- Pronouns
- He
Looks like there's some good friends out there for us to meet!
Machine Learning: A Cave Story Quest
- Thread starter Lepidoptera
- Start date
- Action
Cool, the timeline seems pretty clear now. We're close to the start of canon - Arthur is still alive, but Curly and Momorin are in their canon locations, the Doctor has the crown and is starting to grow red flowers. Arthur is probably not long for this world.
Presumably Quote is also in his canon location, since he and Curly are both knocked out while killing the third demon crown wearer, but he hasn't woken up yet.
Also, given that the team apparently fought their way through a lot of killer robots to reach him, the third wearer might be associated with one of the factions outside the island.
Presumably Quote is also in his canon location, since he and Curly are both knocked out while killing the third demon crown wearer, but he hasn't woken up yet.
Also, given that the team apparently fought their way through a lot of killer robots to reach him, the third wearer might be associated with one of the factions outside the island.
File 2, Entry 1 - Lepus
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Machine Learning - File 2, Entry 1 - Lepus
It is likely that you have fallen a greater total distance in the past several hours than you have in the rest of your existence put together.
Your body is filled with dust and dirt again. For some reason, that's the first thought that comes to you once you finally land. Rubble is piled randomly around you, clogging the wide cavern you landed in. By sheer fortune, you have not been buried under the earth when the ground caved in. Despite this, it's far too difficult to stand. Arthur's sword remains lodged in your leg. You sit down, set your gun aside, and take hold of the blade's handle with both hands. Slowly, you pull it from the wound. Metal screeches against metal and your leg tears open, but the sword slides free. It's still completely stainless, shining a perfect silver that looks even brighter against your pallid skin. Your reflection in the blade is perfectly clear. The half-human face stares back blankly. Self-repair systems are still working, you already confirmed that, but clearly repairing your skin was marked as a lower priority. As a result, you are left with this disgusting half-appearance.
Appearance isn't worth worrying about right now. The light filtering into this cavern is more interesting. It's dim, but more than enough for your eyes. This cave is much larger than the narrow, constricting passages you traversed earlier today. The ceiling is far enough above your head that you can reach up and still be a long way from touching it, and from wall to wall you could easily have fit your bedroom into the space three times over. There's a large opening above you that stretches down to a massive pile of rock and dirt that must have fallen with you. While that rubble is a mix of the dull stone from before and other textures of earth, the inside of the cave itself is bizarrely green. Moss clings to the walls and some unknown species of grass has flooded the cave floor. It wavers back and forth in the faint breeze that drifts into the cavity.
Light and wind. You must be close to the outside of the Island. Since you weren't anywhere near one of the edges by your assessment before you fell, and you're certain you mostly fell downwards, you must be at the bottom of the Island.
Immediately, you try and fail to stand. Your leg is stiff and unmoving below the knee, a useless lump of metal dragging you down. Glaring at the offending limb, you rest against the pile of rocks that fell with you and slowly push yourself up. It's difficult to balance the one stilled leg, but you can work with it. It'll slow you down, though.
Still holding Arthur's sword, you turn towards the breeze. The cave continues around a corner and out of sight. It must lead to outside somehow, but there's no guarantee that it'll lead to a route back up. If it doesn't, you'll have to try your luck climbing the hole you fell down.
With your body in its current state, that won't be possible.
Your thoughts snap back to the Mimiga girl you had been escorting. Arthur told her he came from a community nearby, so she may have returned there to seek help. You don't know much about the girl, not even her name, but you are certain her response will be a proactive one. Whether it will be wise is another matter, but she will at least do something.
A rumbling sound draws your attention away from the cave's mouth. Almost completely concealed by the rubble, you find a telltale spot of white fur. You were lucky not to have been buried in the fall. Arthur clearly was not. Your hand clenches around the Blade as you stare at the fallen Mimiga. It's for the best, you remind yourself. That Mimiga was far too dangerous to leave alone. Whatever his claims, you saw that he's obviously starting to fall under the influence of the Demon Flowers. It's only a matter of time before he turns rabid.
The sword in your hands suddenly feels heavy. Your gaze drifts from it to Arthur, still trapped under the rock. If his condition is progressing, it would be better to finish him right now while you still can. If the Mimiga retains even part of his skill when going rabid, you won't stand a chance of surviving should he attack you. And he would attack you, rabid or not.
You adjust your grip on the Blade. You don't know how to use a sword, but it can't be that difficult. Not against a target who's lying down and isn't moving. Just swing and end it.
You stare are the pile of rubble. It's shifting, pebbles tumbling down a slope of dirt and rock in a miniature avalanche. He's going to wake up any moment now. If you're going to act, you need to do it now.
But you don't, and you cannot understand why. You've executed people before. At least Arthur attacked you first. Killing him is entirely justifiable. It's the most logical course of action. Just swing the sword, and-
The pile of rock explodes. Two rose-tinted slits gleam in the faint light, piercing through the cascade of dirt and dust straight to you. Arthur hurls his body at you like a rocket. Though frankly, you have seen missiles slower-moving than the enraged Mimiga currently charging you. You try to step out of the way, but your damaged leg drags against the ground too slowly. Arthur clips your side and tackles you against the opposite wall.
