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Ranger HQ Ranger Union HQ

Reader mode
Sybil glanced at the Relic Stone again before turning back to Nova. "In an ideal world, I could see it happening," she said. "Though I should note that in all recounts, it is only humans who are bequeathed the power, with pokémon getting the share upon establishing a close partnership with the human. It certainly would be nice to give us equal footing with humans here but what Saints are left to make that change?" she asked with a pensive look.

But it was clear that the thought was sticking with her, that somehow, in some way, making that change could be possible. "I wonder what Luz would say on that matter and whether or not it's possible. Maybe she could give more insight on the topic as a Saint herself."
 
"I was hoping to talk with her about it, yeah."

Nova sighed. "Sorry. I didn't intend for it to get so heavy." He pecked at his white fur a bit. Still matted and knotted up from the fight yesterday. "I just have this feeling that, y'know, maybe Cipher isn't why we're here. That if we leave after shutting down their other terminal, we've only helped put a bandage on Forlas."
 
"I can understand that," replied Sybil, looking over her notes. "Do you have any clue why your group has been summoned. Did that entity of yours, I believe I've heard your group refer to them as 'Betel' tell you why?"
 
Nova shook his head. "A different entity actually reached out to us a few weeks back. They're the one who floated the idea there are deeper issues going on with Forlas. And, well, I'm inclined to believe them, even if we might have different ideas about it."
 
A nod. "Not much to go off, is there? I would trust the entity that actually gave information over the one who said nothing, assuming they're trustworthy, of course. Hopefully they will enlighten you on what you need to do soon," Sybil said. "I cannot be of much help here, unfortunately but I will try where I can."
 
Nova glanced at the Relic Fragment. "I dunno. You helped cure my friends of Alexander's corruption. And guided us through the Oasis."

He tilted his head. "And, uh, unless I took a nastier blow to the head recently than I thought, weren't you the only non-Wayfarer in the Oasis with us?" Nova eyed the artifact. His cheek bolts turned slowly in their sockets. "If you were telling the truth earlier about these artifacts..."

Nova stopped himself. He smiled at the wyrdeer.
 
"I'm pretty sure that first one was just the Relic," Sybil said before the implication of Nova's words fully set in, rendering her speechless. She quickly looked between the chimera and the Relic, her ear flicking towards it once again. At this point, it was clear that the wyrdeer could hear something that Nova could not.

"I was but I couldn't be, could I?" she asked. "We were in a large group, surely it might've just deemed someone else worthy, would it care if they were a Wayfarer or not?"
 
"Our time here is fleeting," Nova said. "Whoever summoned Jessie Stranger didn't handle our arrival. I don't think... we can plant our roots here and call this our home even if we want to.

"Even if... it might be better for my home if I stayed here."

He shook his head. "I think that kind of power should go to someone like you. Dungeons are a product of time in some ways. And you've devoted time and energy to studying them."
 
There was hesitance in Sybil's expression that shifted towards deep thought. "It is a humbling ask," she said. "And the idea that I am the one worthy of it is so incredibly beyond me that it can hardly register," she added with a nervous chuckle. "But if I am, then all I can do is my best and hope that it may make a difference. Perhaps I could start by listening to it more."
 
"If that's the vibe you're getting off it, I'd run with it." Nova paused a beat, then quipped, "Figuratively speaking. We already did all the literal running from that quaquaval clown."
 
Sybil let out a small chuckle. "Part of me does wonder where he is now. Less because I am concerned about him and his company but more about what effect being in the dungeon while it dissipated had." She shrugged. "I would have stayed myself to witness it first-hand if it wasn't for him but it's in the past now."

As she spoke, her workplace cleared, bringing forth both the Relic and a fresh piece of parchment. "I'm going to observe it further and write down what I see or hear. If you want, I can tell you about it once I start noticing activity."
 
"Absolutely," Nova said, nodding. "And, uh, if you'd like to meet Sage -- the graydian we rescued -- I'm sure I could arrange something."
 
"I would like that," replied Sybil. "It would be a good opportunity to learn more about this Covenant and 'Original One'."
 
"Great!" Nova's fish tail wagged. "I'll see if I can make that happen."

He got to his feet. Nova hadn't exactly gotten the answers that he was looking for. But some leads were better than none. "Thank you for your help. Good luck with the Fragment."

Nova bobbed his head in a farewell greeting and set off for the warp point that would get him close to Frontier Town. All the while wondering if Luz was still around... and if he'd be able to meet with her again.

<><><>​
 
Ch06: Midnight Watch
  • Threadmarks
    • 29th Rot

    Evening dawned at the Ranger HQ as the squad of Wayfarers arrived, responding to the request for guard duty. Ayda had filled them in--there'd apparently been a suspicious figure spotted lurking around the plaza late one night, and then again the following night, and both times they'd fled when called out to. Enough to suspect that they'd probably return. Normally, the possibility of a single wayward wild mon or bandit wasn't much concern for the Rangers, but the non-zero risk of there still being rogue Shadow mon in the area meant better safe than sorry.

