rikunobodyxiii

Name: Ardyn Izunia Original Appearance: Final Fantasy XV Alignment: Chaotic Evil Weapon: Appearance: Bio: “Chancellor of Niflheim. Ardyn rose to power by introducing magitek infantry to the ranks of the imperial army, and has since amassed political power at the emperor's side. An aloof manner shrouds the chancellor in mystery.” Special Abilities: Warping, shapeshifting, Dark Energy attacks, flight, use of the Royal Arms. Notes: (Anything that doesn't fit above that you think we should know about this character?) Limit Break: Armiger Wings; Summons all of the Royal Arms for use in battle, augmenting damage, power, and defense. Jean Paul Valley

Link was duly impressed by the Slowpoke. So, Leaf was hoping to find a new one of these creatures at the end of this test. Well, at least she wasn't going for the same thing Zelda and he were. "Nice!" He said politely, wondering if anything in Hyrule was actually a Pokémon. Those Korok Seeds were certainly fit the mysterious part of the description. Ears perking at the word "wishes", Link gave the good Monsieur his attention, feeling a little disappointed that the apparent next stage of the journey would be taken in mining cart. The platforms seemed like a better adventure, but there was more at steak than just personal enjoyment, so it made sense to go with the safer route. Peach was alright in it and the others seemed excited as well. Pit's mention of dibs worried Link. He'd just have to find the stone first. Or at least, Zelda did. Shrugging, he hopped in the cart with Peach. "If you don't mind?" He asked almost as an after thought.

{Lamont: Radiant Garden; Borough} Lamont looked confused by Alyssa's quick tale, but that soon gave way to utter surprise when she summoned a true Keyblade. He didn't have one of those. Grandfather didn't have one. But this girl did? "Put that away!" "Lars" hissed, looking around nervously in case they were being watched. "Could get into trouble flashing that around." {Radiant Garden; Raising Falls} The Noxling growled something unintelligible as she glared back at Aurion. She struggled against the dark chains for a moment, then seemed to be trying to get under them. Her skin and fur stopped smoking where the chains touched her. She moved in between Aurion and Shala as if to shield the former delivery boy, giving the Assassin a warning growl. {Kira: Twilight Town; Shuttle Aft} Kira gave an appreciative grunt at Aether's wardrobe change. "Handy." She said. "The boss may have to look into this." Turning away, the Gunslinger hit a button at the back of the shuttle, opening the rear hatch. The shuttle came to a stop next to a clock tower, its cloaking system keeping the shuttle's presence hidden. "Oh, and this isn't a uniform." Kira called back. "So when we are done here, I'll ask you stop stealing my style." With a couple of running steps start, Kira jumped from the shuttle and landed on a platform below the clock itself. She immediately went into a crouch, scanning the area for any watchers. {Silas: Destiny Island; Palace} "Mostly as usual, Commander." Silas answered. "I will need you to place some trusted, though perhaps not your brightest soldiers on the official investigation of what happened. We can have them chasing after the escaped assassin and her accomplice. While that is happening, I will have you working with my two eldest children in finding the true culprit is. I will be needed to help at least figure head the government until my father's condition stabilizes. Cornelius and Luminara will have more freedom of movement. You are to provide tactical support for them. Has your time in the military given you any experience in investigations?"

Link glanced at Peach, then back at Zelda. No, they weren't exactly alike. He couldn't fathom Zelda in a pink dress. Still, when it came to adventurous princesses, he was willing to bet that his was among the best. Still, it wasn't a competition. They were here on a mission. He glanced over at Leaf as she expressed a hope the treasure was a new Pokémon. His eyes narrowed as he tried to figure out what that was. Is that what they called wishing stones where she was from? "What's a Pokémon?" Link asked.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} Mariel followed in after Alastor's lightning step and attack, trying to slam into Odin, but got tossed away by the gale force finds that lifted Odin and Nergal up. She landed awkwardly, but got up quickly. Her eyes fixated on the Source. Though the red mists clouded her mind again, enough of her mind was able to point it towards what mattered here. Get the Source, remove the problem. Damn anyone who gets in the way. Gritting her teeth, the angel spread her wings wide as she moved closer to the gale. Coming at it from the side, she threw herself in the winds, hoping to ride it up to Odin and Nergal, and most importantly, the Source.

