[center][h2][color=turquoise]Cap'n K. Runch: Finding Your Religion[/color][/h2][/center]
[@Lugubrious]

Runch had to wait patiently before Oren responded to him, which he didn't mind. Most likely there was going to be quite a few of the contestants calling in for directions, advice, or to be linked to their next opponents. Once the pun loving man chimed in though, the pirate found himself... Dissatisfied and disenchanted. Oren confirmed that yes, there was something interesting nearby, and that was it. The connection closed and that was one of only three calls he had available all used up. With a heavy sigh, Runch glanced over to the window to find a bird had taken perch. Through the sweet songs it sang, he found some relief from his frustration. He had to admit, it was strangely comforting. The winged creature reminded him of his first mate's bird collection back on the Guppy. His thoughts drifted to what the rest of the crew were doing, and wondering how Joanne was. Smith and Hachirou were patient men, they could sit on that dock for days on end waiting for him to return from this tournament. Dr. Ken was... Less predictable. He was just as likely to pass out in a coma on the ship as he was to defy orders and head out into the City of Echoes to find more alcohol.

Runch's musing were interrupted by the sound of his phylactery's speakers kicking back in, and Oren providing some additional information. Clutching his left fist and shaking it in excitement, his eyes drifted upward as he mouthed the words, "thank you" silently. “Ooh, the Old Basilica.  South beyond the Cold Monastery -you'll know it when you see it- then east near the Three Rivers' Mosque. I just know you get a kick out of what's inside.”

Runch nodded, either uncaring, or oblivious, to the fact that there was no video so Oren wouldn't be able to see his body language. [color=turquoise]"I thank ye, Oren! And I appreciate the extra push. Now that I have a firmer understanding of your rules, I'll be sure to play by'em and be more specific in the future. Omnomnomnom! And as thanks, I think I'll make a new recipe in yer honor! Once I win this contest, you and me will be able to chow down on my new 'Oren Berry' surprise! Or maybe I should call it 'Oran Berry' to give the impression of oranges? Well I'll let you decide, omnomnom!"[/color] Runch terminated the communication, but for some odd reason he couldn't shake the impression of electric mice from his mind. Well nevermind to that, he had a new adventure to shove off to! And better yet, a destination in mind! It would require a small bit of backtracking, though. 

Runch approached the window and shooed away the bird, albeit reluctantly. With the portal outside now clear, he clambered on up to the rooftop of his shelter in order to get the lay of the land. He hadn't seen the place too well in last night's darkness, and the landscape had changed with the subsequent flooding. Navigating the place was more of a nuisance, but not terribly difficult. Rooftops were still walkable and he could manifest bridges of cereal wherever needed. It he were attacked by this day's opponent in such an environment though, it could prove disastrous. He shook his head, freeing the mind of such concerns for the time being. That was later's problem. The task right now was finding this Old Basilica. Keeping up a good pace, but making sure he didn't tire himself out, Runch set off to get back to the Holy Grounds.

Last night's rain was truly a terror to behold. Runch had heard that such weather was commonplace in the Grand Line though. If this was true, he couldn't afford to shy away from the dangers that the City of Echoes would heap upon him. If he couldn't deal with a little massive flooding then-Flooding! Crap! Runch's mind raced back to yesterday's opponent, the assassin with the unpronounceable name, and how he had left him stuck in honey and buried beneath a pile of hard cereal. Had that cathedral flooded through too? Did Serhan drown because of Runch's actions? The captain altered his course slightly. The cathedral would be on the way to his new destination, so it wouldn't take much time out of his day to go check up. If Serhan was alive, he'd ease his conscience. If the man was dead... Well, he was needlessly cruel and a massive sadist, so Runch wouldn't be shedding any tears over it, but he'd prefer nobody died due to his own negligence. The adrenaline kicked in and Runch picked up the pace, firing out a stream of cereal behind him to propel forward faster.

