Log:And Then There Were Two

The Regent Legacy 2014/07/11 Porter Paragon Toby

4

The Clearing

This is a grassy clearing, well kept and open. it is not especially large, but it over looks the city and the bay. it is an arduous hike to get there, and who up keeps it is a mystery. In the clearing is a marker which if looked upon is made of some material that seems to have qualities of both metal and stone and glows iridescently. On its face is an angelic figure holding the hands in flight with two twin female figures.

Paragon leaps in from the city to the place she imagines Arion disappeared to when he flew off. It took her a while, but she finally figured it out, and grabbed Porter on the way. She needed someone who knew something about what was going on. And now carries him piggyback style as she lands down in the clearing and crouches down. "This is the place where the Regent was laid to rest," she explains.

It isn't the most dignified or manly form of travel. Neither is Paragon's armor all that comfortable. But it does beat a whole lot of walking. And Porter did threaten to not let her out of his sight.

So he rides, and dismounts onto shaky legs after she lands and crouches. "Right..." He nods and looks around the clearing to see what he can see.

Following Paragon, Toby lands on the ground nearby, and nods. "What of it?" Toby asks, looking sort of curious. "I'm still not too sure of what /exactly/ is going on." Toby shrugs a little.

Paragon chuckles mechanically. "Sorry, it's probably more comfortable if I just carry you in my arms," Paragon theorizes as she stands up and looks around. "This. Here. This is where it all started," she gestures around the clearing solemnly. "This is where Chen and I spoke to the lords and ladies of the elements, and heard the Regent's spirit's final words. And that seems to be the event that triggered all the visions I've had of the other planes."

Arion

A young man, perhaps in his late teens. He is considered, by human standards to be very handsome in an exotic way. Arched eyebrows, and oval asian gray eyes that are penetrating look upon his surroundings with a sense of keen observation. His Hair is dark, and hangs to his shoulders, in natural waves. His body is lithe, but powerfully built, he wears leggings of blue, and a matching sky blue tunic. At his waist is a leather belt, which holds a holstered baton like item. It looks to be made of some kind of metallic composite material, both seeming to have metallic and stone like properties.

Porter nods again and sighs. "I know he was a great guy and all... but is it bad I wish he had visited Cleveland or someplace instead of here?" He turns and offers Toby a small smile. A weary one. "That's a long story. And I don't even know most of it. Understand even less."

Paragon stands akimbo, then raises one hand to rub the back of her head as she chuckles weakly again. "I can understand that. But this is where he met Jennifer and Jessica, his one and only true loves. For him, it had been 400 years since he'd seen them. But he still remembered them. Still remembered and kept this place in his heart." Her voice starts off lightly, but sounds sad and sentimental near the end. "What I do know is his powers came from the 6 elemental planes. And now that he's dead, one of his heirs will inherit his control of the elements. There's an heir for each of the 6 realms. But only one can inherit his power. Until all other heirs but one are dead, no one will have the Regent's power."

Paragon continues. "I don't know why, but somehow I've been connected to the various heirs and their kin. Sometimes when I'm dreaming, and sometimes when I'm awake, I've found myself transported into the body of another on one of the elemental planes. Sometimes I know who I am and have control. Other times..." she pauses, her head tilting down a little as she recalls Arania. "Other times, I get lost in the host and forget who I am completely. Experiencing everything as if I were them."

