linkingup | FOR THOSE WE HAVE LOST

[You're right. There is no way to save her.

Nanamo is dead.

You scarcely have time to register that before the doors to the room burst open and in comes several familiar faces in blue uniforms. You recognize them as the Crystal Braves - your allies - and the man leading them is Ilberd.]

Arrest them. They've killed the Sultana!

[They approach you with weapons drawn. Instinctively, you know you shouldn't fight back. If you fight back, it will just make things worse on your allies. You've been betrayed, but this isn't the end. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn - your allies - can still make this right. It's best just to play along for now.

...But is that what you'll do?]

[ Damn. He had a feeling it could've been useless, but he unfortunately as a stubborn person refused to adhere to the idea that it was.

Not to mention, Argenti is not the type of person to go easily.

He did nothing wrong.

And for Aeon's sake, he is not getting arrested again! ...This isn't wholly compelled by the fact that a part of him is aghast at the idea of a Knight of Beauty getting arrested, but there is an underlaying fear that accompanies this decision. ]

You will have to take me by force in an honorable duel!

[ Argenti just flat out casts Psycho Force on Ilberd (11), misses two others (2, 5) with a severe psy-aligned spell. His allies will understand.

Is there a way to use the sudden attack as a way to get around them or no? ]

[The Crystal Braves advance as Ilberd tries to shake off the attack. Rude?? Rude. But he definitely deserves it. They launch physical attacks at Argenti - a spear thrust misses (4), an arrow whizzes by (8), a sword slice deals quite a bit of damage (20), another misses (10), and Ilberd's blade also fails to find its mark (2). Argenti's definitely holding his own pretty well against them, but unfortunately, there isn't a clear path to the exit or any way to escape.]

[ Argenti sure is not about getting himself caught still, though when he ends up being sliced that strongly, it certainly does happen to hurt!! Ouch. Fortunately, he's gotten through worse by far so he's not in an immediate issue or anything like that.

In fact, now that he's counting four in total attacking him, he can respond properly in kind (even if he is the one who struck first, shh.)

So this time, Argenti unleashes a Megaton Raid with severe physical damage on all four, starting with (missing) the person who threw a spear at him (10), then Ilberd because screw him (12) and missing the other two by far (1, 2)

That fear debuff is sincerely affecting his aim, unfortunately! ]

[It's only going to get worse, unfortunately. After all, there are so many Crystal Braves here, and even though you keep hitting Ilberd, he just keeps coming. Are you truly going to be able to fight your way out of this situation all on your own? Will you be able to find an escape? Have you just caused more trouble for your friends?

Another spear thrust misses (3), though the following attacks all his: another arrow, two sword slashes, and Ilberd's own stab (19, 14, 14, 14). The damage is going to slow you down, you know this.

Are you sure you want to keep fighting?]

[ ...

No, he's not.

...He'll have to yield in the face of such an onslaught, and with so many opponents in front of him.

Regardless of what is to come, he'll have to face it, no matter what. Not even the feeling that's tugged him into this course of action can have him fruitlessly pursue it. He lays his weapon to the side after that moment of consideration. ]

Fine. I shall surrender.

[ However reluctantly it is. After all, he can't even see an exit out of this even if he should not. ]

Tch, finally.

[Ilberd seems annoyed by all of this, but maybe that's because you were smacking him around. Regardless, he gestures and the Crystal Braves move forward to take your weapon away. Assuming you don't resist any further, they'll even bind your hands behind your back with rope and escort you away.

You'll find yourself dragged before your friends next. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn are shocked to see you apprehended and their worried expressions turn to the Crystal Braves next. Ilberd claims that you've poisoned the Sultana and that all the Scions of the Seventh Dawn should be apprehended for this crime.

The fear is nearly all-consuming. What are you to do without your weapon? How are you to protect your friends if you can't even protect yourself? You can't let them get caught up in all of this.]

[ Argenti is fortunately not the type to make any snippy comments, and he is too...submerged in bothersome feelings to look necessarily defiant. Even if apparently his actions are still definitely the height of exactly those.

...It is a near thing when they try to bind his hands behind his back, but he restrains himself remarkably well. That has nothing to do with the fear completely, though for him being afraid means he gets naturally more aggressive instead of freezing up. So clearly, this is bound to go well for him.

His expression is suddenly a lot more hostile once his weaponry and his state of being is restrained so thoroughly. The fact that the fear has risen to something like an apex is even more worse. ]

I did not poison anyone! And you are blaming the wrong people!

