Tales of Honor

Stories with Characters from Eorzea: Jenesis Labariel DRG, Balmung Server www.eorzeangirl.wordpress.com

[jenesislabariel]

Day 23: Shuffle

Shuffle verb, noun walk by dragging one’s feet along or without lifting fully from ground rearrange (a deck of cards) by sliding the cards over each other quickly ------------------------------------------------- “There’s no way he could possibly win six games in a row! I’ve got it this time.”

Jenesis glanced up from the book she was reading near the fireplace, the faintest hint of a smile brushing across her lips as she regarded her friends at the table across the room. Zan had risen from his chair, voice rumbling into an excited roar as he gestured wildly at the cards splayed across the table between him and Kyrn.

Kyrn, for his part, merely shrugged. Since they were between missions, their small free company was enjoying some hard-earned downtime together. Kyrn had shed his armor and visor -which he was rarely seen without - for the comforts of a loose dark blue tunic and leather brown boots that came up just to below his knee. 

He brushed his blonde hair, which hung just to above his shoulders, back with one hand as he started to gather the cards on the table with the other. Zan leaned forward and began gathering cards on his side with surprising dexterity, considered the large size of his clawed hands.

“Statistically speaking,” Mirazu began as he stepped out from behind the bar with a glass of wine in his hand, “Six defeats in a game like Triple Triad isn’t really --”

“Don’t tell me the odds!” Zan sputtered, throwing his hands up. “It’ll psych me out!”

“I think it might be a little late for that,” Jenesis chuckled, turning the page in her book. She settled down into the oversized chair with a content sigh, legs hanging over one of the plush arms while the other supported her back. 

“You hush,” Zan shot back, squinting briefly at her as he began shuffling the cards in his hand. “You’re going to fall asleep like that again and wake up with a sore back, you know,” he chided her. Jenesis scoffed, sitting upright to stretch as she put her book on the table beside her.

“Shouldn’t you be focusing on your game, Zan? Don’t want Kyrn to win again, do you?” She laughed, offering Mirazu a small wave as he approached to sit in the chair opposite of her. Zan snorted, returning his full attention to Kyrn and the match unfolding between them.

Jenesis turned her attention toward her friend, who looked like he was nearly ready to nod off. The last couple of weeks had been exhausting for all of them, to be certain, but while their work of crawling through ruins and hunting for treasures had ended, his work on studying, cataloging, and decoding cryptic messages had only just begun.

Mirazu took a long, slow sip of his wine, allowing his eyes to close for a few blissful moments of what barely constituted as rest before returning his attention to Jenesis. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of a bell ringing through the house caused him to stop before he could start.

The four of them all froze, exchanging glances between one another. They hadn’t been expecting company, it was far too late for any courier to be delivering something, and they seldom ever hand anyone randomly drop by. The silence hung between them for a moment before Jenesis finally stood up from her chair.

“Uh, guess I’ll go and get that?” Mirazu waved a hand, welcoming her to the duty of standing up since he himself had just sat down. Jenesis crossed the room and ascended the stairs, walking toward the front door. She hesitated slightly as her hand rested on the knob; she was unarmed, unprepared, and unable in her current relaxed state to truly deal with any threat that might be ready to surprise her on the other side.

She blinked, scoffing at herself. A real threat wouldn’t ring the damn doorbell, Jenesis.

She pulled the door open, surprise registering on her face at first as she saw who stood opposite her: Iva Nightsong. It was replaced quickly with a smile, and a genuine sense of happiness at seeing the other.

“I hope I’m not interrupting too late,” Iva said. “I have been giving a great deal of thought to what you all said, and to your offer. And I’ve decided I’d like to accept.” Jenesis’ smile widened as she opened the door further, gesturing for Iva to come inside. 

“That’s the best news I’ve had in months,” Jenesis said with a laugh. “Come inside and join us, let’s chat a bit while we relax, then we can give you a tour of your new home.” Iva returned the Highlander’s smile with one of her own, dark eyes shining brightly with excitement.

“Nothing would make me happier.”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 22: Argy-bargy

Argy-bargy noun noisy quarreling or wrangling -------------------------------------------

Well, this was unexpected.

Alak, A’zaela, and Jude all exchanged brief glances with one another before pulling the door open widely and stepping into the room where the green-eyed Miqo’te stood regarding them carefully. After a moment, she snapped her tome closed and hopped off the ladder she’d been standing on.

“Well then, it certainly seems like you aren’t here to fight,” she said, pursing her lips. “At least, you’re not here to fight me, and that’s good enough.” Dusting the cover off the tome before setting it aside, she crossed the room to approach them. “So. Do I need to ask the obvious question?”

“Oh, uh - I’m guessing you mean who are we, and why are we here?” A’zaela stammered. This woman moved with such grace and authority, for a moment A’zaela found herself caught off-guard that someone so calm could be in the midst of the library. “My name is A’zaela, and we’re here looking for a particular text.”

A silence hung between them for a moment. Jude was quick to break it.

“I am Jude! ...And you are, my lady?”

