TURN SIXTY-THREE: TREADS OF WAR
Yeah, I should just stop making time commitments. Obviously, that’s not one of my strong points. Anyway, here’s the turn!
Chortleton MacDigget [Xantalos]”This month, we’re projected to ship four hundred P8C medium tanks to the Eastern Front. Four. Hundred.”A man in an expensive Rita business suit leans on the table as he peers out into the distance. A wall made entirely of one-way glass separates you and the town of Karkus below. The vast landscape is marked by several factories, tightly-packed houses and apartments, and several commercial and industrial warehouses. Karkus is one of the main industrial powerhouses of the Theyin Empire. Located in the Kusten Mountains region, its proximity to several metal ore and coal mines allows it a first-rate production frequency. Several major corporations work in tandem in the area with the Theyin Empire itself. Several years ago, the military arm of the Empire transformed the area into a hotbed of arms and munitions manufacturing. Thousands of tanks, light vehicles, transport trucks, weapons, and bundles of ammunition have flowed out of this region, and there is no sign of that stopping.
You’ve worked your way up through the ranks of society to become one of the most powerful men this side of the globe - well, at least in your view of the world. You are on the board of directors of Regis Armaments, the most prominent corporation in this region. Your glib speech and shrewd observations throughout the years have allowed you to rise up from the depths of poverty. Some of your actions in the past have been less than savory. You have confidence, however, that what must remain in the dark will not resurface. Some might call you a slimy crook; others, an exemplar of competitive attitude and proaction. You’re not one to let such appellations affect you either way, however. You have your own pursuits in life that do not concern those who wish to criticize you.
The man who stands to your side is Rembrandt Jackson, the CEO of your company. He is tall, slim, and has about as much of a colorful background as you do. The gray streaks in his hair tell a story all on their own. He glances at you for a moment before focusing back on the view of Karkus. His hazelnut-colored eyes seem to give away no emotions; if you didn’t know him any better, you wouldn’t be able to get any read on his mental state. He rolls a cigarette between his teeth and pauses to indulge in it before he speaks.
”A few years ago, I would’ve never thought that this company would come this far. It was a pitch dream back then. We were nearly bankrupt, let me tell you.” He steps back and gesticulates as he talks.
”This war, heh, this war’s been our angel. The Empire’s shelling out millions to keep the war machine slick and fueled.” He claps his hands together and looks at you.
”We’re more than happy to comply, of course. Business has never been better. And we are all the better for it. Wouldn’t you agree, MacDigget?”
Warren Drake
"Warren Drake. Wait, I already told you that, I think. Good to have a name for the face," Warren says, then gets on with the explanation. "Supernatural things are the name of the game, Adio. I can turn into a lizard and look into what I can only assume is the Lifestream. You're a friend to all living things except fruit and presumably can make vines do things they otherwise would not. Like when you restrained the weird beast that was hanging around the area some time ago. My liaison with the supernatural, that is to say Darzenis right here, thinks you might be somehow important in the more or less grand scheme of things."
"Put simply, seems like you can do magic somewhat like I can. He wants to see. Can you demonstrate for him?"
Warren DrakeDarzenis waits patiently next to you as you explain his wishes to her. Adio seems to be understanding you a little bit better now.
"Oh, you mean.. I think I understand." She inspects her right hand as she talks.
"I've had this ability for a long time. The forest taught it to me. I'm still not very good with it, but, well.. you saw the squirrel." She sighs.
"I wish I could've done something to save him. He looked like he was hurting so much." You ask her to demonstrate some of her powers, at the request of Darzenis. She hesitates to speak at first, but, after thinking over it, she says,
"I-I'll try. Excuse me, please." She moves past you and out into the open field. She looks at her surroundings before she closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and stands motionless. You cross your arms and watch uncomfortably for about a minute as she sways slightly in the wind. You're about to speak up and ask if she's okay when she shifts to a wider stance. She takes her arms to her right side, moves them as if she was following the motion of the ocean waves, and pulls to the right. She rotates her torso opens her hands in a "push" gesture. You wait a few seconds and find that nothing happens.
