2017-04-09: Advance of the Demons

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  • Log: Advance of the Demons
  • Cast:Riesenlied, Siegfried
  • Where: The Photosphere
  • Date: 499 PC
  • Summary: Riesenlied and Siegfried discuss their advancement plans on Ignas, and the Quarter Knight reveals new alliances.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied's week has been a rather busy one.

With everyone's assistance -- Noeline, Zed, Kalve, Gamma -- the Metal Demons have been able to suss out a relatively optimal location for their forward operating base. But that wasn't the only thing on her mind -- with the establishment of a base, operating protocols of engagement and strategy need to be considered, and it's with this in mind that she seeks out her leader, the Quarter Knight she largely most relates to.

The winged angel steps to the control room of the Photosphere, a polished personal terminal at her side. "Lord Siegfried?" she asks, voice filled with respect, bowing her head. "Do you have a moment to discuss our Ignasian plans, sir?"

<Pose Tracker> Siegfried has posed.

"I see," Siegfried says. He nods, once, and folds his arms over his chest. He didn't rise to his command purely through age or skill in combat. Strategy, tactics -- he always had a mind for those things. His expression scrunches up, brow furrowed, and then he nods. "Yes. I remember the vicinity, as best as I can. I didn't know there was a mine. That will suit our purposes well."

He nods. "See to it that Kalve does," he says. "I do not want it found before we strike. I believe, from our search, that we know where the key to Mother's eventual awakening is."

He looks over his shoulder, back at his god. "...Adlehyde. We can strike at it from Old Petra."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"Adlehyde..." Riesenlied murmurs as well. "Yes, this is a suitable location. Recent chaotic events--" Her mind flashes to the cuccos, of all things, "--have disrupted travel routes between the cities of Ignas, and Old Petra sits in such a location that we can move our smaller, quicker forces with discretion. I shall see that it is done within the coming week."

She looks up to Mother as well, closing her eyes and whispering something. It's like a prayer.

"Sir. If I may continue," she says, "It is regarding the ongoing strategy of our war effort that we shall take when we've made our presence clear to the humans. I would like to share my insights, but I would also like to hear yours."

<Pose Tracker> Siegfried has posed.

"I see," Siegfried says. He nods once. "I have made contact with... a local. An ally, they would claim. A warrior known as K.K., clad in all white armor, who has declared a vendetta against humanity. I want you to watch them -- to test them, and see if they are worthy of standing with us. They are not human, of that, I am sure. I am sure of little else about them."

Perhaps their sincerity... but Siegfried is less trusting than he once was. He quiets, though, after that. He looks at Riesenlied, then he nods once.

"Speak," he says. It is almost a command.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied looks just a bit curious, but nods at the mention of K.K. She is rather curious who this individual might be that has caught the attention of that leader. "I shall, sir."

Then she taps on the terminal, to move it to a map of eastern Ignas. "Ignas is a hotbed of activity with many existing forces," Riesenlied expresses. "Of kingdoms alone, there is Aveh, Kislev and Adlehyde; each of them possess backing we cannot afford to ignore, such as the presence of Gebler and the relics that Adlehyde have recently surfaced. Then, there are further rumors of Garlyle being involved, despite their decimation a few years ago, from what I have uncovered in Sult."

She folds her arms. "If I have learnt anything about humans, it is that they hold strong feelings about labels. Their minds are predisposed to judgement. They call our ancestors 'Metal Demons'. They regard the word 'ARM' with fear in their eyes and in their voices." Psychology, again. Many younger demons would scoff at Riesenlied about compensating for her lack of strength with trickery, but Riese finds knowing her enemy to be a valuable asset.

"There is merit in taking advantage of this," she concludes. "I would like to commit the Ebony Wings' primary operations in Ignas to combating the misuse of our ancestors' remnants." Siegfried would no doubt know that Riese holds Dragon Fossils with more reverence and respect than most demons, too.

"Drawing attention to the Fossils and the ARMS serves as a misdirection away our subtler operations," she expresses. "The Ebony Wings will strike at their primary means of war production, while at the same time renewing the fears that the populace have of Drifters. By sowing that mistrust, the humans will have a harder time organising themselves as a resistance front."

<Pose Tracker> Siegfried has posed.

Siegfried looks at the map and studies it. The map isn't new to him -- but he has a habit of dismissing the humans as largely being the same, save for Solaris. His frown, always present, sharpens at the very word 'Gebler.' He nods, once, and then he looks to the side, where he studies Riesenlied for a moment. She was always different than him. She always valued understanding the humans.

