BZPRPG: Onu-Wahi

IC(Tajeh): "R-right." Tajeh stammerted in reply. How far down were they? Tajeh couldn't tell.

OOC: I enjoy that little glimpse of Raxa trying to percive why Onyx would do such a odd thing, Grochi, but I'm afraid he's not quite correct.IC: Hound & Co, Catacombs"Where?" Tirus asked, motioning to the room around them, a dead end in every sense. "We can't just-"It was at that time that Hound pointed at one of the walls the Skakdi had came out of. A dimly lit corridor could be seen."Well, perhaps we can." Tirus said in his gruff voice, hoisting his hammer over his shoulder and pausing to glance at Tajeh before walking on with the others.

OOC: I know why. He cleaned his room once......and he snapped. :PIC(Tajeh): Tajeh lifted his shield again and followed the group of Toa and their Titan leader.

OOC: Eh, too much thinking for Gravity. Gravity doesn't like it. :3IC: GravityI followed after the group, covering our backs from possible attacks.

OOC: Give TBP a prize! IC: Hound & Co, CatacombsThe group advanced through a completely stone passage, with lightstones every three yards, positoned the ceiling, giving off enough light that one did not trip onto their sword, but still a small enough quantity the the shadows eeriely danced in the corner of your eye. In a few moments, they reached a massive set of doors, black stone with protosteel designs covering them. The Onu-Matoran, Onyx's servant, bowed slightly, his eyes sparkling with merriment."Welcome, Hound and company. And who is Hound's company? Who composes such a ragtag group of murderers and heroes?" The Matoran said, looking at each of them, except Kirian, who was, as usual, invisible. "We have a tired, hardened smith. What does he hope to achieve? A final victory? A chance to regain a lost love?" The matoran asked, smirking at Tirus. "And his Ko-Matoran friend. Certainly a brave one, journeying into a place that Skakdi, Toa, and Vortixx have met their fate in." Here, the Matoran diverted his attention from Tajeh to Gravity. "The lover of the hostage! Well, one of the hostages, unless the Ga-Matoran is not as childish as we thought." The sound of an arrow in a bow string could be heard, and the Matoran smiled in the direction of it. "How emotional! Kirian, there is no need for such primitive threats; You know as well as me that any rash action ends in unsatisfactory deaths." There came no response from the Ko-Toa as the Onu-Matoran looked back at Gravity. "Do you wish to save a damsel in distress? Gain her respect and admiration? No, no, that's not it... You just want her in your arms once more, safe from any harm. Noble and chivalrous as they come, eh? But what will happen, I dare ask, when she reveals her true nature? I listened in on one of the torture sessions, and I must say, she confessed to quite a few people who she's teased with her beauty. We had to know who might try to avenge her, I'm sure you'll understand." Not waiting for a response, the Onu-Matoran stared at the air where Kirian possibly stood. "Ah, the Ghost! You're as quiet and brooding as usual. I'll let you sulk in the shadows, keep your image of silent killer. No secrets revealed for you, not today." Finally, his eyes rested upon Raxa. "And the mercenary. Quite a fascinating history, I must admit. You've certainly killed enough to show a heart cold and hard enough that Onyx himself was impressed. You won't be facing a challenge in the form of us, I'm afraid. We didn't have the time to prepare anything satisfactory."The only one without mentioning was Hound, who the Onu-Matoran nodded and smiled at. "The Denuian. You are too great a being for me to critique. Only my master holds that power."OOC: Phew, that's a long post. Remember, any physical contact with matoran results in death of hostages.

OOC: Ooh, time to twist your words a bit...Nah, nevermind. Too lazy.IC-Raxa:Raxa brought his arm, holding his tomahawk, across his chest in a form of salute and bowed. The Matoran could decide for himself whether or not to consider it mocking.He then came back up, having sheathed the weapon as he bowed."Just take us on," he said, his voice gone flat as his mind wandered elsewhere.

OOC: Did you...? No, you should know better.... NEVER CALL ME TBP.IC(Tajeh): Tajeh glanced nervously from the Onu-Matoran to Hound to Raxa and back to the Onu-Matoran. They were so close. To what? The captives and victory? Or the cold kiss of death?

IC: [uyism]"Are you even responding?"

IC: GravityI remained motionless as the Onu-Matoran spoke. Finally, I had something to say, "What is this? Some kind of game to you, what sort of insane sick people are you? Ones who don't think through your actions, for one.""I could go on and on, but I've got someone to save."

