FINAL FANTASY: XIII. (The RP.).

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

<so, um...should we avoid killing people? You know, so that you don't have to deal with their souls or whatever?>

Dagnet jerked like he was trying to give the voice inside him a look.

<You can learn nonlethel. Can't be that hard. You snap their swords over our leg and the run and scream like little kids.>

Cassandra said nothing as she watched her companions and the surrounding area with her ravens. The idea of trying to limit bloodshed had an appeal. She personally had enough blood on her hands, Dagnet might do better if he didn't try to hack things for a bit and hopefully Aura would not be as tormented. All good reasons, but it could cost expedience and possible the life of one of the party. The Huntress knew not which way she thought they should go, so she said nothing.

Once Aura suggested that the party move one, Cassandra waved for everyone to keep going, bringing up the rear herself.

[Elrandir 783]

"There will be no need." Aura said to the voice. "With enough time I will get used to it. Besides...I think that if we avoid fighting....someday, something will be stronger than us and we will pay the price."Milo looked at the Huntress for a few seconds before moving his eyes towards the Oracle."I don't remember the previous Oracle having that problem. Is there something I'm missing?"Aura nodded at the Professor without looking back."My Mother only had the gift to see. I possess the gift to see and hear."Reya turned around while walking backwards."Few Oracles obtain more that one gift. It just shows that Aura is very skilled."Aura smiled and shook her head."There is always room for improvement." She said. "Maybe the fight with the Valcon was our first test and once we reach the Library we will have our next one."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

"Heh." Dagnet chuckled when Aura shot down the nonlethal plan.

<Sure, laugh it up.>

Cassandra considered what was said about the powers of an Oracle. See and hear the dead. But what else?

"Can you also converse with those who have passed?" She asked Aura. "Perhaps ask for favors?"

[Elrandir 783]

Reya looked at the Huntress with a slightly curious look on her face. The Professor, just like the Oracle were looking forwards."Is it possible?" Milo asked. "I've never had any knowledge of any previous Oracle doing that and I knew your Mother."Aura turned her head slightly, but not fully, to let the Huntress know that she had her attention."It is quite possibly to have a conversation with the dead if they haven't gone through the Door of Souls" Aura said. "or if they are stranded between the Door and the Unseen Realm in a place called, at least by the souls I've had the pleasure to talk to, Valhalla."Reya turned her head to Aura and waved her hands."So there is something after we die? besides the "Valhalla" I mean?"Aura shook her head and sighed."I am not allowed to have that knowledge. Whatever lies in the Unseen Realm is not something we, as mortals, are allowed to know. Only her Grace, Lady Etro, knows the answer. And as for asking for favors...I am not sure. Never tried it before."Slowly the Oracle looked at Cassandra with a raised eyebrow, her eyes hiding a small hint of curiosity.""What do you have in mind, Cassandra?" Aura asked. "Do you want to talk with someone?"

After the question was made, both Reya and the Professor looked at the Huntress.

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

"There are more then a few people I'd like some answers from that I can no longer ask normally." The Huntress answered darkly.

A look of sadness crossed Cassandra's face for an instant. About the same time, the raven on her shoulder gave Dagnet a quick glance.

"But a more pressing possibility I thought of was asking the friendly dead to maybe scouting ahead of us. If they are still aware of the world, but can only be seen by an Oracle, they could make some encounters avoidable."

Dagnet made an annoyed sound at the idea of avoiding encounters.

<Yeah, but is that even possible? We'd have to meet up with a pretty nice ghost to convince them to help, right?>

[Elrandir 783]

"Oh...well...it is as he says." Aura said. "Most souls are looking for guidance to the Gates of the Afterlife instead of worrying for the problems of the living."The Oracle looked to the sky and sighed."And those who stay for "unfinished business" are bound to a certain distance from where they passed away. If a spirit is strong then the distance it can keep from its bound place can be far, but if it is weak then the distance is limited.""What you're trying to say is that your ability may not be reliable all the time." Milo said." In which case we have to rely on the old fashioned way.""That is correct." Aura answered."Spirits will be useful on some locations, but not everywhere." Reya commented "Perhaps there will be spirits in the Library."The Professor looked at Reya and nodded."That place have a lot of magic energy infused in its walls. A spirit or two can be a possibility. We should be arriving at the Library in a few more hours. Let's just hope we don't have any problems."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

Cassandra nodded.