Telepathic message to Porter: << There's a flash of pain as Paragon recalls Arania. Even now, it still hurts her. >>

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << In return, there is an attempt at a ... warm fuzzy. A comforting hug, of the mental variety.>>

Paragon's head cranes up again and looks to Porter and Toby. "I've been pulled into three different hosts so far. The first was Captain Artemicia of the Earth plane, whose child Arianna was a child of the Regent. Not a child of a physical union. More of a bonding of souls between the Regent and someone he cared for deeply that resulted in the birth of a child. Arianna was killed in a raid during a war. Then there was Arage of the Fire plane, who was a teenager being taught to fight and survive by his father. I never fully bonded with that host, but I was able to learn about the Regent's legacy through Arage. And then there was Arania..." Paragon's voice trails off a little. Her glowing eyes flicker to Porter. "Porter, myself, and another were all transfered that time through my connection to the Regent. I was completely lost in my host, and experienced her murder first hand." She draws her gaze back to Toby. "That's how I knew so much the other night when we were drawn into the Air plane. Those Golden Lances were comrades of Arania's father, Maritus. And Arion is the heir for the Air plane."

Telepathic message to Porter: << Thanks. This is hard. It's still hard. >>

Toby nods to Paragon, and huhs. "I... See. Wow. I, uh, then, maybe, uh..." Toby scratches the back of her head, and seems utterly lost for words. "That's a lot of stuff happening." She finally says, clearly awed by what she was just told.

Porter frowns as Paragon recounts the later part, though not until after she looks his way. He also nods, as if that confirms everything to Toby. Then he blinks. "Wait..." He looks at Paragon. "You said no one inherits all this power... unless they're the last one? So is there one that /isn't/ getting attacked?"

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << I know. It's Ok. >>

Paragon nods slowly, turning to Porter. "Yes. As far as I know, the Shadow plane's heir hasn't been attacked. I haven't seen the shadow plane yet. But based on the things that attacked Arania...the obvious guess would be they were from there. Arage had been attacked when he was young, too. His mother died, but he survives still. The heir of the Water plane died at birth. Or at least that's what is known. I'm not sure of the details."

Toby hmms towards Porter, and looks towards Paragon. Toby nods a little. "I... See. Uh, wow." Toby's still awed and still mostly at a loss for words right now. She can't help but think she /might/ be getting in over her head with this.

"That makes sense..." Porter was afraid of something like that. He then looks to Toby with a sympathetic smile. "It's alot, yeah. And it's rough. Probably going to get worse before it gets better, too... but the quicker it can get better, the better."

Paragon says quietly. "If we don't succeed, more children will die for the sake of Regent's legacy." She pauses and glances to the glowing marker, her voice taking on an angry quality. "Someone or some organization wants to ensure their candidate is the one that inherits his power, and they're willing to kill children for it." Her plated fingers curl up into fists with such force that the knuckles crack.

Toby smiles at Porter, and gets a grip on herself, before considering things for a bit. "Shadows /are/ normally the type to just sit back and put everyone else against eachother, aren't they?" Toby asks, looking between the two. "And, if it's true that none of them will become the Regent if one remains..."

Toby's attitude becomes dreadful, "...Won't this continue until all but one of them are dead?"

"Yes," Paragon says gravely.

Porter goes back to frowning. "Probably. And if the shadows are doing this, something tells me their heir having all the power isn't going to be a good thing."

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << You know if there's any way we can go to this shadow plane? Or any of the others? Stop waiting for something to happen, take it to them? >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << I tried getting ahold of my teammate Harlequin. He's a mage of some renown and ability. I haven't been able to track him down though, but I thought he could get us there. >>

Paragon nods slowly. "I'd hate to jump to conclusions, but right now, the Shadows would be my bet. When I was Arage, I tried to convince my--" she stops and snaps her mouth shut. Then she tries again, "-His- father that he should send his son to earth to be protected from the ones who would come after him."

Toby looks to Porter, and offers a simple nod. Then looks to Paragon, then to the two in general, "You know, I wonder what caused that rift to the air elemental plane. I mean, those don't just /happen/, right? And it's funny how we managed to get there at a pretty good time, too. Beyond the heirs, I have to wonder: Who opened that rift? And why?"

"Garuda?" Paragon suggests with a shrug. "Each realm is overseen by a diety of sorts. Gods and goddesses. I saw them all here when this spot was consecrated as the Regent's final resting place. Each one wants to protect their heir. Maybe they're behind it."