The layer of moss provides not nearly enough padding to soften the blow. Your insides rattle in their shell. Arthur's face is pulled in an animalistic snarl, hands grasping your shoulders tightly enough that the metal starts to bend under his grip. Even now, he's still much stronger than you are. Overpowering the furious Mimiga isn't an option.
In his rush, though, he clearly forgot that you are armed. A single movement places the barrel of your gun at Arthur's chest. Your finger hovers over the trigger. He'll live even if you fire. Mimiga are simply more durable than they have any right to be. Even so, the pressure of cold metal against his chest is enough to make Arthur step back. He pants heavily, glaring at your unchanging face. You may not feel the exhaustion he does, but the way your body is bent and broken can't go unnoticed.
"This is a waste of energy." you say flatly. "What will you actually do if you kill me?"
"Get my Blade back, for one thing." Arthur says. Your gaze flickers down to the sword still held loosely in your hand before snapping back to him.
"And after that?"
"I'm going to go and help Chie back to the village." Arthur declares. Chie must be the Mimiga girl's name, then. He says it without a hint of doubt, utterly assured of his own ability. That sheer confidence is almost enough for you to reconsider your own estimations. Almost.
"You are very confident in your chances of victory, considering you are injured, tired, and unarmed." you point out. Arthur barely blinks in response to your listed advantages. Despite this, his feet dig just a bit deeper into the grass. "If we keep fighting at this point, the most likely result is that we will both be fatally wounded regardless of who is killed first."
Arthur's grin turns sour and sharp. "So what? You're ready to kill me up until there's a chance you'll die too?"
"The Mimiga are only a secondary objective to me and my team. If letting you live means I can accomplish my actual goals, then I'll do it." you answer, cold mechanical gaze meeting his fiery eyes. It's a good enough reason to avoid dragging this battle out. His rationality is still mostly intact for now. Maybe he will degrade again later, at which point you'll handle things as normal, but until then Arthur isn't inherently dangerous. Unless he decides to be, that is.
"A secondary objective?" Arthur repeats, spitting the words like venom. "You recognize just how you paint yourself, talking like that, right? If you wished to appear less like a villain, you should act like it!"
It's you who doesn't blink this time. "I'm not a villain. I'm only doing what I was told. And would you rather I lie? The truth is simple enough: I have priorities above fighting you."
Your grip on your gun tightens. You and Arthur stare each other down from opposite ends of the drafty cave, illuminated only by the dim light trickling through the mouth and over the coating of green. Two warriors willing to do whatever it takes for victory.
Finally, Arthur relents. The tension vanishes from his body and his arms drop to his sides. His grin remains, still hiding a hint of bitterness. "Fine, have it your way. Can I at least have my Blade back?"
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
The Blade
[x] Return it
-[] …under certain conditions
[] Keep it
[] Write-in
It is likely that you have fallen a greater total distance in the past several hours than you have in the rest of your existence put together.
Your body is filled with dust and dirt again. For some reason, that's the first thought that comes to you once you finally land. Rubble is piled randomly around you, clogging the wide cavern you landed in. By sheer fortune, you have not been buried under the earth when the ground caved in. Despite this, it's far too difficult to stand. Arthur's sword remains lodged in your leg. You sit down, set your gun aside, and take hold of the blade's handle with both hands. Slowly, you pull it from the wound. Metal screeches against metal and your leg tears open, but the sword slides free. It's still completely stainless, shining a perfect silver that looks even brighter against your pallid skin. Your reflection in the blade is perfectly clear. The half-human face stares back blankly. Self-repair systems are still working, you already confirmed that, but clearly repairing your skin was marked as a lower priority. As a result, you are left with this disgusting half-appearance.
Appearance isn't worth worrying about right now. The light filtering into this cavern is more interesting. It's dim, but more than enough for your eyes. This cave is much larger than the narrow, constricting passages you traversed earlier today. The ceiling is far enough above your head that you can reach up and still be a long way from touching it, and from wall to wall you could easily have fit your bedroom into the space three times over. There's a large opening above you that stretches down to a massive pile of rock and dirt that must have fallen with you. While that rubble is a mix of the dull stone from before and other textures of earth, the inside of the cave itself is bizarrely green. Moss clings to the walls and some unknown species of grass has flooded the cave floor. It wavers back and forth in the faint breeze that drifts into the cavity.
Light and wind. You must be close to the outside of the Island. Since you weren't anywhere near one of the edges by your assessment before you fell, and you're certain you mostly fell downwards, you must be at the bottom of the Island.
Immediately, you try and fail to stand. Your leg is stiff and unmoving below the knee, a useless lump of metal dragging you down. Glaring at the offending limb, you rest against the pile of rocks that fell with you and slowly push yourself up. It's difficult to balance the one stilled leg, but you can work with it. It'll slow you down, though.
