Special Mission: Ezzo Investigation

Kita and her friend are sent on a journey to Ezzo to investigate an unusual occurence.

Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

By now, even the outsides of the Ezzo Island are abandoned. The remnants of the former camp still lay upon the coast, but has largely been picked apart by invading monsters and some Players who rummaged through the area for anything that might be of use or interest.

There's a small station that used to be outside of the warped 'dome' outside of the Ezzo Empire's main area, used to monitor it. But it's since been abandoned by its Adventurer research team. The place stands as a testament to something that happened a year ago, and has left peoples' minds.

As the small boat arrives for Kita and Jurou, they step onto the beach in the midst of the evening. The cold winter air bites at them amidst the darkness. The soft sand dampens their sounds beneath the cover of night. Sent to investigate unusual activity here, they've been given little in the way of hints in regards to what they should be investigating here. But with the lack of people in the area, it should not be hard to find something.
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

The trauma of the fall of Ezzo Empire, the dramatic flight from these lands, and the frightened press of refugees are all too real things for Kita, even a year out from the events that had changed her life. The Imp seems frozen at the edge of the boat, as if she didn't want to step foot onto these cursed lands again. Over time, she has been facing her fears, little by little, but this is less of a single step and more of a giant leap into the fray.

Eventually, after what is likely far too long a pause, Kita steps forward, clutching her spellbook to her chest like a shield, taking a few deep breaths and obviously struggling with her own anxieties. "I was really hoping to never have to come back here." She admits. "Let's find what we need to, and get out of here."

Even the thought of lingering for very long seems to cause goosebumps to rise on her skin.
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

So this is the land that held Kita for several long months, Jurou thinks to herself as the sea mists part to unveil the land with the dome a faint shape in the distance. She doesn't have the learned fear of this place as Kita has, just a sense of unease from the first-hand stories she'd heard. Jurou hops out of the boat with a splash and heaves the small vessel by the nose up onto the sands, beaching it on the sands so it doesn't drift away.
"You won't be alone this time." Jurou says, putting a strong scaled arm over the imp's shoulders, "And we're not looking for trouble, just to find out what's going on and then bail." she gives a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder and then starts to lead the way forward, "We won't likely have to be here for long."
Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

The subtle glimmer of the destructive 'dome' flickers for all to see, even now. Though the darkness of the late evening makes it far more difficult to see beyond it. As if the chaos of the world beyond the dome simply has stopped having meaning to this one. A secret that is slowly fading.

Beyond the sands of the beach however, they might both pick something up. The subtle sounds of a screetch! Kita and Jurou, both members of Scale Emblem, might recognize the sounds - similar to those of the Seventh Floor. The sounds of Wyverns overhead. Two of them, based on the flapping of wings. The burst of white light flashes across the dome, followed by another moving out from underneath the 'strike' and flying towards the first wyvern. It's a bit chaotic and hard to follow, but it looks like two Wyverns are in combat with one-another.
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"The problem wasn't so much being alone." Kita explains, pushing her glasses up on her nose and then tugging at the brim of her witch's hat. "It was being one amongst many who were all stuck in the same shitty situation." Then again, it is entirely possible to feel alone in a crowd of people.

The screetch is exactly the sort of clue that helps to, at least, point them in the right direction. "Well, they want us to find the source of the Wyverns, so it's good we have some kind of sighting of them." She glances over at Jurou, leaning into her only briefly before stepping foward, preparing for whatever they might have to face. "We want to avoid drawing their aggro if we can help it. We'd need an entire raid party for that."

Neither Kita, nor Jurou are particularly stealthy, but it seems likely that if they don't draw too much attention to themselves, the two might continue fighting and not pay them much mind. "Let's follow, try to keep them in our sights. See where they go."
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"Yeah, seems like a plan. Let's run towards the scary monsters." Jurou says, but with a smile that shows the humour in her statement. With that, she starts to hurry inland, noting a distinct lack of cover around to hide them, or protect them if things go poorly. "Perhaps that building would be a good place to head towards?" Jurou suggests as they cross the sands, her armour not slowing her down but making the movements a little more clumsy than the mage.
Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

The two manage to spot the cabin being on their route just in time, and tumble in. Jurou looks like she might just trip, but Kita pulls her in just before the Wyverns descend further towards the ground. There's a loud screetch as the first wyvern grabs the other by the neck, and slams it to the ground. The light of the Wyverns bright against the darkness. And in their position - behind the window of the small cabin they've found themselves in, they spot the outline of two people.

