berd curls up on her shoulder, angrily turning his back
on the entire situation.
Biting her lip worriedly, Cyan glances at Devlin and motions for him to come closer.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dorian seems to bristle for a moment. Looking from Aaron to Cyan and then to Devlin. Cyan
had questions for me earlier, Aaron. And we no nothing of the one who
accompanies here. I would accompany her, as well, if there are no
objections."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Devlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
The look on Cyan's face somehow says that she did not expect to be
leaving even though she had offered. Perhaps he is wrong, but he thinks
that actually being told she should leave bothered her.
Then Cyan motions him closer and he steps as close to her as he can.
His head tilts to the side as he waits to see what happens. Will their
leaving be similar to his entrance? He remains quiet as he waits.
He thinks about the place they are in while he does so. It is very odd,
but he feels he has leaned as much about it and the beings that inhabit
it as he is going to at the moment.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"A very good idea, Dorian, though I'd wish your particular capacities were with
me here. Go, then, and I'll contact you at the proper time."
Sighing, Aaron ran a hand through his long hair, turning then to Metatron.
"We've questions for you, Metatron, and we'll accomodate your desires.
I am Aaron, of Ald Thiriel, and I lead this fantastic brigade. Do you
require anything else specific, save for the exodus of one of my
companions?" Aaron's voice, though firm, still held the smallest
aggravation at that last comment. He didn't like the idea of seperating
his group at all, but felt it necessarry.
And he had other things that were agitating him as well. Misunderstadings best left spoken of at a later time.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Dorian," Cyan says in a hesitant voice, holding our her hand and
waving the man over. "I shall need you here." As Aaron
turns back to his discussion with the Archons, Cyan gives Devlin a
quick, reassuring smile, then looks with some worry at Berd, who simply
snorts a small cloud of crimson smoke into the air.
When Dorian arrives, Cyan gives the dark man a crooked grin, and shrugs
her shoulders as if to say 'Well, what can you do?' Raising her
hand in farewell to both Jonnee and James, she whispers, tightly, "Berd
is...extremely displeased. To say the least. He will be
removing us through a different route, to our destination. One
that is not his usual method of World Walking." She cocks her
head. "Were the situation different, I would be curious...I had
thought Berd only capable of a single means of-"
Berd, hissing angrily, clambers to his feet. Cyan shoots him an annoyed glance of her own. "Yes, very well! I did apologize, did I not?" Still fuming, literally as well as
figuratively, Berd turns round and round on her shoulder for a moment,
before sitting up straight.
His eyes fall on Dorian, and the little dragon warbles, once. Then Berd's eyes flare -
-there is a pull-
- and the three people grow transluscent, fading away completely, seeming to dissolve into an unknown distance.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron glowers at the empty air where the four had been, "This
is as we feared. The creature is regaining its memory of the
powers it once possessed. In small measures, it is certain, but
regaining them it is."
"And with each recovered memory, the danger grows that it will be recognised for what it is."
"Metatron. Our guests have questions. They seek answers only you can give." Tamiel's voice is calm, soothing, and it seems to have an effect on the distraught-seeming Metatron.
"Yes. You are right, Tamiel. We came
because you impressed upon us your belief that these creatures might be
able to undo the damage which has been done by our discovery."
"Very well. Ask your questions."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I wish to know what happened from the beginning, Metatron. What caused
the Broken God, if you know of it, and how did you come to discover it?
There are other questions as well, such as, why does the search for the
pieces of the Broken God continue?"
Sighing, Aaron shook his head.
"So many questions and so little time." Turning to the remainder of his group, Aaron made sure they gained eye-contact.
"Any questions you may have would also be appreciated. It'd be foolish of me to pursue only my own answers."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee watches Cyan and the others simply fade away, and doesn't
react. Instead he bahaves as if he's seen this a million times
before. After all, it wouldn't do to let Tamiel and her crew know
exactly what the capabilities of the group are.
He nods at Aaron's suggestion, "Go for it, Noble Leader. If I think you're missing anything important, I'll shout out."
He gives Aaron a broad grin, and a thumbs-up.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan's offer to leave takes James a little off-guard. He is about
to offer to accompany her when Devlin volunteers. Not knowing the
man, James might still have stepped forward but Dorian, too, offers to
go. James had assumed Dorian would want to stay to hear
Metatron's information. Still, between Berd's powers and
Dorian's, it would take far more than Devlin to threaten the departing
group.
Satisfied, James turns his attention once more to the Archons. As Aaron makes eye-contact he shrugs, "I'm with Jonnee. You fire away and we'll chip in if we need to."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"From the beginning?" Metatron smiles, wryly, "We do not believe we have that much time."
"We have not always been as you see us now, reclusive and
isolated. In our youth we spent what you would call millennia
wandering wherever we felt the urge to go. We would dance on the
surface of suns and delve deep into the hearts of worlds. In
short, we had no cares."
The Archon's face seems to soften, as it relates the tale of its carefree life, but then grows dour again.
"Then we found the place that changed our
existence. On a world where all things had died, we found a
fragment of the Broken God, though we did not know then what it was,
laying on a burning battlefield. All around where the signs of a
titanic struggle, and in the midst of the wreckage and ruin was the
creature you brought with you."
"Using guile, and the offer of nourishment, we were able to draw the
creature away. We are not sure that such a stratagem would work
now, for it seems... enlarged somehow."
"But we digress. We studied the remnant of the thing which had
fallen on the battlefield, and found that it held power akin to our
own, though much greater. We saw in it a potential for great good, if that power
could be harnessed as a tool. With power such as that, we could
have restored the ruined world where it lay."
"Much later, on other worlds, we found other fragments. In one
place we even found a heart, still beating, revered by savages.
That heart held vastly more power than all the other fragments we had
found, put together."
"Here, others of our people were showing an interest in the fragments,
and many spoke of using them for conquest and domination, not for
healing and mending. We determined to leave the heart concealed,
to protect it from those who would use it for ill."
"Then they came for us. They tormented and slew us, but we would not reveal where the heart was hidden." The Archon's dour expression seems filled, now, with infinite sadness.
"And so we hid ourselves away, while the Seraphim
search worlds for fragments of the Broken God, conquering and
subjugating. It is, we believe, their eventual aim to rule all worlds. To this end, they constantly seek as many weapons as they
can find. They use the Broken God to twist creatures to their
will, making things which feed upon worlds, breaking them so that they
can be more easily transformed to resemble this one."
