Heroica RPG - Heroica Hall

[Cryos]

Baradock's face clouded up at the raider's question. He unpressed the glass from his lips and set it down. Reclining back in his chair he released a lengthy sigh.

He looked out into the hall before he opened his mouth to speak. His distinct accent melted off of his tongue, slowly, bitterly, and with the same elongated syllables that were prominent amongst Konotarians.

"Heh..." He paused, "I've been some kind of a mute since-" His statement abruptly strangled. He turned his gaze to the raider's. "You ever heard of The Sixth Coffin?"

He didn't bother to take his move.

I've found Baradock's vow to be more of a obstacle than an interesting aspect, especially in Gaiden, so i've decided he's silent most of the time due to bitterness, not a vow to silence.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Cryos

[The Legonater]

Dyric watches curiously as Arthur enters the hall, and leaves soon after.

Blast it, Brother, what now?

Noticing Thothwick asleep beside him, Dyric leaves him behind and runs down the stairs after Arthur.

Edited November 30, 2013 by The Legonater

[Flare]

Benji sees Arthur enter and leave the hall. After seeing him, he realized that he an item that would be perfect for him. He needed to talk to him.

Benji left the hall and tracked Arthur to the edges of the city. "Ey Arthur, what are yeh up to around here? It took me a while to find you. Anyways, I have this nice Unicorn Helmet and man this thing was made for you!"

[CMP]

Current Sign-Ups For Quest #89: Reclaiming Glory

Johon, Level 26 Raider (Bricksandparts)

Dyric Rone, Level 22.33 Assassin (The Legonator)

Benji Carvenhall, Level 35 Beast Warrior (Flare)

Hoke Ablesword, Level 29 Mystic Knight (UsernameMDM)

Thothwick, Level 25 Black Knight (Professor Flitwick)

Althior Emorith, Level 36.5 Necromancer (K-Nut)

Hybros, Level 29 Assassin (JimButcher)

Alexis Fenral, Level 35.5 Harlot (Masked Builder)

Dreyrugr, Level 19.5 Black Knight (Vash the Stampede)

Alexandre le Chevalier, Level 23.33 Black Knight (Capt JohnPaul)

Purpearl Berthadhiel, Level 3 Mage (Purpearljellyblob)

William Harkenshire, Level 19.5 Warden (Fred Daniel Yam)

Guts Holla, Level 28.33 Raider (Scubacarrot)

Nagure, Level 21.33 Berserker (Costy)

Matthias of Eastgate, Level 1 Ranger (nstickney)

Jess Islanti, Level 19 Assassin (Sisco)

Mizuki Kimura, Level 20.33 Assassin (Zakura)

Romulus Dean, Level 22.66 Raider (TheBoyWonder)

Haldor Skovgaard, Level 29 Shaman (Scorpiox)

Alexander Vandangant, Level 19 Hunter (Wedge09)

Sign-ups close in ~24 hours.

[Scubacarrot]

"Heh..." He paused, "I've been some kind of a mute since-" His statement abruptly strangled. He turned his gaze to the raider's. "You ever heard of The Sixth Coffin?"

"I don't believe that I have... It's your turn."

[Flipz]

Benji sees Arthur enter and leave the hall. After seeing him, he realized that he an item that would be perfect for him. He needed to talk to him.

Benji left the hall and tracked Arthur to the edges of the city. "Ey Arthur, what are yeh up to around here? It took me a while to find you. Anyways, I have this nice Unicorn Helmet and man this thing was made for you!"

"Oh...hey...Benji." Rumors abounded in the Hall that Carvenhall had sided with the Wolfgang, and he himself knew the man had been partly responsible for letting Violetta back on the streets after the latter's first tangle with Heroica. Normally that would have been enough for the Mystic Knight to keep a distrustful eye on the man, waiting for the chance to turn him in...but after the news he'd received today, he wasn't exactly in a charitable mood toward the Watch at the moment. I'll hear him out.

Arthur examines the helmet. "Interesting...most interesting. Quite the unusual craftsmanship...where did you say you got this again?" He checks himself--old habits die hard, it seemed. "Sorry--didn't meant to pry. In any case..." Arthur strokes his beard, which had grown out into an unruly mess--he'd have to shave soon. "I have another piece of headwear incoming, a long-standing deal from an enterprising Hero. But even so...would 75 Gold be enough for you to part with it?" Arthur fishes out the requisite currency from his pouch and hands it out to the Beast Warrior. Buying suspicious loot from a known criminal--guess I'm back to my old ways.