Still holding Arthur's sword, you turn towards the breeze. The cave continues around a corner and out of sight. It must lead to outside somehow, but there's no guarantee that it'll lead to a route back up. If it doesn't, you'll have to try your luck climbing the hole you fell down.
With your body in its current state, that won't be possible.
Your thoughts snap back to the Mimiga girl you had been escorting. Arthur told her he came from a community nearby, so she may have returned there to seek help. You don't know much about the girl, not even her name, but you are certain her response will be a proactive one. Whether it will be wise is another matter, but she will at least do something.
A rumbling sound draws your attention away from the cave's mouth. Almost completely concealed by the rubble, you find a telltale spot of white fur. You were lucky not to have been buried in the fall. Arthur clearly was not. Your hand clenches around the Blade as you stare at the fallen Mimiga. It's for the best, you remind yourself. That Mimiga was far too dangerous to leave alone. Whatever his claims, you saw that he's obviously starting to fall under the influence of the Demon Flowers. It's only a matter of time before he turns rabid.
The sword in your hands suddenly feels heavy. Your gaze drifts from it to Arthur, still trapped under the rock. If his condition is progressing, it would be better to finish him right now while you still can. If the Mimiga retains even part of his skill when going rabid, you won't stand a chance of surviving should he attack you. And he would attack you, rabid or not.
You adjust your grip on the Blade. You don't know how to use a sword, but it can't be that difficult. Not against a target who's lying down and isn't moving. Just swing and end it.
You stare are the pile of rubble. It's shifting, pebbles tumbling down a slope of dirt and rock in a miniature avalanche. He's going to wake up any moment now. If you're going to act, you need to do it now.
But you don't, and you cannot understand why. You've executed people before. At least Arthur attacked you first. Killing him is entirely justifiable. It's the most logical course of action. Just swing the sword, and-
The pile of rock explodes. Two rose-tinted slits gleam in the faint light, piercing through the cascade of dirt and dust straight to you. Arthur hurls his body at you like a rocket. Though frankly, you have seen missiles slower-moving than the enraged Mimiga currently charging you. You try to step out of the way, but your damaged leg drags against the ground too slowly. Arthur clips your side and tackles you against the opposite wall.
The layer of moss provides not nearly enough padding to soften the blow. Your insides rattle in their shell. Arthur's face is pulled in an animalistic snarl, hands grasping your shoulders tightly enough that the metal starts to bend under his grip. Even now, he's still much stronger than you are. Overpowering the furious Mimiga isn't an option.
In his rush, though, he clearly forgot that you are armed. A single movement places the barrel of your gun at Arthur's chest. Your finger hovers over the trigger. He'll live even if you fire. Mimiga are simply more durable than they have any right to be. Even so, the pressure of cold metal against his chest is enough to make Arthur step back. He pants heavily, glaring at your unchanging face. You may not feel the exhaustion he does, but the way your body is bent and broken can't go unnoticed.
"This is a waste of energy." you say flatly. "What will you actually do if you kill me?"
"Get my Blade back, for one thing." Arthur says. Your gaze flickers down to the sword still held loosely in your hand before snapping back to him.
"And after that?"
"I'm going to go and help Chie back to the village." Arthur declares. Chie must be the Mimiga girl's name, then. He says it without a hint of doubt, utterly assured of his own ability. That sheer confidence is almost enough for you to reconsider your own estimations. Almost.
"You are very confident in your chances of victory, considering you are injured, tired, and unarmed." you point out. Arthur barely blinks in response to your listed advantages. Despite this, his feet dig just a bit deeper into the grass. "If we keep fighting at this point, the most likely result is that we will both be fatally wounded regardless of who is killed first."
Arthur's grin turns sour and sharp. "So what? You're ready to kill me up until there's a chance you'll die too?"
"The Mimiga are only a secondary objective to me and my team. If letting you live means I can accomplish my actual goals, then I'll do it." you answer, cold mechanical gaze meeting his fiery eyes. It's a good enough reason to avoid dragging this battle out. His rationality is still mostly intact for now. Maybe he will degrade again later, at which point you'll handle things as normal, but until then Arthur isn't inherently dangerous. Unless he decides to be, that is.
"A secondary objective?" Arthur repeats, spitting the words like venom. "You recognize just how you paint yourself, talking like that, right? If you wished to appear less like a villain, you should act like it!"
It's you who doesn't blink this time. "I'm not a villain. I'm only doing what I was told. And would you rather I lie? The truth is simple enough: I have priorities above fighting you."
Your grip on your gun tightens. You and Arthur stare each other down from opposite ends of the drafty cave, illuminated only by the dim light trickling through the mouth and over the coating of green. Two warriors willing to do whatever it takes for victory.
Finally, Arthur relents. The tension vanishes from his body and his arms drop to his sides. His grin remains, still hiding a hint of bitterness. "Fine, have it your way. Can I at least have my Blade back?"
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
The Blade
[x] Return it
-[] …under certain conditions
[] Keep it
[] Write-in
Last edited:
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
You may add whatever conditions you like
...Alright. We've begun to set up a very tenuous alliance with Arthur, and I suspect our decision here will both set the tone of said alliance, and any future interactions beyond it. That in mind, denying Arthur his weapon seems like a poor choice. Pretty quick and easy way to upset him, reduce our odds of getting out of this, and possibly even give him motive to backstab us.
