Return of the Orichalcos (Finishing/PG-13/IC)

[Merci]

[color=green]"Well, I can't honestly announce the names of six-hundred and seventy-three members, now can I?"[/color] Archetype Earth asked Kori sarcastically. [color=green]"Even so, Kori, you've been rather poor lately. Not even one soul. Too bad."[/color] She laughed a bit, ominously, as her feet floated off the ground and moved a few meters back from Kori, coincidentally the same length used between duelists.

[color=green]"Now-"[/color]

She stopped.

[color=green]"If you must excuse me...there's somebody I need to possess first."[/color]


---------------------------------------


All of a sudden, Alexander, who was having a harsh headache and was still trying to think about how to rescue Atsuko from the seal when it was him who was supposed to duel- was suddenly taken over by a much larger power. Arche's connections that were usually connected to each cult member separately were now being solely focused on the boy, and his eyes glowed green. He was being possessed by Archetype Earth.

[color=green][b]"Hello, Jared."[/b][/color] He/She greeted, walking up to Yuri and Jared. [color=green][b]"And hello there...[i]Chosen One[/i]."[/b][/color]

A maniacal smile formed on Alexander's face.

[color=green][b]"Atsuko, it might interest for you to know that anything that appears like a defeat is acceptable under the Seal's standards, meaning you can beat him up if you want to get out."[/b][/color] He/She suggested to the seven-year-old within the seal. [color=green][b]"Otherwise, if you do something like lazily placing your hand on your deck or taking it out, the Seal will recognize that as a defeat and...like that."[/b][/color]

The possessed Alexander yawned, and turned his head to Jared and Yuri once more, the insane grin still covering his innocent face.

[color=green][b]"I can see you."[/b][/color] He/She stated bluntly to them. An odd comment, but it was quite obvious what it really meant.


----------------------------------


[color=gray]"You should...have stated that....[i]BEFORE![/i]"[/color] Protheus said angrily to the Ringmistress, having to deal with a headache. He didn't have a headache when talking to Brian, however, and turned to him. [color=gray]"Let us go inside then, and do what the Ringmistress had just told us."[/color] After that, he went out of the Duelhog, and entered the laboratory along with Brian.

[color=gray]"You said you knew a username and password? Then find a computer and type them in."[/color] He 'ordered' Brian. His head was still buzzing. This laboratory, it was definitely different from his own but- it was still a laboratory, wasn't it...? There should be nothing wrong, he's spent years inside that laboratory so there shouldn't be any problem but there's a problem about the way this laboratory is gotta focus since it is just a laboratory however a laboratory is a laboratory so- focus.


-----------


Meanwhile, the cultist student Zabaniya had noticed an odd vehicle park nearby the laboratory, along with a Duel Runner. He tilted his head a bit in confusion, as he could sense his Seal of Orichalcos slightly reacting to them.

[Love of Ghibli]

Lucas unlike Syria did not see the vast oddities this man possessed, but sense Syria seemed uncharacteristically eager and impressed he decided why not give this man a shot. Clearly he was someone favored by Arche and the Orichalcos and for that matter he could be one of her three special pendant wearers. [color=#ff8c00][i]I wonder can robots develop emotions? I mean madame mechano woman here seems to have quickly attached herself to this man's nether regions. Maybe I should leave them alone. Oh crap what if she has circuits that can have her read minds? The last person I saw that happen to got brain cancer. Interesting.[/i][/color] Lucas took a sip of his drink and decided that it the robot was right about High lord short temper mega destroyer Arche, she/it would most likely would be returning if not just to see who lived through her seismic graffiti.

