Log:The Regent Obligation

The Regent: The Lost Years 2015/02/08 Matt Paragon Sasha 1

Matt arrives at the church after contacting Sasha. His mind has been active since Grimm went into it, relieved him of his fears, unlocking the strengths of all that dwell there and make up his true self, one voice, has been overwhelming..the same one that has been overwhelming, Archanois, his voice has been most vocal in its dissatisfaction..of everything."

A few minutes after the time they were supposed to meet, Sasha strolls into the church looking a little irritated. The front of his A-line has a large damp stain on it from something. Along with his usual messenger bag, Sasha is carry a cheesecloth bag that has a certain skull in it. "Heya Matt," Sasha growls softly. "Before we get started, do you mind if we go someplace else? I feel the need for nature and peace around me after the prank that was just pulled on me."

Matt cocks his head to the side, "Uh...absolutely. What just happened?"

"One of my little wolves, Eddie, thought it would be great prank to ask for my help with an old fashioned fountain pen. He then squirted me on what was a white silk shirt with said black ink pen. That would be easily remedied if said ink was not resistant to magical removal." He looks over and down at Ziand in the cheese cloth bag. "I wonder how Eddie ended up with something like that?" he murmurs.

Ziand's replies in his sepulchral voice, "Mail order I wouod suppose. He does like comic books after all." Ziand seems calm and unperturbed. "Why you think I would stoop to aiding him is beyond me, Aleksandr."

Matt raises an eyebrow now, "Aleksandr?..ok, well, lets go then?..So Ziand has a sense of humor then? That's great, probably why Archano..AGGHH!!..." and he holds his head "SHUT UP!" he says outloud..very loud, "No wonder Archanois hates Ziand...Archanois has no sense of humor it seems!"

Sasha raises an eyebrow at Matt's littel mental incident then murmurs, "Yes, I think both of us could use some peace and quiet. And Ziand some time away form Eddie." The mage gestures with his free left hand and one of his silvery-blue edged Gates flashes into being. Through it can be seen a small clearing in some woods. "So, shall we?" he murmurs as he more slowly than his usual speed moves towards the Gate.

Matt nods, "Still on earth?" he asks, and as the gate opens a huge whistling wind raises dust and debris in the church before he walks through,..extradimensional travel does that to him, the same way milk affects others sometimes...

"Yes, someone has been refusing to teach me how to access other planes. Something ab out not being matrure enough, I believe," Sasha mutters. "This is just outisde of Buckingham Gardens. I found it by pure chance."

Matt nods, "I think I know where we're going. I've actually been there, My father new the shaman who lived there before he left this plane.." his voice is non-chalant as he steps through the portal.

"Ah, really? I could never figure out why there were traces of magick here. A shaman you say?" He follows Matt thrught the Gate and then lets the Gate cloes behind him. "Ah, much better..."

Matt nods, "From what I understand, a very powerful one. My father has fond memories of that man, Dancing Coyote was his name, My father says he went on a spirit walk one day drawn by some kind of compulsion, and never returned."

Sasha hmms as he listens. "I've never really studied shamanism in depth. Or shamans for that matter. Well, the fringes where it meets up with my family's folk magicks, but that's about it." He moves over to the flat rock and sits down next to it and leans back agasint it. He places Ziand on his lap as he does so. "So, what is it you need to talk about?

Matt sits opposite of Sasha, "I believe that Archanois needs to make peace with Ziand, and quite frankly, I am getting tired of listening to his rants and ravings. I would like you and Ziand to enter my mind so that they may speak, and if not build bridges, at least let the water finally flow under the bridge."

Sasha blinks at MAtt's request then slowly nods. "Well, if Ziand is willing, I can certainly attempt it, Matt."

Ziand snorts, "Any peace I make with Archanois would be entirely one sided. /I/ hold no grudge against him after 30000 years. So, yes, Matthew, I will make the attempt so as to spare you the rants I am certain Archanois is capable of. You hardly deserve them."

Matt nods, "Lets get this going, He's on a real doozy right now for me trying this..."

