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Fantasy That Time the Demon Lord Killed our Party Leader: Ic

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Guō Yī Nuò

Yī Nuò stomped through deep snow as she led the group of heroes. She absolutely loathed the cold, and despite being tightly bundled in warm clothes, snow somehow constantly found its way to snake its way under her layers and chill her down to the bone. It had been a few days since the heroes had left the cabin, and Despite having been looked away just a few weeks ago, the group was making good progress, and Yī Nuò was confident that soon, they’d be crossing the border into Jorvik, which meant they’d be safe from Tiryan’s lackeys for the time being. This fact gave Yī Nuò hope, and motivated her to continue to stay strong for everyone, to show them that if an old moon elf could brave the cold, that everyone else could, too.
But Yī Nuò didn’t just silently lead, she sang songs from Zheng Fa, and while she was aware that some would not understand the lyrics, the moon elf knew that in times of hardship, the usage of song was a powerful one.

Yī Nuò turned her head to look at everyone, and to look at the dark, surging clouds that seemed to be rapidly closing in on them.
“It looks like a storm is coming in, the border is just up ahead, so let’s pick up the pace people!” Yī Nuò shouted.
“That storm is not normal. There's a massive amount of mana hiding behind those dark clouds.” Baihu warned.
“A massive storm, an large mana source at the center…so he’s come out to play eh?” Yī Nuò muttered to herself.

As if on queue, something began to reveal itself from the storm clouds. It was a dragon, with black scales, and a large mane of blue hair stretching from his head down to his back and behind his arms.
“Everyone! Hargred approaches! We can’t fight him in the open like this!” Yī Nuò shouted with urgency. Without warning, Yī Nuò activated her divine synchronization with Baihu, and the moon elf transformed into a large, one eyed white tiger, looking down upon all the heroes.
She lowered her back, down to the ground, “Everyone, get on now! We’re gonna make a break for the forest, the border of Jorvik!” Yī Nuò roared.
Yet another sound would be heard, a multitude of snarls and roars, Tiryan’s nightmare beasts approached alongside Hargred, all of varying size and looks.
“Come on, pick up the pace!” Yī Nuò reminded, they were too close to Jorvik to die like this.
 
Nessi said:
Guō Yī Nuò

Yī Nuò stomped through deep snow as she led the group of heroes. She absolutely loathed the cold, and despite being tightly bundled in warm clothes, snow somehow constantly found its way to snake its way under her layers and chill her down to the bone. It had been a few days since the heroes had left the cabin, and Despite having been looked away just a few weeks ago, the group was making good progress, and Yī Nuò was confident that soon, they’d be crossing the border into Jorvik, which meant they’d be safe from Tiryan’s lackeys for the time being. This fact gave Yī Nuò hope, and motivated her to continue to stay strong for everyone, to show them that if an old moon elf could brave the cold, that everyone else could, too.
But Yī Nuò didn’t just silently lead, she sang songs from Zheng Fa, and while she was aware that some would not understand the lyrics, the moon elf knew that in times of hardship, the usage of song was a powerful one.

Yī Nuò turned her head to look at everyone, and to look at the dark, surging clouds that seemed to be rapidly closing in on them.
“It looks like a storm is coming in, the border is just up ahead, so let’s pick up the pace people!” Yī Nuò shouted.
“That storm is not normal. There's a massive amount of mana hiding behind those dark clouds.” Baihu warned.
“A massive storm, an large mana source at the center…so he’s come out to play eh?” Yī Nuò muttered to herself.

As if on queue, something began to reveal itself from the storm clouds. It was a dragon, with black scales, and a large mane of blue hair stretching from his head down to his back and behind his arms.
“Everyone! Hargred approaches! We can’t fight him in the open like this!” Yī Nuò shouted with urgency. Without warning, Yī Nuò activated her divine synchronization with Baihu, and the moon elf transformed into a large, one eyed white tiger, looking down upon all the heroes.
She lowered her back, down to the ground, “Everyone, get on now! We’re gonna make a break for the forest, the border of Jorvik!” Yī Nuò roared.
Yet another sound would be heard, a multitude of snarls and roars, Tiryan’s nightmare beasts approached alongside Hargred, all of varying size and looks.
“Come on, pick up the pace!” Yī Nuò reminded, they were too close to Jorvik to die like this.
Click to expand...
The snow was deep and the cold bit at their noses, but it didn't bother Rohen much. She wasn't sure how everyone took to her flayed bear skin but for what it's worth, it's keeping her warm. Though, she can definitely feel the coldness of the metal of her left arm whenever it just brushes past her skin. Nothing helping that. She didn't feel unmotivated or the other, she just continued walking with the group wondering when they'll reach their destination. She's been to Jorvik many times due to her mercenary contracts as an escort and counter-force against daring pirates. Perhaps she'll see some old friends from the trading companies? She didn't just do nothing either, she heard the moon elf singing in her home country's tongue. Songs from Zheng Fa. Obviously missing home, she began singing along as well even if she sang at a lower volume than her. It was just nice to commit to an old hobby.

As she was singing along, she noticed a certain sound faded from the tune. She stopped when she noticed only to see the moon elf looking up at the dark clouded sky. Was... That normal? She had a feeling it wasn't and that feeling was right. Soon enough, she saw the moon elf sync and transformed only to command that everyone would get on. She got on and pulled out her flintlock, channeling her water magic into it to prepare her shots. As there were many of the beasts, she needed to use water so she can fire multiple shots in a short amount of time. It's not the most powerful of her arsenal but it'll still do the damage of an average flintlock. "Ya'll heard her, focus up!" She exclaimed as she started taking aim. The beasts were too high in the air so she didn't fire just yet. She needed them to get close or her shots won't be as effective. "Alright you inbred gremlins, who wants to die first?" She growled to herself, ready to rock.

Interactions: Whole Party
 
Tiberius Helvian, Longinus


The unnatural cold smacked the gladiator across his cheeks like a lover scorned, he tried not to let it vex him. Even being covered by hides and leathers did not help him with the sensation. The chill was in his bones. A malediction which soaked him from head to toe. No, there was no snow that snaked under the layers, but he wondered if his frostbitten bones were icy omens of terrible fates. Still, he pressed onward undeterred by the mysterious weather. Propelled forward by his discipline, mainly, but also obligation. People believe those two are linked, but a disciplined person can be without one and an indolent can be with many as Tiberius came to learn, but together, discipline and duty are powerful drivers. An obvious lesson? Certainly, in Tiberius' eyes, but even the obvious can sometimes be overlooked.

Plus his compatriots were alongside him which made the journey degrees more bearable than if he was alone. Avia Yī Nuò singing songs helped, though he didn't actually partake in any of them. He can sing the songs of the arena, but her particular type of music eluded his skills. He'd like a chance to learn it someday.

The gladiator stopped when Avia gazed at them then the dark, swirling clouds. Tiberius followed her sight and gazed as well, the cold in his bones becoming more potent by the second. But just as Baihu spoke, Tiberius never tore off his azures against the darkened sky. Until he spotted the tiniest details of a scaled terror. Eyes wide, throat tight and dry, the muscles in his palms taut with fury. It was one of the Emperor's oh-so-valued lackeys, clamoring for his attention like flies begging the horse not to swat them away with its tail. It sickened him.

Once Yī Nuò transformed with the aid of her divine synchronisation, Tiberius vaulted onto her back and fastened the cloth-cover over his mouth and nose. Then he extended a hand to anyone who needed aid onto the old tiger's back. They say to ride the tiger is the safest place, let's put that proverb to the test.

The Goddess Qin whispered furtively into his ear, Tiberius Helvian only nodded once.

"If we get cornered, I have a trick to get us out, but it won't fool them twice." He states calmly and quietly like the wind's hollow.

Interactions: Nessi Nessi (Yī Nuò), Whoever needs a hand up on the tiger's back.
Mentions: N/A
 
Nelumba

People say that music transcends language and culture, and Nel agreed. Even though she couldn’t understand the songs that Granny was singing, she still liked them lots! Nel even offered her own accompaniment… in the form of endless teeth clattering!

If Nel could do it all over again, she would still choose to leave the Ancient Forest. After all, she really believed that being a hero and the champion of kindness, love, and life was her truest calling. Buuut there were things that she missed too, like her old friends, the safety of the woods, Lycoris not being a pile of bones six-feet under, and not the least of which: the warm, comfy weather!

She wondered if it would be too much to ask someone to make a fire to warm up. She’d picked out a cute long coat to wear on their journey, but aside from a thicker pair of leggings, she didn’t wear anything under her dress to keep her legs warm! Beauty is pain, so they say, but she was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g!

It seemed that it was not her time yet to freeze to death, however. She’d been so busy shiverin’ and quiverin’, she almost didn’t notice when the group stopped, nor the odd shift of the mana in the air. But then, Granny transformed into a white tiger, and it was like spotting a ship while stranded at sea.

Nel’s wings were frozen stiff, so she didn’t hesitate to grab Tibby’s hand and scramble onto Granny’s back. Once she was secured, she buried her numbed thighs into Granny’s fur and sighed in bliss.

“Sweet, precious warmth,” she whispered, flexing her fingers in the particularly soft spot at Granny’s nape. “Nel is rejuvenated and ready to fight, ma’am!”
 
Enthyskana Rhoda
Interactions: Kaida ( Beann Beann ), Tiberius ( Worthlessplebian Worthlessplebian )
Mentions: Eleanor, Aaxir, Kai, Rohen, Nel

“Hello Kaida,”
Enthy politely returned the fox’s greeting and set down her basket to search for the wild berries she’d neatly packaged using a decorative cloth wrap. The dragon gently placed a pale blue cloth bundle embroidered with gold vines and white flowers within Kaida’s awaiting palm. Upon hearing the fox’s answer to her previous question, Enthy couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh.
“It’s nice to prepare for the unexpected, though I do agree some people are overdoing it.”
If her words alone hadn’t clued others in on the heroes she was referring to, the manner in which the dragon shot a certain red haired man a perfunctory side glance pointed out at least one of the people she had in mind.

Though Kaida mentioned that she wasn’t aware of Kai’s whereabouts, Tiberius, ever so resourceful, offered his expertise in their medic’s stead.
“Deeper green, waxy, and fuzz,”
Enthy murmured, determined to commit the newfound knowledge to memory. After sorting out the herbs and organizing the fruit into the pantry, she planned on adding those notes into her field guide, though she wasn’t entirely sure about his advice on their taste. Knowing the side effects, she personally wouldn’t recommend testing the properties of the plant first-hand.