[color=#ff8c00]Well my friend here is right we should get inside.[/color] [color=#ff8c00]Right now this is probably the safest place one can be in the States. So if you don't mind...Follow us."[/color] he proceeded to turn around and walk back through the secret entrance they came through and made his way back to the main hall. [color=#ff8c00]Well here you are. I'm sure Syria pointing to Syria can give you a more in depth tour of the place. I am going back to the bar if you need anything I'll most likely be there.[/color]

[Admiral_Stalfos19]

[i][color=#4B0082]'The Seal?'[/color][/i][color=#000000] Yuri questioned in her mind, before realizing that Atsuko [i]was[/i] in fact stuck inside the Seal of Orichalcos, [/color][color=#4B0082][i]'How do she oppose...?'[/i][/color]

[color=#008080]"[i]Suppose[/i], Ms Kanzen,"[/color][color=#000000] Critias corrected her in her mind, somehow knowing [i]exactly[/i] what Yuri was meant to say, [/color][color=#008080]"I must admit that it was never required of me or my brothers to break in and out of The Seal of Orichalcos before. I [i]may[/i] be able to do so, but I suspect that it will cost me some amount of my strength."[/color]

[color=#4b0082][i]'But... Itsu has [b]already[/b] lost her soul to this unholy magic,'[/i][/color][color=#000000] Yuri told Critias, via telepathic communication, [/color][color=#4b0082][i]'I can't allow her daughter of all people to suffer the same fate,'[/i][/color]

[color=#008080]"Very well, then I shall make an attempt to break through the seal,"[/color][color=#000000] Critias stated, [/color][color=#008080]"You only need summon me,"[/color]

[color=#000000]The telepathic communication ended abruptly, with Yuri [i]now[/i] planted with the task of summoning Critias in his corporeal form. It was a good thing the Aztecs participated in the Shadow Games as [i]well[/i] as the Egyptians 5,000 years ago, or Yuri would have [i]no[/i] idea how to go about this task. Closing her eyes, Yuri drew The Fang of Critias, and was about to summon it when she was interrupted by a familiar voice. It sounded like Alexander, who was just there, was possessed.[/color]

[color=#4b0082]"That [i]demon[/i],"[/color] [color=#000000]Yuri muttered. At that Jared had rushed to check up on her, only to witness Alexander's possession as well. He merely nodded in acknowledgement of Archetype Earth's arrival, before motioning for Yuri to step back behind him. This way, if [i]either[/i] cultist activated The Seal of Orichalcos, then Yuri wouldn't get caught. [/color]

[galesonic]

As Archetype left, all Kori could do was punch the wall. How did she see through him, like it was written all over his face. She noticed he hasn't even used the Orichalcos at all. She was starting to lose trust in him, which is what he didn't need to do yet. He took out his Seal of Orichalcos card and thought. What if he used the card to show Archetype how serious he was. Would she even flick an eye to him about it?

Or would it give the wrong idea? He didn't want innocent souls to be lost. but maybe he could stop all those evil souls that have been bringing everyone chaos and death all these years. But why would he do it? Wouldn't that make him evil himself? Al of this was flooding in his head. He sat in the throne as he held his head in thought. "Someone. Just tell me what to do. I want to stop the evi, but I'm too weak to face it." he said a loud to no one in particular. "I need help."

[Merci]

[color=green][b]"My dear Jared, you do realize I had been considering to name you a Swordsman?"[/color][/b] Archetype Alexander stated as matter-of-fact. [color=green][b]"You were one of the highest candidates, along with Carla - who's now definite - as well as Lucas, Syria, and Albtrum. If you mind, could you please step back? The daughter of Itsu Solace is [i]mine.[/i]...actually, you don't have a choice, but hey, do whatever you like."[/b][/color]

The woman in a boy's body tilted his/her head.

[color=green][b]"And you, Chosen One. Why have the Legendary Dragons returned anyway? I can [i]smell[/i] it on you."[/color][/b] He/She continued, disgusted. [color=green][b]"Well then, what do you say about a duel, owner of...Critias?"[/b][/color]

[Kingdom Xathers]

[color=#000080]"Hey, uh... Gabe?"[/color] Russell muttered.

[color=#b22222]"Yes, Russ?"[/color]

[color=#000080]"You do realize there's a girl invading your personal space, right?"[/color]

Gabriel turned to his right, noticing Pandora was holding out one palm toward his injured leg while holding another up towards Russell. [color=#b22222]"Oh, so there is,"[/color] he replied calmly; despite a part of him wanting to tell her off, he somehow couldn't bring himself to do so, and not just because he wanted to be nice... it was as if his impulses were disabled. It barely even occurred to him that the pain in his leg was diminishing.


