Bay 12 Games Forum

Actually, the kobold in his dream is someone else in another time, but details about kobolds and the transmitters will be coming up in the next one.

[ January 12, 2008: Message edited by: AlanL ]

I assume they can be either plantigrade or digitigrade... not actually really sure which I would pick. Likely there are digitigrade tendencies, at least. They can see color as well as humans can. As far as which species exactly... not sure, but probably descending from something like dogs or wolves... then again, dogs descended from wolves.

[ January 11, 2008: Message edited by: AlanL ]

I'm definitely glad you pointed them out though, and I'll at least give fixing them a good try.
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Blitukus untied himself from Kazo, and moved along the surface of one asteroid until he could cross to the cracked surface of the other. Blitukus noticed he was running short on air... his time left was counting down.

Blitukus searched along the cracks... he found he could move chunks of broken surface away... the asteroid must be a rather thin shell of sorts for even that impact to do such damage. Kazo joined Blitukus in digging through the damaged surface. Blitukus noticed... this stone seemed to be broken not in random cracks, but in some kind of pattern... the pattern was indiscernible though, rendering this only a suspicion. They continued on, and eventually, they got through to crystal... what was crystal doing in an asteroid? All asteroids previously found to have survived as meteorites consisted of simple rock and metal... it seemed this one was an oddity. After moving the broken crystal out of the way, he made his way to the hollow interior of the asteroid and pulled himself in... it seemed it was a giant geode! The crystals within sparkled beautifully... the crystals actually seemed to reflect and refract light in a very structured pattern. Kazo entered as well. Light shone through and entered the interior of this geode. The light entered the crystals, and vibrant, red rays were sent in countless directions through the cavity within. Countless reflections and red glimmers were visible upon the surfaces of the crystal, and it seemed the tips of each shone brightly against the dark interior. Kazo grinned, and nudged himself toward the center of the geode, "Now who thought we'd ever find one of these out here! Too bad it's too big to fit back through the rift!" Blitukus snickered... indeed, it was by immensely far the biggest geode he had ever seen. Blitukus also noticed something else... the rays of light within were focused toward the center. Blitukus nudged himself forward, and drifted toward the center of the geode... when he passed into the center, the rays seemed to all bounce to him, causing a flash as he passed right through the center... then for a moment, he saw, reddened in the faces of the crystals, some the reflected image of the areas behind himself, the image flipped upside-down and magnified a bit. Blitukus blinked... these crystals were reflecting light in a very precise manner... perhaps it wasn't a natural phenomena at all. This was only part of the light though, for the crystals were semi-transparent... they glowed a dim red with the light entering through the hole. Blitukus reached the other side, and grabbed hold of the remarkable crystals... there seemed to be the reflections of Kazos blue, glowing eyes emanating from the surfaces of the crystals... some were dim... some were not. Blitukus smiled and reached out to wave at him, but he found his hand made contact with something. The eyes shifted. It seemed Kazo was actually right next to Blitukus. Kazo laughed inaudibly in the vacuum, and smiled at Blitukus, transmitting, "So this isn't a geode!" Blitukus nodded, "So it seems. Do you know what exactly this is?"

Kazo grinned, "I think this is the mana focusing array of the R.R.S. Tanswurth. I love making discoveries like these!" Kazo looked around, smiling. Kazo then continued, "I would just love to bring this back... ah well, I know where it is now!" Blitukus noticed that among the crystals... somewhere was an imperfection, something absorbing the light. Blitukus began to search the walls of this... whatever this was... for whatever might be here. Blitukus asked as he searched, "I am curious... What is a mana focusing array... and what is the R.R.S. Tanswurth?" Kazo communicated, "It was the first ever interplanetary vessel to have a crew! The mana focusing array... it's like the heart of the ship! It does three things. It stores mana for use within itself and the ships systems... it collects mana from around magically charged worlds to replenish its supplies... and it focuses mana, polarizing it to be used with the force manipulation casting. As the mana focus was moved, astral tendencies of equilibrium caused forces upon the entire vessel! They expected that, focus-to-the-crystal, this array can produce 1.5 million pounds of thrust!" Blitukus replied, "Impressive!... but how did it get out here?" Kazo replied, "I read it was one loose connection that started it all. As the Tanswurth moved out of our homeworlds gravity well... they thrusted focus-to-the-crystal. They had a hard time getting this mounted properly, so I read. So the array was thrusting full out, and a mounting plate came loose... and another... and the next one bent and broke... and long story short, that vessel in the heavens tore itself apart. The array burned its power catapulting itself away into interplanetary space, and it was never seen again... until now! Some call the Tanswurth incident historically tragic... I call it a valuable learning experience! I think people get the two mixed up sometimes!" Blitukus found himself snickering... even though the story itself was rather sad. Eventually, Blitukus found an object hidden between two crystals... it was... paper? Indeed, it was a note, a smaller object wrapped within. Blitukus retrieved the note, pushed off, drifting to the front of the ancient array, and exited. Kazo communicated, "I'll just have a look around... I'd like to know exactly what happened, and here I am to find out!" Blitukus smiled... air was beginning to run rather short, and the rift may be closing soon anyhow, but he still stopped to take in the view one last time. He stood upon the exit... below him floated slowly moving and rotating asteroids... to the side, the sky-blue icy surface of a moon... it seemed small clouds, wisps of whatever composed the eternal snows, hovered upon a barely existent atmosphere. And right in front, a little to the right, the red gas giant, bands of brown and blood red on its surface, swirls of gas on the borders of the bands, thunderstorms causing flashes over its surface. Near the poles of the night side of the planet, beautiful rainbow-incandescent auroras could be seen, visibly marking where the immense magnetic field tore through the gas. Likely this magnetic field also carried a band of intense, harmful energy... luckily, Blitukus could guarantee himself he was not in that band. All around, the stars shone brightly, and for once, Blitukus saw much of the band of stars the local sun lay within... although some of it was obscured by interstellar dust. For a moment, Blitukus felt a sense of the isolation of these regions... he was familiar with wilds where one could be alone for hundreds of miles around... but perhaps he now gazed upon wilds where one could be alone for billions of miles around in all directions. Blitukus was not alone though... although it seemed Kazo was rather intent on studying the interior, and, passing by Blitukus, exterior of the array. Blitukus unraveled the note, noticing the odd, square item within. He let the item float, making sure it was still relative to him, and then placed the note in front of himself, letting it float as well.

Blitukus read the note under the dim light of the distant sun. It was a note, written in familiar handwriting... Blitukus smiled. It read as if she were speaking to him in person... indeed, it almost seemed she was,

"Happy'st Birthday, Blitukus! I'z saw 'n fighter guy an' he's said I'z his hero! Wes'n talk about many tings. He'za say he's... 'Phoenix Coalition, Special Ops.' He's gave me un' pretty ting, iss 'n 'Artifact'! He'za says iss ta stop tha biggest evil baddies an' issa protect tha good. Now iss'l protect ya! I care bout ya, das'l never change! G'luck... I wuv you!"

I love you too, mother... Thank you.