“Chione,” the Miqo’te answered simply. “If you’re looking for a particular text, good luck. A lot of this place has been lost to the elements and looters over the years. Still...a great deal remains, by some miracle, and it’s possible you may be able to find what you’re looking for.” Her ears flicked as her lips pursed into a frown. She stares at the door beyond them. Jude was about to speak, but then stopped; he’d heard it, too.

“We’ve got company,” A’zaela said, already reaching for her weapon. “Alak --”

“Yep,” he said. She didn’t even have to finish her thought. He was already moving toward the door to flank the left side of it while Jude took the right. A’zaela stood beside Chione, who was removing a book from the folds of her robes.

“Hardly the ideal introduction,” Chione mused, glancing at her newfound companion. “I trust you know how to fight?” A’zaela clenched her teeth.

“I do. Hope you can hold your own here,” she replied. “We may have our hands full.” Chione smiled.

“So what else is new?” She asked with a resigned sigh. “Fine, then. Let’s put this down, whatever it is, so I can get back to my books.”

The Miqo’te certainly had her priorities straight.

[jenesislabariel]

Day 18: Panglossian (Makeup Day)

Panglossian adjective marked by the view that all is for the best excessively optimistic

------------------------------------------

Jenesis knew that real life was rarely so neat and tidy.

Although she often tried to allow the optimism of her friends to fuel her, her views were rarely so panglossian. She had experienced too much in her thirty-some years to believe so fervently that things would always somehow work themselves out in the end.

From a certain perspective, perhaps things had worked out for the best in her circumstances. Estrangement from her brother aside, Jenesis had fought, faced, and conquered much in her lifetime, although Exodus’ wrath still haunted her daily. Still, she had made some true friends and their company frequently overrode much of the pain.

They all believed so fervently in the work they did that Jenesis often found it difficult not to become wrapped up in their passion. Whenever Mirazu assured them that everything would be fine, she believed that, whole-heartedly.

Of course, he was occasionally wrong, like when Zan broke his femur a year or so back. Mirazu had waved it off as a fluke. Zan did not so much agree.

She was unsurprised, then, to find Mirazu’s usual placid exterior already in place as she and Kyrn rejoined them on the other side of the chamber. Jenesis glanced toward Iva, inclining her head in acknolwedgement.

“I see you know how to carry yourself in a fight,” she said. Iva nodded, sheathing her sword and tucking the crystal that had been floating above her left hand into a leather holster hanging from her belt.

“I’ve picked up a thing or two over the years,” she said with a shrug. “All those Garleans picking fights all the time, well, it was either learn how to fight back or accept the alternative, which is something I wasn’t particularly keen to do.” A small smile curled Jenesis’ lips.

“Then you’re in like company,” she said, gesturing at the group. “Feelings of loathing toward Garleans aside, I suppose we should find out way out of here.”

“There’s likely a hidden passageway,” Mirazu said, moving toward the wall and tapping. “Spread out and look. They wouldn’t go through all the trouble to build a tunnel and chamber like this only for it to lead to nowhere.”

“You mean like that hidden passageway?” Kyrn said, pointing. They all followed the line of his hand, starting in stunned silence as part of the wall shifted and gave way to form a new door.

“Must have triggered something when we beat that thing up,” Zan said with a shrug. “Well, what’s the word, Mirazu? Do we keep going?” Mirazu brushed some dust from his robes and began walking toward the new doorway.

“As always, yes. We keep going.”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 19: Where the Heart is

Where the Heart is phrase A place or person(s) with whom your heart resides, no matter where you are.

------------------------------------------------

It was strange, sometimes. 

The memories would rush her all at once, seemingly out of nowhere, and usually in an instance that didn’t seem logical - like in the middle of fighting a giant Allagan construct, for example. 

Still, as Jenesis walked away from the wreckage to join her friends, she could not help but let her mind wander briefly to a place she’d once called home, but now held only pain for her heart.

Exodus. Her brother. When was the last time he’d crossed her mind? In truth, it was hard for her to push him from her thoughts most days. His pursuit of her had begun nearly twenty years ago and it was all she could do to remain just a few steps ahead of him at any time.

Her eyes rested on her companions as she felt her chest tighten. She hadn’t told them. They’d been together nearly a year now, living under the same roof. They shared meals together, went on grand adventures together, and shared together. But she had not shared this, and it weighed on her. How long before Exodus discovered where she was and dragged the rest of them into it, too?

Jenesis had, in all her years of running, never settled in a place as long as this. She was constantly on the move, flitting on to the next thing or next group of people. There for a moment, gone in the next, leaving no trace.

But she didn’t want to do that here, not anymore. Not with them. Only Kyrn and Alak knew the turmoil that laid beneath the surface. They were used to her disappearing acts - she always turned up again sooner or later - but now she found that she didn’t want to lose their support anymore either when it came time to go away again.

She would tell them, she vowed, making her mind up then and there. But not now, now was not the time. She would tell them when all of this was done and over, when their objective was complete and they could go rest at home.

Home. That had a nice ring to it, she thought. For the first time in years, she had finally found a place she could call as such, and the feeling warmed her as much as it filled her with fear.

