[Open] Clearing the Air [Event]

[Emily]

Now better armed against these foes and no longer insulated in the heat, Reverie revelled in the fighting. She had regained her composure fully and set to work, kicking off the ground to leap onto the shoulders of an incoming Gibdo, stabbing her electrified blade directly through the top of its head before leaping from it into a flip, using the forward momentum to accelerate a slice clean through the head of a second Gibdo. Even as she did so, she lifted her shield to deflect an incoming swipe that never came; Alyson's boomerang bounced off it, freezing the creature long enough for Reverie to spin and dispatch it at the legs. Once the Gibdo had fallen to the ground, she spun the blade in her hand and reverse-grip stabbed it through the head as well.

Alyson attempted to take out the hive itself with her weapon, but only managed to change its colour slightly. "Does anyone know the best way to destroy this thing?" A straightforward, helpful question if ever there was one. Reverie quickly glanced toward the rest of the group, waiting for responses. "Almost correct," Lucius told Alyson, though his expression and body language made it seem like he wasn't correcting but praising. "You must wait for the heart to beat. The organ is at its most vulnerable when stretched, ripe and almost bursting with foul energy - a magenta light. Like a pulsating vein."

The older Zora had his own opinions on the situation. "The best way to be rid of a hive is to crack it open and extract the queen. But are Gibdo so far gone as to serve a queen that would lead them down the path of destruction? What troublesome beasts... mindless, yet they know well how to inflict pain."

Reverie had apparently missed some exchange between the Rito and Lucius. Arcade was picking up some of the remains in the previous room, and called out to Lucius. "Come now, ser knight. Surely you see the poetic justice in using these beastly remains to usher their owners back unto the long dark? Observe."

Alyson's boomerang, enhanced with the remains of their enemies, cut through a Gibdo, shattering it. Reverie didn't know what was bothering Lucius about these specifically- after the Upheaval corroded all of their weapons, the people of her community had learned to temporarily use spears and axes made from the bones and head ornaments of the various creatures that stalked about. Perhaps these Gibdo were uniquely distasteful- they certainly smelled worse than a moblin- and enough time had passed to refill the armouries with proper steel, but a weapon was a weapon.

Then again, Reverie herself wasn't a weapon, at least not in the way Lucius was. Even as she considered the Rito's words, she watched the knight dispatch the last Gibdo, change into a sword once more and blast through the hive with such force that Reverie worried the entire structure would collapse on their heads. Suddenly she realised the earlier complaints of the Zora and Lady Purah. They didn't really know the structural integrity of this millennia-old temple, and that lightning strike was the most powerful explosion yet. Though perhaps not as flamboyant as Lucius's explosion from the Like-Like.

With the threat satisfactorily eliminated, Reverie deactivated her sword and shield, clipping the hilts once more to her belt and stepping into the Ridge room. It was only upon returning to a cooler climate that she found how drenched in sweat she had become. It was strange- she didn't feel like she had been straining particularly hard, but the extra heat seemed to pull the water from her body. Still, the sweat allowed the cooler air of the previous room to dry her.

"Hylia, sit down! You look like you're gonna pass out." Reverie was startled, not expecting Lady Purah to still be in the room. The Lead Researcher was standing at the console overlooking some readouts. She picked up her semi-scattered armour and carried it over to one of the trees, where she sat. Reverie began looking over the armour, tugging at braces and testing straps for damage. Not quite the same meditation techniques she'd been working through in Akkala, but she also wasn't in the same headspace. There was a pleasant numbness to the mind after letting out so much aggression. "In fact," Purah continued, snapping in the direction of the emerging party, "you should all get in here and sit down for a bit. Have some water, maybe some lunch- I don't know if we have lunch, but we'll find something. We can wait here for a bit and then tackle the rest of the place afterward."

Once they were all sitting and, indeed, some basic snacks had been located, Reverie carried her armour into the adjoining central chamber, where she left it with one of the support mages. Her mind was far away, imagining her next conversation with Lucke, how to formulate an apology. She repeated the affirmations in her mind to do better, to be stronger and trust in the teamwork she had spent half her life treasuring.

Suddenly, she found herself standing before Lucius. The sword spirit had proven a valiant and worthy comrade, and while she had grown fond of the entire party, she felt the most solid connection with him. They were both weapons, after all, forged to be wielded by various masters. But perhaps they could find some other path, some cooperative method by which both could become more than their predetermined station. "Lucius," she said, maintaining proper eye contact, as much a sign of respect as she had ever been taught. "I apologise for being so forward, but when you're in your sword form, are you ever wielded by someone else, or do you prefer to be self-directed?"

[LuckyBlackCat]

Despite Alyson's paltry attempt at damaging the hive, the knight's face lit up with an encouraging smile. "You must wait for the heart to beat. The organ is at its most vulnerable when stretched, ripe and almost bursting with foul energy - a magenta light."

