[Center][i]”There are no records of what occurred that night. Inference indicates this is the likely point of divergence.”[/i][/center] [hr] [center][sub]Sylann’s Conquests and Moss VIII Part I[/sub][/center] [hider=RECAP]When last we left our intrepid adventurers they had been accosted by some outerbeast spawn. But no one probably remembers that, so here’s a more in depth recap. Moss (goblin gal), Teefee (cat girl), Zafrina (goat girl), Rahdayo(goat boy) were on a quest to return the divine artifact, The mercurial sword, back to its creator in Sylann. After wandering through the wilderness and having some interpersonal relationships blossom, they came across some humans who had been evicted from Sylann by some pigs. These humans were upset and got their hands on the sword, which killed the guy who held it and triggered an outerbeast spawn, that had been silently waiting in a human host, to trigger an alarm. Thus our fellow four ran for their lives in the rain. Moss, being a goblin, had smaller feet and was quickly outpaced but she eventually caught up to the other three, stumbling upon them with the corpse of an outerbeast spawn. Then they are beset upon by halfhuman/half outbeast spawn and fought hard. Teefee froze up and was useless. Rahdayo got a wound on his leg and decided to protect Teefee. (They are a couple). Moss and Zafrina manage to deal with the first wave but more come and the sword comes to life, killing the spawn by itself but accidently cutting Zafrina’s arm. In order to save her, they have to cut Zafrina’s arm off. The sword, since it's able to create things it consumes the knowledge of, creates a goblin buggy and they get out of there. Zafrina is depressed and angry she’s lost an arm. Rahdayo is just depressed and Teefee feels like a coward. They stumble upon Nikan (human elementalist) and he ends up helping Zafrina’s wound. He does not want to take them to his village, as they guard one of Mae-Alari’s element beacons or whatever they’re called. He is eventually persuaded to after a gift materializes in the form of a gun, which Moss gives to Teefee. I decided to do a bit of a timeskip for these next writings. During that skip, Zafrina and Teefee become elementalists and Rahdayo is rejected, spiraling into an even further depression. Not much else happens during this time, besides Rahdayo disappearing or running away. The other four finally manage to show up in Sylann, praying that Rahdayo is also somewhere within. This is where the story picks up again.[/hider] Crowds cheered as blood hit the sands. The great coliseum had a way of amplifying the sound of the masses until it was deafening. She looked around, amazed at it all. Syllianth in their trim robes, goblins and humans in their working garbs and others wearing drab and rags sat in the stands all around. All were combined, for once, in common entertainment. They didn't mingle of course, they sat in their own groups but just the fact those groups could coexist in this setting. She took a deep breath and almost gagged. The sweat and odors, combined with the spices of foods and the rich smell of iron provided a very unique aroma that the wind had trouble blowing entirely away. And yet the masses still roared with satisfaction and delight. Despite the long hours of work, despite the troubles of a growing militaristic society, despite the ever increasing gap between the poor and wealthy- All of them cheered at the sight of carnage. Moss did not understand that. Brutality and killing were not things to cheer over and yet… In this strange city, that’s all people did. Teefee was enraptured of course, the albino pantherakin had a wide eyed stare to her as she looked all around, unable to focus on one thing. Perhaps that was best. A scream made the crowd burst into ever growing noise. Moss looked down at the arena. In the white, stained red sand, a battle took place. Gladiators wearing mismatched armor and wielding an assortment of weapons versus a pack of beastmen. It was a mixed pack of hyenas and jackals by the looks of it. Moss couldn’t tell just how ‘savage’ they were but it was becoming an ever increasing plight among the wild beastman tribes north of the great river. Being ripped from villages and home, just because others deemed you savage. She couldn't help but think Sylann’s definition of savage was just an excuse, since Thysia existed. One of the gladiators, a burly bald man who had lost his sword, was lanced through his stomach by a rusty spear from one of the jackal beastfolk. The crowd roared as his corpse fell back and blood began to soak the sands. A general melee ensued. There were no tactics here. It was kill or be killed and it was becoming apparent that the beastfolk were going to win. That was most likely by design. They had cornered the last three gladiators. Two were in bad shape while the third stood in front of them. He was young, even from a distance she could see that. It reminded her of Rahdayo and Moss looked away as the crowd cheered their deaths. It was only then did Teefee lean up against Moss. She said something but Moss couldn't make it out as a thunderous voice boomed out, “THE GLADIATORS HAVE FALLEN TO THE VICIOUS SAVAGES! A CRUEL REMINDER THAT THESE BEASTFOLK ARE WITHOUT REASON. BUT SHOULD WE LET THIS STAND?” The crowd roared with a resounding no. “NO! OF COURSE NOT!” The booming voice declared. “IN FACT, THEY SHOULD BE PUNISHED!” The crowds began to stand and shout in approval. “WE HAVE, WITH US NOW, THE LATEST INNOVATION FROM THE ATELIER! A BEING CRAFTED FROM OUR HISTORY MADE MANIFEST, IN NEW GLORY! WE GIVE YOU… THE WATCHER!” A gate opened on the far wall, slow and creaky. Moss was taken aback at just how silent it had fallen. As if everyone had collectively taken a breath and were holding it in anticipation. Even the beastmen had paused their mutilations to look at what strode through those wrought iron gates. A being of flowing silver, wreathed with adornments like a flowery crown. That oval shaped head held no face. Just smooth, swirling silver. And it was tall, so very tall. Vaguely human shaped but too angular and too tall. The medallion around her neck quivered. Moss clutched it instinctively and a dozen voices flooded her head, screaming one word- Danger! This was followed by a vivid image. She was clutching a glowing metal in her hand, somewhere dark and deep. Her home? The image flashed again and she saw the same silvery being, the Watcher, skewer another goblin before thick vines pulled it beyond her sight. The last thing she saw was a being not unlike the Watcher looking