But wait. Did he try that before? He was joking. Right?


One one hand, the thought amused her. On the other, it perplexed, horrified, and concerned her. As this kaleidoscope of emotions showed themselves on her face clear as day, her shaken heart would only begin to settle when her frazzled mind finally processed the gladiator’s compliment.

“Uh?”
Enthy’s voice pitched up embarrassingly high, culminating into a sheepish cough.
“Right, thanks. You and Pollux were impressive as well in making do with what little energy we had.”


Oh, how her cheeks burned. Hoping that Tiberius wouldn’t take offense to her awkward display, the dragon hurriedly grabbed a biscuit and plunked herself down on the seat next to Kaida. In a poor attempt to appear composed, she busily nibbled at the flakey goodness held within her hand and fixed her gaze on Aaxir and Eleanor as if concentrating on their movements.

Though similar incidents of Enthy overthinking things others said would occur throughout the rest of their time at the camp, the few weeks leading up to their departure passed without much ado. The Olrodian dispatches sent after them hadn’t managed to trace their trail and discover their peaceful hideaway, though the details of Ragnir Brynjolf’s response to Yī Nuò were concerning.

Nevertheless, the spirits of the group appeared to remain high, as the beloved moon elf sang songs accompanied by Rohen who shared in Yī Nuò’s language and any others who decided to join in. The chattering of Nel’s teeth went suspiciously along with the beat of the tune, but Enthy convinced herself that her mind was likely making things up. It was a rather unique method of joining in on a song written in a language you didn’t understand if it were true. However, it was better to never delve deeper into the strange Fae’s thoughts and intentions. In any case, the more she observed Nel’s shivering, the colder she felt despite her body’s natural resistance to lower temperatures.

Before Enthy could take her eyes off Nel and return to observing the storm above, Yī Nuò hollered for the party to raise their guard. Though she feared that the heroes would weigh down the moon elf in spite of the size of her synchronized form, a quick look behind would promptly shoot down any ideas of taking flight in her dragon form. It wouldn’t be her first time flying through a storm, but the weather alongside the threat of being shot at would make taking flight with any passengers in tow difficult. If anything, it would be far easier to fend off attacks from the back of a tiger than within the claws of a dragon.

With a running start, Enthy vaulted onto the tiger’s back, positioning herself near Tiberius who was helping others up. One hand steadied herself by holding onto the soft hairs of Yī Nuò’s tiger form while the other summoned Veritas’s blade. A brief phrase obscured within a whisper summoned a faint light to cloak the sword, and the dragon poised herself to reflect any attacks that managed to reach Yī Nuò.
 
Suzuki Kaida


Their safe, cozy haven was a few days behind them now that the group was nearing the border of Jorvik. Unlike her companions, Kaida did well to keep herself warm. All nine tails wrapped snuggly around her body, keeping the cold elements at bay. The only parts of her body that were cold were her face and her feet. Regardless, none of that mattered as her attention was focused on Oba-chan’s wonderful singing. The kitsune swayed her head side to side as she listened, humming a small tune to accompany the words. The lovely songs eventually came to an end, however, as Oba-chan pointed out a storm brewing.

Massive amounts of mana behind the clouds? Kaida licked her lips at the thought.

Unfortunately, her craving for mana was quickly dashed as Hargred revealed himself from the storm clouds. They just couldn’t catch a break could they? Well, technically they did in the cabin but Kaida had hoped for a longer break, like a two to four month break. With a sense of urgency, Kaida quickly turned to look at Oba-chan who had transformed into a large, white tiger. Instead of fighting, their plan was to run?

Works for her.

She quickly reached for Tiberius’ hand, pulling herself up onto Oba-chan’s back. “I can transform too, Oba-chan. If your bones ache under all our weight.” A partial joke to the moon elf’s old age yet there was still a hint of concern laced with her words. Oba-chan had done so much for them, the least any of them could do was pull their own weight.

 
AAXIR THE RED


Interactions: Nessi Nessi
Mentions: Worthlessplebian Worthlessplebian Nano Nano Nessi Nessi Khatiy,

Eventually the sparring session between Eleanor and Aaxir would conclude, providing him answers, but generating even more questions in its stead. As a result of his own awkwardness as well as what seemed like the ever inflating audience, Aaxir never got the chance to apologize for his cruel comments back at the prison. For all his faults, even Aaxir could admit when he was wrong. Nevertheless, the moment had passed and it would forever weigh on him like a nagging tick sucking your life dry. The rest of the days spent at the "safe zone" blending together seamlessly. Rest, train, eat, it was a regimen often broken by a peculiar comment by Nel and even that became part of the routine. Even during times of rest, he would often observe the other heroes, something he realized he had not done much of even before the death of Arlux. Khatiy's uneasiness behind her regal exterior, Tiberius' aura holding many of them together, Enthy's pragmatism and hidden curiosity, Tatag's resourcefulness and unique outlook on life, Kaida's ability to stay calm and see things clearly for what they are, Fel's intelligience and Nel's.........yep Nel. They all had their strengths and weaknesses and none were unstoppable alone. He could go on forever on the interactions he observed...Were they always like this, or had he not been paying attention up until now? Other than Enthy and Tiberius (due to his very intrusive positivity)....Aaxir felt as if he really didn't know them at all. Still, he convinced himself that he was only attempting to learn about them in order to defeat Tiryan and the Hands and that was enough for now.


****
​
They were off to Jorvik. It was their first real action as heroes and it felt refreshing to finally move. Aaxir found a new appreciation for freedom and whatever it may bring. The biting cold, the soft sinking snow beneath his feet were all welcome occurrences. To be fair, for a plethora of reasons, Aaxir was not as bothered by the environment unlike many of his comrades. One of the many reasons being....

"Pele....you've been silent ever since the prison break."

"...."

"Well...it doesn't really bother me. It's a lot quieter-"

"I just find it funny that-."

"Here we go."

"HOW THE HELL DID THAT ICE BRAT LAND A HIT ON PARZIVAL?"

Aaxir came to a complete halt, completely stupefied by her comment. He even questioned if he was delirious because of the cold. "The hell?"

"YES THE HELL! HOW THE HELL DID MY OWN CHAMPION GET BATTED AROUND LIKE A WINGLESS FLY WHILE THE ICE WITCH'S AIM WAS TRIED AND TRUE! BOTH TRIDE AND TRUE! Idon'tthinkIcouldlivethisdown. May the heavens take me now," Pele said as she held her hands up to the sky in dramatic fashion before Aaxir shrugged his shoulders and caught up with the group after recovering from his shock. "You do realize you can't run from me, you have explaining to do. I will not have my name sullied by poor performance."

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe my attack was more of a threat? He could have easily dodged the ice shards if he wanted to."

"Wait...so my...ahem...our attack was, a threat," Pele said with a gasp, her watery eyes looking back at Aaxir with an innocent glint Aaxir thought was unbecoming of her. Aaxir then looked up to the sky as if to reinforce her earlier statement...heavens please take this troublesome god now. "O-of course, why didn't I realize this. No matter however mundane and uncreative the attack, an attack from MY hero could not simply be taken with ease! HA of course! It is merely my own standards that have had me frustrated, I would never be threatened by someone who uses and element so cold and devoid of life and energy. It simply cannot hold a candle to...."

Aaxir actually began to walk even faster without changing the expression known as resting dragon face. He had become quite adept at tuning out the Volcanic Goddess when she went on one of her ramblings. In fact, as they walked he found himself humming along to the Hag's singing from time to time. The rhythm would be disrupted by a growing storm followed by the warnings of the Hag. Instinctively Aaxir turned to fight, grabbing the hilt of his blade before given the order to retreat.

"Hagred," Aaxir snarled hesitating to follow the order, but the rational portion of his brain won out and he quickly followed the others. Unlike Hagred, Aaxir wouldn't be able to maneuver under these circumstances and unlike many of the heroes...the appearance of Hagred triggered something else within Aaxir. Competitiveness sure, but he couldn't help empathize. Had Aaxir met Tiryan first, there was a good chance it would mirror his interaction with Arlux. There was a good chance Aaxir would have become one of the hands....

The heroes were quick to act and prepare for a counter, a far cry from their response to Parizival. Tiberius spoke of a trump card while Enthy prepared for defense. Aaxir looked back, nodding at them both while taking a point of attack along with the Rohen. Before that, Aaxir gently placed a hand on Nel's shoulder. He made sure to use as little mana as possible to avoid scorching the poor death servant to death. She had been shivering this entire time and her wings were noticeably stiff. "I can't have you dragging us down," Aaxir said stone faced as his focus was still on Hagred. "This won't be like last time..."





 
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Huang San


Huang San doesn't seem too overly concerned by Grammy's words, instead simply picking up the pace into a steady run. His feet pounding the earth, shaking the ground. The power of the mountains wells up in him, lending him the endurance of soil and stone if not its speed- For as far as Huang San was concerned, this would be a test of endurance as much as a test of speed. Sun Wukong's gifts put him in good stead in that regard, the Hero bringing up the rear of the formation to ensure that not a single one of them truly fell behind.

After all, if someone started to flag, he would simply pick them up and carry them off still.
 
Guō Yī Nuò

The snarls and assortment of otherworldly sounds produced by Tiryan’s nightmare beasts grew fainter as Guō Yī Nuò made her retreat with the heroes in tow. However, right as the cover of the forest came into view, the large tiger would skid to a halt. Something wasn’t right, and her concerns would become an ugly reality when a chorus of distorted wails and howling heralded the appearance of a familiar figure who’d greeted the heroes not too many weeks prior.

“Ants…” Parzival muttered, the light reflecting off of his silver helmet giving it an eerie sheen against the dark backdrop of the snowy forest. “... should accept their fate of being ground to dust.” His voice held no hint of resentment from his past failure to capture the heroes, instead bearing a cold tone that spoke as if he were laying down a fact. As soon as the vampire’s final word echoed into the vast tundra before him, the wave of fleshy abominations and grey-skinned beasts surged forward, a few rushing ahead of the wave to snarl and snap at the heroes at the forefront of the party. Parizival wouldn’t be too far behind, firing a bloody spear at one of the heroes before drawing his blade and setting his sights on Guō Yī Nuò.