"Well, my usual use of the Akashic Eye might be useful, but let me change it just a bit. Normally, I cann bring others in." The Russian youth spends a few minutes drawing a complex pattern in the ground around the three of you with consultations, both asked for and unasked for, from Ziand. He finally nods as he scratches out one last rune then sits back down and returns Ziand to his lap. "Alright," he says, "Let us see if this works." He closes his eyes and after a moment a large all blue eye opens on hios forehead. It bathes Matt ins a pure white light then somehow seems to trun that same cone of light until it strikes both Ziand and Sasha. There is moment of shared mental contant and then...

A rune was incorrectly written, and something goes awry. Its not Matt's mind that is entered, well not exactly, it is Matthew Regent's soul, what is left of "The Regnt" that is entered, Ziand is left behind, but Sasha is not..he is drawn in, as if he is falling down a rabbit hole...%RElsewere in the city, Third was taking a rest, her eyes closed it seemed just a few minutes prior, but now..a strange feeling, a strange familiar feeling and she is in a dream..that is not a dream, she knows what is happening, at least for a moment before she is also drawn in...

Garuda sits with you in his castle in the sky, as is normal in his realm, perches rather than seats are available in his private meeting chambers. "I believe the time has come to ask for help and invoke the obligations." he says in a manner that makes you think you should know what he's talking about.

The large feather serpent sinuously twists around the perch upon which he rests. "Are you certain we should, my lord? Calling upo the Regent may be just what the demons desire. If his attention is focussed here, they may be able to reach elsewhere."

A winged woman dressed in the armor of the honor guard rubs the bridge of her nose for a moment, then takes a little bit of time looking around until her gaze settles on Garuda. Third recognizes the feeling, and upon seeing the familiar elemental lord, she realizes why the sensation is so familiar. And she knows the rift war is familiar to her in some way. Something she had heard mention of in summary.

Previously, Third had been drawn into the minds of other planar beings in the present. So now, she is left unsure if this is really a past echo from another plane, or a new rift war has begun as the feathered serpent mentions the Regent. The winged woman's eyes widen slightly at the thought that this could be the present. "Just the Regent? Should we not call more to aid us?" she asks.

Inside the mind of Quetzacoatl, unnoticed by the wise old serpent, Sasha thinks, "What the $&#&? What is happening here? Where, the Atlantean plane of Air? But. Just calm down. Relax."

Garuda nods his great Cranelike head, "I understand your concern, The Regent, for all of his inexperience has been responsible for the closure of the rift on his own world. Of course with the efforts of the human heroes, as well as the overthrow of 3 planar lords, He has found his legacy, not simply the elemental touches that he was born with, but he has made contact with Archanois. Captain Miranda, Even you do not know who Archanois is, He was the first Human that the planar Lords made a compact with, A great mage of the Atlantean race on earth. Long have they been relegated to living in hiding since the destruction of their civilization, but with that connection made, much of his powers are being revealed to him. We cannot call upon those that helped him, Neither are they long lived, they would perish on this plane in a mere 50-60 years. A blink of the eye. We have called upon others Miranda, but this is the legacy of the Regent..to defend our realms in time of need. I cannot bear to know that more of your brothers and sisters die, and we have not called upon all resources." He pauses, "Miranda, your peoples fight bravely, but we are losing." his voice shows his compassion and his loss, as well as a tone of matter of factness regarding the last part.

Queztlcoatl sighs softly, "Too many of our people have died at the hands of elementals allied with the demons, yes." His gaze turns to Gardua. "My lord, if you feel it is best to call upon the Regent, I will, as always, follow your lead." He then murmurs, "But the Regent is still so young. And so new to his powers. We must not tax him too greatly and be certain to provide him all the support we can."

Garuda once again nods, "Your comments bear the weight of your wisdom Lord Quetzlcoatl, under less stressful circumstances, I would agree, unfortunately, if we are to properly support Captain Miranda," he says looking at Miranda, "The Regent will need to be thrust into the crucible, and it will be under fire that his steel will be tempered. We can only hope he survives and is hardened before he breaks."

