Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]

[Damian0358]

"...that's a given," Takato could only slowly respond to Loque's quip, somewhat confused and surprised by it. Deciding to turn towards Venextos slightly, Takato responded to him instead.

"An illusion of such scale, as perhaps implied, may not be necessary. Rather, an illusion to obscure whatever permanent light sources we have would be best. An illusion of such size could last longer, and permit for our passing under night's cover. Though the open field should be avoided, as should division of the group into singular individuals," he commented, turning towards Loque slightly now, feeling it appropriate to respond to her thoughts.

"If division be necessary, into groups of two or three would be best, in case one is spotted, allowing the other to attempt to silence the spotter."

 

[Infab]

Vincent finally spoke up, glancing to Takato. "We're gonna have to split up anyway. Half of us go into one factory, the other half in the other. We'll meet up and take out the rail hub together." he said, before looking to Venextos. "You can cast an illusion to hide Hudson's flaming weapon."

Riberta spoke up immediately afterwards. "And patch Hudson up while you're at it. The man's been bleeding since we left that illusion of a battlefield." she said, pointing towards the hunter. "Don't say that none of the rest of you have smelt it. He's so hell bent on dying down here that he walking around with buckshot in his stomach." Vincent looked to Riberta, then to Hudson. "...For fuck's sake, tell us next time." he said. He glanced back to Venextos, then muttered "You heard the lady."

While Venextos moved over and began to heal Hudson (and work his illusion magic), Vincent made an attempt to contact Tariun once more. Soon, the lady demon's spectral appearance formed once more in front of him. "Yes?" she asked, tilting her head a bit as she looked upon Vincent. "We've arrived at the factories and the rail hub is close. When these are destroyed, how do you plan on getting us out of here?" he asked. As he folded his arms, he continued. "Do you want us to walk twenty miles back to the station through wrath demons? Or do you have another plan?"

Tariun smiled. "I do have another method of travel in mind for you...I assume you've heard of a horseless carriage? Automatic wagon? Or perhaps an automotive?" Vincent raised an eyebrow. "...Yes, there are a few that roam the streets of Eternis." he replied. Tariun nodded. "Well, we have a few of those down here as well. Though ours are a little more...advanced than yours at the moment, thanks to Taranoch's advisor and assistant Mazgith. There is one large enough to carry all of you, as well as your equipment, on the back of a train at the rail hub. Remove it from the train, and push it away from the hub before you destroy it. Contact me afterwards, and I'll send Xager to show you how to operate it."

"Understood...We'll keep an eye out for it." replied Vincent, glancing to the others. Tariun smiled again. "Please be careful, and take care of yourselves." she said finally, before her spectral form faded once more. Vincent then looked to the others. A little time was given to allow Venextos to finish healing Hudson, the buckshot pellets falling out of his wound and hitting the ground with a clink while his wound closed. A moment later, the illusion was cast, and Hudson's weapon appeared to stop burning. But he could still feel the heat from it, as if the weapon was still lit. Vincent then spoke again. "Alright. Let's divide up and get moving. If you can suppress your aura, do so. If you can't, get Venextos to conceal it."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Loque moves over to where Vincent is, intent on joining his half of the group. "I'll move with you. Just tell me when."

 

[Doomevil]

The Red Warden took the time to listen to Vincent's plan on dividing the group into two. Senya moved over to Vincent and Loque's side, believing she was more useful as a sworn shield. Should they head inside, she reminded herself of the few dynamite she had in her bag, ready to toss.

 

[joshuadim]

Wordlessly, Venextos approached Hudson and began his work. "I do apologize in advance, it will hurt a bit as I mend you." he spoke as he cast his healing spell. One by one the pellets from the buckshot fell out of his wound as the wound was reconstituted back to normal after a few minutes. Afterwards, Venextos brought an illusion over the man's mace as to conceal its flame and then turned his attention to the others.

"As Monsieur Beaumont said, if you need concealment then let me know."

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson shot Riberta a glare as she spoke up about his injuries, though he did nothing to conceal them. He didn't request healing because the hunter did not wish to ask for any of the reprobates on the mission for help. The man was used to pushing through wounds somewhat worse than this, and on a great deal of his hunts he worked by himself.

"Not my place to beg for help. I'm still standing so I'll keep fighting." he replied to Vincent, looking to Riberta next. "I'm fighting to live like the rest of you, just with the understanding that I deserve whatever is coming to me."

Venextos was already on the approach after Hudson said his piece, and he inhaled sharply through gritted teeth as the magic mended the wounds. The shot from the weapon was squeezed around the sealing skin and exposed tissue, pushing out as they rapidly closed. His hand stopped holding at his wound, and the hunter's breathing grew more steady while he rolled his wrist and flexed his fingers.

With the illusion in place he looked to the factory grounds in the distance. He seemed rather intent on going where Loque wouldn't be, so he stood away from their group that was forming.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Inari looked between the two forming groups, noticing Hudson likely planning to be in his own away from the others. Kami save me, what a choice. Hudson was more likely to get whoever was with him killed, while Loque liked to say silly things. She shook her head and walked towards Senya, Loque, and Vincent.

