Hyrule Adventures 2

As the group began their search for the Cursed One, leaving Victor alone, he began to tremble again. Deciding to play it safe, he cast a quick healing spell on himself to get back a little HP, and then unsheathed his dagger and brought out his shield for the umpteenth time since his first time in the cave. Not exactly knowing where to start, the Bard chose to head Northward in his search for the Intelligent One, since it would seem that none of his team members would provide an explanation of the situation...

OOC: Didn't give me much to work with there, eh, Blank? Well, I'm out for the night. I've still got a project to finish up and a little studying to do. Same deal as before: post if you want, I'll reply A.S.A.P.

OOC: Just checking to see what you'd do
IC:

As Victor is searching, a dark aura fills the Town Square and surrounds the others. Although shadowy, the aura blinds the sights of those who come into contact with it. Somewhere in the distance, Malak can be heard cursing, but the rest is inaudible. A dark yet melodious voice calls out to Victor from the gloomy fog.

You have done well, Victor. Yes, bard, it appears you have great worth, great worth indeed.

The aura disperses, but the bard's comrades can not be seen. In fact, the entire District seems to have disappeared completely. Victor is floating in a void of darkness that does not hinder his movement, but obscures his vision to an extent. A strange man in black appears before him. His garb is the same as Victor's comrades down here, but it is ravaged and old. The mysterious figure speaks to him.

Welcome to our city, bard. I trust you will find our hospitality to be very accommodating.

His words are kind, but his tone betrays the notion, as if this person is mocking Victor. He draws from his cloak a sword fit for a nightmare. Its hilt is polished silver adorned with black and purple jewels, while the blade is a wide yet flat beam of deep black steel. White, unreadable runes are etched into it. The cloaked figure points the demonic weapon at Victor.

Now, before I am forced to rid this planet of your memory... give me the pendant.

As he found himself surrounded by darkness, Victor continued trembling as he had been before, and looked around frantically for any of his team members. Finding no one but the strange man asking for the pendant, the Bard took out the trinket he had found earlier. He looked at it and wondered what possible worth it could have, and decided to ask...

"Why? Wh- what could you possibly want with this s-simple decoration?"

The cloaked figure laughs abruptly and lowers his unique weapon. He explains the significance of the pendant in a mocking tone as if Victor were some kind of ignorant moron. There is a great amount of spite in his strange voice.

Why, I should strike you down right now for such an absurd question. This "trinket," as you have so boldly insulted it, is worth far more than all of the riches buried under this city. It is one of an assortment of other pendants similar in shape and quality. A beautiful Stone of Curse such as this is one of the many keys to resolving the terrible plague that this city has suffered. And you intruders who boldly seek to send us into ruin, you are the true source of this Curse.

The figure grabs his hood and reveals his face, if it can even be called that. It appears to be nothing more than a skull, but other physical features such as eyes and decaying flesh defeat the very notion of a complete skeleton. A disgusting brain pulses inside the skull, partially hidden by the bone fragments but visible nonetheless. The hideous man points his weapon at the bard again, acquiring a rough tone when speaking to Victor this time.

I suggest you hand it over as I have suggested, bard. It would be a shame for a fool such as yourself to "disappear" so randomly.

A puzzled look appeared on Victor's as the man explained the pendant's significance, but was soon replaced with a look of disgust when the cloaked figure showed what made him a Cursed One. Swallowing his sudden nausea, the Bard looked away and tossed the pendant towards the man.

"Take it! Just... take it..."

The mysterious Intelligent One laughs and cackles disturbingly. His sword disappears in a flash of light and he catches the pendant in his skeletal hand.

Many thanks, bard. It is such a wonderful feeling, knowing that there are still some who will sell out their comrades. You have much to learn. You are so very ignorant.

The man conceals his face and disappears in a blinding flash. The darkness surrounding Victor disperses, and he appears to be back in the Training District. The others are searching for him, and Radley is the first to notice his reappearance.

