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[h1][color=#655DF6]Cozesteo's [color=gold]Revelation[/color][/color][/h1][/center]

[hider=Reeducation]The shed held seven remaining prisoners that had survived the raid and Cuimits' assassination attempt. They had food and water provided by Zox, as well as their wounds tended to. There was nothing to block off their magics, but the golem and dragon standing outside were enough of a deterrent from trying anything, especially after their boss had been taken away.

Cozesteo was having a snooze in his corner over an old mattress. The others that were awake scrambled when they heard footsteps coming. Steps they didn't recognize as Zox's seismic phenomenons or Zarina's metallic clangs.

Desmond made it to the entrance of the shed, he took a breath in and then prepared as he grounded himself and charged his nervous system to tell him if any of them try anything.

Desmond, with Zox and Fiske behind him, opened up the shed and peered in. Seeing the seven individuals within. Multiple seemed scrambling and possibly worried, [i][color=gold]'no good'[/color][/i] came to Desmond's mind. He knew that these people may actually be too skittish to either be able to work well or would require quite a bit of work just for them to be usable.

It was then Desmond noticed a man who seemed to still be sleeping, Desmond nodded to himself slightly. Desmond looked towards Zox and ask, [color=gold]"Can you please ask them to wake the sleeping one up? I wish to speak with him out here"[/color].

Fiske only had the teachings going through his mind. He tried to apply them to different situations in his mind, even that [i]one[/i] 

He stretched as they entered the shed. [color=#FF00FF]"Guess some stuff happened here too, huh?"[/color] Desmond's frame obscured much of his as he took the front stage.

The state of things, overall, was fine if one didn't considered the healing injuries and a couple of limbs gone. Cozesteo was actually quite fine compared to the rest. Now, with their Jailer, Zox, making a simple request, Torrix-Basté, a relatively young female of the lot, scurried over to the bulkier cazenax to wake him up.

He grumbled and eventually perked up once he came to. [color=#655DF6]“Is he back?!”[/color] he asked in a panic, looking for Cuimits in his surroundings before acknowledging a new set of humans. [color=#655DF6]“What do you humans want? Cuimits knows all of it!”[/color] he straightened himself and leaned back against the wooden wall. [color=#655DF6]“Tell me the truth, did you kill him?”[/color] he asked as Zox translated when needed.

Desmond shook his head as he said to Zox to translate, [color=gold]"No, we did not. He was forced on the run, after us helping him"[/color].

Desmond lightly extended his hand out towards them, [color=gold]"Now that he's hiding, away from the eyes of those who seek to tear down your home. We *[i]need[/i]* you"[/color]

He closed his hand and said with some some conviction, [color=gold]"You are the only people who even know the face of the person who set you up to this"[/color].

Desmond then finally extends his hand out one more time, [color=gold]"We are trying to find the person who set you all to this. Please, help me find them. We [i][b]need you[/b][/i]. You may be the only one to help save Cuimits and the rest of us from impending danger"[/color].

During this entire time, Desmond began to skew the minds of the Cazenax. Subtly, as he and Zox spoke, Desmond's gestures hid his intentions. Desmond began to invoke his magics and attempted to skewer their minds. Silently every word was made to worm its way into their thoughts. Most specifically into the mind of Cozesteo, the one who seemed the most dull and possibly the one who had the most loyalty to their leader.

Fiske looked at Desmond with a face filled with shock. [color=#FF00FF][i]How did he even manage to put up such a convincing facade? This would be almost as weird as Benny becoming a mature and well behaved individual.[/i][/color] Just the thought of it was stupid enough to make him snort. 

He stood on his toes to whisper into Desmond's ear [color=#FF00FF]"Are you sure this will work?"[/color]

Cozesteo studied the new humans, especially the one with the flapping lips - the male. The golem translated, as always, and emphasis was put on how they needed the ever average but quite bulky cazenax. His hands were tied, and he wasn't too enthused over touching people he didn't know, leading to an awkward stare toward Desmond's hand.

[color=#655DF6]“What can I even do?! I don't know the woman we spoke with!”[/color] he answered with growing panic. [color=#655DF6]“If they're getting him, they'll get us too. You MUST let us go! I swear, I don't know anything else! They just wanted Stazen gone!”[/color]

The other cazenax prisoners were growing concerned too. Desmond's words had made it into their heads, but the reaction was fear. Whoever paid them was keen on tying up all loose ends.

Cozesteo and the others seemed to be filled with fear, Desmond held an internal smile as he knew that with Cozesteo grabbing onto his hand, it meant he was still listening. 

[color=gold]"Stazen gone? There was an attempt for his life but it failed, but who would do this?"[/color]. Desmond's face saddened as he thought, seeming to almost give way to how much he is at a loss in this entire scheme. He turned to Cozesteo as he then, [color=gold]"This woman. Would you be able to point her out if you saw her?"[/color].

Desmond then seemed to get super excited as he brought out multiple letters all written in Avincian, [color=gold]"Actually! We found some letters, we are unsure of who they belong to though. There was one from a man named Sozo-Calupé-Cenzan of the Sweatwater guild, the letter says he funded the raid you all pulled, with something about the Dowager's approving of salt. Then we also had a few other letters about the King being a dangerous idealist, and one about the Dowager queen being excited to garden someone called Wesca"[/color].

Desmond seemed to look confused as he continued, [color=gold]"I just don't understand, why would both the funding of the raid and Dowager approving of salt be in the same letter? And all these letters seem to be pointing somewhere but I just can't understand. But it just feels so large"[/color].

Desmond turned to Cozesteo with some hopeful look in his eyes, [color=gold]"Maybe you understand?"[/color]

Desmond continued his game, the letters in his hands were just ones he created in the house to look like the ones he saw with a bit of magic trickery included. Desmond shifted the words around, he wanted to make Cozesteo think. Desmond used more of his magic to manipulate the feelings Cozesteo is having, all to allow the man to think he found something. Make Cozesteo think he had stumbled upon the pieces of a mass conspiracy, and that it may be his duty to save his leader, his home, and maybe his whole people.

Cozesteo was not expecting this. A considerable load of schemes, conspiracies and mixed information had his untrained noggin running with questionable free will. He was their only hope, after all, and he just had to help at this point. For his own sake, at the very least, if they had gotten to Cuimits already, they'd definitely go after the grunt that had seen a face and heard a voice.