down at her with annoyance. Then Moss was back in the coliseum. The Watcher had taken powerful strides towards the beastfolk, who had fanned out to encircle the thing. There were at least a dozen left but Moss already knew how it would end. She grabbed Teefee by her arm and stood up, the catgirl was now focused on the Watcher. Moss began to pull at her as the battle commenced. The crowds began to scream with a fervor she had not yet heard. Moss couldn't even hear her own thoughts. Teefee was being cooperative but she wasn't paying attention to where she was going, content to be led as she watched the Watcher pick up a screaming hyena, throw it up into the air and then skewer it with its now bladed arm. Moss felt herself grow sick at the sight and turned away, now pushing through the crowd until they at last reached an exit tunnel. The two emerged through the crowds and outside onto the bustling streets of Sylann. Moss took a minute to just breathe, while Teefee crossed her arms and pouted. “Mistressssss, Teefee wanted to see how that thing fought. Why did Moss bring Teefee if they left at the best part? Teefee does not understand.” “Teefee, I told you before we left this morning. It was just reconnaissance.” “Teefee does not know the meaning of that word!” Teefee protested. “We were just checking it out, that's all. Just to see…” Moss trailed off as Teefee’s eyes widened. “Rahdayo…?” “It was foolish, Teefee. He wasn't out there. I doubted he would be.” Teefee put her hands on her hips and walked closer to Moss, peering down at her. “There could be hundreds of people beneath the arena. Teefee will go and look.” she turned but Moss caught her arm. “Zafrina and Nikan are already doing so.” Moss said quietly. Teefee pulled away. “Then Teefee will go and look elsewhere!” “Teefee please. We've only just got here, we need to be careful. We can't go and look where we want without a plan.” Moss hissed. Teefee narrowed her eyes. “Mistress isn't telling Teefee any plans it seems. Why should Teefee care?” Moss sighed. “Because I didn't want to get your hopes up, Teefee. You've been a nervous wreck even before we entered this damn city. We will find him, I'll make sure of it but we can't have you wandering off on your own right now.” Teefee’s once determined face crumpled into a tired, deflated mess. “Teefee misses him…” she whispered. Moss pulled her into a tight embrace, which was more akin to a toddler hugging their parent but Teefee leaned into it all the same. “We will find him.” Moss said again. “For all our sake.” [hr] The search had been unsuccessful. They had found many things underneath the coliseum. Horrors of inhumanity, beholden by nothing but cruelty. But not her brother. Zafrina’s heart had broken at the sight of all the slaves and broken beasts. It was intolerable for a place that toted itself as being so civilized. Only Nikan had soothed her rage. That core of her being so transformed, it was difficult to not feel angry, anymore. She had lost so much, even what she had gained was beginning to slip away. Nikan placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch a cool relief as always. “You are dwelling again.” “I know.” She said quietly as the two walked down the dimly lit streets. Night was falling as only night could in that place full of lights and life, so oblivious… “Zafrina. Think of something else, love.” He wound his hand with hers, the touch producing steam where they met. She looked up at him with his chiseled features and crystal blue eyes. The heat in her body cooled off ever so slightly. “I have never been to such a place before.” Nikan said as they began to walk again. People passing tried not to stare at the odd pair, but one glance from Zafrina sent them looking elsewhere. “I find it strange. That so many could dwell within. I can only come to the conclusion that they are akin to ants. All with some purpose I have not determined yet.” “Hmmm.” Zafrina said thoughtfully, I can't say I see it that way at all. They aren't ants. Ants have purpose. You can't determine what their's are because they don't have any grand purpose besides living day to day. An ants's drive is for their queen, for their family. All these folk care about are themselves and their close relatives. They have no sense of duty to the greater whole.” “Surely there would be exceptions?” Nikan asked as they crossed a street. The smell of garlic and herbs wafted from an open door as they passed. “There’s always exceptions. In a place like this, those who get paid most have loyalty. But only to the coin, not the one who pays. I'm sure there are a few who truly care about the wellbeing of the city but they are few and their voices meek.” She said, tasting the bitterness in her own words. Nikan squeezed her hand. “You hate this place, I know.” he said matter of factly. “You would have melted that butcher's arena if your brother had been there, too. You must calm yourself, Zafrina.” his voice had turned into a whisper. She did not answer. For it was true. Then a sigh escaped her lips. “I am trying.” “And for that, I am glad.” It had grown dark enough now that she was beginning to glow orange. Or at least the parts of her that had been suffused with magma. She, Rahdayo and Teefee had decided to enter that hallowed place of Nikan’s tribe. That Grotto of Spirits. Hallowed and sacred. Zafrina had thought that only she and Teefee had changed but her heart was beginning to think Rah had been the most affected and her brother had been rejected. At the time, she had only cared about getting her arm back. There had been no guarantee that it would work but… She flexed her appendage of black rock, coursing with veins of lava. It had worked but she hadn't realized what she had lost in the process. Rahdayo was gone and her body was now something else entirely. She hadn't completely become rock like her arm, but her flesh was no longer soft but hard, veins of lava visibly flowing throughout. Even her hair was now tinged with orange and red, glowing yellow. Luckily she could still wear clothes, well, she couldn't cover her one arm anymore and if she grew too upset, they'd burn off her. “I hope he's alright.” Zafrina whispered, looking out over the river as they walked past it. Nikan had no comment, save for squeezing her hand tighter. She felt herself smile. Perhaps she had gained more than she had lost after all. [Hider=Summary]Moss and Teefee watch a wicked coliseum battle, with an ancient face making a startling reappearance. Zafrina and Nikan wander the streets of Sylann, musing and smoldering.[/hider]