Blitukus looked at the object that came with it... it was a functionally useful gift, especially in his situation, and also a token of the immortality of their love for one another. Blitukus sniffled, smiling at the note... he then held the object he was given up, looking at it near the distant sun. Physically, the object was actually quite smaller than the paper of the note. It seemed to consist of a thin square plate of an odd type of transparent plastic with a metal tab on one end, the plastic having odd properties that gave it a rainbow hue. The metal tab was made of either steel or titanium, it seemed... he didn't know how it was meant to be used either, but if it could stall the actions of powerful forces of evil somehow... it might be quite useful in gaining the final component. Blitukus smiled as he held it between himself and the sun... the suns distant and weak rays were scattered upon hitting the object, revealing a very complex, 3 dimensional matrix of some kind embedded within the plastic. What it was exactly meant to do... even how to use it... perhaps he would find out when the situation needed it. Blitukus looked back at the note... it seemed he should get rid of the note... he felt a presence approaching. He felt he really SHOULD get rid of the note... otherwise he and his mother might be in quite a bit of trouble. Blitukus didn't want to at all... but he felt he had to, and did NOT want to risk jeopardizing his mothers soul. Blitukus sighed, then tore up the note into strips, and then lined the strips up and tore them into small squares. He felt as if he had torn right into his own heart in doing so... but it had to be done. Blitukus then cast the squares out to drift apart among the regions of space near the red gas giant. Blitukus held the plastic object, and began to look around for Kazo. Suddenly, Blitukus found himself pressed against the asteroid... Blitukus felt as if he had been cought violating a law somewhere... but perhaps he had gotten rid of the evidence. 2 angels of blood materialized, pinning him to the asteroid. The angels were both kobolds with red fur and feathered, glistening, blood red wings. They were both rather beautiful, with peace and vitality existent in their eyes. Blitukus sensed they were not evil, but were quite orderly by nature, and had found Blitukus, the chaotic kobold, near the site of some disorderly conduct. One of the angels communicated, "What are you doing all the way out here?" Blitukus responded, "... Investigating the asteroids... you might have heard I am known for my scientific accomplishments, and I wish to observe more. Upon hearing of the old ship core here, I could not refrain from investigating it as well." ...Where was Kazo? The angel continued, "And what is this you're holding? How did you get this?" Blitukus continued, "I have traveled into the future, and this seems to be an artifact from more technological eras." Although these statements were blatantly misleading, they weren't technically lies. The other angel communicated radially, "Armok must've had a reason for sending us out here. This person may be lying... it is no coincidence that he is here, now." The first angel responded, "... we have no proof that it isn't as he says, and I doubt we will ever find any here. All we have is circumstantial... it is not enough. Time travel is not against the code, nor is travel through space." The other angel replied, "Then, this might have been just a false alarm?" They both nodded to one another. The angels released Blitukus, "We apologize for such a rude encounter, but when Armok gives an order to us, there's usually a good reason. You are free to go." The angels then vanished. If Blitukus hadn't dispensed with the note... they would have had direct evidence that he and his mother had violated the bounds of the mortal plane. Blitukus let out a sigh of relief. Blitukus then heard Kazo broadcasting a laugh, "I was eager to see what they'd do with you... I didn't think the result would be nothing!" Blitukus asked, "Is that why you did not come to my aid?" Kazo replied, "I don't think I'd want to interfere with angels... it would've made things worse!"

Blitukus broadcasted to Kazo, "I see. Now... we have done all we need to here... I need you to help me get through the rift, for the escaping air will blow me away from it otherwise." Kazo replied, "Sure thing, I'm eager to see what comes next! Looks like the general Tanswurth story is right. I'm done analyzing it... for now, anyway." Kazo then left the surface of the ship core, and thrusted his way to Blitukus, stopping right in front of him. The ancient array had actually been knocked away from the rift, and was drifting away from it slightly, the rift already a real distance away. Kazo offered a hand. Blitukus accepted, and then Kazo, using his 3 other limbs, thrusted away, pulling Blitukus along with. Kazo thrusted toward a point a distance in front of the rift, then turned and slowed as he approached that point, eventually stopping there. Kazo then turned to face the rift, and thrusted toward the rift, gaining momentum as he progressed. When he met the rift, he had sufficient momentum to overcome air resistance, and passed through the roaring portal, pulling Blitukus along with.

When Blitukus emerged on the other side, he all of a sudden felt very heavy. He landed with a clank, and opened the mouth vent of his helmet to allow in fresh air. Kazo let go, then began to absorb charge from the portal ring. Both Kazo and Blitukus' suit seemed to have wisps of condensation descending from them. Blitukus now heard much more than his breath... the instability bell was ringing quite loudly. Blitukus had nearly used all his time back there... Blitukus then walked back to the console, and when Kazo was done, the rift already vanished due to a collapsing, unstable center, he shut down the portal ring. Blitukus set the plastic object down on the console, and took his helmet off, proceeding to look at the plastic object... it likely was from the future, 2000, or perhaps a bit beyond... He avoided thinking of it only as a mere device though... it told him that, in a way... his mother was still alive, even if she was only alive in his heart regarding the mortal plane.
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... Ok, I think I covered all 8 points. I of course am a little worried that I did the note inaccurately, but I don't have any bad feelings regarding any specific parts, so it's probably OK. At least, I hope it is.

[ January 12, 2008: Message edited by: AlanL ]

And yes, I thought eventually a HHGTTG reference was in order.

Kazos abilities weren't a reference to magneto, but they do seem to share a few things.

Recently, I felt inspired regarding Kazos quests again... I'm looking forward to writing it.
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Blitukus spoke to Kazo, "It seems I am now 24 years of age... now perhaps you may decide to help aiming the machine?" Kazo grinned, flicking his tail a bit, "I'd LOVE to! I've been waiting for this!" Blitukus smiled, "You will not have to wait much longer. I need to suit up. In the mean time, I would like you to start the dynamos and begin charging the capacitor." Kazo replied, "Sure thing!" Kazo then walked quickly toward the chamber. Blitukus proceeded to the work room, took off his goggles, and began to put his entire suit on. Slowly, he managed to fit it all on, checking the joints and making triple sure they were secure and airtight. He would not use the nudge... perhaps a few minutes would be all that his suit would provide him anyhow, for all it protected him from was extreme pressures and some temperatures. It did not provide oxygen though outside of the air within it, and any other potential environmental hazard, including high energy rays, he would be vulnerable against. He would likely not want to stay for very long. He finished suiting up, wearing the sphere of direction on the outside of the suit, and slowly made his way to the chamber. Kazo had done as instructed, and the capacitor was well on its way to being charged. Kazo knocked on Blitukus' steel suit, "What's it like being a kobold in a can?" Blitukus snickered, "Better than being dead." Kazo commented, "I'd love to test that armor with you in it!" Blitukus replied, "I promise... should I survive the end of my quest, you may do as you wish with me... as long as you do not do anything permanent." Kazo smiled, "Sounds like fun!" Blitukus did owe it to Kazo... then again, he found himself wondering what he potentially had just gotten himself into. Despite Kazos rather uncommon set of morals, Blitukus still trusted him. They waited... eventually the capacitor charged. Blitukus switched power to the portal ring. As the portal ring charged, he carefully calculated the initial conditions, readied the calculating machine, put in the specific coordinates he had written down along with the initial conditions, and then started it going... although most of the work was already done. Kazo eagerly watched the entire process, smiling as he observed the calculating machine do its work. Blitukus wondered... what if his present WAS the fourth component? It was unlikely, but possible... maybe possible. As the ring gained speed, Kazo walked up to it, absorbed some of the charge from it, then returned. Blitukus spoke to Kazo, "This is a device that operates on fundamental probabilities... you may observe the particle cannon firing, but as soon as the beam cuts off, cease all observation for at least several seconds. During the time the rift is opening, the entire... 'shortcut'... as the cats call it, is in simultaneous states subject to probability. When the rift is open, and we observe it, it will already likely be near the intended destination, but it is our willpower that will refine the destination to put it in a favorable place. Something will be out of the ordinary with whatever the environment will be, and we want to focus down to that. Over these distances, refinement can mean the difference between being able to reach it and not." Kazo replied, "I can't wait to do this!" Blitukus smiled and snickered. The ring was up to speed, the capacitor charged, the calculating machine ready... all was in place. Blitukus discharged the capacitor, the particle cannon firing. Kazo watched with a smile. As soon as the beam had ceased, Blitukus started the clockwork controls, and shut his eyes, focusing on making the destination come out near whatever was special in the region indicated. While Blitukus did this, he seemed to sense his willpower combining with the ever refined one of Kazo. When they both once again observed the rift, it had fully formed... on the other side seemed a land consisting of only red sky, distant thunderstorms visible... several bands of gas seemed to slowly move. Blitukus spoke, "Perhaps we focused upon the wrong location..." Kazo spoke, "Something interesting has to be there! Let's find out!" Blitukus smiled, "Then we shall."