Unfortunately for Parzival, the moon elf would be swifter, responding to his charge with a loud roar and well-timed swipe of a powerful paw that would have the royal vampire staggering backwards. “Break through the line! Hargred is fast approaching, but I won’t permit any of you to fall here!” Yī Nuò shouted during the enemy’s brief moment of distraction. As if right on cue the loud flap of a wing beat would kick up a harsh gust, sending a flurry of snow into the air. From its epicenter, the dragon silently looked downward upon the party. Soon enough, Hargred’s own legion of nightmare beasts would bring up the rear, completely surrounding the heroes and cutting off all notions of an escape without confrontation.
 
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Rohen kept holding onto the moon elf as she had her flintlock up ready to shoot down any beasts that came their way, but they were too fast that they never got a chance to close in. Or so she thought. They soon came to a halt and it was for a familiar face. Parzival. As she remembered vaguely, he was quite the fighter. Considering he's also a vampire, centuries' of experience was a factor, as well as other perks that came with the race. "Don't let him see you bleed, it won't end well." She warned the other party members before she jumped off of Yi Nuo.

She soon saw the blood spear being hurled at them, which she took initiative to leap forth and stomp her foot hard into the ground, causing a thick and solid chunk of Earth to spring from the ground and block the attack. "I'll be taking this!" She said before she extracted the water from the blood spear through the Earth chunk before throwing herself through it with a shoulder bash. She ended up forming a polearm with spear heads on both ends and started getting to work, using it to cut down the abominations in front of her.

She was like a butcher, cutting down the beasts with ease and seemingly to relish in the slaughter as she had a sadistic grin on her face. The more she tore apart flesh, the more adamant she was. She ended up splitting the spear into two swords with spiked knuckle guards to increase the rate of carnage she was causing. With her Water's Edge, it was easy to cut through flesh as it was not just sharp like a blade, the water within was always flowing so it allowed it to slice more efficiently. As there was also snow around her, her supply for water was definitely not limited and made it easier to conserve her mana from creating the water and manipulating external sources.

But because there were a large wave of them, she can't only attack using her Water's Edge, she needed something defensive as well. She started using her Earth magic and terraforming abilities as graced by Tiamat. In her experience with fighting with Tiamat as her patron, she learned how to use Earth magic to create barriers and even rocky spikes which erupted from the ground along with other uses. That's what she mainly did now was striking the Earth beneath her and erecting her Earth formations to her will to either block off portions of the wave of monsters so she can focus on a group or deal with them all and impaling them with several rock spikes.

She didn't do so often but she had to make sure of one thing: She cannot allow herself to bleed. Parzival was a vampire and it would only make sense that he has a blood manipulation magic, which she has already seen. If the party does bleed however, she would only hope that she can catch on quick enough to extract the water from the manipulated blood that Parzival controlled or that Chrome overpowers it.


"I'll deal with the front, go take out that vampire!"
 
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Enthyskana Rhoda
Interactions: --
Mentions: --

“I’ll help hold the rear!”
Enthy yelled in response to Guō Yī Nuò’s orders.

Deftly flipping off the white tiger’s back, Enthy jammed her sword into the jowls of the beast leading the charge out the cloud of snow kicked up by Hargred’s violent entrance. A quick pulse from the blade repelled the monster—drool and all—sending it reeling backwards from Enthy’s counter spell. Before the wolf-like beast could recover, the dragon swung her sword towards it, extending and whipping the blade to wrap it around its leg and embed it within the bone of the limb. A quick jerk upward would send the monster flying up until Enthy harshly reversed its momentum with a snap of her wrist, causing it to crash into the horde of its vile ilk assembled below.

With another flick of Enthy’s hand, the blade retracted, and the dragon held her sword up with its point facing the direction of Hargred. Though her body language spoke as if she were issuing a challenge, her expression grew strange. While still wearing a conflicting mix between restrained concern and fierce resolve, the woman faced the tip of her sword towards the sky. Energy began gathering within the blade, yet the glow of mana upon its edge was uncharacteristically faint. Suddenly, her brows knotted themselves in confusion, and the dragon lowered her sword before she even began her incantation.

“But we’ve all seen what he’s done,”
Enthy muttered, her hand shaking as she tightened her grip on Veritas’s sword. Her patron’s sword and tome would soon be returned back to their place at her hip as the woman opted to shift into her other form instead.

With a light hop and a sudden gust of wind, feathered wings carried Enthy into the sky, and the platinum scaled dragon solemnly surveyed the area below. While taking note of any threats coming her way, she gradually gathered the mana required for her next attack. Once she felt her mana coalesce and sit comfortably within her body, she opened her jaws wide and exhaled, aiming a concentrated beam of energy straight for Hargred.
 
Tiberius Helvian, Longinus


The gladiator held tightly and low to the white tiger. Breathing becoming measured. The gladiator's fingers gripping tufts of white fur, sleek, coarse threads wrapping around pockmarked digits. For a moment, he admired the well-toned, powerful musculature in their guardian's back. Their pursuers had not appeared, not yet, poisoning Tiberius with false hope that they may not meet them. However, this world had reservations about his hope. Mongrel-beasts and abominations of malformed grey skin encircled the heroes, their barks and wails and groans drowning out the howl of the frost-lined wind. He stared at them, their dead, grey eyes wide, and they at him, azures, furrowed with concentration.

At last, the ringmaster of these degenerated monsters revealed himself with a dramatic entrance and an attack as well. Tiberius swiped his arm to his back to unbind his shield to deflect the spear, only to pause as Rohen's geomancy arrested the blood projectile. He spoke loud, voice overpowering the rattle of mangy curs, broaching to the heroes a simple stratagem. "Thin the herd. May the shroud of long nights bless us." Tightening the wraps on his sleeves as he spoke.

He gave weight to those words: shroud and us conveying hidden messages to the heroes at his side. All of them, from the proud Aaxir to the merciful Nel, knew what it meant, it was a phrase that he taught them should a situation like this occur. Once this horde of freaks were beaten back, brutalized, and gored on their weapons then they should huddle together as closely as possible. After that, it fell on Tiberius' shoulders to execute the next stage of the plan. Fingers clench and unclench, the bubbles in his joints popped, hands burned with combat fervour.

He pushed up then slid off Yī Nuò, his leather-bound boots flattening the snow with a crunch, giving the white tiger a pat of gratitude. A roar came from behind as a charging beast, burdened with madness from its very existence, rushed at the warrior. Slick strands of spit-drool flake off its bastard mouth landing invisibly on the snowfield. Arm burning with neuron fire, Tiberius whipped the spatha-sword out of its holster, right side spinning to slice across the beast's nose. Blood painted the innocent hoary of the snow. The beast staggered on its hind legs in an inhuman fashion, paws or claws batting away at its open-cut nostrils. Seizing the moment, Tiberius stepped forward and sheathed the spatha through its neck, the spatha's blade finding its home in the beast's throat while the point punched through the spine. Bone fragments and blood spat out the end before Tiberius' hand freed the weapon from its new moorings.

He felt her now, Tiberius felt her. The smooth palms of his Goddess on the back of his head, spindly digits digging into the brainfolds of the gladiator, left cheek twitching beneath his eye. If he turned, she wasn't there, but she was in his mind. Bringing iced calmness and familiarity to Tiberius.

He pummeled the creature away with the butt of his sword to reveal more behind it. He took his shield and stepped forward into the tide. The spatha went high and hard right to left, decapitating the head off the foremost creature while cleaving the windpipe of another open. A mongrel came from the side, talon out, screaming for Tiberius' death. He raised his shield in time, a loud screech blares as keratin meets Olrodian metal. He pulls his arm back then flicks it forward bashing the beast on its head. He shoved the spatha's edge through its wicked teeth, crushing them beneath its pointed fury and sending the fragments down its throat.

He continued to reap a path, aided further by Rohen's shaping of their battlefield, providing narrow spaces for Tiberius to easily fight these beasts. The tide never seems to stem! His muscles burned with adrenal and combat furor and his soul, despite Qin's efforts, raged with brute, simple violence! Thoughts devoted, slanted to brutalize these weak, verminous creatures, unworthy of pity or praise. There came no sound from Tiberius, however, he was balanced on the knife's edge of control as his spatha severed meat and bone with every well-considered strike.

A momentary distraction came as Enthy emerged into her draconic form of platinum scales, the very wind bent to her whims as Tiberius observed from below. His eyes scanned down to see her opponent, Hargred, that upstart who commanded this infernal weather. Tiberius jerked his head back as claws passed inches from his eyes. That put fear in his throat. Tiberius was in the creature's guard, angling the spatha to pierce and let free the beast's fetid entrails through a slit, only the Gods know what or who this creature ate and now turned to excrement.

For a moment, Tiberius saw Parzival at the edge of his vision, head briefly turning to see him. A rictus gripped him as he thought of how fancy that silver helm would be in his possession.

Interactions: Nano Nano (Yī Nuò), The Rest Of The Heroes.
Mentions: CasualTea CasualTea (Rohen),
 
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Chrome Van Der Linde


Nano Nano Dawnsx Dawnsx CasualTea CasualTea Worthlessplebian Worthlessplebian


Chrome simply looks down at Nel with a plain but soft gaze not saying a word to her doing their whole interaction simple nodding and giving small smirk when she mentions his head-start on training knowing she's simply just trying to be polite about his unsightly appearance. He let her pass by and proceeded into the cabin peeking into a few rooms to find a unoccupied room in the cabin finding a room upstairs at the end of the hall being covered in dust and seemingly unoccupied Chrome lays his worn boots and leaves the comfort looking for a bath or anywhere to bathe. Chrome finally finding a tub lays down in the water feeling himself become lighter and better as the dirt and sweat start to slowly dissolve off his skin into the water and crosses his long legs in the tub to fit somewhat comfortably. After washing the dirt and grime from himself Chrome went to reside in his new room practically staying in their for the next few weeks studying his blood magic and meditating to help build his focus and regulate his emotions. Chrome feels a strong desire to reach an new understanding of his blood magic seeing Parzival’s abilities feeling a strike to his pride as his superiority complex towards the vampire hand was challenged by the discover of his blood to fire bending ability. Chrome studied blood trying to understand how it worked and what it could do for him. Chrome tries to manipulate his blood to forming into different forms and substances practicing without rest on weeks trying to discover something or anything that’ll bring him to a new level. Until one night Chrome decides to go out hunting and runs into a abnormally large boar with wildly twisted and large tusks. In his challenge to find better ways to manipulate his blood Chrome did it and found the ability to turn his blood into a new level of defense.



