|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 3:02:37 GMT -5
Raven lay in her bed for quite sometime before she drifted off to sleep. Her whole life had come to this point – a crossroads of decision, or even fate. She was festering with excitement and curiosity. She wondered if this was a big mistake, were these people even that trustworthy? She felt comfortable amongst them, and their AI seemed incapable of hiding their true intentions… These thoughts and the alike rambled through her mind until she slipped away.
When morning came she slipped from her bed and took a quick shower. It was quiet on the ship, almost like she did not even have company. As she walked into the kitchen and looked about – No AI to greet her. She stepped over to the room that Lilia was to stay in and peeked in – empty. She worried for a brief moment of the woman. She stepped out to the deck and looked about – she could see lights coming from their ship. Raven smirked and then stepped back into the kitchen.
As she began breakfast – scrambled eggs, ham and fruits, Warren had sepped in. “Good morning” she smiled. “I am pretty sure Lilia went out into the graveyard, likely she has already started” she shrugged then and stirred the eggs in the large skillet. Just as Lilia walked in she had prepped up their plates. “Ah” she smiled and set the plates on the small table.
“Eggs, ham, fruit, all that jazz.” she sat down across from them after pouring coffee as well.
“Did you want to listen to Jazz?” Sam questioned, perking up now.
“Sure, why not” Raven answered, then through Sam – light Blues began to play. Raven chuckled and listened for a moment. “Different – for sure” she raised a brow. “I kinda like it” she hummed slightly. She had never heard such music before, the sounds and style – was completely different than anything her people made.
“Ah… the mines” she took a bite and then held her hand out. A bottle of hot sauce float from across the room and to her hand. She dumped a good bit onto the eggs and set it down. “Careful, thats pretty spicey” she spoke and mixed it in.
“There is a creature we call – Darklings, they were once some primitive human like species – before we colonized this earth. They are like some kind of mix between your typical monkey and human, with they way they move, and their level of social capability. They don’t have gifts like me and my people, but they are fast, and have an acidic spit that can burn its way through most things. They are our biggest threat, pretty easy to kill but can swarm swiftly. Otherwise, a few mutated creatures, Dark Wolves that can paralyze you by howling at a frequency that busts your ear drums, Rats that are like three times the typical size...” she let out a awkward chuckle. “You know… uh.. the same ol ‘ same ol” she chuckled and finished her meal.
“We dont use guns here, so you’re at an advantage, considering those creatures also dont know it – they wont be expecting it at all. Though, I do have a pretty cool weapon” she stood and walked over to a cabinet. She pulled out a beautifully decorated hilt. At the center of the hilt was a small glowing red crystal – she placed her finger over the crystal and suddenly a thin blade shot forward, and within a second it had a jet like flame surrounding its blade. She swung it – the fire was a blazing blue color, yet there was minimal heat emitting from the sword itself. “Some old Dulaman relics I found. It basically can cut through anything, fueled by a Gamma Crystal” she pressed the crystal again and the fire went away, and the thing rapier like blade retreated into the hilt.
“Pretty much the most badass thing we have” she set the hilt down, it was a little retro – a sort of reference to ancient Earth – Midevil period. “I honestly have not been down there in quite some time, a lot could have changed in the creatures since then – things evolve very quickly here...” she finished her coffee. “So, what is your plan first then?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 10:09:43 GMT -5
Lilia looked to the plates that were set before her. The steaming cup of coffee. A smile curved up her lips as the soft bluesy jazz began to play. “Sam can play many different tunes, you’re welcome to explore our music anytime you like.” She spoke before she took a bite with her hand that was wrapped.
Warren looked to her as she asked about the mines. His brows pulled together slightly as he focused on Raven whom spoke of the Darklings and of the Dark Wolves. “Giant rats?” He questioned at the end and gave a sigh. “Lilia are you certain that this is worth it?” He looked to her as she finished her meal.
Lilia smirked slightly, “Don’t be such a frady cat, Warren.” She focused her attention back to Raven whom pulled the interesting weapon from the cabinet. Her brows rose slightly as she looked to the device, a light saber. At least that is what her people would have called it. It was magical. Just the sheer power of such a small piece of a Gamma Crystal. Lilia reached out and lifted the hilt into her hands. “We had something like this, years ago. Before I was born.” She chuckled lightly. “But it wasn’t nearly as flawless in its design. Nor did it carry such a power.” She pressed the crystal on the hilt as she held it upright. The blade flashed before her eyes and a grin split her lips. She held the blade inches from her face as she seemed to inspect it.
“Captain Abernathy….that device could easily kill you.” Sam stopped playing the music. “Might I suggest holding it away from your face?”
Lilia chuckled lightly, “You worry too much Sam.” She pressed the button and then set the hilt back down on the table. She looked to Raven then with her icy eyes a smirk upon her lips. “Well, as of right now I have a battery that is powering the ship...it won’t last long if I power up too many of the systems.”
“If the ship were to be fully powered on the battery as it sits now would last only 30 minutes.” Sam had her board in front of her. “I believe finding a proper power source for the ship would be best before we can truly discover everything that was damaged in the crash.”
Warren had stood up, he was looking out the front of the ship to the Armada with his cup of coffee in his hand. “Well its settled then, hm?” He glanced to Lilia. “Eh, Captain? You know what else we are going to need for that ship? A damn gun.” He grinned then before he took a long drink of his coffee and finished it. He gathered up the plates from the table and stepped over to the sink where he began washing everything off.
“Especially where I want to go.” Lilia smirked slightly.
“And where might that be?” Warren questioned.
“Yurri.” Lilia stood and stepped over to help him wash the dishes.
Warren paused a moment and drew in a breath, “That’s quite a jaunt from Silas Region. Most ships can’t make that trip...”
“Then we build the Armada so that it can.” Lilia responded before she looked to Raven. “I’m going to grab my suit...uh...” She seemed to look Raven up and down a moment. “I might have something for you as well. It’ll help with the acid, and possibly even the howls.” She grinned slightly as she turned and stepped from the ship. “I’ll be right back.”
Warren drew in a breath, “Could you grab mine too?” He called after her.
“Yeah, yeah, got it.” Lilia called as she ran down the stairs.
Warren finished the last dish and let out another sigh. He wasn’t sure about this. As exciting as the adventure sounded these creatures sounded like nothing they had encountered before. “General?” Sam spoke up she looked to him curiously. “You look worried.”