Link followed after the group, guessing this was alright. The sight of the new room interested and puzzled the young hero. Was there going to be a performance of some kind. The reveal of the screen caught him off guard. It was like the Sheikah Slate, but much bigger. Pi'illo's technological advancements over Hyrule were impressive. Though if they had screens this big, did that mean they have things like the Guardians, but more powerful? Link shuddered at the thought. Zelda's comment about a theme caused Link to take another look around the room. Yes. She was right. There was something about this that tied it together some how. But he wasn't sure what. And he couldn't help but fear he didn't get it because he didn't know what this theme actually was. Just that it existed. Maybe ask the others once this show was over? With the end of the video, Link continued to stare at the screen for a moment or two longer. It felt like when the dry words of the Monks back in Hyrule, a warning and promise for those that entered a shrine. Well, he just had to hope it wasn't one of those blasted platforms with the ball and having to tilt the slate this way and that to get he ball to roll into the socket, but there were these holes on the side for the ball to fall out of, then you'd have to start all over again. Gah! He felt like thumping a monk every time he did one of those challenges. With his recollections causing his face to go grim for a second, the young hero turned, his face going back to his usual passive expression. It didn't last long as Zelda's comment about Peach's adventuresness earned an odd look from Link. "So are you." He said.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} Mariel gritted her teeth at Odin's silence. Was this due to his sacrifice to get here, or had this been brewing from before? That change in him before they came to Isopolis. The angel cursed herself for not paying closer attention. For not following the signs that were right in front of her. This self recrimination became an avenue for the rage to trickle back into her mind. Fueled again, the Sanguis Vindicta helped her push past her wounds. With her steps more assured, Mariel marched on Odin. "It looks like you sacrificed more than you could afford." She challenged Odin, a small part of her trying not to think that she had done the same. "I should have seen this coming. One more mess I let happen. Well, I'll make sure to clean this one up!" The last sentence was more of a growl. With eyes beginning to glow again, the angel paused a moment to set her feet before launching herself into a charge at her former charge.

(Gah! Forgot to post with Silas last time.) {Silas: Destiny Island; Palace} "Without direct evidence, even nobles not part of the council will decry swift action, perhaps leading to unrest." Silas answered matter of factly. "Even some in the military are more loyal to the council than to the Throne. That is why I made sure you were stationed here. Your loyalty has been above question." He paused, looking down at Velvet. "Do rise. I admire your protocol, but now is not the time. If we are to solve this mystery, we must do so carefully, and only move against the culprits when we are ready." {Lamont: Radiant Garden; Borough} "No, no. My fault entirely." Lamont apologized. "Just wasn't looking where I was going." Tilting his head to the side, Lamont peered at Alyssa. There seemed to be something...familiar about her. He wasn't really sure what it was, but he felt like he should know her. "Oh, right." He said, Alyssa's introduction pushing away other thoughts. "I'm...Lars. Pleased to meet you. Are you new to Radiant Garden?" {Radiant Garden; Rising Falls} The Noxling bellowed as Shala's arrow struck. Glowing eyes flashed as they focused on her. Snarling, the Noxling launched herself at the assassin, claws out stretched for an attack. A hazy smoke came off her as well as the scent of singed hair. {Kira: Twilight Town; Shuttle Aft} Kira chuckled. "Boring, but quick." She replied. "Not a bad trade off." She hit a button on her armor and her helmet reformed around her head. "Don't have much to give you as far as gear." She continued, her voice now modulated from her helmet. "Got everything you need for now?"

Link nodded to Zelda before leading the way towards the small crowd forming around Princess Peach. He opened his mouth to start a dialogue when the announcement for Princess Peach's party echoed. Link worried for a moment, turned to Zelda, then back to Peach. "Did we need to do that?" He asked. He watched as Pit marched to the door. Apparently the angel was part of the group. Had they all been lumped together? Well, this was certainly...well, probably fortunate, but there was likely some sort of errand to be asked of them. Always seemed the way with new, grand locations in Link's experience.

