The Time Rift Saga - Chapter 4

Siren's Call

Nyn changes the deal and demands Victor's blood before returning them home.

At some point you will still owe me a favor... says Nyn before letting Victor go.

City of Siren - On the Realm of Yeris - Utopian society.

It has been 27 days since Victor, Sin and Valris left. Han is now fully recovered and very very relaxed. Kit has also relaxed and both are living amongst the Sirens. In fact, they are so relaxed, they are actually reluctant to get going.

The Great Eye - That which orbits Yeris and prevents violence by blasting things from above - or so the stories tell.

Kit is called over by Valris' spirit.

Reunion with Kit. Kit is overjoyed at seeing her friends again and gives Valris a huge hug.

Sebal meets Kit for the first time and is intrigued by her technology (as you might expect). However he quickly realises that her purity is corrupted by human emotions and personality. Their first meeting degenerates into an argument with Sebal offering to reprogram her and cure her of her affliction.

Suffice to say, Mother Kit is not amused.

Sin is depressed and stays in the ship.

Victor brings up the relationship between himself and Valris ;- Valris Rylek, will you marry me.

Out of all the Chaos Blood carrying Princes and Sons the Balance I have ever met, You're the only one that I would contemplate marrying. So I guess the answer is Yes.

Inflatable pig - Kate -in swimming pool paddling.

Kat feeding grapes to Han who is lying on a swing. Han is tanned and without any scars.

Home is where the Tesseract Is

Session... 2/02/04

Where's Tin man? asks Han.

Valris asks Victor, Shall we tell them the good news, or about our little adventure?

Victor recaps their adventure to Kate, Kat and Han.

Valris, I think I'll join you in there in a moment.

Fight with Sebal - And, what happened? asks Han. Nothing much. Can't harm him.

The Oath - North decided that the only way he would give us the T is that we all made a binding oath upon his sword Need. Me, Valris and Sebal. Basically the oath is for us all to work together, solve the problems on Eternium and defeat the enemies of the planet - solving the Time problem... blah blah.

Han disbelieves the power of Need. The sword is the only thing that has stopped them from being wiped out by chaos. The sword created Sanctuary...

Han gets shirty. You've not stuck to any promise in your life. I can't believe you're actually going to try now, after swearing some kids oath upon a cheap and tacky sword. I sure as hell haven't made a promise, so where's my sword?

Its a no-brainer says Kate, - we don't have anything to do with the Custodian.

Yeah, a psychopath that wants to destroy the world, and doesn't care who it turns into metal heads with screws loose upon the way.... adds Han.

Decision to remain a while and try and help.

RECAP on Tharizden and the Wraiths.

Anti-essence, living dark, wraiths, tree structure of power, positive spirit of sufficient strength capable of turning back or even draining negative forces.

The Tesseract from Broken Eldahar is in Mother.

Han was injured when Sebal ripped Lanté from his head - causing them both to collapse.

Han rolls his eyes when he learns that Sin still has the Eye of Methos / Chaos - and has it on board Mother.

Couldn't you have just left the Eye there? asks Han.

Valris - No, because that would have strengthened Chaos and imbalanced things too much. It was safer bringing it back with us. I agree though, I don't want Sin having it any longer than she has to.

The Wandering Eye

Rescuing North from Ghen.

Red and a possible link to Line of Dawn.

Han still doesn't know about Draggora or about the Champion of the Balance, other than the title itself.

Kate - It seems to me that your lives are all to do with titles.

The Title of Dawn can obviously be passed on and may not depend on blood line, suggests Valris.

Rescuing Sin and defeating Istar.

Victor tells them about Sin's temptation from Menekkra and how she turns it down.

Valris stops Victor from mentioning Prescience, for the obvious reason that Han and Lanté don't trust Sebal and this sort of thing would only make any trust harder.

It is now late in the afternoon. Lamps are being lit around Siren.