Home. 

[jenesislabariel]

Day 17: Fade

Fade verb, noun 1. gradually grow faint and disappear 2. the process of becoming less bright ------------------------------------

The Great Library was even larger than rumors suggested.

Jude had thought that the time they’d spend ascending the stairs to get to the blasted door was bad, but nothing compared to the overwhelming vastness of what was inside. He wasn’t even sure where to begin, and he said as much after they spent the first ten or so minutes of their time inside simply attempting to orient themselves.

“I hate this place,” Alak concurred, lips drawn tight into a line as they slowly proceeded further inside. “It gets worse the deeper you go. No windows.”

It was true: the deeper they went, the darker it became. Light began to fade away, leaving them to the mercy of the eerie magical lights that lined the hallways. 

“I don’t like this,” A’zaela mused, eyes flicking about. “Too many places for an ambush, and entirely too quiet.”

“I can’t imagine many people come here,” Jude said, following his friend’s gaze as she looked around. “I mean, it is rumored to be most dangerous. Although I can’t really see the danger right now, I admit...”

“What was that?” Alak froze as he spoke, and the other two followed suit. They waited, and seconds later heard the sound again: a faint thud, as if something had dropped. It echoed throughout the halls, making it difficult to pinpoint a source.

Alak worked his weapons into his hands, two metal crescents that were easy enough to grip and could cripple someone with so little as a tap in the correct places. A’zaela and Jude did the same, creeping forward with caution. 

They heard it again as they moved; this time, it seemed closer. As they crept down the hallway, Alak raised a hand to motion toward a door on their left that was cracked open with light spilling out of it. A’zaela nodded in acknowledgment. Jude watched them both carefully, following their lead.

Slowly, carefully, they approached the door and peered inside, attempting to draw as little attention as possible. What they saw was no monster or beast, but rather a petite Miqo’te female standing on a small stepladder, pulling books off the shelf, scanning them for a moment, and then dropping them to the floor where a sizable pile had formed. 

The trio glanced at each other questioningly. It was no mystery that Gubal was dangerous and was all but abandoned for the most part. Brave adventurers seeking knowledge - or sometimes just the glory of slaying some of the creatures that dwelled within - would delve inside, but only on occasion. What was she doing here?

Unexpectedly, she spoke then, her green eyes never leaving the tome in her hands. Her voice was stern and no-nonsense. 

“Well, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come inside and ask me what I’m doing here?” She looked up, finally, piercing eyes staring toward them as she tucked a stray tress of hair behind one of her ears. 

“Or, are you here to fight? If so, at least let me get away from the books so you don’t damage them.”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 16: Lucubration

Lucubration noun laborious or intensive study ---------------------------------------

“Lady Linh, remind me why we are here again?” Jude ran a hand through the length of his golden hair, flicking his ears as he questioned his friend. “Could Lady Labariel just not come herself?”

“For what must be the thousandth time, Jude, just call me A’zaela,” the other Miqo’te replied, cyan eyes slipping closed for a moment as she summoned her patience. Although she loved him dearly, Jude had a penchant for formalities that she found tiresome at times. 

“Apologies, my la -- ah, I mean, A’zaela.” Jude stammered, color rising to his cheeks. “I really am trying to get used to it. It seems that most people prefer to be referred to informally, though I cannot completely understand why. esteemed as you all are. Your titles deserve to be treated with reverence!”

“We want to be addressed informally because we are friends,” A’zaela explained, a light laugh bubbling to the surface of her otherwise quite serious exterior. “The time for explaining that is later, though, Jude. Right now we need to do as we’ve been asked - for our friend.” Her gaze trailed upward at the structure that loomed before them: the Great Gubal Library. 

“I know Lady - ah, Jenesis - has been here herself many times,” Jude said as they began to climb the alabaster steps together. “Why did she need us to come in her stead?”

“Her hands are a little full at the moment, that’s all.” The voice came from behind them, causing them both to jump and whirl around. A’zaela immediately relaxed, exhaling a sharp breath; Jude, who had been reaching for his weapon, noticed her change in demeanor and lowered his arms.

“Maybe next time don’t sneak up on us, huh?” A’zaela chided the newcomer, but smiled in spite of herself. “It’s good to see you, Alak. Have you met Jude?” Alak shook his head in reply, extending a hand toward the other.

“Alak Sepelio - nice to meet you, Jude. Jen speaks highly of you.” Jude flushed again, feeling a swell of pride bubble in his chest. 

“And you also, good ser! Tell me, what brings you here to the Library? Are you searching for the same thing we are?” Alak nodded.

“All of Mirazu’s research suggests that what we’re looking for is in here. I tried elsewhere first, and when that didn’t have what we needed, I thought I would come meet you both up here.” A’zaela smoothed her tunic and started ascending the steps again.

“Good that you’re here, should make this easier,” she said. “Now let’s get moving before we fall too far behind. We want to make sure they have what they need when they get back, right?”

