Arc 2 - Journey Abroad
Chaos was the only way to accurately define the conclusion of the hollow hunt which ended in a way that none could have predicted. Four parties converged with a similar goal in mind, yet while three escaped of their own accord, a particular group found its men unable to leave the forest by their own will. In the end, nothing ever became public news concerning the event which occurred, yet rumors and folktales began to rapidly spread from the immediate town and into the neighboring city of Providence, Rhode Island. These tales, without basis for their existence, began to form from the spoken and eyewitness accounts of adventurous souls who journeyed into the wreck of a once ordinary forest. Although no bodies remained, it was obvious something large had occurred given the consistent destruction of the environment in addition to knifes and bullets shells littering a wide range across the grounds. No further humans ever went missing like before, yet once and a while, a traumatized explorer returned with a frightening tale about some supernatural entity who stalked him straight out of the forest. Of course, to the general public, the Haunting of Snake Den State Park was nothing more than the next myth to add alongside of Nessie, Bigfoot, and the Bloop; however, to equally many, the forest was the latest supernatural hot spot to be investigated or explored by the brave, fearful, or ghost hunters alike.
~~~
"What is the meaning of this event?"
The Empress' words were calm yet cold as she declared her inquiry across the inhabitants of her Court. At this point in time, it was Justice who stepped forth in an attempt to save the Sect who were nothing more than flustered and confused by the sudden transition from forest into royal marble. In the course of Sect's escape, several mirrors had manifested themselves along the path of their travel. These mirrors were directly connected with the Empress' private Court; a transportation was that rapidly prepared following Justice's earlier disappearance. Initially, he planned to observe the Sect's performance from the shadows of the forest; however, the sudden arrival of power-inhibiting humans forced a change in plans that remained impossible until the human's formations were broken by a mysterious stroke of luck.
"There were complications that affirm that findings of our investigation.
Judgement and I shall handle the direct clean-up of this event.
Garner the report of this Sect; however, I can affirm that any violations are within the boundaries of self-defense.
More important to discuss is this...child..."
The Empress shifted her eyes to the nature clad youth who seemed oblivious to anything that wasn't Iphie, herself. With a wave of her scepter, a gentle glow of golden light began to envelop the girl who happily pranced around her figure of interest while announcing the seemingly only word that she knew how to speak, "Iphie." The perfect brow of the ruling figure wrinkled as she seemed almost lost for words in response to the inspection that she actively performed. Silence encompassed the Court for several long minutes until the Empress spoke with hesitant results from her analysis.
"The girl...she smells like a human...feels like a human...exists like a human...
Yet in addition to that fact, she is a bona fide Candidate of the Empress that I assume has aligned herself with the Candidate of this Sect..."
A heavy sigh exhaled from the Empress who for the first time set aside her scepter and began rubbing the temples of her head.
"Why is it always your Sect which in the recent times have caused nothing but unpredictable trouble for our kind?
From Temperance breaking Tarocchi law...Lillian....Ya know...Never mind any of this...
If Death is the fate that each of you lead, then it is Death to which we sentence you all.
Perhaps all of us can then achieve peace of mind knowing why you have been chosen to exist as you do."
With her declaration, the Empress retrieved the scepter at her side and performed a grandiose flourish that caused the ground under the Sect's feet to form into a black abyss that began gradually sinking their bodies down. From the distance, Justice gave a small smile as he waved and spoke his farewells to the group.
"It was short, but I enjoyed your company, Sect.
I'm sure we'll meet again in the near future, but for now answers are more important for all of us.
Truthfully, I hope you do not think ill of the Tarocchi given circumstances that have plagued you all.
I am certain Death can provide insight that will ease your minds, and after, rest is in store for your weary minds.
For now, farewell until we meet again."
....
Being enveloped by the abyss left each member of the Sect in an expected state of darkness. For most of the Sect, it was a simple descent which seemed to endlessly drone on and on; however, for the small youth depserately clinging to Iphie's body, the new environment was one of terror as she began lightly sniffling in fear of what was to come. Nonetheless, the free fall was not infinite as everyone's feet eventually reached solid ground, yet even at this time, the darkness did not fade...at least until small wisps of flame began to appear in the far distance.
"You've come."
A low, raspy voice whispered in and about the ears of the Sect as a sudden presence became obvious in the darkness around them. A silent swoosh whistled past the ears of each individual as a small flame positioned itself alongside of their body while the voice counted in a unique order.
"One soul...Two soul...Three soul....Weird Soul...Hmmm"
The tone of the voice became increasingly more contemplative until it finally paused with sudden consideration. It was in that time that both Kent and Kaede felt the smack of a metal rod against their body; an act which left a familiar presence suddenly at their side.
"There we go...Temperance soul...Magician Soul..."
At the conclusion of the voice's count, each of the flames began to expand in size and luminosity until there was just enough light to make out any immediate features. Apart from fellow members of the Sect, there was seemingly nothing in the area apart from the stone on the ground and the figure who stood hunched before them.
"Yes..Yes...Yes...
Fate hasn't left answers for you...Confused...Annoyed...Nrrghh...Of Course!
Your here for answers...Something....Yes....Yes...
Similar you are...Answers from the same home...Yes...Yes
Yes...Yes...."
The figure's voice trailed off as he dropped both the lantern and staff in his hands before knelling onto the ground where he began erratically rocking his upper body back and forth.