"I go with this people," she announced, then looking at Venextos. "You, sorcerer, make my aura hidden. It take me too long to use my power."

 

[joshuadim]

As quickly as requested, Venextos pointed a hand towards Inari and waved it over her. The air seemed to shimmer around her for a moment before returning to normal at that moment and signified that the deed was done. "The illusion will not last forever, so do be careful about it."

 

[Breadman]

Henderson crossed his arms in front of his chest and stood by Hudson and Venextos. Vincent would have Riberta doing the heavy lifting for his side. Seeing what they have to deal with, it would be a good idea for these two to have some muscle around them. Maybe Hudson would complain less if he had more 'human' members around him.

 

[Infab]

Once the group had divided up, they dispersed. Each group heading towards one of the three large factories. The guards were easy to sneak by, most of them appearing to be rather bored. A few were even sleeping on the job. Almost too easy. Once the groups arrived, they had to locate an entrance. Vincent's group slipped through the large archway where a train car was jutting through, while the other moved through a set of double doors along the side.

The inside of the factories melt of burning coal with long production lines and conveyor belts stretching around the facilities. Demons moved about, some wearing special gear and carrying tools. Others simply stood by, holding large bladed and blunt weapons. No firearms visible. Now to locate places to set the charges, and locate the gunsmiths.

 

[Doomevil]

The plan was decided, causing everyone to move towards the factory. Senya nodded, trying her best efforts to use stealth despite the heavy armor. She never had a problem whenever she hunted animals, likely wearing light armor and carrying a simple rifle. She followed Vincent and the others, scanning the environment for potential guards and demons. Senya couldn't help but stare at the work they were doing, capable of making weapons and vehicles for their armies just like that. She imagined the entire world going to war with the Abyss, fighting from gun to bigger gun and the worst part was that the demons were numerous. If the Lich King's army merely served as a distraction to the Abyss at best, would the world even stop Taranoch?

Senya shook her head, finding potential spots to place the charges around the factory.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

The situation reminded Inari of a few times she had done infiltration missions at a few castles and redoubts, usually slipping in to the place under cover of a storm, or night, and make sure the gates were open come morning. This was a little different since they had some generous explosives to level this place. She kept quiet and low, following close with the others.

For once, she was glad her nose was as damaged as it was, because the place already reeked of some choking aroma that didn't seem much better than the air in the swamp. Must have been the metals and big smelters. She settled down besides the others and looked around for a good spot to place some dynamite.

 

[Damian0358]

As the group approached their factory of choice, Takato observed the others - after some discussion, he had joined Vincent's group under the suggestion that each group have someone capable of healing, and clearly, Hudson wouldn't tolerate someone of demon descent healing him, even if he was as mortal as he was. Observing their environment wasn't as important to him, the others were watching and he could note the aura of guards.

Now within the factory, the smell of coal burnt strongly... it reminded Takato of those few times he visited the underground of the Southern Oni. He was in some awe at the sight of production, it truly was greater than any workshop back home. He kept an eye on the others, looking for a good spot for dynamite, but also taking into consideration the planned destruction of the rail hub; if they used enough dynamite here, he could use his remainder then.

 

[Infab]

Over the course of the next two hours, the groups moved about the factories. Each avoiding, or dealing with, the guards inside as well as finding locations to place their dynamite for detonation. Wires were hidden, running out of the building and a safe distance away. It turned out that the gunsmiths that they were to slay were inside the buildings as well, in small laboratory-like offices where they were drawing up plans for experimental weaponry based off the firearms and such from the mortal realm. They would likely be caught in the blasts of the dynamite and collapse of the factories, so there was no need to engage them directly.

Once everything was set up and everyone had gathered together outside the facilities, Vincent began a countdown from five. Everyone covered their ears, and soon Vincent shoved the plunger down on the detonator that they had brought with them. There was a pair of clicks, and the facilities promptly exploded quite loudly and violently. The sheer force of the blast knocked a few of the group over, as the fireballs soared up into the sky along with bits of metal and wood from the frame of the facility. The ammunition factory made a much larger boom, likely due to the gunpowder and other materials inside. Anyone inside the buildings were instantly incinerated, swallowed by the massive blasts.

As debris fell from the sky, the group gathered themselves once more. "Well...that takes care of that." said Vincent, detaching the used wires from the detonator. Riberta motioned towards the rail hub in the distance. "Whoever is at the rail hub probably knows we're here now." she said, glancing to the others. "Yeah...so watch yourselves." responded Vincent. And soon, the group was on the move to the rail hub.

The rail lines appeared to be freshly laid, moving from the ruins of the factories towards the rail hubs. Any guards that had been protecting them were gone now, either killed by the group as they followed the rail to the hub or by the blasts. It was a simple walk to the hub now...which seemed to be silent. No trains were moving, though a few sat on the tracks. No guards were in sight. It was as if they had all abandoned their duties...or had been pulled away to somewhere else.

