M15 p2 - Warrior Path Epilogue

Mission 15 - Warrior Path Epilogue
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 Meanwhile... His Future, Her Past
M15 - Warrior Path	
 Meanwhile... Kindred Spirits
Mission 15 - Part 3: Prologue	
The heat of the late morning sun had fully settled upon the Wahdj oasis, making the air dance above the sand and the waters sparkle in the sun. The town, now freed from its rebel occupiers, had come alive again. Even the most wary of the townsfolk had dared to tread outside their abodes and spilled onto the street, spurred on by the cheers of some of their neighbors who had assisted their liberators during their conquest. The few who had slept through the night, completely missing what had happened, were soon caught up to speed. 
For the Aetherians, it was hard to not get swept up in the celebrations, even though their goal had only been to prevent the would-be perpetrators of the pharaoh's assassination from escaping to see it done…. though not everyone sang their praise.
Among the crowd, there were those that expressed their view on the matter: though not truly sympathizers with the rebels, they were quick to point out how these outsiders came and not Sa'Perah Ah's own forces… Those that did align themselves with the rebels were quick to jump on that, saying that that's exactly the reason the Claws of Ammut are fighting: "the pharaoh cares not for her people”... Some were quick to respond to that by reminding them that those rebels kept them locked within their town, so it wasn't as if they seemed to care much either… But that was answered with how they wouldn't have needed to do that if they didn't have to deal with the risks of loyalists spying on them and exposing their plans, couldn't they see that many if Sa'Perah's own forces had turned on her?!
From there, the back and forth continued including arguments, personal anecdotes, accusations, and name-calling- many of which included insults towards the "outsiders"- before eventually losing any "back and forth" and just dissolving into whoever yelled loudest over the other. 
It was enough to bring Osmund down to the square and order the Aetherians in the street to either join the wall forces or go with him to the compound. The Chesnaught then told the crowd to disperse as there'd been enough fighting. Some particularly bold citizen tried to rile some people up about how this "outsider" was already giving them orders, but his support fizzled out with one withering look from Osmund, who gave the impression that while he was too tired to deal with this, he was also fully willing to throw anyone over, if not through, the wall if it shut them up. Unlike the Chesnaught, they ended up being more bark than bite as the last of them walked off soon after, the rest of the citizens following suit.
Not long after, Osmund arrived at the compound to compare notes with Gawain who didn’t even bother looking up from where he was sitting at the rebel commander’s table, claws shifting through the pile of paperwork in front of him.
: Th’ ruckus outside?
: Citizen unrest, taken care of. Unfortunately, no sign of Hager or Yubel, but now that the streets are clear, I'm hoping my scouts report soon. 
: Great. (kneading the corners of his eyes) Thanks for takin’ care o’ it, I don't think I currently have th’ mental fortitude to.
: You usually do?
: Not in th’ mood for this either.
Osmund snorted before dropping down into another chair at the table, scooting back to give himself room before gesturing towards Gawain with a slight wave.
: So, I take it it's not good? 
The Charizard shifted- and the movement caused his face to cringe in pain. Part of his torso was wrapped up in long bandages: though it doesn't appear to cover any wound, instead being just to support the now useless appendage on his back.
: Accordin’ to th’ medic who looked at it? I won't be able to fly wit’ it.
: Nor fight with it, from the looks of it. It's unfortunate, your flying would have been useful. So it appears a change of plan is in order.
: Wha’ plans?
: …to meet up with Alaric? You really are out of it if your first thought is not to rush to your king.
: I think yer th’ one who’s out o’ it, give me a break. We don't know where th’ library is, remember? And I’ve looked through all o’ this paperwork those damn rebels left behind wit’ no luck. So we are goin’ to have to travel back to tha’ town and just hope tha’ Krok is there like he’s supposed to be. 
: They are not going to the library.
: Wha’ are you talkin’ ‘bout?
: Did you truly believe that Krokorok? In any case, myself and the rat did not- that's another reason why Cecil went with them, so we'd have an easier time meeting up again thanks to the dog’s “communication channels.” 
: Where are they goin’ then?!
: "The King's Eyes,” or so said the rodent.
: An’ that's?
: An old creed of secretive watchers in service of the Pharaoh. According to him, their base is located in the southwest, in a series of caves buried deep within the mountains.
: An’ Matteo knows this how?
: (shrugging) The less I know about the rat’s methods, the better I sleep at night.
: Something's up wit’ tha’ Pikachu, an’ I don't like it.
: You're telling me?
: He's worse than Gaius… This is why I don't read.
: (muttering) That's apparent.
Gawain ignored Osmund’s words, leaning back against the chair- and completely forgetting about his injured wing. Cursing under his breath, the dragon shifted forward again, opting to press his elbows into the table. 
: So Khetmaatian ninjas? Those dune dwellin’ “other rebels” from before, I assume. As if we didn't deal wit’ those ‘nuff in Sazanami. 
: But at least they are on Sa'Perah Ah's side. 
: Hmmm.
: They are on her side, yeh?
: It's hard to say. I thought they were killed off long ago. If they still are the same group, they are loyalists; if they are just using the base, it's anyone's guess.
: What did th’ rodent think?