Sirenese man called Jed, drops off some fresh bread, cheeses and some fruit.

Kate has been helping the Sirens with poultices and potions as a form of payment for their stay. She has found the whole thing quite rewarding.

5 hours have passed. Han is still apprehensive about Sebal being nearby and this oath Victor has made. He wants to go and check on Sebal and keep the Custodian away from Kit. He is very protective of her and threatens Sebal to stay away.

Victor follows Han back to the ship.

Victor asks Han if Kit and or Kat and Han are getting on... Have you got it on yet? he asks. But Han ignores him and swiftly changes the subject.

Arrive at the clearing where Mother and the Evereon are parked. The ramp is up but the ship is uncloaked.

Han whistles for Kit.

Kit materialises looking miffed. I'm not a dog.

Kit then winds them up that the Tesseract isn't on board... What box? she asks innocently.

They find the box underneath a table in the mess by Sin. Victor opens it and the Tesseract is inside.

Han talks privately to Kit. What do you think about this oath they made?

Han and Victor argue....

So, do you leave him here then? says Victor. At least if he is with us, we can keep tabs on him.

He's got a point. If we left Sebal here he could make another sun destroying weapon, points out Kit.

Then we kill him, says Han.

And how are you going to do that? asks Victor.

Custodians were hit by a plague of chaos that threatened to kill them all. So their minds were transferred into indestructible immortal bodies that could survive.

Why are we here? asks Victor. Every place we have been has been more tangled.

Lanté - The Tin Man is an enemy of Life, of Essence and all Created things. It is an unfeeling monster devoid of spirit and soul whose only purpose is a selfish one willing to sacrifice whole worlds to be achieved. It is an evil greater than any previously faced and must be eradicated at all costs. This body will see the task done.

Han has lost the sword of Dawn.... left behind in the Pen Zel Lanth timeline... won't come when he calls it. Another reason why he is grouchy and upset.

Han storms off to see Sebal and make a few threats. Victor follows him to make sure neither of them lose any limbs.

This is your lifeless robot ship talking. I'm afraid all intelligence is not here at the moment. It has been flushed out of the latrine, says Kit, feeling miffed at being associated and tarnished with the same brush as Sebal.

It's unfair for Uncle Han to compare Kit to Sebal. Though in a way, Sebal is alive too. says Sin.

Metal Bash

Victor catches Han but Han shoves him aside with his silver arm.

Remember me? asks Han to Sebal.

I am blessed with a memory that doesn't degrade, Sebal replies.

Lanté rips up a tree trunk and hits Sebal with it in the chest, knocking the Custodian a hundred feet with the broken tree trunk bat.

Interacting with you is unproductive says Sebal, unharmed and dusting himself off.

Well you're just a waste of time Han retaliates.

The two exchange insults.... Han then head butts Sebal who retaliates with a fist.

Sebal punches Han and throws him against a tree.

Victor throws Sebal but pulls a muscle in his shoulder - 100 STR check. It hurts like hell.

After the fight, Yeah, but I feel better for it says Han.

Sebal - Next time you wish to take out your barbaric emotions on a target, I suggest you do it away from any of your friends, just incase they get caught in the aftershock.

Valris emerges from the bushes. You can't blame him, she says. He's got a lot to be angry about.

Its just going to take a little time.... says Valris.

And hopefully we'll have some, says Victor. But normally something happens...

How do we get Han, Lanté and Sebal together? asks Valris.

Han and Lanté are definitely going to be a problem, Victor agrees.

Our main quest is to defeat Tharizden.... or you could say that the Eternium rift is an opportunity to recruit people to defeat Tharizden because once the Rift is healed everyone will just disappear. Already I've met a lot of people - and made Dusk... says Victor.

The sun is setting on Siren. Suddenly Vic and Val realise they have been out in the sun all afternoon.... How is that possible? asks Valris who has developed a strong tan.

It must be our blood, presumes Victor. Or maybe all our time travelling.

