The Administorum
Battle Related Forums => Board Battle Archives => Board Battles => The Scrap Heap => Topic started by: Hanako on October 27, 2015, 11:44:23 PM
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Hello! This thread replaces the previous thread for this battle, which can be found at http://administorum.com/index.php?topic=349.0
Here is the last post from the previous thread:
As the group finds their way down the sides of the hill, they realize sheer height of the wall. From above it seemed much shorter, as the lower angle and the height of the hill made the walls seem reasonably defensive. But from the ground, gazing up, the walls extend for a good fifty feet or more into the air. Not the easiest to climb by any means. Father Rau takes a look up the sheer height of the wall and taps it with his staff, noting that it would be quite the fortress to assail in traditional warfare.
"That's why we're not attacking it traditionally." Grakul notes, drawing two of his strange weapons and moving along the length of the blackened wall.
Following behind the two Orcs spearheading the advance, the group can hear the sounds of the dragon's aerial assault above. The roar of flame, the blasts of explosive spells, and the loosing of many arrows into the sky. So far, the distraction appears to be working well.
"We'll likely be able to find some form of entrance around the back, something we can use to sneak in." Orgarash said aloud, drawing his greataxe from his back and carrying it ready at his side.
"There." Rau says, pointing his staff up as they reach a corner in the sprawling shape of the fortress's walls. One of the corners, rising up into the sky, seemed to open up into a window to the inside. Standing on the edge was a rather agitated looking sentry, a wight who seemed to be concerned with the events going on in the main courtyard but not wanting to abandon his post for fear of retribution. As such he was looking away from the open balcony he stood upon, looking towards the front of the fortress as he idly tapped the heavy crossbow he held in his hands, his glowing gaze focused towards the commotion outside.
Enjoy!
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The Dulluhan follows the Orcs, sliding his shield onto his left arm and grasping the hilt of his blade in his right hand, sliding the weapon from its scabbard. He can hear that the distraction seems to be working so far, though who knows how much longer it would last. They reach a corner of the wall and stop as Rau points upward. A balcony is visible with a distracted wight standing upon it. Vildayvins head floats off his shoulders and moves closer to the wall as if it is inspecting the masonry, its gaze flitting between the wall and the balcony above, speaking after a few moments.
"That is all well and good but how shall we dispatch the creature.....and more importantly....how shall we get up there?"
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As they stopped themselves on the corner of the fortress wall, Mizuki tilts her head back, looking up at the height.
“Hmmmmm” she seems to think to herself, silently calculating the distance. She glanced the the Dulluhan and back up to where the wight was. She tilted her head as Vildayvin spoke.
"That is all well and good but how shall we dispatch the creature.....and more importantly....how shall we get up there?"
She thought for a moment more before speaking quietly.
“Vildayvin, I am going to need you to throw me. I can jump high, but not THAT high. It is time this dragon took flight” She turned to look at him, an idea clearly having been formed in her head.
She stretches a little, and steps back. It would be best to move quick, so as to not allow the wight the chance to raise the alarm.
“Get ready” She said to the dullahan. Mizuki pulled her spear straight up and down, readying it for flight as she waiting for the dullahan to prep to throw her. She watched as he cupped his hands into a stirrup for her foot. Nodding, she took a few steps forward.
“Watch your heads, in just a moment” she said before she jumped into the hands of the dulluhan, her boot settling in and her knees bending. She could feel the power that vildayvin had at his disposal as she suddely lurched upward. As Vil reached the top of the throw, She gritted her teeth and pushed off, with her [Jump] ability. Vil would feel incredible force being pressed back down into his arms as she rocketed off, her jump supplimented by his throw.
The wind whistled past as she shot upward, and she took her spear in two hands. As she shot up to where the wight was, her spear slashed out, slicing at its neck in an attempt for a kill with no noise. As she landed on the balcony next to him, her spear spun and was expertly placed in where the vitals would be in the chest, before she gave a yank. If everything went according to plan, she would silence the wight and throw it off the balcony before it knew what was going on.
(OOC)
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Wu reaches the bottom of the slope and falls in line behind the others. He is stock silent as they approach the open window.
Mizuki rockets into the air with the assistance of Vildayvin. Wu leans away ever so slightly to not get clipped by her rising form.
She executes her attack with precision, yet Wu shifts his stance in preparation for retribution from the sneak attack.
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The dragon lady's blade enters the enemy monster with a quiet SHINK, cutting off any words it might attempt to form and tumbling it from the balcony without a sound. Its impact with the ground made a dull thump, but one would suspect the noise was not loud enough to be heard from up the large walls of the fortress.
Before Yukimura are a pair of stone walkways proceeding to the left and right, forming a corner overlooking the interior of the fortress. With no railings or walls on the inside, the noble has a clear view of what appears to be one of the fortress's barracks. A large open room with various forms of lodging scattered about to accommodate the regular staff of the fortress. That said, with the distraction granted by the warlock and the dragon, the room itself was mostly empty. A handful of wights, no more than four, and a single lesser abomination, looking more like a shock trooper, similar to some of the ones in the crusade, rather than a massive hulk, like the one that had assisted in battling darkraven.
Down below, the rest of the group gathered and awaited Yukimura's signal, Orgarash pulling a rope and grappling hook from his shoulder as he looked somewhat impatiently towards the balcony Yukimura had just disappeared over.
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She freezes as the wight tumbles soundlessly from her blade to the ground below, listening intently for any signs of alarm. The only thing she heard was a quiet thump of the body hitting the ground from so far up. She did not think that the sound would carry any further in, so she was satisfied with the results. She began to study the troops left behind. Not much, and she could likely take them out without much trouble herself, but this was a focused mission. All of their troops must play their role.
She crouched to minimize her profile should any of the guards happen to look in her direction and waved down below for them to throw a grapple up and begin the ascent.
