White Light (me and FF only)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Eriol looked on before returning to dusting. At times like these, it was best not to get involved...

Too bad for Himitsu, Palette had decided to get out of bed and headed out her door, heading for the rest of the group. She had all intentions of keeping her promise to Himitsu (free lodging and all that), and her face wasn't glowing, thankfully. Granted, it was probably because her last prophecy involving Kaini hadn't come to pass yet. It would take a bit of effort to will another one involving him into existance, and he'd have to pay her quite a bit for it if he wanted it.

"...Now what's going on..." she mumbled as she approached. Her tail whipped to the side as she walked forward, indicating she was a bit annoyed.

[mugenginga]

"Something has happened to Keiichi and Naoya," Himitsu gave Palette a soft look of warning, hoping she would get to not mention the prophecy, "I have offered to help get them here. Kaini, did the message say what happened?"

Kaini had just finished sending the message. He looked up and shook his head. Both of his allies were still out, and Mahakala stepped closer to Kaini and Lailah maintained a position that made it seem she could attack either Palette or Himitsu if either of them tried anything. Kaini's allies were fairly clearly reacting to his paranoia.

Kaini shook his head, "No... it was vague. But it said they would die if someone didn't look after them. Mutou-san sent it..."

Himitsu's expression did not shift, but she now had an idea what had occurred. Yuugi, or rather the soul within the Puzzle, had been with one who she was fairly sure could use a Persona when he had come to her shop. Which with her knowledge that the Dark Hour occurred here, meant Keiichi and Naoya's condition were likely the result of the shadows. She nodded and looked down at Kaini's COMP as it beeped.

He quickly opened up the e-mail.

Message: Details
Sender: Mutou Yuugi

It's really hard to describe... I guess you could say they've gone fairly comatose. You said Himitsu, right? Himitsu-san.... is kind of creepy, but she might be able to describe it better. We're all exhausted here from stuff that has happened, but we're at Giant's Lake at the cabin area. If you can get here, we'll expect you at first light.

Kaini looked up, "How do you intend on getting them here?"

Himitsu shook her head, "It is complicated, but I can do it. Where are they?"

"Giant's Lake, Mutou-san said they're at a cabin. He said we should wait until morning..."

"All right, I know where they are. And I agree with Yuugi. Palette, go ahead and go back to sleep. Kaini, you can put your allies away, I give you my word I will not attack you for a while."

Kaini hesitated, but finally nodded. He pressed a few buttons and Lailah and Mahakala vanished, "How did you know Naoya was in trouble too...?"

"I have my ways. Go back to bed."

Kaini looked agitated by the unanswered question, but pocketed the COMP and wandered back to his room. She waited until she was sure he was not listening before turning to Palette.

"Keiichi and his cousin are likely suffering a condition known to some worlds as Apathy Syndrome. They have lost all care towards the world and would sit and waste away if someone were to not care for them. Completely apathetic, hence the name of the illness. We now know what one part of your vision meant."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

If it weren't for the fact that she already had pale white skin, Palette's face would have paled. That sounded just... ugh. She couldn't imagine what that was like. And what if they could remember everything that happened while they were out like that? That sounded like hell. Alive, and yet not at the same time. Like zombies.

"...I think we can say that the 'blue hair' part of the prophecy doesn't refer to either Kaini or his twin, then." Palette said. "I'm pretty sure Keiichi's in no condition to do any sacrificing."

[mugenginga]

Himitsu rubbed her temple. It had been a while since she had to think of her knowledge of the multiverse so strongly. Suddenly her expression shifted, as if a light bulb had gone over her head. The thoughts earlier of world's that had survived the Fall, the references to Death, the Dark Hour....

"I'm... not sure. But I think I know who that line references," she shook her head, "Almost positive, even. I wasn't even aware he was on the Island, but it fits with the rest of the prophecy... but I'm now again confused about the last line. That comment about Death has so many different ways to be interperted if that teenager is on the Island," Himitsu sighed, "Over thinking it does no good. Palette, Eriol, if worse comes to worse we will have to leave this world before it collapses. Please don't ask for more details. I was pretty sure this Dimension was in danger from earlier signs, but I can't say if his presence makes it more or less safe. I'll say this much, if I rouse you suddenly telling you it is time to go, don't ask questions. We should all go to bed. You too, Eriol."

Himitsu looked a little stressed. Somehow this Dimension seemed far more important than most, a lynchpin if you would. Contrary to popular opinions, the multiverse had several lynchpins, and the loss of one could destroy countless others creating a chain effect that had high potential of destroying all into unsalvagable nothingness. It's why the Dark Hour's presence on the Island was so worrisome and why any lynchpin attracting so many universes was just plain dangerous.

She seemed not to hear if anything was said to her and wandered off. She hoped the boy would do nothing stupid. While she knew he, indeed most, would rage if she informed him that his world had been unimportant in the grand scheme of things, it was. If, however, a lynchpin was destroyed...
-----

Himitsu woke up just as the sun was rising. She didn't even leave her room, instead reaching into a drawer. If anybody saw her, they'd see her stick her entire upper body into the drawer before finally pulling out what looked like those old fighting game circles for early game systems. The main difference was the edge had symbols carved into it.

