Far Beyond the Mining Trails

[gantzgun74]

Alex noticed Jaron frantically asking for the computer, before rolling his eyes. GREEEAAAT... He was getting contacted by MORE people he didn't know. With an air of annoyance, he handed his keyboard to Jaron.

Shantotto meanwhile watched as this all happened. Watching these two talk had been quite the educational experience. So the user of the Void was feeling down on himself? Most interesting... Probably shoulda seen that one coming though. There was nothing she could say to Jaron that would help him. The Void WAS an unnatural power when compared to magic... Or at least, it was where she came from.

[doctorzero]

: Chumhandle...? I don't know what that is.
But I caught a signal somewhere, so I guess that was you. Sorry, I don't really know how this thing works...
Oh, almost forgot! My name's Lucas.
GG: aigbhepeaoh lucas?!
GG: its me! Jaron!
: Jaron?!
: What--how--
: Where are you?
GG: Somewhere underground, you manage to contact Alex's computer.
GG: A lot of weird stuff's been going on.
GG: but ill tell you when i see you. Where are you?
: Oh, um...I'm near some lake, it's completely frozen.
: Are you close?
GG: No idea. But we have to be, if you manage to call us.
: Us? Are Kaitlin and Max with you?
GG: Who?

---

Jaron had typed it without thinking. Then he rechecked it.

He felt like a rock had been dropped into his stomach.

---

GG: Lucas...a lot of things have happened since i saw you.
: What do you mean? Are Kaitlin and Max all right?
GG: I dont know. I havent seen them.

---

Not saying much. I can't even remember what they look like!

The thought alone made him feel horrible.

---

GG: Ill tell you all about it when I see you. just stay put, okay? Ill be there as fast as i can!
: But...okay. Just be careful, okay? I don't want to lose you, too.
GG: come on, Lucas, you know me! Ill be fine.

---

Jaron stood up. Lucas. Lucas.

He had to go. He turned to Shantotto. "How do we get out of here?"

[gantzgun74]

Shantotto noted Jaron's desperation with a grin.

"There are but many ways out of these complex and looping caverns young and powerful man
Many entrances, many exits, all of them opening up around this island in a wide span."

She smiles a bit more as she chortles.

"The question shouldn't so simply and so utterly JUST be 'How do you get out of here',
The question should be 'WHERE do you want to get out of here', young sightseer."

Alex looked to Shantotto with a look of curiosity. "So... you could take us anywhere on this world from this point?"

"Most indubitably young sir,
Just give me a good spur."

[doctorzero]

Jaron couldn't remember what a spur was, but he really didn't care at that point.

"Well, what are we waiting for?!" he exclaimed. "Let's get going!"

And before either of them could stop him, he ran out of the chamber.

---

It was only until after Jaron had ran out of the temple entrance that he had no idea where he was going.

"Darn it..." He facepalmed. "Twice in one day...this is beginning to become a gag, I just know it..."

He turned around, mentally preparing an apology to Alex and Shantotto--

"Excuse me."

Jaron jumped backward in shock. Zero was standing in front of him, an impassive look on his face. "WAH! W-where'd you come from?!"

Zero took a step forward. "I forgot to ask you something."

Jaron felt a little relieved. This guy was giving him some weird vibes. "Uh, okay..."

"Do you know anyone named Kavma?" Zero asked.

Oh.

"Uh, yeah, actually--" Jaron began.

Zero darted forward and grabbed him by the shoulders. "Where is he?" he demanded.

Okay, this was getting pretty sudden. "I-I don't know," Jaron stammered. "I haven't seen him since earlier today! Do you know him?"

Zero released him, annoyed. "...yes. How do you know him?"

He sounded pretty angry. Jaron shrugged, still nervous. "Er, well, he kinda stole my memory..."

That certainly got his attention. "Your memory?"

"Yeah, you see..." Jaron gave him a short explanation of his situation. "I kinda wound up down here by accident. What about you? Why are you looking for him?"

Zero thought for a moment. While he considered this guy's story to be dubious at best, he HAD been inconvenienced by Kavma, like himself. That bastard...

And if he stayed with this guy, there was a pretty good chance he'd run into Kavma during this 'game' of his...

"...I have my reasons," he said shortly. "Mind if I tag along?"

Jaron was surprised. "Uh, really? Well, more the merrier, I guess, but I don't even know your na--"

"Zero."