[color=#655DF6]“I-I think so.”[/color] answered Cuimits' right hand, forehead sweaty and ears stiffened into wide sails. [color=#655DF6]“I can remember a face, definitely the voice. But they'll kill me if I croak, do you understand?”[/color] he shook his head. [color=#655DF6]“I should remain as discreet as a big rock. It's the only way I'll-”[/color]

The mention of the Dowager, however, had him freak out a little. He looked to the others for reassurance, but he would only find fear and confusion. [color=#655DF6]“No! That cannot be. Why would the Dowager hurt her own son?! That's ...”[/color] he shook his head rapidly. Then, an epiphany. [color=#655DF6]“It must be those sweetwater fat cats. Yeah.”[/color] his index finger wagged in the general direction of his capters with his head now nodded in a similar pace. [color=#655DF6]“Collaborating with the demon-haters. The political people supply us to remove competition, and then they get support from the guild. Of course.”[/color] he concluded, looking a tad deranged in his on theorizing.

The bulky man went on to read the letters. Slowly. He was a slow reader. But all they did was galvanize his beliefs. [color=#655DF6]“This must be stopped.”[/color] Cozesteo, now turned Detective Rock, said with great conviction. [color=#655DF6]“I - [b]We[/b] must put a stop to this and protect the royal family from further harm. Clearly we were all played by the elites.”[/color] he struggled to stand, and then presented his hands to his captors to be freed. [color=#655DF6]“For my comrades, I will also bring justice.”[/color]

Fiske looked at what transpired here. To think Desmond would have been such a convincing actor. Then upon seeing Cozesteo look so convinced to go along with the plan made him rather suspicious. Was he just that easy to convince or was this man smarter than was believed. He poked Desmond with a disapproving look on his face. 

[color=#FF00FF]"Can we trust you?"[/color] Doubt of the Cazenax's character was not utterly one of rational thinking yet he could not help but be distrusting.

Cozesteo blinked, doubt beginning to creep back into his countenance. [color=#655DF6]“Uh... erm... yeah?”[/color] His eyes darted in the direction of Desmond with a hint of uncertainty and, if Zox hadn't translated the verbal stumbles, they'd been plainly heard.

Desmond listened and allows Cozesteo to make his conclusions. They weren't hard, yet it did allow for the man to [i]believe[/i] he figured it out. Something simple, when a man sees injustice one of 2 things happen. Either rises, or he allows injustice to happen. 

In this case, Desmond knew that through the use of allowing the man to find out for himself, and allowing for Cozesteo to think he was the smartest man in the room, Cozesteo would be more willing to rise. 

Desmond nodded as he began to give nods and affirmations to Cozesteo as he found out more. Desmond constantly made sure Cozesteo knew through his own action and awes, Cozesteo was the one finding these out, and Desmond continued, [color=gold]"Yes! That must be it! It must be the elites!"[/color]

Desmond was about to free Cozesteo as then he heard Fiske speak out. Desmond almost let his countenance return to normal. Yet he stayed cool and looked to Cozesteo and Fiske, [color=gold]"Of course we can trust him. He was the one to figure this all out. Without our genius detective we would have been running around in the dark without knowing what's going on"[/color]. Desmond then gave the man a reassuring nod and once more went to free Cozesteo from his bindings.

During this Desmond continued to use magic, trying to make Cozesteo feel to be assured and even feel happy when he heard the words of his genius, Desmond needed to reassure Cozesteo's confidence once more. With the waning feelings he may slightly shift and sway when the time comes and that would be no good for the plan.

Cozesteo nodded at Desmond's flattery. [color=#655DF6]“I'm doing it for my people. Like I did with this job, I did it for my family. These elites ... They starve us into desperation!”[/color] he clenched his fists, resolve now filling his veins. Or maybe that was just Desmond's peculiar magic. 

[color=#655DF6]“What must I do? We probably don't have much time before they strike again.”[/color]

Desmond nodded as he said, [color=gold]"With this knowledge I think we have a plan now. There will be a big gathering soon. One where many people shall be there. Many of the elites will be there, allowing us to find the culprit"[/color].

Desmond then attempted to assist Cozesteo up and continued, [color=gold]"There we will make our claims. With the information from those letters we sent others to get Sozo thrown into jail from the blatant evidence. And now with you bringing to light new information and acting as witness, we will show everyone that those elites are truly vile"[/color].

Desmond then nodded as he began to prepare to leave, [color=gold]"Come, we must leave, we need to prepare ourselves. We will leave the safety of the Stead and head to a hideout in the city. We'll prepare there and when the gathering is to begin, we will blend into the crowd to get close to confirm and then we will make our claims"[/color].

Desmond then turned to smile at Cozesteo, [color=gold]"And bring those elites all to justice"[/color].[/hider]

[hider=Unfortunate Events]With that, they gathered Samaxi, catching her up as they went, and set off for the city, making their way there through the tunnels. It was a long journey but, despite her odd and arduous method of moving, her stamina seemed almost supernatural. In the sections where the others had to crouch, she even scooted ahead. 

Then, they reached the place where the tunnel dipped, to sneak beneath the city wall where it had been sunk deep into the ground, and they knew that they were close. [color=32CD32]“Twenty more minutes!”[/color] chirped Samaxi, only now starting to fall behind. Cozesteo, meanwhile, had found new energy. They came up to a bend and both Fiske and Desmond did a sweep of energies out of both habit and training. 

There was someone else in the tunnel. They could sense it: too large to be a cazenax and, by the faintness of their presence, trying hard to hide their energy signature.

Fiske slowed his advance and made a small sound bubble. [color=#FF00FF]"I think there's someone in the tunnels with us."[/color] 

He looked back towards Desmond with a concerned look on his face. [color=#FF00FF]"What should we do? I don't think if they turn aggressive I would be of much use... Perhaps I could put up an illusion in front of us to make it look like we're further than we are"[/color]

Fiske slowed his advance and made a small sound bubble. [color=#FF00FF]"I think there's someone in the tunnels with us."[/color] 

He looked back towards Desmond with a concerned look on his face. [color=#FF00FF]"What should we do? I don't think if they turn aggressive I would be of much use... Perhaps I could put up an illusion in front of us to make it look like we're further than we are"[/color]

Then, however, their hand was forced. [color=FFF0F5]“Sa...”[/color] came a voice from the direction of the interloper. [color=FFF0F5]“Samaxi?”[/color] It was a sirrahi, Fiske was able to determine, by its size and shape: a female sirrahi. The voice sounded familiar as well.

Fiske ears did not fail him, the voice was recognized as the one that they met first when coming to the city. [color=#FF00FF]"Cazelui?.. Cazelui, right?"[/color] He tried his hardest to remember everyone that he met and the voices he's heard.

