Relidia Forest - Center of the Open Woods

You find yourself standing in a lush green forest. The smell of earth and green plants fills your nose as you walk around this place. Light from the clear day breaks through the trees, casting shadows of leaves on the trail. A large circle made of dark clay brick seems to be set in the ground here with a fountain adorning the center. Four wooden beam benches line this circle.

Razz paces through forest, lighted by the sunshine that spilled through occassional spacings between the leaves and branches of the lush green tress. Her white gown swished gently with the faintest of forest breeze as she took her walk, slowly, enjoying her time outside the medical lab.

Kesnick is sitting on a mahogany wooden bench close to the fountain, randomly tossing stones into the water.

Razz came to a pause, upon seeing someone else beside the fountain. She debated with herself, whether she should move on, or acknowledge the person and stay.

Kesnick tosses another stone from the collection in his hand into the fountain.

Razz usually stopped beside the fountain, to rest, and to gaze at the water, but perhaps she'll forego the stop today. Turning, she started leaving, as quietly as she could.

Kesnick says: That's quite a rude way to reguard the person who gave you your sight back.

Razz jumped in shock as the stranger spoke, and she turned back stiffly, standing her ground. "I... I..." she fumbled for the right thing to say. She'd seen him before, now she remembers, when she'd just woken up at this place. Uhm... what was his name again? Unsure of what to do, she stayed silent, twisting her gown in her hands.

Kesnick laughs a bit, "Please, don't feel so tense...Razz I believe your name was, wasn't it?"

Razz nodded hastily. "Yes..." she murmured, still twisting her skirt in her hands nervously.

Kesnick smiles, then sets the stones in his hand down on the bench, stands up, and walks over to Razz, extending his hand in greeting, "Finally, I get the chance to meet the infamous elf," he says jokingly.

Razz tentatively reached out her hand as well. "Infamous?" She asked, comprehension absent from her expression.

Razz asks: What does that mean?

Kesnick shakes Razz's hand, smiling, "Think of it as a way of saying that you are well known."

Razz's expression remains puzzled. "Why am I well known?" She asked.

Kesnick says, "Well, you have become an object of attention to our former President. Word spreads fast around my little corperation."

Razz tilted her head. "Your former president?"

Kesnick nods, "Indeed...President Kaze. The man who runs Coneria for me."

Razz's face seemed to light up, finally understanding. "Ah, Kaze, I know him." She nodded.

Kesnick nods.

Kesnick says, "So, how do you feel?"

Razz thinks about that, her hand still in Kesnick's. "I... I feel okay, I think." She paused. "Where has Kaze been? I haven't seen him for a while..."

Kesnick says, "He went missing a week after you arrived here. Hasn't reported in since. I've had to appoint a new President in his absence."

Razz fell silent at the man's words. "Oh... I see..." she looked down, then drew her hand back.

Kesnick says, "He does it on occasion, actually. He does know how to run an organization, but his methods are a little bit more original."

Razz nodded, not having much to say to that.

Kesnick says, "Being the first time I've had the opportunity to talk with you, I wanted to extend my sincerest apologies for not sending help when Crulath attacked your home."

Kesnick says, "We have a base of operations in the city of Tycoon, so it should have been our duty to lend you some aid."

Razz seems to shrink back unconsciously at the mention of Crulath's name, though her feet had not left the ground. Uncomfortable, she looked down. "Ah... it's okay..."

Kesnick says, "If there is anything Darkwood can do to help you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Kesnick says, "The least I can do is offer our medical technology for your use. I'm glad to see that it's helped out a little bit."

Razz hesitated. "Uhm... Well... thank you, for letting me see again... I... I'm really thankful..." she nodded vigorously. "Thank you very much... really..."

Kesnick smiles, "You're welcome. I was glad to help you out. Our medical staff has also sent word to me about the condition of your friend. It looks like he is recovering as well."

Razz looked up at this. "Is Justin going to wake up?" She asked hopefully.

Kesnick nods, "He will. It's just a matter of when he wants to wake up. Think of him as just taking a long nap."

Razz chewed on her lips, and hesitated again. "I... I can't find Justin's ring. It's missing. Can you help me?" She looked hopefully into Kesnick's eyes.

Kesnick says, "He had a ring on him? Hmm...I can hardly suspect that my employees, let alone my medical staff, would steal something from someone else. But I will send down an order for my entire staff to keep an eye out for it for you."

Razz nodded. "Yes... It's his wedding ring... It's silver, and has a yellow gem on it, and it says... Uhm... what where the letters..." she frowned in concentration. "L-A-C, I think. I'm pretty sure."

Kesnick nods, "That is indeed very important. I will make sure to keep an eye out for it myself."