Victor! What happened?

Victor looked at Radley, a look of terror much like Malak's upon his face.

"This... this skeleton-man... thing took the pendant. He said it was a Stone of Curse, said that we were the source of the course... I don't know, I couldn't stand it. He threatened me with this sword... it was so dark... I gave it up... I sold you... I'm... I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand it... his face... and his pulsating brain... all visible... it was just... I'm so, so sorry... I'm... sorry..."

At this, the Bard looked down at his feet in shame, trying to avoid Radley's - and anyone else's- gaze. Still in his mind was the sight of the man's face, his hideous, undead face. It was like a nightmare, and he truly hoped that it was just that- or at least that what he had done wasn't as bad as he had thought...

Malak strides over to the bard and pats him lightly on the shoulder. The sorrowful Sheikah tries to calm Victor down and ease his troubles.

You have not sold us out, Victor. We have merely found ourselves in a new situation where we are on the receiving end of loss. You are in no trouble, we are just glad that you are safe. You will, of course, have to tell the leaders of this account when you meet with them. Ah, that reminds me. We are almost late, we had best leave this place.

Radley nods to second Malak's statements, and Jett sighs in relief upon seeing that Victor has not been damaged further than temporary shock. As the three men leave the District, Helena places her hand on Victor's shoulder in the caring way similar to the night before.

Victor... you've seen the face of an Intelligent One. This is... so sad. Don't worry, though. You're safe for now.

The woman attempts to bring some cheer to the dark situation with a smile, but it is lost in the dreary atmosphere of the wrecked Training District. She retracts her hand and leaves the District.

OOC: Wow, lack of consistent updating on my part... Sorry for the lapse, I've been busy with work and all...
IC:

The reconnaissance party leaves the empty scene of the horrible and disgusting events through what was once a great river. On the trek through the canyon there is no sign of the Cursed Ones, nor is there any other serious hardship. The only trivial obstacle is the walk itself, as the group is weary after the occurrences of the days events. They trudge along until they reach the city's connecting bridge, at which time they immediately head for the castle.

As soon as the group reaches the courtyard, the four experienced fighters free their faces from the confines of the black hoods and disperse to carry out their own tasks, waving to Victor and urging him to make haste in finding Darizan and the other leaders. As Radley, Jett and Malak disappear into the castle, Helena turns back to Victor and speaks to him.

Darizan will be in the meeting hall from yesterday. Don't worry, Victor, they won't be upset with you. See ya!

The woman of an unidentified race bolts off to eat and sleep, weary of the recon mission.

As Victor enters the large white hall, only one detail has been altered since his last visit to this enormous chamber. There are far less people than there were before; instead of thirty to forty cloaked individuals there are now three.

At the head of the table sits Darizan, his deep red hair standing out in the well lit hall. As he notices Victor's entrance, he stands abruptly. The two other leaders here follow suit, turning to watch the bard as he enters. Although their hoods are down, they are too far from sight to be identified as male or female, and their race is currently indiscernible. Darizan is the first to speak.

Welcome back, Victor. I am impressed by your punctuality yet again, for you have arrived a full ten minutes earlier than expected. Now, sit and we will discuss the outcome of your day. We are not yet prepared to discuss everything, however, as three of our fellow leaders have had dangerous run-ins on the surface. They are being healed in the basement levels as we speak. I have no doubt in my mind that there is still much that you do not understand, bard. The others will be here shortly, feel free to converse with us or ask any questions you may have until that time.

"Ten minutes early? But I thought... oh, nevermind."

Smiling at Darizan and the two strangers, Victor gratefully took a seat at the table and relaxed a bit. As Darizan spoke, he tensed a bit and remembered the skeletal man from before, but decided against mentioning it until the rest were present. Instead, he attemted to make polite conversation with those already present.

"Well, umm... may I ask who you two are?"