"So where is he, anyhow?" Porter now wonders. "Somebody with him or he hidden?" Since he needs protection, it helps if someone's protecting him. And then Toby makes a really good point. "Maybe whatever sucked us in in the first place? Don't know, but seems like something is trying to get all this stopped."

Paragon sighs a little. "He flew off and disappeared shortly after we returned home. He said he felt him. I assumed he meant the Regent, so I guessed he'd be here. But I think I guess wrong." She looks around, her eyes flickering to green and red as she scans the area in various spectrums before they return to their usual white glow.

"But why didn't Garuda just intervene in the first place? Why bring /us/ there?" Toby offers. But then Toby eyes Porter, then Paragon, then looks down, looking ashamed. "Yeaaaaah. I flew after him, but I think I took off in the wrong direction or something." Toby shrugs!

Paragon tilts her head to Toby. "I don't understand the way of godly beings from other dimensions. I think the intent was to bring me there because of my connection to the Regent. You and Pendragon were dragged in by accident probably. Just like Porter was dragged in through his connection with me." Telepathic message to Porter: << He's not here. I've failed again... >>

"Because it'd be way easier for them to snap their fingers or something and fix it..." Porter isn't a religious person. But he's pretty sure that whatever powers are up there, they like messing with people. He looks over at Paragon. "It won't be by accident the next time."

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << If we don't know where he is, maybe that's a good thing. Whatever's after him won't know, either. You didn't fail anything. >>

Paragon glances at Porter, smiling softly behind her faceplate as she puts a hand on his shoulder. "Next time? Together." She nods once firmly.

Toby looks back up towards Paragon, and nods a little. She also eyes Porter, then Paragon, then back to Porter, "What do you mean 'by accident'? Are you tied to this now, too, Porter?"

"Or am I?" Toby wonders aloud. "I mean, uh, yeah."

Paragon blinks her eyes a few times and looks to Toby. "Accident. You just happened to be there. I don't know if either of you are tied to it directly. I seem to be one of the constants in each incident. I just know that Porter's tied to me."

Porter gives Paragon a smile, even if he can't see hers. He also returns gesture with a hand on her shoulder. "Together." He then nods to Toby. "I'm in this until it's done."

Something catches Paragon's attention, causing her to look up and to the west. She squints, her eyes becoming narrow lines of light as she tries to make out the figure. "We may have company soon." Telepathic message to Porter: << It's him! >> Long distance to Porter: Paragon nods!

"I guess I am too." Toby offers, smiling, "As long as I'm with you guys, I'm coming along for the ride." Toby giggles a little, and stares into space, thinking to herself. . o O (What am I getting myself into?)

But then Paragon notices something, and Toby looks around. "What makes you say that?"

Porter looks up as he spots something. "Yeah. Company. At least it's good company?" He sounds hopeful, but not entirely certain. There's still a lot he doesn't know.

Paragon points to the figure for Toby. "I just spotted Arion," Paragon responds. "I suppose my guess to come here wasn't too far off base after all."

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << That's good news, right? Maybe he can give us some more answers or something? And see? Told you you didn't fail anything. >>

Arion flies at speed. in his wake a cyclone of turbulent air follows. He is apparently making a beeline for the clearing

Telepathic message to Porter: << Heh, you were right. Garuda said Arion would have answers for us. Maybe it's about time we found out more about the Shadow heir. >>

Toby nods to Paragon, and a sheath of pink light surrounds Toby as she lifts into the air. Toby looks towards the figure, squinting, trying to see what Paragon is talking about. "Is he coming towards us?" "Looks that way," Porter nods, pointing him out. "Hopefully he can helps us with some answers." As he gets closer there seems to be an angry look on his face, and his hands seem enveloped in balls of whirling wind...

Paragon nods her helm. "Yes, he's coming right for the clearing. And he ...looks...pissed..." she suddenly realizes.

