uccellodifuoco | 1st Rise of the Phoenix ஜ Action

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1st Rise of the Phoenix ஜ Action

[Ikki is walking through the village with relative calm, he's not pleased and it's obvious in his body language that he's stressed and annoyed. Who wouldn't be, having found himself in an unknown place, a place where he didn't intend to be?

The fact that no matter how much he expanded his Cosmos, he couldn't find his brothers' Cosmos or the Cosmos of anyone he knew didn't help in the situation. Still, he looks quite sure of where he's going, even if he's not, and only the loose-fitting white cotton pants he's wearing point out that he's new in the place.

Those particularly sensible to spiritual energy may notice his strong Cosmos -full of contained anger and hate, directed to no one but obviously there- constantly reaching out and basically checking everyone he can reach. Searching for something, or someone, that would explain him being stuck in that place. Unable to return to where he intended to go or contact his friends, so far he's not having any luck and the idea he's starting to get doesn't please him.]

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[Upset is an understatement, but that's also Ikki's general mood so it's nothing really to worry about. He is obviously wary of her, nothing personal, but he's not outright defensive or aggressive either.]

Can you tell me what's this place?

[She smiled as best she could and did her best to explain the current situation to him.]

It's a place called Luceti. [Although explaining in more detail would lead to not so pleasant news.] Once you are here, unfortunately you cannot leave on your own means.

[He nods, it's almost as if he expected that or already knew it. In some way he did.]

I noticed that already, this is not my original dimension either. Do you know to where should I go to contact someone to get me back to my dimension?

[He's almost expecting to be told to go to a temple and/or in a quest to do something before he can get the help to return. It doesn't please him but without the Gold Saints there's nothing else he can do other than go with the flow for now.]

[She can appreciate that calm demeanor, and thought he was very brave for being so under such circumstances.]

The scientists here, the Malnosso, are our captives. I have seen others attempt to contact them through the journals, these books we have received, yet the Malnosso do not show themselves often. I have yet to see anyone be voluntarily released.

[It's no quest, maybe not even the second best solution, but all she knows for now.]

[So the inability to leave on his own is intentional and not just for the cliché "first you help us, then you leave". Ikki frowns at that, but something else she says makes him raise an eyebrow.]

Books? [Pause, he saw a book near him when he woke up, right?] Hn, I think I saw one back there. You mean we're supposed to have those books on us the whole time?

Oh, yes, most people refer to it as a journal. They are a useful way of communication, and at times, the only way to communicate if you are alone. [She held hers out to show him what it looked like.]

It is your choice if you wish to leave it in your place of residence, but because there is a lack of any other communication devices such as a telephone, then almost everyone carries it on their person.

We could go together to retrieve it, and I can answer any other questions you may have.

We could. Do whatever you want.

[Which is an acceptance of help only in Ikki's personal language. It's not said rudely or offensively thought, it's just his way to say "if it doesn't bother you I would appreciate the help", more or less.]

What's the currency of this place?

[Iris nodded gently and understood. She's heard that type of tone from her twin sister before, she's become used to it, and didn't take any offense. She walked beside him as they went to get his journal.]

Oh, there is no currency here. Everything here is provided for free. You'll be able to find some of your basic belongings in the shops along with food, clothing, and furniture.

As for a place to stay, the Welcome Center has a listing of apartments and houses available. Or you may explore on your own, and if you find an unoccupied room or house, you can claim it.

[Ikki nods, how convenient that everything is free, then again she said they were captives so it made some sense. Thought it's hard to believe that people would be selfless enough to allow that to happen, but if the general situation is bad enough even greed would have to take a back seat.

He doesn't worry about a place to stay, he used to live in a volcano after all. He'll think about that later.]

What's exactly the situation with those Malnosso you mentioned?

[She took a moment to consider the question. It wasn't that she would lie about the situation, but it was a matter of how to phrase it based off of what she knew and what she understood from others.]

My experience here is limited as I have not been here long. But we have all been brought here by the Malnosso to be used as test subjects for their experiments. What those experiments are varies, and I've yet to see one be performed.

[She continued to explain perhaps one of the more dangerous aspects of their prison.] There are other instances of individuals being kidnapped for separate experiments other than the ones that affect the village as a whole. The length of time before their return is also unpredictable, as is how they are chosen for such experiments.

[As she talks Ikki shifts from upset to annoyed and finally to fully angered, almost furious if the way he clenches his fists is any indication.]

So we're brought here against our will, locked unable to leave, feed and clothed without charge at exchange of being guinea pigs for the wishes of those who brought us here. Is that right?

[How frigging familiar, it felt almost as the Kido mansion, version two. And of course those pigs won't be around enough for those trapped to get a hold on them.]

Any idea about where those Malnosso are?

[Iris agreed with his basic description, and apologized for having to tell him the news.]

Y-yes, from what we understand, that is correct. The only way for anyone to leave so far is that they disappear from here, but when that happens is unclear.

From my understanding, they're outside the barrier. They can be contacted through the journal, but I do not know if they are always willing to respond. I'm sorry...

[Ikki raises an eyebrow at her apologize.]

Unless you are one of the Malnosso there's no reason for you to apologize, woman.

[Why do people have the feeling to apologize even if they have no reason for it? He rarely feels the need, even when he has reasons to.]

[It's a habit of hers. She couldn't help it since he had gotten upset.]

I'm not one of them. I know it isn't my fault. I do wish you luck if you do intend to contact them.

[She looked out toward the forest now. He could find find out more too through the Guide in the journal.] Are we nearing the location you first arrived at?

Contact them isn't exactly what I have in mind.

[Unless she means the contact of his fists against their faces, in which case there will be a lot of contact going on. He stops for a moment before nodding forward.]

