Completed Let's become daemon cops in Unavowed (Finished)

[Storyfag]

Oi, Roxor! Did you try the four-letter-word as password?

dupa?

love

 

[CappenVarra]

interesting

 

[abnaxus]

If she dies, she dies.

 

[Darth Roxor]

Tompkins Square Park. My favourite part of town for casual sexual encounters.

Spoiler

Jeez, is every place in NY a dump full of sicko druggies?

Checking if the womyns on the left matches the photo we found.

Whoever is in that photo, this woman is not her.

She's lost in her own world. Maybe we should just leave her alone.

She's unresponsive to any dialogue. Eli remarks that the tune she's humming is "catchy", so it's probably a reference to something, but I don't recognise the melody.

Mayhap the other womyns is our target.

This picture. It's of you, isn't it?

Where did you get that?

You didn't answer my question.

You didn't answer mine, either. Where did you get that? Look, I don't even care. Just leave me alone. I might not look it, but I'm fine. Tell everyone that Wendy is fine.

Clearly she doesn't know that there is power in names.

You don't need to come out here and... wait. It's you, isn't it? You've come back.

She doesn't sound very happy about our coming back.

Sure, Wendy. Yeah, I've come back.

I knew it. You're the master.

Er... yes. I'm the master.

Dunno why you sound so surprised. You've done... something. To your face. You changed it somehow, but I can tell. It's you.

Curious. She can see past the veil. She must be void-touched.

WHAT touched?

Void-touched. It means...

It means mischief!

I don't give a crap what it means. And I don't give a crap about YOU either, "master". Just leave me alone, I already know you're good at that.

Wendy, could you tell me what happened at the Village Eye building?

Why should I?

Because I'm your master, and I command you to. Join! Die!

Jesus. Listen to you. You lost it, didn't you? The power you had. It's gone. Serves you right, after the way you left us. So get out of here. Take your new followers and go.

Wait... followers?

You heard me.

You said I left? What do you mean by that?

What do I mean? You LEFT. Left us to fend for ourselves. And it all went to shit. Me? I'm back where I started. Others... weren't so lucky.

Others? What others?

... you never cared, did you? All that time. I knew it. I just... didn't want to believe it.

I've lost my memory. I don't remember anything about you or anyone else.

You... what? You're serious, aren't you? You didn't just leave us, you forgot about us.

Yes, I think this has been established like 3 times already on each thing.

It's a bit more complicated than that, but yes.

We are trying to piece together what happened. Can you help us?

No. It's done, it's over. If you've forgotten about it, maybe I can too. Just leave me alone.

There's a ghost in the Village Eye building.

Shut UP. Shut up shut up shut up. Don't talk about it. Don't even THINK about it. Just... don't.



We found a dead body in the basement of the Village Eye building.

You can't prove a damn thing! I mean... whatever. Dunno a thing about it.

[bluff: critical fail]

[Intelligence] The basement of the Village Eye is half forest.

T-that's crazy. You're crazy.

Who is the guy in the picture with you?

... you really don't remember anything, do you?

FFS

You've even forgotten Jordon? Your precious protege? Well, he's gone. No thanks to you.

Now we're getting somewhere!

Could you tell me about Zordon?

He and I were a thing... kind of. I don't know. We're nothing anymore. He's gone. He left soon after you. He's probably dead. Not that you care.

oh shut up already.

Fortunately there's nothing more to talk to this gal about. But her identity has just opened a certain door for us.

:D

Back to the Village Eye.

[Haxx0r skill: 1337]

Praise ELEX!

That's all for the journal. Ofc nothing else on the computor, because that's how computors work.

Blood rituals used for healing. That is perverse. And wrong.

It may be wrong, but it does explain the forest downstairs. It's unspent life energy. It created excess life.

Beauty can hide all manner of evil, Eli. You know this more than anyone.

I sense a story here, Eli.

Oh, it's... nothing. Just a little run-in with a golem and a succubus that got...

A story for another time?

Right. Ahem. Blood rituals, dark magic, bad stuff.

Yes, Eli. Bad stuff.

If I understand that journal right, the ritual stopped working when the, ahem, "master" left. Which means that only you - or rather, your demon - could perform it.

Then why leave Jordon in charge?

That's... a good question. One more reason to track it down. In the meantime, I really want to know more about this ritual.

Wait, we're tracking down muh ex-demon now? I thought we were just investigating paranomal activity. SUSPICIOUS...

