rikunobodyxiii

Link was a bit relieved when Zelda took the lead. She would probably get more out of these strange people. As his eyes swept the group again, he wondered if they were all here for the same reason. A wishing stone would surely get the attention of a great many kingdoms. But if they weren't drawn here by the stone, what was their motive? The young hero's eyes met Lute's scrutiny. The question she leveled interested him. If the royalty of her kingdom needed to carry blades, maybe they were more often in danger? "That's what I'm here for." Link replied in a matter of fact tone.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Xeno'jiiva fight} Mariel took the reprieve from the dragon's attention to get airborne again. She called upon the powers of Light and Holiness that were at her call as an angel. She would have to move fast, but a blitz of the dragon's head to try to blind it should get its attention. Jynn's attack caused a grin to form on the Guardian Angel's face. This was going to be good. Glowing with power, Mariel prepared to unleash a powerful attack when a cry for help reached her ears. Training kicked in, allowing her to pinpoint where the cry came from. Elia was falling! It took less than a second for the Guardian Angel to make a decision and expended her Light Magic charge to streak across the sky towards Elia Dropping Heaven's Flame, she reached out and grabbed the nearest of Elia's limbs. "I've got you!" Mariel yelled as she pulled up hard, her wings flapping hard as it fought momentum and gravity. "Hold still!"

Link half listened to the booth as he watched for others, whether friendly or not. He smiled to himself when the entry for Dozing Sands was read out. If you were patient and studied the situation, a solution presented itself. He started looking around for a map of the area to get a picture of it, but new comers entered. The hero went from suspension to bewilderment very quickly. He had seen some things while traveling to free the Divine Beasts, but this was something new entirely. The pink dressed princess made him think they were friendly. Starlow's reaction confirmed it. Listening to the introductions, Link nodded to each person introduced in turn. It came over him that he was probably going to have to innate introductions on his end. Well, that's the price you paid, meeting new people. "I'm Link." He said, softer than he intended. He briefly wondered if he should introduce Zelda. He wasn't sure if that was a duty of a knight or not.

{Destiny Island: Market} “Who is unimportant.” The whispered voices answered Alyssia. “Your role is not with us. Your role is not served by being here.” The hooded figure stepped forward and extended a hand to the orphan girl. “You have been too long in the wrong place. Come with us.” {Destiny Island: Palace} Cornelius gave Velvet a patient nod then headed off in a direction, waving a hand for her to follow him. Normally, the way into the safe room was hidden by intricate camouflaging with various pieces of art and by magic, but the way was left wide open since the Emperor had been evacuated to the infirmary. The prince marched through, waving off some guards standing at the entrance. Through a tunnel was the safe room, designed to keep the Emperor safe, comfortable, and in contact with the outside world. It was originally designed when the Imperial line was more proactive and concerned with the people they ruled. Over the years, it had been turned more like a private banquet hall that could survive even space bombardment. In the center of the room was Crown Prince Silas, speaking quietly with two elder nobles. His piercing blue eyes swiveled to eye his son and commander enter. “Ah, commander.” He said as why of greeting. “Report.” {Kira: Radiant Garden Orbit; Shuttle aft} “If we are going to be working together, there is somethings you should know still aren’t your business.” Kira said tersely. “That’s one of them.” The Gunslinger worked her jaw a moment. “Well, since you are still my problem, I guess we might as well get started.” She got up and opened the door to the cockpit. “Head for Twilight Town.” She called in. “Yo!” Simeon answered before the door was closed again. “We have another possible lead on my-our target.” Kira explained as she went back to her seat. “Pretty routine, which is why I took the tip about the party at the Palace first. The death of a local lord had some weird circumstances that could be out guy.” {Omicron: Destiny Island; Warehouse} Omicron listened to Talus’s account of what happened to him. It sounded like a variation of becoming a Nobody. She had received training for hunting down such creatures when the situation arose. But she didn’t remember this kind of power referred to before. And if she could use it... The question about who she worked for seemed to spark something in her, her steely calm from before fully reasserting itself. “A group you do not want to cross.” She said in a dark tone. “Let me go, and you will not be reported.”