Toby first nods, but then blinks as Paragon notes the anger. Toby assumes a defensive stance, floating in front of the other two, looking towards Arion. She does not speak.

Paragon steps forward and holds her hands in the air in a peaceful surrendering gesture as Arion approaches. "I don't think making any aggressive moves would be wise. The boy's been through a lot already." She waits for Arion to get into earshot.

Porter sighs. Of course. On the bright side, Arion doesn't have any reason to be pissed at them. Right? "Yeah, lets not add to whatever's got him ticked..."

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << Be careful. >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << You too. This boy was able to hold his own against five of Maritus' men. >> When he is less than 20 feet from the trio he stops, the wind kicks up and he points "what business do you have here!?"

"Peace, Arion. We came here looking for you," Paragon says calmly. "You ran off so quickly, when we were supposed to watch over you during your stay here." Porter then frowns as his bad feeling about this grows. He also steps forward to stay near Paragon, though doesn't do anything aggressive or offensive. He does speak up, though. "We're just trying to help."

Toby relaxes a bit, landing on the ground, and letting her light fade away. She nods towards the Paragon and Porter, before looking back to Arion. She'd say something, but Paragon and Porter beat her to it.

Arion shakes his head "You may stay," he says to Paragon, "These others,they have no connection to me...him...gah!!!" clearly he is confused

"It's alright, Arion. They're here to help. They're connected to me, so in a way, they're connected to you, too," Paragon says soothingly, although she's a bit perplexed as to how her connection was established in the first place.

Telepathic message to Porter: << Paragon thinks to herself, "So I was right about there being some sort of real connection between the Regent and myself. But why me...?" >>

"Sorry, but you're wrong about that." Porter points out. He nods with Paragon's words. "She's not alone in this. I'm not going anywhere."

"We're all here to help." Toby nods, looking between Paragon, Porter, and then Arion. Quite seriously, Toby looks to Arion and asks, "...Are you alright?"

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << I don't know. Maybe it's something from ... her past? Rose thought it might be some kind of punishment or trick by the Mechaneer... but I'm pretty sure it's definitely not either of those. >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << It's definitely not the Mechaneer. Far from it. Elemental magic isn't his thing. None of this is, really. >>

Arion points at the marker.. "I can feel him..."

Paragon nods softly. "That's where his spirit was laid to rest. What do you feel from him?" Telepathic message to Porter: << I wonder if he's experiencing something similar to what we did before. Competing personalities? >>

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << I don't know. Could that mean he's the heir that should get the... whatever it is? >>

Porter thinks that both Paragon and Toby have good questions. He quirks a brow and just watches Arion and listens.

Toby looks towards Arion, tilting her head slightly, but before she speaks, Paragon's question is asked. Toby looks towards Paragon, ten back to Arion, and simply listens for now, curious.

Telepathic message to Porter: << "I don't think there's a 'should' in this scenario. I don't think having a new Regent in the world is worth killing innocents for. Anyone willing to kill for power isn't worthy of it." She's talking of the current situation, but part of that last comment also brings up some resentment towards Mechaneer. >>

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << "Well, he's not the one killing for it, right? That's all I meant." If he catches the related resentment, he doesn't comment on it. >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << Ah. Well, I don't think he is. I understand he's been under some stress the past day or two. When we came upon him and the Golden Lances, he was full of rage and fighting them because they had cut his father's wings off. We were fortunate that his father was able to be healed by Garuda. So...understandable that he may still be on edge. If someone had hurt you or anyone else I cared for, I'd probably feel the same. >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << Some uneasy feelings rise up as Paragon thinks of anything happening to her friends. She forces it down and thinks lightly, "Once we get through all this, I'm holding a beach barbeque and pulling out all the stops. Bacon wrapped hot dogs, s'mores, chips and dip. The works." >>

