9822/Path of Glory: The Cave of Machpelah

Path of Glory: The Cave of Machpelah
Date of Scene:	24 January 2022
Location:	Old City of Hebron, West Bank
Synopsis:	Cael and Jon travel to the West Bank with the help of Raphael to acquire an artifact that will help Cael stand on her feet against Michael and his Hosts.
Cast of Characters:	Cael Becker, Jonathan Sims, Michael Demiurgos
Tinyplot:	Path of Glory

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Cael Becker has posed:
    It's been a busy day for Cael - between her work at Grand Central Station, checking in on Sara - and now, a potential 'cave quest' assigned to her by an angel to prove her worth.
    What is my life even? She has to ask that question with increasing frequency, it seems.
    After a light rap on Jon's door, she barely waits for the 'enter' before she pushes it open, Bear following on her heels. He settles in beside Cael who, after making sure Jon didn't have any visitors, wrapped the man into a hug. "I talked to Sara," she confides simply, her voice heavy with grief and concern.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon is indeed alone, checking over the map on the table, but he can sense that it's Cael at the door. So he straightens and turns as she comes in, then returns the hug, closing his eyes.

    "Oh," he says softly. "Oh, gods. Did she... tell you...?" He can't really talk about it without being certain Cael knows what he means, given that he swore to Sara he wouldn't tell anyone else what had happened to her in that missing week.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "About the children? And their families?" Cael asks quietly, and sadly. "God, just //seeing// something like that would fuck you up, but she had to- how do you help someone with something like that, Jon? What the hell do I do?" she asks - surely he'd have //some// idea. Wouldn't he? Helping people with heavy shit was literally his job!
    "I mean - I told her I'd be there for her, but- there has to be something..."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Partly... you give her time," Jon says softly. "It's not her fault, and it's... good to remind her that it's not her fault, but she has to... she still remembers doing it. Her hands still did the killing." There's a haunted quality to his voice. He understands what Sara's gone through better than he wants to admit. "She might not ever be able to forgive herself, not really."

    He sighs, and runs his hands through Cael's hair. "But... we stand by her. Be there for her. Help her deal with the /real/ killer, with von Stucker." He chuckles. "I... suggested she see a therapist, but I don't know that she'll take the suggestion. I'm... glad you didn't respond badly, though. She was afraid that I would, and... reasonably so. A lot of people wouldn't understand what it's like, being... forced to do things you don't want to do."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Yeah, well... I stabbed you once, didn't I?" Cael points out in a quiet voice. "So I guess I understand it a little better than most. But I remember stabbing you as something I... chose to do, even if I wasn't in my right mind. She didn't choose. So- not really the same." But enough to give her some perspective.
    Taking a deep breath in, she lets it out slowly, then looks up towards Jon. "Is there anything in particular you think I need to avoid saying or doing? Something people might often get wrong?"

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "I... it's not like this is a... usual thing with some kind of gold standard of care. Just... be patient, okay? Think about what you would want someone to do for you. Ask what she needs." Jon sighs, and pulls back a little, peering down at her.

    "Are we talking about Sara to avoid dealing with going into a cave to get this pendant?" He quirks a brow. "Because if you're /that/ worried about the whole 'cave' business, I won't judge if you decide to back out."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael nods at Jon's suggestions - then stiffens a little at his question. "Not thrilled about going into a cave," she admits in a dry tone. "I mean - I don't know why this keeps happening. Three in a month, and before that hadn't been in one since grade school. ...I really am done with them. But no - I'm not avoiding it, and I'm not backing out. I'm going."
    Bear, still sitting at Cael's feet, adds a brief bark as if to emphasize her words - his tail wagging cheerfully.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    There is little fanfare or announcement for the Archangel of Love. One moment he is not there, the next he is in the room with them, the floral scent associated with him permeating the air with its sweet fragrance. "There is little you can do for the bearer of the Witchblade at this time. She has to make a decision about this on her own." His tone is calm and serene, as usual.

    "Time and the mettle of her idetity will determine the outcome." He looks at Jon and then at Cael. "Why am I not surprised?" he asks with a smile as he settles his inhuman eyes on Jon.

    "I take it you can agree to a temporary cease of hostilities for the duration of this..." his mouth quirks at a side as he snaps their idea of this excursion from the air, "Cave Quest?"

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon yelps and actually jumps at the sudden /presence/ in the room. Even without fanfare, his senses blare louder than any fanfare that /hey there's an Archangel here/. He turns to stare at Raphael, blinking rapidly for a moment.

