Red Sapphire

[focusedheart]

She nods a bit. "Yes he is....he wanted to keep watch.."

[gravitron]

"Humph." McIntyre appeared dissatisfied at this. "I'll go check on him. Go, alert the people. They'll be anxious."

[focusedheart]

She nods again and turns to go. She heads to the room in which they did all their announcing and broadcasting at. She got the message out to the people, letting them know all that had happened but comforting and ensuring them. Peace, that was what was needed.

[gravitron]

Far away, unbeknownst to Sapphire:
"She killed Lucifer," the man said, watching her. "Not alone, of course, but still somewhat impressive."
He looked over her face a bit longer, continuing to mutter to himself. "So it was her and Shalidor. Which means Shalidor has finally quit hiding the Staff. And he's most likely returned to Hell now. Earth is perhaps running short on time, but no matter. Easily enough dealt with."
He frowned. "More concerning is the Staff. It's too dangerous, out there in the world, and in Hell it would be catastrophic. Matthew."
Matthew stepped forward. "Last I saw it, Shalidor used it to kill Lucifer. He and Red Sapphire began back, but as you know Shalidor did not make the complete journey."
"And when I sent you there, to see your mother?"
"She said it wasn't on his person when he arrived, sir. I presume he gave it to Sapphire-"
"Very uncharacteristic of him," the man interrupted, but did not conpletely dismiss the idea. "Well, in the grand scheme of things.... Ah. I see. All the more reason it isn't safe. I will have to go collect it immediately."
"Um, sir, what do you mean by-?"
"Is it you job to ask questions, Matthew? No. So please, keep your mouth shut. And don't destroy the place while I'm gone."

"Excuse me?" His voice, polite but cold, came from behind Sapphire as soon as the cameras stopped. "You are Red Sapphire, yes?"

[focusedheart]

Sapphire finished up with the broadcast and then silently connected with the guardians around the world. So far they were all well and had managed to keep things calm in their own elements. It was good to hear.

The staff she had hidden away where no one could find it. A trick she had learned from the gods memories. Only way to find it would be to get close to her and she would never allow anyone that close to her.

Upon hearing the voice at her back, she turns to face the stranger. "I am. Who are you?" She asks, wondering how he had gotten in there.

[gravitron]

The man was tall and thin with long black hair and blue eyes. He wore nice jeans and a button up shirt, along with fingerless gloves that he somehow made look fancy, a stylish ring on each hand, a necklace, and a gold pocket watch.
"Me? My name is of no importance. If you wish to refer to me, though, I suppose you may call me the Collecter, after my purpose in this world. Of the few who know me, most refer to me as such.
"I believe that we both want no more than peace, correct? I am certain that I can help with that. You may not like how I plan on doing this, but I ask you to trust that my plan is vital, and that I have this world's best interests at heart.
"I require the Staff." He looked sheepishly to her, as if he understood that this request was insane. "Now hear me out, I will not use it, but trust me that it is not safe. I have faith that you have hidden it well, where none can find it, perhaps not even those of us who are older and more powerful than you. But nonetheless. So long as it can be reached, even by you....
"The world is in danger, Red Sapphire. From that Staff, potentially. It is under constant threat, and powerful Artifacts such as that one bring the end so much closer. You do not trust me, I'm certain, but I have no choice but to try, as I really would like this to go peacefully, and I shall not fail my job as a guardian of hope.
"You see, Red, my duty since before the dawn of time has been the all important one of protecting Artifacts of Divine Power. Keeping them away from corruption and from the world. This is the job I was put here for, before time itself existed, for without it all would fall. And I have never yet failed. That is why the earth, why hope, still stands. I am on your side.
"I know much. Many secrets, ones that would not be known to any less ancient than me. Ones that I am forbidden from revealing. Which is why I know the threat this Staff poses to all creatures of light and hope, and why I beg you to hand over the Staff willingly. So now that I have said all that I possibly can, please, consider my words, and your response."

[focusedheart]

She gazed at him as he spoke. The collector? In none of her dealings with this world or with the gods had she ever heard the name before. His presence alone spoke of something else though. What he was asking of her was not something she had expected fully.

Regarding him carefully. "If you are seeking peace, why have you not shown yourself before now? Why now? The staff has been in play for a while now yet there was never a whisper of your presence...and when the artifact was used to being back Shalidor?" She shakes her head. "I hear what you say but this isn't a decision I will make so quickly. Not without speaking to the others as well."

[gravitron]

"I generally avoid showing myself, because if I am seen by certain groups, it could be.... Well, disastrous. Some threats would only increase with my appearance, especially if anyone caused me to fail in my duties. However, I show myself to those with dangerous Artifacts, in order to collect them. Word typically is forbidden from passing past them.
"Yes, I sensed the Staff's presence and remained hidden. The reason is quite simple. It was not yet a risk. Lucifer had a moderate risk factor- Nothing too great, but I saw that you needed the Staff to prevent it, and its danger remained distant. Shortly after he was killed, though, an event occurred that raised the risk factor exponentially, so that the world could end in- Well, potentially.... Worst case scenario, next week. Best case, in eight months.
"Now you misunderstand. I collect Artifacts of Divine Power. They are all powerful, and unimaginably old, past anyone's power or ability, and far past any comprehension- Except mine, simply because it's my duty. Mystic Artifacts, mere creations of Shalidor, which he named after true Artifacts.... Those are far below my pay grade. Not a threat to creation.
"I understand your hesitance, but do understand how immediate this threat is. As I said, next week worst case, as in the end of earth. So please do hurry. Simply call my name when you have reached a decision, and I will be there."

