Never face a god. (2.7 War, Mission.)

[Mark Angelus Fri]

From the distance the group stood, Numquam looked like any other Undian village. It was all pretty basic infrastructure, small houses tucked up against each other... except for the fact there was a pretty large structure made with beautiful black stone.

A Marine walked up alongside Mark, who was studying the village very carefully, "What does that memorial stand for?"

The Marine looked between Mark and the memorial before answering, "Long ago there was a city that stood off this coast until apparently it sunk. This memorial is very old and many believe it was actually some sort of story."

Mark's face dropped at the Marine's explanation, "Helpful."

The Marine shrugged, "If you want the full story find a scholar." Mark ignored the remark and turned back to the village...

"If Duo is there you couldn't tell by simply looking at it. We should send a scout..."

[Bang Shishigami]

"If stealth is what you seek, my friend, then look no further!" I chimed in boisterously, striking a gallant and imposing stance with my arms folded across my chest. I had been getting anxious without hearing heads nor tails of action from Duo, and knew well that it was nothing was happening; when a villain was hunkered deep in his dank, dark and vile lair, planning, that a hero should be at his most vigilant and most worried.

I flexed my joints, each one stiff from inaction and joyously popping and cracking with anticipation of the task to come.

"Fear not, comrades, for few in my village were a match for Bang Shishigami, be it in battle, or in guile-some reconnaissance," I remarked with assurance whilst brandishing a wide and soothing grin. "My eyes shall see ever darkened corner, my ears piercing every shadow and my nose catching every whiff of foulness wherever it may try and hide. Nothing shall escape my razor sharp perceptions!"

With a hastened salute and a brisk display of hand signs, I disappeared from sight, leaving only a soft gust of wind and leaves in my place as I was already upon the village, lurking, hunting, and gathering information as if it were meat, and I a hungry and ever skilled wolf on the prowl.

[Bang Shishigami]

Still as the forest and quick as the wind, I leapt and bound with faultless steps, ever out of sight, but ever watchful. The city, though humble on the exterior, was a bustling display of militant might; each street now a patrol route, each house a guarded position and every pathway into the city a fortified gate, all but ready for any and all invaders.

But alas for them, for I Bang Shishigami am not just "any" invader, for without hesitation I dove into the makeshift bastion, darting betwixt the shadowed crevasses, gathering all manner of sight and sound, each one feeding my insatiable hunger for information.

Surveying the village, all was made clear to me, and the overall set up of the village struck me as something odd. The gates, though well fortified, seemed to be strangely underpopulated by forces, let alone seemingly powerful foes. The village was well populated by soldiers, but only that; no dark denizens from the abyss, no abyssal terrors of vile appearance, just armour clad men and women at arms.

Though odd, I did find myself somewhat relieved, as the lack of such devious denizens would make our mission that much easier, especially given the rather obvious layout of the villages' patrol paths, garrison placements, and the large black structure that so obviously had been made the lair of our vile opposition.

Taking all that I had gleaned from my excursion, I returned to my allies post-haste, so that I might deliver my findings and plan accordingly for our daring and stunning entrance.

[Zeke Omoihake]

"Did we really just let Bang, the Hero of Justice, go on a stealth mission?" Zeke asked with a bemused hint in his voice, pausing only briefly so that he could strike a pose and do his best impression of the boisterous ninja. Doubtful as Zeke was, it didn't stem from a fear for the man's safety. After the encounter outside the funeral, a fleet of sinking ships bade their party farewell, each one marked by the Bang's personal touch. Regardless of what laid ahead, he was one of last people Zeke felt would need to be protected.

His eyes met briefly with Mahila and Ingway as he gave a cursory glance across the heroes and soldiers that he had joined with. He had called them friends outside the funeral, hoping despite himself that they would centre him at his weakest moment. Hoping, despite refusing to admit it, that they would be there to stop him from sinking deeper into the quagmire of self doubt and disdain that he'd been in since they had arrived on the small island kingdom. The last few days travel had given him time to bond with them, but as he smiled at them he could feel a lack of genuine...what would the word be? Zeke turned away, leaving the word and the smile to fade as he surveyed what little of the city he could see.

"So, what's the plan, Prez? There's no way you're really going in there by yourself to talk with this Duo guy?" He drew out his blades and held them at the ready, catching his own reflection for a moment in them. Maybe now I'll learn why people keep thinking I'm him. He held up the polished blade, only to frown back at himself. The rings in his eyes hadn't yet subsided, in fact they'd only gotten worse since he'd departed from the warship. He drew a finger across the dark patch of skin, pulling it down to reveal the creeping blood veins scattered around his eye. Once this is all over I'm going to go back to Santo-Luce and sleep for a whole day in those perfect sheets.

[Bang Shishigami]

Brea paused for a second, his hand placed precariously upon his chin before glancing back to Zeke with a look of cocksure assurance.

"It's simple; we know this is a trap, especially if what Bang says is the case. They're waiting for us to strike, so why keep them waiting?" Brea announced as he drew his red katana with a swift and flourished motion. "If Duo thinks he'll catch us off guard with some silly trick of diplomacy, then we'll show him a trick of our own and tear through his paper defences!"

Drawing his free hand towards the other Katanas mounted at his hips, Brea paused for a second and slowly reacted his arm, the gleam in his eyes and the cocked smile on his face all to well speaking the man's intent; one sword would be enough for these troops, and it would still be too easy.

Interrupting the man's moment of zealous confidence, Bang interjected, his tone obviously decrying the Undian president course of action.

