"Good to see you again, Reva," Dashu jokes dryly.  He then returns to his attempts at waking the Terrestrial while saying, "Nice moves back there by the way...  I think," .

OCC:  no worries Reva.  I hadn't noted any slow posts.  I just remembered you were invisible. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Wed 19 Nov 2008.

It takes a few light slaps to bring the Wood Aspect forcibly out of his unconscious state. As soon as he's awake and understands his predicament, he starts struggling, though he's just plain too hurt for it to be effective. Even Xurizu with his below-average strength finds he can manipulate the captured man's hand.

"You fiends..." he utters, wheezing for breath. Pale Gaze's needles had crippled him severely, bruising him on the inside. The man looks in pain. "I'd rather die than help you..."

The guard falls silent. He coughs once, twice, shuddering in Dashu's grip.

---

OOC: I'm assuming he's got Dashu holding him, Xurizu manipulating him to enter the necessary inputs... It's kind of like playing with a Dragon-blooded marionette. Bizarre. o.o

He's done... something, though, to his body. You'll only have a few seconds to input anything at all so Xurizu, make it count.

Xurizu looks at the man with an expression which is an odd mixture of apologetic and cold, not liking to do this to the man, but not willing to let him stop them from attaining freedom.  He keys in the sequence that will open the door, and then another to change the status for this door to be "pursuing subjects into prison." -- exactly the opposite direction from the way they'll be going.

Then he presses the man's hand to the sphere, and holds it there.

The sphere flares a bright, verdant green. Xurizu, watching the symbols on the jade screens scroll by, gets the general impression of an affirmative.

Then the outer door starts to shudder. Layer by metallic layer, gears whir and plates unhook themselves, so that the door almost seems to unravel, rather than simply open. It takes about 15 seconds... a short time, normally, but each second that goes by is another second toward the inevitable purging. Fortunately, whatever Xurizu has done with the controls seems to have delayed any guards from arriving.

By the time the door is completely open, the green guard is hanging limply from Dashu's arms. He is dead, likely from some last-ditch protocol to ensure that a Jade Officer will never be coerced to serve an escaped Anathema.

What awaits on the outside: a flat, featureless land, the consistency of hard, packed earth, more earth than one would expect on a water level. And spreading all across that land -- as far as the eye can see -- are unmarked tombstones bathed in red alarm light, spaced with cold, mathematical precision into neat and tidy rows. Though they cannot see the far wall from here, Dashu and Xurizu's direction-sense tells them that the stairs they seek are at the far end of this Forbidden Cemetery... and they must run to cover all that ground in time.

---

OOC: You can take some time to exchange last words with Pale Gaze (he'll also give Xurizu his... gift) and if you wish, collect any of the guards' equipment you might find useful. You'll probably not use up more than a minute past the 10 minute mark, I'll assume you're working/talking quickly :P

The ashigaru were wearing Tiger Shark armor. (it's not as good protection as Xurizu's jade armor, except it has other perks, added Awareness and integrated breathing apparatus mostly). The dragon armors are red (fire) and green (wood, this version is the one with the integrated essence whip). There is also the red jade power mace Dashu disarmed, and the mortals' three shock pikes. You're probably going to see a lot of shock pikes in Five Coils though, they're pretty standard issue. :P If you need stats, let me know. Oh, and the same double motes for instant attunement rule applies.

Right now I'd say it's a bad idea to weigh yourself down too much. The run you'll do will need a lot of endurance ;)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Wed 19 Nov 2008.

"There stairs are that way," Dashu declairs as he points for the benifit of those who would not know naturally.  "Pale Gaze, are you leaving with us or do you have another exit strategy?  If this is goodbye, then I wish you luck, and thank you for your help."  "I don't see anything here that I can particularly use so whatever you guys want, get it and let's go."

"The stage is set." The man says, looking carefully at the cemetery. "This door will close here, and it will block any further advances for some time. But you must know that the Coils have eyes and ears at every corner. It is only a matter of time until you are pursued again." The distorted voice stops for a moment, as the masked man regards each and every one of them in turn.