...

"My name."

"Oh." Jaron looked at the sword at Zero's side uneasily. "Uh--"

"I can keep Edge under control," Zero said confidently. "I'll be sure to keep him quiet, at least."

"I am beginning to think that you are worse than Kavma."

WHACK. "Case in point."

---

Jaron kept a close eye on Zero as they made their way back to where Alex and Shantotto were.

Sure, from what he could see Zero was pretty rude, and didn't seem all that nice...but he couldn't be THAT bad, right?

Oh, Jaron, you and your tendency to try and see the good in people, even when you just met them...

Anyway, Jaron entered the chamber scratching his head sheepishly. "Er, sorry, guys, got a little carried away...hope you're not upset."

Upon seeing them react to Zero, Jaron explained, "Oh, this is Zero! He wants to come with us because...uh..."

"Just in case you run into Kavma," said Zero.

"Yeah, that. You two don't mind, do you?"

[gantzgun74]

................................................

The Thief of Void looked to Zero with a glare of the uptmost contempt. Shantotto meanwhile grinned like an evil genius.

It was a a few seconds before responses were said outloud.

"What? NO. Absolutely not!" Alex said with a dark frown. "Listen kid. I like the thought, really I do. But this idea is just REALLY terrible." He growled at Zero. "This man isn't trying to help any of us. He's only interested in helping himself... And whatever he wants CAN'T be good."

Shantotto meanwhile chuckled at this.

"Oh? And what matter of seer powers has informed you of that?
Do humor me please, do tell us why you think that you brat."

[doctorzero]

"Hey, hey, hold on!" Jaron protested. "Okay, sure, Zero's a bit rude and everything, but didn't you say you just met the guy? Come on, don't jump to conclusions!"

Alex's accusation really got him angry--you don't just claim that someone's a bad guy just because of a first impression!

Man, SOMEONE'S naive...

He stepped forward and pointed at Alex accusingly. "What if someone accused YOU of being something you're not?"

Zero stayed silent, glaring at Alex. Doesn't surprise me in the least. Of COURSE you'd protest, whoever you are.

True, Zero would normally not bother with these idiots, but if they had a chance of running into Kavma, he wouldn't pass up the opportunity.

"I'm not going to stick with you for long," he spoke up. "Just until I find Kavma."

[gantzgun74]

........... To say Jaron's 'what if' question pissed him off would be a gigantic understatement. He smacked Jaron's hand away and glared at the man with narrowed eyes...... At least until he shook his head, his expression softening. "I... I know what that feels like actually... ... I also know what it was like to find that the accuser was right..."

That really caught Shantotto's attention. Did Alex perchance know a seer?

[doctorzero]

Jaron was rather put off by Alex's expression. "Alex...?"

Even he could tell that Alex was remembering something painful. Combine that with how his earlier conversation with Jaron went and...

Well, Jaron decided on what he thought was the best choice of action.

He stepped forward and gave him a hug.

...

After about five seconds of awkward silence, Jaron stepped back. "Sorry that was so sudden, but I hoped that made you feel better..."

Zero cleared his throat. "I thought you were in a hurry."

"Oh, right! We need to get to that lake!" Jaron turned to Shantotto. "Professor, can you tell us--"

A thought struck him. He turned to Alex. "Hey, Alex, can I ask you something?"

He placed a hand on his shoulder. "I can see you don't like Zero, so is it all right if you do me a favor? I'd like you to go find my friends and tell them I'm all right. One of them's named Gantz, he's the guy I mentioned. They're probably at a mansion near a church in the city. Can you do that?"

Did he just say Gantz?

[gantzgun74]

Alex had several responses to what had happened. Firstly, the hug surprised the heck out of him in more ways then one... But honestly, it felt... Warm... Like an angel had come down and had decided to pardon him for his crimes... Of course, Jaron was no angel, but still, the motion was appreciated.

That was when he heard about this Gantz person. Wasn't Gantz just his chumhandle? What did he mean by... Wait the guy with his chumhandle owned a mansion? Hmmm... Interesting... But still, who was this guy he was referring to?

.......................................

Perhaps it was time to find out.

"Okay... Yeah. I can do that."

It could be noted that as he said this, he cast a glare at Zero...

Oh he would do that alright...

He would do that....

