Torrin relaxed his hold on Aria when he saw her come to. He shook his head when she apologized. "No. Don't say that. It isn't your fault. I'm just glad you're okay." He let go of her and sighed out in relief. He only tensed when Boreas came in with a similar "fight first" attitude asking what happened. "She just had a nightmare." Torrin responded, looking over at Boreas. When he turned back Aria was shifting around seemingly in pain. Before he could ask what else was bothering her she revealed that both of her arms had suffered injury. This was wrong. This was all wrong and he had no idea what happened. There was no way someone could have barged in while he was around. And if someone opened a portal surely he would have sensed it or the masters here would be aware of an intruder. Without turning to his friend he ordered, "Boreas, get Choma. Tell him to find the master of the castle. Don't tell anyone else what happened. We don't need everyone panicking." If someone had broken in then they needed to be smart about this. If not...then he wasn't sure what to think yet. "It'll be alright, Aria. No one's going to hurt you." Even he couldn't believe his own words, seeing her show bruising on her shoulder to go with the scratches on her arms. Whatever came after her wasn't human and if Heartless or some other kind of dark force could still attack her despite having a protective magic bracelet then could she ever be safe? It was beginning to feel like if he left her alone for even a second it would be a grave mistake. "Let me take care of that for you, okay?" He took her arms into his hands, being careful not to hurt her more as green light came from his hands to heal her wounds. He motioned for her to come closer so he could do the same to her shoulders. During this he tried to find something to take her mind off of this but no light conversation came to mind. "Thanks for earlier. You know. The...thing with my hands. The burns." He mumbled, more focused on curing her shoulders, his hands pressed to her bruises lightly until the magic took effect and the bruises began to fade. "There...I think that should do it." Choma's sleep was what one could only describe as sleep. He got enough rest and that was that. He woke up early, as was his habit, and got ready for the day all the while thinking what he could say or do given the situation with Tinarah. Then there was also the fact that he had never had much of a chance to speak with Aria after she had been returned...or Torrin after whatever happened with Mika's Nobody. He did not know how much longer he could keep doing this. Losing student after student. He left his room after a moment of self-reflection and came to see both Take and Tinarah interacting over Nini. Choma leaned against the wall and smiled faintly, glad to see that even after whatever Tinarah had been through some things had not changed. "I hope you slept well, Tinarah." Atmos had just finished brushing her hair when the sound of a portal opening and closing came behind her. She smirked and shook her head. "Aster you really should knock first. This may not be my castle but this is my room." "Yes well, I hated pleasantries even more than you did. Besides, I'd rather catch you early before breakfast than after you gathered your strength." Atmos turned in the chair she was sitting in and raised an eyebrow at Aster who had found herself a spot on the bed to rest on. "And why would you say that?" "It's..." Aster shifted uncomfortably and avoided eye contact with her. "It's about Avra. Just, please listen to me before you get out your keyblade and start hitting me." "So now you want to talk about her? You avoided it all this time. I know I could have tried forcing you onto the subject but I couldn't bring myself to. It's just...she was so young when she died that-" "She's not dead, Atmos." Aster blurted out. "What?" Atmos stared in disbelief thinking her sister to be using some dark humor that was just out of line. "She's not dead. She's with the Light Chaser and I just didn't know how to tell you without you rushing off after her and getting yourself killed." "WHAT!?"
Torrin relaxed his hold on Aria when he saw her come to. He shook his head when she apologized. "No. Don't say that. It isn't your fault. I'm just glad you're okay." He let go of her and sighed out in relief. He only tensed when Boreas came in with a similar "fight first" attitude asking what happened. "She just had a nightmare." Torrin responded, looking over at Boreas. When he turned back Aria was shifting around seemingly in pain. Before he could ask what else was bothering her she revealed that both of her arms had suffered injury. This was wrong. This was all wrong and he had no idea what happened. There was no way someone could have barged in while he was around. And if someone opened a portal surely he would have sensed it or the masters here would be aware of an intruder. Without turning to his friend he ordered, "Boreas, get Choma. Tell him to find the master of the castle. Don't tell anyone else what happened. We don't need everyone panicking." If someone had broken in then they needed to be smart about this. If not...then he wasn't sure what to think yet. "It'll be alright, Aria. No one's going to hurt you." Even he couldn't believe his own words, seeing her show bruising on her shoulder to go with the scratches on her arms. Whatever came after her wasn't human and if Heartless or some other kind of dark force could still attack her despite having a protective magic bracelet then could she ever be safe? It was beginning to feel like if he left her alone for even a second it would be a grave mistake. "Let me take care of that for you, okay?" He took her arms into his hands, being careful not to hurt her more as green light came from his hands to heal her wounds. He motioned for her to come closer so he could do the same to her shoulders. During this he tried to find something to take her mind off of this but no light conversation came to mind. "Thanks for earlier. You know. The...thing with my hands. The burns." He mumbled, more focused on curing her shoulders, his hands pressed to her bruises lightly until the magic took effect and the bruises began to fade. "There...I think that should do it."
Choma's sleep was what one could only describe as sleep. He got enough rest and that was that. He woke up early, as was his habit, and got ready for the day all the while thinking what he could say or do given the situation with Tinarah. Then there was also the fact that he had never had much of a chance to speak with Aria after she had been returned...or Torrin after whatever happened with Mika's Nobody. He did not know how much longer he could keep doing this. Losing student after student. He left his room after a moment of self-reflection and came to see both Take and Tinarah interacting over Nini. Choma leaned against the wall and smiled faintly, glad to see that even after whatever Tinarah had been through some things had not changed. "I hope you slept well, Tinarah."
