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Post by Sprow on Sept 11, 2011 20:21:53 GMT -5
Jean seated herself at the fire as she listened to what Artemis had said. Artemis, Lakari and Annalese were fine. When he brought up the subject of them being exhausted, Jean nodded a bit tiredly. "Yeah, we trained hard for what little time we had. I needed it since...well, I have to fight that wretch to save my father..."
Rowen looked over at her quietly then in the midst of eating the stew he had been handed. It was evident that he still held a great grudge against Silver by the look in his eyes.
As Jean began to eat some stew, she thanked Lakari for it. "It's good, thanks, Lakari." For a time, they all sat there in silence as they ate. Jean hadn't gone into real detail as to how training went. Although, Rowen seemed to look over at her a bit more often than usual. It wasn't obvious but it was clear there seemed to be some sort of adoration in them. Jean didn't seem to notice as she just ate. The whole lot of them appeared to be ravenous.
Eventually, Jean had finished and got up, leaving the boys behind to go rest. As she did so, Sain and Ryu turned on Rowen with smirks on their faces. Oblivious, Rowen looked between the two in confusion. "What is it, guys?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing...just wondering how 'training' went!" Ryu mused. Rowen raised an eyebrow as he looked at him for a moment.
"What are you talking about?" he asked. Sain sighed and shook his head.
"He hasn't done anything Ryu, Rowen doesn't have it in him." Rowen looked confusedly before catching on and then giving them both flat looks.
"C'mon, guys! I'm not about to do anything to make Jean hate me. Besides...I don't think anything's gonna happen..." Rowen stated, going quiet and ignoring them after that. What he sounded like was quitter or someone who needed a good push in the right direction. Since Sain, Ryu and Dyne didn't appear to be doing anything someone else might have to give him that shove.
Annalese just looked on unaware of what had been discussed. She was just happy to see her friends again. "Even still you humans are funny."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 21:42:55 GMT -5
Red didn't converse with the rest of everyone. He finished his stew and handed the bowl back to Lakari. Giving the old man a nod of thanks, he turned away from the camp and headed over to one of the few tents they had. He figured it would be best to get some sleep. They had a big day tomorrow. Besides he was about ready to pass out anyway.
Soon as Red fell to the ground his eyes shut and he was asleep.
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Artemis watched Red go. Yep, something about the boy had changed. Whatever had happened during his training, Red was changed. Was it for the good or the bad? Only time could answer that question.
Listening to the ongoing conversations he nodded to Jean when she headed off. Most likely to go to sleep as well. Lakari was the next to return to his cot. He gave the lot of them smiles, and a "I hope you all enjoyed the soup." Once he had gotten the appreciation, Lakari went back over to his comp not too far from the fire.
Well Artemis figured it would be best to return uptop as well. Not that he would sleep right away. So as he headed up into the tree and laid out on the same tree branch from before, he shut his eyes. But he was aware of every conversation going on.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 11, 2011 21:52:06 GMT -5
Ryu and Sain kept harassing Rowen. It had gotten so bad that eventually, Rowen had snapped and the three of them wound of rolling around on the ground, Rowen trying to strangle the two out of anger. Of course, he didn't really accomplish this task but he was angry enough to attack them.
Annoyed, Dyne had to get involved to break it up. The only way he managed to do this was to pull Rowen away from the other two. Sometimes they acted a lot like kids themselves.
"I'm going to bed!" Rowen growled before storming off into his own tent. After that, the rest eventually filed away and the commotion that had broken out earlier had gone away.
Annalese never had to sleep so she was up even until long after the rest had gone to sleep. Gazing out at the night, she wondered if Julian would be back to bother them again. She hoped he wouldn't.
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It was the early morning hours when Jean woke up with a start. She had been having a pretty nasty dream about the upcoming fight with Silver. Sitting up, she held her head between her hands and sighed. Her forehead had broken out in cold sweat from it all.
Was she going to save her father? Could she come out victorious or would she fail? These questions always haunted her and ate away at her very core. The more she thought of it, the worse her feelings of trepidation got.
Sighing, Jean got dressed and headed out of the tent.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 23:34:51 GMT -5
Red was back in the temple, facing the tiger. They had slowly risen from their crouch. His hand tightened on the hilt of the weapon. This was it! He was not going to back down and run like before. If he overcame the enemy, then his training would be complete.
Neither of them moved a muscle. Both waited for the other to make the first move. Red had just decided he would do it. He would go on the offense. Tightening his hand around his keyblade he readied to charge.