"And they milk those creatures, to provide nourishment for the Broken
God, in the hope that the fragments will grow, each becoming whole
again."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron's story was quite interesting. If what he was tellign them was
true, then it meant that there was a time when Berd was both more than
he is now, and also... somehow less.
There was just so much for Aaron to absorb, so taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly and asked yet another question.
"You referred to a 'power akin to your own.' What is this power exactly?"
If there was a way around their power... perhaps they could figure out a way to cut off the rogue Archons at their source.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee listens to the Archon's tale. It's about what he'd
expected: noble ambition betrayed by those with less lofty goals.
Then the mention is made of "milking" creatures, and something springs
into his mind.
"Didn't somebody mention a thing that ate worlds? If nothing else this story confirms the connection with the Seraphs, the orbs, and the world-eaters."
"What do you know about the orbs, Metatron?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"We have only one power, if you can call it that. The power to be as we are. That is the only power anything has." Metatron replies, then inclines his head towards Tamiel, briefly, before continuing, "It
seems that some of your companions asked questions of a similar nature
before they left. We can only offer you the same answer as they
were given by Tamiel. We are as fish in a river. We draw
our life from that river, as a fish breathes the water, and move
through it as a fish moves through its own world. Yet, like the
fish, we do not understand the river, nor how we breathe and
swim. We only know that we do, which is sufficient for our needs."
"As to these orbs... can we take it that you have encountered a world
where the Seraphim have placed one of their harvesting devices?
You have been told that we are a people of disparate factions.
Even among the Seraphim, there is no unity of purpose."
"Some seek to gather the parts of Broken God from as many worlds as
they can find. Others seek to heal the parts that they already
have. Still others are content to possess only a single part, and
use it for their own dark purpose. Only when something threatens
to take Broken God from them will they unite, and then only briefly."
A sigh, and then, "This has always been our way. Disunity."
"No matter, for we cannot change our very nature."
"Tell us, what would you do if you encountered another harvester, another orb?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Yes, Metatron, we have run into the orbs on numerous occaisons. They are... perplexing, to say the least."
"What would I do?" Chuckling, Aaron reached into his
jacket and removed from within its confines, the deactivated orb he had
recovered from San Anyn, not so long ago.
"I have already done what I wished to do with this thing. Examined it
to the best of my own knowledge and understanding. Others of my party
have also investigated such things, but though I may know of its inner
workings, the circutry that makes up the orb, how it works is beyond my
understanding. What it does, however, is very easy to understand. It is a tool, and it is a tool that kills."
Aaron swept the orb through the air before him, rolling its weight
across his hands and knuckles, passing it from palm to palm before
settling the sphere within them.
"I removed this orb from a world I cherish and ruled once, long ago. I
would not have that world become a dead husk, and it has taken great
sacrifice to remove the few orbs that we have come into contact with.
Even now such a thing fills me with regret and rage."
Rasing that single eye from the orb and up to the imposing form of
Metatron, Aaron's multicolored spiralling gaze penetrated as far as
possible.
"You tell me then, Meatatron. What would you have us do
with the orbs that we find? Is the orb I hold here also a bane to you
and mine, as the cubes were? Can we use these orbs against the arguing
factions of your kind, who seek to destroy that which we hold most
dear? I wonder."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena had listened and stayed primarily in the background. When Devlin
offered to accompany Cyan she felt an odd twinge but quickly snuffed
it. After all, he was probably just being Devlin.
As she listened she realized how much she still really didn't
understand about what was going on. She felt a bit as though she had
walked on a stage in a play where everyone knew the plot, the lines,
the props ...except for her.
As she walked over to Jonee whom she had felt most comfortable, and was
drawn most to him next to Cyan when they all first met she leaned over
and whispered so close to him that only he could hear and her mouth
barely moved.""Jonee,
I fel like a fish out of water. I have not been with you since the
beginning and all this talk of cubes and orbs has me quite confused .
Would you be willing to spend some time explaining some things to me
one on one. Or perhaps mind to mind?" The look on Serena's face
and in her emerald eyes showed her sincerity ad genuine confusion.
Surely Jonee would know that as a healer she would never take advantage
mind to mind in a negative way.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Don't worry, Serena, I felt like that for a while, and I'd been briefed by Cain, so I knew what he thought was going on." Jonnee whispers, with a sympathetic smile, then adds, "Turns out he didn't have a clue. So much for Amberites being Lords of Creation."
He lays a hand on her shoulder, and says softly, "As soon as we get a minute to ourselves, I'll tell you what I know, and answer any questions you have."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena gave Jonee a grateful smile and replied,"Thanks I relly appreciate that. Oh and by the way it wasn't my mother who sent me the visions. I'll explain later.". Serena made very careful not to talk at a level any louder than the maximumit would take for Jonee to hear her.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The orbs are a bane, yes. But not in the
same way as the cubes you carried for so long are. The orbs will
not harm us directly, nor draw the Seraphim to them. They harm us
in that they destroy other worlds, a thing we find distressing."
"We would seek them out ourselves, and deal with them, but we cannot move as quietly as you do though the worlds."
Metatron pauses, in thought, appearing to carefully consider Aaron. "There may be a better way than destruction."
"What if we were to show you a way to sour them? Instead of
giving nourishment, they would... poison Broken God. This would
not heal the damaged worlds, nor even prevent further damage, but the
harvester would taint the nourishment it passed on."
"However, you must remember that such a stratagem alone will not defeat
the Seraphim, for not all of them use the same methods. Their end
may be similar, but their means are varied."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"An interesting possibility, Metatron, certainly one that I will have
to extend to the remainder of my comrades. I too understand that there
are many other risks involved in this mission, rather than those who
wish to pursue the Broken God."
Aaron calmed noticibly, and nodded to the great being before him.
"Yes, understandable indeed. But how would such a task be accomplished?
The orbs themselves are numerous, and more than likely uncountable. How
would we go about reversing the entirety of the system?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The orbs are indeed many, but they are not infinite in number, and you are immortal, are you not?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena had been quiet up until this point letting Aaron do the talking but she approached the Metatron and replied,""I cannot speak for everyone here but the majority of us are not immortal. We are long lived,Yes. However, we are not immortal."
Serena glanced briefly at Aaron wondering if he would be upset by her
speaking up. Having second thoughts she wondered if it would have been
better to let the Metatron think they were immortal. However, as usual
her bluntness and honesty came out. She truly hoped she hadn't made an
essential error.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
Really? I thought the children of Oberon were immortal?