There was a pause. Then... [color=FFF0F5]“Fiske?”[/color] Her voice was tentative. [color=FFF0F5]“Is there... anyone with you?”[/color] Before he could answer, however, she spoke again. [color=FFF0F5]“Don't come any closer! It's [i]dangerous[/i] up there!”[/color]

Desmond's head lightly tilted, nothing much could be noticed in the dark, [color=gold]"What is going on? Are you alright?"[/color] Desmond could hear Cazelui's voice was off, there is something off about it, either she was recovering from intense activity, or she may be injured.

Then, they could sense her moving their way. [color=FFF0F5]“The exit's blocked,”[/color] she called. [color=FFF0F5]“They [i]*raided*[/i] the place. They fuckin' [i]raided[/i] it!”[/color] Her voice was high and panicked. [color=FFF0F5]“Is there any other way out? Any [i]safe[/i] way?”[/color]

[color=#FF00FF]"The place has been raided?"[/color] Fiske looked towards Desmond. [color=#FF00FF]"If the exit is blocked, is there another way we can go there?"[/color]

Desmond winced in frustration, [i][color=gold]of course[/color][/i]. Desmond shook his head as he said, [color=gold]"Damn it, there may be"[/color].

Desmond turned to Fiske as his face showed frustration, they needed this, but with it how it is, they could not be in the city with Samaxi and Fiske. Desmond turned to Samaxi and said, [color=gold]"I think I saw another connection to this tunnel, we may need to gamble on it because if they are raiding the place they may be also looking for Fiske. And Maxi, you are still a liability because of the whole being pinned for assassination"[/color].

Desmond then called out to them all, [color=gold]"We'll try that tunnel, see where it leads us, and if it leads us outside the wall you guys will head to the farm and I'll try heading into the city to see what's going on with the raid"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"They might be looking for me?!"[/color] He looked at Desmond with a look of disbelief. [color=#FF00FF]"For when we ran from the king, or?..."[/color]

Desmond shook his head, [color=gold]"No, Benedetto figured it out. He saw right through the entire thing and knew you were the one to start the altercation with the police. It's why I got to walk free. He most likely had another eye witness or a demon watching for him"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"Another eye witness? You mean the snake people I saved?... Would they rat me out for their own hide?..."[/color] He looked saddened by the news. [color=#FF00FF]"Who would do such a thing?... I screwed things up but I just tried to do good..."[/color]

[color=gold]"Not the snakes, they were stalwart in resolve-"[/color], Desmond lightly bobbed his head back and forth, [color=gold]"Even if one was pissing themselves in fear"[/color].

Desmond shook his head as he continued, [color=gold]"No, I meant someone being farther and out of sight for us to notice, but someone who might have been working for or with Benedetto to see what this place was like. And sadly you did something he noticed"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"To think I wouldn't have noticed."[/color] He let out a sigh of relief yet there was also a slight disappointment with his own capabilities. 

[color=#FF00FF]"Then I guess I am a fugitive now as well, huh?"[/color]

[color=gold]"Yep and based upon Cazé's breathing, she may be one too, which reminds me, Fiske, give her the bandages. She's obviously injured and we won't be able to be healed until we meet Tku or Marceline again"[/color].

Desmond began to lightly scoot people towards the connection tunnel for them to head through and see where it lead them.

[color=#FF00FF]"Fine fine, I doubt I'll need it more than her."[/color] Fiske looked at the bandages for a while. 

[color=#FF00FF]"I do wonder how the others are doing. I do hope she's okay."[/color]

Within two minutes, Fiske and Desmond had met up again with Cazelui, though she had not made it all that far herself and Samaxi was still struggling to catch up, even with Cozestéo pacing her. The sirrahi was pale and sweaty, dried blood staining her shirt and tail-sleeve and the occasional fresh trickle leaking through. [color=FFF0F5]“Why are you heading back [i]toward[/i] the hideout?”[/color] She shook her head weakly, leaning against a wall. [color=FFF0F5]“It's crawling with their thugs.”[/color] 

She tried to take a few deep breaths, but she stiffened in pain. [color=FFF0F5]“Sozo-Calupé's men.”[/color] She shook her head again and it lolled to the side before she wrenched it back, gritting her teeth. She was clearly struggling to breathe and there were tear stains on her cheeks. [color=FFF0F5]“They knew where the place was, but [i]how[/i]!?”[/color] She coughed. [color=FFF0F5]“They broke in with their control rods and their magic and...”[/color] she trailed off, coughing some more, and blood spittle stained the corners of her mouth.

Desmond shook his head, [color=gold]"We were heading there to prepare for something, to make those who were conspiring to put this city to heel be brought to justice. But it seems they really did beat us to the punch"[/color]. 

Desmond reached out to take the bandages as he fully kneeled down and said, [color=gold]"I'll be patching you up, so I will be pulling up your shirt"[/color]. Desmond the proceeded to pull up Cazelui's shirt and began to wrap the bandages around Cazelui's body.

Desmond began to apply pressure to the wound with kinetic magic, binding magic to slightly assist the closing of the wound, and through the use of chemical magic to numb the pain of Cazelui's wound. Once the bandages were fully wrapped around, he used chemical and binding magic to form a thick salve to keep the bandage covering the wound and tight while keeping the wound covered in medicine. 

Once finished Desmond shifted back, [color=gold]"Okay there you go, that should tide you over,"[/color] he then stood up and began to gesture for Cazelui to lean on him while saying, [color=gold]"Here, lean on me, we have some ways to go"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"They knew? How would they have known where it was?"[/color] His mind was still on the topic on his own status as a fugitive. [color=#FF00FF]"Perhaps someone ratted you out. Would you know who could do something like that?"[/color] 

He looked towards Desmond. [color=#FF00FF]"That's my first good deed of the day! You see, I had foreseen something serious happening which is why I took these bandages."[/color] He stood confidently, a smug aura radiating from his smug smirk. [color=#FF00FF]"Didn't know you were much of a healer though."[/color]

Samaxi soon caught up, and an unusual amount of heat seemed to be rolling off of her: more than the usual body heat would explain. She blinked and looked at the others, spending a moment poring over Cazelui's wounds. [color=32CD32]“Only way to the other path takes us right up to the hideout, you know.”[/color] She turned on the spot, executing the little spin on her hands with surprising grace. [color=32CD32]“We either have to be stealth itself, or get ready for a fight...”[/color]

Cozésteo set his jaw with grim determination. [color=#655DF6]“I am ready to do my part,”[/color] he affirmed, [color=#655DF6]“For the future of my people.”[/color] With that, he set words to action, and began moving.

