3156/Killing the Great Deku Tree

Killing the Great Deku Tree
Date of Scene:	05 October 2015
Location:	The Hylian Mainland <LoZ-5>
Synopsis:	The Confederacy kills the Deku Tree in order to power up Majora's Mask.
Cast of Characters:	Sarracenia, 546, Sanary Rondel, 864, 878
Tinyplot:	Clearing the Twilight

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Agahnim (864) has posed:
     The Great Deku Tree is the next target suggested by Majora's Mask. It's fairly hidden away from the world, deep within the forest. Only a vague idea of the location is given to the Confederates, a vague map transported to the group from Majora's Mask. The Mask, itself, does not need to be present today. Instead, the Confederacy is to meet on the outskirts of the Forest. Their goal is simple: Find the Great Tree within the forest, and burn it down.

     The meeting spot is a plains, on the edge of the forest. There is a path leading in, but it is hard to tell where it even goes. No signs mark the path. Instead, it is simply a long and winding trail into the forest. Of course, that's if they even /want/ to take the path. Perhaps there might be another way to find the Tree faster?

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     Burn down a big tree. Probably not as easy as it sounds, but straightforward enough that Sanary doesn't need to bring too much extra gear with her today. She's decked out in her heaviest set of armor, picked partially for its ability to withstand flames. Hopefully, there won't be too much self-immolation going on, but it never hurts to be prepared!

     Arriving at the designated meeting spot, the healer checks her gear over one more time just to make sure she's not forgetting anything. Gunaxe loaded with flame shells, check. Shield, check. Staff that she still hasn't actually used yet, check. Flying anklet devices in working condition, double check.

     Now the only thing to do is wait for her allies. Or chat over the comms, really. Either or.

Nox (546) has posed:
    Killing can take a lot of forms; mean a great many things; some of them potentially to Nox's advantage. Ancient tree spirits are something he's tangled with before, though he already has the suspicion that this 'Deku Tree' will be significantly more than the overblown, Venerable Soft Oak. Barely better than a waste of his time, that one. In any case, his plans here aren't to burn the thing down. He has grander designs than that; ones to make use of the power the obviously useless old growth is sitting on pointlessly.

    Horologium is currently overflowing from the unbinding of the Lord of Nightmares the previous night, but hopefully won't be needed in this instance. Nox arrives almost solo, save for the inevitable small cloud of noxines, and some of his 'deforesting equipment', i.e. environmentally destructive automata, in reserve. He's had the time to replace his damaged armour by now, so he doesn't look much worse for wear, floating fixed in place a foot above the ground, hands folded behind his back in his usual, neutral pose of cold, businesslike appraisal. "Taking suggestions from a mask, and it isn't even here. How droll." he remarks with a complete lack of humour.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Destruction! Princess Sarracenia might not be into corrupting things or killing things, but destruction of a giant tree is something she will enjoy quite a bit. He hates giant trees! She has enough of them back home, and doesn't wish them on anyone.

     So, she arrives fully prepared for some demolition. A small airship, about 50 feet long, makes its way into the area. It is wooden from bow to stern with a design much like a spanish galleon. Just smaller. And like the galleons of Earth, this one is lined with cannons along both sides, as well as a few on deck and at the bow of the ship. Large propellers have replaced sails on the airship to keep it aloft. On the bow stands Princess Sarracenia, hammer in hand and her purse around her shoulder. "Would any of you care for a ride?" she calls out above the amazingly quiet propeller engines to the people down on the ground. The airship lowers down, then a section of the hull opens and a ramp slides out to allow others on board.

Vergil (878) has posed:
    He heard of this mission on what can be described as the 'open channels' that he had been perusing when looking for information on... well, everything to be frank. Even for someone like him, Vergil had to admit he was somewhat overwhelmed.

    A 'multiverse'. A nigh-infinite interconnecting realm filled with many, many different worlds, factions, enemies and more.

     ... and all of it promised untold power, waiting to be claimed by someone who had the capacity and ability to wield it.

    If Vergil had any say in the matter, that someone would be him.

    When Vergil arrives, his characteristic cyan-blue longcoat, sheathed katana and slicked-back white hair helping him stand out somewhat amid the forest, he casts a eye to the assembled party so far - and giving something of a confident bemused smirk in response to Nox's remark. "Droll, but predictable - nobody tends to want anything done themselves if they have a choice."

    

     Seeing the Airship appear above, Vergil regards Sarracenia's vessel with something of a mock-amused expression. "I see no reason to refuse... though I'm curious as to why you'd need something like this just for a tree? Hardly seems worth the effort, though I'm guessing it's not without cause. There must be something quite valuable there..." His tone of voice, while cordial, is slightly probing - he's fishing for information. He also doesn't regard Sarracenia as a superior or even an equal like the princess probably expects - in fact he sounds almost as though he's addressing her generally as opposed to directly.

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     The airship is, luckily, left completely unbothered. If it has any radar or scanning on it, it'd even be able to detect things within the forest itself. It won't be perfect. There are some magical portions of the forest that will mess with the radar. But, it is, in fact, a near perfect way to cut ahead of the problem a bit. This is a land without air travel. It barely even has any machines of any kind! As such, a way to chance finding the tree in a bit more luxury rather than trudging through the forest presents itself.

     Or alternatively, people could still walk.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     "Eh. Easier on me if anything goes wrong. Fewer heads to keep track of." Sanary laughs lightly as she turns around to face Nox, blinking a few times once she actually looks him over. Clearly, she hasn't seen too many others that look anything like he does. "... Name's Sanary. I'll be your healer slash battery for today, so don't run too far if a tree falls on you or you need a boost."

     Sarracenia's entrance, meanwhile, is much easier to notice and not nearly as disconcerting, strangely enough. She raises a gauntleted hand in a stiff wave while eyeing her aircraft, weighing her options. Fly on a deathtrap, fly on her own, or walk? "I'll... Keep an eye on things down here. In case there's anyone else coming."