{Mariel: Isopolis; Xeno’jiiva 2nd form} Mariel’s aerial maneuvers slowed to a hover when the dragon seemed to succumb to wounds. She heard a cry of victory from one of her comrades, but she was wary. It seemed odd for such a beast to go down so fast. “Why did I have to be right?” She muttered to herself when Xeno’jiiva spoke. With a flap of her wings, she began a dive to renew her attack on the creature. The crack of the crystal overhead caused the Guardian Angel to snarl something entirely unangelic as she desperately tried to roll out of the way of the falling attack. Swooping close to the ground, Mariel stabbed Bright Guard into the ground, using it as a pivot to adjust her course. Diverting her forward momentum, she hit the ground with her knees and slid, pulling her sword with her. The crystal hit the ground inches from the Guardian Angel, throwing her further back. She ended up on her back near the wall of the cavern, but she popped up fast, Bright Guard up in a block in case the dragon tried to take advantage of her situation.

Link briefly made a face when Starlow was unable to supply much more information. He was hoping to get moving, but it looked like learning from the booths was the way to go. Still, the information about the door did interest him. Zelda seemed to hope to join the special group of tourists, though Link was wondering if they were the special group. Well, that might be a bit much to call two people a group. But it still made sense to him that they were already part of this mysterious group. He was very use to the idea of legends and destiny, so the concept for that door waiting on them didn’t phase Link. He did worry a little about who else might be part of the group and what this legend entailed. Pausing a moment to study the locked door, Link nearly jumped when Starlow came back with her message for a Princess Peach. If the yellow orb was going to hang around Zelda, Link couldn’t really think of why he would see this Peach before Starlow would, but he nodded anyway. After a final look at the locked door, Link went to join Zelda at the pink booth. He tried to position himself so that he could see what she was seeing in the booth, but also watch for newcomers.

Link jumped when Starlow appeared. At first he thought it was a fairy, but that apparently wasn’t so. As Zelda engaged with their new friend, the young hero looked around the hall again. He noted the booths the yellow orb mentioned. “What do you know of this place?” Link asked Starlow, turning back to the others.

Link read the descriptions over Zelda’s shoulder. Giant birds of legend seemed interesting. He looked up at the statues, wondering if these birds were machines like the Divine Beast Vah Medoh. Or maybe this was the wrong way to think of things. They were a long way from home. Things could be different here. “Name mean anything to you?” He asked Zelda, rolling the name “Pi’illo” around in his mind.

Link felt relieved that Zelda took his hand. For a horrible moment, he feared he had totally misread the whole situation. He gave Zelda a quick smile before what they were suppose to be doing came back to his mind. He looked around, looking for some sort of sign for where something important might be. In his experience, it was where there was a locked door and some sort of puzzle to unlock it. "Start in the biggest room?" He suggested to Zelda.

Link looked confused for a moment. He hadn't really intended anything. He had just wanted to proceed and look somewhat professional doing it. A Princess and her Knight visiting a new realm. But despite all they had been through, he and Zelda were still...well, young. Both of them conformed to their role early in life, but that had left many stages and phases of life left by the wayside. Taking a deep breath, Link held out a hand to get Zelda to stop. "Maybe we do this together?" He asked, rotating his hand in an offering for Zelda to take it.

