|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Feb 17, 2020 20:22:10 GMT -5
Alriik nodded. "So no 'Chrythallus The Crystal Mage' has shown up with a power boost from shoving fire gems under his fingernails, gotcha." With his dramatic name he moved his hands in a faux-dramatic fashion. He'd then look to Rion, and as voiced his concern, Alriik would flash a smile and a wink. "Trust me, if I was feeling something, you'd know. Not exactly good at hiding it. I'll be fine 'til camp. But thanks, man."
|
|
|
Post by Sorrum on Feb 17, 2020 20:24:13 GMT -5
Aqua exhaled. She felt she was starting to run out of breath talking this much. The question of the titan however brought forth the memory of her climb to the summit of Mt. Remorse with her mother when she was little, and seeing the ice titan sealed away in his glacier tomb. "Titans were mythical beings, considered masters of the world for their powers moved it. Yes, they were mages. Powerful ones. Had they formed an alliance and community, the world would bend to their whims and the people subject to them. But the creatures valued their solidarity, and hid in their havens across the world for all time." Aqua looked up at the sky and the setting sun, now noticing just how much time has passed. Since then. Since the titan. Since the last time she saw her mother.
She also realized it would soon be night. "I don't think we'll make it to the facility before night. It'd be better to set up camp and wait til daybreak. The monsters might bother us, but we can recuperate when we reach the facility in the morning."
With that, the group began setting up for the night. Aqua was able to find a stream nearby and began fishing while the others piled together logs that would burn throughout the night. They worked harder than usual to procure enough of the violet logs and branches as Aqua warned them they would not burn long. Aqua returned with a plethora of fish using the same fishing method she had before they went into the mines.
As the sun set, the pink leaves and grass took on a dark, deep purple color and the chirping of birds were replaced by silence. The orange sky turned to streaks of violet, blue, and finally the moon appeared. It was full tonight, and shined down on the dark forest, painting everything underneath in shades of black and blue. The wind blew slowly between the forest on the party as they sat around their fire, weapons at the ready. Aqua returned Axala's Rose to Alriik. "If it's monsters or the Altiim, you're going to need this regardless."
Howls of monsters in the distance could be heard all throughout the night as the beasts roamed freely. The sounds of a struggle not far from the campsite aroused the party from their steady watch, but the creatures must have broken and ran deeper into the woods. They'd settle down again, waiting, and waiting, and waiting.
|
|
|
Post by Sorrum on Feb 17, 2020 23:02:35 GMT -5
As the party sat in silence in the hauntingly beautiful forest of crystals, a few crashes and the sounds of animals running could be heard in the distance. An eerie silence followed soon after, and the breeze halted to a standstill. It felt like the calm before a big lightning storm, but there was certainly no rain.It was likely just the beasts of the forests causing more problems with each other, right? ....Right? After a few moments of silence, powerful static could be felt in the air, enough to raise hairs. There was still no rain, and no clouds...the moon was shining brightly in the sky. But before anybody could react much further, the silence would be shattered by a loud, otherworldly roar. It sounded close, but nothing could be seen nearby....
|
|
|
Post by Tony on Feb 18, 2020 16:54:05 GMT -5
Listening to Aqua explain the uses of the crystals, sounded like the upgrades Arne was looking for regarding his weaponry. With a rush of excitement, Hien began to fly up to and look closely at the various plants they pass by... trying to find a good one. Only to chip sadly at the news that harvesting them wasn't that easy. Arne gently pat his companion's head, instantly cheering him back up. "Well, I guess at some point, we'll just have to find some of the nature mages here... see if they're willing to part with a couple of them."
As they begin to set up camp, Arne assisted with gathering wood for a fire. Though, we was curious how well that would work considering the unique nature of the forest. After their meal, he leaned back and started to relax... Hien curled up next to him. This moment of calm ended with the feeling of a strange presence near them. Arne, almost instinctively, started reaching for his halberd... while Hien quickly began looking around, his head fins waving subtly. With the roar, Arne jumped to his feet, drawing his weapon, while Hien took the sky... the two of them quickly glancing around, looking for the source of the noise.
"Guess it was too much to ask to just have a peaceful fireside chat."
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Feb 18, 2020 17:28:23 GMT -5
Alriik seemed to relax a bit as they reached camp, and would accept the long saber as it was returned. "Thaaaank you. And yeah... I think we'll have that talk after dinner? I mean, if it's good with you, Cap." He'd join Arne with helping with the fire wood, and when Aqua returned with a gift of fish, he'd happily take some when it was ready. He'd eat quietly, listening to the sounds of nature. He went through everything in his head one last time. He was ready.