The first of the strangers, a strong looking Hylian male, nods at Victor and drums his fingers on the table as he speaks. He has deep brown eyes and messy blond hair that reaches to his neck. A well cared for beard distinguishes him from any other blond haired Hylian. His eyes show a longing for battle and great determination. He seems friendly enough. His voice has a royal tone to it, although it is clear that he is not the cloaked figure that spoke with Victor outside in the Hospitality District (who is still unidentified).

Well, I must say it is an honour to be meeting with you, Victor. I am Serin Sesseau, but Serin will be quite alright. I trust Darizan has done his usual poor job of explaining in full detail the deep aspects of this organization? As was expected; Darizan would rather wait to be asked than just say outright the true elements. And she...

A beautiful, thin young woman sits next to Serin. Her long hair reaches down to her arms, and it is as deep a shade of black as the sky on a starless, moonless night. Had she appeared as an enemy, her hair could be compared to the rough flesh of the Oblivion Re-Deads from the Training District, but that would be far too great of an insult given her gorgeous features. Her skin is lightly tanned, and bares a noble smile that lights the room with a peaceful aura. If Victor has been paying attention during his time in this city, her cloudy green eyes will be better understood in clarifying her race. The woman's voice is calm and drifts across the table in a wave of serenity.

I am glad to meet you as well, Victor. My name is Lara Caroll, and much like you, I too am a bard. Darizan has told us of your courage, as well as your skill with that dagger of yours. And without the aid of the Dark Power. You deserve recognition, Victor.

Lara's smile disappears as the door of the enormous chamber burst open. Through it runs a Goron. He is short and thin in contrast to other Gorons, but still slightly larger than Victor. A tuft of grey-brown hair covers the spot on his head that is commonly bald among Gorons. His typical large blue eyes show signs of worry.

Darizan, Lara, Serin. I spotted a group of Cursed Ones in the castle. Maverick wants us to move this "meeting" to the Tactical Office. Says we'll be safe there.

Darizan pounds his fist on the table and curses in Gerudic, allowing further speculation that he is indeed of that race, although the very notion is absurd. The leader looks up at the Goron in front of him and nods.

Very well. Tristan, go around to the bedchambers and warn everyone about the possible threat. Do you know how many there are?

No.

Darizan covers his brow and shakes his head in frustration. Turning to Victor, he points to the entrance of the hall.

Victor, you now have access to the third floor basement. You can get there via the stairwell, as you did with the other floors. That floor is where you will find the Tactical Office. Now go, one of the leaders will meet you there. Serin, Lara, follow Tristan and I to make sure our people are safe.

The four leaders rush out of the hall, leaving Victor to find his way to the new meeting place. It is an unfortunate event, but maximum safety is a must. As Darizan and the others exit, they pull their hoods over their faces to protect their identity from the Intelligent Ones, in the probable case that one of the skeletal beasts entered with their minions.

OOC: Wow. It took me way too long to read your post. The system actually signed me out!

IC: Listening to Serin speak, Victor once again realized that the leaders of the organization weren't out to keep secrets from him, much like when he had first spoken with Darizan. And when Lara spoke, the he realized that not everyone was dark and mysterious; the Bard was too mesmerized by the woman's beauty to even realize that she was praising him. But when the doors bursted open, Victor was awakened from his daze, and looked at the doors half expecting to see the rest of the leaders. So, when he realized that it was a Goron bearing bad news, he slouched a bit and gave an exasperated sigh. "The fun never seems to end in this place," he thought.

As Darizan and the rest left the room, Victor reluctantly got up from his chair and trudged towards the doorway. Before exiting, he made sure to cover his head in the hood as well, and was soon shifting uncomfortably as he walked down the hall and into the lobby. There, he looked around for the staircase from before...

OOC: I'ma sleep now. If you meant for Victor to get attacked or something, go ahead. If not, assume he went down the stairs, m'kay?