With a nod, she pulled her arm back once more as she waited for the swelling's glow to flare. Before she could get another attack in, the Rito mage approached with a wing spread towards her boomerang, set on demonstrating the Gibdo remnants' uses. There was no time to hesitate - with waves of Gibdos pouring from the hive, she needed all the help she could get. Handing over the weapon, she watched him attach a set of jagged bones to one end and fling it with perfect aim at one of the shambling insectoids. In a flurry of sparks and an explosion of bone shards, the Gibdo crumpled into the sand.

"Huh, those really are handy!" Wide-eyed, Alyson took the boomerang back. "Too bad they're not as tough as living ones! For a given value of living. But they still pack a punch!"

If Lucius had acknowledged the display, he didn't show it, studying the hive instead with a strange golden glow to his eyes. His palpable disgust at the notion of using Gibdo bones had initially struck Alyson as odd, between how battle-hardened he appeared and how commonplace crafting monster parts into weapons had become post-Upheaval, but with his unique ability, he didn't need them. An ability he put to use once more, taking on electrified greatsword form as he leapt, piercing right through the hive's centre at just the right moment.

No sooner had the structure begun to crumble than a second lightning bolt ripped through it, finishing the job. Alyson ducked and splayed her hands, ready to waft away the burst of debris, but the other wind mage was already on it. She stared through the settling sand cloud, her awestruck gaze freezing over into one of alarm as the sword arced towards the Like Like and vanished into its jaws. He'd intended to do such... hadn't he? Even with the creatures' known appetite for swords, surely it would take more than a common cave monster to bring him down?

Indeed it would. She grinned in relief as beam after beam carved through the monster's thick shell, Lucius bursting from its remains and effortlessly rolling to a standing posture. "That Like Like certainly bit off more than it could chew!"

Surveying the now-quiet surroundings, Alyson wiped sweat from her forehead and followed the others back into the designated base, salvaging what intact construct parts she could along the way. "Well, that's one more room down!" she called, taking a seat in the grass, setting down the bundle of blades and axes. Her clothes clung to her, and no matter what a shame it was that the group hadn't explored the desert room further, she appreciated the far cooler atmosphere.

As she chugged down the honey-flavoured contents of an energy elixir vial, she noticed Reverie rising to her feet, wandering through the hallway in a daze. "Hey Reverie?" Jumping back up, her vigor renewed in part, Alyson hurried after her. "Are you alright? You want a stamina elixir?" Was this merely a result of the adrenaline wearing off, or... something else?

It was as Reverie adressed Lucius, asking about his sword form, that she seemed to snap back into full awareness. Keeping by her side, Alyson let her converse with her fellow warrior, although she held out one of the vials should Reverie accept the offer.

[El]

Another sector successfully cleared. Good.

Victory sweet upon his sculpted smile, Lucius basked in the disintegrating carnage of their dastardly foes as the group departed unscathed. While slaughter itself wasn't something he was programmed to revel in, the eradication of all things foul was. They had done a fine job in there. They should all be proud.

...Even if some of the methods employed were a little more distasteful. The Rito seemed obstinate about the Gibdo recycling, for some reason, even going as far as to demonstrate their potential. But it was never their potential which Lucius had scowled at. Nonetheless, regardless of the mage's true intent - be it a noble sharing of knowledge, or a ridiculing rebuttal - the knight had no interest in holding a debate on the issue. Not here. The construct was well aware of how privileged his own situation was: lecturing a war-torn kingdom on the morals of weaponry was... well, even a sword himself could see the shallow and condescending irony of it all.

Lucius had no notes on the other mage however - delighted as he was to see his skillset begin to emerge ever more! The knight may have led the charge but it always swelled his chest with fulfilled pride when he knew, at his back, there were capable comrades swooping in to continue the fight. He dealt the hive's final blow with a majesty and apparent ease that was worthy of great respect. ...Not that the heavily enrobed Zora appeared amiable to such loud praise. Lucius bit his tongue if only out of fear that boasting about his achievements would cause the mysterious stranger to wiggle back into his masked shell! What a shame that would be!

There were no promises Lucius wouldn't laud and applaud his potent skill later though.

Nonetheless, it was time to rest.

His system did not require fuel of the traditional sort, so he waved away the offered snacks with a handsome smile and even sweeter words of gratitude - ensuring his rejection was not heartfelt. He would benefit from recharging though. Unfortunately... as his gaze scoured their familiar surroundings, glancing over the heads of the resting party and working crew... there was no natural sunlight to be basked in here. No natural light at all in fact. Heading out any further and leaving the group behind was probably unwise too - if only for maintaining morale and camaraderie.

Deduction of secondary action: Enter Standby.