James decided he would need to discuss that with Serena later. In the meantime,
"The difficulty is not that we would grow old before
completing the task, it is that in the time it took us to reverse one
orb, the Serpahim and their allies, who are many, could set up another
10. Without a means to affect many orbs at once we would only
serve to slow them down and not very much at that."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jonnee almost chokes as he tries not to laugh outright at Metatron's words.
It takes him a few seconds to recover, and even then he's still trying
to suppress a grin, the corners of which threaten to meet at the back
of his head.
He puts one hand in front of his mouth, even though he knows these things can probably read his mind, and mutters to Serena, "Wow! I've heard of long-term planning, but that's ridiculous."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena looked to Jonee with a twinkle of amusement in her green eyes.
Serena placed a hand slightly over her mouth to stifle the urge to
laugh . After getting herself under control she whispered back ""I had some plans for the future but this is a bit of overkill.". It was obvious Serena was joking but at the same time it held a note of sincerity,
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron seems genuinely puzzled by the concept that these creatures
before him are not immortal, and that they would be so concerned with
the duration of any task. He gazes intently at Aaron, then at
James, Jonnee and Serena, each in turn.
"Forgive us, we had not realised you were so...
restricted in your relationship to the worlds around you. It is
different for us. Time has different meaning."
"We can demonstrate the method for tainting an orb, if you wish?
There are places, we believe where the Seraphim make, and store, the
orbs. It might be easier to find such a place and taint many at
once."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Metatron gazed upon him, and Aaron met that gaze with a slow widening
of his one eye. There was a single, firm nod, and that was all the
confirmation Metatron would require.
There was the talk of lifespans, states of being, and the differences
of understanding. Sighing, Aaron decided to lay his mind on the matter.
"My family line is extremely long lived. There are wolves in my family that have lived for four times the score that I can remember I've lived. You are correct in stating the phrase immortal,
Metatron, for many, the length of my lifespan could be considered as a
sort of undying state. 'Immortal' fits, as far as I'm concerned."
Raising a hand, Aaron clenched it into a fist and swiftly lowered it to his side in a finalizing gesture.
"So be it. Your offer interests me on a deeper level than you know,
Metatron. I will do what must be done, even until my immortality is no
longer a factor."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena turned and looked at Aaron and decied to ask what was on her mind whether or not it offended. ""Aaron,
I was just wondering. You see when we first met you said you had sworn
allegiance to one Fiona of Amber, my mother. Is this in conflict with
what you agreed to do for her or is it all part of the same?"
Serena wasn't going to make a decision on whether or not to take on
this task until this was answered and the others who had been part of
the time longer had had there say.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"'Allegiance' is a far heavier word than what I swore to Fiona, Serena.
I told Fiona I'd do my damndest to save reality, but I do not serve Fiona. I am merely her messenger. Her particularly violent, and sometimes stumbling messenger, but a messenger nonetheless."
Aaron turned and faced Serena now, and he realised then that he hardly
knew the woman. It seemed to him as if they had just met, for it had
not been long that they were in eachother's company.
"What we are about to take part in not only encompasses this mission,
but it also encompasses the future as well. Conflict? I see no conflict
with what I swore to Fiona. I also swore to serve and attempt to lead
this ragtag band, since at the time, nobody else wanted the job or
could decide on a proper leader. It's a damn tough job, and one I'm
still not used to, but as I said, I see no conflict. I wonder though,
what are you really worred about, Serena? My plans, or whether or not I
serve your mother?"
Grinning slightly, Aaron leaned forwards, his eye a myriad cascade of autumnal colors.
"Do you know how wolves act when they're cornered, Serena?"
Running a hand through his hair, Aaron rose, turned and faced Metatron.
"I say again, let it be so, great Metatron! You spoke of a storehouse
with orbs that need deactivating? I am more than willing to put in the
effort and make the trip. Show me the ways, old one, so that we may
accomplish our task and take our final rest!"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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James looks uncertain.
"Um, Aaron? I thought we were going to ask
where the Broken God's heart could be found? I'm all for
corrupting a few storehouses full of orbs, but the heart could end
this."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
-----------------------------------------------------------
Serena listened to aaron speak and the longer he spoke the more
offended she became. Obviously he had not paid much attention when she
had told her story or he wouldn't have said what he had said.
"Aaron, I have no worries about whether you serve my Mother and your
plans are your own. I thought I made it quite clear when we spoke that
I avoided family business as much as possible. I am sorry if my
question offended you, however, I do not much like being threatened for
asking a simple question for clarification. I do know how wolves act
when cornerd, however, I do not believe that my question was serious
enough to have equaled that comparison." Serena said calmly but with a
slight flush to her cheeks.
Serena then turned to the Metatron and said,"Metatron, I know a great
deal about taint. The many forms it takes. Is it possible to remove the
taint from the Orbs if one has a talent for such athing rather than
destroying them?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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"The orbs are untainted. What we offer is a
means to taint them, to corrupt the orbs and make them more than
useless to the Seraphim cause.
"A destroyed orb would be noticed, and soon replaced. A corrupted orb would be less easily noticed, and would do actual harm to their work as it continued to function. It would reverse the
nourishment of Broken God, rather than simply impeding it."
"It would, however, continue to draw sustenance from the world it lays
upon, either directly or through the beasts that the Seraphim have
created for this purpose, but for many worlds that matters not, since
they are too far gone to sustain life, and cannot be repaired."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena understood now and frankly it is not any harder to taint
something then it is to remove a taint in Serena's experiences. " I
understand now Metatron. I can see what you mean to do now. Thank you
for the clarification."
Serena planned to still wait on th eothers to decide what they would do
before committing herself. it seemed a worthy cause, but at the same
time it sounded like it would take quite a bit of doing and time in
doing it. Which would mean giving up her life's work for an unknown
period.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Sighing, Aaron shook his head. Half the time, his mind was on things far larger than even he could grasp. This entire trip had been full of surprises, twists and
turns, and he had a habit of shoving things he didn't really think were
pertinent at the time, into the back of his head. It was all quite
confusing, really.
"In time, James." was all Aaron managed to respond before Metatron
righted his senses. There was, it seemed, quite a few catches to this
new gift. Catches that he didn't exactly prefer, but didn't seem he
could get around. Yet.