~And now, a moment with Carla~


[color=#008000]"HOW DARE YOU!!"[/color] The Seal of Orichalcos had now returned to Carla's Deck, and was absolutely fuming. [color=#008000]"You went and left me inside of that corpse and crushed me underneath a slab! What have you to say for yourself?!"[/color]

[color=#ff0000]"Well, I would say that I'm sorry,"[/color] Carla replied, having reached the Orichalcos hideout, [color=#ff0000]"but then I'd be lying."[/color]

[color=#008000]"And you left without taking any souls!! There was a whole bus full of them, and you just left them there--"[/color]

[color=#ff0000]"I feel that you're forgetting two things, sweetie,"[/color] Carla retorted bluntly: [color=#ff0000]"Number One, I would have needed you to take any souls, and at the moment I needed you out of the way. Number 2, as stated previously, it would have been me against about thirty-to-fifty people on that bus, all of them paranoid; taking them all on with the Seal would have been suicide."[/color]

[color=#008000]"You didn't have a problem when you went to that Card Shop that one time."[/color]

[color=#ff0000]"That was different,"[/color] Carla scoffed. [color=#ff0000]"That was a far more simple time, I might add."[/color] She was speaking, of course, about the one mission she had that involved sabotaging a local tournament being held at a hobby shop. She had managed to pose as one of the sponsors (though, with the way she dresses, she could have easily been confused for a Booth Babe), handing out copies of The Seal of Orichalcos to the participants. It was a task so simple, a brain-dead chimp could have pulled it off just as easily.

Her influence resulted in over half of the participants having their souls taken, along with any other patron of the hobby shop. Those that initially survived were either possessed by the Orichalcos or had managed to win without playing the Seal, only to be hunted down by Carla herself later. The "winners" of the tournament, all eight of them, were then recruited as drones for the cult.

[color=#ff0000]"Still, that was kinda fun,"[/color] Carla mused, a mischievous smile crossing her lips as she reminisced about that tournament. [color=#ff0000]"Although, I'll admit, manipulating a whole hobby store full of guys in their late teens to mid-thirties who probably still live with their parents may have been a bit too easy...."[/color]

[color=#008000]"So... have you something similar planned for those that joined the opposition?"[/color]

At this, Carla's lips spread to an even larger, almost psychopathic, smile. [color=#ff0000]"Now, now, you should know by now how I work: A lady never kisses and tells."[/color]

By now, she had come across three people standing in the corridor: the perverted old fart, Lucas; the strangely clothed girl who had been sitting in the tree; and a new individual.

[color=#ff0000]"Lucas! Still Alive, I see?" [/color]Carla chimed as she approached the three. [color=#ff0000]"So, are you going to introduce me to your two friends?"[/color]

[Love of Ghibli]

Lucas looked up as he was now looking for Gin...poor castle his liquor may be gone by the time he gets back...he heard a familiar sound, coincidentally the smell of dirt, perfume, sweat, and shame went up inside his nostrils. It could only be one person, as he turned around he saw her/it, the prostitute. Clearly she survived by using her body as a bargaining chip to seek shelter. [color=#ff8c00][i]Would that be considered resourceful? Its not like you really have to work hard and find something. Well I guess its good that her breast are large men will be attracted to those. She probably uses padding thought[/i][/color]. He blinked as she inquired about the others, perhaps it was time to acknowledge her existence.