Colours fading, magnificent mane settling, Lucius found a section of ancient wall upon which to lean. The breathing processes were halted. Fabric animations cancelled. All emotion drained from his face as the beautiful features settled into true neutral. You'd almost think the man dead, as bleached grey and picturesquely still as he had become: a life-sized effigy upon some tragic hero's grave. But the folded arms and supporting leg gave away the sentience which still resided - slumbering. He listened to the chatter around him, but the processes required to transform the information did little but observe, not react. Until-

"Lucius."

A hum of consciousness opened illuminating eyes.

There fizzling into clarity, stood the sweat-clad Reneaux. Lucius smiled as his vision brightened, noting with blatant pride how well she still carried herself despite her earlier exertions. Not just capable, but physically fit too. She had been trained well. Behind her Miss Alyson hovered, concern wrought all over her soot-stained features.

"I apologise for being so forward, but when you're in your sword form, are you ever wielded by someone else, or do you prefer to be self-directed?"

His smile flinched with surprise. This was an unforeseen variable.

"Being wielded is what I was forged for." Lucius informed, voice clear and resolute. With a keen stare he observed the young warrior: judging, yes, but not criticising. You could see the various thought processes zapping into place behind those colourful, draconic eyes. Data was being filtered. Assumptions were being drawn. Predictions, risks and results whirled through his system. Whatever the conclusion had been, it was clearly positive - his smile grew into a blinding grin. And so a nearby scholar swooned into a faint, hit by a stray sparkle from his overflowing aura of most majestic beauty!

"As incredibly flattered as I am by your interest, Miss Renneaux," Lucius stepped off the wall, unfolding one arm and straightening to his full height: it was only proper to pay due courtesy with a noble posture and dignity in tow. This was not an exchange to take lightly. It required ceremony. Ceremony to which the knight happily obliged, swooping down into a brief but precisely elegant, cape-curling bow. "I do not take my bonds lightly. Would you be amenable to handling me first? Many have found my particular constitution invasive and uncomfortable."

Yet, rather than transforming into his natural form, the knight instead extended an open hand: the warming palm gloved in leather and bound by the buckled straps of his silvered gauntlet.

"Brace yourself, my lady." He warned, albeit with a radiant humour to his daring expression. He had faith she could handle him. "It may be wise to accept the counsel of your dear friend and consume her offered stamina elixir first."

[Rex Draco]

Water and lunch both sounded like good suggestions, options he preferred over continuing to move through and across this decrepit ruin. While it was unlike any of the ruins, delves, and dungeons he had seen in the past, it was still something that had to be managed. One could not simply run down a path and expect success. Pacing oneself was the best way to ensure a successful adventure. Nex knew well of the dangers one could stir outside of the usual beasts and traps. Starvation, dehydration, exhaustion were all dangers of personal make, especially when one did not prepare for their journey.

A break was always nice, especially after weaving together such large spells. While they were not as large as they could be, after such a long hibernation they were sufficient to strike fear into the hearts of the Gibdo — not that they had hearts any longer. Upon entering the central room he collected containers of water and dropped down onto the ground. Twisting open the caps he would proceed to pour the water down the top of his head, soaking the skull and cowl in the life-giving liquid. After dousing himself with two containers he took the third for his own sustenance and began to drink. When the container was a quarter of the way empty, the bone-faced wizard wiggled the bottle towards the wiggling plant that had carried the label of Bircham.

With the water drank, the heavily robed Zora pulled open the flap of his pouch and retrieved a small, rectangular lunchbox. Peeling back the top he hovered his 'face' over it and took in its scent. The contents appeared to be some sort of semi-clear gelatin with grey chunks of an unknown substance suspended within. A square corner of the translucent block had appeared to have been cut out. This had been the piece he had previously offered the plant, as a treat, but it seemed he had plenty more to ration from. Having removed one of his gloves, a sea-blue hand, the back of which was freckled with red markings, reached into the container and squeezed out another square of this gelatinous block which was not unlike the consistency of the Like-Like they had previously forfended.

The tofu-firm cube was tucked beneath the skull and seemed to vanish where the Zora's mouth likely was. He quietly ate his meal, delighting in the tasty chunks. His, seemingly, glowing blue eyes had vanished from the mask's eyeholes, but only for a moment. When he opened his eyes and turned his gaze down the openings he would look towards the little plant and offer them a bite.

"Getting one's fill is important, but overeating will just slow us down. How many chambers remain?" He wondered, his staff resting against his shoulder, serving as a wall for him to lean on as he sat on the ground. 

[Chaosome]

Arcade was not the type to purposefully press the buttons of others unless a situation warranted it. This was not one of those situations, after all doing such would not have swayed an outcome one direction or another, so what point would there have been? Any feelings of being chided for being narrow minded on the applications of enemy remains was purely fabricated by the blade, nothing more.