Now. That's not to say we can't get anything out of him in exchange, just that pushing too hard is liable to have the same result, just now he has a high quality weapon to backstab us with. He has little in the way of items we'd wanna trade, favors would require significantly more trust, but... We do still have our primary mission. Information is valuable and we happen to have access to someone who may very well have a lot of it. Plus, the right to ask questions is hardly an ask.
[X] Return it
-[X] …under the condition that he assist with your primary objective while you seek higher ground. It is hardly difficult to walk and talk. It is much more difficult to find a better source of information on The Island than a long-time native, albeit one that seems to have willingly turned himself into a ticking bomb. But for that very same reason, it's likely impossible to find someone with the sorts of insights on the Red Flowers that Arthur seems to possess.
Now. That's not to say we can't get anything out of him in exchange, just that pushing too hard is liable to have the same result, just now he has a high quality weapon to backstab us with. He has little in the way of items we'd wanna trade, favors would require significantly more trust, but... We do still have our primary mission. Information is valuable and we happen to have access to someone who may very well have a lot of it. Plus, the right to ask questions is hardly an ask.
[X] Return it
-[X] …under the condition that he assist with your primary objective while you seek higher ground. It is hardly difficult to walk and talk. It is much more difficult to find a better source of information on The Island than a long-time native, albeit one that seems to have willingly turned himself into a ticking bomb. But for that very same reason, it's likely impossible to find someone with the sorts of insights on the Red Flowers that Arthur seems to possess.
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Return it
-[X] …under the condition that he assist with your primary objective while you seek higher ground. It is hardly difficult to walk and talk. It is much more difficult to find a better source of information on The Island than a long-time native, albeit one that seems to have willingly turned himself into a ticking bomb. But for that very same reason, it's likely impossible to find someone with the sorts of insights on the Red Flowers that Arthur seems to possess.
-[X] …under the condition that he assist with your primary objective while you seek higher ground. It is hardly difficult to walk and talk. It is much more difficult to find a better source of information on The Island than a long-time native, albeit one that seems to have willingly turned himself into a ticking bomb. But for that very same reason, it's likely impossible to find someone with the sorts of insights on the Red Flowers that Arthur seems to possess.
Red_Knight25
Unofficial Edgelord Advocate
[X] Return it
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Chapter will be up soon.
File 2, Entry 2 - Sylvilagus
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Machine Learning - File 2, Entry 2 - Sylvilagus
"Fine."
There are many reasons you should not be giving Arthur his sword back. It's leverage as long as you have it. You could probably have at least extracted some concessions out of him in exchange for returning it. That, or information. It's remarkable how composed he is now, having seen him in the throes of the Red Flowers' effects just moments earlier. Between that and his absurd physical strength, there is a lot you could learn from Arthur. Even without considering that, it's still a weapon. You will not survive at this point if Arthur attacks you again the same way he did in the cave earlier. Keeping him unarmed would encourage him not to attack you, being at such a disadvantage. With it, there is no assurance should Arthur decide you're too dangerous to leave behind. Despite this, it is still the right decision.
You thrust the blade down, burying it halfway down its shaft in the grassy earth before taking three steps back. Your hands are held out to the sides, clearly away from your again-holstered gun.
"Take your sword." you command.
"It's not just a sword, it's a Blade, one of the-" Arthur begins, words laced with the exasperation one only acquires after explaining the same basic but valuable information many times over to people who really should be listening when you talk. The moment he notices how your focus on him has intensified, he stops.
"No, keep going." you encourage. To your disappointment, he does not.
Arthur walks slowly towards where the Blade is rooted in the ground and frees it with a single tug. He no longer strikes the same noble figure that he did when you first met. His fur is matted with dust and pebbles and dotted with stains of oil and blood. The silvery fabric of his cloak is covered in tears and smudged with dirt and grass stains. Only the Blade itself remains unchanged, dirt and moss sliding off its surface without purchase. He looks like a real warrior now, not some walking propaganda piece.
You really do wish Arthur had finished saying whatever he was going to say about his sword. Or Blade, as he said. Either the metalworking involved in making it is more impressive than you were aware the Mimiga on the Island have access to, or it's a magical item of some sort. Either way, it would have been interesting to hear more about.
Well. There may be other opportunities later on.
"So what do you plan on next?" Arthur asks, still eying you with suspicion. He turns the Blade in his hands, retesting its weight before plunging it back down and standing with both hands over the pommel like some sort of movie poster character.
"We will need to proceed back up the Island. Our path down is not feasible as a way back, so we will need to follow the cave system until it leads somewhere to orient ourself from. From there, we can safely part ways." you lay out. For now, at least, it will be safer for the two of you to travel together. The lower levels of the Island have particularly vicious wildlife compared to the inner portions, and there is at least one Gaudi colony at the bottom of the Island. The fight with Arthur has only exacerbated your damages. They will be repaired, but that will take time. You've waited to join back up with your team for too long already.
