#dissidia writeblr

The girl leads them through the ventilation shaft into a room with different ships that can take them off the moon; the hangar. Three other people are in the room: Warren and two strangers. Leo’s heart collapses with relief when he sees Warren looking shaken, but unharmed. One of the strangers, a man with short black hair and wearing a soldier’s uniform, runs up to Lindy and Leo. He looks them over and frowns at Leo, which Leo tries not to take personally. “You were the one that came with Warren. Where’s Tess?” he asks, a little too accusatory for Leo’s liking.

“Tess took off our chains and stayed behind to fight Tidis and the others,” Leo says defensively. It’s not his fault she threw herself into a losing battle. Not his fault he was taken to this moon in the first place either. Definitely not his fault that these strangers put themselves in danger to rescue him. He still wasn’t sure he even needed rescuing. The Chikara weren’t dangerous to him until someone else – Tess – had attacked them.

The man takes a deep breath and nods. “She’ll keep the Chikara distracted enough that we should have no trouble escaping. Let’s go.”

The others follow him right away as he starts to head towards one of the ships, but Leo hesitates. “Wait,” he says. Warren turns back to look at him like he’s crazy. “These people healed me. Why should I run away from them?”

“The Chikara aren’t people,” the uniformed man hisses. “They’re beings whose magical abilities have perverted their sense of right and wrong. Trust me, you don’t want to get on their bad side.”

“I wasn’t on their bad side until you people came along,” Leo argues, folding his arms.

The girl who had been with Warren before took a step towards Leo. “I was imprisoned here for months, Leo,” she says softly. As he scans her face, he knows she’s telling the truth. She looks thin and pale, her green hair limp. “The Chikara are selfish, not kind. I do not know what their plans for you might be, but it would be better for you if you came with us.”

“Nyr is right,” Warren adds. “They were rough with me too. Threw me in a cell, chained me up. We should go with Wayne.” They gesture at the man in the uniform.

“Good enough for me,” Lindy says gruffly, shouldering past Leo. Leo stands there, still so unsure, watching everyone else start towards a ship not too far from them.

Warren stays back the longest, looking over Leo. “Are you okay? Did they really heal you like they said they would?”

“Yes.” Leo sighs. He doesn’t think he has to explain that he feels as though he owes them a debt.

He didn’t expect Warren’s response. “Then you have no reason to stay.”

“What?” Leo gapes at them.

Warren shrugs. “The way I see it, you got what you wanted, and now you can leave. The Chikara are bad news, Leo. I’m not sticking around here.” They start to leave, taking a long enough time that they clearly want Leo to follow. And he does, after another moment of hesitation. He trusts Warren more than the others, if only because they’re so kind compared to the others. Leo didn’t often get treated with kindness. If they wanted him by their side, he’d oblige.

Leo jogs up to the rest of the group as they ascend a walkway into the belly of the ship. He feels prickles of defensiveness as Lindy appraises him and Warren, but relaxes as soon as Lindy says, “You’re not from around here either, are you?” He juts his chin out at Warren. Knowing this is what passes for conversation with this guy, Leo chooses to largely ignore him.

“Oh, no.” Warren’s reply is nearly lost in the bustle of Wayne and the others getting the ship ready for takeoff. “I should be in a copy room right now.” Leo stifles a chuckle. He’s not sure why, but the response tickles him.

It turns out there were more people aboard the ship than Leo had thought there were. This rescue effort had required quite the team to pull off. Lindy gets a shifty look in his eyes and mumbles something about wanting to see the cockpit, but Leo is more interested in the whispered conversation he overhears between Nyr and the girl he met in the ventilation shaft with the ponytail.

“We’re not planning to leave Tess behind, are we?” the ponytailed girl hisses.

“Ask Wayne,” Nyr replies tiredly.

“After what she must have gone through to rescue us–”

“Leave it, Kai.” Nyr looks around furtively. “It’s not up to me.”

Kai frowns at her. Leo is about to interrupt when Wayne comes back to the hold with the rest of them. “Good, you’re all here.” He looks prepared to make a speech.