She exhales, a little frustrated, and repeats the same motion. Yet again, nothing happens.
"What's... why isn't it working?" she mutters as she tries again. For the third time, she finds no success. Finally, she changes stance once again and straightens up. This time, she moves lowers her hands, balls them up into fists, and slowly moves back while extending her arms to her left side.
This time, something interesting happens. Her efforts find their mark as a deep rumble begins within the earth. A few moments later, several of what you believe to be are tree roots emerge from the ground, not too far from the edge of the clearing. They tangle and contort in the air. The girl appears to be struggling as she grits her teeth. Finally, she lets go of her stance and stumbles backward. You reflexively move to see if she's okay, but she recovers on her own. The roots plunge back into the ground, the way they came out, and the dirt covers up the holes made. Throughout the entire episode, you felt something in the back of your mind, as if a memory was trying to tear its way through your physical brain. You almost swear that your vision was beginning to have the slightest of tints as well. Both of the sensations cease shortly after Adio finishes with her demonstration.
Eh Ah
"My name is Eh Ah. I am a citizen of Aecrocia. I am conducting an inquiry into unusual, currently unexplained events on the island of Atis on behalf of Empress Seira Theyin by Her Majesty's personal request."
If unimpeded, proceed into the palace and take a careful look around the premises. Listen for unusual sounds, and see if I can access the royal quarters. Seems like a good bet anything unusual would have them as their first choice of nesting.
Eh Ah”One moment, please.” The officer strides over to one of the other guards and mutters a few words to him. The guard moves over to a two-way radio and uses it for several moments. The guard returns a message to the officer, which the officer also relays to you.
”You have been cleared to travel around the former Magis Kingdom and its common areas. You may also access the palace; however, there are some areas deeper within the castle that are still being investigated by Theyin authorities. If you come across a checkpoint and you are told that the area is restricted to Class 6 access, you are not permitted to enter. Your access level is Class 5-S.” He moves to the side and motions you forward. You thank him and begin to move into the courtyard, examining the area around you.
The castle seems to bear the marks of light battle. The facade wasn’t hit by any of the artillery shells launched by the ships; however, parts of the general structure are cracked or crumbling. With the eruption of the volcano, you aren’t surprised at the structural damage caused. The most eastern portion of the courtyard seems to have been hit hardest. A large part of the eastern section appears as if a titan came and ripped it away, leaving only jagged terrain that connects with debris and deformed stone.
You enter the main portion of the castle. Much of the lighting here, which was presumably powered by electricity, is non-functioning. Instead, floodlights or lamps placed by the Theyin troops guide your way. The narrow entrance opens up to a wide, nearly cavernous foyer. The walls arch together to form a ceiling that almost resembles one of a Gothic cathedral. Rich blue and violet drapes hang on the walls, proudly displaying the colors of the Magis Kingdom that once was. Luxurious carpets intersect in the middle of the room and spread out to the various doorways on each of the four walls. From there, the castle sprawls out into a maze of living spaces.
You enlist the help of one of the Theyin Guards in finding the palace’s quarters for the royal family. After he confirms that you have access to those rooms, he leads you down a long string of winding hallways. If you listen hard enough, you can almost hear the mountain breathing, as if it were a living entity that housed the palace. The lack of lively activity contributes to that sense of solitude. Finally, after a minute more of walking, you arrive at what seem to be the royal quarters. From the hallway, three different rooms are most distinguishable. The largest one, which you assume is for the king or queen, leads out to the third tier of the palace that you saw outside. Several Theyin guards are posted around the perimeter of the room. When you enter, you discover that it is as desolate as the rest of the castle (and, really, the entire kingdom). Not a single non-military soul besides yourself resides here. The grand bed near the east wall, resplendent in its silk dressings and vibrant colors, remains without use. A rather large fireplace sits opposite the bed, with the coat of arms of the Crown family sitting above it. Tables are aligned near the door that you came through, some of them serving the purpose of dressers. Light pours in from the south exit, which goes out to the balconies. Several paintings of various royal persons are placed around the room. As far as you can tell, nothing is out of the ordinary. If there was any evidence to be found, the Theyin military already acquired it.