A man rolls onto the ground, onto the beach. With a woman slowly stepping off of her saddled Wyvern, wearing golden armor. The blonde woman stepping towards the dark figure, her blade glowing as she points to him. "You have broken the laws of Londonia, and fraternized with the Dark Territory. For that, you will hereby be executed, in the name of the Ansul." She declares.

The golden light of her armor seems to shine bright. Enough that they can get a pretty good picture of her at the time. What's more, they suddenly see a golden light pulse through the area, and both of them get a little message on their UI along with that pulse.

<Cosmosphere Exposed>
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

As soon as Jurou has been pulled into the cabin, Kita crouches near the entrance to watch and observe what is going on. She's quick to jot down a few things in the margins of her spellbook, specifically 'Londonia', 'Dark Territory', and 'Ansul'. After that, she starts to sketch out a drawing of the woman who had been riding the Wyvern.

Then, there is that blast of golden light and Kita curses under her breath, "Shit, shit, shit." She looks to Jurou, her blue eyes showing some measure of alarm. "We need to be careful. That means someone is using another of those game-breaking things. Likely the sort of stuff that can fuck with our minds."

The fact that the two are both Wyvern riders is concerning enough, as no one in Yamato had figured that sort of thing out, as of yet. The reference to some other location certainly suggests that they may not be from here. Yamato is certainly more exposed now that the barriers have fallen...
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"Huh." Jurou frowns at the notification, the name sounding vaguely familiar, until Kita explains. "Ohhhh." she says with a tone of worry, "I- uh, yeah. Let's keep our heads down, listen in and hope whatever's doing that goes away. Is it her?" she nods at the lady in golden armour, settling down against the wall so she can peek at the figures illuminated on the beach.
"Kind wish I knew why they were trying to murder each other" Jurou says quietly, with the frustrated tone of someone who wanted to *do* something about this, but knows it would be foolish.
Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"Please, forgive me! I don't know what came over me. I~"

"Your excuses are too late. The moment you decided to work for them, you made your final mistake. We, the Riders, are held to a higher standard. People look up to us. A village disappeared thanks to your actions. This is so you cannot cause such suffering ever again." She brings her blade up, which begins to blaze like a sun into the sky.

Golden light lifts to the skies. Bright enough that it illuminates the area for Kita and Jurou to see. But it is doubtful anyone outside of Ezzo would know of this event, aside from ships sailing by. Still, the beacon-like light stands enormous here, reaching several houses high.

She then brings her blade down, the light moving like small butterflies with her sweeping motion, building into an orb at the tip and length of her blade, before she firmly demands; "Burst Element." Followed by an immense force that tears across the man. His health quickly dropping. The light bursts against the dome behind it, tearing against it, rippling across its body. Warping the dome itself for a moment as it strains against the energy of the attack, before the light flashes away...

And darkness once again returns. The other man having been erased, and the woman suddenly falling to her knee, letting out a huff. Her stomach growling. "We've flown for far too long."
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"Something about the Dark Territory, whatever that is." For the most part, Kita has been unconcerned with much of what occurs beyond the realm of the Tower, but this particular quest has made her step outside of her usual comfort zone.

Whatever else the Imp was about to say, however, is silenced by the massive attack that surges across the area. It seems to rumble the walls they are hiding behind, causing her to duck her head, throwing up a magical shield around herself and Jurou. Luckily, they are not the target of the attack, otherwise, they would most certainly be gravestones, or worse.

"What... the fuck." Kita manages to say in the aftermath, her shield flickering away as the magical energies wane.

She can't help but look again, staring through the window as the knight falls to one knee. "I'm... going to try to talk to her." Normally, Kita isn't known for her bravery, but she was sent here to prove herself and right now, they don't really have enough information to bring back. At least, not enough in her mind.

