Starring:  Cyan Garamond and Bart Fatima Date of Log:  April 23rd, 2001 Location:  Shakhan's ship, and eventually Aveh. Cyan, it appears that your time in Midgar is at an end. When you return from the arena, you are informed that you have been sold. Just like that, no warning, nothing. You are to be handed over to your new master. Your belongings are to be left behind at your place of living. They were your old master's, after all, though you're allowed to keep trophies and clothing, whatever you can carry. Strangely, however, you are also informed that you are leaving Midgar, too. Whoever has bought you is not from this country. You are taken away from the arena to a large ship that is not Midgarian in make and made to board. A cell is provided for you, as there is limited room on the ship and since you are a slave, they don't afford you a space that is yours. Besides, they aren't sure you won't attempt to run away. Untrusting, aren't they? But, after a few hours, the ship finally takes off, the ride is smooth, but you have no idea, yet, where you are being taken. You get to sit awhile longer before someone brings you a tray of food and then comes back a half an hour later to pick it up again whether you're done or not. Boring, isn't it? Probably a little disconcerting too, considering. But, eventually you are provided with someone to talk to... er, talk at. The door slides open and two guards in pearly armor bring in the unconcious form of a sunhaired youth, about eighteen give or take a year, and there are a pair of wings on his back, one of which must be injured for it has a splint on it that pins the wing to his back. They drop the boy on the bench opposite the one you may or may not be sitting on, and leave the room, letting the door shut behind them. Not a word is said to you, thus far. ..What?! Being told that doesn't go over well with Cyan for all that he doesn't show much of it on the outside. There is a jerk and a slight shiver and that is all for those on the outside. On the inside however he's shaken to his core. But.. but.. sold? That has never happened before, and was something he was thinking never would happen. Orpheus, his owner, has had him for ten years now and has never even once considered selling the warrior. Never. It's a fact that the two had come to accept in one another, building a good deal of trust. Now this. Something had to have happened. c.c; Cyan isn't given any information however, and he knows that there is little he can do about it. The lack of time he's given in doing things tells him that he really was sold. Not even a chance to say good-bye to his friends. So the man packs a bag of his things, which are small in number even if he had been allowed to take anything he wanted. No trophies are taken, for they are meaningless to the man. Just clothing, his armor, some small personal items, and his sword. Not leaving without that, sorry. You can even fight with him about it if you want. Doesn't mean he gives the people trouble though in leaving. If no one touches the sword, or tries to take his things, Cyan is silent and compliant. Those dark eyes are terribly flat however, and this one isn't remotely pleased. The cell doesn't surprise him for all that he wishes he had a window, but the whole idea of this being a ship bothers the man. He hates technology with a passion. Distaste in this whole affair shows clearly on him as he sits in that cell, bag at feet, and attempts to wait patiently. This really sucks. Then Bart is brought in. Cyan is surprised by the addition, and especially the wings, but just assumes that the boy is another slave. Once the guards are gone he rises from his bench and moves over, seeking to make the young man more comfortable. Some clothing is taken from the pack and used to cushion your face from the metal of the seat, and then he looks at that wing. Hmm. Gentle fingers probe until they find that crack. You did a number on yourself, didn't you? Just in case no one has before this he casts a low level Cure on the break to aid it. Of course Badb is still there and she might be able to notice Herne watching her. He's not trying to hide from her in any manner after all. The tall, taciturn man with the antlers on his head and the packs of huge hounds that pace around the legs of the black steed on which he sits. Always watching this one. The boy doesn't wake even with you touching the wing or casting the cure spell, though afterwards he looks a good deal more peaceful, perhaps more comfortable and not quite in such pain as he must have been. There's a good sized bruise forming on his temple, however, though it's not as bad as it could be if you hadn't been so kind as to do that for him. Badb does sense Herne and her feathers are ruffled, but not for the fact that there's another Guardian Force about. She's upset that her chosen has been injured thusly and that this situation is not going well for him. That and she wants to berate him for being an impulsive idiot. >.< Well, after she's certain he's coherant. Eventually, Fatima blue eyes crack open slowly to a half-lidded state. The room's spinning a bit for him, so he doesn't really move all that much. He says something in the Sairou tongue to you, "Where am I?" His accent is perfect for the language, suggesting it is a native tongue. Since you appear to have other injuries another Cure is cast on you just in case. He remembers well the days after he was taken as a slave and everything he went through. More than one cure had to be used on the man, and in sympathy he uses what he can on you. After that though he leaves you to sleep it out, crouched there near your side in a patient manner. When you wake there is a dark haired and dark eyed man near your bed, wearing some kind of ornate armor. (Yes, that is one of the things he would have fought over. n.n) Cyan has to pause at the Sairou tongue, for while the Four Gods speak technically the same language there are accents and variations that his own people are not familiar with. After all, the Doma removed themselves from the Four Gods thousands of years ago so their language altered itself. All the same he gets the gist of it all even though he can't reply in the same exact tongue. Using something that sounds very close to the Kutou accent, Cyan says, "I don't know for certain. A ship of some sort." His voice is gravelly yet soft, and not unkind. "A ship?" the boy's voice is rather soft, disoriented sounding. Recognition dawns on him quickly enough, however, blue eyes widening as he seeks to sit up, no matter how much it makes his head spin. The Cure spells at least left him able to become lucid again, or else you'd have a very confused youth here. "Shakhan... dammit." Fingers touch against his temple, feeling the bruise there that is thankfully already fading. "Mmmph. Who are you? Why are you here?" That you speak another dialect and possess a differing accent tells him you are not Sairouese. That and the armor, and... you know, these last few days have been terribly surreal for the boy. So, he switches to the Kutou dialect, since that seems to be closest. Maison always maintained that a King would need to know every language out there. Bart scoffed at the man back then, but it sure has come in handy as of late. Looking over his shoulder, he flicks the good wing and is surprised that there are no sharp pangs of pain from the opposite wing, it's still in the splint, but as far as he knew, it was trobbing and aching something fierce before. It's far from healed, but now it's at least helped along graciously enough. "Aye." A ship. Since you are wanting to sit up, Cyan offers you a little help in way of a hand to your arm. The fingers are wrapped around your limb, but barely hold. It's there in case you prove unable to sit yourself up. Otherwise it doesn't hinder at all. Once you are sitting it pulls away. That you switch dialects brings a tiny smile to the man's lips, and there is a warming behind his eyes. Not much mind you, but there. This whole situation has him upset and so he's not inclined towards joking right now. "They call me Cyan, and I am a slave." Which should explain as to why he is here. As you flick the wing the warrior actually reaches up and grips it lightly. "No." The tone is warning. "Leave it for now. Thou'st should not move it for a day or two if thou'st has that option. Wing bones are delicate and anything can shift them out of alignment once they are broken." Yes, he's noticed that they are anything but normal, and yet that doesn't seem to bother him. The man actually recognizes what they are; at least in some regard. Your words for it might be different, and while his people only very, very rarely had it, they did know of such things. Cyan can see you are a very special young man. There is a frown and a decisively defiant narrowing of the sunhaired youth's eyes at the 'No' but he gets over it soon enough. That's just part of the royal brat that is Bartolomei Fatima. He doesn't like being told no, no matter what the reason behind it. However, Maison's done a good job of making sure the brat is tamed, so there are no sharp words or any other indications of defiance beyond that very brief look. He glances at the broken wing again and says, "I just got them... well, discovered them. Hurts like hell when they break." A despondant sounding sigh escapes his lips after that. His head cants to the side, sweeping tangled gold bangs around his slightly tanned features. "Slave? Shakhan allows -slavery-? Byakko's tail, my father must be turning over in his grave." This righteously angers the young prince, since he was raised to believe that such things were abhorrant. It doesn't help that he was nearly sold into slavery back in Midgar, either. "I... My name is Bart, Cyan. It's nice to meet you, though I wish the circumstances were better." Okay, you don't at all talk like a slave, which means either you are newly made one, or not one at all. Cyan is just going to assume you aren't one for now, even though you were thrown here in the same cell as he was. For all he knows there is only one cell on this stupid boat. "Thou'rt about the right age for discovering such things, sir." Moving back from you a little he drops down into a comfortable looking crouch and drapes his arms over his armored knees. The metal of his arm guards sounds softly against his knee braces. For a slave he certainly looks well fed and well armed and armored. This isn't the kind of slave one normally pictures when the idea is suggested. "I don't know who Shakhan is, sir. All I know is that I was taken from Midgar under the orders of my new owner and brought here." As you give your name and say you wish the circumstances were better, the man before you smirks slightly. How he wishes that a lot. Maybe then his wife and son wouldn't be dead, and his whole people wiped out. Like you he has had everything taken away, but then again you retained your freedom. Not by much truth be told. All the same, the two of you have things in common for all that Cyan never