kumogakure noire.

[Estilo]

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Old World Tactics

Name: Old World Tactics
Rank: B
Description: The war. It left more than just scars on the face of our planet. Our shinobi have recently discovered an extremely large vault door, leading to an underground bunker far beneath Kumogakure no Sato. We have tried to investigate the bunker further, but security defenses have prevented us from advancing. Traps, explosives, and guardians made of "clockwork" guard whatever lies within. While we certain that no one living or preserved is under there, we'd like you to find out anyway.
Reward: 300 experience, 5,000 ryo
Minimum Shinobi: 1
Mission Status: Interminable

The site was surrounded with shinobi tents and officials, the perimeter guarded by ANBU agents and yellow tape. Civilians gathered around the area, hoping to take a peek at what the officials of Kumogakure no Sato had discovered. But they were too far to see exactly what it was, and were left wondering what it could be with their great imaginations. I had been summoned by the Jounin-Commander by special request, to investigate the anomaly they had discovered, and help them infiltrate it to find its secrets.

Crouching under the yellow tape, and giving the ANBU that guarded it a few curt nods, I would advance with the Jounin-Commander by my side, listening intently to every piece of intel he had to give. "We found it early this morning, after a rancher followed his stray goat here. We believe it to be situated directly under the mountain you see before you."

"In the letter, you mentioned a vault?" I replied, arching a single brow. A vault. I could hardly believe that we hadn't found it, during that era of restoration all those years ago. And I was anxious to see it. Any relic of that old, bloody war came of interest to me, especially when it concerned Kumogakure no Sato. For I had fought in that war, blindly so, and lost many of my dear comrades to its bloodshed. But I'd never heard of a vault. It seemed that the Old Raikage had much more planned than I'd thought.

"Well... our scientists believe it to be more of a bunker now. It was hidden from our view for years, under some sort of cloaking technique. They speculate that the tubing that runs within the vault carries a faint trace of chakra... and that, after this chakra ran out, the bunker was revealed to the world. For all we know, it could be a facility dedicated to science, weaponry... or even the survival of the human race."

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [2]

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Survival of the human race. I would not doubt something like that. During those end times... we were all desperate. The chance that the Old Raikage had devised something like this wasn't too far from probable. And if I had not been burning with intrigue before, I definitely was now. Exactly what secrets did this bunker hold? And what would I find? It was all a mystery... for now. But as soon as we got that vault door open, I'd find out.

"What's your progress on that vault door?" I asked, as we neared what seemed to be a giant crater on the side of the mountain. The rocky path beneath us would take a sharp decline just a little ways away. We were nearing the edge of the site now, and soon enough, I would be capable of gazing upon the vault door with my own eyes. So close to validity.

"Not good." The Jounin-Commander answered, his gaze stern and unwavering as we went along at an even pace. "Every single thing we've tried, every shinobi we've hired so far, every explosive we've used- nothing seems to be working, and we don't have the slightest clue as to what can open it. The door itself seemed to have been crafted with powerful chakra." By now, we'd reach the edge of the large crater.

There was a large stone circle below, engraved with a spiral pattern, and the symbol of Kumogakure no Sato at its center. The vault door seemed to be embedded into the mountain itself, a dead end to the small cave-like area in which it resided. The Kumogakure no Sato symbol was etched into its shining metal surface, too, at its center. The only thing that connected the vault to the stone circle in front of it was a coupling of transparent tubes.

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [3]

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"God-damn..." I muttered with surprise, astonished by the sheer size of it all. It looked old, the surface of the vault door weathered and stained, but very sturdy. Black marks were visible on its surface, too. Surely, left behind by the series of explosions the Jounin-Commander had mentioned earlier. I scratched the back of my head. "Who would have thought this would be here." I found and descended the wooden stairs a Mokuton user had created with the Jounin-Commander by my side, ready to investigate.

"We understand that you played a big part during the peak of that World War." The Jounin-Commander continued. "And as far as we're concerned, you're our leading expert on all things archaic. Especially when it involves the military of the old Kumogakure no Sato. We were hoping you'd know what to do. And explore this... bunker of ours."

I'd reach the bottom of the strange crater, and started to approach the large stone platform before the vault door. The Jounin-Commander stayed behind. evaluating my every move as I continued. I did not say a word, crossing my arms as my eyes analyzed the setting with great detail. Every step I made issued a sharp 'tap'. And, when I reached the center of the stone platform, I stopped. Then something happened, the symbol beneath me glowing.

