Lore of Leyuna RPG (FRPG)

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"I kept up with the Tyrbenetus situation as best I could, from the position I was in," Morialus explained. "When I heard it was all over...well...you can understand my surprise."

The man returned his hands to their position behind his head.

"I needed to see for myself. I needed to understand how it all happened."

He paused.

"...And I needed to make sure the last one was worthy. Call it a personal responsibility."

[C S]

Desrium was inclined to argue that Morialus, by way of being the only active champion remaining, and the only one in general with divine gifts bestowed by Moria herself, was the last standing Justicar himself. Desrium also had enough sense to know that Morialus was more than a little eccentric, the result of carrying the weight he had for as long as he did.

"I hope this has been enlightening, then," Desrium said.

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"It has," the man responded simply. "Though, in my quest to find you I have come across some rather disturbing rumors...You aren't actually lazing around as some ruler of a town, are you?"

[C S]

Desrium shook his metal head. "I am not involved in its politics at all, and while I will claim that I have not been lazy at all, that is something I will leave for you to judge, Morialus. I am merely Brodudika's provider, and I lend what assistance I can to upholding law and order. It is a role I will fulfill until the city is self-sufficient, and it no longer needs me to preside over its affairs."

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

Morialus made a thoughtful noise, then shrugged.

"I just needed to know the last of the Justicar, no matter how strong, wasn't going to slip away in the lap of luxury."

"Gods forbid a hero retires," Hex commented with a fair degree of scorn.

"Retirement is fine," the man clarified, "but do so with some dignity. Someone who was once a Justicar should never exploit their efforts for personal benefit."

[C S]

"Never," Desrium agreed once more. "The blight of demons has been erased from Tyrbenetus, but there is still much to do, for all of us. It is easy to do away with a ceaseless enemy, but dealing with our mortal flaws is a greater task to accomplish. Tyrbenetus is free today to rise again, but the Eternal War is that fought between good and evil; formless combatants destined to clash in the name of balance. That is what Brodudika has taught me."

The armored being turned his head to look in the direction of the city. There were stirrings of another storm brewing, more chaos on the breeze. Like Tyrbenetus, where Desrium drew much of his inspiration, Brodudika's foundations were rooted on the cusp of annihilation and steeped in the unsteady history of Draxon. It was a truly uncanny echo across time and space.

"Further more, there is one I consider a brother, Morialus, who travels Aster to spread peace and understanding wherever he goes. I wish to see his safe passage on his life's journey, and to see him reach his truest potential. As much as I yearn for this desire, there is nothing else of greater importance to me than the full establishment of that city. I was asked by a citizen while on patrol recently, how it feels to create a system that profits off of lives for favors and the exchange of coins. It was a hurtful notion, and it still is. I do not want to see heroes off, only to have them not return. Yet they call themselves angels, and they die angels' deaths, just for the chance for others to live in a better world. Financial gain is seldom the sole reason that drives the people of Brodudika."

This was more than what most usually heard out of the Stalwart at any given time. It was something he felt needed to be shared.

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"Some would rather die as heroes than live as common folk," Morialus agreed nonchalantly. "Hell, that's basically my life summed up. Though I would say less 'hero' and more just 'interesting.' Perhaps my perception of things has been skewed by being born into a war that never ends, but I was never interested in domestic affairs."

"A calm life has its purpose." The voice that chimed to refute the man's point was, strangely, Grama's. "Not everyone wishes to fight."

"True enough," Morialus replied. "So long as Brodudika continues to run based on a system of volunteers rather than conscripts, I think it'll do just fine."

[C S]

Desrium silently heeded the assessment, along with the other unnamed party's words. She had the ability to remove her presence from the purview of his magical senses, but chose pacifism in spite of the implications that ability had on her true nature. She and the dragon named Hex were entities of incredible power in their own respects.

Their choice was theirs to make, of course, but Desrium could not be faulted for imagining what good they could accomplish if they joined the city's cause. He would leave these thoughts unspoken as he opened his mouth wide, splitting his helm into a straight angle. Now that he had cooled down enough, Desrium stuck his free gauntlet down his throat to retrieve his medallion.

His hand emerged from his mouth thereafter, and Desrium quickly slung the chain around his neck. The pendent hung at its usual place over his chestplate. A gift that could not be destroyed so easily, but one that needed an extra measure of care when Desrium found himself in these situations. The medallion would not go the way of the hat, vitorite amulet or robe.

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"Oh to be a creepy golem man," Morialus commented at the display, punctuating the statement with a laugh. "Do you know how many keepsakes I've lost over the years because they couldn't handle the crap I was going through? Too many to count, is the answer."

"It's good that it's safe," Grama commented, her words genuine, though her face remained devoid of emotion.

[C S]

"I will be sure to leave it in a safer place before my next... encounter," Desrium said. It was thinking as quick as his movement speed that saw to it that the medallion was stowed away inside his armor, before he shot out from the bottom of the crater.

The Paladin looked to the woman, and asked a question long overdue. "What is your name, Friend-Of-Hex?"