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Vildayvin watches as the agile warrior flies up through the air and effortlessly cuts down the wight. After a few moments, Yuki looks back over the edge and gestures to follow her up. Orgarash launched a grappling hook skyward, the end latching onto the balcony. The Duluhan sheathes his blade and slides his shield onto his back and grabs the rope in his hands, starting to pull himself up. Even though he is a veritable wall of steel, the undead creature doesn't seem hindered at all as he deftly goes hand over hand up the rope, his dislocated head eventually zipping up next to Yuri as it gazes at her and then down the hallway in front of them, it's eyes flitting about chaoticly as always. Eventually an ebony gauntlet appears over the edge and Vildayvin hauls himself up to his feet, immediately drawing his blade and shield once more and moves forward a few steps to ensure the others will be able to ascend without incident.
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Wu wastes no time in climbing up after Vildayvin. He practically swims up the rope, climbing with such ease.
Upon reaching the balcony he swings over the rail and lands in a crouch. A quick scan reveals the cut down guard was not the only enemy stationed here. Fortunately the have not been alerted to their presence yet, but that will change soon. Wu gathers his Chi, in preparation for the skirmish that is about to unfold.
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The rest of the small squad climb the walls after the group, taking up position in the now suddenly very crowded overlook. Spreading themselves out, Grakul and Orgarash begin to make their way along the walkway around the outside of this barracks. Looking around, they seem to be inspecting the area and surveying their potential opposition. Judging it to be a simple enough endeavor, Orgarash waves a hand toward the group, indicating toward the monsters in the center of the bunker in a signal that they should take care of them while the two of them proceed to move further around to the other side of the barracks, inspecting the area around them as they walk.
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Following behind Grakul and Orgarash, the Dulluhan's disembodied head nods at the gesture to deal with the wights and abomination below. Leaping down to the ground, icy air flows from within him and encases his armor, strengthening him against blows that will be incoming soon. Vildayvin's blade glints in the light as his eyes twitch between the creatures in front of him.
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Four wights and a single lesser abomination. This should be nothing to worry about, she thought to herself as they moved forward into the complex. They stopped just outside the barracks, and finally Orgarash waves a hand to signal them to take the enemies out.
She leaped down with Vildayvin, but instead of casting any of her defensive magic, she immediately went on the offensive. No sooner was her foot on the ground, than she pushed off again, directly at the four wights, figuring the less chance something has to give alarm, the less they would have to deal with.
Like silent death she fell among them, the strip of Akavashi script fluttering on her armor, marking her as royalty, her blade spinning a blur, crucible steel cutting armor and flesh alike. She would throw herself at the enemies, allowing her natural grace and speed and training keep the enemies weapons from her, and hopefully give her the edge of surprise. She fully expected the others to back her up, as she had done for them before, so she committed fully.
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Moving with the rest of the party Rau watches as the Dulluhan and lady Yukimura engage the enemies. While the four wights don't seem formidable the abomination more then makes up for that. The priest has a hard time choosing which enemies to face, but he must act quickly and follow up on his team. He moves in the space created by Vildayvin's approach, holy energy gathering in his hands as he approaches. (Holy light(beam)) A golden energy ball takes shape in his hand and sparks begin to arc between it and the priest's skin. If any of the wights move to attack the winged dragon in their party or tried to flee, the creature's actions will be met with a blast of holy energy. Rau is counting on the Dulluhan's ability to hold back the abomination, but if that is not the case he will be ready to support him as well.
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The noble's blade sliced cleanly through the head of a wight, dropping it swiftly as she launched herself into the fray. Startled for a moment, the remaining creatures took a moment of surprise before drawing weapons and advancing, thoughts of raising the alarm apparently not on their minds. One Wight began marching toward Lady Yukimura, but noticed the priest drawing energy, and barely managed to shove himself aside as a blast of power surged past him, singing his flesh and burning away some of his armor beneath its power. Drawing a dagger from its belt, it hissed angrily and hurled the weapon at the priest before gripping its longsword in two hands and marching on the noble lady, its intended target.
Similarly, the other two remaining wights drew vicious looking longswords, one reaching for a shield while the other chose to draw a mace from a nearby rack for its other hand. Weapons in hand, they advanced upon Lady Yukimura, leaving the Abomination to handle the Dullahan.
While the stitched monstrosity was roughly only two feet taller than the average human, it had no shortage of raw muscle and flesh, and the creature's wordless grunts did not belie its intelligence. Simply reaching for one of the weapon racks and hoisting it above its head, it hurled the mass of steel and wood at the armored death rider before charging forward, heavy limbs swinging to attempt to strike down the smaller target.
The fight was joined, and meanwhile the two orcs continued to scout ahead while the party dealt with this obstacle.
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The wight’s head split open, blade slicing cleanly through as just for a moment, one could look upon the halves and see between it, so fast and clean the cut, before it all collapsed upon itself. She took great satisfaction of the look of surprise on the faces of the enemies. The Script fell flat against her armor, clearly marking who as she was, as if to taunt to the wights further. A grin crept along her face. She trusted her companions, so even as the wight hurled a dagger at her companion, she knew that they had all been chosen for this job, and should be able to defend themselves.
As the wights advanced, she let out a little chuckle, and threw herself into the fray. Her natural skill, her training, her instincts and the dragons aided her this day as she slid among the wights. Drawing her spear up, it flashed out in a spinning whirlwind of death. Sliding beside the wight with the longsword in two hands, she brought the spear up in an attempt to sever both its hands at the the wrist. The shaft of the spear swing around her and came around back under her arm in a nasty thrust at the wight with two weapons, before she jerked it back, attempting to impale the hopefully handless wight in the neck with the buttcap of her spear.
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The Dulluhan moves to dodge the incoming projectile, his disembodied head floating down behind his back (otherwise he likely would have lost it). A moment later the abomination crashes into Vil's raised shield. The strength of the abomination succeeds in pushing the armored warrior backwards a few steps but then he regains his footing and pushes back against the larger creature putting the two into a veritable deadlock. Vil's head floats up once more and after "re-seating" above his neck, opens its maw once more and blasts forth a gust of piercing icy wind at the abomination while at the same time he brings his sword arm down as he hacks and slashes at the brutish creature.
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Lady Yukimura's spear slices through the air and before the unlucky victim towards whom it is aimed makes a move, the blow connects and the party's enemies are diminished by one. Rau noted the masterful use of the spear, the young Akavashi clearly had plenty of training and experience in the use of the weapon. Unfortunetly, the Priests attempt to dispatch another foe were not very successful and he only manages to stop an advancing wight. To his surprise the singed creature manages a grunt, reaches for a dagger and tosses it his way. The ample motion the undead has put into the throw gives the holy man plenty of time to deftly dodge the projectile.