So, Kita steps towards the doorway of the cabin, a bit hesitant to step out with the Wyverns looming so close nearby, and she calls out in a gentle voice, "Are... you alright?" No demands for information, a simple question.
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

Jurou is taken by surprise when Kita says she's going to talk to the lady, after what they just saw. "What? You can't be-" Jurou says in a quiet yelp just as Kita stands up and speaks, "Damnit." she mumbles mostly to herself, pushing away from the wall to follow Kita and stand by her side, looking protective and wary beside the impish mage.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea, given we just saw her evaporate the scenery."
Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

The blonde woman seems startled to have someone approach her suddenly. She had clearly not expected to see someone here. She rises slowly, and sheathes her blade into its scabbard, looking at the Imp for a moment. "This is strange. I did not know there were people beyond our borders. I though the Dark Territory had wiped all of you out." She seems startled by this revalation.

She then, in that kind of noble and stubborn way remarks; "I am fine. You need not worry about me, Adventurer." She then begins to slowly walk towards her Wyvern, touching its saddle and taking out what looks like a sandwich of sorts, and tries to get on the saddle to eat it. It doesn't look like this 'Alice' person is a risk to them at this time, but she doesn't seem particularly interested in them.
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

Despite Jurou's protests, Kita just offers her a smile and one of those far too charming winks. The girl has a 'stage' presence and sometimes, that means utilizing it in stressful situations. "I'll protect you." She offers, although it sounds more like a joke.

Still, Kita still lingers near the cabin, rather than risk exposing the both of them to danger. "On any other day, you might not have encountered anyone here. This continent has been all but abandoned by the people of Yamato." She motions her hand towards the dome, visible against the skyline. "We were sent here because Wyverns were spotted where Wyverns don't normally go."

The Imp flicker her tail towards the beasts, but still remains a more than respectful distance back. "Would you be so kind as to tell us why you're here? And what is this... Dark Territory you mention?" She adds, then, "And... why you just decided to tactical nuke that other guy?"
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"I know you will" Jurou replies, responding to the joke with a warm smile and a nod, "And I'll protect you."
Jurou relaxes slightly when the woman sheathes her sword and replies calmly, her posture still quite defensive of Kita, she lets Kita ask the questions for the moment, there's not much else to ask, instead watching the other woman apprehensively.
Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"The people of Yamato." The young woman, having saddled up her Wyvern as it slowly digs its jaw into the fallen Wyvern, repeats those two words. She continues to be surprised to hear this. "The Dark Teritory... the enemies that creep at the borders of our lands, promising power. How come you do not know of them?" The Lander earnestly seems surprised.

"Tactical... huh?" She then repeats, confused as if she didn't hear everything Kita said, before remarking; "He betrayed us, and the Ansul's law. As such, he had to be destroyed, before he could harm any more people. You should be glad I killed him, before he could do more damage here, or bring the Dark Territory's rule. Remain on these islands, and do not travel beyond them. Wait, until we return and tell you it is safe. If we do not know you are here, then perhaps the Dark Territory does not know either." She seems to have decided this is the only thing that makes sense.

The woman then begins to turn her Wyvern, as it tears the remaining one apart, causing it to shatter into light, before it begins to flap its wings, and begins to take off.
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"That's what we call these lands. Well, more specifically the other continents around here. This one was once called the Ezzo Empire, but it's been abandoned due to the strange monsters that lie beyond the barrier." Kita explains. None of this is secret information, though it might be new to someone not from these lands.