"Hmm. I understand now, Metatron. As James said, however, we know about
the heart of the Broken God, and we've heard you have access to it. You
must understand that any piece of the Broken God, especially the heart, is of great importance
to our mission. Could destroying the heart eliminate the threat of the
Broken God?"
Aaron took a deep breath, propping his hands on his hips in thought.
"I do understand though, that the Broken God isn't the only threat we must face. Certainly the Seraphim have other plans, some sort of backup in case of emergencies."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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"I do not know if destroying the heart would harm
the rest. Being shattered into ten thousand pieces and thrown
into ten thousand different worlds did not destroy Broken God. I
am not sure that destroying any part would affect the others."
"I will lead you there, if you wish?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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"A moment, Metatron." Aaron politely raised a hand in the being's
direction, and his eye took on a faraway look. He focused inward now,
on a familiar sensation.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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Metatron looks a little annoyed at the interruption, but says
nothing. Instead he vomes closer to Tamiel, and the two Archons
stand gazing at each other as Aaron stares into space.
Occasionally one or other of them nods...
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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Jonnee shakes his head and murmurs to Serena once more, "Typical of Aaron, that. Putting God on hold while he takes another call."
The young man steps forward, then speaks more clearly, "Metatron. Sorry to butt in. How many pieces of Broken God are there, that you personally know where they're at? Are there any pieces near here, in this world? Pieces that we can get a look at?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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The left side of Aaron's face, where his eye used to be, twitched. Had he just heard that?
"Yes, quite amusing isn't it, Jonnee?" he said, his attentions now
returned to the tasks at hand. He glanced at the other man and smiled
slightly before turning to Metatron and propping his hands on his hips.
"That's quite a good question, also. I'm curious as to how many there
are left as well. I'm quite sure we've met the Broken God's... face at some point, and I'm almost positive we ran into a hand. Though the size differences were significant."
"And there is one more thing I'm curious about as well, but Jonnee's question takes precedence."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena heard Jonee's comment and before she could reply Aaron had made
a rather snide comment back. As easy as she felt with Jonee, she felt
equally uneasy regarding Aaron so after he turned back to the Metatron
she gave Jonee a sympathetic smile but a twinkle in her eye showed she
had found the comment amusing.
As aaron also agreed with the validity of Jonee's question Serena
waited for the Metatron to respond. Serena wondered if they had all
forgotten the fact she had originally found this whole place set off a
very strong feeling of wrongness. Serena was not sure they should just
be trusting the Metatron as much as they were.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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Metatron seems puzzled by Jonnee's question, as if he had never considered the possibility of bringing Broken God here, of all places.
"We do not believe that any part of Broken God has
ever been kept here. We, all of us, can detect Broken God with
ease, when in the same world. The only exceptions are when a part
is somehow concealed from us, as sometimes happens. Then we can
only detect that the part is close, but cannot tell where it is."
A long pause, and then Tamiel says, "Yes. We feel that you must."
"Very well. We believe that if a part of
Broken God were ever brought here, it would likely spark a struggle for
control of it. As things stand, there are an infinite number of
worlds to visit, and a finite number of parts to find."
"The Seraphim regard the pieces as precious resources. Factions
which find parts may work together briefly, but will never reveal the
locations of the pieces they have found. They reveal neither the
number of parts they possess, nor their nature. Factions which
have found none constantly search for them, and those who do have a
piece search for more."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena looked to the Metatron and said," If the pieces are split
and their an infinite number of worlds and only a finite number of
pieces would it perhaps be a good idea to split up into teams to find
them. Or would it be better to stay together?"
Serena asked the Metatron directly because as much as she hated it she
felt a confrontation of sorts that would have to be had between her and
Aaron at some point in the near future
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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"It would probably be far better to stay
together. There is, after all, strength in numbers. There
are infinite worlds, and splitting up will achieve little, as each
smaller group will still have an infinite number to search, since
infinity divided by any finite number is still infinity."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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James takes a minute to look at each of the people in the room, weighing up in his mind the conversation so far.
"So what it boils down to is that we can either go
after the heart or attempt to taint the orb stockpiles. Metatron
has kindly offered to help us with either."
"The heart may prove to be the most powerful single bargaining tool out
there, or it may prove to be just another fragment. Metatron, you
said you believed there to be ten thousand fragments?"
"Tainting a stockpile of orbs could potentially affect many fragments
at once, depending upon how many fragments that stockpile's faction has
accumulated, but it will only poison Broken God, it will not save the
dying worlds."
"Hardly an easy choice." And that's quite the understatement.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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"Why not do both?" Jonnee steps forward, a gleam in his eye.
"Find the heart and connect it to a tainted
orb. Then spread the word where it is, and stand back. We
can watch the Seraphs fight over something they think is important, but
it's been poisoned."
"We could use that world where you found the first orb to feed poison to the heart, 'cause it's already too far gone to save."
He grins, showing slightly too many teeth, "If
the Seraphs think the heart is important enough that they killed
Metatron when he wouldn't tell them where it was, then maybe they'll
waste a lot of time and effort fighting over it."
"Right?"
"And if one group does get hold of it, then it'll be only limited use, because it's poisoned."
The grin widens, and he gives way to a laugh, "Hell,
we could poison it, then lie about where it is, even. Metatron
said that some parts are hidden. The Seraphs will go to one
world, figure the heart is hidden there and go to war over it, and they'll waste time looking for it too."
"And while they're all busy kicking each-others asses, we then go play about in one of their orb factories."
"Jonnee Kay, Boy Genius. No need to thank me, I'm just doing my job."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron agreed with Metatron, splitting thier group would do them little
good. He'd had too many bad experiences in situations like that to
think otherwise. At this point, it was best they stuck together.
James and Jonnee expounded on the opportunities and errors that would
be presented should they choose either the orbs or the pieces of the
Broken God, but Jonnee's idea had Aaron quite interested.
"That's a very good idea, Jonnee. However, we musn't forget that the
Seraphim consider us to be annoyances that are best swatted at first
sight. Your plan won't be easy..." and here Aaron sighed, shaking his
head. "Not like it's been easy at all.
However, you state right that the Gatherer's world may be a good place
to start, though its dangers are many. However, I'd like to confer with
Cyan and Dorian as well, before we take any further steps."
To Metatron, Aaron turned.
