Pirate Age: The Prequel-Sequel

[Winter]

​

The memory played out and Alicia was silent, the only external show of her discomfort being the way her fingers curled to tighten into her fists with enough pressure to leave marks from her fingernails in her palms. That was until she felt Hanako take her hand which brought her a small amount of comfort, though as the memory continued she was made to witness her biggest fears should she fail to bring Irukia to heel in her own timeline. None of her friends really knew Irukia and so she couldn't fault them for not understanding just how much of a threat she could be and not only to them but the world stage as a whole.

Irukia in appearance was an almost complete copy to Alicia, the key notable differences between them being in the way they moved and behaved. Of course Irukia also had purple eyes which in of itself was plenty to tear them apart. It's be so much easier to deal with Irukia if she were simply evil and enjoyed hurting others, but that was so far from the truth as her sister merely held a different ideology on how to approach the world and its problems. For Alicia she followed the footsteps of their mother, seeking betterment through experience while helping where and when possible for those who couldn't help themselves.

But for Irukia, she felt the world needed to be contained and controlled. That the chaos and rampancy of nations left unchecked breeding war, discord and strife. On more than one occasion she'd appealed to Alicia that they should exert their power and strength to establish a control that would eradicate war entirely, though she rejected the idea not because of what would be required to make that reality but more because doing so would mean to sacrifice the free will that made life so important. Both sisters had conflicting ideologies and because of this they were fated to eventually stand opposed one day.

Of course Alicia could have simply walked away, but was it not her duty to stop her sibling from wandering along a path so misguided. Irukia and her intentions while good, were unfortunately paved directly towards hell itself and it was Alicia who must step in to prevent a catastrophic loss should Irukia ever gain momentum in her plans. It helped little that Irukia had a brilliant mind for strategy, something she shared with Satia as much as her younger sister loathed to hear it. Even now she had no doubt that Irukia was moving towards her goals, setting the pieces in motion that would enable her to reach them.

As the memory came to a close she felt Hanako step to embrace her, a small exhale leaving her lips as she listened to Runali almost reprimand Tashi for how she'd chosen to exist in penance for what had happened. She could tell that Runali's wasn't just talking to Tashi though and she watched the back of her captain closely while taking a portion of her words to heart. Then of course Hanako wished to soothe the wound inside her other self and as she watched she could see how her counterpart struggled with it for just a moment before recomposing again. It seemed that the choice on Tashi's presence was falling on her shoulders and as eyes looked to her she'd compose herself and turn towards them.

"I believe I owe you an apology." she spoke and followed her words with a small forwards bow in Feian etiquette. "I had said there was nothing that would convince me to ally myself with such an abhorrent entity, but I see now that statement was incorrect." she straightened herself, meeting Tashi's gaze. "Were I also in your situation, my friends gone and about to lose everything that remained. I'd have done the same, and knowing my fears it wouldn't be fair to pretend otherwise." she continued before turning her gaze to Runali, Luro, Zilia and finally Hanako. "You may not have known how readily I... we, are to throw away everything if it means saving those that mean the most to us."

She looked back to Tashi. "Stay, and let us find Nako before she loses control." she could have said a lot more on the subject and drawn up the similarities between them. The only difference was that Tashi had cast the dice and lost the roll, but Alicia would have made that same roll in such a situation. If nothing else Alicia was the before and Tashi was the after for what could happen if a gamble was taken and she was unfortunate enough to lose it.

 

[Mizos]

​

Tashi's eyes remained on Alicia as she spoke, the bow actually caused her brows to arch, a rare show of emotion from the woman. Her eyelid lowered slightly at Alicia's words, her hand rose up and touched her heart as he listened to her words. She seemed to struggle with something, perhaps an acknowledgment she was unable to accept before, whatever it was she moved past it as fast it appeared.
"You have my thanks for your understanding."
She said this looking over at Hanako as well.
"Both of yours…and Hanako…this memory is not a happy one. This is your only warning."
She seemed intent on speaking further but paused when the Dojo started to shift slightly, or rather small orbs of light appeared, a row of them, resting a few feet away, another row appearing in front of the original. A single orb of light appeared at the top of the twin 'rows' as if it were the head at a table.
The light seemed to shift, taking human shape, another light appeared next to the head light, the orbs growing in shape until they took on familiar forms.

Within the dojo sat another Hanako, with Emil kneeling next to her, the row of lights was Stardusk, Zilia even noticed another Jack, a male one, smiling at the two.
"More of these phantom things…" Zilia said, looking at the scene. "Another memory."
The Emil in the memory held a familiar hat towards the Hanako who took it.
"That's Nako," Tashi said, motioning to the other Hanako.
She did look similar to their Hanako, even more so than the current one.
"I know I already gave you a gift…but I wanted to give you another. I remember you mentioned wanting a hat like mine so…I made you one. It's not much but it is still one made by me so you know," The Phantom Emil said rubbing the back of his head.
"That's Emil," Luro said, grinning.
"Thank you Emil, I'll cherish it."
Emil smiled as the memory Hanako hugged the hat to her chest, standing he moved to the other side of the row and sat at the other side, adjacent to the other Hanako.
"Today we come together to celebrate the future husband and wife, as Captain…ah let's just skip all the formality stuff. Congrats you two!" The phantom Runali held up a cup, the others doing the same as they all cheered.
The memory Hanako smiled and looking at her sisters, both nearest to her thanked them for all they had done for her.
In the next moment however, everything fell apart, the memory's Hanako's body glowed and every person in the room stood up, almost as if recognizing it.

A burst of cold filled the room, a mini blizzard filling the space, even threatening to throw back the crew as onlookers, Zilia raised her arms as the biting cold hit her. Luro stood hands in his sleeves, observing the scene, surrounded by his usual warmth.
"Ah if you're cold get behind me," Luro said with a grin before focusing forward again.
When the blizzard faded the scene revealed itself to the crew, the walls, ceiling and floor were coated in ice, pieces of it stuck to every corner of the space…and every person in the room had been impaled by said ice.
"No…no no no."
Hanako's head moved all around, witnessing what had done, realizing the gravity of i,t and immediately looking for survivors. Her eyes went to her sisters first…and that was the first mistake. Alicia and Satia had been the closest to her, the ice had torn through them first. Looking behind them, every member of Stardusk was no exception; no matter where Hanko looked, she saw only bodies.
Her body trembling, she stared at her twitching fingers, as the cold continued to fall off her body, relentless and silent to her cries to stop. A cough drew her away from herself and looking up she noticed Emil impaled against the wall, the ice penetrating his torso…but he was still breathing albeit barely.
"Emil!"
The girl rushed over to him and grabbed the ice, concentrating it broke apart at her touch and Emil grit his teeth as he fell, then leaned against the wall, red flowing out of his body, coating the blue ice around them.
"Emil…I didn't mean."
"It's…fine…this is…nothing for someone like me…"
The youth coughed blood splattering on the girl's face.
With an apology he slowly raised his hand and wiped it off her face with his sleeve.
"Don't…blame yourself…I…I don't blame…"
Emil's words trailed off as his eyes shut.
"Emil…Emil!"