Warren grit his teeth slightly, “Shouldn’t I be?” He asked and then looked to Raven. “She even said they don’t venture down into the caves.” He sighed slightly as he looked to Raven. “That’s really the only place to get those crystals though huh?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s the best way to fight these creatures?” He asked as he watched her. “Is it against the way of your people to venture into the mines?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 10:44:02 GMT -5
Raven smiled as Warren picked up the dishes – in truth she had never had anyone to ever help her. It was a big reason she hated cooking. The cooking..the cleaning, it was so much time wasted. She leaned back and watched as Lilia observed the weapon, chuckling to herself. “My people don’t use weapons like that – the colonists here invented it. I think Dulaman himself was a big inventor.” she stood then and waved as Lilia left to get supplies.
Their banter back and forth made her smile – it was sort of the dream team she wished for. She turned to Warren as he questioned. “Don’t fear so much. They are really not all that bad. My people don’t venture into the mines because they are dangerous, its because we limit our people the concept of power” she sighed. “It’s pretty dumb, honestly. My people fear the greed of humanity. Those Crystals are powerful, and in turn...” she thought for a moment.
“Do you have guns? Don’t you just point and shoot?” she chuckled then and stepped out to her deck. She lifted a water hose and turned on the water. She sprayed her plants, which instantly the leaves lifted and they turned bright green – happily. As if the plants themselves were alive and reacting – which… they were.
She finished quickly and turned as she watched as Lilia made her way back over. She looked beyond the woman – out to the huge tall trees, the colored vines and plants surrounding the yard. The place was exotic and beautiful. She took it all in – the idea that she might be leaving made her appreciate her home a little more…
She stepped back into the ship and then pulled out a map and set it out on the table. “So… this is where we are” she pointed at an open area. “The mountains are straight north, we would hike a little and then there is a mine entrance here. It leads down into series of shafts – one primarily hitting a large under ground settlement, said to have been the Darklings – before they actually became all twisted. They already did the hard work of collecting crystals, we just need to retrieve them” she leaned back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 14:17:22 GMT -5
Warren watched Raven as she answered his question, a chuckle came over his lips. “Precision isn’t just aiming and pulling the trigger you know?” He grinned to her and glanced after Lilia.
“It can take years of practice to become a skilled marksmen like General Warren.” Sam spoke up and tilted her head slightly. “Though...” She seemed to analyze Raven then. “I do believe that with Raven’s unique abilities she may be rather good with a weapon such as a rifle.”
“Oh you think so?” Warren looked to Sam. “We will see then, won’t we?” He chuckled.
**
Lilia made her way to the crew quarters of the ship. She stopped before one of the crew member’s room. “I’m sorry Kat.” She stood in the doorway her brows furrowed together slightly as she stepped into the room. Lilia stepped over to the bed that was tussled about, a bit of blood remained stained into the blankets from the accident. She froze there for a long moment before she finally lifted her hand and pulled the closet open. Kat had been one of the crew that she had grown quite close to over the years. She was the chef on board the ship, not that it took much preparation. But the job needed to be done. She’d make special things for Lilia to try. Some were great. Others. Well. Lilia would smile her way through the taste.
Lilia reached forward and grasped onto the suit that hung in the closet. She ran her thumb over the thick material that was much like canvas beneath the plates of armor. It wasn’t as reinforced as her own armor, nor as much as Warren’s...but it would do the trick to keep their new found friend safe. Lilia grasped the helmet piece that sat over the shoulders, it had a clear shield that would cover the entire head, much like early astronaut helmets. Lilia had always thought that Kat’s armor was neat, unique even. Lilia paused a moment as she looked to the room. A long sigh came over her lips before she slipped into the hall where she had left a small wagon. She set the gear on it and gathered her suit and Warren’s suit. She then walked to the aft of the ship to the armory. Lilia grasped three different rifles and an extra pistol to give to Raven. She carefully packaged the items onto the wagon and then pulled it out of the ship with her. She made her way back to Raven’s home and as she reached the bottom of the stairs Warren came down to help her carry the equipment into the ship. “Thank you.” She gave a smile as she made her way up the stairs.
Lilia checked over the rifles with Warren swiftly as Raven set the map upon the table. She stepped to her side and looked over the map. “Sounds simple enough. How long does the hike take?” She gave a smile. “Here.” She stepped over to the wagon and pulled the suit and helmet cradle from it. “This should fit you quite well, you’re about the same size as the crew member that this belonged to….It should help protect you.” She spoke before she grasped her items and stepped off.
Warren looked after her and then let out a breath.
“Captain Abernathy is having difficulty with her losses.” Sam spoke up. “She seems to be grieving, General.”
Warren gave a nod, “It’s a lot to lose. Even with what we have gained.” He shook his head slightly. “She’ll be alright, she’s a tough one.” He grabbed his gear. “Oh this part right here.” He stepped to Raven’s side. “This button on the arm, when you’re ready just press that. Kat’s suit is pretty fantastic. It’ll look good on you.” He gave a crooked smile. “I’ll be back, gotta get this on.” He lifted up his gear with looked considerably heavier than the suit that Lilia had given to Raven. “I’ll show you how to use the rifle too, and it looks like Lilia brought you a pistol.” He spoke as he walked off down the hallway.
Sam stood on her small pedestal, her arms crossed over her chest slightly. “I think that this will be good for the captain.” She sat down and crossed her legs. “Do you need assistance with understanding the suit? It is made of a highly protective material called Zartillium. That is the cloth like material that you see. It is highly flame retardant. In fact the wearer could survive falling into a vat of lava for several minutes before the material would reach the point of combustion.” Sam smiled slightly as she spoke the facts. “The metal is very light, it is Opulum. It is the strongest and lightest metal available in the Silas Region. Lilia helped craft that suit….” She then fell quiet.
**
Lilia stepped from her room a few minutes later, the boots of her suit clicked upon the floor, she had her hood down, the cape flowed over her right shoulder. She held her helmet under her arm as she walked down the stairs into the kitchen area. Lilia lifted one of the rifles and held it over her back, it affixed itself to her back via a magnetic mechanism that she’d built. She then slipped her pistol into the holster on her thigh before she set her helmet down on the table. “Any questions before we go?” She asked as she stepped over to the window to look outside. The tall trees were beautiful. The vegetation of this planet was unreal. Leaving this place would be difficult for her. It felt so peaceful here. Something that she had been searching for her entire life.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 15:48:06 GMT -5
Raven hummed slightly as Lilia came back with a collection of supplies. She stepped over to the suit that was held in front of her and she peered to it. “Wow..” she whispered and reached forward. It was light – but felt very durable, yet flexible. “Amazing” she whispered as she turned it over. “I’ll go try it on” she smiled and then slipped into her room. She found herself in her slick under garments – and then pulled the suit on, it fit like a flight suit, the pieces enhancing the armor slid onto her body like it was meant for her.
