Fantasy M E M E N T O ◘ The Taken Seed ◘ ic

[Ignem]

Ignem stood there as his teammates fell in just a minute of fighting the demon.

"That demon is strong, " Misty said, "How do you plan to take it down?"

"How do you think I would know?" He said. He can make the demon distracted for a while so the others can recover, but he doesn't know how long he can last.

"Alright we are going to distract the demon till they recover, okay?" Ignem said. Misty gulped and nodded. Ignem taking a deep breath fired a several red hot stipples at the demon. He then fired several fired several Icebolts on the demon's feet to freeze them.

 

[Ace Cream]

ZIMA

It all happened so fast that Zima was several seconds late until she realized what was happening. The demon already started its assault and attacked several of her teammates. Zima gritted her teeth as the feeling of frustation flooded through her, and here she was doing nothing, frontline? Shield? Queen? She failed after all those big talk.

"Totoro, prepare for treefall." Zima had a fed up look as she brought out one of her impcanister and after a brief chant, lit it on a blue spirit fire. Blue glowing cracks started to appear on her skin and her eyes as she cooks the ignifer.

"R-right away??!" Totoro seems scared, at both the raging demon that was their enemy and at his master who seems to go a bit more reckless than her usual demeanor. However, he complied and prepared to execute one of their trained tactic, treefall.

"I will make you unable to ignore me." Zima hissed at the bulky demon. She threw the ignifer into the sky and immediately aimed her imprifle at the worduken. Demon's size and demon's speed oftenly doesn't match, she knew that. This demon was one such example, able to launches several strikes in such short times... fortunately she set her imprifle to provide a scatter shot instead of a regular concentrated one. This enable her to hit speedy target more easily while also decreasing the need of precision, it's not as damaging unless she got really close though.

However, the real meat of treefall tactic lies not within her imprifle, but on the ignifer. While Zima launches a scatter shot from below, Totoro jumped towards the thrown ignifer and grown a pair of bat's wings to maintain his elevation. His job was to throw the ignifer in the direction the demon would go to avoid the scatter shot, however since Ignem just threw ice bolts to impedes the demon's movement his job might become much easier. The monkey took a split second after Zima's shot before he thrown the cooked ignifer at the demon.

BANG!!!

Lekiel Ignem

 

[Mqueserasera]

EUPHEMIA

Interactions:
Mentions:​

Euphemia contorted her face into a scowl. The demon’s display of might needed not to prolong its course to achieve effects of terror upon onlookers and no less on the blonde-haired noble. In the face of it, or yet despite it, she kept a sense of composure, or rather relied on it for the sturdiness of heart. The belief that one has it all in control proved priceless in times when terror itself a self-fulfilled prophecy. Of such foolhardy confident, Euphemia had plenty.

Panic. Then came chaos. The girl observed the happening, among her comrades and herself as if a far off scene. The fear was not her own, neither doubts. Forget it all if you could, or pretend to if couldn’t. “Everything is under control” was what repeated and echoing the corners of her mind to melt the numbing parts. To what extend had she succeeded in calming her nerves, she knew not. Such knowledge is better left uncounselled.

The above psychological process did happen, but in so short a time it might as well be done unconsciously. The first exchanges of blows warranted endless work to break down what had and could have gone wrong or right in name of mistakes and luck, in truth only occurred in no time.

No more consideration and hesitation.

The demon to be subdued was a Worduken. Everything else, a mystery.

Their formation - broken.

It’d taken damages.

Then she sprang into action.

“Protect”, spoke Euphemia. Her hands moved across the air, forming runes. Recalled shapes, forms, images. Then unleashed the spell.

Her demon by her side, twisted, coiling around his master legs like an obedient pet snake. His eyes stick to the greater demon, aware of the situation’s gravity.

Then Euphemia ran like a force of magic. The arcane armour materialized over her as she moved. Along followed Algae, glowing as it fueled the defensive magic.

On her way towards the thing, side glances caught her allies showering their magic on the hulking target. Judging simply by the wounds it had suffered, the Worduken was not indestructible, but even more vulnerable were human. A lethal strike – a fallen mage, by way of a domino effect, would lead to another and then all of them.

She readied her hands. One held out, another withheld.

“Astral hands” cast Euphemia. Just within range, which was almost upon the Worduken. A hand that mirrored her right one opened wide, launching to grasp at the demon’s wound and take hold unrelenting.

As soon as the first spell unleashed. Her left hand etched runic words about her. It didn’t concern her whether the first spell had worked as intended. So close was her to the demon, it should surely aware of her existence.

Her plan was simple: to draw the demon’s attention and gave it no chance to decline the invitation. Whether the confidence in her abjuration magic was justified or not, was for fate to decide. It should also be noted that Euphemia had a very strong opinion on how fate should operate.

“Hardened Armor” she cast the last spell onto herself.

 

[Lekiel]

The billowing clouds of umbral smoke swirled and swelled, clinging low to the ground as if it were some formless nightmare made out of shadow. They poured out of the demon's hide, where its flesh peeled and rotted. Sloughing off droves of mortal fluids and staining the ground under its feet.

Pouring from the very wounds upon which the Chosen had inflicted.

And where choking smog had been, a peculiar phenomenon seemed to be happening. The grass and weeds appeared to wilt, curling in as their once green leaves turned ashen black. A taint of the most vile seeped into the ground, corrupting all that it covered. But as the smoke undulated in eddies, luminescent flowers seemed to bloom from the desecrated ground. Their pitch-black vines creeping out over the fallen pillars, twisting amidst the ruins. Small star-shaped glimmers that stood in stark contrast to the rot and shadow of their twisted origins. One that was even now thrashing in frenzied rage against the barrage of attacks flung in its way. Its tormentors, the odious puny humans rushed and shouted all around attempting their darndest to take it down.

It roared in pain as flecks of searing red peppered into its hide, but the agony only seemed to make it all the more furious. The icebolts cast by the Conjurer of Highover struck its feet, but the lack of the caster’s expertise showed when the spell did nought to slow its momentum.

BANG! A speckled flash of azure blue. A wail of renewed pain. Skullheads screeched in fury, turning in the direction of the advancing Northlander and her infuriating boomstick. She needn’t have presumed it would dodge, as the ignifer flung by her unfortunate familiar hummed a rapid crescendo before it exploded with a flash of blue and popped ears right before one of the three heads. The abomination was rocked off its feet, crashing against the stones of a crumbling ruin. It howled in pained agony just as the hapless foliot that had thrown the powerful bomb was blasted backwards.

Though downed momentarily, the rotting horror was far from out. One of its skull heads had been cracked open. Liquid shadow streamed from the wound, slick as tar as more of the choking smoke filled the garden ruins. And with the smoke, so did more of the pellucid flowers bloom.

Being closer to the beast, Enn quickly found that the roiling miasma was beginning to drown the area. The putrid stench seeped into her nostrils, despite her best efforts to not inhale it. The urge to retch was unbearable, as no doubt Arya would experience the same.

In that barest moment of weakness, a certain aureate haired woman attacked. Dashing in with reckless confidence, a shimmering veil of arcane energy encapsulating her being, Euphemia reached with her astral hands and tore at the demon’s gaping wound demanding its attention. But for such a swift hulking beast, she was ten feet too close.

The effect of her attack was instantaneous. Too swift was the worduken’s reaction. Too slow was her muttered incantation. Burdened by lack of dexterity and the fact that she had been maintaining an astral hand up till the last moment. The hulking demon thrashed in the throes of pain. It’s limbs flailing and grabbing wildly from the painful onslaught. A sizable chunk of rock was flung in the direction of Ignem and Zima.

Alas, for the maiden of the gold hair, before the runes of her final spell could take shape, the last thing she would see before being slammed off her feet was a large claw blotting out all sight.

The worduken is now in a frenzied rage, crashing and toppling columns. The hollowed eyesockets burning with a red glimmer, as two of the many crow skulls caught sight of both Adrius and Ayer causing it to howl in rage as if they were the sole people to blame for its pain. But instead of charging, the demon crouched as the branches on its back quivered and then turned shadow black tendrils. Suddenly, they shot forwards with deadly accuracy, hooked tips seeking out to rend at their flesh.

Ignem Ace Cream
--The detonation of an ignifer releases powerful energies, both physical and magical. It is especially harmful to demons. Being the one to have thrown it, Totoro had to get close enough. As a result, he was both wounded and flung backwards. Though his situation is not as dire as a certain utukku, the foliot is nearly incapacitated and no longer able to participate in the fight in any useful way.

The combined attack of the second wave of chosen seemed to have done visible injury to the worduken. So much so that the pain caused it to react in reflex, tearing chunks of the ruins and flinging it in your direction. The projectiles caught you off guard, but due to the distance, you may be saved by your reflexes yet.

Dexterity check. Both Ignem and Zima must roll a 1d10 dice to determine if they managed to dodge unscathed.
Ignem: Score 5 or higher, otherwise be struck hard enough to fall to the ground.
Zima: Score 3 or higher, otherwise be struck hard enough to fall to the ground.

Mqueserasera
--Euphemia had gotten too close to such a wild and savage demon and it had reacted savagely to her attack. Unfortunately, she wasn’t quick enough and was struck before she could complete her final spell. Fortunately, her abjuration Protect took a huge brunt of the impact. She has been knocked clean off her feet and is now disorientated. She would be bruised and suffer cuts, but be saved from what could have been far worse injury. Whatever actions she takes on her next turn will be hampered.

Wilder28 Euclid Leaf
--The tendrils of shadow stretching towards them are swift, but they are given more time to react.

Dexterity check.
Adrius success. As long as he reacts, he should be able to fend off the attack.
Ayer: Roll 1D10. Score 2 or higher, otherwise despite whatever actions you have taken, you will be struck and entangled by the tendrils of shadow.

Perception check
Though the tendrils are swift, the distance was relatively great and Adrius has had time to contemplate the situation. He is allowed to make one collected decision. As he is afforded less distraction, his perceptiveness has revealed to him a couple of observations.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Ayer
Ayer Lecomte - Highover Academy, Western Gardens/Secret Fountain Grove

Mentions:
Lekiel RI.a

Ayer immediately gasped at the sight of blood. The young daring witch had gotten a taste of the ferocity of a wild demon.

This was why he wanted to be as far away as possible. His clicked his tongue at the lack of reaction. But it wasn't the time for criticism. Ayer kept a side eye as Enn grapped Arya and began helping her towards a safer area. At least she wasn't in immediate danger any more. The redhead lifted the long rifle back over his shoulder with a huff and began hustling to a different place. Keeping the same range was important, so he kept his eye to the sky with Ponkipie going wild with telegraphs and poses.

Ayer gave the frantically dancing imp a thumbs up as he made a half circle around the pillared grove and assumed the same sniping position behind a bed of overgrown weeds and flowers.

Arcane flashes flared all around the center the whole time he was moving, causing the monster to rumble and roil around as it roared in agony. He watched with great concern as it began to emit a pulse of pure miasma from its bleeding oily wounds. The sensor on his arm began to flash with a red light. But he didn't need to see the miasma level to know just how destructive it was. As it All the life this dark mist touched immediately showed signs of repose. Replacing healthy life was, much like the antler-horned demon, a mockery of its original nature. Ayer watched in fascination as they began to flail and wail, much like their twisted mother. He almost wanted to bottle one and study it later.

But another flash caused his eyes to return to the fight. Ayer was astonished. He couldn't believe his eyes an an ignifer exploded, boiling the demon in its bright blue fury. But it was used in such a way that others were in collateral. What was this tactic? Didn't they bother to think about the threat of such a weapon can pose to allies? Unlike pure silverite, an ignifer explosion can hurt other people. What were thinking to use it while others were in such close proximity? If he wasn't so impressed by the beautiful collaboration of dark and light, he would be incredibly peeved and distraught at the possible realities in his head.

While the explosion peeled the beast apart, it also seemed to have sent it into a dark state. He recognized this very much so. Seeing Enn and Arya still so close, Ayer yelled at them to run. But no matter what, his screams were overwhelmed when the monster let out one great roar.