Desmond shook his head to Fiske, [color=gold]"Yeah yeah, good job with the bandages, I'm good enough to patch up wounds with a little help, but not as good as some of the binders with us"[/color].

Desmond nodded to Samaxi, [color=gold]"We will need to move through, I believe we need to try and stealth, with Cazelui's wound she will need to keep low, and we can't risk Cozésteo as he is one of the most important members here for the plan"[/color].

Desmond turned to Fiske, [color=gold]"Looks like this may be a job where your illusions may be the thing we need"[/color]. Desmond turned then to Samaxi, [color=gold]"What's the matter? Why you burning up Maxi? You should be drawing more from your own energy so you aren't so easily noticed"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"My illusions? What do you have have in mind?"[/color] He eyes travelled from Desmond to Cazelui and then Samaxi. [color=#FF00FF]"You okay there? You're unusually hot."[/color] 

A look of concern tried to meet with Desmond. [color=#FF00FF]"If you want me to try and cloak everyone it will take me a lot of concentration."[/color] He pointed towards Samaxi. [color=#FF00FF]"Though if they're energy is not in check there is not much my enigma could do to any somewhat competent mage."[/color]

Samaxi smiled uncomfortably. [color=32CD32]“I may... not have been completely forthright about my true nature,”[/color] she admitted, and her energy swelled some more. There was more to it than arcane, now, though the heat still boiled off of her. There was the reek of dark magic and it was inescapable. 

[color=32CD32]“I think that stealth will work for you four,”[/color] she said enigmatically, [color=32CD32]“but you should leave me behind.”[/color] She swallowed. [color=32CD32]“I will be alright... after a fashion.”[/color] Another wave of energy rippled off of her. [color=32CD32]“Now you should go, and I wish you godspeed.”[/color]

Fiske waved his hand around. [color=#FF00FF]"You don't seem like you'll be alright, whatever the fashion."[/color] He wished to close in on her yet the energy was somewhat uncomfortable to be too close to. [color=#FF00FF]"I could help to cool you off if that helps, although I don't know how much it would help with the energy issue..."[/color]

Samaxi shot him a warning look at this extra push. [color=32CD32]“I said I would be alright,”[/color] she replied shortly. [color=32CD32]“Now, you have bigger things to worry about, [i]right?[/i]”[/color]

[color=#FF00FF]"Fine, fine. I won't push it any further."[/color] He shrugged as he tried to look as relaxed as he could. [color=#FF00FF]"The thing I worry about is being on mister Ben'Nyax's 'to explode' list. If he truly cares so much about this place that I'd be in his sight... I do not know."[/color]

They traveled for some time longer together. [color=32CD32]“They will come for me when they sense this energy,”[/color] Samaxi explained, [color=32CD32]“and then handle them will I. Let me go a bit ahead of you.”[/color] They continued on their way until she could sense people-shaped energies ahead with her slightly longer range. She twisted to face Desmond for a moment - [color=32CD32]“Stay safe, you three. Illusions up now.”[/color] - and then to Cozésteo. [color=32CD32]“And you. I need about a two minute lead. Thanks for everything.”[/color] She disappeared into the darkness ahead.

Desmond just lightly nodded his head to Samaxi, [color=gold]"Good luck and give'em hell"[/color]. Desmond began to draw in his own internal energies. Using the energies within him to make him less easily seen.

Desmond then turned and nodded to Fiske as he said, [color=gold]"We should try and huddle up and combine our magics together. You are a better illusionist so you can try to bend the light around us to make it easier to move Caze while I'll use my own magic to mess with their senses"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"That doesn't sound [i]too[/i] difficult."[/color] He squinted his eyes towards the two others. [color=#FF00FF]"Just don't make any too sudden movements. If you suddenly start running a direction it will be harder for me to concentrate on you both."[/color] 

He began to draw to perform a spell of great deception. [color=#FF00FF]"Understand?"[/color][/hider]

[hider=The set up]They waited for two minutes and then they went. Up ahead, as they approached, they could feel boiling energies. Desmond could swear that he heard a scream. Then, it all died off. Fiske focused and sweated, and steadied himself to maintain the illusion, and it tested him to his limits. They emerged into one of the anterooms and, from there, it was only two more and they would be able to slip into the other tunnel. Cozesteo crouched low, but then his eyes widened and he pointed, arrowlike, to a small door. It burst open, and a pair of hired thugs came running through, eyes wide!

Desmond saw both of the thugs come running out and through, he knew with a split second decision they are most likely running from whatever Samaxi was doing, so they were no threat. 

However, that was no reason to let them know they were here. Desmond began to use magic to make the thugs stumble over their own feet with light chemical and kinetic magic before he made the two split away just enough to let his group pass through them. Trying to make sure they did not break Fiske's concentration.

Desmond's trick came off flawlessly. The pair of mercenaries stumbled right out of his path and that of his group, charging towards the end of the room and cowering behind some barrels. He, Fiske, and Cozesteo progressed, coming up to the small door and slipping carefully through. Beyond them lay devastation. Tables, chairs, and other furniture smashed and burned, supply crates torched, support beams cracked, and earthen roofs caving in. There were bloodstains on the walls and floors, most of which were fire-blackened and twisted. A handful of cazenax lay strewn about the place, but no sirrahi, and they were fresh, too: not dead but unconscious - badly wounded in some cases. Desmond did a sweep, as did Fiske. Nobody seemed to be watching them but, ahead, in the next room - where they'd be heading - lay a great unholy energy. Sounds emerged to go with it: unholy sounds.

The sounds from the other room would be horrifying to a normal person but for Fiske it was significantly worse. To him it almost sounded like a symphony, one of death and terror. [color=#FF00FF][i]What kind of monster?...[/i][/color] Screams, things crashing into each other, bestial sounds... and what sounded similar to someone begging for their dear life. The distraught boy put his hands over his ears and deafened himself for he could not bear to hear a second more of this nightmare fuel.

Desmond took hold of Fiske's shoulder to try and reaffirm him that things are alright. Desmond then gave a nod as he got close to the others and said, [color=gold]"We'll wait here for a bit and once the energy moves on we will move as well. I'll begin to look around to see what is happening to see if we can find something either useful or just know who we are dealing with"[/color].

Desmond searched about the room, finding that the guns that had been here before were all gone, along with their ammunition. When he reached the barrels of pickled fruit, however, he sensed something a bit too solid inside two of them. 

