What...?

[In Mysidia, Tidus practically staggers back in shock. It doesn't take long until he takes on an equally unfamiliar expression, his eyes narrowed in hatred with an intensity he's never shown, at least not lately.]

What are you doing here?! Last time I checked, this wasn't apart of your new job. [He pauses, and if at all possible, he just looks more upset. His fists curl up, body tense as he starts to lose it.] Stop looking at me so arrogantly, you stupid, lazy, no-good--

You...what?

[He takes a step forward, skepticism carefully hiding any hint of hope he still feels.]

You're kidding.

[But he approaches the vision of Jecht anyway. His walking turns into a full out sprint. He doesn't seem to be registering anything the other is saying, he just has to get closer, reach him to make sure all of this is real.]

Don't run away from me now!

[Rydia stares into the linkshell worriedly, not wasting time in getting to the point.]

Has anyone heard from Ceodore? It's been too long, and---

[She abruptly stops, eyes widening as she stares at something out of view.]

...Mother?!?

[The linkshell closes and doesn't open for a while after that. When it does, Rydia is pale and disheveled, slumped to her knees by a river. Marks -similar to burns but not quite- can be seen all along her body. Her voice is soft, dazed.]

...what happened...?

( yuna appears on the feed with a very serious look about her -- )

Is everyone all right so far? I'm here in Damcyan... everything appears to be all right so far -- I've even visited the crystal to ensure its safety. ( she pauses before the next bit -- the dragon king was surely an ally to more of these otherworlds as well -- ) If Bahamut needs our help in order to regain himself... then it's the least we can do for him.

This false summoner... there must be a way to stop them. If anyone knows anything about them, I would appreciate if you could tell me more.

I bear dreadful news from the dragons. Bahamut has been taken under the control of a dark force, a 'false summoner' in their words. He is preparing for an attack- none can say for certain where he's aiming. We must all remain on guard.

[A pause. It's noticeable that Kain is holding a relatively large egg, cradling it gently in his hands. He looks at it for a moment, then back up.]

Terra? There's... something I must show you. Right away.

[The video beings with multiple phoenix downs smacking into Kain's helmet. He shouts something angrily, then returns to his message. Many Things need to be addressed.]

I am not a zombie. To be mistaken for a mindless abomination...

[He fought plenty of the things up on Mount Ordeals. They really are as pathetic as manikins to him.]

Nor have I killed anyone- I don't know why those people disappeared. [He's afraid of his Dark Self doing such things, but at least he always remembers what that self does. So he couldn't have done anything. Some comfort.] I have no connection to the dream, either.

[That's everything he wants to address publicly. Kain closes the linkshell and heads off for a failed first attempt to train- he has to strengthen himself fast if he wants to see about those dragons. He's also upset about something else, but he'll keep that to himself for now. Of course, pushing himself too fast probably won't help...]

[The linkshell shows a rather irate-looking Balthier, holding up a copy of the moogles' newspaper.]

Is it entirely necessary to go about besmirching the reputations of young ladies? I hope there are none who believe this nonsense. By the by, moogles, you may want to take care to deliver your paper on Sundays, or else change the name. Seems a bit silly, otherwise.

[Kain is still a little pale and sick-looking, but... he's alive.]

I've returned from true death twice now. I wonder whether this makes my luck better than average... or far worse.

[Worse for the dying in the first place, but better because... well, twice now he's faced what he thought was an eternal end for him, and come back both times. Kain pauses for a moment, gathering his thoughts. Going through death again reminds him though, of an important thing about what he saw.]

That dragon in the dream... I've encountered it before. All of Cosmos' warriors would have at the end of every cycle, whether they recall it or not. Its significance cannot be underestimated.

[As soon as he wakes, Kain SCREAMS in agony.]

[He grabs the linkshell on instinct, for a moment confused as to where he is, thinking he's on some battlefield still and must call out that he needs assistance. He's transmitting intense pain, fear, rage, despair... a strong wave of horrible things, emotion-wise.]