    "Bloody hell," he snaps. "Can you... can you all just... /show up/ here in Grand Central?!" That's a security concern, for sure. "Or... is it because of, well, temporary cessation of hostilities due to your decision to help my girlfriend?" As if he's pointing out that Raphael's work paid off, there.

Cael Becker has posed:
    It's only because of the way that Jon //jumps// that Cael startles at all - and the look she shoots Jon is both accusing and amused.
    She turns her attention towards Raphael next, pressing her lips together. Jon's question... was a good one. This place was supposed to be warded, wasn't it? But maybe nothing is powerful enough to keep an Archangel out. "Gee, and I didn't even have to show 'Shithead' to the heavens this time," she says dryly - before she crouches beside Bear. "I'm going to need you to stay here and be a good boy, okay Bear? Jon and I'll be back soon. Okay?" She rubs at the dog's ears while he wags his tail in response.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael smiles. "While giving a highly cryptic answer such as 'yes' would be entertaining, I leave such things to my Quiet Brother" the Archangel replies. "The answer is twofold. One, the homo magi, while formidable is still a mortal and her wards, at least to being such as us, weaken over time. It has been long enough that the greatest of our number are able to enter with some caveats. I imagine taking action against any of you would likely incur the wrath of the ward. I come in a manner with no animosity or ill intent toward any of you."

    He allows that to be understood and then continues. "Two, even as I am here, I have come with only a small portion of my true power. Much was left at the entry point. Once I depart, the power will return to me but for now, it is hidden and suspended." That also hangs in the air for a while. There is just a measure of the power of an Archangel, just sitting out in the world somewhere. Hopefully he's hidden it well. He doesn't seem concerned so it's likely he has hidden it -quite- well.

    The Archangel of Love turns his attention to Bear for a moment. "Great companion, I appreciate you trusting me with your charge. I swear to you, on the Purpose of my existence, that I will keep them as safe as I can while they are outside of the challenge presented to them." Quite a hefty promise to give to an animal, and yet, Jon's senses would pick up that he is -very- sincere in his words.

    He looks up at Cael. "Is there any final preparation you need to make? We will be travelling directly to the site of the challenge, once there I will be unable to help you further until you complete it or forfeit."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon frowns at the first part of what Raphael says. "We'll have to re-cast the wards, then," he says simply. "I should have already infused them with Gaea's power; I'll have to see if Phoebe or Lydia can help with that." A sigh. Another thing to do; every time he checks something off the to-do list, two more things get added. Pressure like a drip, drip, drip, right?

    Then he looks at Cael. "I'm ready." He pulls the staff off his belt and shakes it out to its full length. "Unless there's a chance we'll need provisions for a long trip." A glance back at Raphael.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Bear gives a single, cheerful bark at Raphael - then moves towards the angel to grace him with a slobbery kiss, before returning to Cael and giving her one as well. "Ugh... Bear... Yeah, yeah, yeah."
    She gives the pup one last scratch before she rises to her feet, giving Raphael an uncertain look. "I was, in fact, wondering how long you predict this to take - and if there's anything you recommend we bring with us. Or is this like a 'Yoda's Cave' thing - it's what we bring with us...?" Yes. Cael just made a geeky reference. No, it probably won't happen again.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael accepts the affection from the dog without complaint. Then he shakes his head and gives Jon a steady look. "That will not be necessary," he replies. "They will not drop to a threshold low enough to come to worry before this is over." His gaze is unreadable for a moment before he comes out of it and looks to Cael.

    "No the threats in this cave are quiet real and more than simply figments of your imagination. However, you will need this..." he says offering his staff to the woman. "Any weapon you may be proficient with will not work on the beings that guard the amulet. This will affect them well enough." He smiles.

    "As for a time frame?" He considers the question before answering. "A few hours at the most. I doubt it will take longer than that, especially since I am cutting the travel time from hours to seconds."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon nods in reply to all of that, reaches out to wrap an arm around Cael and hug her to him, then lets go and readies his staff. "Alright, then," he says simply. "I'm ready whenever you are, Cael."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael pulls out her phone, sending out a quick text to Martin. 'Bear's in Jon's office. Make sure someone gives him a potty break in a couple hours, please.' She hits send, stares at her phone for a moment, and then tucks it away into her pocket. "Okay. Well... Ready,then, I guess." She takes the offered staff, studying it, before giving a final nod. "Let's go."
    She really wishes she'd practice more with a staff, all of the sudden. Nothing for it, though.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael nods and offers his hands to Jon and Cael. Once taken, a pink glow surrounds all there and the office in Grand Central is consumed in a swirl of flower petals. There is no sense of motion, but as the petals fall they are no longer in Grand Central Station. Instead they find themselves in an ancient cavern. Raphael releases them both as he steps back.