I’ll throw my hat in the ring.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} Mariel looked up and nodded to Sifrei. Despite not being physically up to it, her returning rage drove her to finish that blasted elf off. She reached up and took the Archangel's hand, then froze in fear and horror as she looked upon her hand. It still bore scars from the burns and not quite regenerated from the withering effects, but it also had fresh red veins running through them, knotting and crisscrossing all over her fore arm and hands. The rage froze within her as she stared at the sight. "Sanguis vindicta..." she murmured, her mind racing to when she had seen this before. ~*Flashback*~ ~*End*~ Mariel blinked back tears as the horrid truth settled into her soul. She had given up her claim on the title of Guardian Angel, leaving the blood a way out. She had been lost in it's haze. If she had not been brought down by Yevgani, would she have stopped? The name Raiden being called out snapped the former Guardian Angel out of her own shame and horror. She looked around, seeing that Odin and attacked Henry! "No." She said weakly, Asmodel's actions ringing through her mind again. Pulling herself up with Sifrei's hand, Mariel started to move unsteadily towards her former charge. "Odin!" She called out. "Enough! Are you so far gone that you can not tell friend from foe?"

{???: Radiant Garden; Borough} The figure watched as Alyssa wandered off. Easily distracted. But she would learn. She was set in the other scion's path. Together, they will have to face the future. With this task complete, the figure disappeared. {Lamont: Radiant Garden; Borough} Lamont glanced behind him as he entered the borough. That guy he had run into had gotten him out of a bad situation, then split. The young prince couldn't really blame him. From what he could see, the lower class people did what they needed to do to survive and keep their heads down. How could grandfather have let things get this way? Did he even know? Did father know? Would he even know if he hadn't snuck out of the castle in disguise? Lost in these thoughts, Lamont ran into Alyssa. "Oh, I beg your pardon!" He said quickly. {Radiant Garden; Rising Falls} As Aurion got closer, he could see that the person's skin was pure black. While Noxlings weren't that common in the Dark Realm, the former delivery boy would have at least heard of them. But this one seemed...further mutated by darkness. He could also tell that this Noxling was a girl. She stirred, uncurling slightly to raise her head. She didn't seem to really comprehend the words Aurion was saying, but seemed to get that he wasn't trying to hurt her. She reached out a hand, one with what looked like a freshly missing finger. "What..." the Noxling rasped. She didn't get to continue as the clouds overhead broke, causing sunlight to stream down into the Falls. The bright light burned the Noxling, causing her to scream in pain. This triggered further mutation, causing her to grow more monstrous, with longer limbs, dark claws, and the fur like substance covering growing over most of her. Her scream became a roar as she lashed out with her claws at Aether and Shala, blinded by anger and pain. {Kira: Lanes Between; Shuttle Aft} Kira shrugged. "We could certainly be missing something." She conceded. "He may have had hidden ties to a bigger player. Or he could have been murdered for different motives. Like I said, he's been falsely imprisoning people, so he could have jailed someone with the right money." The Gunslinger got up and stretched. "But that's all kind of worse case scenario." She continued. "If our guy is some sort of outside muscle, he gets harder to track down. If it's someone with a personal reason for wanting our poor tax man dead, we thank our lucky stars." A little indicator light above the door to the cockpit winked on. "We're coming up on Twilight Town." Kira interpreted. "Shouldn't be too much longer." She paused then chuckled softly. "Guess this is your first time on this end of the whole death business, eh?"

Link nodded. He was slightly worried that other people had also come for the stone. Maybe something could be worked out? A sharing plan? How many wishes did the stone have? Link well knew that even magical items broke or required recharging. Still, that was more Zelda's territory, to Link's relief. "Now what?" He asked. "Find that other princess again?"