Having released the majority of the gathered energies earlier, the priest cautiously takes a few steps back and prepares for his next spell. Being behind the Dulluhan, however, he is almost hit by the flying weapons rack. A few drops of cold sweat appear on the priest forehead, as he glances at the Dulluhan. He shrugs and continues with the task at hand.
As soon as the wights are dispatched, the group will be able to have their full attention on the abomination and there is no better way for that to happen then to assist their spear wielding comrade.
(Extreme conditioning) With very slight motion, Rau stretches himself, exhales and pulls off the hood of his leather armor. A quiet and soft chant began as he focused and drew the surrounding energies into himself. Light began to slowly seep out of the holy man until it engulfed him in a thin veil of light. Moments later the light shots out and latches on to the winged dragon. The effects can be felt instantaneously, the muscle's power and flexibility rises, making the already agile warrior even more so and with an added boost to her strength. Her mind clears completely and her focus rises even further. The light vanishes within her and the eyes of the Akavashi begin to shine slightly.
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Sun Wu waits and calculates the best approach to this situation. Lady Yukimura leads the charge, spear striking with quickness and precision. For a moment, Wu almost wishes he had learned the art of weaponry. The current washes it away as soon as it rested upon his mind's shore.
With a grin Wu springs from the ground with Chi propelled steps. Before reaching melee range, Wu plants his leading foot on the ground and rotates. His other leg extends in a quick roundhouse kick. He utilizes the molded Chi technique and extends the kick toward the dual wielding wight. Once the arc of the kick completes he plants the kicking foot on the ground in front of him and launches in the the air. Upon his descent he swings his opposite leg downwards in a powerful axe kick aimed for the wight's head. The extended roundhouse kick should have knocked the wight off balance, making it a prime target for the full frontal attack.
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as the wight bearing shield and sword watches his allies fall before the combined assault of the Southern warriors, one's hands severed and head pierced, another tripped and crushed under the weight of crushing waves of Ki and strength, it begins to back away. There's a slight hiss in its throat as it turns and begins to make its way toward the door to the barracks, likely seeking to alert the rest of the keep.
Meanwhile, the Abomination batters at Vildayvin's shield. As the Dullahan's head breathes a cone of frost over him, the creature rears back, ice crystals forming across its form before being shattered under the assault of the black knight's sword. The creature however refuses to die at this moment, renewing its assault by bringing both fists down toward the knight. Unheeding of whether its attack connects, the abomination continues its motion and reaches down to the stone beneath it, ripping up the floor of the barracks and literally attempting to flip the ground out from underneath Vildayvin, hurling a chunk of the room itself at the knight and the Priest standing behind him.
The fight seemed to be drawing to a close, but the Abomination was not about to go down without a fight.
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The wights fall one by one to their combined strength. Mizuki feels twinges of the thrill of battle, though this is no real challenge. She appreciated veritable routes as much as the next warrior, but there was something so satisfying about meeting a worthy opponent bladestrike for bladestrike.
She spun, even as she yanked the buttcap of the spear out of the wights head. The dullahan was fighting the abomination and holding his own, and she could not let this last one get away to alert the rest of the keep. It might be fun to fight a horde of enemies, but she was not here for personal glory.
She spun the blade in a slow circle and took it in two hands, lifting it high over her head. With a small grunt of effort, she brings it down in a vicious two handed chop. At first it looks like she was striking at nothing, but as the blade slammed into the ground, runed crucible steel throwing up chunks of stone and ancient writing in a language forgotten spiraling her arms and spear, a ripple of energy exploded out from where her blade struck and hurled itself at full speed at the fleeing wight [Force Dragon]
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Sun Wu's axe kick connects, crushing the wight's head. The monk lands on light feet and quickly turns his attention to the one attempting to flee. He moves to strike, but Mizuki was already executing an attack.
The tide of the battle is pushing toward the Abomination. It rips up the floor and hurls it at Vil and Rau. Wu intends to take advantage of the Abomination's frenzied attack to strike. Mizuki's attack was inspring. He crouches low and builds chi all around him. In an instant he dashes forward, a massive wall of chi rumbling behind him [Flash Flood]. With a yell he plants his feet and punches forcefully into the air. The wave of chi rushes forward and crashes into the Abomination with a large amount of force.
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The Dulluhan weathers the blows of the Abomination, his blade cutting into the creatures skin and the blast of cold weakening his foe but still the attacks come. The abomination brings its fists together and smashes them downwards. Vil raises his shield, the sound of flesh on metal rings across the area as the creatures fists slam down into the Dulluhans shield, forcing the undead warrior backwards. Then before he can recover, the stitched together creature rips up a section of the floor and flings it towards the soldier. Realizing that he stood between the projectile and the unarmored priest, Vildayvin does the only thing he really can.....he quickly sets his shield and feet and prepares for impact. A moment later the flooring barrels into the armored warrior. If he was a mere mortal knight he would likely have been crushed into oblivion. As a servant of Death itself however.....he was sent crashing to the floor, dents evident in his armor. Stumbling back to his feet, his disembodied head focuses on the one responsible for the blow. The eyes of the floating head shrink as they glare at the abomination, and the usual macabre grin seems to twist and become something one would try to describe as a grimace of rage.
"You strike....a servant of Death! I shall feed upon your soul!"
The jaw of the head seems to unhinge as it stretches wider then one would think "normal" as an ear-piercing screech blasts forth, aimed directly at the abomination as Vil ensures that the monstrous creature is focused solely on him, even while his companions rain their own attacks on the enemy.
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Pouring most of his concentration into his spell, the priest had limited his view of the battlefield. However, ripping a portion of the floor was not a subtle enough move for Rau not to notice it, even in his current state.
Forcefully breaking his concentration and stopping the effects of his spell, he flings himself to the side and rolls on the ground out of harms way, leaving a cloud of dim light, which had previously surrounded him, to slowly disappear while floating in the air. Thankfully the improvised projectile aimed in his direction is intercepted by the undead knight and holds little threat.
"You strike....a servant of Death! I shall feed upon your soul!"
