Meet the Landers: Bandit King

Standing upon the tall slope of the Ash City, the Bandit King awaits Merek. Clad in their typical black cloth, the man is wearing a helmet today, covering most of his appearance. He's been waiting, expecting Merek to return to him shortly after defeating the dungeon and carrying the helmet back to him.

It is remarkable though, the dress of the Bandit King. The helmet and armor protects him, for certain. But he's not dressed for winter. The amount of metal no doubt has a cloth undercushion, but it's slim enough to suggest that it can't be all that thick. And he's lacking the cloak one would normally use for comfort in this kind of winter weather. The snow descending from above landing on his helmet, slowly covering him.

    Merek likes the snow, and it's through that he walks with what looks like his usual dark attire, hood up about the man's features, taking the time to find where the Bandit King might be. The man carries the helmet with him while the beltcape will shift along with the wind, gently covered in the snow. When he comes upon the man standing at the slop, he takes a look, and makes his way to him. Though, there's something about him that seems to be thoughtful when it comes to the Bandit King. Perhaps after the meeting before, he's come to wonder who they are.

It is hard to know who the Bandit King truly is. Certainly, the man seems rather terse in conversation, yet far too well aware of things going on to merely be some random Lander. But then, he is the 'King' of the former Ezzo Empire. Some strangeness and wanderings are to be expected. The man turns and watches Merek's approach, hands to his back, and bows his head to the approaching Adventurer.

"Welcome back. I see you have found the Helmet I requested of you." The Bandit King remarks. "Have you taken any of what I asked of you to heart, in the time we've been apart since?"

    Merek will take the time to approach, and will bow to the Bandit King, then he stands up while he seems to think about it. "I thought about it. I'm still not perfect, but I'm working to do better. I know if I don't learn that it will only cost me and my friends. Each time I put myself to risk, they are worried. I think I am doing better, but I have a long way to go."
    The man offers the helmet to the Bandit King, "I went with a friend to get it. We had a lot of fun together, and I realize I can't keep playing hero, not in the same way at least. Not without knowing what I'm doing. There is still a lot we don't know about the land. I look at you, and I wonder if you knew why your land was Quarantine'd, I wonder what you know about the Blind Goddess. I wonder if anyone will ever get away from this place. I am perhaps thinking about it way too much. The power won't make me special, like anything else I know."

The Bandit King listens patiently to Merek's statements, and is unable to suppress a slight smirk at Merek suggestion that he's got a long way to go. "Growing is what Adventurers are best at." He remarks, as he takes the helmet with both hands and looks at the gleaming object.

"Hrrm... excellent." He notes, and then looks back up to Merek. "The Blind Goddess is everywhere." He answers Merek. "But most of all, she is with you, the Adventurers." The Bandit King explains to the Adventurer. "But if you wish to simply leave this place, I believe the Tower is the quickest path for your people."

    Merek looks to the Tower, and will think about it. "We can't do that. Well, perhaps we can... But for some of us, what we've learned... We have people to protect, and worlds to. I suppose we are best at that," he will admit, "Ah, the growing. Not the saving the world. Where we're from, that is not a thing we generally do." He takes a look around him and to the snow, perhaps trying to be philosophical, still there's something upon that mind of his. "You do seem to appear when you're needed most. You know, it's weird. I went a long way to get here, and I kind of miss the journey it took."
    Then a look to the Bandit King, "... What would it take for an answer? Why don't the Goddesses speak to us?"
    "I apologize, I don't mean to step beyond being an Adventurer. We have been through a lot and so far all has been cryptic. And perhaps you can't really tell us things, perhaps there is an unknown rule." The man scratches along the stubble that's on that cheek, "Right, all that aside. What do I do now?" he asks.

"You want the Goddesses to answer you? I don't think they even talk to us Landers." The Bandit King remarks to Merek. "I don't think it would be good for them to talk to anyone so directly. People would become dependant on them for answers. And Adventurers most of all, are so full of answers, even when they are often not ready for the truth."

The man tucks the helmet under his arm and leans a bit to the side. "But I assure you, as an Adventurer, I am quite certain you will find the answer you need of your own strength. It will certainly feel more meaningful to you that way, than to be fed answers, won't it?" The Bandit King asks.

"Anyhow. Now, you just step forward and let me touch that device of yours, and I will see about activating it for you."

    Merek thinks about it a moment, and will nod a bit to the Bandit King, "Thank you. You are right. It does seem meaningful when we find it out on our won." The man steps forward, while he takes a position, adjusting the strap of banditry which he wears to present it. It looks like he's attached a little bit of alchemical equipment to it, and it really looks nice. He doesn't know what it will be like, all the same it looks like he is prepared.

As Merek reaches out with the strap he'd been given, the Bandit King touches the device. "BANDIT_KING_FEHU_YUI_FRELLIA - exec her." Followed by a sudden flow of green light that begins to burn across the strap itself. The man then steps back, taking note of the device for a moment.

"Be careful with this power. Abuse of Data Drain can cause severe corruption of your Cosmosphere, or a target's." The Bandit King makes sure to make known to Merek. "Take your time to come to understand this power."

    Merek will listen to the words while he thinks, "Is that Alv," then his strap looks to be glowing. Eventually, when it seems to work, the man nods along to the Bandit King, "Thank you. I was told by people that have seen it used before it is dangerous. I will be mindful of the power." Then he takes a look along the strap and to a hand, while he thinks about it.

"It is indeed." The Bandit King answers, before stepping back a little bit, and turning back to the overhang, looking out over the bustling city of Alne. It had been so lonely, a little over a year ago. Dedicated to the Travelers, of which there were so few - and most of which didn't even seem to live here.

    Merek looks to the Bandit King, and steps up to be beside him. He doesn't talk for the moment. Instead, he takes a look at Alne as well, and seems to be thinking about the past year. He will sigh and nod a bit, watching the Tower and what people seem to be playing in the snow while he watches.

    Merek looks then to the Bandit King, it had been a little bit since he began to watch the city, while he thinks about it. "You know. I'm not sure who you really are. All the same I thank you. I plan to be cautious of the power. I would like to know. With what happened to Ezzo, what will you do now? And... I want to know, what did what you say mean? What's the name of that language if I can ask? I wouldn't ask you to share everything, I only one day hope to, along with my friend, gain new knowledge of Alv and really see what it means." The man thinks back to Uta, probably one of the best friends that he knows.

The Bandit King does not answer immediately, as Merek asks his question. Simply gazing out over the world ahead of him for a while, before he finally remarks; "What I will do now, is to do what I have been trying to do for over a year. To take control back of Ezzo. But that will take significant work." He points out, before raising his posture a bit. "And you already asked that, and I have already given the answer. It is the language of the Alv - attuned to this world of Alba." He remarks. "That is all there is to know." It doesn't seem the Bandit King is willing to tell him more on that point. "If that will be all, I do believe it is time for me to take my leave once more."

    Merek looks then to the Bandit King, "If you ever need anything, you only need to ask. I would like to see Ezzo safe again. To see Yamato safe and protected. Anyway, you be well. I am going to watch the place for a while, it's been a long while. And I would like to remember a few people." The man finds a place to settle in and relax while watching the world.