It's a date - Victor is taking Valris dancing.

Vic picks a flower and puts it in her hair.

Back in Siren... Sirens keep their distance.

Kate arrives with Karly... both in local garments... Siren shawl and dress...

Karly starts a full on dance floor snog with a local young man.

There needs to be a reason, says Valris... A reason why we should (get married).

There's me and Han, and then there's Sinsifel with a link to us... but you don't have a link. I'm scared. I don't want to lose you, says Victor.

Kate gets Vic up to dance.

Valris contemplates Victor's proposal. She is wary of getting married because she thinks it can never be liked the marriage of her father and mother - especially as they are now chaos and no circle of life members exist.

Han and Kat spend a night out camping on a hill top.

Valris' theory on the clones - They are actively trying to be independent and have differing personalities, going to extremes of emotions and behaviour to achieve it.

Goals - Victor mentions that he and Valris are the only ones with goals.

That's not true, Valris pipes up. Lanté has a goal to - to preserve Eternium, in his own way.

Kit brings up the subject of Minnow's memorial...

Valris meditates for several hours while Victor plays on the Digitiser, creating among other things a clip on belt buckle for the Spell Rod to help Valris and a digital camera on his own belt buckle that records in 3d. Range 30' in all directions. 2d LOS in a 45 degree angle. Sound.20,000 different designs for image and sound transfer.

Music player. On back of hand - projects sound into air. Browse loads of different types of music. Rousing music.... download up to 15,000 music tracks....

Dawn.... Han and Kat come back. Kit says that it is the x-factor that has enhanced Victor and Valris' bodies capable of walking in sunlight without bursting into flames.

Kits blood test is inconclusive.

Victor contemplates that his and Valris' visit to Ghen may have had an effect on them - a larger effect than they both realised at the time - either that, or the proximity of the Eye of Methos.

Kit analyses the Mirror Mir armour. Kit could possibly duplicate the Mirror Mir if she can isolate and copy the unknown element at the core of the material.

Victor picks himself an aikido training program on the bridge and a sword fighting skill program.

Close quarter martial art - 11,000 in data base. Tythe - Close quarter sword fighting combined with strikes & throws.

900 pages. Visual demonstrations. - Victor pulls up all the info on the Bridge system.

Sin - breakfast of snow-crispies.

Valris wakes up from meditation, takes a shower.

Han and Kat return, with tent, and sleeping bags, and they also settle for breakfast.

Morning everyone. I have an announcement to make. One that is a little overdue but now is probably the best time for it. We all lost someone recently, and we haven't really had a chance to say our goodbyes. So I propose assuming there are no strong objections that we hold a memorial service nearby, on a low peak, tomorrow at Dawn. I will say some words, read some chapters from suitable texts and then I will say my goodbye. And if anyone wants to follow suit, then they can. I think its important that we do this, to honour him, and also to help us go forward. Because I know that Minnow wouldn't want us to linger around - not when there's such important things at stake. Is everyone alright with that?

Then let us Honour his deeds, says Valris. He doesn't have to be alive or dead for us to do that.

Han proposes some options. Mess with this new Skarrion stone and see what happens. Try piloting this ship out of here to the next Node. Or explore this world and Siren further looking for some link that drew us here.

What's the whole point of the group? asks Victor.

Victor - Opportunity to find people. Gain knowledge. Created weapon. Heal rift. Defeat Tharizden.

Valris - I love Sin, I love Victor. That's all I care about.

Han & Lanté - I want to Kill Ilvir, I want to wipe out Chaos, and all of Ilvir's masters that order him around. I want to save people and I'll whatever it takes. And I want to get this Tharizden locked up again, if such a thing is possible, because it was because of me and Victor that he got loose. The only difference really, between me and Lanté is that Lanté wants to preserve the Life of Eternium - from anything and anyone who seeks to either corrupt it or bring to ruin. That's Law, Chaos, Custodians etc.