I should never have changed.

[Flare]

"Oh...hey...Benji." Rumors abounded in the Hall that Carvenhall had sided with the Wolfgang, and he himself knew the man had been partly responsible for letting Violetta back on the streets after the latter's first tangle with Heroica. Normally that would have been enough for the Mystic Knight to keep a distrustful eye on the man, waiting for the chance to turn him in...but after the news he'd received today, he wasn't exactly in a charitable mood toward the Watch at the moment. I'll hear him out.

Arthur examines the helmet. "Interesting...most interesting. Quite the unusual craftsmanship...where did you say you got this again?" He checks himself--old habits die hard, it seemed. "Sorry--didn't meant to pry. In any case..." Arthur strokes his beard, which had grown out into an unruly mess--he'd have to shave soon. "I have another piece of headwear incoming, a long-standing deal from an enterprising Hero. But even so...would 75 Gold be enough for you to part with it?" Arthur fishes out the requisite currency from his pouch and hands it out to the Beast Warrior. Buying suspicious loot from a known criminal--guess I'm back to my old ways.

I should never have changed.

Benji senses the mystic knight's hesitancy and suspicion of the him. These animal senses were keener than he thought. Still, it seems that Arthur is not in a good mood, so I doubt he'll turn me down. And of course, he didn't.

"75 gold? I suppose that sounds fair. Here you go." Benji hands over the Unicorn Helmet and takes the 75 gold. "Anyways, erm... how are you doing? I don't know you very well, but I've heard some... things... about you..."

Edited November 30, 2013 by Flare

[Flipz]

"Oh?" Arthur's grin grows dark, and smug. "And I about you, I suppose. But seeing as I'm no longer being paid to care about them..."

Arthur sees De'kra waiting patiently, and spots Dyric following some distance away. "Walk with me, Carvenhall." He gestures, and the three continue walking to the hill north of the city's edge. Though not visible from the Hall without a telescope, the granite monument stood out from the hillside now that they approached it, a dark blot on a green, grassy knoll. As the group trudges up the hill, De'kra can sense a crushing presence of history pressing down upon him, a magical buzz that made every step feel like it carried many times its weight. Even the magically-untrained Benji could sense something amiss, his animal instincts bombarded by primal fears and a vague sense of sorrow and loss. If Arthur felt such things, he did not show it--still he strode on, more silent and mechanical than even the automatons Benji had traveled with in Xu. At last, Dyric still following some distance behind, the other three Heroes reach the memorial.

"Do you know why I brought you here, De'kra? This is a place of memories. Dear friends are buried here...and several could not receive even that much. These are the Wren Hunters, brave champions who fought against Chaos, and won. True heroes, who died...because of me."

"You ask me to live your memories, so that your people and your world will not be forgotten. I accept. But this is the place you will have to remember. This is where, when I am destroyed, my remains will come to rest. A tear in the fabric of the universe, and inside, my history, for all to see. There is a price for the things I've done, and I'm not talking about betrayal." Arthur removes the Zoot's Plaything from its inner pocket, the viscous ink adhering to his flesh for long moments before ripping free with an unwilling squelch as he passed it from hand to hand. "Chaos is not a force meant for mortals...and it enforces that warning both literally and emphatically."

He looks back to De'kra and Benji, and to Dyric, who had almost made it up the hill by this point. "But I'm not here to dispense warnings. No judgments, no politics, no philosophy, no morals. You're going to let me live those memories, De'kra? Good. They will live forever--and I truly mean forever. In return, I'm giving the three of you the chance to experience mine." Arthur looks to Benji in particular. "I don't know exactly what you've heard about me. Take this chance to see it, and learn for yourself." Pressing a dried pink flower petal into the surface of the Plaything, it ripples, revealing a vortex of color not inside it, but behind it somehow. Images flashed by, too fast for the eye to see. He hold up the Plaything for Benji to touch. "And you, De'kra? Have you readied your memories to share with me?"

Edited November 30, 2013 by Flipz

[Flare]

He looks back to De'kra and Benji, and to Dyric, who had almost made it up the hill by this point. "But I'm not here to dispense warnings. No judgments, no politics, no philosophy, no morals. You're going to let me live those memories, De'kra? Good. They will live forever--and I truly mean forever. In return, I'm giving the three of you the chance to experience mine." Arthur looks to Benji in particular. "I don't know exactly what you've heard about me. Take this chance to see it, and learn for yourself." Pressing a dried pink flower petal into the surface of the Plaything, it ripples, revealing a vortex of color not inside it, but behind it somehow. Images flashed by, too fast for the eye to see. He hold up the Plaything for Benji to touch. "And you, De'kra? Have you readied your memories to share with me?"