Sup, Wendy, I'm sure you've missed us.

We read Zordon's journal.

Shit. I knew I should have tossed that computer. Well, the cat's out of the bag now. You proud of yourself, "master"?

I wasn't the one doing the blood rituals.

Like hell you weren't. You were the one who taught us. You took us all in. You... saved us, I guess? Maybe? Every month you'd do the ritual. You'd... cut one of us. We'd bleed on the altar. Then you'd say those words, and we'd heal. Better. Stronger. Faster than before. It was like a drug.

RUN FASTER, JUMP HIGHER.

Life energy. That's what you were being fed. That explains the wildlife in the basement. It must be residual life magic.

Whatever it was, it felt... good.

What happened next?

It all ended is what happened. Jordon was so happy when you put him in charge. He tried. He really did. But he just got too sick. But whatever you did to us, the healing. It stopped working when you left. So he put me in charge. ME. And I just made things worse.

Sounds like a promotion scheme at Obsidian. Guess Jordon didn't want to be an owner anymore.

Something must have happened or you wouldn't be out here.

I failed everyone. I was supposed to help them, but instead I... I cut with the knife. I said those stupid words. Again and again and again. It didn't work. So I had to try... harder.

The murdered man in the basement. You took the blood ritual too far.

It was an accident, I swear!

Nice try.

I saw the wounds on the body. That was no accident.

... look. We were dying. All of us. A few splashes of blood on the altar wasn't doing the job anymore. So I thought...

You thought you would kill an innocent man.

It wasn't like that! He was almost dead anyway. He had a few days to live at most. So we thought... So yeah. We killed him. I killed him. I thought that was the end of it, but then...

His spirit. It came back.

It was horrible. We couldn't stay. Every time it saw us, it would... scream.

I thought one couldn't communicate with ghosts and they were generally unresponsive.

You deserve what you got.

I know. I KNOW. I don't want to be around people anymore.

You... speak the truth.

You believe me. Hooray.

It's not a matter of belief. I simply know what truth is. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Well, there's no point in lying anymore, is there? The "master" here was just as much involved as me. And something tells me you aren't going to turn her in.

Check your privilege.

Where's that knife now?

You think I'm an idiot? I tossed it down a stormdrain.

What? Why did you do that?

Why do you think? It's probably halfway to Jersey by now. And good riddance.

You said you needed healing. What was wrong with you?

Cerebral palsy. On my left side. It was bad before. I could barely handle sewer duty. It's much worse now.

Sewer duty?

You seriously don't remember?

fucking hell

The pipes in the building leaked. Overflow from the sewer. It was disgusting. We couldn't exactly call a plumber, so you made us go into the sewer and drain it from there. We went down there so much, Jordon had to swipe a key to the control panel.

Where's the key to the sewer control panel?

You serious? You never wanted to bother with that before. But whatever. It's to the right of the control panel, behind one of the pipes.

Goodbye, Wendy. And... good luck.

If I was lucky, I never would have met you in the first place.

Yeah, and you'd probably be dead by now. So much for gratitude with these spoiled millennials!

Seems the next step to dis mystery is in the sewers. And I know just the way to get to them!

Magically imbued tools take WEEKS to make. I really hoped to study it.

Yes, anyone would want to have the dagger+3. For "studies", of course.

This manhole is our ticket to the sewers.

You never know. Maybe the demon gave her super strength?

my oh my wot do

You can get to work, Bandana, since you're feeling so cheeky

Yes!

Pop, goes the manhole.

Bracing. Fortuitous that I have kept up my training.

Hold on to your butts, for we shall now enter...

THE SEWER LEVEL!!!

 

[Kabas]

It's always the sewer level, never the bee level.

 

[Reinhardt]

"three months ago i was fired from my job at a crappy electronics store"
"maybe i should password protect this laptop"
password -> wendy

I can understand why someone would fire you, Jordon.

 

[Tigranes]

Time for those carrion crawlers

 

[Darth Roxor]

SSSSSSEEEEEEEEWWWWWEEEEEEERRRRRRSSSSSSSS

Spoiler

Might as well get to werk immediately.

Huh, looks like Wendy was right.

Indeed, the key was behind the pipes.

But to use the key, we need the lock, and that is nowhere to be found.

Convenient hot valve. But way too hot to the touch.

Be careful! The heat in this room is kind of off the scale.

