Embers jumped from the fire as the woman pushed back with a thrust of energy. Jonas followed Peter's lead released his grip and threw his hands up to show he meant no harm as the young lass scooted back frantically until her back hit the far rock wall of the alcove. It was clear she was dazed and likely very confused, they would have to ensure her they meant no harm. ” The rock creatures would have surely killed you if we hadn't happened along! ” Jonas found himself following Peter's initial introduction with a little more information, hoping the words might jar some memories in the girl. Several moments passed in silence as he girl huddled far from the fire, backed up completely against the cool rock face, she was tense, her arms wrapped around her knees which she had pulled all the way up into her chest, making herself as small of a target as possible. ” Please, we really mean you know harm. Can't you tell us how you got here? ” Jonas broke the silence, repeating Peter's question from before, still clawing to the name Crono. ” I was, near the summit with Crono and the othe— The Death Gigas! Crono, Lucca, Oh god did they? ” The woman spoke, her voice carrying a faint tremble of fear and anxiety, her eyes opening wide near the end of her response as she seemed to begin remembering what had occurred.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 248 words ~ 4218 total
Cocking an eyebrow at Jonas, Peter wondered exactly what the Death Gigas is. Whatever it is, it doesn't sound good. The wind outside howled and the fire continued to burn through the kindling. Peter knew they couldn't stay here much longer, but the girl was shaken up and needed some time to gather her though. Peter sat crossed legged and placed his hands on his knees, trying to show he was calm and unarmed, overall safe.
“Please take a deep breath.” Peter mirrored a breath in his nose and out his mouth, “Let's start with something easy. You know our names. Whats yours?” Peter hoped to to focus the girl on something simple and concrete, grounding her.
The young woman's deep breaths slowly started to calm, slowing to a more normal pace as she sat against the far wall of the cave in silence. The crackling of the small blaze popped and ticked as Jonas waited, completely focused on the young woman, waiting for her to tell her story. ” My.. My name is Lorelei. ” She began, pausing briefly after her introduction. ” I met Crono and the others a few days ago, when they arrived here near the base of Mt. Woe. I agreed to be their guide up the mountain. We had neared the summit, in a great cave where the Death Gigas resides when— Things get cloudy here, I'm not sure what happened. ” Lerelei spoke freely now, inching slowly towards the warmth of the fire as she told her story. ” Crono is here, and he might be in trouble. Peter we need to get to the top of this mountain. ” Jonas said as Lorelei finished speaking, his eyes turning away from the girl to Peter, a sense of duty in them. Jonas knew that if history changed, If Crono was defeated here in antiquity, the world as they knew it would be no more.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 207 words ~ 4425 total
Peter took in a deep breath, trying to help Lorelei through mirroring. His rabbit ears raised as he breath in deeply and dropped as he exhaled though after hearing her story, Peter's ears did not rise again. They simply sat drooped on his heads. Peter understood the severity of what she said, but Peter also knew that tis girl has almost just died. Taking a final deep breath, Peter looked at Jonas as he spoke to him and stared without saying anything, conflict just below the surface of his eyes.
Peter looked to Lorelei and cupped her hands in hand, “How is your strength? Do you think you could show us the way to the cave you last saw Crono?” Peter looked back at the flickering fire then back ro Lorelei, “If not, we can setup a fire for you come back when we get a chance.” Peter didn't like the second option of leaving her here, but Jonas and himself had to move forward, providing as much safety as possible.
Jonas signaled a small nod to Peter, understanding what he intended as he moved in closer to the young woman and cupped her hands, doing his best to calm her and bring about the quickest resolution to their situation. She seemed to relax some as Peter held her hands and nodded a singular yes to his question. ” I could tell you the way, I just don't think… I can't climb the mountain again. ” She spoke up, seemingly deciding in that moment that she did not want to attempt the climb again, and at the same time there was a sense of fracture in her voice, a longing to see with her own eyes what had occurred. ” I'll be okay here, the monsters in this place are fearful of fire, I can keep it going until you return. ” She continued as she slowly got to her knees and moved towards some brush that had been left in the cave, tossing it on the fire. ” I assume, there is only one path to the summit? ” Jonas asked as he huddled close to the fire, soaking up as much heat as he could, his mind still racing. ” You just continue up the path, though you will have to cross a narrow ledge before you reach the summit and the Death Giga's cave. ” Lorelei explained, motioning with her hands which direction the should head when leaving the relative safety of the rock niche. ” Come on then Peter, we need to make haste. Crono could be in trouble! ” Jonas got to his feet quickly, taking a moment to look back before exiting back into the howling wind, smiling at Lorelei even though he did not know if they would make it back down the mountain. Stepping into the wind Jonas moved quickly through the snow pack, the wind gusting hard into his face. Jonas shielded his eyes and trudged forward, using the edge of the rock face as a guide, his hand feeling the way forward. Ahead he caught sight of the narrow ledge, his heart leaping as he realized how dangerous the crossing would be. The ledge seemed like natural rock, maybe a foot wide and at least twenty feet long, bridging what seemed like an endless fall to the surface below. Waiting for Peter, Jonas looked back uncertainty smeared across his face.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 406 words ~ 4831 total
Peter's rabbit ears drooped down the side of his head, even lower. Peter didn't want to leave her here, but he also didn't want to bring her with them. Either way was dangerous towards him. Peter nodded to Jonas and stepped out into the cold wind, but stopped after two steps and looked back to Lorelei huddled around the fire. Peter understood the rush to get to Crono, but a part of him couldn't move on just yet. Peter ran back Lorelei and huddled close, “I promise to do my best to come back here.” Peter looked towards Jonas, “But I can't guarantee anything. If you feel this fire will die out, you'll need to head back down on your own.” Peter stood and moved just on the edge of the cave and the wind, “I'm sorry.”