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} Mariel partially blacked out after Sifrei picked her up. The next thing she really knew was something crawling over her. She drifted back into consciousness, seeing Sifrei and Typhon standing over her. Her mind was fuzzy, making focusing difficult. She could feel big, important things drifting through her mind, but she couldn’t fully comprehend them. She just got vague feelings of anger...and shame? Something had just happened that had been bad, but what? “I was better at this before.” She thought. “Wasn’t I?” Through her muzzy connection with the world around her, Mariel realized that there was still more going on beyond herself and her to attending healers. Sounded like... Her mind cleared enough for the situation with Yevgani to reassert itself as a primary problem. Anger flowed through her once again, igniting buried magic along the way. Before Typhon’s bug could get to the last wound, fresh blood welled up and scabbed over to seal it. The angel’s burned and withered arms began to throb as ancient blood ran through them, bringing a form of healing with it. “Enough of this.” Mariel said through clinched teeth as she struggled to get up. “We still have to get that stone.”

Link took the mushrooms and coins with a thankful nod. He considered the shop keepers suggestion about others wanting rupees. Good to know. At least they weren't useless here. He put away the coins, gave the mushroom a longing look, but packed it away for later. "Need anything?" He asked Zelda.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} After running into Yevgeni, Mariel fell heavily to the ground holding her arms close to her body. They had taken the brunt of the rune, leaving them burned and withered. Her breaths were short and sharp as the red mist of her anger was being challenged by pain. It wasn’t until part way through Yevgeni’s little speech to her that she finally looked up. Her eyes glowed red, the snarl on her lips almost feral. With no regard for her enemy’s words, Mariel struggled up and charged at him again. She let out a sonic scream as she ran, though not her normally focused sonic attack, as that technique was sacrificed to get here. To the crowd at large, it was ear splitting. At close range, it dealt real damage. She pushed through the shockwave, but wasn’t so resilient to Yevgani’s blade. She took several direct hits to her torso, finally cutting off her scream. She dropped to her knees, sputtering as the red light in her eyes faded.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} Mariel was thrown back by Yevgani's shield. She landed hard, her breath knocked out of her. She struggled up, her breathing heavy and labored. With eyes turning red, she glared at Yevgani. He was spouting words, but she didn't care. He was going to die. When she got enough breath back, though perhaps not quite enough, she launched herself at Yevgani again. She seemed to ignore his hand off of the Source to Nergal, and kept on her original target. She crashed through the rune, intent on slamming into her target full force. The pain of the rune's effects only seemed to fuel her fury.

