|
Post by cyansky on May 18, 2009 13:56:57 GMT -5
Syl smiled warmly at both Arqus and Veronica. It lowered its head, a sign of respect.
"Thank you very much."
It watched as Fiona grudgingly stepped away.
"Thank you too, miss. Now I can begin."
Syl knelt down a few inches from the pentagram. It could tell all three of them were watching it intently. Syl didn't want to disappoint them. I'll do my best, it thought. That's what matters.
"Diagnostic spell level 7. Identification number: 1983574... spell acknowledged," muttered Syl, "power output: 70%. radius: 12 meters. Focus: 2 meters. Height:... 5 meters. Parameters..."
Unlike what humans often fantasized, magic had be structured. Spells couldn't just do things just because. If they did, the world would have exploded a long time ago. When anyone heard a mage chant, or at least a mage from Syl's world, it wasn't just a command they were chanting - it was the parameters that defined the spell.
Syl had picked this one because it was specialized for analyzing negative energies, resistant to counter-spells and quite effective. The only downside was that it was fairly expensive.
Syl's eyes glazed over, becoming all white. when it finished defining the parameters, it spoke the key word:
"Activate."
Runes appeared and swirled everywhere like in a wirldwind. While they didn't look like it, they were Syl's probes - made specifically to collect information. They swirled around, glowing, looking as if they were sucking in bits of air. They concentrated around the pentragram, but also swooping around Arqus and Veronica.
A bright light flared in the pentagram. A fire started to burn, attempting to destroy whatever floating runes came too close. Syl quickly doused it by concentrating and condensing the air into water. Unforuntunately, despite their resilience, 8 probes were lost. A touch screen appeared in front of Syl, filling up with information that the probes had collected.
The process went on for five minutes.
When Syl was done, the probes disappeared, all fading into the air close to Syl. Although it didn't look like it, Syl had reabsorbed them. The touch screen persisted. Its irises and pupils returned, and it took a deep breath. "Analysis complete."
|
|
|
Post by citizenmike on May 18, 2009 14:00:34 GMT -5
Veronica approached Syl and asked, "What were your findings?"
|
|
|
Post by childofthehunt on May 18, 2009 14:02:43 GMT -5
"I think I've seen something similar in Disney world." Arqus joked quietly to Fiona, careful not to let Syl hear him. "I swear to gawd I've seen Mickey do that same trick."
He looked at Veronica and then to Syl this time, waiting for answers.
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on May 18, 2009 14:34:01 GMT -5
Syl turned to Arqus, annoyed, but said nothing. It had taken a great deal of willpower to cast that; it was a fairly high-level spell. Hence why it was ticked off that Arqus didn't appreciate the analysis more for its effectiveness than its appearance.
It smiled warmly as it then turned to Veronica.
"Good news, it was successful," said Syl, "the analysis is proof of a strong demonic presence."
It stood and pointed to the pentagram.
"This pentagram was used as a focus to summon a high-class demon, an AD-13 to be more precise. AD is the demon type; it stands for 'archdevil' or 'archdemon.' The number is the power level. The lower the number, the stronger the demon. 13 means that it was pretty strong; perhaps something that would be challenge for a Throne-ranked angel... under the best of circumstances."
Syl took a deep breath and continued on. If it was good at one thing, it was explaining.
"Archdevils are a kind of fallen angel. Judging by its power; it was probably one of the original angels that fell from Heaven, but I may be wrong. Something that may interest you is that that archdevil is quite similar to the one you know as 'Trace.' They're both type 2 fallen angels. In other words: they're dangerous and they leak out their auras like a broken faucet."
Syl turned to the touch screen. It paused to read over the acquired information, then turned back to the group.
"The strange thing is that I can't sense this demon like I can with Trace. I'm good at sensing things, but if I can't detect a demon this powerful, then something is obviously off."
Syl then remembered the fire that had attempted to destroy the probes.
"Also, the person that summoned the demon was highly skilled. If it was human, it's corpse would be around here. Seeing as our blood-sensitive friend didn't react to the presence of a corpse, I can safely conclude that the person that did this holds power here and is definitely not human. Unforunately, while I have a sample of its aura, I can't identify its species. It may be unique to Animus.
"The counter-spell that you saw - the fire that attempted to destroy my probes... those... rune... things... seemed especially put there to counteract my spell. If it could destroy six of them in 9.4 seconds, then it probably knew I was coming. Believe or not, that's a fairly effective counterspell.
"Thus, logically speaking, this summoner knew we were coming, is not human and most likely has power here. I heard Mr. Johnny mention someone called 'the Black Goat' before I left with Veronica. He spoke as if this 'Black Goat' is pulling the strings here. Thus I speculate that he could have been the summoner. Not sure, though. I have no evidence for that as I have never encountered him."
Syl paused in mid lecture. The others looked at it as if they expected more.
"Also of interest," said Syl, "the probes picked up traces of Myzrael's aura. Might have been from his feathers or from traces of his spilt blood. As far as they can tell, Myzrael was here at roughly the same time as the summoning. He was most likely involved."