With all he could do accomplished, Peter ran to catch up with Jonas, “If he's going up against some called Death Gigas, I think it's a safe assumption that he's in trouble.” Peter conjured no flames to keep them warm. Death Gigas rang out trouble and Peter felt keeping his magic power where it is now was more important than the little warmth he could conjure.
Jonas had reached the edge of the chasm, looking down on the snow covered world below. He wondered how the world had reached such a place, remembering their adventures though prehistory and then in the middle ages and how different things had been in those times, nothing as cold or harsh as it was now. Feeling Peter's presence arriving behind him Jonas turned, making brief eye contact before turning back towards the gap and the narrow ledge that would lead them to the other side. ” Peter, there is no turning back now. If Crono really is at the summit and in danger we have to do what we can to protect our future. ” Jonas said as he his eyes fixed on the ledge, the wind blowing and whipping his tunic. His mind was still racing, trying to work out how the timelines intersected, finally realizing that perhaps all along he and Peter were destined to be part of Crono's adventures though time, aiding him from the shadows. It was an idea he had before, but only now had the reality of the situation sunk in, as he stood in the extreme cold of Antiquity, the fierce winds tossing his clothing like it was nothing. ” No time to waste. ” He broke from the trance, taking a step towards the ledge, feeling the rock with his hands. Pressing his back against the cold rock face, Jonas took the first step onto the ledge. He ignored the wind and snow, taking steady rhythmic movements to his right, shuffling his feet as fast as he felt safe. Jonas didn't look down, his eyes fixating on the goal, which grew closer with each calculated movement. Feeling the rough rock scrape against his back he reached the far side of the chasm, turning back towards Peter, ready to aide him on the final steps.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 313 words ~ 5144 total
Raising his arm in front of his face, Peter did his best to keep some of the wind and snow out of his face as he smiled at Jonas, “I hadn't thought of going back since we climbed that first chain.” Peter loathed this floating mountain by now, but wouldn't let it beat him. When Peter had finally conquered the first chain, he had thought that the wind and snow would be the worse part of their journey from there. He was wrong. Crono. Crono was the worse part of this journey. From what Peter could tell, he seemed like a nice enough guy, but where Crono went, bad things followed. To make things worse, this bad thing may have been too much.
Waiting a few moments so Jonas would have time to put a little space between the two, Peter wondered about the Death Gigas. Worst case scenerio may be an understatement with that kind of name. Though a name should be a reason to judge something, Peter guessed his mother didn't give him that name. Peter's rabbit ears dropped as he made his way onto the ledge, a small part of him hoping for a gust of wind to save him from the Death Gigas. Reaching a hand out to grab onto Jonas', Peter finished his treacherous walk on the ledge and wished that those would be his final steps in this journey. Though he knew they wouldn't be.
Jonas exhaled in relief as he stepped off the ledge, Peter right on his tail. Instinctively his eyes had wondered from the danger behind to the danger ahead, moving along the trail that would lead up towards the summit of Mt. Woe. Taking a step forward Jonas suddenly paused, something seeming to grip him, a sensation that was working it's way down the mountain. The rumble started slowly but quickly grew into a titanic shake which was rocking the entire mountain. Jonas' eyes had opened wide, dart back towards Peter as the shaking grew stronger by the second. ” Something bad is happening! ”Jonas found himself speaking without much thought as he started trying to move forward, doing his best to balance while the mountain shook beneath his feet. Ahead small fragments of rock and snow started to tumble from the peak above as Jonas had the unnatural sensation that he was falling. ” Watch the debris. ” He continued as his eyes moved round towards the edge of the cliff on which the trail was located, the ground growing closer to the gigantic mountain that Jonas realized was literally falling out of the sky.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 197 words ~ 5341 total
Peter's rabbit ears stood straight up a few moments before the ground under his feet began to rumble. Spread his feet apart, Peter braced himself as he got use to the rumbling. The rabbit ears atop Peter's head bobbed back and forth above his head in alarm. The danger blocked out everything around Peter making him even forget about the cold. A feeling deep in Peter wanted to run as fast as he could, but due to the fall debris he knew better and kept pace with Jonas, “Shit, is this when the islands fell?!” Since Peter didn't remember any floating island is his time, he probably should have realized that they fell at some point. He realized too late.
