Alpha once again eyes Trish. Suspicion isn't exactly evident in his glance, but it could certainly be found in his crimson gaze if one looked hard enough. Still, she had helped them get rid of that cursed Ghoma more quickly, and had mentioned both Derix and Eyra as allies. With his scar continuing its bright glow, though, he can't say that he is inclined to give her the trust she is probably expecting.

But Alpha's magical capabilities have been reduced to a shred, and Victor is in no shape to be fighting off a new enemy. Even if Trish is the one causing his scar to shine, Alpha realizes that he needs to play along until he and and the bard have had time to recover. He finally sighs, bending down and grabbing the chest in his hands. Lifting it off the floor, he wraps his left arm around it while the right hand moves to unlock and open the lid...

OOC: I'm fairly certain that Trish is an ally, but Alpha doesn't know that Meridel is watching.

Inside the over-sized chest was a tiny key, similar to the one that Victor had destroyed just before the Ghoma battle. There was only one noticeable difference: this key appeared to be in excellent condition. With no rust appearing in any place on the small iron trinket, it almost appeared to be new. No matter how much pressure was applied to the key, it showed no signs of breaking anywhere near as easily as the previous had. Alpha was also able to grasp the key without damaging his hand on sharp, pointed spikes of rust.

At this point, Meridel unveiled herself. It was not a very dramatic entrance, but more of a stealthy encounter. Trish was the first to see the purple-robed Intelligent One. She gasped and pointed behind her, indicating that Alpha and Victor would be wise to follow suit. Meridel stood with arms folded, silent, and no doubt smirking jovially. She outstretched her left arm, and a grim cloud of black and green mist appeared in the palm of her hand. Instantly, the cloud duplicated and shot towards Victor and Trish, shrouding them in its mysterious aura. It held no odor, and actually improved the smell of the room, but it was not something for the cloaked man and woman to be thankful for.

Outside, Derix and Eyra stood silently, eyes fixed on the window of the room that they knew Alpha, Victor and Trish were in. They had been surprised when the woman appeared by their sides, and Eyra could not help but explain the situation. Trish held a high amount of authority in the underground faction. Even Derix respected her, and he had been the third joining member of the entire organization. The reason? Trish had been the first. An old acquaintance of Solstrem Maverick, she became the alliance's first ordinary member. That is, she joined only three months after Tristan, Maverick, Myst, Lara, Serin and Darizan formed the group.

Beside Derix and Eyra, a strange black and green fusion cloud appeared, out of which stumbled Trish and Victor, unharmed. Only one question presented itself; where was Alpha? An alarmed expression ruled over Eyra's normally calm features, and even Derix seemed perplexed.

Inside, Meridel lowered her hood, revealing her beautiful face, or at least, the mage of what she had once looked like, untold ages ago. Her smile was enticing, but devious all the same. A veritable "We meet again" type smirk. "Well, well. Alpha Varaudo, we finally cross paths again. Do you know what today is, Sheikah? Today is the day that I have returned to you, for an answer to my request. I have waited for you to think it over, and it appears you have had ample time.

"So tell me, Alpha. What is your answer? Will you accept the inevitable, cooperating with myself and the others?" The question was short, as if Meridel expected Alpha to remember in full detail what he had been asked to think about. She knew he was ready to answer.

Alpha doesn't hear Trish's warning as he looks inside at the prize: an exact replica of the key. Still holding the chest, Alpha glances around as his two companions are enveloped by the mysterious gas. The mystery holds no power over him anymore; with the Ghoma finally defeated, he had recognized the evil causing his scar to continue glowing with ease. He has been expecting Meridel ever since his return to the area, and now seems as good as any.

But still, hoping against hope that he can possibly prolong the time before his response, he leaps into the smoke just before it dissipates. When it clears, showing him still there, he quickly lowers the chest's lid, holding it tight against his chest as the Intelligent One speaks.

He chuckles over the first part. 'Actually, it's Keyru Varaudo...the name Alpha is a singular title.' But he decides to let it slide for now. Hearing the expected words come from her mouth, the Sheikah raises his hood and brings his cape around to cover up his entire body - Alpha's way of symbolizing distance or seclusion from whomever is nearby.

"I remember your questions," the Sheikah begins slowly, as if attempting to put his words together in tangible thought. In truth, he had rehearsed his response the night before, but that was beside the point. He starts to pace around the room. "You know, it's funny. Before this past year here in Hyrule, the answer to your question would have been so simple. Analyze the possibilities and their outcomes, and decide on the lesser of two evils.