A wave of red passed over the crew, filling the space, a familiar pressure filling the area around them, Zilia eyes narrowed as the memory's Luro's body flashed red for a moment before fading again.
A red form manifested next to Hanako…and just like before the crew weren't able to 'percieve it, Zilia noticed once again that trying to do so only created a splitting headache. She was able to look at it enough to see it had a more…'feminine' form than the last one. She could barely make out appendages that looked like 'hands' as well.
Her eyes moved to Luro and once again the light had left his eyes, he spoke as the figure did, a woman's voice or what seemed like one leaving his mouth with the familiar echo.
"If you just sit around they're going to die."
The memory Hanako jumped at the voice, the Imposter's hands resting on her shoulder.
"He's alive but barely…if you act quickly you won't have to lose anyone."
"I…won't lose anyone."
"Yes…you won't lose anything. You won't be separated from your sisters…from your crew…or him, but you have to make a choice."
The Imposter leaned closer to her.
"Form a contract with me…and I'll keep you from losing another family."
The other Hanako stared at the Imposter, it was clear to see the hesitation in her eyes, but when Emil coughed more blood splattering on the floor, all of it left her.
"Okay! I'll form a contract! I…I don't want to lose anyone else!"
"Smart girl. I'm an advocate of love you know, and separation is such a sad thing."
A red glow surrounded Hanako's body and all the ice shifted into a deep scarlet, the next moment all the bodies were pulled into the ice, the frost returning to the girl's body immediately after as if called back to her. She fell to her hands and knees as a horrible feeling ran through her, as if something was trying to crawl into her body. She lifted herself up, resting on her knees, her cheeks puffed out, but the Imposter put a hand over her mouth.
"No no dear. Swallow please."
Hanako glanced at her but did as requested, though the moment she did she fell onto her side, clutching her stomach.
"W-what is…why…it hurts…"
"Ah that happens, your body is adjusting to them."
"Them?"
"That's what I said though tell me dear for my own curiosity…how did your sisters taste?"
"...what."
Realization hit her immediately, the color draining from her face as she rolled onto her stomach, black drool fell out of her mouth in waves, spiling onto the mat, her body shaking as she tried to 'remove' what was in her body, heaving as a pool of black gathered under her.
"Oh too late for that. They're already a part of you. See I kept my promise. You'll never be separated. You'll be together forever, isn't love a wonderful thing. Oh this part is going to hurt by the way"
"Ah…ahhhhh…HAH….UGH…"
A blood curdling scream came from the other Hanko as her body started convulsing, flesh rolling along itself, as if something was crawling under her skin, the crew could hear the girl's bones cracking from where they were standing, it's uncertain how long the girl's suffering persisted, but it felt like forever.
Eventually the moment passed and falling to the floor, the only sign the memory Hanako was alive was the twitching of her body, as she stared wide eyed at the Imposter. Inky tears rolling down her cheeks as gasped for breath.
"You endured it wonderfully dear. Well the contract is established now. I must help others now on their own pursuit of love, tata."

The Imposter vanished and when she did the light returned to Luro's eyes, he blinked a bit before ruffling his hair, he seemed back to normal.
Before them a girl resembling Nako a bit more was slowly raising her body, when she managed to get onto her knees she noticed Emil was staring back at her.
"Emil…"
"Hm…I'm here Hanako."
"Emil's alive…" Zilia said after finding the words.
"Tashi…" Luro said. "Can you…let them see what I…or I guess what we see?"
"Of course."
Tashi made a motion with her hand, when she did the scene in front of them split in two, as if the crew were looking at two different pages of a book, with a line down the center.
On the left side was the scene Zilia and the rest of them had seen with an Emil speaking to Nako…and on the right…was Nako holding the severed head of a deceased Emil.
"Emil…I didn't mean too."
"It's not your fault…"
"But I-"
"Hanako…it's not your fault."
Emil put the hat on Nako's head, or rather, she put it on her head.
"It's…not my fault."
"Yes it's not your fault. This accident…is not your fault. Let's pay our respects…then we should go."
"Go?"
"Yes. To sail the world together like we promised."
"Right…right we'll…we'll see so many things together. Just like we promised…I'm so glad you're okay Emil."
There was…an emptiness in the girl's voice as she spoke, it betrayed the smile that rested on her face.
"I told you right. Nothing for someone like me. I'll always be by your side Hanako."

Zilia watched as Hanako hugged the severed head to her body, her ice wrapping around it and imprisoning it as tears flowed down her face.
The scene faded and the dojo returned to its normal state immediately afterwards.

"...The Echo's are Stardusk who have lost their crew…aren't they?"
Zilia spoke up her eyes staring ahead as if the scene was still in front of them.
"...that is correct. Jackie's Cedric and Adelaide are hers as an exception…but the rest of Jackie's crew is gone…just like mine."
Tashi responded her eyes moving down to the hat.
"Nako is not my Hanako…but that does not change that she is my sister…or at least that is what I feel Alicia would feel. This hat…her Inhibitor helps her keep her sanity...but it also traps her in a world of delusion. Unlike the rest of us her memories are…twisted. She does not remember what she has done. Without this hat, however, she remembers everything. She is unable to…handle that right now and as such is stuck in her Axiom state."

"So the hat goes back on her head and she goes back to normal," Luro said, pointing at it.
"Correct. Her axiom is 'Inescapable Innocence'. Still, I feel Alicia would try to help her conquer this so I have taken on that role. She is aware her sister died…but doesn't know it was because of her. I am sorry to ask but please do not tell her. If she remembers, she loses herself. One day I will make it so she can face it properly."
Zilia wondered if the fact Tashi wanted to face her own past properly led to her taking on the role of Alicia…but something felt wrong about asking it right now.

Tashi looked over at Hanako.
"I…am sorry for not telling you. Part of it was to keep Facade from tightening the hold it has on you…but I was asked not to as well by Nako. While she is unaware of how her family truly died…she did not want you to meet a Hanako who lost her family twice, at least for as long as possible. She was truly happy you still had your Alicia."
While Tashi cleared the air, the doctor looked over at Luro.
Zilia had an odd feeling Luro was aware of this, a gut feeling more than an actual one. He seemed to keep Emil away from Nako, though she also knew Tashi had asked him to do so. She wasn't sure if she ever explained why, Luro wasn't the type of person to ask why most of the time when favors were involved so it was up in the air.

What bothered her more was that the guess had been right, the male Jack's gave it away, being in not one but two memories, but more importantly, that meant….Nali had lost her Stardusk as well.
More answers only created more questions, if they all lost their Stardusk how were they together now?
There was little time to press the matter as the dojo started to rumble around the crew, the walls suddenly moved away from them, and the mat's under them grew larger as the dojo started expanding outwards, the ceiling even rose higher, the room tripling in size.
The door to their left opened, apparently accessible to them now, but that mattered little as the clown walked in before closing the door behind them.
Zilia's body lowered as the clown walked straight ahead and stopped directly in front of the crew holding a Feian blade in their right hand.
"Did they…with Sakura?" Zilia said unable to even put the words properly together.
Turning the clown faced the group, and Tashi's hand went to her blade.
"Tashi?" Zilia said looking over at her.
"...this creature reeks of energy," Tashi said. "...I am going to draw my blade, release my suppression, and ascend. I do not sense the 'wall' from before so I believe we can leave this room now, so I once again ask you to get far away from me. In that state, I can wipe out continents, you do not want to be here."
Luro took a step forward resting his rifle on his shoulder.
"Nah we got this," Luro said. "Gotta make up for getting killed before. You go find Nako."
Tashi looked over at Luro as he looked back at the crew.
"Right guys! We can take on one clown."
The clown merely tilted their head but when Luro pointed his rifle at them, they offered a shrug and seemed to wait to see what the rest of them would do.
"I don't want to impose but...can I trust you all to handle this?" Tashi said. "I am concerned about Nako…or at least I believe I should be concerned."
"You don't have to explain it, we get it," Zilia said as red energy surrounded her hands. "Just do what Alicia would do, she wouldn't abandon her sister. Right, Alicia?"
"Nako's waitin' for ya," Luro said. "Captain I'm going to try a little harder with this one if you don't mind."
Zilia was surprised the clown was patiently waiting for them to finish merely tapping their sheath on their shoulder, was it plotting something…or did it really not consider any of them a threat?
She wasn't sure but all they needed to do was give Tashi an opening.