was a prince. What he wishes right now is that he had some water to give you. This thought in mind, the man rises to his feet and knocks on the door. Knocks? Uh, yeah. It only shakes the whole door like he were pounding it with a battering ram. The hand is lowered and he waits. If someone opens the door he asks for water and some food. So what if it isn't his place. Choke on it. That's still being debated, what exactly Bart's position is now. Prisoner is probably the best tag for his situation. Prisoner and probably to be executed, though Shakhan did say something about not wanting him destroyed, yet. But, anyway, when he hears that comment about his age, a golden eyebrow shoots up, "What do you mean right age?" You seem to know something about what's going on with him, so his curiosity is piqued. After that, he takes the time to look at you, -really- look at you and absorb your stance, your armor, your bearing. If you're a slave, well, they sure do treat their slaves well at Midgar. (Not that he'd know, he got away before they tried to make him one. The Upper Plate probably would have chewed the poor lad up and spit him out again.) The smirk given to him for the introduction makes him wonder, but before any further questions can be asked, you get up and bang on the door. It's a wonder no dents were left behind there. o_o The door does slide open, a guard peering in, an eyebrow raised at your request. "Is the boy awake?" He looks inside and sees Bart sitting up, obviously no longer unconcious. "Hold on." The door shuts again after that. That question of yours isn't answered right off the bat as Cyan is beating on the poor door and getting you something to drink. Yes, it should be a wonder he didn't leave dents, but he didn't want to show he was quite that strong yet. All the same most everyone in this place will know he's damn strong to begin with, as Shakhan saw him in the fighting circle, but there are levels of his strength he's careful not to show. No one needs to know he can lift a ton. Honest. At least not until he needs to start exploding heads. 9.9 Once the door is closed the man looks back to you and shrugs a little. Those wide shoulders move beneath armor, making it almost ripple. This is a big dude, and while he calls himself a slave he doesn't seem to act like one would imagine a slave should react. Sure he's calm and quiet, but he stands tall and proud, and doesn't seem to be all that subservient. Of course there are many ways to serve and yet not lose your pride. Mostly this one is rather resigned to it all, and still a bit in shock from having been sold. That wasn't suppose to happen. u.u Cyan sits himself on the opposite bench and spreads his hands a little. "There are families that have gifts, sir. Some call it Chi, or Ki, or merely life force, but in some families it's strong enough to have a physical aspect. In rare families." For his didn't have it. Nope. "The wings thou'st wear represents air. While I don't know for certain, it would suggest to me thou'rt strongest in that aspect. There are stories passed down of the kings of my people. One could form earth over his skin to make armor, while another could summon a bird of fire to attack his enemies. Tis a rare gift indeed, sir. Thou'rt from a special family." Special family? Hooboy, if only you knew. Bart sticks his tongue out at the guard as he peeks in and sees the boy sitting there. Childish? Yes, but that's Bart for you. When the door shuts and you shrug, he starts to and then hisses in pain. Nope, can't move the shoulders, -bad- idea. Recomposing himself now that he's starting to realize what his limits are, he looks over at you while you explain your knowledge. "Ether," he corrects. No chi or ki, ether. It is a bit different, after all, and much less stable than the lifeforce energies used in the Kingdoms of the Four Gods since it uses planetary energy rather than personal energies. "I can channel all the elements, but I... have a little help with Air ether." Meaning Badb, of course, who Herne may have made you aware of already. "And you're right... it's run in my family for generations, my brother can channel it too." There's a distant look in the boy's eyes after the mentioning of his brother. He misses Sigurd, and there is that subconcious promise he's just sure he won't be able to keep now. Boots sound down the hallway right about then, several pairs, stopping in front of the cell door, which opens with a hiss of air soon after that. Though the cell is relatively small, Shakhan enters anyway, dark eyes sweeping over Cyan briefly, appraisingly. "Cyan. I witnessed your battle prowess in Midgar. I look forward to seeing you fight in our tournaments." As the Emperor's Champion, of course. Shakhan has high hopes for you. Ether, eh? A rose by any other name as far as he's concerned. The man knows the differences, but doesn't have any words that you would understand by which to explain it. Terminology that the Doma people used would mean absolutely nothing to you, which is why he never mentioned any of it. The use of such gifts hadn't been seen in several generations, so all he knows of it is by stories told by his shaman master as he was learning. In fact his master was somewhat worried the ability had been bred out of the royal family. Not that it matters now as they are all dead, but... it was a concern then. That you can use all of the elements is a surprise as that wasn't at all known about. What he doesn't know is that it was weak in the royal family of Doma so the point where a person could only weild one element if they had the gift at all. It's one hell of a lot stronger in your line obviously. Dark brows lift, but before the man can say anything those footsteps sound and Cyan rises to his feet. The door opens and Shakhan will be able to see him standing there, watching that portal. As the would be emperor enters, the warrior doesn't move at all, looking and almost looming at the other man. In being addressed he knows who his new owner is. Blech. All the same he just nods slowly and says, "Sir." That's it. Got nothing else to say. The fake materia he wears glow softly at his throat, for they are worn on the armor itself, lining the edge of it near his collar. Not realizing your inner emotions over the upheavel, Shakhan says nothing more to you, merely nodding to himself as if coming to some sort of conclusion. Clearly, however, he is pleased with this latest acquisition. Must feel lovely to know you're a toy in the hands of another. The Emperor turns then, toward Bart, and his gaze hardens considerably. "So, Prince Bartolomei, you're finally awake. If you will come this way, please." Of course, the way that's spoken, the please isn't necessary at all. It's a direct order without other options. "Sure, when you bend down and kiss my lily white ass," is the oh so pleasant reply from a rather snippy expressioned prince. Shakhan smiles rather blandly and steps out of the cell, to be replaced a second later with those pearly costumed guards coming in to grab the boy's arms by force and drag him out of the cell. At least you didn't try and touch him. x.x That would not have gone over well at all. Not moving from his spot as he's looked over, or even as Shakhan turns away, the man watches as you are addressed as prince and all of the sudden Cyan has a decision to make. He served a prince a long time ago as a protector and thus knows how important a prince is to his people. They need their ruler no matter that they might not think they do. It makes the big man tremble for a moment before he reaches a decision. It doesn't matter what happens to him; you need to be returned to your people. This in mind those guards come into the cell and Cyan reacts. A hand is lifted to cover one eye and then is motioned outfrom his head, palm facing away from his body. The reaction to the area all around you is immediately. The lights drop to almost nothing as he holds that pose, arm outstretched, and then from behind the man fog wells up to spread out over the floor. It's like someone released the flood gates of the stuff for it's everywhere and all in a second. As soon as the floor is covered there is an eerie howl that sends shivers down the spine, and from behind Cyan a dozen sets of glowing red eyes appear, all blinking into being... just before that dozen leaps out around him and at the guards and Shakhan. Wolf hounds all of them, bodies long and gray and very, very large, bound forward growling and howling, biting and snapping.. moving through the men, around the men, and then leaping off into the fog only to disappear. It leaves those poor guards and Shakhan dealing with an attack of Earth. The summons done, Cyan pants softly but knows he has to act. Hoping it left them surprise the warrior thumps a guard's head, hoping to either knock him out or kill him. It's not a hit, but he's so strong that a thump is going to be nasty all the same. Shock best describes how the summons is reacted to. There isn't much room in this tiny cell, after all, and when those wolfhounds bound from the ethereal fog, the guards react with surprise and are thusly barreled into, one knocked against the wall and the other knocked back out the door of the cell. "Guards!" screams a voice, which happens to be Shakhan, and the sound of more footfalls grows imminent as the wolfhounds complete their snapping and biting, one of them even getting a good bite in on the Emperor before leaping back into the mist. The door to the cell is promptly shut, leaving the one guard trapped in here, somewhat dazed, but not for long as the sunhaired prince promply grabs for the gun in his hand and thumps the guy's temple with it. *THWACK* *thump* *groan* Wild eyed, the boy looks at you now, "Are you crazy? Shakhan will kill you for that!" He knows he has some sort of worth to the man, and that's why he's still presently alive, but you... you're a slave and slaves are expendable. Little does he know just how much he paid for a gladiator and how unwilling he will be to put you down. Either way, this is going to cause some real trouble. Actually Cyan doesn't plan to stay here. There are screams from the emperor and the door shuts even as he knocks that poor guard for a loop, but the man doesn't stop. "As crazy as I need to be." He comments, moving to the panel near the door where he knows the controls are to open it. Cyan doesn't know dick about technology, but he knows enough to where if you beat on it enough it breaks. This is what he attempts to do. Fists pound into the metal there at full force, soon denting it badly, and soon making it warp to the point where the section can be pulled off. Fingers are worked into that gap and with a squeal of protest the thing is wrenched off and tossed aside. "I don't care if he kills me. That is a favor I have been seeking for years now." There is a grim determination in the man as he works to start pulling wires and compents from the wall, seeking to make the door open. "All that matters is getting thee from this place and