The mountain itself, surrounding us at nearly all sides, seemed to groan. You could hear metallic locks begin to unlock, the light blue glow that came from the symbol beneath me infecting the spiral pattern that covered the entire stone platform. And, as if it were being pulled backwards by some unseen giant, the vault door sunk into the darkness of the bunker it had once protected. I turned back to the Jounin-Commander, eyes opened wide.

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [4]

---

I could not even begin to speculate what had occurred, or why, but what action I should take next was clear. I needed to advance, into the darkness of that Pre-War bunker, and root out all of the secrets it held. So, without another word, I did just that. Cautiously, I entered, signaling for everyone else to stay behind me as I explored. I worked easier alone, and did not have a problem risking my life to ensure the safety of others that followed after.

I sunk into the darkness of that long unused bunker, and felt a cold chill run down my spine. It was so eerie, being in here. The smell was that of dust and cobwebs, frigid Pre-War air that hit my nostrils with a strange vibe. This place seemed haunted... like no one was ever supposed to find it. And I almost felt compelled to turn around and have it locked away again forever.

But something compelled me not to. And, when I began to hear the distinct sound of metal 'clanking' in the distance, echoing down hallways I had yet to see, that intrigue was only bolstered. I had to venture in deeper, and find out what was causing that sound. My curiosity would not have it any other way. So I drew my weathered bowie knife, and advanced further.

The clanking I heard was erratic and without rhythm. It seemed to grow stronger as I continued. And, finally- after all that walking through the darkness, I spotted a faint blue light in the distance. That shadows I perceived within it told me this was a hallway. A series of large light bulbs on the sides of the hallway kept it illuminated rather dimly with their blue light. I wondered where that power for lighting came from.

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [5]

---

I advanced into that hallway before me, taking steps as light as a feather falling on the surface of a mattress. The hallway separated into many directions, branching off into several other dimly lit hallways, creating a maze I was certain would be easy for me to get lost in. But I only advanced forward, reasoning that the site of that mysterious 'clanking' had to be coming from there. All the way at the back of this strange bunker.

Puddles of water were scattered about the hallway. I passed large windows as I continued, clouded with what seemed like steam, so that I could only barely discern the objects each room on the other side held. School desks, tables, chairs, lounges- their contents all rotted, and dusty, and seemingly unused. It seemed like this bunker was supposed to be used as a facility for survivors of the Old War. A home to hideout for long periods of time.

But where had all the people gone? Had they even reached this safe-haven? This entire anomaly had been suspicious from the start, and I desired more than anything right now to know what was going on. Or rather, what had occurred. Although, having been there myself, I knew exactly how the Great Flash had caught almost everyone off guard. So it was safe to presume that no one had garnered enough time to hide out down here.

Suddenly, I heard a sound. Something was... rolling, and it seemed to be coming in my direction. But, considering all the hallways that surrounded me, it was nigh impossible to discern where this sound was coming from. But I had a good feeling that it was going to be unpleasant. I stuck to the shadows, my back against the wall, gripping the handle of my bowie knife tightly with a gloved hand. I felt that tension that came before battle.

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [6]

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With my eyes vigilantly going to and fro, analyzing the scenery around me, I would soon come to find the distinct silhouette of something that resembled... a skeleton, approaching from one of the hallways. The eerie blue light that illuminated these hallways only added to the tension, as I waited for it to come within range of my bowie knife. Whatever it was, I was certain that it was not human. And I had a feeling it wasn't nice.

Suddenly, it would appear just around the corner. Rearing its strangely shaped head- which oddly resembled a wide-brimmed, golden hat. Its eyes were small beads of bright red, its lower jaw a conglomeration of armored shards and bolts. And its torso, though plated with armor on its front and back, revealed the intricate network of cogs and screws it was composed of entirely. It rolled around on a gyro, with no feet to sustain it. It thin metallic arms ended in sharp, golden blades. It glared at me as it raised them.

"Shit!" I side-stepped away just before it slashed downwards, witnessing its attack as it hit the wall where I had place myself against previously. Before it managed to turn and strike at me again, I pulled my arm back and readied my bowie knife, aiming at it's exposed area with narrowed eyes. When I felt the power I had mustered was sufficient (which was, quite literally, within a fraction of seconds) I threw the readied knife in a quick, unwarranted flash.

The bowie knife struck, jamming itself between two of the cogs within, and causing the clock-work within the machine to falter. But the protector of this abandoned bunker still came at me, at the moment. It attacked, spinning its body around with ease, as its bladed arms extended forward in an attempt to slice me in half. I flickered backwards, issuing hand seals all the while.

