City of Lament

The Dark City of Lament

DESCRIPTION - LOCATION - PEOPLE - LAW ENFORCEMENT - DEFENSES- CLIMATE - PRODUCTION/TRADE - RESOURCES

At the foothills of the Mithral Mountains' only active volcano, covered by a never-ending black sky from volcanic ash and dust lies Lament, the Dark City. Many rumors and stories circulate the area about this dark and dismal place. Many say that this city is the home of the damned, and that those who enter this dreary place shall never return alive. As many travelers have said, "Lament is the home of Despair and Death."

Description:

Lament is a relatively large city with a population of nearly 10,000 people. The city in and of itself is separated into three major sections depending on importance and the types of people living there. These three areas are the Inner City, the Outer City, and the Underground. At the north of the city, there is a massive gate, guarded heavily by reinforcements. This is the Northern Gate and it leads directly to the volcano, mountains, and the Northernlands beyond. The volcano is also host to the Obsidian Mines, the main lifeblood of the city.

Since ancient times, the city has come under attack by many different enemies, and as a result, they are extremely wary. Their system of watchtowers and gun emplacements survives to this day due to their need for a feeling of security. They are maintained and kept in peak condition lest the city fall under attack again.

The Plains Beyond the City Gates:

The dark and dismal plains beyond the city gates receive only a little sunlight at dawn and at dusk, and a little during the day, though only in scattered areas. The sixty-mile range of the guns of Dark Tower is dotted with watchtowers and checkpoints. Each checkpoint and watchtower is equipped with an underground bunker for protection from the guns. These towers use flags for signaling the troops at the City Gates for the goings on.

Green means nothing of importance and is the usual color, yellow means something odd is going on and it is under investigation. A red flag means a threat or attack is happening. This sends a signal to the Gate Watchtowers that is then relayed to the Watchtowers of the Dark Tower where the main guns are located. The guns will then attack the offending targets. In emergency situations, these outer watchtowers are equipped with bright white magnesium flares that cut through even the darkest of climate conditions with ease. These flares are used as an immediate bypass of the middleman and the guns will immediately fire on the targets if a flare is fired.

The City Wall and The Main Gate:

A large metal wall nearly twenty feet thick and one hundred feet high surrounds the whole of Lament. The Main Gate of Lament is here and is at the extreme South of the city. The wall is patrolled constantly by a garrison of nearly two hundred soldiers and is dotted with nearly 50 watchtowers. The watchtowers are armed with powerful machine gun turrets to add to the protection of the city. Each of these watch towers has a bright beacon that can be lit on the top with a different color flame. Green flames signal that everything is all right; yellow flames mean that something is being examined and checked to see if it is a threat, and red flames means there is a threat.

A red signal sends a message to the watchtowers containing the Magical Artillery Cannons adorning the wall around the Dark Tower, and the guns will then fire at the offending target. The guns have an effective killing range of nearly forty-five miles, and a less effective maximum kill range of sixty miles. If the trouble enters the city and has not been eliminated, the guns will not hesitate to fire within city limits to destroy the threat.

The Outer City:

The Outer city surrounds the Inner city and goes right up against the City Wall. This place is where the middle class lives, and oddly enough it is the smallest section of the city. Building sizes measure from one to two stories tall, and most of them are run down in appearance and structural integrity. The middle classes that live here go about their lives of work and play among the dirty streets. The Outer City is also known for its fine Obsidian workings. Obsidian jewelry is common here, as are smaller Obsidian weapons like knives and Obsidian tipped arrows. Nothing is sold that could be a serious threat to the City Guards.

The Inner City:

The Inner City is where the High Class and the rich live. The buildings here are tall, each about two to three stories high. Most of the inhabitants of this place are wealthy high class with much power behind them. They get a majority of the money and valuables sold within the city limits, since many of them are business owners.

The Lamentian Train Station:

While not the most extravagant building in the Inner City, the Train Station is where the train arrives from many different cities across the continent. Tickets to travel by train can be bought here and is also the main area for one to get information about Lament. Most tourists, few that there are, and visitors consider it a required visit since it is also where the city map can be purchased.

The Station is rather large by Lamentian standards, with platforms for four separate trains. This is also a secondary area of income for the Lamentian people, since several of the High Class may take the train to work in other cities such as Latent, Barton, Aekea, Strata, and Durem and therefore generate quite a lot of money just by their travels. The station is also manned by a large company of guards and soldiers that keep an eye on visitors for any sign of trouble.

Dark Tower:

In the very center of the city stands a massive and imposing tower, standing nearly one thousand feet high. This is the home of the current ruler of the city, which changes, as would a Monarchy. Around the base of this massive tower is a large wall nearly forty feet thick and one hundred feet high. The only way inside the wall is by passing through the massive metal doors, which in and of themselves are ten feet thick.

Every hundred feet or so is a watchtower with mounted artillery and gun units. These artillery cannons fire magical shells that can explode with enough force to level a city block and dig out a crater ten feet deep. The watchtowers are manned and kept ready every moment of every day, even at night.

In the case of an air attack, several anti air cannons are evenly spaced between the watchtowers. These air cannons fire an exploding shell of Obsidian shards, one of the few things known to bypass the sharp scales and skin of dragons.

In times of siege an energy barrier can be put up covering the tower in a powerful shield. The shield is created by Shield Generators located deep in the Underground Sector of the city. There are a total of four massive Generators that power the shield, but only two need to be operational to create the massive barrier. The others are there in case of a Generator Failure, and can be activated quickly. More can be found on Generator Specifics in the Underground Section.

If one manages to get through the outer defenses of the tower and make their way inside, a large and fearsome garrison of guards will meet them. These guards are highly trained soldiers in the army and are well trained in hand to hand combat, weapons combat of every kind, and are also well versed in most kinds of magical and elemental abilities.

After the main garrison there are the Honorary Ceremonial Guard. These are the only other challenges that stand before the intruders and the King himself. The Ceremonial Guard is made up of approximately twenty members, all masters of combat. They follow orders without question and have control of many different elemental abilities. Eight members are stationed at each of the four Shield Generators, and six of the guards are the King’s personal errand boys, following out his wishes and commands.

The Underground:

This area is where the low classes and the poor live. The entire city of Lament sits over the top of this volcanic crater, and the only light that reaches it comes from the glow of several streetlights lit by magical flames that will never be extinguished. Life in the Underground is very similar to life in the Inner City, however, down below are many more shops and pubs along with the Miner's Inn, the only decent inn in Lament. Life may seem harsh and cruel to outsiders, but residents living in the Underground prefer living here since there are few laws that are heavily enforced, although they exist.

Many items can be found in the Underground since it is a popular place for shops and many items that are considered contraband can also be found here. The Underground is the location of the Lamentian Black Market as well as the main turf of the Lamentian Crucibles. The Crucibles are a gang of thugs, bandits, and thieves that make a living by stealing and selling the items they don't like. If one is looking for a good time, then the Underground is also the place to be. Prostitution, gambling, fights between smaller monsters, and several pubs are all common in the Underground.

