Day 3

[mirror_mod]

Eventually the group finds themselves in a new part of the city. The stone is cleaner, the air is brighter, and everything seems far better cared for. Whether this is illusion or truth, it’s hard to mistake the trickling sound of a fountain ahead, drawing you into view of a massive open courtyard. Rising out of the middle of it is a tall building with a strangely crooked spire, topped with a globe like a watchful eye.

Closer, it’s easy to read the carved sign above the doorway.

LIBRARY

Perhaps there are answers here.

LOWER STACKS | RESTRICTED SECTION | OBSERVATORY

Comments

[fredless]

[She pulls up close, out of breathe from trying to capture the books but still determined]

If you're looking for more help...

[hellshaped]

[Preferring action to sitting around reading all day, Hellboy was immediately drawn to this small congregation of people, who look like they're actually going to do something!! Shock of shocks.]

My money's on trap, too. But it might give us a better clue than flying books.

[He nods toward the bridge and whoever's going to cross it!] Be careful.

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[He deactivates his disc and replaces it on his back.]

Something you'll only see on the Grid, I'm sure.

[Smiling at Fred and Hellboy] There's a good chance it is a trap but you never know. Sometimes the dangers we envision in our own minds are more intimidating than the real ones.

[He nods to Zuko] Thank you. Why don't you take a closer look for us.

[perfectisnteasy]

[using the disc was the first thing CLU thought of, too, and he has it in hand as he moves behind Zuko] Need some cover, man?

[youhavebeenflynned]

[Looks over to Kevin]

The Grid?

[Looks over at Zuko] If you're up for it then sure, go ahead.

[He then looks over att the big red guy... he has never seen anybody like that before.]
I agree, mate.

[sixguns]

[Noah's had enough of flying books, and he's found his way to where everyone else was gravitating. He's been silently watching from a distance, one hand on his gun. They seemed rather eager to get at the massive book, but he couldn't argue. It did seem like a Very Bad Idea, nevertheless.]

[honorinflames]

[he seemed to have the go-ahead from the majority, so... after one more glance to see if anyone else was interested in going with, he nods to CLU, and then his attention goes upward.

Starting at the platform and running his eyes back along the narrow bridge, he mentally works backward to figure out the best way to try and get up there]

[perfectisnteasy]

[CLU watches Zuko move his gaze over the room, able to make a fair guess as to what he's doing. once he realizes he can't follow the path the user is tracing with his eyes, he'll start making one of his own that'll still let him provide cover. once Zuko starts moving, he will, too]

[demontobeloved]

[Cole's going to fold his arms, watching. He's pretty much useless without his Powers, unless it comes to a fight. In his mind, anyway.]

So, what do we think's in the book?

[mirror_mod]

[The cage itself is easy to get to, if you consider a narrow, handhold-less bridge only wide enough for one person stretching over a dizzying height easy. But one of you is a ninja. The platform has a bit more room, but the cage reaches clear up and into the ceiling. No getting above it, either.

But once Zuko gets closer it's easy to see that there is a padlock on the door of the cage]

[perfectisnteasy]

[wide, narrow bridges over high expenses are nothing for CLU, either, and it's a piece of.cake for him to reach Zuko's side. he only briefly has time to remember that moment at the I/O tower before the sight of the lock brings him back to the task at hand. he unhealthy his disc and it comes alight, glowing a vibrant gold as opposed to Flynn's serene white]

Step back, Zuko. I got this.

[and he swings the disc at the lock like he's holding a circular saw blade .... which wouldn't really be that far off]

[detectivegenius]

[Tim has made his way up to where the small group is gathered, but he's also standing back and watching for the moment. He doesn't want to, but he's not in costume and suddenly doing ninja-like things might raise a whole lot of questions he doesn't want to answer. Zuko said he could fight and Tim's seen how he moves - and there are two of them up there anyway - so he stays where he is for now, eyes watching intently.]