"My duty is to keep these eyes and ears closed for as long as possible. But you will need to do the rest, and make the best out of the time you have."

He now turns towards Xurizu, and silently pulls out a small bundle of black velvet, that he carefully opens, as if the object inside might break with too much carelessness. Once the bundle is open, its prize is revealed - a stunning emerald, perfectly cut and polished, its dazzling facets reflecting light in the most endearing fashion. The craftsmanship of the stone looks almost out of this world, an object of perfection that should not even be allowed to exist in this plane.

"Here." The masked man hands the precious stone over to Xurizu, with all the care and carefulness it requires. He does not speak of its nature or effects, but says only one thing as the precious gem is passed. "This belongs rightfully to you, Ledaal Xurizu. There is more to freedom than that of the body."

With that, he turns back towards the group, and nods. "The last boon I can grant you is to heal your wounds. You will need to be in as good shape as you can be to handle the rest of your escape. Perhaps this time should be used for you to ask any questions you still wish to ask. Our time here is now very limited."

"Thank you,"  Dashu replies.  Even though he clearly was skeptical of strangers the offer of relief from his wounds was clearly appriciated.  It even alievated his need for haste momentarily.  "What can we expect between here and the stair case?  Which places will be easiest for us to blend into?  Most importantly, do you know of others who are escaping like us and can we trust them?"

Xurizu watched the door opening, oh so slowly, watched the man suddenly go limp in Dashu's arms, looking out over the wide expanse of the graveyard for a few precious moments before Pale Gaze addressed him, handing him the strange gem, with the stranger words.  Belongs to me? he doesn't speak, but the question is plain on his face.  He takes the gem though, gazing into its emerald depths.  He knows the gem is important.  He's not sure why.  He racks his brains trying to bring forth a memory, some obscure bit of knowledge.

The emerald brings more than a vague reminder... it's a shocking realization.

A woman of red hair and complexion like ivory marble, achingly beautiful. Her violet eyes entrance him. Yet the memory of her brings a rising terror to Xurizu's mind. There is an emerald light around her. Her voice speaks ritualized words in a voice as solemn as a dirge bell, and his forehead aches.

The last thing he remembers is that gem in her palm. The absence of truth. His greatest fear.

Xurizu is certain that the gem holds a piece of his memory.

Seeing some comprehension in Xurizu's eyes, Pale Gaze nods, taking a step back. "Truth and Secrets can both heal and harm. Decide what is what, and make good use of your answer." He nods once again, peering at Dashu next.

"The way to the staircase is a straight line. And so it will only be a matter of stamina and will - you must rush and make it to the end before pursuits can start chasing you again. The way is clear... If you can make it to the end without faltering. As for others... There are other groups fighting to reach the upper levels, now that the Essence collars have been nullified. Banding together might be key to your survival, if you can find one another." He then turns towards Reva, and nods slightly. "Among those who fight to reach the surface is Dyron Slivari - your sister."

He pauses a moment, and then takes a step back. "And now, for my other promise."

Without further warning, Pale Gaze lowers his head... Then quickly spurs into motion, his stance changing seamlessly from a relaxed, passive one to a clearly offensive one. He moves almost with a blur, and without even the slightest of hesitations, he strikes. Three punches, perfectly flowing within one another, at an almost dazzlingly quick pace, each one hitting one of the fugitives swiftly and precisely. The attacks come without warning... And yet they yield no pain whatsoever.

In fact each strikes seems to release a force that brings a sense of warmth and comfort to the fugitives' weary bodies. A strange reddish glow, emanating from the armor's fist, flares and dissipates with each attack, before disappearing completely when Pale Gaze stops, suddenly remaining perfectly still. Calmly and fluidly, he breaks out of his martial stance, resuming the more relaxed attitude he had adopted earlier. Looking through each of them in turn, the tilts his head slightly, the single eye of his mask dimming, then brightening up.