Volt thanked him and led the way down the smaller hallway. It was quieter than the main lobby and quickly the whirring and activity faded behind them. Doors marked with numbers and the occasional name card lined the hall but no one came in or out. From all she could tell it was just her and Richard.

She glanced up at him. “What do you think so far?”

Richard shrugged. “I don’t know. Everything seems normal.”

That sounded good. Volt took a deep breath and let more of the tension slip from her body. Everything was already going better than she’d worried it would. They’d got this far into the building without anyone trying to grab them at the very least.

They reached the end of the hall and paused in front of the workshop door. It looked just like every other door in the hall, plain with a simple handle. Volt took one last moment to calm her nerves, turned the handle and pulled the door open.

The space inside the workshop was cluttered, and filled with half finished machines and projects laid out across workbenches and between equipment racks. Volt couldn’t help but stare as she slipped into the room. Most of them were nothing like she’d ever seen before, but some of them she could kind of make out parts and guess at their functions. The familiar constant humming of ventilation fans buzzed through the air and straight into the back of her head. Towards the other end of the workshop metal clanged against metal and something shuffled against the industrial floor.

She rounded one of the workbenches piled high with parts and stopped when she found the source of the sound. A teenaged girl popped her head up from where she worked on one of the more unfamiliar machines. She grinned when she saw her and Richard, set her tools down on the bench beside her and jogged across the workshop.

“Hello! My name is Sitara! It’s so nice to meet you! You must be so confused. Come, sit down!”

Sitara gestured towards a cozy little corner of the workshop. Two couches piled with more tools and parts faced each other over a simple coffee table, and a counter with a sink, coffee maker, kettle and microwave lined the back wall with shelves built in underneath. Sitara hastily shoved the clutter to the ends of the couches before taking a seat down on one with a nod to the other. Volt and Richard settled in on the couch across from her, sinking into the worn fabric and almost overly plush cushioning. It was a nice set up, Volt had to admit, though Richard still seemed uncertain. He sat up straight on the edge of the couch, eye wandering over the tables of machines throughout the workshop.

Sitara sunk back, resting against the back of the couch. “This world has experienced calamity. A while ago, magic went out of control in this world and consumed some people. These beings prey on humans, and other people randomly get consumed by the magic too. Because of this, someone found an old spell that summons people from other worlds to stay for a few weeks before they are taken back.”

Magic? Volt frowned. If what she was saying was true, they were farther from home that she’d thought. Much farther. If it was only a few weeks though, and she was still being truthful, maybe it wasn’t so bad. Far from the disaster she was starting to think being here would entail.

“We have been trying to find ways to turn these beings back or kill them.” Sitara continued. “But now, a leader of Ritania, a big city on another continent, has declared that anyone who is being taken by the beings needs to be killed, which we think is too much. Torr is planning on starting a war with Ritania, which is also too much.” She paused with a exasperated sigh. “I don’t want anything to do with that, so I’ll make sure you are not used. I just would like to study your technology to see if I can make something to help fight against the beings, if that would be okay”

Richard stiffened as all eyes rested on him. He didn’t say anything right away, staring at Sitara alone as he nervously trailed the points of his claws against the seams of his pants, snagging threads and catching folds.

“You,” Richard kept his voice soft but a hint of the sharpness he usually tried so hard to hide lined the edge of his words. “You want to study me?”

Sitara nodded. “Yes if I can.”

Volt glanced at the girl, then rested her eyes back on Richard. So it seemed that someone recognized that Richard was something they could use, even if perhaps they didn’t know the extent of what he was capable of. She had no idea whether or not he’d be any help against beings controlled by magic though, and probably more concerning, she didn’t know exactly what the technology would be used for. Surely if they did find a way to apply the mechanics, genetics and biotechnology that went into creating Richard they wouldn’t just abandon it once whatever these beings were dealt with. If a war were to follow anyway it would be a disaster.

She made eye contact with Richard. His jaw set tight and back held stiff, he didn’t seem to know what to say. Chances were he was thinking the same thing. He knew better than anyone, better than Volt even, what kind of destruction he was capable of.