"Well." No turning back now. He had started, he couldn't stop now. Time to do this. "I think i-" and suddenly, the sounds of a struggle. Alriik would hop to his feet, drawing Axala's Rose, and setting it ablaze. He'd hold it ahead of him, attempting to peer as deep as he could into the darkness. "... Motherf- I had a whole thing prepared. First reality rips itself apart, now this." The sounds would quiet down... Before the static filled the air and the roar was let loose. Alriik would grit his teeth, before shouting back at the source of the sound. "I WAS TELLING A STORY, IF. YOU. DON'T. MIND."
|
|
|
Post by Bloodbane on Feb 19, 2020 0:14:13 GMT -5
As the group gathered and set up camp, Rion returned Shirosame to Alriik's possession with a smile. "Good to see your plan worked well." he stated, in regards to both the disguise and what appeared to be Alriik's way of seeing if he could manage his condition without the swords, as long as everyone was using one of them in close proximity. When the air seemed to shift, Rion turned his head to Aqua. "So the titans... they are extinct, right?" It was somewhat of a jest, but it would also have made for quite a harrowing situation if it was merely an assumption and their presence had somehow angered such a creature.
When the roar pierced the silence, Rion's eyes narrowed. "What the hell was that?" he whirled around quickly, seeing that although nothing appeared to be aggressive toward the group yet, there were numerous sounds of movement as the roar had also caused various creatures to scatter erratically. "Guess story time will have to wait just a bit longer..." he said with a frown to Alriik, as particles of light gathered toward his hand, forming into the shape of a bastard sword with a broad blade. He held the sword of light in one hand for the moment, raising his other hand in preparation to fire a spell at a moment's notice.
|
|
|
Post by Swim on Feb 19, 2020 8:08:30 GMT -5
Terra frowned sadly, her hopes suddenly dashed and she left the crystal cropping alone after hearing Frida's words. She didn't want to think about how much a fully grown crystal would cost, and she didn't think Shin would agree to foot the bill for something like that. Maybe if she made the case that a stronger weapon would help her to fight the blight mages, but it was better to not get her hopes up. There were other upgrades she could create with more standard materials.
After the party made camp Terra returned Angelheart to Alriik. It was probably safe to do so now that they had left Sandora behind, and if they did chance upon one of Alriik's enemies then it was better that the elf be armed and ready. But as fate would have it their enemy would not be one of Alriik's kin. Terra felt the air around them change first, it began to thicken as it might on an especially humid day. Then she began to feel a general sense of unease, which would later turn to dread. Like something was watching her. Stalking her. Her friends could sense it as well, one by one becoming alert and reaching for their weapons. Then there came an earsplitting otherworldly roar. Terra whirled around trying to find the source but it seemed to come from all around them. She took a few steps back, stopping once she felt the warmth of one of her teammates. She'd trust them to protect her from that angle while she covered their blindspot. She gazed wide eyed out at the dark forest around her and quietly posed a question that should have been asked hours ago. "Oh Frida?" she asked being very slow and deliberate with her words. "You never did say, what sort of monsters live in this forest?"
|
|
|
Post by Arashi on Feb 20, 2020 20:45:35 GMT -5
A large dragon lunged out from the shadows with lightning-quick speed. It had large, dark blue jagged spikes down it's back that crackled with deep purple lightning and it's claws glowed with the same energy. It looked like it may have gotten in to a few fights; a couple of broken off arrows were stuck in it's shoulders, and it had a few scrapes here and there. It's mouth was bloody, but...that was likely the blood of whatever crossed this beast. One wing was injured and it hung a bit limp; it looked unusable. Most notably though, it's eyes were nothing but deep purple glowing pits. It was otherwise hard to make out the features of the beast in the dark, with it moving so quickly.
It aimed to land directly on to the group it looked like.... Until it was intercepted by another beast. A flash of red and black fur body-slammed the dragon's side before it could pounce the group. The dragon, stunned, fell to it's side for a moment.
The red fluffy critter landed gracefully on it's 4 legs, somehow. It turned to face the group.
Celestrus.
"Sorry, but I can't fix this. I can only make it worse, and none of us want that. So...gotta pass this off to you now so we can resume saving the world or whatever. Have fun, don't die!"
He smiled and waved with a clawed paw, then....vanished in a puff of dark purple light.
The group was left with the blighted dragon now. It pulled itself back up to its feet, lowered it's head, and snarled loudly. It looked ready to charge at a moment's notice, but it seemed to be waiting...