"Forgive the sudden motion, but there is little time to explain. The essence discharge you felt should serve to cure your wounds and help give you some much needed stamina for the road ahead. Let us say I would not have to rely on such a method were I an actual doctor or healer."
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:02, Fri 21 Nov 2008.

These events are difficult for Dashu to make sense of on so little information?  At the remark about "truth and secrets" Dashu looks at Xurizu to see his reaction.  This would definitely be a line of inquiry that would be broached sooner than later.  He listens to Pale Gaze as he answers the questions Dashu had put to him and is about to respond when Pale Gaze mentions her sister.  "Sister?" Dashu asks puzzled.  "You're sister is an "Anathema" too?  I've only heard of that happening among the dragons."

However, before Dashu gets his answer, he see's Pale Gaze move into a blur of motion and can not react fast enough.  "Damn it!" He thought as he watched the fist crash into his body.  He braced himself for pain which never arrived.  In fact his pain seemed to lift.  Dashu face went from one of battle readiness to one of pure confusion.

As Pale Gaze explained his actions, Dashu once again became at ease.  He finally said, "Well unless there's something else, we should probably get moving guys.  Pale Gaze, you're welcomed to come with us."

Who is that woman?
What memory in this gem?
How many are there?

He's still thinking that over when Pale Gaze speaks further, running things over in his mind. harm and heal? I suppose that is true.  But I must know.  He started to raise the stone to his mouth, somehow that seemed like the right way to go, and then the punches started falling, and he tried to raise his arms to defend himself.  Until he realised both that it was doing him good and there was no need.  He nodded his thanks, and then turned away from the group, and swallowed the gem.  I hope this won't take too long

Dashu's composure falters due to his obvious shock at seeing Xurizu eat his 'gift'.  "Hey, you okay?" He asks his friend.

"Hey guys, no time to talk or anything. We need to get moving. I'll tell you about my sister later." She smiled, as her form was fully visible now. She was filled with delight and warmth. Her eyes sparkled, and she held an extra umph in her step now. She made sure she had nothing on her extra. Hopefully this will go good.

When Xurizu places the emerald on his tongue, it disappears in a shower of emerald essence, absorbed into his body. And the memory comes flooding back...

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: "Remember these faces," says the gorgeous woman with the red hair. A display projected on the bare wall in front of him cycles through image after image of the same seven people. An austere gentleman with short brown hair and a trimmed beard. A muscular male laborer, scarred and dusky, with penetrating dark eyes. A young woman with large brown eyes and fine black hair cascading to her ankles. A narrow-faced lady in courtier's finery with blue eyes and pale blonde hair. An elderly man with milky blue eyes, hunched and wearing a ragged grey cloak. A hardened middle-aged woman with short auburn hair and an eyepatch. A tall man with solemn green eyes and long black hair in a braid.

"Every one of them must die. You will do that for me, my fangs in the dark."

His prison is a metallic room with no windows and no obvious doors. Framing the screen and on the walls themselves are Essence patterns like the ones Xurizu observed on the door panel controls -- except these ones depict a stand of trees verdant with essence-leaves, shifting shape now and then as if some supernatural breeze ripples through them.

It might have seemed artistically pleasing, if not for the fact he is strapped tightly to a chair. His head has been held in place by a clamp, so that he can only look straight forward. After a while the red haired woman walks away. He can hear her talking faintly. "...Stronger surge this time... need him to retain it longer..." A warm throb starts to form on his temples, a throb that ramps from soothing to searingly painful, and he screams and screams...

...Everything after that moment seems to fast forward at great speed. He is hunting. Moving. Waiting. Stalking. His prey never notice the silvery barbed chains spinning their way, until it's already too late. Their severed heads are plastered with expressions of surprise, of horror.

Six of them. Only six.]

[Private to Ledaal Xurizu: Xurizu now remembers the spell, Flying Guillotine.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:35, Fri 21 Nov 2008.