My throat is kinda dry. A drink of flavored water would be much appreciated
Cat SchrodingerDr. Stevens nods and looks to one of the other caretakers, who leaves the room immediately to retrieve what you requested. You turn your head and look out the one window. Several young adults and teenagers meander along the street. It appears as if most people are taking the day easy; if only you could experience the same respite. Instead, you’re condemned to a hospital bed as your night terrors begin to invade your reality. You exhale, knowing that you might either be here for a while or be released within the day. As long as you leave healthily, you reason, you’ll be happier with your stay than with the alternative.
The caretaker returns with a cup of lemon water for you. You take it and drink slowly, indulging in the short amount of relaxation you’re given before the therapist bombards you with a fusillade of questions regarding your mental health. Eventually, the doctor leaves, with only the caretaker remaining. Shortly after, a man in a sharp and dark-colored suit enters. You can only assume that this man is Doctor Mizou. He appears friendly enough, what with his warm smile, peppered hair, and unassuming stature. He takes up a chair next to you and greets you.
”Good evening. I’m Hasino Mizou, a psychologist here. I’m pleased to meet you. How are you feeling?”
I brief her on recent events and conversations
LirianYou know that your time is short in the Medium. You still haven’t figured out the actual dilation of time in the Medium, but you usually don’t have much time to talk. You give Danielle a flood of information based on what you’ve experienced with Artemis, Cromwell, the Kito family, the cat, and the Shadows. In turn, Danielle, tries to remember things as best as she can and uses that to discern some things about the present. Occasionally, she drifts off, perhaps due to exhaustion. You manage to keep her on track long enough to get at least something valuable from your combined knowledge. Here’s what you find:
Artemis doesn’t appear to remember anything about his past with the Guardians, especially concerning “the Dragonfly.” However, you still don’t know if this is shared with the majority of the Guardians, or if this is simply a complication of Artemis’ existence. Cromwell’s interactions with the cats have led you to believe that there may be an entire network of beings other than humans that are fighting against Shadows. Danielle says that she can’t remember clearly, but that there might have been a similar sort of thing that happened in the previous generations of Guardians. The Kitos don’t seem particularly suspicious at the moment, but considering their proximity to Artemis, they might be worth watching.
”Something else is really irritating,” Danielle says with a sigh.
”I can’t find a pattern yet. For the Shadows, I mean. I’ve been looking. You have too, but you said they only appeared that one night. I don’t know if they follow the moons, or the sun, or something else. It’s frustrating. I don’t know how to prepare for their next arrival.” Danielle puts her head down on her arms on the table. Going back to the topic of Artemis, you continue to give her information. Artemis doesn’t seem to be aware of any of his previous powers, and doesn’t seem to give off any indication of supernatural connection, other than his pursuit of the Shadows. However, the way that he seems to recognize certain things in people like the Crown siblings and yourself may hint at Artemis’ barebones understanding of what he previously knew. He also seems very intent on pursuing some objective near the island of Atis, where you previously remained. You can’t tell yet whether that is a coincidence or if it is connected to the events on Atis.
That wraps up most of the major highlights of the past day and night for you. Danielle nods, still lost in thought.
”Every time we come across something new, it’s like it gets more confusing. I don’t understand it. We just get further away from finding what happened at the Break.”
((I love that you love my flavor text ;3))
Eleri focuses on resting, also ensuring that she's not open to mosquitos or any of those buggers while making sure her survival-safety-training is in top shape in her makeshift shelter. Also she curls up into a ball and uses her tail as a blanket!