Perhaps the most prominent features here are the Obsidian Mines. These mines are the main lifeblood of Lament and provide food and money to a majority of the populous who does not run a shop or other business. Shifts in the mine run for five hours a day, seven days a week, but most workers only work three days out of the week due to the sheer number of miners willing to mine. The mines run directly to the mining sources under the volcano and do not connect to any lower areas of the Mithral Cave system.

The only other prominent features of The Underground are the Four Shield Generators. Each is kept on a raised area of the crater floor at each corner of the area. Thick walls surround them and the only way in is to enter from the main gates that are guarded by a group of forty men to an installation as well as one Ceremonial Guard for each as well. If one generator complex it under attack, then soldiers and guards from the town above will be mobilized to defend the structure. Only by defeating the guards and soldiers, and by destroying the generator can one of these installations be taken down.

The Northern Gate:

At the North of the city, there is a massive gate leading straight towards the volcano. This large structure is the Northern Gate and it guards the road to the volcano and mountains beyond. The path is worn and covered in lava rocks from former eruptions of the volcano. Soldiers guard the gate itself, and passage beyond it is watched with wary eyes lest forces attempt to attack from behind.

People:

For the most part, the people of Lament are relatively friendly, although they seem a little sad even when talking about good things. They are generally pale in complexion from the lack of much sunlight. Most are dressed in clothes resembling those of the Medieval Era on Earth.

Raven Industries North

-Under Construction-

Law Enforcement

Essentially, the Law Enforcement of Lament is made up of soldiers in the King's Army. They patrol the city walls, as well as the city itself. There are fewer officers in the Underground area since that area is filled with poor folk and not watched as carefully, however there are a number of officers that patrol the Outer and Inner Cities keeping an eye out for any riff raff that might pop up in the areas.

All officers are proficient with many different forms of weaponry, as well as several types of elemental magic. They can carry several types of weapons, the two main weapons being…

Quote: Raven Industries Equalizer EQ-1 .40 caliber-

Type: DAO Semi-Automatic Pistol

Operation: Striker fired, Delayed Blow back

Chamber: 10x25 mm

Weight: 720g empty, 980g (13 rounds)/1020g (15 rounds) loaded

Length: 210mm

Barrel Length: 130 mm

Sights: Fixed Front, Dual-setting Adjustable rear; Three dot, Self Illuminated (tritium)

Safety: Automatic firing pin safety, Trigger bar disconnect, Loaded chamber indicator

Capacity: 13 or 15 Regular/ SPR rounds

Special Features: Integrated M1913 specification rail underneath the slide for accessory attachments, threaded barrel option for suppressors.

The Raven Industries Equalizer was developed sometime after the turn of the century as a dedicated combat sidearm for both law enforcement and military personnel. The frame is constructed of impact resistant glass filled thermoplastic polymer with metallic inserts. These inserts help reinforce the internal rail system for its all-metal milled slide. The use of an internal rail system compared to the more common external rail system increases accuracy and reliability in combat situations. The inside of the milled steel slide is hard chromed, as are the major working components. The stamped steel frame inserts add rigidity and provide a smoother bearing surface for the slide's rails to act on. The internal ‘hammer’ components at the rear section of the frame (comprised of: main spring, striker, and sear) are internally braced as one removable piece for cleaning or replacement, and attached to the frame via a set of lever bars that act as feed way assist for the ammunition improving feeding reliability and decreasing the weapons 'pickiness' when feeding foreign or military surplus ammunition.

The delayed blow back system is based on Fabrique Nationale's as used in the their Five-Seven system except that the EQ-1 uses two large inline lugs instead of a pair of smaller parallel lugs in order to improve the locking strength of the action and decrease the localized friction associated with such an operation, increasing the weapons overall reliability. The slide spring is captive around the barrel and of nickel-silicon construction decreasing its susceptibility to heat or corrosion damage. Magazines for the EQ-1 are of powder coated stamped steel, and are devoid of any cut outs or round indexes on the magazine itself in order to decrease the likely hood of grime entering the magazine and attributing to a potential jam or failure to feed. The magazine's floor plate is made of the same impact resistant polymer as the frame, and acts as a finger guard to better assist in the weapons handling when using a proper two-hand grip. The floor plate is actually O-ring sealed and uses a pair of lateral screws and a slide system for its attachment. The follower of the magazine is actually a high density Teflon material and painted one of several bright colors, a neon orange being the most popular due to its visibility and acts the trailing edge of which acts a gasket between the nickel-silicon magazine spring decreasing grime intrusion as well.

The barrel itself protrudes eight millimeters from the slide and is normally protected by a non-glare polymer or powder coated steel screw on cover, however a quick attach style suppressor mount can be installed to decrease the times required to attach or detach a suppressor under combat conditions. Another feature unique to the EQ-1 is its dual setting adjustable rear sight which allows for a preferred sighting set (for windage and combat range) to be at the slide of a lift bar (located on the left side of the weapon) to be dropped enough to account for the freebore effect associated with most Suppressors allowing for nearly instant adjustment from suppressed to unsuppressed mode without having to readjust the sights of the weapon manually. When the silencer is remove the bar is swung back and the weapon continues firing at its default elevation and windage as is appropriate for its ammunition. An M1913 specification rail runs the first three inches of the frames front allowing for many after market accessories to be easily fitted. The rail is actually form molded over a metal ‘I’ shaped bar to act as a support for the rail and better integrate it with the frame unlike the frame inserts which are secured by a pin, this is physically part of the frame itself.

Disassembly is simple, and is designed for easy disassembly in any environment it is likely to see action. The owner first safeties the weapon and removes the magazine, then checks the chamber for any loaded rounds. They then rotate the Slide Release lever one hundred and eighty degrees so that the end of the release is pointing towards the barrel. The Slide can them be slide forward off of the Frame. This leaves the Barrel and its captive Spring as one unit to be removed from the frame simply by a lifting it off of the Slide Release Levers Bar. The Frame now only requires the ‘Hammer’ unit to be removed from the frame by removing the slide release lever completely off of the frame assembly, thus freeing the modular unit. Total disassembly can be completed in under fifteen seconds, though such speed is rarely needed. The weapon will function without liquid lubricant for five thousand rounds due to its hard chromed and molybdenum-disulfide coating.

In conclusion the Raven Industries EQ-1 is a die-hard reliable pistol designed for field use by military and law enforcement agents in some of the world's toughest environments, and performs above and beyond the call of duty.

Quote: RI 226 CQB rifle, "Sturmwind"

Type: Gas Operated, Rotating Bolt

Cartridge: 6.8 x 43 mm

Length: 720 mm

Barrel Length: 228 mm

Weight: 2.8 kg empty, 3.2 kg loaded

Rate of Fire: 800 rounds/minute

Muzzle Velocity: 950 m/s

Effective Range: 350 to 900 m

Feed System: 30-round detachable box magazine, 100 round C-Mag drum

Sights: Piccitani Rail, attached LAM

Ammunition Type: Standard 6.8 x 43 mm AP rounds that are used in standard service of the Gaian Republic. Highly effective at mid-range against at least Lv. 3 armor with Lv. 2 plating.