Which is why we tell Eli to get a hold of it.

This stops the steam coming out by the panel to the right.

zomg so many interactions

The water starts going down.

Gee, I wonder how we're gonna get down there.

WHOA

For the love of God, TURN IT BACK ON!

What the hell are you?

Wait... Master? Master, is that you?

Yes, I am your master.

I knew you'd come back! I knew it! I couldn't lead them. I was too weak. I tried. I tried so hard! But it was just... too much.

Guess he really did turn into Zordon.

You're Jordon, aren't you?

I... I was, yes. But I'm not sure who I am anymore. Do you remember, master? How you found me? Frozen half to death on the street? I almost died. You saved me. You healed me. Brought me back from certain death.

I remember.

I... Master, your eyes. Your voice. You are different.

Master, why do you have such big teeth?

You really DON'T remember, do you? You were so kind. You showed me how to heal. We were going to heal the entire city! But I couldn't do it without you. When you left... the power left too. The chill. The cold. It came BACK. I couldn't stop it. It just got worse and worse. I couldn't heal myself, let alone anyone else. So I left. I had to find something - ANYTHING - that could help me get warm again.

It, um, looks like you found it.

I know! You warned me that spell was dangerous. I didn't listen. But I was so desperate. I was freezing to death. The bed in the homeless shelter wasn't enough. You taught me a spell that would "lead warmth into my heart". So I spoke it. Then... this happened.

You stupid reckless idiot.

Do you think I MEANT for this to happen?

No, you misunderstand. The shelter. It burnt to the ground.

Was... was anyone hurt?

Yes, Jordon. People were hurt.

I... didn't mean for this to happen. Help me, master. I know I don't deserve it, but please. Help me before I hurt anyone else.

I have some questions first.

Anything you want.

A knife was tossed down here. Have you seen it?

The knife? You mean YOUR knife? Yes, I saw it fall down here. I took it. Hid it. Just in case you ever came back.

Could you get it for us? I'd love to study it.

I... suppose? After you help me.

We spoke to Wendy.

I didn't want to leave them. Wendy least of all. She leads them now. She's keeping them all safe.

Wendy killed someone on the altar.

She... she WHAT? Why would she do that?

Standard escalation. More blood, more power.

I want this to end! Please, just let it all end!

Why can't you get the knife for us now?

Master, this is all too much. I served you. Faithfully. Then you left when I needed you the most. How do I know you won't leave again? Cure me. Help me. Do that and I'll get the knife for you, gladly.

Bah, fetch quests.

Eli, can you do anything to help him?

I've been trying, but the fire... it's different. It's... self-generating. Self-sustaining. Even submerging himself in WATER couldn't snuff him out. I've never seen anything like it. I need to know more about his condition before I can even attempt a cure.

Perhaps we need to use liquid nitro.

Goodbye, Zordon. We'll be back.

Thank you, master.

What a shame.

Seems the trail leads to the homeless shelter.

Lessee if we can get in.

Do you know anything about the Village Eye building?

They went out of business, didn't they? Squatters were living in that building for a while, but I think they've cleared out.

You let them stay there?

The owner never filed a complaint, so legally we weren't required to investigate. Didn't stop us from keeping an eye on the place, though.

You did a great job there, officer.

So you saw nothing illegal going on at the Village Eye?

Nothing we could see from the outside, no. But to be honest, it wasn't exactly high on our priority list.

Is there a chance I can take a look around back there?

Um. No? In case it wasn't clear, this is a crime scene. Which means stay back.

You need to let me back there.

Oh really? Give me one reason.

Codexia flashes her assets again.

Because I'm a detective with the NYPD.

So you are. You're with the Staten Island precinct? What brings you out here?

That's classified.

Figures. Nobody ever tells me anything. So you want to inspect the scene, huh?

I love this game repeatedly stating the obvious

Yes, we won't take long. I promise.

Take as long as you need. I'm not exactly going anywhere. The site's all yours, ma'am.

She was a cop. It's in her voice, her stance. You can't exactly fake that.

That is not in dispute. You certainly have a... gift for command. We will discuss this later. Let us find what we came for.

A lone locker stands intact amidst the ruins.

Sacre bleu!

This thing is FREEZING.

Freezing? That is certainly interesting.

What do you think caused it, Eli?

There's something in there. Something that is generating a LOT of cold. A self-generating thermo-whirlpool spell, maybe? I've read about those.