"Just be safe okay, Jaron?" With that thought in mind, he looked back to Jaron, with what appeared to be tried and true sadness in his eyes. "I don't think I... I could forgive myself if... If I lost anyone else..."

As he said this he walked to a nearby wall.

................. "Good luck."

And he vanished into a portal to the void.

...........................................

"Well then, with that over and done,
Shall we make a move to the exit and sun?"

Shantotto had a clever little grin on her face as she said this.

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

==> Operation Abscond

.........................

Only ten minutes earlier, it had been an hour since you left Jaron alone with the miniscule monster mage, and the man with the monster sword, (You sincerely hoped he was alright) you found your way to the church district and found Jaron's friends teleporting away to god only knows where. When you tracked the magic and found them enter this swanky night-club, all you could do was sit back and wait for them to come back out... There was nothing that could be done until they did.

==>

5 minutes later, maybe more, you feel an odd spike of energy as something teleported back out. You had no way of knowing that Kavma had started his imprisoning of the gang in their estate at that moment. All you knew was that they were gone. Likely back to their house... You needed them the most too...

Jaron needed them...

Oh! What's this? Someone on your pesterlog is on? You HAD decided to browse the web while you waited for them to come back out-.

Oh my gog...

==> Pester Rulett

GG: Rulett? Is... Is that... You?
SR: ₳£ex
SR: i$ ₮h₳₮ ¥ou
SR: i
SR: i €₳n₮ be£ieve i₮
SR: ¥ou
SR: ₳£ex
SR: ₩here ₳m i
SR: i $que₳₭ €₳n₮
SR: i $que₳₭ don₮ ₭no₩ ₩here i ₳m
SR: ₳nd im $₮u€₭ $que₳₭ in mid₳ir
SR: he£₱ me
GG: Whoa whoa whoa. Calm down there Rulett. It'll be okay.
GG: Just calm down, and try to dispell whatever effect is going through your bracelet. Can you do that?
SR: ¥e$
SR: ¥oure righ₮
SR: ₮h₳n₭ ¥ou ₳£ex
SR: ¥ou h₳ve ₳£₩₳¥$ been $o ₭ind
SR: heehee
SR: oo₱$
GG: How are you here Rulett? I'm sorry to report, but things pretty much went to hell in a handbasket in my session.
GG: Prospit's been decimated along with a good amount of Skaia.
GG: I don't know where the others are...
SR: ₮h₳₮$ no₮ $que₳₭ good ₮o he₳r!
GG: Oh forget it, I'm sure their alright. Right now, I'm just happy to be hearing from you. Haven't heard from you in a while after all.
SR: ₳nd im $ure $que₳₭ ₮he¥ ₳re ₳£righ₮ ₳$ ₩e££
SR: im $que₳₭ g£₳d ₮o he₳r from ¥ou $que₳₭ ₳$ ₩e££
SR: heehee
SR: <3
GG: <3
GG: So do tell Rulett. Why were you making such a big deal about where you are? Aren't you with your troll pals or something?
GG: Rulett... Can you describe to me where you are? Don't skimp on the details. Tell me everything you see near you.
SR: um
SR: i $ee ₳ ₱₳r₭
SR: i gue$$
SR: ₳nd
SR: ₩h₳₮ ₳re ₮ho$e ₮hing$
SR: oh
SR: ho₩ did m¥ h₳nd ge₮ over ₮here
SR: ₮hi$ i$ re₳££¥ odd
GG: Oh...
GG: Oh my dear gog...
GG: Uh, Rulett? Do you see a city surrounding the park?
SR: i ₮hin₭ $o
GG: .... Rulett. I want you to answer honestly right now
GG: Do you see a flying machine in the sky right now? Right now? It looks like a big balloon?
SR: ₩h₳₮$ ₳ b₳££oon
SR: um
SR: i do $que₳₭ $ee $ome₮hing ₮hough
SR: ₩h₳₮ i$ $que₳₭ ₮h₳₮ $que₳₭ ₮hing
GG: ...............
GG: Rulett... I dunno how to tell you this but...
GG: That thing you see in the sky?
GG: I'm looking at it too...
GG: Like right now.
SR: re₳££¥
SR: ho₩
SR: doe$ ₮h₳₮ me₳n
GG: ...... I think so...
GG: Rulett... We're on the same world...
SR: oh m¥
SR: ₩₳i₮
SR: ₮h₳₮ me₳n$ i €₳n
SR: ₩here ₳re ¥ou righ₮ no₩
GG: Rulett... I... I can't tell you that.
SR: ₩h₳₮
SR: ₩h¥ no₮
GG: I'm very sorry Rulett, I really am... Look... I've been here on this world for a few days, and, unsurprisingly in that amount of time, I've gotten myself in... well... A bit of trouble.
SR: ₩h₳₮ ₭ind of $que₳₭ ₮roub£e
GG: I won't specify what exactly, all I will tell you is that meeting you will have to wait. At least until I can get things squared away.
GG: Look, don't worry about me okay? As far as good news goes, I've god-tiered since we last talked, so I'm in no real danger.
SR: ₮h₳₮$ good
SR: i ho₱e i €₳n $ee ¥ou $oon $que₳₭ ₳£ex
GG: :-) Don't worry. I guarantee we will.
SR: o₭₳¥
SR: i ₮ru$₮ $que₳₭ ¥ou
GG: But until then... Rulett, I want you to ask around a bit. Ask people nearby to direct you to a place called the 'Apartment Complex'.
SR: ₮he
SR: ₳₱₳r₮men₮ €om₱£ex
SR: i
SR: um
SR: $ure ₳£ex
SR: i££ do ₮h₳₮
GG: When you get there just mention my name to the guy at the front desk. I already have a room reserved for myself there, and the guy at the front desk and I are pals.
GG: He should know who you're talking about.
SR: o₭₳¥ ₮hen
GG: Basically Rulett, the Apartment complex is a collection of hives that people live in. Their homes for rent, so it's clear.
SR: oh
SR: ₮h₳₮ $que₳₭ m₳₭e$ $en$e
GG: Do you understand?
SR: i under$₮₳nd ₳£ex
SR: i££ go ₮o ₮he ₳₱₳r₮men₮ €om₱£ex
GG: Okay, good.
GG: Well Rulett, I'd best get going, I've got plenty to do.
SR: i $que₳₭ ho₱e ₮o $ee ¥ou $oon
SR: be $₳fe
SR: <3
GG: <3
GG: Hey! Look who you're talking to! I'm a God-Tiered Human, I'll be fine. I'm more concerned about you.
GG: Still all the same, stay safe okay? That's all I ask.
GG: <3
SR: <3
GG: See ya real soon Rulett. I promise.
SR: $ee ¥ou ₳£ex~