Chrome was still rather quiet and reserved when the team decided to head out for Jorvik and hearing the name of his home country put a sense of nostalgia and longing in his chest but he shrugged it off regardless. On the journey Chrome eyed Rohen somewhat thrown off by her sudden appearance among the heroes but seeing her behavior and her bring back a large bear carcass one day was enough for him to get a stamp of approval in his book. Chrome hasn’t spoke to Rohen but he seems to find himself becoming comfortable in her presence their acknowledging gazes from time to time solidifying the silent respect they’ve formed. Chrome was second in the lead of the group as once they reached the snowy forest it only became a matter of time till things started becoming familiar to Chrome in his eyes. Chrome inhales the icy air with a small smile on his face feeling a wave of nostalgia wash through him completely and he has the urge to head home for the first time in 100 years. His moment of nostalgia is ruined through when he feels a disturbing amount of mana start to make its presence behind them which he turns to see a large storm brewing. Lady Guo spoke for Chrome when she spoke about how suspicious it is and how we should get moving as she quickly transformed into her divine sync to offer transport to those who aren’t the fastest on their own two feet. Chrome easily kept pace with Lady Guo leading beside her scanning the forest in front of them. Seeing Parzival’s helmet shine in front of them as he announces his presence by summoning of their hellspawns of their Empire and belittling them as normal. Chrome sighed bored of his behavior as he rips a tree straight out the ground in his charge and throws it horizontally to smack into the first line of hell-spawns charging at them and crush them under the sudden pressure almost instantly. Chrome repeats the same maneuver instead swinging this tree with an extra spin and launching into the sky straight at Hargred the tree flying in a blur past Enthy after she transforms into her dragon form. Though Chrome now notices his companions jumping into action causing Chrome to turn his attention towards Parzival walking towards him casually as he stares the masked vampire down with a cold and belittling expression. Hell-spawns rush Chrome but to no avail Chrome simply tears off their limbs or punch fist-sized holes into them the blood and gore instead of spraying everywhere slowly forming a large line-up of blood spears behind which continuously form and launch as they hit their targets and make blood to continuously spray from their wounds. Chrome soon finds himself surrounding in a bundle of corpses with the snowy canvas now sporting a warm crimson color which slowly then picks itself up off the snow and surroundings to form another line-up blood spears as he turns to face Parzival seeing him stagger from Lady Guo’s attack. Chrome’s crimson eye shoots cold daggers at the masked swordsman as he cracks a sinister grin and say to him in a deep and monotone voice “Yes draw your blade and die like a dog flinging it around.” Chrome rips another tree from out the ground and sharpens it against his bare hand into a huge pillar like spear he wields like a mace.



Chrome makes a mad dash at Parzival the blood spears all launch simultaneously at Parzival. The blood spears travel at a blur yet Chrome keeps on pace with them giving a fast diagonal swing at the masked Vampire focusing on dominating over Parzival’s blood magic as a royal blood my control over the blood spears never ceasing as he simply has them fly around in the air in front of him ready to hone in and pierce Parzival the moment he loses focus making sure to apply pressure on the Vampire in anyway. Knowing Parzival will probably look for an opportunity to use his ‘Forced Funeral’ Chrome makes sure to keep all the blood in his domain range out of reach of him despite fire not being much of a problem for him.
 
Nelumba
Interactions: LazyDaze LazyDaze CasualTea CasualTea
Mentions: OldTurtle OldTurtle

“Aww, Aaxir! You’re so thoughtful!” Nel cooed, relishing in the warmth spreading from Aaxir’s hand on her shoulder. She clasped her hands together next to her cheek and stared at the dragon with stars in her eyes. “Thanks a bunch! Now I can fight at my bestest!”

She pushed herself off of Granny’s back, her wings fluttering and bringing her afloat just several feet off the ground. She didn’t want to fly too high and make herself a big target! No, she’ll leave the high ground to Enthy and the others! Instead, she made sure to stay safely within her circle of companions and clapped in delight at Rohen’s skillful display of using water to form pointy sharp weapons.

“Go, Rohen, go! We can be water gals together!” Nel cheered. She didn’t know Rohen very well yet, so this was the perfect chance for a bonding moment! She pulled Lycoris out of her coat pocket and gave it a big smooch. Waving the wand in the air, she chanted a super-duper magical, ultra original, never-before used spell: “Bibbidi bobbidi… Get a taste of my, err… Water machete! Pew pew pew!”

Rows of watery blades formed above her head. With another twirl of Lycoris, the projectiles shot forth toward the beasts. Each of her blades found their target, slicing through their cranium and sending strawberry jam through the fluffy marshmallow beds below.

“Ooh, and Fel and Aaxir can be the fire boys!” Nel rambled on, tapping her chin thoughtfully as she conjured another row of water blades. “Huh, watergirls and fireboys…? Sounds kinda familiar!”

 
Fel Petri
Interactions:
Mentions: Yī Nuò ( Nessi Nessi / Nano Nano ) Chrome ( DSLIX DSLIX ) Rohen ( CasualTea CasualTea )

The freshly-fallen snow piled high on the ground, weighing down Fel's every step. Several days of stomping across harsh, wintry terrain saw his leather boots regularly filled with snow despite his best efforts and he had to frequently stop to clear out the slush. By each nightfall, his damp, woolen socks demanded to be dried out near a warm flame. Thankfully, the rest of his body fared better, due in equal part to the thick cloak wrapped around his shoulders and the small flame he shielded under an arm. Fel stoked the magical fire with one hand as he walked, luxuriating in the way it repelled the bone-chilling bite of the wind. It was almost enough to make the frigid trek bearable. Almost.

Fel paused for a brief moment as Yī Nuò began to sing, his breath fogging in the cold air. The old elf was a good singer and her strong voice carried well. Rohen joined in as well, both singing in the native tongue of Zheng Fa - one of the few major languages Fel was only marginally familiar with. Living in a major trading hub such as Port Ensai tended to impart some understanding of a number of tongues and his studies had necessitated further study - though mostly of written forms as opposed to spoken - but he was only fluent in a few, of which the dialects of Zheng Fa were not among. Linguistics was never his specialty.

Continuing to push through the thick snow, Fel cast a subtle glance at the young human. Rohen was... an odd one. Even after all the years the party had spent together, he knew very little about her. Mercenary, Tiamat's hero, skilled melee fighter and water mage. That was the extent of his fleeting interest in her. She had largely interacted solely with Arlux until her death and their subsequent imprisonment and liberation. Without their former leader, however, Rohen had been more present than before, clearly making some sort of effort to be present, albeit not quite involved. Nose wrinkling at the sight of the bear pelt draped across her shoulders - unprocessed, untanned, untawed, why the thing was filthy! - Fel turned away. Over the past week, he'd come to add a new observation to her short list of features: touched in the head.

He supposed that meant she fit right in.

Peering up as Yī Nuò voiced her warning, Fel's expression darkened as the skies did. The brilliant noontime sun vanished behind thick, roiling storm clouds that spilled out, tainting the blues like a black rot. The Sun Elf's teeth ground painfully and he hauled himself onto Yī Nuò's newly-transformed back, quenching his small flame as he did so.

Hargred.

And a horde of demonic beasts with him, it seemed. Why was it that Tiryan's Hands always managed to find just the right timing to get in their way? First Parzival during their escape a week prior and now this overgrown lizard and a bunch of mangy abominations, trying to stymie their retreat to Jorvik. Damn them all.

Speaking of - Yī Nuò slammed to a halt and reared back, sending Fel sliding off her large, furred back into the snow below. Hidden behind her right flank, he peered around her foreleg and caught a glimpse of the familiar glint of a silver helmet. Oh joy, a second Hand. Scowling deeply, Fel pulled his legs free from the heavy snowbank and took up his staff in both hands. With Parzival and Hargred pinning the heroes in on either side and the horde of beasts drawing closer, their options dwindled. Their de facto leader voiced the obvious - that their only chance of escape was to break through their enemies and fly for Jorvik - and the heroes quickly joined in the assault.

Fel lifted his staff in one hand and summoned half a dozen crackling balls of flame, launching them into the horde of demonic creatures that encircled the party. They exploded upon contact, each incinerating those closest to the blast and setting fire to those behind. It made no difference - for each beast he cremated, a dozen replaced it. The horde only grew thicker as their numbers swelled faster than the heroes could cull them. This clearly wasn't working.

Pivoting immediately, Fel turned to his next option: the Hands. Or rather, the Hand. Frankly, he had no intention of tussling with Hargred any time soon. He preferred his targets a little more... manageable. Parzival, on the other hand, was just the right size to set fire to. Fel had to admit he was a bit curious: how well would a royal vampire burn?

He pushed his way through the snow, keeping Chrome and Yī Nuò's massive form between himself and the Hand. As the other heroes fought, Fel waited, taking advantage of them as a convenient source of cover. He held his staff in both hands and dug both feet into the frozen earth. The crystals lining the focus began glimmer more and more brightly until they shone with an almost blinding resplendence. The snow underfoot melted in a wide radius as the gathering heat grew scorching. Finally, he felt the energies begin to escape his control and the mage knew he'd reached his limit.

"If you don't wish to become a charred husk," Fel cried out. "Move!"

With the noontime sun magnifying his strength, the Sun Elf's accumulated mana unleashed. A thick, continuous jet of concentrated flame burst out from the tip of his staff, an endless torrent of destructive fire that cut through the air towards Parzival - and, of course, whoever was foolish enough to stand in the way, but Fel had full faith (almost) that the other heroes would avoid his attack.

...In any case, he could hardly be blamed for another's incompetence.
 