She held her hand out and a panel lit up on her wrist. She looked to it and punched at it, looking through the interface. “Whoa” her eyes grew big. She stepped out of the room and ushered back into the living quarters. “Sam, what is this?” she questioned.
Sam stood and looked over and then smiled. “It’s everything you’d ever need. Your dashboard connects you up with the others via Coms, theres an interactive map that is constantly updated by your survey, but also it connects with the internal and external grid systems. It also lets you manipulate the suit, for instance… click on the far icon that looks like a chest piece, then to the gloves” It took Raen a minute but she figured it out. Suddenly the gloves retracted – allowing her to bare her fingers, if you needed or wanted the gloves to go away… “Wow”
“Your suit comes equipped with a Strength Enhancer, though it has a limited solar battery – You can turn it on and get assistance running, jumping, lifting and so on.” Sam continued.
Raven found one screen and then chuckled “whats this?” she questioned.
“That is a game called Snake” Sam spoke clearly.
“Huh… I’m supposed to … eat the dots?”
“That is the purpose of the game, correct. Do not hit the barriers, the snakes own body, or anything other than the-”
“Ahh crap! I ran into the wall” Raven interrupted and then stepped backward, she sat down on the bench like seat at the table and held her wrist upward, her hand poking at the touch screen controls – entranced by this game. “Wow this is so cool” she hummed happily. She was interrupted as Warren chuckled.
“Oops, sorry. Right, we are busy” she turned it off and stepped forward. “So… the gun...” she looked to the contraption, she had seen one before – actually several, but none in as good as shape as these. “Come” she lead Warren up to the deck.
Raven held her hand forward and a piece of sheet metal flew upward from a junk pile, it hovered in the air about 40 yards out. “Show me” she spoke. She watched as Warren demonstrated and pointed out the parts of the gun...When he handed it over to her she lifted it and peered down the sight. She pulled her brows together and fired – the gun bucked, nearly knocking her over. “What the!”
Warren laughed “Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that. A good knock, you have to anticipate it… try again” he watched with his arms on his hips, smiling as he watched her.
Raven pulled the gun back up, her finger hovering on the outside of the trigger, then when she was ready she brought it in and fired again. She expected the buck this time, the bullet flew through the air and hit the top lip of the sheet metal. “Hmm...” she studied it for a moment and then fired again, adjusting her view in the scope – the bullet flew forward and pierced the sheet metal close to the center.
The sheet metal flew out a little further, she shot again – until she went through a few rounds. The bullet holes were splattered about but near the end they were closer to the center…. She smirked and lowered the gun. “That’s actually pretty fun...” she turned then and put the safety on as instructed.
“Okay...” she nodded and lead him back down. As she entered the cabin once more – her eyes grew a little wide as she peered to Lilia in her garb. “You look pretty cool” she smirked and then pulled out the hilt of the saber and handed it to her. “I think I am ready” she nodded.
She lead them down from their ship and out of the junkyard. In the distance was the mountain side, not too far. “We should be there in about an hour, its not too far. We’ll be going through the Blue Forest, there is nothing to fear – just dont eat any thing, most of it is poison” she chuckled as she looked to the forest before them. It had huge thick trees with blue and purple leaves, glowing fruits and vines wrapped around the trees “We will climb up winding steep path, we cant really miss the entrance. The colonists sort of left all their crap at the site” she chuckled.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 17:53:51 GMT -5
Lilia chuckled as she noticed that Raven was playing the old time favorite game of Snake. “Ah I have a high score on that one.” She grinned before she followed Warren and Raven onto the deck. She watched, still in awe over Raven’s powers. A chuckle came over her lips. “Don’t worry, Warren forgot to fill me in on that little detail too.” She spoke as she sat down on a ledge, her feet dangled over toward the ground below. She looked over the forest, as if she were studying it. Lilia was quiet as Warren instructed Raven, he was the right one for that job. He was skilled in the use of weapons. Lilia knew how to use them, but her precision wasn’t nearly as accurate as his. Thus the nickname she’d earned from her crew members of Hack. She hated it. But it was true. She was good with the computers, and she was excellent with anything mechanical.
As Raven brought the sheet metal closer Lilia stood and inspected it. “Not bad.” She grinned. “Warren, you might have yourself some competition here.” She winked before she climbed down the ladder. She grasped her helmet and pulled it over her multicolored hair. She clicked a button on the side and grinned as her face was exposed. “I built the suit myself.” She spoke with a proud smile. “We will get your suit up to par for you. Don’t you worry.” She turned and pulled Sam’s drive from the ship and clicked it into the back of her helmet. A projection of the AI appeared before her. “Ready Sam?” She asked.
Sam gave a nod as she clicked a few things. “Ah your exo skeleton is low on power, you won’t be able to use much of the added abilities, Captain.” She warned before she disappeared once again.
“Not a problem. We have our guns.” Lilia nodded as she stepped from the ship. She walked passed the Armada, her eyes looked over the bends and gouges in the hull. Things that were easily fixed in comparison to the mechanicals and electrical. She wondered if she would be able to resurrect the ship at all. But it was the only one in good enough condition to do so. So she had no choice.
“Woah….” Warren spoke as he walked up to a glowing patch of mushrooms.
“Don’t eat it, General.” Sam appeared floating next to Lilia’s head. “You heard Raven. It’s poisonous.”
Warren chuckled as he tossed his rifle upon his shoulder. “Of course I’m not going to eat it silly. I’m just looking. We don’t have anything like this is Silas.”
“This is a real planet.” Lilia spoke as she touched the bark of a tree. It glowed to her touch and a crooked smile curved up her lips. “These plants are truly living. Not just existing. This entire planet is alive. Unlike the terraformed planets that we know. Rocks pieced together by our government.” She shook her head slightly as she continued on. The trek was just as easy as Raven stated it would be. Which made Lilia trust her that much more. The more trust she had in the native, the more likely she was to actually bring her along when she left the planet. Though, she still didn’t understand anyone wanting to leave here. The longer she was on the planet the more she fell in love with the beautiful colors and the life before her. She giggled as a butterfly landed upon her nose. It fluttered its wings a moment before it took flight once again. “Such beautiful creatures.” She whispered as she began the climb up the mountain.