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [7]

---

Whatever this being was, it was only a matter of time before it disengaged from its attacks. I could tell. The bowie knife that I had jammed within its metallic innards looked like it had done some damage. Steam poured out of its exposed areas, its movements steadily became slower and clunky. As it propelled its gyro ball forwards, headed towards me, it attacked.

I saw as it raised a single blade, ready to strike me down, and I issued the last hand seal in my sequence just before that. Just before its blade managed to reach the top of my head, I touched a single hand against the metal wall beside me. Suddenly, having assimilated the wall's properties, my entire body took upon a metallic hue. I had become metal. And when the machine's blade struck me, I was unharmed. It was only a matter of time...

Before the machine died out. With the amount of steam that came blowing out of it, the strange invention was blown apart from the inside. Pieces of metal clanked and bounced about in all directions, my bowie knife among them. When it had all ended, I let go of the wall and dispelled the technique, shaking my head and composing myself. That technique always seemed to leave me a little exhausted. But it had done its job, and I could continue.

Except, just when I was about to go ahead and continue my exploring, that sound came to light again. The same that the clock-work guardian had issued. Only... in number. More of them were coming! They had, surely, taken notice of the most recent ruckus. So, without further delay, I ran. I didn't know where I was going at this point, but I didn't care. Not now.

[Estilo]

Old World Tactics [8]

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Running down these hallways, through the eerie blue light that was cast upon them, I was growing slightly desperate. I could still hear them, their sounds, and whether they were still close or not was still unclear to me. The echoing that reverberated off the walls made it difficult to discern their distance and, for all I knew, they were closing in on my location.

As I ran, despite my desperation, I still noticed the changes that varied with each hallway I passed. They seemed to be growing... wider. And the lack of windows was notable, too. Then, without warning I'd run into a large vault door. A smaller version of the one I had opened outside. I skidded to a halt, eyeing the control panel in front of it. The controls seemed simple enough...

I worked the buttons, and knobs, and levers on the control panel. Unsure what I was doing exactly, but hoping that it would open the door ahead of me. After lowering a lever, I stopped hearing the sounds that echoed throughout the hallway. I looked over my shoulder briefly. Maybe I had powered down the clock-work guardians somehow? And after pressing a big red button... the vault door before me opened up with a low mist.

A cold gust of air hit me as the vault door opened, and the mist poured out. Something was in there, I could see it, but I did not understand it. I approached it slowly, with tentative steps. And i narrowed my eyes. What seemed like a high-tech coffin, connected with tubes and framed with now-clouded glass, came into view. As the cloudiness of it all cleared, however, I was astounded to see the silhouette of a person. I couldn't believe it.

G A M E O V E R

[Estilo]

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Old World Stranger

Name: Old World Stranger
Rank: B
Description: While we had no idea that you would find a cryogenically preserved person within that bunker, we would like you to take care of this person until he/she recovers. Our medics have ascertained that they have absolutely no memory of their past, and will most likely never recover it, and have asked that you gradually bring this survivor into our world. Since you're the first person he/she has seen since their strange preservation, it is reasonable to think that the transition will flow smoother with you. But beware. A mercenary has been rumored to have been searching for this Pre-War rarity. And they've entered Kumogakure no Sato.
Reward: 300 experience, 5,000 ryo
Minimum Shinobi: 1
Mission Status: Interminable
Requirements: 'Old World Tactics'. Must have roleplayed finding the cryogenically preserved "stranger" at the end of the aforementioned mission.

"Who... who are you?"

The chamber in which the maiden had been kept all these years had opened on its own accord. She had stumbled out, and I had caught her in my arms, gazing down at that serene face, those long strands of black. And, when she opened them faintly, those dark blue eyes. When she spoke, I was frozen in place. She was alive! I... couldn't believe it. And that astounded look on my face laid proof to that. That being said, I was surprised I managed a word:

"A...Atlas." I stuttered, eyes opened wide with astonishment. She wore what seemed to be a hospital patient's gown, and a large brown overcoat over it. She continued to stare at me, soundlessly repeating that word with her pale lips. And it was only then that I managed to ask, with that same astounded shock in my tone of voice: "And... who are you?"

It was then that her eyes narrowed, as if confused by the simple question. "I... I don't know." Her eyes shifted to the side, analyzing the scenery surrounding her. Her countenance held a completely baffled expression. It was obvious that she had no idea where she was, much less who she was. And I was suddenly overwhelmed with an urgency to take her out of here, and into the experienced care of a medic. Was something wrong with her?