Garuda turns to Miranda, "Your thoughts Captain are welcome...expected.." he says.

"Yes, we are losing," admits the winged woman as Third half repeats what was told to her, and then suddenly half remembers the actual losses. This all leaves Third very confused. Thinking perhaps it's the young Matt that she knows that's being called to action, she still can't consent to the plan. "He is still just a boy. We can't rest this obligation on his shoulders, even if there is a pact," she pleads for compassion.

Garuda nods, "He is young, I know this, it is not without a heavy heart that I call upon him. He is only of 20years, hardly a hatchling, but our need is great, and He has the scent of fate upon him. By all odds, he should be dead." he pauses and looks around at the both of you, "He and 6 other children fought and defeated 3 lords of their planes, they of course were not alone, but to defeat a lord upon their own plane...that defies logic."

Miranda frowns as she tries to make sense of what Garuda has said. Especially considering she's seen Neptune's might first hand. "That...-does- defy logic," she admits carefully. "I'm not sure how a group of children managed to defeat three lords."

Sasha shifts uneasily upon/around the perch. "Well, it is quite possible that in their betrayal each of them weakened their connections to their planes, my lord. "WE tend to forget that we are not the only beings of power in the multiverse, my lord. And each lord is to closely tied to their plane that if one can recognize it, one can bring the opposte forces to work against that lord. As our enemies are diong right now." He adds after a beat, "And remember, that the first Regent was from the same world as those children. It seems power not connected to the elements permeates that universe."

Garuda nods, "Once again Lord Quetzl, your words ring true, in case, they had the support and help of the new lord of the realms, But as we know that Horus was deposed by Apollo, and Persephone has always hated her Lord Hades,...And Pele, Pele is Pele..she has always been a power. But why was this group brought to the planes? I feel there is a reason, my vision sees much, I know there is something here that I cannot see. But, ever has the truth been, always will one's own fate be hidden from themselves."

Within Miranda's mind, Third starts to realize that there are discrepencies between the Regent Garuda is referring to, and the one she knows now. With that realization comes the understanding that this is an event that has already transpired. Uncertain if she can change the fate of the Regent, and perhaps prevent the events of the Regent's Legacy all together from claiming so many lives, she maintains, "If they were only able to do it with help and each other, even for just a short time, should we not call upon these others and more to aid the Regent for the best hope of success?"

Garuda's head swivels looking at Miranda for a long moment, his eyes seem to pierce her soul as the look is one more than just quizzical, and if for only a moment, there is a realization that he knows that the Miranda he has known for 50 short years is not the Miranda who sits before him now. "Captain, the other lords guard the gates, and are supporting your forces, It is we who must support the Regent, for it is we...not I who bear the connection. Only the current ruler of the realm has any power over, or more precisely, investment with the Regent. I am certain that with Matthew Regent, he would come to defend this realm for any, but only I have the power to call him here, and the power to invoke the power that binds the Regent line and the lord of the plane of air. I shall support him, in ways only I may."

Sasha listens quietly as he tries to piece together what is happening. The feathered serpent, on the other hand, "We may not have the time to ponder such matters, Lord Garuda, but as Captain Miranda says, we may need to ask the Regent to call upon his former comrades." He sighs. "And we may need to consider seeking aid from beyond our linked worlds as well, my lord. Althogh I am loathe to let outsiders into your realm we may need to seek them out. It may be that by their very outside nature, they may see a soluton we cannot."

Captain Miranda looks over to the feathered serpent and nods in agreement. "If the Regent needed his comrades to face those situations in the past, then he may need them now as well to help us succeed."