Razz wrote the letter out in the air to be sure herself. She hope she remembered them right, anyways.

Kesnick walks back over to the bench he was sitting at, picked up one of the stones from the pile he set there, and tossed it back into the fountain.

Kesnick says, "This world never ceases to amaze me, you know that?"

Razz stood still at her spot, not sure if she was suppose to follow or not. "No. Why?" She asked plainly.

Kesnick says, "The lore of this world is actually quite rich. It's one of the oldest in existence here."

Kesnick says, "Though, the story that fascinates me the most is how all this spendor came to be."

Razz merely stood silently, listening.

Kesnick says, "This world wasn't always this beautiful. Quite a long time ago, a force of pure evil descended upon Eldaria and nearly destroyed it."

Kesnick says, "It was eventually defeated by the Ancients...however, not before it destroyed nearly all traces of civilization, making Eldaria nearly inhospitable."

Kesnick says, "Think of a world where the water became stagnant, the wind ceased to blow, the earth became as dry as a desert, and the atmosphere as hot as the sun."

Kesnick says, "All because of a parasite who deemed these beautiful gifts unecessary for us."

Razz ask: The water became what?

Kesnick says, "Stagnant. It stopped moving, and became rotten. Undrinkable, and riddled with filth."

Razz say: Oh.

Kesnick says, "However, the Ancients saw this as well, and created Four Orbs, one to govern each primary element."

Kesnick says, "The Orbs quickly repaired the world of Eldaria, and since then the Orbs have maintained the beauty of this planet."

Kesnick throws another stone into the fountian, observing the ripples that the stone makes on the water.

Kesnick says, "This world wouldn't be here if it weren't for the Orbs."

Razz nodded silently, agreeing.

Kesnick turns around to face Razz, smiling again.

Kesnick says, "But enough about that. Do you hail from one of the four worlds here?"

Razz blinked. "Hail?" She frowned. Hail is a form of greeting, isn't it?

Kesnick chuckles, "Actually, I mean, were you born on any one of these worlds?"

Razz shook her head. "No, Justin told me that I'm a gatecrasher."

Kesnick asks, "A gatecrasher?"

Razz nodded. "Yes. I came from another world, I think."

Kesnick says, "We have something in common, I see."

Kesnick says, "I, too, am a gatecrasher, I suppose."

Razz says: I heard that it's very common here.

Kesnick nods, "Indeed it is. Many came here against their will, for reasons we still don't understand yet. But there are a few who came of their own will to these worlds."

Kesnick says, "I am one of them."

Razz lowers her head, thinking back to the emotions that had surfaced, on whatever scraps that she can remember of leaving her own world... It wasn't pleasant. "Oh... Where did you come from?"

Kesnick says, "A world called Altasia. Not as diverse in landform and climate as this, but the people there have strived to create a utopia of beautiful cities."

Kesnick says, "We even live on the moon. I was the first to put a colony up there and create a breathable atmosphere on many areas of the planet."

Kesnick chuckles, "I say planet because with atmosphere, it is like living on a small planet."

Razz blinked. Her knowledge of the moon and its true environments are extremely limited.

Kesnick says, "Forgive me if I've seemed to confuse you."

Razz shook her head. "It's okay. It's not your fault."

Kesnick says, "Think of the moon as a giant floating rock high up in the sky."

Kesnick says, "This world does beat Altasia in terms of natural beauty, however."

Kesnick says, "I guess that's why I feel more at ease here than I do in Altasia."

Razz blinks, twice. The moon is a giant floating rock? "What keeps the moon floating?" She asked.

Kesnick says, "What keeps this planet floating?"

Razz stares at Kesnick, not understanding.

Kesnick says, "All of us are living on worlds, floating in the vastness of the great Universe."

Razz continues to stare blankly at Kesnick.

Kesnick smiles, "Just think of it as a form of magic."

Razz isn't keen on pursuing the matter further, anyways. "Okay."

Kesnick says, "Anyway, what's your world like?"

Razz chewed on her bottom lip, thinking. "I don't remember much of it, really... Just that I had done something wrong and was casted out."

Kesnick shakes his head, "Exiled? Yes...I know what that's like."

Kesnick asks, "Might I ask what you did wrong?"

Razz tried to recall. "I... I committed a crime... I can't remember exactly what it was... just that it was a very serious one... and it scared the people. That's why they casted me out."

Kesnick nods, "I see...I'm sorry, but you don't seem the type that would commit crimes."

Kesnick says, "But every world is different in their ways."

Razz raised her eyes to Kesnick's. "What 'types' of people would commit crimes?"

Kesnick says, "The types of people who are dangerous to society, I suppose. Society creates the concept of crime to seperate the peaceful from the violent."