Fiske, meanwhile, found a notebook. It was written in rather poor Avincian and he did not read it all on the spot, but a heading caught his attention: [i]"Assassination Plan 1"[/i]

Cazelui, meanwhile, found a map of the entirety of the great plaza in front of the Royal Palace and Hall of Justice, with a number of points circled in red ink and a couple of X's.

With both Fiske and Desmond deciding to stay put and wait, Cozesteo decided that this was his moment to be a hero. He crept up tot he next door and gulped nervously. He reached out to push it quietly open.

With everything that had gone around him Fiske's guess was something he was confident in. He looked at the book whilst rubbing his chin.  [color=#FF00FF]"I think the people here have a connection to the scene with the king and 'Potes-Palix'. It might be a great intel source"[/color] He did not notice Cozesteo's stunt for a while as he had himself deafened until he made his statement.

Desmond looked at the two barrels and decided to open them up. He took out his knife, set it in the seem where the lid and barrel met and jammed it in. Right when he was about to hit his hand and open up the barrel he heard Fiske call out. Desmond turned to see Cozesteo moving towards the door and his eyes widened.

Desmond quickly spun around and called out to try and stop the man while he pulled upon the energy that would be exerted upon the door to hopfully stop Cozesteo from opening it and trying to stop the sound from escaping through the door, [color=gold]"Don't! We can't get wrapped up into something. Not with you and Cazelui being here"[/color].

Cozesteo whirled and scrunched his brows together. He spoke rapidly in cazenax and a confused-looking Cazelui translated. [color=FFF0F5]“He says that there is nothing to be afraid of. He is the saviour of his people and Nyax-Acan is with him.”[/color] She regarded them both dubiously and nervously, her eyes more or less begging them to do something.

Desmond took one last sense, he realized that maybe some of his talking was pretty damn convincing, maybe just a little too convincing. Desmond realized that if he struggles too much then it could actually turn the man against them. 

Desmond gestured towards the barrels and said, [color=gold]"That is very true. However, we need to know what is within those barrels, there might be another clue to the plots within them, could we wait for us to check them and secure the evidence we found?"[/color]

Desmond began to try and use his magic once more on Cozesteo to hopfully buy a bit more time before they leave. Hopefully it will be enough time to make their next move not a deadly one.

Cozesteo stopped and seemed to consider. His brows pulled themselves together and he spoke thoughtfully in cazenax. Cazelui translated once more. [color=FFF0F5]“He says he's amenable to that.”[/color] She breathed a sigh of relief.

With that momentary crisis behind him, Desmond went for the casks once again. In the first, he found... the dismembered head of a cazenax. When he held it up, Fiske, much to his displeasure, recognized it almost immediately: that of one of the guards he'd fought and killed the other night!

Meanwhile, in the next room over, the carnage seemed to be dying down. The horrid sound had quieted and there was only the scampering of feet and the occasional burst of magic. Closer to the group of four, however, Desmond had yet to open the second cask, but did her dare, at this point?

Desmond sighed as he put the head back into the casket. He shook his head as he turned to the others, [color=gold]"I'll open the other one, but I think I know what is in it"[/color]. Desmond then went to open the other one. 

Then he began to feel the energies dull in the other room, Desmond turned to Fiske and said, [color=gold]"Fiske, we need to set up the illusion again the energy is coming for us and we need to get ready"[/color].

Desmond began to near Fiske and the others as they attempt to then enter the next room.

The second cask, however, contained a small chest wrapped in watertight skins. Inside was... ammunition. The bullets appeared normal enough, but they emanated the strange sort of energy he had learned to recognize as Dark.

Meanwhile, Fiske prepared his illusions. This was practice. It was also taxing. he focused on the light: warping it to his needs, spreading its spectrum, paying attention to angle and saturation. There was a thump near the door and the four drew close to each other. Then, it opened, and Samaxi, now no longer emanating terrifying magics, scooted through on her bottom: just a harmless cazenax girl with no legs and nothing more. 

[color=32CD32]“I uh... roughed 'em up a little for ya,”[/color] she addressed her companions. [color=32CD32]“Pretty sure we can make it to the other safehouse without being followed now.”[/color] She brought her eyebrows together in consideration. [color=32CD32]“Might wanna bring the tunnel down behind us, just in case...”[/color]

Desmond chuckled as he put away his new found bullets, [color=gold]"Yeah, thank you. Yeah, we'll bring the tunnel down to make sure"[/color]. 

Desmond then gave a nod to everyone as he said, [color=gold]"We'll be doing some basic drawing from the stone to cause the stone to weaken before using an explosion to cause the tunnel to collapse"[/color].

Desmond gave them a nod and took some of the materials left around, drawing towards him some of the burnt and nearly charcoal like wood, and the barrel that once hel the bullets. Desmond filled the barrel halfway up with the wood then closed it off with it's lid, after which he used kinetic magic to violently pulverize the already weakened wood within to form a fine powder as he opened the lid on last time and dumped in most of his powder horn while throwing in a single musket ball covered in copper that he puts a magnetic charge on.

Once the barrel was done Desmond closed the lid and sealed it with Chemical magic before taking it down the hall with the others. Where eventually he finds a nice place to settle it and begins assisting with the drawing from the stone.

Once they finished they were to run off. Desmond didn't explode the barrel until it became fuzzy for him to sense the magnetic energy from the bullet within. Which was when it happened. 

Desmond used arcane and chemical energy upon the contents of the  bullet to rile up a powerful Touch of Fury.

Causing the bullet to explode within the barrel filled with a fine charcoal like powder causing a phenomenon known as a dust explosion, which is often known to happen within coal mines.

Hopefully with this it would cause the tunnel to come caving in.

Before they left, Cazelui had a lucid moment and reached out to snatch as many of the planted articles as she could. Then, the five of them made haste, Samaxi huffing and puffing to keep up. The explosion was stupendous and the hidden rooms and much of the tunnel came down in sheets, dust billowing out of either end. The shed that had served as entrance nearly blew apart from the rush of air, and the officers forming a perimeter around it whirled. Almost a half-dozen houses and businesses on the way shook and shifted, items falling from shelves, floors cracking, sinkholes forming. It was fortunate that the only casualty was about Ƿ200 worth of random belongings. The five revolutionaries were already well on their way to the secret room and trapdoor near the gate.

It was about eight minutes in when Fiske felt something behind his ear: a pinch, and then a series of them: some behind one and some the other; some quick and some held.[/hider]

[hider=An Opprotunity]
He could not, however, decipher the message. He wasn't well enough versed in what had to be tethered pinch language and had to be coming from Marci. The pattern seemed to change. It seemed to simplify itself. It repeated: double short pinch, pause, and then short-long-long on only the right side. Double short pinch, pause, short-long-long on the right.

