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Post by Arashi on Jul 18, 2019 0:35:42 GMT -5
Enfurnus winced as he took the hit like a champ. For the most part...at least, this was the result he expected, so he was ready to take a pretty brutal hit. He was knocked fairly off course, but he had a lifetime of practice for this sort of thing.
He managed to flip himself over to snatch the crystal Aqua was encased in, using his body as a blockade between frozen Aqua and the ground. He hit the ground hard on his back with the full weight of the missle on top of him and slid backwards a few feet before releasing his grasp on the ice block and dropping on to the ground beside him.
Luckily, the soil kept him from getting cut up too badly, but the random debris scattered about managed to add some new rips to his wings.
After a few moments of breathing heavily, he rolled himself over slowly...and stood up. He had quite a few scrapes along his back, but nothing too serious...at least, to him. He lost an arm before, what could be worse? He was fatigued, but stood strong.
His focus was now on the hellscape around them, though. Luckily for him, acid had no effect on him since it was his element, but uh...there were a lot of other things going around.
He choose to just face it head on, with no defense, as dragons often do; though he actively moved out of the way of the lightning the best he could. Luckily, metal legs will always work, even if the other ones hurt.
"New kid is right... I think we need to leave."
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Post by Swim on Jul 18, 2019 16:29:04 GMT -5
Terra was as surprised as the spider when she snapped the leg clean off, its joint turned out to be unexpectedly brittle. She had only intended to break the joint, but this would work too. The creature thrashed about, causing Terra to lose her grip and send her careening into the dirt. She came up covered in mud and twigs, but this would actually benefit her moments later when it started raining acid. Moments later blasts of fire and lightning began to come down indiscriminately. Terra surveyed the field, checking the status of her friends. Everyone seemed alight, just a little banged up. The ice around Frida shattered and the other elf rushed to her side. The most important thing she could do was provide shelter while wounds were being treated.
Terra planted her feet on the ground and focused her energy, eyeing some of the fallen trees to serve as a base. She thrust out her hands and focused the earth around the her to coalesce into a clay-like substance which she proceeded to form around the fallen trees. The task was made easier due to all the sand that had been disturbed in the fighting, now wet from the rain. But in the end it was only hardened mud, more of a thatch hut than the sand castle she'd have liked and it wouldn't last if hit by a direct blast of fire or lightning. For now however the blasts seemed to rain down indiscriminately, the dragon seemed to be firing blind. Still, it wouldn't be a good idea to group up here for very long. In addition to the danger that the dragon posed she didn't trust that the spider had gone, it was injured yes, but Terra had the sense that it had simply hidden itself from the draconic artillery. Once that had ended there was always the chance it would burst up from beneath them and try to swallow them all up.
Their new friend made the motion to flee, one that Enfurnus seconded. Terra would have to trust his judgment that they were outmatched. She had no immediate ideas for how they could bring the dramalgamation back down to their level and if she couldn't reach it then she couldn't punch it. At this point she couldn't even shoot it with her rifle because it had flown beyond the clouds. And she had a more immediate concern to attend to. Terra knelt down beside Frida and felt for her pulse. She was breathing normally at least, Terra allowed herself to feel some relief. It seemed her friend was down but not out. "You're going to be ok," Terra said quietly. She placed one hand around the elf's back and the other under her legs and rose to her feet. "A fool like Lucas can survive a little lightning, this is nothing for one like you."
Then she turned to Enfurnus and nodded her assent, it was time to run. "Let's cut back through the trees, they should give us a little cover at least. I've got Frida, can you lead us to safety?"
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Post by Sorrum on Jul 19, 2019 23:23:20 GMT -5
Aqua's attack had failed, her strategy had fallen through, and now she was encased in her own attack. This wasn't her proudest moment, but all she'd have to do is remove the spell and come up with another attack. But what? The elf's optimism was running dry. She holstered her spear, and started racking her head for an idea.
Before she could do anything else, the dragon disappeared behind the clouds above. Next she knew, the world around her was swallowed in violet obliteration. Pain devoured her body, but for the brief moments of awareness, she realized her predicament. Draconic lightning was striking her. Her armor provided some insulation, but how much would she be saved from? The shell of ice shattered and she was enveloped in the attack. After the lightning cleared, she lay defeated and immobile, stunned from the attack.