Special Ammunition: SPR rounds chambered for 6.8 x 43 mm. Higher capability of armor piercing at maximum range as well as magical properties.

Extras: Aluminum Silencer, 3x Scope, Infrared scope, AC07 Grenade Launcher

SPR Rounds-

The Special Purpose Rune rounds allow for magical effects added on to the already deadly effect of a bullet. There are Several different types of rounds. They are listed below.

Quote: Earth Rounds:

Petrifying rounds. Aim this at any part of the body and the entire limb will go numb within five seconds... and become useless due to the petrification process in ten. Less time of effect against non-organic targets.

Quote: Fire Rounds:

Explosive rounds. A target hit by these rounds is incinerated by intense heat, and then explodes with firey force. The bullet leaves a firey trail in its wake.

Quote: Water Rounds:

Freezing Rounds. A target hit by these rounds will almost instantaneously freeze solid. When used against fortified structures, the structure itself will freeze and become brittle to more attacks.

Quote: Wind Rounds:

Armor Piercing Rounds. These rounds can punch a hole through just about any armor they are put up against up to two inches thick of solid, reinforced, metal alloy. Lesser materials are shot through just like tissue paper, as the air pressure around the bullet does the piercing, and not the bullet itself.

Quote: Light Rounds:

Anti-Demonic/ Undead rounds. These rounds explode when they come into contact with darkness or evil beings. The explosion is holy/light energy and is five meters in diameter, making them ideal for fighting groups of undead enemies.

Along with these magically enhanced after-effects and powerful weapons, each soldier also carries several fragmentation, flashbang, and MDG's or Magic Diffusion Grenades. These grenades act in much the same way as the Magic Diffusion Mines mentioned below. When they explode, they disrupt the flows of magical energy in targets, preventing them from using magical energies, abilities, or effects for a time period of roughly four to five hours. These grenades explode on contact with an object after the pin is pulled whether the object is the target in question or the ground. They explode with a radius of 25 feet from the center of the blast, though the energy field itself does no damage to regular biological targets. Magical or undead beings are killed or dispelled immediately by the field of energy.

Other weapons include sniping weapons, rocket launchers, and any number of other normal military weaponry and attachments to said weaponry.

You can tell an officer by their unique uniforms. Dark blue and black, with white gloves and black boots. ((Think black FMA Military garb.)) You never quite know what an officer will pull on you, so a word of advice to travelers, stay out of trouble in Lament.

Defenses:

Other than the massive guns and the shield which are Lament’s main attacking forces along with the massive towering walls, the city also has many other defenses as well in the case that enemy manages to get inside the walls.

~Heavy Weapons:

The Lamentian Guard has access to a large number of tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers provided for the city by Raven Industries. These are rarely used unless an enemy threat manages to get inside the city with a significant amount of force behind them. They are based within the Dark Tower and can be called out to deal with any threat within ten minutes of being called into action. All of these are Standard Military Equipment when dealing with a major threat. The city also has a number of Blackhawk Helicopters that have been modified for various purposes. The weapons on these aircraft are as varied as the aircraft themselves, and can include anything from high powered machine guns, to rockets, guided missiles, highly sensitive radar and night vision, as well as thick armor plating. These tried and true helicopters are simply as varied as the men and women who fly them and make up the Guard. All of these vehicles carry anti-magical shield generators onboard. The most deadly of these heavy weapons is the D-3 "Lahar" Class Battle Walker.

Lamentian Arsenal - D-3 Class Battle Walker Wrote:

The D-3 Class Battle Walker is the first design of battle walker ever produced by Lament's Black Works. This weapon design team is responsible for designing the Obsidianus Flying Fortress and all its various technologies, the main guns and shielding system present on the Black Tower, as well as Lament's Anti-magical Shielding and magic diffusion technology.

The "Lahar" Class Battle Walker was so named for its terrifying power on the battlefield, and its uncanny ability to steamroll competing forces in record time. With a top speed of roughly 60mph it is the single fastest armored ground vehicle in Lament's arsenal, and easily the most heavily armored as well, being able to withstand several direct impacts from traditional weaponry.

Standard armament for the Lahar includes a Particle Projection Canon mounted in the left arm, capable of vaporizing flesh and metal alike. A secondary effect is its ability to temporarily scramble electrical systems that are left undamaged by the initial strike. A Gauss Rifle is mounted in the right arm, and is used primarily for armor piercing on heavily armored targets. At full power, the rounds can penetrate a full foot of armored plating before becoming ineffective. High Powered Auto Canons are mounted on the torso of the walker and the pivot joint on the legs, and are typically loaded with armor piercing or incendiary rounds.

In addition to these, back mounted Weapons Pods can be changed and customized for a wide array of missions. These include, but are not limited to, Extended Range High Power Laser Canons, Omni-Missile Pods, Mine laying equipment, and radar units. These weapons, along with Jump Jets for limited Flight capability, combine to make the Lahar one of the most versatile weapons in Lament's arsenal to date.

~Other Defenses:

Seismic Mines-

Hundreds of thousands of seismic sensors lay hidden beneath the rocky ground of Lament and the plains surrounding it. They even lay under the Underground section. The Seismic sensors not only act as a warning for a volcanic eruption and earthquakes, but serve the purpose of acting as a warning to the mines if an underground threat is coming. When something that does not resemble an earthquake sets off one or more of the sensors, the signals are matched with a database, and if the signal does not match any known disturbances, then the Seismic mines are activated. The mines can either be triggered via a signal from the surface, or automatically depending on what option the mines are set to. The mines can cause cave-ins in underground tunnels, and the blasts themselves have enough power to severely damage any armored vehicle that decides to make its move underground, as well as firing off shrapnel of obsidian shards to damage organic targets as well.

Magic Detecting Units (MDU’s)-

These tiny sensors are scattered across the city in various locations and appear to look like tiny silver smoke detectors, and due to their locations inside buildings and along structures, they are often mistaken as such. Each sensor detects any magic use within a radius of thirty feet from the sensors. If the city is in Lockdown or under any other kind of military action, the sensors are activated and serve to alert ground troops to the location of the magical use. The target the sensors pick up can be tracked with a special device often carried by military personnel during military movements, and the detectors let out a loud alarm when exposed to magic in the area of effect allowing for tracking of targets without the device at hand.

Magic Diffusion Mines (MDM’s)-

These mines are set throughout the city in many places both above and below ground. When activated, they explode, sending out a field of energy referred to as an “Anti Magical Pulse”, or AMP. This field effectively neutralizes any magical energy in the air and prevents any magical flow whatsoever within affected individuals for up to ten hours, but no less than eight. The field works by distorting the delicate web of magical planes and energies that normally flow through an area and allow a person or individual to use their magical powers. The distortion backs up the delicate flow and prevents the magic from being used for the set amount of time. The explosion does no harm to any non-magical entity, however, a being using magical energy to attack, or a being using magic to keep themselves alive or sustain themselves can be seriously damaged as the backed up magic can cause serious injuries to the body’s systems. Undead creatures, having used unholy magic to remain among the living, are instantly dispelled and killed by these mines and become nothing more than a normal corpse. The mines also prevent any magically enhanced abilities from being used for the time the user is affected by the blast. Any unaffected entities moving into the area of the blast will still have full use of their abilities, allowing for use of SPR rounds on targets upon arrival of backup.