{Omicron: Disney Island; Warehouse} Omicron flinched when Talus crushed the orb. She recompose herself, managing to put up a blank expression. Her captor seemed to be well acquainted with the Crown Prince, but she was beginning to buy that he wasn't working for the Palace. His proposal seemed like an excellent way to better understand who he was and what he wanted. Talus' use of void energy again put a dent in Omicorn's recently restored composure. As he suspected, sparks of the stuff emanated from the assassin. If she knew how to suppress it, she didn't try to. "I don't know!" She snapped loudly. A look of shock replaced the turmoil on her face. That had just come out of her. She hadn't intended to answer like that. Fresh feelings of confusion and fear bubbled up inside her. She put her hands up to her head. Why did it seem so loud in here? "Mr. Grek says it's better not to remember..." she murmured, eyes staring blankly ahead. Omicron rallied again, bringing her hands away from her head. She didn't seemed to have noticed her murmur was aloud. "Ho-how did come by it?" She asked, trying to regain some control of the situation. {Destiny Island; Capital Market} Alyssia's use of her Keyblade caused even the guards to stumble back in fear. They were suppose to only be in the hands of the nobles. If they had just threatened one of the upper crust, what they were planning to do to her could be a cakewalk compared to what they could go through. Both the crowd and the guards dispersed, trying to forget they were even in that area today. But there was still a set of eyes that watched after the running girl. They belonged to someone who felt no fear in this situation. Just a bit of frustration. As Alyssia looked down at her Keyblade in the safety of the alley, she suddenly became aware that she wasn't alone. Across from her was a figure in a drab grey full length coat. A hood was pulled up and only showed darkness in its depths. "Out of place." The figure whispered, the voice sounding like multiple people whispering in unison. "Cast aside. Looking for answers, yes?" {Destiny Island; Palace} The noble looked indignant to Velvet's insinuation and threats. He turned even redder and looked ready to explode when his eyes caught sight of something. He stiffened slightly, then complied to the commander's orders. A door across the hall softly shut, as the noble closed his door with more force, covering the sound of the other. On the other side of the far door, a young woman played with strings made of light for a moment more before they faded and she went about her other business. As Velvet went looking for her lord, another member of the royal family met her. She knew the young man, not quite 19 to her recall, as Prince Cornelius. He was the Crown Prince Silas's eldest son, and the Emperor's grandson. "Calm yourself, commander." Cornelius admonished Velvet. "We don't need another panic at this time." While he had some of the same pompous airs as the noble she had already dealt with, Cornelius had more strength backing his words. Prince Silas and at least his three children seemed to carry themselves with more dignity and grace than the majority of nobles, though the youngest was rarely around the place. "As fortune would have it, my father would also like a word with you." The young prince said. "He is down in the safe room, where the emperor was attacked. I'm sure your men can handle things up here in your absence." {VR Conference Call} "Excellent!" N said with a smile. "I do like employees who have get up and go. Based on your skills and background, I can't think of a better test then for you to aid Kira in her search." The man's smile became a beam of pleasure as he said this, like he was enjoying a great joke. "It will be a learning experience for you both. And no 'accidents', Kira. Call me when you have results." After a polite nod, the VR image of the man disappeared as the goggles shut down. {Kira: Radiant Garden Orbit; Shuttle aft} Kira glowered at the VR goggles Aether wore, her jaw set. "Frag you too, boss." She growled. {Radiant Garden; Rising Falls} The air around the falls held tension as Aurion and Shala spoke together. It was easy to put this down to the stand off feeling the two gave off, but that all that was there. Shadows subtly lengthened and grew darker as the connection to Darkness this place had echoed once more...

Link sped up to keep up with Zelda. Keeping her safe was still a duty he felt deep within him. Part of him wished he went here alone, not risking the Princess. But this stone they were after would probably need a more knowledgeable person to use it than him. He fell into step behind and to the side of the Princess.

Link fell out of the bubble a little unceremoniously. He had flown on air currents on his paraglider, but this flight had made him feel very uneasy. He picked himself up and dusted himself off. Zelda seemed excited by this place. It looked odd to Link, but it stood to reason a far off place would be. He just hoped that certain concepts were universal, like castles holding important people. Clearing his throat, he offered Zelda to go ahead of him into the castle. He wasn't sure whether this place held friend or foe, but it might be better to try diplomacy first. If that proved to be the wrong course of action, the weight of the Master Sword on his back was of great reassurance.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Xeno'jiiva fight} As expected and hoped for, the dragon attempted a counterattack versus the screaming angel. Mariel broke off her sonic assault and climbed higher to avoid the creature's tail. She lashed out with her flaming sword, hoping to strike the tail and keep its attention. Successful or not, the Guardian Angel picked up more speed as she circled around Xeno'jiiva. Taking a few breaths, she unleashed another sonic scream at the dragon's head. She tried to position herself so that should Xeno'jiiva attempt to use its breath weapon on her, it would provide an opening for the others.