Benji follows Arthur, for a reason unknown to him since the boy's dark emotions seemed to be overflowing at the moment. As Arthur pulls out the Plaything, Benji looks at it warily, and touches it. It ripples. 'Well, at least that didn't hurt.' Benji thought to himself. He sat down and waited for the oncoming speech that was sure to happen from one such as Arthur.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Flare

[Tachyon]

Mizuki enters the hall after watching De'kra leave with two other heroes. Donning the Death Mask, she looks for something to do.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Zakura

[Tanma]

OOC: I am having some problems with formatting. Anyway, here is some Bionicle backstory for those not in the know. Don't worry though, there is no way he can do holograms in battle.

IC: "It has been a long since I told this tale," De'kra began, "I will start at the foundation. Later I will send you the whole message in detail, but it will take while, and I want some of it to be known just in case." He focused his diamond, and finally after months of practice, light filtered through. A simple image of a beach showed on the ground, metallic crabs walking about. On the sandy shore lay a metallic figure, with long red arms and short yellow feet. He had a mask lined with gaps and ridges, sandy blue. As he spoke the view shifted, to a great island.

“There was island,” he continued, “named Mata-Nui. It was under siege for thousand years by evil. This evil had turned the beasts of the island against the six villages, each of element. Fire, Water, Ice, Air, Earth, and Stone. They were separate, cut off by the wilderness. These Matoran had guards and militias, but they could only defend their homes, not wage war on the evil.”

“Then came Matoran of Light, seventh element,” he said, “Takua. Like all Matoran he was made of metal and flesh, gears replacing heart. He went to the Turaga of each village, the elders of the Matoran. And each of them gave him Stone, Toa Stone. Artifacts said to summon legendary Toa, guards able to wield the element of their people. Finally he gathered all six stones, and unleashed them.”

“Takua awoke later on a beach, amnesic,” he continued, “He did not know name, nor his nature. On the beach he discovered a large canister, burnt open. He followed the path of flames, until he reached Ta-Koro, village of the fire Matoran. He learned that Toa Tahu had appeared on the isle, his memories also faded. The Toa had left to gather powerful masks, artifacts that granted special abilities. Takua left Ta-Koro soon after, to search for his past.”

“Other Toa arrived, Kopaka was said to arrive at same time as Tahu or before,” he picked up passion as he spoke, “He was Toa of Ice, cold, remote, but he found friend in Pohatu, Toa of Stone. The two of them collected Masks together, before discovering the four other Toa. The six began to put together their story, even as the evil, the Makuta, attacked.”

“Makuta unleashed the power of the volcano, but together the Toa of Earth and Air used their powers to cut off the lava. The Toa then fought of many beasts, waging war as the search for their masks. Finally they combined each of their six masks, into six Golden Masks, with all their powers. The Toa then descended into the temple of Kini-Nui, to battle Makuta.”

“As they departed Takua raised army of six Matoran; Kapura, Tamaru, Kopeke, Taipu, Macka, and Hafu. Seven Matoran guarded the entrance to Makuta’s lair, so that Makutas’s army would not attack Toa from behind. The seven fought bravely, until the Matoran militias arrived, and drove back the beasts.”

“Takua then saw the six Toa engage Makuta. He had taken form of vortex, swirling about. Their elemental powers struck, until finally he fled, beaten. But Makuta was not finished. As he fled he awakened a swarm, a backup plan should the Toa defeat him. They were the Bohrok, metal creatures controlled by Krana parasites. The Bohrok began to destroy the island, devouring it with their powers. Kapura raced to the Toa and warned them of the new threat, just in time to save what remained of Ta-Koro.”

“The Turaga sent the Toa to gather each type of Krana, to unlock the swarm’s hidden lair. Along the way Le-Koro, village of air, was conquered. Krana were placed on the Matoran, brainwashing them into mindless servants of destruction, even Lewa, their Toa, fell. But the Toa of Earth led his people to Le-Koro., and together they freed the Le-Matoran. It was then that Onua revealed the Bohrok were machines, and that the Onu-Matoran Nuparu had figured out a way to convert Bohrok into powerful armor called Boxers. The Matoran villags used these Boxers to wage war, even as the Toa descended into the hive.”