Kit - I have a Prime Directive, to explore and gather information. And obviously keep u lot out of trouble, but I'm not doing very well at that.

Valris is attacked verbally by Han who accuses her of harbouring feelings against Lanté and him.

Valris gets upset and leaves the table. That's why it would be too difficult. Because of what would happen... (implying Han would turn against her because of the Chaos in her.)

After slapping Han and mouthing off at him for a good 2 minutes, Kate finishes with You're just a fucked up shell... before storming off.

You're all mental... Han then storms off.

Just Vic, Sin and Kit left.

Sin - I've never seen mum get up like that. She's always been OK with a being a Vampire. So why did she react like that to Han?

Victor contemplates telling Sin that he has proposed to Val but backs down at the last moment, despite running through the scenario mentally.

Victor heads off after Han and overhears a conversation taking place in the forest.

Kat is talking to Han - persuading Han to leave the group and go with her after his sword. She accuses Victor of deliberately losing the Sword of Dawn and being a puppet to Kûtal. Of manipulating it so that his daughter gets the Eye of Chaos and Valris becomes a more powerful Sorceress.

Victor arrives on the scene. I think we need to speak, alone.

Kat thinks I should leave.

That would be silly.

Why?

I don't think splitting the group up would benefit us. We're two opposite halves of Lord Rune. We create a nice little balance.

This group is not in balance, it is in turmoil.

I need this Victor. I need to find that Balance again. I've lost Minnow and my sword. I don't have the luxury of Faith like you. I need tangible things around me to believe in. You have Valris, Sinsifel, your blood abilities and an ever present Chaos Lord for a Step Father. I have none of that bar a grumpy Mythical being stuck to my forehead.

Could either of us walk the straight path... me with my past and present (silver arm) and you with your family being held over you in blackmail.

Han suggests that Victor leads a single life... without Valris and Sin, then no one would be able to sway you.

Valris arrives after Han leaves.... just as Vic is practising some concentration lock techniques on his knife throwing skill.

Valris returns Victors knife. You lost this?

Valris had overheard some of Han and Vic's conversation and is shocked at what Han has proposed - thus alienating Han to her even more. She cannot believe what Han has said and is angry that Victor's brother would stoop so low.

What kind of sick idea does he have going on in his head. That you and him can lead this unemotional grey path through life, devoid of love, happiness, caring....?

I do not want our daughter to see her uncle and father fall apart before her eyes - maybe in the future, but not now, not after what she has been through...

I love him, because he is your brother, but has some serious issues. I think you should let him go.

What he said, about me being a puppet to Kûtal., it scares me. But I know that no matter what, our love is real and our daughter is real. Even if something happened to me, everything that we are would endure the Trials of Time...

Valris sheds a few blood tears. She is upset that now they can't get married because Han doesn't trust her and wouldn't allow it. She says as much in a round about way to Victor who doesn't say nay or yay either way. With only Victors declaration of love to comfort her and the fact that Sin is already a young woman and likely to be married before she is, Valris walks away, holding back emotion... In a way she wishes Victor had never asked her, because now all she can think about is what it would be like to be his wife.

Victor - the penny drops - he suddenly realises what Valris was going on about and chases after her. He catches hold of her. When I said i wanted to marry you, I didn't mean in 5 years time, 10 years time or when Han decides he wants us to marry... I didn't say it back then because I was still mulling things over... I'm not the fastest thinker alive.

Or undead for that matter.... Valris adds mentally, making Victor smile.

Victor chooses Valris over Han.

Valris says I don't want to come between you and your only family. If you marry me, Han might be forced to do something extreme, like killing me. You've said yourself, you are stronger together.

I can live without the blood, the frenzy, being a Bloodstar. I can live a normal life span, with you, says Victor, kissing her passionately on the lips.

Noon comes and goes.

Vic and Val enjoy lying in the sun by a small lake in each others arms, content with their decision.