"Understood." She said, a slight tone of disappointment in her voice.

<Probably for the best. Shouldn't have too many spoilers about the other side.>

The Huntress grunted. She didn't really care right now what happened after she died. She had enough challenges in this life to worry about.

"Then stealth is our best bet, should we get too close to others in the Library." Cassandra said. "It's big enough to avoid people, right?"

[Elrandir 783]

Both Reya and Aura looked at the Professor."That would be an understatement" Milo said. "The Library is more like a small town surrounded by a wall and with many different buildings in which different books and knowledge is stored.""Wait, wait, wait..." Reya gasped. "Are you telling me that a whole town was build to keep books? Like a ghost town?"The Professor smiled and shrugged."Knowledge is power, or so they say. In any case, we need to get inside the biggest building where the forbidden knowledge is stored."Aura raised an eyebrown and looked at Milo."Forbidden?" She asked with a small hint of worry."The language is so old that not many can use that knowledge. Worry not. The only thing we need is knowledge about the Reimaging and nothing else. We can go inside, find what we are looking for and leave."The Oracle nodded and looked away."Let's hope it is that simple."{Location: Library of Aeviternus - Forbidden Archives}"Excuse me, Master?" Rabiyu asked. "I bring news about our future visitors."The man in the robe nodded slowly and waved his hand."It should take them around 2 more hours to arrive. Should I make preparations?"The man turned around and sighed. It had been a bad day, the scholars under his care were dead. The Library took the life of many that day. Surely his superiors were going to blame Specint for that, but at the moment that wasn't important."Not necessary. Specint was meant to take care of the Scholars and they are dead. One of them may have the key needed to unlock the secrets that are buried in this place.""Understood. I will look for a spot to keep an eye on them. I will return once I get a glimpse of them."Rabiyu bowed and left the room, making sure to not step over one of the many bodies laying on the ground.

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

Dagnet giggled.

"Puzzles without edges." He pointed out.

"What?" Cassandra asked.

<Well, puzzles without edges was difficult to put together.>

"Not simple." The huntress finished in a sour tone.

Dagnet made a clinking noise, then when silent. Cassandra actually looked over at the big l'Cie.

"Does...Dagnet know more then you, voice?" She asked uncertainly.

<*scoff* I won't say more. *pause* But maybe he does know...other stuff.>

"Like?"

<Hey, if I knew that, it wouldn't be considered a part of the other stuff the big guy knows.>

Cassandra sighed and shook her head.

"Well, let's just try to keep it only sort of complicated." She grumbled.

[Elrandir 783]

"Agreed" Aura said. "That would be best."The Professor was looking at Reya's map while Reya was looking at the sky."So...how long until we arrive?" She asked."Judging by this map I would say...around...2 or 3 hours tops."The Oracle looked at the Professor and raised an eyebrow."In time for moonrise? I think it would be better for our mission."Milo shrugged and smiled."If not, then we can wait until it's dark enough to get inside. Besides...we need moonlight to access the place we're looking for."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

(I am super sorry that I didn't post for a long time. If you are still up for this game, I'll kick my brain into gear and get a post together.)

[Elrandir 783]

(I am super sorry that I didn't post for a long time. If you are still up for this game, I'll kick my brain into gear and get a post together.)

It's alright, Riku, don't worry. We can continue if you want.

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

<Magic doors that can only be seen in the moonlight? The Voice said, a little excitement in his etherial.

"People with magic do seem to like oddities like that." Cassandra replied.

A troubling thought occurred to the Huntress as she marched on.

"How cramped is this library?" She asked. "I work better in wide open spaces. Even high ceilings might do."

 

~*Elsewhere*~

A notice about the Reimaging made Crynus grin. It was finally time. The big man put down the flyer and snapped his fingers. A Valcon soldier scurried into the War Chef's tent.