Still though, if they were going to appear back home whatever happened after they left was none of their business.

“If he agrees, and you are able to figure out how to replicate some of the technology for yourself, would you be able to provide us with the same kind of report or manual that you would compile from it?” Volt crossed one leg over the other and leaned back on the couch, draping one arm over the back. “I wasn’t the one who made him, he was never given any useful information about how his systems worked from those who did, and neither of us are really on any kind of terms to go and ask anyone who developed him.”

Talking about Richard like nothing but some kind of machine, a tool, it left a bitter taste in Volt’s mouth, but she couldn’t think of a better way to say it. She glanced at him as he watched without a word. Hidden behind his hair, mechanisms in his broken eye quietly ground against edges warped from almost a year of disrepair as they attempted to match the orientation of the other.

When Sitara nodded enthusiastically, Volt continued. “He’s been away form the team who created him for a long time now, and since neither of us know how he works we haven’t been able to keep up with some of the regular maintenance he would usually need.” She paused, turning to Richard again. “It’s up to you though.” As nice as it would be for Sitara to be the answer to at least some of their problems, it wasn’t just something she could choose for him.

He thought for a moment, staring up to where the corner wall met the ceiling. “Okay.” He nodded. “If you might be able to give us some insight, then go ahead.” He leaned forward. “But I don’t want you anywhere near the back of my head, okay?” He kept his posture comfortable but there was an uncharacteristic hint of a threat in his voice.

He had good reason to want her nowhere near what was left of the NT-Regulator.

But just as quick as he’d spoken, a familiar friendly smile returned to his face and Volt relaxed. Across the coffee table Sitara grinned from ear to ear, nodding quickly.

In the morning, Wayne appeared with a bright smile. A noticeably strained and forced bright smile.

“Let’s get going!”

Scarlette exchanged a look with Pier, hardly keeping herself from wincing at the enthusiastic greeting. She’d spoken to Pier much at all and hoped it had not affected how much confidence he had in her character. In truth, she wanted nothing more than the necessary facts of her situation, and friendships were not apart of that. It was all an effort to keep focused and level-headed – so far, it seemed to be working.

The building they were led to looked almost larger than Blackwater. Though it was nowhere near as daunting. Inside, it was clean and devoid of any warmth – it seemed very much a place for work to be carried out and not much more. They made no deviations from the main corridors until reaching a room with an older woman sitting alone at a desk. Her gaze was intense, devious even.

Wayne spoke, bowing deeply. “These two were summoned here, and I found them trying to escape from Marea. I helped them and told them about you, and they’re interested in your cause.”

She nodded and waved Wayne out.

“Thank you. You are dismissed.”

The corner of her lip twisted into a smirk as he bowed once more and rushed away.

“So, you have realized how horrible Marea is. And you have realized how important my cause is. Good. Let’s go somewhere more private.”

Forward. Rushed. Indifferent.

As Chial rushed on ahead, expecting them to follow, Scarlette brushed close to Pier, speaking lowly so only he could hear her words.

“She doesn’t trust us, nor does she care that we claim to be on her side.”

It was as close as she could get to telling him to be careful.

Within the new room, some guards stood watching, Kaito among them. Chairs and couches were placed together in the center of the space, and Chail was quick to gesture for them to take a seat. Scarlette made a move to sit beside Pier, only changing her mind as she realized she would benefit from being able to notice any signals from him, intentional or not, without having to be obvious about it. She instead took a seat that gave her a good view of both Chial and Pier, leaning forwards with awareness and tracing the scar on her palm as Chial sat across from them and began to speak.

“We are facing an apocalypse, and my fellow leaders are still insisting on being soft. I believe that if we don’t make the hard choices, we will all fall. I am glad to see that you agree. So, I must ask. What magic do you have, and what technology do you have?”

No magic, and nothing beyond her Haladavarian blade and several smaller knives. It was almost funny how region leaders always expected her to be much more of a challenge than she truly was. Before she or Pier had a chance to answer, Chial shook her head.

“Never mind. I’ve been lied to too many times. I’ll just test you myself and take what I can.” She reached for something on a small table and Kaito cleared his throat.