Or... a prisoner of ice!

Now quit being a smart-ass and get to werk.

Come on, MELT.

Is everything all right?

Everything's fine. It's just something inside is... fighting back.

Nicely done.

That's me. Eli Beckett, enemy of ice.

Uh, hello.

Bonk.

Hope he doesn't run out of mana.

Hm. Now that it's out in the open air, and the warm rain is coming down, I SHOULD be able to...

What do you know.

It IS a prisoner of ice!

Actually, it does remind me heavily of one scene from PoI, where you find the body of a soldier dumped inside a crate.

Look at that. Not a burn mark on him.

The ice protected him from the fire?

It also froze him to death. But if you want to get technical? Sure. It protected him from the fire.

Does this body look familiar to you?

Uhm, maybe? It's hard to tell. You know, with all the frostbite and things.

I admit, he does look slightly... recognizable. But as to who, I cannot say.

WHOM

Jenkins, gimme a close-up.

Holy crap. It's Zordon.

Yes. I'm as surprised as you are. The quality of that photo isn't so great, but it's definitely the same guy.

The evidence is undeniable. Jordon saught a way to remove the cold invading his body. It appears he... failed.

So what did we see in the sewer? Another ghost?

No. We would not have been able to converse with it if so. We spoke to Jordon. Not a lost spirit. At least, not in the traditional sense. His soul transmuted. Escaped his body and became something else. He is alive, just no longer human.

He's become a fire elemental. A spirit bound to a body of flame.

Why would he do this to himself?

He was a desperate, dying man, Those in such positions rarely consider the consequences. Regardless. We cannot allow a fire elemental to run loose in the city sewers.

Can you fight him, Mandana?

It would most likely burn me to ashes before I could draw my sword.

I don't think it will come to that. Jordon isn't some monster. He's still human. Kind of. Let's go talk to him before deciding anything, ok?

Right. Let's go.

I wanted to let you know, we found a body in the rubble.

You're kidding. *Sigh* It just never gets easier, does it? All right, I'll take it from here. You report to your boss and I'll report to mine. Hopefully we'll catch this guy, one way or another.

I'll put in a good word for you.

Oh, thank you, ma'am. I'd appreciate that.

'Sup.

We went to the shelter, Zordon.

You did? What did you find?

Your corpse.

My WHAT? I'm DEAD?

No, not exactly. You're a fire elemental now. You're alive, you're just... in a new body. A body made of flame.

That's why the flames are self-sustaining. You aren't on fire. You ARE fire.

So... there's no cure?

Uhm, no. Your human body is dead. There's no getting around that. But you're kind of immortal now. That's something, isn't it?

You mean I have to live like this FOREVER?

Uhm, yeah?

You should have left me in the cold, master. You should have left me to die.

So about that knife, Zordon...

No! You said you'd help me! I don't care if I'm... dead. There has to be a way to end this.

Well, we DO have one option. I'm a fire mage. I can control and channel fire. Given enough time, I can... remove the fire from your spirit.

Eli, what you are proposing...

Will be incredibly painful. I know.

Painful?

It will feel like being skinned alive.

But it WILL kill me?

Eventually...

Then I'll do it.

Are you sure this is the only option?

No. No, it is not. I will not allow you to do this, not when there is another way.

Another way?

There are others of your kind. Fire elementals. A whole world of them.

Yeah, in another dimension across the VOID. How do you propose to get him there?

Jordon is a creature of spirit now. Which means he can traverse the void. I can lend him the energy required, and show him how to open the way.

So he can... what? Spend eternity with fire people?

Wait, eternity?

It's a one-way trip, Jordon. Life there will not be easy, but perhaps you can find a home there. A life.

What if he stayed down here?

Stay down HERE? Like THIS? I... I can't. It needs to end.

Agreed. He cannot stay here, and he is much too dangerous to leave loose. This needs to be settled now.

Besides, it's only a matter of time before some sanitation worker comes down here and gets the shock of his life.

Bandana and Eli start bickering in the background.

He won't have to eat any human flesh, will he?

Eat WHAT?

No. His flames are the source of his energy, and will provide most of the fuel required. I will lend him the rest. The effect on me will be minimal. I will recover.

So hold on, he's some kind of perpetuum mobile? Why not stick him inside a heat power plant instead for the greater good.

It's your decision, Zordon.

I... I can't. This is all too much. Master, I know you've done your best. Whatever you decide... I will do.