He was only left to watch as another was caught in the upcoming flurry. Lady Fortuna had caught it when the demon was beginning to wind up into frenzy. From what he can tell, she had been trying to cast too many spells at once. Normally, it might've worked with all the distractions and damage. But from what he has observed, this demon was incredibly fast for its size. And pain only amplified chaotic creatures such as demons. He winced as a whole claw flew at her, knocking her backwards.

Euphemia was sent off her feet and flew backwards, and in that moment, the space was clear. Ayer immediately locked eyes with the demon and fired a shot from the rifle in response. He aimed for the heads, hoping it was enough to buy time for Enn and Arya. But he wasn't able to even see if the shot connected. Just as a green light exploded from his rifle, and he was sent a punchy recoil down his shoulder, one of the skull heads turned towards him. He saw this and the black tendrils beginning to form on the demons brambled back, and made the clear decision in his mind. He fully turned his body and jumped up to his feet.

Run. Run as fast as you can, dammit.
Mqueserasera
Shura-Yuon Roll: [8] Result: 8
Due in part to his distance, Ayer did not so much see a black tendril in sight or range. Although perhaps it was more so all the frantic running that consumed him, the mad dash similar to a student waking up late and making a frantic rush to the first class. Either way, the tendrils caught nothing but dust as Ayer began to circle the perimeter of the arena. But it wasn't random. He was making way towards something. Someone, rather. When he caught sight a familiar figure, he dove into the grass nearby. He hadn't looked back, and still thought there was a possibility of the black tendrils still stabbing their way towards him. Ayer landed a few meters away from where Euphemia had recoiled from the attack, and curled backwards with his rifle raised ready to fire. The hooked black barbs were far away, at this point, stuck into the grass from where he was. Ayer let out a sharp sigh while lowering the barrel, a little annoyed that he had exerted so much in an overreaction. Though, also glad to be safe. For now.

He then rolled back on his belly and called out to her from behind a bush of upturned grass from all the explosions.
"Hey, are you quite alright?"

Figuring that was a stupid question, the eccentric man began to crawl up to her to see the damage done. He pushed on his elbows and the side of Gribeauval, slithering over the grass. What was left of it. He had already taken off one of his many scarves, prepared to use it as a make-shift bandage if there had been a cut anywhere. He really hoped there wasn't. He was no doctor. Not even close. Ayer was only good at fixing machines. And even then, his peers would scoff at the experimental and unorthodox nature of it. But he had spent a long time watching a fine doctor at work. Day in and out. The experience was worth something, right? Well, whatever the case, this was what Euphemia was getting.

He almost grinned at how she would react to his help, if not the grim state of the battle.
When he reached her, Ayer asked one more time, "Scream if you're in pain. Be silent if you're dead, and or, dying. In either case, I will take it as permission to try and save your life."

...

 

[Wilder28]

Adrius Devereux

References: Lekiel Euclid Leaf RI.a revior Ignem Ace Cream Mqueserasera

Spoiler: Small pre-battle interactions w/ Ayer

"She'll be fine. Everyone acts this way for their first-ever encounter with wild demons. I remember I used to be the same."

Hearing Ayer's voice sound from behind him, Adrius turned and met this reassurance with a smile of his own. "Right, of course. Suppose she'll just need some time," he agreed, glancing off in Enn's direction one last time before heading off.

Cut to a few moments later, while they were on the way to the cage, and Adrius, jittery as he'd been in that moment, nearly jumped at the sudden feeling of a hand in his shoulder. Upon looking and seeing who it was, though, he relaxed in a flash, and he couldn't help but give a slight grin as the Northlander proceeded to lend him one of his own scarves. It was much comfier than he'd imagined, and though this probably wasn't the time or the place for such a garment practically-speaking, he already had zero intention of taking it off. Taking hold of one in with one hand to lightly feel the fabric, he gazed up at Ayer and gave a friendly wink. "Why thank you. I'll be sure to keep it in top condition."

It may not have been much, but he'd be lying if he said it didn't help him feel at least a little better from that point on.

As Adrius fired, he aimed for the weaker points in its body - the joints, parts of the neck, the toes, the eye sockets, even the mouth. Naturally, that was a bit difficult to pull off from a distance, especially since he was moving, but the majority of his shots seemed to have at least hit none of the less. He recalled both from past lessons and from experience that Earth tended to do the most damage against the air-based creatures that Demons were, while ice and lightning tended to be more precise, and Fire often took the cake in terms of actual power. So he just used all four, more or less in equal amounts.

Unfortunately, it seemed that in this case, none of the four had any particular advantage. The demon's considerable durability, coupled with his own relative lack of magical power, meant that it would mostly shrug them off regardless, not even bothering to take a look in his direction. As far as he could tell, it was still focused solely on Arya, who had naturally thrown up a Mirrorwall before dashing off. To no one's surprise, it had torn through the defense without much effort, and it gave chase promptly after. The young witch, however, had come to a stop at that point, though he could hardly fathom why. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her begin to cast a spell instead. And that left her vulnerable.

At this point, he'd come to a stop and doubled down on his firing, creating a barrage that proved enough to at least throw it off balance, offsetting what was very likely to have been a fatal strike for the Holmes girl. As a result, the attack had only grazed her - though the sheer size of the demon, ensured that that was still more than enough to hurl her a few meters off. And while she was down for the moment, the Worduken began to regain its balance and gather itself for another strike, still more or less paying little mind to Adrius' elemental assault. Or even the particularly large icicle that Enn threw in to help.

Thankfully, that was around when Zelos hit, barreling into the creature's side like a battering ram of flesh and muscle. The size difference between the two was massive, what with the larger demon having something to the tune of nine feet over his familiar, but the Utukku had never been one to let such a detail hold him back. He fought with a tenacity that impressed even his master, who hitherto hadn't really gotten an opportunity to see him go all out this way. He did a lot more damage than was expected, giving his all against the greater monstrosity and starting to tear it apart with sheer might alone.

Choosing to take this moment for a brief respite, mainly because he didn't want to risk hitting his familiar as well, Adrius did a quick scan of his surroundings - and found one of Ayer's well-dressed Imps making its way toward him. It came bearing a purple vial, which he swiftly recognized to be an Elixus, and couldn't suppress a wide grin at the message it relayed (though it probably wasn't very visible behind the woolen fabric of his new scarf). He'd worked with a few Enchanters in his previous years, including Valton on rare occasions, but it wasn't often that he got to use something like this himself. It had its fair share of side effects, he knew, but he was more than willing to put up with that if it meant getting a significant power boost, since Seven knew that that was something he'd always needed.

"Oho, what's this?" He exclaimed as he took the vial and stashed it away on his person. He didn't intend to use it right away, but just having it already opened up a whole new road of possibilities to add to the many he was already considering. "Absolutely wonderful. Thank the Seven for Mr. Lectome - do let him know that I owe him one." How he was going to repay this, he didn't know, but he would find a way. The redhead was already more or less his favorite of the other Chosen, and this had only served to strengthen that sentiment.

At any rate, once that Imp took off, Adrius immediately returned his attention to the demon duel, already beginning to cast a few more bolt spells to support his familiar. This time, he went at a slower pace, so as to focus more on precision and avoid inadvertently landing a strike on his familiar instead.

He'd only managed to get off a couple of shots, though, before he witnessed his demon to be brutally disarmed. Having now lost the element of surprise, the Worduken was quick to put the smaller threat down, and horror surged through the Evoker's body as his Utukku was torn up and tossed aside. Almost immediately, he ceased his casting, letting the rune he was drawing fizzle out as he turned and bolted off after him. "Zelos!" His voice rang out across the battlefield, made a little higher than normal by immense fear for his demon's wellbeing.

Sprinting over to where his familiar's mangled body lay, Adrius quickly fell into a kneeling position by his side, looking over its myriad injuries. "Oh, Seven..." He murmured, a slight hint of panic creeping into his tone. Though what he saw was more than enough to assure him that Zelos was effectively out of commission, he didn't even have to look to know that he wasn't doing so well. Just through their bond alone, he could sense that his familiar wasn't just at death's door; he was practically crossing the threshold. He couldn't stay here any longer. He needed to be released now.

In the background, Adrius could hear the Worduken's screeching, which was rapidly followed by a sharp cry of pain from what must have been Finn. He didn't know what was happening, but he wasn't yet compelled to look. It all seemed so distant for the moment.

"It'll be alright, friend," he murmured, gently setting a hand on the demon's shoulder. "You did wonderfully out there. I'm so proud of you." Raising a hand, he managed to force a small smile. "I'll be sure to reward you with a heap of cookies when you get back, alright? Actual ones this time." Since there wouldn't be an answer, he didn't wait for one. He simply snapped his fingers, and the demon's body silently collapsed into dark smoke.

Once it had dissipated, he let out a heavy sigh. So much for having a great and mighty rook at his back.

At that moment, there came the sound of a massive boom that shook the ground a little, jerking him back into reality. Right afterward came a loud screech of agony from the Worduken, followed by the sound of crumbling stone. Whatever just happened, it must have been big. It served as a solid reminder that though his demon was gone for the moment, he was hardly alone. He still had plenty of other allies to work with, and it sure sounded like they were doing damage.

He'd stepped out for long enough. It was time for him to rejoin the fray.

Taking a deep breath, he did what he could to dispel the panic within him, then drew himself up to full height. Turning halfway to observe the battle, he took off his scarf, then did the same with his cloak in one swift, practiced movement, before setting both down on the ground beside him. The scarf on top, of course, because he didn't want to dirty it up.

All the while, he managed to get a good idea of what was going on. Thanks to the presumed efforts of Zima, the Worduken had just been heavily wounded, with one of its skulls cracked open and dark smog pouring from every wound on its body. He didn't know what it was she did, but it must have been incredibly effective. Raid leader indeed. And though he was already planning to leap in and take advantage of this, he was quick to see that a certain golden-haired noblewoman had already beaten him to it, charging in outright and coated in a layer of protective armor, with what must've been her Foliot at the side.

Now dressed solely in the golden-embroidered crimson attire that he'd been wearing underneath his cloak, seldom seen except for in dire situations such as this, he proceeded to observe as Euphemia ran right up took hold of the Worduken's arm with an Astral Hand. More specifically, right over where the wound was. It surprised him; for all her grace and her tact, she was surprisingly straightforward when it came to actual combat. Then again, considering her remark earlier about wanting only to destroy the demon, he supposed that this aggression wasn't much of a shock after all.

Either way, he fully intended to jump in and lend a hand - his fingers were already sparking with magic once again. Being honest, a part of him was very much pissed off over what happened to his familiar, and it tempted him to just down the Elixus he was given and just go in with a flurry of fireballs or a round of Shocking Grasp. But the rest of him knew better than to go through with that, because unlike Zelos or Euphemia, he didn't have the defense to withstand any kind of physical attack. He had to keep his distance, and he had to think rationally. The Elixus was one-use only. He needed to make it count.

With that in mind, he began fluidly weaving the rune to summon an Electric Whip, already beginning to head forward... only to come to an abrupt pause upon seeing Euphemia get pimp slapped right into the next Reckoning. He couldn't help but wince, watching as her Protect spell burst and she was sent flying back. He was no Abjuror, but from what he knew, she would be alright. She'd almost certainly be seeing stars, but she'll definitely live.

Letting the rune he was drawing fizzle out, he decided to go for a different approach than the one he'd just been planning. Surveying the area once again, he turned his gaze downward, and something on the ground caught his eye. Whatever spots on the ground that the unholy smoke touched, he noticed that there were now a number of eerie glowing flowers, blossoming with unnatural speed and overtaking nearby pillars with their blackened vines.

While undoubtedly a strange sight, what really held his attention about it was that it jogged something in his memory. These flowers, they were important somehow, essential even. There was one important detail about them that he felt would be extremely helpful to know, something that was integral to the creature itself... and for the life of him, he could not recall it. It was just on the edges of his memory, and to his endless frustration, it wouldn't come any further than that.

Outwardly, he scowled. It was one thing when this happened in the case of, say, schoolwork. It was another thing entirely when he was in the middle of a life-or-death situation. You'd think his brain would know the difference.

As it was, he hardly had the time to sit and ponder over it. Looking up, he met the Worduken's gaze - because for some odd reason, one of its heads had now focused attention on him. Wonderful.

Right away, just as he'd heard Ayer fire off a shot, he began constructing another plan, his mind going at a mile a minute as he considered various courses of action. There was a fairly deep pool of water between them, maybe he could - Wait. What was it doing?

