Legends of the Hidden Temple - Part 2

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Characters: Open to all
Where: The Temple of the Heroes of Light
When: November 14 - November 21, backdated to after Chiaki's group opens it up
Summary: Exploring the Temple and an optional boss fight
Warnings: The optional boss fight is Final Fantasy Hard. Be prepared.

Comments

Exploring the Temple

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Left Path

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The left path leads to a long corridor, with the main attraction being the mural paintings on the northernmost wall. The paintings are mostly colorless besides a few details, depicting an ancient story.

They can see a large city, seemingly prosperous and filled with people. The city appears to be very advanced, more so than the Imperial City of Hera was, and the earth beneath the city is depicted as broken and dark. The sky is filled with clouds, but if the characters are to look up high on the wall, they might see two gigantic hands reaching down to the clouds with indistinct purple eyes looking down on the city and the earth beneath.

Moving to the left will reveal the continuation of this story—The clouds are gone and the gigantic hands are now above the city, with the creature destroying the city from the skies and killing the residents. The creature seems to be depicted as a female; its skin is pale blue and its hair silver, though the most striking details are its purple eyes. Looking at the painting at a whole, it feels like the creature’s hair is alike to mist and far larger than the city and world beneath, enveloping it all.

Going further to the left shows the cities destroyed and all the inhabitants dead with the entity covering everything. There are smaller creatures left, Moogles, praying. The next painting has people appearing all around the praying Moogles. Who these people are is unclear, but they are all shown wearing armors along with weapons classically associated with the Jobs: Dragoon spear, Dark Knight’s sword, White Mage’s staff, etc. The weapons they are wielding are all colored as well.

Going even further to the left reveals the people fighting the creature. Many of them die and the battle seems to be raging. Upon reaching the end of the corridor, they will see thirteen of these people remaining, forming a perfect circle around the creature and each brandishing their weapon at it. By the look of it the creature is suffering and looking at the end of the wall, the people forming a circle are still there and only a dark purple crystal is left where the creature was moments ago.

The corridor is a dead end, but there is a final painting to be seen. It depicts a demonic entity (looking a lot like Chaos from the Final Fantasy games) near a gigantic tree, killing the thirteen heroic figures.

[umslay]

Ales had hoped to decipher the writing on the walls with his Scholar abilities, but like with Kalki's message, he couldn't understand a word of it. There was something unusual about the language from her world if it could convey information that even magic could not decipher.

"Is this in English?" he asked the nearest person to him.

[water_meebo]

"I'm not entirely sure what appears to be "English," but I cannot say I recognize the scriptures."

Mikleo replies to Ales as he looks at the writing as well seemingly fascinated with the mysterious writing. Unfortunately, Mikleo hasn't gotten his hands on the Scholar Job yet, so he isn't much of help.

"I wonder if Jade can read it," he muses briefly. He knows that the man is beyond intelligent, at least for a human he was. He wouldn't be surprised of the man knew how to read the words. However, Mikleo wasn't too close with him so it would be rather awkward.

[handle]

Sorey inspects the walls closely, seeing if he could at least... well... try to translate what the writing said. Of course, it's a no go. He'd like to learn, though.

"I don't recognize it at all, either. But... I'm really interested in learning what it says, too."

He blinks a little at Mikleo. "Is Jade another friend of yours here?" If so, he'd like to meet her!

[umslay]

Ales stood on the opposite side of the hall to have a better look at the writing high on the wall, but he did lower his head to look at Sorey, then at Mikleo. Then Sorey again.

"Jade's one of the researcher's here, possibly the best I've worked with."

He left the two behind, venturing deeper into the story. If he could not decipher the writing, he could piece out a narrative from the pictures.

[water_meebo]

"There's pictures on the walls too. Perhaps we can decipher something from it maybe? There's other ways to know to learn other than reading."

Of course, Ales is already ahead of them inspecting it further. Mikleo looks closely at the walls as he turns back to Sorey, "It is like Ales said. Jade is one of the researchers here. I believe he's also been in this world much longer than most of us. He's quite knowledgeable, albeit a bit... unbearable at times."

Only because he's seen how Jade talks during battles and other things. Of course, who is he to judge someone right?

Right Path

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The right path is very similar to the left path in that it depicts a story; but this one precedes the coming of the Calamity. The paintings are mostly colorless besides a few details.

The opening painting depicts an Earth-like planet with a red moon, withering and dying. The paintings focus on the people living on this planet moving onto the moon, working on ways to save their civilization.

The next set of painting shows the Earth-like planet and its red moon opposite to another planet, Crystallis, with a blue moon. The two are separated by a thick wall and the following painting shows a passage being opened in the wall, concluding with a painting showing only Crystallis remaining but this time with two moons: the Red and the Blue one.