"The two choices I was given...either accept your offer, join you, and prolong the lives of a handful of people..." He has indeed said prolong, for he does not believe that the Intelligent Ones will actually spare their lives for too long a time. Even Alpha believes himself to be expendable to them. Useful, true; but expendable at the same time. "...or refuse you, fight you and perhaps die, and then you kill the rest of my fellows.

"Now though, I have one more factor to throw into the mix. In a single year, I have gained respect...trust...and friendship." The Sheikah stops his pacing and stares out at Meridel, crimson eyes flashing with hatred. "And they have granted me something I have never held before: honor. That respect I cherish; that trust I crave; that friendship I require now. And that honor is what tells me that I can never join the likes of you!"

The Sheikah launches himself backwards rather than the expected charge forward, and the reason for his pacing becomes apparent: he had placed himself immediately in front of the window to the outside. Bursting through the old glass, Alpha continues his backflip and cries out a single word to his companions below:

"RUN!"

Treasure chest still held tight against his body, the Sheikah narrows his profile into a pencil dive, increasing his speed as he falls like a rock to the ground. His scar glows a dark purple as the ground suddenly turns an even darker black than before. It engulfs the Sheikah as he falls into the Void, and quickly closes behind him.

Within these dark confines, he only hopes that the others have heeded his warning and fled.

When the newcomer Trish arrived out of nowhere, Victor froze in utter bewilderment. Where had this girl appeared from, and who was she, exactly? He didn't have much time to ponder these questions, however, for it was then that the spider's eye unleashed its last defensive beam and, before he knew it, the fight was over.

His health having almost reached zero, the Bard couldn't help but try and take a small break as Alpha opened the chest. But, yet again, he was caught off guard when the Intelligent One appeared; before he knew it, he and Trish had both been warped back outside the ancient hospital.

Tumbling from the cloud onto the floor close to Derix's feet, Victor simply lay there for a while in a futile attempt to get some rest; eventually, he got to his feet and decided just to use a healing spell instead. Calling upon the power of the Goddesses, he mumbled,

"Favor of the Goddesses."

Hearing Alpha's mid-air instructions, the Bard turned to those around him and smiled weakly, a mere fraction of his usual beaming countenance; after all, the fight with the Gohma had not been a very pleasant experience for him.

"Shall we flee, then...?"

OOC: A little delayed, but I finally posted!

OOC: You took the entire chest with you, rather than just the key? Oh well

IC:

The fact that Alpha had taken the chest containing the only remaining key did not bother Meridel. She had not come to this place today to seek the Stone of Curse that she knew lay concealed in the cabinet of the West Wing. She had simply come to yet again pressure Alpha into cooperating with her cursed brethren. What bothered her was the Sheikah's defiance on the issue. As Alpha plummeted downwards and disappeared into the Void, Meridel watched him, a frosty glare twisting her face evilly. "So be it." she muttered, clearly unimpressed by Alpha's failure to comply.

Utilizing the same odd pathway that had evacuated Victor and Trish from the Hospital, Meridel disappeared to pursue her business. Namely, she was now on a "special" mission. Somewhere in her city, some unfortunate man or woman would be met with a grim fate.

Outside of the Hospital, Alpha's desperate shout reached the ears of his comrades below. Derix knew something terrible was happening, but he could only look on in shock as Alpha disappeared into the Void, wondering just how powerful this character truly was. It sis not appear to be an adaptation of the dark power, and so Derix, Eyra and Trish easily came to the conclusion that there was more to Alpha than met the eye. Of course, such was expected. He had appeared as mysterious even as he approached the solitary, hidden cave in Southern Parapa.

Hearing Victor's inquiry, Eyra raised an eyebrow, although it was unseen due to her hood having stayed raised above her head, concealing her facial features in the manner that twas required amongst the ranks of explorers in this city. "Why run? Flee, yes, but we need not waste energy. Trish." said Eyra, beckoning towards the woman that had only recently appeared. Trish understood Eyra, despite having only heard her name, and no real command. It was obvious by the Kokiri's previous sentence. Grabbing Victor gently by the shoulder, her palm emitted the very same energy that Meridel's had. Behind her, creating the portal to surround herself and the young bard. Derix and Eyra did the same.