"I'm afraid I haven't ever heard of any creatures at the borders of Yamato." She seems about to say something else when Alice warns her not to travel beyond their own lands. That... is something that they have already done. But, she chooses not to mention it. "How will we know to recognize these creatures? Just incase they appear here before you return." She raises her voice to call out.
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

Jurou's eye is drawn to the barrier in the distance where the Elemental Burst struck it, and the slowly sealing cracks in the shield. She thinks better of mentioning it or drawing attention to it while the wyvern rider is present, she still doesn't trust this woman. But when she sees red threads leading away from the knight, and into the distance in the east, she risks a whispered "You ever seen red lines, like threads or wires, on someone? Look behind her." to Kita.
Then to the woman, she asks "And how do we know you're the good guys, given what we just saw?", trying to get a reaction from her, defensive or otherwise, given that she seemed to be asserting some authority over them.
Liminality
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

The woman tilts her head a bit. "Of course I am the 'good guys'. I work for the Ansul." The woman remarks in great noble stature, worthy of a knight. "Do not be deterred by my strength. I do not wield it as a tool for oppression." The woman taps the hilt of her blade as the Wyvern begins to open its wings.

"If you start seeing dark creatures, black as night. Monsters for the most part - you will know them. For they always seek to devour their enemies - and their greatest warriors steal their Cosmospheres." And with that, the creature she rides spans its wings to their fullest width, and beats them to take near immediate flight, sending gusts of wind powerful enough to topple over Kita and Jurou were it not for the distance between them, before the woman takes back to the skies and travels eastwards.

Indeed, Kita might spot the subtle red strings that seem to tug on her and her Wyvern. Strings that - were she to describe it to her allies, or recall reports of the Dragon Emperor - seem remarkably familiar as those that originally sought to pull the great dragon back into the portal whence it came from.
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

Kita squints, having not really been looking for anything unusual. The woman, herself, was unusual. She eyes those red lines, obviously uncertain just what they might mean in the context.

The wind from the Wyvern's wings begins to throw her back against the doorframe, causing the Imp to have to reach up to hold her hat on her head. "Well... they wanted intel. Looks like we've got a bit of intel for them." Kita shakes her head, "Not sure what any of it means for the world, but it's certainly a concerning twist of events."

Looking over her shoulder at Jurou, she seems to have a familiar, determined expression. "We should head back. I need to get in touch with Mora. Find out if this is the information she needed." Then, still clutching her spellbook to her chest, she adds, "At least, it seems the Wyvern threat is over, for now..."
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

"Yeah, though it seems like it raises more questions than it answers" Jurou adds, finally looking less tense as the wyvern rider leaves, "Didn't she seem...off for a Lander, to you? Like, I don't think they should know about the Cosmosphere - I barely know about the Cosmosphere." She had, after all, only heard the term twice now, once from Kita, and just now from Alice.
"Before we go, I want to see where the weapon hit, I saw something else strange you might want to let them know about. Her weapon damaged the barrier up there.", Jurou points at the dome, "It sealed up again, but that was just from a glancing hit. I worry she (or someone else similarly powerful) could break the barrier and let the monsters trapped in there out."
Kita
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

Kita seems to fall quiet, perhaps a bit thoughtful in that moment. "Some of the Landers definitely seem to have more knowledge of this world and how it works than others." She admits, "Which is concerning in many ways." The Imp shakes her head, not really knowing what that could mean.

"I only know a little, myself. Even then, that's because of what has happened during the boss fights." Nodding to Jurou, she follows as her girlfriend indicates wanting to check out where the weapon had struck. "You have better eyes than I do." She pushes her glasses up on her nose.

"The real problem is, if there are people as powerful as that Lander out there, is there really anything we can do to prevent the barrier from being broken, eventually?" Pursing her lips, she continues, "Maybe, what we need, is ways to defend ourselves, and ways to fight back against the glitched monsters. Or... figure out what the source of all the glitching is, and stop it before it destroys anything else."

Neither of those seem like tasks that have any sort of immediate solution, "I just don't want to stick around here, long. Ezzo has always had the highest level monsters, even before the Dark Wave."
Jurou
Yamato - 30 - 3 - 0

Jurou leads the way to the smouldering path of destruction left by the weapon, noting that there's nothing left of the Lander who'd been killed, and seeing more clearly that the crack in the barrier had in fact sealed up as she'd thought. "Guess there's nothing much left to learn, nothing much left at all. What an absurd weapon..." she says, shaking her head. "Yeah, let's go home." she says, taking Kita's hand and walking with her back to where they'd left the boat. "Time for some more rowing."