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Post by DataNinja on Jun 11, 2018 3:44:47 GMT
As before, the group approaches the pillar, the endless void messing with their depth perception, but growing ever larger. It helps that they've been adjacent to one before, so they have a good estimate, at least.
Unlike before, however, the trio is not alone. As they near their destination, they realize that, from another angle on the other side, there are a handful of figures also nearing the pillar. As they two groups close the distance, it seems like there are two human figures in the other group. One's a teenage-looking girl with pink hair, nervously looking around as she carries what looks to be a gremlin with gemstone eyes in her hands. The other is a more stoic young adult, visibly armed and armoured in what seems to be a relatively traditional knightly dress, with piercing blue eyes. By her feet walks a small humanoid with a set of occasionally snapping jaws almost as large as it sprouting from the back of its head.
They don't seem to have noticed you yet, the two women conversing as they walk. There's probably about twenty meters before either group reaches the pillar, and at the speed that each is walking, they'll probably reach it at about the same time.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 11, 2018 3:57:00 GMT
Superbia takes a few rushed steps before thinking on it. If they did want to fight, his group outnumbered them three to two, or six to four if you take into account their beasts. In addition, they could just dash off and touch the light, and then be gone from here. He nodded to himself, deciding that the only obvious course of action would be to talk to these mysterious people, and hope that they weren't as awful as Myriad.
Once they were a few meters closer, he raises an arm in a wave and cups his other hand around his mouth before shouting to the pair "Hey! It looks like we aren't alone in here after all"
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Post by Pandora on Jun 11, 2018 5:02:48 GMT
Lucas shoots a nervous look at Iga before picking up his pace. He doesn't want to cause any trouble with the first people they've seen who also look to be in their situation. That being said, he has a bad feeling about letting Superbia greet the strangers, in particular the knight, so he slips his hand into his pocket with bated breath, ready to grab one of his pokeballs if this goes south.
Meanwhile, he tries to remember the details of the strangers' pokemon, both of which he recognizes but isn't too knowledgeable on. The knight's is pretty safely steel type, but the pink-haired girl's is tougher to determine. Maybe part rock? Concentrating, Lucas unintentionally stares at the odd creature in the girl's hands.
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Post by Robot on Jun 12, 2018 12:27:22 GMT
A young but seasoned warrior, and another unbloodied like Lucas, evidenced by her skittishness in this place. Iga supposed it was not so long ago that they carried themselves much the same, but having now met Myriad and knowing the only thing to fear was in somehow disappointing their hostess, he felt self assured in knowing that combativeness with her other guests would be the worst decision. Lest that was what she wanted.
"Greetings travelers."
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 12, 2018 18:45:15 GMT
The two other humans and their Pokémon look over at the group after Superbia calls out. Neither look particularly enthused to see anyone else. The girl in particular looks antsy - though, that might just be because of the demon - while the knight looks more resigned.
"Well met, I suppose," the knight calls back. "To whom do I have the honour of addressing? I am Lady Hatley, of the Order of the Ardent Shield. Do you, too, seek the portal before you?"
"Do we really have to go through this every time, Crystal?" the girl asks, holding her Pokémon tighter. "We probably won't ever see them again..."
"Yes," the knight replies, bluntly. "You say that every time, and, as always, I will remind you that I was taught to always offer an introduction. Though my Order may not exist here, I will uphold its values."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 13, 2018 1:10:10 GMT
"I am Prince Superbia Dein Nomos, first in line to the throne of the Nine Hells" They didn't have to know that wasn't the full truth "I am glad to come across someone else with some proper manners in here. It is wonderful to meet you Lady Hatley, and your friend as well" The Demon Lord bows before the two people in front of him before gesturing towards the pillar in front of them
"Yes, we are seeking out this beacon to another world as well. It seems like you've done this before, and met others?Is this a regular occurrence?" His voice shows his interest, but he tried to not make it too obvious.
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Post by Pandora on Jun 13, 2018 3:27:04 GMT
With no sign of aggression from either of the strangers, Lucas loosens up and removes his empty hand from his pocket, tuning into the conversation starting between Superbia and Lady Hatley, or Crystal, according to the other girl. As Superbia asks them about meeting other people here, the boy anxiously fiddles with his shirt as his head is filled with a few demoralizing thoughts, one of which he vocalizes. "You must have already done this for a long time, if you've come and gone from this place enough times to be tired of encountering people here, right? How many times?"
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Post by Robot on Jun 13, 2018 10:13:44 GMT
"That is not something you desire to know." Iga stated quietly to Lucas. If time held no meaning in this place, and Myriad was the Infinite, then it could be lifetimes before they saw home again. The idea made him tired in conception, and he dismissed it.