"We have little time left, great Metatron. I have no more questions for
you personally, save for a few about our... prior conversation. You
have shown me the tools that I require to manipulate the orbs, and I am
quite ready to begin. However, I am curious as to your own thoughts on this matter. You have obviously
sacrificed much to keep the Broken God's heart a secret from your
enemies. Are you prepared to give it up to individuals such as us?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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The Archon turns its back on Aaron, and stands for a while in
silence. The pause stretches to half a minute, longer, a
minute. Finally he turns back, with a nod to Tamiel. "There
is much about us that you do not understand, and perhaps never can
understand. For instance, we are told that, when informed that we
had a task to complete before we came here, some of your group
expressed concern that you should be kept waiting. Is this not
so?"
Metatron extends a hand, and a world appears there, in his palm, in perfect miniature. "This
is what required our attention. This world teems with life.
It was threatened by a... disturbance... a ripple in what we are told
your people call the Underflow. It is a penance we have
set ourselves, a small recompense for the wrong we did when we allowed
the Seraphim to learn of Broken God, to divert these eddies and ripples
where we can. It is not always possible, and the work is
delicate. Failure results in whole worlds being torn apart by
terrible storms and cataclysmic events."
"We have been... shown that we may have been... in error,
perhaps. It has been demonstrated to us that the only way we can
stop the Seraphim may be to aid you. We have been made to see
that what your group tries to do is similar to the task which we have
set ourselves."
"We will do what we are able. If you need access to the heart of
Broken God, then we will take you there. We will teach you,
Aaron, to operate and control the orbs, to twist them against the aims
of the Seraphim. We will teach you to destroy Broken God."
"This we pledge, to make ammends for our foolishness."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Underflow. Is that what exists beneath the lot of our powers?
"So be it, Metatron. In turn, I will make sure that we honor this
meeting. You will see results, Metatron, Tamiel, and you will see them
soon."
To the remainder of the group, Aaron turned.
"It's a great burden that we have now, friends. To smite our enemies on
two fronts, that of the orbs and the Broken God. To use their desires
against them by trickery, stealth and theft, and the eventual
destruction of the very thing they seek to manipulate. Have you any
questions left unanswered? Any desires left unsaid or unasked? There
may be things here that you could grasp, that simply could not be
garnered elsewhere."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Tamiel (NPC)
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"We are glad now that we left a way for your
people to find us. Long ago it was, as you measure time, and we
had thought the opportunity gone." Tamiel says, light radiating all about her.
"It is not our way to interfere with other
peoples, so we could not return to seek you out, even though we felt
that one day you might join us in the struggle against the Archons."
"Still, you have come now, and have offered your aid freely. That
freely-given pledge will be honoured by us, and by all those allied to
us. Your likenesses have been shown to those allies we trust
most, that they might recognise you as they themselves wander the
worlds."
"We, Tamiel of the Nephelim, are grateful for your aid."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James is encouraged by Jonnee's suggestion, it confirms James suspicion
that the young (?) man has a wit fast enough to match his uncanny
reflexes.
He is, on the other hand, a little taken aback by the conviction of
Aaron's promise to the Archons. James would have been a bit more
reserved, but he is happy to support Aaron's commitment.
"No, Aaron, I doubt even the prodigious powers of
our hosts could answer the question that matters most to me. Even
if they could..." James shrugs, "I would still need to return to Amber to weight the evidence."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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Jonnee folds his arms across his ribs, muscles twithcing in his forarms
as he automatically runs through the simple katas which allow him to
exercise the muscles which control the blades that lay there.
His head nods almost imperceptibly, as if he is keeping the rhythm of a tune that he alone can hear.
He follows the Archons' reasoning well enough. Don't challenge
somebody for turf unless you're sure you can rely on the muscle that
has promised to side with you. In a world where everybody seems
to be their own country, pacts and alliances can crumble in a
minute. The guy who promised to help ten minutes ago might have
promised your enemy the same thing five minutes ago.
They play a game of wait and see, and those like Tamiel try to recruit help from other places, but they have to do it quietly.
Jonnee is under no delusions. Their rule of non-intrference can
exist for one reason only, in his eyes: to keep the Seraphim from
discovering one of those worlds where the Nephelim are hoping to
recruit fighters.
"Well, if that's everything?" he finally remarks, a note of impatience edging his voice, "I bet the Seraphs aren't sitting round sipping cappucinos while we talk."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Nodding to Jonnee, Aaron smiled. "Agreed."
To Tamiel and Metatron, Aaron bowed in deference.
"Before we bid you adieu, Metatron, I believe we need to finalize the
methods of our plans. Particularly the necessities of manipulating the
orbs and then access to the Heart of Broken God itself. Are you
prepared?"
Aaron somehow doubted that Metatron wasn't prepared. After all, this was the being who held seperate bodies in storage, just in case he died...
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena had kept quiet during the whole thing. It was not as though she
didnot have plenty of questions. Rather, she felt the questions she did
have could easily be explained by Jonee as he had told her he would.
Serena did not promise anything either.it was not as though she thought
it aan unworthy cause but rather needed the further information before
fully committing herself.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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+ VERY WELL + Metatron nods, and dissolves into a hoop of fire.
Then everybody falls.
The Archons, all except Metatron, are gone. The room, the castle
itself, gone. The world is gone. There is only infinite
darkness and cold, and, behind/above, a river of lights.
Millions of lights. Small, like stars, yet somehow each as large
as the infinite volumes that surround it. And, somewhere in the
mind, there is a sensation that they are all alive.
And still they fall, and the lights diminish without truly diminishing.
Metatron expands, until the wheel surrounds the the four humans and the
wolf, and the falling sensation lessens and eventually stops. For
a time whose duration lays somewhere between a heartbeat and a millennium they hang in the cold
vastness. Above them the lights die and are reborn, and
occasionally a ripple moves among them, as if some monstrous fish has
stirred, disturbing the surface.
There is a brief sideways motion, and then the falling starts again,
but this time it is the lights that fall. All of them crashing
down around the group. There is a blinding flare, a sensation of
heat, and then stillness, except for the soft sussuration of a gentle
breeze stirring the trees, and the dappled light of a warm, orange sun
breaking through the woodland canopy.
A woman's laugh, and then an amused-sounding voice says, "Metatron! You're a show-off. Never could make a quiet entrance. Still, it's good to see you after so long."
A nearby tree bulges, and she steps from the trunk. Her skin is
the colour and texture of birch bark, and her hair is green, the exact
green of springtime oak leaves. She seems to be about sixteen or
seventeen, but her dark eyes are much older.