[hr]

Nearly half an hour passed, and Bartholomew K. Runch found himself back at [url=http://68.media.tumblr.com/bad1b866b2d2af2acc667d4d1b7e6321/tumblr_nf9qp8nMqm1rwiup7o7_r1_1280.jpg]the wondrous cathedral[/url] he had found his nifty amulet and had served as the battleground with Serhan. Upon his approach he breathed out a sigh of relief. The torrential downpour had not damaged the outside of the massive structure. Of course, that didn't mean that the water didn't somehow find itself on the inside. K. Runch strolled into the front doors, shoving them aside. Inside his shoes made contact with small puddles of water, splish splashing and spreading around mud in the hallowed halls. This was not something the pirate had concerned himself with. On the far side, near the main altar, stood a mountain of cereal, engorged on water to a significantly larger size than when he had placed it there. He couldn't help but chuckle at the sight, mentally comparing it to an enormous pile of sponges. [color=turquoise]"Omnomnom."[/color]

Runch's eyes darted to beneath the pile where Serhan should have been. The expanded pellets of wheat covered up where the assassin's face would have been. If he hadn't been crushed beneath the increased weight, chances were that he had suffocated. Things didn't look good. Well, either he was dead, or found a way to survive. There would be no point in hurrying himself, it would only waste energy. The spoonsaber unfastened from its sheathe with a little frumple sound from the buttons holding it in place. With expert hands, utilizing techniques unique to himself, Runch began removing the mountain of bloated, soaked cereal. Splat, splat, splat went the pieces as they hit the floor, columns, and walls. A few seconds later and Runch uncovered the original floor position of Serhan. Only there was no Serhan.

[i]Click.[/i]

Runch froze in place. Something cold and round was pressed against the back of his neck. The barrel of a gun.

"Your sentimentality is a great weakness, infidel," came a hushed voice with a strong accent, practically breathed into Runch's ear. "The rain softened your wheat and washed away your honey. After going to such lengths to save my life, it was an easy prediction to surmise you would check on me after the rain."

Runch breathed out deeply, letting his spoonsaber list to the floor, using it to support himself.

"I should take your little bauble and reclaim my soul. I should ensure the suffering I impart unto you is second only to the torment Allah will command upon your soul. Then, and only then, should I end your life." The pirate closed his eyes and tightened his grip on his trusted weapon. Thoughts raced through his mind as to how he could get out of this lethal situation. He could swing around and swipe with his blade, but that wouldn't be fast enough. He could drop Hellfire recipe on the floor, but that'd hurt him as much as his assailant. Ah, the gun was placed directly against his skin. An idea, a plan, well a small fraction of a plan, began to form in his brain. He could generate a plug into the gun directly from his neck. If Serhan shot, the bullet would be blocked. That carried the risk of the gun exploding though, and that meant it was his head versus Serhan's neck. But it might [i]not[/i] explode, right?

"So why can I not bring myself to do these things to you?"

[color=turquoise]"... What the fruit?"[/color] Runch took a chance and spun around to meet Serhan's eyes. He was greeted with the barrel of the gun rising up to be placed directly against his forehead. The assassin glared at him with a look of death that could never be mistaken for anything else. Yet there was something else in those dead, unfeeling eyes. It wasn't hesitance per say, but something was clearly keeping him from acting on those impulses. [color=turquoise]"I really think you should put that down, before either of us gets hurt."[/color] To the captain's surprise, Serhan did exactly that.

[color=turquoise]"Um, ok. Well. Uh... I wasn't expecting that to work?"[/color] Runch shrugged sheepishly, feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

"Neither was I. I feel compelled to follow your words." His voice was fairly monotonous, yet the loathing lay just beneath the surface.

[color=turquoise]"Really? I need to look at something."[/color] Runch pulled out the journal he had won from yesterday's battle and leafed through the pages until he found the entry that had been made on Serhan. He hadn't read through it comprehensively, only skimmed before. The Bashibozuk stood in place, silently waiting, while he attempted to comprehend everything that was on the two pages. Fact of the matter was that it was incredibly detailed, so the writing had to be very small to fit it all in. Finally he found something that caught his eye, something that explained this phenomena. [color=turquoise]"Oh, here we go. It says, 'Due to having his soul removed, this specimen is currently enthralled to the owner of said soul. He cannot bring himself to harm the bearer of his life force, and must follow all actions dictated by that individual.' Huh. That's..."[/color] He gave pause, feeling uncomfortable as he allowed his eyes to peek up ever so slightly above the book to meet Serhan's. [color=turquoise]"Grim. I'm not entirely amicable with that, to be frank. Slavery is not good."[/color]