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << "Thanks... and now you've /really/ given me a good reason to get all this stuff done. Bacon." Even his brain can chuckle. "And a beach party sounds awesome." He does try to picture that, maybe a little too loudly. Smells of bacon. People talking happily. Third in a swimsuit, laughing and having a good time. >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << Paragon can be felt smiling behind her faceplate at the thought of happier times to come. "I should've known you'd like bacon. Everyone loves bacon. Have you ever tried it on sundaes? Or brownies? I have an arsenal of bacon recipes I have yet to unleash on the public. Victory beach day seems like a good time for it." She enjoys the visualization Porter shares, and is looking forward to it. "Hmm. I guess maybe that would be a good time to finally get a swimsuit for. Maybe next time I find myself free, I'll try to look for one." >>

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << "Bacon and chocolate?! You're a genius! And you'd look good in a bikini." And he drifts back to that again. Except now there are also bacon-covered brownies. Then he pulls back on daydreaming of the future and to the present. "As soon as this is done." >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << "I think that's a first someone's called me genius. I'm just here to punch things and pose heroically like Captain Amazing taught me. Hmmm...a bikini? Maybe." She mentally nods as her thoughts are drawn back to the present. But at least she has something to look forward to. "Yes, as soon as this is done." >>

Arion shakes his head holding both his hands to his temples, "Regret...sadness..." he says through gritted teeth..

Paragon takes a few steps towards Arion. "It's alright, Arion. They were his last feelings. They're not yours. I know it's hard to separate that right now," she says softly. "But it's going to be okay," she repeats the words Porter's told her over and over again through all of this. Maybe it will help Arion as well.

"Can't say I know everything that's going on," Porter speaks up, "but we've been through stuff like that." He glances to Paragon and smiles lightly when he recognizes her comforting tactics.

Arion freezes as suddenly his eyes begin to smolder, literally. They become angry red almost coal like then just as suddenly his skin begins to burn as flames start to erupt from him...

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << Ok, maybe not something like /that/... Did I say something wrong? >>

Telepathic message to Porter: << I...I don't know! This is something I saw Arage do. Maybe his abilities are getting stronger now that there's less heirs around. They share the Regent's abilities amongst each other. >>

Paragon's eyes flicker as she blinks in shock. "Arion, calm down!" she implores. She's seen this before with Arage, but she didn't expect Arion to display the same powers. Instinctively, she wants to reach out and help...

Porter's initial reaction is reflexive and simple. Fire bad. He startles, though his brain does stop him short of trying to smother Arion with a blanket. "Are you Ok?" When in doubt, ask the man who's on fire whether its's actually a bad thing.

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << Be careful. If he's not calm, that's bad. And don't burn yourself... >>

Arion opens his mouth impossibly wide as a gout of flame erupts skyward, his back arching, a roaring screaming wail escapes him...

Telepathic message to Porter: << I think it's just a shield, but...we need to do something to help him! >>

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << Ok. But how? I have no idea what's going on... >>

Paragon raises her forearm up across her helm to shield her eyes from the sudden brightens from the column of flame spouting from Arion, taking a step back. She slowly lowers her arm to peak over, staring at the boy with uncertainty. "What's happening!?" She calls out, then looks back at Porter helplessly before looking back to Arion. "I think...maybe it's this place. Maybe he's reacting to Regent's spirit here?" she theorizes uncertainly. "He didn't do any of this the other day."

"If it's here, what if we move him?" That's Porter's gut reaction. Of course, moving Arion is a whole other thing. He wants to help, but he still is far from sure what's going on. "Arion?!"

Arion says, "Arhhhhhhhhhhggggahhhh!" screams Arion. from his chest a gout of flame erupts, outward like fiery blood...the flames subside suddenly as Arion holds his chest..he sinks to his knees...his eyes return to their steely gray..."fire...is gone too..."