~~~~
"You look like hell, kid."
The familiar voice of Dr. Magus spoke from the opposite side of a familiar table where the elder was seated in his usual office recliner. On the table, the hollow capture device existed in front of Jackson who looked worn and torn from the experience he was earlier extracted from. Compared to the Sect, Jackson's call for assistance was met in a less magical fashion by a chopper which used the commotion below as an easy opening to retrieve its target. Fast forward several hours, it was now Jackson, Dr. Magus, and his assistant who sat together sipping coffee and tea while discussing the debriefing of the youth's missions.
"I suppose everything did not go according to plan, but you did well for your first time.
No one could have expected special forces crashing the party...much less that they even knew about the other worlds that existed parallel to our own. Seems an investigation into our very own government is necessary after all....Of course, that doesn't concern yourself, kid.
What matters is you retrieved the hollow, you came back alive, and you proved yourself as a worthy employee. Ill have five grand wired to a bank account we made for you. You deserve some payment after that job."
For a moment, Magus paused his announcements to take a sip of his tea; however, the break in conversation was only momentary as he quickly continued with the declarations he wished Jackson to know.
"Now, I'll let you speak in a bit, but first let's get business out of the way.
Your sister, Lana, the paperwork for her enrollment was successfully finished. Until her graduation, she has permanent residence at the Academy, and she'll begin classes tomorrow. Later, you can go see her at her dorm...Floor 3, room 47, I believe.
Next, you'll need to visit Dr. Mu for a checkup on your body. Based on appearances, you seem entirely normal, and I'll assume the procedure went well...but just in case...safety first.
Finally..."
As his voice trailed, Magus threw a new file onto the table. The folder landed open which in turn spilled the secrets within; an application to what appeared to be another school's club.
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File
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Scentia Astrology Club
| PERSONAL DETAILS |
SURNAME: _____Rolando_______
FORENAME: _____Jackson______
AGE: _________17_________
SEX: _________Male_______
| ETHNIC BACKGROUND |
AFRICAN AMERICAN -- HISPANIC -- ASIAN -- CAUCASIAN -- OTHER
[ ] -- [ ] -- [ ] -- [X] -- [ ]
| PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION |
//Please attach a picture of yourself along with a physical description
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
| EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION |
What school year are you currently in?
1ST -- 2ND -- 3RD -- 4TH
[ ] -- [ ] -- [X] -- [ ]
| Entrance Examination |
The Astrology club has only one goal: Learn about our galaxy and it's constellations. In this club, we expect your
full cooperation and attendance after the mandatory school activities are completed. Below is our very own questionnaire to gauge whether or not you're a fit for our club!
| Questionnaire |
Truthfully answer the following questions to the best of your ability. Do note that there are no right or wrong answers.
Would you consider yourself an individualistic person?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[ ] -- [X] -- [ ]
Would you consider yourself a bold individual?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[X] -- [ ] -- [ ]
Would you consider yourself emotional or easily swayed by emotions?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[X] -- [ ] -- [ ]
Do you believe the world is aligned against you?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[ ] -- [ ] -- [X]
Do you hold true to your morals and beliefs?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[X] -- [ ] -- [ ]
Would you consider yourself materialistic?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[ ] -- [ ] -- [X]
Do you believe you hold a notable quality within you?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[X] -- [ ] -- [ ]
Is there always an opportunity for teamwork?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[ ] -- [X] -- [ ]
Should innovation derive from historical inspiration?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[ ] -- [ ] -- [X]
Do you consider yourself a spiritual individual?
Yes -- Sometimes -- No
[X] -- [ ] -- [ ]
| SIGNATURE |
I hereby state that Scentia, nor it's Astrology club is not responsible for the loss of personal items or injuries that occur within or outside of school grounds. This holds true unless any event is proven to be of direct result from policies or beliefs initiated within. By signing this agreement, I give the Astrology club and all direct sponsors permission to access and distribute any information directly stated or inferred through this application. Furthermore, I agree to abide by the ideals and policies upheld by the Astrology club, and accept that such directives may be changed at any time. Failure to do so, may result in disciplinary action, not limited to community service, suspension, or expulsion from academy grounds. Scentia and the Astrology club are equal opportunity providers, and does not, in any way, discriminate against Age, Sex, Religion, or Race.
I, _R. Jackson_, fully understand the rules and guidelines set by Astrology club, and am ready to join.
"This is the astrology club at Scentia Academy.
Sources give me reason to believe there is importance in concerning myself with this particular club and school...A host to be exact.
Same goes for the city. I have been tracking a particular individual for quite some time, and I now have reason to believe he has temporarily settled in Providence.
Now, if both of these statements are in fact true, then the recent events of the forest are bound to have a snowball effect on the nearby areas...in particular Scentia. Supernatural presence tends to spill, and this is something I wish to avoid.
As such, consider yourself a new transfer student in their Academy, Jackson. The semester has already begun, but it shouldn't be an issue in terms of catching up on missed work.
For the upcoming months, I want you to observe the club; act like one of them, and if anything seems out of the ordinary, simply report it back to Trinity.
I have a hunch that things are about to escalated in Providence. If they do, then everything is bound to converge with you directly at the center of it all.
You get my info; we extract you; your back at home with Lana all the none wiser.
Its an easy job, Jackson, and it starts soon, so expect a flight to for Rhode Island in the next couple of days."