Lunar: A Story Forgotten Session 29 Log Session Start: Sun Sep 07 20:22:15 1997 =============================================================================== Cast of Characters: Dragonmaster Lou as "Gamemaster, Teal, Old Man, Old Priest, Parchment, Lia, Receptionist, Kane, Lena, Nurse, Orderly, Child, Children Mia Ausa as "Callie" Ghaleon Dragonstar as "Zigfried" Ryouga Hibiki as "Kyoko" Scott Kroush as "Scott" Captain Blake as "Ebony, Nina" Michael Gibson as "Rand" ================================================================================ ===GAME ON!=== --After shopping for new clothes for Nina at a rather questionable establishment, the party tries to decide how to reach Lia's Shrine...-- Scott: "Hmmm... any ideas?" * Scott is definitely open to suggestions. Teal: "Didn't Doctor Lena mention a priest around here somewhere that knows a back door?" Scott: "Maybe... I forget." Zigfried: "I think so." Teal: "Maybe we should try to find him?" * Rand starts to say something but Teal beats him to it. Rand: "Sound like a plan." Scott: "Let's get to it then." Rand: "Wasn't he out in the park?" * Scott heads to the park. Teal: "Yeah, I think that's where..." * Zigfried nods. * Zigfried follows after Scott. * Kyoko follows. --In the center of the park is a large statue of Althena. Sitting under it is an old man feeding the birds...-- Scott: "Excuse me, sir..." Old Man: "Yes?" Scott: "Do you happen to know where the priest of the shrine is?" Old Man: "I certainly do... He is actually very close, heh heh..." * Scott leans against the statue. Everyone's HP/MP restored. * Kyoko walks up to the statue and says a small prayer to Althena, wishing for success in the mission and her guidance... then touching it. Scott: "Then... where is he?" Old Man: "You're looking at him!" Scott: "Good..." Scott: "We're here to take the trial..." Rand: "We were told you might be able to help us." Old Priest: "The trial, huh? You know that the shrine is in enemy territory, don't you?" Zigfried: "We're aware of that." Rand: "That's the problem." Scott: "A doctor at the hospital said that you know a back way in." Kyoko: "We were told there was a back route." Old Priest: "Were, there are the catacombs... but it could be tricky..." * Kyoko snuggles up to Rand. Zigfried: "Tricky? In what way?" Scott: "I'm up to it...." Old Priest: "Well, it's a bit of a maze down there, but from what I've heard it's not too bad... If you guys are up to it, give me a hand and help me push this statue..." * Nina listens quietly * Scott helps push the statue. * Zigfried locates the statue and helps the old man push at it. * Rand pushes the statue. --The statue slides over, revealing a trap door underneath.-- Old Priest: "There you go... The catacombs are under that trap door..." * Kyoko helps. * Scott opens the door and goes down into the catacombs. * Zigfried drops in after Scott. * Kyoko bows to the priest, "May Althena brighten you day!" * Kyoko follows in. Old Priest: "Same to you, sister of the cloth!" --The catacombs are dark and dank, and it is very difficult to see down here...-- * Rand walks in beside Kyoko. * Zigfried doesn't care, and walks alongside the wall as always. * Kyoko pulls out a flashlight. * Scott waits for Cals to catch up then heads on into the catacombs. Nina: "Wonder what these catacombs are for." * Kyoko sticks close to Rand. Scott: "No idea, Nina... though they're proving useful right now." Teal: "I don't know... I heard that all the shrines were connected by underground tunnels, though..." Zigfried: "Perhaps burying the dead, sewage, who knows." Rand: "You mean, we could get to any shrine from here?" Teal: "Maybe, but it would be a very long walk..." Scott: "Maybe find the Crest of Justice while we're at it." Kyoko: "Now... if only we could get the Destiny down here..." Zigfried: "Maybe if there was a faster way to travel down here." --The party soon comes to a crossroads... All the directions except for the one they came from seem to be blocked off. There is a sign post on the floor, as well as a post hole for it...-- * Nina looks at the sign * Rand picks up the sign post. Scott: "Oh great..." Rand: "Dead end..." --The sign points in four directions. One says "Puresea Park," one says "Lia's Shrine," one says "Seadragon," and the last says "New Saith."-- Scott: "But which one..." Nina: "Maybe if we put it in the hole?" Teal: "Maybe, but how should we orient it?" Scott: "I don't think that'd help, Nina..." Kyoko: "Ummm..." Rand: "Puresea Park?" Kyoko: "Well, The park is behind us..." Scott: "Didn't we just come from there?" Nina: "We point it so Puresea park points at where we came from." Rand: "Right, the arrow should point that way." * Rand orientates the sign so the Puresea Park arrow points backward. --The three blocked paths open, and the sign that says "Lia's Shrine" points straight ahead.-- * Scott heads straight forward Kyoko: "Okay... Let's go that way..." * Kyoko heads straight. * Callie follows quietly. * Rand follows Kyoko. * Scott looks in his pockets for a lighter. * Zigfried heads after everyone. * Nina dittos (but would never resort to lemming) Callie: o O (Oh yea... sure... I'm going to be able to handle another test right now. =b And if that wasn't enough it's hell to get to! ) --The path splits to the left as well as straight ahead...