 

[SilentxChaos]

​

Jackie glanced at Cedric for a long moment, even as he handed the earring to Adelaide. If anything happened to Cedric, she'd never hear the end of it from Jack, though she'd do the same if something happened to her Cedric. While she contemplated his offer Jackie's shadow gave a small nod to Cedric, a silent acknowledgement that he wouldn't say anything to Adelaide. Jackie was aware of the understanding but stayed silent.

"Emil can you-"

"I'll get close enough for a shot if need be," Emil said catching what Jackie wanted. "It'll be harder to sense me right?"

"You have my thanks…okay Cedric we'll go with your plan…but be careful. Your powers are untouched…because you haven't been acknowledged yet, get too close and that may change."

At the mention of information on the Relics much less the dream Jackie crossed her arms and stared ahead at the dot in the distance. "I'd love to Cedric…but remember the more you learn about Facade the more it learns about you, and the harder the Realms will become. We don't want that with your crew still within one."

Jackie said this glancing over at him before looking forward again. "Still…letting you go in with nothing won't work either," Jackie said. "Okay we'll take the risk…hopefully it doesn't make things harder for your crew. Scraps can give us True Deaths after all."
With that said Jackie adjusted her glasses and turned towards the group.

"I'll give you the minimum to avoid risk all the same. Relics are fragments of The Scraps or Fallen Gods. It's a representation of their life in some form. Having one means you can summon one, very dangerous as you can guess." Jackie said this with a small shrug before continuing.

"This 'Dream' is their Realm in a sense. A world of their own…that they have complete control over, that's why we need to leave. Cedric a Scrap came in contact with you, so they don't see you as invasive…yet. We also don't know which one this is. If you can tell me what they look like…I should be able to identify them, though the Captain is more well versed in this field. If we had the Relic…it'd be easier to escape but unfortunately I don't see it."

Jackie held up a finger. "Get close enough to get a look at them, then get away, don't interact with them, even if they interact with you. Some Scraps don't start as problems…but they always end as one. I have…killed my fair share, they'll smell the blood on me if I get too close."

"Then I advise you don't get close," Adelaide said neutrally.

Adelaide pinned Chaos's earring to her top, eyes moving between the cocoon above their heads and the piano in the distance. A long blade of crimson grass danced between her fingers, knotted, then knotted again. She lifted it briefly to inhale the scent, if any. Then she put it in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

"How do we get the Relic?" she asked, as if to the air, but of course only one person could answer. "How do we get out of here?"

"Find the bandit who has it and take it back, or kill the Scrap. They'll come back but their magic will be released at their 'end'…but the latter's success depends on 'who' they are. Ilis or my Zilia's knowledge would be welcome right now."

Her response to Adelaide was simple and straightforward, she wanted to focus more on what was in front then beside her at the moment.
Was this god one of the weaker ones, the tricky ones…or one of the violent ones.

Cedric reconsidered his options. He didn't miss the warning in Jackie's words, and a restlessness erupted in him. He hid his unease behind a flirty smile, as he grabbed firmly to her wrist and spun them around, ending with her supported by his arm, and him planting a kiss on her cheek. All the while, he watched for protest from her shadow. I swear I could touch you, but you're as immaterial as you look, my dark friend. I can't hear you if you don't speak up.

Being called "dark" was a dagger to the heart for Trovalians, a vainglorious nation obsessed with snowy white skin, and motherland to both of them. He smirked. Did Chaos steal your tongue, little boy? Or do you fear your sister hearing your potty mouth? She will remain here in our little tête-à-tête.

He let go of his soeur and pushed her lightly towards Adelaide. Shaking his head, he left the conversation with the Echo siblings briefly to tease the windy-she devil. Aren't you too bold? Cheating on Jack when he is barely gone. He wagged a finger.

"Je plaisante (I joke, of course)," he smirked. His sudden appearance behind Emil was marked with a gloved hand clamped tightly on the young man's shoulder. "I didn't want us to get too serious. Luro wouldn't approve. Maybe. We don't know whether such a version exists … outside this realm."

He prodded his Echo and Jackie again. Why don't you tell us about that encounter? You knew enough to summon Illis. Sending a brief, private apology within the following silence, he hummed, hoping that his other self was less sensitive than he was. He simply had no idea how far back their histories intertwined. I mean she was a faceless horror called Lady Arrogate. She referred to herself as mother, but she is more like a child desiring a doll. Nothing like – you do know who Mother Zhi Ruo is, oui? She is the portrait of the perfect one.

Jackie straightened herself and calmly adjusted her glasses, she noticed the shudder of her shadow, a small chuckle escaping from her. She was a moment away from calling Cedric's shift in attitude out but surprisingly Cedric stopped her, perhaps he understood the necessity of it. With a small sigh she rested her hands on her hips.

"He knows Zhi Ruo," Jackie sent back to Cedric. "He also commented to keep your hands on your own sibling, their absence doesn't give you an excuse to play with me…Cedic I'm not a toy."
The woman glanced at her shadow and it seemed like it turned its head away causing her to sigh.
"Great now he's being possessive."

Do I need to worry?

Cedric was gone with Emil in tow. When they reappeared, the dot loomed bigger in the horizon. The summoner chose this exact spot, marked by a buried stone, because it remained far enough to avoid detection. According to Madame Charlotte, naturally. Her advice hadn't been disproven so he continued following it. He turned to the right and rubbed the blonde's back.

"How do you feel? Jack complains about being disoriented for the first few seconds." He waited before adding. "I have some of Zilia's ginger sweets if you want. Jack says they help with seasickness — it's never helped me, mais à chacun son truc (but to each his own)."

"It's nothing compared to Nikos training, I'm fine," Emil said holding up a hand to Cedric. The youth truly was perfectly fine, which begged the question what exactly this 'training' had been.

We're walking towards the dot. Cedric, ami (friend), I trust you'll try teleporting us if anything goes wrong. You're the first person I'll reach for. He reported to the group, a conversation that now included Adelaide and Emil. It felt surprisingly crowded in his head — which made him miss the rest of the Stardusk. They were definitely a lot more entertaining to hear. Madame Doctor, of course, forgetting that her inner thoughts could be heard.

He reached for Emil's wrist and started walking ahead, unconsciously imitating Jack. If Emil had pointed it out, he would let go and deny being protective. In his mind, he was, and always will be, the selfish younger brother. Yet, the world was starting to get to him and this manifested in his tightening grip around the younger's wrist. He noted that it was eerily silent around him and inside his head. Cedric stopped himself from sighing. Some of Jack's trademark sarcasm would be greatly appreciated, he whined to Jackie, hell he'd start complaining if she didn't. Her acid tongue was deader than comatose Jack.

Hein? (what)

Without intending to, he yanked Emil toward him and behind him. He swung that same arm out to stop the young man from stepping forward. Softly, he whispered. "Did you hear the music a step back?"

Cedric had been alert since they left the group. He noted every single sound - or the lack of - and he was certain he didn't hear a piano earlier. One step away, to be precise. "Emil, step back and step towards me again, and tell me what you observe."

His heart was moved by the playing, and he fought to stay focused for the first few bars. The execution was flawless and sincere which made it easier to focus on the notes. He tapped the beat along the side of his thigh as he tried visualising the notes. Slowly, his gaze fixed on the piano about fifteen feet from where he stood. This is bigger than the royal auditorium in Trovale. I must applaud the master behind the sound. It's not easy to maintain the quality and loudness across such a distance, and in the wilderness no less.

That last snide remark he conveyed after sharing every painstaking detail to the three outside the bubble. He shook his head physically and mentally to Jackie's unasked question. Having everyone enter was a bad idea. Not yet. Neither he nor Emil could see the enemy. "Keep looking ahead," he kept his voice low. "I'm going to scan the skies and the surrounds." Tension oozed from him in ways that he seldom displayed. Perhaps, more than ever, his unhappy separation from Jack was surfacing.