Then, it changed: Double long pinch.

Fiske looked perplexed. He was not all that used to feeling them. [color=#FF00FF]"Danger?... East?.."[/color] His gaze turned to Desmond, a questioning expression covering it. [color=#FF00FF]"No, get of there?... But why east then?..."[/color] It almost seemed like steam was coming out of his ears and nose. [color=#FF00FF]"Ready?..  Hey, do you understand it any better?"[/color]

Desmond felt the message next: insistently, persistently.

Desmond looked to Fiske with a quizzical face. Until he felt it himself, [color=gold]"Danger, get out of there. East. Either danger is coming from the east or we must head east"[/color].

Desmond turned to Samaxi and asked, [color=gold]"Can you sense up ahead? See if we have anything coming at us from our right"[/color].

Then Demsond was corrected feeling another message come through, he nodded to himself as he said, [color=gold]"There's something happening that we may want to opt in on. Possibly our little jail birds need some help or something more juicy"[/color]. 

Desmond shifted his bag on him and checked himself while saying, [color=gold]"Let's get out of here when we can and see what Marci wants next"[/color].

The message repeated again: Danger. East. Opportunity. Then, something new was added: Make a scene.

Samaxi did not receive it, of course, but she heard Desmond and took a moment to focus. She furrowed her brow. [color=32CD32]“I um... nothing.”[/color] She shook her head. [color=32CD32]“Nothing out of the ordinary.”[/color]

[color=#FF00FF]"You were able to understand all of them from a couple of Marci's pinches?..."[/color] He tried his hardest to sound profesional. [color=#FF00FF]"Ahem, could you teach me when we get out of this?... I think it might be useful..."[/color]

Desmond nodded to Fiske as he said, [color=gold]"It's useful"[/color].

Desmond nodded to Samaxi as he said, [color=gold]"Fantastic, we'll need to change that. Seems a friend of ours needs a scene,"[/color] Desmond then turned to Fiske with a smile, [color=gold]"and I can't think of a better situation than this"[/color].

Desmond turned to everyone once more and said, [color=gold]"Alright everybody, when we get a chance a few of us will need to leave and cause a distraction, make a scene"[/color].

Desmond looked to everyone, [color=gold]"I think this may be a great time for our hero to give a big speech before the main event. Wet the appetite of An Zenui and her people"[/color].

Desmond then casted his hand towards Cozesteo, [color=gold]"Allow her hero to give hope to her people"[/color].

Cozesteo nodded. [color=B0C4DE]“I am ready.”[/color] He nodded. [color=B0C4DE]“I will do my duty.”[/color]

With that, they made haste for the other exit, and Marci sent them further pinches, mostly repeating the message from earlier until they had arrived in the room beneath the trap door. There had to be some way to communicate in return with her...

Once they had made it to the trap door, Desmond realized there may be more to the message, or possibly something to learn when they agree.

Desmond placed his hands near his ears, he knew tethered had such fine sensing that this should be enough.

He then began to pull on them and push them down to touch his head. Recreating what would be a pinch. With it he recreated the same language to send a message to her.

I'm ready. East. Very Soon. Opprotunity. I'm ready. Make a scene.

He repeated this several times to make sure she knew this was not just him messing with his ears.

[color=#FF00FF]"Why're you pulling on your ears like that?"[/color] He tilted his head as he saw Desmond's rather silly performance. [color=#FF00FF]"Looks like you're trying to entertain a kid with that."[/color] Fiske snorted at the sight.

Desmond chuckled, [color=gold]"I'm relaying a message back to Marci. If you know a Tethered is sending you a message then you know they are looking at you. You can then relay a message by doing the same thing to yourself and their sensing is strong enough for them to differentiate from the motions and know you are sending a message"[/color].

Fiske, weirdly enough smiled warmly at such an answer. [color=#FF00FF]"So in a sense... I could talk to her from far away?"[/color] He coughed before looked to the side. [color=#FF00FF]"Send messages to a tethered back is what I meant. That could be pretty useful."[/color]

Desmond turned to Fiske with a large smug smile like he just saw something that will be used later, [color=gold]"Yeah~ You could~"[/color]. Desmond then shook his head and continued until he felt Marci had received his message and then turned to the group, [color=gold]"Alright we should head on up now. We'll be getting more info while we continue, but time will be of the essence"[/color].

Desmond then went to the trap door and threw his hat onto Fiske, [color=gold]"I'll need you with me, you'll do the illusions and some other stuff to assist me and Cozesteo out there"[/color]. Desmond then winked to the girls as he said, [color=gold]"We'll be back ladies, we need to go and save the world"[/color].

[color=32CD32]“Try not to get caught doing it at least,”[/color] joked Samaxi, well aware that she was a wanted woman out there. Cazelui, however, was having none of it. [color=FFF0F5]“Like hell I'm just waiting!”[/color] she replied. [color=FFF0F5]“I wanna piece of these fuckers.”[/color]

Desmond turned to Fiske, a small smile on his face and a chuckle, [color=gold]"Seems the lady has spoken, and who am I to say no to one with conviction"[/color].

Desmond casted his eyes back to Cazelui now with a stern gaze, [color=gold]"Be warned, you will follow my lead and do as I say. We aren't going to make detours nor will we go out of our way for a vendetta. If you can do that, you may come and I'll make sure you get your licks. Understand?"[/color]

Desmond once more checked his bag, now reaching to the back where a belt was and strapping it to his leg, tightening it to make it will not jostle or move.

Fiske poked the hat that was placed onto his head. [color=#FF00FF]"How do you use it?"[/color] 

He put his hand over his forehead and sighed dramatically. [color=#FF00FF]"To think we have to save the world once more. Alas, thus is our fate."[/color] He leaned backwards.

Desmond tapped his head as he said, [color=gold]"Think about the image of the person you want to look like. The height, the size, the complexion, the many different ideas that make up the look of a person, and the hat will make it so"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"If the [i]others[/i] are seen in danger, do we help them or will we keep our heads towards the directions given?"[/color]

The sirrahi narrowed her eyes, ready to let loose with some quick retort. She was nearly a woman grown and quite capable of making decisions for herself. She was about to speak when she thought better of it, however. [color=FFF0F5]“I... yeah. Alright. You lead the way, chief.”[/color] He was an expert and she was not. She took a deep breath and nodded.

