epidemiology | OPEN PLOT LOG ★ THE CULT [LEFT BEHIND]

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OPEN PLOT LOG ★ THE CULT [LEFT BEHIND]

[closed] INTO THE WOODS.

At Ramir's request, Hellboy has accompanied her into the jungle, looking for clues as to this rising cult of Ryba. It's dangerous stuff, cults, particularly when those cults have a penchant for sacrificial mutilation: missing villagers can only spell disaster for the recruits themselves down the line, so it's best to nip this in the bud as quickly as possible.

Hellboy is worried about the missing half of their team, but until the storm dies down, there seems to be no better way to pass the time than walking around in creepy jungles looking for possible cannibals.

THE RESCUE.

After Hellboy's warning and the necessary preparations, it's time to rescue King and Ramir -- and as many captured Nalawi as you can. The camp is by one of the largest estuaries on Pu'ulai, camouflaged by native flora and hidden in the shadow of the volcano Nalalona. The cultists have removed King and Ramir's magitek jewellery, but the tracking beacons are still active, making it easier to find them than without.

The well-hidden camp is creepy, filled with ramshackle tents and poorly-made effigies. There's a pool in the middle of it all, filled with brackish, murky water. Ramir, King, and a small number of terrified-looking Nalawi are all bound, kept on the far side of the camp.

The cultists are all dressed in hooded black robes, doe and stag alike. They are all without their Gifts, but that does nothing to temper their ferocity at intruders into their camp. Despite their diminutive size, they know the forests better than any ALASTAIR recruit, and are suited to blitz attacks on any would-be rescuers; they may pop out of the underbrush in small, seemingly endless waves. They also have sharp hooves and the stags' horns are dangerous, capable of goring anyone who doesn't get out of the way of a charge.

The cult is surprisingly large, so it may take some time to defeat them all. Whether you want to spare them or destroy them is up to you -- but it's clear that the cult has no plans for mercy whatsoever.

EXPLORATION.

Now that the cultists have been dispatched (one way or another), the camp is free to explore.

If any cultists are captured for questioning, they'll speak in gibberish and violently lash out at anyone who comes too close. The only thing they'll say that makes any sense is that Ryba is hungry -- Ryba the devouring one has eaten all the lesser gods in the world long ago, and now she needs more.

All around the camp are various effigies (poorly crafted from dried kelp), shark's teeth, and other junk of the sea. There are tents scattered around that may be explored; they are filled with mundane paraphernalia such as books, combs, and other trinkets of sentimental value. If one didn't look at the horrors outside the tents, it might be confused for a refugee camp.

The pool in the middle of the camp is filled with black water and disembodied Nalawi eyes, its concentrated magical energy more potent than even the water out in the ocean. There is a single doe in it, floating face down, the latest sacrifice before the cultists were interrupted; not dressed in their black robes, she is one of the missing villagers who was not so lucky. If she is turned over, it can be seen that her eyes have been gouged out.

The surviving kidnapped villagers are badly shaken up but have no answers as to what happened other than they were captured by what they refer to as a "death cult." Apart from some slight hunger and dehydration, none of them are injured. They're just glad to be alive, and ask to be escorted back to the Pu'ulai temple.

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It's — terrible, what they've done, [ she agrees, slowly, quietly. she feels a bit of her resolve flounder under his sharp stare, his steady words, but she knows if she backs down now, she'll never forgive herself later. ]

But they're desperate. Their world is falling to ruin and they don't know why. And we can't blame children for the sins of their elders — all they know is what they've been told.

Please, just — put the sword away. Capture them, imprison them — anything but more death.

[For a long, tense moment, Law does nothing but glare at Olivia, and it seems like he isn't going to back down. But then he sighs and sheathes his sword.]

Fine.
[He turns away, seemingly annoyed.]

I'm leaving it to you to round them up with the rest of the captured cultists, then.

[ it's with a shallow release of breath that olivia wills herself to relax. she can tell that it might not be the wisest decision, but that doesn't mean it isn't the right decision.

slowly, carefully, she turns around to address the frightened nalawi, his doe-eyes wide and darting between them. cautiously she holds out a hand towards him, her lips pressed into a smile. ]

It's alright... We're not going to hurt you, I promise...

[ she is patient, and extremely still, as the young nalawi slowly begins to relax as well. however, just as he is about to reach for her hand, there comes a sudden sound from the nearby brushes and, spooked, the young nalawi reacts in the only way he knows how —

ramming his head suddenly, using the weapons nature has given him, jamming one of those sharp antlers right up against her side. olivia cries out in pain and surprise, but before she can offer any further words of comfort for the nalawi he takes off, scrambling for the woods. ]

[God damnit, Olivia. Law immediately lurches forward to grab her by the shoulders to turn her around. You might expect an "I told you so," with his attitude a second ago but no, his sour face has an undercurrent of concern. He glances up around the clearing for a moment, before leading Olivia to a tree away from the dwindling action.]

Here, sit down. Focus on your breathing.
[His attention is already shifting to the wound to assess the damage. Dr. Trafalgar is on the fucking clock.]