Warren tailed behind the two. He looked around, eyes keen for trouble. “Wow they really did leave everything...” He muttered as he saw the huge machines upon the mountain. Machines for hulling away rocks, for causing explosions, digging and the such. “Why...why did they leave in such a hurry, Raven?” He questioned curiously.
Lilia came to the entrance of the mine. She leaned over the edge and stared down into the dark hole. A screech came from inside. “Sounds like our welcoming committee is already here hm?” She turned and searched about the camp until she came upon a roll of rope. “Only one way down.” She spoke as she looked to Warren whom nearly glared to her. This was dangerous. Even if they were outfitted for it. What if things had changed? The creatures were more aggressive? There was only one way to find out. Lilia secured the rope to an excavator and then she gripped onto it. “See you two at the bottom.” She smirked before she clicked the side of her helmet and the face closed around her, leaving only the blue glowing slits of her eyes. She disappeared into the abyss over the edge. A flashlight turned on from her helmet and illuminated her way down.
Warren stepped up to Raven. “Here.” He clicked and caused the helmet to cover her head. “Wouldn’t want you to get hit in the only place your armor wasn’t covering. Hm?” He gave a smile. He then held his wrist up to his mouth. “How’s it looking?” He asked before he clicked his helmet into place as well.
“Eh it’s a bit stuffy down here.” Lilia spoke as she continued to lower herself. “Foggy even. Strange.” She felt her feet hit the ground. “I’m down.” She spoke as she turned and pulled her rifle from her back. Something ahead of her slipped through the shadows. Another screech. “There is definitely something down here.” She spoke as she stepped forward.
“Wait for us.” Warren spoke as he moved to the edge. “Look.” He held his hand out and a device clipped onto the rope. “You have a pulley built in, it’ll keep your descent slow.” He nodded and gave a smile. “Easy huh?” He chuckled.
Though silence filled the air as a scream echoed into their helmets. Lilia. A rattle of gunfire echoed from the mineshaft. Warren didn’t wait he leaped down into the shaft, his hand gripped onto the rope as he slid down quickly. “Lilia!” He called as he landed roughly. As the dust settled he found Lilia’s rifle laying upon the ground. “God damnit.” He cursed. “Lilia!” He called into the radio. Nothing but static followed. He grit his teeth as he stepped forward. “I shouldn’t have let her come down first….” He muttered to himself. Though only silence answered him as he waited for Raven to enter the shaft. He knelt down to look to a large print with claws that pushed deep into the mud of the shaft floor. He felt his stomach drop as he feared what may have taken Lilia as he lifted her rifle and clipped it to his back. He glanced to Raven as she entered the cavern. “What...do you think made that track?” He questioned as he looked to her. Something slipped through the shadows and Warren quickly moved and took down the creature. A twisted humanoid type being. He kicked its body and let out a breath. “Well it wasn’t that….” He sighed. “Is that what you call a Darkling?” He questioned as he started following the tracks until the edge of the mud. Now they could only guess the direction that the creature had taken Lilia.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 18:13:08 GMT -5
Raven smirked as the two admired the forests, though it was just another day about the woods for her. She followed along, watching closely to ensure they didn’t do anything silly. As they came up to the mines she sucked in a breath, looking over all of the old items and tools. “I don’t actually know” she said softly. “If my people know what happened to the colonists – they haven’t shared, but no doubt something bad...” she sighed and came to the edge.
She let Warren put her helmet on, she felt it seat and click – sealing her. She heard the coms of their voices come through and she raised a brow, eyes glancing to the dull screen that displayed over the curve of the helmet. She gripped her gun then and glanced to the rope and then smirked. “I dont need that” she spoke and watched as he descended – ensuring he made it down. Though the shout caused him to move swiftly – Lilia. She grit her teeth and then jumped downward. She fell quickly and then a second before she would have hit the floor – she hovered, and gently landed. She held her palm forward then and a blaze of fire appeared in her palm, she had the gloves hidden away.
“Come on” she spoke and ushered forward, following the tracks. As a Darkling shuffled by – she jumped back and then threw the fire forward, it caught the back of the creature and it screamed outward and run swiftly down the mine shaft. She summoned another ball of fire and followed him. They came across a large opening in the shaft. Parts of the cave here held up with wooden support beams, a few carts were stashed. There were two paths to go…
Raven glanced up to see fluttering neon butterflies – attached to the ceiling… stalagmites dripped a glowing blue liquid. She turned her gaze to one of the paths - “Fresh tracks here” she spoke and rushed forward. She ran until they came to a wall – made of a crawling blue like substance, resembling a kind of coral as well. There was a hole in the middle – it had to be a nest… “Back up” she spoke and then she summoned two balls of fire, her rifle pushed onto her back. She threw them forward – the wall catching flame.
There was a loud cry of several creatures. Swarming from the hole came the darklings – their twisting bodies scrambling forwards. Raven jumped to Warrens side and drew her gun – she sprayed and prayed, her gun pointed in their direction, shooting several shots. One launched forward and clamped its jaws over her arm – though her armor was perfect protection. She gripped its arm and suddenly it lit aflame – she blasted it backwards and grit her teeth. The wall had stopped burning, the corridor was littered with dead Darklings..
“We have to crawl through it” she spoke and approached the hole. She lifted a hand and slammed it forward. A blast of power made the hole larger, big enough to crouch through. She knelt down and looked about – it appeared it be a series of smaller tunnels, but there was a primary large tunnel that lead forward. “Come on” she spoke and crawled through the tunnel..