Adrius watched in surprise and slight disbelief as the monster's branches morphed into hooked tendrils and began shooting towards him. These professors really did pick out the most dangerous unbound demon they could find, hadn't they?

Without wasting a moment, about half of them shot right in his direction, the others seeming to go towards Ayer instead. Apparently, they were both out of luck here. The only saving grace was that the distance between him and the Worduken was fairly large, meaning there was ample time for him to react. And react he did; after taking a brief moment to assess the situation, he quickly wove in the air a Firebolt rune, and fired about as many fireballs as he could in the Worduken's direction. These were dished out in a wide spread, and after first being aimed specifically at the incoming tendrils themselves, they were then directed toward the flowers. He didn't know what it was about them that he should be remembering, exactly, but he knew that they were there for a reason, and he was at least certain that destroying them would have some sort of effect.

He just hoped he was right.

At any rate, after he'd gotten off a reasonable amount of shots, he then wasted no time cutting his barrage short and dashing off to the side, whether or not his projectiles actually did anything to stop the incoming tendrils. Making his way around the crumbled pillar he'd been standing near, he raced over to the nearest adjacent one, which was looking much more stable. Once there, he came to a stop, turning to face the demon once more. Taking a quick rest, he studied its reaction to his attack, resting his hand against the pillar as he did so.

And to his surprise, that seemed to trigger something. The timeworn stone grew warm beneath his palms, his fingertips, and he felt the telltale texture of what must've been a rune carved within its surface.

"Sura."

A word then sprung to mind, echoing throughout its confines in a thundering voice that was not his own. Or was there even a voice at all? Perhaps he was just visualizing it, as if it were scrawled into his very sight? He did seem to have no trouble spelling it out mentally. Maybe it was both.

"Kareesha."

A second word followed the first, this one every bit as alien and ineffable as the first. What language they were, he didn't know, and so deciphering their meaning was hardly manageable no matter how hard his mind worked to do so. He lowered his hand from where he's set it and gazed upon the spot he'd touched with furrowed brows, examining it closely and taking in every detail of the rune that he could. He wasn't familiar with it any more than he had been with the words themselves, but he quickly deduced that it must have unwittingly activated some sort of latent magic. Old magic, judging by the age of this pillar.

"Sura. Kareesha," he repeated to himself under his breath. Perhaps what he'd heard, or visualized, was an incantation. Or fragments of it. Maybe saying it would activate something?

 

[revior]

Finn Arland
​

Finn let out an ugly cry as he felt his arms being torn off, the tearing of muscles, and the breaking of bones. While his real arms were intact and unaffected, the pain was real to his mind. He crumbled to the ground and curled into a ball, one arm clutching onto the other. While in pain, the chaos before him became a distant thing, the screams and cries of his fellow Chosens sounded so far away and for a moment, Finn wished that it was indeed the case. Once the pain in his arms subsided, he began to feel something a pressure against his mind, as if it's trying to squeeze his brain out of his cranium. It made focusing difficult, though not so much that he would lose all coherent thought.

"It would seem that you've reached the limit of your strength, Master Finn."

"......." Finn was not able to reply, he did not have the will to.

"In the end, any strength you might have is borrowed after all."

At the Foliot's remark, Finn gritted his teeth. How many times have the Demon whispered in his ears like so? How many times has it mocked him so? Did it enjoy watching him struggle and suffer? Of course it did. That must have been its sole joy since it was forced to take form on this side.

Using the Silversling to prop himself from the ground, Finn tried to get back up onto his feet only to fall. His hands shook terrible, the pain from before, despite being something of the mind, still affected them. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead to the ground and he crashed onto his knees. It would take a while more before he could gather up his strength to move.

While frozen in place, too weak to move, Finn observed a change in the battle as well as the surroundings. From the Worduken's wounds, dark fog poured forth and clung onto the ground, choking all life it came into contact with and replacing them with something one would never associate with this creature of rot and death. From the wilted life, flowers sprung forth, luminescent flowers glowing within the darkness of the smog.

"What are those flowers, Xi?"

"Pardon me, but I have not a single clue. If you'd like to know more, perhaps going closer may help."

"Tch, as if I'm getting anywhere near that."

Especially since the Worduken has changed its mode of attack, growing tendrils out of its back to lash out against its foes rather than simply charging. Rather than trying to get close, getting as far as possible would be the wisest move.

Taking a deep breath, Finn once more attempted to summon his strength. using the Silversling to prop himself up, this time, he was able to successfully get back onto his feel. Looking down that the imprifle, he felt a little bad for using such a well-crafted object in such a manner. However, at the same time, it was a weapon, a tool, not a collector's piece. Taking a bit of abuse here and there shouldn't be outside of consideration.

With heavy footsteps, Finn moved towards Enn and Arya. While he wasn't sure about Enn, Finn saw that Arya had her leg injured in that initial scuffle. It's probably best to get her as far away from the fight as possible.

"Enn! I'm here to help! And Arya, take my shoulder, let's get you out of here."

Lekiel RI.a

 

[RI.a]

ARYA ;;​

It was a second too late to reconsider her choice. Arya had overestimated her speed and had assumed the demon was slow for its size. The tremors that grew with every large, heavy thud should have told her to keep running, but she miscalculated in her plan. She knew the moment she turned around, the beast's rageful glowing red eyes and its peeling black rotting body. As if the very pressure and smell itself animated into a neverending coil that clung to Arya's skin, squeezing her life energy like a starving python. She could not move. It felt like she was staring at death and it stared right back. The sounds of battle faded and Enn's cries fell on deaf ears as all colour left the sorceress' face. The sparks of runes from her hand fizzled away. Whether from an incomplete chant or dispelling it herself, she wasn't sure. Deep down she knew; Arya knew this mistake was lethal.

Arya was too scared to think, to move. She brought this situation unto herself and it left her feeling terribly hopeless and utterly, despairingly alone.

Loud impacts and explosions made contact with the Worduken's hide, throwing its body off course and stumbled Arya. What would have been an instant kill had miraculously turned into a wounding attack. A painful scream escaped the girl as she fell and landed. She panicked, thinking the beast was going to return to finish her off and she was right. The determined gaze found her immediately, but having been sent flying out of the demon's immediate grasp, Arya made an attempt at putting distance from the demon once more. This time fully intending on retreating completely. It probably seemed futile, as the beast quickly got up. A familiar uttuku slammed it back down, changing its target from the girl to Zelos. She watched the brutal spar with widened eyes, not noticing Enn by her side till she spoke. Enn was there? Why? Wait-- It was at that moment that Arya remembered that this was their first assignment. She had a team, she had Finneas! Her eyes darted around looking for her familiar. It was still a little further from the demon and shot firebolts when he had an opening. Relief, she turned back to Enn, who was tugging on her arm to help her up.

"R-right!" She stuttered, wincing as she put weight on her injured ankle. The once dry sandy ground was stained with a deep red. Blood- her blood. The claw had easily torn through her boots and deep into her flesh. She's going to need some first aid, but after they are safe. Arya managed to get up thanks to Enn's support and started hopping. Shifting her foot slightly so there wasn't any loose pieces of boot and sock to aggravate her wound. Thankfully, the shoe was still intact, though barely. But it was quickly becoming damp thanks to the open wound. She turned around several times, keeping an eye on the battle and the efforts of talented magicians. So, these are the Chosen. Was she actually qualified to be fighting alongside them? Right now, she was a burden to completing the task at hand. A loud boom had caused enough damage for the Worduken to bleed.. sewage? She wasn't sure, but the air immediately got worse and her stomach churned. A hand tugged her long sleeve attire over her nose and mouth to try to block out some miasma. Instead, the rotting stench had already seeped into the fabric and worsened her nausea.

Before long, Finn had arrived and offered his shoulder which Arya gratefully accepted. She watched helplessly from the sides. She hated feeling this... unuseful. She needed time and information. "Finneas," She called. The small fiesty foliot's ears perked by his master's command and started running towards her; the trail of blood making him move his little paws faster. It didn't take him long to reach the three magicians, and he gave a quick rundown of the battle so far. Arya processed the valuable information and studied their surroundings more carefully. If only there was something that--

"There!" Arya pointed towards one of the larger ruins. It looked like a large structural wall with wide fallen columns around it, most of the wall still stood and even held what could be a ceiling or a second level. Either way, it was a ways taller than the demon and large enough to cause some damage. "If we lure it there and drop the ceiling on the demon, it might trap it or cause enough damage to still for a while to destroy another one of its heads.

"Finneas can relay the plans to the others and get them to lure it. We would take positions around the wall; Finn, I would need you to snipe. Aim for its legs as it closes in, even better if you get its head. Once the demon is close enough under that there, Enn and I would destroy the wall's integrity to make it fall." There was no guarantee that it might work at all, but Arya can only plan and hope. And there's no way she could do this by herself. She looked at both Enn and Finn, determined and in pain. She won't allow herself to sit by the side to watch. She's not incapacitated after all. Not yet at least.

"What do you say?"

revior Lekiel

 

[Mqueserasera]

EUPHEMIA

Interactions: Ayer ( Euclid Leaf )
Mentions:​

A race commenced - Euphemia spell and the demon’s reaction, in which the matter of her spell losing seemed laughable. Why else would she provoke the demon, jabbing it before casting the second abjuration spell? But here came, its claw passed through the stillborn spell, where it reached and shattered the final line of defence. The knockback effect triggered towards the demon. The claw stopped short before her flesh, but its force did reach. It knocked her. And she felt it on her, punching all the air, all the confidence and all that was planned to hold a likely rampart against further assaults. She was aiming to buy time. But the demon conquered time and it beat her with speed.

Before she knew it, she had not the slightest idea of time and space anymore. Only the pain. And there she was, somewhere else. Where? Her surroundings had slightly been altered. It was the garden still. But the demon seemed far away and the ground right there beneath.

She rolled on her side. The simple act further punished her fresh bruises with duller pains. It was worst on her waist, her left shoulder too suffering. But the cuts, shallow yet sharp, burned her all over.

She mouthed a curse, struggling to draw again into her lungs much-needed air. Meanwhile, Algae twisted and turned, its long legs stretched out shortening the distance between the demon, its tendrils – death – and his human slaver.

“A rib, isn’t it?” he hissed when arrived by her side.

Then came crawling Ayer.

"Hey, are you quite alright?" When he reached her, Ayer asked one more time, "Scream if you're in pain. Be silent if you're dead, and or, dying. In either case, I will take it as permission to try and save your life."

Still taking in deep breaths, Euphemia gave the boy a glance of hatred. She was, after all, in a pose of failure, clutching her side. Her calculation (was there any?) was wrong. Overconfident perhaps, or lacking in abilities? She cursed again but to no one in particular.

“Take your concern elsewhere,” she snarled like a hurt beast, “My life do not require saving. Go.”

Then she started to her feet, and looked away, ignoring him as if something bothersome. But when she did she staggered, visibly and knowingly. Despite the utmost efforts to stand straight, she was limping to her left, and with a grimace of doubt and determination and stubbornness, she started preparing a protection spell.

“You too, go,” she ordered her demon, “strike it from afar. Do not get close. I will… stay here for a moment.”

Then once again she thought to muster some magic. Her hands trembled, the rune she attempted could not take shape. Standing upright alone left little concentration for her spell. Didn’t help that the world was spinning slightly and couldn’t keep still. She cursed it. But retreat wasn’t an option, so she stood her ground while collecting herself until stability returns to her mind.

Compelled by the order he was given. Algae silently bean dashing off towards the great demon. But before then it took a second to address Ayer, its eyes glowing and stared directly at his, “You’re not particularly hated, human. Not much more so than all the others.”

Then he was away to face the big demon. At a safe distance, however, a more cautious position than that which pride and foolishness command. Participating in the sport of human, risking his skin against a fellow demon, what luck. But look! That ugly skinless face, Alage was no fonder of it than he was of the feeble men and women in the world of order. Both lives of demon and human weren’t his own, much less their dreams and ambitions. But why then were these bolts of fire soaring through the air towards the monstrous being? Why was he approaching gradually the looming threat? Why all the efforts, the will, the hope expended to find an unlikely weak spot?