[color=#ff8c00]Glad to see you made it too, in tragedies like this I'm sure people in your profession will be needed. He felt happy he gave Carla a compliment somewhat. Well this is Syria a robot here to "observe" us and this mysterious man is Viktor a foreigner of sorts.[/color] He said waving his drink around and pointing to them two with his drink in hand. He then turned to Viktor and Syria. [color=#ff8c00]This here is Carla, her role is to help boost team morale......with her thighs.[/color] He said that as if he said nothing wrong simply trying to inform the other two of Carla's profession just in case they wanted to partake.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Pandora smiled sweetly at the two as the wound on Gabe's leg finished healing, and Pandora directly her palm at Russell to mend any injuries he might have sustained. [color=#a9a9a9]"Hello. I'm Pandora. Hold still while I take care of your wounds."[/color]

Ringmistress didn't seem happy either. [color=#FF69B4]"It was a very simple request. Anyways, once I can get in, we can see whatever this rock is made out of. Also, I have a guy checking out the Duelhog. Just as a heads-up."[/color] Back in the factory, Ringmistress told the duo. [color=#FF69B4]"Pandora here is a psychic. According to my files, she is a Class 7 Empath, a Class 8 Telekinetic, and a Class 6 Stimulator, which is what she is doing right now: accelerating the natural healing processes of your body. Though I would suggest heading to our break room afterwards. You're going to be quite hungry."[/color]

Atsuko looked rather scared. [color=#ff0000]"Alexander...what are you...oh. You."[/color] She didn't seem very happy about this situation. [color=#ff0000]"So...all I have to do is punch the ghost guy, and I can be free?"[/color]

[Kingdom Xathers]

[color=#000080]""Pandora", huh?"[/color] Russell said as the girl then held her hand up to him; almost immediately, Russell's mind mellowed out somewhat as his own bruises and injuries seemed to leave him. [color=#000080]"Strange name, kinda reminds me of that Greek Myth."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"Indeed,"[/color] Gabriel added, stomping the heel of his right foot on the ground a few times. He was surprised yet relieved to find that he was no longer feeling any pain there. [color=#b22222]"Amazing...."[/color]

"Sheesh, you two are just attracting the ladies today, huh?" CJ Brat cut in, seeing Pandora with Russell and Gabriel.

[color=#b22222]"Not what you think, CJ,"[/color] Gabriel groaned. [color=#b22222]"She's just giving us a hand with our injuries."[/color]

"Huh? How?" CJ got closer to the three of them, trying to examine what Pandora was doing. "I don't see it."

Then, the Chibi-Ringmistress appeared and explained Pandora's abilities to the group. CJ was still confused.

[Merci]

[color=green][b]"Correct. A battle within the Seal of Orichalcos can be solved any way once it's activated. Chess, monopoly, whatever game you like, even if it is merely a fist fight where the opponent stands motionless."[/b][/color] The possessed Alexander went on nonchalantly. [color=green][b]"Everybody prefers card games in this era, however, so that is how the Seal is usually used. Ironically, most of our cult's losses come from rock-paper-scizzors, a simple game to determine who goes first. When they do that, the loser instantly."[/b][/color]

She/He laughed at this for a bit, finding it amusing that people could lose their souls so easily, and so unintentionally as well.

[color=green][b]"Well, there are other more crazed out ways to determine a winner within the Seal of Orichalcos, such as modelling with photos and judges, or intercourse with whoever faints first..."[/b][/color] He/She decided to leave it at that. Such things were never, and should never be used within a Seal of Orichalcos. Archetype Alexander Earth shrugged.

[werewolfjedi]

Brian nodded [b]"this shouldn't take long if I can get this to work, if not, this will take quite a while"[/b]
Brian tapped at the keyboard, trying out his dad's usual username, and several passwords, till he got a ding, and the password confirmed. he did a little fist pump.
[b]"yes, I got in, now then miss, miss, you there? I'm in, tell me what you need, I'm already working on a short proxy jump to keep them off me with a reroute through a bunch of other computers in other buildings connected to this system, what else would you like mam."[/b]
Brian smirked, showing off for the mistress back at base letting his Harvard schooling show, to him this was almost child's play.

[Premier Alexander Romanov]

Ringmistress immediately jumped into the school's mainframe. [color=#FF69B4]"Don't worry about proxy jumps."[/color] She IMed Brian. [color=#FF69B4]"I've got your back regarding cyberspace. Just download and execute the following program."[/color] Immediately, a file was sent from Ringmitress' IM address to Brian's, and a warning prompt popped up for the computer to run "TheGreatestShowOnEarth.exe" by the publisher "Your Friendly Neighborhood Artificial Intelligence" appeared on the terminal he was using, asking if he wanted to run that application.