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 20:38:25 GMT -5
Dulamon Elder NativeWarren looked to Raven as she landed with the use of her magic. He would have commented on her flawless landing had he not been preoccupied with worry for Lilia. Warren shot another of the darklings as Raven took out another with her magic. “That is an incredible power you have.” He spoke as they continued on. Warren grit his teeth as they moved forward and came upon the two paths. “How the hell do we know where she went?” He questioned, his voice a bit nervous. He’d already lost the rest of the crew. He didn’t want to lose Lilia whom was his closest friend. Warren looked to the fireflies, as he would call them in his world. The glowing liquid made his brows furrow within his suit. Hidden behind the helmet. “What is that stuff?” He questioned as he stepped forward. “How did you….?” He questioned and then hurried along behind her. He didn’t see tracks at all. Was it because she was more connected with the planet? Could she see things that he could not? Warren found himself staring at a wall of blue. “What the hell is that?” He questioned as he backed up as she ordered. He watched as she tossed the flames forward. The squeals that came from within the nest caused him to jump slightly. He lifted his rifle and began picking them off one by one. Once all of the Darklings were taken care of Warren stared to the charred hole of the nest. “Crawl...through that?” He scoffed slightly. “Are we even sure whatever took her could fit through there?” He knelt down and gazed into the darkness. “Lilia?” He called into the hole. His voice echoed off of the cavern walls. Warren took in a breath before he pulled his pistol and fixed his rifle to his back. He crawled forward on his hands and knees. He climbed over charred bodies of the Darkling creatures. His breathing quickened slightly as he heard something move ahead of them, but his eyes could not find the creature. “Lilia?” He called again. Static came over the comms of the headsets that the two wore. “General?” Sam’s voice questioned. “General Warren….where are you?” She didn’t sound herself. The sound of crackling filled the headset and then a low snarl before the sound cut out. “Sam? Sam!” Warren grit his teeth as he crawled more quickly now. “We have to be close to them….these radios don’t cover more than a mile at best.” He came to the end of the tunnel and stood. He placed his pistol back at his hip and pulled his rifle back out. There was a screech from down the hallway. Warren rushed forward. That was the same screech that he’d heard before Lilia was taken. “We’re coming Lilia...” He muttered to himself, though it came over the headset. He rounded a corner to find that he stood before a civilization. Long abandoned. The buildings were intricately designed from stone. Lights still lit the city streets. He stopped and stared for a long moment. “You...weren’t kidding about there being a city down here...” He spoke as he stepped forward. He walked down into the streets, the city lamps glowed a beautiful blue as the flames flickered from within the glass. Warren looked about, listening. “Sam….?” He whispered. Nothing. “Lilia?” He tried again and again only to receive silence as an answer. He rounded a corner and found himself face to face with a creature that made his blood run cold. He lifted his gun as he jumped back. “Outsiders.” The creature hissed. “You are not welcome here.” Warren stared to the creature. It seemed to have the skull of another over its face. It was lanky and tall. The horns from the skull curled up and had various plants growing off of it. The eyes glowed a bright white. The creature held a staff in its hand that had a smaller skull of an animal upon it. Writing was scribed into the skull upon the creatures face. “Dulamon does not welcome you.” The creature hissed before it slammed its staff against the ground. Flames rippled out from the staff along the ground. Warren jumped back and lifted his rifle. “Where is she?” He had his finger over the trigger. “Dulamon asks for a sacrifice.” The creature responded and a wicked snicker came through the skull. Warren grit his teeth and pulled the trigger of his gun. Shadows swirled from the creatures as the snickers continued to echo around the two. Warren was pushed back by the power, the barrel of his rifle bent down. “What...the...” He stared to his rifle and grit his teeth. “What the hell was that thing? Huh?” He looked to Raven. Snarls came from the shadows. Wolves stepped out and began circling them. Warren tossed the broken rifle to the side and pulled the other from his back. A wolf howled before the rest of the pack lunged forward. Their eyes were a burning red. Their teeth seemed to glow in the light of his flashlight. Warren held his gun horizontally to block a wolf, the jaws snapped down upon his rifled and gnawed at it. He kicked against the beast and then unloaded his clip into it before he reloaded and turned to another. He rolled to the side and slammed the butt of his rifle into one of the creatures. Warren let out a yell as he was tackled to the ground. His rifle was knocked to the side. He quickly pulled his pistol and pressed it against the skull of the wolf and pulled the trigger. Silence once again filled the room. He took in quick breaths as he staggered to his feet. Warren stared to Raven a long moment. “I think I know why the colonists ran.” He spoke as he grabbed his rifle and pressed forward. “Where are you Lilia?” He muttered softly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 3, 2020 22:39:30 GMT -5
Raven was appreciative of Warrens expertise with the rifle, he showed no mercy for the creatures. As they continued onward – she found her breath caught in her chest as she peered upon the city. It seemed to still be alive, the thought of it made a heavy pit in her stomach. Just as she thought it – they rounded the corner and came across a being. She shuffled back but then held her hand forward, prepared to attack.
When the being slammed its staff down, she drew the flame upward, as if stealing it for herself. She held the ball of flame in her palm and watched closely. “Dulaman is dead” she spoke aloud. “You worship a false god” she spoke.
As she did – there was a cackling once more. “You are a foolish child”, just as wolves attacked. She spun swiftly and threw two fire balls towards the wolves, she then shifted back and a wolf pounced her. She held her gauntleted hand upward – the dark drooling fangs clamped onto her armor. She grit her teeth as she could feel its jaws pressing against her harshly, crushing her. She pushed her hand forward and the wolf was thrown backwards. With another hand she gripped the air – suddenly the lower jaw of the wolf was torn from his body, ripped in half as her magic pulled it apart. She tossed the jaw to the side and gripped her arm, which throbbed with pain.
“It seems something native took Lilia, no doubt. The large building over there – it looks like a temple. A sacrifice to be made… that is where I imagine it would happen. Lets go” she lead Warren down into the city. They ran along the cobbled path, passing the glowing blue torches, and empty cold buildings. She wondered if this was the Colonists – morphed into these creatures, or was this an entity that already existed before it all, natives as she said…
As they came to the huge temple – she pushed at the double doors. They were locked. She grunted and stepped back, with two hands she shoved forward and the doors blasted open with the power of an explosion. Just as she did – another pack of wolves leaped forward through the door, as if waiting. She pulled her gun forward and pulled the trigger, shooting one wolf three times in the chest before it fell. She shuffled backwards and continued to fire – until she was out of ammo. She reached forward to a wolf that ran towards her – and suddenly snapped its neck.
Out of no where – she was thrown against the brick wall, held by her throat. The Native held their hand up – a thick vine had grown from its palm and gripped Raven’s throat, holding her several feet above the ground. She began to choke – her hands gripping the vine as she fought to keep it from squeezing her, but with each movement the vine just grew a different way… “W-arren-” she called out with a broken and crushed voice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 4, 2020 10:45:28 GMT -5
Warren looked to Raven as they took down the last wolf. He noticed her grip on her arm. “We have to be more careful.” He spoke as he looked to the temple. “I’m not sure that you knew that these creatures existed...but this city looks alive, it doesn’t look as though it has been empty...perhaps these natives as you call them are what ran off the colonists...” He ran along behind her. A sacrifice. He could only hope that Lilia was okay. But his gut told him that things were only going to get worse. “We have to stop them.” He spoke as they stopped before the huge doors of the temple. “We...can’t let anything happen to Lilia.” He looked to the doors as Raven tried to push in. He watched in awe as she used her powers to force her way into the building. Though he didn’t gawk long before he brought his rifle up. He expertly brought the wolves to the ground with quick succession.