Syl kept the touch screen open and turned to Veronica.
"Stating my findings in full would take at least fifteen to twenty minutes and would necessitate a translation from my native language, as my spells are coded in that. I find translations difficult, so please ask if there is anything else you would like to know."
Syl glanced at the cloaked figure. It smiled.
"You're surprising adept at magic, Syl," it said, "I'm proud."
|
|
|
Post by citizenmike on May 18, 2009 14:39:22 GMT -5
"Did your findings mention anything about there area? I'm referring specifically to the hollow I feel where I'm standing.", Veronica replied.
|
|
|
Post by childofthehunt on May 18, 2009 14:45:52 GMT -5
"Myzrael?" Arqus spoke suddenly. "That can't be, I was here..."
His sentence got cut, remembering how Myzrael tricked him. He said the humanoid with batwings would take him to the other residents, but he ended up in the wastelands.
Surely, he wouldnt be able to say for sure that Myzrael wasn't really involved in this. Arqus pulled his right hand out of his jacket's pocket and ran his finger on the shiny satin ribbon tied around his wrist, contemplating.
"Whoever made this symbol was trying to summon something...or someone."
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on May 18, 2009 19:04:40 GMT -5
Syl checked the touch screen to find Veronica's answer. After doing a bit of reading it turned back to her.
"There is another weak aura in this room," said Syl, "it is no hallucination; my probes confirmed its existence. It's very weak, belonging to an incorporeal being undetectable to you three. Perhaps Myzrael or Trace can see it, as they are fallen angels, but as of now, I'm the only one here who can. If you were wondering that's what I was staring at. I do not know much about it, as it resists all my attempts to analyze it. It has stated that's a shadow - not one that controls this place, but one that observes. I have no information on its identity though. Perhaps Myzrael or Trace might be able to get more some more information out of it."
"No!," said the cloaked figure, grabbing Syl's shoulder, "Sylredrae, why must you be so naive?! It's best if my identity remains as I am - in shadow. If Myzrael finds me, the results may not be pretty. I will leave now, but be warned, if you ever need my help, call our Lord's name."
Now that Syl realized it, the figure's voice was neither male nor female. Hmm... interesting. Before Syl's eyes, the cloaked figure waved at it, walked in the direction the door beind Arqus and Veronica and then vanished into it like a ghost. Its aura disappeared.
Syl watched it carefully, then turned to review the collected data once again.
"Other than that, and the general feeling of foreboding that comes with walking inside abandoned buildings, I can detect no other anomaly within this specific area.
"I would also give you an analysis on the area around and below the church, but that would make the spell too costly. Keep in mind, Arqus, Veronica, that what I used was a fairly high-level spell. Extending it any further than it established maximum range is extremely expensive."
Syl turned to Arqus and looked at him straight in the eye.
"As for Myzrael, Arqus," said Syl, "If you will, I would like to restate that the dark angel Myzrael was most likely involved. I cannot say for sure if he was. Unfortunately, reading exactly when the event took place is difficult at best. It's an imprecise art to all but a few. I am not one of those few. Thus, I can only determine that Myzrael's aura and the demon's aura were present at the same time. It implies that Myzrael was involved, not confirms it."
Syl paused to let Arqus take in the information.
"This would indicate one of four scenarios. One, Myzrael's trying to trick us. Two, he really was involved. Three, neither one or two, implying that my data is incorrect. Lastly, there scenario number 4: Myzrael simply has a really bad case of CMS - Chronic Moulting Syndrome. It's the angelic tendency to shed so many wing-feathers that it gets to the point where they are nearly disobeying the laws of physics. Simply put, a bird with too few feathers will be unable to fly." Syl smiled at Arqus.
"In this building, however, Myzrael's aura is at an unsual concentration in the air - especially considering the presence of the aura of the competing pentagram. This indicates that he has a strong presence here, which in turn indicates that he has visited this place multiple times. Or, then, again maybe it's just his CMS."
It then gestured at the pentagram once again.
"I can also tell you that the probes picked up evidence that the demon was not happy when it was summoned I think it might have been angry - the most-pronounced emotion in this type of demon; most likely it got into a scuffle with someone or something soon after. However, determining the emotions of demons from their aura is also an imprecise art, and I cannot guarantee that it is exactly true; only tell you that it likely is."
It then turn its attention back to the touch screen.
"Any more questions?"
|
|
|
Post by citizenmike on May 19, 2009 0:20:39 GMT -5
"That's about it.", Veronica replied. "Excellent work."
Veronica crouched down and rolled away the carpet behind the altar to find what looked like trap door.
"Hey, I think I found something..."
|
|
|
Post by childofthehunt on May 19, 2009 3:09:38 GMT -5
Arqus knelt beside Veronica, his mind still somewhat confused. A part of him believes that Myzrael had something to do with this, but another part doesnt.
He pushed the thoughts away and helped Veronica roll the carpet off the trap door, concealed on the floor.