As are you, Riku!

{Disney Island: Capital} "Oy, what's this then?" A guard demanded as he caught up Allysia's arm with the offending apple. "Looking to steal, little girl? Know what we do to thieves around here?" He yanked the orphan girl over to a table as passer-bys scattered, not wanting to draw the ire of the guards. Two more moseyed over, chuckling nastily. "We make sure their sticky little fingers don't bother 'em no more." The first guard said as he drew a wicked looking dagger. He held Allysia's arm down on the table as he brought the blade in. {VR Conference Call} N listened to Aether's account with a look of polite interest. He frowned slightly when Kira entered the picture. "How uncharacteristic for Kira, picking up hitchhikers." He commented, looking thoughtful. His expression changed to one of understanding. "Oh, of course!" N said, snapping his fingers. "You must have come in contact with Kira's target. Wanted to pump you for information, then dump you on me." The mysterious employer studied Aether again with new interest. Something flickered in his eyes. For a fraction of a second, they were...different. It happened too fast to fully comprehend, but it left a feeling of unease. Opening his mouth to speak, N paused as Aether said her farewells to Aurion. "Not at all." He said with a hand wave. "We are at the point where I tell you that your application seems intriguing, but not quite enough to warrant full employment." N quickly held up a finger. "But, some demonstrations of your skill set will be looked upon favorably. Succeed in some tasks, and you'll prove yourself worth adding to the payroll." {Simeon & Kira: Radiant Garden; Shuttle} "Be safe!" Simeon called back to Aurion as the ex-delivery boy left. Kira eyed Aurion as he passed through the aft section, not showing a reaction to his shrug. Once he was off, the Gunslinger banged the wall twice. The shuttle hatch closed as it slowly climbed for open space. "Gonna have to have a word with the egg head to cut the boy lose." Kira thought, still looking at the closed hatch. "That kid's better off not getting in too deep with this." {Radiant Garden; Rising Falls} As Aurion approached the Rising Falls, he felt an odd sensation, like something in the air. It reminded him of home. {Destiny Island; Palace} Ahead of Velvet, a door opened up, revealing a pudgy noble in ruffled formal wear. He caught sight of her and puffed up. "You! Guard!" He bellowed in the tones of someone who didn't even consider that he could be disobeyed. "I demand you allow me to leave at once! This is absurd holding us here. You'll find the culprit where they always spawn from! The lower classes!"

Accepted.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Xeno'jiiva fight} Mariel lingered a moment while Helios opened the final door back at the entrance of the room, looking back the way the party had come from. Part of her worried if there was something else important left back in the labrenth. Well, one way to find out. She followed the others through the final door, drawing both her swords just in case. Her suspicions were confirmed with the reveal of Xeno'jiiva. "Oh, that's suitably big." She said dryly as she looked the otherworldly dragon up and down. Though prepairing to take flight, the Guardian Angel paused to listen to Dawson's guidance. She carefully noted the targets. Most of the party could deal with the front legs. Getting its attention would probably be the best use of her enhanced mobility. She could feel the call to battle ringing through her mind, amplified by Dawson's horn. Even with the dire situation that brought her here, she began to laugh. This was going to be fun. Bellowing out an angelic warcry, Mariel launched herself into the sky. As she rose, her sword Flame of Heaven burst into flames at her silent command. She launched a quick fire bolt at Xeno'jiiva's glowing legs as she gained height. She noticed Odin's attack on its back. He had likely come to a similar conclusion that the Guardian Angel had and was trying to get the dragon's attention. Well, she couldn't let him do that all on his own. Taking a deep breath, Mariel lashed out with an extended sonic scream, directing the magic at Xeno'jiiva's head. She hoped it would distract and disorient the dragon. She did her best to keep moving through the air as she screamed, not wishing to be an easy target. There was still some ache in her healed wing, but she knew how to power through the lingering pain.