AAXIR THE RED


Interactions: Dawnsx Dawnsx Nano Nano
Mentions:

The heroes left and right acted swiftly. You could tell that the last skirmish left a bad taste in their mouth. Between failing in the final battle against Tiryan topped with the insult to injury that was the prison break skirmish, the heroes were all amped to finally strike back. However, Aaxir, usually the one to rush into things, attempted what one would call teamwork. He watched the others move before deciding what was the best course of action. The old hag was on top of her game yet again; needless to say, she would be able to react or sense a change in the situation before anyone else. Her presence alone took a lot of pressure off of everyone. Surprisingly, Enthy was quick to move, second only to the new loose canon known as Rohen. Moreover, Enthy stood up against the mighty hand, Hargred, while a few more moved toward-

“Aww, Aaxir! You’re so thoughtful!”
"What," Aaxir said curtly as his eyes slowly moved to gaze upon the bubbly agent of death.....deeply disturbed by her words. "Thoughtful...me?" A strange feeling came over him...his face was warm, and he felt embarrassed. It was utterly disgusting, or at least he kept telling himself that. No one ever looked at him like that...no one ever dared to look at him like that. Before he could protest, or accidentally set the temperature to magma she was off fighting without a care in the world spouting something about watergals and fireboys. He shook his head...all the tension he had before had completely vanished. All he could do was sigh in the middle of the snow, having moved to intercept the horde after the old hag had begun to act. Aaxir placed two hands onto the ground...growling as the snow rapidly began to melt until the pure white was replaced by steam and a hellish landscape of orange and black magma generated from the hero of Tutu Pele. Like an eruption, the molten flamed spewed forth, creating a hazardous pool to slow down the deadly beasts. Aaxir knew he wouldn't be able to fight the hands, and kill all their minions, but with any luck this would be able to buy them some time. The hordes seemed to have been scattered enough, there wasn't much of a need for him to waste anymore energy on the small fry; after all, facing off against Hagred would be a tall task in itself even if just to stall. Still...this entire situation left a bad taste in his mouth. Perhaps Irony was a god too.

With his trademarked roar Aaxir partially transformed into his dragonic form, growing wings and allowing bright crimson scales to cover much of his body before rocketing into the sky to meet up with Enthy as fast as he could. He couldn't help but notice that her movements were strange; he had fought by her side long enough to notice certain patterns and methods of attack, but at this time....was it uncertainty? In any case, something wasn't quite right, but he would be sure to cover her weaknesses as he was confident that she would do the same for him.

"Enthy, together we can take Hargred down! Stay focused," he asserted. Following Enthy's attack Aaxir flew up a little higher while wielding his great obsidian blade, but not before shooting her a look of concern. Despite her appearance, he never knew her to be fearful, but for whatever reason she wasn't in top form. That could spell death and Aaxir was not going to let her die on his watch. The air around him would become distorted and rippling as the heat stored inside leaked off the blade. He had hoped to hold off on the attack a little longer, but now was as good a time as any. With a mighty swing, Aaxir released a blast of heat ripping through the frosty air towards Hargred before folding his wings and diving right behind the attack expecting a counter. "Hargred! How far will you fall! This might be a new low, even for you!"





 
Kannaka

Take me to the sky.

Kannaka had never seen the sea before. Nor had she ever truly seen the desert. She had heard of them, certainly - vast expanses of sand and water, one, a source of life and livelihood, the other, a grave to many. Which one was which, was always a topic of debate, she supposed. In the scorching lands of Bharata, the endless dust and rough winds, the allure of adventure and excitement alongside Arlux had been the sea to her, the ocean of a lifetime to quench her thirst, her wanderlust. And yet now when she had swallowed it all, she was thirstier than ever before. Was what she had known really the ocean? Or had it been just a blue desert?

I don't know, I don't know.

Was it the waves she was feeling? Or was it the sandy winds chasing her? Where had it all gone wrong? One moment she had been with Arlux, sitting in a tree, eating apples while she shielded her from the sun with a wing, and the next, she was watching, horrorstruck, as her mangled body was held aloft triumphantly by the tyrant.

I don't know, I don't know.

Was this the sea or the desert? Her allies fell one by one, weapon after weapon, body after body, bound in chains and helpless with grief. She had to fight, she had to fight- and kicking and screaming, the Kinnari had been imprisoned in a cell, and she truly experienced what death must feel like.

I don't know, I don't know.

Was this hope or despair? Was what she was feeling real? An ocean swallowing all the light until there was nothing, sinking into the scorching sands until every moment became an eternity. Heartbeat pulsing slow in her ears, bump bump bump, trying to escape but there is nowhere to go, bump bump bump. Curse you, Arlux. Back in the days when they laughed and they cried, made new friends and even some enemies, the days they couldn't see how the next would go, the days when she resented meeting her. Those days, those moments, they were now only memories, only memories of how the Champion of Aurora had said, "Don't give up, idiot, you can really do it," only memories of how even when she pushed her away, she didn't have to say anything; only memories of how she held tightly on to her hand and smiled and promised to never let go.

Killing me now, killing me now.

They say every human dies two deaths, the first when they lose sight of what to fight for, and that is the more painful one. When the heart no longer races, when the will no longer resonates; when the feet no longer wander, when words no longer inspire, when time no longer advances - when every noise and sound has been cut, when the struggle is met with only ocean floor. Deeper, yeah I think I'm going deeper, I'm losing focus, far within, in the deepest depths...

Killing me now, killing me now.

Today, the moon shines especially bright… Breaths quickened and her eyes darted about, in desperate purchase around the room. I hate it, I hate this night. I want to breathe, I want to wake up, I hate this dream. Bump, bump, bump, went her heart deep in her chest, beating rapidly to the rhythm of her flailing appendages as she tried to slow herself down. She struggled, but it was all ocean with no floor. Help me, I’m falling, being swallowed by this lunatic night. Trapped, unable to get a grip on herself. Why was it so dark? Was this blood or tears? She couldn’t really tell. Could she hear her, her heartbeat calling out to her; within this childish madness, the one who relied on them for salvation? Feathers fell like snow, like snow that fell apart little by little. Fell apart like dry flower petals. Help me, I need your help, save me before I fall.

Killing me now, killing me now.

I hate this night… I want to breathe…

I want to wake up, I hate this dream.

-

Kannaka slowly opened her eyes, feeling her pulse race, thrumming deep within her skull, clothes and sheets soaked in a cold sweat. She wasn't ever the kind of bird to sleep indoors, but her months long imprisonment had changed much in the girl. Frightened, cowering, hopeless... like a bird with clipped wings, like a creature blinded and stumbling aimlessly. Where she had once ruled the skies, she had found herself chained, tied up, left alone on the very earth that she knew meant death for all of her kind. What songs could a caged bird sing? What thoughts could a frantic mind have?

Why is it so dark when you’re not here? Can you hear my heartbeat? It calls out to you on its own. Please, come find me. All around her were other prisoners, some lamenting, some silent, some furious - all of them crammed in less space than it took to take a breath. But even in this pit of hopelessness and despair, she found tricklings of companionship, the indomitable human spirit - some nights, a prisoner would begin singing, and slowly other hoarse voices would join in. Even in the crushing confines, it seemed that one could find friends. Friends… friends… where were her friends? Her… siblings? Did she have any? All she remembered was the night, rushing past in a flurry as nature took hold of her fragile life. The force of the chains against her skin, the bite of the night deep into her bones. The silence that pervaded, as though all around her held their breath, to see what degree of stillness and decay it took to drive a mind crazy. Yes, that’s right, silence. Silence was all she remembered. The moon shone more than usual, vacant room in her memories. Swallowed by this lunatic night, in this darkness, you shine so bright…

"Aera,"

The Kinnari whirled to her feet, stance low, teeth bared and bloodshot eyes wide. Her hands were curled into claws, ready to rip and tear, while her talons flexed uncomfortably as the sheets she'd ripped off the bed pooled around them, but she was simply met with the visage of her patron, Hou Yi. The culprit himself, she ruminated as she stood up straighter, one might argue he's even "The source of all this?"

"Stop doing that." Kannaka rolled her eyes, beginning to smoothen her hair down and pulling it together to form a braid. Hou Yi's quiet, contemplative eyes took in the sight of her massive sweeping wings, now tightly folded to accomodate her in the little space Yī Nuò had arranged for her to rest. "The rest have moved on. Why do you continue to imprison yourself?" She ignored him, turning away to face the window as her hands deftly completed the braid and neatly tied the ends together. The Lord Archer blinked, gaze following hers to the vast sweeping plains beyond the tiny decrepit building, the sunny blue sky littered with clouds. He knew she could see every minute detail, just like he could - the reeds rippling in the wind, the mice scurrying amongst the fields, the forest beyond specked with nodding, slender birches, greened over by a tangle of vines. From one to another the adolescent’s eyes darted, eager and wistful, watched over carefully by her divine companion. At last they lingered on one away to the left, far back from the road, dimly white with blossoming trees in the shadows of the surrounding woods.

"Struggles and hardship aren't actually separate from success." Hou Yi turned and began to slowly, soundlessly walk away, who knows to where. "Not separate, but actually found within each other. Just like the grains of sand from the desert that can be found in the ocean, just beneath the blue surface." Kannaka felt, rather than heard, the archer god stop and turn around to glance at the girl again. "After all, even a desert can be made an ocean with enough effort. It would be such a shame..." His piercing hunter eyes swept down the length of her ebony wings, lingering on them when she turned to face him. "Wings are made to fly, after all," And he was gone, leaving behind just the bow on her bedframe.

-

Deeper, yeah I think I’m going deeper. Just let me go, let my own feet carry me. Kannaka strapped down the final buckle on her belt, flexing her shoulders and tensing her arms, checking if her armblades still fit her well. Let me go, let my own feet carry me. I’ll go in myself… and in the deepest depths, I saw myself. Wild waves, moments and memories, even if you pass me by, I’ll never get dragged away again. They did, just as snugly as the day she first got them. My heartbeat calls out to you at it’s own will. In this pitch black darkness, you shine so bright. But eyes wide open in the forest, I wanted to shout, I wanted to scream with ferocity. Nothing can devour me, because when I think of you, the sun comes out. Inside, in the deepest depths, I saw myself, I saw myself.

Was it the waves she was feeling? Or was it the sandy winds chasing her? She stepped outside the little hut, feeling the midday sun gently warm her skin, the sunrays flitting across her lithe frame. The wind, a familiar touch, an old friend that she had met once before, washed over her, teasing out strands of her hair and ruffles in her wings. Taking a deep breath of the clear, cold air of Olrodia, she threw her hands open and let the gentle breeze flow around her.