Meanwhile, back on board the Evereon, Kit and Sebal explore the satellite and restart some of its power crystals.

Memory Crystals... Defence satellite against possible invasion from something out there - Devourer. Being called Targon. 1100 years ago...

Avennarr - Realm of.... Technological - big cities - wars, blew each other up... Targon...

Kit pretends that solar interference is effecting communication and says..... zzzzt..... bye..... zzzzt

What should we do? Should we order her back or just hope and pray that Sebal doesn't get his... whatevers into her? What do you think? asks Valris, concerned.

Kit - I know u can hear me. It's a brilliant idea but your timing is a bit off. What with the group being off having hissy fits. But in this situation I do not agree. I don't care if you carry on researching, but it would be safer us being there.

Han has been on the run for a lot of his life. He has never stopped running. He could never stop for long as Demons always followed him and killed anyone he made friends with - anyone except Minnow.

Victor repeats Kit's fears about information overload from the on board database of Eternium's entire timeline - eroding away her humanity until she becomes a logical thinking machine.

A Parting of the Nodes

Tuesday 03/02/04 Midday

Victor and Valris are relaxing.

Kit flies back with Sebal from the Orbital.

Vic and Valris decide to treat Kit better - She's alive and still human. I think sometimes we can forget that. For instance, where was she, asks Valris, when Kate and Karly were out dancing last night. Kit seems to be accepting her role as a machine and we can't let her !

Its best just to leave it and be more aware of her needs and not just the groups.

Han demands to know where Kit has been.

I've been up on the Satellite with Sebal. We've discovered lots of useful information about this Realm's history.

You've been up there, with HIM... Han accuses. You stupid idiot. What were you thinking ? Have you totally lost all sense of self preservation. You can't trust him. He isn't human. He'll twist things and betray us all in an instant.... then to Sebal... Stay away from her, from them, from all of them or so help me I'll dedicate the rest of my life to finding your weakness.

Han then storms off, breaking one of Kits ramp struts with a punch along the way. He passes Vic and Valris.

It would appear that lunacy obviously runs in your bloodline says Sebal.

Anything useful broken? Valris asks.

It would appear several crystals containing a few centuries of data have degraded further or been crushed under boot. But then violence is often a sign of deficient brain power.

Its Nova bytes of unstructured data... it would take you months to sift through.

Why was the cannon pointing outwards? Victor asks aloud.

To protect this Realm from a terrible threat... a coming Darkness.

Mid afternoon.... Victor decides to get some sleep. Valris joins him.

Sebal continues tinkering with the Crystals and building new gadgets.

Vic asks Kit for a dance, but she turns him down, saying that she has preparation for Minnow's Memorial to attend to.

9pm - Vic and Valris wake up.

Sin is on the Bridge, feet up, eating dinner, bottle of fizz, watching a 3d presentation of a film called The Gargantua and Gargantua 2 - the Rebirth.

Kate is a philosophical conversation with Jackery in the Medi bay - a conversation about whether Gods actually exist.

Karly is in ship's corner, working out on some weights. Kat is up top of the ship on an observation section. Han is in cargo bay, bouncing a ball around. Shooting hoops.

Han plays bounce ball with Victor, but Victor is handcuffed first to give his supernatural agility a handicap.

You've got more agility in your nose than I have in my whole body, so lets do it, says Han.

Han cheats by using Lanté's PK, but still loses. Gonna have to tie your legs together next time.

Karly calls Victor a pervert for wandering around the ship in handcuffs.

Valris is reading a book on the Time Rift, studying the Spell Rod and Istar's staff.

Victor makes two golden d6 dice as a gift for Minnow.

Victor gives Valris the Spell rod clips and elasticated sash he made for her (in case she is polymorphed again).

Thinned - less minerals in it. Less energy. That has effected the X - Factor.

Victor is always hungry

Victor hunts for an hour northeast - approx 8 miles and brings back some bloody takeaways for him and Valris.