The chosen one must choose.

Will Codexia PURGE THE HERETIC or OPEN A PORTAL ACROSS THE WARP?

 

[Reinhardt]

Wyrm'lady.

 

[Reinhardt]

1. It is better to die for the Emperor than to live for yourself.

 

[Ninjerk]

He's an abomination against God.

 

[CappenVarra]

void

 

[Kabas]

What if the other fire people have a terrible taste in video games?
It's too much of a gamble, i say it's time for skinning.

 

[lightbane]

Send him to the Fire Nation.

Also, this game has JRPG-style of inane "reminders".

By the way, do you remember what I told you 5 minutes ago about the plot? IT'S IMPORTANT!!

 

[Reinhardt]

Also, this game has JRPG-style of inane "reminders".

Yeah, instead of tb combat they decided to cultural appropriate this.

 

[Storyfag]

Open the portal.

 

[Reinhardt]

Sometimes codexers and their love for vile and ugly things like demons or elves disgust me.

 

[Major_Blackhart]

2. Open the portal and let him be with his own.

 

[Egosphere]

Send him through the portal. He'll be fine.

 

[EruDaan]

Graphics look awesome, setting seems kinda interesting and it is also a game with a diverse cast. Yay? I think?

Send him to the Elemental Plane of Fire.

 

[baud]

PURGE the HERETIC!

 

[Koschey]

Let him die with dignity or potentially condemn him to an eternity of suffering? The true Codexians path is clear, across the void with him!

 

[MZeta]

To consort with the heretic is to endanger one's purity.

Give him the Empreror's Peace.

 

[Darth Roxor]

The chosen one has chosen.

Spoiler

ELIPHAS! OPEN THE SECOND PORTAL!

Maybe this is what was meant to be. Maybe you saved me that night for this very reason. Maybe I have some purpose to fulfill in this new dimension. Okay. I am ready.

Fabulously optimistic for someone who's begged to be skinned alive just a moment ago.

You two should wait aboveground. I will help him transfer across the void.

Off to his new life. Assuming you can call it life. You think we did the right thing?

He has a chance out there. More than he would here.

A chance is better than nothing? Maybe. But to live through eternity without seeing another human being... I couldn't take it. I know that much.

Zordon's not human anymore.

His soul is still human. His mind is still human. Although I'm not him, so what do I know? I know what I am. I'm not entirely normal, but I know that I'm human. I know that I'm ME. If I lose that, then I lose everything.

Bandana emerges from the sewer.

Yes, he has gone through the void.

So he can't ever come back?

No. Nor should he. He posed a danger to this city, the entire world. At the very least, he is out of harm's way. He did retrieve the ritual knife for me before he left.

Well, that's something. I'll study it back at the lab.

Lol, "lab".

I know the routine. I shall call ahead and have pizza delivered.

It's like you read my mind.

Awww, how friendly.

There's another fadeout.

And Codexia wakes up back at the ranch.

Pff, I expected at least a trinket of the case to appear in the room, but there's nothing new.

Mandana is grinding her swordsmanship.

Good, you are awake. I was hoping to talk to you.

Uh-oh.

There is nothing to worry about, I assure you. You have completed your first field mission, you must have... thoughts. I am curious as to what they are, what are you feeling at the moment?

Nope, I'm completely thoughtless

I'm eager to get back out there.

That is refreshing to hear. For some of us, the Unavowed is a calling. For others, a duty. But for you... I have seen you in action. I have seen you react under pressure. You were clearly meant for this life.

All I ever wanted was to be a cop.

You misunderstand me. Your old life - your time as a police officer - prepared you for this. It gave you discipline, authority. The Unavowed has become... lax... in the recent decades. Perhaps you can help us with that.

Hoho, time to arrange a coup.

Don't pretend you understand me. You barely know me.

I presume too much. I apologize. At any rate, I detect no falsehood within you. You spoke the truth to me. Thank you.

Can you really detect falsehoods?

Yes, lies and falsehoods make Jinns... uncomfortable. We cannot abide this sensation. Of course, the ability to detect a lie is often useful in the field, so I have... accepted it.

I grew up on Mars, and I am 120 years old.

I did mention that a lie makes a Jinn very uncomfortable? Think of fingernails on a chalkboard, but inside your brain. Jinns cannot abide to SPEAK a lie, let alone listen to one.

[Intelligence] So you can't SPEAK a lie either?

