Chapter CCXLIV: A Future Project ~Multehx

Multehx walked back to the group, less than enthusiastic. "Ok, look folks," he began, "you're not the world's finest crew, I mean, I've never really had them to work with anyway, physical impossibility of perfection. I mean, had some who thought such, but not quite. Even myself, but no. Anyway, it's up to us to do a few things: one, reunite with the others of the Spectrum crew, except Pseudo, he's not welcome now as I bet he did this all. Two, we must find the Spectrum itself. Three, the remainders of the Council must be eliminated, where people failed to do them back on Caelum. And finally, four, we must seal Pseudo once more, as even in phantasmic form he is a threat."

He glanced around the group, somehow missing their confused looks. "So, everyone got what we're going to do? Yes? Well then, let's get to work." He turned and promptly headed off again for the forest, as he wasn't sure why, but usually, what you wanted could be found in the forest.

* * *

Kenzo waded through the busy market atmosphere as he made his way back to where he saw the old man. He pardoned himself as his massive form was prone to accidentally bumping into people and knocking them over as he passed. But somehow, he made it to the large fountain in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Getting up on the edge, he peered over the crowd, searching for the man.

The knight muttered to himself, annoyed, as his gaze searched the crowd discerningly. However, persistence paid off, and soon enough he saw the old fellow standing between two of the far stalls. Hurriedly making his way through the hustle and bustle again, he neared the fellow. However, at the last minute, someone not watching where they were going crashed into him, hard. The two fell to the streets, nearly knocked senseless.

Kenzo got to his feet, growling slightly and angrily shaking a fist at the rising fellow. "Hey! I was goin' this way first, watch where you're going, you hack!"

The stranger brushed a lock of hair aside, glaring at Kenzo and startling him pretty bad as he got a good look at the man. "You'd think, be around as long as you have and you'd learn some manners, knight!" shot back the man.

"JADED!!" Kenzo exclaimed, embracing the mercenary in a crushing bear hug. "I thought I lost track of all whom I knew! It's good to see you again, you rogue!"

Jaded half smiled, half winced in pain as there was a slight crack from his back. "Uh, Kenzo...mind...lettin’ me go? You're...a bit...too strong for this."

Kenzo hastily apologized but remained grinning wide. "Man, it's good to see you again though." He glanced around curiously. "So, where're the others? Where's C.R.? And the train?"

Jaded sighed, shaking his head. "That's just the problem...I don't know. I woke up in some lady's house, I think she was planing to do something...ah, not quite so pleasant with me, but I blew the joint without her ever hearing me stir. I'd guess we had similar ideas about what to do and where to investigate if we wanted any leads, so here we are."

Kenzo nodded his head sadly. "Yeah...dang it. I thought we were back in business this time..." he groaned.

Jaded waved a gloved hand. "Hey, now's not the time to despair. We have to share whatever we've gathered now and work on getting it all running again!"

The knight thought for a moment, then agreed. "You know, when you're right, you're right. And I think I know one place that caught my fancy, just a bit ago actually."

The mercenary shrugged. "Well, then what are we waiting for? Lead on."

----

The two stood at the estate gates shortly after. A chilly evening breeze blew past, and the very air emanating from the manor seemed to have an icy chill to it. Jaded glanced to Kenzo then tried to push open the front gates. When they wouldn't budge, he put his shoulder into it and began to strain. Still no result. He let up, panting slightly from the exhausted effort and asked Kenzo to assist him. Cheerily, the massive Mechna Knight agreed and put his own shoulder to the gate, applying his own force.

The minutes passed on, but eventually Kenzo gave up as well. He shook his helmet in confusion. "Nothing...no amount of pressure I put on will open it! What gives??"

Jaded ran a finger along the gates. He watched carefully, and to his waiting eye, sure enough, a faint blue radiance flickered into existence, then out again on the iron bars.

He snapped his fingers and nodded knowingly. "Well, that explains it."

"What does?"

"These gates...did you see that?"

Kenzo scratched his head. "Uh, you looked like you were checking the bars for dust."

"No, I was testing to see if a hunch I had was true, and it seems to be. There's good reason why these gates won't open."

"..."

Jaded nodded.

Kenzo stared at him blankly for a time.

"Well...are you going to explain it? Or do we stand here till they rust and fall down?"

Jaded glared. "Cheeky bastard you are, you know? It's elementary because these gates are sealed with Magik. Some incredibly strong stuff. Blue is a rather weak color...except it's usually for ice spells. This doesn't feel in the least bit cold, or even chilly. In fact, it feels mainly...dark."

Kenzo slowly put two and two together. "So...it's a shadow spell, hunh?"

Jaded nodded affirmatively. "Yes, and for a shadow spell, blue is an insanely intense color I've noticed in my travels." He touched the gates again and this time, even Kenzo saw the flickering glow appear and fade. "My estimation is that we're not getting in this place. Most likely, the force holding them shut extends in some protective dome over the place I'd guess."

"So then...how do we get in??"

Jaded shook his head. "We don't. At least for now."

"Say what?"

"You heard me. We at least need some magik user the calibre of C.R. himself to break this down." He waved his hand away from him. "So the sooner we get to the heart of the matter, the sooner we find the man, the sooner we learn what this is all about."