{???: Destiny Island; Market} "An era of true balance." The whispers answered as the hand tightened around Alyssia's own hand. "Once the war takes its toll." The shadow behind the figure grew into a portal. With a forceful tug, Alyssia was tugged back into the portal after the figure. {???: Radiant Garden; Borough} Backing into an alley in Radiant Garden's Borough area, the figure released Alyssia's hand, the portal closing immediately. "From here, you must stay on the path." The whispers said. "Choose your friends wisely." {Silas: Destiny Island; Palace} "I thank you for your loyalty, commander." Silas replied, inclining his head to Velvet. "But we cannot be bull headed about this. If we move incautiously, we risk falling into the machinations of another." The Crown Prince turned from Velvet, eyeing the opposite wall as he composed his thoughts. "My father, the emperor, while ruler in name, has not been the true ruler of the Realm of Light for some time now." He began to explain. "His...somewhat simple mind intent on simple pleasures allowed several of the nobility to form a council. That council decides policy, makes laws, and dispenses 'justice' in my father's name, getting him to put his seal on their decisions just so he can get to desert faster." There were tones of disgust and sadness in Silas's voice as he spoke of Emperor Francis. There had been a mind within Francis that could have been honed into something great, but he squandered it to be comfortable. Silas had long since resolved not to make the same mistake. "These people will feel threatened that the Emperor is out of commission." He continued, turning back to the commander. "If we move against them without knowing who sent the assassin, we risk sparking a coup. Can I count on your discretion, commander?" {Radiant Garden; Rising Falls} As Aurion and Shala conferred, the Darkness rose to form a portal. It wavered in the air till something fell out of it. From the force and how it was positioned, it seemed more likely that it had been thrown. The portal evaporated, with the deep shadows shrinking back to their normal places. Above their heads, the clouds began to disperse, though direct light had yet to reach them. In the returning light, the former delivery boy and assassin could see that what had come through was a body, smoking with dark tendrils, bound in chains. Some sort of black fur covered most of it. As the watched, the person stirred, then drew in limbs and let out a soft whimper as the person curled into a fetal position. {Kira: Lanes Between; Shuttle Aft Section} "Not so much to the grand scheme of things, but moderately important in Twilight Town." Kira replied. "Our corpse's name was Gerald Tyms, hereditary tax official. From the sound of it, the family has been overcharging people and keeping the bonus for themselves for a couple generations. Though it seems Gerald was the first to up the ante to beyond what people could take. Living families starving, throwing honest people in jail for not paying his premiums, and so on. He's not exactly been mourned, even by the Lord Mayor of Twilight Town, though solving his murder as become top priority to many local officials, for fear that it is catching." The Gunslinger gave Aether a quizzical look. "I don't suppose this is the handy work of your former employers?" {Omicron: Destiny Island; Warehouse} Omicron stared into Talus's eyes, fear and confusion swirling in her own eyes. Her mouth opened and closed as she sought words, but found none. Her arm fell limply to her side when Talus let go of it. Any shred of the assassin's discipline was gone, leaving her looking like a terrified kid. "Not again." She said in a hoarse whisper. "Have to get back." She turned and ran, but after only a few paces, tripped over her own feet. Sent sprawling on the floor, Omicron struggled onto her hands and knees when the voices started. <Heeeello? Where's my mum? You gonna take that.. Go for the eyes! Get up! Truly pathetic... Hey, kid... I won't be stopped by...> All sorts of voices overcrowded Omicron's brain. She put her hands to her head, as if to shield herself or to squeeze the voices out. "They won't stop." She whimpered. "You have to take me back..." In addition to the sight before him, Talus felt a buzzing in the Void energy within the girl. It didn't take long for the buzzing to take on a familiar pattern. Too muffled to hear, but the Eye of the Void could swear that the Void Energy inside Omicron was talking to her.

Link frowned at the shop keeper's reaction to his rupees. And as near as he could figure, he was being offered money...for money? Still, twenty coins for ten rupees seemed like an okay price. He gave Zelda a slightly bewildered look, but it disappeared quickly as he gave her a shrug and a nod. "Minus the cost for those." He added, pointing to the red mushrooms.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Chamber} Mariel stood still for a moment when spit out of the white void. In someway, she seemed smaller. She looked at her hands a moment, flexing her fingers, then clinching them. She quickly looked around at the party as if with new eyes. She wondered briefly what the others had scarified. So much had been given for this quest. She remembered being afraid giving up her honor would mean she wouldn't care about completing the quest. But as she stood there, a simple Angel, she couldn't walk away with what was sacrificed. It was a bitter price and it had to pay out. The reveal of the other who came before caught Mariel for surprise for a moment. She had forgotten they were ahead of them. Their use of the Source of All Life felt like a red hot dagger into the angel's heart. All that work, all that sacrifice. For nothing. Something ancient deep inside her, a part carefully locked away and chained by the tenets and training of the Guardian Angels, awoke. Red hot rage spilled through her mind, melting everything else it came across. Right now, all she could think of was blood and revenge. Letting out a roar filled with every ounce of rage she felt that veered into the sonic range, Mariel launched herself at Yevgani. She didn't have the training and skill in combat to fall back on, but she was still an angel, fueled by rage. She came in on Eclaire's heels, looking to pummel Yevgani with her fists.

Link made a face. Just as he feared. It was like dealing with Kilton all over again. He was also short on supplies he felt comfortable selling for this new currency. While not very hopeful, Link held up ten green rupees with a slightly pleasing look in his eyes.