Algae did not find it in him to answer the question. He did not care.

“You and I,” his master’s voice ringing in his ears now even after all this time, ever since the pact was first etched with magic, “we are not partners, nor friends, nor companions. Master and slave we are. I do not care about your concerns, and you don’t mine. None of those are needed to perform magic. None are needed to live.”

She and he, after all, was of the same kind. So he drew all his might, all his willpower and magic; he put them all in each bolt of fire and launched them at the Worduken.

 

[Lekiel]

RI.a

"H-Hurry..!"

Enn's voice quavered as she supported the more diminutive girl to flee as far away from the abominable worduken as they could. Despite the uncertainty in her voice, the strength in her arms was surprising given her rather modest frame. But even so, they couldn't move away as fast as the blonde haired girl would've liked. Each terror-inducing wail threatened to overwhelm her senses, let alone the growing stench from the vile fog that clung to the ground like a sludgy amorphous beast. Even the once fairly bright morning grew dark, as what little light from above was blotted out by an unknown force of magic. Unable to even filter in between the tall trees that loomed around the Forbidden Gardens.

A flash of light and then a resounding BOOM knocked her hearing out into static. The shockwave of the detonating ignifer causing both girls to stumble and nearly fall. Enn drew a sharp intake of breath, and immediately regretted her decision. The reeking stink filled her mouth and it was all she could do to prevent herself from nearly doubling over. The coughing and retching did come nonetheless, and her eyes watered from the effort. It was at that moment that she risked a glance back and saw the twin red orbs boring into their fleeing backs. Undulating tendrils had shot out from its back and for a moment, Enn thought they were the targets. Fortunately, they were not, but that did not stop one of the many skin-crawling skullheads from fixing them in its sights.

It's coming again!

The wave of premonition washed over her heart a second before the worduken took a step in their direction. She would’ve tugged Arya into a run, pain in her leg be damned if not for a the sudden appearance of a black cat. Darting in between their mistress and the accursed wretched demon, Finneas began conjuring a flurry of firebolts firing them with painful accuracy. Then another darting figure and Enn watched amazed as yet another cat-like creature bounded into view. This time, she recognized Algea, though Euphemia was nowhere in sight.

Determined looks on their feline faces, the two foliots sent barrage after barrage of searing firebolts towards an increasingly frustrated worduken. Each flaming dart burning away its flesh into black smoke.

Enn blinked.

Was the worduken disintegrating? Or was the surrounding miasma pouring back into its wounded and black ichor bleeding hide?

"Enn! I'm here to help! And Arya, take my shoulder, let's get you out of here."

A frantic voice broke her from her dazed reverie. Enn tore her gaze away from the distracted worduken and saw Finn hurrying in their direction. From the squalid pallor of his visage, she was surprised the Hinokian could still move relatively well as he could. Something must’ve happened, though she quickly dismissed the question and instead allowed him to help the them to safety. Now wasn’t the time. They had to seize the opportunity the foliots had bought them.

"There!" Looking in the direction Arya had pointed, Enn saw one of the larger ruins. It’s aged crumbling walls still connected in parts to others, retaining a semblance of the building it once was. Kala let out a concerned squeak at the sight of the crumbling structure, finally finding her voice after all they had endured.

“I know, I know… but it’s all we got for now.” Enn gave the fennec fox a quick pat before the trio of them took shelter.

"If we lure it there and drop the ceiling on the demon, it might trap it or cause enough damage to still for a while to destroy another one of its heads.” No sooner had they found themselves under cover and Arya had already begun outlining some semblance of a plan. Enn looked over at the chosen with something akin to admiration in her slate-grey orbs.

"Finneas can relay the plans to the others and get them to lure it. We would take positions around the wall; Finn, I would need you to snipe. Aim for its legs as it closes in, even better if you get its head. Once the demon is close enough under that there, Enn and I would destroy the wall's integrity to make it fall."

“Fall…?” Her first instinct was to react rather dubiously, not so much at Arya’s plan, but rather her own ability to carry it through. But a quick glance around told the young Velahl that it probably wouldn’t take much to bring the whole town down.

“I… I-I yeah, t-that could work…” Enn agreed, glancing out into the ruins and at the swirling decaying fog that had by now, obscured almost everything from view. She could still hear the haunting wails of the worduken and its occasional roar, but it sounded far enough.

Wilder28
Somewhere amidst the gathering mists, two others of the Chosen fended for their lives against the worduken’s surprise attack. But while one had simply taken off at record speed, leaving the shadowy tendrils stinging the dust, the other weaved an intricate and effective array of magical bolts. Runes weaved with finely honed dexterity countered the equally swift attack, scorching barbed tendrils until enough time was bought for him to take cover behind a ruined pillar. Where he directed his flaming darts towards the gleaming blooms, they quickly burned, leaving nothing but the same choking black smoke that perpetuated the gardens. In fact, it seemed that the smog thickened, which each felled flower.

Perhaps it was sheer chance that bought the accidental touch of the ancient ward, or mayhap it was because he'd been trained to be subconsciously more aware of his surroundings. Or maybe a little of both. As fingers brushed against olden stone, long resting magic was resurrected to life. Indiscernible words whispered into the recesses of Adrius’ mind, like scrawled words of a forgotten language written over and over on chalkboard until it became indelible by the passage of time. Whispers of indiscernibles that susurrated at the edges of conscious thought. Primal. Foreign, yet strangely familiar.

But the young Magician's perceptiveness caught on to two, and he gave voice to them.

"Sura Kareesha"

Distracted by ancient magic, he failed to notice that one final tendril had sneaked in a curved attack. But by then, the ancient rune had burst into flame, scalding fingers. Adrius would be blinded by a flash of light. A sharp ring of metal followed a distant agonized roar. When Adrius could see again, tendrils of shadow dropped to the ground, melting and shifting until they appeared once more as mere branches.

As the tendrils finally retreated back into the stifling fog, Adrius would suddenly be keenly aware of the looming presence of another entity. He'd get a glimpse of a large heavy golden sword. But even then the vision lasted a scant second as the colour rapidly drained from the blade, until it too appeared as nothing more than a faint whiteish outline as his eyes finally beheld the armoured spectral warrior that gripped the large sword in a single hand. The ephemeral being wavered and flickered for a moment, so indistinct in features that for a moment, Adrius might not have realized he was actually looking at a towering warrior, but rather at the billowing mists behind it. Whatever it was, it faced in the direction the tendrils had retreated, stoically unmoving.

Another flicker, and suddenly it had turned to face the young Magician, without so much as actually turning. A helmeted face titled curiously towards the slumped Magician. Except for two tiny pinpricks of faint light, nothing but hollow shadow stared out from the depths of the elaborate helm's visor.

Nok danor, sen`ra Kareesha? A voice, the Thing, questioned. Now staring intently at Adrius. The voice was a deep grating bass and seemed to reverberate directly into his mind.

Nok danor, sen`ra Kareesha!? The Thing quizzed again, the pinpricks of its pupils suddenly flaring brighter than the rest of its ephemeral body. It appeared to grow increasingly frustrated, not receiving any answer it deemed satisfactory from Adrius. Ancient magic wicked off the ephemeral warrior in waves and it stalked closer, distorting the very air around it.

All of a sudden, it snapped its visored helm off to look to one side, as if something unseen and unheard caught its attention. Then ephemeral form collapsed into shapeless smoke, vanishing as quickly as it had arrived.

But even before the last of the spectral warrior had completely vanished, a burst of echoing laughter tickled the Chosen’s ears. Something flitted at his peripheral vision, then a rush of frigid cold air passed right through him as Adrius now found himself watching a wispy form dart to and fro. Its transient body flickering in the gloom of the gardens, even more indistinguishable in form than the warrior. Appearing almost like a billowing sheet of pale blue, trailing equally ephemeral ribbons in its wake. It floated around the ruins in a mesmerizing dance, a haunting child-like giggle raising the hairs on the back of his neck.

Then it was gone.

revior Mqueserasera
Perception check
Now that they can concentrate on the moment, both Finn and Euphemia’s perceptiveness has revealed to them a couple of observations.

Key Progress
A potentially effective idea has been discovered by one or more of the team. It would do well to work together to ascertain the course of action. The immediate threat seems to have taken a temporary reprieve, though there is no telling when the unbound demon will strike from the mists again.

Fleet Footed Messengers
Foliots and imps are quick on their feet(s), able to relay information quickly though sometimes, not particularly accurately. Nevertheless, Arya’s idea as well as whatever discoveries the others make can be relayed with each other via Demon Express. As such, everyone will almost immediately know of the other’s plans despite the relatives distances.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Ayer Lecomte - Highover Academy, Western Gardens/Secret Fountain Grove

Mqueserasera
He smiled at the expected response, nodding to the coldness Euphemia displayed, "I figured you'd be too resilient to go down just with one hit. Stubborn people have incredibly hard heads. From personal experience, I would know."

When she stood up, he backed away and watched her with a curiosity. Surely, her words did not match her actions.

The redhead stood there, his eyes glimmering as he saw the blonde stagger and struggle. It was hard for him to not reach out and help, but his hand stayed beside him. Ayer knew that doing so would only do more harm than good. A lion's pride is worth more than anything else. He knew this, but he didn't really understand it. Perhaps that is why he was so fascinated. He never understood why people clung to their pride. He found it so limiting. Why would she choose suffering instead of comfort? Why take such a difficult road? But even though he logically could not agree with it, he found something powerful in her actions.

It shone clear now. When Euphemia commanded her foliot, it was with an unwavering tone of authority. And when she tried to manifest a spell, it was with the same confidence. But even with the disappointing result, he almost wanted to believe. In that flashing failure, he could see her hands and how fragile and thin they looked. Try as she might, he saw the shaking. She probably already knew the result, but pushed anyway. He was moved by her ability to continue forward, despite all of the pain that must've ached her body.

This must be her way of life. Even from the moment she first spoke to him, it was probably this same pride that allowed her to do what seemed impossible.

I wonder... where she gets it from? What does this noble, who has everything... What is she fighting for?

Watching her spell fail again, he spoke up, "Don't be disappointed. At least you have the capability. I can't manifest spells, mostly, at all. I lost that ability a long time ago."

Ayer then looked down, before letting out a huff and walked up. He then crouched down up next to her, almost brushing up against her leg. He aimed the long cannonade back towards the raging battle in the distance and spoke once more.

"I know you told me to go. But I think you forget that, I, 'Mr. Lecomte', am not a hero. I belong here, supporting the brave heroes. Far, so that I don't get in their way. Besides, don't you remember that I owe you a favor? I always pay back my debts. If you wish to stubbornly continue to stand in spite of your broken bones, then at least put a hand on my shoulder. If you think even that's to repulsive, then step on me. However it may suit you, Lady Fontana."

Ayer smiled as he said this to Euphemia, but his expression only tensed as his eyes returned to the battlefield. It appears he missed much as he observed his injured companion. It seemed they had the upper hand, for the most part. The summoned familiars and spells appear to be pelting the gnarled being from all angles. But he knew there was one final motion. There was always a check before a mate. And chasing the mate, a player can throw a game that they would've otherwise won. The loose demon seemed to be building up to something under the duress. When any creature was backed into a corner, one can only expect the absolute fiercest resistance to come.

It seemed Frumpy was still in the thick of things and overheard the conversations on the front line. After an exchange between the imps of various hand gestures and dances, Ayer noticed a frenzied activity taking place above the battle. Seeing the imp frantically signalling in the sky, Ayer focused his eyes and then spoke aloud so that Euphemia can also be clued in.

His eyes narrowed as Ponkipie swapped from aerobic dances to strange contractions with its arms, "He's saying... Arya. Plan. Lure. Demon. Towards. Pillar. Lay. Trap. Also. I'm... Hungry?"
RI.a
"How brilliant. I knew she had a good eye. Of course, someone with such fine fashion sense would."

He made a thumbs-up signal and pointed to the flying imp, clasping his palm, making a swirling gesture, and throwing it back over his shoulder. To most people it would seem like a load of complete and utter nonsense. Which it totally was. If he ever had to explain, none of the gestures used between them would even mirror or represent a meaning that would follow reason But this secret language was key between Ayer and his companions. It was chaos. But it was their chaos. As soon as Ponkipie saw this, it started to bounce excitedly, causing the little beanie ball to bobble up and down on its head. The happy imp began to signal back to Frumpy, who would then quickly fly among the ranks to spread the Arya's plan to everyone else. Perhaps unintentionally, Frumpy might mention they were having soup for dinner.