    "'And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite'" Raphael says as he gestures around them. "Welcome to what is currently called the Sanctuary of Abraham. Or, to be more accurate, beneath it. Your trial starts there."

    He gestures to a cave opening behind them. "The rules of the trial are simple. Go through and reach the amulet. If the stuggles are too much for you, you can call on me and I will take you from this place back to Manhattan." His tone indicates that there is no shame (at least from him) if they fail.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Flower petals?" Jon mutters as they transport. "Really?"

    Then he turns to regard the cave opening, frowning slightly. "Me'arat Hamachhpela. al-Haram al-Ibrahimi. The Cave of the Patriarchs. We're in the West Bank... well, /under/ it... in one of the holiest places in the world. The second-holiest place in Judaism, after the Temple Mount, and a popular site for Islamic pilgrimage."

    He sighs. "This had better not be the /actual/ tombs, Saint Raphael. I'm not in the habit of grave robbing."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Oh God, Jon, he's //obsessed// with the petals," Cael remarks with dry amusement, before the man decides to exposite on the location where they find themselves. This causes Cael to let out a brief, bark of laughter before she asks, "Who thinks it's a good idea to bring //me// to a //holy// place? Fuckin' A..." She shakes her head, looking into the cave opening - and gripping the staff she was loaned tightly in one hand.
    "...okay. Well. This should be easy, huh?" she says towards Jon with false confidence, before she starts towards and through the entrance - her heart thudding in her chest.
    Why did it have to be a cave again? It really wasn't helping her nerves.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael takes the jibes at his decorative motif in stride. In truth, the petals are not -his- choice. They are the choice of the believers but explaining that right now would be a tedious matter he would rather not get into. He shakes his head at Jon. "Not the true Tomb no. We are in the one of the systems beneath the actual tombs of the prophets."

    He takes a few steps to one side and gestures up. "Were you to tunnel up from this location, after about 250 feet you would find yourself standing beside Sarah, if I'm not mistaken." It was unlikely that one of his stature was.

    As Cael makes her way into the cave the Archangel stands vigilant in his place. He folds his hands before him and says softly. "Good luck to you both. I will see you when I see you."

    The cave system starts as a tunnel and after passing through it opens into a larger chamber. There are slots carved into the walls of the cave and wrapped cadavers lay on the burial shelves. Even if this was not the tomb of the Patriarch's themselves, it was a tomb for some ancient peoples. Turning back reveals that the tunnel they used to enter the hall is gone. They are effectively trapped in this labyrinth. There are paths to the north and to the east, the look identical in shape and makeup, what lies beyond is hard to tell at this position.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon sighs. "Still /a/ tomb. Wonderful." He shakes his head and looks around the tomb with magical Sight. He can see evidence of a ley line there, massive amounts of ambient magical eneergy, power embedded in the very stones. He frowns as he looks toward the exists.

    "There are shades... too far forgotten to manifest physically. I don't think they're even aware of us. This room thrums with power, and both pathways have even more. I think we're... /inside/ a leyline." He shudders; that's a /lot/ of power.

Cael Becker has posed:
    As they enter the first chamber, Cael looks around the room - and Jon can feel her anxiety jump as she sees that their entrance has disappeared behind them. No exit. Why is there always- "I am so fucking done with caves after this," she mutters under her breath, her grip tightening on the staff she carries.
    Fine. This is fine. They'll find their way through - and be home in a few hours. That's what Raphael had said - and he hadn't lied. He'd promised Bear to look over them, too. Right? This is fine. "Okay. So... what is it they always say about mazes? Always stick with turning the same way, as much as you can?" She has no idea if there's no truth to that - but she's going to run with it. "I say we try the right," she announces - before turning in that direction, and walking forward. The bodies, she ignores completely.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    The tunnel on the right opens up on a circlular chamber that's almost identical to the one they came from, except for the number of bodies present on the burial shelves. There are also a number of small jars and pots arrayed in groups of three at the corners of the shelves. Perhaps belongings of the deceased. Two more paths branch from this one: north and south.