: As much as anyone can tell that, he seemed hopeful. But he stressed that we should probably not drag our feet. 
Gawain responded with a somewhat-lackluster hum, and Osmund’s eyebrow lifted as he stared at the captain.
: You're taking this well. I thought you'd-
: Freak out? I am thinkin’ very violent thoughts, rest assured. But my wing hurts like you would not believe, an’ I need my energy to deal wit’ it.
: Then you'd agree it would be wiser to stay behind.
: No.
The Chesnaught gave a long suffering sigh, breathing heavily through his nose.
: We cannot leave the village unprotected and these rebels unguarded, especially not those three assassins that downed you-
: They got a lucky shot-
: Disregarding that, the point stands.
: So? Then you stay behind wit’ some o’ our warriors.
: That had been my original plan since you are better equipped to deal with the desert- hence why this is a change of plans, you cannot travel well like this.
The two engaged in an intense glaring match, both Pokémon too tired to really get into it but neither giving in. It continued for far longer than could be considered normal until Gawain finally decided he's had enough of the intense eye contact and blinked with a grunt.
: I'm goin’. I'll manage. 
: Then you better get going immediately.
A familiar Cacturne stood in the doorway. Neither were sure for how long he had been standing there- what was clear is that he was barely standing at all. Having announced his presence, he stumbled forward, looking rather truly worse for wear, collapsing against the table in front of where Gawain was seated. His mask was gone, revealing the bloodshot eyes sunken into his skull, and his hands pressed heavily into the table to support his weight.
: Where have ya been?
: Where's the girl?
The Cacturne made a half-hearted noncommittal gesture, sluggishly lifting his head to meet the Aetherians’ glares.
: She got away.
: Wait before you accuse me, because so help me, I captured her just fine- startled her so much, the lass tried to use Psychic type attacks on me.
The Chesnaught spared one last look at the captain, not quite willing to let their previous conversation end, before fully focusing his attention on the newcomer.
: So what went wrong?
: I saw you took the wall, so I wanted to take her down there to await interrogation, but those ghosts helped her out of my snare.
: Ghosts?
: Yeah, ghosts: Yamask. They’re becoming unsettling more common ‘round the sands, and those bastards rooted me to the spot just as I’d grabbed her. Try as I might, it’s hard keeping hold of a wriggling body and fending off a barrage of attacks when your legs aren’t working right. When I’d finally gotten the one keeping me bound, I was far too beaten and bloodied to try to capture her again, so I just kept fighting. Was eating sand not long after and by the time I came to, I’d gotten all the Yamask, but Yubel was nowhere in sight.
: So she got away.
: Not if you hurry it up.
The Chesnaught pinched his forehead in annoyance. A feeling shared by Aether's captain of the guard.
: Explain faster then.
: Once she’d wriggled free of me, the cocky little shite decided to have a go with her buddies: try and kick me while I’m down and all. Between all the boasting and blasts of Dazzling Gleam she threw, she got far too close and I managed to strike her. Absolutely couldn’t see from all the lights, but from the yelp she let out and the snap I know I heard, something broke.
: So she’s wounded, without her ghost friends, and it doesn’t look like she was able to reclaim her cart. With all I’ve done here, she should be just slow enough for you lot to track her down.
: Don't sound so smug. She still got away and I've heard no reports of her having been spotted, she could be anywhere by now.
: She's due west, Valley of the Kings. I told you, she came to gloat; the girl doesn't shut up, probably had planned to have her ghost friends finish me off so it wouldn't matter. Haha.
: I'm pretty sure I'm about to throw up.
: Likely got a concussion. (head turning to track Gawain as he stood from the table) Where are YOU going?
: I'm takin’ th’ warriors to go catch her ‘fore she gets too far. Maybe she'll lead us to her boss.
: It's one small Kirlia in a desert, Gawain, don't be stupid. The chances of finding her, especially if there were more allies than Hager took out- wait, you know where she’s going already, so just go there, no, actually-
: Hager, is Husani taking Alaric to the King's Eyes?
: I imagine so, that's our base. Wait…
: Damn rodent- forget the girl, captain, Alaric and the rest should be in the same direction, regroup with them first.
: Though I'm not complainin’, why are ya not fightin’ me over this?
: Because you probably won't listen and I don't want to waste the time now that that girl is on her way to warn her master. 
Hager stood up as tall as he could, though the effect was ruined by his wobble.
: I can take you-
: Though your sudden willingness for cooperation is a welcome change, you are staying here with me, I don't need two crippled ‘mon stumbling out around there. 
: (turning to Gawain) Cecil should be on the look-out for you, it should be to the southwest of Herep-inet. Go gather your forces.
: Good luck, captain.
: (nodding) Same to you. 
: You're not too bad, for a Grass type.
: Thanks, though your king is a Grass type too you know.
: I was not- whatever, good luck with that.
Mimicking the words from the Charizard earlier, the Chesnaught cast him a tired look.
: I'll manage.
Previous	Next	Next
 Meanwhile... His Future, Her Past
M15 - Warrior Path	
 Meanwhile... Kindred Spirits
Mission 15 - Part 3: Prologue	
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Category:Missions
Category:Arc 2
Category:Khetmaat
Category:Branching Objective