     And then there's Vergil. The healer recoils slightly as a hand grips the gunaxe at her side, eventually loosening once she realizes that he's not who she thinks he is. She still manages a nervous laugh, though, taking a moment to steady herself before giving him the same stiff wave. "Hey, there. Yeah, these things usually don't go as smoothly as they sound like they would. Might end up having to fight an army of trees or... Something."

     She stretches her arms out a bit, then turns back to the path and starts heading down it! "Don't suppose any of you have any intel on this place, hm?"

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia waves to Sanary, then eyerolls at her reply. "Alright. But, do not come crying to me when dangerous forest creatures leap out of the underbrush and attempt to eat you." she says, smirking lightly.

     Vergil is allowed onboard and escorted onto deck by a strange plant-like creature that has roots for feet and giant leaves for arms. Not to mention a strange round red bulb with a mouth full of sharp teeth for a head. It is even wearing a hat characteristic of an American sailor. There are several on board the ship, making sure it stays in the air.

     She also seems to agree with Nox about the mask. "Especially after I am the one that freed it from the clutches of that selfish mask salesman! It never thanked me, and it has so far not lived up to the promises it made."

     Once everyone is aboard who is coming aboard, the airship rises back into the air and starts slowly over the tops of the trees. Sarracenia continues to stand on the bow of the ship, eyeing the area. "A giant tree should be easy to find...right?"

Vergil (878) has posed:
    Vergil tilts his head in curiosity as he observes the reaction of the girl in the eyepatch - Sanary, as she identified herself - to his presence. She seemed... slightly anxious. Perhaps a bit guarded. Not at him, though, but rather at his appearance - she'd seen someone like him it seemed. He does give a more confident smile at the description of what they will likely face - "Only trees, then? Well, that ought to make things more straightforward."

     As he comes aboard the airship, Vergil glances out across the landscape, seeming rather assured of their advantage here - the locals didn't even possess aircraft of any kind, so it was unlikely anything they faced would be a match. He does not Sanary's reluctance to board the ship though, but it ultimately isn't his concern - if she wished to walk, that was her choice.

    It would be one less obstacle if he decided what was at the tree was too valuable to destroy. After all, the only thing more foolish then to sit atop power and not use it was to cast it aside the chance to take it from such a person.

    Vergil doesn't hesitate to take a position astride Sarracenia, crossing his arms as he looks out at the area from their increasingly-high vantage point. "I'd imagine it be fairly easy to spot, provided it's the largest one around. Of course, if the trees have gotten too tall, we may have to cut some down first to find the one we're looking for." He idly regards one of the plant-like creatures that seem to be serving as deckhands aboard the ship for a moment. "And if worse comes to worse, I assume you at least have a map to follow."

Nox (546) has posed:
    "A healer." Nox replies, in a form that seems as if it should be questioning, or at least rhetorically introspective, but really doesn't sound like it. "Well, I certain at least one of us will need your talents." He fails to mention the fact that his natural body has long since been replaced Ship of Theseus style, but understands the value of having someone like Sanary around regardless with the rest of the crowd. "Not as of yet." he follows up after a long pause. "But I doubt it will be very complicated. Old magical forest likely means nature spirits, wild animals, dark corners with unfriendly entities, potentially cursed or isolated areas under the influence of magic." Covering all the usual bases seems like a safe bet. These things tend to crop up in places as ancient and steeped in native power as this.

    He regards Sarracenia's airship for a few moments. It seems perfectly functional, but leaving Sanary to trudge through the underbrush all on her own seems like it's just asking for trouble. "I will know it when I see it." he states simply, drifting forward at an unnaturally even pace, not so much as bobbing as the elevation of the ground changes. "We will split our efforts."

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     It won't be far into the forest before Sanary and Nox meet someone. As they walk into it, a feminine voice can be coming from the tree. It's young. Emotionless. Curt.

     "I know what you want. Leave. You do not know what you are doing."

     If the two look up into the trees, they will see a girl standing upon the branch. She looks around ten years old or so. Her blonde hair is styled back into a couple of pigtails, a green hairband seperating her bangs. She wears a simple outfit, a green tunic and a pair of brown boots. She looks towards Sanary and Nox, a blank look on her face. Her blue eyes pierce at Sanary. Next to her, a small pink ball of light, with two transparent fairy-wings. It floats around the girl.

     The airship will have far less for interruptions. Some monsters are in the sky, various large predatorial bird creatures. Even they know not to mess with something of this scale. The monsters catter as the airship flies through the forest. Amongst the sea of trees, one can be seen that stands taller than all the rest. It is in a clearing, a clearing covered mostly by its own system of branches and leaves. A small canyon is nearby, leading to another clearing that seems to have a small village in it.

     By far, this appears to be the largest tree in the entire forest. It might be a good spot to check.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     Sanary laughs and waves a hand dismissively even as she goes further down the path, unsure of whether she'll even be heard at this point. "It'll be fine! Can't be any worse than..."

     She can't even think of how to finish that. Loads of terrible things could be in here, couldn't there? Still, she's made her decision, and she has to stick with it! Even if it means potentially getting eaten by all sorts of creepy shit. Thankfully, Nox is there, and having Vergil in the airship with Sarracenia does ease her mind at least somewhat.

     Hearing that voice from above, Sanary peers at the child from beneath the helm obscuring her forehead and little else. "Hey, kid. We.. Know exactly what we're doing, actually." She crosses her arms over her chest and clears her throat, glancing back at Nox once before turning back to the girl with an attempt at a confused expression.

     "We heard there were some bad people coming by. We're here to stop 'em. Have they shown up yet?" Why, it's an attempt at a bluff! She even tries to sound as friendly as possible, lowering her arms and keeping her hands away from her weapons. "Don't mind him. He's... Kinda shy."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Unaware of the situation on the ground, Sarracenia and her airship push ahead. The cannons take aim at the flying creatures, but do not fire since none of the creatures actually attack. When she spots the tree, Sarracenia suddenly points at it. "Treeeeee-hoooo!" she says, then giggles and directs the airship in that direction.