Emil followed silently pay attention to the 'entity' in front of them, he was dragged around constantly by Kara so he paid little mind to the hand around his wrist. Cedric was at least being courteous about it and letting him walk on his own, that didn't stop him from noticing the tightened grip however.

"My Cedric is fine with interaction, however he draws the line at sarcasm, sorry I can't oblige." Jackie sent mentally to Cedric after his whining.

"Ah I kinda get it, Kara won't let anyone else feed me my favorite food. Says it's a sister's duty."

"I…don't believe that is exactly right." Jackie responded.

"I agree, but she ties me to the chair so I don't have much choice."

"Your sister is very…"

"I know. Let's just focus on the task at hand. Wait Adelaide can't hear this right? I don't need her having ammunition to tease me with too"

"...let's focus on the task at hand."

"She can hear us can't she?!"

Emil's was pulled from his despair by a realization, something Cedric already commented on; eyes narrowing his hand moved to the gun at his waist, and he slowly drew it, prepared to fire at a moment's notice. "...I didn't hear it."

He did as Cedric asked and sure enough the music faded in and out, by a single step of all things. "There's no music a step back," Emil whispered. "The 'bubble' it's in starts here."

Emil made a mark in the ground to signify the spot.
The moment Cedric spoke about observing the area a voice reached out.

"Visitors."

Emil hearing this immediately jumped back and away from Cedric, he gave the young man a look and a nod hoping he'd understand.

Cedric was the only one that smelled like a 'god' if Emil was too close, it'd give them away, and that would ruin their attempt.

"No…a visitor…you…smell like someone we know."

The voice was a gentle one, no traces of malice within them, it was a woman's voice, light and airy and could be heard clearly over the music.

"Come closer…you are…unfamiliar to me."

Jackie stood next to Adelaide, eyes narrowing as she stared ahead, after a brief moment her eyes flashed brightly before fading. Opening and closing her hand she gave a small nod.

"I've overtaken the gods' influence. It's strange how we heard the piano for a moment yet it's silent now save for up ahead…it feels like a trap"

Jackie's eyes narrowed and she reached out through the link to speak with Cedric. "Cedric that's enough, fall back to us. Emil please cover his retreat. I don't recognize this being…but I'm having my Cedric try to speak with my Zilia now. Move away from them immediately and return to us."

Looking over at Adelaide she held a hand up to her, before pointing at it, making sure Adelaide was paying attention. She then reached over and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, the moment she did she felt a small 'shock' before her Devil Fruit powers returned to her. Jackie immediately removed her hand after.

"I don't know much about Lady Arrogate to answer your earlier question, just that she is an issue…is what my Cedric said."

"Approach if you want," Jackie said to Adelaide. "Any assistance will be minimal though, just enough for Jack not to claim I did nothing should you be consumed."

Adelaide slapped away the hand that was already retreating and tested the truth of her returned power. Her corporeal body turned translucent, a miniature cyclone flexing in the outline of her, before she reverted to normal. She skewered Jackie with nothingness in her eyes. It seemed the longer she stayed in this company, the more she drew away. But, as Cedric knew in the earlier days when Adelaide first came upon him and his brother, this was not the Adelaide who played the stranger. She liked keeping people on their toes–putting on different faces, being seductive and flirty one day, the next a foul-mouth streetrat, and the day after the very picture-perfect model of a royal spy. When she dropped those faces, she was done playing with you.

Adelaide's eyes shifted to the direction Sid and Emil left. "What power do you have to wrest away a god's?" she wondered aloud, "What price did you have to pay for it?"

Adelaide stood a statue, not participating in the team's mental communication. She waited until Sid and Emil returned. "We need that relic, Jackie. I hope your only plan isn't retreating."

Cedric stood, hands fisting by his side, as a vacant gaze rested on the piano. Curiosity roared inside him, and he slowly lost grip on reality. He took a step forward and then another. Every action dictated by the obsession to meet this virtuoso; he simply couldn't stop thinking about that haunting melody. He must know how they composed such a haunting song!

The thief's knees bent slightly, telegraphing his intention to run – only for him to jerk backwards. Clouds of sand fouled the air while he struggled to reclaim his balance. With just enough purchase, Sid doubled over, panting, and his head snapped to his right. His arm hung in the air, gripped by someone only he could see.

"Jack?" Those purple eyes widened.

Before him stood the ghostly Jack, and the man gripped his wrist tightly while shaking his head. Cedric muttered while stretching towards that tanned face, but his hand passed through his brother's face far too easily.

Denial and desperation made odd bedfellows inside his head. Sid sucked in his breath and almost stopped altogether. Fear had him in its chilling grip. He swiped violently the opposite direction, but his slap didn't crack against flesh. Jack stood there with that frozen glare, a strange mirage that melted away after a few stinging blinks.

Sid inhaled sharply and broke into a coughing fit. His hand pressed over his heart. "Jack, I'll curse you forever if you die," he whispered. "Just you wait! Adelaide and I will make sure you can never rest in peace if you do."

Blinded by sand-induced tears, he stumbled around. His hand caught on a shirt — or was it a hand? Either way, he was yanked backward. Emil's desperation became his and soon Sid was running. They were one step away when Cedric pulled back. He stood at that bubble's edge and spared the piano a final glance. Those jarring notes set his teeth on edge. He was suddenly glad to leave. Such bad playing made him wonder if he overestimated this musician's talent. Even as a novice, he never went so horribly off-key.

"I feel awkward that our roles are reversed. I should be the one leading you away and not you I."

Sid winced at the sound of his croaky voice. It robbed him of any will to retort. His sensibilities have yet to recover from that earlier travesty. He sighed, deeply. Why must beauty be fleeting in this cursed world? His muse was dying from the lack of inspiration.

These thoughts drowned in a blast of static. The forcefulness behind those indecipherable words told him who it originated from, and his blood sang. He wasn't going to take that insult sitting down. Don't you dare laugh! he scolded his Echo. You should be as offended as I am! We both know that the only oasis in this wilderness is your sister's pretty face.

The summoner crossed his arms. "Can you tell your Cedric to stop? I sensed his sarcasm even without your translation." Cedric huffed. "Wait, he was … wasn't he?"

Being near this Adelaide brought back old memories, she wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, and while contemplating that Adelaide's voice reached her ears. She glanced over at her question, there was a clear answer to it, the pause was only the contemplating if she should answer it, but ultimately there was no real reason to deny it.

"I can kill them through their shadows if they have one. Not as efficiently as Tashi or Captain…but it can be done. Just sever their connection to this world."

At the mention of what she gave up to acquire it her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Almost everything…possibly everything depending."

Jackie crossed her arms observing the two as they returned and offered a small nod to them. At Cedric's comment a small smile rested on the woman's face as she crossed her arms under her chest.

"He cut off my sight so I wasn't sure of all he did, but I can't accept your request. Sarcasm is one of the things I love about you."

Jackie reached forward and gently pet Cedric's head, offering a gentle smile.
"Both of you. Now please tell me what you saw," she said, retracting her hand.

Emil gave a brief but detailed report, letting Cedric fill in any gaps or observations of his own, Jackie adjusted her glasses listening intently.

"She may be trying to lure us in. We all heard the piano upon entering…but she shrunk the distance…probably to draw us in."

Jackie looked over at Adelaide.
"From what I know…I believe the piano player has the Relic. Zilia gave me the name of this entity….'The Blossomer' and god or not, I have no intention of turning my back to them."

Jackie's eyes narrowed a bit at this.
"I don't know much about this one…Ilis didn't give a lot of information on this one."

"Perhaps I should fix that then."
Jackie turned as another voice filled the space, her hand moved to her back as if reaching for an invisible weapon but seeing a familiar woman in a cloak, she slowly straightened herself.