Desmond then lightly made a gesture as if he tilts a hat to Cazelui as he said, [color=gold]"Very good, we will most likely heading to resolve some of the danger that the others may be in, so be ready for a fight"[/color].

Finally Desmond gives one last confirmation for everyone, [color=gold]"One quick go, Fiske will give us illusions while we leave so we don't give away our hiding spot. From there we will head east and see what is going on, most likely we will be heading to the prison, so be prepared for some opposition, when we near, Fiske will illusions once more to get us close while we make a plan to assist with whatever they need"[/color].

[color=#FF00FF]"Think about the person I want to look like?"[/color]  The boy thought for a moment and after his eyes went wide with an answer the hat did it's trick. 

He still had some semblences of what one would describe as 'Fiske' yet he was much taller and older in appearance. A smug smirk appeared on the now tall narcissist's face.  [color=#FF00FF]"So, how do I look? Think they'll find out it's me?"[/color] He got rather excited from using the hat.  [color=#FF00FF]"This thing is neat, I want to use it more and more!"[/color]

Desmond chuckled to Fiske, [color=gold]"You may find more chances"[/color].

Cazelui sunk her fist into her open palm. [color=FFF0F5]“Raring to go.”[/color] Then, with that, they emerged. On the ground, before them, they could see an arrow. They traveled a little bit further and there was a second.

Desmond then saw the arrow and smiled as he tilted his head and gestured for them to follow. With once they passed the arrow, Desmond made sure that the arrow was gone, either Marceline did it or Desmond did, then they found another and hopfully more.

Desmond nodded as he said to the others, [color=gold]"Seems I may be right"[/color]. 

They continued to follow, until it was time for Cozesteo to split off and give his speech to the people. Desmond patted him on the back and said, [color=gold]"I hope they will listen to the truth"[/color], giving one last reaffirmation to Cozesteo before letting him go off and make his speech.

Hopefully it will provide a good enough distraction.[/hider]

[hider=A Hero's Name]
With that, they split, a disguised Fiske chaperoning the stalwart Cozesteo to the Gateway Square while Desmond and Cazelui made haste for the distant spire of the Omenaxan. Fiske pointed towards the market dealing in slaves. [color=#FF00FF]"What if we have our speech there? The great king Stazen wished to reform, no? What better way then set an example of the king's desires?"[/color] 

He did have his personal agenda in mind with this yet he did have faith in their [i]hero[/i].

Standing upon the slave auction platform was Cozesteo. Future of the Cazenax people. Visionary with big plans and rock hard ambitions. 

[color=#655DF6]“Friends, Zenuans, countrymen, lend me your ears!”[/color]

A few men and women spared glances at his direction. Was this a madman? Yet, he spoke with resolve and conviction. 

[color=#655DF6]“I come to you all today with a confession. I, Cozesteo, like many of us, have had doubts over the changes that were ushering into our civilization. It had led me to following a path laid out by those of the Bantarsca. A path that I’ve come to discover is nothing but TREACHERY!”[/color]

By the blessings of the gift, he allowed his voice to boom. Interrupting the daily activities of the Cazenax late morning.

[color=#655DF6]“Potés-Palix is NOT the murderer you were all made to believe.”[/color] his arm stretched up high and his index finger wagged. [color=#E5E4E2]“Far from it. I was even hired to attack his home to add to the credibility of the LIE!”[/color] that same arm then withdrew only to do a swift, horizontal slashing motion to emphasise the grave nature of the mentioned lie.

[color=#655DF6]“The culprits, those that take advantage of the good PEOPLE of An Zenui, are none other than Sozo-Calupé-Cenzan and Zast-Wesca-fa-Bantarsca!”[/color] his finger pointed in an accusatory manner to the direction of the Bantarsca itself. [color=#655DF6]“And at this very moment, the greedy Sozo of the sweetwater guilds is being arrested by Nyax-Acan’s authority!”[/color] his arms shot up in rejoice.

[color=#655DF6]“But the wicked Wesca remains. The one that sent FOREIGN MERCENARIES to kill my good friend Cuimits! A man tricked into believing Stazen was his enemy, when the only threat to his family was none other than Wesca and her friends!”[/color] he nodded at his own words, pacing around as he continued to have his voice boom.

[color=#655DF6]“I was shown correspondences - irrefutable proof, letters between them, conspiring and planning the king’s death!”[/color] he waved the letters in the hand he loved to gesture with. [color=#655DF6]“But, the most damning thing, my fellow compatriots, was that I SAW and HEARD the witch!”[/color] in a bout of theatrics, he seized a sack of coins and slammed it onto the flooring he stood on. [color=#655DF6]“In fact, I’ll do away with all that blood money I had been given as a stipend, and will officially stand as a witness to their long overdue trials!”[/color]

At first, most did not listen. There were those who were impassioned on the issue of slavery and, every once in a while, they would seize the stage and rant on about its evils. They drew mixed support and were usually merely suffered through by most, jeered by a few, and received scattered applause from the remainder. 

Cozesteo spoke on, though, bravely and convincingly, and some of his friends, Zenuans, and countrymen [i]*did*[/i] lend him their ears. [color=gray]“What proof do you have?”[/color] called one. [color=gray]“Yeah! Let us see it!”[/color] another chimed in. 

[color=gray]“Down with the Bantarsca!”[/color]

[color=gray]“Long live the king!”[/color]

[color=gray]“Fuck them greenlanders!”[/color]

They were moving now: people in the crowd. More streamed in. Some trickled out. Others moved about the swirling crowds. It was heading towards noon and activity would soon die down somewhat until the evening. Cozesteo knew what some of the hooded ones were, though. He knew who they would talk to. he knew they were coming for him. He would not be cowed, however. 

[color=gray]“Fuck Sozo! My sweetwater costs twice as much now!”[/color]

[color=gray]“Where is your [i]PROOF[/i]?”[/color]

Then, he produced it. 

Then, out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed the men in the uniforms: the royal guard - Queen Mother's Unit, but they were not the main threat. Up on the roof of a nearby building, a sniper settled into place and took his rifle out of a nondescript case. He began to set up for his shot.

Fiske stood straight as if he served as Cozesteo's guard. He did not understand what was being said yet what he did know was the fact that it caught the people's attention. [color=#FF00FF][i]Maybe this guy actually will become a hero like Desmond was trying to convince him.[/i][/color] A content smile covered his features, however soon that smile faded as men in uniform showed up, they weren't like the people that tried to stop the poor, sirrahi slaves. These looked more important than them. 