Atsuko promptly activated her Duel Disk, and turned on the "Roll Dice" function. Immediately, a giant holographic dice appeared in an equally large holographic hand. [color=#ff0000]"Alright, Albatrum. Let's do this old school. Really old school. Mom taught me how the first games were simple games of chance, so how about we roll to see who can get the highest number? Winner gets out of here, loser gets sucked up. How does that sound, ya creep?"[/color]

[Merci]

[color=gray]"You do realize that the Ringmistress is just artificial intelligence, right...?"[/color] Protheus asked the guy whose name he still didn't know. The Ringmistress wasn't an entity. She could simulate emotions, but she could never truly feel them herself. Therefore, joking with her was actually quite pointless, since the supposed living being called the Ringmistress simply was incapable of truly reacting to sarcasm, nothing made a difference. [color=gray]"It's just some robot..."[/color]

He shook his head. More headaches, this time for no apparent reason.


----------------------------------


Zabaniya had caught somebody, just outside the laboratory. He activated his Seal of Orichalcos and trapped the person within. If the captured student had screamed, Zabaniya's location would've been instantaneously revealed to Protheus and Brian. However, for some strange reason, he didn't. Instead, he was confident.

"So, let's decide who goes first!"

[i]Rock - paper - scissors![/i]

And with scissors beating paper, it was determined that the cultist Zabaniya should go first- that is until his opponent's soul was suddenly absorbed by the Seal, and faraway transformed into a tablet among many others. Apparently, the Seal of Orichalcos had recognized his opponent's loss.

That was random, but one soul down.

Carefully looking around and seeing that nobody had witnessed that little scene, the cultist college student walked into the laboratory. Nobody suspected a thing.

[Aesirson]

Viktor scanned the woman from tip to toe with his eyes, and he could understand if she would "boost morale" among these people. He wouldn't expect less of the womans of the Great States, but he had since a long time ago forsaken such things as love for his goals of an enlightened, albeit less biological, human race. He nodded at Carla to show that he was glad to meet her, and then turned to Lucas.

"So, Lucas, was it? Has Arche set up a laboratory for me, or will I have to request that from her myself when she gets here?" He was eager to get back to work now that he had all of this Cult's resources at his disposal.

[Kingdom Xathers]

Once again, the sudden urge to throttle Lucas within an inch of his elderly life had to be held back. Carla once again spoke, an oddly serene smile gracing her face while her right hand was angrily clenched in a shaking fist; [color=#ff0000]"Yes, well, don't get the wrong idea, I don't really have much interest in boosting anyone's "morale" unless it serves a greater purpose. I dress however I feel like because I can,"[/color] she added for seemingly no other reason, [color=#ff0000]"it's not like I should have to hide what I look like."[/color] She then took a quick glance at the Russian, taking note of his peculiar attire, especially of the bizarre "third arm" that seemed to be coming out of his left shoulder. "I hope this guy doesn't show off a "third leg" as well," she thought briefly.

Carla then noticed that Viktor was also examining her, perhaps influenced by Lucas' comments about her. She returned his acknowledging nod with a polite curtsy, something that oddly seemed out-of-character for her.



Back at the factory, Gabriel and Russell joined with the rest of the DWF staff and audience members in the break room, which was surprisingly large enough to accommodate at least 150 people.

[color=#000080]"Something's bugging you, Gabe. I can tell,"[/color] Russell said as he looked over at his lion-masked friend.

Gabriel nodded. [color=#b22222]"You're right. I'm just wondering... if we didn't have to split from the people that didn't wish to join us, they could be here, too. At least then they would have shelter, food to eat...."[/color] Almost immediately, his mind wandered to thoughts about the orphanage in Mexico, of his foster parents, and the children... ... ... how many children had survived the earthquake without their parents... ... ... and how much longer can they survive after that...?