-- * Scott looks back at Callie, then looks forward... something's definitely going on in his mind. * Kyoko looks for another sign... Callie: =/ --There are no other signs.-- Kyoko: "Okay... think logically people..." Nina: "Right, logic." * Nina flips a silver piece Rand: "How about straight?" Kyoko: "The shrine isn't that far away... So let's head left..." Scott: "It worked before and we're headed into enemy territory." Rand: "All right, if you think so." * Callie hmms. * Scott heads left. * Kyoko follows Scott. * Callie continues with the group. --The tunnel turns at a right angle to the left again...-- --This tunnel ends in a dead end...-- * Nina seems more cheerful than usual * Callie turns around the other way. * Scott heads back and takes the other tunnel. * Zigfried is happy to sense that. * Rand turns around, "Better luck next time." * Callie doesn't seem happy. --The group returns to where they left the main path...-- * Scott takes the other tunnel. * Rand heads straight, which is actually left. --The tunnel turns to the right at a 90 degree angle...-- --There is another fork to the left, as well as the tunnel continuing on.-- Rand: "Straight this time?" Zigfried: "Straight's fine with me." * Scott will follow whichever way... * Kyoko shrugs and follows. * Rand heads straight. * Kyoko holds Rand's arm and smiles up at him. * Scott follows Rand. --Suddenly, the group reaches a dead end and the tunnel closes behind them!-- Scott: "What the hell?" Callie: O_o --There is a solitary chest here...-- * Scott opens the chest carefully. --There is a single piece of parchment inside...-- * Scott reads it... Zigfried: "What's it say?" Parchment: "In order to proceed, you must say what is impossible about the following, supposedly true, story..." Parchment: "A man went to bed after reading a book about the Dragonmasters of legend. When he fell asleep, he had a dream he was fighting alongside them and soon was face to face against Demonmaster Kane himself. Kane attacks him mercilessly, and soon this man is lying dazed on the ground." Parchment: "Kane then moves in for the finishing blow, and just before he lands it the man's wife realizes he's having a nightmare and tries to wake him up by poking him right where Kane's sword was about to land. When this happened, the man screamed, clutched where his wife had poked him, and fell back dead of a heart attack." Parchment: "What is wrong with this story?" * Callie ponders.. Scott: "Good question..." Parchment: "If you guess wrong, you will be penalized..." Rand: "Err..." Zigfried: "Great..." Rand: "Should I risk answering?" Zigfried: "I think I have an idea, but I may be wrong." * Callie hmmms. Scott: "Go ahead, Zig." Rand: "As do I." * Scott thinks... Zigfried: "The man's wife couldn't have poked him in the chest because he fell asleep while read the book. Wouldn't the book have fallen on to his chest when he fell asleep?" Kyoko: "Hmmm... wait... if the other Dragonmasters were there... Kane would get clobbered..." --Both answers are wrong. Everyone in the party loses 20 HP...-- Rand: "Shall I try?" Callie: "Wait..." Zigfried: "Go ahead." Scott: "You have an answer, Cals?" Callie: "No... never mind... go, Rand." * Kyoko ponders, "That and it never mentioned he had a wife..." * Scott continues to think... * Rand takes a deep breath, "Here goes nothing... the man wasn't married so his wife couldn't have poked him." --The answer is wrong. The entire party loses 10 more HP.-- Callie: "....." Scott: "....." * Rand cringes, "Well it was worth a try..." Nina: "Stupid... wisdom... trial..." Kyoko: "Wait... I know..." Kyoko: "He was reading about DRAGONMASTERS... not DEMONMASTERS!" --The answer was wrong. 10 more HP lost...-- * Nina blinks a few times at Kyoko * Callie fehs. * Scott slightly winces... * Zigfried sighs. "We're getting nowhere..." * Rand gets ready to try again, "Can anyone heal us if this fails..." Scott: "I will." Kyoko: "I can." * Callie sits down. * Scott is NOT gonna guess. Rand: "If he was lying in bed, he couldn't fall back..." * Zigfried could try again, but failing kinda hurts. Zigfried: "That's what I was thinking." --Wrong. 10 more HP lost.-- Callie: "May I try...?" Callie: "I doubt I have it..." * Nina leans against the wall with her arms folded, "If only the bad guys could see us now..." Scott: "Go ahead, Cals... I'm not gonna." Nina: "Defeated by a riddle..." * Scott sits down, placing his head in his hands... thinking. Callie: "... Hmmm... I'm sure I don't have it... This can't be it. =b" Kyoko: "Just say it." Callie: "... But... it never said he woke up..." Rand: "You couldn't do any worse than me." Zigfried: "We'll never get out of here otherwise." * Scott mutters incoherently. * Callie naahs... * Nina mutters to herself "Always hated these things... like 'One dark night, in the middle of the day, two dead kids came out to play. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot one another. If you don't believe this lie is true, ask the blind man, he saw it all too.'" --The doors open!-- Callie: O_o --Another parchment is found behind the door...-- Scott: "WHAT!" * Scott gets up... Zigfried: "Good work, Callie!" Callie: "You mean to say..." * Scott reads the parchment. Nina: "... I don't get it." Parchment: "Correct. Because he died before he was able to wake up, he could have never told anyone about the dream..." * Callie gets up, shocked. * Scott proceeds further. Teal: "You did it, Callie!" --The tunnels turns to the right...