Atmos had just finished brushing her hair when the sound of a portal opening and closing came behind her. She smirked and shook her head. "Aster you really should knock first. This may not be my castle but this is my room." "Yes well, I hated pleasantries even more than you did. Besides, I'd rather catch you early before breakfast than after you gathered your strength." Atmos turned in the chair she was sitting in and raised an eyebrow at Aster who had found herself a spot on the bed to rest on. "And why would you say that?" "It's..." Aster shifted uncomfortably and avoided eye contact with her. "It's about Avra. Just, please listen to me before you get out your keyblade and start hitting me." "So now you want to talk about her? You avoided it all this time. I know I could have tried forcing you onto the subject but I couldn't bring myself to. It's just...she was so young when she died that-" "She's not dead, Atmos." Aster blurted out. "What?" Atmos stared in disbelief thinking her sister to be using some dark humor that was just out of line. "She's not dead. She's with the Light Chaser and I just didn't know how to tell you without you rushing off after her and getting yourself killed." "WHAT!?"
Torrin had left his room not long after he entered it, believing everyone else to be asleep. Whatever happened to Tinarah he could not undo and without the full story he had no idea what to think about it. Even so, the thought of another him resurfaced and caused him to step outside, feeling cramped in his room. Pacing around the hallways would likely wake someone up so instead he chose to sit down in front of his door, a room he had purposely chosen to be next to Aria's because he had not trusted the masters to be able to keep the Princess of Heart safe. Then again...his actions were beginning to seem like little more than failures and the few successes he had were only to delay yet more failures. Something had to go right and he refused to allow the Light Chaser just pop in and either kill them all before taking Aria or take Aria and kill some of them in the process. Torrin lowered his head and summoned his keyblade, placing it on his lap to be ready to jump into action. Sleep rarely came to him anymore. It only meant risking staying on a world that could be destroyed at any minute or being caught off guard by the Chasers if they decided hunting him down was their only way to get rid of him. He tried to close his eyes and meditate, Torrin finding even that difficult given everything that happened. Eventually, after an hour or two, the fog in his mind lifted. Though the thoughts that remained were far from peaceful, he could live with just feeling some kind of sense of a vague calm. If need be, he knew how to rely on his magic to sustain him and keep him awake. It went counter what he had told Boreas about staying at full strength but that would hardly matter if they were all dead in the morning or awoke to find Aria missing. And then her scream came. Instantly, Torrin's eyes shot open and he was already on his feet thinking the worst. The Light Chaser had come to kill them all while everyone was gathered here. Torrin refused to let that happen. He had barely even registered that the scream had come from Aria's room when he broke down her door with a kick. His yellow eyes returned to their usual shade of blue and he called off his keyblade upon seeing that it was just Aria there. Just her. No one else. He was confused for a moment but realized that she seemed to be having some kind of night terror. Torrin ran to her side and...he wasn't sure how to act in the situation. "Hey! What's going on?" He gripped her by her arms and gave her a light shake to try and pull the girl into the here and now. "There's nothing here. Just breathe." He tried to speak in a calm tone despite his own adrenaline having spiked seconds ago. "You're safe here. You were having a bad dream." Torrin was already feeling a little guilty, wondering if just breaking down a door freaked her out even more...and now he realized that at any second others were going to start showing up wondering what was wrong. "Breathe. Just breathe." He repeated.
Torrin had left his room not long after he entered it, believing everyone else to be asleep. Whatever happened to Tinarah he could not undo and without the full story he had no idea what to think about it. Even so, the thought of another him resurfaced and caused him to step outside, feeling cramped in his room. Pacing around the hallways would likely wake someone up so instead he chose to sit down in front of his door, a room he had purposely chosen to be next to Aria's because he had not trusted the masters to be able to keep the Princess of Heart safe. Then again...his actions were beginning to seem like little more than failures and the few successes he had were only to delay yet more failures. Something had to go right and he refused to allow the Light Chaser just pop in and either kill them all before taking Aria or take Aria and kill some of them in the process. Torrin lowered his head and summoned his keyblade, placing it on his lap to be ready to jump into action. Sleep rarely came to him anymore. It only meant risking staying on a world that could be destroyed at any minute or being caught off guard by the Chasers if they decided hunting him down was their only way to get rid of him. He tried to close his eyes and meditate, Torrin finding even that difficult given everything that happened. Eventually, after an hour or two, the fog in his mind lifted. Though the thoughts that remained were far from peaceful, he could live with just feeling some kind of sense of a vague calm. If need be, he knew how to rely on his magic to sustain him and keep him awake. It went counter what he had told Boreas about staying at full strength but that would hardly matter if they were all dead in the morning or awoke to find Aria missing. And then her scream came. Instantly, Torrin's eyes shot open and he was already on his feet thinking the worst. The Light Chaser had come to kill them all while everyone was gathered here. Torrin refused to let that happen. He had barely even registered that the scream had come from Aria's room when he broke down her door with a kick. His yellow eyes returned to their usual shade of blue and he called off his keyblade upon seeing that it was just Aria there. Just her. No one else. He was confused for a moment but realized that she seemed to be having some kind of night terror. Torrin ran to her side and...he wasn't sure how to act in the situation. "Hey! What's going on?" He gripped her by her arms and gave her a light shake to try and pull the girl into the here and now. "There's nothing here. Just breathe." He tried to speak in a calm tone despite his own adrenaline having spiked seconds ago. "You're safe here. You were having a bad dream." Torrin was already feeling a little guilty, wondering if just breaking down a door freaked her out even more...and now he realized that at any second others were going to start showing up wondering what was wrong. "Breathe. Just breathe." He repeated.