HELP!

[The fever and overall illness are back, full-force, and he's now soaked in blood all over, thanks to the many wounds he received in the dream.]

[ooc note: replies will come from Terra!]

( the linkshell reveals perhaps a familiar face to some -- as a young brunette looks into the feed -- ) H-hello? Can anyone hear me? ( she turns it over in her hands -- not sure if she's working the device properly ) I've found myself somewhere unfamiliar... I believe someone called this place My... sidia?

( as she comes back into view, she shakes her head ) It's no place I've ever been before. And... it certainly isn't Spira. ( she looks up to the sky; forgetting for a moment that she was attempting to broadcast ) I wonder if this means somehow the war has continued...

[Terra seems pensive, even troubled.]

I have questions for others who entered the crystals recently, any of them. If you wouldn't mind sparing a moment, I would appreciate it.

[And she'll seek out Kain and Locke separately, knowing their time in Damcyan has come to an end. It's time to plot a new course.]

Hello up there, surfacefolk. This one's gonna be important, so make sure you clear out your ears.

Those girls that little miss sunshine up there was so grim about? They're not that bad. Strong, sure, but you can still beat 'em around. If they're causing problems, you can kick some butt to distract them while you get folk outta there. It's not the smartest of ideas by a long shot, but if you don't have any choice then it'll get the job done even if you'll be sore for a while afterwards. So! Here's what I'm going to suggest.

These shell thingamajiggers? Can do all kinds of stuff. See this?

[She holds up a dark blue linkpearl - it's identical to the normal ones in everything but its colour.]

It can make these. They're different from the normal kinds, they can only send messages to people who have one that's the same colour. They're good for when you need to keep in contact with specific groups.

So I'm gonna make a group for people who can fight those girls if they need to. Or fight in general, to help people out. Calling 'em the Talons. If you're tough and you're willing to fight if someone needs help, let me know and I'll give you one. Then if you run into one of those girls, you use it to call for backup. Anyone who's close will rush over there. If nobody is, I'll start up the Falcon and get people over to you in a jiffy.

If you don't have one but you're in a jam then just send a message out with the normal shell but...I dunno, think dark blue thoughts. I dunno how it works, but it does. It'll get the message to all of us.

Oh- and there's another. I already talked to little miss sunshine up in Mysidia about this one. It's pretty much the same, but without the fighting. But you can do both, if you feel like multitasking. If you can heal people and you want to help out, ask her about it and she'll give you one of these, too. It's a red one. If you're hurt or you find someone who is, just use the shell and think about red stuff and someone who can heal'll get to you. Again, if nobody's nearby I'll get them closer.

The dwarves'll be supporting anyone in either group all the way - if you need airship travel anywhere or if you need your equipment fixing up then we'll handle it for you, dwarven smiths're the best you'll ever meet, just say the word!

...my group's better, by the way.

[OOC: I'll be answering this with both Porom and Luca, just consolidating both posts since they're pretty much on the same topic.]

[There is a small girl staring at you. She doesn't blink.]

Hello. I am Cuore.

I want to know about your worlds. Tell me things.

[Rydia opens the linkshell one more, her expression solemn. Her bright hair is streaming behind her as she moves to the best spot on the airship to be heard above the airship engine. There might be a slight redness around her eyes, but she's calm enough now and her voice is steady.]

So, we're on our way back from the Feymarch. I promised we'd give an update when we emerged, and here it is. Most of the Eidolons' homeland was empty, when we arrived...though I sensed Queen Asura's presence. When we reached the throne room, she was there to great us, although in a severely weakened state. I have Yuna, Hilda and Aerith to thank for providing her aid I could not.

What she told me was...not pleasant. The reason the Eidolons could not answer is because they were pulled from the point in time in which the Maenads arrived to control them. Hence, why they could not answer my call. Shiva, Ifrit, Ramuh and Titan had arrived as well, and Asura expended all her strength to free them. However, doing so destroyed their physical forms. They can be recreated using the crystals corresponding to their chosen element. However, something is something the Eidolons from leaving the crystals.

