Hot Pursuit: Act II

Having successful evaded what anyone would have predicted to be certain death, the alliance of six channelers regrouped and plan their next more.  Nikolai and Setto were particularly pleased by the fact that they were now in the presence of the Archetype, who had travelled all the way to Seina just to avert would could have well been the catastrophe that prematurely ended the final Guardian-Destroyer war.  Roun, who was always quite sceptical of Archetype and her motives found it to be rather convenient that she had showed up in just the nick of time, but it wouldn’t take much for Nikolai and Setto explain that there was nothing which prevented Archetype’s precognition from being as good as if not better than that of the best of any from her line.  Roun scoffed with annoyance, drawing a very mused smirk from Ryuu and oddly enough Xavier.

“You six did a very good job out there today... I never imagined that you would actually be able to hold your own against Heiarch, far less get away to warn Seina of the impending danger.”  Archetype smiled.  “Who knows, you may have even been able to survive this encounter without my assistance.”  She continued.  “Your companion souls have grown quite strong... we may win this war just yet.”  She finished, before turning her attention to Roun,

Roun just raised an eyebrow.  “What?”  He inquired now, causing the others to wonder about the relationship between the two.

“I’m just worried about you, Roun.”  She replied, causing Roun to scoff lightly.

“That isn’t necessary, I assure you... I’ll be fine.”  Roun replied.

“You’re yet a young soul Roun, you’re not ready to take on the likes of Heiarch and Teros without assistance.”  She continued.

“I’ll make do... afterall, our relationship isn’t what it used to be.”  Roun replied smugly.

“So true... but you are still my responsibility.”  She countered, summoning an orb of energy into the palm of her hands and motioning towards Roun.  Her actions prompted an instinctual reaction in Ryuu as Monolith activated, summoning the same form of energy around Ryuu’s form, much to Ryuu’s surprise.

“What are you doing?”  Roun inquired now as he began to back up, his usual reaction whenever Archetype approached him.

“You should trust me by now Roun.”  Was all that Archetype would say, using her telekinesis to raise Roun’s arm and place the energy in his hand.  “This is my gift to you, assimilate it.”  Roun raised his eyebrow now as he scanned the energy, which was coded, oddly enough, in his native energy format.  “I created it just for you, when we were bonded together, but I never had a chance to give it to you.”

By now, Nikolai had begun to question a few things.  Unlike Roun, all other beings from Archetype’s line found that Archetype’s energy signature had a familiar and naturally comfortable feeling.  However, for some reason her mere presence just seemed to naturally agitate Roun.  “Curious...”  Was all he would say to himself, as Roun assimilated the energy.

“Thank you.”  Roun replied to Archetype now, his words loaded as usual.

“You’re welcome Roun.” Archetype replied, causing the others to grow somewhat uncomfortable with the exchange.

“So, what is our next move?”  Setto inquired now, attempting to draw the attention away from them.

“Hm... the fragments of senior Heiarch are still on the move, I will request that Seina attempt to track the ethereal energies and relay that information to us.”  Nikolai replied, causing Setto to nod as he turned to make his way off.

“I guess the rest of us will just wait here then.”  Ryuu added.

“I assume we split up into the same two teams?”  Xavier inquired, causing Setto to nod.

“Each group should be equipped with everything necessary to contain if not destroy the halves, assuming that we catch them before their at full power.” Setto replied, causing Xavier to nod slightly.

It was only then that the group realised that Roun and Archetype were still staring at each other, an odd tension building between them as Roun expressed his usual annoyance while Archetype just showed an odd interest.

“Okay, you two are starting to creep me out.”  Ryuu interjected.  “You two need to either have it out or get a room... ‘cause whatever is going on between you two is serious starting to get on my nerves.”  He continued, but Archetype just smiled.

“Don’t worry about us, Roun just dislikes my methods.  I on the other hand was attempting to decode his Cognisance, a task that took an unusual amount of effort.  Regardless, you can recall Nikolai... I have located the fragments of Heiarch.”  She explained.  “Roun and his team should head to Merricent, you others should get Nikolai and head to Jingar.”  She informed them, causing the others to nod and begin to mobilise.  “But before you leave, I need you to come and see me Roun, we have things that need to be discussed... in private.”  Archetype sounded, vanishing before Roun could reply.

Ryuu just laughed lightly as he looked at Roun and shook his head.  “I don’t know what it is about you, but you have the strangest relationships with women.”

“Whatever man.”  Roun laughed lightly.  “Get our stuff together, I’ll go sort out whatever it is that she wants so we can get out of here...”  Roun sighed.

“Hey, at least we get to see what’s going on at home right?”  Ryuu reassured him, causing Roun to nod.

“Heh, yeah...”