In no time, the party of four was standing on the massive bridge connecting the city, the Hospitality District far behind them. Thespin greeted them openly, and at this point, one would have wondered why the archer had not been present at the Hospital plaza. "Jett is fine," he said. "Kessler went to get a meal, I told him not to worry about us. And thanks to Hobbe, Jett should live through this." Derix and Eyra had sent Thespin back to the castle to check in on the departed, which was as good an explanation as any to answer the question of where he had disappeared to. Now the party could do little but wait for Alpha, and hope that he had decided to reunite on the bridge as well.

OOC: Actually, Blank, I took the chest because I was considering the possibility of Meridel trying to take it from me. When Alpha jumped into the smoke after Victor he removed the key from it. Since that didn't happen, just ignore the fact.

Or, if you intended to do so anyway, keep that fact in mind. Whatever works.

IC:
Using the power of the Void, Alpha reaches out in a mental search for his companions. He instantly finds them...then loses them. 'They must have teleported away,' the Sheikah thinks with a grin. 'Better find them again.'

A few more seconds and he locks onto Victor's unique life force energy again. Slowly opening a miniature portal back into the world of Hyrule, he peeks out and is heartened by the sight of the central bridge of the underground city.

Quickly widening the portal to allow his body passage, the Sheikah leaps upward and out of the gastly world. Landing in a knelt position, cape and hood shrouding any sight of his face or body. He slowly stands and turns back to face the group, reaching up and lowering his hood in the process. With a sigh, he comments, "Well, we didn't get it, but at least we still hold the key." He removes the chest from within his cape, holding the container with both hands.

Thespin jumped in shock as Alpha appeared out of his own portal. "How did you...!" he stifled, unable to comprehend the Sheikah's odd teleportation method. He had not been subjected to the dark power, and so this was clearly not that type of arrival. But the bard decided that such trivial concern was not necessary.

Eyra was the first to answer Alpha's statement. She pulled her hood down, letting her shoulder-length, deep green hair flow freely. "That may be, but I would council against going back to the hospital. The Intelligent Ones will catch you; they are who we fled from just now, am I correct?" Eyra seemed deeply concerned for the party's safety, and she knew Derix and Trish, the experience-acclaimed leaders of the operation at this point, would feel the same. She was correct.

Derix agreed with her. He grinned as he explained to them why the Hospitality District was now classified as "more dangerous than it already was." He spoke as if it was no serious matter, that just by having the key the organization would assuredly retrieve the Stone of Course. He even laughed a bit as he did so. "I don't think any of should go back, for awhile. Drejudar, that cursed man, will probably show less mercy than ever. And I can actually understand why. I'd be mighty upset if you three waltzed in and murdered my mother, too."

After having been teleported back to the bridge, Victor's eyes were wide with surprise. He certainly had not expected to be whisked away magically twice in a period of just a few minutes, but the fact that the others on his team knew how to perform this feat added to the bewilderment. A jumble of questions raced through his head in quick succession, including "How'd they do that?" and "Why didn't they just do that before?!". However, he only uttered one:

"Why can't I do that?"

Alpha's similar mode of arrival fortified the Bard's question, and he began to feel left out. However, he couldn't help but agree with Eyra; going back to that place frightened him more than when he had first set foot in hospital. He didn't need Derix's explanation to make him realize how dangerous going back would be, but part of the man's reasoning forced Victor to shoot him an incredulous look.

"You aren't saying that that Gohma was Drejudar's mother, are you?!"

OOC: Everyone has cool magical abilities, and I just have a harp.

OOC: Well, your harp is magical, isn't it? Soon enough you'll have to show everyone the significance of it

IC:

Derix took in the incredulous expression and shot it back at the shocked bard with a heavy laugh. Despite the grim explanation, it just seemed so... funny to him. That Victor and Alpha had defeated an Intelligent One's mother. "Of course it was his mother!" he barked gleefully.

Trish intercepted the explanation at this point, having actually been in the hospital room. Her hood was still raised, as though wearing ti did not phase her, or come off as uncomfortable. "You saw that odd substance soaked into the Hospital Room's bed, didn't you? We discovered about three months ago that it was a byproduct of a patient's mutations, into a Cursed One, of course. That chamber being the temporary home of Drejudar's ill mother, it was no difficult task to decide that she was the Ghoma. The Cursed Ones are the mindless mutations of the massive population that once inhabited this city, and so it's no surprise that she became one as well. It's simply an unfortunate coincidence that she became one of the more powerful ones."