free. Grab my pack, boy." For he doesn't want to be without it, and right now he's the best chance you have of getting out. Even if the door opens only a sliver that will be enough. That would allow him to pry the thing open enough for the two of you to get out. This is really going to make Bart feel guilty, but not until later when he's had time to think about this some. Events are spiralling out of control far too rapidly now. As you pound on the control board, it does eventually crack and break open to reveal wiring underneath that sparks when you pluck at it. There is the sound of soldiers gathering outside the door and then something plinks from up above, cannisters of some kind of sleeping gas dumped into the room through the air duct. Just as Bart grabs for your pack, he quickly holds his breath and claps a hand over his nose and mouth, praying you can get that door open before the gas overtakes him. You, on the other hand, are much more resistant to such things, of course and could probably withstand it. Finally there is another spark and the door begins to open, though exiting will find the hallway full of those pearly dressed guards and no Shakhan standing about. The man is smart and knows when to retreat. Cowardice guarntees the opportunity to return another day and be a pain in the ass. The canisters fall and Cyan says, "Cast an air spell!" For if you have wings then you damn well had better have an air spell. He doesn't, sorry. What he wouldn't give for something that casts confuse on everyone out there. Just before prying the door open the man casts Haste, and then Regen on himself. Gee, get the feeling he's done this kind of thing before? Well, no he really hasn't, but he knows what it's like to walk into the jaws of death nearly every day and so he's not even afraid. And so the door is pried open and hopefully you are going to cast that air spell. Otherwise Cyan will do his best at holding his breath while barrelling through the guards. Yes, he really does just leap in and start killing people. Once outside of that cell his pulls he sword and lays about him, ignoring any wounds he takes for now. With Herne in his head no one has a chance to sneak behind him, and truth be told it's damn scary to watch him. Slaughtering men nearly whole sale he seems to have eyes in the back of his head as he becomes a whirlwind of death. There is one thing he's careful of though. You. Hopefully you cast the air spell, for that means he can stand in the doorway and take all comers so that there is no one left to do you harm before he moves on, clearing a pathway. At the insistance of your voice, Bart is then mentally thumped by Badb. He doesn't have access to his ether (nor can he control it anyway) but he does have what she provides. Reaching up, he touches his forehead, Fatima blue eyes shutting for the moment before saying, "Aero." The whirlwind comes up and around, scattering the gas and thinning it out within the cell, and then puffing it out entirely as the door is opened. He moves to the doorway as you leap out and start slaughtering the guards. Shakhan is going to be very sorry that he left you with your armor and weapons. But your last owner described you as docile and obedient, and so he was a fool in thinking it was not necessary. The boy is impetuous, but he's not a fool and as you take on wounds, for all the guards are firing their guns at you, some of them are lasar pistols too, of obvious Esthar make (of course such weapons are exceptionally rare on the surface), he can't just stand here and do nothing. But, of course he does not have his whips with him, and that leaves him with spells. Closing his eyes again, 'Badb, I need you', he summons. From out of nowhere comes a loud caw, a huge crow sweeping across the hallway, blasting several of the guards at once with an Aero spell, knocking them aside or gusting them up against walls. Should at least make your job a bit easier, in fact you're now able to cut a wider swath of pathway through those who remain on their feet. Now the boy doesn't stand there any longer than he has to, trailing along behind you. The exertion of the summons leaves him a bit tired, but adrenaline is running high and it's enough to carry him onward down the steel corridor of the ship. Alarms have sounded, also, flashing red lights at the ends of each corridor, the lights dimming. Escaping here is not going to be easy. Escaping doesn't have to be easy, just so long as he can get you out of here. Cyan is rather like Vincent in that he is self sacrificing and right now you are the one he's giving himself for. Doesn't matter what wounds he takes, or what condition he's left in when it's all over so long as you are allowed to not be a prisoner anymore and can be returned to your people. Being killed would be a favor as far as he's concerned. It isn't easy facing an opponent that has no fear for his own life and yet is totally dedicated in taking your own. As the summons comes, the man takes a moment to cast Protect on himself. Those laserguns are taking him out faster than his regen can work, and so it needs a little help. Once that is in place he jumps on the poor guards who were just scattered in the wake of that summons. As he gets to them, sword in one hand, he pops the claws out of the forwarm guard of his armor and starts going about slashing with both arms. Yes indeed... Shakhan was a fool to leave him his things, for there are a number of nasty tricks in it. The stuff just doesn't look nice you know. "Sir! Do you at all know how to fly some of the craft they have here?" Since he doesn't at all. Not going for the bridge or anything, Cyan is instead heading the only way he knows.. back the way he was brought in. Sure he's bleeding and a little bright eyed at all of the combat, but that makes him only look more fearsome. Scary guy. c.c Now here's the kicker. Bart has as much technological knowledge as Cyan does, in this circumstance. This ain't the same Bart from the Xenogears game, sadly. "I have no idea," is shouted back at you over the din of battle. No one's aiming at him, oddly enough. Or perhaps not so oddly enough, if he dies by a stray bullet, Shakhan is sure he'll never get his hands on the Fatima treasure. So there are orders not to kill the boy, and attempt to subdue you if possible. (He did spend a lot of money on you, after all.) Right about the time that you finish getting past the guards, for many of them suddenly retreat away from you and Bart just then. Two mini-gears come around the corner, filling the hallway with their massive bulk. "Um... let's go the other way," Bart says, for even if you look scary, those things look scarier for the sheer fact that the prince has never seen anything like them before. But, in turning, there are two more, also side to side and filling the hallway, approaching from behind. Their weapons are set to stun, and are fired at both prince and gladiator. Eek! Cyan stops as he finds himself facing those two mechs. O.O Okay, this is getting tougher. The field around him glimmers as he's hit with blasts and bullets, appearing for brief instances with each contact. It's a strange effect, but something he ignores. With Regen going, it's not like those attacks do more than make him wince. Even before Bart has said 'let's go the other way' the man is casting again. Hand is lifted to eye and he gestures outwards. "Confuse!" On one of the two. Shit, you don't know how to fly those things. Ah well. Maybe he can beat someone into doing it for you. Not that there is much time left truth be told. If they are willing to bring out this much heavy weaponry, well... odds are he isn't going to succeed. Would have been a good fight though. Since you aren't being attacked, the man leaves off worrying about that. The confuse is cast and he's leaping for the other one; the one he didn't cast on. So what of it's a gear? He's strong enough to do it one hell of a lot of damage so long as he has a sword... which he has. Take someone who can lift a ton and give him a lever. >.>; Sadly the one thing he doesn't have is Esuna. The sun bolts take him in a couple of places, but he manages to get in a flurry of blows before that stun starts taking effect. Not even his spells can stop that totally. So Cyan starts slowing down, and unless something is done to help him he eventually sinks down to the floor to lay there panting heavily. Kind of like a wild animal that's been drugged. The spells he has up will prevent him from passing out, but that doesn't mean they are enough to keep him moving. Though you would think Gears can't be affected, well, their pilots -can- and mini-gears are effectively just suits of armor over a human body. So, as the spell is cast, the now confused pilot rears around and around without doing anything minutely effective. The other one is nearly barreled over by your strength and you pound the hell out of it, denting the hull of it majorly and probably causing the pilot inside some grievious injury. The other two, however, continue to fire on you and there is no response from Bart. Even as he tried to cast something he was struck from behind, with no status protections versus stun damage, just Confusion. Dropping your pack without meaning to, the boy just crumples to the ground without a word. That leaves them to continue firing on you until you are at last subdued, well... as subdued as you're probably gonna get. The minigears still coherant close in, one of them sending a charge to the rather confused gear who's pounding on the one you'd been pounding on just a second before. Of course they're willing to bring out the big guns for this, Shakhan's been hunting for Bart for nearly eighteen years and letting the youth out of his grasp now would be... humiliating as well as contrary to his desire to have that treasure. Now that you are surrounded, unless you try anything else, the gears just keep their weapons pointed at you for the time being, one of them grabbing at the red jacket on Bart to drag him away from the scene. Nope, he isn't doing anything. Would love to, but after everything that has gone on here, after all of the spells cast, the summons, the wounds, and not the stun... he's down for the count. Knows it too. u.u Cyan merely closes his eyes and lays there as he can't do much else. Sure he fought against it for as long as he could, but in the end he knows they could kill him easily. In fact he's waiting for it to happen. You failed again, Cyan. Good going! Fingers clenched around a sword he can't even lift anymore, the man rails at himself, and in the end he just stops fighting. Ah well. Now it's time to pay the price for what he's done. Should have known you wouldn't succeed. Of course Herne only snorts at him, but says nothing. The Guardian doesn't agree with the man, but leaves him for the time being. Cyan has had too much loss to be able to accept it well. All the same Herne knows he will get over it, and there will be other chances to try. You are dragged to another cell, and this time one of those