"You are pathetic. Civilizations are raised on the backs of slaves, even if they do not realize they are what they are. You are a pirate, yes? I would expect you to understand such harsh truths to life, and now I am in your reluctant service." This man was clearly insane. He despised Runch for his defeat, but now he called the man pathetic for [i]not[/i] wanting to keep him enslaved through some mystic soul mumbo jumbo? 

[color=turquoise]"There is simply no pleasing you."[/color] Runch snapped the journal shut and pocketed it, then waved Serhan to follow. [color=turquoise]"Well I would rather keep an eye on you so you don't go around wantonly murdering people, I suppose. Your skills are fantastic, so I might as well keep you around. When this whole affair is over, your soul, and the others I take on the way to my wish, will be returned. That is my word."[/color]

"Then I will take advantage of your insolence," the assassin mumble, just barely loud enough for Runch to hear. Shaking his head at the sheer obstinance of this man, he chose to ignore it. Together they would travel to the Old Basilica, by the route dictated by Oren. 

Runch thought hard about the instructions, trying to recall them. South beyond the Cold Monastery. Cold Monastery. He didn't have much of a frame of reference for that landmark, but Oren assured that he'd know it on sight. Hmm. [color=turquoise]"Matey,"[/color] Runch called out, and Serhan looked up, not showing his irritation. [color=turquoise]"Did you see anything that could be described as the 'Cold Monastery' when you explored around these parts?"[/color]

"Yes." The answer came bluntly, and off hand.

[color=turquoise]"Well let's move our eggplants, matey! Lead the way! Omnomnomnom!"[/color]

[hr]

The journey took an hour, through the flooded streets and complicated windings of holy sights. Finally the duo came upon a sight that could certainly only be described as the [url=http://sm.ign.com/t/ign_ru/blogroll/d/darksiders-2-definitive-edition-for-ps4-appears-on/darksiders-2-definitive-edition-for-ps4-appears-on_6783.600.jpg]Cold Monastery[/url]. A great structure on a hill, surrounded by a mystical swirl of snow and ice. The pirate captain desperately wanted to explore inside such a stupendous building. The urge was great, but he reigned himself in. He could easily get lost in such a place, and didn't know how much time he'd be devoting to this Old Basilica, so focused he remained. South from the Cold Monastery, to the Three Rivers Mosque. It took Runch a moment of pondering, but he realized that he actually had no idea what a mosque actually was. Unlike the monastery, there was no indication that he should know this one on sight. 

[color=turquoise]"So matey... Do you know what a 'mosque' is?"[/color] he asked, rather innocently.

"You insolent infidel! How can you offend the people of Allah with such a question?!" For the first time Serhan's time had risen beyond something calm, and low key. He was half shouting. Apparently this was a sensitive topic. Unfortunately Runch had absolutely no idea why.

[color=turquoise]"Eh... Sorry for offending you? I'm genuinely ignorant. Can you just answer?"[/color]

"Hrm. A mosque is a holy house of Allah, like your 'churches.' It is where we of Islam gather for prayer and worship."

[color=turquoise]"Oh,"[/color] replied the captain, genuinely appreciative of the information. [color=turquoise]"Fantastic. And what would one look like?"[/color]

"Guide your eyes to the left and you shall see."

Indeed, there was a splendid [url=http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/originals/2015/Fantasy_Mosque_on_a_rock_in_dreamland_103324_.jpg]mosque[/url] just to the left, surrounded by water that had overtaken the riverbanks, no doubt thanks to the flooding rain. 

[color=turquoise]"Oh my berries. Wow. Your faith makes some amazing buildings! Omnomnomnom! Well I'd hazard a guess to say that's the Three Rivers Mosque I'm looking for. East now, near here. The Old Basilica. Oren said there was something 'interesting' inside that I'd get a kick out of. Let's go, me matey!"[/color]