And then the tiger opened its mouth and Ogre's voice spoke. "It's your fault! You left me!" Red flinched and the tiger leaped.
Waking up in a sweat, Red shivered. Ogre... His training had hardened his body, yet he was still upset about his friend. He had caused his fall to darkness. Red sighed. He knew it was still early. Everyone would be still sleeping.
Laying back down, Red tried to fall back asleep. But sleep wouldn't come. With a sigh of frustration, Red rose from the ground and made his way out of the tent. He didn't know that Jean was awake as well.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 11, 2011 23:43:13 GMT -5
Outside, Jean had realized she woke up earlier than most in the camp. Annalese, the vampire, was surely awake somewhere. As for anyone else, she was unsure as she walked toward where the fire had been the night before. Her bright green eyes became almost distant as she sat down on a rock.
'What am I going to do?' she wondered. The sound of footsteps made her look up.
There, she found Red walking in the camp. Judging by the way he was acting, something must have disturbed him. She watched him for a moment before deciding that she would call out to him.
"Hey, Red!" she greeted.
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After the previous night, Julian had finally healed. Not completely though. The pain fresh in his mind, he had every intention of getting his revenge.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2011 23:59:37 GMT -5
Red turned at the call of Jean. He hadn't seen here come out of her tent. Red was still hungry so he had gone over to the black kettle to see if any of Lakari's stew was left over. It was at about that time that Jean called out to him.
He gave her a smile. Best to forget his troubles for now. No need to drag his friends into them yet. "Hey Jean. Your up early. I figured you'd be the one to sleep in." He waited for her to join him. As he did he was happy to see that some of Lakari's stew was left over. Taking a bowl that was left by the fire he poured some of the stew into his bowl.
It was cold soup, but it was better then having nothing. When Jean walked next to him he turned to her. "You ready to return to Gaia?" It was a loaded question.
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Everyone was where they should have been. Everyone except for Lakari. The old man had not slept. In fact he hadn't even stayed in camp long enough for everyone to go to sleep.
The old man had spent the night waiting in front of the temple. He had no idea how long he was going to have to wait for, but wait he did. It was near morning when finally his waiting paid off. A dark portal disrupted his reading. Glancing up he was not surprised to see a hooded figure enter from the portal.
"About time Aranea. Honestly I don't see how the Master puts up with your lack of timing."
Aranea placed her hands on her hips, and even though Lakari couldn't see the scowl underneath the darkness of the cloak, he knew she was wearing one. "Don't patronize me Lakari. I show up exactly when I deem it's time."
Lakari's hands tightened into fists. The bitch! Honestly, she was the worst of all of the Master's minions. "Well what's the word? Is it time? Can I leave these buffoons?"
Aranea shook her hooded head. "No. The Master says within the week everything will be in place. You shall lead these "buffoons" to their deaths. Let that satisfy your eagerness for now."
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Post by Sprow on Sept 12, 2011 0:13:10 GMT -5
Jean got up off the ground and headed over to Red as he spoke. Hearing his words, she just chuckled. "I may sleep in sometimes but I'm not that lazy!" she mused. Rowen and the others were all still asleep, allowing them time to converse before any of the others woke up.
Standing there, she watched as he took some of the left overs of the stew. Out of the blue, he turned to her and asked her if she was ready to go back to Gaia. The very question made her heart almost stop.
The question Red chose to ask her was that very one she was dreading. Was she really ready to go back? Inside her heart, she knew that she wasn't ready to face Silver yet. It wasn't because she didn't feel prepared for the challenge, it was the fact that if she screwed up then it meant her father's body would remain possessed until she could figure out how to get rid of Silver.
"I...I'm not sure...You?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 0:26:56 GMT -5
Red didn't have an answer to that question. That was where all of this had all started. It was where he and Jean had first met. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be I think." It was an honest answer.
Finishing up the rest of the soup, he took a seat on the ground. Perhaps he would do some good meditating as well. He had nothing better to do until they woke up anyway. Red crossed his legs and arms and shut his eyes.
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Lakari did not want that answer. He had wanted her to come and tell him he could leave. Not have to stay with these fools for longer. "This body sucks. I'm tired of having to play an old man. It doesn't suit me."
Aranea shook her head. "I don't know. I think it's just fine." Lakari snickered and almost growled at the hooded woman. How dare she make fun of him! He'd have a few choice of words with the Master when all of this was over.