About two minutes have passed by now. It's definitely time to run. The open doors yawn wide, the rows of unmarked tombstones awaiting -- and the stairs, straight ahead in the gloom.

---

OOC: Here's how we'll do it: you're running a distance of about a mile. Make a post to stunt your mad rush. It's going to be a Stamina+Resistance roll. You want to pour as much as you can into it. Virtue, stunt, whatever! Give it all you've got.

Whatever Pale Gaze did to you gave you 1 success on the roll. Also, you're all at full health.

note - if someone ends up significantly slower than the others, I may rule someone else ends up picking the slow one up and carrying if possible. But that doesn't work if *all* of you are slow!

"Yeah, I'm fi-" he starts to say, as the gem reaches his lips.  Then he gasps, as the memory contained within washes over him and his eyes take on a focus somewhere beyond infinity for a few moments before they close.

"Six ... who ... missed one?" he mumbles, before his eyes open, looking far more normal. And who is she?

"I'm ... fine," he reiterates, perhaps trying to convince himself.  "We should move though."

Then he turns to Pale Gaze, and bows his head.

"Thank you."

And then he glances to his companions, and starts to run.  Thankfully the armour he took isn't tiring in the slightest, and the spear can be reformed to be very light.  He still isn't the best of runners.  He can sprint perhaps, but not run, not for that long without flagging.  But that doesn't matter.
He has determination.
He has a new memory.
He has someone to find.
Himself.

And against that, what is the fire which is burning in his legs?  What is the laboured breathing to draw fresh breath?  There is just the stairway, a goal he must reach.

left foot, right foot, breath, left foot, right foot, breath...
[Private to GM: Conviction channel. 5 dice + stunt]

The masked man acknowledges Xurizu's thanks and departure with a simple nod, offering nothing more in terms of guidance or advice. He takes a step back, looking towards the other two.

"We separate here. Run quick, and never look back." Swiftly, he draws two pairs of three knives - one for each hand - and nods one more time. "Luck be with you. Oh, and one more thing, lady Reva... Not every prayer goes unanswered. Even if the answer ends up a tad late at times. And for that, I have to apologize." With that last statement, he bows to Reva, then turns around, this time not turning back.

Silently, the masked man heads for the console. It only takes a few moments for the heavy doors to start to close again, leaving the strange benefactor to stay and guard them.

"Thank you, again."  Dashu says as the doors close behind him.  He then turned around and began running towards the stairs with the rest.

Much ground needed to be covered in a short amount of time.  Dashu put everything he had into the run.  As he ran he scanned the ground ahead for the path of least resistance, and he avoided slick or unstable footings which would slow him down.  This run reminded him of fleeing of the time before he had been collared: a time when he had managed to avoid capture by virtue of flight.  It was a the last time he truly felt free.  It was for that reason he knew he had to press through to get to the stairs even though his legs were tiring quickly.  While a mile would not normally be a difficult run, it would also not normally be a run conducted at a full sprint.  Even though it would have been easy to give up, Dashu reached for every last bit self discipline he had to keep his feet moving.  Soon the lines of graves turned into mere blurs as he sped past them and tunnel vision set in.  He reached his rhythm, timing his breathing and his steps.  Inhale two steps, breath out out one.  This way he was able to make sure he received enough air.  Every time he felt his feet slowing, he forced himself to move quicker with his mind.

[Private to GM: I'm  stunting and channeling my Temperance for 3 dice.   I'm guessing since this is being done  by a single roll I can still one use one willpower so that's the extent of what I can do.  I did throw in the bit of searching for the path of least resistance in case I could somehow use my investigation skills to add a bonus.  :) ]

She simply nodded to him. Who was this man and how could of he suck in to this place so simply? He must be greatly skilled and far beyond anything she could ever reach. But if she escaped, then she would become stronger. Then she could learn as well.

