DUNGEON - BELLMARE ENCLAVE (BELLMARE MOUNTAINS, PT 2)

[phantasmods]

The shadows are starting to grow very long as you crest his particular ridge - it's not night yet, but it will be soon. In the shadows of the afternoon, with a tall mountain already blocking the sun, lies a snow-covered valley that is different from the ones you've come across thus far in your investigation.

This valley is home to a town, and unlike all the settlements you've seen so far - Incendia, the Telovia mining town, and the manor - it's very much active. There are actual people in the streets, visible from above, going through their days on snow-free streets, bundled up against the cold.

Those of you who asked were told of the handful of people who didn't go into the slumber of stasis as the Fissure conditions of the world grew worse and worse, instead isolating themselves and trying to continue living their lives as they could. Now, it seems, you've found exactly such a group.

Welcome to the Bellmare Enclave, and enjoy your stay.

[[OOC: Welcome to part 2 of the dungeon! For the most part, interaction with the town's NPCs can be handwaved as described on the main information post. Worth noting are the following major things: The Bellmare Enclave isn't expecting visitors, though the people are generally friendly to the new arrivals. They don't know about the time dilation effect of their Fissure - to them, it's only been about eighteen years since the Slumber Plan was put in place and they withdrew from the world. And finally, by a similar token, they have no idea how far the Fissures outside of their own have grown - while it's not uncommon for them to find odd objects from time to time, they'll assume that the characters are just arrivals from other places within their own world, rather than outsiders, until told otherwise.]]

Comments

[misplacedxsheath]

And I rarely allow myself to act on emotional impulses, save against-

["Uzuki. I should have realized you would be waiting here."

It's nighttime in a large city, billboards and holographic displays showing an alien script. The sky is overcast and ominous, already starting to drizzle. A young man is standing between Margulis, years younger and lacking his distinctive scar, and the entrance to a four story building, as two other men look on from behind Margulis.

"Really, Commander." The man blocking the path speaks in the calm yet somehow still hostile tone of someone setting aside peaceful tendencies. "You didn't think I'd see this betrayal coming? You've been acting strangely ever since we began preparing to repel the Federation forces. But even so, I never thought you'd sink to this level. Siding with the Federation, against your own people?"

Margulis levels a glare at the young man as the rain starts to pick up. Lightning flashes and thunder rumbles, promising a terrifying storm.

"The only traitor here is Lady Athaliah. She's been manipulating us from the beginning, and intends to betray our principles the moment she gains power!"

Uzuki's own eyes narrow, a steely gaze in contrast to Margulis' fiery temper.

"And what proof do you have? That sounds like nothing but Federation propaganda."

"The proof is here. Stand aside, and you'll see for yourself."

The younger swordsman shakes his head, resting a hand on the hilt of his blade.

"I can't let you pass, not after seeing you with Federation filth."

"I see." Margulis' tone is low, full of regret as he draws the saber at his side. "Then I'll just have to make you move!"

The ensuing fight is nothing short of spectacular, blades sheathed in fire and bitter cold clashing faster than any ordinary human should be able to manage. Partway through, the two leap to the rooftop, Uzuki in several graceful jumps and Margulis in a single, powerful bound. The battle continues there, Margulis' swings far more aggressive than Akira's ever seen them during practice. Where they miss, they take chunks out of reinforced concrete as if it was Styrofoam. It's clear from how easily the dodge and block each other's strikes that they've fought many times before, often enough to predict their opponents' moves before they even happen.

By the time Margulis' tagalongs reach the roof, both combatants are wearing out. The rain pounds, covering up the sound of their panting...but not the red spreading through one side of Margulis' uniform. The teenage boy steps forward, concern in his expression and voice.

"Colonel, you're hurt!"

"From an earlier encounter." Margulis shakes his head. "But hardly enough to make up the difference between us."

"Arrogant as always, Commander." Uzuki sounds winded, but remains standing straight. "The difference was never as severe as you claimed. Now, shall we put an end to this fight?"

Uzuki raises a hand and an orb of pure cold forms above his palm. Margulis straightens and matches with a perfect sphere of flame. Each waits for the other to aim, and the attacks launch simultaneously. Both shout in pain, but Uzuki is the one to fall...though Margulis has gained an open gash across his face, one that matches his modern scar perfectly.]