"Get out of here Spider. Before I turn you into one." Aranea's hooded head snapped in his direction. He could feel the hate coming from her. He also noticed the black threads that began to revolve around her fingers. Lakari knew that if he didn't be careful he'd find himself trapped by those threads.
A head on battle was not wise with Aranea. She was an annoyance, but she was powerful and full of tricks. Her kind had to be killed off guard. "Count yourself lucky Lakari." With that she turned abruptly and walked into the portal. It closed behind her.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 12, 2011 0:44:30 GMT -5
Jean waited for Red's answer. When it came, she wasn't sure if there was much more preparation that she could do. It was time to face the music or fail. If she failed, she didn't want to think what would happen. Her father would surely forever be stuck with Silver if she did. 'I cannot fail!' she told herself within.
Looking back over at Red, she sighed. "So much depends on me...it's...tough." At least with Red, she felt that she could tell him about it. It seemed like he too was feeling bothered by something. They could share their problems maybe?
"...How about you? You don't seem like yourself."
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Stalking through the trees, an unhappy Julian wandered in search for something that might help him get revenge. How was he going to deal with a creature like Lakari? He had taken him down with rather ease. It was unsettling to think just how powerful that elf really was. An ancient race far beyond his imagining.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 0:51:18 GMT -5
Red opened his eyes. Did he have any problems? Part of Red wanted to scream yes! Another part didn't want to involve Jean with Ogre. Red sighed. Perhaps it would be best to just tell Jean what had happened.
Crossing his arms he sighed aloud. "Ogre said some stuff back in the other world. I just can't help but feel guilty for all that's happened. In fact I feel guilty for just about everything. None of this would have happened if you never met me Jean. Let's be honest. This whole thing with Silver.... I'm the one who convinced you to take the job."
There he said it. What Jean said next... Well he didn't know.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 12, 2011 1:04:30 GMT -5
Jean looked long and hard at Red as he spoke. The things that were spewing from his mouth, she couldn't believe them. Did he think it was all just because of him that things went badly? It saddened her to think he was blaming himself for everything. These things weren't in his control, after all. It wasn't like either of them could have predicted it.
"It's not all your fault, Red. People make their choices and then they go down the paths that they chose. No one could have predicted what was going to happen. It wasn't like you knew those things would happen..." Her voice was gentle.
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Julian wandered through the trees silently. What would help him fight that thing? What could help him gain what he wanted for revenge?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 10:25:53 GMT -5
Red listened to Jean's words. Even though what she said was meant to comfort, it was hard for Red to agree with those words. Yes everyone made their own decisions, but was it his right to even pose such a situation even in front of them? Red still couldn't help but think that this was his fault.
"I didn't know that it was going to happen. But truth be told, all of your lives have become much harder with my accompanying you."
Red paused as he thought of Ogre. "I've decided I will do whatever it takes to take Ogre from the darkness. I owe it to my friend. If there is a way to get the old Ogre back, I'll find a way." Not wanting to say anymore on the subject, Red rose and returned to his tent.
Jean was right in saying that he wasn't responsible for what had happened. He hadn't wished for all this stuff to happen. But he would do all he could to make life better for all of them. First he had to deal with the enemy.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 12, 2011 20:14:50 GMT -5
Jean looked at Red with furrowed eyebrows. She didn't at all blame him for the things they had gone through. She didn't blame the kid at all. It was her choice to accompany him. If she didn't go, she wouldn't have to deal with the drama probably. "Silver wasn't a problem you had caused, Red. We chose to accompany you." She was trying to make him understand that not everything fell on his shoulders.
There was a change to Red that she couldn't put a finger on. Whatever training he had put himself through, he most likely put himself through a lot. He wasn't the same Red that she was accustomed to.
There was a brief pause and then Red started talking about Ogre again. Looking at him, only then did she understand why he took on this change. He wanted to save his friend from the path he had gone down. In his eyes, he owed it to Ogre. As if this were the end of the subject, Red got up and started walking away before she could even say anything more.
Sighing to herself, Jean watched him return to his tent. Well, she couldn't make him talk if he didn't want to. Looking out toward the jungle, Jean clenched a fist at the idea of going back to Gaia. She was going to have to fight Silver if she wanted to save her father. Like Red, Jean owed it to her father for having raised her. She had no idea that someone had been listening in the entire time.
Off in the trees, Julian sat upon a branch out of sight and had watched the whole scene. 'Gaia, eh? Sounds interesting!' he thought darkly, a grin on his face spread at the thought.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 20:48:44 GMT -5
With Red retreating back into the tent, he laid down and tried to sleep. He wanted just a few more hours of sleep before they headed out into the next world. After all, once they arrived on Gaia things were going to get very serious very fast.
