EVENT: Exploration

[rekindlemods]

There's a nervous feeling to this morning. More than a few people milling around the giant gates of Districts Five and Three. Among them are officials, giving safety and advisory talks on what to expect outside, and hoping that people will listen: it's not safe outside the walls, there is an energy drain in place that can only be held off by keeping in contact with someone (and that only lasts so long) plus a reminder on where the signal was pinpointed. Somewhere off to the north east of the city...And to be careful out there, above all else.

True to the announcement, the city gates open in the morning hours with plenty of heavy rattling noises to mark the occasion. And with that, all that's left is to step through the gates to the world outside.

Out there it feels like there's a near permanent coating of rust and ash on every surface, determined to work its way onto your mouth and into your lungs. Looming out of the shattered remains of streets and sidewalks are crumbled buildings that look like gaunt old skeletons of the familiar Saeng Seong locals. There's a stillness to the air that can weigh heavy on one's shoulders…And can probably get all the more heavy if you're not keeping up contact. You DID bring a buddy along to help you explore, right?

The company is probably needed, given how empty and desolate the outside feels. Save for the occasional groan of a ruin falling a little more apart...And perhaps a skittering of something close by.

Welcome to the dead zone ringing the city. Best look alive out there.

Comments

[lightstrike]

It's when the woman with the glowing sword appears that Lightning finds a bit of relief, but not enough. And she's certainly not going to run for the hills, not when she's already in the middle of battle and can still fend for herself, even with the addition.

She guides Odin forward, allowing him to trample the much smaller creatures under his hooves as she cuts the larger ones down with her sword. As much as she wants to use her magic, she's got to conserve her energy until she makes it back to the city. So this will have to do for now, and Odin is pretty good jumping and crushing monsters underneath him anyway, even if it's a bit of a wild ride. She's had worse.

But eventually she steers him towards the woman, making sure to get closer because she'd rather have a human at her back to watch it.

[pendragon]

Between trampling hooves and blades, the group of monsters begin to dwindle. It only speeds up once the woman draws closer to Saber, as then the knight has no need to worry about where the woman is and is able to simply focus on the task at hand.

A few of the enemies are perhaps beginning to understand the situation at hand, as they remain on the edges of the fight and look as if they may run. Saber doesn't even bother to confront them, as it'd be preferable if they did run. She still feels quite fine, but the feeling of her energy being drained as it has been is quite a shock to her. Normally, she's able to do as she pleases and regenerate energy as she needs it, but it certainly isn't the case here. If anything, she is currently testing the boundaries of what she can and can not do.

Slashing a large crow down out of the air that swoops at her, Saber looks towards the small group that's beginning to edge away from the scene. There's not many left then, so she turns her head somewhat to the woman behind her so she can speak and be heard.

"Shall we bother with them? I think they are realizing that this is not the best option."

[lightstrike]

Lightning eyes the rest of the monsters at the question-- of course, it might be easier on everyone just to get rid of all of them, but she also knows that it's not ideal in their current situation.

"Probably best not to. There's too much blood here already, so something we cant deal with might come along."

She'd rather get herself and her load back to the city before something else happens, because she's been out too long and she's already flagging. "We should get back to the city so I can drop this thing off."

[pendragon]

"..Aye," Saber nods, thinking about it. Returning to the city hadn't already crossed her mind, but considering how draining being outside of it was and the fact she had just expended more energy and was already tired.. Yes, it was a good idea. "I will return with you."

Thankfully, the knight feels fine enough to get herself back to the city. She can easily keep up to speed with a walking horse, and even if the horse begins to pick up speed, Saber can power herself enough to dash and keep up.

"Saber," she states suddenly as she prepares to start travelling. "I am called, that is."

She doesn't ask for the woman's name directly, but if it's not given, she'll likely follow up and ask for it. It'd be good to know this woman's name regardless, considering how she can handle herself in a fight.

[lightstrike]

"Lightning," she replies after a few seconds of surveying the landscape and directing her horse into the direction of the city. But Lightning hesitates before holding her hand out to Saber, so she can help her onto Odin behind her. "I'll give you a lift. There's room for one more."

It's only fair that she helps the woman out, even if she didn't ask for help earlier. And to give her a ride when Saber's the one on foot-- no telling how far off the city is, and they can make better time when Odin is galloping at full speed.