Gabriel's thoughts were cut short by a tune playing close-by. He instantly recognized it as the ringtone of his cell phone. Taking his phone out of his jacket pocket, he took a glance at the caller ID. "Home" was displayed underneath the tiny animated phone on the screen. His heart nearly skipping a beat, Gabriel pressed the SEND button and put the phone to his ear.

[color=#b22222]"Hello? ... [i]Mamita[/i], that you? [i]¿Estás bien?[/i] ... yes, I'm okay. I had a bit of a fall earlier, [i]pero ya estoy bien... Sí, mamita, Russell está bien, también--[/i]"[/color] Gabriel was cut off by a short beep coming from his phone; he took a quick glance at the screen, which read "Mrs. Oxford". [color=#b22222]"Ah, [i]lo siento Mamita[/i], [i]pero[/i] I have another call on the line."[/color] With that, Gabriel pressed the send button again. "Mrs. Oxford--?"

The voice coming out from the other end was so loud and frantic, Gabriel had to pull the phone away from his ear. [color=#b22222]"Mrs. Oxford, please, stay calm... uh-huh... yes... yes, he's here. You wish to speak with--well, of course you wish to talk with him, how foolish of me."[/color] He handed his phone to a confused Russell. [color=#b22222]"It's your mom."[/color]

Russell took the phone and put it to his ear. [color=#000080]"Mom? Yeah, yeah, I'm okay, I just... wait, you were trying to reach me earlier? Damn... Sorry, mom. During the earthquake, me and Gabe fell down a hole, and I must've landed on my phone... I know, ma, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that."[/color] As Russell was talking, Gabriel could see Russell's eyes watering a bit. [color=#000080]"Uh-huh... yeah, I know, ma... love you, too. 'Bye...."[/color]

Russell handed the phone back to Gabriel, then walked out of the break room without another word. Worried, Gabriel first pressed SEND to speak with his foster mother on the other line. [color=#b22222]"Mamita, I gotta go... okay, I'll talk to you later. Let papito know... 'k... [i]bendicion[/i]."[/color] Gabriel finally hung up his cell phone, then ran after Russell.

[werewolfjedi]

Brian ran the program looking over at protheus[b] "artificial intelligence still means a mind, I know one that enjoys a good joke, never assume they are emotionally blank."[/b]
Brian let the program run, knowing it was take a bit being that these computers werent the very best.
he looked at protheus holding his head
[b]"are you okay? is the stone still effecting you? I'll get it into the machine, it should block more of whatever this thing gives off."[/b]

Brian was worried, something still felt off, this was far too easy. he checked his deck and his shock pistol, the charge still full thankfully, cause he knew sometimes, people just didn't give up.

[Merci]

[color=gray]"It's not the Orichalcum that's the problem..."[/color] Protheus muttered, now grasping at his own head.

He was very much tempted to rip out his own brain, but he knew it wouldn't do any good. Somebody else had tried it once before, and all that happened was that a second brain, identical to the first, regenerated. It was rather ridiculous at how far the magic that kept him alive went. Yet now it was starting to grow apparent that it had flaws, flaws when exposed to extreme amounts of the past, only amplified by that earlier Orichalcum and now spiraling out of his own control-

"Hullo." A college student said to them suddenly, appearing completely unaffected nor fearful of the earthquake that had earlier transpired. "Are you really allowed to access that computer?"

[Love of Ghibli]

Lucas looked at this man with intrigue. Mainly because he had no idea what lab he spoke of nor did he have any idea who Viktor was either. Funny though lab implies research and research implies discovery and what could there possibly be left to discover outside of Atlantis. Viktor didn't seem that interested in the partaking of Carla so that was one avenue closed, well to Viktor anyway Carla most likely keeps the legs open just in case. Lucas looked around to see maybe he could spot a suspicious room that would house a laboratory but that didn't work out too well. But he did see that the door to the main hall was open which must mean the great leader has returned. Good that means we could get some things done around here that might not involve a violent death.