Warren’s eyes caught something then. Lilia. She lay in the center of the room on what appeared to be a rune that was drawn from a crimson liquid. The rune had a light glow about it, or was that just the lighting of the torches? Lilia had been stripped of her armor, she only wore her tight fitting under garnets. A strange vine wrapped tightly around her body, binding her to the rune. She didn’t look as though she had a scratch on her. “Lilia!” He rushed forward only to be slammed to the side. Warren groaned as he staggered to his feet. It was about that time that he heard the choked voice of Raven. His eyes lifted and he pulled his pistol from his thigh. “Let her go!” He rushed forward.
The native turned to Warren and a cackle came over his lips. “Fool.” The creature growled as shadows surrounded it once again. The vines fell from Raven’s body.
Warren ran forward to her and helped lift her to her feet. “We have to get Lilia out of here.” He spoke quickly. “Come on.” He steadied her before he turned back toward the center of the room. More of the natives had appeared. Seven of them to be precise. They stood around the rune and a deep guttural chant began to come from beneath their masks. Warren didn’t understand a word they spoke. He rushed forward then as the rune beneath Lilia began to glow.
“General Warren! Stop!” Sam’s voice came through the comms. “You cannot stop them!” She had fear in her voice.
Warren didn’t listen. Sam’s pleas fell upon deaf ears. He rushed forward and pulled his dagger. “Let her go!” He yelled as he slammed the dagger into the back of one of the beings.
A blast of power came from the circle of natives. It caused Warren to fly back and slam against the wall. He hadn’t injured the native at all. They looked to him a moment, eyes now glowing red. Then they turned their attention back to Lilia whom had lifted from the ground and was floating above the rune. Her head leaned back slack, her body limp as she lifted to a good five feet off of the ground. The run pulsed red now, the vines that held her began to crawl with a red glow. The chanting became louder and louder until suddenly the room swirled with heat and shadows. Warren held his arm up as he pushed forward, fighting against the strength of the wind. “Lilia!” He cried as he was pushed back. Then suddenly the room fell calm.
The natives had disappeared from the center of the room. Lilia lay on the rune that had turned to a light glowing blue. Her hands upon her abdomen, the vines gone from her body. Still she showed no signs of bruising or any damage. Warren rushed forward. “Lilia.” He skidded to a stop at her side on his knees. “Lilia wake up.” He tapped her cheek and furrowed his brows. “Raven?” He looked around his breathing was heavy. He turned his attention back to Lilia, “Come on...” He breathed.
“Vitals are stable.” Sam projected from Lilia’s helmet which lay with her armor at the edge of the room. “Captain Abernathy appears unharmed.”
Warren scooped her up into his arms. “She’s cold.” He spoke as he looked to Sam across the room. “What...what happened Raven?” He looked to the native woman. He wanted answers. But he feared that even she would not have answers for him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 5, 2020 18:00:00 GMT -5
Suddenly Raven was dropped from the wall side, she landed on both knees and held her throat for a moment. Her eyes looked up as Lilia lifted into the air - she held her hand up to cast but she was knocked backwards by a gust of power. She hit the ground and slid on her chest until she came to a stop on the stone floor. She fought for air as it was knocked from her chest, her hands lifting her slowly upward. It was over. Why was it over? She slowly made her way to her feet, her hand pressed against her chest as she hobbled over. Raven knelt over Lilia and her brows furrowed - something was different.
"The Ancestors of Dulamman recognize its kin" a voice spoke, echoing in the temple's stone walls. "The Heir to its power returns, all hail Dulaman" it was then that a sphere appeared, a round floating item in the center of the room. Slowly it lowered and touched the ground softly, it was like a large marble... Raven stepped over and lifted it - "A memory sphere" Raven spoke... she looked to Lilia as she came to...
Suddenly a projection emit from the sphere. A man stood - clean cut hair, a short beard - wearing robes. "Hello" his voice rang. "My name is Dulaman... If you are watching this - its because you've found a sphere - I created just for this. I have been over-run by the Archavists, the original people of this planet. They have gone mad with their power, their brains warped. I warn you - make sure the Colonists stay away from this cave... the closer you are to the source of the power, the more it can corrupt you.. I cannot escape, I am in their grasps... They wish to achieve what I have discovered - the capability to harness the power... If anyone ever finds this.. Tell them I am sorry, tell Abby I love her, I know she never approved of me leaving, and I never thought I'd be here - stuck on this planet...." the sphere suddenly flickered and then faded. The orb in Raven's hand lost its glow and turned into just a round stone...
Raven's brows pulled together and she looked to Lilia. "Are you okay?" she questioned. "We need to get the Crystal and get out of here. According to Dulaman's journal - there is a stash of crystals in the temple, in some hidden room" she shook her head.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 6, 2020 12:44:56 GMT -5
Warren grit his teeth as the words seemingly came from the walls. He shifted his attention to the floating orb, but then Lilia began to shift in his arms. “Lilia...” He looked to her as her eyes fluttered open. He carefully lowered her feet to the ground and steadied her as she blinked a few times. His attention was taken to the sphere as it spoke.
Lilia stared to the sphere as she processed the little information that Dulaman spoke. “Abby...” She furrowed her brows slightly. Her icy eyes lifted to look to Raven as she spoke. “Yes...I...”
“Captain Abernathy it would be wise for you to don your armor.” Sam spoke from the heap of armor on the floor.
“Right...” Lilia pulled from Warren’s grasped and stepped to her armor. She slipped the pieces on as if she were in a daze. As she pulled the helmet over her head she staggered slightly and gripped the wall. Her hand pushed against the stone as it shifted from her weight. She let out a yelp as the wall turned and she fell to the floor. Dust fell over Lilia as she slowly stood. She brushed herself off as she gazed into the room that was dark as the night. “Maybe...this is the hidden room?” She questioned as she clicked on her flashlight. She aimed it down the stairs that led beneath the temple.
“Wait.” Warren stepped forward. “You’re not going first anymore.” He looked to her as he lifted his rifle. He stepped down the stairs, with each step flames lit upon the walls within the lanterns. He looked up to them, “Creepy effect...” He muttered as they came to the bottom of the stairs. They stood in a room that was untouched. It held a long wooden table with a map of the cave systems upon it. Drawings upon the map indicated sites where the crystals were.