-- gantzGun [GG] ceased pestering semiluckyRotation [SR]

==> Be the Thief of Void... Present

Oh Rulett... How cute... How innocent...

That tore it. This had to be done... This HAD to be done... Not just for Jaron's sake...

....

But for hers as well.

==> Begin Operation Abscond

You are the Thief of Void...

And you are about to unknowingly pull off one of the biggest rescues/kidnappings the world has ever known...

[doctorzero]

Jaron smiled. "Alex, I'll be fine. Don't worry! I'm not dead yet, now am I?"

He was then rather startled by Alex's exit, but Shantotto's question got his attention.

"Yeah, we need to go. Lucas is waiting for me."

Zero grunted. "Right. Well, I'd prefer it if we got this on the road, if you don't mind."

Kavma...

---

Zero's Report No.4

I was late again. For once I’m glad that Ian and the other guys actually pranked me, the Captain would’ve had my head. Thank heavens he’s forgiving.

We wound up doing basic exercises today, though while I was in the training courtyard I saw the Captain talking with some guy on the balcony. He was some newcomer, some guy wearing a winter coat. Not that that’s unusual, considering the climate this time of year, but something seemed off about him. He kept glancing at me when it seemed like I wasn’t looking.

When I asked the captain later about who he was he said that it wasn’t anyone important. I think he’s lying, something seems to be on his mind.

I tried asking around for the newcomer, but most of the boys either had no idea what I was talking about or hadn’t seen him. Ian did, though. He told me that he was cleaning up the belltower for his punishment on his earlier shenanigans when he found him at the railing looking over at the grounds. They wound up chatting a little, though Ian never got his name or what he was doing here. He agreed with me on that there was something really off about him, though.

Also, he said that we’ve stopped receiving messages from the nearby outpost. There’s probably something up with the route, though Ian says he can’t help but feel uneasy.

Hang on, I hear something going on outside. One of the patrols came back. I’m going to see what the deal is.