     The ship slides smoothly through the air heading toward the tree, and Sarracenia calls for all cannons to be loaded and readied. The plant people rush about the ship both above and below deck, getting the ship ready for battle. Or in this case, the bombardment. "That tree will never know what hit it!" Sarracenia says happily as they near it. She looks over at Vergil as he takes up a position next to her. "Hey! This is my area! No one may stand even with the princess without her permission!" When she says that, a pair of armed plant men step forward and point their spears at Vergil, urging him to step back.

Vergil (878) has posed:
     "Well, I suppose that's it" Vergil remarked dryly as he viewed the approaching form of the massive tree. He seems somewhat unimpressed by the sounding vista, or at the very least is more focused on their objective then on sightseeing. Pausing, closes his takes a deep breath, as if picking up some form of scent - or as if something about the air itself is somehow cleaner then the rest of the forest. "There's great power here... buried and dormant. Maybe because of all the black shadows across the land."

    Opening his eyes, Vergil actually gives an amused smirk at Sarrancenia's request, utterly disregarding the plant-men pointing spears at him. Then, almost as if they didn't exist, Vergil simply steps past them toward the bow of the vessel, his hand resting on the pommel of Yamato as he calmly regards the airborne beasts that flee before the path of the ship.

    Looking down over the rim, his eyes soon fall upon the village, looking at it with passing interest. He then gestures to it for Sarracenia to see - "Are they going to be a problem? If they worship this thing then our actions will be seen as defilement - we'd have to go through them." Perhaps disconcertingly to some, he doesn't sound at all perturbed by the idea - he sounds completely nonchalant, only asking so as to know what is or isn't a necessity for this mission. However, he doesn't advocate their destruction either, seeming to be the picture of neutrality on the matter.

    Unless they actively interfere at least.

Nox (546) has posed:
    Nox's head snaps upward with a juddering, mechanical click at the sound of a human voice, and at the minute trace of magical energy accompanying it, fixing those expressionless, perfectly circular lights in the front of his mask on the girl's face. Children. Wonderful. Sanary responds before he's fully done thinking over several options however, which would generate an expression of incredulity were he not wearing an impassive, faceless helmet. "I assure you madamoiselle, we are perfectly aware." is all he leaves behind before he abruptly flickers out of spacetime, reappearing at the bow of the airship with an electrical flicker of blue static.

    "Local children. Bothersome but useless. Continue at full speed." he then glances to the cannons. "I sincerely hope you aren't actually intending to simply blow the thing to pieces without extracting anything of use from it. Do you think of yourselves as no better tham a guided bomb." It takes him a second to recognize the position of the plantmen guards to either side of Vergil. ". . . are you two entirely done. We've been here less than an hour."

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     The girl in the tree just stares down. The look on her face says it all. She does not buy it for a minute. She remains completely still as she looks towards Sanary. She barely even blinks as Nox vanishes. She speaks. Her tone sounds like a whisper now, and yet, it echoes through the forest with volume.

     "You seek to kill the Great Deku Tree. It will kill a large portion of this forest. Monsters will fill it. And. You are doing this for a malevolent reason. All of you will, forever, be an enemy of Hyrule."

     As the ship gets closer, they'll at least be able to get a look at the village. It's hard to tell at this distance, but it looks like peopel are looking up. If the ship has any binoculars, they'd be able to make out interesting things about the villagers. The village has a really hand-crafted look to it, many of the houses even built into trees. The villagers themselves /all/ appear to be children, and all of them have a small ball of light floating with them. Most of them are looking up at the airship, now. Some of them are pointing at it, confused.

     A particularly bratty one is climbing on top of a house, aiming a slingshot, and taking shots at the airship. He's missing by a fair amount.

     The tree itself is a bit easier to view now, as well. It has a wise and old looking face on one side, its eyes closed underneath a pair of bushy looking eyebrows. A long square nose is down teh front of its face, and its mouth moves slowly. It can't be heard, all the way up from the airship. But, it certainly matches the description.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia blinks in surprise as Vergil not only disregards her request, but actually steps forward. The spears of the plant men come up quickly to poke at his chest in an attempt to stop him. They don't really try to hurt him, just stop him. Sarracenia steps in front of him after that, arms crossed and a less than amused frown on her face. "If you are going to ride on -my- airship, you are going to abide by -my- wishes. If not, then there is the ground. We will not be landing in order to accomidate your departure." she says.

     Then Nox appears and speaks up. This earns him the ire of the bratty princess. "That goes for you, too!" she says before she looks down at the village. "Even if they wished to stop us, they have no weapons that could hope to match this ship. And I happen to like bombs! I will annihilate that tree! Serves it right for getting so big and not caring about who or what might want to grow around it! Look at that big bald patch where it has sucked up all the nutrients!"

     The airship flies over the village and continues on toward the tree without even slowing down. Hopefully Sanary isn't going to still be down there when they open fire.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     "... Very shy." Sanary coughs lightly at Nox up and disappears, and she glances over at where he was a few times just to make sure. Yep, he's gone, and now she's being faced with...

     ... Lots and lots of children. Probably not the greatest obstacle, but she does at least know better than to underestimate lots of tiny hands with tiny knives. "Well... Worth a shot. I'm just doing my job, you see. And if that means making enemies... Well. Can't be friends with everyone."

     The healer's still got that light tone in her voice as she speaks, another laugh escaping her before she starts moving forward in the general direction that Sarracenia's airship is heading towards. "But yeah. I'm gonna go through and do that, so stay out of my way." Although the healer doesn't draw the gunaxe yet, she does take the shield off her back and keep that ready while keeping her free hand on the handle of that weapon. Not that she wants to hurt children or anything, but she does at least need to act like she's willing to.