“He died...here...” Lilia spoke as her eyes fell upon a skeleton that was dressed in the same robes as the man that claimed to be Dulaman. She stepped forward and looked to the skeleton. “He had no where to go...” She reached forward and pulled a key from the slender skeleton hand.
“Dulaman please.” A woman pleaded. She was short in stature. She gripped onto his hand. “Please don’t leave me like this. Don’t leave your child.” She had a large bump on her belly, indicating that she was relatively far along.
Dulaman turned to her and gave a soft smile. “Abby, darling.” He kissed her cheek and then the back of her hand that held his. “We are going to explore, make discoveries...and then I will return to you and our child.” He pulled her into a long hug. “You must trust me.” He whispered before he turned and climbed onto the ship.
Abby stood, her breaths trembled, tears ran down her cheeks.
A man walked up to her side. “Do you still wish to enter cryo?” He asked as they watched the ship pull away and take to the skies. “Even in your condition? It may not fair well for the both of you.”
Abby turned her head to look to the man as she brushed away her tears. “Yes. I don’t want to have this child alone...wake me when he returns.” She spoke as she followed the man. “He will come back...won’t he?” She sniffled as they walked through a complex. Lilia recognized it. It was the cryo chamber on Turgsten.
“Dulaman would never abandon you Abby.” The man gave a warm smile. “Of course he’ll be back.” He motioned toward a device that hissed open. It held a bed like chair within it. “You won’t even know he was gone.” He smiled as he helped her into the chamber. “See you soon, Abby.” He closed the door. Ice crystals formed almost instantly within the chamber. Abby leaned back as the cryo gas surrounded her and soon enough she had entered stasis.
“Lilia?” Warren had his hand on her shoulder. “Lilia?”
“Captain Abernathy is having unusual brain activity.” Sam spoke as she projected herself next to the helmet that Lilia wore. “Captain?” She asked.
Lilia straightened, her breaths trembled. She looked to Warren a long moment before she glanced to Raven. “I...got the key.” She spoke as she held it up. She walked across the room to a second door. She paused a moment before it and then reached forward to grasp the handle as she inserted the key. She scrunched her brows together as she fought the same strange sensation that she felt when she touched the hand of the skeleton. She shook her head and pushed the door open. The room had a glow to it. The crystals sat in the corner upon a desk, neatly stacked. “Wow...the crystals are beautiful.” She spoke as she stepped into the room. She grasped a canvas backpack that sat next to the crystals and she scooped a few into the bag before she hung it on her back.
“I don’t know what they did to her...but she isn’t acting herself...” Warren spoke to Raven as he peered into the room. “That ritual...they claimed they were making a sacrifice...there was so much blood to make that inscription on the floor...but Lilia isn’t harmed at all...” He crossed his arms slightly.
Lilia stepped up to them and glanced to Warren a moment before she looked to Raven. “What’s the quickest way out of the caverns?” She asked. She hadn’t asked about the natives. She hadn’t asked what happened at all. In fact, she had no idea that she had been taken. She couldn’t remember it. Her mind was a foggy haze. She forehead slightly with her fingertips as she stepped forward to gaze at the map once again.
“Lilia are you alright?” Warren questioned as he stepped to her and touched her shoulder.
Lilia turned but her icy eyes seemed to cloud over as she gazed up to him. Her breathing became quick once again, just like when she touched the skeleton of Dulaman.
“Hey! Stop that!” Warren rushed forward and grabbed the back of a neck of one of the crew members that had Lilia pressed against the wall. “What the hell man?” He punched the man square in the nose before he turned to look to Lilia. “Are you alright? I’m Warren, I’m Captain Rez’s right hand...um...come on.” He wrapped his arm around her and led her up to the crew cabins. “I’ll make sure that he’s thrown out once we land, hm?” He helped her sit in a chair in his room before he sat on the edge of his bed. “I hear you’re pretty good with computers?” He asked as he looked over Lilia.
Lilia had her arms crossed over her chest, tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn’t make eye contact with him. “Yeah...” She shook slightly.
“Hey.” Warren moved and sat on the ground in front of her line of vision. “I’ll keep you safe. Alright?” He gave a soft smile. “Stick with me, and I’ll keep you safe.”
Lilia stared to him with her icy gaze a long moment. “Okay.” She whispered.
“Lilia?” Warren held both of her shoulders as he watched her eyes slowly turn back to normal. “Raven we have to get her out of here.” He looked to Raven then. “Something is wrong.”
“I’m fine.” Lilia spoke as she brushed his hands away. She looked to the skeleton a long moment before she turned toward the stairs of the room and began climbing the stairs back to the temple.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 8, 2020 19:56:54 GMT -5
Raven peered to Lilia as she leaned against the wall – she shifted suddenly, as if to rush towards the woman – as the wall gave way. She stepped forward as a gust of stale old air rushed their face. Her mouth dropped slightly and she stepped into the room. Her eyes glanced to the dead body – Dulaman. She admired the skeleton for a long moment – her ancestry sat before her. It was a truly amazing moment, to be standing before the ruins of everything she had studied.
Over the years she had collected items that drifted from the site, she had gathered research and journals – reading of the people who traveled with him. She was interested in the history of her people, but most of all – Dulaman and how he got here, the world he came from. She had this thirst for knowledge that was unquenched. She was forbidden to go into the ruins, and likely no one had ever stepped into this room. Her steps quickly lead her to the wall of books – she touched the dusty spines and eye over the gatherings… She then stepped back over to the table and lifted a journal, much like the others she found… his final words. She was so entranced – she didn’t notice the state of Lilia.