[ it hurt to even breathe, but she struggles to keep calm despite the amount of blood streaming out of her wound. she's got her hand pressed down into it, a feeble attempt to remember all that he and sieglinde had taught her — but the more she sucks in a shaky breath, the more her panic starts to mount.

her free hand has reached for him, clutching at the fabric of his jacket. ]

I-It wasn't his fault, [ she says between breaths, ] he got s-scared — it wasn't his fault—

[Law's remaining calm, though the hands rummaging in his coat pockets have the faint tinge of urgency that belies the stoic expression on his face. Then he's pulling out gauze and medical tape.]

Yes, I know. It's ok. [Quiet assurances as he gently pulls her hand away to inspect the wound and apply the gauze, wrapping more tightly around the patch to put pressure on it as she had been doing.

Really he'd like to use his ability to get a look inside to make sure all her organs were unharmed. But he figures she's not in a state where she'd take that well. So basic first aid, for now. Once the bandage is in place, he moves Olivia's hand back to where it was.]
Don't worry about him for now. Just breathe.

[ she cringes as the bandage is applied, but she knows that the pressure is necessary and so keeps her mouth shut. when he sets her hand back in place, she has a split-second urge to hang onto his own hand instead, but she somehow manages to resist that near-instinctive feeling and squash it down with the rest of her pain. ]

Th-Thank you, Law...

[ she can at least meet him in the eyes, her own wide with earnest. ]

[Now that he's bandaged the injury, Law pauses a moment to look up and check that there wasn't any more immediate danger in the area. When he's confirmed that again the only cultists around are the ones tied up being questioned at the other side of the clearing, he turns back to Olivia.]

It's fine. This is literally the least I can do.
[Finally Law actually sits down next to her. Given the location of the injury, Olivia's organs are probably all fine. He'd still like to check, but figures bringing it up now would be unwise.]

When we get back to the town I want to re-bandage it so I can disinfect the wound. I'll walk you through the process properly then so you'll know how for the future.
[He did say he'd teach you things.]

[ she nods to confirm that she's heard him, because even now she is still a dutiful student. but she doesn't want to move on from her gratitude just yet, because he'd gotten it wrong.

sure, she's glad he's here, taking care of her. but more than that, she wants to thank him for something else. ]

I was thanking you... for not attacking that young Nalawi.

Ah.
[Mild surprise before he looks away.]

It's... [He doesn't want to admit that it was because it was her that asked him... Then she'll know he has some manner of warm regard for her. Can't have that.]
I thought about what my... [mentor? father figure? friend?] What the man I owe my life to would have said. He'd have agreed with you, so I stopped.

[ her brows furrow a little, head tipping to the side. it's a little hard to look at him as they are now, since turning is a bit of an effort for her, but she tries her best anyway. ]

The man you owe your life to...?

[ could law have his own basilio? ]

[Law nods. And he's kind of glad Olivia can't really turn properly to look at him right now, but he tugs the brim of his hat a bit farther down anyway.]

When I was young, I was very sick. If it wasn't for all he did to get the devil fruit for me, I would have died thirteen years ago.
[He pauses a moment, shifting a bit where he's siting, deciding what else is worth saying so that Olivia won't ask any further questions.]

He was called Corazón, the heart. I named my crew the Heart Pirates after him.
[The huge tribal tattoo on his chest is also very obviously a stylized heart. Of course the operative word here is "was."]

[ it doesn't take much to tug on olivia's heartstrings. she's always been rather emotional, and very easy to bring to tears, so a story as sad and as touching as that pretty much does the ticket.

she sniffs lightly, and while she may not be able to properly face law right now, she can at the very least work up the courage to reach over and gently lay her hand on top of his. ]

I'm sure he'd be very proud of you...

[Law frowns momentarily, opens his mouth to protest, but even though Olivia of course doesn't know about how he very recently avenged Rosinante's death... he'll give her credit anyway. And he'll allow that hand touch... for now. He's definitely not going to look at it, though.]

Aah.
[A pause.]

I suppose I shouldn't have brought up such a somber topic at a time like this.

[ she laughs lightly, making a vague gesture towards her midsection. ]

It fits, don't you think?

[ not that she is in any fear of dying or anything like that... but she thinks it a silly thing to worry about now. ]

[The almost immediate scowl that tugs at Law's face suggests that wasn't the best response she could have made, but then again, Law is so temperamental. In any case, he stands up.]

I'm going to go see if anyone else is injured. You wait here until it's time to head back to camp.
[[Well that sure was sudden.]

[ SHE HECKED UP ]

W-Wait — I'm sorry, I...

[ she almost reaches for him again, but in the last second she thinks better of it and lets her hand drop. ]

I-I mean, I won't ask you to stay... but please don't be mad? I'm sorry I laughed...

I'm not mad. I just... [Am being an emotionally constipated jerk again, as usual.]

I'm not mad, you didn't say anything wrong. Just wait here, I'll come back when it's time to go.

Okay...

[ she feels like apologizing again, but she gets the feeling any more talking on her part will just make things worse. so she relents, leaning back and pursing her lips.

she just nods. ]

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OPEN PLOT LOG ★ THE CULT [LEFT BEHIND]

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