Atmos held a look of concern on her face as Take spoke incoherently but whatever he wanted to talk about would have to wait until tomorrow. "Get some rest. I'll see if there's anything else I can do about your hand tomorrow, okay?" She said as she guided the boy to his room not far from Tinarah's. She looked at Choma who was standing outside the door, sorrow in his eyes. She wondered what to tell him to ease his mind but nothing she thought of would be helpful. After all, she knew she wouldn't feel any better with any combination of words if one of her own students had gone through...whatever Tinarah had been through. She did not have the full story and that alone caused her a great deal of anxiety that she had been hiding. She could only imagine how Choma was feeling. Let alone Chrono. She sighed and tapped her hand against the wall and decided to leave to get some sleep for the night. There was nothing she could do right now and she needed the rest after everything. Eventually, the sun had set and night had arrived. The night passed quietly and the sun rose again, leaving the skies in a purple haze once more.
Atmos held a look of concern on her face as Take spoke incoherently but whatever he wanted to talk about would have to wait until tomorrow. "Get some rest. I'll see if there's anything else I can do about your hand tomorrow, okay?" She said as she guided the boy to his room not far from Tinarah's. She looked at Choma who was standing outside the door, sorrow in his eyes. She wondered what to tell him to ease his mind but nothing she thought of would be helpful. After all, she knew she wouldn't feel any better with any combination of words if one of her own students had gone through...whatever Tinarah had been through. She did not have the full story and that alone caused her a great deal of anxiety that she had been hiding. She could only imagine how Choma was feeling. Let alone Chrono. She sighed and tapped her hand against the wall and decided to leave to get some sleep for the night. There was nothing she could do right now and she needed the rest after everything.
View attachment 48574
View attachment 48573
Maybe you're just having a bad trip, Jube. It's okay. You just need a hug.
Atmos rolled her eyes. "So you drugged my student." She sighed. "I suppose it's better than feeling the pain. Come on, Take. We're taking you with the others." She patted the boy's back and led him after Tinarah and the others to the east wing. "Sleepy sleepy turn to sheepy." She teased him once they were out of earshot of the others, patting Take on the head as she did so. "In the morning you can tell me all about what happened while we were away. And we will tell you about our own adventures...not that they were particularly enjoyable." Something caught Aster's ear and causing her to walk over towards Aria, Torrin, and Boreas. Without even saying anything she took the girl's hand and leaned down to examine the bracelet closely. Her brow furrowed and she frowned. She shook her head. "This is...hm...the power in this bracelet is extraordinary. The spellwork that must have been used to craft this is absolutely flawless." She turned Aria's hand over and tugged at the bracelet only to feel it tighten around the girl's wrist. Once she released the bracelet it relaxed. Aster stepped back and summoned her keyblade before tapping it against the bracelet to find...that nothing happened. Her keyblade vanished and she sighed. "Bad news is, I can't take it off. Good news, it isn't tracking her position. Though it would not matter. The Light Chaser already knows where we all are. He's known about this place for years." She folded her arms. "This place is safe, not because it is difficult to find this world but because of the Council. I believe he is not confident that he has the power to take all of us in a battle. Masters Gero and Stamatis may not be in fighting condition but with three more masters here now that's enough to balance things out. As for the Princess of Heart here, do not worry. We can keep her safe." She assured them. "Hm...I suspect only the Light Chaser can remove the bracelet. Either that or..." She looked at the group and shook her head. "That's...almost comforting." Torrin muttered under his breath. "And no, Boreas we're not taking extreme measures. I don't want her losing any hands. Just get your rest. Everyone's going to need to be back at full strength." "My thoughts exactly. The west wing is where the masters reside but there are more than enough rooms to accommodate all of you." Aster spoke up. Torrin nodded despite already being set on not using a room. Meditation kept him saner than sleep did these days. He glanced back at Aria and held out his hand. "Mind if I take a look? No offense, Aster, but I might be able to do something about this." After she gave him her hand he pressed his other hand on the bracelet and took in a deep breath. It bothered him that he didn't notice it earlier and if it had not been revealed that the bracelet was harmless he wouldn't have been able to live it down. He closed his eyes, sensing what Aster had said was true. Its power was definitely immense. "What if I..." He began to call on the darkness within him. The bracelet began to loosen. Aster raised her eyebrow as she watched. But the instant he did more than a gentle tug the bracelet began to glow and, feeling a searing pain course through his hands, Torrin immediately let go and the bracelet snapped back to its normal size. "Hot potato!" He grimaced and looked away nervously, hoping no one had heard that outburst. His eyes gazed down at the thin bands of reddened burnt skin on his palms. "That...that didn't sting too bad." He waved his hands a bit to cool them off. "Sorry. No dice. I've...got some ideas but let me think on it." He said, looking back at Aria now. "Well if you're all done here, take some time to rest. You all must be weary. The rooms might not be particularly well-furnished but they're cozy enough for a good night's rest. Come, follow me." As Aster turned to guide them into the castle, Torrin looked at both Aria and Boreas. "It'll be good to put this day behind us." He motioned for Aria to take the lead in front of them.