mini-gears is left at the door to it. The one you injured badly has to be carried away and then there will be all the clean up in the aftermath. You are bound by chains, which is a bit humorous because you could break them if you chose to. No one attempts to further harm you, however. No blows to the head, no curses at you, nothing. Just quiet and efficient damage control. Your armor and weapons, however, are confiscated as well as your pack. (Unless you put up a fight about that, then things might get interesting.) Again you are made to wait there for a long long time. No one comes to talk to you, or even bring food in, just a tray slipped through a hatch at the base of the door. If you try to ask about the boy, there is no response given. Perhaps in the meanwhile Herne can convince you that you are not worthless and that you actually did very well against things most others wouldn't have been able to handle. Eventually, there is a voice in your cell, Shakhan's. "That was very foolish of you. But it at least demonstrated your strength to me." He expected things to be taken from him once Cyan realized that he wasn't going to be killed. Why he wasn't is what confuses him more than anything else. That he's not abused in any manner is also something of a surprise as he did take out a lot of men to the point where it would have been more worthwhile to kill him. All the same, stunned as he is, the man does nothing as he's carried off, stripped, and chained in that cell. Beneath the armor is a plain black body suit and that pair of baggy pants, so unless they truly stripped him, Cyan does at least have clothing. There is nothing special at all about this under attire, so it's not got anything hidden in it. Laying on the bench, on his side, Cyan doesn't bother with food for a long while as he instead just rests. However he does eventually work himself into a seated position and get something to drink after a while, chains sounding against one another as he moves. No point in proving he can remove those just yet. By the time that voice comes he's seated in a corner, arms draped over drawn up knees, head having been allowed to fall back against the wall. Just a way to wait out the time. He opens his eyes at the voice, lifting his head to look around a little. Speakers are something he's only dimly aware of and so this is a might confusing. There is no reply to you however, and with a faint sigh he lets his head drop back against the wall with a dull sound. Yes, it was foolish. No arguement there. No, no death for you, as much as you may wish it. Shakhan has plans for you now, apparently. They are already in motion, even if you are unaware of it. The ship eventually lands, which is only indicated by a slight drop in pressure and then a gentle shaking that you would only feel if you were laying on a bench of steel, which you are (presumably). Shortly afterwards, the door to your cell opens, the mini-gear gesturing with a robotic hand for you to exit the cell. It keeps a gun on you at all times as you are escorted out and is soon joined by a second mini-gear. It seems no one is willing to underestimate you this time. However, as you round the corner, you see the prince also in hand, arm held by Shakhan, though both his hands are bound behind his back. The wings are actually gone, someone must have finally healed them enough that they could be drawn back in and with that, Bart no longer has any ability to touch his inner ether. It's as if he never had it in the first place, though Badb has been reassuring him over and over that this is merely temporary. "Cyan. I have a proposition for you, since you seem so eager to protect this boy," he says, and there is a glint of something in those cruel onyx eyes, this must surely be a trick of some sort, the devil offering you a deal. Bart can't look up at you, head held low as if ashamed or perhaps drugged. The fact nothing more is said at that time is something of a relief for Cyan and it allows him a little more rest before the ship lands, him feeling it through the bench he's sitting on. As the door opens and the mini-gear motions for him, the man only nods before climbing to his feet and following, chains he wears chiming softly with his motions. He holds the length of it in his hands just to have something to hold to. Two of the gears don't surprise him either and all the man does is smile in a wan manner at the thing and follow along in a docile fashion. When Bart is seen the warrior actually does nothing. No tensing of form, no struggling with chains. He merely walks until he's told to stop and then watches Shakhan with a level gaze. There isn't even any anger in it. Why should he feel anger for a walking dead man? And yes, there is death in his eyes, plain to see; the nearly black of his irises flat like a snakes. "Why doest thou offer things when I clearly have no choice? Stop wasting thine limited breath and simply tell me what thou'st wants." The tone is calm, and just like his eyes. Dark and flat. Doesn't help that the quality of his voice is bad and gravelly at the best of times. "Very well then, to the point," Shakhan concedes with a nod. Bart is shaken a moment for emphasis, though not hard enough to do anything more then get the youth to finally life his head a bit, blue eyes peering at you out from under the tangle of golden bangs. He's drugged all right, pupils a bit too dialated, expression far too 'not quite there'. The lights are on but no one is home. "There is a treasure I want, and have been wanting for quite some time. Unfortunately, the way to this treasure is a bit frought with peril, I have been unable to get much further than the second level. With your strength, I think it may very well be possible. If you guide the boy down there and see to securing it for me, I will grant you your freedom." Though he makes no such promise for Bart, mind you. Hell no, letting the only (known) heir to Aveh's throne just go would be foolish, hence there is no such guarentee made. "I am not afraid of you escaping, for there is only one way down and one way back up, my men will be waiting for you above. Do you agree to this?" He listens to you, flat eyes locked on the would be emperor of Aveh, and with that he doesn't even glance to Bart. Herne however informs him as to the prince's condition, which only makes him a little more upset. This doesn't show on the outside however, for there might be a chance of doing something to get away if he plays this right. "My freedom means nothing to me. Swear here and now before these witnesses that thou'st will let the prince free of you gain this treasure and then I will do this for thee. Otherwise, no." Of course Cyan has no doubts at all that he's going to be lied to. Been in Midgar too long to take people at their word, but they always seem to assume when he demands such things, and from the strange way he talks, that the warrior is no where near as bright as they are. It makes them underestimate him, believing that he's going to take their word to heart. Sure, tell him you'll Bart free, lying through your teeth. Doesn't matter so long as there is a chance the two can escape. Slim as it might be. c.c; Shakhan goes tight lipped for a moment, glancing at Bart with a frown curving his lips downward. "Fatima charm. It never ceases to amaze me. How your brash bloodline has managed to continue I will never understand." Now, he could just force both of you down the chutes into the underground, but the man isn't entirely stupid. Better for you to believe that there is always a chance of freeing the boy. "Very well then, I will free Bartolomei if you return with the treasure and give it to me." Of course he's lying, he fully intends on killing the prince the second he lays eyes on him emerging with the treasure. If only Shakhan had -any- idea what it really was, he wouldn't be this foolish. It's the lack of knowledge, however, that will someday spell his doom. Should you agree to the terms, the Emperor nods and tells you that it will be tomorrow, rest for tonight and you are then escorted off the ship and to another cell, much like the other one. You don't know where they take Bart, but he is apparently being held on the upper level, whereas you are taken below. Since you give your word, as worthless as it really is, Cyan just nods and leaves it at that. Tomorrow then. He doesn't ask for the armor and weapons that were taken from him before, but that will happen the next day. For now the man allows himself to be taken back to his cell, where he gets some sleep and spends some time in mediation. Not anything special really, just to help calm his frayed nerves. When morning comes and he's brought out of his cell, then he demands his things. Can't go facing danger without his stuff! After all, it would only be easier on the two if he had his armor, sword, and materia! Geez. Yes, Cyan is always careful to let people think his spells come from the materia. Even with having used a summons before, most people don't know better. GFs aren't at all common on the world after all. If allowed to have his armor the man waits for his chains to be removed and then calmly puts everything on. Doesn't even try and hurt anyone, for that would defeat the purpose, and in fact he doesn't even look at all of the guards that are sure to be around and aiming at him. If he's not allowed to wear his stuff.. well, he waits. Not much else he can do. Will suck down there if he doesn't have what he needs to be truly dangerous though. You're not given your armor or weaponry until you are brought before the tunnels that apparently lead to whever this Fatima treasure is. Bart is brought with you and he does look a lot brighter this morning, the drugs having worn off during the night. You are taken to the spot via vehicles of technological design, sand cruisers that easily cut across the terrain. Bart is kept up front and you in back, though the prince does look over his shoulder once to see if you are unharmed. He had to know and even mouths 'Are you ok?' to you before the blonde braid is grabbed and his head is jerked forward again and he is quietly told to behave himself. Once far out into the desert, the vehicles halt by a huge dune that doesn't ever move or shift during the sand storms. There is some kind of entrance leading down into darkness and it appears to be a straight drop down, though someone has tied a rope there for easier climbing. Chains are released off you and Bart's wrists are unbound. The prince frowns and rubs at his wrists idly and then he is handed a whip. This makes him blink in surprise, but he accepts it all the same. Not as good as having two whips, but he isn't going to complain. Your armor and weaponry is also handed to you at the same time. "My men will be waiting here for you, Bartolomei, Cyan. Good luck." And with that, Shakhan waits for the two of you to climb down. Of course, there are a lot of high powered rifles and other weaponry and firearms aimed at the pair of you, in case you get any bright ideas of