"C'mon- wrap your arms around my neck. I'm taking you out of here." I waited for her to do just that, eyeing the label on the side of the preservation dock that said "XLALA", before straightening in posture. She was extremely light and, although it was easier to carry her out of the bunker, I was worried about her weight. How had she been effected?

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [2]

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After having evaluated her in the medical tent, the medic stood up from the chair he had positioned beside her bed, turning to me with a stern look upon his face. Several officials from Kumogakure no Sato, including the Jounin-Commander, stood behind me- anxiously awaiting the diagnosis. "She's going to be alright. She's a little famished, and a little dehydrated, but her health is relatively okay despite. Her memory, on the other hand..."

The look on the medic's face told me that the diagnosis for her memory was not good and, to be honest, I had expected it not to be. Since the moment she looked at me with those fascinating dark blue eyes... I knew that she would not be able to provide me with any information regarding her survival in that bunker. Nothing but her hospital gown, oversized long coat, and the name "XLALA". It was like piecing together a large puzzle with few pieces.

"Does she at least have a name?" The Jounin-Commander suddenly asked, realizing that everyone had come to the same conclusion during the moment of silence. I pondered, briefly remembering that name once more. Xlala. It was a strange one... I honestly could say that I had never seen such a word before. But it was befitting, and one of the only clues that we had about the mysterious Pre-War girl. It'd do us all well to remember.

"Xlala." I answered. "The name was with her, when I found her. I'm not sure if it was her actual name... but it's all we got." Xlala, the dark haired, blue-eyed girl currently sleeping on the flimsy bed that had been laid out for her in the medical tent. The Old World stranger. The anomaly. It was eerie, seeing her, and knowing that she came from that era from which most of us had all belonged. Yet another survivor of the Great Flash.

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [3]

---

The small crowd of Kumogakure no Sato officials had left the room by now, off to investigate the bunker and all of its secrets with the others. I, however, stayed in the medical tent with the medic and the patient. I didn't know why... I just felt compelled to do so. The medic turned to me, when I sat down on a wooden chair. "Burabiya-sama, I'd like to speak to you." He started. "About Xlala... she's going to be your responsibility."

My face did not show any sign of confusion, or disagreement, or... anything. I simply turned back to the medic, and nodded. I understood. Xlala had been locked away in that bunker for more than a decade now, or so I thought. And exposing her to the rest of the world right now, although not too different from the world whence she came, could cause some problems.

I was okay with helping her get her life together, to start anew, and live in this world freely- with peace in her heart. She could not do it alone, and the alternative was definitely something I did not want to see her go through. She deserved a chance at life again, to make new memories, and live happy. Having freed her from the chamber that kept her asleep, I felt obligated.

"That's completely understandable. I'll look after her from here on out. Is there anything else? And when can she leave?" I asked, my face stern. This whole situation- the girl, the bunker, all of it- had spawned something within me, A sense of... nostalgia. It changed my attitude, that much was certain. But it did not change who I was. Xlala was in my care now.

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [4]

---

"I'm going to need you to check in regularly with me," The medic responded. "You're a high-ranking shinobi, so it should not be too hard for you to write up a detailed report on your progress with Xlala. Daily, if you can. Or, at least every three days. Her rehabilitation is important... but the officials want to know if she regains any memories. Although it is highly unlikely, they like to be cautious about things."

I nodded in reply, affirming that I understood these conditions. The officials of Kumogakure no Sato were always cautious about things. And this rare occasion was not exempt from that. I could only hope that, regardless of whether she regained any old memories or not, Xlala would go on to live a peaceful life from here on out. "Understood. I'll write to you daily."

"Splendid." The medic answered, turning around to make his leave. "You can leave with her as soon as she wakes up." And with that, he was gone. Only me and her remained in the large medical tent, and I pondered what steps I would take from here on out. I had never really done something like this before... rehabilitation. It seemed like a job suitable for a therapist.

But I didn't let that persuade me into abandoning this task. As soon as Xlala woke up, I would fill her in on the specifics. When she was ready, I'd put her large brown coat on her and lead her out into the night. Before too long, we'd reach my apartment, where the guest bedroom awaited her. After getting her settled in, I'd ask her to sleep, and leave the room. We had a big day ahead of us, and she needed all the rest she could get for the occasion.

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [5]

---

"X l a - l a a a a."