"Iga Ieyasu, Shadow Warrior of the Koga Clan." He offered a half bow at the waist with an arm resting across his chest to drape a hand against his shoulder. "We have only just encountered Myriad for the first time."
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 13, 2018 22:49:24 GMT
"It is fairly regular, yes," Hatley nods, "While not every gate has had other groups interested in it, a good majority of them have. And while, yes, meeting others is refreshing... unfortunately, it is bittersweet. For only one group can pass through the gate. It will not function with more than one group around." To demonstrate, she walks over to the pillar and touches the light. The column briefly takes on a reddish hue, before pushing her back slightly. She turns back to the others. "Unfortunately, it means that when two groups meet, there are only two outcomes. Either one leaves voluntarily... or one dies, their spirits reforming elsewhere in the void, consigned to wait for another gate to appear, hoping to reach it in time. It is... not a pleasant time."
"We've gone through that... at least two or three dozen times now." The squeaky voice comes not from either of the two girls, but from the large-mawed Pokémon standing with them. Now that it's closer, a very small book can be seen tied onto its back, mostly covered by the jaw. "Sometimes living. Sometimes not. Just know... we will not turn from this gate. Either outcome is preferable to just wandering in infinity for another eternity. If we live, we might find a world that can fix Sylvia and I." The... creature gestures to the younger girl. "If we die... well, that might be the time that finally ends this nightmare. Or makes it go deeper..."
"You say that..." the girl, Sylvia, says, "but we didn't go through the same thing to get here... I still don't think this is what you went through before..."
"Anything is worth trying at this point," the jawed creature huffs.
"Anyways..." the knight looks like she's heard this far too much, "the point is, much as it pains me to do it, if you are not willing to turn back, we will be forced to fight. And half of us will die. I am sorry."
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Post by Pandora on Jun 14, 2018 5:17:01 GMT
Ordinarily, a talking pokemon would have drawn Lucas's interest. After all, it wasn't exactly a normal trait that he knew of, though there are certainly stories. However, the knight's grim warning and threat stun him into silence. A bittersweet meeting, indeed; if they try to stay, they'll have to fight for the pillar, but if they leave, who knows how long it will take for them to find another exit? Still, he'd rather walk away with no one harmed, since Crystal has been kind enough to give them that option. Not that his opinion really matters, at the moment. It's not hard for him to guess that both Superbia and Iga will want to contest it, so he just doesn't speak up and closes his eyes in resignation. He can see where they're coming from, since according to the other group, no one in this illogical void can actually die permanently, so there's no real risk to anyone, only the loss of time that comes from having to wait to reform, like in a game.
...Reform. The thought is unsettling to him. Have they become something less than - well, human isn't the correct word, is it? Or maybe it's just Myriad repairing her precious toys so they can keep entertaining her. Either way, Lucas gets a sick feeling in his stomach and waits for the inevitable conclusion to the conversation.
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Post by Robot on Jun 15, 2018 10:54:53 GMT
"I would offer a third option, one less agreeable to some, but one I would offer as you appear to carry yourself with honor." Iga addressed Hatley and company. "With the presumption that Myriad has not offered you insight into how deep your debts run, nor how much nearer each venture brings you to freedom, why hurry along to the next objective? Why make this an occurance for the now?"
He held up a staying hand. "This place is timeless, and within it so are we. If we stand unflinching before the needles eye, only one company to pass, can we not pass a few moments in comraderie for a shared plight? Trade tales of home and family, for things bittersweet and nostalgic both before we needs come to blows?"
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 15, 2018 20:54:42 GMT
Superbia smiled as Iga spoke. He had expected Lucas to offer to leave, or attempt to make peace, not the ninja. He slowly relaxed his had that he had been pulling back for a strike. This was the better option.
"A few hours to get to know each other. That way if something happens to us and we anger this Myriad...well the thing is a world will never truly die as long as memories of it exist. Please, let us exchange memories. I would like to know more of this Order of the Argent Shield. Or what this gremlin means when it claims it wants to be fixed. Just because we must eventually fight doesn't mean we can't know each other first."
He lowered himself into a sitting position in the endless space "Besides, who wouldn't want to hear the tales that a master infiltrator could tell. Or an exiled demon prince with centuries of experience and tales of war." He smiled and gestured in front of them "Come, help us keep our worlds alive"
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 15, 2018 21:26:33 GMT
The 'gremlin' in question lets out an indignant "Hey! Look who's calling who a gremlin..." before being cut off by the knight. "I would consider that acceptable. I enjoy learning about other places. Though, I should warn you, that this pillar will not likely go unnoticed forever. Should we tarry too long, it is likely that another group which may not be so charitable will show up. Or the mistress of this place might decide that we are not being entertaining enough. For I have little doubt that that is the reason why only one can use each gate."