Red couldn't help but think that everything was beginning to dwindle down. Silver's battle... It seemed so long ago that they had first encountered the strange creature. Red could remember Silver's chilling laugh as if he had heard it yesterday. Then had come the trip to the Enchanted Domain. And with it came Ogre....
Then Rowen and his gang joined them. All with the purpose of protecting Red. That was why he had pushed himself. Not only just to save Ogre, but to make himself strong enough to stand up to the enemy. He wasn't ready just yet. But perhaps after Gaia he would be.
Red fell asleep again back to those thoughts. When he reawoke the sun was peering through the tent.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 12, 2011 21:55:16 GMT -5
Jean remained alone for the rest of the morning. Unlike Red, she couldn't go back to sleep after waking up. She couldn't sleep anyways even if she tried knowing what she had to face when they went back to Gaia. It was quite troublesome to think how much depended on her concerning her father. She couldn't allow the others to get involved. If she did, Silver would either kill them or possess one of them. The thought of someone else getting possessed by that wretch bothered her.
Most of all, she hoped it wouldn't be Rowen, Ryu, Sain or Dyne. The idea of fighting one of her friends bothered her. She was glad though that Silver would at least be outside of her father's body for this battle. Hopefully, she would be able to land a good hit on the creature. Admittedly, that demon snake thing scared her.
Sitting down again, Jean sighed and just stared at the old pit into the dirt. Her gaze distant as she simply didn't take in what she was looking at, her shoulders hunched as she wallowed in her disturbed thoughts. They weren't broken for at least an hour until someone else finally woke up. As fate would have it, it turned out to be Rowen.
At first, he hadn't noticed Jean until he had come out toward the edge of the camp. Adorned in his jeans and leather boots, he wore nothing else but for a dog tag about his neck over his exposed upper body. The jungle was so warm, he didn't have to really worry about being cold like in Land of Dragons. If no one knew how seasoned he and his buds were as warriors, they would've noticed now looking at his slim physique and muscular navel and arms. His one good eye hadn't been able to see her since she was on the side where his bad eye was. When he turned, he almost fell over with surprise. Luckily, she hadn't been looking at him to begin with and was busy staring off into space. Rowen furrowed an eyebrow at her. It was apparent there was something bothering her. What it was, he couldn't place it as he silently headed over.
"Hey, Jean. You alright?" he asked her, sitting down next to her. Jean looked up at who spoke and her expression changed. She hadn't expected to see him like this and it startled her. "I-I'm...fine!" she stammered, her face red.
The incident was interrupted by the arrival of the others having just woken up. When they had, Annalese had shown up. The only ones who weren't there appeared to be Artemis, Red and Lakari. Speaking of Red and Artemis, Jean just remembered that she had forgotten to discuss the discovery she had made of them.
In the distance, in the trees unseen, Julian watched and waited. When they would go to Gaia, he would follow them.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2011 22:11:25 GMT -5
Red was the first to enter the camp. He came donned in his same outfit from before. Meeting the others he sighed. As soon as Lakari and Artemis joined them it would be time. Red spotted Jean and felt slightly guilty. Apparently she hadn't gone back to bed like he had. Had she been worrying over him the entire time? Red hoped not. She had her own worries she needed to think about.
The next to arrive on the scene was Lakari. He somehow appeared out of thin air. If it appeared that he had missed an entire night's sleep it did not show. "These old bone's need more rest then they used to." He told them with a fake smile. It seemed real enough to Red though.
Finally the last to arrive was Artemis. He simply plopped down form a tree. Stretching his arms and legs he joined them around the sight. "Ready to go then?" He asked them all.
Nodding, Red extended his hand and opened a portal.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 12, 2011 22:23:39 GMT -5
Seeing that everyone was wide awake, it was time they got ready to leave. They had come here for two days at the least. Why they came to this world, Jean didn't understand. It was so out of the way that why it was chosen was beyond her. She had no idea that Annalese had been trying to evade her brother to no avail. None of them even knew Julian was watching nearby, ready to accompany them to Gaia and wreak havoc there.
Hearing Artemis when he had finally arrived, Jean turned to him when he asked if they were all ready to go. Jean nodded her head. As if taking this as the signal, Red opened up a portal.
Looking over a thim, Jean nodded her head and smiled a little at him. "Thanks, Red." With that, she stepped inside the portal, the others most likely following suite.
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