When the person appeared behind them was uncertain, but she stood, hands templed in front of her, face hidden as always behind her cloak.
"Ilis," Jackie said as the woman offered a small bow.

"Our paths have crossed once more, valued business partners…save one of course."

The woman said this looking at Cedric before straightening up. "I see you have encountered a fallen god, one I am acquainted with."

The familiar shark-like smile adorned her lips. "Allow the humble merchant Ilis to aid in your deicide today, for a price of course."

 

[Mizos]

​

The Clown matched Stardusk blow for blow as they attacked them, every shot Luro put out was deflected or caught and the creature somehow knew how to break past Zilia's Devil Fruit, fist punching through her power in an attempt to close the distance. Calling the creature a force of nature was an understatement; its movements carried a ferocity that threatened to tear them apart, yet somehow maintained enough focus to avoid being overwhelmed, even when attacked on all sides. Openings were few and far in-between with Zilia almost getting hurled into the far wall at a false opening. Luro caught her and with a nod she continued after the Clown.
"What is this thing?" Zilia said. "It's somehow matching all of us."

The Clown returned to a neutral state, sword at the ready, waiting for them to make the next move, as if it were testing them, observing them.
Tashi however had managed to actually slip away, so their main objective was complete, now it was just dealing with the Clown.
"Why are you doing this and why are you chasing us?" Zilia questioned as energy surrounded her hands again.

"It's very brave of you to think any of the things that attack us have made much of any sense." Runali grunted, sliding back from the fight, taking a breath when Tashi was officially out of the way.

The Clown, hearing this, lowered their sword and straightened their body. The silent Jester then hurled their sword in the air, the blade spinning high above causing Zilia to arch a brow. The Clown held their sheath to the side without looking up and caught the blade, with a clearly practiced motion, before returning the sheath to their side.
Luro clapped his hands causing Zilia to glance over at him, their opponent seemed to look around for a moment before with a nod reaching up and removing the face mask revealing themselves.

Zilia's eyes widened as a stern but irritated expression met their own.
The Nova Pirate herself stood before them, the missing member of their venture.
"You're improving but you're still lacking in some areas."
"Seliria! Wait, that's the first thing you have to say? Well I mean it's hard to believe it's not you now I suppose."
"Be better and I won't say it," Seliria said. "The Echo's have kept me updated on your affairs, good work so far. Also Zilia."
"Yes?"
"Release me."
Zilia, who at some point hugged the Nova cook, hesitantly removed her arms and backed away.
That fully confirmed it was the swordswoman for Luro, Zilia rarely showed such affection, save to the stoic swordswoman.
"Did you wanna fight Seliria?" Luro said. "Since you attacked us and all?"
"You attacked me first, and it seemed like an opportunity to see your progress firsthand so I saw no reason to speak up immediately. I held back, don't worry."
Seliria looked over at Runali.
"I've been doing research on my end, so it took me a while to reunite with you. Sorry. My Captains told me to consider you my Captain, to an extent, while I was here, so I'm obligated to apologize for 'vanishing' just like with mine."

Placing the mask on her waist she rested a hand on her waist.
"You all have handled this well. This world is full of mysteries and uncertainty, being able to adapt to changes no matter how bizarre is one of the differences between your average pirate and Worst Gen. This world is especially bizarre so fine work."

Runali felt like she could collapse then and there when Seliria revealed herself. She could only groan, leaning on Hanako for a second. "S'pose your captains don't worry much when you wander off?" She stood straight again, rolling out her shoulder from what apparently was just a spar. "I guess if I can be okay when Luro gets lost, I can't get too upset if you disappear. Can't say you're any more sane though." She said the last part in a tease, using her captain 'immunity' to smile innocently.
"Oh we've died at least once or twice, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Where'd you end up? And with hope, did you find a faster exit?"

"I always come back," Seliria responded with a small shrug.
Though her eyes narrowed at Runali at the following comment, she let it go, more than likely due to said 'immunity' before answering her.
"Long as the number's low…I suppose," Seliria said, resting a hand on her hip. "Imposter basically said to do what I wanted, which I wouldn't have done anyway, so I've been wandering around; ran into Avnia, ran some Realms, reconnaissance, things of that nature. Why I'm wearing this thing."

She motioned to the clown outfit.
"Hides my appearance so long as I don't talk, or remove the mask. I'm not walking around with one of the 'Shay's' after all."
Content with her explanation, she gave a small shake of her head.
"Unfortunately, no…not yet. This place is more of a maze than it appears. The place is purposefully leading me in the wrong direction; it's annoying. Shame Caleb's not here, he loves this kind of thing."
"That would mean he's trapped too, though…" Zilia said.
"I don't see the problem," Seliria said looking at her.

Zilia wasn't surprised by the cook's reaction, Seliria's attention returning to Runali.
"Still I'm not returning empty-handed, I did find out a few things…but no sense talking here. This Sakura isn't violent, the opposite, really, but the Shepherd is another matter. We can celebrate a reunion later, we need to leave, without the Core this world is going to collapse and you all don't have a way out without Shey."

"Ah, good. For a minute I thought you decided to join the Court. And then I'd have to settle with knowing that I'd have to drag them back from whatever hell this is too." Runali rolled out her shoulders and pointed in the direction Tashi went off to. "I do agree though, we should probably get back to places that are at least a little more familiar than this one. I'd rather us not be a part of the world ending collapse that seems to happen every time we end up somewhere new." She lead the way, relying on muscle memory and backtracking to assess where the exit was. "By the way, Sel, what did you think of Avnia? Friend or foe to you?" After all of the spiraling and discovery and war chatter, she was curious to see what someone else thought about the situation other than the StarDusk who lived through all of it. "Also, you wouldn't have happened to pass by Emil too, huh? Lost him in recon a while back and I'm assuming he's still safe."

"Don't joke like that, I can barely deal with them as an outsider," Seliria said.
The swordswoman glanced over at Alicia, she gave her a quiet nod, a silent acknowledgement of her efforts and unspoken offer should she need a shoulder. Seeing Sakura again shook her initially, she moved past it, but it didn't make it any easier all the same. She didn't know Hanako enough to get a feel for what to say so she stayed quiet, there wasn't enough for a silent understanding yet between them.
Seliria's eyes twitched at the nickname again but she sighed and crossed her arms.
"It's more of the lesser evil for me when I look at it," Seliria said. "Imposter possesses a cage called 'Loyalty', so long as you stay in the cage as his pretty songbird, there's no issue. It's easy to see if you look at how he handles his people and prisoners of war. Avnia on the other hand, possesses a Feeder called 'Fidelity' so long as you believe in the right cause, you may come and go as you please, taking from the Feeder as you wish. The cause of course being 'Imposter is bad' essentially."

Seliria rested her hands on her hips, her mouth twitching to the side.
"With Imposter even if you were an enemy, swear loyalty, and all is forgiven…in the cage you go. Break that loyalty, and you will be shown no mercy by the mad king himself. On the other hand with Avnia, betray the cause and the queen will burn you and everything you've touched, as if you have the plague…it's almost fanatical what she does."
The woman looked over at Runali, realizing she was droning on.
"Didn't mean to prattle, if you had to ask me whether I want to deal with the part-time sadist, or the kind fanatic, I'd go with the latter. I at least know where I stand with Avnia, Imposter's a difficult read."

Zilia messed with her bang, her thoughts returning to their previous encounters with the monarchs. Imposter's towns were full of happiness and joy, the war was non-existent, a distant memory. So long as you didn't step outside the 'cage' everything was wonderful just as Seliria said. On the other hand the war was on Avnia's doorstep but she kept everyone fed and comfortable. The world was harsh but there was a place of reprieve, the 'Feeder' as Seliria called it, even everything they did for her was an 'option', not a necessity like with Imposter.
That didn't change that Imposter mercilessly executed a traitor in front of them, and Avnia did the same to someone who joined Imposter's side.