"But, if you are willing to take that risk, then come. Regale us with your tales."
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Post by Pandora on Jun 16, 2018 5:39:54 GMT
"H-huh? Okay..." Lucas is startled by the unexpected reactions of his traveling companions, but decides not to openly question it and just takes a seat. Talking isn't fighting, and while he doesn't particularly feel like sharing his life right now, he can at least listen to the others without consequence. After setting his book aside, he glances at everyone else before quietly asking, "So... Who's gonna start?" Suddenly worrying that he might have sounded rude, Lucas slips a pokeball out of his pocket and rolls it along his hand, balancing and spinning it on his fingers with little effort. The motions are enough to provide him a little mental distraction as he looks down self-consciously.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 16, 2018 21:58:03 GMT
"Hmmm where should I begin" Superbia starts once Lucas attempts to break the ice. It was only fitting that he share his story first since he made the recommendation "Should I tell the tale of my first battle with a Cyclops? Or that time me and my brother Ira took on an entire squad of enemy mages just the two of us?" He grins wide as he recalls his exploits before looking around.
After a moment his grin dropped and his voice took on a more somber tone "Actually, I know a better tale to tell. It seems fitting with how this Myriad is treating us. You see, I used to be somewhat similar to her in some ways." He sighed and wrapped his tail in front of himself "I'm no longer pleased with who I once was. But it's important to never lose sight of the past and to take what you learned in order to make a better future. But back then, I had spent hundreds of years being told how I was above the standard citizen. How I was firstborn prince, born of hellfire and was destined to sit on the throne of the Nine Hells." Staring into his hand for a moment, he shook his head "The problem with raising someone like that, is they don't see others as mattering at that point. Once I was finally given command of a unit, I didn't even bother to meet my soldiers. I ran things from behind a curtain so to speak"
His tail swished out from in front and settled back behind "Do you know what happens when the men are lead by someone who doesn't know them? Doesn't know their strengths, or weaknesses? They die. Many men died because of my decisions, but I didn't care because I didn't see them as anything more than pawns. Pieces on a game board. However when I returned from the battle, I was stripped of my rank, told I was no longer in line for the throne, and exiled to the lowest layers of Hell."
Superbia smiled knowingly "While of course my losses had to do with it, I feel my dear sweet sister Invidia had been whispering into fathers ear, for with me gone she was next in line for the throne." He slammed his hand into the 'ground' "I was furious. I spent a century building an army of mercenaries, honing them to a perfect fighting force. And that's when I realized it." He was once again somber, even moreso than before "I grew to care for all of my men, I knew everyone by name. They were people with hopes and dreams and families and not just pawns. And I had lost thousands of people like them before. It sickened me. That was when I swore to them I would no longer lead from behind the lines and would instead carry the burden of being the tip of the spear. The first sight in battle would be me, leading them from the front. I wanted to be someone they believed in."
"I was building that army to take back the throne and change how things were done. I wanted to stop the constant conflict and be a leader that my people could look towards in times of peace and war. And instead I am here"
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Post by Robot on Jun 18, 2018 22:59:37 GMT
Iga listened to Superbia. His open expression of being a demon was... strange. Yokai, in their many shapes and sizes often posed as human to catch others unawares. The Prince unabashedly announced his true self to anyone that might lend him an ear. It was in some ways refreshing. Direct and poignant. Those sorts of men were difficult to manipulate. Of strong bearing, with head high, they feared no shadow they cast, nor the things that might come of it. The biggest surprise was his ideal of building an empire from compassion. The man would meditate on these things later.
"I come from a place that does not have Pokemon. Instead of these strange, intelligent creatures that seem curious about humans, and willing to work together, we have only monsters and spirits. My tale begins a simple one, as the firstborn son of a peasant family. The Shogunate, our military lords under the emperor were more oppressive still, and after years of struggling for my wife's hand... my father in-law granted it provided I would join an uprising taking place in secret. In time, I became Shinobi, but my lands were never free. Now I am here. Much waits back home."
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 19, 2018 5:30:11 GMT
The other group listens in silence, although the Pokémon-person shifts around constantly, as though it'd rather be anywhere else. At the conclusion, Hatley looks at Superbia. "That is... quite the tale that you tell there. While I do not particularly agree with many of your actions in the past... it seems as if you do not, either. And that is what is important. You learned, you tried to improve. And that is all that anyone can ask for. Trying your hardest, even if you do not succeed. If you've given everything that you can, that is what is important."