She set it down on the floor and after making a few gestures and saying a few words, the symbols lit up. Himitsu was first and foremost, an artifact collector. She made a few more gestures and the symbols faded to a barely visible glow.

She walked out of the room and lightly tapped on Kaini's door. She was mildy surprised with how quickly he answered. She turned to where Eriol was still dusting. She'd have to talk to him about that later.

"Eriol, please watch the shop. We shouldn't be long. Kaini, come with me."

Kaini nodded, trying to rub the sleep and accumulated stress from his face. Himitsu lead him to the room she had set up the portal and pointed to it as she handed him a bracelet type thing.

"What's this...?"

"Put it on. It'll allow me to pull you back. Step into the circle."

"Wait, what?"

"Look, if I explained to you every artifact I used you'd be dead ten times over before I was finished. Just step into the circle and prepare for a bit of disorientation. I'm teleporting you to Giant's Lake. And before you ask, its not demonically powered. It came from another world. I believe some have Gates built around a similar technology."

"Wait, you mean this is a Star Gate?"

"Oh, you've heard of those worlds? No, not quite, but it uses some of the same principles. Now would you just step inside?"

Kaini's head hurt trying to wrap his mind around all that. He snapped the bracelet on and stepped into the circle. He glanced at her, "You're not coming with?"

"Someone has to stay on this end to maintain the portal. Like I said, it doesn't work quite the same way. Hold on to yourself, this will disorientate you."

Kaini jerked as the symbols around the edge of the ring shone with an intense blue light and he suddenly felt as if the entire world had been yanked out from under his feet as he vanished...

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Palette said nothing before heading back up to her room. Leaving the dimension? Well, that would be just LOVELY. Especially right after she arrived too... On the other hand, she hadn't had any visions about the dimension collapsing yet. Something like that would have been major prophecy material.

The next morning, she had slept in. It had been a long night, at least to her. And since Kaini wasn't there, she didn't have her usual alarm clock. Though she didn't need one, since Eriol had decided he was going to wake her up.

"Ms. Palette, we require your assistance for when Mr. Kurosawa returns with the two people he is bringing here," Eriol said. Palette groaned, rolled over, grabbed her beret from off of the table next to her, and pulled it on, stuffing the giant feather on her head into the beret as she did so. She climbed out of bed.

"Lead the way, Pinnochio."

"...I don't want to be a real boy, though."

[mugenginga]

A fairly large crash could be heard from the room Himitsu went to each night. Kaini had materialized, and if it was disorientating being teleported by yourself, it was worse when with two other people. Especially since said two other people might as well have been puppets, no indirect insult to Eriol intended.

Kaini would have sworn he was trying to rematerialize inside one of his family members, and he tripped over his own foot and faceplanted. Himitsu had been far more concerned about preventing Keiichi and Naoya from faceplanting. They couldn't, or at least wouldn't, try to catch themselves. It ended up that she could only completely save one, which of course ended up being Keiichi. Naoya fell with a small amount of grace, likely thanks to not fighting the fall, and ended up on his side.

Himitsu was grateful people with the Syndrome had little to no memories of the events during it. She carefully led Keiichi to a chair and sat him down before going over and leading Naoya to his feet. Kaini groaned in pain from faceplanting on the uncarpeted floor before pushing himself to his feet. Himitsu set Naoya down and turned to him.

"Who did you meet other than Yuugi? Oh, and Palette and Eriol will likely be here soon. Eriol is remarkable for his skill to stay on top of a situation and observe from a distance, and you made more than enough noise to attract Palette."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Palette had been the first to arrive to Kaini's room after Himitsu arrived, but not the first to enter. She'd backed away from the open doorway upon seeing Keiichi and Naoya. Those weren't people... they were more like zombies. They had a dead look in their eyes, and they seemed completely helpless. It was a bit scary. These had been normal people before... reincarnations of Biblical figures and of course, human, but normal people.

Eriol had no fear upon seeing the Lost in the room, though, instead standing near Naoya. "Is there anything you need me to do, Ms. Himitsu?"

[mugenginga]

Himitsu glanced towards Palette as she hesitated. She turned slightly towards Eriol, "Keep an eye on the store. We open at nine. Let me know if you see anyone," back to Palette, "Do not worry. They are alive, just trapped within the maze of their negative emotions. The condition has many names, but I believe the most common is Apathy Syndrome."

Kaini glared, "You knew about this!?"

Himitsu looked saddened as she nodded, "It's a bad sign, but not one I had not expected. The Island seems to be doing a good job at keeping people with it off the streets. These two are not the first ones to come down with it, nor do I expect they will be the last. It is why you must stay here during the Dark Hour. Those who get attacked by shadows end up such as them..."

Which had all been said within fun earshot of Palette...

(OOC: Pausing as Palette might have something to say about all that. )

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Palette tensed. "Shadows? As in monsters?! That turn people into what these guys now are?!" She shook her head. "This is insane. What the hell was that hedgehog thinking when he sent me here!?"