Hopefully, even with the confusing supper call at the end, it would help get everyone on the same page.

...

 

[Ace Cream]

ZIMA

Zima eyes widen as the demon retaliated her ignifer explosion by throwing chunk of ruin at her. She immediately rolled away to avoid the tossed rock and was able to get out of the harm's way. Unfortunately several of the other chosen ones seems to be wounded by the demon's attacks and the rotten miasma make it even more dangerous to approach the demon. The thought that she wasn't able to protect the other made her frustated.

One of Ayer's ugly imp flew towards her and began relaying message about soup. Zima glared at the imp, she didn't want to hear about dinner while smelling this foul miasma. Fortunately the next information was something that she's interested in hearing. Apparently there's a set of ruin that they can use to attack the demon. She looked at the mentioned ruin. It was a two-floor ruins with barely any support left, definitely big enough to be used against the demon and fragile enough to be easily demolished. However, placing the demon under there would be a hard feat to do.

"Oy, imp. Tell the others that I will try to lure the demon there, keep the demon's attack from me but let me have its attention... and I like deer meat in my soup. Now go!" She shooed the imp away and began forming a strategy inside her head. She had a good bait here, herself, if she provoke the demon to chase her towards the ruin then they might have a chance to bury the demon in the rubbles. The problem would be making sure that she wouldn't be buried together with the demon. She would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid of things going wrong, but at the same time putting her life on the line like this gaves her a unique thrill. Something that her grandfather said was a trait among the Utkins.

Zima casted a quick spell and dragged her finger against the barrel of her imprifle. The loaded impcanister bursted into azure spirit flame as the spell activated it's inner mechanism and turned it into ignifer. Next she used her protect petricigacio crystal and turned one of her other impcanister into another ignifer. She would go all out now.

"Hey, rottenhead! Remember me? Or did I blasted your entire brain into nothingness??" She called the demon with a challenging tone and threw her ignifer towards the demon. Her entire body was tense, but she's ready to run towards the ruin if the demon decided to chase her, she would try to keep its attention at her using the shots from her imprifle.

 

[revior]

Finn Arland
​

Half-listening to Arya's plan, the luminescent flowers continued to occupy Finn's attention. There was something about them, something that he felt like he can't quite remember. His mind flashed to a piece of paper, or perhaps it was a page from a book, but the words were all incoherent nonsense. His memory wasn't clear. There was a blank in it. A blank that he couldn't quite find the words to fill. He felt that if only he could fill in that blank, find the keywords, it would make sense of it all. If only he could remember what the words were. The keywords that would unlock the knowledge that lied in the depths of his memories.

"All I have to do is snipe it when it gets close to the pillar, right?" Finn tried to confirm with Arya what he understood from the bits and pieces of the plan he paid attention to. "I can't say I'm any good at shooting a moving target, so don't expect too much from me."

"Xi," Finn the called out to his Foliot, his tone demanding. "Your strength, lend it to me."

"As you wish, Master Finn, do try not to waste it," Xi replied, patronizing as always.

Golden light lit up in his eyes as the glow of yellow sunlight traced along his veins. With a boost from his Foliot, Finn began compressing the magic essence within the impcanister, transforming it into an ignifer. When his work was done, the light faded away and Finn began coughing, though he recovered quickly enough to give Arya a response.

"Taking out any specific spot is a bit much to ask of someone at my skill level, but I'll bet blowing a big hole in it should make it more than slow down."

RI.a Lekiel

 

[Mqueserasera]

EUPHEMIA

Interactions: Ayer ( Euclid Leaf )
Mentions: Arya ( RI.a )​

"I know you told me to go. But I think you forget that, I, 'Mr. Lecomte', am not a hero. I belong here, supporting the brave heroes. Far, so that I don't get in their way. Besides, don't you remember that I owe you a favor? I always pay back my debts. If you wish to stubbornly continue to stand in spite of your broken bones, then at least put a hand on my shoulder. If you think even that's to repulsive, then step on me. However it may suit you, Lady Fontana."

“Run your mouth all you want, all you’re giving me is pity. I need it not!”

Euphemia gritted her teeth. As the boy spoke, the fog in her mind gradually dissipated. Here and there, she noted words clearer than the rest, irritating and annoying. It shamed her as much as it angered when she found genuine concern coming from one so low, that she not so much hated as contempt. It should’ve been her place to pity, not to be given! She was too ready to drive the boy away one more time with twice the fierceness. But pain. What dullness of mind had hidden before now coming lively to her mind. Her side, the bruise on her shoulder, the bleeding cut on her right legs and many more all over. Now she could tell precisely which parts beyond pride would hinder the battle that went on still. To remind herself, she fixed her gaze towards the Worduken. If it is shame she must suffer to take one step closer to her goal, then shame it is not.

“Give me your shoulder,” she turned to Ayer and looked as if daring him to take back the offer, “but it is I who owns you a favour. No favour I have done to you outweighs what I ask from you right now.”

His eyes narrowed as Ponkipie swapped from aerobic dances to strange contractions with its arms, "He's saying... Arya. Plan. Lure. Demon. Towards. Pillar. Lay. Trap. Also. I'm... Hungry?"
"How brilliant. I knew she had a good eye. Of course, someone with such fine fashion sense would."

“At least one of us never stops thinking about plans,” said Euphemia, then immediately she toned down the mocking, “We go then. I am in no condition to act as bait, assisting the ambush is within my ability, however.”

She threw her an arm over Ayer’s shoulder and started limping away. Her caution never dropped. As she kept an eye out for the demon, strange flowers dotting the place caught her attention. Flowers and Wordukens. It seemed right that they go together, but why? How could she not remember this? Was it her hazy mind or something else? A hint, if only there was a hint.

 

[Ignem]

IGNEM ASHPHALT

The second set of chosen ones did much more damage to the demon, but it still was not down. In response to the damage dealt to it, the demon flung pieces of the ruins towards the magicians.​

Dice roll d10- Outcome: 2

Ignem's eyes widened as he saw the large chunks of rocks coming towards him. Though they were coming at great speed, if he was fast enough he would be able to dodge them. He then began to dodge the smaller rocks while firing firebolts at the larger ones.

"Sidestep, duck, firebolt, jump!" At first Ignem thought it was a his instincts, but that was not so. He looked to his right to see Misty saying all the... Instructions?

"You are not helping, " the black haired magician said to his demon cat.

"Look out!" Misty exclaimed. Ignem's head snapped back at the incoming rocks. He shielded his head with his arms to lessen the damage. The rock collided with him knocking him to the floor.

"Ow...." He said sitting up rubbing his arm where it hit.

"Are you okay?" Misty said walking to him.

"Yea..." He said getting to his feet. He gripped on his injured arm and tried to move around a bit. It was painful for sometime then the pain lessened a bit. The injured area was swollen a bit, but hopefully nothing was broken.

Looking away from his arm he looked at the around to see the ruins were... well in ruins. The demon were nowhere to be seen and neither were his teammates.

"Come on we need to find the others!" Ignem said as he walked towards the loud roar of the demon. As he felt he was nearing the demon he saw some of his companions chosen ones. They were Ayer, Arya, Enn, Finn and Euphemia.

"Hey!" Ignem said from the most before appearing infront of them, "Are all of you alright?"

revior Lekiel Euclid Leaf Mqueserasera RI.a

 

[Wilder28]

Adrius Devereux

References: Lekiel Euclid Leaf RI.a revior Ignem Ace Cream Mqueserasera

As it turned out, he was right. Almost right away, the words he had spoken drew out a reaction, and the latent power within the pillar promptly surged outward. Before he knew it, the rune was set alight, and out of pure reflex, he withdrew his hand before he could sustain anything more than a light burn. With this came a brilliant flash of light, perhaps not unlike that which had been summoned by the Sitri earlier that morning, which was so powerful as to leave him temporarily blinded. Stumbling away from the ruin, he let out a small cry of pain, as one does when they have their fingers scorched the way his were.

Fortunately for him, it wasn't long before his vision returned to normal, and after a moment of rapid blinking, he took another look around to see if anything had changed. Surely there was more to it than that?

Of course, not long after he thought that did he take notice of the writhing, deteriorating tendril on the ground, and as it returned to its former state as a Worduken branch, he realized with a slight chill that he must have missed one during his attempt to get to safety. Whatever spell he'd just activated, it had probably saved his life. From there, he looked up, and he watched as those that remained drew back into the smog that had sired them - which he now noticed was even thicker thanks to his fiery purging of the glowing flowers. With a hint of bitterness, he figured that it hadn't done as much as he'd hoped. All he'd done was make things even tougher. If Kieran were watching, he was probably less than impressed with him right about now.

But he didn't get long to think of that, for out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something else, though he wasn't quite sure what. Turning to face it, he found himself looking upon a phantasm of sorts, undeniably of mystical nature. So vague was its form that it was tough for him to tell what, or who it truly was, but he managed to make out the image of shining aureate greatsword, which he then found to be in the hands of some mysterious knight. In seconds, what little he could see of it had faded even further, until he could hardly even see its unmoving silhouette. His jaw may have dropped just a little, and he couldn't help but wonder if what he was looking at was actually real, or a hallucination of sorts.

Then, in the literal blink of an eye, it turned to him. The change was so sudden that it actually startled him slightly, prompting him to take a step back. The figure towered over him, and as it stared down at him, he gazed back, wide-eyed and utterly speechless in spite of the ever-growing number of questions he had within him. Making eye contact - at least, he thought those little lights were its eyes - he made to try and speak. But the figure beat him to it.

'Nok danor, sen`ra Kareesha?'

The voice was deeper than any he'd ever heard, and rather than being spoken aloud, its words seemed to echo within his head. He quickly recognized it to be a question, but of what it was asking, he had no clue. The language was entirely unfamiliar to him, bearing resemblance perhaps only to the enigmatic scrawling he'd witnessed just moments before. So it was all he could do to stare back, uncomprehending. "Uh..."

'Nok danor, sen`ra Kareesha!?'

The entity repeated itself, only this time more intensely, apparently finding Adrius' eloquent answer to be lacking. It then began to approach him, its eyes shining brighter as it emanated veritable waves of magic. Right away, the Evoker began to back up, intent on keeping his distance. He didn't know if he'd summoned the thing, or if it was even capable of harming him at all, but he really wasn't keen on taking any chances. He'd just been on the verge of considering another spell when the thing suddenly stopped, prompting him to do the same. It looked off elsewhere, not at the Worduken, but rather nowhere in particular - something he couldn't see, he figured. Then, at last, it disappeared, dissolving into smoke just as Zelos had earlier.

He blinked once, still very much wondering what had just transpired, when something else came up and stole his attention once again. Heralded by eerie laughter, Adrius caught something in the corner of his eye, which was then followed by a sudden chill as a rush of freezing air blew through his very form, eliciting a strong shiver. With it came something else, another vision even stranger and more nebulous than the one that came before it, which appeared to him to be little more than a flickering blue haze that frolicked around the ruins, as if it were oblivious of the threat of the hulking unbound demon on the other side of the garden.

At this, he only furrowed his brows, his expression becoming one of clear bewilderment as his ears were again treated to the sound of resounding laughter, which he happened to find much creepier than anything. Was this a part of the spell too?

He never got an answer, because before he knew it, the thing was gone, and he was once again standing alone in the far side of the battlefield. He blinked once again, then twice. Then once again, looking around for a second in case any other magical apparitions decided to pop up and add on to his confusion. But seeing as how nothing came, he finally concluded that whatever he'd just activated, that was the end of it. Probably.

Needless to say, though, it left him with a lot of questions, not least of which being those that concerned the nature of what he'd just seen, and whether or not he was the only one who'd seen them. In the latter case, he figured it was safe to assume that since he was the one who'd set the spell off, he probably was indeed the only one who could perceive them. Especially since everyone else was kind of pre-occupied right now.

And just the thought of that reminded him that he should've been too. After all, he was supposed to be helping them, and he hadn't really done all the much ever since Zelos got taken out. He had to wonder what the professors and the spectators thought, seeing him standing off to the side marveling at unseen visions. He must've looked like a lunatic.