[ Argenti is shouting immediately, but his heart is racing, almost in panic. He almost wants to blame this random guy but he is not sure if he is to blame for this at all. Worst of all, how can he protect anyone like this? His hands tremble and he is about to start to struggle from the maddening feeling overwhelming him - unlike others who would certainly become paralyzed by fear - which is probably also another unwise course of action to take. ]

( mafuyu is... late, it feels like, having trailed behind everyone. maybe sou's palace had it's impact, maybe she felt it was best to have a healer towards the end, but-

this is...

a pit in her stomach forms, as she looks at the sight before her. what does she do? )

A-Argenti?

[Argenti's words fall on deaf ears, unfortunately. The Crystal Braves are too busy squabbling with the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, and the other people present are looking between both organizations in confusion. After all, the Crystal Braves and the Scions work closely together, don't they?

While this is happening, you'll suddenly find a young man crouched down next to you, working on cutting through Mafuyu's binds first. You recognize him as Thancred, one of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and a friend.]

Try to help me loosen these, hmm? I'll get you out of there quickly.

[Despite the situation, he offers Mafuyu a comforting smile. It may not help with the fear, but you aren't alone.]

[ ...Ah, help has arrived.

That is something like a relief, even if the feeling does not disperse. Well, fortunately, it seems that other people seem distracted by the entirety of whatever is going on, so he can somewhat calm.

This Thancred truly must be a friend.

...Though, he does not say much to draw attention to this at the moment, only watching as he is so kind to grant Mafuyu such a smile.

He nods his head merely in appreciation. ]

( oh- now there's help...? it's- odd, trusting in someone so immediately, but she's so desperate for some sort of alleviation of the fear and anxiety she'd been plunged into that she accepts it, trying her best to help thancred get the ties. )

... Thank you...

( she's not afraid to speak, at least. after all, it takes a lot for her to speak above a whisper if she's not actively faking it. )

[And there you go, Mafuyu freed!]

Don't worry, friend. We couldn't imagine turning our backs on you now. Where would we be without the Warrior of Light, eh?

[He moves over to start on Argenti's bonds next.]

...Still, you are most kind.

Your assistance is most appreciated.

[ Argenti does at least speak up when the other says such words to Mafuyu, piecing together another puzzle regarding the difficulties that must have been faced in this world. Though, he has to wonder if...well, he will see what plays out next. ]

( argenti no don't let her take that mantle, she's not even 18 yet-

mafuyu rubs her wrists gently, looking around and between the two men anxiously. )

What now?

[An excellent question, Mafuyu. As soon as Argenti is free, it seems the very world around them freezes. Thancred is frozen in place, looking like he was about to say something, while the Crystal Braves and Scions are still at odds, looking like they were ready to come to blows.

A voice rings out through the sudden silence, sounding both familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. Though you can pick out certain voices of those you cherish, you can't pinpoint the voice as one specific person.]

Knowing that they may seek to destroy or control you, will you still continue to fight for them?

[Do you answer honestly?]

... Huh?

( destruction, she can handle, at this point. she's trying to take a hammer to that ungodly pedestal more and more every day, even if it's just in leaving things a little untidy. it's the control that gets her.

why control?

she just wants to be free. she's tired of violence and she's only lived it a few months.

she answers honestly but... it may be a little lacking. )

I... I don't know.

[ One might assume that this is a simple yes or no question. In essence, it is phrased as exactly that; where they are either expected to place their faith blindly in these people or scorn them.

A Knight of Beauty is the type of person to fight for what is right; to protect all of the Beauty in the universe. This doesn't change, no matter what world he's in. ]

...I do not even know what they fight for.

[ Argenti begins with, earnestly, and honestly. He feels that comradery, and it stirs that feeling of beautiful emotion within him.

Though, he recalls something he has once spoken to the Trailblazer, regarding the nature of those he doesn't know the intentions of. He still adheres to those words even now, while remaining true to himself, and rescuing or helping those in need.

So, he continues speaking, elaborating with ease, but with a resolute stance that makes it clear that these words resonate truly from his own heart. That these are his truth. ]

And, precious as they feel, I do not even know who they are, nor their intentions. One must evaluate one's nature carefully if such things are unclear.

If it were that they stand for the same and just cause, without using myself to further their ends, I would fight for them.

However, if it turned out that their hearts were filled with nothing but avarice and twisted desires - if they dared to try to make me their piece to advance their aims, I would turn on them and destroy them myself in the name of all that is beautiful.

[ Argenti says certainly and with finality. This is his answer. ]

Edited 2024-10-14 20:14 (UTC)

[The voice does not respond. It's not clear if they approved of these answers or not; instead, the world slowly fades to white, with the people around them blinking out of existence.

When you blink, you'll find yourself back in front of the stained glass window, only now it is broken. Three more remain.]

FOR THOSE WE HAVE LOST | FRAY'S PALACE

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