    To Jon's magically opened eyes, the power is stronger, the leyline they walk more concentrated here. One of the bodies on the shelves glows with more power than the others. Even as he watches it shudders and slips from it's shelf. It is dressed in ancient armor that looks to be bronze and moves with more power and grace than a dessicated corpse has any right to. It charges the Archivist, curved sword raised, all intent showing that it wishes to strike the man down.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Oh for... /seriously/?!" Jon gestures with his left hand, pulling up a shimmering shield around both himself and Cael. He can't be certain that his current protection from Gaea extends beyond Manhattan, after all. "Walking corpses?! This is /precisely/ why one does not /rob graves/, Saint Raphael!" He shouts it at the ceiling, even as he's summoning energy through the leyline to fire it at the skeleton.

    "Sorry!" he says. "Sorry for disturbing your rest! Cael, you can probably whack these things with that staff just fine!"

Cael Becker has posed:
    "I mean, I wasn't expecting this to be a fun date but-" Cael does indeed put the staff to use, first sweeping out with it to try to take its legs out from under it, and knock it to the floor - and then swinging down towards the corpses head, "seriously? The shambling dead? One star, do not recommend." Her expression is grim and determined, her jaw setting tightly. It didn't feel right swinging at these things... Had they //wanted// this fate?

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    The staff connects with the corpse and it does knock it down. The combined force of Cael's downward swing and the blast from Jon's staff engulf it in blue-white flame. As the flames fade there are no remains. In fact the remains of the corpse are still on the shelf.

    Had it all been an illusion? There is a darkened patch of stone at their feet where the blast had connected so they had to have engaged with something, but if not the corpse, then what?

    The rooms to the north and south pulse with dim bluish light. It's neither inviting nor intimidating, simply a showing of how much power there is in this place.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "I am /never/ taking date advice from Saint Raphael again," Jon agrees with a slight smirk. "Zero stars, and I want my bloody money back. What does an /angel/ know about dating, anyway?"

    He frowns between the lack of a corpse and the remains on the shelf. At the spot on the floor. Shakes his head. "Well... at least we're not /actually/ descrating human remains, I suppose?" He looks to the right or where they came in. "South, I suppose? They look the same, magically."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Yes, to the right," Cael confirms, also flashing a puzzled look towards the occupied niche. "Look I promise you can plan our next date, free of any angelic or even demonic influence, alright? Just you, me... and, I don't know. Noodles. Or roller coasters or... something. I'm game for anything.
    "...anything above ground."

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    The next room is again much like the last, though there are two corspes that rise immediately as they enter. Upon closer examination the bodies are staying where they are. What they fight must be astral projections of the ghosts of the dead. Restless and disturbed, they come at the pair, one for each, swords drawn and mouths open in a silent scream of rage.

    More energy pulses here, but they are close to a source. And yet, there is no exit from this room beyond the way they entered, even so the way back feels... different somehow the energy from it much stronger than it was when they departed. Is that the crux of this place, that direction has no true meaning?

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Roller coasters it is, then," Jon says. "Martin doesn't like them much. It's a long story." He looks around the room with a frown, but before he can note /too/ much there's more corpses coming at them.

    "Projections," he says as he spins his staff to fire on one of them, indicating for Cael to take the other. "Lovely. The way back is stronger now, magically... I think it's more a matter of how far we've gone that what actual paths we took."

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Can magic things //never// be logical, and straight forward?" Cael mutters, as she closes on her foe. She goes for the same trick - after all, it worked just fine the first time. She tries to twist out of the path of the blade, and then sweeps the staff for its legs, before bringing it back around in a smooth motion, aimed for its head. So far - nothing had been too horrifying, and the forst was not overwhelming. But if they faced more and more of these things in each room - how many rooms would they have to go through? How long before they begin to tire?

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Again the projections/spirits/ghosts fall to their attacks. The corridor back does indeed lead to a different hall, a hall Cael would recognize. The lumious veins of light on the walls and floor. The raised dias in the center and the amulet floating there suspended in midair.

    There are a few new aspects to the room. One is the Archangel standing next to it, Raphael waits for their approach. The other new aspect is the 6 apparitions standing sentry around the dias.

    Each of the apparaitions move with more focus. More determination. More decisive actions. Their armor is different, as well. More ornate, the filigree on the chestpiece more detailed. In fact they move like a military unit unlike the restless dead they faced thus far. They stand a wait for the intruders to come to them rather than charging mindlessley in a frenzy.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    It's a relief that the next chamber is different, and has Raphael standing there. But... /six/ of the figures? Waiting for the two living mortals to come to them? Not ideal, not at all.