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"Grama," the girl replied simply.

"It's a type of grass," Morialus stated. Grama and Hex both turned to look at him - the man recoiled slightly at their gaze. "Seriously! That's what it means. Read a book, people."

"It's the name I've chosen for myself," Grama continued, turning back to Desrium. "It sounds nice."

[C S]

Desrium hummed. "It is as good a reason as any," he concurred. The knowledge that Grama named herself was something that spoke deeply to the armored being. To him, that was indicative of a sense of self that he never had in the past. Physical appearance was not a reliable way to judge age, but there was something about Grama that made her seem young to Desrium's perspective, yet her demeanor was evidence of years that surpassed those of her body.

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"Aaaanyway," Morialus cut in, taking a step forward. "I've done what I've come here to do. Now." The man paused, freezing mid-motion. "Now...."

"You had no followup to this, did you?" Hex asked doubtfully.

"I have no clue," he confirmed, shrugging. "When your life's objectives only include 'don't go home' and 'don't die,' the sky's the limit. Everything is improvised."

[C S]

"You are welcome to stay in Brodudika until destiny calls you away," Desrium offered. The city space was not accommodating and Morialus' burden would make him an outcast among the more common denizens. The oriental warrior was used to one of these things. At the end of the day, the city of friends and heroes always had a place for one of Morialus' distinction. "The offer extends to you both as well," he added, turning a red eye to Grama and Hex.

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

"Perhaps I will," Morialus concluded. Turning to his companions, he added, "Besides, I believe destiny is already calling, it's just some of us refuse to answer."

The two looked back at the man for several moments, but said nothing.

"Not yet then?" he asked. Several more moments of silence gave him his answer. "Ah well. Maybe some day."

Morialus turned away, gesturing for Desrium to lead the way.

[C S]

And so as it began, so too it ended, with a hand held out between armored beings, and the gears of fate turning in their timeless machinations.

Desrium sheathed his sword and led the others along the same path they walked to reach the sparring grounds, and some time later they were back at the city gates. Nods and salutes punctuated their arrival, along with the rattling of the gates and secondary fortifications being raised. Morialus' reappearance renewed the unease and insecurity of those on duty, however, their benefactor's firmness in demeanor was a sign of assurance, no matter what their instincts dictated. Desrium's static visage was not immediately comforting in most cases, but his acceptance of the stranger and his company was an example for all to follow. Even if the most the majority of Brodudika could achieve was a thinly veiled, distanced tolerance.

Tolerance was a few shades of acceptance.

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

Morialus followed behind the former Justicar, his hands in their usual position behind his head. The man's leisurely posture stood in stark contrast with both the feeling that he gave off, as well as the obvious conflict he had just been involved in. The battle between the two disciples of the Dawnmother hadn't exactly been a quiet one - despite that, neither seemed any worse for wear, nor did they seem at odds with one another.

"Surrounded by a threatening aura, and just having fought the founder and protector of the city he's now entering," Hex commented to his companion telepathically, "And yet he walks on as if this place was his home away from home."

"He must be used to it by now," the girl replied flatly. Untold years of dealing with his...unique situation undoubtedly had an impact on the man's eccentricity.

"That, and he is quite confident in his own ability," Hex retorted, watching Morialus carefully from behind. Given the circumstances - and even if their guide would protest to such a notion - it was at least possible the entire city, filled with accomplished heroes, could be his enemy. Despite this, the ancient warrior walked on without a care.

[C S]

Giving Hex's concerns some due credence, a little ways further into the setting of quaint houses and gentle brick paths was the woman from the north. She stood tall in the center of the road in A-frame, arms crossed. The rims of her bladed helmet's eye-holes glimmered with a pale strobing light. Her own gaze was not bright enough to illuminate the shadows encased in metal and highlight her eyes, but it was bright enough to catch on the silver-gray material. It was the first time Desrium could recall such a detail. Not even upon their first meeting, and she was prepared to fight him to the bitter end on that day.

That meant Evisa was exceptionally upset, and had been waiting for quite some time in the middle of the street. That explained why traffic was conspicuously absent from this way. Small blessings being what they were, the viking was not churning currents of mana, light and summery winds around her anchored self.

She waited until they were a yard or so closer before broaching in the bluntest manner she was capable of, "What the hell is this?"

[Turbo Tyrannophonic]

Morialus looked from Desrium, to the boisterous woman, to Hex, to the woman again, to Grama, and then finally back to the woman.

"I'm sorry, you'll have to be a little more specific. To whom are you yelling at?"

The man's hands were clasped together in front of him, hunching over slightly as if trying to remain eye level.

[C S]

"Mister ringleader himself, who else?" Evisa replied with an accusatory point of a finger, placed squarely over Desrium's face from where she was looking. "If you aren't off making your... arrangements," as that was why Evisa was in the city that morning, "you're marching off to risk life and limb against an enemy... without even asking me! And then you bring the ******* back like everything's fine!"

"Everything is fine," Desrium countered.

"One of you ******** turned the sky dark. Bull****, everything's fine, mister shadow-wings!"