OOC: OKAY! IT'S TIME!!!

Man, I'm sure looking forward to this...you all soon see why. I'm sure you'll love it.

IC:
You turn at the sound of someone approaching the small camp. Stepping into the light of the fire is Alpha. He wipes his forehead and nods to you all. "Well, I looked all over for some more allies, but I couldn't find any. I was especially hoping to get Darilan, Malciore, Hiro, Alex, Dogura, Nogare..." He trails off as he spots the newcomers, and you see him chuckling as he shakes his head. "Maybe I shouldn't have gone at all."

His face suddenly turns serious as Alpha assumes his place at the head of the campsite. His voice calls out into the soundless night, getting everyone's attention instantly. “Alright, then, are you all absolutely certain that you’re willing to be a part of this?” It’s a pointless question, really, since they’ve already asked everyone not willing to go ahead and leave, and you all are obviously still here. But still, it seems like it’d be a good idea to ask one last time.

Too bad you aren’t given a chance to reply.

Within the span of a second, hundreds of darts fly out from the woods, slicing away at the skin of all those that have gathered around the fire. No one has any chance to make any sort of response before dozens of Hakiems leap out of the forest and into the clearing, quickly and efficiently knocking everyone unconscious.

Karunik calmly steps out of the darkness. “Excellent work, Nilbom Squad. With these captives, Zaris will have no choice but to reveal himself to us all, giving us the perfect opportunity to finally kill him.” His smile slowly fades as he notices a small amount of movement. “Well, well. Keyru Varaudo…we waited quite some time for you to return. It seems you know how to handle pain quite well,” he says as he leans down next to the barely conscious Sheikah. “Unfortunately for you, I know how to dish it out just as efficiently!” His fist comes down on the back of Alpha’s skull, and the anvil-like weight knocks him firmly into the land beyond thought.

Karunik stands again. “Interesting. I half expected his head to break open with a punch like that. He truly is a worthy adversary…or he will be, someday. If he lives that long.” His head snaps away from the lifeless body as he begins issuing orders. “Listen up! Tie them up immediately, and take them all back to base. Then get Karsis to work on his…specialty. The sooner Zaris hears the rumor of Alpha and friends’ disappearance, the sooner we can have our revenge!” A yell rises from the Hakiems assembled there, and they quickly get to work.


You wake up some time later…you aren’t sure how long you’ve been out cold. It’s almost too dark to see, but a soft light is coming through a window about five feet in the air. As you look closer at the source, you realize it’s a window on a doorway. You attempt to rise, only to discover that your hands are bound behind your back with some tight ropes (how you didn’t realize that before is anyone’s guess). You manage to work yourself into a sitting position, and rest your back up against the wall farthest from the door. Which you promptly realize is cold, damp, and jagged rocks. It seems that you’ve been thrown into a cave with a door, for stone also seems to make up the floor and ceiling.

As your eyes continue to adjust to the limited light, you see that you are not alone: all over the small room sit/lie a few more people who had met around Alpha’s campfire. All of them are slowly waking up, and coming to the same frightening conclusion that you’ve already reached: the Hakiems already have you. And your death is assured.


OOC: Alright! Let’s get my own Dungeon started!

I decided to not tell either MG or SL - or any of the RG's, other than Draug - about this. Element of surprise and what-not. If I get their approval, this will hopefully turn into an official Event. I've certainly planned it long enough that it could be...

Let the Dungeon begin!

OOC: No, I haven't been ignoring this topic, it's just that it didn't watch this topic when I posted for some reason, so I didn't even know it was progressing. Anyways, I'm watching it now, so I'll definitely be around for the beginning.

Oh, and hey! I still have family here in Hyrule! A few of you have met Victor's father! Anyways...

IC: Victor had remained silent since he voiced his thoughts on the riddle, not really having anything to add to the various conversations going on around him. He had mildly enjoyed Nogare's flute and had even thought about joining in had the others not been opposed ot the Vassal's playing, and he had declined the card game due to the fact that he wasn't too fond of poker. When the mood turned a bit daker as Alex discussed his life story, Victor felt very lucky to have his family still around and close by. Not wanting to seem like the odd man out, the Bard kept quiet about this fact.

OOC: You just had to post your huge post before I could post, eh, Alpha? Sigh...

When Alpha reappeared, Victor looked up at him and smiled. He was hoping that his arrival meant that they could finally get moving. He was about to nod in response to the Sheikah's question when he felt something sharp slice through his skin. The Bard looked around in confusion only to catch a glimpse of the Hakiems before blacking out.