[honorinflames]

Uh-- [...oh well. At least he wasn't the one to touch something first. he steps back when that disc lights up, briefly glancing down at the others before refocusing his attention on the cage]

[mirror_mod]

[There is a great amount of sparks and noise as the disc slices into the lock, then a loud metallic SNAP as it breaks and clatters to the ground]

[perfectisnteasy]

Ha-HA! End of line, man! [CLU crows triumphantly, stepping out of the way. he scoop up the broken pieces of lock for inspection, having all the trap-savvy people to come and have a look]

[youhavebeenflynned]

[Harry had been preparing for something bad to happen and is pleasantly surprised at the sound of CLU's triumph. He makes his way over to the stairs and starts climbing them]

[messin_with_my_zen_thing]

[He can't help but laugh at CLU's exuberance. It was good to see his program in such a good mood. It was such a nice change from the alternative. He calls up]

How's it look?

[honorinflames]

It looks quiet.

[leaning to peer into the cage]

[demontobeloved]

Good quiet or bad quiet?

[Cole is so totally going over there.]

[fredless]

Are there any clues to tell us where we are?

[youhavebeenflynned]

[Meanwhile Harry had made his way up and now he peeks curiously at the book]

Do anyone else think that that book has something to to with the Castle?

[mirror_mod]

[The cage swings open easily enough, leaving the book completely unguarded. Nothing terrible has happened quite yet, but if you want to know what the book holds, somebody has to open it up. All you can see now is the cover]

[honorinflames]

[and Zuko's patience can only last so long, so... when nothing terrible happens from the cage being opened, he goes for the book.

Slipping in and carefully reaching to open the cover]

[perfectisnteasy]

[CLU's a millicycle behind him, all but hovering over his shoulder. which isn't hard to do, since he's tall, and all that]

Well? Come on, man, what's it say?

[mirror_mod]

[The book opens, releasing nothing more than a slightly dusty cloud as the pages flop open. A cursory examination of the pages reveals that a lot of it is garbled, smudged, or simply unreadable. However, amidst the chaos, a few clear passages can be located]

...in the heart of the land. Though it is no longer the metropolis it once was, it remains active, continuing to take in inhabitants in considerably smaller quantities to maintain its current size. The primary source of power has always been the human soul and its wide range of emotions. Sudden pikes or changes in emotions generate greater power, and as such Cair Paradisa has become volatile in nature in order to produce more power for itself. This has been necessary since the Great Departure when The Five first departed from the castle, resulting in the creation of five additional smaller castles. [SEE THE GREAT DEPARTURE, THE FIVE] Though the most prominent castles in the land, there would be many smaller castles to arise, and their numbers have yet to be recorded... ...named Libet, whose personality differed from that of Cair Paradisa. A more benevolent castle, it catered to the whims of its residents to the best of its ability. The result was castle that maintained a cycle of power. The love its inhabitants felt for it fueled the castle itself, and in turn it would reward the people by bestowing them with gifts. Often times the gifts were rather extravagant, requiring a great deal of energy. It was not nearly as volatile as its predecessor, and as a result took in less power than it exerted. Though loved dearly by its inhabitants, Libet could not continue to sustain itself, which resulted in its untimely demise, and the demise of those who did not wish to flee in its final hours... ...Among the first inhabitants were The Five: A valiant Knight of great honor and strong ambition, whose reputation was highly regarded; men aspired to be like him, and women aspired to be his. A fierce Dragon of great power and might, but with a gentle soul to those who regarded him with their utmost respect, rather than their hatred or fear. A vivacious Bard of great loyalty and endless generosity, whose songs would be sung for generations and who would be remembered for placing others before himself. A wise Wizard of great magic and insight; often underestimated by those around him, he proved time and again his willpower, and provided great council for his peers. A beautiful Princess of great strength and endless kindness; a woman of the blade to the surprise of many, one who always stood for the greater good.