They both walked to the rift. Air was being sucked through with quite a lot of force... there was little or no pressure on the other side. Blitukus shut the vents on his suit, making it truly airtight. He then stepped toward the edge... before him was red gas... an immense sphere of it... but, above its curved horizon lay brilliant stars. He felt nervous about stepping out into such an area, but he remembered... his mother had sent him these coordinates, and she would never do anything that would jeopardize his life. Blitukus stepped through the rift, and emerged on the other side... he immediately found himself in free-fall... yet, looking down at the red ball of gas, he seemed to be moving to the side, not downward. He looked around. In the distance were several rock-like objects that seemed to be in free-fall with him... visible in the far distance were dimly glowing moons sparsely scattered in the sky. In the far, far distance, the sun was visible... although, it seemed much dimmer and further away than it had been at his home. He realized... he now circled the red, fuzzy planet he had once seen in his optical telescope. Blitukus used the momentum of his body to turn himself to face the rift again. Turning in such a manner was difficult, but in this airless and weightless realm, it was the only option he had. Blitukus saw Kazo also emerging from the rift. Behind the rift lay a large, rock-like object. Close by to the side was a moon... the moon seemed to be covered with ice not consisting of water. Blitukus indeed noticed that there was a slight bit of condensation drifting from the steel surface of his suit... indeed, the thermometers in his helmet were pegged negative with such force to indicate a temperature below -300 degrees. Blitukus saw the nearby moon... it was the size of a small planet. This meant that the ball of red, banded gas, lightning arcing through it below, was several multiples the size of a rocky planet. Blitukus noticed a blue glow of mana around Kazos hands... Kazo seemed to move forward due to astral forces. Kazo looked around, smiling, then approached one of the nearby rock-like objects, apparantly small asteroids, anchoring himself to it with his claws, and proceeding to watch Blitukus. Blitukus noticed that he seemed to be within a cloud of these asteroids, these objects likely rather sparse elsewhere around the red gas giant. Blitukus heard nothing but the sound of himself breathing... his suit would soon become cold, the air spent. His system only cooled the suit, and even if he managed to get it to function in reverse, there was little heat at all outside to pump into his suit. He noticed though, that his suit cooled surprisingly slowly... there was no air around to carry heat away, so it could only radiate away. Blitukus found he rather enjoyed the view... although he wouldn't have long to enjoy it. Blitukus looked into the sphere of direction... it was empty. This world fundamentally had no supply of mana. Blitukus used his own stores to check the sphere. It seemed to point toward the decently sized asteroid nearby. Indeed... the rift was very close to it. Perhaps it was actually pointing to something on the other side... Blitukus turned to face it, and vented steam from the back of his suit. He was pushed in a path toward the asteroid... but his steam loop quickly stalled. Apparently he was out of range of the sources back on his homeworld. Blitukus noticed the very high density of this part of the asteroid cloud... even in asteroid belts asteroids were typically quite far between, but here they were well within range. Blitukus reached the asteroid, and set foot on it, slowly bending his legs, dust trailing upward weightlessly. Blitukus grappled the rocky edged of the asteroid, and made his way around its surface... finding there was a rather beautiful view of the nearby moon on the other side, but not any carryable items. Blitukus checked the sphere again... it still pointed toward the center of the asteroid... perhaps his goal lay within the asteroid... he checked the surface for any way through, but it seemed there was none, although the surface was slightly penetrable and could be latched to... then a new idea arose.

Perhaps he would have a use for Kazos invention... although he would only be able to fire it once without power from his suit. He would have to make it count. Still... how could he penetrate the surface of the asteroid? There was nothing around to aid him but other, smaller asteroids... this meant the only solution was to make use of a smaller asteroid. An idea quickly revealed itself to him... although he would need Kazos help. Perhaps Kazo could breach the surface alone anyhow? Blitukus looked around... Kazo was still resting upon an asteroid rather distant from him. Blitukus found a nearer asteroid between himself and Kazo. He aimed for that asteroid, and compensating for gravity... rather, the relative lack thereof... leapt toward it. He approached... and eventually reached it. He found he had little time to land and aim before he would simply bounce off of the asteroid. He aimed the best he could toward Kazo, and adjusted his course, the asteroid he was leaving behind being nudged away by a small amount. He found he was a bit off target... As he approached, and eventually began to pass his target asteroid. Blitukus aimed at the moving target, then fired the bolts, the recoil nudging his course away, the puffs of steam turning to wisps in the vacuum around. The bolts became firmly lodged in the surface of the asteroid. There was no steam left to reel himself in... Blitukus grabbed the steel cable... and was promptly jerked to a relative stop as the cable ran out. Blitukus pulled himself toward the asteroid... but, he also felt as if he were pulling the asteroid toward himself. Technically it was both. Eventually, Blitukus and the asteroid met at a point between their centers but much closer to the asteroid. Blitukus grabbed hold of the surface of the asteroid, freed and recovered the bolts, and proceeded along the surface until he met Kazo. Blitukus nearly began to speak... then realized it would be futile. He began to gesture his ideas at Kazo. Kazo smiled, reached out, and used one claw to tap at Blitukus' forehead... Blitukus realized, if Arkus was any indication, then Kazo had a much more efficient form of communication literally in mind. Blitukus rested in weightlessness, and allowed his mind to open and reveal itself toward Kazo. He noticed Kazo projecting a link. Kazo communicated, "Isn't it beautiful? I hardly ever get to leave for the heavens!" Blitukus snickered, "I agree... but I need your help. I need to break through the surface of the large asteroid near the rift. Can you retrieve the item from within it?" Kazo replied, "I think I could, but I'm not sure how good the results would be out here. Let's find out!" Blitukus responded, "No... whatever it is... I would never risk its destruction. I do have a plan that may damage the surface of the large asteroid, though. You are still able to thrust, so I would like you to propel this asteroid towards the surface of the large asteroid. Hopefully this will crack the surface enough for us to get through... but not too hard... I do not want to risk damage to the contents." Kazo replied, "Aww, I wanted to see how well teleportation works out here. Sure, but tell me one thing first! How will I hold on to this asteroid when I need my limbs to thrust with?" Blitukus thought for a few moments, then responded, "Here, stand." Kazo stood, holding himself steady to avoid drifting away. Blitukus moved himself near Kazo, took the steel bolts and cable, and, pressing his back against Kazos back, wrapped the cable around both himself and Kazo, tying them together. Blitukus then crouched down, getting a good hold of the surface of the asteroid, and moving to put the asteroid between himself and the large asteroid. Blitukus communicated, "Thrust in reverse, and I will transfer the force to the asteroid. Seeing as you do not fly back on our homeworld, I assume this thrust is not very large." Kazo responded, "It isn't... It's not efficient at all either... but I just love this environment!" Blitukus snickered. Kazo then began to thrust, pressing Blitukus against the asteroid. Blitukus used the glow of the rift as a reference in steering the asteroid... the giant boulder in space, a mass which likely neither of them could hope to move back on their homeworld, seemed rather simple to nudge forward, for there were no forces opposing their push on it. The asteroid slowly accelerated... but it kept accelerating. It sped up as it approached the larger asteroid. Eventually, Kazo stopped thrusting, and Blitukus braced himself. The asteroid crashed into the larger asteroid, sending chunks of dust and rock flying out into the heavens. The two asteroids then began to slowly drift apart once more, the surface of the large asteroid showing signs of cracking in the impact site.
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I get the feeling that something about the gift was awkward... hmm...