As he slowly regained consciousness, Victor saw all the others and couldn't help but smile. At the very least he was still with friends. Sighing heavily, he spoke for the first time since even before they had been captured, asking the question that was probably running through everyone's mind already.

"Where are we...?"

Propping himself up against the back wall, the Bard was pricked by one of the more jagged stones and yelped. Then he realized something...

Deciding to take a proactive approach in the situation, Victor quickly- albeit painfully- searched for another sharp rock and attempted to rub the ropes binding his hands together against the jagged stone, hoping that it might be sharp enough to cut through it, though he doubted it...

OOC: Hey, you said to get started, right?

OOC: Well, I guess I'll be second.

IC:
Rose struggled to sit up. She cursed herself. She should've known these Hakiems could surprise them. She should've kept watch or suggested that someone kept watch. But there was no point beating herself up over it.

She sees that Victor is awake. The Bard is moving in a strange way. When she sees that he is against the wall, she realizes that he is trying to get his bonds. She scoots over to him and does the same. "Good idea," she whispers. "Let's hope this works."

OOC: I did indeed, Victor. Good work.

IC:
As Victor and Rose try to slice through the ropes, they comes to the gloomy conclusion that such a thing is not likely. The ropes are incredibly tight, enough to be slicing into your skin whenever your arm muscles so much as twitch. And the rocks aren't nearly sharp enough to cut through something like that.

The two soon hear a groan, which can be recognized as Hyrule's Greatest Mercenary. Grenada slowly sits up, struggling against his own ropes before letting out a yelp of pain. He answers Victor's question himself. "I don't think we want to know, Victor..."

As more groans fill the room Victor, Grenada, and Rose have found themselves in, they recognize the other two people trapped in this room: Denning and Link. The others must be somewhere else.


Shada shakes her head as the haze blanketing her thoughts is slowly lifted away. She looks around the room where she has found herself, letting her eyes get adjusted to the dim light. As her sight gets better, she manages to see Arco, Dogura, Raven, Azador, and Nogare lying around. Everyone seems to be in a great deal of discomfort, save Azador, who has been thrown on a bed of hay.

"Everyone okay?" she calls out, as she tries to get the taste of blood out of her mouth.

OOC: Don't worry, you guys will be able to find each other soon enough.

Rose has a idea. She turns around to face the wall. "Someone come and put their back against mine," she instructs. "I'll see if I can untie the ropes."

OOC: Augh! Too slow! Edited...

Blank was watching his allies go about their casual tasks when the Hakiems arrived. His hand instinctively reached for his sword, but he was not quick enough. He looked his body over; there was an odd number of darts sticking into him. Odd, indeed, he though, falling forward, his face crashing into the ground as he world around him disappeared in a terrifying haze. He watched as Karunik punched Alpha, fighting the power of the stealthy darts in attempt maintain consciousness. Of course, he failed to do so. His slumped into the grass for the second time that night, and he slept.

He awakened to the sharp sting of a sharp rock against his leg, and he asked the question that now raced through his mind like a Goron at the tracks. Where am I? It sure is dark in here... he thought, attempting to stand, but falling back. He yelled out in shocking pain as a jagged point tore into his side, and he instantly felt a silent trickle of blood flowing from the open wound. "Youch!" came the startling yelp, and it almost seemed to make light of the situation. Despite the gloomy cell, of course. He reached for the tear in his hip. What the... A rope had been fastened to his hands, binding them behind his back and making it virtually impossible for him to stand properly.

"These guys really know what they're doing. Alpha? Shada? You two in here?" Blank called out to the two Sheikah, wondering if they, the greatest enemies of the Hakiems at the moment, had been placed in a separate cave.

Unfortunately for Blank, neither Alpha or Shada are in the room with him. Looking around, the nomad can see the stirring shapes of Kasei, Cloud, Tayro, and Alex as they slowly awaken. Curiously enough, though, he can hear a few words that sound like Victor's voice! But they aren't in this room...

So then how had he heard Victor? If one was to think about it, they'd realize that the voice had come from behind the wall which Blank is leaning against. Wherever Victor, Rose, and Grenada are, it must be in a room situated immediately adjacent to Blank's. And there's a good chance that the others are just as close too.

Blank jumped, startled as he heard Victor's voice... directly behind him? He pressed his ear against the wall. That's Victor, alright! he thought, glad that he had located the, well, location of more allies. "Victor! Are you guys alright?" he called out. He thought better of it afterwards, knowing that there was probably a sentry that would silence him for the noise. And not in a friendly manner.