“Ma'am, I apologize for interrupting, but the leader of Torr is willing to meet with you very soon.” He moved to hand her a sheet of paper. “I wanted to tell you sooner, but you were busy. However, since this meeting with the summoned ones was going longer than I thought it would, I felt it necessary to tell you now.”

Scarlette quickly placed her hands in her lap, realizing she had reached for her blade.

Chial glared, “You should have told me this sooner! Take them to their quarters!”

Without offering them another glance, she rushed out of the room.

Kaito took Scarlette and Pier’s arms lightly as the guards lead them down some stairs to a room with unfamiliar contraptions lining the walls. She stared at the walls, her mind slightly unsteady with anxiety.

Kaito leaned in close, “Are you ready to get started? Please gather information before you destroy the machines. We need to know exactly what she’s doing.”

Scarlette turned, nodding and prepared to do what needed to be done… even if she wasn’t sure exactly what that quite looked like yet. She ran her fingers across the scabbard at her waist, leaning forward and gasping as something sharp bit into her foot within her boot. Something sharp and all too familiar.

Reaching down into the side of her boot, her fingers hooked a leather string, and she gave it a gentle tug. Seeing the ember colored crystal hang from her fingertips was almost as startling as the situation she found herself in.

Content to wait, Leo twiddles his thumbs until the door to the cell slams open, most unexpectedly. A woman with short, blond hair and dark green eyes runs in, and she’s wearing a soldier’s uniform. Leo raises an eyebrow at the sudden intrusion. “My name is Tess, and I’m here to help you escape.” She unlocks his chains. “Do you trust me?”

Leo doesn’t get the chance to tell her no. The door to the room opens again, and two Chikara walk in with another man, also wearing the black chains. Tess curses under her breath, and golden light starts dancing along her skin like fire. This is enough of a surprise to the Chikara that she is able to pull the stranger away from them and try to take his chains off too. Leo still hasn’t moved from his seat, despite his hands being freed. He’s not a fighter.

The Chikara are still coming for them, and at that moment Tidis arrives. He smirks when his eyes land on Tess. “And one of the rebels returns. Today is my lucky day.” Light and darkness start swirling on his skin.

Tess curses again and pushes Leo and the stranger to the door on the other side of the room. “Leo, Lindy, find Wayne. He’s rescued Warren. He should be going to the hangar where they keep their ships,” she hisses under her breath at them. She pushes them through the door and locks it from the inside.

Leo immediately turns to his companion. “Were you also summoned?” he asks. He would need to know as much as he could about his new ally if they ran into any more trouble. “How do you know-”

The guy gives Leo a cold look, and Leo quiets, falling into step alongside his new friend as he stalks off. Leo is quite shaken by his removal from the cell, and still adjusting to his new body. It made him bold enough to join this stranger on whatever mission he was so intent on. Besides, anything that took him further away from the magic battle was all right with Leo.

The stranger is observing the space around them, taking it in with what Leo could only describe as awe. Perhaps he was familiar with these sorts of things. It would be helpful for someone who knew what was going on to be on Leo’s side. He grimaces, rattling the heavy chains still locked around his arms. Leo notices, patting his pockets for the makeshift lockpick he’d fashioned earlier, and finds it missing. Must have dropped it in all the commotion. He spots an antenna on the wall that would be much better suited and twists it off, making a move to unlock his companion’s chains.

Leo hadn’t said anything, since the other guy (Lindy? Was that his name that Tess had shouted at them?) didn’t want to talk, and now found himself being smacked into the side of the corridor. “What the hell, man!” Leo sputters. “I was just trying to pick the lock on your chains.” He definitely should have explained first. That’s what he gets for trying to be considerate.

“Oh.” Lindy doesn’t apologize, but helps up Leo from the floor and wordlessly stretches out his arm for Leo to have easier access to the lock. After a few twists, the chains slip off easily. Leo keeps the antenna, and grabs one of the locks as well. Never know when these things could come in handy.