-- * Kyoko keeps going, holding onto Rand's arm. * Nina grumbles, "Can we move on?" --There is another tunnel going to the left, as well as the tunnel continuing straight...-- * Zigfried halts when the rest of the party does and waits for someone to pick a way. * Scott goes left. * Callie follows Scott. * Kyoko follows Scott. * Zigfried follows Scott. --The tunnel turns to the left at a right angle...-- --This path is yet another dead end...-- * Scott continues on.... Callie: =b * Scott heads back and down the other tunnel. * Kyoko follows Scott. * Callie goes with the rest. --The party continues down the straight path...-- --The path ends in a "T," with branches going left and right...-- Rand: "That blows the 'always go straight' method." Callie: "Maybe we should go right..." * Scott follows Cals. :) * Callie walks right. Kyoko: "Let's go left... Hey... guys..." --Callie finds... a dead end. :P-- * Callie stops. * Zigfried shrugs and heads right after Callie. * Callie turns around cursing. Scott: "Looks like our luck is the same, Callie. :)" * Callie goes left! ;D * Kyoko stands at the intersection and waits for everyone then goes left. * Callie stops cursing and goes back to bring quiet. * Scott follows Callie. --Suddenly, the party comes across another dead end as a wall falls behind them, trapping them!-- * Callie sighs. Scott: "Not again..." --There is another solitary chest here...-- Zigfried: "Great... Here we go again." * Kyoko opens it. --There is a parchment inside...-- * Kyoko reads it Parchment: "Solve this riddle. If you guess wrong, you will be penalized." * Zigfried assumes it'll be read aloud for his benefit. Parchment: "Three warriors entered a weapons store in order to purchase new swords. The clerk charged them 30 silver for the new weapons and off they went. A short while after they left, however, the clerk realized he should have only charged them 25 silver, so he asked his assistant to return the money to the warriors." Parchment: "The assistant was very dishonest, however, and he pocketed 2 silver and gave the warriors back 3 silver. Everyone was happy now, except for the fact that something did not seem right." Parchment: "Since the warriors only paid 27 silver and the assistant kept 2 silver for himself, what happened to the last silver piece of the 30 paid to the clerk earlier?" * Callie hmmms.... Kyoko: "I know..." Callie: "I think I do, too. =/" Kyoko: "And its the saddest human condition..." Kyoko: "The warriors were as dishonest as the clerk and pocketed the silver..." --Wrong. You all lose 10 HP...-- Callie: "I think... I have it..." Callie: "MAYBE." * Scott is 10 seconds away from casting a Heal Aura. Callie: "I doubt I'll get lucky twice..." Callie: "I couldn't..." * Kyoko casts Heal Aura. Callie: "It's that they didn't pay 27... They paid 28. =b" * Callie sighs. "Not right." --Wrong. You lost 10 more HP...-- * Rand is going through his old math classes in his head, "I know I've seen this before..." * Scott sits back... thinking again. Kyoko: "Or they lost it... because they had a hole in their pocket." --Wrong. 10 more HP lost...-- Kyoko casts Heal Aura! All HP restored for all. * Scott watches all this... but his mind is obviously elsewhere... * Zigfried can't even see why this is a riddle. The math seems right... somewhat. * Zigfried is confused. Kyoko: "This riddle is flawed...." Kyoko: "There is no solution..." Kyoko: "Its a Kobayashi Maru..." * Rand sighs and shakes his head, "It can be solved, I know it..." Scott: "Basically a catch 22. There is no solution to this riddle." Zigfried: "What is this last piece the riddle refers to?" Teal: "Huh?" Zigfried: "The warriors were returned three and the assistant has two. It all works out." --The doors open!-- Callie: =b --There is another parchment behind the second door.-- Callie: "Oh that sucked..." Scott: "Great work, Zig." Rand: "The math was just down wrong." * Zigfried sighs. "Great, my confusion cleared the way..." * Callie gets up. * Kyoko reads the other scroll. * Scott gets up and starts through the doors. Parchment: "There was no lost piece of silver. The riddle was merely phrased to make you think there was." Zigfried: "Hmph. That's why I was asking what was that piece it referred to." Nina: "That's what I SAID." * Kyoko shrugs, clings onto Rand and keeps going. * Rand smiles at Kyoko and continues. Nina: "Are we going to run into more of these?" --The tunnel turns to the left...-- Scott: "I sure hope not." --There is a ladder and another trap door on the ceiling of this tunnel...-- * Nina ARGHS * Scott climbs the ladder and opens the door. --Scott finds himself within Lia's Shrine!-- * Callie follows. =b * Kyoko climbs up to. Scott: "We're here, folks..." Teal: "We made it!" * Zigfried climbs up the ladder. * Scott helps Callie and Kyoko up from the top of the ladder. Teal: "You ready for the last part of this trial?" Zigfried: "I would like to think so." Kyoko: "Yep, bring Lia on." Teal: "Black Mage Lia, please come forth for the Trial of Wisdom!" Scott: "Let's rock. :)" --A translucent image of a young woman appears before the group...