"Do you really believe we can just work together now? After our battle just moments earlier?" Arthur says. There's an odd inflection in his voice now. He might not look like a propaganda piece anymore, but he sounds like one.
"I believe we've already come to the conclusion that it would be pointless and suicidal for us to keep fighting." you recall. Trust isn't required when the alternative is so clearly unappealing. On your end, Arthur is not the sort who would go back on his word. You would if it were convenient, but it isn't, so he doesn't need to worry.
"And if I turn rabid? If you were right that I am doomed to become a monster?" he presses. Arthur's grip on his sword tightens and you can see it sink a little deeper into the ground.
"Then killing you would be self-defense for me and a mercy for you." you answer plainly. There's no point trying to lie about that. You would need to be an idiot to do otherwise.
Unfortunately, your claim is most likely only a bluff. If Arthur were to turn rabid right now, the best course of action would be to run.
The openly callous claim doesn't deter Arthur, though. He pulls his Blade from the earth and twirls it once to scatter the flecks of dirt from its surface.
"Very well!" he accepts, a flash of challenge in his eyes. "Shall we depart?"
You don't bother answering. Limping through the thin grass, you cross the cavern to its mouth and peer out. The cave splits. In one direction, you can feel a breeze. That must lead out. Either to the bottom of the Island or one of its outer walls. The opposite opening winds up and out of sight. Droplets of moisture cling to the mossy coat covering the cave, pooling in small basins and trickling down and down again before disappearing into the green carpet below. Between them is another passage, almost too narrow to fit through. More an over-large crack, shaped vaguely like a person with both arms raised. There's a faint breeze coming from it as well.
Every path leads somewhere. The question is, which one takes you where you want to go?
"Are you familiar with this part of the Island?" you ask.
You can't see Arthur's face from where you stand, but the suddenness of his voice tells you enough. "Don't you- can you not simply tell where you are? I was under the impression it was a simple feature of most machine soldiers." Somehow, he says that without sounding like he's mocking you. The Mimiga warrior's words are too genuine to hold any real malice.
"Many of my systems were damaged before I met you. Mapping is one of them." you answer. Repairing the map system would be extremely useful, if only to know where on the Island you have and haven't been, but it's too connected to your main processors to risk touching. The Chief Engineer will be able to fix it when you get back to base.
"I see." Arthur says plainly. He sounds oddly let down. "So how will we decide which path to take?"
How indeed.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
Direction
[] Follow the water
[x] Follow the wind
[] Proceed deeper into the cave system
"Fine."
There are many reasons you should not be giving Arthur his sword back. It's leverage as long as you have it. You could probably have at least extracted some concessions out of him in exchange for returning it. That, or information. It's remarkable how composed he is now, having seen him in the throes of the Red Flowers' effects just moments earlier. Between that and his absurd physical strength, there is a lot you could learn from Arthur. Even without considering that, it's still a weapon. You will not survive at this point if Arthur attacks you again the same way he did in the cave earlier. Keeping him unarmed would encourage him not to attack you, being at such a disadvantage. With it, there is no assurance should Arthur decide you're too dangerous to leave behind. Despite this, it is still the right decision.
You thrust the blade down, burying it halfway down its shaft in the grassy earth before taking three steps back. Your hands are held out to the sides, clearly away from your again-holstered gun.
"Take your sword." you command.
"It's not just a sword, it's a Blade, one of the-" Arthur begins, words laced with the exasperation one only acquires after explaining the same basic but valuable information many times over to people who really should be listening when you talk. The moment he notices how your focus on him has intensified, he stops.
"No, keep going." you encourage. To your disappointment, he does not.
Arthur walks slowly towards where the Blade is rooted in the ground and frees it with a single tug. He no longer strikes the same noble figure that he did when you first met. His fur is matted with dust and pebbles and dotted with stains of oil and blood. The silvery fabric of his cloak is covered in tears and smudged with dirt and grass stains. Only the Blade itself remains unchanged, dirt and moss sliding off its surface without purchase. He looks like a real warrior now, not some walking propaganda piece.
You really do wish Arthur had finished saying whatever he was going to say about his sword. Or Blade, as he said. Either the metalworking involved in making it is more impressive than you were aware the Mimiga on the Island have access to, or it's a magical item of some sort. Either way, it would have been interesting to hear more about.
Well. There may be other opportunities later on.
"So what do you plan on next?" Arthur asks, still eying you with suspicion. He turns the Blade in his hands, retesting its weight before plunging it back down and standing with both hands over the pommel like some sort of movie poster character.
"We will need to proceed back up the Island. Our path down is not feasible as a way back, so we will need to follow the cave system until it leads somewhere to orient ourself from. From there, we can safely part ways." you lay out. For now, at least, it will be safer for the two of you to travel together. The lower levels of the Island have particularly vicious wildlife compared to the inner portions, and there is at least one Gaudi colony at the bottom of the Island. The fight with Arthur has only exacerbated your damages. They will be repaired, but that will take time. You've waited to join back up with your team for too long already.