Was this hope or despair? Was what she was feeling real? Endless water and rough wind, as though a mirage in the stretches of the scorching sand. But even a mirage can be reached and made a reality, and even a desert was once a sea. Sinking slowly, like in a trance, until every moment became an eternity. Heartbeat racing in her ears, bump bump bump, eyes wide open in the forest, bump bump bump. Feathers falling like snow, snow that fell apart little by little, like little specks of dust-
Curse you, Arlux.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she leapt, wings outstretched to catch the wind.

If everything since the creation of the universe is predestined, then this is no coincidence. She could feel it, those days she had met Arlux. The world was different from yesterday, just from her joy. Is happiness meant to be? Did the universe move for them, without missing a single thing? Everytime she wanted to give up, she was there, by her side, saying ‘bastard, you can really do it’. Yeah… yeah she remembered back then, when she was fed up and lost. When she fell prey to despair, when she pushed her away. When she resented meeting her, she was firmly by her side. She didn’t have to say anything, she was there; without repulsion, she accepted her. All of this must be the providence of the universe, it has to be. As much as her heart had glowed with warmth, she was worried; does the universe grow jealous of others’ happiness? Is happiness meant to be? Arlux had been taken from her, from them, left them alone and floundering. But she had them, the rest of the party, and they had her. They had each other.

When she had felt the warm touch of her gentle hand, she knew, she knew. She would be there, so she wouldn’t be afraid anymore. If she was together with her, she could smile. Will you walk with me? Will you fly with me? I can feel the warmth of the hand that gently holds me. Please, feel me too, you’re not alone. I wish I could thank you, for letting me be me. For giving me wings, for watching me fly. For giving me a home, there's nowhere I'd rather be, for waking me from being suffocated, for waking me from a dream which was all I was living in. When I think of you, the sun comes out. I wish I could thank you.

Her wings beat steadily, faster and faster as she picked up speed, zipping effortlessly through the crisp mountain air, Tiger Bone Bow clutched tightly in her hands.

Thank you, for letting 'me' be 'us'.


 
KAI NAKAYAMA


It was a relaxing few weeks spent in that cabin. After several months of almost rotting away in a prison cell, it felt like a dream—a temporary peaceful life. However, he knew this wouldn't last forever. They had unfinished business to do, after all. And that wouldn't get done if they hid away here the whole time. Kai made sure to store any of the leftover mana potions and non-perishable food he could. Storing them in Wanga's garden just in case anyone needs them later.

And after that began the several-day way. Treading through the snow as they began making their way to Jorvik. The walk wasn't all too bad. However, Kai always preferred the cold rather than the heat. Not to mention he had a convenient reason to be all bundled up in warm coats and clothing. A warm coat along with a matching set of gloves and a scarf. All he needed was a warm cup of hot chocolate and this would be the perfect trip! Conversing with his fellow heroes, humming songs with Yī Nuò and Rohen. Even if he didn't understand the language the sound of the melody was all he needed to join in.

Sadly, rather than warm cups of coco they were met with a terrible storm and an even more terrible guest. Hargred. Along with a bunch of Tiryan's beast creatures. To think they would be found before they could even reach the border. He quickly collected his thoughts and made his way to the elder elf. Quickly climbing onto her back with the other heroes. But just when this was just starting to look decent...another one of Tiryan's hands. The same guy who failed to stop them last time. He clutched onto Yī Nuò's fur when she came to a sudden stop. Almost threatening to be thrown off into the snow like Fel. That would not have been ideal. He quickly slid off the tiger. Taking his place closer to the center of the group. His gaze drifted between all his fellow party members. Staying quiet and aware of where everyone was and what they were doing. It would be great if everyone managed to not get any crazy injuries. But considering who they were up against, that was wishful thinking more than anything. So, he has to be ready to act the moment someone sustains a heavy injury. But until then, he wasn't going to sit around and do nothing. He wouldn't have been able to survive this long if he didn't know how to fight a little bit!

Grabbing his fan, he opened with a quick flick of his wrist. Watching as the fan took on a faint blue hue as he readied his attack. He swung the fan towards the demonic beast and out came several streams of water. Shooting out like bullets at the beast! This attack wouldn't actually hurt them. More restrain them. Latching onto the beasts like shackles and slowing them down. Now the beast caught in the water would be easier for everyone to hit! After that, Kai went to his usual form of attacking, wind blades. Blades of winds zipped through the air and toward the beasts he had restrained, killing them before they even got a chance to escape their aquatic shackles. Assuming his fellow heroes didn't already beat him to the killing part. Not that he would have minded. And so, Kai remained in this small rhythm of attack till healing was actually needed. Restraining with water and cutting down with wind. Slowly whittling down the beasts one by one with the others.


Interactions: None

Mentions: Everyone in the battle <3

 
Suzuki Kaida

At the sudden break in momentum, Kaida grasped handfuls of Oba-chan’s white fur to prevent herself from flying off. Her tails were puffed out; eyes wide in response. She opened her mouth to make her complaints but was left speechless at the sight of Parzival. The Hand was cutting off their escape route! More importantly, the spirit gem she carried on her person began to heat up, a clear indicator that Ryushi was also aware that Parzival was present. The grudge that the angry spirit carried was quite apparent.

“Yes, yes. I know – but we can’t just charge in yet. We need to cull their numbers to allow us more breathing room.” She suggested, watching as Parzival launched a spear in their direction. His weapon flew with such precision; her ears picking up on the faint whistle as the bladed part pierced through the air. Lucky for them, Rohen expertly intercepted the deadly attack with the use of the earth.

Kaida caught a glimpse of Chrome unearthing trees to use as a weapon before shuddering at the vampire’s disturbing strength. Her attention was then pulled to their flank, where Enthy and Aaxir challenged Hargred. Confronting a dragon was not easy with her current skillset, she knew she would be much better suited aiding Kai as she watched their healer enter a methodic rhythm of restraining monsters with water and cutting them down with wind.

“Alright, Ryushi. Lend me your aid.” She pulled out the spirit gem from her pocket and pooled a bit of her mana to activate it. With a bright glow from the heart of it, the gem released its resident.
1693012165090.png“FUCK THAT! I’M GOING TO KICK THAT ASSHOLE’S HELMET OFF AND BURY HIM!”

The angry spirit roared as he took off in a mad dash towards the frontline. His hand raced to meet the hilt of his blade, unsheathing it quickly as he prepared to strike. However, before he could take the crucial steps to lunge towards the vampire, a burst of fire caused him to think twice. Ryushi immediately halted, throwing his weight backward to avoid getting toasted. Once the fire would clear, he would spring back into his attack plan: ensuring Parzival was dead twice over.

Meanwhile, Kaida had attempted to chase after her spirit but was quickly intercepted by a disfigured beast. The kitsune fanned her tails out in an intimidating display but was only met with a snarl and an anticipated lunge. She jumped out of the way of the attack before drawing her katana, twisting around to face the beast. Luckily, it had lunged in the direction of Kai’s attack rhythm, getting caught in the watery crossfire. Accepting the opportunity, Kaida sprinted forward, raising her blade up to cut the beast down to one clean swing.
 
Eleanor

Eleanor could feel her heart racing as she brought her blade down on the monsters that approached them. The situation had gone from decently peaceful, to an all out brawl in a matter of minutes, but the wayward blade would not allow any more of her precious comrades to fall in battle. Her eyes went from a dull gray, to a brilliant golden color as she continued to push back against the hands and they’re abominations. She desperately wished to clash against Parzival, but understood that she couldn’t just ignore the flowing nightmare beasts.
“They just don’t know when to quit!” Eleanor roared.

Meanwhile, the royal vampire engaged the heroes with a sort of vigor that was not present during their first battle. After being smacked back by the mentor, Parzival would charge straight back into the fray, being met with even more resistance than before. Chrome charged at Parzival, who sighed at the large vampires' approach.
“I can smell it, your blood, the way you manipulate it so easily…and that stench, you're one of HIS descendants right? I’m surprised you’ve been alive for so long…do your friends know what you really are?” Parzival asked as he defended against Chrome's onslaught.
The royal vampire was so focused on Chrome however, that he didn’t see the incoming beam of fire coming until it was almost too late. Parzival disengaged from Chrome in an attempt to retreat, but still felt the flames scorch his back. He roared in pain, but wasn’t even given a moment to recuperate before having to deal with the summon who he had swatted away earlier. He swung his blade at them, hoping to push back the summon.
However, Ryushi dodged the attack, and countered with an attack of his own, sending the royal vampire flying, and kicking up snow upon impacting the snow.

When the dust settled, Parzival was found standing upright, a chunk of his mask now on the floor. His back was towards the heroes, and slowly, he removed what was left of his silver helmet, and turned to face the heroes. Two large scars went from his forehead, cut across his eyes, and continued down to his cheeks. Parzival the lost, a trusted hand of Tiryan, was completely blind.
“How long has it been since…since someone has seen my face? These scars are disgusting…and yet they’re of my own creation. I couldn’t take seeing my people suffer anymore, I couldn’t handle seeing anyone suffer in the hands of corruption.” Parzival rambled. Despite now not having his mask, the royal vampire was still unnaturally calm.
“I’ve fought in more wars than you can dream of, killed innocent and enemies alike, all for glory, for the good of whichever side I had picked…however this is different, this time I fight this war, in hopes that it will be the last war I will ever fight, the last war anyone will fight.” Parzival spoke, slowly approaching the group of heroes. “ I respect you, believe it or not. When I was younger, I wanted to be a hero, but I learned the hard truth, people like me were not allowed to flourish, to have dreams.” Parzival rambled, continuing his advance.
Parzival stopped suddenly, and turned his blade unto himself. Without any hesitation, he plunged his blade into his stomach, and let out a groan of pain as he slowly slid the blade out from his stomach. Parzival pointed to his blood-covered blade, and watched as his blood enlarged his sword.
“Ignite.” Parzival commanded, and his own blood boiled, and was set ablaze, including the blood from his stomach wound. “Come. Meet your end in flame, heroes.” Parzival said before charging straight at the group of heroes with newfound strength, and unrelenting pain.