"M'lord?" The soldier asked.

"Wake the l'Cie witch." Crynus ordered. "It is time to see if she has been worth keeping alive all this time."

[Elrandir 783]

"It all depends on which building you go." Milo answered. "For the one we are looking for...yes...it is quite big."Reya raised her hand and waved it."Is there a reason why the moonlight is needed?" She asked."Who knows." The Professor said. "It is hard to know what the people of old were thinking when they made the library."Aura was looking around just in case. For some reason a place as old as the library made her think of a lot of spirits within its walls."In any case, we should be ready for a fight once we arrive. If not against the Templars then against any other force. The whole world must know about the Reimaging by now and we may not be the only ones looking for clues."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

"Moonlight is tied to several different magical monsters." Cassandra added in. "It's got some sort of power, so I guess ye olde people decided to use that for their own uses."

"Creepy." Dagnet said after a moment of thought.

<He's looking at a mosquito, so it's fifty-fifty If he was even talking about the same thing as the rest of us.> the voice said, wearily. <So, is there any chance that our new found talent for making friends carries over to convincing people to join us rather then fight?>

"Doubt it." The Huntress replied dryly. "there are going to be more people grabbing for power then those who are trying to make things better."

"Take and take." The Gaint l'Cie grunted darkly.

A raven glanced around, allowing Cassandra to judge time through it's eyes.

"Yeah, well, dwelling on what ifs won't help." She said. "Let's just prepare for what we know."

(Want to just fast forward to the Library?)

[Elrandir 783]

(Fast forward coming right....wait...already there.){Location: Outskirts of Aeviternus}The Heimdallian elves were surprised by the size of the so called Library. More than a library it looked like a city or a fortress, maybe both."How peculiar." Aura said as the group was hiding inside a ditch. "The whole place is illuminated, but it doesn't seems that there is anyone there."The Professor nodded and pointed at the city/fortress."The whole place used Crystalia technology. It seems the library maintained itself for many years in the past. Keeping records and books stored and updated. At some point the whole system stopped working and the records were lost. Some scientists managed to repair the lights, which turn on by themselves once the moon is in the sky."Reya raised her hand while looking at Milo, a curious look on her face."What's Crystalia technology?" She asked."Crystalia tech or Crytech uses the raw magical energy inside a special ore called "Magicite" to power up machines. It made life easier on the big cities and it's pretty common nowadays."The Oracle grimaced at the mention of the Crystalia. She never liked it for some reason."All that luxury makes people weak." She said flatly. "But...I suppose it could be helpful too. In any case, were do we need to go, Professor?""See the highest building?" He asked, getting a nod in return. "That's our goal. We can't get lost since it's on the middle of everything...and it's the tallest. Let's be careful, the place is really quiet, by now there should be someone wandering around searching for info about the reimaging."   {Location: Somewhere within Aeviternus}"Targets confirmed." Said Rabiyu. "Prepare combat protocols."The young girl turned into a plume of smoke and moved over the roofs. Once she managed to find a decent spot to hide she went back to normal."This should be a good spot." She said as she prepared her bow and arrows. "An easy shot from here."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

(Ah, good fast forwarding skills.)

 

Cassandra crouched down in the ditch, with one Raven on her shoulder and the other perched on the edge of the ditch, watching the Library.

"A lot of people from small towns and villages don't like the cities because of Crystalia." She added in. "Using magic like that so freely bothers some."

Dagnet, who had to smacked by Cassandra a few times to keep him from bellowing something, risked a whisper.

"Crunchy." He said in a hoarse whisper.

<Yeah, don't try to eat the crystals like last time. You were twitching for a month. So, Prof, what kind of traps you think are gonna be down there?>

"If any." Cassandra said, feeling odd to not taking the pessimist stance on this.