"Those were the sort of teachings that I grew up with," she continues. "While I certainly did not have as... exciting of a history as you, it was a valuable experience. It was not until leaving for the land of Qedem that I truly was able to test my mettle. It was a mysterious land, full of wondrous things to discover... wondrous things that, having spoken to my companions, seem to be commonplace elsewhere. I would have liked to be able to explore it more, but, it was only a short time after I arrived that I arrived here. While I would like to return there - there are things that I wish I could have done - I... actually do not mind being here too much. There is much to discover. And as long as I live, the tenets of my Order, of honour, integrity, and of defending the weak, they all live on."
When the knight finishes, Sylvia turns to Iga. "I... understand you, in a way," she says, nervously. "In my world, I too was granted things - in my case, friendship, and a chance to see wonders - in exchange for my service. I... no longer know if it was the right choice. Would I have ended up here if I had done something different? Those are things I wonder every day." She looks at the Pokémon in her arms, who stares back. "That service, while granted freely... it cost me dearly. After an experiment, I became... broken. Not exactly of the world. Holes between dimensions kept opening up around me. I know it's probably not true... but, sometimes I wonder if I am the cause of all of this." She looks very uncomfortable.
Scuffing it's feet on the 'ground', the Mawile seems to realize that the others have finished talking, and at last pipes up. "My life before was nothing special compared to all of this, okay? I sought to improve myself, and my battling. It was really, like, the last ten minutes, relatively speaking, that got weird. I fell asleep in this place with a lot of Psychic Pokémon, then woke up in some infinity, that may or may not have been some sort of illusion. I don't know anymore after now. Then I woke up after dying in that, like this, instead of a human. Then, a few minutes later, I ended up in this infinity. At least I can think in this one. But that's what I mean when I say I want to be fixed, okay? Because do you have any idea how wrong it feels to battle with Pokémon when you are one? I didn't ask for this. I can't believe how accepting everyone is of this. I didn't sign up for this, and, if I could, I'd terminate this damn contract, even if it meant disappearing forever." By the end, it's almost shouting... though, the squeakiness of the voice means it isn't particularly terrifying or anything.
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Post by Pandora on Jun 22, 2018 23:05:31 GMT
Lucas stops playing with the pokeball as soon as Superbia starts speaking, but even though he intently listens to the others tell their stories, it's difficult for him not to immediately think most of them as fiction. Still, not wanting to be disrespectful, he makes a conscious effort to try and believe them; however, the last one troubles him greatly, and he ends up asking about it. "Y-you're originally a human? I guess that's why you can talk, but how-" In that moment, he remembers an old myth of a powerful pokemon transforming a human as a lesson, and his words falter, "Did you... No, never mind. Sorry." Lucas looks down again, mumbling at such a low volume that he's barely audible, "I guess we're the most in common here, other than turning into a pokemon..." There, that counts as talking about himself, right? He really hopes no one prods him to go into detail.
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Post by Robot on Jun 23, 2018 1:00:39 GMT
"The samurai caste carry some among their number that understand true honor, but those concepts are often lost to the corruption of station. I would only be so lucky to know one such as yourself." Iga gave a respectful nod to Haltey. "That said, the Shinobi are not fair fighters, I mean you no ill will, it is merely how I was trained.". He began to rise to his feet. "We fight with farm tools, for we have no weapons. We make our enemy's armor useless, for we have none."
He considered Sylvia and the yet unnamed Mawile. "I hope that you find the answers you seek, regardless of this outcome. If I knew more of this place, I might proffer advice instead of the blade now. It is as you say, I will not move from this place unless Supervisor bade it so. Though he is not my Lord, and I find him to be insufferable at times, he carries a presence I can yet exhonerate."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 25, 2018 23:35:31 GMT
"If holes between dimensions open for you, then what need do you have for a portal such as this?" Superbia asks the pink haired girl with a raised eyebrow "Though from what you've said of yourselves this isn't exactly a fair battle, what with only one of you being experienced in the ways of war."
A battle was a bad idea. Lucas still wasn't prepared for war, and he was still weaker than he had been in centuries. Iga could most likely hold his own as well but...well who knows how strong these people actually were, if they had been here for so long. But then inspiration struck him like lightning.
He rooted around in his pocket before remembering that all the coinage had been taken when they returned "What if instead of a fight to decide, we play a game of chance? It hardly seems fair to have to kill or be killed in order to go through another trial, so we leave it up to Fate to decide which of us moves forward at this time?"
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