Greenwood: So, uh, Seller. I haven’t mentioned something about my ability, as I found it unneeded any other time I could’ve brought it up.
Seller: I assume you’ll tell me now?
Greenwood: Yeah, though it being of service relies solely on my capacity to use it, which at the moment proves to be quite a hassle…
Seller: No matter. In this position, we should follow any leads and worry of the consequences later.
“Mhm, mhm!” Cleau nods.
Greenwood: King of Limbs, being a multidirectional “god” of some sorts, can act as a compass. It’s guided me in the past, but it works quite strangely. First, it can’t function in the sunlight, artificial light works fine though. This also means I can’t use it at night time with clear skies, as the moon reflects light from the sun.
Seller: Hah, had to mention that before I gave you a hard time for not using it earlier, didn’t you? No worries now of course.
[Greenwood glances an acknowledging smirk to the side where Seller stands, before continuing his explanation.]
Greenwood: Second, I can’t choose its target. This means it will be a guide, but if it has some other idea of what we should be prioritizing, I can’t do much about that.
Cleau: Kind of like how sonar uses sound waves! You’ll know the general location of the object that the frequencies bounced off of, but unless you’ve got some kind of advanced radar, knowing what it is proves impossible… intriguing.
Greenwood: Just like that! What is a sonar?… Although, rather than using sound waves or stuff like that, it takes form as a shadow on the ground, originating from me, and expanding out towards different directions. It kinda looks like a sea urchin now that I think about it..
Seller: Great, based on what you’re saying, you can scan the area and find somewhere worth looking, right?
Greenwood: Sorta, it won’t be as quick as that though. Rather than looking at the big picture, it’s like solving a maze from start to finish by drawing a line without paying attention to where you’re going. If it bumps into a dead end, it traces back and attempts another path. Time to completion is both based on the size of the structure we’re dealing with, and a little bit of luck.
Cleau: The more exploring the better, make way then.
Seller: You may take the lead, however, I wouldn’t hurry so fast. Didn’t you fail to summon your Plate earlier?
Greenwood: About that, the third thing is, this ability doesn’t take much energy to use, and I’m not sure why. I’m sort of glad, as it’s not something I see myself using often. If I can just brute force it here, even if I end up a little tired…
Seller: Careful, don’t push yourself more than you need to.
Cleau: I trust in you, friend!
Greenwood: Thanks guys. I’m- not so sure how time is working right now. But knowing the urgent situation, and the need to find Cal, we need to decide how to focus this ability. It defaults to an eight-limbed formation, pushing that seems impossible right now, and I’m not sure how long I can sustain eight.
Cleau: Hm. I’ve already explored most of this way over here, judging on what is theoretically left, I reckon you have enough energy to explore at least 50% more. That should find us something, no? A hex way formation is a good compromise between energy and time efficiency.
Seller: That’s one option. We could also- ah no, we’re not splitting up. Greenwood, all on you.
Greenwood: Alright, six sounds doable. Hm [clears throat] I call this one [King of Limbs: Solar Eclipse.]
[The ground rumbles beneath where they currently stand. Cleau stares in awe, as the sound of the rumble is felt getting farther away with each passing moment. It feels like flying over a harmless earthquake. The most piercing shadow is somehow accepted to be the only hope. Hope that now lies in the hands of a companion, enmeshed in that same clustered aura.]
[Just as it feels like the souls of everyone who has ever crossed this spirit are staring back at you, the rumble stops. The shadow’s strength seems to diminish, but it may just be an emotional perception rather than the truth.]
[Greenwood, barely visible in the penumbra, appears to pause.]
Greenwood: I appear to have found something, it’s just up ahead, but quite a walk to get there. There’s also a lot of false doorways.
[His outline becomes more visible as his words add up, like a voice shattering the illusion of a depthless void.]
Seller: Already? I thought you said this would take a while.
Greenwood: I know, I’m surprised too. And if we’re thinking the same thing, something about it doesn’t feel right.
Seller: Actually, that in itself is what’s bothering me. Since we ever made it to the open desert, we’ve always been right ahead of what was coming, never did anything truly catch us by surprise. Almost a bit too perfect. Cal may have been too stubborn in the moment, but there’s something he has right, whether he’s aware of it or not. Maybe it’s us who are being misled by our pride.
Greenwood: What’s wrong about being right in this case? Same end-goal isn’t it?
[There’s a small pause.]
Greenwood: You’re right, the obvious step always seems to be right in front of us, and I get you may think it’s risky, but we can’t just stand here either.
Seller: Think about it, small puzzles that are not too obvious to make any alarms go off, but damning enough to allow the possibility of us following them with tunnel vision when they’re laid out like breadcrumbs in front of us. The next obvious move, like you said, is to follow the lead. But that may just be what someone wants… What someone who wants us to fall into their trap would want…
Cleau: You’re saying-
Seller: Cleau, we still don’t know how you got here, it might not apply to you.
Cleau: I already told you! Through a-
BANG [A sound comes from the general direction the Solar Eclipse was investigating previously.]
[Greenwood starts sprinting towards the origins of the unpleasant noise.]
Seller: Shit, I guess we have no other choice.
[Seller follows behind.]
Cleau: What- wait up! Sheesh, there goes their caution.
[Cleau reluctantly chases to catch up.]
Greenwood: Sooo, I’m right?
Cleau: You’re right about to get us killed, Greenwood.
Greenwood: Hey, if we get caught in some trap like Seller said, drinks are on me. Sounds good?
Seller: Hah, and what exactly constitutes as a trap, would you say? Because if getting us in here counts, we all owe each other a little something when we get out.
Greenwood: I’d say that sounds fair, I’m in!
Seller: Alright Cleau, write the contract.
Cleau: Eh? Since when did I become your bookie?
Seller: You’re the only one who can effectively use their ability right now, therefore, you heard me right. It’s a contract, just not for us, but rather for the enemy’s insurance bill.
Cleau: The hospitals are pretty far out from where we are, sir…
Seller: Even better, gives you more time to do it later.
Greenwood: I don’t think he means it literally, Cleau. Just get ready to do your thing.
Cleau: Oh.
{END OF SECTION} | Next Page >> 1.6 - Well Met