21st Combo - [Video]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd's face is pale, panicked, when the video feed turns on.]

Guys, we have a problem. Cruxis is here.

[He swallows.]

And so is Kratos. He's taken over. It isn't Yggdrasill anymore, it's him. He's-

[His eyes abruptly widen, no longer looking at the Dreamberry but something off screen.]

Damn it, they're back!

[There's a flash of steel as he pulls a sword out, then the feed abruptly turns off.]


[ooc: Backdated to after this.]

Comments

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd shakes his head slowly, his heart suddenly pounding with dread.]

It... It's gotta be some kind of mana technique, or maybe a spell. They're making you think they're not there. [His hands tighten around his swords.] If we disrupt it, you'll see them, too!

[Which means he knows what he has to do. He takes a deep breath.]

Stand back, Zack.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[In a way, Zack knows the terror that has to be going through Lloyd's system right now. That same terror made him desperate for any answer he could find back just before he arrived. Anything. If it meant downing a building, he'd have done it. So now he reaches out, one hand clasping Lloyd's shoulder almost like a lifeline]

Hey, don't do anything stupid. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to hit a target I couldn't see.

[Granted that had been a training exercise and something had actually been there, but....same difference, right?]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd takes a deep breath, some of the tension (but not all of it) easing under Zack's supportive hand. He nods once, not backing down, but acknowledging.]

Don't worry, Zack. I have a plan.

[He steps forward, pulling away, grim determination in his face.]

Just be ready as soon as you can see them - and whatever you do, don't listen to what they say.

[Another step. He's deliberately walking toward the unseen threat, swords down at his sides - like he's giving himself up. Trust me, Zack...]

Kratos, I'm the one you want. Leave Zack alone.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Okay. If you're sure...

[This time, he just lets Lloyd step forward instead of reaching to stop him again. He really doesn't like this. He wants to reach out, to pull Lloyd back and push them both back out the door they came in, but he only nods and shifts his grip on his sword, ready for action at any second. He'll just have to trust Lloyd to know what he's doing and hope he can fight off anything that might actually be there.

Even if it just dust motes and rotten floorboards. He can fight those too.]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[He's sure. He's definitely sure. But his attention is on whatever Kratos is saying in response right now.]

No. I'm not sacrificing myself. When I said no one should have to sacrifices themselves, I meant that for me, too. It's not a sacrifice...

[He keeps his arms down, his voice calm and steady as he walks, until the last moment when his expression hardens.]

I never said I was giving up.

[Now!]

Beast!

[He lashes out with his sword, not caring if he actually hits anything. The mana that races out after it, tearing floorboards in its wake, matters most right now. Whatever spell these guys are casting on his friend, it ends now!]

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[The sudden attack destroys a good portion of the floor and kicks dust and splinters everywhere, but Zack keeps his grip on his sword as he looks for an opening and for whatever has been hounding Lloyd. Only...there's nothing there. No forms made visible by the dust and splinters, nothing forced out of hiding by the mana, and no spell over Zack to break. Zack's shoulders slump and he looks to his friend, eyes full of concern even as he steps forward, reaching out again.]

Lloyd, there's no one there.

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd stares. He can't... They didn't even flinch. Beast had gone right through and Kratos and the two angels acted like they hadn't felt anything at all.

Like they weren't even there.

But they were there. He'd been fighting them all afternoon.

Zack's hand lands on his shoulder, and he looks at his friend.]

I don't... I don't understand.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack shakes his head, looking up at where Lloyd had been staring. Nothing but dust and echoes and a half-ruined, half-rotted staircase. No enemies, just ghosts. He turns back to his friend, gently tugging him back towards the front of the room.]

Come on. Don't think there's anything they can do to us. They'd have done it already if they could.

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[He's right. They would have. They should have acted by now. Somehow, though, that makes it even worse, because what it means...

Lloyd swallows, letting Zack lead him away.]

I'm not crazy, Zack. I'm not.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack only shakes his head, smiling softly. The thought that Lloyd was crazy never really crossed his mind. He's just been worried, that's all.]

I know you're not. Just cause they're not there for me doesn't mean they aren't there for you. I mean, it's not like anybody sees the world the same way as everyone else, right? Why should this be any different?

[Still keeping his hand on Lloyd's shoulder, though. More of a show of "I'm here" than anything else, but still.]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Something tense inside him loosens a bit, as much by Zack's presence as his reassurance. He casts a glance over his shoulder, then looks Zack in the eye, a small hope forming inside.]