Unsheathing his staff and moving a good distance behind the part of the party fighting the abomination, the holy man circles to the creature's back. During that he slowly channels energy into his weapon. If he gets an opportunity he could ram the enemy with his staff and assail him with the full force of the energy he has gathered. The creature had already made a lot of noise and there was a distraction in place, yet utilizing such an attack right now may yield unwanted results. As such at this point the priest will only use the gathered energy as a last resort.
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The ear piercing scream from the Dullahan had a surprising effect on the Abomination. The sound seemed to rattle its skull more than expected, as its assault stopped as it fell to its knees, clutching its head. Unable to react properly, the chi assault from Sun Wu battered its ribs and crushed its organs, sending it sprawling to the ground looking battered and crushed. It was no longer moving.
The fleeing wight had almost made it out the door when it was cut down by the powerful force of Yukimura's attack, splitting it in two as it tumbled to the ground.
The party did not get a chance to rest for long, however. The two orcs appeared on the upper catwalk again, looking down at the group in the barracks proper.
"If you've had your fun." Grakul began, Orgarash finishing his thought for him "We've found the way forward. We may be close to our target, so let's move quietly if possible."
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The orcs happen to appear just at the right moment. Wu looks down at the battered abomination for a moment, confirming its demise.
With a slight nod the monk collects himself before lightly stepping his way toward the orcs. On his way over he uncorks a hidden bottle of water up his sleeve and takes a swig. It is tucked away again as quickly as it was produced.
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Rau stands ready and watches as the rest of his party slays the abomination, glad that he did not have to resort to taking action, he quickly dissipates the gathered energy and takes a breath of relieve.
The orc that had recently joined them have found the way forward and the priest doesn't waste time and quickly moves towards them. Not especially skilled in stealth he lets his more experienced comrades take lead.
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As the abomination and the last wight fall, the eyes of the Dulluhans head flit about, surveying the scene. Once determining that all their adversaries were dead, the pitch black orbs seem to become slits as the head suddenly drops down onto the neck area of the undead knights form. The jaw seems to unhinge once more but this time no sound seems to be heard. A second later though forms can be seen above the destroyed wights. Ethereal shapes, almost impossible to make out but one could say are faintly humanoid in appearance. Floating above the bodies they suddenly begin to move through the air towards Vildayvin. As they reach the creature they waver and seem to almost get sucked into the gaping maw of the twisted and mottled skull. One soul...then another....then another....until all 4 souls released from the wights broken corpses is absorbed by the Dulluhan. The second that the fourth soul is consumed Vil's jaw closes. A faint glow emits from within the armored form of the desecrated knight as the dents from the abominations assault seem to vanish as the armor reforms itself. Then it is all over, the head seperating from the body once more and floating a few inches above the cauterized neck. Vil's raspy voice then can be heard.
"It would seem.....they were found.....to be wanting."
Rolling his armored shoulders, the Dulluhan waits for the others to move on, as terms such as "quietly" are not exactly his forte and thus he does not consider himself one that should be in the forefront just yet.
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Mizuki flicks her spear the the side, any remenants of the wights she had killed is thrown off to the ground. Shouldering her spear she glances to the side and sees the others have taken care of the abomination. She nods to the group.
"Good job everyone" She says.
Then, Mizuki looks up to the orcs that had appeared.
"If you've had your fun." Grakul began, Orgarash finishing his thought for him "We've found the way forward. We may be close to our target, so let's move quietly if possible."
She starts off in the direction the orcs want them to go, being as quiet as she gcould.
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As the group moved through the hallways, the quiet was almost a jarring contrast to what they knew had to be going on outside. It would be sheer pandemonium, with dragon and warlock assaulting a veritable army of undead. and yet they could hear none of it from here. No shouts, no arrows, no dragon's fire. It was eerily quiet, just the sounds of their own footfalls as they walked the halls. There weren't even any other enemies in this area. It was well and truly quiet.
"I don't like this. This hush is unnatural." Orgarash said as he walked carefully down the hall. "And it wasn't here when we first scouted this hallway."
"You don't think the enemy general is on to us, do you?" Grakul asked, looking both ahead and behind the party.
"I doubt it, or we'd be under attack by now. Tread carefully however, there's something going on here."
The two Orcs continued to make their slow, purposeful pace through what appeared to be an exceptionally long hallway. The end wasn't even in sight, shrouded in shadows. Even those with night vision could not see where the path terminated.
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"Yeah, it's quite odd" She mused "Hmmm, I'm going to fall back a little bit and cover the back of the party" she said quietly, before looking to Vil.
"Cover the front please?"
She slowed, letting the others pass her. She let her keen sense guide her as she took up position at the rear of the group, knowing that if something were to attack from behind, she could take some serious blows if necessary. She glanced around, keeping an eye all around her, including up.
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Rau silently listens to the orcs, it would appear something unexpected was happening, what however they are unable to determine. The priest moves closer to the orcs and tells them his intentions.
"I will use a spell that will allow me to feel the presence of any nearby undead creatures, maybe this will shed some light in what is going on." With that said Rau slows down and begins chanting his spell. (Detect undead) Unless any one stops him his spell will be cast shortly. The holy man clears his mind and as the chant comes into completion he can feel his consciousness spreading and grasping the surroundings. Sifting through the energy of all beings and looking for the specific imprint of the undead.
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The Dulluhan slowly moves forward, his floating skull-like head floating over his armored form, the eyes performing their usual erratic flitting about while his mouth is twisted up into the macabre grin. He pauses as the orcs comment on the almost absolute silence of the area, his head spinning about as if he is glancing around (though his eyes still never actually seem to foucs on any one thing).
"Cover the front please?"
The head spins about to "focus" on the agile woman that recently joined the group as she shifted to the rear of the party. With shield raised and sword drawn and at the ready, Vildayvin progresses forward, his head floating slightly ahead of his armored form, though should any kind of danger present itself the disembodied cranium will quickly retreat to safety.
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Sun Wu follows the group without a word for some time. The silence is concerning, and the endless hallway before them tugs at him. Current guide him, this feels like a sure trap.
"I fear we may already be underwater. This fortress is large, but it is not unending. This goes without saying, but would do well to be on your guard."