Kesnick says, "...to seperate order from chaos."

Razz nodded. "I see..."

Kesnick says, "It's just that you seem quite at peace."

Razz asks: I do?

Kesnick nods.

Razz lowered her eyes. She feels tired a lot these days, perhaps that's what peace is suppose to feel like.

Kesnick looks down for a bit, then looks back up at Razz, "Razz, do you mind if I ask some...rather forward questions?"

Kesnick says, "I understand you had a traumatic experience with Crulath, but it could really help us out."

Razz stared at the man, part shock, part uncertainty. "... I suppose..." She said slowly, her hands twisting her gown again.

Kesnick says, "We have reason to believe Crulath was acting on behalf of a greater evil. One that we are currently fighting, who has the intentions of destroying the four orbs."

Kesnick says, "If they succede. Everything living on Eldaria will perish."

Razz is quiet, as the stranger didn't ask anything of her.

Kesnick says, "Anyway, my question is about how you fought Crulath. What is the nature of the power you used against him? He was an Ancient, you know, and they are not easily phased by any attacks we throw at them."

Razz chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to organize her reply. "It's a strange force that is in me... It's what drew Crulath to me, because I am powerful with the force... It's something that was already in me when I left my world..."

Kesnick nods, "I see..."

Kesnick asks, "Can you use this power freely?"

Razz hesitated, then shook her head. "No... Not really, it's sealed. But, it has it's own will, and the force burns through the seal when it wants to come out, and it hurts me. That's how I went blind before."

Kesnick nods.

Kesnick asks, "What if someone were to remove that seal? Or make it so it wouldn't hurt you anymore?"

Razz says: I don't know... I don't know how to do it, no one's tried.

Kesnick says, "I could probably do it. Darkwood's technology has the power to manipluate the development of many humanoid bodies, not to mention I have an extensive knowlege of seals and runes."

Kesnick says, "After all, the nanomachines used to restore your sight are also used by top executives in Darkwood to restore themselves, should the unfortunate ever happen."

Razz peered at Kesnick. "You can take away the seal?" She asked tentatively.

Kesnick nods, "I don't know if I could do it alone, but there are a couple of my executives who also study runes. Collectively, we should be able to remove the seal."

Kesnick says, "Then, it would be a matter of using nanomachines to offset any negative effects of using the power."

Razz lowered her head, remembering the old 'study sessions' Gareth had conducted with her to learn about the her runes...

Kesnick says, "Though, there is a reason I would make such an offer..."

Kesnick says, "Some might think of this as a low request...and I wouldn't ask this otherwise if the stakes weren't high."

Razz wishes that Justin is awake... He usually declines for her when she feels uncomfortable about something, and knows when something's too important to decline... "Uhmmm... what is it?"

Kesnick says, "I would like you to fight with us, Razz."

Kesnick says, "To stop this force from destroying every living thing on this planet...perhaps the entire planet itself."

Razz is silent, knowing that she knows too little of the present situation to comment.

Kesnick asks, "Will you help us, Razz?"

Razz took her sweet time in responding, and it wasn't to answer Kesnick's question, exactly. "When... do you think that Justin would wake up?"

Kesnick says, "As I said, it is up to him now. I cannot make any estimates as to when he would wake up. It could be a week...a month...a year...time we don't have unfortunately."

Kesnick says, "I can say that if this force succedes in destroying the Orbs, and destroying Eldaria, Justin will be counted among the casualities this monstrosity is hoping to create."

Razz feels her heart grow cold. A year? She squeezed her eyes shut, bit her lip, and sighed. She so wants to be able to consult Justin right now...

Razz asks: The Orbs.... Are they the elemental orbs? Don't they have powerful guardians?

Kesnick says, "Our enemy has a greater power on their side...an Orb like the Orb the Elemental Guardiasn carry, except this Orb devours all that is good, leaving only destruction and death in it's wake."

Kesnick says, "...the Orb of Darkness."

Razz pressed her lips together. The Orb of Darkness... more powerful than the elemental orbs? What makes them think that she can combat something like that?

Kesnick says, "This must all seem like a great burden. But we do have something on our side...the power you used to fight Crulath. With that power, we could have a chance to save this world."

Razz says: But... That wasn't even enough to defeat him....

Kesnick says, "I have reason to believe it is possibly becuase of the seal on your power. If you could be given direct control over your power again...you could possibly kill an Ancient."

Kesnick says, "Not that I'd ever want you to. I'm just saying."

Kesnick says, "We would have a deffinate chance to win in the battle to come."

Razz says: I....

Razz hangs her head, feeling rather defeated. "I want- I want to-" she stopped, shaking her head. "Do you know where Kaze is?"