-- Lia: "Teal! I missed you so... It's great to see you again!" Teal: "Same here, Lia, but we have work to do. Kane is still alive, and we need the crests to defeat him!" Lia: "Right... Okay, you heard Teal, we're in a hurry, so let's get this trial done now!" ===HERO COMBAT - BLACK MAGE LIA!=== Rand casts Duel! The clouds of chaotic magic home in on... Lia! Lia suffers 1 damage. Zigfried: "Magic probably won't work too well against a mage of her stature." Scott casts Kiai Slice! * Scott holds his blade in front of his chest... he begins to glow a deep red. * Scott executes a perfect crosscut... raising his Hit%. Scott's Hit% is up 36... Zigfried casts Blue Master Precision! * Nina readies her whip * Zigfried's crest glows with a brilliant azure light, surrounding him in its aura and magnifying his skill. Zigfried's Hit% is temporarily infinite! Zigfried's claws also glow with an azure light... Lia casts Mystic Defender! Lia's MgE up 15! Callie casts Quicker! Callie's reaction up 59. Kyoko casts Ultrasonic! Lia suffers 1 damage... Nina attacks! First attack... 1 damage... Second attack... 1 damage... Zigfried recovers 30 HP. ===ROUND 2=== Scott: "I don't know if this is gonna work...but I'm gonna try a Force Blade." Nina: "Not my best work." Callie: "Her magic defense is phenomenal. Kyoko, you'd be better off fighting than magic on her, even if it doesn't do much, it's likely to do more..." Nina: "How do we fight wisely?" Kyoko: "I have a plan, Callie..." Callie: "Hmm..." Nina casts Crack Whip! First attack... 1 damage... Second attack... 1 damage... * Callie wonders what else could be done... Callie casts Strength Summons! * Callie fehs. Callie's ATK up 57. * Scott raises his blade high into the air.. Scott attacks... First attack... 1 damage... Second attack... 1 damage... Scott: "Okay.... what's next to try... but... FORCE BLADE!" Zigfried casts Owl's Wisdom! * Zigfried raises a claw and his form blurs as a new sense of direction fills him. "Great predator of the night, lend me the knowledge of when and where to strike." First attack... Critical hit! 2 damage. Zig's Def up 1. Second attack... Critical hit! 2 damage. Zig's Def up 1. Third attack... Critical hit! 2 damage. Zig's Def up 1. Fourth attack... Critical hit! 2 damage. Zig's Def up 1. Fifth attack... Critical hit! 2 damage. Zig's Def up 1. Zigfried: "Scheisse!" Scott: "Hey, Zig... heavy damage there, bud. :)" * Callie mutters. "Hmm... I doubt that combos should work, either... feh..." * Zigfried smiles bitterly. "More than everyone else." Scott: "At least not Sword Blessing." Lia casts Force Gale on the front row! A barrage of wind pounds into the front row... Scott: "Dammit!" * Zigfried raises his claws to defend himself. * Scott raises his shield. * Nina strikes a cool windblown hair pose Callie suffers 20. Scott suffers 97. Zigfried suffers 127. Nina suffers 1. Rand suffers 1. Scott: "One Heal Aura coming up..." Kyoko casts Transfer Litany! Lia loses 1 HP, Kyoko gains 1 HP. * Kyoko looks to Lia and in a Shang Tsung voice says, "Your strength is mine!" Callie: =b Zigfried recovers 30 HP. ===ROUND 3=== Callie: "Anyone want to TRY a combo? I doubt it will work... but if no one else has an idea..." Scott: "Althena, hear my plea... refresh and heal my comrades for the sake of our worlds." Nina: "I have one with Zig, I think that's it." * Scott begins to glow bright blue as he concentrates on healing. Scott: "We also have Sword Blessing. KY, Callie, get to it." Zigfried: "I really have no idea what to do right now and if anyone has suggestions I'm open to them." Nina: "She isn't unholy." Teal: "Sword blessing on something that's holy!?" Callie: "Kyoko, what are you doing? Want to try a Sword Blessing?" Callie: "I suppose not..." * Callie hmms. Nina: "Do Storm Front or something, I know you guys love that." Kyoko: "Yes... Sword Blessing..." Callie: "What was that other very strong one... ahh well..." Zigfried: "Ugh..." Teal: "Angelic Feathers?" Nina: "But Zig is out of magic." Teal: "Oh, yeah..." * Kyoko prepares her Diana's Song. Zigfried: "Maybe I can suck a little bit off Lia, if her guards aren't up too high." Scott: "I have a Starlight..." * Scott throws his Starlight to Zig. * Zigfried fumbles, but catches the starlight. Nina: "You wanna work with me Zig?" Nina: "We can try next round." Kyoko: "Wait..." Kyoko: "I know..." Kyoko: "Storm Front..." Kyoko: "It may work!" Scott: "He can use his magic after he uses that Starlight." Scott: "Kyoko... I don't have the Mizuno ring equipped." Kyoko: "Well, put it on and we'll do it next round..." Scott: "Zig, you may wanna equip that Kazeno Ring or give it to Rand." * Kyoko takes off the Star Healer Crest and puts on the Denkouno Ring. Scott and Kyoko equip their rings... Lia defends... * Scott takes off the White Hero's Crest and equips the Mizuno ring. Zigfried uses a Starlight. MP up 30. Callie casts Kiai Slice. Hit% up 50. Scott: "I'm gonna want the wisdom increase of my Star Crest to cast Aqua Blast." Nina casts Wrapped Whip. It has no effect on Lia... Rand casts Luck! It circles in on Lia but has no effect... Zigfried recovers 30 HP. ===ROUND 4=== * Scott begins to chant in an ancient dialogue. Waters jet out of the ground and surround Scott. Nina: "Zig? Do you want to try working together?" Callie: "What now?" Zigfried: "Sure, Nina." Scott: "Guardian of the water, hear my plea... bring forth your power that I may decimate