[color=#ff8c00]"I do not know myself, but it seems that our leader is here now so lets just ask her why don't we?"[/color] Lucas takes the liberty of leading the three oddities around into the main hall and sees Kori and Arche...Ugh Kori, how he is not dead or a piece of soulless mass is a great mystery of life. Right along with how does a body like his stand up right when it has no spine. Nevertheless there was Arche or some semblance of her standing there. It was like she was present but her mind elsewhere. Intriguing very intriguing indeed.

[TotalObelisk]

Syria followed Lucas back into the hideout, momentarily glancing at the new arrival every other moment. As they where walking along a new voice called out from behind them causing the party to pause in the middle of the corridor. Syria looked about at this new individual, recognizing her as one of the humans sitting in the park before the earthquake. She noted with interest her style of dress and concluded that her internal body temperature must have been considerable higher than normal. The older human, Lucas, also mentioned something about her 'boosting moral', a phrase which was entirely lost on the cyborg, especially the part about the thighs, but she neglected to investigate the matter for the moment. She turned to the new arrival.

[b]"My name is Syrialmazkin Kiyre, you may call me Syria,"[/b] she introduced herself [b]"As your compatriat said, I am here to investigate the comet you refer to as Faust and gather whatever information I can from it, as well as anything I see here."[/b]

She paused, spotting Lucas walking into the main hall and decided to follow him. Sure enough her comment about Archetype-Earth arriving had been correct, however she did not recognize the boy currently sitting on the throne.

[galesonic]

Kori looked up from the throne and noticed Lucas with another person he didn't quite see before. Could it be the new member Archetype was talking about? No. She seems to have been in the cult for a longer time, if he could remember correctly. He stood up and eyed Lucas.

"If your looking for Archetype, she just left. Apparently she had much better things to do than waste her time on scum like us." his stated rather bluntly.

He walked down the steps of the throne as he shrugged. "Then again, I just got here myself. She only got here the moment I did."

[i]"That's odd. Lucas was with Carla last time I saw him. Wonder what happened to her."[/i] he thought as he stepped on the final stair.

[Kingdom Xathers]