Atmos rolled her eyes. "So you drugged my student." She sighed. "I suppose it's better than feeling the pain. Come on, Take. We're taking you with the others." She patted the boy's back and led him after Tinarah and the others to the east wing. "Sleepy sleepy turn to sheepy." She teased him once they were out of earshot of the others, patting Take on the head as she did so. "In the morning you can tell me all about what happened while we were away. And we will tell you about our own adventures...not that they were particularly enjoyable."
Something caught Aster's ear and causing her to walk over towards Aria, Torrin, and Boreas. Without even saying anything she took the girl's hand and leaned down to examine the bracelet closely. Her brow furrowed and she frowned. She shook her head. "This is...hm...the power in this bracelet is extraordinary. The spellwork that must have been used to craft this is absolutely flawless." She turned Aria's hand over and tugged at the bracelet only to feel it tighten around the girl's wrist. Once she released the bracelet it relaxed. Aster stepped back and summoned her keyblade before tapping it against the bracelet to find...that nothing happened. Her keyblade vanished and she sighed. "Bad news is, I can't take it off. Good news, it isn't tracking her position. Though it would not matter. The Light Chaser already knows where we all are. He's known about this place for years." She folded her arms. "This place is safe, not because it is difficult to find this world but because of the Council. I believe he is not confident that he has the power to take all of us in a battle. Masters Gero and Stamatis may not be in fighting condition but with three more masters here now that's enough to balance things out. As for the Princess of Heart here, do not worry. We can keep her safe." She assured them. "Hm...I suspect only the Light Chaser can remove the bracelet. Either that or..." She looked at the group and shook her head.
"That's...almost comforting." Torrin muttered under his breath. "And no, Boreas we're not taking extreme measures. I don't want her losing any hands. Just get your rest. Everyone's going to need to be back at full strength." "My thoughts exactly. The west wing is where the masters reside but there are more than enough rooms to accommodate all of you." Aster spoke up. Torrin nodded despite already being set on not using a room. Meditation kept him saner than sleep did these days. He glanced back at Aria and held out his hand. "Mind if I take a look? No offense, Aster, but I might be able to do something about this." After she gave him her hand he pressed his other hand on the bracelet and took in a deep breath. It bothered him that he didn't notice it earlier and if it had not been revealed that the bracelet was harmless he wouldn't have been able to live it down. He closed his eyes, sensing what Aster had said was true. Its power was definitely immense. "What if I..." He began to call on the darkness within him. The bracelet began to loosen. Aster raised her eyebrow as she watched. But the instant he did more than a gentle tug the bracelet began to glow and, feeling a searing pain course through his hands, Torrin immediately let go and the bracelet snapped back to its normal size. "Hot potato!" He grimaced and looked away nervously, hoping no one had heard that outburst. His eyes gazed down at the thin bands of reddened burnt skin on his palms. "That...that didn't sting too bad." He waved his hands a bit to cool them off. "Sorry. No dice. I've...got some ideas but let me think on it." He said, looking back at Aria now. "Well if you're all done here, take some time to rest. You all must be weary. The rooms might not be particularly well-furnished but they're cozy enough for a good night's rest. Come, follow me." As Aster turned to guide them into the castle, Torrin looked at both Aria and Boreas. "It'll be good to put this day behind us." He motioned for Aria to take the lead in front of them.
Spoiler: Eventual Upcoming Stuff Stuff for my Light Chaser RP: Remix album cover for an album that will take me an eternity to finish:
Now I wonder how NPCs will react to having Heartless around. Curious to see how much you'd be able to interact with them.
Kingdom Hearts 3: In a League of its Own But it seems like the biggest pieces of news to take from this are NPCs in worlds (NO MORE EMPTY WORLDS FINALLY?) and new Gummi Ship stuff. Time to recreate the Borg Cube to annihilate everything.
I'm already half hype. Riku's new outfit looks even better than Sora's.
"Well, if you knew how to put some of this stuff together. That'd be helpful." Alder said as he looked over the controls and worked on mending the severed wires as best he could. "Or figuring out how to get that core in here...or...where exactly it goes. I can fix the connections but I just don't know how things were connected." He sighed and looked over at Cerdic, shrugging slightly. "Sorry. There's not much I can do unless someone else has some blueprints or whatever knowledge I'm missing."
"Well, if you knew how to put some of this stuff together. That'd be helpful." Alder said as he looked over the controls and worked on mending the severed wires as best he could. "Or figuring out how to get that core in here...or...where exactly it goes. I can fix the connections but I just don't know how things were connected." He sighed and looked over at Cerdic, shrugging slightly. "Sorry. There's not much I can do unless someone else has some blueprints or whatever knowledge I'm missing."
