Dark Tidings (MK)

[GEAR]

August 28th
The Crystal Forest
7:18 PM



The ever-encroaching halls of the Crystal Forest, as it had come to be called, were characteristically quiet. None of the organisms that had, in the wake of the eruption of Dimensional Power that had transformed it, which called it home, were stirring - and for good reason: To attract the attention of the DAMON was certain death. How some of them had managed to remain was not for these simple creators to fathom, only that their fury and malice had not abated since the death of their master at the hands of the Lunarians.

Even so...

Visitors could not quite be held to the same standard.

"Ow. Ow. Ow."

A crunching and cracking and terrible snapping of glass and bough met the ears in a veritable assault on the senses. A lumbering, quadrupedal form shambled uncomfortable through the treeline, shielding its features from the outstretched, claw-like branches even as they scored lines across the armor plates on its body. As the dazzling light focused, it became clear that the intruder was anything but ordinary - as it lowered its shield, a gigantic skull-like face grinning out at the clearing before it.

At the clearing's heart was a tower of DEC, a stream of multi-hued water splashing about its base. Fascinated, the skeleton-like entity drew nearer, a dull light in its eye sockets glimmering.

"OOOH... Pretty..."

It stretched out a hand, fingers wriggling with excitement - and there was a short, sharp snap, causing it to be retracted instantly. The second figure, far more diminutive than the first, clad in a dark, feature-concealing cloak, lowered a golden armor clad gauntlet, eliciting a whimper of protest from the larger intruder.

"Don't... touch... anything." Said the one known as Black X, voice modulator doing little to hide the contempt in its voice as it lowered its arm... and continued on.

The Skull Knight massaged the bony back of its hand indignantly, staring after X's back. Why, of all places, their comrade had decided to take up residence here was beyond him - but it wasn't as if his own choices in decor were any less questionable. He just wished he'd brought his sunglasses.

Suddenly aware he'd been left alone, his head turned nervously left and right, always on the lookout for those slinking, reptilian forms hiding just out of sight - and galloped onward, after his companion.

All of a sudden, facing the clawing branches didn't seem quite so bad after all.

 

[MKR]

In the depths of the forest, its inhabitant tapping a crystal claw against its own body. The ting of crystal against crystal filling the air but not going far. One familiar face and a rookie. Those were the ones sent to aid him, and that familiar face had to be him. No, no for now leaving the past in the past would have to do, he was an idiot but an idiot that would be reporting to him which put the Crystal lizard somewhat at ease. For if the skull-faced knight couldn't get things right he would get to be a distraction and nothing more. Then he at least could still be useful.

A gaze downwards, through the tainted crystal the shapes of DAMON moving underneath the surface could still be seen. The precaution was almost ready but that didn't make him feel any better, instead that thing. His own plan put a chill down his spine. One of the smaller DAMON came into sight, gesturing as best as it could in a direction east. The guests had arrived. One wouldn't have seen them on the surface at this point, but rather if they were to cast their gaze down instead the shadows of DAMONs big and small could be seen dancing underneath.

Steps came across the crystal floor, long since tainted purple as evening hues began to set in over the horizon, the orange light cascading out of grim purple trees casting everything in a wicked light and as the pair came through. The biggest opening in the forest, but having a practical use. Crystal Dragoon watched as branches were cast aside and as the pair came into view. The eyes on its torso moved to the larger one while its head gazed down to the smaller ally. Both of whom got a full look at the dragon-like creature and the circular wall of metal behind it.
"You've arrived, good." It spoke, with this it meant that the time for laying low had ended.

Before he could move onto that however, something caught his eye. Namely X's choice of clothing, the eyes on its chest moved down in accord. 'So the replacement is wearing a war trophy' the lizard thought to himself, it was either a vote of confidence or a remark of some sort. Regardless he would not judge a rookie by their status or apparel he would judge them by their performance.
"I take it you've been informed on what has all happened here so far." It would save him a lot of trouble not having to explain exactly what the thing behind him was if both knew.