Thespin realized that his fellow bard was dismayed at his lack of magical finesse; a common thing for newcomers to feel. He made it his personal duty to cheer the Hylian up. "Why can't you do that? You can!" he said, expecting Victor had already had the dark power's useful base function explained to him. "You've been granted the Dark Power. Wolfeye must have told you that you can use it to transport yourself from one area to another down here, so long as there are no Cursed Ones directly in front of you. We generally use it to get to places when we're in a hurry. Other than that, we don't typically use the power in that form." With that said, the Trinian turned and walked towards he castle.

Alpha is tempted to grin at Thespin's surprise, but the Sheikah quickly kills the impulse. He knows that he will have to think rapidly to create excuses and explanations for whatever the others might ask him. Even though he did refuse Meridel's offer, the fact is that he had lied and hidden the truth repeatedly about meeting with the Intelligent One, something that he doubts the organization's members will be pleased to hear. It would certainly cost him respect, something he would need in order to continue helping them most efficiently.

Alpha agrees initially with Eyra and Derix's sentiment. "That's correct - at least, I believe it is. It was a woman who gave off the same dark aura as Drejudar, so I assume that she was also an Intelligent One. I think you're right; we should avoid the area for now, but we must remember that we'll have to return eventually for that Stone. We ought to begin preparations soon, and be prepared for when that time comes."

Similarly shocked by Derix's final words, Alpha eagerly listens to the answer for Victor's question - one which he would have asked if the bard hadn't beaten him to the punch. It strikes the Sheikah as odd that a woman would mutate into a beast like a Ghoma, but then again, the Cursed Ones themselves were quite odd.

The hooded mage follows the others as they head back to the main base, wondering to himself what these Dark Powers the group is talking about are.

OOC: Hey, Alpha's 'cool magical abilities' are a result of a very painful and annoying curse. You aren't too badly off, Victor.

As if reading Alpha's mind, Eyra smiled and addressed the seemingly strange notion of a woman transforming into something so awful. It was unknown if she had actually peered into his head - one could never even begin to imagine the mystical abilities that the Kokiri tribe was privy to. Perhaps it was simply a coincidence; an interesting fact that the woman felt should be expressed. She gave no evidence that she was answering Alpha's thoughts, and so it was safe to assume that she was indeed pointing out an article of interest. "It would actually make more sense for Drejudar's mother to take the form of a Ghoma. I'm sure you're all familiar with stories of Ghoma's from the past. Queen Ghoma, as they're often referred to."

The wise, green-haired girl nodded in agreement to Alpha's notion of being prepared for the time when the Stone would need to be retrieved. Her voice carried a soft tone of pity; Alpha had been graced by the presence of an Intelligent One, a shocking moment indeed. Although, the Sheikah did not seemed phased by the dark union. Had she thought deeper into the situation, the Kokiri would have easily been able to derive a solution: Alpha was hiding something. There was no amount of wisdom greater than that held in the mind of a woman that had lived for three and a half centuries. Fortunately for Alpha, however, Eyra Midores was exceptionally fatigued at the moment, and cast away any suspicion as a simple side-effect of her drowsiness.

"I imagine it's late. We've been gone for quite some time now. Well, we'd best return to see Jett and Kessler. Tristan will need to be informed of our mission's half success, as well." With that statement taking effect on the party, the girl wandered across the bridge and entered the castle's courtyard. The Rosylian warrior and the physically unidentified woman followed suit, with the Trinian lagging closely behind. It was assumed that Victor and Alpha had taken the same route, as well.

As the group entered the magnificent torchlit courtyard, they were greeted by none other than Radley Rivers, the human sniper from Victor's previous mission. On his face he expressed a concerned look, and had it been anyone else but the reckless archer, the expression could have been perceived as fear. Looking about the area, Victor and Alpha could find that Trish, Derix and Eyra had disappeared. "Something bad's happened, guys. It's Astor. Y'know, Astor Norand, that cheerful scribe. She's dead."

As Alpha walks into the courtyard, he looks around in surprise. "Where did they...go...?" he wonders aloud to Victor, surprised at how quickly the others disappeared. Seeing another member of the organization approach, he prepares to ask if this man had seen where Eyra, Derix, and Trish had gotten off to, but quickly shuts his mouth upon sensing a great deal of anxiety rising from him.

Alpha has no idea who this Astor Norand could be, but by using the word 'cheerful' to describe her, the Sheikah is sure that this is a tragedy to say the least. He isn't sure how he knows it, but something tells him that this is the work of an Intelligent One...and for some reason he really wants to place the blame on Meridel.