"For the blondie…we've run into each other. We have a mutual party we both communicate with, someone you'll meet if you haven't already. Oh yeah according to-"
"Emil."
Seliria glanced behind her as a pair of footsteps approached the crew, a familiar voice calling out towards them.
Seliria's eyes narrowed slightly as Nako walked out of the shadows towards them, her hair was undone, its blue hue had grown lighter, resembling the ice that now grew with every footstep. The woman in front of them was definitely Nako but there was something off about her, excluding the twin horns growing out of her skull, curving towards each other, a mix of red and purple that clashed with her long flowing hair.
The air around them chilled as her ice reached outwards freezing everything over slowly and meticulously, save Luro who as always remained a human heater.
Nako's hand moved towards her face, blue nails almost resembling claws rested gently against her face as she rested her hand on her cheek.
"I've found you…Emil. There are so many of you."
There was an echo in her voice as she raised her fingers offering a hand to them.
"Are you ready to go?"

Runali was mimicking a tightrope walker as she walked back and forth on a dead log listening to Seliria. Her hands were behind her back, graceful as ever with every spin, nodding in understanding or acknowledgement at Seliria's words. "More or less came to the same conclusion, just without the technical terms and metaphors." She gave another nod as if saying that she was glad they were all on the same page. And then it got cold. On instinct and almost too fast to notice if they weren't paying attention, she was under Luro's arm, protected by his natural and constant warmth. She really hated the cold, but her curiosity was piqued hearing Nako's voice and seeing the horns protruding from her head.

"Oh that's not good at all." Runali mused without as much urgency as the situation called for. "Wasn't Tashi supposed to be finding her? And also giving her that hat back?" She pointed to Nako's horns. "That's definitely not the head gear she's supposed to be sporting." Runali tilted her head slightly, eyeing Nako down and watching her movements. "She thinks… all of us are Emil?" She stepped away from Luro, just enough to take a slight step forward. "What's the chance we say the wrong thing and she realizes we-" She remembered what Tashi said and grimaced a little. "I know Tashi wanted to be the one to break the, uh, terrible news to her sister but…" She looked at her crew, landing on Alicia and Hanako, with an expression that read that the bad news might have had to be broken sooner than later.

"I would advise against that," Seliria said, drawing her blade. "From personal experience, it ends badly. It's how I realized her…what was it…'Impulse' is 'Inescapable Innocence'. Hat on blissful ignorance, hat off full memory of what happened…and madness born from despair."

A red wisp appeared next to Nako's head and reaching over she grabbed hold of it, the flames surrounded her hand before a familiar blade manifested in her grip, her eye lighting up as her grin grew even wider.
"That's Alicia's sword," Luro said pointing at Nako.
Another wisp appeared, and grabbing it, purple energy surrounded the girl's hand, a giggle escaping from her.
"That's my Devil Fruit" Zilia said also pointing.
"Well she ate her Stardusk so she gained everything they had, sword and glowing eye included with her Alicia," Seliria responded.
"...she has our powers."
"Skills, powers, and weapons…it's a pain fighting her when she also channels Satia and Adelaide. Flaming tornadoes are annoying to deal with."
"You're…not Emil. Emil…Emil is dead…everyone…everyone is dead…you're not real…you're…you're not REAL!"

The girl laughed as tears streamed down the side of her face raising her blade and pointing it at the crew, her whole body trembled as the ice only spread further around them, there was nothing of the girl behind the eyes staring at them, the gentleness in them from before had all but vanished, replaced only with regret, hatred, and murderous intent.
"Kill me….hurry up and kill me! I…I can't…control…the walls…they keep screaming at me. You're not…you're not Emil…Amue…help me….kill me…stop this….I'll kill you. All of you!"

"Yeah well, lying to her sure isn't gonna fix this." Runali, who still saw Nako all the same as Hanako, still believed there were ways to help all of these Imposter versions of them. If her Hanako could be as strong as she was, Nako could do the same. But Runali held her tongue about it, watching as the others pointed out her new abilities. Her interest piqued just a little and she started to step forward. "I know how to fight each one of my crew, I wouldn't be the captain if I couldn't."

"Nako…"
Zilia trailed off realizing the girl couldn't hear her, couldn't hear anything anymore.
She wanted to say more but Seliria took a step forward readying her blade.
"Runali, follow this road south and you'll come across a large lake. Go there and wait and you'll be able to escape. I have a way out, hurry up."
"Seliria we-"
"I swear if you say 'we can't abandon you' I'm going to get pissed. I'm not some child who needs protecting. I've dealt with her in a worse state than this. Tashi will find Nako eventually, but you need to go…now. You only have one exit, just trust me and go to the lake."
The sky above them started to rip apart, cracks forming above as yellow light peeked out of them, and as always, the Shepherd was up above, staring up at their world collapsing, as the Realm started falling apart.
"I'll find you later. Now go, I'll cover your back…and Hanako. Do not look back when you're running, you don't need to look at this twice, it's not you. Remember that."
"We can all dream together now! Don't go…don't…don't abandon me."
Seliria stepped further in front of Nako's drawing the young lady's attention.

For a moment, Runali too was going to protest about leaving Seliria to fight her alone, but instead she grimaced as the world reacted and began to tear apart too. "Yeah, yeah, we're leaving." She ushered Zilia and Hanako down the path Sel instructed. It didn't stop her from turning back to Sel and giving her a challenging look. "You better keep your word and find us later, Sel. You and I both know the Novas want you back in one piece. And as an honorary Stardusk that means you're my mess too." She signaled to her crew to get moving, but still looked back to yell at Nako. "Oi, Nako! You may think you've lost everything but there's a crew out there still with you! And your sister is looking for you now, so hang on a little longer until then!"

Zilia glanced back at Seliria hesitant to leave the woman, even knowing she'd be fine. Just as she was about to add onto what Runali said a wall of fire suddenly cut the crew off from her, removing her from sight.
"Stardusk," Seliria called from the other side. "You have enough smarts to survive, you get why there's no reason to despair, seeing the Echo's. You especially Alicia and Hanako, the answer's obvious, and something you understand. You also needn't worry Runali, being someone's mess comes naturally."
An annoyed sigh escaped from the woman on the other side.
"I'm going to punch that redhead when this is over. Anyway go I'll see you soon. Now, Nako I have to return this blade so I can't waste too much time with you."
She noticed Nako looked in the direction the crew had gone.
"...thank you."
"S'fine, let's get this over with kid."

The crew headed south and found the spot easily enough, once there a familiar figure was pacing, hands on her head mumbling to herself clearly in a panic.
"Shey!"
The maid looked up, a bright smile appearing on her face seeing the crew.
She immediately hugged Hanako, who was unfortunately the one in her path when they approached.
"Ahhh thank goodness you're okay, I've been looking everywhere," Shey said, backing away.
"What are you doing here?" Zilia questioned after she caught her breath.
"I ran into Miss Seliria, and she told me she'd find you and told me to wait here. If I did you'd show up, I was worried because the Realm was falling apart, but she did find you."
Shey held her hands up, surrounding the crew in a bubble.
"Miss Seliria said she would get Tashi and Nako, she's able to move between Realms without my help so I trust her…she also told me she'd never willingly leave a Tashigi behind as long as she had breath in her body."
Shey blinked and cleared her throat.
"Ahem…I wasn't supposed to repeat that. Please don't tell her. Okay let's go!"