“There they made their way to the Bahrag, Queens of the Swarm. The queens informed them that while they were awoken early, Mata-Nui, the Great Spirit the island was named for, the protector of Matoran Makuta had betrayed, he had ordered the Bohrok to destroy the island. The Toa ignored them, and combined their elemental powers to seal the Bohrok into a cage, unbreakable. In the process the Toa were exposed to a mutagen, Energized Protodermis. The mutagen twisted them, enhanced their powers and upgraded their masks. They were Toa no longer but Toa Nuva. And at the same time the Turaga used their knowledge to rebuild the Matoran, making them stronger and faster.”

“The Toa Nuva grew arrogant with their greater power, and separated. Only Gali, Toa of Water, wished for them to remain one. But her words were ignored, even as forces moved against the Toa. For in defeating the Bohrok swarm, they had awoken the Bohrok Kal, the elite who were meant to free the Bahrag Queens and unleash the swarm once more.

“The Toa were stripped of their elemental powers by the Bohrok Kal, forcing them to rely on their masks. Even as the Toa struggled, the Bohrok Kal searched for the entrance to their queen’s prison, so that they might unlock it with the powers they stole. The Toa confronted them, where Toa attempted to use the legendary mask, the Vahi, Mask of Time. But even he could not control. No one can.”

“However, the Toa realized that together they could feed what powers they had into the Bohrok Kal. They overloaded the foes, until they destroyed themselves. The Toa Nuva reclaimed their mighty power, and left with the swarms imprisoned, though they still wondered why their beloved god wanted the island destroyed, if the Bahrag had spoken the truth.”

“The Matoran celebrated, their Toa had become stronger than ever, and they themselves had been improved. It was then that as Makuta gathered his strength, that Takua discovered the Mask of Light. The Turaga realized this meant there would be a seventh Toa, and tasked him and the Ta-Koro captain to find it. Takua and Jaller set out, even as the Makuta made his plans.”

“Makuta unleashed his sons, the Rahkshi, powerful reptilians controlled by slug-like Kraata. The Rahkshi hunted the two, even as they drove apart the Toa. Until finally, only Kopaka stood, alone.”

“He fought alone against the six, until the Turaga and Matoran rescued their heroes. Together they battled the Rahkshi, as Takua and Jaller were met in the crossfire In the process Jaller was mortally wounded, and Takua discovered a truth. He was a Matoran of Light yes, but Toa are not born heroes, they come from Matoran. He donned the mask, and transformed into Takanuva, Toa of Light.”

“Takanuva descended into Makuta’s lair, and battled the master of shadows. In the process they fell into Energized Protodermis, briefly fusing. With the knowledge of god and evil, the fusion realized that Mata-Nui must be awakened, or all would die. So they used their combined strength to open the tunnels under Mata-Nui. In the process Makuta’s body was destroyed, and Jaller was resurrected. The Matoran followed Takanuva down the path, where they discovered the underground island of Metru-Nui, their ancient home.”

De’kra concluded, “That is the first part of the story, the years on the island of Mata-Nui. If you wish, I could tell you what happen a thousand years before, on Metru-Nui, before the Matoran fled to the surface. Or would you rather hear that story later Arthur?”

[Flare]

Mizuki enters the hall and notices De'kra standing near two other heroes. "Better wait a while before drinking tea with .........him ?" she thinks as she watches one of De'kra's companions pull out a magical item. "Well this looks intresting.........." Mizuki puts on the Death Mask and watches from the distance.

OOC: Up until now, De'kra, Benji, Dyric, and Arthur are in the outskirts of the city, not inside the hall.

Benji listens to De'kra's story with interest, but starts to stop paying attention after the first half hour of the story and decides to return to the hall.

[Cryos]

"I don't believe that I have... It's your turn."

Baradock's expression became despondent before moving one of his pieces. As if suppressing a strong emotion.

"I came here to find them. Even if I have to descend into depths of the seventh hell, I..." Realizing what he was doing he attempts to change the subject, displaying discernible strain at finding his words, "So, so Strivvi was it?" he said in an unwillingly casual tone.

[Zepher]

Having quenched his thirst, Boomingham rises from the bar and makes his way over to the sleeping Thothwick. He gives him a friendly little nudge.

"Wakey wakey, sleepy head. I believe you have a few essences that belong to me."