    "Not sure whether or not I'm expecting anything to happen," Jade admitted, resting her elbows on a wooden crossbeam as she kept her eyes out on the plaza, tail swishing gently. "At least, I figure if anything does show up, we can probably handle it?"

    Not Owen, her brain helpfully reminded her. But like, why on earth would he--or anyone else with the void swarm--be out here anyway? The quarry was miles away.

    Jade was stationed along with Laura at one of the second level awnings. The rest of the party had taken up various other watch positions, scattered between the other awnings, down in the plaza below, and the lookout tower.

    The light of the full moon spilled over the plaza. At least good visibility would help with keeping watch.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • On the ground below the cats, Archie had taken shelter under the awning that also covered the commissary. There, hidden from the moon’s light, the Dewott hoped that he’d blend in with the other shadows. Being here, he figured, had among the best chances of cutting off their midnight visitor if they happened to show and attempted to run again. This also meant there was a decent chance of danger, depending on how willing said visitor was to go through the Dewott. But, well, better him than someone else, Archie supposed.

    For now, he kept his paws near his scalchops, and did his best to keep his eyes and ears alert. Whoever or whatever this visitor was, he intended to be ready for them if they showed. Archie, at least, had full confidence that even their little group of Wayfarers would be enough to handle it, whatever it was.
     
    A stakeout sounded like a nice change of pace, and a good way to lend a helping paw. Plus ever since he'd become a pokemon, he'd found his senses to be pretty keen. He did his best to push out any wayward thoughts and focus on the task at hand, keep his nose and eyes on the landscape below. The watchtower's position might make it harder to hear, but hopefully the height would give him an advantage in seeing.
     
    Leaf had been quick to volunteer when the Rangers had needed some extra hands for lookout duty. She'd hung back near the pueblos to watch the plaza from further away, make sure no one tried to make a break (...back?) into the twists of the dungeon. A higher vantage point might've been nice to have on top of that, but navigating the ladders was kind of an ask for hopefully obvious reasons so this was just gonna have to do.

    It really was just one thing after another with this place, wasn't it? Wasn't enough that they still didn't know what was going on, or that Cipher was still out there doing horrifying things, or that that Alexander guy or whoever was doing some other apparently-unrelated horrifying things; now someone was sneaking around the HQ, too? Maybe they'd get lucky and whatever-this-was would at least be halfway relevant to one of their ninety-nine other problems. That duck guy and his toadies were still out there somewhere, weren't they. Maybe they really were trying to sneak in and steal Sybil's relic, like she'd worried.

    No telling until they found the sneak and got the answers out of 'em, anyway. She did her best to push the details out of mind and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. (Or suspiciously bad hair.)
     
    Isidora found herself stationed at a second floor awning overlooking the plaza, more-or-less opposite the one Laura and Jade had taken. She figured it'd be good to get a different angle, and her night-attuned eyes were perfect for spotting details hidden in the shadows. It also kept her alone. Away from her teammates.

    She idly sketched a mark into the wood of one of the awning's supports. Damn Articuno. Still getting into my head. Isidora wasn't isolating herself, she was making things less awkward. A difference she was sure Laura and Koamaru could appreciate. And she could easily jump down from here and support Archie if it came to that, so it wasn't like she chose some excuse not to help.

    Focus. Right, now wasn't the time to let errant thoughts distract her. She put her eyes and ears back on the plaza and resumed her vigilance. Silently wondering if Sinopa was watching too...
     
    Laura crouched on the wooden structure supporting the awning, her black stealth scarf wrapped around her face. It felt almost silly, save for her certainty that not having it flapping about behind her was absolutely practical. She glanced at Jade, relieved to be in friendly company. Her confidence was growing, but she always felt like she was one misstep from falling, falling...

    She drew her lip back. What, was she afraid of heights now? She was a dragon-rider back home, and a goddamn cat right now. Non-injurious terminal velocity, right? C'mon. She'd be fine. She'd be fine.

    "Okay, okay, okay-okay-okay," she muttered to herself, self-soothing.

    She caught a glimpse of Isidora, opposite from her. They still hadn't talked. Were they gonna do this whole howling thing without a heart-to-heart? Maybe, but if that happened, it was at least somewhat on Laura, wasn't it? Damnit. Fine. She'd talk to Isidora. Maybe after this mission was wrapped up...

    She started at the sight of a familiar Espeon flickering into place beside Isidora, mimicking the same intense stares all the Wayfarers wore.

    "Hi!" said Sinopa. "What are we doing? Keeping watch?" She laughed – a high and musical sound. "I don't really need bodyguards, but you're sweethearts for being here. Can't say as I mind the company~"

    She bumped Isidora's shoulder with her own – a feline gesture of appreciation – and relocated in a blink to the watchtower.

    "My word, how did you climb up here, fella?" she asked Koa, tilting her head at a severe angle. "You gonna get down okay? This spot's usually for the flying folks; colour me impressed!"
     
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