Following the event, @Endilix Takagi had mentioned he'd wanted to meet Lucia, it wasn't a particularly difficult thing, Lucia was kind and welcoming by nature, no matter what someone's status might be she wouldn't turn them away ruthlessly. The problem a large part of the time was in trying to find her. Lucia had lived in the game as a nomad, moving from place to place, trying to avoid things like patrols and punitive forces. Groups that would have otherwise exerted force to try and put her down or dwindle the numbers she was slowly and steadily building. The living didn't yet understand her ambition, didn't yet know what she was going to do. Their fear over the unknown would no doubt drive them to make decisions that would make things harder for her, so she endeavored to make herself as small or irritating a target as possible by staying on the move and keeping out of sight. When asked to meet though, Lucia had told Endilix to wait at a certain place for her; a familiar traveler's rally point, where merchants would take breaks and let the horses rest before continuing a journey. It was a reasonable distance from Astorea's main city, but not far enough to be too inconvenient. Despite giving clear instruction though, there wasn't much of a sign of Lucia or anything having to do with her for a short while after the arranged time to meet. Instead, with enough time to be considered 'fashionably late' Lucia's entourage had appeared racing towards Endilix from the foliage, pushing down bushes and trees to make it towards the road where they were set to meet. Among the trio that burst through the brush, the first thing Endilix might notice was how familiar their mounts were. The undead knights weren't riding horses, but instead were mounted on giant ants, each one Endilix would no doubt remember very well as the things they killed their way past to reach Zeus, and then once more upon meeting the queen. These undead ants had crystalline eyes, but the life was clearly gone from them, their shattered crystal eyes were a clear indicator, and the lacerations on their body weren't yet healed even though they no longer bled. These giant ants were ridden by a trio of knights, sporting black armors with a complex looking emblem on their shoulders, the symbol for Lucia's knight order she called the Tal'darim. While the pair of knights at the wings were common Death Knights, the one at the forefront, the tip of the spear would be familiar to Endilix as well. The undead Wight Knight Lucia had summoned towards the end of their conflict when Alice had returned to the grave. Sylvanas, the elven woman with ash colored skin and cotton white hair, her gaze was as hostile as ever, she radiated a fear inducing aura that made the atmosphere cold and frosty, her frigid gaze filled with cold indifference and disdain for the world around her. Despite the ruthlessness of her presence though, her as well as the group at her back halted when they approached Endilix. "You, the one who has contacted Miss Mierz?" Sylvanas spoke, her voice as icy and harsh as her gaze, calling Lucia by her last name as she checked Endilix's identity. "We'll be heading back to camp to see her, climb on." Sylvanas spoke, gesturing for one of the knights at the wings to offer Endilix a seat at the front or back, whichever he found more comfortable intending to bring him a short distance further to where ever the undead had happened to settle down this time. "The Miss has told me I should be accommodating and supportive. Unfortunately, I feel she might have chosen poorly given my disposition." Sylvanas explained, she was making an effort to be cordial in truth, but that frosty and merciless nature of her's was one that was hard to restrain or cover. The knight was Lucia's first creation after all, she had seen far too much in both life and death, as if numb to the world, she didn't seem to understand anything beyond combat and martial prowess because her second life as an undead started when Lucia was at her weakest, her memories of life and knowledge of social interaction was perhaps the weakest among her comrades. "If you have questions though, I'll answer them before arriving at the camp." Sylvanas continued, still making an earnest effort to adhere to the role she was given despite her obvious disadvantages.