Wu focuses on the silence, searching for any signs of danger.
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Father Rau's senses seem to be practically smothered as he tries to reach out and sense the undead. There is one right next to him, Vildayvin's headless body stomping alongside him, and yet it was as if there was nothing undead anywhere nearby. The blackness and the hush seems to be settling in on even the supernatural senses.
But after a while of walking the hush was broken by a faint sound. A single note, almost like music. A long, lilting note that dragged on through the silence. It almost sounded like someone singing a single, long tune. The note didn't seem to end, no matter how long it carried, and as the group progressed it was joioned by more and more notes, until it sounded like a chorus was singing a strange, wordless song. It sounded beautiful, and yet somehow sad. As if it were a dirge sung to the key of a hymn.
Still the hallway presses on. Still there is no end in sight. But the sound continues to echo about, clearly coming from somewhere ahead.
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The Dulluhan marches on, leading the group with his shield set in front of him and his blade gleaming in his other hand. His head spins around as the "song" begins, the eyes seeming to look about as if trying to divulge the source of the notes. The head spins around towards the rest of the party as he raspily whispers back to them.
"This....can not be a good sign. Be ready....."
The head turns back to the front, looking all about as he undoubtedly expects some sort of ambush any moment now.
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She marches at the back of the party, her armor softly rustling, tilting her head as the notes start to resonate throughout the hallway.
She looks to each of her companions, studying them, observing their reactions to this new, unknown threat. If any were to look to her, she would give them a confident nod, as if everything was under control.
She frowns gently, and begins to build up her energy. She does not release it yet, but she is prepared to throw out one of her powers should it be necessary immediately.
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The priest's senses extend and try to grasp at all the energies surrounding him, yet they touch nothing. Again and again he extends his senses and reaches nothing. Even Vildayvin's presences remains obscured.
"I senses nothing," the holy man's exclamation carried through the party with a worried tone "not even your presence dullahan." Beats of sweat cover Rau's forehead thanks to his efforts to use the spell. The priest breathes in heavily and concentrates on his surroundings, hoping to notice before it is too late if something goes wrong.
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"Such a beautiful chorus." Wu says, with a hint of admiration in his voice.
"A shame, that its wellspring reside in such a place."
It would be foolish to not be on your guard at this point. Wu calms himself as he feels his chi flow throughout his body. Whatever was to come, he would be prepared.
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While the party continued down the hall, their footsteps were muted by the song, growing ever louder as they neared the source. A faint purple light flickered around a corner, and as the party rounded it, they found themselves stepping into a large open room. A purple brazier burned at the far end, embedded into the wall, a half-circle bowl burning with violet flames. A pale figure in ragged garbs stood with her back to the group, still singing her song as they entered. As she turned to face them, the song continued, and the group could see that it was not her own mouth that sung the notes, but a series of ghostly faces that flickered in the air beside her, singing haunting melodies while she turned her own ghastly visage upon the crusaders.
Where once might have been a beautiful woman was now the visage of death. Her face was pale and sunken, and her eyes were pure white. Her long black hair was tangled and messy, and the tattered red of the clothing she wore seemed drained and muted, the clothes practically hanging off of her nearly skeletal frame.
As she opened her mouth, an ear piercing scream echoed from her throat, the sheer noise being enough to physically pain those who heard it. But amidst the white noise was a sentence, forced through the wail as if by great effort.
"I am Ashara, queen of the empty throne. Wailer of the darklands, once the Morrigan, now the Queen of the Banshees. You have trespassed upon my domain. Who dares enter my chamber?"
-
As they rounded into the large room, her eyes quickly took in the scene, before moving to focus on the dealthy vissage of the lady before them.
She glances back to make sure nothing is going to take them from the rear and makes a small hand motion that most military people would recognize as a hand signal to spread out. Not waiting to see if she had been listened to, she steps to the side a bit and forward. The wail of the banshee queen hurt her ears and she let it wash over her as she listened.
"I am Ashara, queen of the empty throne. Wailer of the darklands, once the Morrigan, now the Queen of the Banshees. You have trespassed upon my domain. Who dares enter my chamber?"
She spun her spear into a ready position, the spear point facing downward towards the banshee's feet. Red and soft blue runes glittered faintly along the blades edge.
"I am Lady Yukimura, of the Winged Dragons." She said, her voice strong and unafraid. She prepared to draw upon the dragon's power if necessary.
-
The Dulluhan entered the room with the others, the haunting melody echoing throughout the area. As the wretched creature before them turned, the undead knights eyes seemed to focus on her appearance for a moment, their erratic movement ceasing briefly. As the ear-splitting screech assaults them, Vil lets out a hiss as the macabre grin on his floating head twists in displeasure. Setting his shield in front of him he notices the newcomer signal to the rest of them to spread out. Shifting a short distance away from Yuki, his shield and blade at the ready he responds to the banshee's demand, his raspy voice almost an opposite of the female soldiers dulcet tones.
"I am Vildayvin Devaron, agent and soldier of Death."
Whisps of icy tendrils flow from the gaps of the knights ebony armor, the Dulluhan prepared to shield himself in an instant. His head floats above the stump of his neck, the soulless eyes focused on the creature before him, though the twisted smile seems to stretch further.
-
The ragged woman's face tilted sideways, almost in curiosity. Her shrieking sound once again begat her speech, the noise as penetrating and painful as ever.
"Usurpers, come to challenge the Vampire king's rule. Interesting. Come to strike down one of his generals to weaken his powerbase. The Fortress of screams is not easily assailed, and yet here you are. I suspect the assault at the gates was a clever diversion for your infiltration."
The Banshee queen held her arms outstretched at her sides, and wailed once more to the party. "Come then, if you wish to strike me down. We may do battle, if that is your desire."
Sun Wu and Rau were unusually silent, perhaps contemplating the task before them, perhaps waiting for their allies to make the first move. Rau's knuckles whitened as his grip on his staff tightened, sweat beginning to bead slightly on his brow. He seemed to understand just what a daunting fight was before them. Wu, on the other hand, was passive as ever, his face calm, his stance ready, serene as the still waters.
The Orcs fidgeted behind the group, grips on their weapons tightening as well. It seemed the tension was growing to the point one might even be able to taste it. Neither party seemed to want to make the first move.
