S.Y. 650 Muro 18 0:13 S.Q. - Nearing the Bottom of Hotia
From there Chancellor Poji and the workers left and I headed deeper into Hotia. Further and further down we went, eventually beginning to wonder if we would ever find the bottom. On the way, Obitiga, Lepricus & I used a few of the potions we found laying around to heal up. We figured if anything we would be running into some form of combat soon, so we should be prepared. After some more time passed it began to look like a light was shining from below. We thought we must have found the next door, hoping it wasn't just another dead end we approached, hearing what sounded like voices.
"We found it."
[Zenshu Cult Member 1]
"Should I commence with the operation?"
[Zenshu Cult Member 2]
Interested in who it was, we peered through the entrance where we saw a handful of Zenshu members as well as one who dressed differently. He had dark brown skin and red hair and dressed like a gunslinger. As well as a few people chained together, surrounded by him and a few others.
"Sirisa, Gixoh, & Liam!"
"Temti!"
"Rion!"
[Lepricus, Twilight, & Obitiga, all at the same time]
"That definitely looks to be them."
[Obitiga]
"Only issue is they seem to be guarded."
[Twilight]
"That one in a different uniform, do you think that could be him, Rah?"
[Lepricus]
"Maybe, we'll just have to…"
[Twilight]
"Oh, also what should I do if I run into that kid Iago talked about. Since we got Setago, do we honestly need him alive?"
[Rah, speaking into what seemed to be a Lightsponder]
I wonder if he's talking about me? And that name Setago, Iago used it earlier when he addressed Temti. Then that means he's amongst the people changed up.
[Twilight, thinking]
"Tsk, alright I'll make sure not to kill him."
[Rah, looking toward the area the group is hiding]
[The three ducking back]
"Did he see us? Did he know we were here the whole time, should we go ahead and attack?"
[Twilight, thinking]
"Come on out kids, I know you're there."
[Rah, as he hangs up his Lightsponder]
[Pause for no response]
"Fair warning, come out now or else, if you keep pissing me off you'll be staring at the end of my barrel"
[Rah, pointing his gun at our location]
It was obvious he knew where we were so we came out. Once out of the shadows we were able to get a better look at him. We could tell he was a Naga, and in addition to the other features I mentioned earlier he also had red eyes
"So I guess if you're here then that means Iago probably lost, and that the First Family and the Islanders are free right. I guess that doesn't matter right now though, I'll just have to redo all the hard work again later."
[Rah, getting ready for battle]
Less than a breath later, Rah began shooting an onslaught of what seemed to be like bullets. I'm not sure if he was actually aiming at us as they all seemed to miss. Then the entrance behind us began to collapse.
"Now that you have no way out we can actually begin this battle."
[Rah, calmly]
"I don't think any of us can get through that…"
[Obitiga, as he checks out the destruction]
"Let's just worry about getting the others out right now."
[Lepricus]
"I'll try and hold him off."
[Twilight]
As Lepricus and Obitiga began rushing to save the others, they were intercepted by the other Zenshu Cult members. While Rah and I began our battle.
It didn't take long for either Lepricus or Obitiga to take down the Zenshu Cult members and free the others. While they were in the midst of that, I was having a hard time handling Rah alone. It was already a disadvantage that he was a gunner and me a thief, meaning I had to somehow get close to even land a blow.
As the battle began to look even more one-sided, an arrow brushed against the face of Rah, and then a few balls of light. Which told me that the others were definitely fine. With the opportunity created by the others, Rah was left open, so I rushed in for the attack. I should have seen it coming with the rank he was but Rah was able to dodge at the last minute. Causing his top armor to rip, revealing what looked to be like a necklace. It took me a second to realize it but the necklace looked familiar, like the one my mother owned.
"Well I didn't expect you to be this good kid, but I know when it's time to make a strategic retreat. Don't worry though, we'll see each other again."
[Rah]
"Wait!!! That necklace where did you get it, who are you, are you one of the ones who took my mom. TELL ME!!!!"
[Twilight]
"Don't worry kid I said we'll see each other again. We have a score to settle since you gave me this."
[Rah points to face]
Shooting a blast towards the debris where the entrance was last located and creating a way out he left. All I could think to myself is that has to be him. One of the kids who attacked me back then. The one that chased me out of my home. The next time I see him I'll make sure he tells me about what happened in that room. About what they did to my mom.
As I ran over to the others they were just getting fully freed.
"Is everyone okay?"
[Twilight, as he checks on Temti]
"Yeah we're good, what about you. It didn't look like that battle took that long."
[Sirisa, check on Twilight]
"Yeah, it doesn't look like it caused any problems."
[Twilight]
"Did he run away?"
[Lepricus]
"Yeah he did."
[Twilight]
"Fuck that, I wanted my chance against him. I'm pretty sure he's the one who attacked us."
[Gixoh]
"Maybe? It kinda looks like them."
[Rion]
"Either way he has a necklace that looks like my mom's."
[Twilight]
"Moms?"
[Twmti]
"Yeah, we have to go after him."
[Twilight]
Right before they could head out the others haunted them. Reminding them they still had to defeat the Forsaken Pride. Though the two weren't pleased by the idea of Rah getting away they allowed it. Knowing the others wouldn't be able to handle it alone.