Now the group could get a better look at the beast. It had silver scales and a familiar body shape.
The beast stood in the blue light of the forest, ready to strike.
|
|
|
Post by Sorrum on Feb 20, 2020 21:16:44 GMT -5
Aqua stood steady, her eyes darting back and forth through the darkness as her anticipation grew. Upon Terra's question, she realized, maybe that should have been brought up sooner. "Oozes, mana suckers, giant spiders, werewolves, tree spirits, giant badgers.. uhh" She thought, but her concentration was broken but the something leaping suddenly from the shade. Just then, another figure tackled it to the ground. She thought she'd seen it before, but it couldn't be. "No way. Was that just!?"
Sure enough, the beast turned around and revealed itself as Celestrus. Aqua stared wide eyed at the sudden return of the dragon. Sudden being correct. And, just as soon as he appeared, he vanished. "Wait!" She cried out, but it was too late. With him gone, she stared at what was left.
Stepping toward them with silver scales and blank eyes, Aqua looked back at the beast. "No.. it couldn't be.. Silver..?" Despite her concern, she stood her ground. As she stared at Silver in, whatever state she was in, she couldn't help but remember the dragon. The blank expression on it's face, the soullessness in its eyes, and the dread it made her feel was the same she felt now.
She knew two things. Celestrus can't do anything to help her, and if they go down fighting her here they'd have no chance of saving The Frontier. In preparation of any danger, she'd already been charging a glyph in her right hand, and by now it was throbbing with strength. It was time to make a decision. Aqua gulped. "I'm sorry, Silver. I don't know what's wrong with you yet, but I can't let you hurt any of our friends!" That said, Aqua threw her palm forward at the blighted dragon, blasting her with a wide plume of ice and forcing the dragon back from the blow. "Take her down, but don't kill her!" Aqua called out, before drawing in mana for another glyph, which was much faster and easier here than anywhere else they'd been, and prepared to fire another blast of ice.
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Feb 21, 2020 15:58:45 GMT -5
Alriik readied his saber, waiting for the enemy to arrive. He’ d groan, staring into the brush. Flashes of silver. He'd grit his teeth and begin a mad dash towards the treeline when suddenly a massive blighted dragon leapt at him. Alriik was taken fully aback, unable to get a single sword swing out. He just stared, his eyes wide with fear and sorrow. The only action he could make was muttering a single word under his breath. “… Angel?” He would simply freeze… Before the familiar figure crashed down on the blighted beast.
The shockwave would snap him back into reality. He'd curse at himself as he stepped back, letting the others talk. The furred dragon teleported out, and Aqua spoke out the named of the poor blighted figure and gave orders. Alriik would step back. He didn’t know this dragon, she left as soon as he first met the party, but... He felt a strange uneasiness. This was the person whose place he took. Did they still need him after they saved her? Was he more of a liability than an asset? … He'd put those thoughts aside and make his way to the back of the pack, keeping an eye on Silver. “Cap, I don’t think any of my non-lethal options will work on a dragon… I can throw rocks, distract or you can give me some time to pull something big. Advise!"
|
|
|
Post by Tony on Feb 22, 2020 1:33:59 GMT -5
As the dragon burst through the forest, into the groups campsite, Arne jump to the side... giving him some distance, and Hien quickly followed. He was about to charge when Celestrus made himself known. Arne yelled up to him.
"Hey, wait! Don't you think this is-" Celestrus vanished before he could finish his statement. "... a bit much for us to handle so suddenly...?"
With a sigh, Arne readied himself for combat once again... now recognizing their foe. Seems Silver was back, she had gone berserk... at it was up to them to try and snap her out of it. He looked over towards Alriik, who seemed to unsure of himself. "Do what you usually do. Just try and avoid any vital areas. And when in doubt, hit her the flat of the blade."
With that, he charged up his halberd with lighting before running in, Hien following behind. Getting in close he took a swing at one of her front legs. Hien readied a blast of fire, with the intent of burning any wounds shut.
|
|
|
Post by Sorrum on Feb 22, 2020 20:42:07 GMT -5
Aqua watched the battle unfold. Whatever attacks they threw would either miss or be blown away by lightning or darkness. They'd have to stop her from attacking.
Immediately, Aqua thought of freezing the dragon to the ground.. but that would be likely less effective than it was on Calico's lightning mage. A beast of this size could likely break the ice before it could encase her completely, not to mention her speed would make it difficult to land a hit.