-
She listened quietly as the Banshee queen's voice shrieked out, silently grinding her teeth as the pain lanced through her being.
"Come then, if you wish to strike me down. We may do battle, if that is your desire."
She was not normally one for complete seriousness, but this moment, this time seemed to warrant it. Her spear slowly spun in a lazy arc in her hands, but with one quick snap of her arms, it was held horizontally, behind her at about waist level. The quick snap of the weapon was blindingly fast, and it stopped suddenly without waver. In a deep, growling voice she spoke to her companions, her voice growing in power, almost enough to challenge the shriek of the queen before them.
[Battlecry]
"This queen of the damned would have us all dead at her feet, had she her way. Well let me tell you, that will not happen this day!"
She activated the ruins on her spear. Odd glyphes slunk along the spearhead as it shone with brilliant power. Lightning crackled around the blade and droplets of liquid fire dripped from the point. It was heartening to see something so powerful in the hands of a competent ally.
"We will NOT fall this day, not to you, not to anyone. We shall crush you from our path and show you the meaning of fear, queen of nothing. You, shall fear"
The last words came out in a near snarl that heartened her allies. They could feel the power of her words coursing through their veins, hopefully bolstering their resolve to win. Even as she finished speaking, however, she spun her spear over her head in a violent whirlwind and brought it down in a crashing strike, even at this distance. From the blade came a discharge of energy that tore towards the banshee queen, scoring the floor with gouges as it flayed its way towards her. Right behind the force attack, was Mizuki, spear spinning an arc of fire and electricity, ready to follow up. [Force dragon]
-
The Dulluhan stood fast against the shrieking onslaught, his large armored form unmoving as he clenched the hilt of his sword in one fist and the strap of his shield in the other.
"Come then, if you wish to strike me down. We may do battle, if that is your desire."
The floating head of the undead knight suddenly seems to drop down onto the severed neck, the heads solid black orbs sliding shut and the twisted smile slipping into an emotionless line. Thick frigid clouds of frost begin to flow from within the corrupted warriors form as the temperature surrounding the Dulluhan plunges noticeably. Vil's raspy voice resonates from the cracked and decayed mouth as his eyes open once more, the orbs almost look as if a thin veil of frost reside on them as he glares at the banshee. [Frostbite Fortification]
"Ashara is it? Your reign ends here....your soul....shall be judged. HE wishes it to be so.....and so shall it be."
The frost flowing from within him continues for a moment longer, the ebony steel sheathed in a thick layer of glimmering ice, the light from the brazier reflecting off the ice crystals in an equally beautiful but macabre display as the knight sets his shield in front of him, his head floating above his neck once more. The heads lips twist up into the normal maniacal smile as the Dulluhan's voice screeches out.
"Death comes for you.....my Queen!!"
His jaw unhinges as he suddenly charges forward, his heavy plated boots slamming into the floor beneath him as he quickly moves at the banshee. From within his maw a screech rings out, the volume possibly even surpassing the banshee's own , the wail directed solely at the Dulluhan's target as he barrels forward.
-
Keeping his calm demeanor was becoming more laboring with each shriek from this banshee queen. But a shallow puddle Sun Wu is not. He cracks with a wince at her last wailing speech, but his Chi lies calm and still as sheet of glass.
The Lady Dragon rallies them, and Wu feels the effects of her words. It was all he needed to regain his placid composure. He notices her gesture, and slips silently to the side. She and the Horseman charge forward, and Wu is not far behind. The Current flows through him as he performs a series of quick, powerful punches. Using the Molded Chi technique the punches project forward, slipping past his companions by mere centimeters as they aim for their target.
He is expecting an ear piercing - no, ear exploding - wail coming from the banshee queen in retaliation. Wu begins preparing a barrier of Chi around his head in the hope to mitigate it.
-
Others might not have understood it, but the priest did. What they were facing was not a queen. A meager tittle given by mortal men. This was much more, the Morrigan was much more. Through out his reading Rau has found many mentions of the Morrigan. Most superficial, and not worth mentioning, but all had a thing in common, where the phantom queen went, death followed. Right now he recalled a few of the works he had read and the words that formed on his lips were the ones those few had shown him between their pages. "Goddess of death."
Facing another general, Rau's wound ached. A painful reminder to the parties encounter with Darkraven. Frozen by fear and pain, the priest stands still. His thoughts running wild with the notion of fighting a goddess of death. Her wailing piercing him like no other weapon could. Shaken to the core the holy man stood in the chamber engulf by the suffocating and overwhelming presence of the queen.
As suddenly as it came the presence of the queen was pushed away and now he felt a hot wave wash over him. No doubt an action taken by one of his comrades, the priest now free of the initial paralyzing fear takes action. While whispering a quick chant, Rau barely lifts his staff of the ground and then slams the butt into the floor beneath. Two interlining strings of white and golden energy race towards each member of the party. The familiar holy energies and aether blessing the parties armaments.
-
The banshee queen's head tilts to the side, her eyes downcast, almost in regret that it would come to this. As the initial bursts of energy from the Dragon warrior and the Dullahan crash against her frame, her body shudders as her head tilts back. When her mouth opens, the ghostly faces at her side join her in unleashing a shattering scream. The very walls begin to crack slightly under the force of the sound, and the wind is enough to slow the warriors' advance towards the queen. Sentences began to pour forth, each face speaking simultaneously through the screams as the sound reverberated through a chamber designed to echo and make her sound even more painful.
"You speak of fear, yet know not true pain. You have not seen your people and your home ripped from you by a madman."
"You speak of judgement, yet you are no innocent. You serve the reaper's cold scythe with no remorse."
"There is no peace in this land, only pain. I have been here so long, and I have seen no hope for the future."
"I was once a queen of a beautiful people, and now I wail alone in the dark, haunted by the ghosts of my past as I serve the lord of vampires."
These sentences all pour forth at once, making it difficult to discern any one, but each sentence seems more significant to at least one of the listeners. The Orcs behind the group gripped their ears tightly, their teeth gritted and their eyes shut tight as blood began to drip from their noses. Grakul loosed his grip on one of his ears long enough to grab the pistol at his side and fire a shot at the Banshee queen. The blasting sound of the weapon discharging battled the shrieking noise for a moment, but after the bullet had connected and the Banshee queen's shoulder had been blasted by the impact, her body twisting, but seemingly unaffected by the pain, the sound continued.