It was strange. Endilix was usually the one to leave girls waiting for him. Yet here he was, waiting for the woman he had come to know as Lucia. She had been on his mind since the Bandit King had ended, and surprisingly not in a romantic way. They had been strange comrades in a topsy-turvy upside-down operation. They had both died, and been resurrected by a god that Lucia herself had summoned. And ever since that day, Endilix couldn't seem to stop thinking about Synra, and he wanted to know more about her. Who better to ask than the woman who had summoned said god in the first place? But he had also taken an interest in how such a gentle woman could wield such powerful magic. Such creatures that a lesser man might have considered disgusting. He had taken an interest in how she used that power, and how a man such as himself could achieve such heights, without having to necessarily be a "goody two-shoes" hero. It was clear she was more of a morally abstract player, and that interested Endilix. A lot of interest, and a lot of questions. That was what it all boiled down to. But for Endilix, also a lot of aspirations. Aspirations he'd explain once Lucia actually arrived at the damn meeting place. With a heavy sigh, Endilix was about ready to throw in the towel. He never had been a very patient man, but he was starting to think that Lucia truly had no interest in someone such as him. Perhaps he was too weak, or perhaps his aspirations weren't great enough. Or perhaps she just didn't care. Those thoughts were dashed in an instant as an odd sound rang through the brush. It sounded like horses, but didn't. There wasn't a strict galloping sound that one would expect from horses. More of a lighter pitter patter that still sounded as if it came from a larger beast. Endilix was not disappointed as the three ants burst through the brush and stopped in front of him. Endilix couldn't help but give a chuckle as he recognized the necromancer's handiwork. Undead giant ants as horses for undead knights. The woman was nothing if not creative. Endilix had to give her that much. "I am indeed the one, presuming you speak of Lucia. You know, I never got her last name. Though I do recognize you, so it seems like we're all in the right spot," Endilix admitted, as the undead knight waved him to one of the ants in the wings. Endilix faked a frown as he said, "Aw, too icy cold to let me ride with the head knight? No fair. I'm sure a lovely lady such as you could treat me to a good time on a ride through the woods." A laugh, as Endilix motioned for the knight in the wings to give him the reins of the ant. What an odd statement. Reins of the ant. The creature seemed to buckle for a moment under the weight of the man and all his metal armor and giant shield and flail, but managed to heft itself back into a riding position despite the extra weight. "Good ant," Endilix said with a pat, before urging the creature forward to follow the head knight. Endilix shrugged at the woman's statements, far more interested in talking to the necromancer herself than the subordinate. Though he did have an interesting set for the undead knight herself, "Actually, why are you so icy cold? Is it just because you're undead? Or is something else going on? How free is your will, as a construct of a necromancer? Do you choose to serve Lucia, or is it forced?"
Sylvanas's frosty gaze didn't flinch, despite Endilix's efforts, the undead elf didn't really seem to register what he was implying with her body language. Instead, after he spoke about treating to a good time, she responded with a very blunt and curt few words. "The miss has told me that I can handle those types of services at my own discretion. I've chosen not comfort anyone outside of the Miss herself; Give up." She gave a very cold refusal explanation along with her stern refusal. She didn't even seem to entertain the thought, it was clear that the prospect didn't even provoke curiosity let alone catch her interest. Instead, when Endilix was saddled up, Sylvanas changed her heading with a gesture, unlike Endilix, the others didn't seem to need to use reigns or ropes to direct the ant, as if they were of one mind, the ants moved in an orderly fashion. To some extent, it was as if there were a higher will or mind organizing them, but the thought of a normal human being capable of such a feat was unlikely-- Particularly one that was a real life player such as Lucia. The answers were no doubt something else. The group made progress through the brush and trees, as if on horses, the speed might not be top notch but wasn't slow either. A while into the travel, when Endilix began asking questions, Sylvanas answered, as she was told to. Her frosty gaze pointed forward as she spoke over the rushing winds. "I was the first the Miss raised. Back then, familiars and support in combat was hard to come by and the Miss needed support. She made me with the intentions of creating a useful tool to stave off the danger, picking me up from among hundreds of bodies to be the first. As the Miss got more powerful, I grew more powerful and alert with her. By the time she was capable of creating more sophisticated undead, I had already served my purpose." Sylvanas explained her nature, as if simply providing the answer would do little to explain the reason behind her frigid nature. "It was because of the Miss's sentimental feelings for me that I was made to be more sophisticated to match... But I remember my purpose; I am a tool. I was made to be used, and so I serve my purpose-- Despite the Miss's efforts, all that's changed is the fact that I can fulfill my duties with pride now." Sylvanas explained. Among Lucia's undead, Sylvanas was the only one who had begun as a mindless puppet, back when Lucia was still fresh and new to having an awakened mastery. Back then, Sylvanas had been resentful, and full of hate for the monster that wouldn't let her rest... but as time passed, seeing Lucia's struggles, that feeling changed and she took up her role more naturally. Upon becoming more intelligent and capable, Sylvanas remained dedicated to her role to watch over that strange kind hearted Necromancer dutifully; taking pride in her role as the woman's sharpest cutting tool and thickest shield. "There are a few among us who are completely free, such as myself. The miss would not be so cruel as to enslave masses of people. There is a conscription, during which the dead the Miss meets are taken to serve one term of service. Upon the end of that term, the Miss will help them pass on-- Those few who chose to stay and continue to serve, are offered freedom and no longer forced into service." Sylvanas explained, but the most jarring comment was perhaps the fact that Sylvanas had free will despite referring to herself as a tool. The bizarre elven woman instead looked upon the normally humiliating title as something honorable.