The outside world vanished as the bubble turned opaque, and the familiar sensation returned as their feet left the ground for a moment before returning to it.
"Now I just need to…huh?"
Shey hands still out started to tremble, her arms shaking as loud sounds echoed around them outside the bubble, after a moment a loud banging crashed into the bubble, before another and another.
Blood fell out of the maid's nose as she grit her teeth.
"Shey!" Zilia called seeing the girl's struggle
"Something…is trying to break in. Multiple things."
Another bang and a fist formed in the bubble, pushing down the skin a bit as it collided; this started happening all around them, Zilia even taking a step forward as it almost hit her from behind.
"I can't deal with it and protect you. Sorry but I'm going to throw you somewhere safe."
"Throw us…but-"
"I am truly sorry for my ineptitude in handling this better, however I am the ultimate maid, I cannot allow harm to come to my clients."
The girl coughed, blood splashing onto the 'floor' of the bubble and over her pristine outfit.
"Apologies but this will be rough."
The bubble seemed to shift and the light inside faded, darkness encroaching the group's vision, the maid's laughter along with goading the invisible assailant, could be heard as something stole away their consciousness, the pounding growing faster and more desperate but also more distant, until only silence remained.

Their return to reality came suddenly. The gentle sting of grass under them and the smell of earth came first. The cry of birds and the blue sky above may have come second to those lying on their backs, while others, like Luro, found green to be the first thing they saw. The crew was lying in a field of grass, still slightly wet from what could only be assumed to be rain. Bright green blades of grass met them on all sides.
Then an additional sound met their ears, and the acknowledgment of another presence.
Something was 'eating' nearby, thankfully, moving was possible for them as nothing was restricting them from getting up.
Zilia immediately raised her head to find the source moving to one knee, prepared to leap away if it was a threat.
A few few away on a nearby rock, an amicable woman was sitting wearing as always her blindfold and munching on a single sandwich.
"Nali…"
The woman grinned hearing her name, but didn't get up from the rock, she was leaned forward, arm resting on her leg as if she knew the group would wake up soon. Zilia also noticed a line had been drawn between them, the line Nali always told them not to cross for their own safety.
"Morning, Stardusk, welcome back to Facade."

Easygoing Madness

Inescapable Innocence

 

[Winter]

​

It was rare that she encountered a sword wielder that had her so utterly outmatched, her experience and skill normally at the very least allowing her to adapt and find a way through eventually. But if she were to imagine hard enough, it was like she was looking at a wall of blades as she looked for a way through to strike at the clown directly. But every time she saw an opening and went to capitalize on it, she found herself parried as if it were anticipated with efforts made to drive her back and create distance. These weren't the movements of a novice, far from it and as the seemingly one sided battle between them continued she was becoming suspicious. After all the clown was behaving defensively and returned strikes seemed as if they were looking to push back rather than terminate their lives.

But then the sword was thrown and sheathed in a single neat display and the mask removed to reveal Seliria who up until now had been missing entirely. She exhaled a small sigh, flicking her blade to the side before neatly sheathing Shusui back to her side. Alicia was of course happy to see her, and while she was only slightly annoyed by the events that lead towards the reveal it was enough to have that irritation subside rather quickly. She was already emotionally stressed and more so by what she'd witnessed both in her other self and furthermore by Nako's memory and the toll that was likely taking on Hanako. She'd have to take some time to check in on her younger sister a little later once the events of the day had calmed down and she'd have a moment to sit down with her.

Alicia returned the nod of acknowledgment, closing her eyes briefly as the wordless exchange was passed between them. She would be ok, eventually once she'd had time to process it all for herself. Seeing her mother again, her twin sister and the events she feared the most all playing out like some kind of horrific theater had done very little for her mental health. But as always she'd eventually overcome it given enough time once it found its place within her psyche. But before she could really question anything that was said and spoken it seemed that Nako had made her return and without Tashi which wasn't a good sign. Once again she was made to witness something awful, the sight of her sister having descended into near madness out of grief.

Everything inside her made her want to comfort Nako, try to sit her down and talk her around with the love only an older sibling could provide. But she knew better and thought it best to heed Seliria's warning for them to withdraw and head for the location she mentioned. So she did, heading away with the others and tilting her head only slightly to hear Seliria's words called from the other side of the fire wall. She released a breath once more before turning away to continue on to where they found Shey and readied themselves to leave. But it seemed once again things weren't to go to plan and before long they were cast out only to awaken in a green field with Nali nearby. "This has been quite a day." she commented finally after collecting herself up.

She looked around before making her way over to Hanako, helping her up once she'd regained herself and awoken with the rest. Before anything else continued she'd hold her sister close. "We'll talk about everything later, but for now try not to think about all of that too much ok?" she held a hand to Hanako's cheek with a small smile before stepping back to take a check on what was happening around them. Back in Facade again but with Nali here, how did the echo of their captain know where to find them. She walked up to stand next to Ru, anticipating that they were about to receive more information in some form or another. Maybe an update on Jack and Cedric if they were lucky.

 

[Mizos]

​

"How did you-"
"My Luro," Nali said, deciding to save Zilia a bit of time. "Can see the future remember?"
"Oh…right," Zilia said brushing off the front of her clothing as she stood up.
"He also gave Sel a note with instructions to help find you in the Realm. So I know what happened, seems you're getting to see the more…entertaining side of Realms."
The woman finished off her sandwich before brushing off her hands.
Zilia glanced at the others for a moment before looking back at Nali who was adjusting her blindfold.
"Nali-"
"I know what ya wanna say," Nali said. "I'm going to have to decline though."
Zilia's eyes narrowed slightly and Nali folding her hands leaned forward a bit.
"Nako can't know the truth, because it causes her Axiom to activate," Nali said with a small shrug. "I've personally tried to talk to her about it, Tashi as well. The moment she learns the truth, she…snaps."

Nali raised her body resting her hands on her legs.
"In her Axiom all her memories return to her, and she's wholly aware of everything she's doing…just can't stop herself. "Inescape Innocence is fitting for her. Ignorance is the only thing keeping her sane, thanks to Impulse."
Nali said this before offering a small smile.
"We're trying to help her mental state so she can hear the truth properly. Until then though I'll have to ask you not to bring up what you know."

She held up a hand at this as a polite request to wait.
"I know that's asking a lot, especially for a few of you, but she will attack and kill you if you try and speak with her about it, no matter how gentle or harsh you are. She has no control over it. I won't stop you if you try…but I gave you fair warning."
Lowering her hand, she turned and started messing with something behind the rock. Zilia's eyes narrowed a bit at this.
"...is that why Tashi asked Luro to keep Emil away from her."
"Yep…not that Tashi explained why but well…it's Luro. Why tends to come after…if it comes at all."
"Oh it's cause you didn't want her to kill him," Luro said. "I get it now."
"Never change Luro."

Grabbing what looked like a Basket, she stood up from the rock; she waved her hand in front of her as if she was shooing away a bug when she did so.
"Also, Luro understands what it's like to have an Imposter's influence affect you. How powerless you truly are, how little your efforts mean…yet you cling to any possibility of breaking through with your stubbornness…hoping the madness doesn't take you first."
She tossed the basket to Zilia, who caught it before she looked down at it.
"It's too late to stop Facade's influence on you now. We can only slow it down now."
Nali gave a shrug at this.
"The Realm was proof of that…they're actually 'adjusting' to you, reaching deeper into you. Changing mid exploration. It's only going to get harder from here."
Nali pointed to the basket and offered a grin to the crew.
"Still I figure you'll manage. Sandwiches from Jackie, the top one is yours Zil."
Zilia opened the basket and sure enough, it was full of a variety of sandwiches, the top one seemed to be radiating…heat. Zilia couldn't deny it looked good as she closed the basket.
"Jack also woke up and Cedric is fine. He ran into Emil who was scouting in that area, they're all together. Oh and Sel got Tashi and Nako out as well," Nali added. "Some good news for you."
Placing her hands on her hips.
"Unfortunately, the bad news if Facade is about to kidnap you."
"...huh?"