Atmos had been stuck wondering what she would say to her sister. It had been some time since they had seen each other face to face. "Aster..." Atmos started. "There's something I wanted to ask." It had been some time and neither of them had ever spoken a word about it. Aster glanced at Atmos with a look that said 'not now' but she stepped forward hoping that they would find a place to get some privacy and talk about what happened with their younger sister. Just before Atmos could say anything a portal opened and through it, the others came. Choma, Chrono, Glyde, Aria, Illiana, and Take. She was relieved to see them all safe and most of all glad that Torrin had kept his word when he said he had returned Aria to the others. And then saw what happened to Take's hand. Atmos frowned and rushed over the boy looking at his hand. "What happened!?" She looked over at Choma, almost as if to blame him for what happened, who then glanced to the side and scratched his head. "Are you okay?" Aster smiled and shook her head watching Atmos fret over the boy. "And mama bird goes back to her nest..." She spoke to herself. When questioned by Qamar about their new guests she nodded. "Yes. They'll be meeting with the other masters. Tomorrow after they all rest." She then lowered her voice. "Also, I would remind you to keep your temper in check. Picking fights with your allies is a poor move especially since that one over there," She motioned towards Torrin. "That young man is a keyblade master and his friend over there," Aster looked at Boreas. "Well judging by his stature he's a trained soldier. Both come from the Realm of Darkness. A realm that is far more hostile than ours." Though Aster could not fault the student for her own ignorance, she knew that Qamar had crossed a line and needed to dial back her attitude towards the others. Choma slowly stepped away from Atmos while she fawned over Takehiko and leaned over towards Aria who had a distinct look of guilt on her face. "I wouldn't have taken it either." He whispered to her. "Don't worry, Illiana will get over it. She seems nicer than she looks. Besides, it seems that people tend to have a hard time staying mad at you." He assured her. Torrin raised a hand almost going to wave at the others but, realizing that it felt out of character for him, he awkwardly transitioned to running his hand through his silver hair. He looked back at Tinarah, Nini now trying to climb onto the girl as others carried her away, then at the others. Since no one else had heard Qamar blurt out Tinarah's name Torrin stepped over towards the others knowing at least two people in particular who would be the most concerned for her. "Long story short, Tinarah's back. You two, Chrono and Choma, should go with her. Uh...I just...there's a long story to it that I don't know yet but it's her. It's definitely her. She came back older and hurt and scared. Just go with her. She'll be alright but she needs some rest. Don't stress her out." Torrin pointed towards the blonde girl, an older Tinarah, being carried into the castle. His eyes shifted towards Aria who, the last time they met, were under less than ideal circumstances. He faintly recalled her trying to fight him for saving her. "Glad to see you still in one piece, Aria." For a moment he looked at the others in the group his eyes catching Choma's for an instant as the master, clearly concerned for Tinarah, began to make his way over to his nearly unconscious student. Torrin shook his head solemnly giving the man the signal that he wasn't sure if he had saved Mikaela. Whatever became of her after her Nobody was destroyed was up in the air. Torrin looked over at Takehiko, with Atmos now trying to get a closer look at the boy's hand and raised an eyebrow. "Must've been an exciting trip. Thought I warned them to be careful though..." He muttered lowly, one of hands in his pocket as he anxiously toyed with the ring in his possession. "Though I suppose you guys had an easier time than us. The Light Chaser had a trap planned and...dammit I should have seen it coming. Tinarah's back. The Master of Masters, apparently an important position in this realm, comes with her and...I don't know. I thought Choma's castle would have been a safe place to bring them but it was the wrong move and people nearly died." Though he wasn't entirely sure why he was telling this to Aria in particular, there were thoughts still running through his mind that he wanted to get off his chest. Within the span of a few hours he had just put down the Nobody of a close friend, reunited with his childhood friend Boreas, and had a series of strange events just go on one after another from there and there just was not any time to process any of it. He left the trinket in his pocket and crossed his arms. "It's..." Torrin sighed. "It's been a day."
Atmos had been stuck wondering what she would say to her sister. It had been some time since they had seen each other face to face. "Aster..." Atmos started. "There's something I wanted to ask." It had been some time and neither of them had ever spoken a word about it. Aster glanced at Atmos with a look that said 'not now' but she stepped forward hoping that they would find a place to get some privacy and talk about what happened with their younger sister. Just before Atmos could say anything a portal opened and through it, the others came. Choma, Chrono, Glyde, Aria, Illiana, and Take. She was relieved to see them all safe and most of all glad that Torrin had kept his word when he said he had returned Aria to the others. And then saw what happened to Take's hand. Atmos frowned and rushed over the boy looking at his hand. "What happened!?" She looked over at Choma, almost as if to blame him for what happened, who then glanced to the side and scratched his head. "Are you okay?"
Aster smiled and shook her head watching Atmos fret over the boy. "And mama bird goes back to her nest..." She spoke to herself. When questioned by Qamar about their new guests she nodded. "Yes. They'll be meeting with the other masters. Tomorrow after they all rest." She then lowered her voice. "Also, I would remind you to keep your temper in check. Picking fights with your allies is a poor move especially since that one over there," She motioned towards Torrin. "That young man is a keyblade master and his friend over there," Aster looked at Boreas. "Well judging by his stature he's a trained soldier. Both come from the Realm of Darkness. A realm that is far more hostile than ours." Though Aster could not fault the student for her own ignorance, she knew that Qamar had crossed a line and needed to dial back her attitude towards the others.
Choma slowly stepped away from Atmos while she fawned over Takehiko and leaned over towards Aria who had a distinct look of guilt on her face. "I wouldn't have taken it either." He whispered to her. "Don't worry, Illiana will get over it. She seems nicer than she looks. Besides, it seems that people tend to have a hard time staying mad at you." He assured her.