Alriik called out for a tactic, and Aqua's mind expanded with the options available to her. Surely, Silver wouldn't stop to destroy any ice on her if it didn't stop her all at once, right? Aqua gathered mana into her right palm, the air freezing droplets of water in the air solid in the process, before a glyph appeared above the orb of mana and transformed the swell of light and ice into sparkling icy blue fragments, so small they were only visible by the light of the campfire reflecting the sheen of their tiny surfaces. Aqua held the mass of ice in her hand aloft before directing it at Alriik's Axala's Rose, the shimmering glitters leaving her palm and encasing the long sword in a frosty, sharp sheath.
"This won't cut her, but it'll spread ice from where it strikes. You get me?" Aqua said, confident Alriik was on the same page as her. With that, she gathered mana again, and starting charging it into Sharkbane's crystal, the spear beginning to shine as mana found its way inside..
|
|
|
Post by Vic Alriikerson on Feb 23, 2020 13:01:08 GMT -5
As Arne spoke out, Alriik would groan. He'd observe her… There wasn’ t much more wounding to do before his blows became fatal. “… Dunno if I'd leave her in an adventurin’ state with that plan…” He'd start to ready himself to strike, attempting to find a proper place to aim his attack. Her joints, probably. However, before he could approach, Aqua enchanted his blade and gave him orders. He'd nod, liking this plan much more. He would run his finger down the blade, feeling her magic. Felt real… unlike his own. “Got it, Cap! On restraints!”
He'd begin to rush Silver, looking her in the eyes. He'd feel sorry for her state. He hoped her friends could help her. “HEY, NEW FRIEND!” He'd attempt to slide under her as he approached, adding what Ice he could to Aqua’s enchantment, and slashing the frosh blade at her elbows. If successful, he'd roll out from under Silver, flourishing his blade. “NAME'S AL. WE HAVEN'T REALLY MET YET, BUT I'M SURE YOU'RE LOVELY WHEN NOT BLIGHTED!” He'd go in for a third attack, attempting to freeze her jaw shut. “QUICK INTRODUCTION: I LIKE MUSIC, I’M GOOD AT KILLING, AND I DON’T WANT YOU TO KILL OUR MUTUAL FRIENDS.”
|
|
|
Post by Bloodbane on Feb 23, 2020 20:07:01 GMT -5
Rion stared wide-eyed as the dragon lunged at the crew, only for a familiar dragon to intervene. He didn't stay long, however, only mentioning something about how it would get worse if he did something about it. "Hey, wait--!" He frowned as the dragon disappeared, leaving them with another familiar dragon, one who was currently overcome by dark energy.
"Silver..." he said quietly, unsure about how to approach the situation as the glowing from beneath his armor grew more intense. He held out his arm, gathering particles of light that formed a somewhat long but broad blade, one that would be considered the size of a hand-and-a-half sword if it had been a physical item. When Aqua called out to take the dragon down, but not to kill Silver, Rion slowly nodded. "If we can keep her steady, I... have an idea." It seemed he was a bit torn about his plan, though only he knew what it entailed, and what risks he would have to deal with. However, it was the only option he could think of that wasn't in line with treating Silver as if she were another corrupted being; there was still a chance he could bring her back to a stable state, knowing what she managed normally.
Looking to the rest of the crew as they prepared their attacks, Rion took the light sword in both hands. "We'll get her back..." He said, before following Alriik's path, only to continue on and work on slashing at one of Silver's other legs.
|
|
|
Post by Arashi on Feb 24, 2020 0:39:51 GMT -5
Silver snarled in anger as Aqua's icy blast knocked her back, but she did not flinch even a bit. She charged forward with ferocity and speed towards Aqua, taking the attack as a threat. Arne's halberd successfully smacked one of her legs, but she didn't even seem to notice. Upon a closer look, she had sustained several injuries from brawls before. She had various slashes throughout her body that looked relatively fresh.
Hopefully, these injuries would cause her to wear down faster.
Her focus stayed on Aqua, even as Alriik slid under her. The blade managed to hit one of her arms, spreading a bit of ice on it. The dragon flinched, but ignored the sudden cold on her arm. Aqua was likely correct in her theory, as Silver's only focus was on killing. Enough ice, and she would be slowed down heavily.
Her focus quickly shifted once Alriik tried to freeze her jaw shut. The dragon quickly moved her head out of the way of the strike, and then attempted to slash Alriik with her lightning-infused talons in one quick motion. She completely ignored Rion, allowing him to connect a hit on one of her other legs.
Nothing seemed to be making her stop, but this was pretty typical of blighted creatures. She would eventually wear down, it would just be a matter of surviving long enough.
|
|