She stood and flipped through the old pages – which threatened to rip upon her touch. She knew right away she should stop and wait, and later with steady hands review his words. She lifted a bag and sifted the book, and a few others she had found into the bag. She paused then and peered to Dulaman, his skull lulled to the side – barely holding on it its bones. She peered to a necklace about his neck… she leaned forward and unclasped it and held it for a long moment… Something within her said take it – so she did. She slipped it into the bag, like a grave robber in the night…
It was then that Lilia peered to the Crystals. She stepped over and looked to them. “That’s them” she spoke softly. She could feel their power emitting to her, just getting close to them seem to enhance her, her senses rising. They were pure and uncut – none of its power drained at all, full of energy… it was a beautiful thing. Raven turned back as Lilia began to collect them, she looked about the room once more – admiring the old items… the tools and contraptions…
She looked to Warren as he spoke of Lilia. “No doubt something has happened… something I wouldn’t understand.. only time will tell” she spoke in a hushed voice. She could feel it too – not just see it, but there was something about Lilia that was different. Her aura changed, it reminded her of her people. She had an inkling, a thought, but she shook it away… there was no telling right away, she didn’t want to scare them with the thought…
It was then that Lilia touched the skeleton. Raven felt a wave of power, she stepped back slightly and looked forward. Lilia was stuck in a trance – her eyes glazing over. Raven pulled her brows together and once Lilia came to – it happened again, but with Warren. “We need to go” Raven spoke as Lilia came to again. This was not the place, who knew when those people would come back again.
She stepped over to the map and pulled her brows together. “If we exit here, turn to the left and pass through the city to this cavern tunnel - “ she pointed “there appears to be an elevator that will take us up” she spoke. “Lets go before those people come back for more” she spoke and lead them towards the entrance. She looked back once more to Dulaman and then left. Her steps came back out over the ritual site – the blood had dried, the candles burnt down to the wick… She held her hand up and a ball of fire appeared once more, lighting up the dim temple. She lead them out of the temple and to the cobble streets...
|
|
|
|
Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 8, 2020 20:28:53 GMT -5
Lilia looked to Warren a moment before she turned to follow Raven. “People...” She spoke as she racked her brain. She couldn’t remember the native that had taken her from the tunnel.
“Yes. The big scary guys with the skulls.” Warren raised a brow as he looked to her. “Come on.” He led her up the stairs.
Lilia drew in a breath as she walked up the stairs. “Oh yeah, those guys.” She spoke in a bit of a nonchalant way. Though, she didn’t remember this. She merely went along with it because Warren seemed bothered that she didn’t remember. She gazed over the ritual site. As she walked forward over the dried blood, her breath caught in her chest.
“Keep walking.” Sam spoke in her ear. “Keep moving forward, Captain.”
The AI’s voice kept her moving. It seemed to ground her, to fight back the overwhelming sensation that overcame her body. She hurried out into the cobblestone streets. Lilia moved forward through the city, it felt familiar. It felt as though she knew every corner, every street, every nook and cranny. She led the group through the streets, her eyes looked up to the flickering flames of the lanterns, a few swayed in the gentle breeze that sifted through the cavern. A howl came from ahead of them in the tunnels of the cavern. The single howl was followed by a symphony of howls. Lilia stopped in her tracks, she glanced around, her eyes looking about the rooftops. They were outnumbered by the Dark Wolves. The glowing red eyes and drooling jaws seemed to look down upon them from the shadows of the city. Snarls came from the pack.
“Go. Run.” Warren pushed her forward to get her moving again.
Lilia turned and rushed forward, her eyes glanced to Raven, worry laced in her gaze. She leaped up the stairs and sprinted down a hall that led to an old elevator. Lilia rushed inside and with Warren’s help they pulled the door shut just as the wolves caught up. The Dark Wolves stood at the gate snarling. From the shadows walked the native. His eyes glowing white a chuckle came from beneath the skull. “See you soon, Lilia.” He spoke as he held his staff. “Much sooner than you think.” A chuckle came from the being.
Lilia pulled the lever to get them out of the cavern. The old elevator lifted them up the passage, it knocked against the sides a few times and rocks fell below, dust fell into the old elevator. Lilia was silent, a look of fear in her eyes. She didn’t speak as they made it to the surface and she pulled the door open. She stepped from the old elevator and glanced about the top of the mountain. Her eyes fell upon the ship graveyard in the distance. Lilia walked quickly, pulling ahead of Warren and Raven.
“Something...is very different about her.” Warren spoke his eyes looked to Raven with worry. “What did that thing mean that it would see her soon? What was that thing?” He questioned in a hushed tone as he glanced to Lilia’s retreating back.
It wasn’t until they reached the ship graveyard that Lilia paused. She turned and looked to Raven. Her icy eyes gazed to the woman a long moment. Her gaze then moved to Warren, and then back to Raven. “Have you ever seen those things before?” She asked, her voice soft. Almost as if it took everything for her to speak the words.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raven on Jul 12, 2020 16:29:14 GMT -5
Raven grit her teeth as they came out into the city to be greeted once more. "Go-" she spoke and lifted a hand with a flaming ball in it. She held lifted another hand and pulled water from the near by cavern stream. She quickly slammed them together creating a huge blast of vapor - a kind of smokey cover. She quickly turned and dashed away - only to hear the cackling of the creatures. She entered the elevator and shut the metal gate quickly and punched the button.
Slowly the elevator rose, creaking and clunking the entire way. Finally they came to the surface - Raven unlocked the gate and opened it. "Come on, lets go" she ushered them forward, shuffling the bag on her back. As they came through the forest - Warren spoke to her. She sucked in a breath "Yes, of course. You would be too" she spoke softly. "Stop asking me questions, I don't know the answer" she shook her head. It was then that they grew quiet, Raven's brows pulled together their entire journey back to the ship.
As they came to her ship she stopped on the deck as Lilia paused. She looked to her and let out a deep sigh. "I think Dulaman's journal is going to tell me what we need to know. But no.. I do not know. My people have banned us from entering, saying it was dangerous of course. Though they do not see the value in education, I know nothing, as much as you do..." she spoke and then shrugged the bag off her shoulder.
Just as she turned towards the door - her mother opened the door of the ship and peered out. "Come on you three... Dinner is ready" she spoke and smiled.
"Ma-" Raven was hushed then and they stepped inside.
"You know the mines are forbidden..." her mother spoke and then sighed as she scooped from a casserole dish, preparing plates.
"Yes..." Raven spoke and then sat down, she scoot the bag behind a few cargo boxes. "There is no engine in tact to repair their ship. They needed crystals to power the engines, with their power they can break the atmosphere, but without it the speed of the planet will rip the ship apart" she spoke and leaned back.
Her mother chuckled slightly "If there was a way to stop you, I would. But alas..." she set down three plates, piled with food. "Well, what happened down there then?" she questioned. "I'm not here to punish you. I want to get my time in while I have it..." her eyes grew soft as she looked to her daughter.
Raven sighed and leaned back. "In truth" she sucked in a breath. "There is a city down there, under ground. It's absolutely stunning..." she took a bite then and smiled - her moms cooking was always the best.
|
|