Edit: I cut out the lower section, I actually messed up for once, and I need to fix this. Will repost as part of the new update. I might edit what's left here too.

[ January 10, 2008: Message edited by: AlanL ]

*clothing spontaneously extinguishes... then actually seems to repair itself*

There...

Anyway, thanks    :p

And, yep, it seems it was Impending Doom that contributed that idea, not Reign.
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Blitukus spoke to Kazo, "Perhaps I will think of a way to use it... but it depends on what tasks come later. I am not sure what will come next." Outside, the sun was not rising... but Blitukus felt rather tired anyhow. Had Blitukus really spent... actually, he WAS woken up early. The sun would be rising soon anyhow... perhaps he should take the opportunity to sleep in, a luxury he hadn't been able to afford previously. Blitukus continued, "I have chosen to end my day early... I was woken up early. Please allow me to sleep until I awake naturally this time." Kazo replied, "Aww, I was having fun testing that... I'll just have a look around outside while you rest then." Blitukus nodded, then left, moving back to his bed, and laying in it. Blitukus then daydreamed until he slipped into a real dream.

Within, Blitukus found himself standing in front of the castle of old Rametaru, capital of Anthath Sizet... but, the familiar, pleasant town, pristine landscape all around, was different... he looked around, and saw every building, save for the castle, in shambles... a thunderstorm roared overhead. All around were spikes stuck into the ground, the dismembered heads of his fellow townspeople stuck atop them. Blood stained the ground... he shut his eyes, turned, and look back at the castle... all of a sudden, the castle was made of obsidian. A deep, cruel, menacing laugh emanated from the castle... Blitukus walked around, noticing the buildings mostly empty, those inside starved to be nearly skeletons. Everything in all of the shops were priced 99999. Blitukus heard an armored guard running toward him. He turned to face the guard... the guard was plated in iron armor, holding a simple iron mace drawn. Blitukus jumped back as the guard swung at him. Blitukus then jumped forward, and wrestled the mace away, proceeding to bash the guards head in with it. Blitukus found this all unrealistically easy to do... He walked to the center of town, walking to the dirt road... to find it had suddenly become asphalt, but buildings around decayed even more. Thunder roared again. This could not truly be old Anthath Sizet! His mother would have never, ever allowed this to happen... perhaps, it was not his familiar old Anthath Sizet after all... He heard the buzzy voice of someone speaking on radio, "Code 418, target spotted." There was a beep, and the sound of footsteps behind him. Blitukus turned around to see another guard running toward him... this one clad in anti-projectile fabric and a bit of titanium plate, holding a mace with an immense spike on the front, wearing a helmet the eyes of which glowed red. The guard ran up... Blitukus swung, and missed. The guard swung, and knocked Blitukus down, Blitukus yelling as the spike dug in, the force of the blow seeming to make his whole body shake. It disabled his left arm... luckily, Blitukus held the iron mace with his right hand. Blitukus grunted loudly, the guard drawing back to strike again. Blitukus then brought the mace upward, striking the guard in the knee. The guards knee was broken, and the guard tumbled to the ground, yelling. Blitukus kept bashing at the guard until eventually, even through the titanium plate, the guard was killed. The iron mace was ruined by striking at the titanium plate. Blitukus dropped it, grunted, and got up. He shuddered... then looked around again. The buildings of old Anthath were gone... and now, he saw the Rametaru of the future... gone to hell. Buildings were rusted over, and in place of the castle, was a towering building, marked OmnireCo. Lightning struck the building, the building standing perfectly unharmed. Blitukus felt himself filled with a new rage... who would dare do such a horrid thing to his home town, to the home of his mother? Blitukus picked up the XXiron maceXX, and threw it at the OmnireCo sign... the obsidian-black glass was shattered... and then, it seemed all reality was shattered.

It is now summer.

Blitukus woke up... but he still felt the same fury within. But, he did feel a new determination... he would NOT die to ANY being of the future... demonic resistance or not, he promised himself, he would succeed in his quest. He sat up, and sighed... breathing deeply, and forcing the bitterness from his heart... it shall only return if it were needed. Blitukus stood, spent a moment allowing his body to fully awaken, then left his room, to immediately face Kazo in the tunnel. Kazo snickered, "I didn't know kobolds hibernated!" Blitukus quickly checked his timepiece... he had indeed slept in quite a bit... it was now Hematite, the month of his birthday... but he still had time left... at least a little. Blitukus smiled, "I generally do not but in this case, I felt like it." Kazo smiled, "I was playing with some metal and found out that I can use the cat energy-converter the other way too! If you don't mind I'd like to test it on you." Blitukus stepped back. Kazo snickered again. Blitukus spoke, "After my encounter with the dwarves, I find I have been zapped enough for one lifetime... find something else to use." Kazo replied, "Aww... Dracha's too big for that. I'll find something eventually. Until then... It's summer... and it's snowy! Now that's a rarity!" Blitukus sighed, "Not in this biome... but, out of all of the years I have been here, I have yet to enjoy the snow... I did come from a desert, and I had seldom ever experienced snow as a child." Blitukus smiled, "I suppose I will be outside then, if you would like to come with, feel free." Kazo smiled, "Sure thing!" Blitukus smiled, then walked up the tunnel. He spread his clothing in a manner to guarantee maximum coverage and insulation... since it was summer, the temperatures weren't really lethal, but they were still a bitter cold. Blitukus emerged into the now slightly flatter snowy dunes... he smiled, embracing the environment around himself... it might be his last chance to truly enjoy it. He found it odd... those 6 years ago, when he had arrived... his first concern was to dig a tunnel to escape the cold, for otherwise he would have surely perished... and now, he finds that he had everything he needed, and now ventured onto the glacier... for the sake of perhaps turning what had once been nothing but a lifeless waste, into sweeping white hills that may forever remain in his memory. He looked out toward the horizon, and took in the view... the beautiful, powdery land beneath a beautiful, starry, auroric sky. The aurora... both a beautiful display, and a sign that that worlds shielding against the piercing rays of the cosmos was working properly. This landscape, the scene of his arrival, the scene of his first flight, the scene of his speaking with the heavens... and now a scene within what would perhaps prove to be the last period of peace he would enjoy before his quests end. Blitukus balled up a snowball, tossed it up, cought it, repeated this a couple of times, then chucked it out into the distance. The frozen beauty of this land seemed to, at least temporarily, extinguish the flame of his anger... he felt truly at peace. Blitukus crouched down, and began to ball up snow. Meanwhile, Kazo seemed to be ascending the cliff face once more. Blitukus gathered together a large amount of snow, and made it into a snowbold. As he finished, a flying, spinning snowball struck the snowbold in the head, causing part of it to explode in a cloud of snow. Blitukus snickered a bit... the snowbold had been struck down, but could be easily repaired. Blitukus looked to his side, "Please watch where yo-" A flying, spinning snowball struck Blitukus in the face. Blitukus shook off. Kazo laughed. Blitukus balled up a snowball, and threw it, striking Kazo in the face. They then engaged in a snowball fight for the fun of it for a while. Eventually, Dracha was seen approaching overhead, flying low to observe them. Kazo balled up another snowball, hesitated for a moment, then chucked it upward, striking Dracha in the front of the nose. Dracha continued flying past. Kazo snickered. Blitukus walked over to Kazo. Blitukus spoke, "I wish I could do more out here but I still want to make use of those sweet pods, after all, I-" THUMP! Both Blitukus and Kazo were buried under a small mound of snow. Dracha could be heard laughing above. Blitukus quickly dug himself out, stood, and shook off, shivering. Kazo easily dislodged himself, and quickly shook the snow away. Blitukus continued, "... I am getting rather cold anyway." Kazo smiled, and walked to the cliff face. He then scooped up some snow, and put it in his mouth. A few moments passed, Kazo focusing on something... then Kazo spat out a bit of water, which froze on the ground. Kazo found an overhang in the cliff face, then spat a small, continuous stream of water onto the edge, the droplets freezing near the lowest point. Eventually, an icicle was formed. Kazo broke it off, then handed it to Blitukus, "Here you go!" Blitukus snickered, "Very nice trick, Kazo. Thank you." Blitukus looked at it... it was a solid chunk of Kazos spit... then again, since Kazo was a construct, it was of course simply frozen water.