"Do you really believe we can just work together now? After our battle just moments earlier?" Arthur says. There's an odd inflection in his voice now. He might not look like a propaganda piece anymore, but he sounds like one.
"I believe we've already come to the conclusion that it would be pointless and suicidal for us to keep fighting." you recall. Trust isn't required when the alternative is so clearly unappealing. On your end, Arthur is not the sort who would go back on his word. You would if it were convenient, but it isn't, so he doesn't need to worry.
"And if I turn rabid? If you were right that I am doomed to become a monster?" he presses. Arthur's grip on his sword tightens and you can see it sink a little deeper into the ground.
"Then killing you would be self-defense for me and a mercy for you." you answer plainly. There's no point trying to lie about that. You would need to be an idiot to do otherwise.
Unfortunately, your claim is most likely only a bluff. If Arthur were to turn rabid right now, the best course of action would be to run.
The openly callous claim doesn't deter Arthur, though. He pulls his Blade from the earth and twirls it once to scatter the flecks of dirt from its surface.
"Very well!" he accepts, a flash of challenge in his eyes. "Shall we depart?"
You don't bother answering. Limping through the thin grass, you cross the cavern to its mouth and peer out. The cave splits. In one direction, you can feel a breeze. That must lead out. Either to the bottom of the Island or one of its outer walls. The opposite opening winds up and out of sight. Droplets of moisture cling to the mossy coat covering the cave, pooling in small basins and trickling down and down again before disappearing into the green carpet below. Between them is another passage, almost too narrow to fit through. More an over-large crack, shaped vaguely like a person with both arms raised. There's a faint breeze coming from it as well.
Every path leads somewhere. The question is, which one takes you where you want to go?
"Are you familiar with this part of the Island?" you ask.
You can't see Arthur's face from where you stand, but the suddenness of his voice tells you enough. "Don't you- can you not simply tell where you are? I was under the impression it was a simple feature of most machine soldiers." Somehow, he says that without sounding like he's mocking you. The Mimiga warrior's words are too genuine to hold any real malice.
"Many of my systems were damaged before I met you. Mapping is one of them." you answer. Repairing the map system would be extremely useful, if only to know where on the Island you have and haven't been, but it's too connected to your main processors to risk touching. The Chief Engineer will be able to fix it when you get back to base.
"I see." Arthur says plainly. He sounds oddly let down. "So how will we decide which path to take?"
How indeed.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
Direction
[] Follow the water
[x] Follow the wind
[] Proceed deeper into the cave system
Last edited:
- Pronouns
- He
[X] Follow the water
Based off nothing else but Arthur would appreciate being able to drink when needed. Not much else to decide on.
Based off nothing else but Arthur would appreciate being able to drink when needed. Not much else to decide on.
[X] Follow the wind
Avoid water in damaged state.
Avoid water in damaged state.
- Location
- Maybe?
[X] Follow the wind
The argument about water damage is very convincing!
The argument about water damage is very convincing!
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Close vote, but we do have our decision made.
File 2, Entry 3 - Gomphos Elkema
Lepidoptera
Mother of Monsters, Unverified Impuritas Civitatis
- Location
- Indeterminate Unknown
Machine Learning - File 2, Entry 3 - Gomphos Elkema
"We'll go towards the wind. Once we reach the Island's outside, we can orient ourselves properly and make our way from there." you say. Your voice is clear and decisive, projecting a confidence you do not feel. It's not a bad plan. You would not have gone with it if it was. But this is hardly a decision you are assured in. The Island's edges are dangerous. Aside from the risk of falling, there are animals more dangerous than bats living on the walls. Trying to defend against them and keeping an eye on Arthur whole maneuvering over such a treacherous area is a risky prospect. On the other hand, it's the only path forward that guarantees you'll end up somewhere.
"You sound quite certain." Arthur says. You feel his narrowed eyes fixed on you. Or, more accurately, on the gun still affixed to your hip. It's a mistake on his part. Aside from how you've already explained why it would be illogical to fight at this point, he's too narrow in his focus. You're dangerous enough even without a weapon.
"I am certain. It's the most straightforward way to proceed." you answer.
"And I am certain it doesn't have anything to do with all the water in the other direction." Arthur… teases? His voice is still bold and heavy, but there's a note of amusement now as well. So that's what that would sound like from him.
It's not going to have any effect on you, though. "I'm waterproof. Besides, that tunnel is hardly flooded."
You would also prefer to avoid getting any water inside of your body again. Having to slowly clean out your insides after reawakening was not an experience you want to repeat.
"As you say." Arthur says, sounding utterly unconvinced. You cannot understand why.
Well, it doesn't matter. Instead of wasting time talking, you start off down the breezy tunnel towards the exit. After a pause just long enough to become awkward, Arthur follows you.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
"This is certainly quite the roadblock. Shall we turn back and go the other way?"
