Thread: ☢Final Fantasy: Edyn's Lament☢ [-Haru|Lila-]

The Repository at ARC had provided Stryker with a standard array of equipment, and a few items that might help him out in the wilds of Edyn. A couple tufts of Phoenix Down, three Potions and a Tent. Of course, his typical armament was brought as well, and Stryker felt confident as he set out. The fresh air of the city was warm and dry, set in the desert as it was, and Stryker strolled along the cobbled streets, the cries of vendors hawking their wares mixing with the general bustle of the city. The Bazaar was a place where people congregated, and though Stryker knew that Lune was long gone from the city, he used his excursion as an excuse to move through the city, taking in the sights and interacting now and then with those who seemed frendly enough. A lovely flower girl approached, likely close to his own age, or at least appearing so, and he couldn't resist buying one of her flowers for a gil. A bit pricey, but the beaming smile she gave him made it well worth it. Tucking the flower into one of his pouches, Stryker moved on through the Bazaar. His heightened senses caught snippets of conversations, smells of food, and the sight of small children playing along the edges of the huge shopping area. Stryker tried to remember what things had been like, being a child, but he couldn't quite bring any memories together, and the ones he did were fuzzy. Sun streaming in an open window, the smell of a blueberry pie freshly baked, a white apron and a blue dress that brought with it a sense of comfort and calm. Reaching up Stryker ran his hand through his hair and with a sigh he continued on his way, exiting the Bazaar the man moved toward the closest Gate, the Western Gate, preparing to exit the city and head out into the Westersand. --------------- Back at ARC Professor Gand watched the monitor, the ocular implant in Stryker allowing him to see everything that the man saw. There was no urgency to Stryker's gait, and though Gand understood, maybe because he understood, he did not interfere or try to change Stryker's directive. A soft knock behind him brought Gand's gaze back around, and one of the assistant automatons was at the door. What is it Number Thirteen? Gand asked, having an idea of what it was. Daveera is having another bad day, sir. She is quite angry and unmanagable. She is inconsolable, and I would like your assistance. If you have the time of course. Thirteen said. Gand gave a nod. I'll be right there. he said, and turned back around to turn off the monitor. He trusted Stryker. For now he had to go and tend to his daughter, Daveera. --------------- Meanwhile, elsewhere in the ARC Building, Hojo was not so confident in the abilities of Stryker. Jenova inevitably held a great amount of influence over any sentient being that had been introduced to its cells. Nonsentient organisms were completely taken control of by Jenova, and it was quite fascinating really. So far Hojo had only seen two beings that had been able to somehow circumvent Jenova's influence. Lunenova was one, and Stryker was the other. Not that Sttryker didn't show some signs of being influenced, and yet there were other times that the soldier showed full free will. His trust that Sttryker would return with Lune on his own was not a risk that Hojo was willing to take. With that in mind the Head of the Science Division was on one of the lifts, a small squad of heavily armed guards with him. A few levels down were the specimens that ARC wanted kept under heavier guard. They should have done the same to Lune, but an oversight had left her in a less secure area. Her peers, other Far'Anthi, had then been sequestered and kept under heavier sedation and control, psychotropic drugs given to them to tamp down their will and make them easier to control. The lift came to a halt and Hojo exited with the guards, walking along the corridor and toward one particular containment unit. The two Far'Anthi held inside were, to the best that Hojo was able to determine, brother and sister, though separating them had proven to be less than ideal and actually cause no small amount of physical pain. At least after Jenova had been introduced to their systems. The two were inextricably linked, and as a team they were immensely powerful. Now was as good a time as any to do a little field test, and Hojo planned to implement and deploy. Standing outside of the containment unit he observed the two for a moment, noting how the female curled into her much larger brother's body. Hojo tapped on the glass, which made the large male lift his head, the long white hair of the male in contrast to his dark eyes. Like many of the subjects exposed to Jenova Cells, the dark hair of the brother had turned white, much as Lunenova's had done, though his sister's had remained dark. Pressing the button on the intercom that would allow them to hear him, Hojo moade his proposal. Stone, Aeshir... I have a job for you. It will allow you to get out of here for a little while. Out of this holding cell. Out in the world. There's one of your kind, a Far'Anthi named Lunenova, I know you know who that is, that has escaped. We've sent another unit after her, but I think you're better suited for the job. I want you to bring both Lune and Stryker back. Unharmed if