Blitukus and Kazo walked back inside, and then Blitukus set the spike of ice down on his table in his room, setting it upright... unfortunately, it would melt there... although, it did seem to eventually stick to the table. Then, Blitukus left his room, and began milling the sweet pods into flour...

The cave river is overflowing.

Blitukus continued for a little bit more... eventually, he heard the approaching waves. gsh... GSH... RSSHHHH! Blitukus realized that probably wasn't a good idea... he picked up the sugar he had gotten so far, anything else he could carry that would likely get washed away, then left the farm room. A moment later, the waters gushed up onto the shores, flooding the mill once more... luckily, Blitukus was inside. A few moments later, Kazo walked in through the front door of the tunnel, trailing a bit of water behind him. Kazo smiled, "Nature helps cut down on the tedium!" Blitukus snickered, "I suppose so... I did find my last impromptu encounter to be rather... refreshing..." Kazo snickered, "I'm glad you had a nice swim!" Blitukus smiled... it seemed it definitely was a rather good way to go through life to look on the bright side of things. Blitukus then waited for the waters to subside, and resumed milling, eventually stopping for a drink, bringing the sugar back, and, following an old idea, cooked the sugar into caramel. As he did this, he noticed Kazo in a nearby workshop, playing with electricity and magnetism it seemed. It seemed Kazo easily turned working with these physical forces into an art form. Blitukus noticed that one odd aspect of the combination of magical control and the cat energy-converter allowed for Kazo to also manipulate magnetic fields, indicated by Kazo moving magnetic and metal objects about, and occasionally getting them stuck to him. Blitukus considered it very likely that this new ability to manipulate electricity and magnetism could come in very handy for Kazo... although when and where was still to be determined. Blitukus continued cooking the sugars. Quite a lot of caramel resulted. Kazo stood, and walked up to Blitukus, "It looks like using the converter backwards will have a lot of uses. I'm eager to try them!... but I think I need to find a real need first. I guess I've found a new way to entertain the dragons!" Blitukus smiled, "I am glad you enjoy your new-found abilities. Here, try this." Blitukus offered Kazo the caramel. Kazo stuck his head in, and licked the caramel sitting at the bottom. Kazo then pulled back out, licking his lips, "I love the taste of caramel!... It's too bad I can't really eat it... but it does make me glad to have adamantine teeth! Speaking of eating... I think I'll just head over to the cavern." Blitukus nodded. Kazo then snatched up a little bit of caramel, licking it on his way to the cavern. Blitukus spent some time enjoying the caramel himself... it was a real treat. He hadn't often had sweets at all, even when he was young. Unfortunately, one day a human gave him chocolate, and he found by experience that kobolds could not properly digest chocolate. That was the first and last time he tried the stuff. Blitukus wondered, if Kazo couldn't really eat, why could he taste?... Taste was actually the most natural form of chemical sensing, a useful ability to have in several circumstances. Blitukus stopped eating the caramel, saving quite a lot still actually, and instead finished his appetite with another bit of bread.

When he was done eating, he decided to use the free time available to deliver the gems... and the rest of the caramel... to Dracha. He wouldn't be needing either, and Dracha was the one who gave him the sweet pods anyway, albeit indirectly. Blitukus took up the two empty bags remaining in his home, and stuffed them full of gems, stuffing his clothes full of gems as well, bringing as many with as he could, including the large gems. Blitukus carried the container of caramel along too as he left, walking up the tunnels, and out, walking towards Drachas lair. Blitukus snickered... the items he carried were likely valuable enough to buy out the stores of an entire village... although the cause he was intent on donating to was far more valuable than that. His gnomish lineage remained attached to the gems... but the knowledge that they were his only reminded him that he had every right to give them away. He continued on, eventually reaching Drachas lair, and entering. He passed into the main cavern, noticing the familiar equipment that had provided him once with an out of body experience... but now, stockpiles of materials were being built up, it seemed there were stacks of food, mithril, books, crystals, she was intent on bringing as much as she could. Blitukus saw Dracha near the back of this cavern, and approached. She was carefully reading a book. He waited until she finished a page, then spoke, "Hello, Dracha." Dracha turned around, then smiled, "It's not often you pay ME a visit! Welcome... I smell caramel on ya!" Blitukus smiled, then offered Dracha the caramel. Dracha smiled, "I haven't seen that stuff in ages! Thanks!" Dracha then took up the container, and ate the rest of the caramel out of it. She seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. When she was done, she dropped the container, licked her lips, then sat. She smiled, "The quickest way to make me a friend is to give me sweets, but yer a friend anyway! Thanks again... You have any more of it?" Blitukus replied, "No, that was the rest of it." Dracha laughed, "I'm tempted to grow some more sweet pods just so I can give them to ya! I want some more of the stuff sooner or later, an' I'll soon make my own, but I won't say no to a gift on top of it!" Blitukus snickered, "It seems you have a sweet tooth the size of my forearm." Dracha smiled, "Yeh, yer probably right about that." Blitukus then walked to a gem pile, and contributed what he was carrying to it. Dracha spoke, "Not often this happens! Thanks, and... emeralds? That's a lot of emeralds. Not only is that my favorite gem, we really need those!" Blitukus smiled. Dracha continued, "These'll really go a long way. Thanks, Blitukus!" Blitukus smiled further, "I am glad to donate to such a noble cause... but now, I must leave, for it will soon be my birthday, and I would rather be ready for it." Dracha replied, "Yeah, the countdown is doin' as the name suggests, and I gotta be ready too. I'll see you... well, maybe the next time we see eachother will be the last. I'll see you next time, and thanks again!" Blitukus smiled, then left, crossing the glacier back to his own home... He walked back down through the tunnels, and met Kazo walking up the tunnel. Kazo spoke, "Why hello!" Blitukus replied, "Hello, Kazo. Have any further questions or discoveries arisen while I was gone?" Quite a while of transit had passed, actually. Kazo replied, "I've got a new question for you... what is the answer to absolutely everything?" Unfortunately, this was inherently impossible to know. Blitukus snickered, then spoke a random guess, "9*5-3?" Kazo smiled, "I don't know either, but I'm pretty sure that's 42! In one of the oldest math systems ever to be etched in tablet... an oddity in the notation systems and base number makes the exact opposite of 42 get written as -3. I love figuring out the oddities of ancient systems!" Blitukus tilted his head slightly, "How does one get -3 from inverting 42?" Kazo replied, "A bad base number and strange notation that gets carried through. It's also rather funny thinking about what might've made them do that too." Blitukus snickered. Blitukus then checked his timepiece... it read, "12:01 AM, Hematite 28, 1086". He had just turned 24... it seemed the beginning of the end of his quest had now begun... but, he did feel rather curious as to what his mothers soul had arranged... whatever it was, it may indeed prove critical to his quest... perhaps.