{Mariel: Isopolis; Final Gate} With Sifrei's help, Mariel got Elia to safety. She smirked at Elia's comment about Angels. "Mostly." She replied before turning to the Archangel and giving him a thankful nod. With the dragon down and others dealing with the gem they were suppose to have, Mariel moved to find the way forward, but ended up in some sort of white space. She whirled around, her hand on her remaining sword. She came to look upon her mirror image, who told her what must be done to proceed. The idea confused and terrified the Guardian Angel. She had long been taught and been ready to lay down her life for what she protected. But to lose just a part of her, something vital to her core. She had never thought of this kind of sacrifice. And like her reflection had said, they both knew what it was. Wordlessly, Mariel pulled out her sword Bright Guard, turned it around, and offered it to the reflection. The blade itself was not what she held most dear, but what it represented was her honor and duty as a Guardian Angel. Not the honor and duty given by others, not even the Hosts, but the calling that was bred into her bones. If restoring humanity and the world below meant no longer being a Guardian Angel, so be it. (Mariel will lose her training and drive to protect others.)

Link looked around at the stores, then marched straight up to the shop with the mushrooms. Better to stock up on food now. “How much?” Link asked, nodding to the mushrooms. He froze halfway to his money pouch. Did this place vent take rupees?

Link perked up slightly with the mention of a shop. It was always good to check out local shops for useful items. Plus, they might have food. He made to go after Mario and Luigi, but paused. He shouldn't leave Zelda behind. She'd have to go shopping too. He turned back to Zelda, then indicated the plumber brothers with a thumb and his head, his face conveying the question of "want to?"

{Silas: Destiny Island; Palace} The Crown Prince listened carefully to Velvet's report, his face not giving away anything he was thinking. The two nobles with him looked displeased by the report, however. One looked about to speak, but was cut off by Silas. "I see." He said. "One moment, commander." He turned back to the nobles and gave them a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes. "If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I would like a word in private with Commander Linette." The two nobles shared a glance, then bowed to the Crown Prince. They left quickly, followed by Prince Cornelius, leaving Velvet and Silas alone. "There are already calls to have you demoted for your failure, commander." The Prince said matter of factly. "With some suggesting that your execution should have already been carried out." Turning his back to Velvet, Silas looked where his father had been after the assassination attempt. "You were not popular to begin with, what with your idealistic views and disregard for social structure. This has only added ammo against you by those who would see you removed." He turned back, his cool blue eyes watching Velvet intently. "Which only further implicates one of the noble houses as the originators of this assassination attempt." {Radiant Garden; Rising Falls} As Aurion and Shala proceeded, the aura of Darkness grew. Ahead, shadows grew until they met and mixed. Low clouds formed directly overhead, seemingly there to cut off direct light from the Falls alone. As it grew darker, the mixing shadows seemed to bubble up and roll like a sea. While the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Light Realm wouldn't know what to fully make of this event, a former denizen of the dark and a Silver Raven would recognize these sights for what they were. Something from the Dark Realm was coming... {Destiny Island; Market} The shrouded figure paused when Alyssia brought her Keyblade up. "You have a destiny, child." The whispers replied. "A role to play in the coming era." The hooded head tilted to one side. "You will not fulfill that destiny here. You must come with us." The figure took another step forward, offering the orphan girl a hand. {Omicron: Destiny Island; Warehouse} Omicron's eyes narrowed at Talus telling her she could leave. This had to be a trap. Still, she felt an overwhelming urge to leave and get back to the Silver Raven's compound. She had to get there fast. Even as her mind beat out this intense desire, a small part thought in fear about what was going to happen. She had failed. She would be caged again, made to forget again. "You are mistaken." She said in a flat tone as she stood up. "We have no interest in politics. Only the contract." As she spoke, her left hand started to twitch. Omicron didn't seem to notice, and simply turned away from Talus to walk out. The twitching hand shoot over and grabbed the chair she had been in. It jerked up like it had a mind of its own, swinging the chair at Talus. It pulled Omicron back towards her former captor, a look of shook forming on her face. {Kira: Lanes Between; Shuttle Aft} Aether's salute got a fresh glare from Kira. "Yeah, whatever." She grumbled. "Since your skill set should include stealth, we'll skip the formality of trying to use disguises to get into the estate. We'll take a look at where the guy was killed, maybe check out the body if need be. Then, we'll see how you do with getting info from an eye witness." The look on Kira's face conveyed the message that she was deliberately ignoring the comment about her life or their future together.