Continuing to the right, the process actually repeats itself as Crystallis seems to wither and die, much like the Earth-like planet had at the beginning. Upon reaching the end of the corridor, they’ll see Crystallis surrounded by walls and numerous planets outside these walls.

The corridor is a dead end, but there is a final painting to be seen. The walls all break down and the worlds all crumbles down and die—With the exception of Crystallis that is revitalized.

[gorgeous_sin]

Lust had been oddly quiet for the duration of this journey. She'd opted to teleport directly to the gates rather than travel with anyone aboard an airship, and there she'd waited patiently for the others to arrive.

There was still a small part of her that hoped for the White Mage's crystal to reveal to her the secrets of being human, but she'd come to terms with the fact that her shadow, wispy as it was, may have been telling the truth, that what she wanted couldn't be grasped with just a magic stone.

But here she was just the same, fatigued in both body and mind, grasping her ebony sword loosely in one hand as she gazed up at the paintings impassively. Was she supposed to feel apprehension? Pity? She didn't feel anything at all, even though it seemed that she must. Her dark lashes lowered to gaze at one of the crumbling worlds. It was just a picture. She could not feel sorry for something that she had never known, or miss what was never hers to begin with.

She drew back from the painting, then turned away to backtrack down the corridor. "There's nothing new to learn here," she concluded. "But take a look if you wish."

[not_most_days]

Mary leans back as she looks over the mural on the wall. She'd passed on the call to join the battle, knowing there were those better suited to the role than she was, but the temple was still something worth investigating. The mural depicting what she assumed was the tale of the original Heroes was interesting, but this one captured her curiosity twice over.

"I heard what was encountered in the Crystal Caves. The Soul Divider and the lights that ran along it. That was the device that drove all of this, is it not?" She gestured at the wall. "This world has been draining others for its survival." She glanced at the end of the tale and frowned. "That the cycle is keeping other worlds safe from the Calamity is a lie, isn't it? This world is a danger to others regardless."

[gorgeous_sin]

Lust shrugged, figuring someone else could answer the question better than she could. She hadn't ventured that far down into the caves with the others, nor could she confirm or deny whether this world should be saved. She simply didn't know, and there didn't seem to be anyone trustworthy enough who could definitively state the truth.

"I'm not certain we'll ever know the answer to that."

[not_most_days]

Mary frowned at Lust, not blaming her for the unhelpful answer but still a bit annoyed at it. There were so many things they didn't know the answers to. That they might never know the answers to. Information that was out of reach or being held away from them on purpose. This ruin might not have the answers in plain sight but at least it had more of an excuse to be vague in its offerings than the Sage or the others.

"Perhaps not. But until we learn otherwise I don't think we can really consider the Calamity or Crystallis that different in the threats they pose to everyone."

Center Path - Boss Battle: The Thirteen

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The souls of the thirteen Heroes of Light who first defeated the Calamity linger in this temple, unable to find rest. They will lend their power to those who would finish what they started, to those who would end the cycle. With their help, Garland’s defenses might be shattered, giving the Heroes of Light a chance to defeat him.

But they have only enough energy left to do this once and therefore, the Heroes of Light must prove themselves worthy of their help. Thirteen of the current Heroes of Light to fight the Thirteen original Heroes of Light… The middle path leads to the room where the Heroes of Light will do battle against their predecessors, but can they win?

(OOC: This thread should begin just before the Heroes step into the room for the big battle. The mods will take over from that point.)

[gorgeous_sin]

Lust's heels clicked lightly upon the stone floor at a higher-pitched and clipped staccato amidst the steps both delicate and heavy that belonged to the other Heroes of Light who had chosen to walk this path. So far she'd found little of interest, and there was no sign of the crystal that might have served the same purpose of the Philosopher's Stone.

But the chamber that loomed just up ahead had a strange way of drawing the eye, and the closer they drew, the more alert Lust became. She lifted her head, and her bland expression sharpened -- her brow descended, and her violet-eyed gaze was intense. Wielding the jobs of Dark Knight and Black Mage didn't give her access to any advanced jobs, but it gave her a lot of damage potential, and the color was one she'd worn well for many years. It seemed only fitting that she wear it again.

Her focused stare broke only for a moment to seek out Mikleo's face, and the silent warning she issued was all too evident before she looked ahead once more. Something about this place up ahead...

[line_piece]

It's only a few days after their original trip to the temple, and Chiaki is back again with friends. She's expecting a tough fight - these sorts of trials always are - but there's a big reward to be had. The power to defeat Garland is something they'd definitely need in the future, especially considering their plans to tinker with the Soul Divider. But she's feeling more confident and full of hope than ever today, and she knows they can do it.