Her consciousness drifted out and back. Her vision blurred, and a distorted vision of a world where fire rained from the sky made her deathly afraid. Was this The Netherworld? Her eyes rolled back and closed. The elf who'd broken onto the battlefield shielded her from the elements, though she couldn't feel anything hit her if it did. The last thing she sensed was a pair of arms lifting her up. All she hoped for was to be far away from this place when she awoke again.
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Post by Vic Alriikerson on Jul 20, 2019 9:07:51 GMT -5
"Alright... So.... "
He'd observe the chaos, then look to his cuts. "We don't know if either of the damned things will come back... Let me go first. I'll try and draw whatever fire I can.... Get the wounded out of here and find your other dragon." He'd sigh. "If I don't catch up with you, then at least you haven't lost any members of your team... but at least try and find my corpse, okay? These are good swords. Don't let them go to waste."
He would proceed to dash forward, out of the shelter.
"BEASTS OF THE BLIGHT! YOU THINK THIS IS ENOUGH TO SLAY ALRIIK OF ALTIIM? I'VE SEEN BLIGHTED CHICKENS WITH MORE FIGHT IN 'EM!!! BRING IT!!"
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Post by Bloodbane on Jul 24, 2019 23:27:08 GMT -5
There were no words that Rion could come up with to describe how out of control the situation had become. They had handled the spider well enough, though despite its injuries it had managed to make an escape. At least, with what came shortly after, Rion could only imagine that was the creature's goal. Moving quickly with the others, he took shelter along with Terra and Enfurnus, frowning at the state both he and Aqua had been left in when the monstrous fused dragon attacked. Were they simply unlucky, running into a portion of the enemy force that happened to be more than prepared to assault a colony of dragons? Or were the suspicions of some of the other members of the team accurate, and this was somehow a setup of sorts? And what of the stranger, who decided to try and distract the beast somehow... was it best to let him do that?
"Agreed... we need to get get going..." Rion said before looking to Enfurnus. "Preferably in whatever direction Silver took off in, I don't think we can afford to leave her behind here, regardless of what happened." He was sure the dragon would know what he was getting at; the presence of dark energy was stifling as it is, but if things got worse he was all but certain it would mean they would have to face that corrupted state of Silver again before too long. Though he kept himself moving to avoid sustaining any severe injuries, he briefly winced from the pain he was feeling. Additionally, while he made no mention of it or attempt to point it out, in the darkness that had come over the landscape it would be fairly easy for anyone looking at him to notice a faint glowing from beneath the armor covering his left arm.
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Post by Sorrum on Jul 25, 2019 15:57:10 GMT -5
Sooner than expected, the destruction raining from the heavens dwindled and disappeared. As much as anyone could tell, the dragon had ceased it's assault and fled from the battlefield. But why?
They wouldn't have time to think on it though; the ground ached and bellowed once more. The spider had returned, sensing the end of the dragon's attack. It ripped through the ground and charged out, now with jet black tentacles emerging from the stumps left behind by it's forelegs. From the monsters various wounds the same black oily substance poured. It howled, it's beady red eyes now smoking with darkness similar to the dragon's. The blight seemed to have driven it berserk as it carelessly passed over flame and acid, ignoring the damage done. It spewed a web at Alriik, hoping to constrict and burn the elf.
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Post by Vic Alriikerson on Jul 25, 2019 20:56:43 GMT -5
Alriik charged forward, ready for any death that may await him. If that dragon wished to, it could wipe him from the face of the earth. But a death against a blighted super dragon would be a proper one, especially if it meant his new allies would make it through this ordeal. He could tell they had been through much. Perhaps he could lessen their load of plight just a bit, help them w-
Suddenly the spider erupted from the ground once more, and from it's wounds poured liquid blight, darkness forming tentacles, spewing flaming webbing to ensnare and scorch him. It was horrific. It was monstrous. It was a blight beast he could actually reach with his swords. He blocked the onslaught with the boulder his blade was embedded in. He'd grin... Before laughing heartily at this new challenge. "THANK YOU, MR. SPIDER. YOU'RE GIVING ME ONE LAST CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT I DO BEST." He'd await the end of the blast, and begin to spin, chucking the webbed, burning rock at the spider! He'd follow up by quickly sheathing the great sword, and drawing his twin dragon teeth. He'd attempt to catch the spider dazed, and leap at the beast, electricity cackling from his blades as he leapt at it, attempting to embed both blades into it's body! "TAZER FANG!!!"