Moving in amongst the cars of the trains and open warehouses, the group started laying the last of their dynamite in key locations in the hub. Everything had to be destroyed, save for their method of escape. They found their escape vehicle rather quickly, covered in a few tarps and strapped onto the back of one of the open train cars. Once the straps were removed, Riberta and some of the stronger members of the group moved the vehicle off and down a ramp onto the ground away from the train.

 

[joshuadim]

"I believe we should exercise caution. The guards may be regrouping for an ambush after our antics." Venextos commented as he looked about the rail hub with suspicion. Would the guards really have fled upon the sight of an explosion? He could only ponder as he worked to continue with the plan they had devised.

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson cleaved his way through the guards between the group and their objective, true to his word on completely avoiding the explosives. He said nothing as he did so, on edge from both such sociopaths handling high-yield explosives as well as the events that transpired on the way to the factories. The hunter moved somewhat more panicked as he charged down armed guards, looking this way and that as he frantically ended his targets. He just wanted this to be over with.

As they circle back to the vehicle, his hand stretched his fingers around his blade's grip. "Don't think this heap of metal can withstand concentrated fire." he muttered. "Just what will we do once we get there? Aside from being cautious?"

 

[KRIY]

Wesley wiped the demon blood clean off his Ninjato as he walks with the group.

"Strange, no guards here... Surely there would be at least 4-5 guards posted about. Perhaps they're waiting for us to come closer so they would have the element of surprise?"

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

When the charges finally went off, Loque had to remove her helmet briefly just so the loud explosions wouldn’t reverberate inside of it. Her ears rang regardless however, and continued to ring even after she walked with the others all the way to the rail hub. Bothering her more though was the fact they hadn’t run into any resistance so far. She expected one hell of a fight from the wrath demons as they just destroyed one of the only places that made their weapons and killed the inventors that designed them. Something was going to happen, she could just feel them grouping up somewhere down the line to deliver the mother of all ambushes, so she firmly holds her rifle as she keeps her head on a swivel.

“Perhaps they're waiting for us to come closer so they would have the element of surprise?"

“Absolutely.” she remarks. “This isn’t like them to just give up and let us go. This isn’t like them at all...”

 

[KRIY]

.....“Absolutely.” she remarks. “This isn’t like them to just give up and let us go. This isn’t like them at all...”

Wesley turns his head towards Loque.
"I'm starting to get a really, really bad feeling about this. It's too quiet.. Be on your guard."

He takes his revolver from his holster in one hand and held his Ninjato in the other, "Would be a wise idea to stick together, no?.."

 

[Doomevil]

Senya nodded in agreement, "We should be expecting a major enforcement regardless. If they do, it'll be best we defend our position as much as we can until we escape." She explained as the others made their own comments after they blew the factory.

 

[Infab]

As the final cluster of dynamite was set, the group started to gather back up around their future escape vehicle. So far, no one had arrived to stop them. No gunshots, no roars, nothing. The hub was silent beyond the noises that the group made with their activities and footsteps. It seemed that they had genuinely scared off the enemy. Who knew wrath demons were so frightful? As the group met back up at the vehicle, Vincent exhaled a breath. And noticed that he could see his own breath now. It was somehow getting colder. "Temperature is dropping...you feel it?" he said, looking to the others. Riberta looked about. Faint flecks of snow started to drift down from the grey sky above them, instead of ash from the detonations of the factories hundreds of yards away.

As the snow started to gather on the ground, they started to hear crunching. Movement, and it wasn't their own. There was someone nearby. Or something. As Vincent looked about to say something, Riberta let out a groan as she was suddenly stabbed with something. As they looked to her, they could see a massive ice spike jutting out of her abdomen and back. She spat a few insults out in her native tongue, as she shattered the ice spike and pulled it out before collapsing to one knee. She started to heal moments later, but looked about to try and find her attacker. They were moving between the train cars and other crates scattered about. And it was more than one entity, but both were powerful.

 

[joshuadim]

"An enemy sorcerer!" Venextos cried out, bringing his staff up to a defensive posture and looked around. Was this another shadow's illusion? No, illusions don't conjure ice that can hurt. A frost mage? His mind raced as he looked around but saw nothing.

 

[Doomevil]

Ice magic, Senya narrowed her eyes, scanning around the area for the enemy. She prepared her sword and prepared a fire spell in case the enemy tried to do anything with their ice.

 

[Damian0358]

As Vincent's group moved through the factory, Takato did his best to avoid the guards, though at select moments, he had been forced to knock out some with a swift kick. Looking in, he noted what kind of things were being made, and he didn't recognize all of it. He briefly wondered what it all was, but he shrugged.

As they moved towards the rail hub, the others vocalized their thoughts on the lack of guards, something Takato began noting in terms of aura... it was worrying, to say the least, and he began shifting his posture to prepare for anything. After moving the truck away from the train, and after setting up the last of the dynamite, his included, they started moving over to prepare their escape, with no signs of the enemy... that is, until the cold arrived.

Takato quickly shifted into a defensive fighting position, whilst also building up the qi within his body, to quickly send it out against their foes.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Looking at Senya makes Loque think she's got the right idea, so she lowers her rifle for a moment as she prepares some fire magic of her own.