He probably wasn't. The damn hedgehog. He never WAS thinking. He was all high and mighty and yet he never thought things through. Always thinking that everything was a life and death situation. That stupid hedgehog mindset shining through.

She gathered her courage. Right. They'll be just fine in a few days hopefully. They'll be just fine. She walked up to K1 and looked at him with pity.

[mugenginga]

Himitsu nodded, "Monsters born from the suppressed emotions of humanity. Or, I suppose I should say, the highly sentient species of a world. Worlds that do not contain humans have been targeted by them before," she chose to not mention the "and destroyed" part. Palette was already having enough trouble not panicking. It was for that same reasons he didn't elaborate on Apathy Syndrome.

"...hedgehog? As in Sonic?"

Himitsu had to chuckle, "No, she does not come from any world containing that person. It seems you are getting used to the Island if you accept Sonic as a reality."

Kaini glared at her, "One of the people I've met looks like he's out of a dub I saw a few times. You act like I've been hiding under a rock."

"Oh, you mean Yuugi?" she turned towards Palette without waiting for a response, "They should be, if we can keep them alive. I'm expecting a visitor in a few days... one of the violent variety. Eriol, I need you to go get that box I showed you the other day. Its heavy, but the seals inside shouldn't react to you."

"...seals?"

"The 'visitor' I spoke of will likely make attempts to destroy the entire shop to kill your brother and cousin."

"What!?"

Himitsu chose not to elaborate. She returned her focus to Palette, "The shadows are going to become the least of our worries. I can not guarantee the seal will hold this visitor. Can you fight?"

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Eriol nodded and ran off to get the box. It was in the storeroom, and he was sure whatever it was filled with would be vitally important to protecting the shop.

"Fighting--!" She stepped back. Wait. Rylou had warned her about this. He'd been teaching her a few spells and stuff to defend herself, in case Defiled or Zathion ever came after her. She took a deep breath. Right. "You got any paint? I'm not talking the kind in the small tubes and stuff you can get at Michaels, I'm talking house paint, giant cans, stuff like that. I'll need a brush too."

[mugenginga]

Himitsu didn't seem the least bit fazed by the request. She actually was, but it was too minor for her expression to shift. Rylou's letter had seemed rushed, but he had mentioned something about this. However, Palette had teetered on the edge of panic, "I am hoping it won't be necessary. And I am more than capable of fighting myself, but I'm going to be feeding extra energy into the seals. If he breaks through those, we'll need all our power. Kaini-"

"Sleep with one eye open again, right?" he was almost growling and his glare could have burst Himitsu into flames.

"Well, since you put it so bluntly, yes. The point is for you to learn to rest while still being aware. You're doing it wrong allowing yourself to suffer from sleep deprivation."

Kaini looked away from Himitsu. As upset as he was with her, he knew she wasn't lying. It wasn't that he could read people, but Himitsu seemed honest enough when she thought it was important. And this seemed important. He glanced at Naoya before looking at K1. It had been bothering him for some time, but he still wondered what the Lockdown had been like. The news had said poison gas leaks, it was more than clear that had been a cover up. His gaze softened. There had to still be a chance, right?

"I'm sure I have some laying around somewhere. I assume you want the normal variety, correct?" A rather loaded question, really.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Palette nodded. "House paint works too, though."

Eriol marched in carrying a large box, which he set down in front of Himitsu. He then bowed and stepped back. Well, at least he was polite.

[mugenginga]

"Thank you, Eriol," she said before waving her hand over the "lock" and muttering a few things. It was arcane, but beyond that it was unclear. The box popped open and what looked like rows upon rows of paper with chicken scratch written on them were layed inside. She nodded and closed the suitcase, "Palette, come with me. I know where some is. Kaini..."

Kaini looked towards Himitsu upon being addressed.

"There is a chance you may get an answer to some of your questions with this encounter. They will more likely lead to more questions. Do not attempt to kill either of these two in their state. I will not hesitate to kill you if you try such a cowardly method."

Himitsu left the room, hoping Eriol and Palette would be with her. Kaini was extremely confused now. What would he learn that would make him want to kill his family members? He glanced towards Naoya before sitting down across from the man.

"Why did I get those visions when I thought about attacking you...?" he sighed and held his head in his hands. There was an underlying explanation for all of this, but it felt out of his reach, "Keiichi... you know what this is all about, don't you. Do you know why God chose me...?"

He didn't expect an answer... but somehow he felt better being able to voice the questions verbally.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Palette and Eriol both followed after, though Palette couldn't help thinking that Kaini seriously had some issues if he thought about killing them now.

"I really don't like fighting, but if I have to, I will," Palette stated. "Anyways, I can use the paint as a sort of weapon if I have enough. It's not good for much, but it should work." Her head hurt, though it didn't seem she was getting a vision any time soon. Her last one hadn't been fufilled yet anyways.

"...Ms. Himitsu, I can fight if you give me back my key," Eriol said.