Garuda's feathers seem to shimmer as his body quivers, the feathers quickly lay down, and it is perhaps the only outside sign that Garuda is internally upset, but his eyes remain open soft and as always his wisdom is reflected there as he speaks softly, almost melodically, "The Lords of the Realms communicate regularly. They are all under attack, we shall find no help from our friends in the other realms, they are pressed as well. As you both know, the realms of hell have almost limitless armies of the evil and the dead. Would that his friends would come, I would gladly welcome them, Quetzl has meet the friends, they call themselves "New Blood", but I cannot force them. How many have you lost in the last week Captain? 400 in the forays? How many of the wind sprites? of the Birdpeople?..of the hollowbones? This is a war of attrition, and we cannot continue to lose our forces, those we love, and those we protect. We must act. Do i have your support in this?"

Captain Miranda weights Garuda's words very heavily. "I suppose...there is little choice." No changing the past. It would seem the theories of time travel or not being able to alter the past hold true.

"Of course, my lord. If you feel we must call upon our mutual obligation to the Regent, then it must be done," murmurs Quezlcoatl.

Garuda looks to the two, "I understand what we ask of the Regent is much, perhaps too much, but if indeed he must give the ultimate sacrifice, I shall bear the burden of that guilt for eternity," he pauses and says, looking at Miranda, "As I bear for everyone of you soldiers Miranda.." the lack of titlebearing shows how personal the guilt is for the God."

Garuda looks at the two of his most trusted collegues, "So we are agreed then?"

Sasha nods shallowly as his manner to Garuda. "Yes, my lord, the obligations should be called upon." He looks over at Captain Miranda. "You can spare the men for an honor guard for the Regent, yes, Captain Miranda?" Inside of the old feathered serpetn's mind, Sasha thinks. o O(Alright, given what I have heard, this must be a memory? Because New Blood no longer exists. And the Matt Regent I know is too young be here. So it must be his father? Argh! I'll have to ask some questions of Matt if I get out of this. What did I do wrong?)

Miranda nods once solemnly. "We are agreed." It's the answer of someone who doesn't think there's another choice.

Miranda turns her head to regard the feathered serpent. "It can be arranged."

Queztlcoatl looks back to Garuda with a tilt of his head. "So...What now, my lord?" He chuckles softly in a sibilant manner. "I have never had to call upon the Regent before. It never came up when I stood in your place while you travelled."

Garuda nods, "No honor guard is necessary, I shall contact him now. With a wave of his hand a wall of visible wind begins to form, it is a like a screen, and suddenly Matthew Regent (senior) can be seen. He is very much like Matt, a bit less muscular, but the telltale signs of atlantean heritage are visible in his face, the high cheekbones, the arched eyebrows..most definitely Matt's father. "Regent, forgive the intrusion...we must speak."

Matthew is seen in a strange ethreal state, "Garuda, it is good to see you again, what can I help you with?"

While all three can see The Regent, it seems Matthew can only see Garuda.

"Regent, the Realms are in need of your protection. We have helped you to close the rifts on your plane, but the war continues here on the elemental planes. Will you aid us? Lord Quetzlcoatl and the Lady Captain Miranda are here as well..though you many not see them, they can percieve what I see in my mind."

Queztlcoatl watches and listens as Garuda speaks with the Regent. The old feathered serpent thiks. o o(Such a young man for so much responsibility, so much power. He should have a wife, a family to support him as I have my Shiera.)

Matthew calls from the Ethreal, "My lord, Milady...Please tell me the situation.."

Captain Miranda watches the wall of wind revealing the vision of the Regent. She doesn't seem pleased about the situation. "Approximately ten percent of my forces have been damaged and the outlook isn't good."

Queztlcoatl sighs softly as he recounts, "There is great unrest throughout Air. Both demon and insurgent earth elementals have risen. Gaia does not know where these elementals are coming from."

Matthew says from the ether, "I am sorry to hear that. Yours and Gaia's realms were the most hospitable to My friends and I. Of course I will come to help. I must talk to the Twins and the others, I need to let them know where I will be going."

Garuda says, "There is no time Regent, you know that every moment you spend in your realm equates to hours or days..or more here." he says, "I can only tell you that our need is immediate.""

Captain Miranda speaks up. "My Lord, please. At least allow him to at least say goodbye to those he cares for. Who knows when he will return." Third tries her best to stay stoic, but she knows he'll never truly return home. Her right hand clenches into a plated fist. Not her usual plated armor, but it somehow helps her to remain calm.