possible.... dead... just as good. By now a side door had opened and a couple of the assistant automatons had entered, presenting both Stone and Aeshir with the gear they would be able to use in the outside world, and as Stone complied and prepared to depart, he had given his approval and compliance to do as Hojo bid. It was not long before they were ready to go . Stone's contianment suit also acted as armor and help control his Far'Anthi powers, allowing Jenoa a heavier influence on him to keep him under control. The only other person that could control him if he got out of line was Aeshir. --------------- The trek through the Westersand wasn't terribly difficult, and Stryker knew from the files he'd been able to access which beasts to avoid, which were hostile, or indifferent, and sometimes even friendly. The Cactuars simply watched as he went past and so long as he wasn't aggressive the little fellas didn't bother him. They barely came to his knee but they could be downright deadly if they wanted to be. The wolves turned out to be another story entirely and were quite aggressive, though Stryker didn't have too many problems, and soon had a small stash of wolf pelts he could sell when he found the next town or village. The trail out of the Westersand was old, but Lune had definitely come this direction, and after several days of travel, having followed the Walk of Kings, Stryker realized he'd have to cross the Land's Edge Mountains. Luckily there was a path, and it was not winter, and so the trek was made easily enough as Stryker hooked up with a small trade caravan, acting as a guard. It was quite lonely really, but in another four days their destination was in sight. A place named Haven, and though it was a smaller village, it was important on the trade routes, and set on the edge of the Shimmer stream Lake, an important supplier of fish to the cities in the Atlan wastes. Though of course they were transported by means of the teleport crystals that set just outside Haven. Stryker had to wonder why ARC had not given him any teleport stones, but he soon figured it had to do with the ability it would have given him to simply run and disappear like Lune had. With a final wave to the caravan master, Stryker headed to the nearest bar for a drink and a meal. That was one thing ARC had provided him with, gil, and he planned to make good use of it and at least enjoy himself a little. Entering the establishment his eyes quickly adjusted from the bright outdoors and Stryker headed to the bar and took a seat. His presence and general appearance drew a few looks, but then, people travelling with caravans and across the trade routes often dressed and equipped themselves for the dangers they'd meet out on the roads. --------------- Stone and Aeshir had been briefed by Hojo, their targets both Stryker and Lunenova. Unlike Stryker, whose looks and appearance did not garner much attention, the siblings did not have the same benefit. Mainly because of Stone. Even in the containment armor the man was huge, larger than any normal human had a right to be, thanks to being Far'Anthi - which meant he wasn't human at all, and neither was Aeshir. Both of them were part of the Protector Caste, and though Aeshir felt a pull to protect all manner of things, Stone's own instinct led him to protect his sister. Like a silent Harbinger he followed her through the city streets, his footfalls heavy. CLASSIFIED NOTES OF PROFESSOR HOJO Subject Stone last name unknown Age Unknown, though approx. 10,000 years appears about 32 Height 2.1 meters 6'10 Weight 149.7 kilograms 330 lbs. Hair White, though used to be dark brown Eyes Dark Stone is a remarkable specimen! One of the Far'Anthi captured after exiting the southernmost Tower, Stone was captured along with his sister, Aeshir. Their innate power is amazing! In this entry I will concentrate my notes on Stone. Obviously of some sort of soldier stock, or as we're learning that the Far'Anthi have a caste system, Stone is likely a guardian or protector line. Though most of the Far'Anthi have emerged to protect Edyn from Jenova a futile effort, it is believed that Stone awakened when his sister did. She seems to be the key. Stone is immensely protective of her in all ways, and in fact, his Far'Anthi powers manifest when she is in imminent or mortal danger. The transformation, when first we saw it, was astounding! Stone's Transformed State Tied to Edyn as well, Stone's height increses to nearly twice that of his flesh form, and his weight triples. His entire body seems solid, with no internal organs, nor even blood! His need to sleep, to eat, even to breathe... are unnecessary! Amazing! Of course, he was one of the first subjects to receive the Jenova Cells, and though the esults were not as I had anticipated, they were still satisfactory. Jenova's Cells had no immediate effect upon his abilities, nor even changed them in any way, save for an outward appearance in the coloring of his hair. However, through Jenova we are able to control Stone. The Far'Anthi does our bidding! The depth of this control has yet to be tested, but I have arranged for a field test! The sacrifice of Stryker and Lunenova is a possibility, but should it result in their deaths then their inferiority will have been proven and their discard reasonable.