Part 46: ARC V: Re-Introduction.
ARC V: Re-Introduction.
We're treated to The Hand's usual theme as Ketsu, Cari and 'Attendant' walk across the lower deck of a ship.
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Then a blond man comes out of the left door.
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What seems to be the problem, Cleon?
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The problem is that broad you resurrected! You had better do something about her because she's driving us all crazy!
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Don't worry. Cari will protect me should the need arise.
Ketsu heads into Ariel's room.
Ariel was looking out that... window? At the top there before Ketsu came in.
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I shall attempt to exp--
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Shut up! Get me a healer and get me back to Gallia!
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Going to Gallia will do you no good. That battle was lost thirty-five years ago.
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Wha... Where is General Lysander?!
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Dead... and you were dead as well... until recently.
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You lie!
Ariel begins to rush forward, I think to attack Ketsu, but...
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A side effect of your resurrection. I was told you would suffer from stomach pains, blurred vision and dizziness for some time.
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Thirty-five years... How have you done this?
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Hard work and research. However, we would not have succeeded without the sample of hair hidden under the floorboards in your home.
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Yes... so that explains how you found my uniform.
Hmm? Who would these blowhards be?
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We have no plans for such a venture.
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Not yet, you don't.
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Now now. Keep in mind we don't have a sample of his hair... nor would we be likely to find one after so long.
He was not a member of The Midnight Guild as you were.
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But there's got to be something you can do!
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I understand your feelings. They have been well documented. Yet even if we could bring him back... I think it would be unwise.
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What do you mean?
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I would love a chance to recruit the Lysander who crushed the elves... But the Lysander who was killed by the rebels was becoming a different man.
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He was... distant... at the end.
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Yes. His own faith in Arcadius was abandoning him... and the murder of his wife, which we now know was committed by you, did little to help.
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I'd do it again. Smug wench.
Pause...
But why me?
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There will be time for talk about that later. For now, I would like to give you a proper introduction to The Hand of Arcadius.
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The... the what?
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Come. You will see.
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"deny the teachings that Arcadius delivered unto Vincent Gallius."
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No, not really. I was only a child when the city fell, and our family moved away shortly after.
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Yeah yeah, get lost.
I love Ariel. Anyway, there's a pause as Voyd absorbs this.
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....
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It's all right, Voyd.
Voyd leaves.
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Thus the creation of this little club of yours?
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The Hand is not a "club." We are a committed organization working quietly and gradually towards a resurgence of Arcadius' teachings.
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Well... I'm glad to see not everything's gone to hell.
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Yes... a pity my father did not live to see the formation of The Hand.
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Hello.
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Hmm... What are her tricks?
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She is an expert telepath, and a natural when it comes to mysticism. Her prophetic visions have done a great deal to shape our plans.
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Visions, huh? That's interesting.
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It was I who foretold your return.
Pause...
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I'll buy you a drink sometime.
Then Cleon comes out of the other room, sees Ariel and tries to flee back inside.
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Too much stress today, boss. I have to unwind.
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Well... you can meet him properly later. Let us make our way to the upper deck.
*gasp* Who could have seen this coming? Anyway, Evrind was attacking that barrel when they came in.
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A strong work ethic, as you can see. He's surely headed for great things within our organization.
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I have to admit... this is mildly impressive.
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*chuckle* I am glad.
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"If you intend to set things right, you must know you will have a long haul ahead of you. It's a complete role reversal. Now we are fighting an opponent with control over the government and the army."
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So you're Ariel D'elefcient, are you?
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I am. What of it?
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You had better be worth all of the trouble we went through to bring you back.
Ariel immediately begins casting a spell.
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Hmmph... You had better be worth not killing.
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Why you--
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Danika, now is not the time. Leave this instant. We will speak again later.
Danika hesitates, before vanishing in a a crackle of lightning.
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Yes, perhaps too much.
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Does that conclude the tour?
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For now.
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"I want to know everything."
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I hoped you would say that. I am happy to oblige.
Just a short update this time, to get myself back into the swing of things. Also I'm tired. Next update we'll be rejoining Shroud and co. as they interrogate Emma.
the end