IC: [uyism]"Are you even responding?"

OOC: Sorry bro, it's TBP or CG. IC: Hound & Co, Catacombs The Onu-Matoran raised an eyebrow. "Very well." He said with a smirk, stepping back and snapping his fingers. Two skakdi appeared, grabbing the door's massive handles and, with out complaint, opened the gateway to the Throne Room.Onyx was sitting as usual, his maul in hand, having an almost thoughtful pose. But with his armor, only a Psionics user would know if that was indeed his mood. It was a large, well lit cavern, with a large, stain-glass diamond throne in the middle of it, attracting all eyes to it.To the side of it, two diamond chairs sat, Hajia and Gahuari bounded to them by diamond chains and cuffs. Hajia was only half-conscious, moaning slightly as she swayed, her mask ripped off, revealing a bruised face with many fresh wounds, long, deep cuts that ran from her face all across her once-beautiful body. Gahuari was in a condition even worse, completely unconscious, purple and dark blue bruises covering a good percentage of her frail body.Sinina stood between the two, twirling Hajia's Faxon-shaped Kanohi with a finger. Raveian, Halion, and Luncora stood before Onyx, weapons unsheathed."Greetings. 'Tis the hour of death, the hour that we both knew would come. Time for vengenace. And perhaps forgiveness." Onyx said slowly, directing the words at Hound.

IC-Raxa:Raxa stood silent, though he had withdrawn his own warhammer, leaning on it as though it were a cane. He watched the beings in the room carefully, all of them, using his other senses to keep track of those behind him. Instead of allowing rage to consume him, as he nearly had when Hajia and Gahuari had earlier been kidnapped, he kept himself calm, his face impassive."I don't know Hound as well as some of these others," Raxa mused, "Though, judging by the condition those two seem to be in," he gestured to Hajia and Gahuari with his hammer, "I don't know that forgiveness is very likely to be extended unto you." The Toa of Crystal shrugged, turning his head to look to Onyx."A situation I've been in once or twice, it seems."

IC: GravityThat son of a-I stopped myself from getting any angrier after a few choice words in my head. As Kirain said, not a good place for some enhanced gravity. Hajia looked in really bad shape... Really bad. I knew exactly what I was going to do to the people standing infront of Onyx. Exactly.I don't believe I had ever been angrier in my life... Well, the part of my life that I could remember. I may have not shown on the outside, besides the twin halos of purple energy that surrounded my fists, but on the inside, I was just waiting to explode. Not literally.

IC(Tajeh): Krazkrazkrazkrazkrazkrazkrazkraz.....

IC: Catacombs"I was not speaking for myself." Onyx said calmly. "I was speaking to Hound."The silence that followed was unbareable. All eyes turned to the Denuian who met them all with a steel gaze. "He speaks the truth." Hound said through gritted teeth. "I, like all who stand here, have things that need the cleansing of forgiveness.""Why do hesitate to inform them, Great Hound?" Onyx asked. "Do you have fears about what their disillusion would bring?"

IC-Raxa:"Interesting, as always," Raxa noted quietly. "Yet more is added to the story, yet more is written into our lives." He shook his head, wondering why nothing could ever be as straight forward as it seemed at first.Was Onyx using his own knowledge of Hound to try to fracture the team? Possibly. However, why would he not just tell them himself? Well, they may not believe him. However, if that were the case, why did Hound admit to what Onyx said? Did he feel that, no matter what, this would eventually come up? If so, why not tell them at a different time, after this was all over, when it wouldn't possibly place him in more danger?So many questions, so little answers.A new question, though: "I wonder, Onyx, just how much you know of each of us."

IC: Catacombs"About you? Some. Not an satisfactory amount, but an existant one. The others? Much." Onyx said. "But back to the point. Hound, will you tell your closest allies, or will I?"Hound looked up slightly at Onyx. "I shall tell them when it pleases me. Why now? Why did you capture Hajia and Gahuari?""Hound, you know as well as me that you would never tell them if I did not press you to. I seek only the disillusion of your image, and then the two can leave in peace."Hound remained quiet. A quiet that would not make Kirian or Gravity happy.

OOC: Pie, lol Tajeh post.IC: GravityI really, really didn't like this here silence. What the Karz was Hound doing? Just freakin say it!I moved to nudge the gigantic being, before stopping myself. What had Onyx just said? Oh right, "The others? Much.". Wait a sec. "What do yuo know of me?" I asked, careful not to inclued any references to his mother and/or curse words.If this guy knew something about me I didn't, I wanted to know.