    Jon hangs back a little, eyeing the six. "How do you want to do this?" he asks Cael. "I'll follow your lead... this is your quest, after all." He shifts his grip on his staff, preparing to either fire or put up a shield, depending on what Cael says. Or maybe both.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Maybe we don't have to defeat them all," Cael murmurs quietly. "We could try to drive a wedge through through their ranks, I slip through and grab the amulet - and we're done?" But that leaves Jon exposed - the very person she want that amulet to help, and defend. "...you've got Gaea backing you up still - yeah? That stuff's working?"

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    The Archangel watches his face as impassive as ever, a silent sentinel awaiting the outcome of this trial. At Cael's suggestion there may be a small twitch of his mouth at the corners, a hint of an approving smile.

    The apparitions form into a V-like formation, two of them with spears stepping forward and readying their weapons. The veins of light move through the room to the central dias in a slow pulse, the center of the ley line ready for someone to release the containment field around the amulet. The amulet itself waiting for a worthy individual to take it.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon swallows. "My spells still have Her power behind them--and I can draw on the leyline. I'll be fine." His brow furrows, and he raises his staff. "Let's do this."

    He slams the butt of the staff into the ground, and a wave of force ripples out. As it reaches the six near the dias, the ground begins to crack and move upward, a literal wedge intended to knock them aside and give Cael an opening.

    "Go!" he shouts, twisting the staff around to prepare to fire on the warriors if he must.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "You better be," Cael answers quietly. As soon as he says 'go,' though, she's off at a sprint, swinging her borrowed staff once more at the legs of the armored spirit on her right as she attempts to dodge through the center of their ranks, never daring to break stride as she makes for the dias.
    Jon was at her back - making it impossible to see what happened behind her. She had to trust he would be okay. Trust that he was good to his word. Trust, that today, he has //her// back.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    As the wave hits the front forces they bow outward, revealing a gap just wide enough for Cael to pass through. Jon is rushed by the two front fighters, one leaping over the delivered sweep from Cael as she passes him. They're fast and strong, but the Will of Gaea flowing through Jon is stronger and older.

    The sweep Cael delivers misses the front fighter but hits one in the second row toppling it in a heap of bone, armor, and weapons. A spear flashes out and only catches her coat tugging a jagged hole in the body just under her arm. Another flashes as her foot hits the first level of the dias, tearing a gash in her left calf. But immediately as she reaches the dias, the struggle of the sentinels cease and they watch waiting to see if this woman is worthy of the power at its peak.

    There is a certain weight that settles on Cael as she makes the steps up to the peak. The pain in her leg is ignorable, addrenaline flooding her as the thrill of battle still burns. The next step and the veins pulse more rapidly. Another and another, each step to the top building in power and anticipation until she is there. The amulet, a small blue-white stone set in the middle of a strange dark silver metal chain hovers before her.

     Raphael stands there and smiles at Cael with a nod of acknowledgement. "You have come this far and now only one final step remains. Will you take it?" he asks, gesturing to the prize hovering atop the dais.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    The knowledge of the Archivists has been embedding itself in Jon's mind, in his muscle memory, and he dances back away from the two warriors that come after him, twisting the staff around to fire energy blasts at them. Then they press on him and it's straight-up stick fighting against their spears, moving in an ancient rhythm, neither the warriors nor Jon quite managing to land a blow. Offense may not be his forte, but he's not half so bad at it as he thinks he is, not when he believes in the rightness of his cause and is trying to defend someone. He feels the flash of pain from Cael more than sees the gash opened in her calf--but he has to trust her, too. Trust that she can do this, that she's worthy.

    Then she steps on the dias and the fighting just... stops. It happens so fast that Jon downs one of the two warriors, his staff crashing through its guard and taking it in the torso before he realizes that they've stopped. He puts the staff in guard position and steps back, waiting, wary, as he watches Cael.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael barely registers she gash in her leg, as she walks up the steps - her head-long rush slowing as the sounds of fighting abruptly still behind her. Blood trickles down her leg, soaking into her pants, seeping into her boots - and leaving very little blood to drip on the steps behind her as a result.
    She stops in front of the amulet, studying it with her staff still gripped in her right hand. Is this a mistake? Will the amulet change her? Would her friends notice before too much damage was done? Would she lay it aside, even if they did?
    ...wasn't any cost worth it, if it might make the difference between victory and defeat? Saving reality or failing? ...bringing Jon back to his family, or not?
    "Well," she mutters. "We didn't come for the escape room vibes alone," she mutters, before finally reaching out to take it in her left hand.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    As Cael's hand closes around the amulet the room goes dark. The ley line is still there but it's able to flow freely without having the be diverted to containment. A blue-white glow appears on Cael's chest and is bright enough to illuminate the entire hall. The apparitions are no longer there, their purpose fulfilled and a new taker in place.