     "If you can do that, I won't have to hurt you. Er. Directly."

Vergil (878) has posed:
     When the plant-men try to stab him, Vergil - still unperturbed and bemused - ducks under the spears and continues walking until Sarracenia steps in front of him. He listens to her speak,but, aside from looking at her, he doesn't seem to acknowledge her as giving an order.

    He doesn't give a reply before he sees Nox materialize, with Vergil raising a brow at him, seeming interested in his abilities... and he becomes even more-so when the masked individual voices Vergil's own internal thoughts on the tree.

    Well, at least the suggestion was in the open, now. No need to hide it.

    "I agree" he replies earnestly, if not cordially, Nox, though he eyes with an analytical eye. Perhaps cautious as well - and possibly in doing so giving the silent warning that he has similar aspirations for the tree... and does not plan to share what he takes. "This tree holds untapped potential - power that has sat useless and unexploited for years. Destroying it outright would be foolish... or at least not before finding out if some of what it contains is capable of being claimed. Besides, I think that patch around it is just because it's roots are in the way of anything else growing, not because the nutrients are gone."

    When Vergil looks down at the village, his eyes focus on the occupants in curiosity, pondering what a town filled with children could be doing here. His eyes pay especially close attention on the single child who has the courage to shoot at his attackers, futile a gesture as it was... but the boy lacked the strength to stop them, so Vergil's interest wained quickly - the village was secondary to the goal; the primary target was the tree itself.

     As they draw near the tree, Vergil looks in mild fascination and subdued surprise at the image of the face in it's surface, his brows raising up slightly at the sight. However, it quickly passes as he turns to face Nox and Sarracenia, though he only addresses the former as they share the same wavelength on how to approach the tree - "I don't suppose you have any way to communicate with it? Or tap into whatever core of power it has? If it's like a nature spirit, it's strength would be in it's roots, though it's center might be contained in the trunk. The creatures in this world are unfamiliar to me."

    Already he has likely gotten on Sarracenia's bad side, but now he's practically acting like he is the one giving orders, treating the other two like mere advisors.

Nox (546) has posed:
    As it has been ever since Nox put on the mask, his expression is completely unreadable. What he thinks of Vergil, and of Sarracenia, is hidden from view behind the iconic faceplate of the heretical xelor, only to be expressed in whatever way he wishes through his voice, sometimes completely honest, other times, less so. "That may be so, madamoiselle, but as you can see, I am clearly not riding your ship." He gestures curtly downwards, calling attention to the fact that his feet aren't touching the deck. It's a safe bet that he's fully aware of what an asinine deflection it is. "Rest assured, you will have your chance to blast it to bits after we have concluded our business, but not a moment before."

    His gaze ticks toward Vergil, figuratively and audibly, likely appraising the half-demon as well. "The only reason I could imagine wanting to communicate with that thing is an interrogation or demand of surrender. Otherwise, I am a specialist unlike any other in obtaining power by force. Roots, trunk, boughs, or a single, specific chestnut hidden in leaves; it fails to matter." The elastic thwack of the slingshot draws a faint, metallic sigh from him. "I sincerely hope those little /microbes/ have the sense to stay out of this."

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     The girl with pigtails leaves Sanary alone. She jsut stands there. The other kids are further along, in the village. She remains staring forward, standing tall.

     "You are going to do this no matter what I say. If I attacked, I would be throwing my life away. You are destroying one of the few truly Good things in Hyrule. A Tree that has lived since the Days of the Golden Goddesses."

     She stares down at Sanary. "...We, the Kokiri, might not survive without him. Saria might. But."

     "Why are you doing this?"

     Nothing is done to prevent Sanary from carrying onward but Fado's words.

     The villagers keep watching. Mido keeps shooting Deku Nuts at the airship. One of them somehow catches the wind just right, and hits. A small flash of an exposion. A flashbang. Nothing more. The tree just sits there, waiting to be destroyed, or to be spoken to.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia hates to admit it, but Nox and Vergil have a point. If the tree has power that they can exploit, they should. However, she is never going to tell THEM that! And they are -both- treating her like she is a subordinate, when she is the only one among them who is an officer of the Confederacy!

     Sarracenia's fists clench, then she smiles sweetly. Overly sweetly. "Well then...you two should go down and talk to it." she says in a very kind and courteous voice. Just before she winds up and baseball swings her huge hammer at the both of them, attempting to sweep both off her ship at the same time. The plant soldiers quickly drop to the ground even as she winds up. They know their princess, and know when to duck.

     Once the two are cleared from the deck of her airship, the ship starts downward and comes to a stop above the clearing, in front of the tree's face. She hops off the bow of her ship and rides the head of her hammer downward. When she lands, the hammer drives into the ground, creating a small impact crater and somehow keeps her from being injured. Then, she steps toward the tree, her hammer resting on her shoulder. "So, you are not just a tree?" she calls out. She saw how it seemed to be speaking before, even if she couldn't hear it.

Vergil (878) has posed:
    Looking between the two, Vergil stays silent for a moment, then glances back at the tree, before finally giving a half-shrug. "Well, it's not as if we have anything to lose by speaking with it. At the very least, we may gain something without having to resort to destroying it immediately - and perhaps the threat alone will make it talk."

    He listens to Nox's explanation of his abilities, and, while he seems to judge him more noteworthy, still seems cordial at best. "Tempting as it is to simply take whatever power it has, I'd rather see what can be learned through a gentle touch first before potentially damaging whatever prize we stand to collect." Then there is the odd flashing, this time actually forcing Vergil to raise an arm up to shield his eyes, grunting in displeasure and agitation, though he's more annoyed then anything else.

    It's not enough to warrant a counterattack... but it is evidence that they will likely be a problem.

     He sees Sarracenia's hammer wind up for the swing... and before it is swung, Vergil actually jumps up of his own accord, letting the wind from the swing propel him across the distance toward the tree itself. He lands against it's bark and half-skids down the side until he reaches a foothold from which he can face the immense face that exists in the tree's side, giving a somewhat flashy mid-air spin before he lands.