[Elrandir 783]

"I would say some security, but those have been deactivated for some time." Milo said. "Books with curses on them, and without the records it will be almost impossible to know which ones will be dangerous. I'm guessing some booby traps on the most important areas."The Oracle kept watching the city/fortress with some interest."Basically, be careful with everything we touch." She said. "The Forbidden Archives will be full of traps."The Professor nodded and smiled."An adventure~ In all seriousness, let's be careful. We can't fool around since we don't known what or who is there."Reya sighed and shrugged."You're like Mama, Professor. She just loves a good adventure. You have a lot in common.""In any case. Cassandra, would you be nice enough to send one of your ravens to take a look?" The Professor said while looking at the Huntress. "That way we will be able to move while having eyes on the sky, in case there are enemies inside.""Good plan." Aura said. "If everyone is ready we should move."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

The Blindfolded Huntress nodded as the raven on her shoulder took flight. It cawed as it rose, and began circling around the party.

"Done." Cassandra said.

Shifting over next to Dagnet, The Huntress smacked him on the arm.

"And you don't touch anything." She said in a firm voice. "Having to scrape you off a wall because you can't control your fascination with shiny objects is way down on my list of things to do here."

"Shiny..." Dagnet said wistfully.

<Don't worry. I think I got this.>

"You think?" Cassandra echoed, sounding displeased.

<Yeah. The big guy only half listens to me.>

The giant l'Cie chuckled. Cassandra turned slightly so that she was roughly facing the Professor, Aura, and Reya.

"He touches nothing." She said firmly, jerking a thumb to Dagnet. "There is also no sign of enemies yet, so we can go on your lead."

[Elrandir 783]

"Alright then." Milo said as he slowly got out of the ditch. "Let's move out."Both the Oracle and Reya followed the Professor closely, using the terrain to cover themselves until they made it to the gates of the city/fortress."Isn't it strange that no one is here?" Asked Reya. "By this point someone would be trying to find something about the Reimaging. This library would be one of the few places where someone could look for that info, right?"Slowly making his way using buildings to cover themselves, Milo nodded."No Valcon...No Templars...no nothing. It is quite strange."The Oracle was about to say something, but she had to stop once her other senses made her aware of her surroundings."There are spirits here." She said flatly. "Lots and lots of spirits."Aura was looking around like someone was around her. Her eyes looking in a different way every second."Men, women, children, humans...elves..." Aura said. "Just like a normal day in their lives. Completely unaware of other spirits or that they are dead.""Don't disturb them, Oracle." the Professor said. "We don't need angry spirits following us."{Location: Somewhere within Aeviternus}The string on Rabiyu's bow went back to normal as she looked directly at the group hiding in the streets of the Library, more directly at the young Oracle."She can see." She thought. "A Seeress of the departed blessed by her Grace."The white haired huntress ran along the roofs while hiding from the visitor's feathered friend as she followed the group from a safe distance deeper into the city."Should I take care of the bird?" She whispered. "Not recommended. It may be a tool for the woman instead of just a pet."

Edited March 14, 2015 by Elrandir

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

Cassandra and Dagnet brought up the rear of the small group, making as little sound as possible. It had always impressed Cassandra how quiet Dagnet could be when wanted to. She wondered if that was at the voice's behest, or the primitive mind in charge of the hulking body's?

<Maybe we are ahead of the curve.> the voice said, hopefully.

"Or behind." The Huntress replied dryly.

"Stalked." Dagnet rasped.

<Did you have to mention that? Now I'm gonna be nervous about every little thing.>

"Good." Cassandra said. "Keeps you observant."

Even with this advice, Cassandra looked a little worried when Aura mentioned spirits.

<Maybe if we disturb them politely?>

Dagnet sniggered in what the voice thought of as a derisive manner.

"How many people know this place as well as you?" Cassandra asked as the raven on her shoulder twitched its head around to keep an eye on her direct surroundings.