Thespin, although normally calm and collected, was instantly taken aback by the news of a comrade's death. He had been relieved when Jett had survived earlier that day, but now, with a definite report of death, he felt his blood run cold as ice through his veins. Not wasting any time, the young bard flashed in that purple-and-green way. Rather than run to his deceased ally's place of death, he teleported. He had not a moment to spare. The quick portal disappeared, leaving the empty space in its place.

Radley's face was still the picture of remorse. He stared at the two newer members standing before him, not expecting them to understand the incident with the greatest of know;edge. "Astor Norand was one of our top researchers. She had been working on a secret project with Fassix, Vic, and Tess, one that Myst would reveal to no one. Well, I'm betting you two never knew her, but she was a nice young lady. Only thirty. That fairie's death will definitely shock us for a while.

Turning away from Alpha and Victor, Radley began to walk back towards the castle. As he opened the large double doors connecting the interior to the exterior, he turned back to them. "I think it'd be best if you guys went up to her dormitory. Maverick and Tristan are there, and you need to talk to them anyway." That being said, and his small role having been fulfilled, the human disappeared into the castle to go about his business, leaving Victor and Alpha alone in the deserted courtyard.

OOC: I had intended to let Victor post here before continuing, but it's been several weeks since then, so...

IC:
Alpha's shoulders drop at the sound of the fairy's death, yet the feeling persists within him: 'Meridel was behind this...she did it to get at me for refusing her 'offer'...if she thinks that death will change my mind,' he tightens his grip on his staff, showing the fury he feels towards the Intelligent Ones at this moment, 'then she truly does not understand me. Her killing another only reinforces my resolve to oppose her.'

Not bothering to see what it is that Victor intends to do, the Sheikah abruptly breaks his train of thought and walks towards the base. It might reinforce his purpose, but the fact remains that he blames himself for having not saved this fairy. He should have fought Meridel again - even if she was much more powerful than he is, the very act would have made him feel better. He should have done something...he should have used his powers to...

The thought makes him stop again, a chill running through his system. 'Could she survive...the Void?' This is certainly something worth further consideration; the Void did not merely weaken a being. No, it was far more fatal than that: it drained whatever force a being had that kept it alive. One's life force, a magic/curse that kept someone alive...even Meridel could not be immune to its effects...

Nodding his head at the new idea - but not willing to engage in the plan without a lot of forethought - he continues on his way up to the room that had once housed Astor Norand.

The fifth floor was a mess. Standing about on the level were roughly ten cloaked men. Easily identified was Solstrem Maverick, one of the highest ranked organization members. He stood in front of the middle dormitory, holding his left hand over his eyes and shaking his head piteously. Behind him stood three men, all with hoods raised. Other noticeable allies were Helena Adran, Fassix Caulin and Larson Zachrian.

The bald, sunshaded man noticed Victor and Alpha, and almost seemed to retract from the group, before thinking better of the situation. Remaining calm, the explosives technician nodded to the mage and bard before returning to a conversation with a red-haired Hylian beside him, Sloan Connells.

Fassix caught sight of Alpha instantly, a crazed fire alight in his clouded eyes. He approached the Sheikah, shaking his head sombrely. "Alpha, I need to speak with you when everything has settled down. It is... very important..." The scribe seemed to trail off with his sentences, resuming a deep thought as he examined the scene of his scientific comrade's death.

Finally removing his hand from over his eyes, Maverick revealed the whites in his sockets, now red with fatigue. It was obvious that the current fiasco had caused him a great deal of stress, grief and disappointment. Attempting to find the energy to smile at the newcomer allies, the scholar hushed a muscular man beside him and spoke to the adventurers.

"Alpha, Victor... this is indeed a twisted turn of events... I am sorry that you must know of these happenings; neither of you knew Astor, and so your grief is minimal. She played... a great role in the progress of our organization. I would advise against hanging around on this floor for too long..." he said lowly as he gestured to the fairie's closed dormitory door. A thin puddle of a green-tinted red substance seeped from under the crack of the portal; Astor's blood.

"It was a laboratory accident. Astor was one of our stop scientists, and her dormitory reflected the occupation. Vic told me that he heard an explosion in passing; sure enough, Astor's room was obliterated and the fairy lay slain... or, what remained of her..."

If Astor had indeed died of a scientific mishap, then Meridel had not chosen a victim for her example unto Alpha yet. This seemed like good news, despite the death of an ally. But it could mean only one thing...