this threat!" * Nina presses her fingers together * Callie sighs. "Oh well... I'll keep making myself stronger until we have a plan I guess. =/" Scott: "CALLIE... TRY YOUR ROCK JAVELIN!" * Kyoko chants on her ring. * Callie sighs and nods. "It wouldn't work..." Scott: "We're gonna try to combo... come on, Cals!" Kyoko: "No... I know... Everyone... Use your elemental power!" Callie casts Rock Javelin! Lia is hit by a shower of stones for 192 damage. Scott: "All right... we've got ourselves a plan..." Kyoko: "AH HA!!!" Rand casts Fire Arrow! Lia is torched by a bolt of flame for 211 damage. Callie: "How... why..." * Callie fails to see the reasoning in why this would work... * Nina holds up a large ball of light above her head Scott casts Aqua Blast! Callie: o O (Oh well, it's not like I'm the ever wise one. =b) * Scott casts Aqua Blast. Scott is surrounded by the waters as they jet forward and hit Lia. Lia suffers 144 damage. Scott: "YEEEE HAAAWWWW!!!" * Callie sighs. Scott: "Zig, I'd suggest equipping the Kazeno Ring." Lia casts Thunder Justice on Kyoko! Kyoko is hit by intense bolts of thunder for 83 damage. Scott: "Kyoko!" * Kyoko smirks and takes it. "Althena protects me... OWIE..." Kyoko casts Thunder Bolt! * Kyoko holds her hands out, concentrating on her ring saying, "Althena, bring your judgment!" sending a flash of lightening at Lia! * Callie fails to see why hitting a mage with magic is wise... in fact, it used to be considered very unwise... but then she abandons that thought from her head. Lia is shocked by a bolt of thunder for 361 damage. Kyoko: "Take it back!" Zigfried and Nina cast Angelic Feathers! * Zigfried whirls around as wings form on his back. Feathers sheath themselves in steel and explode from his wings in a massive barrage of sharpened blades. The attack hits Lia for 342 damage. Zigfried regains 30 HP... ===ROUND 5=== Scott: "Guardian of the water... bring forth your judgment! Wash away this threat from before us!" Kyoko: "Combo!!!" * Nina looks to Zig to see what he wants to do * Kyoko keeps chanting on her ring. * Zigfried shrugs. "I guess we can try the feathers again." Kyoko: "No... Zig... Nina... Use your ring..." * Scott raises his ring to the skies... It begins glowing bright blue as jets of water rise from the ground and surround Scott. Callie casts Rock Javelin! 188 damage. Scott: "How about a little BLAST from the past?" Callie: =b Rand casts Fire Arrow. 174 damage. * Callie fehs. Scott casts Aqua Blast. 134 damage. * Scott casts Aqua Blast. Scott is surrounded by the waters as they jet forward and hit Lia. Lia casts Solar Nova! A fiery explosion takes place in the heart of the party, damaging all of them! Callie suffers 43. Scott suffers 132. Zigfried suffers 139. Nina suffers 51. Rand suffers 57. Kyoko suffers 1. Scott: "Time to heal..." Callie: "That would be wise..." * Kyoko looks lightly singed, holding out a hot dog... Kyoko casts Thunder Bolt! Lia suffers 308... Zigfried and Nina cast Angelic Feathers! * Zigfried whirls around as wings form on his back. Feathers sheath themselves in steel and explode from his wings in a massive barrage of sharpened blades. Lia suffers 318 damage... Lia: "Congratulations!" VICTORY! * Callie fehs. Scott: "YEEEE HAAAWWWWWW!" All gain 10 XP. 1 S and 500 MXP gained. * Zigfried looks somewhat startled, then miffed. * Callie mumbles very softly. "... What was so wise about beating a mage with magic..." Lia: "Lou's nuts, what can I say?" Scott: "I'm starting to figure that out, Lia. :)" Lia: "Anyway, Nina, would you please step forward?" * Nina blinks. "Me?" * Callie sighs. "The trial of futility..." Lia: "Yes, you..." Nina: "But... I'm not a hero." Lia: "Not a hero? You have all the traits a true hero needs. Courage, loyalty, strength, and wisdom..." * Kyoko keeps the ring on as its more useful than the crests... Nina: "I'm just... helping my friends." * Scott re-equips the Crest of Courage. Lia: "How do you think I got started in all this? Heroes aren't born heroes, they have to earn their titles..." * Nina opens her mouth to protest further, figures that resistance is futile, steps forward Lia: "Nina, you're not the first one to think they were not hero material... The Dragonmaster himself lacked confidence at first as he was the weakest of all of us..." Lia: "Please, don't feel obliged to take the Crest of Wisdom... You must choose to carry it of your own free will..." Kyoko: "Nina... come on... you are a hero... and a great friend..." Nina: "I guess part of wisdom is knowing when to trust yourself." Lia: "Very true... Do you trust yourself, Nina?" Nina: "More than I ever have before." * Nina turns to look at the others, lingering on Zig the longest Scott: "And we all trust her..." Lia: "Well then, as you have shown your wisdom by trusting yourself, I request that you be the bearer of the Crest of Wisdom..." Zigfried: "Go ahead, Nina. You've earned it." --A pillar of purplish light punches through the floor. Suspended it in is a small, black, shield-like object with a jagged stone in the center. The stone has a small dragon etched into it...