Whatever, it was time to put his questions aside. He'd have time to ponder what it was he'd seen after the fight was over, or even share it with the others if they'd believe him.

Turning back to the others with a sigh, he stretched his arms a little and flexed his fingers as he tried to get his head back into the game, analyzing the battlefield to get caught up on what was happening. Off to the side - the opposite side he was on, that is - he saw Ayer and Euphemia, was back up on her feet but evidently not in top condition. To his surprise, it seemed that she was leaning on him for support. Apparently, miracles could happen.

He also caught glimpses of Ignem, Arya, Finn, and Enn within the smog, and of course, he also saw Zima, who seemed to be preparing for to take action once again.

And not long after, he caught sight of one of Ayer's Imps once more, making its way towards him with those stubby little wings of his. He greeted it with a friendly "Hullo," and listened intently as it shared with him a plan. Arya's plan. Raising his brows a bit, he threw a glance in the area where he last saw her, and indeed took notice of a dilapidated structure behind the greater demon. He didn't even have to get a good look at it to know that it could do some damage, and he found himself on board with the plan already. "Ah, I see," he murmured with interest, already devising a way in which he could help. The addition of Zima's contribution helped shape that somewhat, and another look in her direction did indeed tell him that she was winding up something big. With a grin, he turned back to the demon and gave him his thanks.

Then it informed him of their plans for dinner, and as Adrius lit up his fingertips with magic, he let out a light laugh. "Wonderful, I do think I could use some soup after this."

Once the demon departed, he sprung into action almost immediately. Had Zelos been there still, he'd probably just ordered the good-old 'charge right on into it' attack to simply force the larger demon into the ruins, and then work from there. That'd have probably turned out better than what actually happened.

But as it was, he obviously had to take a different approach. And so, as the ground shook once again with the force of another Ignifer from Zima, Adrius joined in this time with an attack of his own. Again, he considered using his Elixus, but knowing that it was only good for one spell, he again decided against it. Instead, he went ahead and just proceeded with another Evocation spell: Font. Of those he knew, it was the most logical to use for his purpose. The usual bolts would've likely been too weak to put out much in the way of real force, and Creeping Ice would've had the opposite effect that he intended. Shocking Grasp required him to be way too close for comfort to even take effect, and Iluma Diuturus was self-explanatory.

As it was, shortly after being presumably hit by the Ignifer, the Worduken would find itself pushed by a miniature wave from the side, further upsetting its already-probably-offset balance and pushing it toward the ruin.

As this happened, Adrius didn't stop. Instead, he kept going, running around the Worduken and in the opposite direction of everyone else, so that if it were to look and see where the spell had come from, it wouldn't see there. It was here that he wove a more complex rune, from which he drew forth a whip of crackling electricity almost in the same way one would draw a sword from its scabbard. Then, without hesitation, he let out a sharp whistle as he cracked the whip, sending out a sound akin to a miniature thunderclap, and brought it down on the creature's back. It was likely to be a stronger hit than his usual bolts, but probably not strong enough to do any real lasting damage.

Which was okay, because that wasn't his goal. He knew Zima's plan. And while he respected her abilities, he wasn't sure if it'd be a good idea to let her have the creature's full attention. He'd seen how it'd charged Arya, how it had turned out to be much faster than any of them had anticipated, and with Zima standing relatively close by, he was quite aware that a direct charge could very well be her end if she wasn't lucky. Nullreiwmer or not. Especially with how limited their vision was around here. So, he positioned himself a reasonable distance behind the demon and across from her, where he would whip it as hard as his strength and his willpower would allow in between Zima's own shots.

Ideally, this would allow them to alternate, and with any luck, it would offset any attempted strikes and force it to try and split its attention between them, making it harder to focus on attacking one of them specifically. While this happened, he would be making his way towards the ruin as well, going around from the opposite direction that she was, so as to lead it to the same place should it choose to focus him instead. And all of this wasn't even taking into account what contributions the others could make; it was simply a rough idea, and hopefully a solid one.

Granted, it could also just use its tendrils again and screw up the plan entirely. In that case, he'd just try and Shocking Grasp his way out of that, because he was fairly certain that the Ghost Knight wasn't going to come back and save his tail again.

 

[Lekiel]

The Group has chosen Path of Ruination.
The Chosens and their familiars were strong. Flinging potent spells with the aid of their demon bonds, both mystical and brawn. But while the effects of their assault clearly marred and affected the greater demon, it seems to have weathered the attacks through sheer resilience. Even worse was the sudden appearance of the mist, sudden in the sense of the unexpected. Or was it really? Perhaps a few had known but had somehow forgotten. The knowledge to battle an overwhelming foe, waiting to be disinterred from the nebulous clouds of memory. Only by working together can they achieve true realisation of what they face. As even now, it seems that the injuries once wrought with painstaking effort onto the demon's physical form have already begun to renew. Deep scars to close, broken appendages to reform. The only constants were its ever rotting hide and the wretched choking mists that poured from its sides. The plan was to lure it further into the ruins and defeat it in one fell swoop. Could they achieve it? And if so, would it be enough?

The mists. . . It grew and billowed. Blotting out the light from above and shrouding ruin and wooded lands. It swirled as if alive with nefarious intent, leaving behind vines of pale pellucid blooms to smear the withering garden. A beautiful mockery of life. In the blink of an eye, the Chosens would find themselves split up, disoriented by the damning miasma. Witty Adrius and stalwart Zima, working in tandem to bring the beast to bear. Finn, Arya, Ignem, Enn. Laying out their plans and setting the trap, soon joined by Euphemia and Ayer as they emerge from the depths of the choking fog. Thankfully soon enough before they retched their lungs out through their throats.

"Hey!" a relieved voice shouted towards the three of them from the fog, jittering Enn’s already frayed nerves. "Are all of you alright?" It was dark-haired Ignem.

She hated the fog. Facing the worduken head-on was terrifying, but at least she knew what to be afraid of. Not being able to see it only added to the paranoia of not knowing where danger would come from. Perhaps all around.

“Finn and I are fine. . . but Arya’s hurt,” Enn winced, turning to look at the petite Hinokian, “as are you… took quite a fall did you?” The blonde noticed the cuts and bruises on the conjurer, as the way he seemed to favour one of his arms. He did otherwise appear in one piece, so the girl stayed her concern. “We’re going to need all the help we can get, either slow down the worduken when it gets here or drop the whole ruins around its ears.”

”Without killing any of us in the process” Enn added in her thoughts, not giving voice to her concerns.

“You guys see anything yet? Finn? Arya?”

From her shoulder, Kala suddenly perked up, her ears twitching as a distant explosion and boom rocked the surrounding land.

Euclid Leaf Mqueserasera

Spoiler

As the duo emerged from the fog to behold the particularly large crumbling ancient structure, they were given a clearer view of the lay of the land.

To the eastern section of the ruins, it appeared that the stony pillars and columns were taller and larger. Each towering block tethering precariously, barely of support to each other. Nevertheless, there was ample space for them to run and get away when the stones begin to drop. But with the added space, it also meant that the beast might more easily emerge unscathed or even catch up to the baiters.

To the western section of the ruins, the crumbling structures were more closely intact. Much of the ruins in this section still leaned tightly together, each rocky wall and pillar providing ample obstruction for a smaller being to stay out of the reach of something larger. But while that was the case, the density of heavy rocks may prove fatal to anyone who ran beneath it should the ruin begin to collapse.

Armed with this observation, both Ayer and Euphemia must make the right call.

Ace Cream Wilder28

Spoiler

Zima is shielded by a weak protect spell. Mildly reduce the next injury she would sustain. She no longer has any petricigacio crystals for the remainder of this fight.

As her second ignifer blasted a shot of searing azure energy from her imprifle, Zima would suddenly feel an enfeebling lethargy set within the tenuous threads that bound her will to keep fighting. Casting two powerful spells so soon and under such dire circumstances has finally begun to take its toll on her will.

Zima no longer has enough willpower to cast any further level 3 spells. The inner lethargy is so great that while her general movements are unimpeded, she suffers a -1 to the result of all dexterity rolls.

The blazing shot collided against the worduken’s torso, knocking it onto its side, if only for a moment. Letting out a piercing howl that rattled bones, it shrugged off the attack and lunged at the fleeing Enchantress only for a sudden torrent of water to halt its rampage before it even began. It swung a huge claw at the magical font in increasing frustration before it resumed it’s charge (at whoever posts first between Zima and Adrius).

The Chase Is On!
Both Zima and Adrius are playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly annoyed greater demon. Each of your posts must be accompanied by two dice rolls.

The 1st is as follows:
Roll 1D10. If the value is greater than your character’s dexterity multiplied by 3 (9 for Adrius, 9 - 1 = 8 for Zima), your character is knocked off your feet and awaits impending doom.
However, should the first person fail their roll, the second can distract the Worduken though they will suffer a - 3 to their total (6 for Adrius, 5 for Zima)

The 2nd is as follows:
Roll 1D10. If the value is greater than your character’s perception multiplied by 3 (9 for Adrius, 6 for Zima), your character has become disorientated by the fog and has lead the worduken in the wrong direction away from the ambush.
However, should the first person succeed their roll, the second automatically passes their dice check.

To All Chosen

Spoiler

By now, the eerie appearance of the pale white flowers and their strange affinity to the dark roiling fog have become obvious to all. It is an enigma that many cannot piece together. Perhaps if they had been more perceptive in life, they might have figured it out should they hear a triggering clue.

But what is it? So close and yet so far.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Ayer Lecomte - Highover Academy, Western Gardens/Secret Fountain Grove

Mqueserasera
- “Run your mouth all you want, all you’re giving me is pity. I need it not!”

The redhead had to fight to hide back a smile as Euphemia gave him the response he was anticipating. Her head was altogether, at the very least. Something was so endearing seeing her in such a vulnerable state. It almost made him want to profess some sort of over-inflated desire to protect her, just to rile her up even more. But it wasn't anything to be joking around with right now. The battle was far from over for them.

- “Give me your shoulder,” she turned to Ayer and looked as if daring him to take back the offer, “but it is I who owns you a favour. No favour I have done to you outweighs what I ask from you right now.”

Ayer was shocked when Euphemia latched onto him so forthright. He was staring at the women beside him wide-eyed. Even though he thought himself with the upper hand in this situation, he somehow found himself on the back-foot and fearing for his life. He was like a puny prey in her eyes, unable to break away from her fierce gaze. 'What a monster', he thought. But quickly, before he can even process this strange redness in his cheeks, Ayer was dragged away. It was like a dog being pulled on a leash, the way she led the pace. Was he supporting her, or was he just being dragged along instead?

As they were making way towards the main group, he managed to get a good look at the ruins around them. Already, his mind was racing to figure out a proper way to trap the beast. Sure, they had a solid enough idea. But execution of an idea was a very different challenge to overcome.

When Ayer inspected the ruins, his eyes landed on the patches of pale flowers blossoming in the chaos of the black smoke. Something inside of him called Ayer, compelling him, nudging towards them. Almost like an instinct from deep inside. Farther than anything he could describe. In a way, it felt like an old friend calling to him. And he probably would've went off too. But luckily, with the pace of how Euphemia pushed him, Ayer didn't have much time to be stuck.

He said after a moment of silence, "You know, those areas over there... and there..." he motioned with a free arm, "They seem to be good places to stage our trap. But each seems to have their own advantage and disadvantage."

Though a loud explosion cut him short, pointing his attention towards a very angry beast giving chase to two unfortunate souls quite a distance away. Their forms quickly melded into the shadows as the mist bloomed in the uproar of the damaged demon.
Ace Cream Wilder28
"Well, I was going to volunteer to be bait... But looks like that hot-head gave herself up before me. Is that recklessness really okay? Ah."

Seeing their danger, he rushed to come to a conclusion.
RI.a
Ayer turned his eyes over, not looking to long at Euphemia's stubborn limp. And as they drew near the main party, he could also see that Arya was not faring so well from the slash he witnessed at the start of the chaotic battle. They were not doing so well in the mobility department.