A sudden heaviness filled every Stardusk body, whether they were near or far. Shortly afterwards, a sudden lightheadedness hit them. Zilia brought a hand to her head, barely noticing Nali sit back on the rock.
"You're going to end up in a…not great place after the memory," She said before a small sigh escaped from her. "I'll see you at the end of it. Sorry I can't tell you more, that's all Luro shared. Good luck!"
Darkness came to cloud the vision of Stardusk as their consciousness was slowly stolen from them.
"Oh right, I took the Core. I'll make sure to get it to Shey when she returns."
Nali's voice faded into the distance and within that darkness, a memory of Facade appeared.

---

---

"You're going to stay in the kingdom?"
Within the throne room, the king stared down at Imposter who had knelt before him and Avnia. He had requested an audience to share some information with them, and as he had grown close to the two over time, speaking with them on multiple occasions, it was a simple matter to meet with them.
"That is correct. In all my travels, I have never encountered a kingdom filled with so much joy and wonder. I have already made arrangements to live here."
"Why didn't you come to us? You could have stayed in the castle."
"I will be a proper citizen of your kingdom soon, I did not feel it right to get preferential treatment."
"That is true…"
"However, if possible, I would still like to visit you."
"Of course, Imposter, our door is always open to you, and please raise your head. You know I dislike such matters."
Imposter nodded before standing up, as he did, the knight commander entered the throne room, and giving a small respectful bow, spoke.
"Your Highness the Council would like to speak with you.
"Again? They're adamant lately," Avnia said shaking her head.
"The council?" Imposter asked looking at two monarchs.
"Nobles from when my father ruled," The King said, standing. "We faced war when I was a child with a neighboring nation. We won but they still hold a grudge. They have no means to attack us…so they taunt us to try and trick us into attacking them. The Council wants to deal with them permanently but their existence prevents others from attacking us. It's the same on their side."
"So they want to discuss attacking them."
"That's right…and once again I have to explain that I don't want to bring war to my kingdom, it will only bring mistery to my people, and they can't attack us without suffering great lossess…losses that another kingdom would take advantage of, thus they can't act anyway. We have a treaty and good relations with the other kingdoms, enough that we-"
"You're Highness perhaps you should refrain from speaking too much of political matters," the Knight Commander said.
"Ah you're right _____ sorry, that kind of talk is boring."
The Knight Commander sighed being misunderstood but didn't press the matter, the king waved to Imposter before he was escorted out of the castle by Commander.

Wandering the town outside Imposter's eyes moved to the people's faces, the smiles of the children, the joy of the adults, the gentle smiles of the elders and the warmth that filled this kingdom, ruled by wise and benevolent monarchs. A smile slowly formed on his face as he made his way to the center of town for another show, from the fool who wandered no longer.
"One day…all these smiles will belong to me."

---

---

When Stardusk consciousness was returned to them, a blazing sun is what met them, along with hot sand. Zilia blinked a few times before climbing to her feet, she opened her glove slightly, letting sand fall out of it, before looking for everyone else. Thankfuly, their group was still there, though Luro was sitting a few feet away eating one of the sandwiches, she was uncertain when he woke up but Shay was next to him. Upon seeing the remaining group awaken, they ran over to them.

​

"Oh good, you're awake. I am glad you're alright."
The group was surrounded by sand dunes on all sides, rising high above, with only one 'path' not blocked by the towering sand. That path however, was blocked by a singular red door with 'Nali' scrawled on it in bright blue letters.
Zilia disliked greatly how ominous it seemed, and also wondered why Luro was radiating cold all of a sudden.
"...where are we and why is there a door?" Zilia said, checking for any more sand in her clothes.
"You're…well in the desert. The badlands I believe, which is neutral territory. I don't know why Facade brought you here…but this area is an…Enclave so Realms can pop up her,"
"That's not a temple…" Zilia said looking at the door.
"It is not…and as you can see, it's tied to Lady Nali. Given it is her I am not surprised. She is a special case even among the Echo's."
Shay's eyes lowered a bit at this.
"Her existence surpasses even that of His Highness…but she chose submittance years ago. Facade can't really…mess with her, so this is the best it can do."
Shay looked over at the group.
"Facade is…very active lately and I don't understand why. It is…really focused on you Stardusk. You saw more of the memories, didn't you, the memories of the former king…and the other Monarch. I was…informed more about it."
Shay closed their eyes at this as if trying to sense something within the world.
"I can't see the memories myself but I can…feel Facade's desperation. It wants something from you, and I worry what it will do to get it. I feel its hands reaching for you, wrapping around you. It's as if…Facade has figured out what it needs to know."
Shay said this before opening their eyes.
"There is no other way forward aside from that door. Facade has…trapped you here. I forced myself into this space but even I'll be removed eventually. Something is wrong with this…and Lady Nali's past….I don't know it but…I know it ties into every Echo."
Shay looked over at Runali.
"Just as your Captain serves as the center point of Stardusk, Lady Nali serves as the center point of the Echo's, ones who have lost everything. Whatever lies beyond that door…may try to take you with it, you should take a moment to gather yourself before continuing. Lady Nali's willpower is nearly unshakable, which means Facade will attack yours."
Shay looked at the basket.
"Perhaps that's why you were given the basket. So you take a moment."

Zilia reached into the basket and grabbed the top sandwich, her eyes moving back to the door.
Nali like every other Echo had lost her Stardusk, for some reason she became the 'Captain' of this Stardusk…and willingly submitted to Imposter, though she was apparently stronger than him. Their Runali would never back down…and Nali didnt' seem like a person who just 'gave up'. Also something in her being told her that something…terrifying was beyond that door.
Something they should never meet…but it was the only way forward.

 

[Capt. Blu]

​

There was a warm familiarity to waking up in a desert. It reminded Runali of home until the heat and sand threatened to burn against her skin. It was quieter than home too. There was no vibration of stomping animals or moving wagons or chatter of merchants and hagglers yelling back and forth. She sighed and sat up, settling back into the present of Facade- or the badlands as Shay put it. She listened, but also took a moment to gather herself and go over everything from leaving Sel to seeing Nali again. She compartmentalized, finding what was most pressing, and then focusing on what was happening now.
The crew was still around her, unfortunately not all of them, but she rubbed her temples anyway and climbed to her feet. "Everyone still standing?" She checked in with each of them, whether it was with an assured look or a helping hand to their feet, dusting them and herself off in the process. When she was sure that everyone was okay, she took a good look around the dunes looking to see if there were any other places besides the door in front of them. "I expect nothing less from someone that shares my livelihood, more or less." She commented, grabbing one of the sandwiches from the basket. "Also we've been under attack since we were dragged to this place, it'd be more shocking if Nali's place didn't put us at some sort of risk at this point."

She was calmly eyeing the door while everyone gathered around, but she couldn't help the looming feeling of what she'd see beyond it. She had seen these Echoes kill their own crew or watch them die in some tragedy. It was easy to remind herself and them that the Echoes were lives that they didn't live, potentials that didn't happen - couldn't happen because they would be there for each other through it all. But… she couldn't help her own hesitation as she thought about what happened to Nali and how she had lost her crew. She had lost her own crew too many times and had made too many deals with devils and it was luck alone that none of those devils were Imposter. It was a little too easy to catastrophize and guess every moment where she could have failed to save her crew and how worse things could have been.
Runali swallowed that down, took a deep breath, and bounced on her toes, ready to go. If the captain of the Echo Stardusk could bend the will of whatever Imposter was, she'd be doing herself a disservice by backing out now. Whatever was haunting behind that door could only be met the way a true Lev knew how: Going forward.

"Let's not keep the others waiting. We've got cores and secrets and exits to find." She took the lead and placed her hand on the door. "We've gotten this far after all."