    When he does, he regards the tree with more apparent interest, resting a hand on Yamato's hilt. "I don't know if you've noticed, but someone obviously wants you destroyed very badly. Mind telling me what you could possibly have that would be considered so valuable as to uproot you and, I'm assuming, half the local ecosystem just to get you out of the way." He then glances to where the airship hands above with the children still vainly trying to shoot it down. "You might also want to speak quickly, lest my... associate lose her temper with the village. Convincing them to back down would also be nice."

    His tone is cordial, yet assumptive and arrogant - he rather clearly believes he has the upper hand here.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     At least the pigtailed girl has enough sense not to attack. Or any of the other kids, even, and that's something Sanary is inwardly relieved by. The girl's words do make her pause for a moment, however, as the weight of what she's about to do does weigh her down briefly.

     It's not as if she didn't expect to hurt someone doing this. Or a lot of people, even, considering what Agahnim had said in the past. "It would be a waste, yeah. If you leave now, you'll have a better shot at finding somewhere to survive."

     At least nobody can say she doesn't have a heart! Sanary's about to continue walking, but stops again to face Fado directly at that question. Just what /is/ she fighting for and doing all of this for, anyway? Money? Status? Power?

     Definitely power. It doesn't take her all that long to shrug lightly. "Power. If that means destroying some people for what's important to me... Well." She's not quite sure how to finish that sentence, and just continues walking towards the tree and her allies after a moment. She doesn't stop talking, though, so it's up to Fado whether she wants to follow or not. "Guess you're even unluckier than me, then. So go on. You might be able to get on the airship if you ask nicely."

Nox (546) has posed:
    Well, there's no point sticking around to get hit in the face with a hammer, and no use in fighting with Sarracenia, especially in one of these moods. Nox blinks out of existence as the hammer swings through his personal space, accomplishing the intended goal of the princess getting him away from the ship in a more dignified manner than being propelled with a blunt object. Predictably, he reaches the clearing near-instantly, zapping down in front of the Great Deku Tree with a minimum of flash and fanfare, ever one for efficiency over awe.

    Up close, the tree is much more impressive. Already he can detect a difference in class between the being before him and the overblown weed from that island way back when. Even its facial features seem to be deliberately expressing great age, as if to drive the point home further. His tone is marginally more respectful than Vergil's, though it is rarely outright rude. "And a much belated good evening." he appends to threats of violence against children. "My time is valuable, and I'm sure you can already guess why we're here, so let's skip that part shall we. You have . . . let's say five minutes to say anything you need to say. I would advise against attempting to summon up whatever meagre protections this backwoods may have, unless you want it to be cut short." Well, if everyone else is doing it, he can spare that much time.

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     "We are the children of the Forest. We can not leave, or exist outside of it. When I die, no one will remember the name Fado. Within a few days, I doubt even you will remember me."

     There is a rustling of the trees, and suddenly the girl vanishes.

     Sanary is free to go through the village. None will attack her. Even Mido is entirely focused upon the airship. It's a walk through a small canyon past the village, and at last, Sanary will reach the Deku Tree.

     The others arrive at the same time as her, due to the antics on the airship.

     The Deku Tree looks at the group through slitted eyes. It's mouth shifts, as it prepares to talk. Its voice is slow, and each word is spoke with meaning and intent.

     "I have nothing of worth. Destroying me will simply break a seal. A seal upon the Mask. You all know it as a source of Power. It is also a great danger. It is a force that threatens to destroy this world. Some might control it. Few could. The weak will become a puppet to it."

     "There is nothing I can say to stop you. I have been on this world for a long time. I wish to keep living. When I die, much of the Forest will die. Not just here. Across all of this world. Nearby, the water will turn to poison. The animals will die. These woods will become lost to all life. This does not matter to you, does it?"

     His lips move again. His brow furrows. A thought is lingering in his mind, and he speaks it aloud.

     "And here, I thought I would fall at the hands of Ganondorf."

     He rustles his leaves, shaking off that train of thought. "...Nevermind. Now. Do what you must. I was granted Courage by the Goddesses. I will move on without fear."

Sarracenia has posed:
     Princess Sarracenia finds herself staring in awe as the tree talks in that ancient voice. Her hammer lowers, and she listens intently to what the tree says. As she listens, anyone watching her would easily see her resolve for destruction disappearing. She knew that the mask wanted them to destroy a sacred tree, but she figured it was the quotations kind of sacred. The kind like some uneducated forest people think a tree is magic because it is old and big and has a face. But this one...it is actually talking! And it seems to be noble and strong, unafraid of what they represent.

     She stays a short distance away from the tree, just staring. Even as the others talk to it and discuss how to kill it, she just stands there. Until the tree says he was going to fall anyway. That seems to ease whatever worry she had. She still doesn't seem eager to destroy the tree, especially considering she brought a ship designed to destroy things. And she doesn't seem inclined to get things started, either.

Vergil (878) has posed:
    As Vergil listens, he tilts his head, seeming skeptical at first. "That's it, then? You're nothing more then a guardian for a seal?" He crosses his arms, closes his eyes...

     ... then he shakes his head and smiles.

    How ironic that it would be so similar to to the seals on his father's tower, the Temen-ni-gru?

     "Nothing else to say, then?" Vergil asks, somewhat curious. "No pleas to spare the village? In turn, his gaze narrows inquisitively. "Or... have you simply concluded that nothing you say would change that outcome, either."

    The ironic thing was that this was actually not true - Vergil had no qualms with those living in the village. If anything, he almost pitied how they were about to lose everything. But, such was how the world worked - there were those that took and those that were taken from. The only difference between the two was how much strength one had over the other.

    After a moment, Vergil scoffs and smirks. "Well, I suppose that makes this easier, then. If what you say is true... this mask is a source of power that /can/ in fact be controlled."