-- Nina: "I accept." Lia: "Take it, and good luck..." * Nina takes the Crest of futi.... err Wisdom. -Nina acquires Crest of Wisdom (Wis + 25, *enables Black Mage Reflection) Nina: "Thank you." Lia: "Good bye Teal, and be careful around Kane... He is a master of deception..." * Lia fades away... Zigfried: "Congratulations, Nina." * Zigfried gives her a swift hug. Scott: "Congrats, Nina. :)" * Nina looks down at the crest Kyoko: "Bye... Lia..." * Kyoko looks a little sad and re-equips the Star Healer Crest and takes off the Ring. * Teal waves, a tear in her eye... * Callie snickers to herself. "Heh... perhaps it would be wise of us to depart soon..." Teal: *sniff* "Well, how about we go back to the hospital and say good bye to Doctor Lena before we leave?" Scott: "Come on, Teal. What did I tell you? Perk up!" Teal: *sniff* "I'm okay, I just have some dirt in my eye..." Scott: "Sure...." Kyoko: "Okay." --A transfer circle appears in the center of the shrine...-- * Kyoko heads back into the tunnels. Teal: "Kyoko, wait..." * Scott goes to the transfer circle. * Zigfried enters the circle. Teal: "I guess Lia left us one more gift..." * Kyoko decides to use the circle instead. * Callie waits for Teal. * Teal steps in the circle * Callie goes. * Scott steps on the circle. --The party teleports and finds themselves near the statue of Althena in the park...-- * Kyoko touches the statue. * Scott heads to the hospital. Everyone's HP/MP restored. * Nina slides the crest under her armor in equipped position * Kyoko heads for the hospital. --The party returns to the hospital and is greeted by a new receptionist...-- Receptionist: "Hello, how may I help you?" * Scott wonders if this receptionist is as squeamish as the last. Receptionist: "Excuse me, are you just going to stand there? :)" Scott: "We need to see Dr. Lena please." Kyoko: "Is Dr. Lena there?" Receptionist: "Doctor Lena? She's in the maternity ward... She just gave birth to a baby boy!" Kyoko: "Oh wow... She's a mother now..." * Kyoko looks to Rand and blushes.. Zigfried: "She must be very proud." Scott: "Hmmm... maybe we should drop by and offer our congrats, then leave." Receptionist: "Yes she is... Very proud..." Receptionist: "Sure. It's visiting hours and she's in room 16A on the 12th floor..." * Nina moves over to Zig. "Who'd have thought I'd be one of those... world saving hero types?" * Scott heads to the elevator. * Kyoko follows Scott. --The elevator doors open...-- * Zigfried smiles to Nina. "I don't care what people have thought. If you can save the world, then you may as well do so." * Scott enters the elevator. Callie: "..." * Callie enters.. Teal: "Going up? :)" * Zigfried enters. * Nina follows * Kyoko presses the 12 button (being the official elevator button pusher) --The elevator smoothly ascends and stops at the 12th floor...-- Teal: "Okay, now where's 16A..." * Teal checks a floor directory. "Ahh, found it! Follow me..." * Scott looks for room 16A * Scott follows Teal. * Rand follows Teal, hoping we don't find a dead end... * Kyoko follows Teal. --As the party approaches room 16A, they see a bouquet of black roses outside the door...-- Scott: "Awww... damn. Why do I get the idea that Kane's close by?" Kyoko: "NO!!!" --Apparently, Dr. Lena has other visitors...-- * Rand stops and stares at the roses, "This probably isn't good..." Teal: "Shh... maybe we can eavesdrop..." * Kyoko growls, "Kane..." * Scott takes a seat on a close by couch and conceals his face with a newspaper. Callie: "... Feh..." * Teal tries to get close enough to the door to listen without being seen... * Zigfried nods in understanding. Kane: "Well, Susan, congratulations on becoming a first-time mother..." Lena: "Thank you, Kane..." Kane: "Have you chosen a name for him yet?" Lena: "No, I haven't... I'm waiting for my husband to get back to me from the resistance front before I do. It is his son too, you know." Kane: "Yes, I know... Too bad your husband is off fighting with the resistance. He'd be much safer here with you..." Lena: "But what about the rest of the world, Kane?" Kane: "What about it?" Lena: "What kind of world will it be if there are no other children around for my son to play with?" Kane: "Bah. I didn't play with any other children when I was young..." Lena: "Yes, and, look how you turned out..." Kane: "If you weren't my distant niece I'd..." Lena: "You'd what? Kill me? Is that the only answer you have to your problems, to kill those that anger you?" Kane: "You don't understand..." Lena: "No, as a doctor, one who tries to preserve life, I guess I cannot understand..." Kane: "It doesn't matter anyway... Nephar will soon learn how to tap into the power of that baby, Alyson, and both these worlds shall be shattered... It was all I could do to put you under my own protection so that you'll be safe even when that time comes..." Lena: "I don't believe that! Kane, we both know how powerful you are, why don't you abandon Nephar and fight for Lucia?" Kane: "Power means nothing... Two-thousand years ago, when I dueled with that Dragonmaster, I was far more powerful than he was. My swordsmanship was nearly as good, and my magic was far stronger." Kane: "His fire magic was a joke, and none of his other spells, no matter how strong or holy, could injure me. By all accounts, I should have won!" Lena: "But you didn't..." Kane: "No... somehow he was able to defeat me..." Lena: "But that was then, and this is now... Please, Kane, reconsider your choice of what side to fight for in this battle..." Kane: "I cannot. I was destined to fight on my chosen