IC: Onyx, Ga-Koro"Every moment of your life since you've Hajia." Onyx said. "Nothing more. Your past is quite secretive, Ba-Toa. We've been trying to find out more, but alas, it seems to be impossible. At the moment, I think you should be more worried about the state of your 'friend'." Onyx said, gesturing to Sinina, who stopped spinning Hajia's Kanohi, only to throw it on the floor and grind it to pieces with her heel.

OOC:IC(Tajeh):That foul.....Tajeh gave a rather loud grunt, instead of swearing out loud. This entire situation was frightening and was making him angry.

OOC: *Dies from laughter*IC: Gravity"Thought so," I managed to get out, trying not to crush the Toa of Lightning into a little sphere. It was hard, but I wanted to wait a bit longer... atleast untill Hound said something.

IC: Hound, Catacombs"I destroyed everything that Onyx loved." Hound said simply. "And in return, he did the same. Our battles are meaningless feuds, started by my murdering his family, and his replying in kind to that."Onyx nodded slowly. "Not as articulate as I hoped, but it manages. However, Hound is forgetting to mention one thing; There was no need for him to murder, just as there is no need for me to now. He killed spontaneously and out of rage, and I did the same."

IC: Gravity"Sounds like something for anger management sessions," I muttered under my breath, loud enough for everyone to hear. Not exactly what I wanted to hear at the moment, all this was over a few guys who couldn't keep it together.

IC(Tajeh): Tajeh opened his mouth again. "You. Have. To. Be. Kidding. All this fighting just because one of you forgot your weekly yoga class?"

IC: A Toa of Stone passed through Onu-Koro. As he did so, he put up several posters.

IC: [uyism]Uyism followed. "Kin?"

IC-Holluk:Holluk merely shook his head no, continuing along.IC-Raxa:"..." Raxa stood, silent, thinking. "So. Revenge is what motivates you, revenge is what leads you to do what you do now. Doubtless, there is more to this, but I feel that is a large part of the situation at hand." He nodded to himself, his mind agreeing with what his mouth had said."I take it that the battle is next to come?" The Toa of Crystal asked. "Or can we dispense with that and just leave with Hajia and Gahuari?" As he said this, still he thought. Something new to learn about Hound, that was certain. And that was all he could say on the matter-he could not pass judgement, not with his previous actions. He could pass judgement on neither being.Except for one thing: Onyx's grudge was against Hound alone. Why must he drag all the others into it? They could be useful as weapons, yes-never see an enemy as an enemy, see them instead as an ally, whether they realise it or not. Useful advice. But still, why drag so many others into it? Would Onyx think, perhaps, that Hound kept so many people as a shield, and that was the only reason? Dispense with the shield and you have a clear shot to the body?Or, perhaps, Hound himself was using them as both his shield and his sword, and Onyx merely knew that, leading, again, to the strategy. Draw them in with bait, and then allow Hound's shield to dash itself apart against Onyx's sword, his small group of people. Still, that was but one possibility. There were many other things that could happen.Raxa shrugged, before looking to Hajia and Gahuari again, yet another thought coming to his mind."Which of you was in charge of the torture?"

IC: Onyx, CatacombsIgnoring Tajeh and Gravity's words, Onyx stared at Raxa, interest in his hidden eyes. "We all took part. I will, without hesitation, tell you who took the largest part of it, but explain to me your thoughts. Kill the guiltiest? Openly forgive them? Forgive of Avenge? That is the question of this hour." Onyx said, momentarily forgetting Raxa as he considered his own words.

IC-Raxa:Raxa smiled slightly, standing up and walking over to Hajia and Gahuari, checking over the both of them."No, I do not plan to kill them. Not now. I might show them more proper methods, however-the technique used was sloppy." He chuckled slightly."No, if I plan to kill anybody here, it would most likely be Luncora and...whichever one of you was the Toa of Air, I can't remember, and I'm too lazy to check. Why?" His eyes glinted, somewhat."One might call me a sore loser." He turned back to Onyx."Tell me, Onyx. What is your favorite game upon this island?"

IC: GravityKarz I hated being so close, yet so far away. What was Raxa doing?

IC: Onyx, Catacombs"Breaking the spirits of those who think themselves great." Onyx said in his clam, reasonable tone. "'Tis an enjoyable practice. My own spirit was broken and my illusion was dissipated aeons ago. I do not act out of revenge, simply out of curiosity."