Defense Plan Alpha/Omega-

These secret defense plans are Lament’s trump card when dealing with a losing situation. Only the highest-ranking military officials have the knowledge of, and the ability to make use of these plans at the appropriate time when such actions are deemed approved by the Monarch himself, or by the current highest-ranking living official. Only they know that they entail…

Military Lockdown:

This attempt to secure the city during a hostile time can be activated whenever necessary to protect the city from major threats and attacks from invaders. Lockdown Policy is listed below in full.

Quote: "As of (Time of effect), the entire city of Lament is placed under Military Lockdown. Armed guards will be posted at every doorway, entrance, and exit into or out of the city and Underground. Any travelers already within the city walls will be held as suspects. No visitors will be granted access into or out of the city for any reason. Guard shifts will be changed randomly at any time seen fit. Normal operating procedure of the alerting system may be bypassed in order to deal with hostile entities more effectively. Any and all actions required to uphold the safety of the city are authorized.

All Guards or Officers entering or exiting their posts during a shift are REQUIRED to present personal Identification at gunpoint, and present the inquiring officials with a password changed for every shift. If one or more of these conditions are not met, the subject in question is to be terminated immediately and without hesitation. Any failure to comply immediately with the request of the interviewing personnel will result in termination of the individual in question.

Any Officer seen leaving their post for any reason without permission, including personal, is to be terminated immediately. Any individual located within a military zone that is not military personnel is to be terminated immediately without question.

Any abnormalities in procedure will be met with lethal force. All Underground Officers will be permanently stationed in the Underground section until the Lockdown is lifted. All elevator use is banned unless the Lamentian Guard Hierarchy grants permission of use. Elevators are to be used by Military personnel only. Any and all suspicious activity is to be reported and dealt with immediately. Standard Military warnings go out to any personnel in both Sections of the city. That is all."

Climate:

The climate around Lament is generally mild. It’s far north of almost every other town or village on the continent, so it can be cold at times as well. Rain falls every now and then, but not much of anything grows due to the large amount of volcanic basalt and rock in the ground. Sometimes snow will fall, making the area even colder to live in and cross.

Production/Trade:

Obsidian is the only item that is traded regularly, since not much else can be grown or produced in the area around the volcano on the land above.

Resources:

Most food production takes place in the Underground where crops can be grown in the rich volcanic soil along with a little magically created sunlight. Water comes from a river to the east of the City that runs down from the mountains and enters the city via aqueducts. These are protected from infiltration by dozens of thick metal grates, making entrance via these almost impossible. Magical detecting systems are in place to alert the guard to any tampering in the area. As the water is in the pipes it is cleaned, filtered and sterilized by numerous devices. The water is then pumped into the City via massive underground water pumps located deep within the Obsidian Mines.

Vahn Fah Wrote:

"Where...the hell am I?"

On a nearby counter, a glob of emerald-colored gelatin jiggled furiously. It had gone untouched for hours.

Somewhere Outside the City...

"Where the hell did Vahn go?!"

Silver threw up his hands, both wrapped in bloody bandages, as well as the entire length of his right arm. There was also a patch applied to the left side of his face.

"AND HOW THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GET OUT OF HERE?!"

He would punch the hull of the wrecked vessel rather hard, obviously forgetful of the condition of his arm. Silent, he'd stand there a moment as the pain, almost cartoonishly visable, rolled up and down his entire body.

He'd then grab his wrist, fingers gnarled from impact, and howl to the heavens.

"... GOD DAAAAAMMMMNIIIIIIITTTTTT~!"

The camera would slowly pan up to an empty night sky... where Vahn's image would become superimposed over the stars. The Kingsmen's Louie Louie would begin playing and the credits would start to roll.

THE END...?

Vahn Fah Wrote:

"Where...the hell am I?"

Not Atma Wrote:

"I'm quite famished..."

By the way, there was a large wulf curled up at Vahn's feet on the bed.

Vahn was the wulf's transportation because the wulf didn't feel like running all the freaking way back to Latent, so it only made sense to stick with the guy.

She was either asleep or too lazy to appear otherwise.

Silver Alexander Wrote:

"What the-?"

He would spin around to find mysterious stranger now behind him.

How the hell...?

The other man would point at the distant city, and offer some sound advice.

"Oh... okay. Lead the way, I guess." The figure began to walk towards the city, his boots crunching on the sand and gravel of the chilly Lamentian wastelands. He was completely silent, no words of utterances for quite some time as the pair continued to walk. Eventually, though, he spoke again.

"What kind of a man would you call yourself, Mr. Alexander?"

He didn't turn to face Silver, and continued to walk ahead. It was such a flatly asked question that one would wonder if the man had asked it many times to many other people before.

Vahn Fah Wrote:

The man picked up his plate of food, and Vahn waved a hand absently towards him. "I'm not too fond of the stuff, help yourself." He had about a dozen questions needing answers, and he was more than wary about why he was here.

"Thank you. I rarely get to enjoy such a treat myself."

The cloaked man ate the jello with the spoon, the light never touching upon his face. As the utensil dug into the quivering mass the man paused for a moment to speak a question before taking another bite.

"You're no doubt wondering why you're here, I would imagine? Not a bad question to ask oneself. After all, last thing you'd remember, I would think, would be that you were in a fight with that paladin boy."

The man grinned behind his hood and cloak.

"I assume you have some questions, the first one being where you are."

He took another bite of the wobbly treat and savored the flavor of it a while as it melted in his mouth. Lime wasn't exactly his favorite flavor, but it was acceptable at the very least for hospital food.

"Right now you are on the second floor of Lament's General Hospital. Your injuries were severe enough that we thought you might be in worse shape if we dragged you all the way back to Latent. So, we settled on Lament. You can thank me for those neatly healed scars there. The doctors insisted on stitches, but I wouldn't have any of that. Though apparently they went ahead and stapled your arm anyway..."

The man, partially annoyed, it would seem, took another bit of jello and waited for some response from Vahn.

Vahn Fah Wrote:

"Well, I suppose I'll thank you then-- but you'll forgive me if I hope that's all you did to me. I really don't like people messing with my body without me knowing." Like you wouldn't believe.

He set his jaw squarely now, his right eye narrowing a bit. "Besides, I didn't take you the sort to openly reveal himself...or maybe you have nothing to worry about right now...?" The man chuckled a little and coughed a bit, having just slightly choked on his jello.

"I wouldn't dream of messing with people while they sleep. Not only is it a little on the creepy side, but it isn't my style. If I am going to confront someone about something, I tend to do it to their face."