“Right,” Alak agreed. His hand lowered to his side, flicking the leather strap holding his weapons loose so that he hand easy access. Jude regarded him curiously, but decided questions of a combat variety were best left for another time. Instead, he moved to climb the steps with them, deciding to ask a question that had been plaguing him since A’zaela roused him from his sleep hours ago and bade him to come with her.

“A good idea! Just one question, my friends: what are we doing here?”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 15: Ache

Ache noun, verb a continuous or prolonged dull pain in part of one’s body suffer from a continuous dull pain -----------------------------------------------

It wasn’t working.

No matter what they did, neither Jenesis nor Kyrn’s lances could pierce the beast’s armored exterior. Mirazu and Iva’s magics also appeared to have no effect, and it was clear that Zan’s shield would only hold out for so much longer against its onslaught.

“It’s got to have a weak point somewhere!” Jenesis shouted as she landed near the rest of them.

“Well you’d better find it quick, I don’t know how much more of this I can take!” Zan bellowed, raising his shield to deflect another attack. Jenesis’ eyes panned the chamber and rested briefly on Mirazu, whose spells were currently the only thing preventing Zan from keeling over to the construct.

“It has to have a mechanism,” Mirazu grunted, light flashing from his hands again as a shimmering barrier enveloped Zan. “If it’s not above --”

“Then try below!” Iva finished, darting forward to loose a crackling spell of electricity toward the creature’s face. To Jenesis’ surprise, it appeared dazed for the briefest of moments.

“Keep it distracted!” She yelled, legs carrying her in leaps across the chamber’s span. Kyrn’s leap followed the trail of Iva’s spell, causing the beast to sway to the side in an effort to hit him. Deftly, the dragoon leapt again, this time to the other side, where Iva’s spell flew narrowly past to connect with the beast’s head.

Jenesis ran, gaining momentum as she neared the massive monster. Quickly, she dropped her body and slid beneath it. The creature was thrashing about as it tried to fell Kyrn and Iva, which made Jenesis’ job all the more difficult. There was only about a foot or two of space between her and its “belly”, which meant she was likely to get a little knocked around and would definitely feel that in the morning.

Her first pass beneath the beast was swift; she slid along the entire length of its underside, eyes plastered above herself looking for any little hint of a mechanism that would stop its rampaging. Her eyes caught sight of a latch, heart hammering in her chest as she emerged from the other side of the beast. She began to run again, at first away from it and then turning sharply to use her momentum for another slide.

She dropped her body once again, allowing the momentum to carry her slide about halfway. When she neared the spot she thought she’d seen, she dropped her lance, the tip of it screaming against the metal floor as she skidded to a halt. Right above her, she could see it - a switch, laid deep into the metal of the monster, impossible to see from any angle other than the one she found herself at now.

Her hand shot up, fingers curling around the level as she pulled hard, breath caught in her throat as she dared to hope. The creature’s thrashing slowed to a halt, metal creaking as it teetered. Jenesis flipped herself over onto her belly and began to crawl across the floor as quickly as she could; if she wasn’t fast enough, she was likely to have the entire beast fall on top of her.

A strange sensation began to creep along Jenesis’ body as she crawled, a lightness that she could attribute to nothing but magic. Suddenly, without warning, her body jerked to the side and quite literally flew out from beneath the creature as it started to fall. 

She landed in a heap beside Mirazu, who peered down at her from above the top of the tome he held in his hands. Snapping it shut, he appraised her with the smallest of smiles on his lips.

“Ah, good. Looks like you’ll live.” 

[jenesislabariel]

Day 14: Part

Part noun, verb, adverb a piece or segment of something (of two things) move away from each other to some extent; partly -------------------------------------------------------- This thing, whatever it was, was remarkably fast.

Jenesis wasn’t sure exactly how the creature had managed to turn around so quickly, but now wasn’t the time to contemplate the how, the what, or the why. Their focus needed to be on subduing it long enough for them to get to safety. 

When it barreled into the chamber where they waited, Jenesis got her first good look at it. Sure enough, it was beast-like, with hulking tusks, a metal monstrosity that seemed almost animalistic in design while still maintaining the particulars of the Allagan constructs they were used to seeing.

It moved on four legs, which were stout and low to the ground rather than spindly and wispy. Its body was solid, large, and encompassed a large part of the center of the chamber. Briefly, Jenesis considered that perhaps the tunnels were sized and built specifically around accommodating this particular intrusion deterrent, but she didn’t have long to think on it.

The construct wheeled around with astonishing agility, headed straight for Jenesis. Steam hissed out of its side, obscuring her vision as she leapt into the air. Her eyes tried to scan the ground below for a good landing spot, but she could barely make anything out through the haze. 

She angled her body toward where she hoped the bulk of the creature was, intending to land on its back and attempt to find a weakness in the mechanism so that she could disarm it. While she lacked the finesse and dexterity that Mirazu had for tinkering with ancient artifacts, she did have a lance, some brute strength, and a general idea of where she might be able to stick said weapon in order to quell a threat.

She landed - with much luck - on the back of the flailing construct, which was already charging across the room in an effort to collide with Zan, who stood protecting Iva and Mirazu. The air surrounding them crackled with magic as bolts flew from the top of Iva’s sword and a swirling crimson creature emerged from beside Mirazu and moved to intercept the beast.