The lingering Cosmos leads a bit further in this direction. I don't remember if I saw it close to me or while I was already moving towards the village.

[He scans the ground.]

Still, I wish you luck on your endeavor.

[Not that she would promote violence, but justice is justice. She helped look for the journal, but was also curious about what he had just mentioned.]

The Cosmos? Is that part of a power you possess?

[Any sort of spiritual power interested her. The people who arrived here or who were here were much more open-minded about that sort of ability, unlike many of those from her home.]

[Ikki hopes that this deal of having to pick up things he has never seen before doesn't repeat itself. What kind of person goes around and picks up a random book they find and have never seen or owned before?]

The short explanation is that the Cosmos is the energy that grows inside us and supports our lives. Athena's Saints are trained to make full use of it since early age, but every living being has it.

It receives other names, thought, even in my dimension.

[After all Athena's Saints are a secret from the world, thought even if they weren't many people wouldn't believe them. The civilians who do so have been involved in their fights and lives for too long to be allowed to deny their existence, but for the rest of the world... Not to mention that humans can be quite close-minded about that sort of thing.]

[Iris herself did not have any spiritual powers, but she knew that in some form or another that power existed in the world.]

I see. Then you are skilled with using it for any specific purposes? It must have taken some time to train and perfect it.

You are considered a Saint and revered as one?

[She thought back of the training sessions and spiritual training others had undergone at the temple dojo. The only time anyone visited the temple was for training, and if not that, it was a reporter covering what was considered abnormal or odd. She never did appreciate the stigma the non-believers placed on them.]

Saints start training at a very young age anyway, we grow up with it. But in all cases we are forced to go through a living hell to master it.

[He says it so casually it does drive in the idea that a living hell is a normal thing for him. He snorts at her next question thought, she has a point in asking but still the idea of that type of saint is ridiculous to him.]

I'm not that kind of Saint. I'm an Athena's Saint, it's just how Athena decided to name the warriors in her army. [He shrugs, why they are called that way has never picked his curiosity.]

I'm a warrior, I've fought and killed the enemies of Athena and who tried to destroy the world. There's nothing to revere there.

[She couldn't imagine what sort of training he had undergone, and the training of acolytes at the temple might not have compared, but she had seen how much work was needed, difficult or arduous as it may have been. But it was to be expected. And he was only a Saint by name, given his answer.]

Were you not were given a choice in becoming a Saint?

If you were indeed fighting to save the world, isn't that noble cause enough to be revered or in the least respected? Those who sit idle or indifferent are the ones who are undeserving of such honor.

[He chuckles, however there's no amusement or happiness there, only disdain.]

Yes, I was given a choice. Become one or die.

[He... Just looks at her quite plainly. No, there's nothing to revere in him, neither has he any wish for it.]

Look, I just do what I have to do. I'm an Athena's Saint and my duty is to protect her and fight for her against any enemy she may have. She wants to protect humanity's right to live, and so we fight for that. I don't see what's noble or worth to be revered there, it's all based just on selfishness.

[Warriors of justice... That's something Seiya and the others would have said and approved of. Ikki, however, doesn't have such a bright vision of the world or of himself.]

[It doesn't please her at all to hear of that so-called choice or how someone could propose such a scenario to others. How much context did she need regarding it, she wasn't sure, but she did feel that it hadn't been fair.

But he had his set of values, and she could understand how he could come to that conclusion. It also wouldn't be right for her to convince him or judge him otherwise.]

Selfishness is unavoidable, I won't argue with that. It's only natural for living beings. Despite it, however, I find your dedication to your duty and your diligence already admirable.

Speaking of which, I should have asked for your name a while ago. My name is Iris. What's yours?

[Even with the full context the situation hadn't been fair and in fact it could even go into the realm of being cruel. A man getting women pregnant just to kill them once the kids are born in order to take them and send them off to a survival contest, all to form an army for Athena. The intentions were good, maybe, but the execution and decisions are the main fuel for Ikki's anger.

Anyway Ikki's somewhat grateful to not have to listen to a pretty speech to get him to agree that they act for justice or some other crap.]

Well, if you want to find that admirable I won't stop you. Anyway it's not like I know what else to do in life, so even how much of duty and diligence I have, is also questionable.

[Yeah, excuse him for finding funny to be considered admirable even on that. He just can't understand it.]

Hn, I'm the Phoenix Saint, Ikki. You can call me Phoenix or Ikki, I'm used to both.

[There is always something positive about someone in her eyes, even if they don't believe it or see it.

It was refreshing too to listen to his perspective. As much as she did like someone who was positive and a bit idealistic, he reminded her to be realistic.]

Then I shall continue. As I mentioned before, it's better to do something, be occupied with, and be dedicated to something than to not do anything at all.

[When she heard his name, she did pause for a second. Not that she was surprised that someone out of all the different worlds would have the same name as someone she knew, but she did take that second to reminisce about home.]

Oh... It is a pleasure to finally know your name. But do you prefer one over the other?

Hn, I'll give you that. Thought I still doubt it can be applied to me, lack of action from the humanity is part of what brings problems to my dimension.

[How many times has he heard a God claiming that humans were destroying themselves and their world and did nothing to stop it, just sitting idle and waiting for the end? How many times has Athena claimed that, even if it may take them a long time to move, at the end humanity would act and fix everything?

He knows it's just a small piece of the whole puzzle but maybe if things weren't like that the Gods would have been more inclined to see things from Athena's point of view. And that would have saved them from a lot of fighting.]

Not really. Those who know me since little call me Ikki, but others call me Phoenix. I'm the only Phoenix Saint so it's just as unique and close to my person as Ikki is. Some even go as far as to call me Phoenix Ikki.

[He shrugs, well he should return the courtesy, right?]

It's nice to meet you, thought, Iris.

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