[UsernameMDM]

After concluding his business with Haldor, Hoke notices Boomingham sneak over to a sleeping Thothwick. He decides to do the same.

He hears Boomingham whisper to Thothwick.

"Aye, and mayhaps you have a coin or two for me old man," Hoke says in a deep, menacing voice as he jabs a finger into Boomingham's side.

[Scubacarrot]

Baradock's expression became despondent before moving one of his pieces. As if suppressing a strong emotion.

"I came here to find them. Even if I have to descend into depths of the seventh hell, I..." Realizing what he was doing he attempts to change the subject, displaying discernible strain at finding his words, "So, so Strivvi was it?" he said in an unwillingly casual tone.

"Strivvi. Seven days south, on the west coast off Abra. Surprised you haven't heard of it. You look like you'd come from that direction. Sixth Coffin, you said? Some kind of gang, an organization? I'm afraid Eubric is pretty straightforward when it comes to such things. There's the Wolfgang, and then the smallfry. And the smallfry's getting smaller, and the Wolfgang's getting bigger..."

The raider took away one of his opponent's pieces, surpressing a smirk.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Scubacarrot

[Flipz]

Benji sits down in the present, facing Arthur, on a hill outside of Eubric. He stands up and turns around to another time, in a place completely unfamiliar to him--a large but strangely quiet village, the houses an odd variety of adobe, basalt, and sandstone, all topped with ceramic shingle roofs. The vegetation beneath him had changed as well, the grass twisted but hardy, both strangled and nourished by the ashy soil from which it grew. He seemed to be standing along the edge of a path, a cobbled wall at his back. As he continues to survey his surroundings, he sees a man walking up the path in intricately-woven black garb, with delicate golden lettering gilt upon it. The man wore a large, ostentatious hat with a dark blue feather, and periodically pulled out a large, complex-looking compass-like device and consulted it for long moments before putting it away again. He stops directly in front of Benji, and begins to speak.

"Need some help?"

Before Benji can respond, a voice comes from behind him--or rather, above him, atop the wall he stood against. Looking up, all he can see is the silhouette of a man's head against the sky.

"What, you trust me to guard the whole village for months on end, but not to baby-sit your own son for a weekend?" The man on the wall chuckles, then goes back to working.

The man in the hat smiles. "Just found myself home sooner than I thought. Xu's getting more insular--don't think they like us as much as they used to. We may have to focus on Etheria exclusively."

The sound of tools against stone stop. "That's not why you're here, is it, Regulus?"

'Regulus' shakes his head. "Couple of the other Elders didn't seem too pleased to see me back so quickly. If I didn't know better, I'd say they're up to something."

The man on the wall makes some noises of indecision, but manages to get out: "Regulus, there's something you should know." He pauses, wipes some sweat from his brow. "Your son. His nightmares, they're back."

"Again?" Worry creases the man's face, a face already made old before its time. "How bad?"

"Worse than ever. Look...you know my thoughts on the...situation. But I think you need to go back to Eubric, and find that Zeigfried woman again."

The man in black stands in uncomfortable silence. "That bad, then?"

The silhouette atop the wall nods. "And there's something else...I'm getting reports of...things...lurking near the volcano, just out of sight. Now, my men are too young to remember the old times, but if they are what I think they are--"

"Don't...don't say it."

"Regulus, the Elders dislike you enough as it is. If Arthur's been tainted...those forces have no remedy. You know the laws. You'll have to--"

"He's my son, Captain!"

"...I know. That's why I'm concerned." The silhouette disappears, the sound of feet climbing down a ladder emanating from the other side of the wall. "Don't forget, Regulus--I have a son, too."

The vision fades, and Benji finds himself at the edge of the city, unharmed aside from the odd looks he was gathering from passers-by--he had been standing in place for several minutes from the look of it. Behind him, the hill still stood--and so did Arthur. Arthur Justus Regulus VII.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arthur listened intently to De'kra's story. Much of it was new, and wondrous--and yet, somehow, strangely familiar. "It's strange--you speak of many things I know of, artifacts and technology my ancestors brought back from other worlds, and yet none quite matches the history you speak of." He waits, letting the wind tug at his hat and hair. "Please, continue."

[Flare]

Benji returns to the hall, and gets a drink of icy water. 'What was that.' He thought to himself. A strange vision had occurred, having to do nothing with him and he didn't even know why it occurred. He figures it must be a figment of some other being's imagination and not something to worry about.