He calmed himself and finished the rest of the jello before setting the small plate and spoon aside and standing up, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.

"I would suppose that me being here takes me away from most of the prying eyes looking for the Shades, however, I am not really the one you should be concerning yourself with, Mr. Fah. In reality, you should be concerning yourself...with yourself."

The man chuckled readily at Vahn's reaction. If he was going to threaten him, he could have done so in a far more direct fashion. After all, Vahn was pretty helpless at the moment in his given situation, even with the guard dog at his feet...

"I wouldn't get so worked up over it. If I was wanting to do you any serious harm, I could have done it while you were asleep, distasteful as that idea is to me... No, Mr. Fah, the reason you should be worrying about yourself is because there are things in this world that are not as they seem. And you, as one of Gaia's finest, has a decision to make about where he wants to be."

The man cleared his throat and straightened a bit against the wall, adjusting his position ever so slightly for more comfort.

"What kind of a world would you find yourself wishing to live in, Mr. Fah?"

The man waited.

He bristled silently at the casualness of the statement, even if it held so much as a sliver of validity within it. Easy now... It wouldn't do to go flying off the handle at his mysterious benefactor.

Not yet anyway.

"....?" Well, of course I can relate. This world's plenty of ******** at the moment... So far he wasn't hearing anything that he didn't already know.

He blinked, making sure he just heard the guy right. Then he broke out into laughter. "--What, kind of world-- you ask? Oh...that's rich..incredibly rich..." His impromptu outburst died down, as he realized the man was serious.

"You're not joking, are you?

How many times I've found myself asked that...

...a world where I didn't have to fight anymore...but the chances of that happening..." Are the same as Eden dropping out of the sky right now.

"....." He felt his chest ache, the words lingering in his mind even as he remembered all that he had been through up to this point, everything he had done to get here... I have been struggling with it since I can remember...from the moment I was born.

Even now, after everything...nothing more than a sleepless dreamer

His right hand tightened in frustration, even as the man continued talking-- before what was said next brought him to attention sharply. "!" Artifact...?

"..I see." Without concern for those that live...Victor, you too walked this path, didn't you?

And now...

"Exactly what kind of artifact are we talking about here?

And what's to stop you from just doing the same exact thing as the Order?"

He had heard the same sort of double speak from his brother before. He had resisted his sibling's words back at the Tower of Babel, and never regretted it. He would not allow himself to fall for the same ruse in a different guise.

His head lowered just a bit, taking in everything that he was being told, even as he struggled to contain himself in the process.

Just like Victor then...too much like him..I-I can't... He frowned as he found himself suddenly hating what had become of his brother, even more so than he ever had.

Struggling for a paradise that could never be realized, unable to listen to reason-- doing whatever the hell they wanted irregardless of the freedom of choice that any one person should be able to make in regards to living their own life.

All this stranger offered were words, yet they stirred at the very chords of his heart-- they spoke directly to the very part of Vahn that was eternally struggling. Destruction...

If..I could lay claim to this artifact.. He beat back the thought, even as cold sweat ran down his back and shoulders. What do I stand for...if not this? What can I believe in-- if not the path I chose.

To stop Eden. To save..him.

"If Noah has sided with the Order...then..."

Silver obediently followed behind the man, remaining quiet himself as he glanced about the boring terrain. Usually in this type of situation he'd be talkative and just generally annoying. But not now. There was something... unsettling about this guy. He was weird. Hadn't he seen a guy like him somewhere before?

And now he was asking weirder questions.

"Huh? "What kind of man...?" I never really thought about that... My skin's pretty light, and I am Crutonian in origin... I think..."

Silver had been carrying his jacket over his shoulder, leaving his arms exposed even in the cool air. He had that warmed than most thing going for him like Vahn, and with his sore arms, he opted to remove his coat. He glanced at what skin he could that wasn't covered by bandages. He would then point ahead, though his traveling companion would not see it.

"So, what about you? Are you from this place? Lament, was it? I never been here before... and after that last match, I know why."

So much for not being talkative.

Free to go...yet not entirely free at all.

His shoulders rolled back as he stared up at the ceiling in thought, after everyone had left.

Well, almost everyone.

"Well, I'm starting to think I shouldn't have let him eat my jello."

Silver Alexander Wrote:

Silver obediently followed behind the man, remaining quiet himself as he glanced about the boring terrain. Usually in this type of situation he'd be talkative and just generally annoying. But not now. There was something... unsettling about this guy. He was weird. Hadn't he seen a guy like him somewhere before?

And now he was asking weirder questions.

"Huh? "What kind of man...?" I never really thought about that... My skin's pretty light, and I am Crutonian in origin... I think..."

Silver had been carrying his jacket over his shoulder, leaving his arms exposed even in the cool air. He had that warmed than most thing going for him like Vahn, and with his sore arms, he opted to remove his coat. He glanced at what skin he could that wasn't covered by bandages. He would then point ahead, though his traveling companion would not see it.

"So, what about you? Are you from this place? Lament, was it? I never been here before... and after that last match, I know why."

So much for not being talkative. "I am not from Lament."

The figure was quiet a moment longer before speaking again.

"What I meant was, do you consider yourself to be a hero, Mr. Alexander?"

What was all that stuff about his origins? Was he really that...dense?

"Every hero must have a starting point, Mr. Alexander. He must be able to find something to fight for, to believe in, and be strong enough to fight for that no matter the odds stacked against him. Being a hero isn't easy."

The man continued to walk, still not turning to face Silver as they walked ever closer to Lament's city walls.

"I only ask because the world you live in is quite possibly under the threat of great danger, and I would assume that my associate is currently discussing this very thing with your friend Mr. Fah."

"Your tournament is of little concern to us, however, The Order of Illumination has seen fit to align itself with Elia Noah's Foundation. And as such, we thought it pertinent to enlist the help of the fighters to better our odds in the case that things turned hostile..."

The man continued his walking towards the city gates, looming ever closer. It seemed that he was in a hurry to get to the city and off the plains.

"We've come to you and your friends, Mr. Alexander, because we want to know where you stand in your beliefs in the world. Would you seek out utopia even if it ran the risk of destroying us all, or would you fight to protect your way of life, even if it meant destroying your chance at utopia in favor of saving the foolish from themselves?"

"I'm not exactly jealous of you being the face of Glacier, HoH, Leviathan Stadium, and anything else that might ever be associated to you through the Six Degrees of Vahn Fah."

Slow blink.

"I only meant that for all intents and purposes, despite your desire to back out of the light, it's falling on you again. The fact that I wasn't addressed at all proves this. It makes me wonder if the organization the man works for... or simply that man... is out of touch with what was and what is, and what we're trying to make be."

Stupid was the word she was thinking, though for the sake of not actually seeming offended, which she wasn't, Scout's Honor, she didn't use it.

"I know, and I apologize. I didn't mean to imply that you wanted this, not like this."