Jonas felt as if his feet were glued to the snow covered ground below him. The sense of falling was pervasive, terrifying, when paired with the amount of debris that had begun to rain down from the summit above it only only increased his fear and inability to think. ” It must be Peter! ” Jonas yelled over the noise, doing his best to contain his balance as the earthquakes continued. ” We have to find some shelter! ” He continued, his voice breaking as he started to pull himself forward. Jonas stopped as a large boulder struck the ground in front of him, a wave of fear overtaking him but quelling quickly enough. As he moved upwards he stumbled, falling to the cold ground. Jonas wobbled as he got back to his feet and ahead noticed the large dark cavernous entrance. He instantly knew this is where the fight must be taking place. ” Peter that cavern! ” Jonas yelled as he thrust his gloved finger forward towards the darkness as debris fell all around them. Jonas moved as quickly as he could towards the cavern, dodging large and small rocks as he moved, stumbling several times. Looking for Peter he ducked inside the cavern, unsure how far he really wanted to intrude. Looking past his friend he watched as the horizon moved, knowing the massive Mt. Woe would strike the ground at any moment, fearful of the destruction it would cause below.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 246 words ~ 5587 total
Peter stared over at Jonas, not sure what to do under these circumstances and fear freezing his ability to think. They were stuck on a giant rocking falling to the earth. Where could they go? Jonas' voice cut through the fear and instantly got Peter moving after him, not concerned by the dangers around him. Gripping Jonas on the shoulders, Peter helped him to his feet as he noticed the cave. “At least it's something.” Peter shrugged as he ran after him towards the cave. On this rock heading no where good, Peter was glad they had an objective. It was better than mindless running.
The very earth beneath their feet shook at an increasingly violent rate as Jonas huddled in relative safety in the entrance of the Death Gigas' cave. Around them stones were freed from their mooring and tumbled down from the summit above, bringing with them snow and other debris as they fell to the lower levels of Mt. Woe. Jonas knew that somewhere deep inside the summit of the mountain a great battle had taken place, yet he feared he was to late to do anything about the outcome. ” I only hope Crono hasn't lo— ” Jonas began to speak before he was rendered speechless first by the growing humming sound then by the sight of a gleaming metallic blue machine refracting the sunlight as it slowly began to soar past them in the distance, it's altitude lowering towards the ground below. ” Wh.. what is that?! ” Jonas found himself asking, when he remembered from Crono's stories the description of the Epoch and wondered if this too could be some kind of airplane as it was described. ” It's the Blackbird! ” A familiar feminine voice yelled out from the path below as Lorelei came into view, heading towards them cautiously, doing her best to dodge the falling debris as she made her way towards the cave.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 222 words ~ 5809 total
Their descent continued to be faster and faster and with no way to look down Peter only hoped that the land below wasn't anywhere close. Though not being able to see was helpful to Peter right now. He didn't spend his time staring down, worrying about the ground below. The thought quickly left his mind as he saw the…the…metal bird? Even for a guy with a pair of rabbit ears on his head, Peter thought that this was odd. As if reading this thoughts. one rabbit ear then the other quickly lowered themselves and slapped the top of Peter's head. Wincing in unexpected pain, Peter saw Lorelei coming there way.
“Quick.” Peter rushed out from the safetly of the cave towards Lorelei. What part of him told him running out would help? Peter didn't know, but on his way there he realized that it didn't really help the situation. As the thought crosses his mind, his rabbit ears drooped to his head. Peter knew who the culprit was. Gripping Lorelei's elbow, Peter helped speed her journey towards the cave, a small fireball circling over her head should some debris come near. From within the cave, Peter looked at the two confused, “What exactly is a Blackbird?!” Peter really hoped that the metal bird wasn't somehow their way off this rock.