You think... maybe they're only half there? Like maybe they didn't make it all the way into Somarium? Maybe I can see them because they're from my world.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Still smiling, Zack nods a couple times. It would explain why Zack himself couldn't see or sense them in any way, at the least.]

Could be, yeah. Would explain why your attacks didn't hit 'em, too. Can't really attack ghosts, right?

[Especially since everything they had went through the Headless Horseman. Why would this be any different?]

Re: [Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Yeah, the Headless Horseman had been no laughing matter.]

Ghosts... That'd make sense.

[And the fact that it does is a relief.]

So, what do we do about them, then?

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[And neither are these things; only benefit here is that they don't seem able to cleave heads off. Yet, anyway.]

I think we should just leave 'em alone. They'll probably leave eventually, same as all of us.

[Glance back at the steps. Still nothing, and that's a good sign as far as Zack's concerned.]

And since they're not all the way here, I don't think it'll take as long.

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[The answer doesn't sit comfortably with him, partly from the paranoia still twisting inside him, partly just because they're leaving an enemy behind at their backs.]

Or they could make it the rest of the way here. Kratos has been here before. All the way here. Zack, if they show up in this place, you have to promise to call me for help.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack doesn't appear too worried, but he can understand what Lloyd is getting at. So he nods, stepping away to face his friend.]

Deal, but you gotta do the same thing, okay? If they're as powerful as you're saying, you shouldn't take 'em on alone.

[Now he extends a hand in Lloyd's direction. Shake on it?]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[As much as he doesn't want to put any of his friends in danger, Zack has a point. If it were just the angels, that would be one thing, but Lloyd knows he's not good enough to take Kratos on alone. He grimaces, not liking to admit that even to himself, then nods and takes Zack's hand, shaking it.]

Deal.

[Eyes Zack again. He still looks pretty flushed and sick.]

Come on, you shouldn't be up. Let's go bunk down for the night.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[As soon as Lloyd shakes his hand, Zack grins. With that out of the way, he can sleep easier. And speaking of sleep...]

I'll hold you to that. But really, man. I'm fine. Been on my feet through worse!

[And passed out through worse, too. Still, he doesn't protest as he moves back towards the heater; this area of the ground level is still intact and his bedroll is looking mighty comfy right about now.]

You wanna stay here tonight? I've got a spare in the closet.

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[That gets a smile out of Lloyd, and a scolding, teasing nudge.]

That doesn't mean you shouldn't get off your feet anyway.

[He glances back toward the stairs, just once.]

Yeah, I'll stay.

[He wants to stay close to Zack... just in case. Besides, it's warm here and getting colder and colder outside.]

You go sit down. I'll get the bedroll out. Just tell me where the closet is.

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah, I'm going.

[And he is, really; as nervous as his friend is, Zack is grateful Lloyd is here. Having a friend around is doing wonders for him...even if he's acting kind of like Angeal at the moment. Still, Zack puts his sword against the wall, then flops face first onto his bedroll. Feels good, man...though he's still awake enough to gesture to a set of doors on the far wall.]

Over there. First door on the left. Just be careful; I kinda overstuffed it when I moved in here.

[Said with a sheepish look; overstuffed is an understatement. He had trouble shutting the door when it was full.]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd pauses with his hand on the knob, suddenly wary.]

I'm not going to be buried if I open this, am I?

[Yup, still paranoid - but at least this is a normal fear, right?]

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack actually has to pause in thought at that question; will it all fall on him? Quite possibly. There's nothing very heavy in there, but still.]

I don't...think so? The big stuff's on the bottom, so probably not, but...maybe you should let me get that.

[And up he goes, like an energizer bunny. One that has to shake his head quickly, though; most energizer bunnies don't get dizzy upon starting.]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

Maybe if I stand behind the door and keep it from opening too far, you could pull the bedroll out. Then if stuff does start falling, it won't bury either of us.

[Yeah, no, Zack. He's not going to let you do this by yourself.]

[Action]

[couldnotfly.livejournal.com]

[Zack nearly pouts at that, but nods and steps over to his friend. Time to do this.]

Okay. Just be ready to move back, all right?

[Said as Zack moves into position, ready to reach for the bedroll and quickly leap back if needed. Shouldn't be any different than poking a Cactuar, really. ...Only this time there wouldn't be any needles involved.]

[Action]

[redcladidealist]

[Lloyd nods confidently.]

Got it.

[Okay, turning the knob now and slowing opening the door a crack. He's braced and ready in case anything falls against the door.

Uh oh, Zack! Something at the top is sliding loose!]