    A chestplate of the same blue-silver metal forms over Cael's torso along with bracers for her arms and greaves for her legs. On her back a pair of black metallic wings burst into being, casting shadows around the room as their darkess contrasts with the light of the armor. A large axe materializes in Cael's hands: the metallic and ornately inscribed haft is over four feet long and its twin heads end in a wickedly curved bits. Across the neck of the axe is a twin bolt like motif with a large counterweight at the top poll.

    Cael's never weilded a weapon of this make but something in her head just clicks. This weapon is -hers-, as if she was born with it. She could fell the mightiest foe with this weapon alone. The armor is an added bonus, but she doesn't truly need it. She could destroy scores with just the weapon.

    A hand lands on her shoulder. It's the Archangel. Upon seeing him she can feel his strength and something in her wants to test it. To see it in action, to see if she could best even him one of the pillars of reality. She might not survive, but it would be a hell of a fight.

    And then Raphael smiles and the desire for violence softens. It's there still, but it's subdued. "You are still who you are Cael and you do not want to harm me any more than I want harm for you." He gestures for Jon to join them at the top of the dais and bends down to retreive his own staff, Cael having dropped it when the armor and axe appeared over her.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon blinks for a moment as the room goes dark and then light returns. He swallows, and just... stares at Cael, with the armor and the wings and the axe. All he can think, as he looks at her, is the same thing he thought the last time she was on a battlefield: she is beautiful, and he loves her.

    He doesn't stop staring until Raphael gestures for him, and he walks over slowly, absently smoothing out the cracks and ripples he made in the floor as he goes. Wouldn't do to leave the place broken. "How do you feel?" he asks softly. "You look..." He smiles. "Beautiful. You look beautiful." It's the only word he can seem to find, though it doesn't quite measure up.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Are you really sure about that?" Cael answers Raphael - but there's more mischief in her eyes rather than genuinely challenge. ...she honestly would like to test it out, though.
    She swings the blade a few times to feel how it moves through the air, before looking towards Jon as joins them on the dias. "Well. That was //definitely// not the point of all this, Sims," she answers him in a dryly amused tone. "But I'm so glad you approve." Still hefting the massive bladed weapon she adds, "So... what do I do with this now? Make something so the axe will hang at my waist?"

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael keeps his smile as he eyes the pair of them and then shakes his head. "Of course not..." he says with a soft chuckle. "Simply wish it and the armor and weapon will return to the form of the amulet." He adds, "Though I will say in the presence of actual violence doing so may prove... difficult." He pauses and gives Jon a look.

    He then shrugs and adds, "I suppose I could head off a number of questions now since we have time. The amulet's first owner was a woman named Scathach. The very one from Irish legend. When she died she imbued the amulet--which was forged from a meteor--with all her knowledge and wisdom and a portion of her own abilties. In doing so she transfered some of her motivations in with it."

    He gestures to Cael. "While active, you are a blending of your ideas and emotions and her knowledge, skills, abilities... and love of battle. It's not a separate psyche, think of it as more of a template. There isn't enough of Scathach in the amulet for her to take over, but her competitive nature, her skill in the field, her ability to see the true potential in all agents in a conflict, as well as her skill in a variety of fighting styles and her ability to heal from anything short of death... those are imbued in you so long as you possess the amulet."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon flushes darker at Cael's words. "It was just an observation," he mutters. "It suits you, that's all. Your... aura." He gestures at... Cael, generally. "It meshes."

    He listens to Raphael's explanation, nodding slowly. "Scathach? Cu Chulainn's teacher? That's... quite the pedigree. What's it doing in /Israel/?" He frowns, and adds, "...We should probably return it to Ireland when you're done with it, Cael." Look, things belong in the right places, and Scathach wasn't attached to the Abrahamic faiths at all.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "My 'aura.' Uh-huh. Sure, Jon," Cael replies, amusement sparkling in her eyes.
    Hell, if she was being honest, she kinda wants to kiss him too right now. ... probably not an appropriate time or place, so instead she returns her attention to Raphael, giving a small nod as she considers his words. "Sure, I suppose - if we can find an appropriate protected place to leave it. I mean, I'm opposed to leaving nuclear launch codes just lying around, soooo..." Not that this thing would be //that// dangerous. But still.
    "So... I'll have accelerated healing now? Her skill with the ax? Her... knowledge? So... what, battle tactics? Anything else?" she asks uncertainly.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael answers Jon first. "The last bearer was unable to travel when she met her end... so she gave it to one of us and asked us to place it underneath one of the holiest sites of her faith." He sighs, remembering her spirit clearly. "Despite the lack of connection, it was her dying wish and we were obliged to grant it."