side..." Lena: "You make your own destiny! Please, fight for the side of good for a change. Perhaps you could even join up with that group I met recently. They're looking for the Heroes' Crests and probably would appreciate any help they can get..." Kane: "What!? They're here!? Susan, please, tell me where they are!" Lena: "Not with that tone of voice... I know you too well to not know what that means... If I tell you where they are you will kill them and take whatever crests they have, won't you?" Kane: "You don't understand..." Lena: "Yes I do understand! You're afraid!" Kane: "Hah. Me, afraid?" Lena: "Yes, you're afraid! You're afraid that once they find the Dragonmaster's Crest they'll know how he was able to defeat you back then and you will die again..." Kane: "I've been dead before. I'm not afraid of dying again..." Lena: "You could've fooled me." Kane: "Look, my reasons for going after the Heroes' Crests have nothing to do with my own life. Anyway, that brings me to the other reason behind my visit..." Lena: "Other reason?" Kane: "I've come to say good bye..." Lena: "'Good bye'?" Kane: "One thing I am afraid of is that I may not be able to see you or your son again..." Lena: "What are you talking about!?" Kane: "There is a chance, however slight, that I may not be around to witness the end of this war, no matter which side wins..." Lena: "You don't mean..." Kane: "Yes, I do... However, I still have many things I have to do before the war ends... Farewell, Susan, and take good care of your son..." * Kane bends over and kisses Susan and her infant son on the cheek Lena: "Kane..." * Scott still conceals his face with the newspaper. * Kane teleports out in a swirl of dark magic. * Kyoko suddenly takes great pity for Kane... replacing all that hate... * Scott gets up....thinking. Teal: "That... That's not like the Kane I knew..." Rand: "Wow..." Callie: "..." Scott: "Maybe the Demonmaster has a sense of honor after all." Zigfried: "Not the Kane that any of us have seen or heard before." Rand: "He didn't sound as evil as you made him out to be..." * Teal is in a state of slight shock * Kyoko is silent and looks at her crest and just sees herself... "So much hate..." Scott: "Well, we oughta congratulate Lena and get back to the Destiny." Zigfried: "Perhaps we should go see Dr. Lena, now." Rand: "Yes..." * Teal recovers. Teal: "Yeah, I suppose so... I still can't believe that was Kane in there though..." * Scott knocks on the door. Lena: "Come in." * Kyoko slowly enters. Callie" "........" * Scott enters with the rest of the party. --Lena is resting on the bed, her son in her arms. She is crying lightly...-- Lena: *sniff* "Oh, hi." Scott: "Your friendly neighborhood heroes at your service. We just wanted to congratulate you... We heard the good news." Zigfried: "Sorry for disturbing you at such a time, Dr. Lena..." * Rand smiles weakly, "Hello, and congratulations." Lena: *sniff* "Thank you..." Lena: "I guess my son is the only good news in this world right now, at least for me..." Scott: "Anyway... we noticed the black roses... What did Kane want?" * Nina moves over to look at the child Lena: "Same thing as you... He is family, after all... He stopped by to pay a visit and... say good bye..." --The child is sleeping soundly...-- Scott: "Something is telling me that there's more to Kane than meets the eye..." --The phone next to the bed rings...-- Lena: "Excuse me..." * Callie turns her head and looks at the ground... thinking several things over at once... * Kyoko is silent. * Lena talks on the phone for a bit, and then hangs up... * Zigfried leans against the wall. Lena: "Sorry about that... Just that the kids downstairs are a little disappointed that the puppet show didn't show up..." Callie: "..." Lena: "And yes, I think Kane is hiding many, many secrets..." Scott: "We have to be going anyway, Doc. We still have a couple of crests to obtain and a few devils to defeat." Zigfried: "I'm sorry to hear that. They must have really wanted to see it." Lena: "I'm worried about him... I know he's trying to destroy the world, but, well, he is family..." Kyoko: "Maybe Kane isn't as bad as... I... knew him to be..." Kyoko: "Maybe..." Lena: "Wait... Please... Do any of you know someone who could entertain the children downstairs?" Nina: "We can put on a show for the kids." Lena: "You?" * Scott pokes Zig. * Nina makes little light sparklies Rand: "Entertain children? Us?" Lena: "Not bad." Kyoko: "Sure.. I could do a show about Althena..." Callie: "..." * Lena cheers up a little... * Zigfried turns to Scott. "What? Me?" * Kyoko perks up, "I'll tell the story of the Dragonmasters!" Scott: "I could tell them a few stories. I've been adventuring for a long time." Lena: "I don't think they're in the mood for preaching... Do any of you think you could lip sync Zigfried Brandl songs? He's very popular with the kids here..." * Scott nudges Zig... * Nina pouts, he gets to do everything * Zigfried rubs the back of his head. "I could do that." Scott: "That's your territory, bud..." * Kyoko immediately face-faults and plikus. * Callie turns back to everyone else. Lena: "If you could do that, I would really appreciate it..." --A nurse walks into the room.