attempting to escape now. Honestly he doesn't care when he's given the stuff so long that he is. So in being taken on that vehicle, the man sits quietly and patiently as he's able in the back, fiddling somewhat with the chains he wears. Otherwise nothing is done and he doesn't cause any trouble at all. When Bart asks if he's okay Cyan merely nods. After all you are dragged back around and he doesn't have a chance to do anything else. Yes, he is okay physically, the regen having repaired all of the damage he had taken in the fight. Emotionally however he's not. You don't need to know about that though. Not right now anyone. Once the location is arrived at, and his armor and such given to him, Cyan does indeed go about putting it all on. Making sure each piece fits as it should, even if the wait pisses Shakhan off. n.n That'd only be an added bonus. No attempt is made to escape and instead he looks down the hole before looking to Bart. Hmm. Ah well, time to be going. Cyan doesn't even bother to reply to Shakhan as he grabs a hold of that rope and startes lowering himself down into the darkness. Indeed, Shakhan does appear to be getting impatient, folding his arms over his chest and eventually tapping his foot in the sand. As soon as you start down into the darkness, there is the sound of a vehicle departing, but only one, the others are left behind to wait for your return. After you get down a bit, for it does appear to be quite the drop, twenty feet in all, Bart starts down the rope, but not until getting the assurance from you that it's ok. You find yourself in some sort of underground cavern, huge in berth and stretching out into infinity and into darkness. Pity they didn't provide either of you with torches or something. There is only the light from above at the moment, and some strange glowing algae on the walls that seems to reflect the sunlight that shines from above. Every sound made echoes eeriely and there is the distant sound of condensation striking the ground with a musical 'plink' 'plonk'. "I have no idea where to go, Cyan," Bart admits somewhat sheepishly, "I know it's my family's great treasure, but I don't really know anything about it." u.u If only Sigurd were here, he knows about it. Since it's only twenty feet or so, Cyan slides down a ways until he can see the rest of the distance and then merely jumps down, landing with a loud thump as he drops into a crouch and looks around at the dimness. As nothing jumps out at him, the man straightens and looks up to motion you to join him. As you climb he moves out into the cavern a ways to look around. When at last you are down there, the man walks to your side and looks you over. "Do not trouble thineself with such things, sir. Thou'rt not to blame for any of this." If you allow he grips your shoulder in an attempt to assure, even as he actually smiles at you. "Come, we have a place to explore. I do not plan to allow thee to get killed after we find this treasure. Shakhan is lying though his own teeth about the freedom promised me. Let us see if we can't find some means to free ourselves, mmm?" He can't offer you much right now, but this is what the man has and so he gives it freely to you. A goal, a purpose; something to make sure you don't get depressed to the point you can't act. There is a derisive snort of ageement from the sunhaired youth, "Shakhan killed my parents to get the throne, there's no way he'd let me live through this." He does smile at you when you put your hand on his shoulder to reassure him. "Hey, we'll make it through this, with a little luck." He snaps his fingers as if to emphasize this and the light in his eyes seems to shine just a little more intensely. There's no way he's gonna let that bastard win in the end, not when he's got people topside counting on him, namely Sigurd. "Besides, my brother has made it quite clear that he doesn't want to be King." That said, he follows after you, keeping the whip coiled but in his grasp in case he needed to unfurl it at a moment's notice. He's tried repeatedly to touch the ether, and found this morning that there was at least a slight sensing of it, whatever blocker they used was wearing off. Now if only it'd happen a little more quickly. u.u Heading into the cavernous underground, your footfalls echo off the stone beneath your feet. Stalactites and stalagmites rise up or lazily drift down, that same glowing algae providing minimal light to see by. There is the distant sound of something small scurrying about, but initially, it does not appear that anything large and predatory is here. If you continue to feel around the cavern you'll eventually find a cavernous exit that leads deeper into the earth. Right by it is a body, that has apparently been there for awhile, as it is half decayed and smells to high heaven. If you search it, you'll find a gun with half its ammo gone but an extra clip is there, a flashlight and some rope. Cyan nods when you speak of your parents, and his expression softens some at your loss. "I thought it was something like that, sir, but aye.. we shall." Get out of here that is. Nothing more is said, for he doesn't at all know your brother, and with that the man starts exploring this place, looking for any and every way out of this place. Since he knows there isn't a time limit, Cyan makes sure to go over things with care. Who knows what might be found. Of course the dead body wasn't something he wanted to find, but even in spite of the smell he looks it over. Mostly checking the clothing it wears. Which side were you on, mister? He's also looking as to what killed it. Might give a clue as to what did the job. As for the items the body has, the only one Cyan takes is the flashlight. That at least he knows what it is, and that will be damn useful. Handing it to Bart, the man tells you not to use it, but instead just keep it handy. If there is something dangerous down here it might attack because of that light, and if it lives down here the light might be used well against it. Besides.. right now it's still light enough to see by, if barely. Only when it grows too dark does the man think it should be used. After this Cyan moves into that other cave, Herne keeping watch in ways that he can't. The clothing resembles the Aveh soldiers, not the ones with the pearlesque suits, but a normal uniform. Apparently this is what's left of one of Shakhan's attempts to get to the treasure. The man doesn't appear to have died of anything in paticular and it's really too decomposed for one to be able to tell, now. Nothing like a little mystery to start things off. Bart takes the flashlight from you and lifts a golden eyebrow when you say not to use it. With a shrug, he doesn't argue with it, though it's getting increasingly darker the further along the tunnel you go. The algae seems rather to be getting sparser the further along you travel. Then, the tunnel narrows a little and dips down in a steep manner, making you have to walk in single file, even forces the two of you to duck just a little bit in order to clear it before opening into another cavern. This is far smaller and there is actually more light here. The algae clings to the eastern wall tenatiously, so much of it that it glows with a neon sort of light. There is a gap up ahead, about five feet wide and looking down would reveal a pit that stretches out into infinity, or it seems so, at least. Someone stuck a makeshift plank bridge here. Herne, however, might notice there is something up above, a rather large creature with leathery wings that so far is merely watching the pair entering. Since there is nothing apparent as to the cause of death Cyan leaves the body and moves on. No point in dwelling over the smelly thing. Ew. He starts getting worried about the lack of light, but more and more relies on Herne to guide him until such a time as the light starts growing. This surprises the man, for he was about to tell Bart to turn on that light, but clearly it's not necessary. n.n Coolness. When he comes to the gap in the wall, he stops and looks out into the darkness, frowning at the bridge. Hunching over in an uncomfortable manner he doesn't just leap ahead and thankfully it's too close to allow Bart to slip ahead of him. Ain't gonna allow that. That bridge doesn't look solid at all. It's as he's crouching down to test one of the planks does Herne mention the creature above. Oh really? Now that doesn't surprise Cyan at all, and in fact he was figuring there was something down here. What does he do? Cyan casts Sleep on the thing if it can be reached. If that works then he casts Confuse just to make sure. Yes, he's being very paranoid. You can sue him later. Of course it might seem strange to Bart when he lifts a hand to his face before motioning outwards with it... seemingly at nothing. Then does it again. Indeed, Bart just pauses and gives Cyan a really weird look, glancing up to see what the heck he's trying to do. The creature is too far up, however, and the ceiling of this place is nearly entirely lost to darkness, so the prince can't see a thing and he doesn't dare shine the flashlight up there. (How do you think the others got creamed?) The sleep spell seems to do the trick, for the creature was already a bit sleepy and just dozes off as it takes effect. Herne would know this, even if you would not. The plank bridge, if tested, is extremely wobbly, it bows down dangerously low if any attempt to cross it is made. "Might have to jump," Bart offers, not knowing what else to do. He could get a good amount of speed going to get to the other side, but otherwise, he can't think of anything else, since there are no other planks around here, or anything else that could be used to bridge the gap. Whispering once the spell takes effect, for which he's grateful (Just assume that if it's important Herne tells the man. The who have a very, very close bond and have never unjunctioned since bonding), Cyan looks to Bart behind him. "There is something above us. Don't use the light at all, and keep as quiet as thee can. I believe I managed to sleep it, but there is no way of knowing for certain. We are going to have to move over one at a time, and as fast as we are able. I will go first since I am heavier." As well as the fact he's more expendable. n.n So moving back, the man casts Haste on himself and then moves over the bridge. Careful? You bet he is, trying not to hit the boards in any sharp manner while still moving quickly. There is no pausing for him however. Even if one cracks dangerously, he keeps moving. Cyan has no other choice really. Here's to hoping he doesn't have to learn how to fly. u.u Bart frowns a moment, but just nods in the end. If he knew you were thinking yourself more expendable, he'd be downright upset, but that's not something he realizes, and since you're gung ho to go first, he lets you. The board wobbles horridly even as fast as you cross it and the moment you're across it starts to wriggle off to the side to tumble down into the abyss below. Bart's eyes widen, since you're not