Endilix was, but wasn't, surprised at the idea that the necromancer's creation had its own sort of free will. It made Endilix think of some of Eru's favorite story based games. These games always seemed to have the illusion of choice, but really they always had the same ending. The elven warrior in front of Endilix simply had the illusion of free will. Should Lucia decide it, she could subjugate the creature immediately. But that didn't seem in line with what he knew of the woman. But in all fairness, he didn't actually know Lucia all that well. There was that period of insane laughter that rang throughout the cavern once they had succeeded in the death of the Queen. "Do you ever want to pass on? Do you ever feel envious of those other lost souls who get to their eternal rest?" Endilix asked, rather wondering himself if that was a life he would want to knowingly live. No doubt Sylvanas' soul was actually contained with in this undead shell, and so it was interesting to think that she would want to live this way. At least it was better than being a ghost. Trapped in limbo, unable to associate or touch anything alive. "Has Lucia ever tried to raise a player before? Has it worked if she has?" So many questions, and he wasn't sure how much more time it would actually take to reach the woman in question. At least Sylvanas was willing to talk and the entire ride wasn't meant to just pass in complete silence. But, he was interested in meeting with Lucia herself. "How much farther do you think?"
Sylvanas wore a snide and cutting smile when asked about moving on and her own soul. Sylvanas was a Wight after all, a unique undead, one that Lucia had made as a result of a curious experiment. Had Endilix participated in Falderan's attack on Astorea's walls, he'd know Sylvanas was a functioning whole built from two functioning parts. "I am a tool." She asserted curtly. "I prioritize the Miss's feelings, my own are ultimately unnecessary. If the miss requires someone to argue or discuss such hings with, I am certainly not the one she would ask." Sylvanas explained, after all, she saw herself as an 'object', the proud knight took to her role as a weapon almost literally. She would charge when given a direction, kill when provided a target, and rest when there was no more need for her. It was her own bizarre sense of pride, a unique oath and code she had taken upon herself to live for the sake of the one who raised her. The question though about raising a player made Sylvanas nod back. There were times when Lucia had raised players, once during the raid with Azogg, other times during other raids when she needed to revive someone. There was even the time when Lucia had revived herself-- The woman's skillset was very versatile. "Of course, while you all might misinterpret the Miss's identity as a common 'necromancer' in truth, ever since she received this gift from Synra, she's taken up the role of a Priestess instead. At the present, the Miss's Class has risen to becoming a Saintess." Sylvanas explained, trying to elude to the fact that Lucia wasn't a powerful DPS hurling mage or a Necromancer with infinite armies to Tank enemy blows. Lucia played the role of Support, while only casually dabbling in both of those roles. Though when asked how far, Sylvanas only shook her head. "Far enough, the roads are dangerous for our kind." She offered the explanation, if they were too close and easily found after all, wouldn't a group of knights or paladins be sent to try and wipe them out? Instead, the farther they trotted along, the more Endilix would see groups of knights scurrying to and fro on the backs of Ant zombies. These patrols would get tighter and tighter as they advanced up until the trees finally broke, the bushes clearing. Within the clearing, Endilix would see a familiar sight; What had once been the Ant Queen had been stripped of a great deal of it's parts. It's remains hacked to pieces and reorganized into a writhing mass that would twitch from time to time. It was clearly not fighting fit any more, instead, it was fixed in place, held down by ropes and stakes to prevent the wind from blowing it over. It's only purpose any more seemed to be making more ants and mounts for the knights to ride. Not far from that disturbing sight would be a large commander's tent, one that you might expect to be used by a well known general. Upon closer investigation though, it was clearly just two bags sewn together and strung up to form a complete and full tent. Created from scratch no doubt and repurposed from loot bags into a large tent. It was in front of that tent that Endilix would find Lucia. The woman was not like she was in the tunnels, as if she'd approached the Bandit King mission believing she was there for diplomacy as a member of the aristocracy, she'd appeared in a dress and fine silks. In the present, she wore thick plate armor that caught the sun with a dazzling resplendence. The bandaged Shadowtome she'd used at the event that time as a discreet weapon had been replaced by a black bible she held tucked under her arm. She sat crouched among a small collective of undead children, letting out soft and tender laughter that could not be heard from afar so easily. She took the time to carefully braid wild grasses and small flowers into a crown for one of the little girls while she did the same to share a crown with another child. It was a picturesque scene, but one made harrowing from the status of her equipment. Lucia had been a threat to an operation in her fine vestments and a concealable weapon, had she showed up knowing there would be a fight, with full armor and bible in hand, the fight would likely have been different. Brushing herself off, careful of the fine points at the ends of each of her armored fingers she stood with a bright and welcoming smile upon seeing Sylvanas return. With Endilix on board as well, she gave him a smooth nod. "It wasn't too hard to get here I hope mm?" She asked, maintaining a kind and welcoming demeanor as she usually did.