They had all been working together long enough - Iva excluded - to have some idea what each other’s tactics were in situations such as this. Each of them played a deliberate role, and Jenesis couldn’t help but notice - in spite of her current predicament - how well Iva seemed to fit into it all, as if she were a missing piece that they’d finally found.

A loud crack preceded the beast rearing back and snapping its head wildly to the side, which Jenesis was not expecting. She crouched in an effort to maintain balance, but instead pushed off with her legs and flipped off of it, landing - far less gracefully than usual - on the ground nearby. When she landed, Kyrn leapt, aiming carefully for the construct’s back in order to take her place.

Jenesis took the brief opportunity to look around the cavern for any sort of exit plan. Alas, the only way out appeared to be the way they’d come in, and it would leave them as prime targets for their enemy to squish in its path. 

They only had one choice now: to fell it before it felled them.

[jenesislabariel]

Day 12: Tooth and Nail

(Fight) Tooth and Nail To engage in vigorous combat or make a strenuous effort, using all of one’s resources

----------------------------

There wasn’t any time to think.

A string of curse words followed Zan’s initial exclamation as he threw himself to the side, his armor ringing against the metal walls of the tunnel. Although the man-made cavern was spacious as far as underground tunnels went, there still wasn’t that much room for maneuverability, which made fighting for Dragoons like Kyrn and Jenesis all the more challenging.

The team had been together long enough that they took cues well from one another. As soon as Zan flung his body to the side, Jenesis, Kyrn, and Mirazu followed suit. Jenesis’ eyes flitted quickly toward Iva, concerned that she wouldn’t be able to throw herself to safety in time. 

Much to her surprise, the Miqo’te reacted a mere second or two behind the rest of them. So she was alert, that much was clear, and that alone was enough to raise her even slightly in Jenesis’ esteem. 

She didn’t have much time to allow her thoughts to linger, however; her head snapped forward again just quickly enough to see the large, clamoring silhouette of something barreling straight down the tunnel toward them.

Even with the lights on, the tunnel was dim and it was difficult to make out details clearly. Whatever was attacking them was certainly large, and the sound it made as it ran across the metal floor was akin to rattling armor, which suggested that it was some sort of mechanical construct. None of them were strangers to Allagan technology, and although that often prepared them for their missions, there was always an expectation that they were likely to stumble upon the unexpected.

Jenesis could feel heat as the creature barreled past her. The tunnel was barely wide enough for her to avoid its charge, let alone someone Zan’s size. Another string of curses flew from the Hrothgar’s lips, and even in the poor light Jenesis could see scuffs on his armor from where the creature had scraped against him as it passed.

“I just repaired this!” Zan snarled indignantly. Jenesis peeled herself from the side of the wall.

“Less talking, more running, before it turns around and comes back!” Jenesis quipped, already moving. Zan stayed firm against the wall, giving all of them time to run past him so he could take up the rear for when the construct came back.

Jenesis took the lead now, legs carrying her swiftly and effortlessly down the tunnel and toward what she hoped would be some sort of exit or way to elude the monster that she was certain would find a way to turn and come back before long.

They didn’t have far to go. The tunnel opened up into a larger metal chamber, circular in shape and seemingly with no other exits. Grooves in the floor suggested that this was where the beast originated from, perhaps triggered to life by some unseen trap they’d unwittingly stumbled into. 

Steam permeated this room, rendering any additional light almost moot. A roar from behind them sounded distant, but with all of the echoing it was difficult to pinpoint exactly how far the beast was or how much time they had. 

“Spread out and get ready,” Mirazu’s voice cut through the chaos. His tone was firm, but calm, any edge of panic thoroughly stamped out. All of them did as instructed, including Iva, who took up a strategic space near Zan and Mirazu. Having Zan nearby to defend them would give them additional time they might need to cast any spells.

“Here it comes!” Kyrn ran to the side of the room opposite Jenesis. If they could get the beast back near the center, they would be able to pincer it from either side, cutting off any escape and hopefully catching it by surprise. 

Jenesis exhaled, raising a hand to snap the visor on her helmet down over her eyes.

It was time to fight.

[jenesislabariel]

Day 11: Ultracrepidarian

Ultracrepidarian adjective 1. noting or pertaining to a person who criticizes, judges, or gives advice outside the area of their expertise

--------------------------------------------

And suddenly, they were five.

Jenesis didn’t have a good reason to mistrust their newfound companion, but a good reason hadn’t ever stopped her before. She approached their partnership with a practiced wariness, one that had at least kept her alive these 30 some years past, even if it didn’t always win her over any friends.

As they progressed further down the tunnel with Zan at the lead, Jenesis quietly observed Iva. She was clearly no stranger to combat - her earlier stance and the practiced ease with which she wielded her weapon in her own defense was an obvious sign. Jenesis was used to looking for the less obvious, however. The Miqo’te wore clothing that allowed her to move quickly and freely, and her body - arms in particular - was toned and carried clear bearings of battles previous, although they had somewhat faded with time. 