Miranda looked off to the side, to the window that may or may not be there (different room, same tendencies), and then back to Vahn. Her eyes closed, and she took a deep breath... and with a shudder, Miranda switched from her Feral state to the Transitional. She remained her position, straddling Vahn's legs on her knees, and her hands were neatly placed on her own thighs. She still wore what she had on for the last fight... the leotard and open skirt bit, full armor.

"I don't know where he is. He's been notably hard to get in touch with lately."

Such a thing actually worried Miranda because... for all intents and purposes, she and Shouyin were siblings from different parents. For all their fighting against each other, and with each other, they had an understanding, and Shou was as close to a brother as anyone could get for her.

"But... I'm not worried. Shou finds a way. I'll try to call him in a bit."

She turned her head to the window once more.

"And Silver?"

Not that Vahn would know, having been unconscious and all, but...

"I've been... burned, too."

It was partly her fault, using OBLIVION more or less to spite Unsane after he appeared at the last second with an obtuse warning about it. As if she needed more to worry about with the spell. She hadn't lost her marbles as she'd heard Mono Mist did, but her actual level of sanity was more or less up for debate. At least it hadn't thought to kill her, though.

"Shouyin was... asleep when the airship crashed. Faking, but I could feel the displeasure." Guy didn't even wake up to STRIKER a pebble at someone's head. If they made it through... hopefully, the next round would be better for the Stoan King. One could only hope.

When Vahn looked to his FIGHTER, Miranda faced him and waited for him to finish sending the message. If she was aware that he had gotten nervous or the like with her state change, Miranda made no visible note of it.

"He's still outside the door. He'll likely be out there for a while. Unfortunate..."

"You know..."

Miranda leaned forward slowly, pushing up off the back of her legs and Vahn's legs. Putting hands on his shoulders and more or less looking down at him, Miranda's voice dropped even more. Her blue lips pursed as she took a deep breath that caused her chest to be thrust but inches from Vahn's face. If he cared to look... and why wouldn't he?... Vahn could tell that either the room, or just Miranda was quite cold.

"You could always just wear me. I promise, I won't bite... too hard."

Slow blink.

Order... Foundation...? So that's it, huh? Trying to recruit for your cause...

Silver would glance up at the gates that were beginning to tower over them as they approached. He would also look back behind them, checking to see if the plains were still as empty as they had left them. Sure enough, no trouble yet. Something still made him uneasy, though. He would turn back to the other man as he spoke again.

"I can't say I know what our beliefs as a team are, other than that we believe in each other. Like I told that troublesome monk--"

Silver's FIGHTER would suddenly emit an audible alert. Startled, he let himself be interrupted as his raised his left arm to look at it, finding it had a message for him. He wasn't aware they included any such features.

"Er, excuse me..."

After flexing and wincing at still sore fingers, with a few button presses, he'd managed to retrieve the message from Vahn. He grinned, chuckling audibly.

Heh... you'd almost think he was worried about me. Must be getting soft in his old age...

Still, it was comforting to know he did care. Vahn wasn't open with him very often, and such rare displays were welcome sights. After fiddling with the device for several moments, he eventually figured out how to reply. Once deciphering the type function, Silver's fingers were ablaze sending a rather articulate reply. It seemed he knew how to work a keyboard.

Silver's Text Message Wrote:

Vahn,

Im being taken to the city by some weird guy in robes trying to recruit us for some beef he has with Noah and his associates. Be on the look out for similar individuals. I don't trust them.

Sincerely,

Silver

PS: I'm glad you're okay. I saw your fight with Dr. Anson. Start taking it easy so I don't have to keep hauling your carcass back to the hotel after every match. ^_~

Satisfied with his reply, Silver would lower his arm again and continue walking.

"Sorry about that... Anyway, as I've already said, Glacier won't be forming any alliances with others, inside or outside the tournament. We have our own issues with Noah and the Foundation, so we'll kick his a** ourselves. If whoever's helping him this year, enemies of yours or not, get in our way, we'll kick their asses, too! Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and we'll have helped you out, anyway."

"Ah...well...That is..." He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He wasn't quite sure what the hell to say to that or how to take it.

The wulfen had been acting on and off like this ever since Vahn had discovered what had...happened, to place the ice user in such a predicament.

Still, it didn't mean he was used to her.

He felt suddenly very alone and very vulnerable, before screwing up his face and scowling at Miranda. Of all the- "Look here dam--" The sound of someone clearing out their throat made him stop before he could finish the thought, causing him to look back at the doorway.

Silver's brow furrowed. The guy was starting to get pushy.

"I believe my team feels as I do. That's why they are on my team."

Silver would stop as the other man did, glaring at him as they were finally face to... uh... hooded face.

"A coward?! Listen here, buddy..."

He would jut his right index finger out at the stranger.

"Neither I nor Glacier are afraid of anything. There's a difference between being a hero and getting mixed up in someone else's business for no reason. I already told you that if this Order gets in our way, we'll kick their asses. It's not like we're gonna let anyone just go around hurting people if they feel like it, either. Besides, how do I know what you're feeding me isn't just a bunch of horse hockey? I remember now what happened at the opening ceremonies. Three of you guys attacked an unarmed woman at the banquet. In my eyes, that makes you the bad guys."

Ecks X Wrote:

"What? Go find something for him to eat and wear, please... you're the one that ate his food."

"Do you have any more cloaks left? That'll do until we can get to a store."[/size] The voice came from around the corner where the man was sitting. He still wasn't at the door.

"The nurse should have left a box of clothing for him on the counter across from the bed. I feel foolish for not mentioning it earlier, I apologize. But, I can see if a nurse can provide him with a quick meal. After all, his bill has already been paid... Should I get something for you too then, Miss Miranda?"

It would seem that the stranger had not recognized the wolf as the woman before, but now that she was speaking, he'd apparently put two and two together. The man waited for a response...

Meanwhile, if Vahn were to check the box of clothing, assuming the woman would get off of him long enough for him to get up and walk to the counter, he'd find a rather large box filled with clothing that would look somewhat familiar.

"That's very leaderly of you."

The man would compliment Silver on his decision to ask his team mates. After all, what if they wanted to help? It was always better to understand the whole situation before jumping to conclusions. If he expected to be a hero, the greatest hero even, he would have to learn to weigh his options, and now was as good a time as any to begin.

"Being lost is never enjoyable. I wouldn't be very...considerate if I simply left you."

As Miranda checked outside to look at the waiting man, she'd see a distinct lack of his presence. Apparently, he'd already left to go and try to find Vahn some food.

The man would be gone about ten to fifteen minutes, more than enough time for one to get dressed, before he returned with some food. He'd knock on the door as he arrived.

"Room service."

Assuming Miranda was still at the door, he/she'd spy a plate of eggs and bacon and a small carton of orange juice in one hand, and a cup of piping hot ramen noodles in the other. It would seem that he'd gone down to the hospital's cafe rather than simply getting regular hospital food. At least he had the common courtesy to get a decent plate of grub.

He breathed an inward sight of relief at the interruption, his eye closing as he took the chance to recollect his thoughts. This is getting to be too much. "I guess, one way or another-- we're all caught in the fire; that point of no return."