She started running just a moment behind everyone else, her feet smacking against the cold ground, her toes bending around every crack and crevice. Her body was strong, swift and endurig.  She would not let her self tire out nor would she allow herself to fall behind in this foot race of life. She has seen far to many endings for her to become one. As soon as each step ended, a new one began, a split second before it was truely over. She would not allow that tiny pause to slow her, one foot would land on the ground, the other already moving. Her entire body was focused on moving herself forward. She closed her eyes and pictured the outside world to give herself strength. She opened them, and could see only the cold lifeless stone. The outside would she pictured was simple. A great endless green field, a blue sky (The sky was blue? It just seemed that's the way it should be.) A great blazing Sun, gold and perfect (Where did that image come from? Was there really such a bright orb floating in the sky?) And an endless amount of tiny glowing specks. Star's she knew, but she didn't know how.

[Private to GM: (6dice + Stunt?)]

The Exalts' flight is at times desperate, at times magnificent, as they push themselves to the limit with stores of endurance they didn't even know they had.

Out in the cold, cavernous cemetery, trodding above the long dead and buried bodies of Coils' most unfortunate, their only struggle is with themselves and with the long stretch of distance between them and their goal. All around them is darkness punctuated only by the red glare of alarm lights pulsing as if by the heartbeat of the fortress itself. The only sound is their labored breathing, the blood pumping in their veins and the klaxons wailing their banshee's dirge.

Three minutes in, Dashu, Reva and Xurizu hear the sound of the Five Coils AI announcing impassively, "T-minus fifteen minutes until purging commences." Dashu falters slightly, worn from the running, from the battles they have all fought just to come this far, and Reva and Xurizu half-carry, half drag him forward until he can run on his own again.

The run continues on. The cemetery is featureless and repetitive. It feels as if they are running through the same stretch of land over, and over, caught in an endless loop -- and then, just as their lungs are fit to burst, they see it in the gloom.

The end of the line. The curved wall, the outer limits of Forbidden B31, and the opening leading to the stairs.

It still takes them three minutes after the last announcement to get there. At least the door covering the passage up has already been unlocked and opened. Perhaps Pale Gaze's work? He stayed behind, after all -- ensuring, or so he claimed, that there would be no pursuit. They have no way of knowing now whether he would survive this mission or not.

But now is no time to think on his fate. The floors above await.

---

OOC: All of you got +3 stunts. Great work. :) Get those much-needed motes 'cause it's not over yet. Also, this *does* count as a scene change. So... you'll need to renew charms up above.

Got any last reactions before ascending, then post 'em. The stairs will actually go up two floors, so you're going to come out in B29. I'll give you all access on that thread by late tonight most likely, and more XP awards should come soon after that.

Dashu takes a slight pause and thanks his friends for helping him make his run.  He didn't know how he would have made it without them.  He then takes a moment to look around behind him, at the prison which has been his 'home' for many years. He then turns to Xurizu and Reva.  "So Reva, you've got a sister and she's busted out like we have.  Bet you're anxious to find her.  Xurizu, I don't know what you plan to do, or if you have any unfinished business in the place, but I for one think the only thing place for me to go is up.  I'm sure we'll find your sister there, Reva.  One thing's for sure, I'm glad you guys are here."  Dashu wasn't much for sentiment, but he felt that this moment was worth at least these few words.  When all words had been spoken, he turned to the stairs with his friends and began their accent.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

As the charms wore off she could feel the energies flicker and fade. Her mind too weary to keep her hope strong enough to defend her flesh. Her fate strong, but losing grasp on past life and past battles. She smiled when she reached the end of the long run. Looking over to Dashu she smiled, "Yea, let us get out of this place, and I'm sure my sister is okay. Let's hope the Sun and the Sky are the way I pictured them." She smiled at the memory.

"Likewise," he nods to Dashu's sentiment about being glad the others were there.  "I ... am not sure if I can leave this place just yet.  That gem was not the only one like it, I think."

"But I'm not being trapped down here again.  They're not taking any more of those from me," he says, resolutely.  "Lets find our way out of here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:57, Mon 24 Nov 2008.

End of thread! Congrats! Continue in Floor B29 - District of Water, Lower Residential.