Although Jenesis had encountered plenty of magic in her lifetime, she did not ever claim to be an expert in it. She could see that Iva was familiar with spell casting, as was evidenced by the crystal she’d had hovering over her left hand when they’d first met. Mirazu would likely know more about the specifics, but for her part, Jenesis had encountered enough mages to know better than to underestimate them.

Still, Iva certainly seemed sincere. She had an air about her that put Jenesis somewhat at ease, which was no small feat. She continued to wonder about this as they progressed, but her thoughts were quickly and unceremoniously interrupted by a deafening CLANG from just ahead. Jenesis’ head snapped up, her body stiffening into rapt attention. Then, Zan spoke, and she felt her stomach twist before her eyes even laid on what was before them.

“Oh, shit.”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 10: Avail

Avail verb 1. help or benefit

--------------------------------

“Uh...who the hell are you?”

“We could ask you the same thing,” Mirazu said before anyone else could speak. They all regarded the Miqo’te carefully, though Jenesis kept her weapon lowered; she didn’t perceive any threat from the newcomer.

“You could ask me the same thing,” the Miqo’te said, lowering her weapon hesitantly. Jenesis got the impression that, were her hands not full, she would have crossed her arms defiantly. “But, I asked you first.”

For a moment, Jenesis thought that Mirazu might engage in a subtle fight for dominance, but she didn’t think it would avail him any answers. Kyrn broke the silence.

“Kyrn Draconis,” he answered simply. Jenesis cleared her throat.

“Jenesis Labariel. Our friends - Zan Sereno, and Mirazu Ysen.” She gestured to all of them, eyes returning to the Miqo’te, who had lowered her weapon even further.

“Iva Nightsong,” she replied finally, sheathing her sword. “I suppose the question that follows is ‘why are you here,’ so let me get ahead of you on that: I don’t know.”

“You don’t...know?” Zan asked incredulously, raising a clawed hand to scratch at the mane of alabaster hair that adorned his head. “I mean, I guess...why are any of us here?”

“Existential quandries aside,” Mirazu interjected with an eye-roll, “do you mean to say that you somehow found your way into this tunnel by happenstance?” Iva nodded.

“I was just out gathering a few things in all my usual places when the ground gave out from under me and I fell down here,” she said. “I’ve been wandering around for the last hour trying to get out.” Jenesis glanced at Mirazu, as if asking permission - he nodded, and so did the others.

“Come with us then, if it pleases you,” she said, a small smile briefly lighting her lips. “Though I warn you, we’re going further inward before we go outward. We have some exploring to do first.” Iva paused, tilting her head as if regarding the dragoon’s offer.

“Sounds good to me,” she affirmed, looking now to Zan. “I’ll fall into line with the rest of you. Seems prudent to let the big guy go first.”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 9: Lush

Lush adjective 1. growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage 2. appealing to the senses

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Jenesis winced.

No matter how quietly they attempted to advance, nothing could muffle the sound of armored soles on the cool metal of the manufactured tunnel. Jenesis found herself missing the lush green of the forest; although the dense wood and soft ground were difficult to maneuver during a fight, the foliage was often good for avoiding fights altogether in the first place.

Still, it was what it was, and they just had to press on and hope for the best. The drawling hiss of steam power grew louder as they approached; Jenesis noted also that the temperature was steadily rising as well. 

“Warm,” Zan said in a low voice, bringing to the surface what they were all thinking. Jenesis nodded, and Mirazu motioned with his hands; whatever it was, they were getting close. The steam was so loud they couldn’t even hear their own footsteps anymore. On the one hand, it would make sneaking up on an enemy easier - however, on the other, it made falling victim to an ambush all the more likely.

An uncomfortable silence hung between them as the billowing steam obscured their vision. Jenesis could just barely make out Zan’s silhouette in front of her; in fact, her depth perception was so skewed that she walked right into his back when he stopped abruptly.

That’s when she heard it: a yell. It was an unusual sound - a quick burst of vocalization, briefly amplified in the chamber of the tunnel and quickly absorbed by the surrounding steam. That wasn’t the strange part, though.

What was strange was that the yell hadn’t come from Zan. It was much higher in pitch and slightly feminine; Zan’s own bellow soon joined, and before Jenesis realized what was happening she could make out a fifth silhouette standing in front of them.

A green flash of light caught her attention from behind her; a small avatar appeared next to Mirazu, a gust of wind billowing out from around it and pushing the steam aside. 

The four of them stood opposite a slender dark-skinned Miqo’te, raven hair pinned to her face and neck by rivulets of sweat. Clutched in her right hand was a saber, while a large crystal loomed over her left. Keen eyes searched them for a moment; when none of them made a move to strike, finally, she spoke.

“Uh...hi? Who the hell are you?”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 8: Clamor

Clamor noun, verb 1. a loud uproar, as from a crowd of people 2. a vehement expression of desire or dissatisfaction 3. to utter noisily

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It wasn’t their first foray into areas with Allagan technology, and -- assuming nothing killed them -- it wasn’t likely to be their last.