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Post by Tony on Jul 26, 2019 10:35:22 GMT -5
With the spider retreating, Arne quickly turned his sights on the dragon monstrosity. He had no idea how he was gonna fight it, but he was sure as hell gonna do everything he could. However, any half baked plan he could have come up with in that short time quickly changed as soon as its next assault began. He had nothing to do against its aerial barrage. The lightning he could probably endure, but the fire and acid were a different story, with much more burning involved.
As soon as Terra got the basic shelter up, Arne and Hien quickly took cover underneath it. "Leaving sounds good to me. Anything to not get melted by... flaming acid lightning." Hien nods and chirps in agreement. Before any plan for escape could be made, the dragon's attack halted. Arne let out a sigh of relief, but his moment of repose gets interrupted by the return of the blighted spider. Arne got out from the shelter, gripping his halberd, and being quickly followed by Hien. "And I thought this thing was ugly before." After the strange yelling guy hurled the rock at it, Arne charged in, the blade of his halberd crackling with electricity. He took a swing at the beast's face, aiming right for its eyes.
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Post by Sorrum on Aug 4, 2019 18:23:46 GMT -5
The spider's webs came hurtling back at it wrapped around the boulder, which smashed into the charging spider's face. It cracked and fell apart as the spider kept going despite the damage done to it's face. Eye and bone had been crushed beneath, yet the monster charged unfazed.
It's vision had obscured though, and not sensing the approaching danger took the attacks full on. Alriik's and Arne's electrical attacks cleaved through the spider's head with ease, shocking and destroying vital organ and tissue. The fatal blow crippled it, and with one last wail the beast succumbed, it's body crashing heavily on the terrain.
Soon, the blight inside it began to burn and eat the corpse, as flakes of ash blew away in the wind. As the corpse burned, it blackened until only a silhouette of what it had been remained, still disintegrating until nothing was left.
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Post by Sorrum on Aug 6, 2019 18:20:16 GMT -5
With the spider's defeat, the battlefield was void of enemies. Shortly however, a snickering laughter could be heard from all directions.
"That was quite a show you put on there, I admit you're an interesting lot." the voice said. "You were at least able to take out the Spider Jack, but not even a scratch on the amalgam dragon, Yolstrunaus." It was the mage from earlier. "Now as fun as this little distraction has been, it's time I finish my work."
A slender pillar fell from the sky and crashed into the center of the battlefield. It's violet light gave off an eerie, menacing feeling as it seemed to pulse with energy. A blight crystal larger than they'd ever seen before towered over the burning waste. The ground around it shuddered and withered, grass and insects perishing from it's aura which seeped into everything it could, choking the fires, neutralizing the acid pools, and poisoning the air with thick black smoke.
"This land is mine," the voice said. "you have failed. And without your upstart blight-user you can do nothing but run.." it finished.
All was quiet on the battlefield as the waves of dark energy ripped life away from the world.
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Post by Sorrum on Aug 6, 2019 18:45:26 GMT -5
"We've got to get out of here, now!" Enfurnus declared, watching the crystal permeate and eat the land. His eyes darted around, looking for an escape until he saw the columns of flame trapping them waver from the pull of the crystal. "Follow me!" he shouted, transforming into is dragon body and flying as fast as he could toward the nearest column.
Enfurnus reared back and breathed a heavy stream of acid from his mouth onto the flames, cutting them off and creating an opening back to the way they had come. He snatched logs and rocks with his jaws and threw them over the puddles, creating a temporary walkway to safety.