Indeed. No Jinn could. It gives us physical pain. Of course, this means that Jinns resort to mind tricks and verbal trickery.

Mind tricks and verbal trickery? You're saying I shouldn't trust you?

You can trust me to tell the truth. I have no desire to trick you or anyone else. My purpose is to serve the Unavowed. Nothing more, nothing less.

But if tricking me served the Unavowed...?

shots fired

*Sigh* This is why nobody trusts the Jinn. One always looks for hidden meaning. Mind games and wordplay are... silly. I find them tiresome. So I have focused my efforts elsewhere.

I hope you will grow to trust me, and that is the truth.

No mind games, huh? I like that.

DON'T TRUST THE SKULL

It is not for your benefit, but I appreciate the sentiment.

Let us datamine while we're here.

Where'd you learn to use a sword?

Like with most things, I learnt it at my mother's knee. Well, not literally, she was usually cutting off OTHER peoples' knees, but the metaphor holds.

Your mother used a sword too?

Yes, but I prefer not to dwell. Ask me questions if you must, but not that.

Suspicious.

Any thoughts on that last mission?

I believe we made the right choice with Jordon. When he disappeared across the void, he seemed... content? Less conflicted. More determined. I am sure he will make a life for himself there.

I'll leave you to it.

Thank you.

Might as well check up on Eli.

ohai there

I was just reading some old texts with Fire Sight.

Right. Fire Sight. Of course.

Sarcasm received and understood. Sorry. It's a fire magic trick, lets me read any book that was consumed by a flame. It's a bit of a strain on the eyes, but beggars can't be choosers.

That's p. cool.

Time to use it to learn ancient wisdom.

Can I try reading it?

Er, I wouldn't recommend it. Not unless you want your eyes to melt. Just as well, this book isn't telling me anything. It's an old Sumerian text about death magic. Really long. Really boring. But I used to read books about S-corp tax code for fun, back when I was an accountant. I can handle boring. Ah, well. See you at the meeting?

One quick question...

Fire away.

You mentioned something about being an accountant?

That's right, back in my mundane days, before my powers kicked in. I worked at the firm Wiesel, Meltzer and Sherman.

"Meltzer" is another name returning from Blackwell.

There used to be a "Beckett" somewhere in the middle of that, but, well, you know.

You were really an accountant?

Yep, I was damn good at it too.

forgive me if i dont write down most of this dialogue, but it mostly says the same thing all the time

Lining up numbers in my head, making them dance and do what I want. My boss used to say it was like magic. Turns out the old man was being literal. Who knew?

Being an accountant is like doing magic?

Yeah. Throwing a fireball or preparing your tax return. Tomayto, tomahto. It's all just numbers.

Could I ask you about some of the pictures on your walls?

Sure, I guess.

Seems the wizard would rather talk numbers. Whodathunk.

lotsa

What are you and Mandana doing in that photo by the door?

We were feeding the birds. What, you expected something else? There's nothing special about it, just an ordinary day.

The byrds are not what they seem

If the picture is nothing special, why are you smiling?

I... am?

Huh, yeah, guess I am. That picture was taken in... '77? '78? Around five years after my powers kicked in, anyway. I'd buried myself down here. Studying old books. Experimenting with spells. Trying to come to terms with everything. Then Mandana dragged me out to the park. We fed the birds. It was... nice. Normal. Ordinary. I felt human. And I can never forget that. Not ever.

I'm curious about that wedding picture.

Well, I can't deny that's me. Almost 70 years ago that was taken. Could we... not talk about this yet?

The house. The mailbox says "Beckett".

You know what they say. If it's yours, put your name on it. But yeah, that's my house. Well, fifty years ago it was my house. Had to leave it behind when my powers kicked in. And the worst part? I was only five installments away from paying off the mortgage.

Those two little girls, are they yours?

Yeah, but I kinda don't want to talk about them now if that's okay.

That picture of you at the desk.

Yep, that's me, hard at work. I can even remember the account I was working on. This dress manufacturer in midtown. Booming business. Lots of numbers. Tons of paperwork. I loved every minute of it.

Any thoughts on our last mission?

I don't know. I just keep thinking about Jordon, wondering if he's okay. I'm going to live a long time, but even when I'm dust in the wind, he'll still be out there. I only hope he's... still himself.

I'll leave you to it.

Right! See you around.

This means one last NPC to datamine before we can move on.