Torrin raised a hand almost going to wave at the others but, realizing that it felt out of character for him, he awkwardly transitioned to running his hand through his silver hair. He looked back at Tinarah, Nini now trying to climb onto the girl as others carried her away, then at the others. Since no one else had heard Qamar blurt out Tinarah's name Torrin stepped over towards the others knowing at least two people in particular who would be the most concerned for her. "Long story short, Tinarah's back. You two, Chrono and Choma, should go with her. Uh...I just...there's a long story to it that I don't know yet but it's her. It's definitely her. She came back older and hurt and scared. Just go with her. She'll be alright but she needs some rest. Don't stress her out." Torrin pointed towards the blonde girl, an older Tinarah, being carried into the castle. His eyes shifted towards Aria who, the last time they met, were under less than ideal circumstances. He faintly recalled her trying to fight him for saving her. "Glad to see you still in one piece, Aria." For a moment he looked at the others in the group his eyes catching Choma's for an instant as the master, clearly concerned for Tinarah, began to make his way over to his nearly unconscious student. Torrin shook his head solemnly giving the man the signal that he wasn't sure if he had saved Mikaela. Whatever became of her after her Nobody was destroyed was up in the air. Torrin looked over at Takehiko, with Atmos now trying to get a closer look at the boy's hand and raised an eyebrow. "Must've been an exciting trip. Thought I warned them to be careful though..." He muttered lowly, one of hands in his pocket as he anxiously toyed with the ring in his possession. "Though I suppose you guys had an easier time than us. The Light Chaser had a trap planned and...dammit I should have seen it coming. Tinarah's back. The Master of Masters, apparently an important position in this realm, comes with her and...I don't know. I thought Choma's castle would have been a safe place to bring them but it was the wrong move and people nearly died." Though he wasn't entirely sure why he was telling this to Aria in particular, there were thoughts still running through his mind that he wanted to get off his chest. Within the span of a few hours he had just put down the Nobody of a close friend, reunited with his childhood friend Boreas, and had a series of strange events just go on one after another from there and there just was not any time to process any of it. He left the trinket in his pocket and crossed his arms. "It's..." Torrin sighed. "It's been a day."
I've seen a Bond movie before. Skyfall. That one was good. But i don't really care for James Bond. Seen bits an pieces of at least a dozen other Bond movies but never an entire thing besides Skyfall.
Torrin raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to be amused or angered by the girl's attitude. For a brief instant, a dark thought nearly overcame him. It just would have been so easy to put her in her place now that she was so close. Fortunately for her, the one named Adalric stepped in with words of apology. Torrin remained tense but deciding against acting, if only to see what use this "council" would have as potential allies. He sighed, fighting back the urge to respond aggressively. He did not need to prove himself to her. He knew exactly what he had been through and that was enough. If anything, this situation showed him how little Boreas really changed over the years. Even after all that time his friend kept to his moral code and was quick to step in to take Torrin's side. The apology may not have made him feel any better but the loyalty of his friend did. "She appears to be malnourished and in need of rest." Aster spoke, stepping over towards Tinarah. "Take her to one of the chambers in the east wing. Adalric, you and Boreas can drop her off and leave her to rest. Come back here when she is comfortable. We are expecting more guests soon. It seems that we will have to wait until tomorrow to catch everyone up on what has been going on. Our guests will be receive all their answers then." "Why not now? The situation is urgent." "Because everyone will want to spring into action while they are still unprepared and weary from battle. If you're taking this threat as seriously as you say you are, then you will wait until you are rested." Though Torrin wanted to argue, there was a certain logic to Aster's point that he could not dismiss. Even if he did not agree with it entirely, he chose to wait this one out. Avra cast Cura on both herself and Chrys and attacked again at full strength now that she felt well enough to give it her all. "Don't hold anything back! We've got this!" She shouted as she unleashed a Blizzara to strike the tree. AP: 0/40 MP: 0/30 Chrys took 6 Damage! (37/100HP) Avra took 27 Damage! (8/100HP) Grandmother Willow: 70/450HP Meanwhile... Silver and Jim turned towards the others who were bidding them good luck and farewell. Silver chuckled when both Takehiko and Glyde gave mention to his current predicament. "It's all just a misunderstanding is all. And between you and me..." Silver looked over towards where the Captain was then back at the others, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I know how to how to make a getaway." He spoke with a sly grin. "It's been fun." "And good luck to you guys. Wherever your paths take you." Jim added. "I'm glad to have you all as my friends." When the two received their bracelets from Aria and they looked at each other than back at the girl, putting them on. Silver struggled for a moment, finding that his fingers were too thick to fasten the bracelet until Jim went over to help him. "Why thank you, lass. You're making an old pirate's heart melt." Silver went in to hug Aria then when he pulled back he ruffled her hair and smiled at the girl. "Travel safe." "Wow...I really appreciate this." Jim spoke after a moment as Silver turned to head below deck after waving goodbye to everyone. "Thank you, Aria. I don't know what you could have learned from me but I'm glad to have been around to help. I really hope to see you all again someday." Jim smiled. "I'd like another visit from my new friends." Meanwhile, when Illiana went to say her goodbyes to the robot B.E.N. was already looking ecstatic just to be remembered. "Oh I'll miss you too!" Before Illiana could even get very far the robot immediately went in for another crushing hug from behind, squeezing the girl hard and lifting her off her feet as he did so. "Come back soon!" "B.E.N.! I think you've had enough excitement for today." Jim ran over to get the robot to put Illiana down. "Haha...sorry. I got carried away." Jim was already dragging him away. "Byeee!" B.E.N. shouted, waving at the group of offworlders. The party gained a D-Link with Jim Hawkins! Choma waited