"I refuse to strike down those men and women. Just like us, they are people, and even if they have sided with the unjust and evil, they shall meet face to face with justice, but not at the end of a blade!" Bang announced, his brow furrowed with a unwavering conviction. "I say we sneak into the base, deal with Duo himself, put an end to his tyrannical machinations and free these poor people from his cruel grip!"

Brea scoffed at the naive and idealistic ideas put forth by the burly ninja as he attempted to push the man aside, though meeting with ample resistance.

"Listen 'Hero,' I wish the world was so nice, but it's kill or be killed, and those soldiers have the same option that we do. If they want to live then they're gonna try and kill us, and don't think for a second that they won't go for the kill if they can. Mercy is for the weak, and if you wanna be weak, then feel free to go hide in the shadows till you learn to be a true hero," Brea mocked flippantly before beginning his trek towards the fortified village. "Anyone who wants to stop this here and now, get in position. Anyone who wants to tip-toe around the battlefield, feel free to do so with the hairy pacifist."

[mahila]

Mahila felt this was the best opportunity for her to speak up and as such, swiftly stepped around Zeke to put herself before Brea and Bang. Her azure eyes stared into the president's as she brandished her bow.

"President...Brea, was it? If I may, I am an excellent shot and assure you one is all I need if we were to sneak in to end this as the big man has suggested," her voice was quiet and calm like water, her eyes for a moment gazing up at Bang, "it is important to remember that yes, the soldiers in one view have the option of being good or evil but in another, they have the option of living or dying. I do not doubt there are many that choose Duo because they feel he is right, but we must remember those who choose Duo out of fear for their lives and families."

Her bow empty, she pulled the string nice and taut and pretended to shoot outwards at an imaginary being in front of them.

"Taking down the leader will show true loyalties. That is our advantage, Mr. President, and one I urge you to consider."

[Sahir Masbrati]

"I-I don't want to fight those guards. I can help Bang." Sahir meekly spoke up, breaking her long and solitary silence that she'd maintained for most of the trip to Numquam. Moving up towards the burly ninja she came to his side to stand opposite Mahila and Brea. She tried to meet their eyes to speak further, but looking into the eyes of such seasoned warriors left her intimidated. She felt her words choke her, and only by looking down at her feet did they seem to come free.

"We could just distract the guards right? Maybe just scare them away or something. Then we don't have to kill or lose anyone. I mean-I'm, uhhh..." Finding herself far out of her depth Sahir trailed off, blushing with embarrassment. It was at a time like this that she wished her scythe was 10 times larger and actually solid so she could hide behind it entirely, instead she merely put it between her and the President, hoping that would be enough to keep him from retorting to her naive suggestion.

Damn it, stop being scared. Stop making excuses. She chastised herself. She'd spent the whole trip trying to build herself up, reinforcing what was at stake. Not a minute passed without her telling herself that her village's salvation was at the hands. Yet now that she stood looking over the city of her goal, it was all she could do to try and find any way of delaying a fight. With a trembling look she stared up at Bang, wishing she could take all of his bravery and selflessness and have it, just for today.

[Zeke Omoihake]

"Sorry Bang, but I'm with the Prez on this one." Zeke moved his blades together in a quick carving motion against each other, giving the swordsman a determined nod of agreement. "We've brought an army with us, and half of us don't know the first thing about sneaking around an enemy base. Heck, most of these Marines can't take a step without four or five metal joints clanking against each other." Zeke moved towards the first Marine in range, drawing attention to the high class armour that covered the man from head to toe.

"We won't get ten steps into that city without someone seeing or hearing us, so I say we fight the old fashion way, and catch them by surprise first!"

[Volkmar Gamlxltoe]

"So we are going to go in there blades drawn and ready to strike. Sounds like my kind of plan." Volkmar said as he got his swords out to the side. He tilted his head until his neck cracked, then lifted it into it's upright position.

"So, when are we doing this?" He asked as his body had a faint aura around him.

[Zeke Omoihake]

As if brought on by Volkmar's words, the air near the allied forces stirred as if some unknown force had rippled out from Numquam. A piece of the hilltop that they had rested upon quaked, the stone sheering up and away from the hill till it stood over ten feet tall. Yet as it rose into view the surface that faced Brea and the others was not that of dirt and stone, but of finely carved wood.

Lacquered and amber in colour, a twin set of doors appeared. Each one depicted half of a mural. The left half, a lordly figure stood tall over a raging army, their weapons and heads stacked so close together that they looked like a tsunami. On the right side was a rugged looking boy, his sword high in the air. Below him looked to be a pile of bodies, all of them creating a peak that the boy stood upon. It was a sobering image for the warriors and heroes alike, as there were few guesses as to whom the two prominent figures were suppose to be.

"So, uhhh, I don't suppose this is our invitation, is it? Guess he must think we're some kind of chumps if he thinks we're just going to open a random door that popped out of nowhere." Zeke had been thrown off by the sudden appearance of the magical portal, but as he marvelled over it a look of intense dread came over him. He didn't know why, but he swore that there was something on the other side calling to him. Whatever it was, it felt familiar, like a voice that had filled his dreams only to vanish with each waking morn.

The mechanism behind the knob creaked, drawing all eyes towards the ominous structure. Pulling inwards an extravagant hallway appeared before them. A sprawling azure carpet created a path leading to a winding staircase. Though no natural light could be seen, rows of wall mounted sconces kept the entire path awash in candle light. However, most troubling was the lack of anyone on the other side of the door. Whomever had opened the door was nowhere in sight, creating only further tension when a strong and deep voice called out from beyond it.

"So glad you received my invitation. Leave your little army at the door, they shall not be needed." The voice was an unknown to many, but to Roxa it was unmistakably Duo's.