Aion Teleos Network

[The feelings and visions that come through the communion, rattled and uncontrolled, are samples of something dark and painful. Scenes from the raid on Achamoth, the towering black walls, blood, the Sanctifier in the sky, pain, more pain— Finally, a voice wrestles control and comes into audible focus, strained and slow. The few who have spoken with her might recognize it as the centaur (jinba) Hayame.]

I have... a prisoner. The shard of the Kenoma called "M".

Someone- Someone ask that Tehri woman... If she knows of a place safe from the Regent's eyes. Or if one of the... "magic" users know a way...

If there is none... I will just move. I will keep moving.

I will need supplies. Food and... bandages, and--

[Suddenly, there is a surge of... something, a combination of panic, genuine shock, disgust, rage, and a weird bleed-through sense of... more than one person? Very briefly, it feels like there's more than one consciousness involved, but Hayame's voice returns.]

A bit.

Blinders.

Earplugs.

That is what I need.

Bring them... and I will tell you where to find me.

[OOC: Content warnings for mention of beheadings/an-animated-severed-head that may crop up in comments. This is the IC kick-off for a player plot, with more details and options for others to get involved coming soon to an OOC comm near you!]

[ he's never used his shard to try and communicate with so many people at once before, and he's not particularly excited about attempting it; still, he was a celebrity, once, so he's at least used to interacting with the public, which becomes obvious in his confident greeting. ]

... Hey.

[ okay, maybe not.

While he's calm enough, through communion, his vague dissatisfaction can easily be felt - especially by other Firebrands this month, who likely find the simmering frustration he's feeling familiar. Of course, his stems partially from the fact that he's unable to help with this upcoming raid, specifically. He doesn't feel a need to announce that he's not coming - anyone to whom it would actually matter would already be aware. Even so, it colors his words just slightly. ]

If you're going to Achamoth, do me a favor. I've heard they've got better technology over there than we do here - electricity or magic, maybe both. It doesn't really matter. If you see a chair over there that looks like it'll haul me around faster than this rickety piece of junk, and you can grab it without getting yourself killed, I'll pay you for it when you get back. I've got some jools - I've been saving 'em. And, uh...

[ this part, he's a little more hesitant about; he pauses, his frustration becoming a little more watery. ]

... I ain't seen Yuuta around for a few days and I can't get him on his Shard. So keep an eye out for him while you're over there, too. They might have taken him. He sure was causing them trouble in Godsblood, so it makes sense they'd want him out of the picture, you know.

[ a beat. ]

That's all. Don't try being a hero over there. You'll screw the rest of us over if you get caught.

[Estinien can be felt in the communion space, after having essentially gone missing during the final days of the mission. He's only just now returning to Greentruth in the company of friends. The tone of his psychic transmission is fraught with sorrow and anger in kind.]

Himeka and Abel have been taken by the Kenoma. They... are the Regent's prisoners.

[His presence becomes distant for a few beats after, like he has to steady himself.]

The creature of Innocence we found in Venera... its hold on me is far greater than I ever realized. I was drawn into a battle with the Kenoma, in the defense of other Pleroma, and when I found myself outnumbered and trapped... it came to my aid. Yet, 'twas at a cost I would not have willingly paid.

Angered by their broken "promise", it lashed out at those that bore its mark. 'Twas this moment of weakness that allowed them to be captured. It struck Ryunosuke and Alphinaud as well... Ryunosuke is safe. Alphinaud... has vanished somewhere I cannot reach.

[He's doing his best to give an objective account, something he became skilled in doing as a soldier. It's clear how much this is weighing on him, though.]

The... creature has been attempting to enthrall me. To change my body and steal my memories... it told me that Alphinaud was 'among the light', and that he had no further need for me. That Himeka and Abel had chosen to suffer in this world. I...

[And finally, the anger takes precedent, a fire wrought with misery.]

I will take them back. No matter what it demands of me. I... will bring them home.