The Will to Fight: Conclusion

[voidtreckermods]

The battles rage loud and ferocious at the gates of the city and off in the ruined wastelands of Erda, and on the walls a struggle of a different kind occurs. The team who stayed behind at the towers are small but determined as they move stoically across the walls to right the stones that have become misaligned, even as their friends battle not too far away.

The city begins to hum. It's a quiet hum, not loud enough to be heard out where the others are fighting but it vibrates even through stone. The recovering monks assure them that it is done, the wards are back up and no demon will be able to enter the city.

Eventually the battle is won, all three battles. The demons fought back and killed, a major blow to their gate system that will keep them back for hopefully a long time. Those waiting in the caverns return to the city and by the time they get there the illusions are gone. Everyone can see the world for what it really is.

But despite the ruins of their world the people are relieved, the adrenaline of the fight coursing through their veins and the mood is one of hope. They will build again, their people will survive.

All Voidtreckers please return to the Voidtrecker Express. Departure will be in a few hours

It has landed not too far from the city, cloaked to make it unnoticeable to the citizens, for all the good that does. No one has been particularly subtle this last week. People can begin regrouping, packing up the camp and getting any wounded not already healed to the train.

However roughly half an hour later another message appears on their SCA.

Passenger Persephone has requested we remain on system System #86525656412355 for an additional day to further assist the people of Erda. The Voidtrecker Express will depart on the morning of Day Fifteen of the month of Kazoo.

The train remains where it is, so the voidtreckers can use its facilities. There is definitely a lot that can be done to assist those of this world and the citizens will welcome any helping hands.

After an extra day they finally depart, returning to the void once more.

(OOC Note: Once the wards are up any characters who are demonic in nature will not be able to enter the city either!)

Comments

[voidtreckernpcs]

Her expression is concerned and that concern turns to confusion pretty quickly but she doesn't take her eyes away. She watches them all, listening intently to what first Tidus and then Roland say.

It's a lot. So much that when Roland finally finishes she is silent. Even Chiff is silent in Inigo's hands, vibrating a little and sending a metal limb to hook around Inigo's hand.

"There was a report. The Voidtrecker Express. That is you?"

She moved her hand, towards her bare wrist before remembering that she was missing her SCA. "I remember it. It said you were dangerous or in danger. That you were either part of a criminal organisation or were being trafficked by one." She shook her head.

"I also saw you save this world with my own eyes. I have never seen criminals throw themselves into danger to save unrelated civilians before." She looked at all three of them intensely.

"I... I believe you. But... Being held hostage by a train. You have truly seen no pilot? You say you know nothing of the void? You are from void inactive worlds? How..." She shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I do believe you. It is just a lot to take in."

Chiff beeped, the metal cylinder spinning around. "I will help you. Or at least try. I can't say I even understand it, or have any idea how to stop it but, you saved my life so the least I can do is repay you."

[blitzcheer]

There's a pressure in his chest, raw and painful, a vulnerability waiting on her response that only grows as he has to wait. Lies led him nowhere on that snow planet when he last tried to find help, and who can predict what this woman will say to them now? About all this? Tidus expects a fight to convince her, to be met with wariness and doubt, a demand for proof; maybe the accusation that they're all pulling her leg. His fingers are numbing from how hard they're pressing against the book, but he refuses to ease his grip.

Not even as his expectations...don't come to pass.

Tidus nods once to confirm the train's name - the voidcraft, whatever - but he otherwise keeps silent, even in the moments after she says those words: I believe you. His heart hasn't pounded so heavily inside him in a long time, and relief is a funny sensation; more like an uncomfortable prickling to his skin, a breathlessness to his lungs. A strange dizziness, almost like -- he's the one in disbelief.

But, he can't let it shake him.

"We can tell you everything we know-" Tidus throws a look to the other two - what's the point of holding back?, before he returns to her, moving on despite it. He's not about to make that decision without them; not a second time. "If we just can find a way to contact people, keep in contact... we don't know how much time we have here before the train leaves, but. Do you need anything? Have you had anything since, uh..."

A pause.

"...did you get caught in the illusions?"

...so maybe Tidus is realising all the polite steps he skipped over now. At least he's looking sheepish for it.