-
Sun Wu was grateful that he prepared a defense against the ear shattering scream from the Banshee Queen. His body seems to ripple from the intense sound waves washing over him as he employs his defense.
The Banshee Queen's remarks seem more full of regret than malice. Wu winces as her words hit home, even his defense wavers at the assault.
He screams as loud as he can manage, "You may have lost sight of hope, but we bring the it here with us. We only judge those who would bring harm to our own. Why serve the lord of vampires and turn your back on your past?! Serve your ghosts and give them rest! The tide will always change, and we ride the waves of that change!"
He does not move to attack further, hoping his words of reason are able to pierce the through Banshee Queen's assault.
-
The Dulluhan's floating head lets out an angry and pained hiss as the wave of sound crashes against him, a singular sentence seeming to slip through the cacophony of sounds.
"You speak of judgement, yet you are no innocent. You serve the reaper's cold scythe with no remorse."
Vildavyin frowns at hearing these words as he glares at the banshee queen, his words likely being swallowed by the scream but he says them anyways.
"No....I am not innocent, nor could I ever make such a claim. Don't you dare speak as if you are the only one haunted by ghosts and decisions of the past. You have no idea what I suffer for!"
The knight sheathes his sword and grabs the twisted whip dangling at his side. Bringing his arm back he cracks the weapon forward, aiming to wrap it around the banshee's throat and silence the defeaning scream.
-
As her weapon spun to strike and her initial strike smashes into the banshee queen, the shattering scream of the the queen struck her, slowing her advance. She grunts as the force of it hits her, her armor and clothes pressed back against her, the sounds of the metal of her armor scales grinding against itself drowned out as sentences eek out through the painful noise, one standing out among the others.
"You speak of fear, yet know not true pain. You have not seen your people and your home ripped from you by a madman."
She grits her teeth against the pain and balls on of her hands in a fist, pressing it against the seal on her armor as she pushed further towards the queen. A growl forms in her throat as a green energy begins to form around her, taking some of the pain of the scream from her. The green energy pushes out further from her body, almost forming a shield in front of her, the energy buffering it as she activates her [Earth Dragon] strength.
She begins to build power, in prep for a strong attack as soon as she gains the power.
-
The Banshee releases an ear-splitting scream, almost deafening the priest.
"There is no peace in this land, only pain. I have been here so long, and I have seen no hope for the future."
The barely audible words revibrate through the priest. As he screams back, anger threatens to flood the holy man's mind. "You have not seen hope? You who brings death and despair, you who has caused more pain and misery than you have witnessed!" Grinding his teeth and tightening the grip of his staff, he manages to pull through the pain. "I will tell you what is hope! Every man, child and woman, every living creature. All those we have left behind to come here. They are hope, their lives, the lives they will bring are the hope for the future!" Instead of spreading his energy to augment the weapons of his allies, Rau focuses it to the tip of his staff, crouching low he launches himself forward towards the banshee queen. Should he reach her, he will unleash all of the energy into her.
-
As the Dullahan's whip lashed at the Banshee queen's throat, her mouth slammed shut almost in surprise. The wailing stopped for a moment, and as she saw the oncoming attacks, her eyes seemed to focus on Sun Wu. There was almost an inquisitive gaze to her face. As Rau's staff connected with her chest, the burst of holy energy blasting into her, her gaze seemed to ask Sun Wu what there was to be done if this was their fate; eternally battling, even should some of them crave peace, as the remainder seek conflict. Her body is launched backwards, her lower half crashing into the brazier as her torso bent at an unnatural angle, her back turning almost a complete quarter-circle into the brazier's flames, an angle that would've snapped any living man's spine. As the purple flames licked at her torso, she closed her eyes for a moment, her face set in a wistful frown. Then, in a moment of sudden, rapid movement, her torso snapped straight once more, and her mouth opened inhumanly wide, the noise from her even greater than before, the flames on her body extinguishing as the force of her sound began to tear up the floor beneath the group, stone tiles lifting from the ground and slamming against the back wall.
"THIS WAR HAS GONE ON FOR TOO LONG. THERE IS ONLY PAIN LEFT, AND NOW YOU EXPERIENCE MY ANGUISH!" the sentence is loud, blasting across with the scream, and even those who can discern it from the noise find it only amplifies the sound. Her arms are outstretched, her hands curled into claws, as her tattered robes flutter in the force of her scream, her hair blown back as if in strong winds. This was the unleashed force of the Banshee queen's killing shriek.
-
As the Banshee queen's mouth snapped shut in surprise at the whip's attack, she was given the opportunity to fully slide her Earth Dragon shield into place in the brief lull of the attack, allowing her to focus all of her energy into building a massive attack.
The banshee queen almost seems to ignore her as she builds her energy. The queen was thrown back by a massive burst of energy from Wu's staff. Her body twists in ways that no mortal would ever see and survive, but she seemed mostly unhurt.
Tile rose from the ground as the banshee unleashed her killer scream, the noise deafoning and pain bringing. Fortunately for Mizuki, she had had time to get her shield into place. Tiles battered her shield and bounced off in dust and the scream that was digging into the brains of others would likely be an angry buzz to her. She pressed forward, the shield absorbing the brunt of the attack.
She did not even bother with speaking as she closed, but she took a deep breath. The energy she had spend gathering the past few turns coaleced in her lungs as she brought the oxygen into her body. For a second, as the shield she had formed seemed to waver ever so slightly in the onslought, she held her breath.