It only took a little bit of walking to reach the outside. The mossy cave slopes down and down further as it opened wider and wider into a gaping hole wide enough to remind you of an open aircraft hangar. Beyond that opening was nothingness. The Island's lower section sits just above the cloud layer, an ocean of uneven grey and white stretching out as far as the eye can see. Out into a hollow, lifeless horizon illuminated by the midday sun in perfect monotone. The uniform light shining over the ocean of colourless clouds makes the sky feel even emptier than it would in darkness. In this light, you know full well there is not even the possibility of something beyond the Island out there. Except, that is, for the wall of clouds formed so thickly below you. Anything could be under there, waiting for a chance to rise up.
Above you, the Island's bottom spreads out in an uneven ceiling. Moss clings in clumps to the rocky surface, curling down the half-crumbled walls and pillars reaching down from it. Only a few of them spread out into floors of weathered white stone, little islands of their own floating above the ocean of clouds. The Island forms a wall to the left, curling out further in that direction and eventually out of sight. The ruins that cling to the underside continue along with it, their erratic footholds the only real way to traverse. To the right, the Island above you continues barely more than an arm's length.
"I know where we are." you announce. Arthur nods at you. He must be aware as well. This structure is on the bottom of the Island along one side, and between that location and the architecture you recognise enough. You've been here before. The memory is spotty and full of gaps, but it is there. The portion you traveled was more put together, but that isn't enough to erase the similarities.
"The Wind Fortress."
"An old Mimiga outpost."
You and Arthur speak at once, heads turning simultaneously to exchange a mutually confused look.
"Oh? You have a name for this place?" Arthur says, pausing a bit too long before each word. His eyes are wide, and the way he looks up at you makes him look so much younger. How old is Arthur, actually? An adult Mimiga, yes, but adulthood is a large range of ages.
"Not for what you know it as." you explain. You hadn't even known this place had once been occupied by the Mimiga. It doesn't come as a surprise, though. "This place has changed owners twice already, more if you're correct about its previous occupants. Wind Fortress was the name the Gaudi used for this place. It was temporarily held by another invading force when we arrived before the Gaudi reclaimed it."
Arthur's hand clenches around the hilt of his blade at the mention of the Gaudi. "Are there any Gaudi still here?" he asks. His usual bravado is a thin mask over an emotion you can't place.
"It's possible. They might have been forced out again. This place is clearly in disrepair." you point out. Gaudi don't exactly keep things clean, but a military facility would warrant keeping in one piece. That's not what your mind is set on, though. "You said you believed this was a Mimiga structure?"
"Well…" Arthur begins, holding back whatever he was planning to say and thinking it over. "The architecture is that of many ancestral sites I have seen. I would not fail to recognize it." Each word is chosen carefully, restrained of any emotion. It's wasted effort. Your focus isn't on Arthur anyways.
So this particular style of architecture is Mimiga design? It's all over the Island, most prominently the Balcony palace on the surface. None of the Mimiga colonies you encountered show that level of development, though. Not to mention the fact that they were all occupied by forces other than Mimiga. How long ago had they been built? When were they abandoned? What-
You pause, then turn your entire body towards Arthur. Something in your blank expression makes him step back.
"This is one of many sites like this one that you've seen, you said?" you ask Arthur.
He nods slowly, uncertain. "Y-yes?"
"And you could find them again, if necessary?"
"I haven't forgotten the other sites, but we are hardly in the position to seek them out now!" Arthur protests. His confidence is so obviously false now. Paper-thin, hiding obvious anxiety. You do your best to ease back, stepping away from Arthur slowly so as to avoid threatening him further. You don't want to make it seem like he's in danger, now more than ever.
"How do you know that this sort of architecture was related to Mimiga?" you ask, and Arthur squirms. He doesn't look like a soldier at all now, fiddling with the edge of his cape.
"I am-" he begins, cutting himself off again. "That is to say, I have a hobby of archaeology. There are so few who remember our history now, so someone has to preserve it."
Real passion breaks through in those words, unable to be hidden by the guise of the noble persona Arthur wears. But beyond all that is one fact that stands out to you above all else.
Arthur is an archaeologist.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
Restore Memory
Recover a memory of the battlefield.
[] In which Paren and Curly do not get along
[x] In which Chevron cannot be left to his own devices
[] In which Quote and Syn remain your favourites to work with
"We'll go towards the wind. Once we reach the Island's outside, we can orient ourselves properly and make our way from there." you say. Your voice is clear and decisive, projecting a confidence you do not feel. It's not a bad plan. You would not have gone with it if it was. But this is hardly a decision you are assured in. The Island's edges are dangerous. Aside from the risk of falling, there are animals more dangerous than bats living on the walls. Trying to defend against them and keeping an eye on Arthur whole maneuvering over such a treacherous area is a risky prospect. On the other hand, it's the only path forward that guarantees you'll end up somewhere.
"You sound quite certain." Arthur says. You feel his narrowed eyes fixed on you. Or, more accurately, on the gun still affixed to your hip. It's a mistake on his part. Aside from how you've already explained why it would be illogical to fight at this point, he's too narrow in his focus. You're dangerous enough even without a weapon.
"I am certain. It's the most straightforward way to proceed." you answer.