for the others to gather around when they were done with their goodbyes. Once they came back he summoned his keyblade and readied to create a new portal to get them out of there and back on track. Something felt strange however. As if he was being called by someone. Choma closed his eyes and blocked out the hum of the ship's engine and the creaking of the ancient wood beneath him to push his senses into finding who it was. Bring the students. The Council will offer sanctuary. It was Aster. Something clearly must have changed but when he reached out to try and contact Aster he received no response. This was why he had never chosen to join when offered the chance. The ways of the Council were strange and old fashioned even by his standards. It was almost as if they chose to be mysterious for the sake of holding some kind of air of superiority over others. Still...he could not ignore a summons by them. If they wanted the students and himself at their castle then it would have been too important to ignore. "There's been a change of plans. I...I am not sure how to explain it." Choma spoke once his eyes were open again. He opened a portal leading to the castle rather than the world he had planned on taking them to next. "We have just been called to meet the superiors of the masters." This was a topic never covered under normal circumstances. Typically, only masters were ever aware of the Council's existence unless a student had been hand picked by them or had proven themselves to be extraordinarily capable to be told to seek them out. "Everything will be explained soon, but for now just trust that this is in everyone's best interest." Truth be told, he had no idea if everything would be explained. Many secrets were still kept from him and he had been expected to just do the best he could with what little he knew. But the Council always had their reasons...
Torrin raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to be amused or angered by the girl's attitude. For a brief instant, a dark thought nearly overcame him. It just would have been so easy to put her in her place now that she was so close. Fortunately for her, the one named Adalric stepped in with words of apology. Torrin remained tense but deciding against acting, if only to see what use this "council" would have as potential allies. He sighed, fighting back the urge to respond aggressively. He did not need to prove himself to her. He knew exactly what he had been through and that was enough. If anything, this situation showed him how little Boreas really changed over the years. Even after all that time his friend kept to his moral code and was quick to step in to take Torrin's side. The apology may not have made him feel any better but the loyalty of his friend did. "She appears to be malnourished and in need of rest." Aster spoke, stepping over towards Tinarah. "Take her to one of the chambers in the east wing. Adalric, you and Boreas can drop her off and leave her to rest. Come back here when she is comfortable. We are expecting more guests soon. It seems that we will have to wait until tomorrow to catch everyone up on what has been going on. Our guests will be receive all their answers then." "Why not now? The situation is urgent." "Because everyone will want to spring into action while they are still unprepared and weary from battle. If you're taking this threat as seriously as you say you are, then you will wait until you are rested." Though Torrin wanted to argue, there was a certain logic to Aster's point that he could not dismiss. Even if he did not agree with it entirely, he chose to wait this one out.
Avra cast Cura on both herself and Chrys and attacked again at full strength now that she felt well enough to give it her all. "Don't hold anything back! We've got this!" She shouted as she unleashed a Blizzara to strike the tree. AP: 0/40 MP: 0/30
Choma waited for the others to gather around when they were done with their goodbyes. Once they came back he summoned his keyblade and readied to create a new portal to get them out of there and back on track. Something felt strange however. As if he was being called by someone. Choma closed his eyes and blocked out the hum of the ship's engine and the creaking of the ancient wood beneath him to push his senses into finding who it was. Bring the students. The Council will offer sanctuary. It was Aster. Something clearly must have changed but when he reached out to try and contact Aster he received no response. This was why he had never chosen to join when offered the chance. The ways of the Council were strange and old fashioned even by his standards. It was almost as if they chose to be mysterious for the sake of holding some kind of air of superiority over others. Still...he could not ignore a summons by them. If they wanted the students and himself at their castle then it would have been too important to ignore. "There's been a change of plans. I...I am not sure how to explain it." Choma spoke once his eyes were open again. He opened a portal leading to the castle rather than the world he had planned on taking them to next. "We have just been called to meet the superiors of the masters." This was a topic never covered under normal circumstances. Typically, only masters were ever aware of the Council's existence unless a student had been hand picked by them or had proven themselves to be extraordinarily capable to be told to seek them out. "Everything will be explained soon, but for now just trust that this is in everyone's best interest." Truth be told, he had no idea if everything would be explained. Many secrets were still kept from him and he had been expected to just do the best he could with what little he knew. But the Council always had their reasons...
Alder stepped forth moving closer to the machine, remembering the parts that he had seen laying on the ground before when they had first escaped. Only now, he found himself understanding the purpose of the majority of the parts laying before him. The deep mechanics behind it all were still lost to him as were the memories of how they all came together, but now he understood what it all was. "I...might be able to fix it but I don't...I don't have everything up here," he pointed at his head, "to do it. Maybe. I don't know." He looked at Mora who was standing by the core. She was clearly confused as to what it was. "Don't touch it! It'll give you a nasty burn. But yeah. That's a part. It's the power core." He scratched his head, looking around to figure out what exactly he could do right now. "There's some...wires around here I can fix and hook up but the frame of this thing is a mess and I've got no idea how to fix it." He motioned to most of the shattered pieces scattered about. "I can fix the controls but the core...well moving it around is dangerous and I'm not sure how we'd put it back where it needs to go."