"All right, everyone. This is it. Get ready."

Turning toward the door to the trial chamber, she slowly pushes it open, stepping inside and motioning for the others to follow.

[jadethenecromancer]

Jade stayed near the back of the group where he could keep everyone in his field of vision. Back to support role, as usual... though this time he hoped to be on the offensive as well, if there was a chance. From the sound of it, they'd need every bit of firepower they could dish out.

"Then let's not waste any time. This should be interesting."

Despite the tension, he followed behind the others with an expression of benign interest, unruffled as ever.

[shinrasfinest]

Once Cloud had come to him, off the back of the first trip to the Temple, Sephiroth's participation -it could be argued- had been certain even before he'd conceded to it verbally. The weight with which the younger infantryman held a presence about himself, on his own terms now, couldn't ever be questioned and a larger part than he'd ever admit to wanted to live up to that role model that he'd once been for Cloud.

To still be considered to be one of the more capable Heroes of Light, despite everything that Sephiroth had going on internally with regards to his own lacking self-belief, was both inexplicable and appreciated at the same time. It sung back to a former sense of pride, of confidence and excellence that he'd once held closely about himself, and as such, was impossible to refuse. To give all that he could, in a trial at the Temple of the Heroes of Light.

It wouldn't work, either, for him to stay somewhere between the mid-and-back rows of their party, being as he'd switched in Paladin --a change, for sure, but one that still complemented his Custom Job well. It put Sephiroth on the front lines this time, a position he was not-often, anymore. A place he should never have stepped down in favor of others, perhaps?

"Eyes open-" He encouraged, before moving.

He inhaled deeply -otherwise silently- as he took Chiaki's initiative and strode through the door. Masamune sung exquisitely in the hallowed, echo-y stone halls of the Temple as it was unsheathed from its reverse-harness, Sephiroth turned the over-sized blade around and back up into it's rested position along the backside of his left-arm. Glinting eyes all forward and around in the hall they were entering; calling on all of that focus that should be needed if indeed this trial would turn out to be as advertised.

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Jack is still decked out in the same gear that he had worn to the Temple in the first place. Light leather armor, with the long red spear imbued with a Dark Crystal. He had been expecting the fight the first time, had been pleasantly surprised that they could go get reinforcements. Fighting Palitutu felt like jumping through a hoop; this actually feels like destiny.

He lingers close to Chiaki. "Didn't bring the Custom Job for this. I drop, I'm not going to get back up on my own." Chiaki had probably already guessed it, but, for once, this isn't a fight where Jack's first instruction is to not waste heal spells on him.

[bag_has_snapped]

Tsubomi let out a sigh, trying to work up her nerves. This was a do or die thing and she had every intention on seeing this through. She just kinda wished she told Levy goodbye and all of that before she did this.

"I'm ready for anything. At least, I hope so." she said. Her fingers were wiggling nervously. She'd stuck with the Bearer of Light and Onion Knight jobs she had before - she wasn't going as a front-liner here, that's for sure.

Aftermath - Jack

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Right. The Heroes saved the day, and got a powerful weapon against Garland, so we can totally breeze past the stunt that Jack pulled back there, and he's not in any trouble, right? There's a part of Jack that is hoping he'll get away with this, but the rest of him knows for a fact that he's not getting two steps outside of that Temple without Chiaki laying into him in some manner or another.

But Jack does try to slip away and step out the front gates of the Temple. Tactically, if they're going to do this, he wants to try to do it away from the others. He has no idea just how many people he is really in trouble with, though.

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[And shortly after he steps outside, the dainty footfalls of a certain gamer girl can be heard following him out. When he turns around, she's standing there with her arms folded and cheeks puffed out in irritation.]

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

This is almost worse. When Jack turns to look at her, and she's just giving him that look instead of instantly laying into him. Like now she's just waiting for it, and he has to address what's wrong instead of leaving it on her.

"I thought you'd wait until after to bring me back."

Because that's the part that is still confusing Jack about it all. Tactically, leaving him dead was the right thing to do.

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[Chiaki just walks up to him, raises a fist, thumps him on the chest, and then hugs him.]

I couldn't take the chance that you wouldn't come back this time.

[theendiswherewestartfrom]

Okay, Jack. You're an idiot. He is stunned for only a second, before he reaches down to hug Chiaki right back, and his eyes close.

"I. I know. You'd think it would be more of a sure thing here."

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[Chiaki hugs back tightly, burying her face in his chest.]

Nothing is a sure thing now. We have to be more careful than ever.