What-?

[The present day Margulis, despite his usual lack of facial expression, looks shocked.]

[hairpincurves]

[As the memory plays out, Akira's almost entranced by the fighting. Such strength and skill... But then the last part of the vision plays...]

--Ah!

[misplacedxsheath]

[The shocked expression quickly fades, replaced by something grim.]

These visions...

[hairpincurves]

Who was that guy, Margulis-san?

[misplacedxsheath]

Jin Uzuki, but not as I remember him. He was the grandson of my master, a fellow student of the blade. But he sided with the Federation from the beginning. The Uzuki I know never made my mistakes.

[hairpincurves]

Ah, if you knew each other that well, that explains the fight... There really isn't anything quite like seeing two fighters who know their opponent almost as well as they know themselves...

[Wait, focus, Akira.]

Huh? Made your mistakes? So you mean, you...

[misplacedxsheath]

...In reality, I was the one standing in his path. I realized too late the truth of our organization.

[Not that he doesn't miss fights like that, but...he does wish they had been under better circumstances.]

[hairpincurves]

... Oh.

[So that situation, in reality, was reversed...]

So that scar of yours, that was--

[Something she should be frowning more intensely about, for one thing!]

[misplacedxsheath]

Uzuki's final blow in our last fight for fourteen years. I was able to remain standing, but the roof collapsed and they managed to escape while I was trapped by the rubble.

[hairpincurves]

I see...

[... You're still getting a mildly judgmental stare, Margulis. Coming out here in this level of cold when that scar was inflicted by ice? Really?]

[misplacedxsheath]

Do you have a problem?

[Crossing his arms. It seems he's immune to judgmental stares. He gets them often enough from Pelligri.]

[hairpincurves]

No, no, it's nothing.

[Nothing important at least. She is, however, pulling a cup of coffee out of her inventory to sip on.]

Who were those other two, then? One of them looked like he was my age...

[misplacedxsheath]

That one was someone calling himself chaos. I've never spoken to him directly, we ordinarily met on opposite sides of a battlefield. However, I do know that he's more than he appears...he looked the same back then as he did when we next met, fourteen years later.

The other was a Federation Realian. That was the last time we had anything to do with one another, so I don't even know his name.

[hairpincurves]

I see...

[Well then. Although...]

... What's a Realian?

[misplacedxsheath]

A type of artificial living being, a sort of biological android. They have advanced AIs capable of independent thought, so they're suitable for any line of work that a human would be capable of, and have higher physical capabilities. The specifics, of course, are up to their creators, but they're often designed for tasks with physical demands that would be too extreme for ordinary humans.

[hairpincurves]

So kind of like a Replicant, then?

[It's only natural to assume some differences, but when it comes to something that sounds similar to one of her favorite books...

... Wait. Does that term even mean anything to this guy?]

... Or, uh...

[misplacedxsheath]

The basics are similar enough, though Realians are capable of the same emotions as a naturally born human. In some ways, I think they might be more generally compassionate than their creators.

[hairpincurves]

Mm, I honestly can't say I'm all that surprised by that...

[The differences are reassuring, at least.]

[misplacedxsheath]

Sometimes you can tell what model a Realian is by appearance, but all I can say for sure about that one is that he wasn't a standard combat Realian. He must have been specialized, or perhaps custom designed for a different appearance from his mass produced counterparts.

[hairpincurves]

[She nods.]

Well, no way to find out about that now, I guess...

[misplacedxsheath]

Not unless someone else from my world were to arrive here. It's not completely unlikely...Kukai has appeared in two of the three worlds I've been to before now, but it doesn't seem to be a common occurrence.

[hairpincurves]

Kukai?

[Headtilt.]

[misplacedxsheath]

Gaignun Kukai, the former enemy I was fighting alongside when I first Awakened. His brother was an ally of Uzuki's, so if that Realian did stay in contact, he might know of him.

[hairpincurves]

Ah, I see...

[So, entirely possible they won't find out at all. Hm.]

[misplacedxsheath]

It's best not to rely too much on the multiverse cooperating. If the version of Kukai I know appears, I'll tell him you're wondering. If others who may know appear, save for Uzuki himself...it would be best for you to approach them without telling them you know me.