Admittedly, Jenesis was far from a scholar or an expert on the finer aspects of the ancient tech. She’d learned a thing or two in her years working with the others, but for the most part, if the mechanism didn’t shoot, stab, or smash, she knew very little about it. Her area of expertise was primarily in fighting and dismantling the dangers without causing so much damage that Mirazu couldn’t study it.

Zan was their tinkerer. For all his jokes and bluster, behind the facade hid an absolutely brilliant mind for building. While they sold some of their discoveries to other scholars studying ancient Allag, many others ended up repurposed into one of their company airships that they frequently rode on expeditions. Zan ran their workshop like clockwork, and Jenesis appreciated him all the more for it.

Much like Jenesis, Kyrn was a blade for hire, although he seemed content to have settled into service with the rest of them. Their operation was lucrative enough to keep their purses full of coin and keep their home lit and their workshop running, but the truth of it was that Kyrn and Jenesis both had very minimal material needs. They were more than happy to allow Mirazu to deal with most of the estate’s finances.

Mirazu, frankly, was the glue that held them together. A strategist and manager of their estate, the summoner was a seasoned explorer and a veteran bargainer who often made surprising sales that skewed in their favor on the financial end of things. 

Their company was small, but tightly knit, the only one currently absent from their ranks at the moment being Alak, a monk who was Kyrn’s longtime companion and pretty much part of a package deal. He was dealing with another important matter, and Jenesis was hard-pressed to keep her mind from wandering to him and his whereabouts.

A clamor from ahead of them jarred her quickly from her thoughts, her attention all at once returning to what was in front of her. She had already dropped into a fighting posture, lance angled just slightly downward as she readied herself. Her companions had also drawn their steel, Zan maneuvering himself to the front while hefting his shield.

“We’ll have to investigate whatever that was sooner or later,” he said, turning to look back at the rest of them. “Might as well be sooner. Hey Mirazu, don’t let whatever it is knock me out this time, ‘k?” Mirazu smiled wryly.

“I’ll try, but you know as well as I do that the more I hurt it, the faster it falls, which means you take fewer knocks to that thick skull of yours.” 

Jenesis laughed, but sobered quickly as she prepared for whatever was ahead. In their line of work, it usually meant a fight, and she wasn’t about to go in with her head clouded.

She was ready.

[jenesislabariel]

Day 5: Matter of Fact

Matter-of-fact adjective 1. adhering to the unembellished facts also: being plain, straightforward, or unemotional

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“Smartass,” Zan laughed, giving Mirazu a playful shove. Mirazu straightened himself, smoothing out his robes as he peered over his glasses at Zan.

“Well, we can see now, can’t we?” He returned, his tone matter-of-fact. His eyes trailed down as far as they could see to the end of the tunnel. Jenesis followed his gaze.

“We’re not getting very far standing here,” Kyrn pointed out. Jenesis nodded, reaching back toward her weapon’s holster in order to ease her lance into her hands. 

“Kyrn’s right. We should proceed with caution, obviously, but if we’re going to find what it is we’re looking for we shouldn’t waste any more time.” With her companions in agreement, the four of them started to traverse the length of the tunnel. 

They hadn’t gotten particularly far when a loud, sudden hissssssss made Jenesis freeze where she was, grip tightening on her lance. The others had heard it, too, and a silence hung between them before Kyrn finally broke it.

“Steam,” he said. Jenesis slowly relaxed as the sound repeated itself, confirming for her what Kyrn had asserted. 

“Do you think we’re close to a mechanism or operating room, then?” She asked Mirazu.

“Perhaps, but what I’m concerned about is why it’s active right now,” he said. “I found the lights, yes, but that should have been all that switch controlled.” 

“Man, sometimes I hate Allagan tech,” Zan rumbled, tapping his sword against his shield as if for emphasis. 

“Too bad it’s so lucrative,” Kyrn said with a shrug. Jenesis sighed.

“Well, at this point we have two options. We either turn around and head back empty-handed, or we go in further, take some risks, and either bring back something useful or die horribly trying.” The four of them looked at each other before Kyrn turned and started to continue down the length of the tunnel. Without hesitation, the others turned to follow.

“Horrible death it is!” Zan sang cheerfully.

[jenesislabariel]

Day 4: Clinch

Clinch transitive verb 1. to fasten in this way 2. to make final or irrefutable

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“Complicated? Complicated how?” Jenesis pursed her lips, regarding her long-time friend with concern. Kyrn’s head tilted as he raised an arm and gestured behind himself. 

“Follow me in a little deeper and you’ll see what I mean.” Jenesis fell into easy step behind him, followed by Mirazu. Zan moved into the rear, head canting to the side every so often as his ears flipped, listening intently for any threats that might be lurking behind them.

The four of them walked in silence. As Mirazu had said, they were in unfamiliar territory where anything could happen and they were woefully underprepared. They had each other, though, small comfort that it might have been. Jenesis wasn’t sure of how much time had passed, but was just ready to speak up and ask Kyrn what exactly he’d meant by “complicated” when she felt it beneath her feet.