She pronounced the word, sitting across from me as we ate our breakfast on the kitchen table. I smiled as she continued, cutting my pancakes into neat little squares before popping more than a few into my mouth. "Xla-la. SLAW-LAW. Xlalaaaaa." Whilst I actually ate my food, she continued to distractedly poke her own with a fork, repeating her given name.

"That's what the side of your chamber said~" I smiled, reaching for my glass of orange juice. "Now stop fiddling around with your food, hm?" I continued arching a single brow, before tipping the contents of the glass down into my mouth. For a girl who was roughly in her mid-twenties, she acted rather childish. But, I supposed, her amnesia played a big part in that.

She pouted briefly, cat-like eyes glancing at me with their marvelous dark blue hue. "I'm not hungry. And I want to go outside, Atty." Though she exhibited a lack of hunger, her hands undoubtedly reached for the fork nearby, cutting off a fragment of her honey-soaked pancake as she continued. "Besides... what's the point of keeping me locked up here any longer? I don't understand it." She popped a piece of pancake into her mouth, frowning. Her long black hair cascading down her shoulders.

"I told you," I answered, continuing with my meal all the while. "Exposing you to the outside world so soon runs a risk of putting you in shock. We don't know whether you really have amnesia... or something else. And we don't want to take any chances... okay?" Briefly noticing the sadness in her eyes, I continued. "Just... finish your breakfast, yeah? For me?" I waited, hoping that she would do so.

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [6]

---

A brief gleam of resistance appeared in her eyes, a mischievous flare. But it disappeared just as quickly as it had formed, and I was pleased to see her smile- even if it was only centimeters long. "Fine." She answered, feigning a deep frustration. "But when I do get to go outside, you're taking me everywhere! Deal?" She popped a piece of pancake playfully into her mouth, savoring the honey with a lick of her lips as she waited for my reply.

"Deal." I answered, promptly downing the last of my orange juice with an exuberant glow in my eyes. I had taken care of her for nearly a week now, playing board games, telling her stories, teaching her how to cook, amongst a plethora of other things. But it was during moments like these that I wondered whether she thought of me as anything else but her caretaker.

"Hey," She suddenly spoke, snapping me out of these thoughts. "I'm going to take a bath. But you wanna play another game of shogo today?" She suggested with a wide smile, rising from her seat, and tucking the wooden chair neatly into the table. She wore a long-sleeved black shirt, and a pair of loose black pajama pants. Both of them oversized for her stature- and folded at the wrists and ankles- considering they were mine.

"Sure, if you don't mind losing again." I teased.

She blatantly laughed in my face, before sharply turning around and heading over to the door that led to her room. "As if!" She would close the door behind her gently then, leaving me in the kitchen by myself, as I finished the last of my breakfast. Looking after her had been far more... enjoyable, than I had initially predicted. And I was actually looking forward to setting up the game pieces to shogo right after this. But suddenly- a sharp scream.

[Estilo]

Old World Stranger [7]

---

Xlala was in trouble, that much was certain. And I bolted upright from my position on the chair so fast that I knocked it over, nearly knocking over the table as well. Within a fraction of seconds, I'd open her door, and head into her room- stopping immediately when I saw the darkly-clad mercenary that held a knife to Xlala's throat. The window was open, the drapes flapping with the breeze that swept through. A sense of panic brimmed from Xlala's eyes. I spoke, calmly and slowly. "Please. Just let her go. I'll give you whatever you want. Just let her go." I raised my hands, surrendering.

The mercenary, glaring at me with his dark eyes, seemed to have smirked. But I couldn't tell. The only exposed area of skin was that around his eyes. Everything else was covered with black cloth. "I want her." He answered, a vile tone soaking his words. "And if you get in my way, I'll slit her throat so that no one will have her. So what's it gonna be, asshole?"

He glared at me from behind Xlala, and I turned my worried gaze into her own dark blue hues. Somehow, I wanted to let her know that it was going to be okay. I did not know exactly how I was going to do it... but I would not let him take her. Not her, nor her life. And, turning my gaze towards the mercenary once more, my eyes narrowed into one of viciousness. "Look-"

Then suddenly, there was a blur of motion, too fast for my normal eye to discern. Although, by the end of it, it was clear what had occurred. Somehow, Xlala had broken out of his hold, executing what seemed like a flashy elbow to the gut- proceeded with a swift disarmament via a melee technique I had only ever seen with ANBU members. By the end of it, the mercenary was sprawled out on the ground beside his knife, unconscious. A radio slipped out of his pocket, crackling to life before I could say anything about what had just occurred. She had just- I- So many questions.