Ruh-roh. Am I interrupting something?

Undefended against what? Ours is the only domain under attack!

Your charter is quite clear. Recruitment is your responsibility.

You accuse me of negligence? Just how many agents are currently in YOUR employ?

That is precisely the point. We have no agents to spare. I am sorry, Kalash.

So am I, Aralax. New York is getting overwhelmed. When that happens, they will come for YOU.

T-H-E-M.

Also, ofc Kwanzania is the centre of the universe, as always.

Then we must be ready when it comes. Aralax out.

May Jahannam swallow you whole!

He notices Codexia at the door.

Ah... you heard that, did you?

What was it? Fingernails on chalkboard?

Nope. I didn't hear anything.

A word of advice. Never tell a falsehood to a Jinn. We can recognize the truth, and that... was not. Regardless, you didn't hear anything you did not already know. It is no secret that threats have been escalating. I had hoped to appeal for aid and fill up our ranks. Alas, we are on our own. I respect Lady Aralax, but I should have known better. Never ask a dragon for anything. You will always regret it.

Deal with a dragon, huh.

Let's hit the road.

What is that crystal? Some kind of magic phone?

A magic phone...? I suppose that is one way of describing it. There are shards of this crystal in every branch of the Unavowed. It allows us to... communicate. Whatever good that does.

Back in my days we called that a palantir.

Did I hear that right? You were speaking to a dragon?

A dragon at the head of the Dublin branch of the Unavowed, yes.

Begorrah!

She is... old. Stuck in her ways. I suppose the same could be said of most of us.

Call the meeting.

Yes, duty calls.

Huh. This is my surprised face.

Why do you bother those cowards, father?

Show some respect, they are correct. Stubborn, but correct.

We don't need help. We're doing just fine on our own.

Are we? I am not so sure about that. Every branch is responsible for its own defence and recruitment. In this respect... I have been negligent.

Guess this answer's Lightbane's question from before.

So have ALL the branches, father. A sudden rise in threats would have caught any city unprepared.

And we're that city. Lucky us.

I shall appeal again, rest assured.

Can't wait to get some russki exchange guy.

In the meantime, let us go over last night's events.

I almost got crushed by a giant ice block.

"giant"

You seem fine to me. As for the others... Daughter, I trust you have recuperated from your ordeal with the fire elemental?

I have. There do not appear to be any other... ill effects.

So you aren't entirely positive?

I took all the necessary precautions, but one is never entirely positive.

As long as you aren't hiv-positive.

Then I will have to accept that. However, I am DEEPLY CONCERNED that this mundane was able to acquire such a powerful spell in the first place.

Stop whining, Crispy.

My demon started a cult. It put Zordon in charge.

Yes, but WHY? Why would a demon do such a thing?

Why do demons do anything?

To create havoc, obviously. Why else?

No, this was too focused, too targeted. We are not dealing with a mindless spirit, bent on chaos and destruction. This demon had a plan. A purpose. We need to learn what it was.

And how do we do that?

Funny you should say that.

Ah, I know that look. You did as I asked, Mage Beckett?

Yes, I did, sir, and it worked. Well, working. It's not quite done yet.

What are you referring to?

Oh, the ritual knife. I did a thaumaturgic scan on it.

Thauma-what?

It's, uhm, a magic thing. Checking objects for imbued magical energy. And I hit the paydirt. The knife was imbued with a very specific energy signature. Your demon's energy to be precise. It's connected to you and you alone. That's why you were the only one who could use it properly. Which means... we can track it.

Great, let's go get it!

Er, yeah, about that. The demon's out of your body now. Its energy signature has changed. I can only track where it's been when it was in your body.

So where did the demon take me?

It was... busy, I'll say that much. It was all over the map. I'm trying to narrow it down to areas of the greatest activity, but it's slow going. So far, the scan's got you pegged in two places. The Bronx, around Gun Hill Station. And Staten Island, by the ferry terminal.

Staten Island? I hope I don't run into anyone from the station.

The veil is still in place. You need not worry about that.

Very well. Check both areas for void activity, and any sign of the demon. We'll show those idiots on the council what New York is made of! Meeting adjourned.

Yeah, I've seen your magic tricks before, Kalash.

Still not impressed.


The chosen one must choose again!

Is our next step going to be DA BRONX or STATEN ISLAND?

 

[Jaedar]

Staten island, we must recover our cop legacy.