    Calling it dangerous was redundant - all power was dangerous if one couldn't control it. Saying it would control the weak was redundant - power ruled over everything. It was the key to achieving one's goals, as they were nothing but dreams and musings without it - of course those too weak to grasp it would be victimized. That was simple logic.

    When the Tree gives it's final response, Vergil at least grants it an answer; "I have no grudge against this world or it's people. I couldn't care less about their battles or their grudges, and I have no wish to attack or antagonize them. However, I likewise don't care if they hate me or if the forests or every plant in the area dies. This is not my world... and even if it was, it makes no difference to me." With this, he brings up one fist and clenches it lightly, as if grasping something in it. "The only thing I care about... is acquiring power. Without that, nothing one has can be retained, and you cannot protect or build anything in this life without it." He gives the tree a more arrogant, yet assured smirk at this. "Like I said, I don't have any grudge against this place... but so long as I attain the power I seek, then I could care less what happens to this world as result."

    At this, he turns to face Nox, gesturing to the tree's roots. "I suppose this is your department, now. Can you siphon it's energy? That should also kill it /and/ complete our mission."

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     "... Well. That /really/ sucks, then." Sanary slows down again as Fado's words hit her, hesitating for another moment before adjusting her eyepatch. "I'll... Try to."

     She's not lying, at least! Still, that won't stop her from completing her assigned task, and the healer reconvenes with her allies at the base of the tree. They're all in one piece, so she can only assume they got through without much difficulty. As such, she only channels a small amount of healing energy their way, mostly to keep their stamina and magic reserves topped off just in case.

     Listening to the Deku Tree, her eye keeps darting about at their surroundings warily. Nothing's happened yet, but she's starting to get a little worried /because/ of how much nothing has gotten in their way so far. She keeps some energy swirling about in her head near her eye, although she doesn't fire just yet as she looks towards the ancient tree.

     "If you're prepared, then... That just makes it easier for everyone involved, then." Sarracenia gets a light nod from Sanary, the healer's resolve only strengthening at hearing Vergil's own reasons. They're not all that different from her own, although he is substantially more eloquent about it.

     Is As she readies the magical energy necessary to fire the heat beam from her eye, however, she pauses again. "... Don't think you'd be able to let those kids leave the forest before then, would you?" Sanary will wait for an answer or for her allies to fire first (if at all), but won't be the first to fire! Juuust in case.

Nox (546) has posed:
    "How remarkably candid." is Nox's reply after an uncharacteristically long period of silence. His voice lacks any of the detached, professional cheer from before. "I'd have liked it better were there some bluster in you, but it seems you understand your position very well." The eyeholes of his mask close over briefly as Vergil speaks. "I could repeat the same, tired line as to how little I care for this world, but I assure you, my callousness is a matter of practicality. After all, all of this is temporary. Die knowing that your purpose went to something much greater than yourself, and assured that, soon enough, neither your forests, your children, nor you yourself will never know any of this ever happened."

    It's absolute nonsense. Something that only means anything to him. Such, however, is the fate of genuises, and men with visions beyond their time. Let it not be said that Nox is too cruel, too selfish, or too cold to be unhearing of and unmoved by the Deku Tree's words. This is something he has done a hundred times before, and never once has he forgotten that the act itself is evil. By now however, he's simply come too far to back out, and in the end, all of it will rectify itself. There's no use worrying about the training lap, after all. Nothing in this multiverse will count against him once he is vindicated.

    The noxines swarm from the trees, banding together into a synchronized ring, discharging their stores of power in luminous trails behind them that connect into the outline of a perfect circle in unison. As the circle is completed, it is filled with a rippling sheen of spatial distortion, allowing one to view somewhere /else/ through an impossibly confusing layer of distortion. From that gate trudges a small horde of hulking, mechanical aides, gear turning with no obvious or functional source of power, and yet somehow driving the vaguely arachnid constructs of steel and brass foward, each one posessed of a partially transparent body the size of a small truck, and a quartet of finely machined needles beneath their soulless, glowing eyes, crackling with arcs of something that isn't electricity.

    They are designed to make short work of targets like these. They clamber into place, latch on with their multiple legs, and drain their prey's life, its vital and spiritual essence, through their hypodermics, compressing as a luminescent fluid within their tanks, until all that's left is a husk.

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     "I am the guardian of a seal. But, I also protect this forest. It will no longer be safe. The seal is secondary. I am the ruler of all Forests, first."

     "There is no need for me to ask for the Kokiri to be kept safe. My answer will likely not matter on that, either. You have no reason to kill them. They will continue living, at least for some time, without me. They are immortal, ageless children of the forest. My children. I have faith in them."

     There is a brief pause. His lips part yet again. "...But. I do have one last request. It is not for you. And, she has already been informed of her duty."

     As the swarm latches onto the Great Deku Tree, it only has but one last thing it can say, as the life drains out of it. As its entire body slowly begins to turn grey. And that phrase is simple:

     "Farewell."

     It continues to drain, the brown of its body very slowly vanishing. As it dies, it's last request, a request given to one of the Kokiri Children, is performed. Throughout the air of the grotto holding the Deku Tree, music echoes. It is a cheerful tune. Surprisingly so. It is its favorite song, composed by one of its favorite children. On the cliff nearby, a single Kokiri child can be seen. She is young, with short green hair. In her hands, a wooden ocarina. A tear rolls down her eye, as the ball of light that is her fairy floats against her body to comfort her.

     She will keep playing, long after the Deku Tree has turned completely grey and become dead petrified wood.

Sarracenia has posed:
     The princess just continues to watch as the others talk and Nox summons those mechanical creatures. She wants to say something, but she just can't seem to get the words out. She is once again reminded of the kind of people with whom she is allied. People who do not really care what is destroyed so long as their mission is completed.