Jonas was amazed and proud of his friend, impressed with how quickly he had sprung into action, exiting the relative safety of their cave to physically grasp hold of the young woman and pull her back into the cavern and away from any of the falling debris. ” I have to admit, I'd like to know the answer to that question too. ” Jonas followed up Peter's question as his eyes glanced from his allies back towards the massive flying object which would soon land and be out of their sight. ” I assume it's not something good. ” Jonas said with an air of certainty, seeing as nothing good ever seems to happen by surprise for he or Peter. ” No, it's not good. ” Lorelei retorted quickly as he look out on the Blackbird. ” It's the Kingdom of Zeal's most terrifying weapon, a flying fortress which they use to reign over us ground people, sometimes even rounding us up as prisoners and taking us back to their city in the sky as slaves! Surely now they are going to my village to find out who is to blame for Mt. Woe! Dalton might slaughter us all! ” Lorelei belted out, emotion taking hold as she neared the completion of her monologue.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 218 words ~ 6027 total
Listening to Lorelei's story, for a second he forgot they were on a giant rock heading towards the ground below had break neck speeds. The Blackbird may be something the people of this time fear, but it seemed like their only way off this plummeting island. “That may be our only way off this.” Peter stepped out from the cave and began to gather flames that grew and grew as it swirling around his body. Peter looked towards Lorelei with a smile on his face and sympathy in his eyes, “Dalton can try, but this rock will kill us.” Peter raised his hands above his head and the flames gathered in a swirling orb above his head. With one final look to Jonas and Lorelei, the orb shot fire upward in a geyser for a few seconds until it burnt out. The flame may have been short lived, but it was bright. Peter hoped to draw the attention of the Blackbird towards them instead of the village. Peter and Jonas could take care of the rest.
Peter had acted before Jonas had a chance to really think about what options they had to escape Mt. Woe. The wind seemed to howl just as his friend rushed out of the cavern, sending a bright flash of flame into the sky which seemed to rush by Peter from Jonas' perspective. Jonas shifted his gaze from his friend back towards the looming colossus in the sky, watching at it's engines sent out plumes of dark smoke in it's wake. He wondered if they would take the bait, and even if they did, if it would truly be the best option, who know how strong the forces inside the flying fortress could be? ” It seems we will be taking our chances with this Dalton and whatever forces he brings with him. ” Jonas said to Lorelei as he unclasped the leather strap that held his blade firmly in it's sheath which was harnessed around his back. ” You should hang back for now, until it's safe. ” Jonas said again as he stepped out from the cover of the cavern and followed Peter's footsteps in the snow towards the edge of the cliff, overlooking the soaring Blackbird which had slowed it'd descent. ” These two are crazy. ” Lorelei said to herself as she watched and waited for the Blackbird to regain altitude and begin firing on them with it's outward turrets.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 237 words ~ 6264 total
Peter inhaled deeply as he did his best to regain some of his strength. The display of magic caused Peter to expend a great deal of magic and energy. Walking with Jonas to face the Blackbird, Peter almost forgot the land below him was falling. Peter stood off against the ship his rabbit ears facing in two seperate directions trying to get away, but unsure where to go. As the seconds felt like minutes, Peter regretted his desperate decision. “Move!” Peter wasn't sure what the turrets were, but his ears' animal instincts told him it wasn't good. Diving behind a large boulder, Peter ducked behind the cover and began gathering his magic in fire balls.
The Blackbird's rich metallic color gleamed as it soared upwards in the distance, it's size growing closer now as it seemed to turn toward the mountain. Jonas; body tensed as he heard the slow winding noise of the turrets begin to rev up before the sound of raucous gunfire began to burst in the distance. Peter seemed to move quickly, his instincts taking him towards the cover of a bolder all while debris rained around them. Jonas however only realized what was happening when the bullets started to reach their intended target, the ground just meters ahead of him. ” This is bad! ” Jonas found himself replying to Peter as he darted towards the same boulder, sliding through the snow pack next to Peter as the rounds continued to pelt the cliff on which the bolder sat. ” How are we suppose to get on that ship if it only does these fly bys? ” Jonas was thinking out loud when the ground beneath him jolted. Jonas fell silent, wondering if it was just a by product of the rumbling that had been occurring since the mountain had begun to fall. Before he could judge that it was not the ground seemed to open up below he and Peter, as the boulder the used for cover started to tumble down. Jonas flailed as he attempted to grasp anything but to no avail, he found himself sliding downwards, gaining speed as the boulder cleared a path. He could sense Peter was behind him, but had no feeling for how close, he was operating on instict now, simply trying to survive.
— OOC Talk: — Jonas HP: 148 ~ MP: 40 — 272 words ~ 6536 total
Peter continued to gather magic as he used the boulder for cover with Jonas. His fireballs grew larger and larger as he accumulated more magic. As things continued, he believed that his plan was a mistake, but this was now reality so Peter had to make the most of it. As Peter combined the two fireballs into one massive flame, Peter found himself slipping down the mountain with the boulder and Jonas. Losing concentration, the flame dispersed and the magic returned to him. “Shit! That may not be an issue with gravity as he enemy.” Peter tried to grab onto something to slow his decent, but to no avail. They were both under the control of gravity.
Login
Register
Search 
Forums
Add a New Topic
Reply to Post
Quote and Reply
Topic RSS