[ January 09, 2008: Message edited by: AlanL ]

As long as the RP doesn't get out of hand, I generally enjoy reading it anyway; sometimes it helps to form backstory, actually.
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Blitukus waited a bit longer... he heard steam-powered machines starting. Likely Kazo had gotten hungry again. Blitukus got up, and put down his book, deciding to indulge an old gnomish impulse, one he had previously refused, the cutting and admiration of gemstones. On top of it, he could give the gemstones to Dracha to aid with the draconic efforts when he was near to finishing his quest. He brought back rough gems from within his tunnels, stopping for a drink, then continuing. He continued to cut several bunches of gems... he continued until he got hungry, stopped to eat some, then continued... where was Kazo? He cut gems, eventually cutting a well-crafted large Sapphire... immensely valuable back at home, but that mattered little. Kazo seemed to have left... a lot of time had passed. On his way out of the work room to fetch another lump of rough gems, Kazo seemed to appear from around the corner. Blitukus smiled, "Greetings, Kazo." Kazo smiled, "Why hello! I just got done speaking with Dracha. She told me to give you these!" Kazo then gave Blitukus several sweet pods. Blitukus smiled, "Thank you, and I thank her... I think I know what I will do with these." Blitukus hadn't had sweets for a very long time... now was a good chance to make some. Kazo spoke, "I couldn't figure out what that one book cover was made of, what is it?" Just as Blitukus had predicted... although Kazo was somewhat chaotic, it seemed there were certain actions he had a high probability of taking. Blitukus smiled, "It is a material from the future known as 'plastic'. I do not know any of the details regarding it, other than it seems fairly commonplace in the future, often a substitute for metal or wood it seems." Kazo smiled, "I wonder what other materials technology can produce!... with every new material comes a whole new world of applications. Speaking of that, I thought up a way to make something like the old Dwarfbane rod launcher using steel and technology. I'd like to experiment with upgrading that armor of yours!" Blitukus asked, "Will it be modular?... if it fails, I would rather not be stuck with it." Kazo spoke, "Don't worry... I'm an expert at dealing with failed experiments!" Blitukus snickered, "In that case, of course. I trust you as a friend after all. There are some leftover steel scraps by the forge, and some leftover bars from the time machine left in the cavern." Kazo smiled, "I'll just go do that then. Thanks!" Blitukus smiled back as Kazo walked eagerly toward the cavern. Blitukus continued with moving the rough gems back and forth, and cutting them, although he was starting to get a bit tired. As Blitukus worked, and occasionally stopped to gaze into the brilliant, refractive gems, he also looked aside to see Kazo forging an addition to the arm of his suit... it was a small addition, but it seemed to be surprisingly complex. Blitukus thought back, and remembered Dwarfbane... the giant elephant with the cable-shooting attachment. Although, the magical properties of this cable-shooting device couldn't be exactly replicated... what did Kazo have in mind for unique technological properties? Blitukus observed Kazo curiously every now and then. Eventually, his tiredness got to him, and he decided to stop there. He had nearly finished cutting gems... he would finish the day after. Kazo also seemed to be finishing up... really, it was a very clever design, although Blitukus couldn't see the details, it appeared to make use of small but powerful steam pistons and devices, as well as some sort of linkage system that connected to the fingers of the glove. Blitukus left the room, and went back to his bed. He lay, and looked back through his designs... he soon felt tired enough to sleep, and did so.

That day, Blitukus drempt of how it was before it all... simpler times, peaceful times, a time of happiness and prosperity. He remembered the simple, small villages, resting peacefully upon the green fields. He embraced the vision, remembering fully his childhood, what it was like before... but it all disappeared. When he awoke, he felt a bit of sadness in his heart... no matter what peace he had brought... he still missed those days. But, he realized... his new situation gave him new powers and capabilities, the power to fulfill an otherwise impossible quest... he sat up, and looked down, spotting his old bronze and green glass goggles... he had stopped wearing them since his first time travel experience... but they still were a symbol of his capabilities and achievements. He picked them up, smiled, then put them on once more. He stood, yawned, then exited his room... Judging by the sounds, Kazo was recharging his crystals once more. Blitukus walked down to the river and took a drink, returned to his room, eating 'breakfast', then continued what he had mostly completed the day before. He soon finished... and piled the gems together on the table, smiling and sticking his nose into the pile. A lump of cut turquoises, a lump of rose quartzes, 3 lumps of red spinels, a lump of aquamarines, complete with a quite large aquamarine gem... 5 lumps of beautifully cut emeralds, and a lump of sapphires, complete with a well-crafted large sapphire gem. All in all, a rather large pile of gems. Blitukus laughed, and began to gaze into them, combining the refractivity of different gems, watching light bend in all sorts of ways, light bouncing into rather odd paths within the pile, and within the lineups he had created. It also demonstrated some of the rather odd properties of light... After a bit of toying with the properties of light, Blitukus piled the gems again, then lay back and rested up against the pile of gems. Despite the rather hard edges of the gems, they seemed to feel surprisingly comfortable against his fur...

... in fact, I may consider sleeping upon them...