IC-Raxa:Raxa nodded. "So...is that your goal, now?" the Toa of Crystal asked. "Not revenge, but to make others see as you did...if only so you can see their reaction?" Raxa nodded slightly."You seem less a warlord, and more a scientist, a psychologist, in my eyes," Raxa observed. "Merely following your own theory." He shrugged, and made a gesture, a small table with two chairs appearing before him. The table had a checkered pattern upon it, of Yule and Phrygian marble, with chess pieces made of the same materials. Raxa sat down in one chair, still looking over to Onyx."Care to play a game of chess?" he asked.

IC: [uyism]"What then?"

Ic: Gorugon and NanashiNanashi sttod at the doorway to the Shades HQ. "Wow." Hencouldent belive that his family lived here. "Your brother will be so happy to see..." Gorugon paused. "Where is he?" Suddenly' a figure dropped down from above Gorugon, striking her in the kneck. As she dropped to the ground unconsious, Nanashi pulled out his knives and lunged at the assailent. The figure kicked him in the face, and then pulled out a traquilizer. He stebbed Nanashi in the shoulder, and the signaled with his right hand. Two more figures bropped out of the shadows. They picked up Gorugon and Nanashi's limp forms and then carried them outside to a covered cart. Inside the truck, Taka was bound and gagged. The two bodies were tossed in, and the cart drove away.OOC: Nanashi to Ta-wahi, Taka and Gorugon to Ga.

IC: Onyx, Catacombs"Perhaps another time. Now, we must resolve the matter at hand." Onyx said."And what matter is this, to be exact?" Hound asked."Vengenace and Forgiveness, as I've repeated numerous times." Onyx said, pausing to let Hound process his words. "Yes, that is correct." Onyx said in a rather impatient tone, noting Hound's expression of disbelief. "Forgiveness. Will you accept it, and then return the favor? Vengenace. Will you kill and then be killed?" Onyx looked at the others. "Speak your minds now."

IC-Raxa:Aaaaand there goes that idea.Raxa stood, wiping away the table with a thought as he stood to watch."Forgiveness would, hopefully, lead to a peaceful ending to this situation, assuming Sinina, Halion, Raveian, and Luncora respect the choice," he mused to himself, quietly. "Vengeance...would lead to unnecessary death...though it would remove possible future threats. On one hand, we would have to kill multiple people, putting ourselves in greater risk. On the other, only a few people may attack us, and we would be in marginally less danger. Betrayal, however, is another factor." Raxa shrugged."It all depends on whether or not Hound trusts his enemy," the Toa muttered. See every enemy as an ally, whether they realise it or not. Such advice would be useful here.

IC(Tajeh): "I was sorta thinking why you live in a cave, to be honest." Tajeh replied.

IC: Gravity"Funny," I said, speaking seriously for the first time in a while, "I had some very un-Toa like things planned for you... Yes, but that's besides the point now.""I came here to get Hajia back," I stated as if that sole idea had been driving me. And, well, it had. "And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Whether I have to kill or forgive to do it is up to you. The first option will not be as pleasent as the second."

IC: CatacombsOnyx smirked beneath his mask, something that only an Akaku-user would percive. "Your humor in such situations shows courage, Ko-Matoran. To answer the question, I rather like it. It acts as a cloak of shadows to hide my actions and words. But this is wandering from the point.""Would you, Ba-Toa, be willing to forgive the ones who have tortured your love? Would you be willing to forgive the ones who, just for entertainment, salted her fresh wounds, and laughed as she writhed in pain?" Onyx said in reply to Gravity. "Forgiving is no less of a challenge than killing. Remember this always." Hound, for the first time in what seemed like an eon, spoke. "Vengenace." He said simply. All eyes locked onto him, and Sininia drew her katana, not using it on either of the captives, but knowing she was able to do so in little more than a moment. "You are unable to forgive, Onyx, and so am I. It would be insane to think otherwise." Hound said, meeting all other gazes with a calm, steel stare of desicison. "Besides, the beings behind us do not seem to indicate that the talk of forgiveness and a peaceful end to our feud was anything more than another of your twisted games." True to Hound's word, a dozen Toa, Skakdi, and Vortixx stood behind Hound and Co, the massive stone doors closed behind them.

IC: Gravity"I'm not gonna mention how predictable that was," I muttered under my breath. I dropped into a relaxed stance, preparing for the eventual battle. Already, a plan was forming in my head. Most of it revolved around getting Hajia safe.