He set his jaw a bit, even as Miranda got up off him and saved him the trouble of possibly further embarrassment. Or at the very least, more awkwardness. This is... He lifted the somewhat thick coat up out of the box-- the last time he'd worn it was at Guldor when...

"...." His fingers tightened visibly on the clothing, even as he felt a dull ache in the left side of his head, which only lasted for but a moment-- as if someone had come and taken it away. Even after all this time, you still manage to reach across.

I wonder...I hope..you're at least still alive out there...idiot.

~~

By the time the food was brought back, Vahn would already have been half knelt at the waist, stooping low at the foot of the bed to adjust the last of the straps around his boots.

"...." Standing up, he stretched out his left arm a bit, getting used to the familiar weight that the thick coat brought with it.

"I hope you like bacon and eggs."

The man set the food down on the small table near the bed, not knowing where else to place it. It wasn't like they had a table or anything nearby. He kept hold of the ramen noodles and took a bit of them.

"It was all they had that looked decent, unless you were in the mood for a cold muffin."

The man seemed to be waiting for something as he ate, likely some sort of response from Vahn as to what he was thinking about pertaining to the discussion they'd had earlier.

"They have indeed. I dispatched one of the others to get him and bring him here. I would assume that they have asked him the same question I have of you, or, at least something along the same lines."

The man took another bite of his noodles.

"So then, are you ready to leave Mr. Fah?"

"....." Vahn waited quietly, choosing purposely not to answer the man yet until he answered Miranda.

"..."

It was Miranda's turn to go quiet, her eyes moving to Vahn as she leaned back on the wall beside the window.

The cloaked figure picked up on Vahn's hesitation. He didn't make any mention of it or point it out. There was something missing here, the pieces didn't add up. Vahn responded as if he'd simply given up, given in, gone with the flow. The figure finished his noodles and placed the Styrofoam cup into the refuse bin before he continued.

"I want to take you back out to the plains. I suspect that we'll meet up with your Team Captain along the way as well. As you're healed and in good shape now, there isn't any reason to stay here in the hospital any longer, is there? Besides, what I really need to discuss with you needs to be said out there on the way back to your airship. Out there, I can speak much more freely."

The man would take one last glance around the room to the two individuals before turning and starting to walk out the door as he spoke again.

"I'll lead the way."

Vahn Fah Wrote:

He canted his head to the side a bit, staring at Miranda as he mouthed 'He'll lead the way' in a sarcastic fashion as the representative walked out the door.

Miranda smiled. She'd file out after Vahn... there was nothing there for her, so there would be no reason to look around to be sure nothing was forgotten.

One of the advantages of always traveling light.

"....." He didn't really have a whole lot to say, simply walking behind the guy and following him through the city. His right eye remained focused on the man the entire way, his thoughts simply unceasing in trying to make up his own mind on the matter, one way or another.

How much of the truth are you really letting me see?

How much of what I'm shown is simply staged...Damn you.

Damn people like you...forcing me to choose...

He grimaced a little, even as his slightly hunched over figure continued cutting through the gritty city-state that was Lament; both hands stuffed into his pockets.

~~

Pretty soon, the trio made it out, and the depressing sight of the Lamentian Plains once more greeted his eye. "......" The only sound that passed between them was the sound of the soil under their passing feet. Sensing a subtle shift in Miranda's posture, Vahn lifted his head up; he could see what appeared to be Silver-- and another hooded stranger.

As both groups converged, Vahn stood off to the side a bit, letting the shadowy buddies do their thing, even as he opened his mouth just for their Team Captain. "Nice to see you made it in one piece! How's your arm?"

Before he could hear a reply from the man however, the man who had been leading Silver up and vanished; a scowl forming on his face. The same as the Ball...

In their current positioning, Glacier had the backdrop of the city behind them-- while the cloaked man had the ground ridden airship framing the horizon behind him.

He listened, closing his right eye as the guy spoke. Putting it that way...you don't really leave me much choice, do you b*****d? "I don't like you." Blunt.

"I don't like your methods...but then again..." Tiera... "I am not exactly in a position to talk about the means to an end." Yet you fight against your own brother... "However, I am not so naive as to be able to decide something like this for everyone here.

Honestly, this is hard for me to do no matter how many different angles I look at it.

I speak for myself, and my friends are able to make up their own minds."

He opened his right eye and stared the representative down. "If you even so much as try to ******** around, I will make your entire organization regret it's existence."

His voice didn't waver a bit. "I'll help you recover the artifact." And I'll be the one to destroy it. And I'll be the one to use it.

You know, there was a lot of ways that this conversation could have gone.

This was not how it was supposed to happen.

---

Vahn Fah Wrote:

Sensing a subtle shift in Miranda's posture, Vahn lifted his head up; he could see what appeared to be Silver-- and another hooded stranger.

Indeed. Miranda was content to take the flank position, though she was more beside Vahn than behind him... no reason to make herself seem less important, was there? Like this, Vahn would be able to notice when she opened her eyes, as it came with a short huff and a raise of her head, as if she were simply going through the motions before actually waking up, and paying attention.

While Vahn and Silver greeted, the Team Captain was given a nod, but Miranda didn't talk... a moment between close friends, let them have it. She payed more attention to the cloaked men meeting, then the one leaving by some interesting teleportation(?) method. It was the only way to explain that sort of exit.

Well, all eyes on them... or more precisely, on Vahn. Even with the Captain there, Vahn as getting top billing, and she couldn't help notice how it kept happening. What did they want with Glacier... what more could Vahn do that everyone else couldn't?

There had to be a reason the cloaked man was so pushy. It had gone from a matter of "you must understand that we wish to save the world," to a quick "if something happens, it's on your head."

It was less in the words-- though the words were there-- and more in the attitude. Something had changed, and Miranda was paying attention. She wanted to see what the cloaked man was seeing, know what he knew. Figure this out.

And you know, the result of her visual and aural observation should not yielded these results.

There was a lot of ways that this conversation could have gone.

This is not how things should have gone.

There had to be a moment where he had to reach back, c**k the fist, and shoot it forward. Miranda would be too late to grab the fist out of air in some awesome bodyguard-esque motion fitting for a movie, but she was definately quick enough to catch him directly after. Her arm swept up and forward at the same time, clawed hands grabbing at the cloak around the figure's head.

Ideally, she would have yanked his silly a** by the neck, and with a twist of her hips, thrown him some feet backwards. However, it was much more likely that she'd grab him by the hood area of his cloak and stop him from zooming to his destination by way of forceful yank. And if he saw fit to move against the force, unless there were some adamantite strands within the cloak or whatever people did to make flimsy things be stronger than they should.. then it was going to rip and expose the man's face.

Going with the idea that in some way, the cloaked man wasn't going to be by Vahn and would either be stopped (and yanked to the ground by his force being suddenly stopped in place) or thrown back, Miranda flared her claws.

"You gamble your life!"