~
After everyone had cleared the field and reached safety, Enfurnus addressed everyone, once again in human form. "..That was a complete disaster.." he said. "They've grown powerful, and maybe even worse, bold. To lay such an obvious trap.." He shook his head and crossed his arms, deep in thought. He looked at everyone, weary from the battle, but maybe worst of all Aqua, still unconcious in Terra's arms. "I'm sorry.. I should have done more. What else, we've lost track of Silver.." he lowered his head and looked down at the ground.
Before much else could be said, the sound of flapping wings filled the area. Two green dragons appeared, as small as the scout from earlier. "General, we've of need of you. The city is in peril, and command is failing."
"Tch.." Enfurnus bit his tongue. He pointed at one of the scouts. "..Get them back to Eulene and return immediately. This is our problem to fix." he ordered. The scout simply saluted. Enfurnus turned to look at the party one last time before departing. "I'll come back as soon as I can. I'm sorry. For everything." With that, Enfurnus and the other scout took flight, disappearing in the darkness.
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Post by Sorrum on Aug 6, 2019 18:55:31 GMT -5
The green dragon scout's body shifted and transformed, until the look of a man with dread on his face and regret in his eyes appeared before them.
Celestrus coughed, looking at the group. "..You did the best you could. I'm sorry. This is all my fault for not knowing about their strength, and whatever that monster was." He looked at the still unconcious Aqua, and winced. She doesn't look dead, but that charm didn't protect her hardly enough against blighted thunder. She'd need medical attention soon. The others didn't look much better either. He stared at the newcomer Alriik for a second, before simply shrugging. Whoever he was, he stood against the blight with them and still lived despite not possessing one of his charms, and that is something in itself.
Back to business. Celestrus conjured another portal, a smokey ring expanded of darkness appeared like a doorway. He looked at Aqua over is shoulder. "She needs help, and now not later. Go. He motioned them with a wave.
~
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Post by Swim on Aug 6, 2019 22:19:27 GMT -5
The spider had returned, having morphed into an even more hideous monster. The corruption from the blight seemed to be actively eating away at the creature, while at the same time filling it with an incredible strength. Fortunately Arne and their new companion, the elf she'd come to know as Alriik of Altiim after hearing him shout his name repeatedly for all to hear, were able to finish the beast off. For her part Terra had concerned herself with shielding Frida from the elements, her friend's condition didn't seem to be getting better.
Then the blight crystal fell from the sky. It was enormous, far larger than any they'd seen before. Terra doubted very much whether Silver would be able to neutralize one of this size even if she hadn't run off before. She felt its impact immediately, an ominous dread that began sapping her strength away. The very air became harder to breathe, the earth beneath her suddenly felt less stable. The only beneficial aspect was that the circle of flame surrounding them had also weakened, to a point where Enfurnus was able to clear a path to safety.
Curiously, neither the blight mage nor his fel dramalgamation pursued them. Once the party had reached relative safety a pair of green dragons arrived to call Enfurnus away. He seemed more angry than distressed, which Terra read as a positive sign. Maybe with their general the dragons would actually be able to coordinate a plan to counter attack, though Terra worried about their chances now that the towering blight crystal had been planted so close by. She'd have liked to stay and help the dragons defend their home, but Enfurnus' tone left no room for argument. Without another word he shifted and flew off with the green dragon. It was just as well, her responsibility at this moment was to ensure Frida get the medical attention that she needed.
As if reading her mind Celestrus appeared and conjured another portal back to Eulene. Terra blinked at him skeptically. Either Celestrus had betrayed them or he was terrible at his job, but she could wait to beat the answers out of him until after Frida was taken care of. Hopefully Enfurnus would survive his battle and return to help her interrogate their supposed ally. For now Terra adjusted her grip on her unconscious friend and stepped through the portal.
She felt that same rush of dread as if the pit of her stomach had fallen out, but she'd endure. After a moment she was back in Eulene, in the very spot they'd started out that morning. By now a couple of hours had passed, Terra assumed it was late in the afternoon. Once the others began to emerge from the portal Terra announced that she would be taking Aqua to Logan's clinic for treatment. She strode down the stone path as quickly as possible, the crowds ahead taking notice that she was carrying a companion and parted to let her move through them. When she reached the clinic she adjusted Aqua in her arms so that she could bang on the door with one hand. "Doctor Galford, are you here? We need your help!"