EleriAs best as you can, you spend the rest of the evening covering up your shelter to protect yourself from wanderers or bugs. You’re confident that you could ward off any potential predators; the smaller creatures, however, are less noticeable. After you ensure that everything is secure, you lie down on the bed of leaves and slowly drift off, letting the symphony of the crepuscule take you into a peaceful sleep.
* * *
Your wake is a slow and relaxed one. You smile and stretch out on the floor, finding yourself in a state of contentment that you haven’t felt in a long while. Your time on the opposite end of the island was fraught with worries that you wouldn’t have enough food, or that someone might stumble upon your shelter. Now, your own safety isn’t anywhere near your top concern; the most pressing issue at the moment Flynn’s health. He’s had some time to recover under the watch of someone more equipped to treat him; for that, you are thankful.
You stand up and check outside the shelter. As far as you can tell, your surroundings are safe. The morning is still very early; save for a few birds or small animals here or there, the entire landscape below you is still inactive. Out in the far distance, you can see smoke rising from the area where the village is, most likely coming from a chimney or campfire.
You’re well-rested and have more than enough time to gather more supplies, check on Flynn, or explore around the region a bit. For once, you finally feel that you have the freedom to not only subside on the island’s resources, but to enjoy yourself in the open air and the feeling of a halcyon existence.
((I’m cutting it short because I’m not sure what you would like to do at this time. I’ll update with a half-turn if necessary to continue you along. There’s likely going to be some time dilation, as there are not many events I can foresee - at least, for now.))
Alex pondered the situation for a few seconds. He assumed the guards would notice him, but then again, it's likely prisoners are also being evacuated. If they aren't, there's still likely a large crowd. He might be able to pass by unnoticed. Find where the evacuating people are heading to. Go there, obviously.
Alex RamanYou’re likely going to have to take a gamble or two here. Despite the trouble that you’ve caused with your powers, you doubt that many guards are going to recognize you, especially since your own actions coincided with the appearance of the blood-seeking monsters at night. Right now, you doubt that you’re at the top of the guards’ priorities. If you’re wrong, you’re not going to have much room to work with. Your injuries and your fatigue both weigh you down. If you were to be caught in a fight, you are almost a hundred percent sure that you would lose.
You reckon that the safest bet for the evacuation would be the gate that you came through when entering the town. You figure that you’re probably on the northern end of town, considering that you were heading northward when the crisis broke out. You aim to stick to the shadows while you walk. You can’t ever be too cautious, after all. You’re thankful for the constant message coming from the loudspeakers. It helps to conceal your movement and somewhat-labored breathing.
About fifteen or twenty minutes later, you find yourself near the southern wall once again. You’ve been following the movements of citizens and guards, who have all been gravitating toward the area you suspected before. Several times during your walk, you were forced to stop and hide as armored cars patrolled the town.
The area you’re in now seems to be relatively safe. Down the street, you can see the same jail you were taken to last night. You’re in an alley between two three-story buildings. You can’t hear or see any guards near you, but you can probably assume that there are sentries posted along the walls of the town. Several civilians walk down the street occasionally, attempting to make their way to the evacuation site. They don’t seem to particularly notice you, however, and if they do, they have better things to care about.
Author’s Note: Apologies once again for the lateness of this post. I didn’t intend to make it so late; however, I’ve had a lot of work piled up on me once again regarding school, important events, volunteering, and short jobs. It’s been hectic for me and I hope to regain a normal schedule again. I don’t think I’ll be able to post at the same frequency that I was doing before, but I aim to reply as soon as possible.
I realize now that I also didn’t get around to updating the Compendium like I wanted to. That disappoints me greatly. I won’t make any more promises concerning it, but that is my top priority now. I won’t make sweeping changes, but I will try to include as much new information as possible over the course of the next few days.
I had a lot of fun trying to come up with where I should place Chortleton MacDigget in relation to the rest of the world. Frankly, it was quite challenging. I think I have him in a very appropriate place now, however. I look forward to seeing how Dzive develops with MacDigget joining us.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see your replies soon. Have a wonderful week,
Artemis