But he wasn't allowed to get far, for Eleanor would intercept the mad vampire, her blade now a brilliant golden color. "Think some little sob story is gonna make us go easy on you!?" yelled out, smiling as she bushed the vampire back.
~~~

As the fight on the ground raged on, Enthy and Aaxir took on Hargred, who towered over both of them. Enthy fired her beam attack, and Aaxir launched a wave of heat, both of which caused Hargred to roar in pain. However, the storm dragon held his form, and let out another roar, one so loud that birds fell from the skies.
“Do not speak to me! You all must die, so that peace may be achieved!” Hargred yelled before creating a large magic circle underneath Enthy and Aaxir. “Perish!” The storm dragon yelled, before a large lightning strike came right at the draconic duo from the heavens.


 
Huang San


"Peace...?"

Huang San turns about, his body gaining strength, solidity, as he tears power from the Earth and infuses himself with Mana. He looks upon Parzival with a steady, stern gaze, as he brings forth the Ruyi Jingu Bang. The vampire finds himself set upon by Huang San, the massive martial artist sweeping out with his staff to press the attack upon the vampire. Every blow landed with the forth of an avalanche, as Huang San unleashes his recovered strength. The normally calm farmer's face is contorted into a rictus of fury, as the earth cracks underneath his steps, explosions of wind flowing from every clash.

"YOU SPEAK OF PEACE! WHEN YOUR ARMIES SALT THE EARTH!"

Harvesting flows through his body now, his Qi-technique reinforcing his muscle and bone with every blow he strikes upon Parzival, and every blow he receives. A cycle of battle that resembles the seasons, flowing in and out, in and out, as the farmer's strength and resilience only grows. There's a fury within Huang San, a fury whose seeds were sprouted in that famine all that time ago.

"YOU BLIND YOUR EYES TO HIDE FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR DEEDS! DO NOT PRETEND TO FIGHT FOR PEACE; YOU FIGHT ONLY TO FLEE YOUR GUILT."

Every single blow he gives is not only heavy with the weight of the earth, but heavy with the weight of every life Huang San had lost. The fathers, the mothers, the children. The empty fields and the cottage doors that had rattled in the wind, and the stench of unburied bodies. The fallen hero. Their sister. Huang San brings it all to bear. His voice echoes in the vale, a mighty roar of condemnation. No matter what wounds Parzival inflicts upon him, Huang San does not falter, does not give an inch.

"THE SHATTERED LIVES OF TIRYAN'S CONQUEST WILL KNOW ONLY ANGUISH! FOR PEACE CAN NEVER BE BUILT ON A PILE OF CORPSES. EVEN IN VICTORY- YOU MAY BLIND YOUR EYES, YOU MAY EVEN PUT OUT YOUR EARS, BUT BEYOND THE REACH OF THE SENSES YOU DENY, THE PEOPLE WILL ONLY SUFFER."


 
Nessi said:
Eleanor

Eleanor could feel her heart racing as she brought her blade down on the monsters that approached them. The situation had gone from decently peaceful, to an all out brawl in a matter of minutes, but the wayward blade would not allow any more of her precious comrades to fall in battle. Her eyes went from a dull gray, to a brilliant golden color as she continued to push back against the hands and they’re abominations. She desperately wished to clash against Parzival, but understood that she couldn’t just ignore the flowing nightmare beasts.
“They just don’t know when to quit!” Eleanor roared.

Meanwhile, the royal vampire engaged the heroes with a sort of vigor that was not present during their first battle. After being smacked back by the mentor, Parzival would charge straight back into the fray, being met with even more resistance than before. Chrome charged at Parzival, who sighed at the large vampires' approach.
“I can smell it, your blood, the way you manipulate it so easily…and that stench, you're one of HIS descendants right? I’m surprised you’ve been alive for so long…do your friends know what you really are?” Parzival asked as he defended against Chrome's onslaught.
The royal vampire was so focused on Chrome however, that he didn’t see the incoming beam of fire coming until it was almost too late. Parzival disengaged from Chrome in an attempt to retreat, but still felt the flames scorch his back. He roared in pain, but wasn’t even given a moment to recuperate before having to deal with the summon who he had swatted away earlier. He swung his blade at them, hoping to push back the summon.
However, Ryushi dodged the attack, and countered with an attack of his own, sending the royal vampire flying, and kicking up snow upon impacting the snow.

When the dust settled, Parzival was found standing upright, a chunk of his mask now on the floor. His back was towards the heroes, and slowly, he removed what was left of his silver helmet, and turned to face the heroes. Two large scars went from his forehead, cut across his eyes, and continued down to his cheeks. Parzival the lost, a trusted hand of Tiryan, was completely blind.
“How long has it been since…since someone has seen my face? These scars are disgusting…and yet they’re of my own creation. I couldn’t take seeing my people suffer anymore, I couldn’t handle seeing anyone suffer in the hands of corruption.” Parzival rambled. Despite now not having his mask, the royal vampire was still unnaturally calm.
“I’ve fought in more wars than you can dream of, killed innocent and enemies alike, all for glory, for the good of whichever side I had picked…however this is different, this time I fight this war, in hopes that it will be the last war I will ever fight, the last war anyone will fight.” Parzival spoke, slowly approaching the group of heroes. “ I respect you, believe it or not. When I was younger, I wanted to be a hero, but I learned the hard truth, people like me were not allowed to flourish, to have dreams.” Parzival rambled, continuing his advance.
Parzival stopped suddenly, and turned his blade unto himself. Without any hesitation, he plunged his blade into his stomach, and let out a groan of pain as he slowly slid the blade out from his stomach. Parzival pointed to his blood-covered blade, and watched as his blood enlarged his sword.
“Ignite.” Parzival commanded, and his own blood boiled, and was set ablaze, including the blood from his stomach wound. “Come. Meet your end in flame, heroes.” Parzival said before charging straight at the group of heroes with newfound strength, and unrelenting pain.

But he wasn't allowed to get far, for Eleanor would intercept the mad vampire, her blade now a brilliant golden color. "Think some little sob story is gonna make us go easy on you!?" yelled out, smiling as she bushed the vampire back.
~~~

As the fight on the ground raged on, Enthy and Aaxir took on Hargred, who towered over both of them. Enthy fired her beam attack, and Aaxir launched a wave of heat, both of which caused Hargred to roar in pain. However, the storm dragon held his form, and let out another roar, one so loud that birds fell from the skies.
“Do not speak to me! You all must die, so that peace may be achieved!” Hargred yelled before creating a large magic circle underneath Enthy and Aaxir. “Perish!” The storm dragon yelled, before a large lightning strike came right at the draconic duo from the heavens.


Click to expand...
As the battle waged on, there was some progress being made. Significantly, the damage being done to Parzival. Even though she was sweeping away the beasts with her Water's Edge, she can tell that Parzival was taking hits. Namely that monologue that justified his cause and his wounds. A story for why he does the things that he does. What Tiryan's goal was. But to be frank, she didn't care. Her disassociation was at full blast and she was just a mindless executor.

"Shut up and bring me more swine to kill!"

She taunted loudly as she violently severed the head off of a beast she pinned to the ground by skewering it with a water spear. With its head now detached from its body, it finally went limp after a long struggle to free itself from her clutches. All that kicking and thrashing it was doing while Rohen held its face in the snow? Lifeless. If the beasts bled, there was quite an amount of blood on her along with her malicious grin. "If you want to talk about peace, then I have a trade offer for you." She said as she started walking towards Parzival, both hands holding a raging water spear each and her bearing her sharp teeth. "Your empire took something from me. I throw you into the depths of the fucking ocean, and you bring me my arm back."

She then burst forth towards him throwing one of the spears at him. Afterwards, she started swinging her arm horizontally from side to side as she sprinting in which she was quickly forming water daggers. She was constantly throwing volley after volley at Parzival's direction until she can finally close in on him to really ruin his life. "IN THE END, YOU'RE ALL GOING IN THE FUCKING GROUND!!!"
 
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Mahina

There was no reflection, recollection, just falling white snowflakes reminding himself that he hadn't lost his sense of touch. Then, as if a frigid gale blew the fog away, a few voices were carried in along with it. Mahina's mind began connecting with the world around him again. Gradually, he heard the familiar, high hums of her moon elf's songs that because of his distance, spatial and thoughtwise, fell on him low and nostalgic. Another song, another place, all that were too mournful for his liking. He gingerly followed from a self-imposed remoteness, watching the warmth emanating from his allies that struck him mildly with uncertainty and concern. The narrow prints in the snow betrayed the small gait of a physical form that could barely hold itself up in the snowfields, be it lingering habits from captivity. Everyone stepped further and further away, and he thought maybe that was for the better, as he had humored during the past weeks. He could never come close to that fragile barrier of kinship, only watching from inside of the mirror along with all the gone scenery and ghosts of his past. The fear driving such a notion had allayed mostly, now nothing but a faint binding.

"And the world kept turning despite this belief," Ninki hissed, "Why so clingy? Will you leave or not?" Mahina stayed silent, his gaze a waning blur in the stormy background. When it felt as though they had gone so far from each other as to be in different worlds, the distance became too painful.

".. I won't," Mahina hurriedly took a step forward, his bare roots sinking into the frozen soil with a crunch. Then another, dragging the chains and collar of the hurt creature inside him, but he had to do it for the sake of reaching them. One foot in front of the other, the snow piled. It was hard to tell if he was even getting close to them. Even when he could tell some were like him, that their losses had similarly left a gaping hole, he still felt that... they could not see the world that he sees. But he was not so vain and awkward to not understand that was a simple truth. They all had their own lives and stories. That just didn't make it any easier to bear, especially when he felt so alone.

Ninki Nanka watched the sylvan trudge through, their eyes reflecting a bit of the tree's amber light. It was hard to read his uncaring, reptilian expression, but the God was scrutinizing his champion and came to the snap verdict that he really was cheated. There were too many ways to describe that which Mahina was lacking aside from stubbornness. His champion's refusal to entertain him, engage each other in introspection, or at least make better use of their gifts to munch away his problems left him quite nettled. What was the point of giving a divine blessing if it didn't change anything? How was he going to get his entertainment value back? At least the longer emotions were bottled and nursed, the more cultivated the flavors. An acorn with such a hard and stony shell had well be worthwhile to crack.

Mahina's hand shook off the snow covering it, his fingers touching a grass-weaved doll he had been tying. Blades of silver grass grew from his palm and he twisted it around two stems, knotting them together, and repeating the process. After he finished, perhaps the doll resembled one of the others, but it was too ugly to say who. This was a craft he had seen ages ago and wanted to learn, but now it was a regular distraction of his. Knotted grasses crinkled against his touch and tore unevenly as it was manipulated, making the grass bundle loose. Eventually, it fell apart entirely when he had gotten too absorbed with his idle thoughts to continue.