     As Nox's creatures tap into the tree and the tree's color starts to fade, Sarracenia turns her head away from the sight, then looks up at her airship and motions toward it. The plant-creatures lower a rope ladder, which Sarracenia grips before they haul it upward. "Well...I suppose our mission is complete." she says as she is lifted back into the sky. She looks pretty sad herself, which probably seems pretty strange to the others of this party. And as the music starts, she actually turns away from them and looks over at the young girl. Sarracenia just watches the girl until the princess is back aboard her ship. The cannons are retracted and secured as Sarracenia tries to avoid showing anyone how she is feeling. It wouldn't do for her allies to see that she was wiping at her eyes every now and then.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     There's no need for Sanary to fire as the swarm of... Whatever those things Nox released to start sucking the life out of the tree, and she lets the magical energy resume circulating through her body normally once more. The Tree's last words don't go unanswered, however, as she lets out a long sigh and repeats what had been said to Fado earlier.

     "I'll try to."

     And with that, the healer turns around to head towards that village again. She pauses after the first few steps, however, to look over at the lone girl in the distance. Is there anything she can even say to help her out? Probably not, although...

     Well, Sanary had come to destroy the Tree. Nobody said anything about bringing some refugees back. And so, she heads back to the village with a renewed energy in her step and practically shouts once she gets there!

     "Hey! Your tree's dead, but you don't have to follow it. So come with us if you want to live!" Certainly not the most eloquent way of putting it, but... She did say she'd try. She never guaranteed any results.

Agahnim (864) has posed:
     The Kokiri that stands on top of a tree house, the bratty boy? He shoots his slingshot at Sanary. It's not enough to hurt her, really. It's just a bright flash of light, right in the face. He yells down at her.

     "Get out of our forest!"

     The others all start moving and hiding in their homes. Not a single one will want to go with Sanary.

Sanary Rondel has posed:
     After a brief staggering from that flash of light right in her only functioning eye, Sanary sighs and rubs her temples. "... Well, I tried. Can't say I didn't."

     She doesn't leave right away, however, taking her time in passing by some of those homes to try and peer inside. No takers, but it's not like she could just drag them out. Or... Could she?

     No. Definitely not. At this point, her only real option is to just leave and remember what happened here. With any luck, it wouldn't have to happen again.

Vergil (878) has posed:
     Vergil regards the tree silently, listening to it's last words, though none of which are able to shift his previously-stated reasonings. He does however reply at the request for the children - "I have no grudge against them, and we have no reason to harm them. So long as they do not pursue or attack us, tat won't change."

    As the tree dies, Vergil can practically /feel/ the environment dying around them... though the song does seem to strike a cord in him, however slight the half-demon remembering a time in his long-forgotten past when his own family was torn apart.

    This was the result of what happened when one did not have the strength they needed to protect what they had.

    That ideal reminding of him why it was so important to have strength in life, Vergil also takes Sanary's actions as cementing this further - "It's best to lave them. They'll eventually head out on their own - they won't have a choice now that we took away their guardian." He then turns away, speaking over his shoulder as he does so - "Besides... it's pointless to try and reason with children who have lost their parent. Especially if their blood is on your hands"

    He speaks dispassionately, no guilt or remorse in his voice at all for what they have done... though does at least have he decency to have some form of pity for the village when he looks at it.

    However, shortly afterword, he invests himself in observing the fruits of Nox's labors. "Very efficient" Vergil comments truthfully, actually allowing himself to sound impressed, subdued as it was compared to other people... though his attention itself was not directed at Nox, but rather to the large containment units that carried the fluid extracted from the tree, seeming intrigued by it.

    However, he also seems somewhat inquisitive... and more then a bit expectant. "Do you intend to share any of this? I'd like to think we each would have some form of reward for all our trouble."

    He uses the word 'each' though as a means of parlay, bringing Sanary and Sarracenia into it only to highlight the point of reaping some of the spoils of the mission.

Sarracenia has posed:
     Sarracenia shakes her head to Vergil. "No...I do not require any reward for this. My tools were not the ones to finish the tree." she says as her airship stays near the ground. She motions to one of the plant-men, then the ship heads off into the sky. She flies over the village, watching as the children reject Sanary's offer.

     Sarracenia makes a note to check on them later. They may need water or food if the forest is truly dead. Assuming these elf-like children even survive without the power of their guardian. But for now, the airship flies away, leaving the other Confederates behind.

Nox (546) has posed:
    Nox watches Sanary depart without comment. If she wants to bother with the children, so be it. Even Sarracenia seems to have gotten cold toes. His attention is more preoccupied with Vergil. The xelor abruptly teleports on the spot, disappearing and reappearing for the sole sake of rotating ninety degrees in place rather than manually turning around. It's a little jarring. "'We each'? I don't recall either of those two indicating that they had any interest in the Deku Tree's power. In fact, they were quite adamant on destroying it before even getting near it. I don't see why I should, or why you should want to. Bringing their names into the equation doesn't mask your intent at all." His tone is brisk and curt. It's clear Vergil is toeing dangerous territory here.

    "Do you even know what this is? Clearly you are in need of some kind of power, but I believe you haven't the faintest notion of what or how. Tell me, are you an inventor or machinist? Or perhaps a mage or spellcrafter of some sort? If the answer is no, I can't see what possible use you have for a raw resource of this nature and calibre. If you want power, specify what kind and for what purpose. I may give it to you, or at least direct you towards it, but not this, and not until you properly earn it. I guarantee you, this tree's essence is going towards a far more important design than your personal growth."

Vergil (878) has posed:
    When Vergil replies, his smirk is more tightly-lipped as before - mostly due to the other two losing their nerve partway through. Though he filed this away for future reference, it didn't change the fact that he was left with his barefaced ambition as the only justification for his request.

    Thankfully, he did in fact fill at least a few of the prerequisites Nox had cited... though whether he would relinquish the item was still up for debate.