[Elrandir 783]

Aura was about to answer to the voice's suggestion, but the Professor interrupted."I do not think that's a good idea. Like I said, we don't need angry spirits following us. Not in this place at least."Milo took a quick peek around the corner before he turned his head towards the Huntress."Who knows." He answered. "I am sure of two other that can access this place without much trouble.""And those whould be?" Asked Aura."That would be Mama and Mother, right?" Said Reya with a smile."Correct." Milo said. "Arya and Yusu known this place thanks to me, but outside of those two, and myself, I do not know who else know this place that well."The Oracle looked to the sky when a sudden feeling came to her."How...peculiar." She thought. "I thought I...""Oracle." The Professor whispered. "Hurry up, we're almost there."With those last words Milo ran towards their destination, using the buildings for cover.{Location: Above the Forbidden Archives building}Rabiyu was sitting on the roof, waiting for the guests to arrive."I think it's time to report. They almost arrive and Master needs to know."The young huntress slowly got up and looked at the gates of the library."I wonder if we will have more visitiors besides them..."Rabiyu jumped and turned into smoke before she touched the ground, then the smoke went into the library and made its way towards the leader of the Specint Templars to report.

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

Milo's admission that he only knew two others with in depth knowledge of the Library nether reassured or frightened Cassandra. It simply confirmed that they were dealing with unknowns.

The Huntress paused briefly as she tried to interpret what she was seeing from her air born raven. There was something...off. She had spotted through the raven's eye a moving smoke cloud, close to the ground. Something had happened to cause the raven to look that way, a movement out of the corner of its eye.

"Something hiding?" She mentally wondered.

She reached out and grabbed Dagnet's massive arm.

"Walk at a steady pace and warn me of obstacles and enemies." She ordered.

"Wha-" Dagnet grunted, trying to shake free of Cassandra's grip.

The Huntress held on as the raven on her shoulder hopped of and glided into the shadows where it disappeared. Dagnet stopped and stared at where the bird had disappeared.

<Where is it going?> the voice asked apprehensively.

"To check if there are watchers avoiding my other bird's eyes." Cassandra answered.

<So, we're now your seeing eye dummy?>

"Yep."

Dagnet adjusted his stance slightly to let Cassandra comfortably get a grip on the inside of his elbow before proceeding in an almost dainty walk to make sure her trip was smooth.

"Keep going, professor." Cassandra said softly. "I'll warn you if I'm right."

[Elrandir 783]

"Alright. We're almost there so be careful." Milo said to the Huntress.Reya on the other hand, was looking around."It's awfully quiet in here. Like when a wild monster is waiting to jump on its prey.""I do not feel anything besides souls." Aura said. "Just souls and nothing else."The Professor just gave a huff."This place is ancient, Oracle. We do not know the "hows" or "whys" of how it works the way it does. Better stay alert."{Location: Forbidden Archives building}Rabiyu made her way through the long main hall until she reached the center of the building. A moderate sized circle room with the bodies of the scholars that lost their lives in an attempt to discover the secrets of the building."Master, our guests have arrived. It is now 100% confirmed. There are 3 l'Cie among the group. Those in the group are a human man, a giant, possibly human, a huntress with a certain affinity to use ravens, also human, and 2 Silvan elves from the Silva Deae."The man in the cloak hadn't moved from the spot Rabiyu left him. Something that was normal for the leader of Specint."2 Silvans you say? Interesting. It is not often for the rangers to leave their forest without a good excuse. Or to look for mates." The man waited for a few seconds to continue. "In any case...it is time for me to return to the Imperial City, the King and Queen must be informed about the fate of their precious scholars. You will remain here and keep an eye on the movements of this group. Take any necessary action to ensure you obtain the knowledge that is waiting on this halls. Break their bodies and destroy their will if you must. I hope they won't be a problem you cannot handle."Without waiting for a replay the man turned around and went into the hallway, glowing for a seconds before disappearing. Rabiyu still kept her mist cloak but made the hood disappear, letting her white hair fall and wrapping the long braid around her neck"Make them open the doors of knowledge by force." She said as she adjusted her quiver and readied her bow. "Mana reserve at full capacity and ready to engage."

[rikunobodyxiii 700]

Cassandra looked preoccupied as she walked along with Dagnet as her guide. Her second raven was still navigating through shadows, so she was still in the dark about what alarmed her other raven.

"How sure are you that the souls will react to other people?" She asked Aura.

<And how about traps?> The voice inquired. <A place like this has got to have death traps.>

Dagnet chuckled a little at the words "death trap".

"Please tell me he's not laughing at something to hit." The Huntress said sourly.

<You're good.>