Kesnick shakes his head.

Kesnick says, "I take it you do not want to undertake this task."

Kesnick says, "I wouldn't blame you..."

Kesnick sighs, "I guess all that's left is to pack up and leave before the destruction hits."

Razz looks somewhat anxious. "It's not- I mean... I would, but... I want to ask Justin... or Kaze... for their opinion... to be sure..."

Razz asks: Can you at least find Kaze?

Kesnick says, "There's no time. And I'm sure I can fill in their words for them. They'd advise against you doing it, becuase it would mean loosing you."

Razz asks: Loosing me?

Kesnick says, "Humans are sometimes greedy people. They let it judge their actions sometimes."

Kesnick says, "Not just humans, but all races have a bit of greed in them."

Razz blinked, not understanding what Kesnick was getting at.

Kesnick says, "I do not know if I can speak for Justin, but I do know Kaze. He has feelings for you...you are very important to him."

Kesnick says, "If you consult him, he will tell you not to do it, and the world will be destroyed. Thus, there is no hope."

Razz feel her heartbeat quicken at his words, and she thought back to the time when Kaze had kissed her... ever so lightly... "If I do it... I will die?"

Kesnick says, "That would depend on you, Razz."

Razz peers quizzically at Kesnick.

Kesnick says, "I can't very well reassure you that you can cheat death. But I can help you avoid that fate."

Kesnick says, "Besides...wouldn't you rather want a fighting chance?"

Kesnick says, "I know you are the future bearer of the Orb of Water, so it will only be a matter of time before your are sought out by the Orb of Darkness."

Razz bit down on her bottom lip. "I... I guess... Yes." If it really comes down to it, of course she would. But Kesnick's next words took her by surprise. "How did you know that?" She asked.

Kesnick grins, "I told you, I own Coneria, and Kaze runs it for me. Word gets back to me one way or another."

Razz goes: ..........

Kesnick chuckles, "I'm sorry if that took you by surprise. Darkwood actually contributed alot of money to it's rebuilding since being attacked by the Dark Warriors, who serve the Orb of Darkness."

Kesnick says, "Currently, they are the ones trying to reassemble the Orb they follow."

Razz says: The DYou say: The Dark Warriors....

Kesnick says, "...our enemy."

Razz asks: Why do they want to destroy the world?

Razz asks: Won't they die too?

Kesnick says, "Probably...but when you are a servant to evil, you care little about your own wellbeing."

Razz goes: ..........

Kesnick says, "There are those out there who actually believe the only path to saving the world is to destroy it."

Razz's face twisted in confusion at that logic. "Why? A destroyed world is destroyed."

Kesnick nods, "It is confusing, yes. But this is the kind of logic evil follows."

Razz shook her head. "How can you save something by destroying it? I don't understand."

Kesnick says, "Hmm...well, what if that world was contributing to the suffering and death of a larger population?"

Razz asks: But... what about the people who lives in that world?

Kesnick says, "They would be unaware."

Razz asks: Unaware? Of what?

Kesnick says, "Unaware that they are the ones viewed as evil..."

Kesnick says, "It doesn't really matter. Shades of grey are often quite confusing to understand."

Kesnick says, "What should matter is the life that is lost becuase of crusades like those."

Razz fell silent, knowing that in the end, her host is right.

Kesnick says, "So I ask again, will you help us, Razz?"

Razz drew a deep breath, and sighed heavily. "Okay..."

Kesnick smiles and says, "Thank you."

Kesnick says, "I am forever indebted to you."

Razz lowered her eye sights, avoiding Kesnick's gaze.

Kesnick says, "I assure you I will do everything in my power to insure your safety."

Razz nodded reluctantly. "Thank you..."

Kesnick reaches into his longcoat pocket, which also seems to be disguarded on the bench, to pull out a cellphone. He dials a number and holds it into his ear, "I need to arrange a meeting with a few of our exectutives. I will give you the list later today. Please pass down the word immediately after you get it."

Kesnick presses a button on the cellphone and places it back into the pocket of his longcoat.

Kesnick says, "First things first. We need to get those runes off you, and then give you an infusion of nanomachines."

Razz remains rooted in the spot that she had been in since Kesnick had addressed her, but a weakness in her limbs compelled her to shift and lean against a nearby tree trunk for support as she saw Kesnick making his calls. She nodded numbly as Kesnick mentioned ridding her of her runes. "Now?"

Kesnick shakes his head, "Not yet. I need to discuss how we are going to do it with the experts in my staff. Though the procedure will happen shortly after we come up with a tested solution. All in all, it should be two or three days."

Kesnick says, "I'll put my entire R&D Department on the case of finding a soultion."

Razz nodded once more, as if that's all she can do now.