Blitukus snickered. Kazo spoke, "I'm glad you woke up! I'm eager to test this new device!" Blitukus looked down... Kazo was standing nearby. Blitukus sat up, and stood. Blitukus spoke, "Sure, I myself am rather curious as to what it does exactly." Kazo grinned, "You'll see!" Blitukus walked into the main area of the work room, and then put on the chest plating and upgraded arm-and-glove of his suit. The steam generator in the back of his suit provided power for the new device. Kazo then walked out to the tunnel. Blitukus followed. Kazo then stood in the tunnels, turning to face Blitukus. Kazo raised his tail up slightly, and stood with arms held outward as much as possible in the tunnel, legs spread slightly, "Let's see what you can do with it!" Blitukus responded, "I am assuming this means this new device is ineffective against adamantine..." Kazo grinned, "If you manage to scratch me with it, I'll be impressed! Besides, it'll remind me of all the fun I had playing with Dwarfbane!" Blitukus did have a bit of a moral hesitation to using this apparantly dangerous device on a friend... but he pushed them aside, for it seemed his friend was effectively invincible, and he would likely be providing some sort of entertainment for them both in doing this. Blitukus snickered, "If you say so." Blitukus then took a close look at the device... apparantly he was supposed to control it through the finger linkages... after a minute or two of observing it and moving the controls around, he found out how it was controlled. By pressing his fingertips against the bottom of his palm, near the bottom of his wrist, then pulling upward, he could fire it. Then, his fingers collectively controlled the right guideline, his thumb the left... apparantly, when the two bolt-like projectiles were fired, they trailed a small cable, and the cable could be quickly and precisely manipulated using these controls. Blitukus aimed it at Kazo, then fired the device. Two puffs of steam fired out of the device, the harpoon-like bolts shot out, trailing thin, almost wire-like steel cable. The bolts bounced off of Kazos chest harmlessly. Kazo snickered. Blitukus pulled back, the device reeling in the bolts, reloading itself automatically. Blitukus noticed that the controls could be used to fire the bolts in convergent or divergent directions, and direct the unspooling cable as well. Waves in the cable could be used to even direct the bolts mid flight... indeed, a skilled operator would be able to do quite a bit with it. Kazo was still smiling, holding that position, waving his tail slightly. Blitukus aimed again, this time aiming carefully, using a divergent input... he fired. The bolts flew over Kazos arms, and with a jerk upward, Blitukus sent a wave through the cable which angled the bolts downward. Blitukus stopped the spools, and then jerked back, the bolts wrapping around Kazos arms and becoming cought on their own cable. Blitukus pulled back, pulling Kazo toward him. Kazo stepped back, nearly pulling the glove off of Blitukus' hand. Blitukus released the spool, and sent another wave through the cable, causing the bolts to come loose. Blitukus then reeled the bolts back in again. He found it surprising that all of these functions were packed into a device that, excluding pistons, was smaller than his hand. It was indeed a very clever technological device... unfortunately, it seemed he would have little use for it, apart from entertaining himself and his friends. Blitukus aimed, and fired again. THUNK! Kazo looked down... the bolts were cought in the space between two plates at a joint. Kazo seemed slightly surprised by this, but then smiled, "You've got good aim!" Blitukus snickered, "Thank you... although it was probably simple beginners luck." Blitukus reeled Kazo in... but ended up simply pulling himself toward Kazo. Kazo easily freed the bolts, then started pulling Blitukus around by them. Blitukus stumbled forward, eventually standing right next to Kazo. Kazo snickered. Kazo let go, then smiled, "Let's see how well you can snatch a moving target!" Blitukus reeled the bolts in fully, smiled, then nodded. Kazo led Blitukus down to the empty cavern that once contained the rough blue diamonds, waved his tail about for a moment, then started moving about the room. Blitukus found that more often than not, he missed, but he quickly adapted his crossbow skills to serve him with this device, greatly improving his accuracy. They both proceeded to, in a way, make a sport out of testing the device. Blitukus and Kazo both found it rather fun and amusing, and continued on for quite a while, testing the device in many different situations, the device proving successful in nearly all cases, although, of course, Kazo was never damaged. Eventually, they declared it a success, and Blitukus stopped for a drink. Blitukus never thought he would enjoy working with Kazo on an experiment so much, but he did decide to make the most out of what happened on these last remaining days. Blitukus finished his drink. He then began to take the bits of armor off, and spoke to Kazo, "Thank you for this invention... I am not sure what I will use it for but it is a very clever device." Kazo smiled, "I'm sure you'll think of something!" Blitukus smiled... perhaps he would, but it was unlikely. Blitukus then took the armor, and put it back with the rest. He thought about bringing his armor, his weapons and whatever else he could with in preparation for repelling potential demonic resistance in the future... but then again, it was likely that any demons present would be wielding armor that his weapons wouldn't scratch, and weapons that effectively rendered his armor nonexistent. Even worse, bringing his equipment along would increase the chance of a violent encounter. He decided it would be best if he left it behind... they would serve no use. In the case of a violent encounter... at least it would end quickly. He forced the thought from his mind. Until then... he still had at least a little time left.
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I have the feeling that I might've messed something up, although I can't pinpoint it. I'm hoping having to continue after a power outage didn't cause problems or interrupt anything in the story. Then again, maybe the power outage just made me paranoid.

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As they reached Blitukus' room, Kazo asked, "So where is this automatic crossbow?" Blitukus replied, "I had left it down the tunnel... I had last used it to drive back the minions of this mountains demon in search for adamantine." Kazo asked, "So you got that adamantine by breaking through a demonic prison?" Blitukus nodded, "I did what I had to do. Currently, the demon released here is no longer a threat... for now." Kazo hesitated a moment, then replied, "Glad to hear he or she won't be bothering us! Now, I'll just head down the tunnels for a while." Blitukus replied, "I will see you in a while then. Please... do not bring it back here, leave it near the bridge... just in case." It seemed Kazo was already on his way out. Kazo left, and Blitukus waited... and waited for quite a while.

The cave river is overflowing.

Blitukus kept waiting. It was a long trip down the tunnels... perhaps Kazo had also gotten side tracked after looking at the crossbow. Indeed, that was rather likely. The cave river gushed up its banks... the mill was still perfectly intact. The waters eventually receded, then Kazo returned, dripping slightly with water. It seemed the water beaded up on his adamantine surface. Kazo smiled, "That was a refreshing encounter!" Blitukus snickered... it seemed Kazo was waterproof after all. Kazo continued, "That bow of yours is really clever! Not my favorite weapon type though... are there other improvements to other weapons?" Blitukus replied, "Currently, that is the only advanced weapon around... although it seems all weapons, melee and otherwise, have had some sort of major advancement in the future. This makes me curious, what weapons do you prefer?" Kazo replied, "I've found my claws, teeth, and tail have made for an excellent defense over the years... but when for one reason or another I need something else... I go with what's sharp and pointy, generally spears. I prefer swords as a second." Blitukus commented, "Many consider the spear fundamentally outdated though..." Kazo smiled, "It's the most effective and versatile melee weapon, period. It's tried and true over the last 40,000 years! One of the legendary weapons of the war against the demons was a spear... I saw the guy who had it too! He had enough adamantine covering him to build another me!" Kazo had a point... actually, an expert would have many more options in combat using a spear than using, say, a mace. Spears can fundamentally be used to slash, stab, cleave, and can be used effectively and accurately as a thrown projectile, each destined at a foes vitals... while a mace could be used only as a means to bash at someone and clumsily and ineffectively as a thrown projectile, its blows seldom piercing through to vitals. Blitukus remembered seeing a spear used in combat while in the year 1999... although, that spear was an immense leap above its wooden shafted, stone tipped ancestors. Despite Blitukus' aversion to the instruments of war, he did feel rather curious about these artifacts. Perhaps he would see one again... maybe not. Blitukus spoke, "I do see what you mean. What were the artifact weapons of the war?" Kazo replied, "There were several, but I'll never forget when I met Grand General Visnoh. He carried two artifact weapons at his height. One was the Spear of Infernal Retribution, a mithril-and-adamantine spear said to have been able to summon the fires of hell itself to strike down all foes! The other was the Sword of Genesis... it was an adamantine sword, and when it was empty it was as powerful as a regular adamantine sword... but it's full power, well that's why I just called adamantine swords 'regular'. With each swing the sword gained power, until its blade carried the radiance of heaven and the fires of hell simultaneously... and it still went higher! Legend had it that at its true full power, the sword could have summoned forces of the astral plane unseen since the very creation of the astral plane itself! Using these weapons, Visnoh led 5 successful campaigns and, on his own, struck down 4 arch demons! Too bad it was the 5th that ended him. He and his gear were never seen again." Blitukus thought for a few moments... it seemed, ironically, demonic attacks inspired further innovation and advancement, in a desperate attempt to defend against them... but, what was that technological leviathan, the 'Dreadnought?' What lost relics of the technological era would be buried for none to see eternally after? Blitukus sighed. Kazo continued, "That's ancient history now... literally! I still would've loved to try out those weapons though! Maybe they're still around... maybe not. I don't think I'll need weapons anyway." Kazo then looked around the room, picked out a book, brought it back to the chair, sitting sideways in the chair. It seemed Kazos relatively large tail would make the chair rather uncomfortable should he sit in it 'properly'. Blitukus sat and thought for a while... but soon found himself becoming tired. He then lay down on his bed, and eventually allowed himself to fall asleep.