"I suppose you're here to see that precious Heart of yours. Who are your friends?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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Metatron slips easily back into his more humanoid form, drawing the
flames in tighter to his body, until only his eyes still burn, smoke
flowing from their corners.
"Yes, Aucuparia, we are here to see the
Heart. As for our friends, they are Aaron, James, Jonnee and
Serena, and the wolf is called I Am, though these others name him
Hunter."
The young woman with the old eyes smiles, "I, as Metatron said, am Aucuparia. If you are friends of Metatron, then you are welcome here."
"But the Heart... "
She turns twice about, widdershins, while performing a complex series
of gestures which seem almost mechanical in their rigidity of
movement. Around her feet a dark stain spreads across the ground,
expanding with each gesture and resolving itself into an octahedral
design of lines and symbols.
The expansion continues apace, until the design surrounds the whole group.
A flickering light fills the air, and then everybody is, simply, inside
a cavernous space with a floor of polished wood which curves up,
smoothly into the walls and ceiling. The light is green, and dim,
like sunlight in a deep forest, and the air is filled with birdsong,
though no birds are visible.
In the chamber's heart hangs another Heart, that of Broken God.
It burns, with dull flames which shed no light, no heat, no
smoke. Larger than a human heart, perhaps a yard across, it beats
slowly, even though its motions pump nothing but air through it.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Metatron's method of travel had Aaron in a fit of confusion at first,
something inside him going wide-eyed at the wealth of starlight above
as they hurtled through oblivion. He wasn't sure what he was seeing, worlds perhaps? Every world? His own and many more?
Just as it was getting to him, just as his mind was attempting to
expand to encompass it all, they arrived, and a woman greeted them.
Before he could respond, an understanding came over him, and he was
nearly drawn to his knees with the potential that Metatron had given
him.
Exhaling a breath that he didn't know he'd been holding, Aaron managed
to pull his eye away from the massive Heart long enough to turn to
their new hostess and sketch her a slight bow.
"Aucuparia? I am Aaron, of Ald Thiriel, and I lead this group. I am...
curious. Have you been in the presence of the Heart of Broken God for
long? What could you tell us about it?"
He turned then, and gestured absently to the massive thing that hung
before them. His newfound skills longed to be tested in this situation,
but he knew too little about the Heart, his power, or their environment
to want to test. At least, not yet.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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James is staggered. More so than some of his companions James was
still becoming accustomed to the vagaries inherent in the Infinite
Worlds and the powers of some of its inhabitants. After the
awesome scale of the star-field through which Metatron had brought them
to this place, seeing a dryad, of all things, step from a tree seemed
almost commonplace.
Then, just as suddenly, they were within this chamber and there was the
heart, immense, discorporate, but still beating. Seeking
something with which to ground himself, James crouches to inspect the
grain of the wood on which they stand.
As he lowers himself, he gives a short hiss of breath and rocks to one
side slightly before recovering as the movement pinches his injured
ribs.
OOC: No, I hadn't completely forgotten the injury :)
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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Falling through space was one thing, Jonnee had seen enough cheesy movies to be familiar with that idea. The woman with green hair and bark for skin was odd, but not too odd. The wooden cave is sorta cool, he can handle that, even if
it does all look to be a single piece, which makes him wonder about the
size of the tree.
Then there's the heart. It's like the face. There is no
way, in any sane universe, that it should even exist. As soon as
he sees it, the blades pop. He can't help himself, it's instinct,
something built into the code of his genes, a primal fight or flight
reaction.
"That does not look like a good thing."
Next to him, Hunter is snarling.
The backs of his wrists are itching. Again.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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To Jonnee, Aaron held out a hand in caution.
"Do not fear. Though its size and capability are both great, there is
nothing here that is endangering you. Limiting us? Yes, but not
endangering. I'm pretty sure on it, Jonnee."
It wasn't just that Aaron felt they weren't in danger, it was what he was seeing that had his mind ticking away. He'd need to know if Aucuparia or
Metatron could educate them a little more on the Heart itself first,
before he did anything at all.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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"I have been here since the spring, and for a long time before that, but my memories of the time before I slept are hazy." Aucuparia explains.
Metatron moves to stand behind her, resting his hands lightly upon her shoulders, "Aucuparia
was here when we first discovered the Heart. She has been here
for three hundred springs, and slept through three hundred winters, for
that is the nature of her kind."
"She is a simple creature of nature. She has no ambition but to
live, and is entirely lacking in avarice. Couple those two with
the fact that, in this place, she has power that can rival in even the
mightiest Archons of Legend, and you will see why we felt her to be an
ideal guardian for this thing."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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"I pray then, that Aucuparia will never have to use her awesome skills
once we are finished, Metatron. I hope to help end the chaos that has
so surrounded your kind, for so long, and perhaps to let your kind and
ours once more meet in fellowship."
Aaron turned then and finally faced the great Heart itself. Though his
limited vision could only physically see so much, it was what he was
seeing with his mind's eye that had him so very intrigued. Though Aaron
inwardly groaned at the loss of his left eye, he found that with the
loss, he had gained ways to get around the disability. With Metatron's
help, he had discovered not merely the potential of something that was
once used for ill, but also the potential that he thought lost within
himself.
"I... see, Metatron. A power or energy flows around the
Heart. Is this the power that is drawn from countless worlds through
the orbs, or is it something else? A... cage, of some sort?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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"It is the energy of Broken God that you
sense. It is also the energy whch is siphoned away through the
orbs, though here it is more pure and concentrated, more potent."
"It is the energy that protects worlds against change, to fight off the
effects of alien powers, and to resist entropy and chaos."
"That is why worlds where the energy is depleted are eventually killed."
Metatron steps away from Aucuparia then, turning away from the girl,
and from Aaron, to gaze at the Heart. His face is set in a grim
frown. "How I wish that I had never found this thing!"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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"Astounding." Aaron breathed, and for a long while he couldn't pull his eye away from the Heart of Broken God.
After a time, he sighed and reached into the depths of his long coat. He retrieved his own orb, which he now considered his more so than at any other time. He had found it upon San Anyn, and much had been sacrificed to bring it even this far.
"This is but one item that could have been used towards the ends of our
enemies. Yet now I hold it in my hand, and the secrets that it once
contained are both opened to me, and remain still hidden, though not
nearly as deep."
Hefting it in his right hand, Aaron turned his head and gazed at Metatron.
