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]

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.

[hairpincurves]

[She nods.]

They'd likely jump to conclusions based on that, huh...?

[misplacedxsheath]

Some of them might be willing to listen to an explanation, but their image of me is...poor, to say the least.

[hairpincurves]

[She winces a bit then nods again.]

I'll, um, keep that in mind.

[misplacedxsheath]

[Now is a good time for another vision, right? The scene is a large room, made of some sort of black metal. Margulis is once again facing Jin, but their outfits have changed. Margulis still wears a longcoat, but Jin is wearing some sort of strange coat with a reversed zipper, a silver rope wrapped around his waist as a sword belt. They look several years older...Jin, several years more tired.

"So, my intelligence reports were accurate." Jin's voice is low and disappointed, hard eyes kept fixed on Margulis. "You really are allied with the Kukai Foundation now."

"Well, someone has to be the thorn in your side. You've been going too far, ever since Miltia."

"Bold words from a traitor to his own people. But it doesn't matter...I'm afraid you won't be leaving this ship alive."

Jin draws his blade, but Margulis just laughs as he readies his own weapon.

"I see you learned nothing from our battle on Old Miltia. Even injured as I was, I was more than your match."

"That was then, Commander. But words are cheap, I suppose I'll have to use my blade to show you how I've improved."

The battle that ensues is similar to the first, but it shows that neither side has been slacking...as well as that this is their first battle in years. Their skills have developed just enough that the dodges and blocks are closer at first, and it's difficult to tell who has the upper hand. Still, they adjust quickly, and as they lock blades, Margulis seems...nothing short of thrilled.

"This thrill...even in the years since we last met one another, I've yet to find anything like crossing blades with a worthwhile opponent."

"Don't get too pleased just yet, you might change your opinion once I've run you through on my blade."]

[hairpincurves]

[Akira watches the vision with clear amazement, she's thrilled just watching... and then the combatants exchange words.

Ah. So that's what he's into.

Though, what she's actually going to comment on...]

... That is quite possibly one of the stupidest coats I've ever seen.

[misplacedxsheath]

Uzuki is a man of many talents, but choosing respectable clothing has never been among them.

[hairpincurves]

I can see that.

[She snorts.]

So this is likely more from that world from earlier...

[misplacedxsheath]

It seems so, that's the only scenario in which I can imagine him calling me by that title.

[hairpincurves]

'Commander,' huh...

[misplacedxsheath]

My title within U-TIC. The Uzuki I know was never a member of that organization. He knew from the beginning that what we were doing wasn't to the betterment of our people, nor of the universe as a whole.

[hairpincurves]

Oh... Did you think it was?

[She doesn't sound like she's judging, at least...]

[misplacedxsheath]

At the time, yes. We were led to believe we were on a holy mission, to eradicate a threat to humanity, and to reawaken mankind's creative spirit by rediscovering our lost roots. In truth, it was all a lie, meant to keep us pliable to the hands of an immortal being.

[hairpincurves]

... Is that so.

[That last part... clearly doesn't sit well with her, given how her grip on her coffee cup tightens.]

[misplacedxsheath]

I...never learned the full details of why. Merely that he had his plans, and that they relied on someone guarding certain knowledge and relics as sacred.