Paragon stares in shock. "A...Arage? No..." Paragon's voice grieves as she staggers back a step, shaking her head slowly. She takes a few steps to stand beside Arion before sinking to her knees beside him.

Porter puts up an arm to shield himself from this one, since it's much more out and much less up. He was Ok with up. "Fire? Wait... the heir?" He looks to Paragon, questioningly. "The boy?" She confirms the name before he even asks, and he lowers his arm with a scowl. "Damnit!"

Paragon is devastated beyond words at first. Her head drops forward and she chokes out, "Not another...who? Who did it. Only Arion and shadow remains."

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << I'm sorry. Didn't he escape, before? >>

Arion sobs still holding his chest..."it..it was just like Light..." he says the winds in the clearing whip up in a frenzy as power seems to coalesce around him.

Telepathic message to Porter: << "He wasn't being attacked. I...he...was with his father, training. His father warned him others would come for him. What good am I? What am I supposed to -do-??" she sounds so lost and heartbroken. >>

Porter moves for Paragon, but doesn't take his eyes completely off Arion, either. "If it is shadow, that means they've only got one target left..." Arion needs protecting, and he's worried that Paragon needs support.

You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << You do your best. That's what matters, right? I'm here. And Arion is the last one. They could be looking for him already. >>

Concealed behind her faceplate, tears start to trickle down Paragon's cheeks. She reaches out and tries to put a hand on Arion's shoulder in support. She barely knows the boy, but she tries to comfort him without overstepping her bounds. She swallows hard and tries to pull herself together. "I'm sorry, Arion. I'm so sorry we couldn't help fire. Or light. Or the others. But Porter's right...you and shadow are the only ones left. You're in danger."

Arion shakes, in pain, both physical and emotional, "When they die..I can feel their final moments." he holds his head once more, "What do you mean??" he says plaintively..

Paragon gently squeezes Arion's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I felt Light's passing too. I know how much it hurts. We're here for you," she says soothingly, undeterred by the winds as they whip up, thanks to her armor. "What we mean is, we think someone will come for you next, like they did Light and Fire."

Arion turns to Paragon, "Let them come..I never asked for this!" suddenly a vortex forms around him, from his hand a ball of wind driven energy bursts forth and strikes the marker..the attack is ineffective at best, as it disappates before it even strikes it. "Why did you do this to us!?" he asks and begins to rise off the ground..

Porter frowns at felt it, too. Almost as personally. "There's only you and shadow. If it goes to the last, and the shadows are the one's doing this... You're in danger." He stops to think. "We need to take you somewhere. I'm guessing they can ...sense this place, too?"

Paragon rises up to her feet at Arion's outburst, her eyes widening for a moment. She had said similar words once before, years ago. "Arion, please, stop! It's not fair. You didn't ask for this. None of you deserved -any- of this. But don't become reckless and throw your life away! Please!" Her head turns to Porter. "I...I don't know. If they come to earth, Shadow may find this place too."

"You can't take them all on by yourself!" Porter understands his anger. Life isn't fair? That is nothing new for Porter. Neither is trying to keep others from taking on everything. "You need help. And some kind of plan."

Arion looks at the two, "With every death..I grow stronger. I will not endanger anyone else!" he flies skyward, and then west..

"No, wait!!" But it's too late probably. But that doesn't mean Paragon won't try. She crouches down and looks at Porter, signaling him with a nod.

Telepathic message to Porter: << Jump on. He's too fast for me, but we have to try and find him. >> You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << I'll slow you down. Go if you think you can catch him! >>

Porter just blinks as Arion takes off. If only flying away from things really made them go away. Then he shoots Paragon a quick look.

Paragon glances back at Porter, receiving a mental command from him. She's reluctant to leave him behind, but she obeys and turns her head to the west and springs away with a massive leap. She's nowhere near as fast as Arion and doesn't have any hope of catching up, but maybe she can follow long enough to get an idea of where he's off to.