    Then he looks back to Cael. "Not just the axe. You could likely pick up any archaic melee weapon and know how to use it with deadly efficiancy. The Shadow, as she was often called, was a master of all weapons and fighting styles."

    He pauses, allowing her to absorb that before he continues. "But beyond that... you have an innate sense of the potential of power in any given foe or ally. You could look upon two individuals in a conflict and know where they stand in terms of sheer potential and where they stand in reference to you. This skill is not to be taken for granted. Full potential is not found in many mortals, psychologically you tend to place undue limitations on yourself. But... this will allow you a sort of power sense against your foes. In this contest, all of your foes will be at their peak, we are stagnant in that regard. Made as we are without the ability to shift from that fixed place. Unable to grow." There is a wistful almost envy in his tone, as if he is pantomiming the emotion. Obviously he was not made with the capacity to truly feel it.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    While he listens to Raphael's explanations, Jon leans down to give Cael a kiss on the cheek. Maybe it's not an appropriate time nor place, but to some degree she /is/ doing this to fight beside him, and it /is/ a weird sort of date, and he /does/ think she's beautiful in a conflict. So there.

    Then, straightening as if he hadn't done anything at all, he nods to Raphael, expression quite serious. "Shame, that," he murmurs. "Growth and change are the point of life."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael bumps Jon away from her with her shoulder as he grants her that kiss on the cheek - her eyes rolling widely at him.
    Of course, the corners of her lips also turn up just enough to show that she enjoys the attention, even as she nudges him away.
    "Alright. I can heal, I know strategy, I can fight with any melee weapon, and I can judge the //potential// of any I observe. Anything else I should know?" she asks. And then, curiously, she adds "...how far off am I from my full potential?"
    Even as she asks that, her gaze turns to Jon with a considering look as she tries to size up //his// potential - and compare it to Raphael's. Because why not test the concept?

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael doesn't even need to answer her. As she asks the question the answer comes to her. At her current capacity with the armor she is at roughly 60 percent of her true physical capacity. Which, if the words of the archangel are correct, makes sense because of human self-limitations. Wade has often spoken of his own inability to feel pain and his ability to exhibit feats of near superhuman strength and speed because of a lack of inhibitors, this might be what is holding her back.

    Upon viewing Jon, the power in him--including that given by Gaea--is at about 50 percent of what it could be. Jon, if he could tap into all of his ability and power, has the potential to be formidable indeed, even for those considered gods.

    Compared to Raphael, however, they are both -far- outclassed. To the trained 'eye' of the amulet, the archangel's power is almost incalculable. The fundamental laws of the universe bend to his will, not the other way around. Fighting one of his class is akin to attempting to punch a planet out of orbit using your fist. It just isn't something that's possible. Were the two of them at their peak and prepared, then perhaps they could forstall him. But that brings to mind a question.

    How are they managing the defeat the Archangel's they have faced? They've stopped Michael on a number of occasions already. But given what she sees in Raphael, that shouldn't be possible. The first encounter with a being of his magnitude (which Michael is above) should've ended with their utter and complete defeat.

    "You see it now, don't you?" Raphael asks. "The fact that you are given a chance to win. This entire scnario is not lost by any stretch of the imagination. We are bound by the laws and rules of the game just as any other player. We must allow you the ability to succeed. To do otherwise would beg the question of why force the contest at all? When Michael could snap his fingers and the universe herin would be Reclaimed."

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Why /did/ Michael agree to this game? Or did Uriel trick him into it somehow?" Jon raises his eyebrows. "I know Gaea asked for it, to give us the chance to fix the imbalance in the universe on our own... but why would Michael /agree/?"

    He glances to Cael, and then looks back to Raphael. "And... it's clear there's a schism amongst the archangels. You don't want this, Uriel doesn't want this, from what Lydia's said Gabriel doesn't... how many of you /agree/ with Michael?" Not names; he doubts Raphael can give names. But maybe he can give a number?

Cael Becker has posed:
    "Holy fucking shit," Cael breathes - staring at Raphael with her mouth falling open for a long moment and- was that a momentary flicker of fear, at the shear, incomprehensible power of the archangel. "And Michael's more powerful? ...and I shot him in the fucking face?"
    "This is all madness," Cael murmurs quietly. The fact that she'd survived so far, without any enhancements, seemed... ridiculous now. Laughable. She takes a deep breath in, letting it out slowly before she adds, "Nah, we got this. This is... fine."