Matthew replies immediately and with strength in his voice, "Garuda..I am in a relationship with the Twins, I need to let them know."

"If you desire it, my Regent, I could ask my mate Shiera to take a message to your companions and to the Twins." Quetzlcoatl tilts his head to one side. "Or any tohers you desire."

Sasha mentally sighs in the depths of Queztlcoatl's mind. He thinks. o O(If I find out some outside force is making Matt and I go through this, I swear I shall return pain for pain that they inflict on him by showing him these memories.)

Garuda looks at Miranda, "As we speak, your men and women die." he looks to Queztcoatl, "No Queztlcoatl, The doors to The Regent's plane have been closed, He and his comrades ended their riftwar, as such, the normal doors have been closed. It is only my connection to him that will allow me to bring him forth."

"A phone call, then," Captain Miranda insists strangely as Third exerts herself.

Queztlcoatl looks over at Captain Miranda with an odd look. "What sort of call?" he inquires in a confused tone. And inside hismind, Sasha goes (What? How?)

Garuda looks long and hard at Miranda, "You..are not Miranda!" the power of Garuda, the lord of the plane suddenly flares and it is palpable, His gaze focuses on Miranda, and it is as if a blistering wind sweeps across her soul...your soul. "How is this possible? By who's power has this happened?"

Third forgot that the last time she was dragged into the memories of another, the Gods attempted to call her an intruder. Captain Miranda cringes and tries to shield herself with her forearm. But it doesn't protect against Garuda's piercing gaze. She winces but still has her wits about her as winds whip about her to trap her in place.

Queztlcoatl lets out a sibilant sigh. "It is by my hand, Lord Garuda, the hand of a mortal from Regent's world," says the old feathered serpent. "Regent's as yet unborn son sought my aid to speak to the soul of one of his ancestors. And somehow, we have become..entangled with the his father's past." He then says in a slighlty different tone, "My lord Garuda, please stop attacking Captain Miranda. It will not remove the mind, the soul now entangled with her. Whoever it is. Is that you, Matt, in the Captain?"

Queztlcoatl takes a full recovery.

Captain Miranda's eyes turn to the serpent. "You did this?" she sounds surprised as she eyes the serpent that she knows as Arion's father. She knows how the story ends, and the knowledge fills her with grief. "How do you know Matt?" She strains uselessly against the winds that hold her, lacking her usual strength. "I'm Paragon of the Guardians." Her old introduction method, minus the closed-helm echoing tones and the booming heroics.

The gaze and the winds envelope Quezts as well...

Garuda holds both of you now, "Speak..and your veracity shall be heard."

The old feathered serpent turns to look at Garuda. "My craft name is Harlequin, Lord Garuda. I am a mage. All that I have told you is the truth." He glances over at Captain Miranda. "How did you end up in this, Third? You were not at the ritual I cast to enter Matt's mind."

The old fethered serpent rocks back as Garuda looks at him and falls silent for a moment before speaking the earlier bit.

"This has happened to me before a few times. I was never sure why I was pulled from my body. But from what I went through before, I share some sort of bond with Matt." Captain Miranda's eyes suddenly widen in realization. "Wait, you thought I was Matt? Was he pulled with you?" She glances to Garuda and mentally eliminates him as a possibility. Which leaves...

Captain Miranda's eyes drift to the vision of the first Matthew Regent.

Matthew Regent seems oblivious to what is happening here now....

Garuda continues his piercing gaze, and his wings spread out, and as they do both Miranda and Quetzlcoatl are released from their prisons. "I do not understand how you have melded with the minds of my most trusted officers, but you must leave. What you are doing shall have reprocussions on the future that has not yet formed." and with the buffetting of his wings, your minds are literally blown from the minds of Miranda and Quetzlcoatl. Third wakes, but Sasha does not, trapped somehow in the mind of Matt, it is a void without placeholder...

Sasha contemplates the void he is in. "Well, #2351$&," he says.