"We're not in good shape here. At this rate, trying to out maneuver the demon as a party would be foolish... Especially one so fast. I'd say we lure him into the enclosed space. Limits its chance of escaping the trap. It's a bit dangerous, so if anything goes wrong I'll jump in. Your voyage on the Lecomte Luxury Transit is coming to a close, I'm afraid. Hope you come again." he made a gesture of a servant bowing to patron, when suddenly a glass object was pushed into her hand.

It was a ovular glass jar with a wooden cork, containing inside a bright purple liquid. There was a black core in the center, what could be assumed to be a sort of seedling.
"Oh, but before you leave. Please take this complimentary gift. An Abjuration elixir from our very own Lecomte Laboratory of Radical Experiments. Please enjoy."

As Ayer said this, he gave Euphemia a last wink before calling out to the others Lekiel revior Ignem
"Oi, hope you haven't missed us too much! How come no is asking if I'm okay?" he said, trying to breath some levity into the desperate situation. "Ah, but I'm sure I won't be acting so smug for long. Anyway, about this plan we have going on... Brilliant, by the way. Ahem. Well. While I was busy being dragged around by the scruff of my neck, I noticed something. A perfect place to spring our little demon trap." he then pointed, "See there? Over near the enclosure's perimeter is a tightly packed area just nearby the edge. It appears those parts of ruins are more held together than the rest. If we drop it, there is no way even that fast bastard can escape."

He now had a hand on Euphemia's shoulder, "But first, someone take a hold of Lady Fontana. Carefully, though, she'll bite."

Once she leaves his arms, by any means, Ayer would move to pull the handle on the cannon and load a round into his imprifle.
Without wasting another moment, he rushes towards the demon and the two potential roadkill.

As Ayer went, he shouted back over his shoulder. "I'll help them buy some time. Get to the ruins and set up a big explosion! I mean it. Big, jumbo, giga! I want a hole so freakin' big that it'll bury this thing until the next millennia!"

He never wanted to admit it. But Ayer knew he was useless for the most important part of this plan. Unlike the others, he had no fancy explosive magic, nor was he so tactless to carry around explosive grenades to blow up willy-nilly like a certain one of his colleagues. So he would have no place in springing the ambush. So, it was best for him to play the part of bait. Wasn't it? At least he was a good runner.

So this was his current play. To buy time. The ideal scenario would be to draw the beast's attention away from the two. But even if he didn't, getting a hit should hopefully cleave a bit of delay for them to better gain distance. After a short sprint, Ayer dropped to a knee and heaved the cannon up against his side. He gripped it with a callousness. He can't afford to miss. He took a breath and made aim waiting for something to emerge from the bellowing smoke wall that veiled the shadows.

He now called out, as loud as he could, "Hey, you two who look like you're about to be turned into plant fiber! Run this way!"

Now, all he could do was wait. He only hoped the first thing to emerge from the shadowy mist was a friendly face.

...

 

[Ace Cream]

ZIMA

Zima gritted her teeth as the demon charged at her but fortunately Adrius was there to help her. She was really thankful for the aid since she realize that she was overestimating herself there, but she felts like it was her responsibility since she was one of the still fit among all the chosen... or maybe not.

Her legs suddenly felts weak and she must force herself harder to just barely able to keep up with the worduken's attack. Ah, did she really overexhaust herself? At first she was able to run in a certain direction but suddenly the demon appeared out of the fog and crashed into her. The impact was so great that her protect spell was instantly crushed. She was thrown away and landed on her back. She might just broke her ribs, or maybe her legs. It took all her willpower just to stay conscious against the overwhelming pain.

Lekiel Wilder28

 

[Mqueserasera]

EUPHEMIA

Interactions: Enn ( Lekiel ), Adrius ( Wilder28 ), Ayer ( Euclid Leaf ), Arya ( RI.a ), Finn ( revior )​

Euphemia walked not entirely on her feet, they could not carry her in their limping state so the one person she never wanted to share a table with now was sharing her own weight. But even more, she dreaded failures, which comes without warning and first upon the reckless on the battlefield. And here was one battlefield, outcome uncertain but Euphemia saw the scale tipping away from her favour. It was not a time to be finicky for methods, there wasn’t the time nor a single alternative had presented itself. If anything, the affair was cloaked heavily in mist, supernatural mist.

That and she wasn’t in the best state of mind. Didn’t help either that the boy by her side was acting strange. Rejoicing might be, mocking her silently, as if her very state wasn’t already a massive insult. No less than what she would expect from the likes of him. She gave him a glare. Whether he caught it or not, Ayer quickly diverted her attention to the ruins:

He said after a moment of silence, "You know, those areas over there... and there..." he motioned with a free arm, "They seem to be good places to stage our trap. But each seems to have their own advantage and disadvantage."

“I see,” she answered curtly.

Soon they joined the rest of the chosen. They were still at some distance from the would-be tomb for the Demon. The plan needed to be set in motion right away, any moment waste would increase the threat to the baiters. No time for arguing. She nodded at Ayer’s suggestion and at the same time parted away from him, leaning on her own legs. Her balance was still imperfect, she was never the physical type.

"Oh, but before you leave. Please take this complimentary gift. An Abjuration elixir from our very own Lecomte Laboratory of Radical Experiments. Please enjoy."

“Such honour,” she said lightly, not so much a slight as an offhanded remark, “If only the chance to use such gift comes not so soon.”

She nodded again at his proposal.

He now had a hand on Euphemia's shoulder, "But first, someone take a hold of Lady Fontana. Carefully, though, she'll bite."

Euphemia did keep her attitude dormant, but barely only by the thread. She almost jolted back, as if in contact with something she just now realized poisonous. She returned his lightly gesture with a tight grip on his arm, as strong as an injured and somewhat delicate noblewoman could muster against a boy towering her in height, then moved it away from her shoulder.

“Mind your words and actions. This mist is not so foul to justify confusing me for a dearly close friend of yours.”

She wasn’t the only one wounded, Arya also didn’t escape unscathed.

“Let us do as he says, and follow your plan,” she addressed Arya, “We should move to a position to destroy the ruin’s supports. But I can stand on my own now and has withstood its attack once. It's in my ability to hide by the entrance of the ruin and seal its escape with Abjuration magic when the time comes. Should we fail, I will at least buy sometimes for the baiters to get out.”

 

[RI.a]

ARYA ;;​

Piece by piece, the plan began to solidify as the trio was soon joined by Ignem and later Euphemia and Ayer. She shot a look of concern at Finn as he coughed before regaining composure. The smog was getting thicker and was getting harder to breath for all of them. Arya gave her sniper in charge a reassuring pat. Well, as reassuring a touch from an injured girl could get. “You’re definitely not going to miss that big a target,” she jested but then took a serious tone.

“My trust in you and your strength is not baseless.” Referring to his foliot’s earlier remark. After Enn caught Ignem up with her plan, and Ayer brought attention to a near perfect set of ruins to execute their plan. She did give him an apologetic look for not asking about his well-being, but it didn’t matter if he had caught it as he soon ran off to help the rest of their party. Now that they have a destination, all they needed now was to hurry to their respective positions. Before Arya limped away, she had to ask Euphemia;

She could not yet cast the abjuration spells of the level herself, but she had an undeniable inkling that Euphemia was more than capable to pull off the spell. The growing smog would only jeapardise their success. The smell was already excruciating to the point she wished she was in a pile of an uttuku’s wastes instead. The smog was already hiding the entirety of the worduken and it’s undoubtably coming from the demon. “Miss Aureli, given the caliber of your magic, I’m going to have to ask you to keep as much smog away from the ruins. When the worduken approaches the ruins, could you cast the biggest windwall for as long as you can?”

Mqueserasera Euclid Leaf Lekiel revior Ignem

 

[Wilder28]

Adrius Devereaux

References: Lekiel Euclid Leaf Ace Cream revior Ignem

Over the course of the years he spent at the Ivory Tower, Adrius had pulled off more than his fair share of wild things. With him, clever exploits and risky undertakings and on-the-fly improvisations were par for the course, and that had garnered him something of a reputation all throughout the institute. But even the most dangerous and daring of those ventures utterly paled in comparison to the sheer insanity he was putting himself through now.

Usually, he was the type to keep his distance when engaging with demons, leaving Zelos to handle them in close combat while he wove spells from afar. But after seeing how well that turned out this time, he had figured it was time to switch things up a little. And if he was being honest, a part of him was beginning to regret that. Charging into the mist to contend with this hulking fiend up close was just about the most harrowing thing he'd ever done, especially considering that unlike in previous situations, there was also a very real chance of death. The only saving grace was that he had Zima there to share the burden with him. And without either of their demons to back them, they really only had each other to count on.

It went well enough at first. With how thick the smog was, Adrius had a pretty hard time getting his bearings; it made it frustratingly difficult to see anything more than a few feet away from him, and the pungent stench of decay that came with it was more than a little disorienting to boot. But the Worduken's size also ensured that it wasn't all that difficult to track, and thanks to the onset of a powerful adrenaline rush, the young Evoker had an easy enough time remaining focused and light on his feet. While the Worduken set off once more to pursue Zima, he dashed after it, lashing at its back again and again until he managed to gain its attention. Along the way, he trampled its flowers with reckless abandon, a bit too preoccupied with his current predicament to worry about them now.

He was entirely prepared to switch gears the moment it turned on him, to lead it away while Zima took her turn to go on the offensive. But the chance for that never seemed to come, because that was about where things went wrong.

As he gave chase, he caught notice of a familiar, horrifying sound: The telltale shatter of a Protect spell, one of which he recalled the Northlander placing upon herself. At that moment, his eyes widened and his blood ran cold. If her spell was broken, that meant she was hit. And if she was hit, that meant she was vulnerable. It didn't take much to understand why that was such a bad thing: Once the beast was finished with her, it would move on to him next. And he alone couldn't bear the full force of its wrath, or at least not for long.

It was right around then that he heard someone call out. "Hey, you two who look like you're about to be turned into plant fiber! Run this way!"

It was Ayer. He had a plan.

Adrius had never felt such relief. But then that feeling was gone as quickly as it had come, replaced by a strong sense of determination. The way things were going, he'd have to oblige. He didn't think he could lead the chase on his own now, as he'd most certainly die trying - trying to evade the Worduken in its own fog didn't seem like it would end well. No, he needed to come up with a plan.

And he did. Quickly.

Relegating his whip to only one hand, he used his right hand to fish the Elixus Ayer had given him from his pocket, and gulped the whole thing down right then and there. Almost immediately, he was overcome by a rush of energy, and he wasted no time in stuffing the vial right back where he had gotten it from. Then, he brought his whip down upon the creature's back once more, this time with its power enhanced threefold - while also using his free hand to weave the rune for Creeping Ice. Moving as quickly as he could manage, he dispelled the whip after that initial strike and put all the rest of his focus and his magical power into this next spell, aiming to freeze the creature in place (with the added bonus of catching many of its flowers as well).

However that turned out, he didn't stop to see. Having hopefully managed to distract the creature from landing a killing blow on his companion, Adrius dashed forward with whatever stamina he had left, making his way around the beast in hopes of finding Zima somewhere in the darkness. And sure enough, a few seconds later, he found the tall blonde lying upon the ground, curled up and obviously in immense pain. He had zero intentions of just leaving her there, so without even a second of hesitation, he rushed right by and scooped her up, then made his way in the direction he'd heard Ayer's voice coming from.

As Ayer had hoped, the first thing to emerge from the fog was indeed a friendly face. But it hardly wore the confident expression of a playful Evoker leading its adversary to its doom. Instead, the blond was wide-eyed and panic-stricken, dashing across the field with Zima in his arms like the Worduken itself was right on his tail. Which, for all he knew, it could've been. "Shoot it! Shoot it now!" He cried out, his voice nearly cracking from the stress. At this point, he was being carried only by a combination of adrenaline and sheer force of will, even as his magic power was already waning.

When he reached the others, he came to an abrupt stop and handed off Zima to one of the others - ideally Ignem or Finn, but if no one could take her, he'd just set her on the ground as gently as he could manage... and then promptly fall to a knee himself, breathing heavier than he could ever remember breathing. His sides ached with stitches, and both his mind and his body were throbbing thanks to the amount of exertion he'd forced upon both of them. As much as he wanted to get right back up and rejoin the fray somehow, he really physically couldn't. Not without running himself into the ground.