     "I do in fact have experience in spellcrafting. It comes with the status of having demonic blood" he replies, his smile still present. "As for what I want power for... well, I'd imagine the same as you; the creation of an order that will ensure stability in the world. To be blunt... rulership over my world's Neatherealm... and from there, the unification of it with the human world to create a single realm."

    He tilts his head slightly at this in a half shrug - he had no reason to really hide /why/ he wanted power and resources... though he didn't need to exposit on how he wouldn't hesitate to claim any higher position of status if it meant getting him closer to that goal. "In that, you and I aren't exactly different... and natural energy such as that-" he gestures toward the fluid in the tanks "-may be the perfect stepping stone in helping me fuel those efforts, more powerful then even the souls of a thousand demons could be... besides, just because the other two turned down the chance to claim a reward doesn't mean one isn't deserved. Especially since we are supposedly 'allies.'"

    He uses the term loosely... and only as leverage to get what he wants in this instance.

Nox (546) has posed:
    That, of all things, elicits nothing but a laugh from Nox. Not quite dry and humourless, and not at all sarcastic, though still tinged by that metallic reverb. "Rulership? Order? If I had wanted to I could have conquered the globe years ago! Those are the ambitions of people who concern themselves too much with how things are rather than how things could be, or rather, how they could have been. Mine simply can't be compared to such mundane aspirations as those. I've surpassed the gods to do what they could not, not to become another one of them."

    "To know that you're more than a fashionable idiot with a sword is reassuring, but at this time, I cannot reward anything but your boldness. I share my power with the Confederacy because they prove useful enough to be worth the expenditure. Prove useful to me, and you will get the same. After all, I can hardly call you an ally after only just meeting you. I don't even know your name."

Vergil (878) has posed:
     Vergil's response is still controlled and tight-lipped, though still smiling. "If it makes so little difference to you, why do you care what another does with the power they gain? Moreover, isn't 'surpassing the gods' in and of itself making what 'could be' a reality when they could not?" He then gives a more inquisitive expression. "Besides... if you truly have surpassed them, why do /you/ in turn seek more power, then, if not to accomplish something with with it?"

    Listening to Nox, the son of Sparda seems more and more convinced that this being, who had gone as far as proclaiming he'd 'surpassed the gods' yet was still bound by the desire for materialistic power, was not going to give him something for nothing.

    Smart. Admirable. Bot no less frustratingly irritating.

    At the last part, he tilted his head and gestured toward his 'ally.' "I could say the same to you, as you haven't introduced yourself. But... as for my name? Vergil. Son of Sparda - not that I can assume you to know the name as, for me, the world has gotten far larger then before. And in turn, as I've told you my reasons... perhaps you could tell me what you think you need this for?" He gestures again, this time to the tanks.

    After all, if nothing else, he at least wanted to know what Nox planned.

Nox (546) has posed:
    "Nox." is the simple reply. "That's the name I've had for two hundred years now." It'd be discourteous to offer less. "Don't be mistaken. I have absolutely no care for what you do so long as it doesn't affect me. What I care about is the fact that I need as much energy as possible, and giving it away to everyone who asks politely would clearly get me nowhere. I don't make investments unless I know there will be a return. Surely you can understand that." He does however, pause carefully before continuing. "Because being greater than them isn't enough. There wasn't enough power in the world to do what I need to. Not power for power's sake, but a means to an end."

    "Simply put, I will invoke the magic that will fix everything."

    "If you insist that you have something to offer worth being granted these stores, you are welcome at any time to make arrangements with my private frequency, or with the Confederacy at large. I am not at all generous, but I am practical. I do not ignore things that prove beneficial to me."

Vergil (878) has posed:
    Practical. Safe, Guarded, but not unreasonable. All traits that Vergil respected. And while it was frustrating to think he wouldn't likely be getting anything out of this immediate deal... it did open the possibilities for other ventures.

    In this case, patience would be needed just as much.

     "Power for power's sake would be pointless, I agree. After all, if it's not directed to an end, what good is it? It becomes nothing more then a tool that gathers dust... like this tree was."

    Hearing Nox's assurances was not exactly reassuring - Vergil rarely took anything at face-value... but so far, Nox had not given him reason to treat him as unfair as of yet. After all... it was only common law that you provide for something in return, much as Vergil would wish the law could be subverted at times for the sake of his own ambitions. "Equivalent exchange, then? Heh... very well. I will keep your offer in mind, I suppose. And as for what to offer... well, I do have an example of what my world can provide as baseline research"

    At this, he reaches into his coat and pulls something free, tossing it to Nox - a Red Orb, the image of what seems to be learning demonic face within. "These are known as Orbs. Crystalized demon essences - the end result of what happens when a demon's bodies are cut down or destroyed in my own world. Those with demonic blood can consume them to gain power, and there are different colors for certain essences - blood, tears and so-forth. Each offers different properties - Green Orbs can heal wounds, Red Orbs can increase the powers in one's demonic bloodline and so-forth. You're free to study them - all you need to do is kill demons - enough to get a working sample size - since their blood and vital fluids crystalize while oxidizing. There's no short supply of them, after all, so nobody will notice a few going missing. And if that's not enough... well, consider it a starting basis for how things function in my world... and something to research if at all interested."

Nox (546) has posed:
    Nox doesn't move to catch the lobbed orb. Space swiftly bends to catch it, compressing a layer of congealed spacetime around it before slowly dragging it closer to be examined. It doesn't take Vergil's explanation for the xelor's specially tuned senses to understand that there is power in the thing, though the full thing is much more interesting. "I see. This is unique. Convenient even. I can't call myself a demon in more than the figurative sense, but, mmm, we'll see. We'll see." It's pretty clear that Vergil actually has his interest now, at least a little bit. Another world to pay a visit to. Study material is, after all, a good use of time. "We'll be in touch. For now, I bid you adieu."

    The xelor abruptly disappears. It doesn't initially seem like Vergil has gotten much out of coming here, but no doubt he's smart enough to realize the opportunities he suddenly has, especially as an unaffiliated freelance.