Hmm. Okay. Probably the best explanation is that one of Allysia's parents were the hidden child of one of the current Emporer's siblings, who died many, many years ago. Accepted!

Most won't. At least not that she's a descendant. Hmm. Let's see. It would probably be best to have her split off the royal line more recently than not. How much were her parents a part of her life before their demise?

Up to you. Also, as the decentant of Sora and Kairi, Allysia is related to the characters Francis, Silas, and Lamont. Francis is the Emperor of the Light Hegemony.

Accepted.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Door} Mariel was relieved to see other members of the party make it, especially Sifrei and Odin. Still, Helios was not yet amount them. She was growing concerned. Without that key, who knew what kind of trap they'd have to face to get the door open. "Alright, I'm heading back out." She declared. "I might be able to track Helios down by his aur-" Speak of the key bearer, and he appeared. The Guardian Angel wasted no time in reaching out and pulling Helios fully into the room, not wanting to risk even the possibility of something pulling him back and away. "Do you still have that key you found?" Mariel asked.

{VR Conference Call} When Aether mentioned the Silver Raven's, N looked back down at his tablet, scrolling a little before apparently finding what he was looking for. He didn't look back up until the assassin was done. "No past and no ties is good." He commented pleasantly. "They can make moving up in my organization difficult. Since it's Kira that's recommending you, I'll accept your credentials as stated. She's generally good about only sending solid applicants my way." A sly smile played across N's lips. "Though, when she does, it's usually because she's trying to get that person out of her hair. Tell me, in what capacity did you two meet?" {Simeon: Radiant Garden - coming in for a landing; Shuttle cockpit} "Awesome!" Simeon exclaimed, giving Aurion a quick smile. "Just give me a second to get us in position." The young scientist brought the cloaked shuttle down through the early morning sky of Radiant Garden. He avoided the main city, instead heading out over the Great Maw. Up ahead was where once stood the castle used by the villains of old when this place was called Hollow Bastion. It had been long since been torn down, but areas like the Rising Falls that use to make the castle's entrance still remained. Some attempts to make it into some sort of pleasant garden had been tried, but abandoned years ago. A feeling of unease seemed to emanate from the place. With a quick turn, Simeon had the shuttle's back hatch in position to unload Aurion. "Alright, just find a good, safe spot to place the scanner, then just stay out of trouble until I call you next." He said brightly. "Good luck and have fun!"

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Door} Mariel spun and brought Bright Guard up when she felt auras behind her, but lowered it when she saw it was more of the party making it. That gave her a bit of relief. There were still some faces missing that worried her, but they were likely to also make it. At least she hoped. She nodded her greetings to Arthur, Aura, Eclaire, and Rabiyu. As the Guardian Angel had suspected, the key was in another part of the maze. Unfortunately, it still wasn't here. "And the glass dragon coming alive is the good option if we trigger the trap for this room." Mariel added in to Rabiyu's warning. "Plenty of other ways this place could choose to 'test' us." The Guardian Angel crossed the room to look down the passage everyone had entered from. Eclaire was, unfortunately, voicing the concern that was running through Mariel's head. "Could you lead me back the way you came?" She asked, looking back at Eclaire. "We may have a chance to intercepting Helios and escorting him here." Mariel wasn't really a fan of her own plan. From how this place seemed to work, she figured the chances of this actually working were slim, and she would probably be relying on a demonic halfbreed. But she wasn't good at this kind of waiting, so just had to hope she was wrong about the odds and that Eclaire's angelic half was stronger.