-- Zigfried: "Do you have a piano around here? I could use it." Nurse: "Excuse me, but the mother and her son need their rest..." Lena: "There's one in the auditorium..." Zigfried: "All right." * Scott leaves the room.... Callie: "..." * Zigfried bows to Lena and leaves. Lena: "Good bye, and thank you..." Scott: "I'll see ya around, Doc. :)" * Rand smiles, "We wish you and your son the best of luck, I hope we meet again." Callie: "Well then... bye..." * Kyoko takes Rand's arm and smiles, "See ya, Lena." * Nina follows Callie: "..." * Callie finally goes. --The party takes the elevator and soon arrives in the auditorium, filled with restless children, all wishing they could get better and go home...-- * Zigfried wonders if someone has told them about the change in plans. --An orderly announces to the crowd...-- Orderly: "Sorry about the puppet show, kids, but instead we will have someone performing Zigfried Brandl's songs!" * Scott leans against a back wall.... Kyoko: "Tell em, Zig..." --The kids cheer happily!-- Kyoko: "It'll make their day..." * Zigfried finds his way on stage and faces the crowd, dropping back his hood. --The audience gasps.-- * Callie says in a loud, announcer voice. "Hey kids!! Get ready for the number one man... The one... the only... Zigfried Brandl!!!!!!" Child: "It's really him! It's Zigfried!" Zigfried: "Actually, kids, you're in for a better treat, since Zigfried himself is right here before you!" * Callie shimmies back. --The crowd cheers even louder.-- * Callie coughs a few times, wondering why the heck she did that. =b Teal: "Zigfried is quite the humanitarian... Too bad not all celebrities are as gracious as he is..." Scott: "Hey, Nina... think you can provide a light show for him?" Nina: "Sure, I can do that." * Zigfried smiles. "I know you're all anxious to get home, but I think you'll at least want to stay for this performance. You'll be the first to here my new song, 'Last Lady,' which is dedicated to a very special woman in the audience." * Zigfried carefully takes his seat at the piano and begins playing the opening measures to the song. * Kyoko looks at Nina with a jealous look then looks at Rand... Zigfried: "o/~ Life can't get any stranger, surprises 'round every corner. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ Never knowing what would come to pass, to keep down the former boredom. o/~" * Rand notices Kyoko's gaze and smiles to her. * Nina presses her palms together * Kyoko snuggles into Rand and sighs happily. Zigfried: "o/~ Within the spotlight in the darkness, the people near me grew ev'r farther. o/~" * Callie looks down at the floor again.. Zigfried: "o/~ I who thought I'd always be alone now reach a hand, longing for support. o/~" * Scott listens to the song. He looks over at Callie. Zigfried: "o/~ A strange sight, a figure, a fight with no end; o/~" * Nina releases a ball of light, it flies up to hover above the stage Zigfried: "o/~ The brightness, becoming, an angel of light. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ All the rest is dimmed, save the one all alone. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ Last lady, last lady, can I have this final dance? I'm in need of a love just as much as you. o/~" * Kyoko looks up at Rand and kisses him. Callie: "..." Zigfried: "o/~ Last lady, last lady, standing there all alone, do you need a man to stay beside you? o/~" * Callie still stares at the floor in thought... Zigfried: "o/~ To stay beside you... o/~" * Rand is slightly shocked, but doesn't resist. Zigfried: "o/~ I'll protect you from ever doubting. The fears within will never scare you. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ The danger's past and the future comes. Let us greet it, with hearts open wide. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ Together, as one soul, I can see a new hope. o/~" * Kyoko snuggles Rand again. Zigfried: "o/~ The feeling, becoming, a different life. o/~" * Scott leans against the wall beside Callie... listening to Zig's song. Zigfried: "o/~ Perhaps the two of us, have formed a whole from the part. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ Last lady, last lady, will you understand me? Your light has touched me as have none before. o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ Last lady, last lady, without you is darkness. Can you see I need you beside me? o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ Please stay beside me. o/~" Callie: "........................." * Zigfried enters the final repeat of the chorus. * Nina makes the light flare brightly and go out Zigfried: "o/~ Last lady, last lady, can I have this final dance? I'm in need of a love just as much as you. o/~" * Callie looks up. * Scott looks over at Callie, and returns his attention to the song. * Callie looks troubled... Zigfried: "o/~ Last lady, last lady, without you is darkness. Can you see I need you beside me? o/~" Zigfried: "o/~ There is no one else... o/~" * Zigfried brings the song to its conclusion. --The crowd stands and cheers!-- Children: "We love you Zigfried!" * Callie smirks slightly. * Scott applauds Zig. * Zigfried grins and waves. * Kyoko applauds then follows back to the Destiny. * Nina walks up to Zig, her head down * Rand walks beside Kyoko. --The group leaves the hospital, returning to the Destiny, feeling bright about their future, but also questioning the motives of the one called the Demonmaster...-- ===SESSION END===