They continue walking, and the echo of their footsteps in the silence makes Leo lonely. He misses the comforting presence of Warren. They had been a much more agreeable companion than this Lindy fellow. At least Lindy seemed to know where he was going, his pace measured and sure, never hesitating at crossroads. Leo wondered how he knew, and how Lindy had ended up in the same chains as himself if he was so familiar with the way the Chikara lived.

“Who is Warren?” Lindy asks suddenly.

For a second, Leo wonders whether Lindy can read his mind. If he wasn’t already convinced that this was a dream, he was considering the possibility again. But after his moment of shock, he’s more surprised that Lindy’s even said anything at all, considering they’ve spent the last few hours in complete silence.

“Why do you want to know?” Leo replies pointedly. Why not ask about this Wayne, for instance?

Lindy doesn’t answer, only pausing to shoot Leo a sideways glance. It looks a little too close to sympathy for Leo’s liking. Leo narrows his eyes at Lindy, who of course doesn’t notice.

After another few moments of uncomfortable silence, Leo sighs. He might as well talk to this Lindy person, if only to get him to stop looking at him with such pity. “They were one of the first normal people I met when I got summoned to this place. Got to know them pretty well. We were separated a little while ago though.”

“Oh.”

Leo rolls his eyes. That seemed to be half of this guy’s vocabulary. He was so glad he’d made such an effort. Clearly Lindy thought the conversation would be of some benefit to Leo, but Leo would have been just as content with silence.

They walk on in silence for a few more minutes when Lindy comes to a stop. Leo stares at him curiously as he starts to tap his finger against a sheet of metal on the wall.

“This shouldn’t be here,” Lindy says thoughtfully.

Leo is in no mood to be civil. Apparently this sheet of metal meant more than a human conversation. “Well, it obviously is there, so I don’t know what to tell you.”

Lindy just stares at Leo for one beat with those watery blue eyes, and it’s as good as any death glare; the hair on Leo’s neck prickles. “What I mean is that there should be an entrance here to the hangars, but it seems that they’ve blocked this one up.”

“We just have to take it down then,” Leo says nonchalantly. “It’s just flimsy sheet metal.” He kicks at the metal covering and immediately regrets it. Pain radiates through his bones like an alarm blaring, and he falls to the floor. Lindy looks down at him, expressionless, while Leo groans. “Oww.”

“It’s not sheet metal,” Lindy explains. “It’s probably either titanium reinforced Kevlar, or some otherworld material. You can tell from the lack of sheen that it’s durable.”

Through gritted teeth, Leo manages, “Why didn’t you tell me that before I kicked it?”

Still staring down at him, Lindy replies, “You didn’t ask.”

Eyes watering, Leo takes the hand that Lindy offers with more than a hint of irritation. It was becoming apparent that Lindy did not care one whit for Leo.

Lindy, paying him no mind, is surveying their surroundings. “Give me a leg up,” Lindy says, nodding to a panel he’s noticed above their heads. Leo follows his gaze and understands immediately. He boosts Lindy up on his shoulders. Besides the painful protesting of his ankle, it’s not too bad. Maybe the healing process had made him stronger.

After a bit of tinkering, Leo hears a creak from up above, the weight on his shoulders vanishes, and Lindy’s hand extends from up above to help him up.

“Are you sure that’s stable?” Leo calls, but he’s already taking Lindy’s hand, so he’ll find out one way or another. Lindy doesn’t respond anyway.

Leo cranes his neck around the cramped ventilation shaft, in which both of them are crouching down as low as they can. By the soft indentation in the metal, grooves caused by the unmistakable impressions of knees and hands and occasional banged heads, he can tell that this is certainly more than your run-of-the-mill ventilation shaft.

“This way,” Lindy says, motioning to the left of their loose panel. Leo falls back behind him and the two crawl down the seemingly endless shaft. It only occasionally quivers in a way that makes Leo nervous that it can’t support their weight.

Leo finds himself yawning as they go along. He never thought that getting summoned to another universe would be so tiring, or so dull. Almost in response to his thoughts, he hears a huge bang from the other side of the tunnel.

They both freeze.

“What does that mean?” whispers Leo.

After a beat of silence, the banging starts to get closer. Lindy turns pale.