[focusedheart]

Next week? What could cause the end of the world by next week. Shalidor...she pushes the thought from her mind quickly. "And I'm guessing you can't tell me exactly how it will end can you?" She nods a bit. "Give me until night fall. You'll have your answer by then."

[gravitron]

He looked at her sorrowfully. "I wish I could tell you, Queen Sapphire. I wish I could tell you so many things, more than you will ever know. But I am forbidden by the most ancient of laws.... Until the situation changes, I have said all that I can." He nodded. "I await your decision." And with that, he walked away, fading as he did, so that he had disappeared soon.

[focusedheart]

This was not a good situation. To have an ancient being like this appear and give such a message and seek the staff. No, she didn't like this at all. Moving from the broadcasting room, she sent out the message to the council to meet with her immediately. Everyone. This was not a choice she would make on her own because the decision was a big one. That staff is very powerful and to hand it to someone just so quickly. No she had to be sure I'm what she did.

[gravitron]

First McIntyre and Hunter arrived, looking anxious at what she would have to say. Then Alistair came, looking distracted- Probably still about his son. Finally, a minute later, Lockhart appeared, seeming annoyed.
"That's not very much time to readjust the Council of Mages, Sapphire. What's going on that's so important?"

[focusedheart]

She nods a bit. "I'm sorry to have to call you all back together so quickly but right after I did the broadcast a stranger approached me. He claims to be the collector and wants the staff." She continues to tell them all about her encounter with the man.

[gravitron]

“Weird,” said Alistair. “I’ve never heard of this Collector, and I’m not sure if he’s completely trustworthy, but if he’s telling the truth....”
“Then the apocalypse could be coming,” finished Hunter. “Which would be bad. And preventable by assisting him.”
“Which would be great, if we could be sure he’s on our side.”
“But we can’t,” Lockhart concludes. “And way I see it, he can’t be trusted with something as powerful as the Staff. Who’s to say doing this to prevent the apocalypse wouldn’t be what starts it?”

[focusedheart]

She nods a bit. "I'm not sure which shall be better to do. This is as you said a man none of us have heard of. He is powerful, that much I felt." She shakes her head and looks at every one in the room. "To give it to him could mean trouble, not giving it to him could mean trouble..."

[gravitron]

“So a horrible ultimatum, neither option can be trusted?” Shalidor came walking through the front door. “Sorry I’m late, Red, I heard your call for the Council, but Hell.... It’s a long story. I heard what you said, though, and if I may make a suggestion....”
He cleared his throat. “Let me talk to him, alone. I can get a feel for him. I can figure out which way this could go. What do you say?”

[focusedheart]

She arches a brow as Shalidor appeared. She nods a bit at his words. "It is all very strange." She looks to the others. "What say all of you?"

[gravitron]

Lockhart looked distrustfully to Shalidor, then hesitantly said, "You gave me the Council back, so in return I'm going to try and trust you. Don't make me regret it. But I'm telling you, it'd be a mistake to trust this Collector."
Hunter shook his head. "I wish I could, Shalidor, but I think he might be more persuasive than you expect, and I can't risk him influencing your decision."
Alistair looked him over. "I trust you, Shalidor. Anyone who kills Satan is good in my book."
McIntyre frowned. "I wish I could say yes, but I agree with Hunter."
Shalidor turned his gaze to the queen. "Well, Red? I stand by you, whatever you say, but I really hope you'll give me the chance. You can always trust me."

[focusedheart]

She was silent a moment, considering everything. Then nods a bit. "I told him he would have an answer by night fall. We have a few hours still to make a choice. Speak with him."

[gravitron]

He left the room to seek privacy.
"This Collecter type worries me," admitted Hunter. "Older than time itself, with a armory of powerful Artifacts, supposedly on our side but also forbidden by this Ancient Law from sharing all the details, like I don't know, what the threat even is. And no one has ever heard of him. I don't know what to think."

[focusedheart]

She nods in agreement. "I've been trying to search all the memories from the gods and none show anything of this man. Not even hints but I have found gaps in regards to the artifacts. Their memories blank out when I try to look into them." She sighs and shakes her head. It was confusing.

[gravitron]

"Maybe this Ancient Law he talked about...." Lockhart hypothesized. "Well, it sounds old and important. Maybe it doesn't just stop him from telling you things, maybe it completely blocks this knowledge from you. Maybe you're not allowed to know these details."

[focusedheart]

She nods. "That is possible. Though I wonder if the gods knew anything to start with or if I am blocked from knowing it completely. "

[gravitron]

"Well, I guess for now, the Collector is our only source of knowledge about this," Alistair said, though he still looked a bit distracted. "So we'll just have to hope he's telling the truth."

[focusedheart]

Sapphire nods a bit as she gazed at him. Then she nods. "Alistair...." she knew he was distracted. She needed his full focus but she knew trying to ask that of him right now when his concern was else were wasn't right.

[gravitron]

"Sapphire," he responded. "Just trust me. I know how to give attention to multiple things at once. I couldn't have been king otherwise."

[focusedheart]

"Your son was involved back then...." She says gently. "What would you like to do?" If he asked her if he could go looking for Matthew then she would let him. She didn't like seeing him like this.

[gravitron]

"Sapphire, I am a part of this Council. The world comes first, always. So what I would like to do is my job. Because otherwise the world could end next week."

[focusedheart]

She regards him carefully. Then she nods. "Alright. Then when Shalidor returns we will figure out what we will do."

[gravitron]

Shalidor walked back in. "The Collecter would like to speak with you alone again, Red. But I'll warn you in advance, don't trust a word he says. He can't get anything by me; His whole story is riddled with half truths, and I would greatly suggest not letting him anywhere near that Staff."