That day, he slept well, his dream being his strolling among endless green, vibrant landscapes beneath a purplish sky. Despite the odd color, the air was pristine and rather refreshing. After a bit of wandering through these joyous wilds, he happened upon two feline statues. One statue consisted of adamantine, its eyes glowing with a purplish blue aura. The other statue consisted of that dark technological equivalent, its eyes glowing a focused, electric green. Both of the felines smiled at one another, and they mirrored each others pose, pressing their paws together in midair. Blitukus smiled at the two cats, and looked at them. Suddenly... something seemed to change. He felt something intervening that seemed to be from outside of this world, perhaps outside of his dream entirely. He felt the fuzzy chance of the probabilities of his unseen, unawake body being forcefully narrowed down to one, ordered solution... his chaotic heart noticed this, in fact his heart felt literally observed. Blitukus awoke... he opened his eyes, to find them immediately making contact with the blue, reptilian eyes of the face above him. Blitukus spent a few moments waking up, then spoke, "Doing your outpost liaison impression, I see." Kazo snickered, "You've got a good heart!" Blitukus then noticed Kazos hand pressed firmly against his chest. Blitukus looked down. Hovering above Kazos other hand was a 3 dimensional image of Blitukus' heart, consisting of nothing but light, but beating in unison with Blitukus' actual heart. It looked to be in surprisingly good condition considering all it had been through. Blitukus snickered, "A long time ago I once thought to myself that the day I saw my own heart would be ten seconds before my death. I am glad I was wrong." Kazo smiled, then drew his hand away, the image vanishing. Kazo spoke, "I've never seen a kobolds heart before. I'm glad for the light-casting method of looking inside. It's sure cleaner than cutting you open!" Blitukus asked, "... You would not have cut me open, would you?" Kazo replied, "Since you're a friend... I'd only do that if you gave me permission." Blitukus responded, "I am grateful to hear that... I guess. Anyhow, what have you learned from the books?" Kazo spoke, "I looked through you designs. I also read up on steel and how electricity works." Kazo then picked up a book, then sat with it, opening it to the near end. Kazo continued, "I also read about fundamental particles and the secrets of the physical realm!" Blitukus noticed he was reading the 20th century book regarding atom smashers. Kazo continued further, "I know how fundamental particles act... but who knew this donut-shaped particle catapult could make such beautiful fragment spirals! I see now how physical forces, energies, and mass interact... it's so beautiful! Playing with the very innermost heart of the fundamental particle... it's every alchemists dream! So I had a look at the time machine again, and I figured out how all the parts work. It's a masterpiece, Blitukus!" Blitukus smiled, then got up. Blitukus spoke, "Thank you, Kazo... so then you also figured out how the calculating machine worked?" Kazo spoke, "It took me a while of looking at it and playing with the gears... but I figured out most of it. I haven't figured it all out but I will soon! It's everything the magic time machine didn't have! We tried, but magic can't be used directly to solve math. Technology can do it naturally! I'm eager to find out all the new things technology can do... but first, I just got to the parts about cosmic rays and solar neutrinos!" Kazo continued reading. Blitukus stood. Kazo snickered, "This makes me want to pay the sun a visit!" Blitukus laughed... although, Kazo likely could survive in the vacuum of the heavens... and although the instruments used to measure the suns properties were relatively crude, adamantine likely could well withstand the temperature at the suns surface. In such a hypothetical situation, Kazo would have to take care not to be sucked in though, for it was likely the heart of a star was another story entirely.

Blitukus stretched, then started reviewing his own designs while Kazo was reading... eventually, Blitukus heard a sound where there was previously silence. KPLUNK! SPLASH! SPLASH! "MEOOOOWL! ERRRRH!" Blitukus set down the book, then exited the room. He looked up the tunnel... that cat, now rather pathetic looking, soaking wet, was walking down the tunnel. As the cat turned to enter Blitukus' work room, it commented, "So much for a clandestine operation..." Blitukus followed the cat in. The cat walked near the magma channel, and was rapidly dried off by the radiant heat. Blitukus stood nearby. The cat raised its tail up, then turned to face Blitukus. The cat spoke, "There, perrfect..." The cat then lowered its tail as its fur poofed up slightly... "Sort of..." The cat then walked away, and rubbed against the steel frame of the magma smelter, smoothing its fur back down. The cat then walked back to Blitukus, "Now, hello, canine." Blitukus spoke, "Greetings, Cat... I thought your kind had been reduced to animals?" The cat responded, "I was merely visiting and the gods decided they wanted to keep one of us alive for them to torment, especially that Armok, a rather sadistic... mrrrrh, well they didn't count on me escaping them. I still have the quasi-immortality they gave me... they wanted me around for a while, and I was, just not where they wanted me to be. That convenient shortcut you so kindly provided me was an excellent way to jump out of their sights for a while." Blitukus asked, "Doesn't your presence here jeopardize the relic? Armok could just take the device, after all." The cat smiled, "Not exactly. As long as you, the current owner, and those around you live, no god may move the device. Think of it as... well, you will understand it is a willpower and probability based failsafe." Blitukus nodded, "I see. I assume you will want to leave soon, but before you do, I am curious regarding your civilization... I have heard much but seen little." The cat replied, "I suppose there is no harm in speaking the general details. We evolved in a similar manner to the species of this world... but, from the very beginnings of our civilization, we had made it customary to engrave runes on our technological devices to enhance them further. We developed magic and technology side by side... really to us, we treated it all as simply 'technology'. This sped up our advancement quite a bit. Our civilization was at about 10,000 years of age when we reached our height. We had spread throughout the galaxy... yes, we had mastered ways of bending space to allow for shortcuts. At our height, we had the capacity to harness about 20 billion times the output of your sun, and, as you could imagine, this made us a very serious threat to the gods. Although the details of it are still... sensitive... I can tell you we were on a mission of high importance, and our development was structured with this in mind. The gods banded together to silence us due to our power... but should they have discovered our mission, all would have been lost. Now, I must leave. Goodbye... perhaps I will return later." Blitukus spoke, "Interesting... I will think about this. I look forward to your next visit. Until then, good luck." The cat smiled, then walked away, disappearing from the room and leaving no trace. Upon leaving the work room, Blitukus looked back into the cavern, and saw Kazo had returned to looking at the calculating machine. Blitukus went back to his room, and looked over his designs further... he would want to remember every detail of his accomplishments. Blitukus thought about what the cat had said, but eventually, new reflections entered his mind. Kazo had already been essentially brought up to date on the workings of Blitukus' technology, but there was still a lot of time left. Kazo likely would ask about the plastic of the book cover, and other odd details, but that could quickly be summarized. The barrels were stocked with food, his machines were in good condition... it seemed for the first time in a long time, he had some time off to enjoy himself, and friends to share it with. It would help him to get his mind off of the end of his quest, looming before him. He determined he would make the most of it, and perhaps entertain some of Kazos ideas as well... after all, he felt in his heart, his days were numbered, and that number was ticking down... so he might as well enjoy what he had left.