Idly adjusting the collar of his vest — which thanks to a couple of its buttons now occupying places on weaponry, hung open — Arcade made his way back into the central room after being satisfied that enough materials had been collected. While he was used to far longer treks, pacing oneself in unknown territory was important. The Rito carefully removed the spears from his back and leaned them nearby as he took a seat. The weapons, if one were to decide to inspect them, were clearly well cared for: the tips were sharpened to a razor's edge, the hafts which were decorated with scenes of dawn and dusk respectively were well polished, the grips were at least somewhat recently maintained. Whatever could be said about the man, he clearly took good care of his tools.

When presented with a bottle of water and a sandwich from one of Purah's scuttling assistants, Arcade dipped his head in thanks and quietly tucked into the small meal. It would let him save the trail rations he kept for later.


Meanwhile, Birchram was quite the happy little bean blossom. The little fellow would have been perfectly content with the proffered water bottle, which he contentedly took in his little leafy arms, tipping up the contents to guzzle down his gullet. But not only that, he was offered a mystery meal! The creature's appendages took the treato in their grasp, the bobbly bulb of a head 'sniffing' at it before opening up and tossing it back. Licking his lips, Birchram bounced happily in his pot and wheeled about in circles. He was very glad that these adventurers were so nice!

[Emily]

"Getting one's fill is important, but overeating will just slow us down. How many chambers remain?"

Purah, between watching Birchram and discussing many important-seeming things in her purah pad with the other scientists running about, looked at the Zora. "It's a good question." She sighed. "Truth is, it's hard to say. Based on the size of the island and the general similarity in size between these rooms, we're assuming there can't be more than... five or six. But we don't know how thin the rock on the bottom of the island is. If the people who designed this lab were real freaks, there might be a very thin layer of stone, which would allow another floor to be beneath us. But we can't know that for certain until we find a means of moving down."

A large portion of Reverie's life had been spent lost in thought. She had a tendency to drift along while her body was in relative safety, as her mind maintained a razor focus in moments where alertness was a dire necessity. Where people sometimes thought she was a sad person, or lacked energy, she was actually just often far away. Lucke had gotten used to her tendency to daydream, as had the people in her community, so Reverie hadn't been confronted with any worry in quite some time. She sometimes wondered if her given name had determined this tendency, or if it was just a coincidence.

Therefore, Alyson's worried commentary didn't sink into Reverie's awareness until after she had already addressed Lucius. The knightly sword spirit immediately entered a heightened state of being, the colour coming back to both his physicality and personality. Reverie immediately felt alert- not due to any particular danger, but because her body recognised this as a duel. There was proper decorum, this conversation was like a dance. And though she felt a twinge of guilt for not addressing Alyson before dealing with this, she was honour-bound to follow this tradition before taking care of anything else.

"Being wielded is what I was forged for." Lucius said. Reverie wondered if her grandmother had ever met Lucius. Now distant from the initial shock of hearing mention of her great-great grandmother's name coming from a stranger, Reverie was delighted at the thought that she might be able to learn more about these distant relatives. Her grandmother's stories had been a constant highlight of her youth, her absence a yawning void. The sword's presence would not fill that void, but it could help.

They both smiled at the same time: Lucius's beam a ray of confident light, Reverie's a less-practised but fully genuine example. "As incredibly flattered as I am by your interest, Miss Reneaux," the spirit began the dance proper. "I do not take my bonds lightly. Would you be amenable to handling me first? Many have found my particular constitution invasive and uncomfortable."

He extended a hand, even as his words caused Reverie's face to flush. She hadn't anticipated that the dance would be this kind of dance. Her history was footwork informing movement and daring acrobatics, not suggestion and inference. He was clearly a courtly presence, she was just a backwater yokel playing at chivalry. But he seemed interested, and she certainly was as well. And so, pushing through the embarrassment- she was no exhibitionist, after all- Reverie returned his grin. "I think you'll find me a most capable partner. There has never been a weapon forged beyond my ability to wield."

"Brace yourself, my lady." Uncontrolled, her heart fluttered. She felt like she'd be out of breath before the first touch. "It may be wise to accept the counsel of your dear friend and consume her offered stamina elixir first."

Finally, an opening. She turned to Alyson and felt her heart settle a bit. She smiled, took the offered vial. "Thank you, Alyson." Without really thinking about it, she quaffed the entire vial and handed it back. Her pupils constricted, the heaviness in her arms disappeared. She felt her mind focus in, the snowfields always present in her thoughts ferrying a still gale that chilled her nerves. The honey-sweet coating her tongue, the remnants of fatigue disappearing entirely from her system. She hadn't felt like this since Hebra. Adrenaline took advantage of the freed nerves, giving her a crystal clear sense of place and time.

She turned back to Lucius and, without a heartbeat of hesitation, took his hand.