"I wonder where this leads."
|
|
|
Post by citizenmike on May 19, 2009 3:29:31 GMT -5
Before Veronica could open it, she received a message on her walkie-talkie. "Roth... his... Ohn... You... ear... me? The message was broken in static, Veronica heard enough to know it was from Johnny.
Veronica motioned away from the trapdoor for a moment and spoke to the walkie. "Johnny, yes I can hear you.... Can you hear me, Johnny?"
"Oth... John... D'y.. Opy... The... Hear... R's...Ot... Appear... Hell.... Om... Terna...Mension... Careful, Roth I..."
"Johnny!", Veronica's voice broke. "Speak to me?"
Silence.
"Johnny, its Veronica, can you hear me?"
Nothing.
Veronica closed her eyes and held herself from breaking. A lone tear rolled down here face; turning away from the group, she wiped the tear away.
Be cool.
Veronica motioned back to Arqus and said, "Let's open it!"
|
|
|
Post by childofthehunt on May 19, 2009 4:16:49 GMT -5
Arqus saw the whole thing. It seems like Johnny and his group were also having problems or they could be in terrible danger. He sensed Veronica's pain. She feared for Johnny's safety.
"Let's open it!"
That was his que. Arqus transformed his left arm into diamond, held on to the medieval looking handle and pulled the trap door open. Dust flew everywhere and the rusty hinge creaked nosily. The sound echoed inside the church.
Arqus' diamond left arm turned back to normal. Still kneeling down on the floor, before the opened trap door, he couldn't see anything there but darkness.
|
|
|
Post by cyansky on May 19, 2009 6:32:47 GMT -5
Syl nodded to Veronica.
"I thank you for the compliment. Arqus, I hope my findings were useful to you."
Syl watched as Veronica spoke into the black box thing. It could hear bits of Johnny's voice, static... then nothing. Veronica seemed to be in pain.
It then watched as Arqus tore open the trap door. It smiled. So that Arqus's power. Interesting. Diamond. Hmm, thought Syl, the only thing that can scratch diamond is diamond. That would be quite difficult for me to pull off. I think it's best to stay on his good side.
"That's quite neat Arqus," said Syl, "turning your arm into diamond like that. It's a very useful power, and one that I have seldom seen before."
It smiled at Arqus.
"I only wish I was as invulnerable as diamond."
It then peered down into the dark depths below the trap door.
"I sense no presence hiding at the bottom," said Syl, "if there is such a presence here, we will have to explore to find it. After you."
It then cocked its head in confusion.
"Speaking of which, how long do you think Myzrael is going to hover above the church? Considering that I mentioned the possiblility that he may have been involved with the demon, I think that the subject must have piqued his interest."
|
|
|
Post by citizenmike on May 19, 2009 6:37:44 GMT -5
Needing to get her mind off Johnny, Veronica jumped down into the hole, shouting, "He'll join us when he's ready, for now we have to do what we can!"
|
|
|
Post by childofthehunt on May 19, 2009 6:53:10 GMT -5
Arqus noticed the way Syl looked at him when he turned his left arm into organic diamond then back to human flesh. For him, it was like he was gaging his powers, probably against his. Syl already met most of the residents. He probably took note of their powers/abilities.
"He looked like a nice....guy...em...girl....or whatever it is." Arqus thought as Syl commended his powers. "But I don't think I could trust him. I havent seen what he can do, aside from the shinning floating spell thing. He can probably do more than that."
Then Veronica jumped down of the opening like a wild woman.
"He'll join us when he's ready, for now we have to do what we can!"
Arqus shrugged, returning his gaze to Syl, "You heard the lady."
He jumped into the darkness.
|
|
|
Post by sacredrapture on May 19, 2009 7:12:27 GMT -5
Myzrael could hear and see everything that happened in the Church. He wasnt a dark angel for nothing.
Syl was, beyond a doubt, a being of extraordinary power; for it to have advanced knowledge of the occult, as well as perform such a spell, confirms his analysis of Syl. He would have to keep an eye on him, and at the same time not reveal too much of his own capabilities. Syl has sown the seeds of mistrust, and Myzrael will act upon its actions.
In due time.
He took particular notice of the cloaked figure. He did not sense much strength from it. But for him to be speaking of Myzrael in such a manner bothered the dark angel. Next time, he would make sure to extract the information he could from it, before he could make a speedy escape like he did now.
Myzrael drifted slowly down, onto the ground, and entered the Church. He saw all of them clustered around what seemed to be a trap door, and saw Veronica and Arqus jump in ahead.
'Bravo, bravo' He said, while striding down the middle aisle. 'Of course I am involved. I plan to summon forth demons to consume your souls then after we can all meet up for some tea with your dismembered organs on the side' he said snidely.
'I mean..' he stopped. He raised both his arms at either side. 'With such power..' Two of the pews burst into black flames, and were reduced to nothingness in the blink of an eye. 'Who COULDNT blame me?' He made it a point not to hide the sarcasm in his voice.
He walked up to Syl and stared it square in the face. 'You'd do well to watch yourself, SYL' He said. He levitated and descended into the hole.
|
|