"If I bend it to my will, could I not draw forth the power from the
Heart of Broken God, and contain it within my orb, Metatron? With this
orb, could I not also turn that power inwards, against the Heart
itself? Considering the varying powers that have been connected to the
orbs we have already encountered, it would not surprise me if I could
draw power from any source that was levelled against me."
Another sigh escaped him, and Aaron cocked his head to the side in thought.
"And yet, despite the potential of this one orb, there are assuredly
limitations to it. I will have to figure out those limitations before I
can truly unlock the potential of the orbs. Metatron, I can see the
power of Broken God... but does that mean that the orbs and the
existence of Broken God are tied together? If we kill Broken God, will
the orbs disappear?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
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For an instant flames blaze across the Archon's flesh, and fan out from
his body like the skirts of a long coat. As he turns on his heel
he is like a burning reflection of Aaron.
"The orbs can draw on only one source of
power! That source is the binding energy of worlds! Did I
not explain this to you, mere moments ago? If you try to channel
other energies through it, or use them against it, then it will shun
them, driving them back to their origin!"
"I wonder now if I made the right decision in entrusting this knowledge
to you? You have had it for an instant of time, and already you
make assumptions regarding its use. Assumptions which could lead
to your death!"
Metatron calms, drawing the fires back into himself, "Once activated, the orb will reflect forces and energies which strike it, but it can only utilise the binding energy. In some worlds the energy is tied strongly to
the fabric of the world itself, and in those places the Seraphim must
place harvester creatures to break the ties."
"Remember also that once activated, the orb will take root, and will resist any attempt to move it."
"Once active, an orb is bound to the person who activated it.
Their blood, spilled on the orb, can damage it. There is little
else that can, and those few other things which can destroy one will do
so at the cost of the world."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the face of Metatron's rising agitation, Aaron did not express fear.
Rather, he bent slightly in acquiescence, choosing a humble stance over
either surprise, fear or even annoyance.
"I see, Metatron. Thank you for correcting me. Your elaboration was
necessarry, so that I may better understand this gift you have
generously bestowed." He straightened, and once again cast his eye upon
the orb held in his hand. "It is understandable, then, why we ran into
the reactions from the orbs that we have encountered. This orb will be
the first amongst many to be wielded against the plans of our enemies."
Aaron approached the Heart and set the sphere upon the ground before
it. Turning to Metatron, he gestured to the orb with his right hand.
"I have sacrificed much to get to this point, Metatron. I will
sacrifice much more to see the results that I even now strive for. With
the knowledge you have given me, I seek to bring about the destruction
of the Heart of Broken God. I do not doubt you, Metatron, but I am now
prepared to start the death of Broken God, here and now. Are you
prepared?"
Aaron had never felt as sure as he was now. There were other questions
he had, however, and he felt that those questions couldn't be asked
without igniting Metatron's ire. No. Those questions, he would have to
answer for himself.
One thing he did know however, was that the orbs no longer
presented the threat that they had prior to his new understanding.
While that elightenment surely strengthened him, he knew in himself
that the orbs were still a threat, no matter how minor.
Aaron decided that he would prove to Metatron that his decision was not
in vain. Aaron still wondered though, whether his actions were going to
save Metatron's kind... or damn them.
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by James
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James was glad to be crouching. The portentious conversation
between Metatron and Aaron was invoking old 'duck and cover'
reflexes. He felt somehow a little further from the line of fire,
down low.
Still, something Aaron said bothered him, so James risks drawing attention by interjecting, "Aaron,
are we sure we want to destroy the Heart. I thought Jonnee's idea
to use it as poisoned bait had possibilities. Not that I want to
draw the Seraphims' attention to Aucuparia's world. Ah hell, I
don't know..."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Aaron turned his attention to James and smiled slightly, shaking his head.
"Poisoning the Heart will eventually destroy it, James. Ulitmately,
like the rest of Broken God's pieces, it too will be eliminated. What I
hope to accomplish can still encompass Jonnee's idea. It will, after
all, take time."
Aaron then looked to Aucuparia and smiled in her direction as well.
"I do not doubt Metatron, James. I believe firmly that Aucuparia will
be able to handle herself just in case anyone comes calling. Even if
she can't, this particular realm has more guardians than merely her. By
placing the orb here, I place a piece of myself, and therefore it is
also my responsibility to assure that my efforts are not wasted."
"We will have to draw our enemies somewhere. We can tell them where we think the Heart is, but that doesn't necesserally have to be the truth.
I think that's one of the things that Jonnee was attempting to get
across, and it was one of the more... interesting bits, though I'll
admit I'm somewhat against lying."
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Metatron (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Behind Aaron now, Aucuparia is changing. Her skin thickens, and
spines of wood extend from her limbs and torso. Her face becomes
increasingly bestial.
Metatron's voice booms through the chamber, "AARON
OF ALD THIRIEL! Do NOT, under any circumstances, consider
activating that orb HERE! We believe Aucuparia would object to
such an action in the most hostile manner, and in this place you would
be dead in the blink of an eye!"
"Have we made such a mistake in trusting you? Are you so hasty
that you simply cannot act without making some glaring error? If
you activate the orb here, it will destroy this world.
Unsurprisingly, Aucuparia will not tolerate that."
"Have you not seen the orbs in other places? They send their
stolen forces across worlds. You must find another world to tap
for energy, in order to poison the Heart!"
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aarons next sigh was even greater now, and he moved to sit beside the orb in what seemed to be exhaustion.
"Metatron, I merely thought about it. Upon further
thought, it would be foolish of me, especially considering that I have
a history of being... somewhat enamored towards places of this
particular nature. As I consider my own past worldwalking, I realize
that I've come across quite a few worlds similar to Aucuparia's here,
that I've rather delighted in. But I digress..."
Now Aaron was just tired. Though his mind was far from limited, he'd
had to assimilate quite a bit within the past few hours alone. While he
certainly wasn't about to give up on anything that Metatron had placed
before him, the being's nearly constant hostile attitude had him close
to aggravation.
However, he didn't let that get to him. He knew that Metatron and
Aucuparia were taking great risks in giving him access to his new
abilities and the Heart of Broken God. It was just... alot to consider.
"Forgive me, Meatatron, Aucuparia, I am a limited being, with limited
abilities and skills in comparison to your great resources. My group
and I have been through much. It is merely taking me time to absorb
everything. I apologize for my prior misstep. However, you make quite a
point, my teacher. Considering my other talents, I believe I could find
a world that, to say the least, would probably need to be drained of energy. Tell me, Metatron, what type of world do you believe would be ideal for this particular situation?"