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael's expression is calm and implacable. "Why does any competitor agree to a game?" he asks the man before him. He let's it hang before answering. "He agreed to it so that he could -win-. Glory, and to the victor go the spoils. In this case, all of the power in this universe is the spoils." He smiles at Cael. "I believe you do. Yes." He turns back to Jon.

    "Five of our number, including Michael agree with this plan of action" he replies softly. "And while you may swell with the fact that means the majority of us are not arrayed against you, I must warn you that even if we disagre we cannot turn aside once the command is given." The serenity is marred by what might be fear. "To do anything less may cost us... everything. So even should we disagree, still we will fight.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon frowns slightly. "Five of thirteen, and one of them the commander of the forces. No, Saint Raphael, I do not swell with joy or triumph at that fact. It gives me hope, that so many of your hearts are not in this, but... it worries me, too."

    He looks over to Cael and steps over to wrap an arm around her, though it's a little awkward with the armor. He sighs. "This is madness," he agrees, "but we're going to get through it."

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael nods in response to Jon. "Yeah," she agrees quietly. "Yeah, we will. We don't have any other choice." She flashes him a small smile, then looks back to Raphael. "Just our bad luck that Michael has to be one of the angels into this... mess. What a //prick,//" she mutters under her breath.

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael nods solemnly before offering his hands to them both once more. "I believe our work is done here?" He looks at Cael. "I suggest you drawn it back to its compact form to save your companion a measure of worry."

    His own wings spread out behind him in violet, pink, and gold along with a flutter of rosepetals about their gathering at the top of the dais. Raphael gives it a sigh as he sees it but there is a smile on his face nonetheless.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    "Admit it," Jon says with a grin, "You /like/ the petals." He reaches out to take Raphael's hand, clasping Cael's with the other, if she'd let him. They can all hold hands!

    "Bear might find the armor strange," he murmurs in agreement, glancing over at Cael.

Cael Becker has posed:
    Cael closes her eyes for a moment - what had Raphael said? She just needed to //wish// the armor and axe away? She does so now, feeling the weight disappear from her hands, and the pressure on her shoulders vanish. Opening her eyes again, she picks up the pendant in her hands, studying it for a moment, befoe she takes Jon, and Raphael's hands. "Probably left Bear waiting long enough," she remarks. "Sure we shouldn't do any grave-robbing while we're here, Jon?" she teases flashing him a smile before adding, "I'm gonna admit no such thing."

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    The Archangel gives Jon a impassive look before clasping the hands of the mortals and watching as the vortex of petals obscures the cave system. As the petals fall, they find themselves back in the office. Raphael's wings flex and the petals scatter about the room.

    He releases them and steps back incling his head to Bear. "I have returned as promised great companion and she is... relatively unharmed. I imagine the damage sustained has healed by now?" He asks the woman as he looks to her. Sure enough the gash she sustained by the guardians of the dais is no more, not even a scar reamining.

Jonathan Sims has posed:
    Jon grins and looks over to Cael. "/He/ likes the petals," he says, sotto voce. "I can /tell/." Evidently he likes Raphael, or he wouldn't be teasing the archangel like this. He drops the angel's hand but keeps hold of Cael's long enough to squeeze it, then looks down at her leg.

    "Oh, good," he says. "I... was worried about that, but I figured..." Well, magic armor, after all.

Cael Becker has posed:
    "What?" Cael asks. She'd barely felt it - and dropping Jon's hand, she turns to see how much blood soaked her torn pants leg and her boot; it tells her the injury was more serious than she'd realized. "...huh."
    Bear grows excited at their return, tail wagging fiercly, though her begins sniffing at the blood with puzzlement, looking up at Cael with a quiet whine.
    "I'm fine, you little mutt," she answers quietly, rubbing at Bear's head. "Raphael kept his promise. Such as it was. Were you a good boy? Yeah? Did Martin take you out for a potty break?"

Michael Demiurgos has posed:
    Raphael makes a sound of acknowledgement, but hardly agreement towards Jon. "I do look forward to seeing your progress" he says. Whether it's to Jon, Cael, or Bear is anyone's guess from the direction of his gaze. "And as always what I do under Michael's command is equivalent to your you necessaity to breathe. Good luck to you all." Again his wings flare out and petals sweep about the room as the Archangel of love vanishes from sight, leaving behind a few piles of rose petals in his wake.