...and this is where I ask a favor. A great one. Asura told me humans can enter the crystals as well. What needs to be done in order to free the four is that someone must enter each crystal and free the trapped Eidolons within. I plan to enter the Water crystal, and will gladly accept any who will join me. I also request that the same be done of the remaining crystals. If you're able, please help us. You will have the queen's gratitude...and mine.

[Separate message to Golbez]

Can you do me a favor?

[ooc: OOC signups are here.]

( the feed seems to click on suddenly -- not even focusing on its carrier. in fact, you're getting a view from below, lucky viewers. there's a man that doesn't appear to be wearing a shirt, and looking even a little scruffy as you can see the underside of his chin )

-- whaddaya mean Dam-sai-man? What sort of way is that to talk to someone just askin' a simple question? Hey. Hey! Don't run off like that! Just tell me where -- ( and there's a grumbly sigh here ) ... Just my luck.

Whoa! Rikku would be all over this device!

[A pair of blue eyes stare into the linkshell, before he moves it away. Still looking into it, he keeps talking to himself.]

Wakka wouldn't be able to stand it though...

[As if realizing he's speaking to himself, he stops and stares back into the linkshell, smiling. Even so, he's angry, but it's not like it's their fault.]

Hi! I'm Tidus, Star Player of the Zanarkand Abes. Has anyone seen a girl, about my age, shoulder length brown hair-- it kind of has both gold and reddish tints to it instead of just being one or the other like a lot of people, and she has one blue eye and one green. Uh, sapphire and spring. They're bright. And she's wearing this sort of complicated dress, the top part being white and bottom part a purple color with flowers on it.

[A pause. Affection and irritation are laced together, along with fear and hope.]

Oh, and if you've seen anyone else I know too, or if, you know, you're here, let me know! I'm in...Myzeedimina?

[Once that linkshell is open, the first thing that can be seen is a pair of large blue-violet eyes. Terra pulls it back enough for her face to be seen, as well as the cloudless blue sky of Damcyan's desert.]

...is this on?

[She glances to Greetingway for help, then realizes that he's not anywhere in sight now. Oh, well. The young woman returns to staring at the linkshell with curiosity and smidge of hesitation. But it's time to focus and so while her voice is quiet, it's also steady. She can do this. People are counting on her.]

So...I'm Terra. I'm looking for some people, if anyone could take the time to help me. That cute little messenger said they might not be here, but I have to try. I need to know they're alright.

[She keeps the linkshell open while pacing around the desert, hoping for news above all else. Her other hand cups the crystal she arrived with.]

[Here's Kain with an agitated look on his face.]

I said I've no need for one the last time you replaced it. Take it away.

[There's a muffled argument, and after a moment Kain reluctantly takes the linkshell. He frowns heavily, not entirely in the mood for this... but there is something that's been weighing on his mind. He knows so far that Tifa is here. Could the others be along soon? Someone who knows how they fared in the next cycle?]

[Could Terra... No, he dismisses that thought immediately. He's done latching on to false hopes. Even so.]

I may as well ask. Are there any other Warriors of Cosmos here...? If so, you may as well know that this is my world, although not entirely the one I know. If you've need of assistance in battle, I'll lend aid.

...But for now, I have matters to deal with alone.

[Rydia's staring into the linkshell uncertainly at first, but then this is the first time she's ever tried to use it. She gives it a quick once-over, then her expression firms up.]

Hello. For those of you who haven't met me already, I'm Rydia of Mist. This is my world, though I'm seventeen years ahead of where I should be. I'll do my best to answer questions, just realize I may not have the most accurate information.

But onto the point of this: I'm in need of people to travel with me to the Feymarch, the homeland of the Eidolons. Something has happened to them and I have a feeling it's connected with what happened to us. If anyone else is a Summoner, that would help greatly, but I'll take anyone as long as they're willing to follow my lead and respect the Eidolons.

That's all.