Miranda made no idle threats... not that the cloaked man would know. Indeed, he apparently knew absolutely nothing about her, so far as to talk around her in the hospital room.

He could not have seriously thought that he was going to punch Vahn in the face and get away with it. WALL didn't put up with that bull, and neither would Glacier.

Are you just going to keep running away?

"...."

He stood there, that oh so badass attitude emanating from his person as he listened to the guy react to what he said. Myself...? He scowled as the representative began yelling at him now.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't you know wh-" One moment he was pretty sure he was staring down the hooded guy, but in the next moment, he had to rethink his perception on reality.

It was if a bloom of pain had suddenly erupted on the left side of his face, unable to perceive anything because of the blind spot. "Eeghh--!!"

His body went sideways, feet lifting off the ground even as the metallic taste of something registered in his mouth. His right eye was widened, and his brain was still trying to comprehend what exactly had just happened.

Did I...just get decked?! The expression on his face was priceless, even as time seemed to freeze for just that little moment that he was in the air, feeling completely incredulous to what just happened. Ah.

Damn it all.

He hit the ground, gravity welcoming him in a loving embrace even as his body went sliding a bit, before completely halting. That's not how this was supposed to happen....was it?

He was vaguely aware of Miranda moving from where he was on the ground-- and he couldn't be too sure of what Silver had done; the shock of what happened began to wear off, but that only led to the pain setting in more fully now. "....."

Lifting his body a bit, he raised a hand to his face, blood dripping from his lips. He wasn't mouthing off, had no quirky come back, let alone making nay move to shove his foot up the guy's own a. He wasn't acting at all like anyone would have expected him to act-- because he was just laying there like a b*h.

Goddamn... Looking up now, he felt his heart in his throat now-- as the identity of the representative was revealed. He can't say he wasn't surprised. He was just plain shocked, and it showed on his face.

"...Easy talk..." He picked himself up off the ground now, a bit of himself coming back now that he could put a name and face to this group. Shaking his head, he wiped his jaw with the sleeve of his coat. "...coming from someone who has no idea what's it like to lose almost everything.

To think that someone like me...should just be automatically seen as a hero, that no matter what I have to be at the front lines of every conflict-- HELL NO." He yelled out the last part, more-so to the very air than at anyone in particular. Mari...

"I've been manipulated like a chess piece all my life.

My passion, my conviction-- my very will, was all fabricated for me. For the longest time I've been feeling like a helpless puppet being manipulated in some grand scheme. I even went so far as to do the unthinkable and give up." Of course even then...that old man still showed up and saved me...

"It's taken me a long time to rebuild myself and determine what I'm fighting for." To save the woman I love. To save my brother from himself.

"I'm not so altruistic that I can say 'I will save the entire world with these arms of mine'. I am only...human enough to say 'I will save these people with these hands of mine'. His hands swept out to the side, and closed suddenly into fists. No matter what.

Both his hands tightened now, even as his right eye widened with the emotional state he was in right now. "Show you my determination you say..."

The pressure in the air was visible, even as his right hand went to the side of his left hip, edging for the hilt of his Fang that lay slumbering there. "....You have no idea..."

There was a significant pause, even as the moment presented itself. Looking back on things, the world would have seemed to groan with effort-- as if this moment in time were the very pivotal crux of such momentous decision with far reaching implications. "And you never will."

The moment passed, histories altering, futures shifting-- all from the impact of this one moment; subtle ripples in what was to come, like the beating wings of a butterfly.

His hand dropped, and he turned his head to the side, looking away from Ryugi. "We all have our own battles to fight.

Our own paths to walk. I gave you my answer, whether it's the one you were looking for or not-- it's all I'm going to give to you."

He began walking forward, making a point to go right by Ryugi. "I've come to realize after all..." He spoke, just as he would be passing right alongside Ryugi, making these last words for his ears alone. "...the world is too small a place...for my determination."

"You may not have noticed..."

Miranda kept up her vigil at Vahn's side when he left. There was nothing important to say (or think) at all of this. She had her thoughts, and would she be asked, she would or would not voice them. However, as it was clear that Ryugi was talking to Vahn more than Glacier, there was no reason to interject about heartbreak, loss, and what could and should be.

The Esterian hadn't met the Dragonkin before personally, but knew of him. Of what he knew, it now made sense that Vahn was the one he was talking to.

"...but there are more than the two of you here."

However, it didn't make the fact that Miranda and Silver were getting ignored any less annoying.

Silver had his reasons for being here, as did she. Shouyin, gods bless the half-golem, had his reasons for stepping back into the fray... reasons he was holding close to the chest, though Miranda might venture some good guesses at them.

Miranda had all but spelled out a reason for Ryugi to care about more than the Murmillion, but the thrown bone wasn't caught, and the tunnel-vision was made apparent.

It should be noted that Miranda was in no way, shape, or form, jealous. She meant it when she said that she didn't envy Vahn's place in the world. Everyone was looking for him, looking to fight him, looking to beat him, looking to be him. Such a thing had to get tiresome. Miranda probably had it good compared to the guy. Settling with a hot mate with a bit of an accent to make things interesting, and two kids who were feisty and made things lively.

There was a difference in jealousy, and wanting to keep things even. Miranda was a big believer in the group... the team, the pack. If Ryugi was going to keep poking at Vahn, then Miranda would have to politely show him exactly what it meant to mess with her pack. Blood and House members were all the same.

"Thank you, but you should leave us be now."

My path will take me wherever I choose for it to guide me. But if we do meet at the end of this, then perhaps...

Ryugi chuckled.

Nevermind.

He turned to face the rest of Team Glacier, warriors in their own right, one last time.

You're both free to make your own choices too. Just because I've focused so hard on your alternate does not mean that you are not open to joining the fight in your own right. As I've said, I can't force you to join, its ultimately up to you. But I can say that I'd be happy to fight alongside any one of you, given what I've seen this year.

Ryugi would turn and start walking back to Lament. He'd have to catch a train back to Latent as he didn't exactly have an airship, and he wasn't about to go flying around in his dragon state...

If you decide to join the cause, the Shades will seek you out. That said, I'll let you all get back to the tournament. I've taken up enough of your time as it is.

Eyes open.

And with that, Ryugi would start to leave the team alone, and to their own devices, but then stop and turn.

Oh, I almost forgot.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a document, showing it to them.

This is a document signed by the Lamentian Government. Essentially, it says they'll deactivate their anti-magical mines in this fight area long enough for any conflicts to take place, and to allow any parties that were allowed in to fight to leave. Therefore, you're free to leave the same way you came in, just with...

Ryugi looked the the crashed airship before continuing and turning to head off again.

You know, with a better landing.

Later, guys, and good luck.

Miranda watched the spectacle, taking steps back and bracing against some unseen threat. One would have to forgive her... she had never seen an airship launch, and the close proximity and knowledge that they'd -crashed- there... it warranted backing up in surprise.

At the end of it all Vahn was running to the thing, and she noticed the anchor lifting already.

"H...hold on!"

Miranda was right behind him.