"And I am certain it doesn't have anything to do with all the water in the other direction." Arthur… teases? His voice is still bold and heavy, but there's a note of amusement now as well. So that's what that would sound like from him.
It's not going to have any effect on you, though. "I'm waterproof. Besides, that tunnel is hardly flooded."
You would also prefer to avoid getting any water inside of your body again. Having to slowly clean out your insides after reawakening was not an experience you want to repeat.
"As you say." Arthur says, sounding utterly unconvinced. You cannot understand why.
Well, it doesn't matter. Instead of wasting time talking, you start off down the breezy tunnel towards the exit. After a pause just long enough to become awkward, Arthur follows you.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
"This is certainly quite the roadblock. Shall we turn back and go the other way?"
It only took a little bit of walking to reach the outside. The mossy cave slopes down and down further as it opened wider and wider into a gaping hole wide enough to remind you of an open aircraft hangar. Beyond that opening was nothingness. The Island's lower section sits just above the cloud layer, an ocean of uneven grey and white stretching out as far as the eye can see. Out into a hollow, lifeless horizon illuminated by the midday sun in perfect monotone. The uniform light shining over the ocean of colourless clouds makes the sky feel even emptier than it would in darkness. In this light, you know full well there is not even the possibility of something beyond the Island out there. Except, that is, for the wall of clouds formed so thickly below you. Anything could be under there, waiting for a chance to rise up.
Above you, the Island's bottom spreads out in an uneven ceiling. Moss clings in clumps to the rocky surface, curling down the half-crumbled walls and pillars reaching down from it. Only a few of them spread out into floors of weathered white stone, little islands of their own floating above the ocean of clouds. The Island forms a wall to the left, curling out further in that direction and eventually out of sight. The ruins that cling to the underside continue along with it, their erratic footholds the only real way to traverse. To the right, the Island above you continues barely more than an arm's length.
"I know where we are." you announce. Arthur nods at you. He must be aware as well. This structure is on the bottom of the Island along one side, and between that location and the architecture you recognise enough. You've been here before. The memory is spotty and full of gaps, but it is there. The portion you traveled was more put together, but that isn't enough to erase the similarities.
"The Wind Fortress."
"An old Mimiga outpost."
You and Arthur speak at once, heads turning simultaneously to exchange a mutually confused look.
"Oh? You have a name for this place?" Arthur says, pausing a bit too long before each word. His eyes are wide, and the way he looks up at you makes him look so much younger. How old is Arthur, actually? An adult Mimiga, yes, but adulthood is a large range of ages.
"Not for what you know it as." you explain. You hadn't even known this place had once been occupied by the Mimiga. It doesn't come as a surprise, though. "This place has changed owners twice already, more if you're correct about its previous occupants. Wind Fortress was the name the Gaudi used for this place. It was temporarily held by another invading force when we arrived before the Gaudi reclaimed it."
Arthur's hand clenches around the hilt of his blade at the mention of the Gaudi. "Are there any Gaudi still here?" he asks. His usual bravado is a thin mask over an emotion you can't place.
"It's possible. They might have been forced out again. This place is clearly in disrepair." you point out. Gaudi don't exactly keep things clean, but a military facility would warrant keeping in one piece. That's not what your mind is set on, though. "You said you believed this was a Mimiga structure?"
"Well…" Arthur begins, holding back whatever he was planning to say and thinking it over. "The architecture is that of many ancestral sites I have seen. I would not fail to recognize it." Each word is chosen carefully, restrained of any emotion. It's wasted effort. Your focus isn't on Arthur anyways.
So this particular style of architecture is Mimiga design? It's all over the Island, most prominently the Balcony palace on the surface. None of the Mimiga colonies you encountered show that level of development, though. Not to mention the fact that they were all occupied by forces other than Mimiga. How long ago had they been built? When were they abandoned? What-
You pause, then turn your entire body towards Arthur. Something in your blank expression makes him step back.
"This is one of many sites like this one that you've seen, you said?" you ask Arthur.
He nods slowly, uncertain. "Y-yes?"
"And you could find them again, if necessary?"
"I haven't forgotten the other sites, but we are hardly in the position to seek them out now!" Arthur protests. His confidence is so obviously false now. Paper-thin, hiding obvious anxiety. You do your best to ease back, stepping away from Arthur slowly so as to avoid threatening him further. You don't want to make it seem like he's in danger, now more than ever.
"How do you know that this sort of architecture was related to Mimiga?" you ask, and Arthur squirms. He doesn't look like a soldier at all now, fiddling with the edge of his cape.
"I am-" he begins, cutting himself off again. "That is to say, I have a hobby of archaeology. There are so few who remember our history now, so someone has to preserve it."
Real passion breaks through in those words, unable to be hidden by the guise of the noble persona Arthur wears. But beyond all that is one fact that stands out to you above all else.
Arthur is an archaeologist.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\
Restore Memory
Recover a memory of the battlefield.
[] In which Paren and Curly do not get along
[x] In which Chevron cannot be left to his own devices
[] In which Quote and Syn remain your favourites to work with
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