turned around yet and scrambles to grab the end of it to try to make sure it doesn't fall, but his fingers grab on air and the grit of the cavern floor as it slides just out of his grasp and smacks against the cliff edge before whistling down into infinity. You don't hear it hit any bottom. "Crap," Bart whispers with a sigh. "Cyan, I'm coming over the hard way." Backing up, he folks the whip and hangs it at his side and with the flashlight in hand, takes off at a dead run, as fast as he can speed up in the space he's granted to make the jump and -leaps- for the other side. The momentum is enough to carry him over, though he hits the gritty floor and slips, ending up on his knees. "Ow." That wasn't pleasant, but it just jarred him a little, no real damage, and he's able to get back to his feet again. And the cavern stretches on. Herne will notice other huge winged creatures up above, just like the last one, one here, one there, one over there, so on and so forth. So long as you and Bart keep quiet and don't shine that light anywhere, they don't seem inclined to move much. There are skeletons found here, bleached white and others still decomposing. All kinds of outfits, from Aveh soldiers to fortune adventurers who were killed in the act of finding buried treasure. Eventually, the whole thing comes to an end, except there is some kind of stone in front of what could be an exit. Finding himself on the other side, Cyan turns around just in time to watch that board slide off and into the darkness. He too drops down to his knees to make a grab for it and has even less success than you to in getting it. Then he realizes that you are about to leap over, but doesn't evne have a chance to stop you for even as he opens his mouth to protest you are in the air. Scrambling back on hands and knees he gets himself out of the way only to grab for you once you are there so that you can't slide off and follow the board. A hand grips around your arm nearly painfully as he bites back the urge to start calling you all kinds of nasty names. >.<+ Good thing for you the man has had ten years of being a slave and learning to keep his comments to himself. It's about then, as the two of you are getting to your feet, that Herne tells him about the others. Shit. Whispering again, close to your ear, he warns, "There are flying creatures all above us. Don't use that flash light at all, and let us move as quietly as possible." Catching your eyes he holds them for a time before creeping onwards. Hand on hilt the man walks as quietly as he is able, holding himself to a nearly casual pace that is honestly driving him nuts to keep.. but if it prevents monsters from attacking so much the better. At the stone he frowns and looks around, wondering if you missed something. As nothing presents itself the warrior starts feeling around, checking for possible buttons or levers, or anything. "Doest thou know of anything, sir?" Since this is where your family is suppose to keep something important. That's Bart for you. Impulsive, rash, impetuous, intrepid, but not one to think things through first. But when you catch him and help keep him from ending up following that board, he breathes a sigh of relief and quietly thanks you in a barely audible whisper. After that, he ends up rubbing his arm, but there are no complaints as to how hard you gripped said arm. He's alive, he'll be grateful. If you ever meet his brother, the two of you can have long conversations on how difficult the boy can be. Provided this is survived. When you tell him about the creatures up above, he immediately looks up, still unable to see them since they are hidden in the darkness. It does make him nearly sweatdrop, however and the flashlight is definitely kept -off-. The whip is pulled out, held at the ready, just in case. At the end, the prince frowns also, glancing over his shoulder at the long stretch just passed through. He shakes his head, whispering, "No, I don't know anything about it. I was just a baby when my parents were slaughtered, no one's told me anything about this place." He does head toward that door sized boulder, however, finger it lightly, "Psst, you think something's behind this? Look at it. Doesn't look like something natural." Indeed, it doesn't, it's far too rounded, as if human hands smoothed it out and set it here on purpose. Cyan and Sigurd are sure to facepalm when they exchange stories. However, you have to get out of here to be able to get that talk, and so the man is focused on that and not thinking about any future conversations he might have. "Aye.." He whispers back to you when you comment about the stone. "I do. Seems right somehow. Our problem is figuring out how it opens. Help me look." There are always stories about magical doors and the like, so Cyan looks for some way to open it. Technology is something that is like magic to him for he knows so damn little about it. Maybe there is some means that is hidden. Something that needs a way for it to be opened.. like a key. Since Shakhan hasn't been able to get it in all of this time, Cyan is sure the man doesn't have the key and thinks that Bart does. "Maybe there's a key." He sighs after a time of searching. Bart pauses while you start looking around, trying to think what this might be. Finally, he just starts joining you in searching around, specifically feeling the walls themselves for anything that seems amiss. You actually are the one to find it, along the side you're looking at, you find an inscription. It's difficult to read, as the letters have somewhat worn away and otherwise been filled with grit and the language is old, very very old. A language long ago forgotten to those not of Sairou/Aveh, or specifically of Fatima descent. If you call Bart over to see it, or feel it rather, he tries to make sense of it, too. If you press against it, however, the stone pulls inward with a grinding sound of stone against stone and the huge rounded boulder moves aside slowly to reveal a passage that leads further downward, the only difference being that it is actual stairs, not carved out of rock, but metal stairs, slightly rusted, that lead down into some kind of steel walled area. Oh, he calls Bart over all right for he wants to know what the writing says. In finding it, Cyan starts a little and then begins to clean it off, rubbing to attempt to remove the grim of time. "Sir.." He whispers to you, motioning for you to join him. "Tis writing, but I can not make it out." Shifting out of the way and out of any possible light, the man gives you the time to attempt to figure it out. Even if you can't he says to push the button, allowing you to do it. The stone begins to move, and Cyan's attention goes not to the stone, but to the darkness above. Oh please don't drop down and attack while this is moving. Please don't. u.u Once it's open he nudges you to go inside, for it's too much of a risk to remain here out in the open like this. "Go..." Through the door and looking down the stairs. "Well.." He wonders how many have gone down, and with a bit of a grin to you, Cyan starts slowly down the stairs, boots sounding against the rusted metal quietly. Still not having drawn his sword, the man descends. Well, Bart has to peer at it for a bit and feel at it with his fingers, "Wow..." he whispers in awe. "This is really old old writing. Guess it's a good thing Maison made me learn this, it's a dead language now. Says: Peace to all those who come here. Fearing the great calamity, we sealed this legacy entrusting its fate to you." Then, after you have pressed inward, he grins, bingo! You hardly have to push the boy to get him to go down, for he's already heading toward the exit even before it's finished opening, eager to see what's beyond. There is a rustle up above, eyes are on you and Herne can probably sense this too. Well, it's not you so much as the movement of the stone. They don't move, however. Or if they're about to, you have time to duck into the stairwell, it's too narrow for them to fit in there. The stairs go straight down and you can hear the sound of the prince's boots clanking against the old metal. Eager? No, not Bart, never! He doesn't seem to even care what he might be running into. But, despite his returned impetuousness, there is no danger here, though someone might think otherwise by the number of dead bodies littered around here. Bart pauses when he nearly trips over one of them squeaks "Awk!" before backing up from it. He's seen dead bodies before, but tripping over one isn't something he wants to do. "Byakko's fur... what the hell...?" The room is square, not very large either, ten foot by ten foot. On the far end is a pair of huge double doors. Trying to open them will result in a no go, they simply will not open. In the center of the room, where there are also a mass of dead bodies, is a platform with some sort of mechanism rising out of it. There are two handles to either side, even with finger grips on them to indicate what is to be done with them, and two tubes that look like something you'd find at the eye doctor's. Another inscription is left at the base of the machine. Bart heads toward it somewhat cautiously, unless you pull him back. Following you down, the man rests a hand on your shoulder when you trip over the body and move back from it. "Calmly, Sir." He assures, fingers firm for a moment before he pulls away. "Seems this place is dangerous." More of a comment just to have something to say than any real import in the words themselves. Yes, he's a little nervous right now, and with good reason. Looking at the bodies, making no move to touch one, he picks his way amoung them to try the doors. In finding them unmoving, he looks back to that strange thing in the middle and where you are looking over the writing. "Tis a good thing thee can read this." For which he's grateful indeed. Very, very grateful. o.o Moving back to where you are the man crouches down, pausing before he does to shove a body aside with a sweeping motion of one foot. "What doest it say?" Is asked as he peers at the stuff he can't read. "Yeah..." Bart replies quietly. Calmly. Sure. He gingerly kicks aside the bodies in front of the protrusion from the floor, eyes widening a bit when he gets a better look at them. In all the corpses of the room, they are all missing their eyes. Burned out, entirely. "Holy shit," he says, that faint taste of soap accompanying the curse. It makes him keep his mouth shut for a moment, glancing at that odd machine for a moment before crouching down to read the inscription. "Can I use the flashlight, you think?" The lighting in here is dim, too, small reflector lights in the ground being the only real light to see by. If you say yes, he flicks it on and reads it, "Only the greatest treasure can lead the way. The Fatima Jasper." The boy frowns then, "The heck? I know it's a legend, but I have no idea what the jasper is." Doh! "Aye, use the light." For those things can't get down here and Cyan is sure of it. Noting that the bodies are missing their eyes, the man