It can pay dividens, but it can be dangerous, too. He looks back at the map, and then he nods once. "I see," he says. "I approve of such a notion. While I do not doubt our ability to fight the humans, as a whole... a war against all of them would be difficult when it need not be."

He looks at her, considering. "How will you sew this mistrust? I know they are fickle creatures -- and likely to turn on themselves. But, do not forget: they are not like us. Most humans are content to sit in their towers and hovels, cower in fear, and let their champions fight for them. We of Hyades are different."

He frowns. "For humanity, a passive nature is practically guaranteed."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"I shall boldly announce our strike operations prior, such that rumours will spread far. Our intelligence operatives, such as Noeline, can help with spreading the word," Riesenlied points towards several points. "There are ARMs plants and Fossil repositories near major city centres. Even within Adlehyde and Timney, there are numerous ARMsmiths that make their living twisting the remnants of those that have passed."

There's a note of distaste there.

"The more danger we associate with these major facilities, the more fear we strike into the communities around them. The passive humans want nothing more to do than to live quietly -- they will distance themselves from anything involving ARMs or Fossils, and the Drifters that rely on ARMs supplies such as ammunition, repairs and maintenance. And with less support, the slower and harder their work will be."

She looks up. "The difference in that speed will be critical in ensuring we can strike while the iron is hot."

<Pose Tracker> Siegfried has posed.

Siegfried frowns, for a moment, and nods. On the subject of using their fallen comrades' bodies as weapons, he and Riesenlied are in agreement. He nods, as he listens.

"This will distract them," he says. "They will focus upon the ARMs and Dragon Fossils -- and the Drifters will see that as our true target. As they should," he says. "Destroying those does assist us. After all, Gears can create no small amount of trouble for us."

He looks to Riesenlied. "Do you think these Drifters will pose a great threat? You have more experience with them than I."

And much of his focus has been on Solaris -- and, to a lesser extent, the other human armies.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"They are worthy of our attention," Riesenlied answers in turn. "It is as you say -- though ostracised, many of them are champions amongst humans. They defy expectation, dabbling in arts and weaponry that many are too cowed to understand."

She gestures lightly with her hand. "In turn, this makes them a dangerous element. I have seen at least two who are quite comfortable with ARMs that were once our ancestors, from the era of the Wars. And equally many are quite proficient in martial arts, and Sorcery."

She makes a note of that, though, bowing her head. "That is the extent of my progress report. You said you wished to speak to me about something else, sir?" referencing the earlier comment Siegfried made.

<Pose Tracker> Siegfried has posed.

"The humans that the others use to fight their wars," Siegfried says. He nods, then. "So be it. If they are dangerous, then we will meet them on the field of battle -- and they will find that, against us, there can only be one outcome." His fist tenses, then curls. "We will crush them."

He nods. The Quarter Knight looks pleased -- at least, as pleased as he ever gets.

Then, he looks sideways at Riesenlied. "I spoke of K.K. before. I want you to watch them closely," he says. "There is much of Filgaia that I do not understand. And these new humans, from another world that Kalve and Zed met... there is much that could spin out of our control. That could endanger Mother."

Siegfried frowns. "I have not thought well of your proclivities to understanding the humans in the past, Riesenlied," he says. "But... I will not have us struck from a blind spot. Learn what you can, about K.K. and these unknown facets."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied nods, and says, "I agree. It is imperative that we become sharply aware of that which we know nothing about, lest this disrupt our plans. You have my full cooperation and support on that, sir." A known-unknown is one thing, but the presence of the Lunarians and the Guards of Althena have just demonstrated, more and more, that there are unknown-unknowns out there that threaten to imperil their plans...

She bows. "That is all, sir." She looks up in reverence once more to Mother, then bows her head in respect. "Glory be to Hyades, and our Mother. Let us seek the new world."

Seek the new world... that has, and always been, Riesenlied's own personal phrase and motto, and it is embodied from Mother's sacrifice to bring them here, to their promised land, during a time in which they could have just as easily been decimated. It is a guiding principle of hers.

<Pose Tracker> Siegfried has posed.

"Good. Then I will leave the matter in your capable hands. Glory to Hyades and our Mother," Siegfried echoes, with a nod.

He turns, then, to look up at Mother -- and gaze up, reverently, even as Riesenlied departs. He doesn't echo her sentiment about a new world. For him, it is not finding a new world. It is tearing this one away from the hands of unworthy humans.

After they failed Mother before, it is the least that they can do.