Alder stepped forth moving closer to the machine, remembering the parts that he had seen laying on the ground before when they had first escaped. Only now, he found himself understanding the purpose of the majority of the parts laying before him. The deep mechanics behind it all were still lost to him as were the memories of how they all came together, but now he understood what it all was. "I...might be able to fix it but I don't...I don't have everything up here," he pointed at his head, "to do it. Maybe. I don't know." He looked at Mora who was standing by the core. She was clearly confused as to what it was. "Don't touch it! It'll give you a nasty burn. But yeah. That's a part. It's the power core." He scratched his head, looking around to figure out what exactly he could do right now. "There's some...wires around here I can fix and hook up but the frame of this thing is a mess and I've got no idea how to fix it." He motioned to most of the shattered pieces scattered about. "I can fix the controls but the core...well moving it around is dangerous and I'm not sure how we'd put it back where it needs to go."
"We're done here. The darkness in this world has been taken care of and it's time we get moving." Choma stated. "But before we do, there are a few things I want to teach everyone now that you all have gained more experience." The party learned Dodge Roll! The party also learned a new spell! Also, the party has gained a spell upgrade! Choose one spell that you have learned to upgrade to the next tier. "Alright, with that settled, if anyone wants to say their goodbyes, they can but we should be leaving now. Our work here is over and this world is no longer in danger of falling to darkness."
"We're done here. The darkness in this world has been taken care of and it's time we get moving." Choma stated. "But before we do, there are a few things I want to teach everyone now that you all have gained more experience."
Arctus drew his sword but before he could move too far, having planned on waiting for the others' distraction, Heartless were called in behind them. He rolled his eyes, annoyed to have found a distraction of his own. "Let's make quick work of them." He spun his sword around catching one of the Invisibles with the blade and in one motion, continuing with the momentum, he used his magic to call on his Starfall technique. A shower of small comets rained down onto the remaining Heartless. Without even bothering to see if that finished the job, Arctus turned around and used his own magic to buy himself the time to run over towards Lima just after Karina did so. He made a wide arc to try and get to their enemy's side so that he would not be attacking from the same direction as Karina. Arctus leapt up and closed the distance with a downward swing onto Lima. "Don't take all the fun from me, Hothead!"
Arctus drew his sword but before he could move too far, having planned on waiting for the others' distraction, Heartless were called in behind them. He rolled his eyes, annoyed to have found a distraction of his own. "Let's make quick work of them." He spun his sword around catching one of the Invisibles with the blade and in one motion, continuing with the momentum, he used his magic to call on his Starfall technique. A shower of small comets rained down onto the remaining Heartless. Without even bothering to see if that finished the job, Arctus turned around and used his own magic to buy himself the time to run over towards Lima just after Karina did so. He made a wide arc to try and get to their enemy's side so that he would not be attacking from the same direction as Karina. Arctus leapt up and closed the distance with a downward swing onto Lima. "Don't take all the fun from me, Hothead!"
Spoiler: V-Day things Spoiler: More Light Chaser things
"Let's take a look here." Choma walked over, looking at the boy's hand seeing that it had already begun to swell up. He glanced over at Aria who had been trying to fashion some sort of makeshift splint and shook his head. "You can stop, that won't be necessary." Choma told her before reaching in his pocket and retrieving a black cloth that was roughly the length of Choma's own arm. "It may hurt but this should numb the pain more than tea." Choma held his other hand over Take's injured one and a bluish glow emanated from Choma's hand. Takehiko would have felt an icy chill run up along his arm, his hand going pale from the weak Blizzard spell cast on it chilling it to the bone. "Now hold still." The black cloth from Choma's hand seemingly sprung to life and began to wrap itself around Take's hand, making several rounds around it before it slowly began to tighten and compress the boy's hand to keep it still. "That should hold until you heal." "Good work, everyone. Atmos would be proud of how all of you have handled these challenges so far." He looked towards Aria and nodded at the girl. "Just as I am." He looked over towards the residents of this world to see the Captain and Doctor chatting by the ship's wheel while Jim and Silver seemed to be having a heart to heart. The world felt at peace for now.
"Let's take a look here." Choma walked over, looking at the boy's hand seeing that it had already begun to swell up. He glanced over at Aria who had been trying to fashion some sort of makeshift splint and shook his head. "You can stop, that won't be necessary." Choma told her before reaching in his pocket and retrieving a black cloth that was roughly the length of Choma's own arm. "It may hurt but this should numb the pain more than tea." Choma held his other hand over Take's injured one and a bluish glow emanated from Choma's hand. Takehiko would have felt an icy chill run up along his arm, his hand going pale from the weak Blizzard spell cast on it chilling it to the bone. "Now hold still." The black cloth from Choma's hand seemingly sprung to life and began to wrap itself around Take's hand, making several rounds around it before it slowly began to tighten and compress the boy's hand to keep it still. "That should hold until you heal." "Good work, everyone. Atmos would be proud of how all of you have handled these challenges so far." He looked towards Aria and nodded at the girl. "Just as I am." He looked over towards the residents of this world to see the Captain and Doctor chatting by the ship's wheel while Jim and Silver seemed to be having a heart to heart. The world felt at peace for now.