assumes that the strange thing above is like one of those eye checkers in Midgar. He frowns at it, waiting for you to translate, and once that is done he frowns at you. There he remains, chewing on his moustache for a moment, thinking. "A jasper is a gem, that much I know. Quartz, not worth all that much. Sir... this looks somewhat like something they have in Midgar." He motions to the device above where you read. "I've seen it work a couple of times over the years. Like a lock needing a key, only one has to look into a certain place. Like thine eye was the key. Mayhapst that is what this is too. If thou'st has the wrong eyes it burns them out, but thee are a Fatima, correct? Thine eyes might be the only ones that will open this door. I do leave it to thee as to what thou'st wishes to try though." Not his eyes at risk here. The sunhaired youth looks at you for a long moment, considering it. Of course, he looks at one of the bodies too, which is rather a dumb thing to do. Kinda like looking down when crossing a high wire. "I... I guess, yeah, I'm a Fatima, but..." He rather likes having his eyes. @_@ Straightening up again, he looks at the machine and then back at you. "Well, wish me luck." One thing Bart has never been accused of, is being a coward. So, rather than sit there and think about it, he just bends down slightly and looks into those two crystalline lenses. Nothing happens. "Hmmm. Well... don't see anything. It's dark. I wonder if it's broken?" Oh wouldn't that just be great. He looks up at you again, and in doing so, glances at the hand grip. "Wait..." he trails off, and grips one handle, then the other. -That- is when things finally happen. There's the sound of gears turning somewhere, the floor lights are joined by ceiling track lamps that flood the room with artificial light. Bart has to blink a few times and then he suddenly tenses, gritting his teeth as he feels something bit into both his hands, straight through the fingerless gloves. Needles, apparently, injecting something into him. "Cyan... I can't move." He's nearly panicked by it, though you might notice there are twin blue lights shining on his chest from the two crystal lenses. Rising to his feet as you go for a try, the man almost holds his breath as you lean down and look into the things... only to have nothing happen. Shit, he doesn't know what to do here. u.u; Thankfully you figure it out and grip those handlesl; only to find yourself injected with something and unable to move. "Give it time to work, sir." The voice is a little tight however, and the man stands right at your side, ready to hit you with a regen spell, and then after that with as many cures as it takes to keep you alive. o.o This is all he can do right this moment. Technology makes him very, very nervous, and right now he's sweating with the tension of it all. Unsure of whether or not he can even touch your back, the man hovers there in worry and just forces himself to wait. Gah.. he HATES technology, wanting to bash on it physically when ever he comes across something he just doesn't know. "Mayhap it needs time to test something." How the hell should he know? Whatever it is, it runs through the boy's system pretty quick, does its check for the Fatima genes, and returns the results. A voice can be heard, like an old recording, sorta. "Welcome, Fatima descendant. Look into the eyes of fate." And the needles release, Bart jerking his hands free to shake them out and pull the gloves off, seeing the marks in his palms. "Damn, that hurt." The voice makes him frown, but with an exhalation of frustration, for he had no idea he'd have to do -that- to get through this, he finally just leans over and looks into those two lenses, trying really hard not to blink. It ain't easy when you've got a light flashing into your eyes. As soon as the retinal pattern is read, the doors click, unlocking and then slowly open with a protesting squeak born of so many years sitting idle and locked. Bart straightens up again as this happens, those Fatima blue eyes widening at the sight that is beyond. It's another room, utterly huge in scope. There is more technology here than anyone can shake a stick at, old relics of at least five hundred years ago during the war between Solaris and Shevat. Computers line the western wall, huge steel beams hold up the ceiling area to prevent the sands above from falling down into this underground fortress. The floor is covered with dust and there are no footprints here, for no one has tread this ground in centuries. Lights still seem to be flickering on here and there, which is to be expected, since they haven't had to turn on in so long. Wincing as you jerk back and pull off the gloves to show those holes in your hands, the warrior at your side touches a shoulder and casts a cure on you. That should take care of that problem. When the doors slide open though the man finds himself rooted to the spot, staring at all of that technology with wide eyes. Shit. This is not the treasure he was thinking it would be - even though he didn't really think it was anything. Finding a storehouse of this though. Oy, it boggles his limited imagination. "Sir... we can not allow Shakhan to have this." Comes out softly as he finally finds his voice, putting himself in motion to slowly walk over to the doorway and stand on the threshold. Toes are just shy of that line of dust as he sweeps his gaze over the huge cavern, trying to take in it all, and knowing that he doesn't stand a chance in hell of understanding any of it. Fingers flexing over the hilt of his blade, Cyan draws in a deep breath, chewing on his moustash once more. "Doest thou know anything of how to use any of this, Sir? My understanding of technology leaves me having trouble flicking a light switch." Of course he isn't proud of, but he is being totally honest. u.u; "No kidding," Bart breathes out when he, too, finally finds his voice again. There's no way in -hell- he can let Shakhan get his hands on this. "I broke the seal though... if he can get through there, he can find this." And he has no idea how to reseal this, either, if it's at all possible. "Dammit, I wish Sig were here." Sigurd would know what to do, after all. He sighs heavily and steps off the platform and away from the machine. "No wonder he wants to get his hands on this. But, hey, let's at least check it out." Of course, his way of 'checking' things out it to start pressing buttons! Does he know what they do? Heck no, but he'll just find out by trial and error. So, better move fast after the prince, cause he's headed on in. Once inside, there's more to see of this place. Off from the terminal that holds the huge computer, complete with a screen that takes up the entire wall itself and must project one hell of a picture, there is a runway like street that leads in the opposite direction, to the base of a platform of some kind of giant metal creature. Or that's probably how Cyan and Bart would see it. What is actually sitting there is the metal suit of an Omnigear, Andvari. It is a bright and shiney red color, though that's dulled quite a bit by the dust that cakes it from so many years of non-use. Of course, Bart doesn't see it right away, he headed straight for the computer to check it out. And there you go again. x.x; Cyan was about to try and stop you, but is too late. D'oh. Instead of chasing after you the man looks to that open doorway and starts looking for a way to close it from the inside. If it's closed it might have to be opened by the same means that it closed again. That makes sense, right? u.u So he looks and he even pushes buttons to see if this works. Red generally means bad, and green means good. Right? Here's to hoping. Getting that door closed is more important to him than poking the buttons on that computer over there. If he manages, and even if he doesn't and gives up, Cyan turns from it finally to follow you. This is when he notices that gear. Eh? That looks like.. "Sir, that looks like one of those armored things from our first escape attempt, only..." One hell of a lot bigger. Does he know what it is? Nope. Not really. Just vaguely understands the fact that those smaller ones had men inside of them. Maybe this works the same way? Not heading for it at all however, the man instead comes to where you are, hoping that you aren't about to kill everyone in the desert by some mishap. The blind leading the blind. n.n; Bart missiles away! Ahem... um, no, actually, no Bart missiles here. The boy is kinda curious, does actually look at the panels before he touches anything. And let's face it, he has to try a few things to satisfy that childlike curiosity of his. There is some kind of response to it, the huge screen flickering on to display readouts of some sort. Looks like a map, really, but when Bart presses another button, is switches a bit to show another angle. The prince is fascinated by this, and just continues to mess with it while you attempt to get the doors to shut. They refuse to shut, buttons pressed beep at you angrily and then go silent. The track disappears into the wall, so unless you reach in to grab the doors and force them out again, they aren't budging. The seal is broken and there's a complicated manner in which they need to be sealed again. Sadly, the two people who broke said seal aren't at all technologically minded. When you point out the Gear, Bart finally stops messing with the computer to look at what you're talking about. His lips part slightly as his jaw drops. "Holy shit." And of course, that faint taste of soap. He makes a face at the memory and starts jogging across the floor to leap down onto the runway and head toward the machine. "Wow... look at it, Cyan! I wonder... is this the Fatima treasure?" Grumping at the stupid tech the man hits the panel since it doesn't work for him, mean thing that it is, and then goes about pointing out the omnigear. Almost instantly he regrets doing so, but only sighs and just keeps an eye on that open doorway. "Probably, sir." About it being the treasure. Something occurs to the man then and as you are racing off to play with mecha, the warrior ducks back into that place where you had your eyes checked and starts looking over the bodies. Are there any grenades or anything? Guns aren't much use to the man, but he takes them anyway, knowing how they work, making sure they are loaded. Yep, Cyan arms for bear. Tucked into belt, front and back, and such, the man waits there just inside of the huge room, shoulder leaned against the wall there. It makes him somewhat difficult to see, but he can tell is someone is coming down thanks to Herne. Sometimes having eyes in the back of your head is damn cool. So, from that position he watches you scramble around with the omnigear. On all of the men there, you'll find all kinds of weaponry, knives, guns, and one grenade. Yep, just the one, but it'll help, right? Right. And if there's anyone coming, well, Bart wouldn't have any clue, his guardian force doesn't do things the way Herne does. With the speed junction, it