His eyes began to scan the area frantically, finding amongst the people hooded figures before looking further beyond and finding someone on one of the roofs? This was no ordinary bystander, but a damned killer like a hunter waiting for a perfect shot on a Schluck... He could not stand by and let the soon to be hero die here and casted a blinding light in front of the shooter's face. It would, without doubt... catch people's attention yet he did not care much about how pretty or subtle it was, as long as Cozesteo would be safe.

If the effort saved Cozesteo's life, it also gave the royal guard the opportunity to move in and 'secure the area'. The would-be assassin was unceremoniously hauled off and Cozesteo, in front of the great crowd he had drawn, clapped in irons as they watched by the authorities. [color=#655DF6]“Thus comes the reward,"[/color] he announced, as they led him peaceably away, [color=#655DF6]“For speaking truth to power. Do not forget me, my brothers and sisters. Do not forget my words. Do not forget this lesson."[/color]

One of the officers kicked him in the back of the knees and grumbled and he was led away without further incident. It was time for Fiske, as well, to make his getaway, and he was soon back at the hidden room below the trapdoor with Samaxi. They did not stick around for long.[/hider]

[hider=Revelations]
With that, they split, a disguised Fiske chaperoning the stalwart Cozesteo to the Gateway Square while Desmond and Cazelui made haste for the distant spire of the Omenaxan. The sirrahi lowered herself near-perpendicular to the ground, as her people did when sprinting. [color=FFF0F5]“You know we're rushing towards death,”[/color] she teased, glancing back with a fond smirk. [color=FFF0F5]“At least try to keep up, huh?”[/color] 

They darted and dodged through backstreets and byways, avoiding most of the crowds and, if Desmond was an expert in military matters, this was Cazelui's city, where she'd hatched, where she'd grown up, and where she worked daily at menial jobs. She knew it like the back of her hand. It took them five minutes. Then, they were at the grand plaza beside the river. Government buildings rose before them and, looming above them all, the towering black spire of the Omenaxan, as if it were piercing the great golden sun above. From here, they would be in the open and painfully exposed.

Desmond chuckled a smile was found on Desmond's face as he said back, [color=gold]"Keep up? I'm the fastest man alive"[/color].

Desmond moved with Cazelui, any moment he could he charged the bottom of his feet with magnetic energy and moved at high speed while using kinetic and magnetic energy to glide along the ground. Desmond continued to draw from the energy he would leave behind to continue to propel himself forward at a high enough speed to keep pace with Cazelui.

The moment they reached the Grand plaza Desmond saw the many things happening. The many grand buildings, the river, and then the large spire, Desmond took it in and began to look around as a sniper would.

His eyes began to scan the area, trying to find a place to work from. He thought for a moment as he pinched his ear down for a bit of time, then did so in repetition to try and have Marceline come to them. She was here the longest and would most likely know of what they needed and what they could help with.

Desmond looked to Cazelui as he grabbed his coat from his bag and threw it on her, [color=gold]"You'll be a bit warm with this coat on but it is better than looking like you were in a fight"[/color]. Desmond helped her a bit more with her looks, providing the things needed to clean herself before they were to meet with Marceline as if they were to move through the streets she needed to make sure she would not be easily outed. 

[color=gold]"Good, while we move around here we may not look [i]completely[/i] like we are wanted"[/color]. Desmond gave a nod and continued to scan the area waiting for Marceline.

Desmond felt a tap on his shoulder and then a click on the ground in front of him. A small sappy stick scratched something into it: [color=598527]"I'm not here, genius."[/color] It was Marci's writing. There was no mistaking the distinctive way that she wrote her 'G'. 

Another one followed. [color=598527]"I'm at range. That tower is your objective, but it's sealed up tight. They've been in there for twelve minutes and the guards come back in three."[/color]

Desmond took stock of the surrounding area: its sightlines, composition, and defenses, meanwhile. This would not be an easy task.

Desmond nodded to the message, it seemed that his thoughts of what was to come was right. The tower did seem to be their great target.

3 minutes. 

They had 3 minutes to move people in and out. 3 minutes to close the distance and get them out. 3 minutes to escape before the guards come back. 3 minutes were enough.

There was only 1 set of stairs that they looked at to enter. The only one was a large set of stairs ascending up 30 feet directly to the only doorway. A small and thin doorway only able to be entered from enough sight lines to be able to be seen by everyone and their mother.

The stone that made the spire, the staircase, and even the floor seemed to be made of a near polished smooth stone that Desmond could tell to be quite strange and tough. From his sensing and deduction he could tell the stone makes it difficult to sense into with magic and very dense to the point he couldn't think of a cannon or attack that could crack it. 

Desmond had heard of rumors of a certain stone that was known to be the bane of mages, but never thought it to be real. [color=gold]"Boromite"[/color], Desmond said quietly as he nodded to himself as he continued his scanning.

The wall had multiple different indents in the wall were put into it where one could think to try and climb up with but all it did was make it easier to be fired upon by riflemen.

The situation was quite a predicament, there was no good way in, there was no good way around, no walking through the front with a simple illusion.

People are most likely now watching because there is no guards and 3 minutes is a hard ask for someone to figure out a plan and make it up.

Yet, even in this terrible situation, there may still be a way. 

Desmond knew there was something he could do.

He may not have the illusions to do it, he may not have the RAS, but he has something.

Desmond has been using it all this time. Now consciously ever since he faced off against that fly demon.

He never knew it, but he felt different, like he had more power than what he could even know. More power than even magic could do. 

His magic altered the world.

If he wills it, it shall be.

Desmond looked at the large pile of sand and thought, if he could cause a dust devil to appear, having it bring up enough to create cover for them to bolt up the stairs, they could make it without being noticed or shot.

And so he tried, calling out to Cazelui, [color=gold]"We'll be getting a little closer, make sure you pay attention to where the stairs are. Because when I give you the signal we bolt for the stairs"[/color].

As if he had willed it into being, the winds outside of the Omenaxan began to swirl, as they sometimes did in the open plaza. They swirled and blustered and formed themselves into something like a funnel. Within thirty seconds, there was a great howling tower of shifting sand, obscuring the vision of all in the area. Even the dragons perched atop were grounded. The two circling quickly retreated to the cliffs a couple hundred yards distant, and hunkered down. Desmond and Cazelui made a run for it.

The moment Desmond touched the first stair he put every ounce of energy he could into his ascent. Leaping and bounding the stairs until he hit the door where he hoped that for any reason at all the door is unlocked.

It was, indeed, unlocked. Cazelui barreled in after him.[/hider]