At the realization, he gritted his teeth and pounded the dirt out of pure frustration. "Damn it!" He cursed, as intensely he could manage while out-of-breath. What a plan they'd had, and it went right out the window before they could even take it anywhere. Perhaps it was still salvageable, but if so, it wasn't for either of them.

Still catching his breath, he lifted his head and looked upon the scene around him, his mind still running through various ways he could still contribute to the fight. Because it clearly wasn't over yet.

 

[Lekiel]

A hacking cough shuddered through her frame as the vile stench stung at her sensitive nostrils. Enn nearly doubled over but she fought back the urge to retch. Eyes watering she breathed a momentary sigh of relief when she saw both Ayer and Euphemia emerge from the deepening mists.

"Oi, hope you haven't missed us too much! How come no is asking if I'm okay?"

Ayer’s lighthearted quip confused her taut mind for a moment. So focused had she been on keeping the rising panic at bay that listening to anything other than for the inevitable roar of death would be incomprehensible. Nevertheless, the distraction was enough to wrench her thoughts away from the numbing cloud of fear.

“I-I’ll help weaken the columns-” Enn’s voice trembled despite her fervent declaration. There was fear of the unbound demon on the one hand, but on the other, was the fear of not being good enough. She’d never been the best in class, she’d never been the worse either. It wasn’t something that had particularly bothered her. Father himself had seemed largely indifferent to her own magical progress; but the situation was different now. Here she was, the lives of her new friends relied upon her clearly inept abilities. She was out of her depth.

Not a second went by without her rueing actions which she had no memory of doing.

Slate grey eyes studied the crumbling ancient structures as both Ayer and Euphemia made their intentions known.

They were all pretty beaten up. In fact, she herself might be the only one who was largely unscathed. If there was a time for her to pull her own weight. It was now. She gave the others a look before dashing off into the crumbling ruins. Unbeknownst to her, no sooner had she left when a very shaken and exhausted Kal'Borian emerged from the foul mists, supported in his aching arms was the almost slack form of one of the Chosen Northlanders.

Wilder28 Ace Cream

Spoiler

--By sheer bravery and will, and perhaps a fair share of blessing from The Brightredeemers, both Adrius and Zima had successfully distracted and slowed down the raging Worduken. Having spent a large amount of his mana after Zima fell, Adrius suffers a crippling withdrawal. His willpower is reduced to half for the next two posts. Nevertheless, the effects of his attack, compounded with Zima's own efforts did indeed slow the abomination down. If only for a scant moment.

“I hope we’re enough Kala…” Enn whispered under her breath to the furry familiar clinging to her shoulder.

Running through several crumbling archways, she soon realized the extent of the danger they would all be in. Bringing down the place over a maddened crazed demon would just as well spell their own doom. But this was the only plan they could scratch up on the fly. Enn only hoped they’d all be able to get out in time.

Barely upright columns and old ruins led up to what had once been a large central atrium of sorts. Only a whole section of one of its walls had collapsed, leaning precariously on a single huge pillar on the opposing side. And it was this pillar which Enn quickly set to work on. Though cracked and crumbling, it was still a few feet wide. Too large to be easily taken down without first being weakened.

Enn gritted her teeth, cursing her lack of skill. There weren’t many spells at her disposal. But perhaps, if she flung as many as she could. . .

Circling around the column to find the side with the largest crack, she immediately set to work flinging bolts of fire at the cracks. Though the stone quickly became blackened from the heat, Enn didn’t know if it’ll ever be enough. Each increasingly desperate firebolt was soon accompanied by a cry of exasperation.

A Plan In Motion!
Though not without a bloodless cost, the group’s plan to distract and lure the worduken towards the denser part of the ruined gardens was starting to take fruition. With the demonic abomination hot on an injured Zima and Adrius’ tail, the rest must still work together to ensure every part of their hastily thought out plan falls into place.

The Stubborn Pillar.
The key to the final piece. Despite Enn’s fervent efforts, it does not appear that she’ll be able to bring down the column in time. Aid is sorely required! If you choose this action, you will not be able to perform other actions.
Roll 1D10. Add to your score the total sum of your willpower and highest spell level used against the pillar. E.g. Dice roll of 4, character willpower of 3 and level 2 evocation spell used. Final score is 9.
10 Points to successfully weaken the structure.

Keep Running!
Barely a moment has passed, but before the exhausted had managed to properly regain their breath, the blood-curling wail screeched from the roiling fog as the grotesque frame of the worduken appears from the mist. Time holds still for a scant moment before it barrels forward, eyes intent on a target. A runner is unwittingly chosen. Chased by the worduken through the crumbling ruins, they must lead the monstrosity to the very centre of the maze of precarious stone. If the first runner fails their roll, they must be saved by a second runner.
First runner to post roll 1D10. Score 2 or less to succeed (added 1 point for the dense structures slowing the demon down). Failure would mean your character stumbles and must then be helped by the next character.
The second character must roll another 1D10. However, add two points to the initial success score of 2 for each successful Offensive Magician. E.g. 3 successful Offensive Magicians. Second runner must obtain a score of 8 (2 + 2 x 3) or less.

Take The Offensive!
Whether it is hindering the demon with abjuration spells, helping a fallen runner, collapsing smaller columns, or blasting your way. Every effort matters!
Roll 1D10. Score 6 or more for your attempts to be successful. Add to your dice roll the total sum of your willpower and highest spell level used.
E.g. Dice roll of 1, willpower 3 and fired a blast with Enchantech level 3. Final score is 7.
If both runners fall. Total cumulative points from all Offensive Magicians must be 30 or more for the plan to still be a success.


Perception 3 Characters:

Spoiler

Through the chaos, an increasingly annoying thought at the back of your mind continues to persist. By now it is very clear that the choking fog, worduken and pearlescent White Flowers are all closely tied together. Though the significance of which frustratingly eludes you. You get the feeling the answer will come if someone reminded you of a keyword.

 

[Euclid Leaf]

Ayer Lecomte - Highover Academy, Western Gardens/Secret Fountain Grove

Wilder28

Ayer knew it wasn't the time to be smiling, but he couldn't help but grin as the blond came out of the dense fog looking like a scared rabbit.

"Took it for quite a run, didn't you? Are you sure you don't want to leash this thing, I think it's fond of you!" he said while looking down the barrel to see the encroaching shadow.

It was difficult to see any particular shadow in the sea of shadows that washed out before the two. But it was unmistakable. In the thick of it, a large looming form can be seen. The heavy sound of crunching ground accented the hellish charging horned beast demon. His eyes then glowed bright. It could've been mistaken as bravery, but it was a mix of everything. He was adept at masking desperation and fear. The streams of radiant yellow sparked and mixed with the light green of Loftgarden's impcanister as he unleashed the energy with the pull of the trigger. The round burst from the cannonade into the shadow, clearing way and hitting the beast square. Like an arrow of piercing light.

He could almost see it in the parted smoke, just for a brief second. The hollow eyes stared at him just at the impact, before the smoke swallowed.

A scream of pain was all he needed before hoisting the cannon and turning on his heels. He wanted to help Adrius carry Zima, but Ayer was already carrying all his equipment. And there was no way he was dumping everything for this reckless girl.

"I never took you for the hero type Adrius. You almost made me swoon just from watching." Ayer said jokingly, admittedly hard of breath himself.

But not much else could be said before the demon screamed out in the distance. All their efforts bought to fruit right now. All they needed to do was execute the plan. He blew a strand of disheveled red hair of his face. A look of doubt crossed his mind, but then one of acceptance. He grinned a painful grin.

"Looks like we're out a knight." he then placed a hand on Adrius' shoulder, "But I'll need the second."

Ayer points to the outlying ruins and begins to trace a seemingly open path among the broken structures. It is a guide for them to run through, "In chess, with a gambit, you either win or lose a match from that move onwards. This will be our gambit. I'll try to get its attention on me. I know you've done plenty of running already. You don't have to keep up. Just cover me."

The redhead quickly loosens the strap and places the oversized rifle to the side before bursting into a full sprint. The wince on his face spoke of how painful it was to discard his most prized item to the bare floor. But the desperation and foolishness of his next action would rightly override any feelings of hesitation. With a huff, he bound down the stone steps of a collapsed wall where they were laying the ambush. The harsh sounds of his metal soles clattering against the stone was probably enough to lure the attention of anything within the vicinity. Just out of pure exasperation. But when he finally broke free from the shadows and caught sight of the demon, Ayer began jumping and hollering.

"Hey! Big... monster thing, look at me! I'm totally not bait or anything!"

It didn't take long for the horned monster to lock its hollow eyes on him. Ayer felt a shiver run down his spine from the sheer hatred that broiled from it. Every fiber of his body told him this was a stupid idea. But considering he could name a few things off the top of his head that were on par with this level of reckless abandon, this gambit was probably... not the stupidest thing he has done.

"Ah, so you do remember me! I know, I'm hard to forget. What's with the grumpy face? Oh. You're not mad at me, are you? I think the new look suits you. Much more pleasant on the eyes!"

[Dice Result = 4]
The beast went into a fury, screeching as it smashed through stone and wood to reach the insistent shouting redhead. It wasn't just a wounded, wild rampaging beast anymore. There was a vengeance that bloomed. He could see absolute abolishment in its blackened voids for eyes. The demon wished to squash Ayer. Out of revenge for the damage he inflicted to it, or for the unforgivable act of being so annoying. He would spin and run for dear life, just as planned, continuing down the ruins towards the standing pillar as was outlined. He was doing all he could do at this point. All he can do was hope everything falls into place. Quite literally.

... But perhaps his taunting was too well executed. Ayer quickly found himself nearly caught up in the claws of the beast as it reached out and slashed at him. Only with a quick and desperate dive off the path and sliding down underneath a fallen pillar was he able to evade the swipe. But just as he thought he gained some ground, a root caught his foot and Ayer was sent jerking forward.

He frantically kicked at the exposed root wrapped around his shoe, staring at the hateful eyes glaring down at him. In just a few moments it would be down upon him.

...

 

[Mqueserasera]

EUPHEMIA

Interactions: Arya ( RI.a ), Ayer ( Euclid Leaf )
Mentions:​

“Miss Aureli, given the caliber of your magic, I’m going to have to ask you to keep as much smog away from the ruins. When the worduken approaches the ruins, could you cast the biggest windwall for as long as you can?”

"It is within my ability, yes," answered Euphemia. "I shall keep your request in mind, but I cannot give you my word. My power may be needed elsewhere when the times come."

Then at once, she departed. Not yet had she regained her full strength, but her will covered for her numbed body. So she sprang at the quickest pace she could muster. Ere long, the ruins were in sight, and the distant roar was in earshot. Emerging from the eerie mist, Algae sprang to her side. Now with the energy provided by her demon, Euphemia put more wind to her legs and she entered the ruined structure. The roarings were distant still, and deep was she in the thick mist. The Windwall spell works in immediate vicinity only, so the deeper she was in the ruin, the more effective she could clear the air inside.

"My gut feelings predict good results," said Algae, "we may survive this ordeal after all!"

"Feelings are often stupid," answered Euphemia without ceasing her alerted state. Her gaze bore deep into the mist, and she heard the closer and closer noise coming her way. She had been wandering deep.

The cries ahead were almost upon them. The ground trembled under the Worduken's approach.

[Rolled 1d10: 9]

Euphemia wove now a spell in her hands and she mouthed the needful words. Channelling the demonic energy from Algae, she brewed a wind - a gale of mighty force, conjured by all of her unrestrained will power. "Now come!" she cried and the wind came roaring. A curtain of untamed air swept forth from her spot in all directions. At once the mist that'd been filling the ruin was no more. She barely has the time to enjoy the fresh air when the giant shape of the Worduken emerged. Much closer than she had thought, though there was still enough distance for her to flee now and barely be safe from the creature. But then on the ground, she spotted the redness of someone's hair - Ayer. His death was not far off with the demon close at hand. In that desperate moment, she released her control of the sweeping wind and wove a spell of protection. As the spell took effect, she cried for her demon to move. Algae sprang forward, aiming its elemental attacks at the Worduken. Her spell was overflowed with her indomitable will: No one will die. They will not fail. Euphemia Aureli cannot fail.