doesn't take him long to get to the Omnigear. He pauses to read the inscription at the base of the sitting Gear. "Huh!" he shouts, so his voice carries over toward you. "Says the same thing here as it did back at that stone door thing." Then, he's climbing up toward the Gear's lap, looking around for some sort of way to figure out how to operate it. Yes, there are many feet coming this way, but they aren't running, just purposeful steps. Shakhan evidently didn't trust you or Bart to keep your part of the bargain either and decided to come check on things, or to at least see if the prince managed to break the seal or ended up being killed, too. Bart is unaware of it entirely as he finds a hatch and sees if he can open it. Much to his surprise, it opens on its own. "Hey, Cyan... this is really weird." But he goes inside, anyway. Since there are people coming down the stairs, Cyan is no longer paying any attention to you. Figuring you are too busy to even notice what he's doing, and since he doesn't want to give away that he knows they are coming, the man remains at his post and waits. The grenade is pulled out and held ready in hand. When the first man arrives down at the bottom of the stairs, Cyan pulls the pin, waits several seemingly long seconds, and then throws the thing inside via a heavy lob. With his strength it should be enough to reach the stairs. The explosion, if it happens, should warn Bart that something is going on, but the warrior isn't paying attention to the boy. No, instead he's drawn the guns, waits for the blast to happen, and then peeks inside. With Herne's aid, the man starts shooting the people he can't even see inside of the smoke left by the grenade. He doesn't fire randomly, for he knows he has limited ammunition, but he does his best. Vincent Valentine with a gun he isn't, but he can hit targets. Especially at this range. The prince has disappeared for the moment, into that weird Gear. When you lob that grenade there's a cry of fire in the hole from somewhere. And then things go *BOOM* Smoke enaminates from the little room in lazy black tendrils. There is movement within, however, and more men filing in from the stairwell to push aside the bodies of their now dead comrades. At least until you start firing. Then they have no choice but to back up. Of course, getting back up there is what'll be interesting. If, of course, you have to get up there again. Surely there's another way out of here, somewhere. While they regroup up above, there is the sudden sound of something snapping. The metal bands that bound the giant Gear to its seat break with the groaning of metal giving way to a stronger force. The gear itself, though kinda clumsy at first, stands up and moves a few steps somewhat carefully, the floor thundering under its weight. Bart is inside it still, apparently controlling it, somehow. *Cyan* his voice booms through some sort of speaker from the huge thing *Come on over here, get in. You've gotta see this!* Since Cyan never believed that going back was an option, he doesn't care how messy those stairs get. The moment he started down the rope that went down that shaft he assumed this was a one way only mission, and has been treating it as such. So, those poor men on the stairs are driven back up, which is what he's been wanting all along. However, that booming voice makes him all but jump out of his boots. Looking over a shoulder as you tear out of that metal thingie, the man had gone back to shooting to stop and stare back stunned as your voice is heard. O.O; Don't care him like that!! Instead of dashing over, Cyan starts pacing back, "Sir! Can you block the doorway? They are attempting to come down." Since you in that suit have got to be one hell of a lot stronger than he ever will be with Herne. He can see the inside of the funky armor later. Right now there are things to take care of. "We can't allow them to get down here! STOP playing and start thinking like the king thou'rt suppost to be!" Yeah, he's getting a little mad. "Thou'st can play as a child might LATER!" Now get off your metal covered ass and do something about this damn door! -.-+ *Oh fine.* comes the reply over the speakers. The huge suit of armor looks like it's nearly stalking over to the doorway where the conflict appears to be raging. Of course, it's taking on the persona of its pilot, so that makes sense since Bart was a bit preturbed by all that you were shouting at him. There are a few just now trying to get down the stairs again now that you have apparently stopped firing. Perhaps some of them think you've run out of ammunition. However, in seeing Andvari coming, their eyes all widen and they start shouting in Sairouese, mutters and curses and shouts and... they run for the stairs again. Flicking out one of the whips from the side of the huge metal fists, Andvari brings it down on the doorway itself, caving it in. The whip is drawn back into the arm and then brought out and down again, making doubly sure no one is going to get in that paticular entrance ever again. *You know, I never asked to be born a prince. So you can just keep those comments to yourself. Startin' to sound like Maison now. You getting in or not?* The Gear lowers itself to one knee, holding a hand down to you for you to climb up in, if you decide to. When you start doing damage to the doorway, THEN Cyan gets the heck outta Dodge. He moves behind the big feet of your gear and watches as you bring the door down. There is a firm expression of displeasure on his face as he regards that huge thing towering above him. "And I never asked to have had my whole people annihilated, my wife and son killed, and then be made a slave." You are told in a dead and almost angry sounding tone. "Shit happens and we ALL have things to do in life that we do not like. If thou'st wants me to treat thee with respect thou'rt going to have to earn it, so stop giving me the pity stories as I've got more than enough of my own to worry about. You were born a prince and that is thine lot in life. I was made a slave and that is mine. Doesn't mean thou hast to like it, sir, but thou'rt stuck." Pausing for a moment he just snorts before saying, "And mostly I was tired of the way thee only think of thine self. Thou'rt a selfish lad at heart." Which isn't true and Cyan knows it. However, it's a good way of verbally smacking you in the face and maybe getting you to think a little. After this he climbs into that hand, tossing the guns aside as he doesn't need them anymore. Since this whole idea scares him, the men kneels down there in the palm of your hand. *You ain't a slave anymore.* is the only retort the prince seems to spit back at you after hearing that. Suddenly he is really rather ticked at you, Cyan, especially with the selfish remark. *And you don't know shit about me or my life to make that kind of judgment.* There's that taste of soap again. Dammit. The hang slowly lifts, rather delicate with you sitting in its palm. It rises upward to a standing position, the hand lifting up to the cockpit hatch where two doors open to allow you to enter. Should you walk in, you'll see that there is really nothing in here, except strange lights and LED screens and wiring and tubing and such all along the walls. No panels or sticks or shifters or buttons or anything else that one would think someone would need to manipulate the Gear and make it work. No, just a small platform that only rises about an inch above the floor with two handles that rise up to Bart's waist. His hands grip the bars there, a cylindrical light surrounding him from the floor beneath his feet, rising up to the ceiling above. The boy's eyes are shut, concentrating on manuevering the Omnigear. His voice, when he speaks, is very soft, "I'm sorry your family was murdered, Cyan, so was mine. My only thought this whole time is to get back to my brother, because I love him so much that it hurts me to know I haven't been able to keep my promise to him. I swore to him that I would never leave him again. I have been selfish, in that all I could think about was my need to go home." Since you seem to want him to go inside the man slips himself onto that platform and then through the doors. That there are no controls in here means nothing to him at all. Hell, it's all magic as car as he's concerned, and he doesn't plan on thinking about it enough to give himself that headache. Honestly. Once inside the man sits himself down and keeps himself out of the way. Cyan knows when he shouldn't get involved. Your real voice brings him to look back to you even as you whisper. "Keeping thine promises is a wonderful goal, sir, but endangering everyone you know to achieve it isn't. It's a lesson we all have to be taught when we are young. Thou'rt not unusual for that, but all the same we have to learn it." His tone is actually kid now, if firm, and while the man pauses for a moment he looks away from you and says in nearly a whisper, "My son would be your age if they had not killed him." While you claim that he isn't a slave, the man knows better. Just because you insist he isn't, doesn't change that. Sometimes slaves don't want to be freed and this is one of those. Strange as it might be, he can't allow that little thing go. "Now... do as you will, sir. Shakhan is waiting for his treasure, is he not?" This brings Cyan to grin at you in a nasty manner. Oh yes, Bart, let's show someone your new toy. Woo hoo! That's right, a -new- toy. He grins, though he never opens his eyes as he listens to you. "Say hi to Andvari, Cyan," that being the Gear, of course, "This was left here centuries ago by my Ancestors, to be used in times of crisis for Aveh or the world. I think Shakhan warrants its use." How does he know these things? The databases inside the Gear tell him all this stuff, Roni was smart to leave such things behind, knowing that with time truth fades to stories which then fade to myth and even myths are lost to the steady march of time. Taking a deep breath, the Omnigear then begins to move to Bart's will, though inside this room, you'd almost not know it at all, except for a slight rocking as it strides forward. There is a window you can look out of, if you choose to, seeing the world with a whole new perspective up this high. Of course, it's in back, so you see what's left behind. The place where the Gear was left becomes distant, and then you're watching the ground fade away, the roof itself opening up after locking the sand away, to allow Andvari to leave this hidden base, closing only after it has cleared the doors and ended up in the sands of the desert outside. It turns, and strides across the desert sands, headed straight for the original entrance to what had once been sealed. Won't Shakhan's men be surprised to see this? Hell... Sigurd's gonna flip! This is gonna start a whole new era. For the first time, Bart actually feels like maybe... just -maybe- he might be able to free Aveh. Smash troops first, however, then home. Blessed home.

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