"I feel something is missing..."

"Life," Ninki Nanka laughed. It was a chilling rattle, a chuckle that crackled like dying, hungry embers. This wasn't the first time his God said that to him, and each time he didn't know how to unpack it. Imbuing a spirit was a kind of life that was more Kaida's expertise. Stimulating the vital forces that existed in everything was closer to growth and healing, but the direction he saw Kai and his theories tread was not one that suited him. Neither were the ilk of Faunus and Tatag. It could be said everyone all had their own concept of life. To Ninki Nanka, life predicated upon consumption, but that was his Great Devourer's definition, and not Mahina's own.

Knowing he wouldn't untangle the meaning and privations of his life anytime soon, Mahina drew the doll back to form and clasped his palms, letting his mana radiate through the gaps in his weavings. It was whole again, the creation now just a simple application of plant magic. He found a measure of peace with this practice that kept him occupied on long days of travel. He often looked upon others to see what they were doing, and always found something interesting about them.

"Are you going to ask anything or..." As the words fell from his stuck out tongue, the serpent witnessed rough bark turn larger and icy, forming a softer, pale layer, disappearing under a cover of frost. Along with the rest, Mahina sensed enemies upon them after Yi Nuo's shout, the two distinct auras unmistakably Parzival and Hargred's. He paid attention to the former a moment longer and turned to the stampede of nightmares rushing pass him. One cut to the tendons caused one spiraling down, its body colliding into another. A stab into its eye to put it down. The creature's thrashing was testament to its demonic vitality, its final sensation being a minor drop in temperature. With a great crackle, frozen sleet broke as the earth shifted to form barricades that rose and cut through the swarm, shaking the ground to topple some of the assailants, allowing Mahina to cull more effectively.

He was like an untraceable specter amidst the chaos. With each death, he would carefully make his way back to his group after hearing Tiberius's call. His blows weren't always lethal, but they were swift, cold, and efficient, a brisk walk in this winter tundra. Slowly but surely, the stench of his kills had already let the other monsters become aware of him as they veered to his position with bloodthirsty intent. But fighting Mahina head on was like fighting another of their own. Even though they occasionally knocked him over or managed to disfigure his limbs, every fight quickly came down to who had a greater appetite, and a greater bite.

Accumulating energy by feasting on those he had slain, Mahina's eyes began to burn brightly again. Watching for the most tumultuous areas, the sylvan raised his hand to spur the tougher, cold-surviving brambles there to act. In their thickets they would grow thorns that slowed and held back the tide of darkness to assist the others in their bindings. He gave himself a breather to look up at the fight in the sky between dragons, wondering about the source of Enthy's doubt and thinking how beautiful the flames were between Aaxir and her after, as well as Fel's from below. A smile touched him as the sights allowed Mahina to realize one thing was for certain, that he did not lack fire in his life.
 
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Enthyskana Rhoda
Interactions: Hargred ( Nessi Nessi ) | Aaxir ( LazyDaze LazyDaze )
Mentions: --

The irony of Parzival’s dramatic display was met by a chorus of venom and vitriol, yet the battle cries of her comrades failed to ground her. The dragon remained deaf to the struggles of the heroes below, barely registering Aaxir’s attempt to coordinate with her. The bright light of the magic circle that suddenly appeared below them barely managed to snap her out of it, and the young dragon attempted to propel herself and hopefully Aaxir as well by the force of the gusts her wings produced. Unfortunately, she’d find herself reacting a second too late.

“Watch ou-!”
Enthy exclaimed, only to interrupt herself with a hiss of pain as she felt a strong jolt of electricity searing and numbing her left wing. The distinct smell of something burning informed her of the pitiful state of her charred feathers, and for a brief second, she felt her balance in the skies tilt.

With a painful snap that likely tore something and sent a flurry of ashy feathers into the air, the dragon managed to prevent herself from plummeting to the ground just in time for the dreaded voice of Veritas to call her attention back to the speaker and in turn Hargred.

“What do you see?”


There was anger: from the pain; from their opposition. The rage in his eyes burned brightly, as if accusing them of fighting for an unjust cause. She’d seen it countless times within the hateful gazes of the many Olrodian soldiers the gods ordered them to crush underfoot, their minds driven mad by delusions borne by a devilish tongue claiming that the very divine powers above were the true enemies of the world.

Still, as she dodged yet another lightning strike, she didn’t see Veritas’s point. It was the same song and dance, only this time her enemy was far more formidable. Undeterred by his charge’s stubbornness, the god of truth prodded her once again.

“What is their nature?”


Enthy slammed her tail into the side of a large, deformed raptor that had decided to dive into the fray. With a sickening crunch, the creature fell pathetically back down to the icy earth, having fallen prey to the dragon’s steadily growing irritation. The discomfort in the pit of her stomach continued to shift and propagate, filling her with a contrasting heat and cold which simultaneously licked at her insides yet refused to mix.

Swaying almost unsteadily in the air as each flap of her wings grew more labored, only reluctance was present in her body as she turned to face Hargred once again. Her head felt unusually heavy, and she half hoped for Veritas to simply give her a stern order rather than go along with whatever game he was playing at.

There, flying menacingly, was a reflection of many of the heroes who’d fallen to the cruelty of those naive claws. She saw a pure, unadulterated desire to be freed from the turbulence of war and return to the tranquil comfort of his nest. He lacked the madness of Parzival, a man who sought purity in a land devoid of life. He lacked the clouded vision of Tiryan, a tyrant who spoke righteously while coveting powers which never should have existed in the world.

But what of it? Hadn’t she seen the same in that man she’d foolishly believed she’d succeeded in changing? She tried, and when she failed, she tried again. Where had that brought her? Them? In the end, she still faced him with her teeth around his neck and her claws tearing into the softest parts of his belly. With her own two hands, she marked his grave with the sword that had witnessed all his sins.

“That rusted blade has long been buried.”


But who was she to promise Hargred the peace he desired? She was nothing more than a hypocrite, a vile creature who pretended to be righteous while committing the same acts as those she labeled as being too far gone down the path of “evil”.

She waited for an answer, but she could no longer hear Veritas’s voice. All that remained was the violent caress of the tempest above, taunting her to make a decision.

“If Lady Pelé asked of you to do something that contradicted your wishes, what would you do?”
Enthy suddenly asked Aaxir. However, without waiting for so much as an answer from the red dragon, she wove through the remaining aftershocks of Hargred’s spell to reach a vantage point.

The dragon let loose a quick jolt of energy, far less concentrated than her initial laser and meant more to distract than harm. She then dove to follow behind its trajectory, hoping to close to Hargred yet keeping enough distance to be out of reach of any physical blows.

“If the peace you desire exists only in death and stillness, then so be it. I won’t hesitate to get in your way. But if what Veritas says is true, I’m not sure you’ll be happy in the future your emperor envisions. So tell me. What kind of peace will come out of you raining down destruction and disturbing the balance of this world?”
 
Tatag

Tatag didn’t mind the cold—unlike his other companions, as his body allowed him to quickly adapt to the climate. The ent spent most of the time near the front of the group, just behind granny as he hummed along to whatever song she would sing. Everything was going smoothly so far, aside from the threat of frostbite. But alas, Tatag should’ve expected that something was amiss. With a group of heroes wandering about, surely something bad was going to happen, and bad luck made itself known in the form of a storm. The ent quickly followed granny’s instructions and got on once she transformed. However, they were stopped by Parzival and a fight was inevitable. With that, Tatag prepared for battle.

With the other members of the party taking care of both Hagred and Parzival, Tatag decided to focus on the oncoming waves of demons slowly closing onto them, hoping to give his friends more space to work with. Faunas’ sword slowly grew from the palm of his hands and the god’s shield expanded from the back of the other. Tatag then rushed towards the nearest beast and swung his sword on the it's head. While Faunas’ sword was harder than steel, it was as blunt as an old knife. The beast’s head, instead of decapitated, was crushed under Tatag’s strength. The ent then quickly blocked a strike with his shield as another pounced on him. Before he could retaliate however, he felt teeth dig into his left feet, making him stumble lose his grip on the shield. The beasts didn’t give him time to recover as they worked together to overpower the ent. At the end, one couldn’t even see Tatag under the beasts that were stacked on top of each other.

“This is the fault of that leader of yours. Teaching you the way of the ‘sword’, drilling the value of honour and whatever nonsense in your head.” Faunas’ voice, as cold as the snow beneath him, suddenly showed his presence in his mind. “Now you’re here, struggling against mindless beasts while your other companions go for the ones that really matter”

Underneath it all, the ent tried to shove the beasts off, to strike back with his sword, but he lost along with his shield amidst it all.

“I don’t get why you bother using such weapons. The sword and shield are merely a symbol. The forest’s ability to defend those it deemed worthy and the strength to do so. If I have blessed any other mortal, then maybe they would have needed it. But there was a reason I chose you.”

The ent tried to go into divine synchronization, but something—or someone was stopping him.

“No. If you can’t even defeat these beasts without using my blessing, what use are you as a champion? I am aware that you haven’t really moved your body in months, but this is utterly pathetic”

‘I-I lost my sword—’

“You,” the god interrupted Tatag, “are not Arlux. Ever since you escaped that prison you’ve barely used your abilities and have only relied on a sword. Is this your way of honouring her? Did you think that if you defeated Tiryan by only using the techniques she taught you, that she would be proud?” Faunas scoffed, “How moronic.”

Tatag felt an intense pain on his left leg as a beast gnawed on it like a toy.

“Let me say this one more time. You are not Arlux. You are not honouring her by laying on the ground, helpless.

Despite Tatag’s struggle, Faunas’ continued his monologue without a care.

You are the trees of the ancient forest and your body is your weapon. To disregard it is to disregard my gift.”

“Use it.”

The beasts stopped their assault on the ent. Maybe it’s because they sensed that something was off, their instinct telling them to leave. But before they could, multiple wooden tendrils pierced their body. Tatag then stood up, covered with the beast’s blood before it was absorbed by his body. The ent then placed his hands on the ground, digging on the snow until he could feel the soft pulse of the earth beneath. Soon after, multiple tendrils burst out the ground towards the other beasts.
 
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