He leaned against the wall, waiting for the bard to respond, and watching his cellmates for activity and consciousness. He winced in pain every time his newest wound rubbed against his clothing, and he wished dearly that he could reach it properly to tend to it.

To Blank's pleasant surprise, no one comes to silence him. It's almost as if the guards are either lazy or nonexistent.

Shada also hears the voices of her companions faintly through the walls. "Victor? Hey Victor! Grenada! Can you guys hear me?"

Grenada's voice comes back strong. "We hear you, Shada! So you're right next to us? Blank's in a room on the other side of the room." He pauses. "Got any ideas?"

Shada sorrowfully shakes her head. Remembering that the Deku can't see that negative motion, she calls out, "None. How about you?"


OOC: To summarize locations:

Room 1: Shada, Arco, Dogura, Raven, Azador, Nogare
Room 2: Victor, Rose, Grenada, Link, Denning
Room 3: Blank, Kasei, Cloud, Tayro, Alex

No one seems to have heard Rose. "Victor, Grenada, one of you get your back against mine so I can try to untie the rope.

Grenada nods at Rose and slowly scoots his way over, putting his back against hers. "Make it quick," he squeaks. "No telling when someone might walk past and glance in here."

"Ouch!" - Tayro yells, and that's all he notices, before a deep urge to rest takes over him.
No... the Haki...ems...
He leans to the floor, his eyes slowly closing, his consciousness drifting away, barely seeing Alpha get hit.

"Hmmm..."
Tayro slowly regains his composure, but the drowzyness still has him in his grasp. He attempts to look at him, and all he manages to see are shadows.
Where...am I?- he thinks, his mouth not truly obeying his command.
His eyes slowly regaining their sight, he now distinguishes the shadows that before surrounded him.
Blank...Kasei...Cloud...and that zora... Alex...
He then remembers the Hakiems' raid on their group, and understands the situation.
"We've been captured...right?"-he mumbles, not really a question in itself, more of a remainder.

He looks around the room, and notices that only they were in the room. That must mean the others are in seperate cells.
Smart bunch, aren't they?- he thinks, annoyed at his easy capture.
He was about to get up when he noticed that ropes were helding his hands close, so close that it even hurt.
Ouch! How come I didn't notice that before? Must've been too groggy.
Carefully getting into a sitting position, he saw Blank's movements.
"Oh, Blank, you're awake."

Rose fumbles for a while before she finds the knots. She winces in pain as her wrists move against the ropes, but she had endured worst. "It shouldn't be long until I get these ropes off," she says just to break the silence.

Victor's pointy ears perked when he heard Blank's voice through the wall, and he looked around the room in a confused manner before finally realizing that the sound had come from behind him. Leaning up against the wall as much as he could without doing serious damage to his face, he called out to the Nomad.

"Blank? Blaaaaaaaank! Yeah, we're alright. A little... tied up, but all right."

Hearing Grenada talk to Shada then seeing him back up towards Rose, the Bard waited patiently to see if she could untie the Deku's hands. It was then that he thought of something; had whoever put them in these rooms taken their weapons and items as well? Terrified that they might have done this, Victor attempted to use his binded hands to feel around his back for the most valuable thing that he owned- his harp...

Blank smiles as Tayro comes to, but only slightly. The grim situation is nothing to be happy about. He waves, and utters a quick "Hello," then presses his ear back into the wall. Too fast, however. He winces as his ear crashes into the rocky cave wall, and shakes his head as the drip-drop of blood splattering on the ground beside him reaches his mind. "Hakiems! Their little sleep-drug made me clumsier than ever! Augh!" the grunt bellows, just loud enough for the captives in the next cell over to hear him.

He beams at the notion of undoing the binds on his hands. The rocks on the jagged floor do little to improve his mood. Calm down, Blank. You'll be squeaking like an enraged Deku if you keep this up, he thought, laughing to himself as he realized that Grenada would probably be squeaking in frustration soon enough. Rather than attempt to make his way over to Tayro's location in the cell, the Hylian lowers his bound hands to the sharp rock that had cut his side open. The warm feeling of his own blood rubbed against his hand as he did so, and he soon had the ropes positioned correctly. In a makeshift attempt to free himself, Blank used the jagged stone as a sort of blade, rocking back and forth and hoping that it would be able to sever his binds. It cut me open, it should be able to break a few ropes.