Something in him bristled. An inward agitation at having to kowtow so
far to a being greater than him? He calmed it down, whatever it meant,
for he also knew deep within him that submitting to a more powerful
force was a dileberate survival instinct... even though he fought it
from time to time. Since visiting Ald Thiriel, much had returned of his
history, and yet still so much more remained.
Taking a deep breath, Aaron reached and grasped the orb, rolling it
into his hands and gazing at it, his mind alreadly burning with
possibilities.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dworkin (GM)
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"Take them away from here, Metatron. I will
not risk that one using an orb in my home. I have heard it said
that the minds of some creatures can become confused near the Heart, or
one of the other parts. Perhaps this is such a case."
"Very well, Aucuparia. We shall
depart. Now that Aaron has seen the Heart, he will be able to
attune the orb to it. He will poison it from afar."
Metatron nods to the dryad, still in her more aggressive form, "If you would... "
... discontinuity... and they are outside again.
"... take us out. Good. Our thanks Aucuparia."
The Archon turns to face Aaron then, "We
shall take you to a place where you can summon your companions, and
from there to a world that is already damaged beyond repair.
There you may place the orb." He still sounds somewhat irritated.
Then there is the sensation of falling once more, blackness, cold, and
a river of stars. The fall does not seem to last as long as the
first, and when it is over they are standing on a hilltop near a ruined
fortress, with clouds scudding across a night sky that is ablaze with
stars, where three moons race towards the western horizon.
"Summon your companions, and be quick! Time is of the essence now."
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
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Rising, Aaron dusted himself off and pocketed his orb in the process, while to Metatron he nodded.
"I agree! We should get started." and then he removed Cyan's trump from
his pocket. Before he could concentrate however, another familiar
presence came into contact with him, and he raised an eyebrow before
lowering his mental walls.
"Berd?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Jonnee
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While Aaron makes the call, Jonnee watches Serena, remembering what he
had felt like when he had first met Kalika and Collin and Lissa and the
others, back when he had first left his home, and discovered just how
treacherous some Amberites could be.
For a while he had felt like a fish out of water, and that had not been anywhere near such a complex situation as this one.
When he thinks she might be looking in his direction, he smiles, reassuringly.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron felt the contact, reached out and pulled...
Once he was assured that everyone was within earshot, he spoke.
"Forgive me for the rush, but I must make this as quick as possible, we have little time."
"Jonnee and James, I would appreciate it if you outlined that little
plan that we merely hinted at earlier. I'm sure with this many able
minds, all of you can come up with some way to trick our enemies. As
for me, I will tell you of what I am about to take part in."
Taking a deep breath, Aaron patted his jacket where his orb resided.
"With Metatron's guidance, I've learned to handle, control and
manipulate the orbs. They are not a simple thing, by any stretch of the
imagination, but with this power I can now poison the orbs themselves
and through them, poison Broken God. The more orbs we find, the better
the chance we have at destroying Broken God."
"Metatron," he stated, and gestured to the great being himself, "is
going to take me to a place that supposedly holds a great many orbs, as
well as a place where I can plant the orb I have in my posession so
that we may destroy the Heart of Broken God. I... cannot say how long I
will be gone, but do not doubt that I will return to you."
With a sigh, Aaron turned and faced Metatron. He seemed to be deep in
thought, for he was silent for a while. Finally, he returned his
attention and nodded.
"I've come to the conclusion that I'm not fit to lead this group. I'm a
fighter, and while I'm intelligent, there are certain aspects of
leadership that I simply cannot grasp. I know full well that Fiona only
stuck me in this position because at the time, our group wasn't able to
make a decision. By having to weigh every single decision on what I say, I've come to realise that I'm not helping us... I'm merely holding us back."
Aaron turned and looked each of his comrades, some he'd barely known, and others he called friends, and was satisfied.
"We, each of us, brings something to this group that is necessarry. For
me, leadership is not one of those qualities. At one time, it may have
been, but that skill is no longer with me. By making this decision, I
hope to give everyone else a lot of breathing room, but I also hope
that as a group, we understand the difference between fighting about a
common goal, and fighting for one. For now, at least, I can no longer lead you."
Aaron raised his eyebrows, took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"I know some of you, hell, all of you, may get pissed at
me for either going against Fiona's wishes, or seemingly dumping on you
with this particular decision of mine, but it's a decision I'm going to
stick by. If I get the opportunity to lead you, and if you all want me to lead you again, I'm not sure I'll take it unless I'm totally sure I'm able to handle the job. Knowing how well we all work together, I'm sure we can work together as a group, without me as a leader. I've said before that anybody else could do the job
better, and now one of you can take it up and make sure, if you want. I
want you to know that I'd probably take orders from any one of you. But
for now..."
Aaron turned to Metatron then and nodded.
"Teacher, I'm prepared. Let's start the end of this whole awful mess."
Before he approached Metatron, he turned and looked, finally, to Cyan.
"If I offend, forgive me. There is... much I must do."
And then he walked and stood beside Metatron, his back to the group.
All the while, the only person he could think of was Jack... and the
enormous sense of doubt that the man had placed within him. At least
now, he knew exactly what it was he wanted to do.
He was going to help destroy a god, and if things worked out as he hoped, bring about the truth as well.
===========================================================
Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Serena
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Serena caught Jonee's reassuring smile and was quite grateful for it.
Her mind was reeling with everything sshe was trying to understand and
so much or it was hard because she didn't know what everyone else
seemed to. Serena gave Jonee a very obviously grateful and pleased
smile back that he seemed to understand.
As Aaron made his statement she decided before he left she had better
speak up. " Aaron, for the record I am not angry with you at all for
anything regarding Fiona. However, is it truly the best choice for you
to go off all by yourself?"
"Meatron! Is it the right thing for AAron to try to do this all by
himself. I for one have concerns for his safety not his abilities or
his obvious intelligence and good decision making?"
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Re: Part 37 - Fire and Ice by Dorian
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"In addition, Metatron, I must ask if it is wise that only one learn
these things that Aaron seeks. Though I am confident of Aaron's...
survival instinct... I must wonder how far we will set ourselves back
if we lose him, and this knowledge? I should remind everyone, that this
group has already suffered significan't casualties.
"As for a leader, we will need an opportunity soon to discuss it.
Though I would hope we have grown enough to survive without a leader,
it is only logical that we have a voice to hearken to in the midst of
chaos and battle."
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