“...shit,” she breathed. She tapped her booted foot against the floor again, a tinny sound echoing in the cavern. Mirazu lifted his light orb higher, casting its glow at the walls, which were now made of a shining copper metal instead of the natural, cold rock that it was before. 

“Welp, this clinches it,” Zan growled, shaking his head. “We’re in for it now.” Mirazu stepped forward past them, a hand pressing against the cold metal of the wall. His eyes scanned it for a moment, as if seeking an answer. 

Slowly, he ran his hand along the seams where one piece welded to another. Jenesis watched him work - methodical, meticulous, and careful. All the things she’d come to expect and respect about Mirazu Ysen over the years they’d all worked together. Finally, his hand stopped, a small exclamation following a barely audible click. 

A low hum permeated the area, then with a series of popping sounds, lights flickered on overhead, illuminating the long, metal tunnel. Mirazu straightened, the globe of light he’d kept floating around him fading as he looked around to get his bearings. Jenesis regarded him with a small smile on her lips.

“Found the lightswitch. Brilliant,” she chuckled. Mirazu shrugged, and if she didn’t know any better, Jenesis would have sworn that she saw the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips as he spoke.

“Yes, I find it to be rather... illuminating.”

[jenesislabariel]

Day 3: Muster

Muster verb 1. to assemble as for battle, display, inspection, orders, or discharge 2. to gather, summon, rouse

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For several moments, the three adventurers pushed ahead in silence. Hauling Zan out of the chasm had required Jenesis to muster a great deal of strength, but not nearly so much as she needed to keep herself from laughing at him for a solid fifteen minutes afterward.

Jenesis glanced back at Mirazu, who was only half paying attention to what was ahead of them. His attention was primarily on his book and the maps and sketches within. She stole a quick look at Zan, who was leading their front, and slowed her steps to move alongside the Summoner.

“Well, anything?” She asked, trying to keep the anxiety from her voice. Mirazu shook his head, azure eyes lifting to meet hers. 

“No. There’s no record of anything in this area - at least, no record that I have access to.” He sighed, lips drawn tight in a line. “Whatever it is, we’re walking into uncharted territory. Between the debris we found outside and the fact we haven’t rendezvoused with Kyrn yet, I can’t say I feel particularly great about our situation right now.”

Jenesis nodded her agreement, an unsettling feeling washing over her and making a home for itself right in the pit of her stomach. “I don’t, either. Where could he possibly --”

“THAL’S BALLS!” 

Zan’s roar nearly sent Jenesis leaping out of her skin. She whirled around, lance coming loose from its holster on her back in an instant, so quickly in fact that she nearly hit Mirazu. Ignoring his grunt of frustration, Jenesis instead turned her attention to whatever Zan was staring at. It wasn’t long before the sight registered and she lowered her weapon.

Zan was clutching his chest, heaving large breaths as he slumped against the wall. Just in front of him was a man clad in armor, visor low over his eyes and obscuring his face. Visor or no, they all knew him very well, and the relief Jenesis felt at seeing him was no small thing.

“Kyrn,” she said by way of greeting. “Good to see you. This certainly makes things easier.”

“Speak for yourself!” Zan sputtered. “He nearly gave me a heart attack!” Kyrn shrugged, which was an impressive feat as laden in armor as he was. 

“Hate to break it to you, but I don’t think I’m going to make anything easier for us. In fact...follow me. Pretty sure things just got a lot more complicated.

[jenesislabariel]

Day 2: Sway

Sway verb 1. to move or swing to and fro, as something fixed at one end or resting on a support 2. to cause to move to one side or in a particular direction

“That...doesn’t look safe.” 

Jenesis’ lips curled back over her teeth as she regarded the 6-foot gap in the cavern’s floor that stretched in front of them. Zan rolled his head back to look at her, a laugh erupting from his throat.

“Seriously, Jen? You’re a dragoon. You jump like, three-hundred feet into the air to fight dragons for crying out loud, and you’re afraid to jump across a little gap like this?” The Hrothgar grinned tauntingly, large incisors glinting in the dim light of Mirazu’s spell. Jenesis rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

“I wasn’t talking about for me,” she said, exhaling sharply as she gathered her energy and leapt easily across the gap. She glanced down; in the darkness, it was impossible to see the bottom. She returned her attention to Zan. “I was talking about for you, big guy.” Zan’s golden eyes flashed as he drew up his chest.

“Pft! You worry too much. That’s an easy jump!”

“I’m not so sure,” Mirazu interjected, calmly adjusting where he was standing so that the light from the orb he’d conjured would aid in some additional visibility. “It seems like it may be difficult to get a proper grip here--”

“Nonsense!” Zan waved a clawed hand, completely unswayed by Mirazu’s words of caution. “I’ll be fine!” Not even bothering to attempt a running leap, Zan bent low and leapt forward. For a moment, it were as if time stopped - then, all at once, chaos erupted as his foot slipped on a patch of wet moss, sending him sprawling across the gap and barely clinging to the other side as he looked up at Jenesis, who was grinning.

“Um… a little help here?” He asked.