Still. Something about it gave him a headache. He ordered another cold glass of water from the orc-lady to try and wake himself up fully.

[Cryos]

"Strivvi. Seven days south, on the west coast off Abra. Surprised you haven't heard of it. You look like you'd come from that direction. Sixth Coffin, you said? Some kind of gang, an organization? I'm afraid Eubric is pretty straightforward when it comes to such things. There's the Wolfgang, and then the smallfry. And the smallfry's getting smaller, and the Wolfgang's getting bigger..."

He stammered, thinking hard of the right words. "I fought alongside a Wolfgang member in my last outing." His voice still retained a certain bitterness, "I thought they were one of the good guys. Sixth Coffin however... I still do not know what she meant by saying that."

He overtook two of his opponents pieces in a single move.

"Game point."

Edited November 30, 2013 by Cryos

[Scubacarrot]

The raider paused his playing. He had been playing poorly, it seemed, as he was losing... The raider made a move, that would at least buy him another turn, then said:

"The Wolfgang... Are scum. They are kill on sight for the Town Watch for good reason. If you fought alongside one... I don't want to know what it was you were doing, or if that was the same as you thought you were doing. Heh. So this Sixth Coffin and this she. Someone you have your eye on, or...? If there's something you think I can help you with, you should just come out and tell me."

[posades]

Xander walks into the Hall, somewhat exhausted from the quest that had just transpired. However, his mission was not complete quite yet. Settling in a corner table of the hall, he quietly adjusted the sharp weapon that was neatly packaged and hanging from his back. He waited, looking for someone in particular....

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen returns to the hall. She sees Boomingham drinking with Thothwick, the metasimian she rescued in Darstan.

She swings by the quest board and finds not one, but three open quests.

She signs her name under quest #88 and #89. (in that order)

Then, walking past a despondent hero looking a bit peaky, she recognises Benji from the quest to find Shaun. His clothes, demeanour and posture were all different, speaking of a twisty path to his current state.

You look like you need to eat something. she fished in her satchel and pulled out the carefully wrapped piece of raw meat. After checking it was still good she said, I was going to find somewhere to cook this, but you might like it better than I.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Zepher]

"Hoke, how is big bad Olegia treating you!" says Boomingham with a grin. "Still working hard, I assume? Can hardly recall when last I saw you, been in the hall so often and so long that it's all sort of a blur at this point. Do I owe you some coin? It's not in my books, but Hel, I can hardly remember anything. Pull up a seat. I believe you know Mr. Thothwick here?"

[UsernameMDM]

"Hoke, how is big bad Olegia treating you!" says Boomingham with a grin. "Still working hard, I assume? Can hardly recall when last I saw you, been in the hall so often and so long that it's all sort of a blur at this point. Do I owe you some coin? It's not in my books, but Hel, I can hardly remember anything. Pull up a seat. I believe you know Mr. Thothwick here?"

Hoke laughed and slapped Boomingham's shoulder.

"It's good to see you! Nay, you do not owe me anything, except a drink and a tale or two. Have you signed up for any of the quests? Looks like I will be heading out soon on one of them, and I want you to join me. As for Thothwick, yes, we are acquainted," Hoke said as he patted the metasamien on his back.

[The Legonater]

Dyric stops in his tracks when he realizes where Arthur had lead him. Had it really almost been a year? Time flies too fast. Noticing Arthur was busy at the moment, Dyric moved to Hans grave, where he knelt respectively.

I'm so sorry. None... none of this should have happened. This whole mess was all our fault. Me, Arthur, Atramor... the whole group in a way. Too many lives lost that could have been saved. And... I know it's over. I'm thankful for that everyday. But that doesn't repay anything. That doesn't make it right. I think maybe that more than ever is why I need to go to Baltarok. I wasn't with you guys in Dastan, I didn't fight by your side. I stayed behind. Not this time. Not anymore. I know what it's like to be in command now... and there's not going to be any pointless losses. Not if I can help it.

I stand, tears welling in my eyes.

You know I never did apologize. Back when I first met you I was such a loser. To you, to everyone. I was self-righteous and a coward. Well here I am, apologizing. Because that's not who I am anymore. I'm the Assassin of the Light. I'm going to make this right, even if I have to spark the fire in Baltarok to do it. I'm going to make this right, Hans. This is not happening again on my watch.

Never again.

I plant my longsword in the ground beside his grave. Leaving it there, I turn back to Arthur.

What is going on, here, brother?