[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Shiva is fearful about anyone but her Pokemon coming closer, flinches away at first before she realizes that it's just Nathan and Gallade: This causes Azu and Whimsicott to take protective stances just in case. "I'll be okay...." is what natural fae-enthusiast issues as a response with a quiet voice in between two sips of strong and sugary coffee, "....I just don't want to linger here for longer than necessary, too many....Nidos around. Too many....BIG Nidos, I don't like them." She shudders and her hands are trembling lightly, that she still manages to keep herself together is quite impressive actually.

Gallade walks up, puts a hand on Shiva's shoulder, stares right into her eyes, and gives her a confident, (hopefully) reassuring nod.

Nathan has a small smile on his face as he looks upon his best friend's actions. "Gallade thinks you can overcome this. If he can overcome his crippling fear of Steel types, I think you can get past this. Maybe not right now, but one day. You're a strong person. Stronger than most."

And that's all Nathan really has to say on the matter. He seems to be confident in those words, too.

...even if he can't help but still be somewhat nervous around Shiva on some level, worried as he is about saying the wrong thing at the wrong time unintentionally.

Heart and said. "Fine. But that's the last time I help you. Don't expect another help time. You are in your own for now on."

"And trust you? Nope."

...

...Nathan doesn't have anything to say in response to that. He can't really believe he just heard Heart say something like that, for that matter.

...but he stays silent about it. No need to risk making things worse...even if he doesn't entirely understand what's wrong...he has an idea, but...

Nidoking takes the dagger and exchanges it for the Sword in the Stone as a symbol of his leadership. It immediately fuses to the boulder with a flash of Earthpower.

He holds out the Sword to Nathan, and the black-and-white weapon begins the process of bonding with you. While you hold it, it is painfully warm, but the heat fades over the next few hours.

You won't hear Nathan complaining about heat unless it's physically harming him, thankfully. Thank goodness for spending most of his life up to this point living near an active volcano. With a light jacket on at almost all times, even if only for the extra pocket space.

Nathan solemnly accepts the Sword from Nidoking. "Just as you did, your majesty, I shall wield it in the name of peace and justice."

...becoming the Sword's wielder is definitely a...unique experience, to put it mildly, and not just because of the supernatural elements. Holding a physical sword like this is going to take some getting used to for entirely different reasons, given the nature of pokemon training...

Sooooo...what exactly does the Sword do? Massive damage is the obvious thing, of course, but that doesn't really explain how the item works.

Oh, and that's quite clever, sticking another blade in the stone now that the Sword has been removed! Perfect for keeping that test for a true leader/mighty king intact!

It is now Day 82.

Cosh: "You may leave the Ruins if you wish. We Scimitars have everything we need to assault the final Layer of the Ruins and obtain the fourth artifact. We are bound by destiny now, and know we'll meet you on the surface for the final showdown. This might be the best division of resources."

Huh? (・・ ) ? No, despite Shiva's looking like she wishes to leave - leave the presence of the Nidos, that is - she's adamant on staying and proceeding down the Ruins, and she expresses this towards Cosh as best as she is able to. "We're so deep down this place already, you see, leaving now would be more of a waste than a good decision. Yes, progressing won't become easier in the slightest, but... I actually would like to see what's down this fourth Layer, you see? That, and there's the Throne Room!~ I heard that 'it contains a lot of the most amazing things humanity has ever built'." Her eyes sparkle at that, underlining that she's super-curious what can be found there. The issues is that Primal Lurantis didn't know how to reach that Layer, but she doesn't speak that out aloud.

"We've been through this together -" Shiva smiles carefully-proud upon that, "- and we will END this together, alright? You.... you don't have to agree with me, Cosh, but I still like to stay." That's her final decision on this matter, she proceeds to pack her things together, constantly trying to keep as much distance from the Nidos as possible.

Not gonna lie, but Nathan does seriously consider returning to the surface, for one reason or another. For one, he wouldn't have to deal with Cosh any more. Two, he could possibly get a head start on updating his mom, Dagny, and Tanuki, and have a little more time to possibly receive a Key Stone from the League. Three...well, three's a secret (for now).

...however, with everyone else staying, that's plenty of reason for him to stay too. Particularly if Heart is staying, as Heart is kinda necessary to restore Marco Warren to his original form, and Nathan wouldn't want to return to the surface without his dad in tow. Plus, staying will likely give him a chance to try out the Sword properly, without any prying eyes and ears beyond those already present.

He keeps his own thoughts on revealing the value of what could be found in the fifth layer to the Scims to himself (spoilers: not a fan), but he does have ONE thing to say concerning Shiva's comments, something rather important. "If we do manage to get that deep underground, we have to remember something: The Eye is in the old palace from what Sneasel told us. That's without a doubt going to be one of the most dangerous areas in the entire region. Who knows what we might encounter there...we don't have to go there, though. The Helm is hidden in the Old palace's Minarets. Or what's left of them, at any rate."

For any of the group that wishes to leave the Skull Ruins early, Spira would offer to have Toya Ghost World travel them out of the ruins. He's staying, though.

"Or we could just use the card of Cress City when we wish to leave. Much faster and safer. And it can transport multiple people simultaneously."