[color=#ff0000]"Oh, hi Kori,"[/color] Carla said flatly as she came into the throne room, right after Lucas and Syria had entered. [color=#ff0000]"What are you doing in here, then? Have you been a bad lil' cultist?"[/color] she asked in a teasing, taunting tone. [color=#ff0000]"Wouldn't surprise me; you barely even do anything around here."[/color]


~~~~~


[color=#b22222]"Russell, wait up!"[/color] Gabriel called out as he ran after the Irish-Latino. [color=#b22222]"[i]¿Que paso?[/i] Are you okay?"[/color]

Russell stopped in his tracks, a slight sniffle coming from him. [color=#000080]"I... I'm fine,"[/color] he said, his voice slightly cracked. [color=#000080]"Mom was just worried about me, that's all...."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"Russell...."[/color]

Russell turned to face Gabriel, showing that he had started to cry. [color=#000080]"... I don't blame her. We... had already lost once...."[/color]

[color=#b22222]"... your... father...?"[/color] Gabriel asked.

Russell nodded sadly, his right hand reaching up to touch the dogtags around his neck. [color=#000080]"You guessed right... I'm sorry I never told you about it before...."[/color]

[TotalObelisk]

Idris gave a slight yawn as she wandered through the factory with her hands in her pockets, gazing at the new arrivals with a quizical gaze.

[b]"They don't look up to much,"[/b] she muttered to herself [b]"But the more the merrier I guess."[/b]

It was at that point that a brief glow of light escaped from her pocket and the translucent image of Timaeus appeared before her, a series look on his scarred face.

[i][b]"Idris, I sense one of our comrades is in danger, I can feel the presence of the Orichalcos,"[/b][/i] he said [i][b]"There isn't much time, we must help them. We cannot let one of us fall or all will be lost."[/b][/i]

Idris hesitated before nodding in reply, imediately running to the garage area and hopping on the first Duel Runner she could find.

[b]"Okay, I'll admit I've never done this before,"[/b] she said, taking the helmet out from under the seat and donning it [b]"But hey, whatever works."[/b]

[i][b]"You can sense the seal, can't you?"[/b][/i] Timaeus asked.

[b]"Yeah,"[/b] Idris nodded [b]"So long as I don't crash on the way, we should be fine."[/b]

With that she reved the machine into life and shot out, heading back towards the ruins of Detroit.

[Merci]

[color=green]"Excellent, you are all already gathered."[/color] Archetype Earth's voice echoed out throughout the throne room. She disregarded the fact that Kori was sitting in her throne. [color=green]"I was planning on having an announcement, but the way you are all currently gathered...such a thing may be unnecessary."[/color]

Then she walked over to her throne and took out three [i]refined[/i] stones of Orichalcum from it.

[color=green]"I have not yet fully decided, but now is as good a time as any."[/color] She stated, and standing in front of the throne she looked down at the trio. [b][color=green]"Attentive Carla Bellerose, snarky Lucas Matthews, and enigmatic Syrialmazkin Kiyrie, you three have been chosen to be given powers that allow you to separate yourself from the flock. That is, your qualities are ideal for becoming a [i]Swordsman[/i], for obtaining this specific piece of Orichalcum and for having the ability to get rid of the Seal of Orichalcos as you see fit."[/color][/b]

She paused, a smile on her face.

[color=green]"If there is somebody who protests to my decision, please step forward."[/color]

[galesonic]

Kori gave a little laugh as he heard the taunting comment of Carla, who just walk in. He looked at the Seal of Orichalcos card in his hand. Granted it was his first copy, since he hasn't even used the card at all. But other than the others, who use the Orichalcos for their fun and games, Kori thought it should be used to seal away the dark souls that threaten the fabric of law and order. Then again, would it be unjust to use it? The thought longed on in his head. He looked towards the group in a neutral manner. All of a sudden he noticed Archetype Earth appear in front of him. Though his expression seems the same, on the inside, he just crapped a brick.

As he watched he saw all Lucas, Carla, and Syria being indited as the knights of the Orichalcos, it gave him a sharp smack to the face.

[i]"Crap."[/i] he thought. [i]"It happened sooner than I thought. Now this is really gonna get out of hand."[/i]

[Love of Ghibli]

Lucas for probably the first and only time in his life agreed with the words of Carla when she was talking to Kori. Such a momentous occasion she actually be addressed.

"Yeah I agree with Carla (she even gets a name this time) on this one. When you say "scum like us" are can you not lump those that actually do work with your Jimmy Cricket, sob story, bi-polar antics. Its degrading personally. Second...how are you still alive? Doesn't you blatant failure at everything can't as an automatic loss in anything you do." Lucas was already annoyed with Kori from inception. His blatant cowardice and uncertainty are just more characteristics that today's youth seem to exude. Depressing, you would think at some point he would grow out of this.

At this point Arche had came back and proceed to talk Lucas decided to let the matter with Kori side. This can be solved with liquor later. "[color=#008000][b]Attentive Carla Bellerose,[/b][/color] [color=#ff8c00][i]hmm didn't know Arche was a lesbian[/i][/color] [b][color=#008000]snarky Lucas Matthews[/color][/b] [i][color=#ff8c00]hmm wonder who that is[/color][/i], [b][color=#008000]and enigmatic Syrialmazkin Kiyrie[/color][/b] [color=#ff8c00][i]long winded[/i][/color], [b][color=#008000]you three have been chosen to be given pow...Lucas Matthews, Lucas Matthews, Lucas Matthews, [/color][/b][color=#ff8c00][i]LUCAS MATTHEWS!!OH MY GOD THAT'S ME!! I WIN, I WIN, HA SUCK IT PROSTITUTE[/i][/color] [color=#ff8c00]heh double pun. [/color]

Lucas was ecstatic though his face didn't show any change in emotion accept for when he snickered and said "double pun." He was a swordsmen which while the honorific was purposeless he would actually get an ancient Atlantean artifact. Of course when Arche asked for objections his head slowly turned to Kori. Though his face showed no emotions he surely was thinking murderous thoughts.