After a few moments with no answer Terra turned around and put her back into the door, pushing it open. "Mr. Logan if you're here it's Rion's friends and we need a doctor!" She hurried inside and headed straight for the elevator down to Logan's basement where the healing crystals were kept. Once the elevator stopped Terra carried her friend over to the table where she herself had lain not so long ago and settled Aqua alongside a bed of crystals. She didn't have any idea how to manipulate them without Logan's help, but she did recall the crystals being somewhat aware and had seemed to react to her own injuries and later her movements. Terra gripped Aqua's hand and gave it a soft squeeze, "Don't worry, I'm going to get you the help you need."
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Post by Vic Alriikerson on Aug 7, 2019 17:03:57 GMT -5
Alriik roared as he leapt from the spider, pumping an arm as he landed... Before sheathing his blades... And watching the dark crystal fall. Suddenly all hell was breaking loose, and a new player joined the scene. He'd follow his new allies for a moment... But he froze near the portal.
Looking at the new shape-shifting friend, he pointed at himself, confused. "Hey, nice to meet you, new shape-shifting friend. Um, while I'm not really of the imposing sort... But would you mind if I caught a ride with you to avoid the... Uh... Imminent death? Promise I probably won't cause any problems. I'm 90% positive I'm cool with whatever's going on."
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Post by Sorrum on Aug 10, 2019 17:31:18 GMT -5
Meanwhile, in The Frontier..
The sun lowered in the sky as the day came to an end. It's warm light was disappearing behind the mountain ranges near the ocean, shading the plains and forests of the countryside. This shade brought an early rise to the nocturnal life in the winter months, however this season granted them a bit more rest before they'd have to rise, which gave the farmers who resided in the countryside a few more hours to complete their work, so it was normal that they'd be slacking off throughout the day.
At a particular farm one such individual proceeded with this as expected. A human male in his golden years sat in his favorite chair, sipping mead and overlooking his land as the light drifted out. Years ago he remembered children running around causing racket, but they'd since moved onto their own farms or to the cities to find their own way of life. The man sighed and took a large swig of his drink before setting it down and returning to work.
No sooner than he had set down his glass he heard commotion coming from the chicken coops. That was normal he thought, since the rooster had a habit of sneaking in through a hole in the fencing so he could get a shot at any hens in there. He was a troublemaker alright, but something seemed different this time. He headed over immediately.
He didn't know what he was looking at. Some man was trying to grab the chickens in the middle of their frolicking but he wasn't near quick enough. He kept stumbling and even fell into the mud more than once. The farmer stood and watched for a second, before he thought to head inside and go for his gun. Whoever the guy was he was young and trying to steal his chickens.
After returning with his pistol, the farmer called out. "Hey you, get away from my chickens and just head on back where you came from. Ain't nobody gotta get hurt." This seemed to not register, as the man kept trying to grab one. The farmer pointed the gun in the air and fired. The noise broke the man's concentration because he stopped right where he was in the mud.
The farmer spoke again. "Now I told you once but this is my land and by my right I am allowed to evict you from it whether you're alive or not. Don't make any stupid mistakes son, just get." The farmer swung the pistol in a dismissing motion. The man slowly stood up, and turned to face the farmer.
The farmer felt a chill go down his spine as he looked at the man's face. He looked just like one of the boys the neighbors lost some years ago when the winter colds took his away his breathing. He couldn't think of his name because the boy's eyes terrified him. They were blood red and hollow, his skin was blackened like charcoal and his clothes torn. He was covered in mud and what else looked like red clay all over his skin and disheveled hair.
"What the hell happened to you? You died two years ago!" The farmer yelled. Next thing he knew the young man charged at him with his hands raised in bony claws and his teeth bared, like a wild animal. Two shots rang out from the farmer's pistol followed by silence.
~
END OF ARC 3
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Chiken Nuggit 