In a great roar, akin to that of a full grown dragon, Lady Yukimura exhales, unleashing with it all of the energy in a massive storm of fire. From her mouth, a great gout of flame, searing and burning, scouring and terrifying. The tiles left on the floor would crack and pop as the stone baked and melted and for but a moment, no one could look, the illumination of the dragon flame too bright. [Fire Dragon, Charged up for a post]
-
As the banshee's wail blasts forth once more, the Dulluhan's floating head flies backwards, the armored form stumbling for a moment before it raises its shield against the sonic onslaught, the steel boots digging into the floor as he braces against the waves of sound. As the attack washes over shield and armor the faded emblem on the front seeming to almost fade more as if its literally being blasted off by the scream. Anger and pain are clear on the disembodied head as it floats down behind the kneeling armor, eventually floating in between the shield and his armored chest. Left with little options available, Vildayvin remains in this position as he "weathers the storm" so to speak, hopeful that the great flames unleashed by the female soldier will be enough to silence, even temporarily, the banshee so that he can move in once more.
-
Their eyes meet, and Sun Wu perceives an inquisition from the Banshee Queen. Their brief moment of connection is severed by his companions' attacks. So close to shore, the current pulls away any chance of diplomacy. The tide of war is relentless.
He meets her final gaze with a look of apology. As she lurches back into the brazier, Wu allows the current to wash over him. He finds the calm of a placcid pool, endlessly deep. The Banshee Queen snaps straight, unleashing the deathly force of her shriek. Wu's body rides the waves of the sound. He focuses on the calm of his chi and allows the sound to wash over it, reducing the impact on his body. The air around him wavers as the sound waves dissipate through him.
Lady Yukimura roars in flames, expelling a massive storm of fire. The flames are blinding, and yet Wu seeks to take advantage of them. With chi filled steps propelling him through the oppressing force of the Banshee Queen's shriek, he tucks in behind the tail of the Fire Dragon. His aim is to follow up the Fire Dragon with a torrent of Water Style strikes on the Banshee Queen. Each blow landed, even if blocked, will increase the power of the next. This will continue until the force of the blows overpower the shrieking Queen, unless Wu's attack is mitigated somehow.
-
As the flames leave Yukimura's form, they briefly take the shape of a roaring dragon, surging forth and blasting through the Banshee queen, blinding light washing over the area. All goes white for a moment. The sound of the screaming ceases.
As the fire clears, there stands the Banshee queen, robes smoldering at the edges, black marks marking her sallow flesh, but still whole, and still standing. Her mouth is clamped shut, no killing sound to be heard, but her eyes tell of pain as as she drops to a knee. Sun Wu's rush forward is halted by a shimmering barrier. As he brings his fist forward, the barrier cracks, then shatters, but repulses back, shoving him away from the undead woman.
When she opens her mouth, the shriek that emerges is not as painful, only as shrill and loud as her earlier conversation had been.
"This battle will go on forever. You may battle and bruise me, but you lack the power to kill me. What will you do? Will you fight me until the end? Until we crumble to dust, our souls to be claimed by the black lord of this land? Will you insist upon this war that wages eternal? Our fight is but a microcosm of this great war. An impossible struggle with neither side giving way, always pushing, always destroying each other while the Shadowy leaders laugh from afar at the lives being lost."
Her eyes are downcast as she speaks, the fire from her previous assault burnt out. She stands and turns back to her brazier before she opens her mouth again. The noise being directed away from the group makes it less painful.
"Continue to strike at me if you must. Perhaps you will find a way to strike me down. I cannot see it, however."
-
Sun Wu's fist meets the solid barrier with perfect form. Chi builds up behind his fist, and as he shifts his body to throw a follow up punch the barrier shatters and throws him backwards. The Banshee Queen makes no move to attack. Wu takes stock of her posture, seeing the change in her demeanor. He opens his fists and shakes them off, allowing the built up Chi to disperse.
He feels a moment of regret, watching her turn back to the brazier in contemplation. Facing his companions behind him, Wu shakes his head.
"Make no move." He states, before turning back to the Banshee Queen. As he looks at her, his eyes a filled with an apology for the assault.
"We do not insist on endless war and toil. We insist on ending this conflict with your dark lord. If you choose to support him in his malicious efforts, then we will continue trying to strike you down - you and whoever else stands in the way of peace."
Wu folds his arms in front of him. He has no intention of attacking unless provoked.
"You are correct that this is but a microcosm of the war, a mere drop of rain. Yet, each drop of rain on its own does not make a flood. Combined, the storm overwhelms even the sturdiest of obstacles. Will you be overtaken by the tide? Or will you add your own drop to the effort?"
-
The Dulluhan watches as the Banshee Queen seems to falter and then cease her screeching assault. While his eyes still flit about and his lips are twisted in their macabre smile his head seems to tilt slightly as if an indication of confusion and perhaps surprise at this sudden turn of events. His gaze focuses on the monk as he directs them to make no move, Vil's grin twisting down into a jagged half-frown. His sword still gripped in his gauntleted fist his gaze shifts between the monk and the Banshee as if he ponders something. Then he suddenly thrusts his blade down into the tiled floor, his fearsome strength forcing the enchanted weapon down into the floor as he slowly proceeds forward. As Wu finishes speaking, Vil's raspy voice is heard, rattling out of his decaying skull.
"The monk speaks the truth, though in more flowing eloquence then is necessary. I stand before you as a fellow creature of darkness."
His gaze seems to shift off to the side as if he recalls his past and how he came to be the undead warrior that he is now, his words continuing after a brief moment.
"It may be hard to believe but there are other options then dwelling in sorrow and doubt. Join us....fight against the black lord and his army."
The dulluhan extends his right hand, clenching it tightly.
"Help us bring down his tyranny of destruction and terror...."
His hand opens up as if offering to take the womans hand in his own.
".....and you shall see that there is still light in this world. That there is still hope.....but we need all the assistance we can get to reach it."
Vil's eyes cease their erratic behavior and gaze at the woman in front of him, his face no longer a crazed smile but more of a neutral gaze as he waits to see what the Queen will say or do.
-
As the flame burns down and the banshee queen seems to halt her atack, yukimura takes a step back, her Spear spinning slowly. she notes the smoldering robes and burnt flesh and the pain in here eyes tells much.
"This battle will go on forever. You may battle and bruise me, but you lack the power to kill me. What will you do? Will you fight me until the end? Until we crumble to dust, our souls to be claimed by the black lord of this land? Will you insist upon this war that wages eternal? Our fight is but a microcosm of this great war. An impossible struggle with neither side giving way, always pushing, always destroying each other while the Shadowy leaders laugh from afar at the lives being lost."
The banshee stood and spoke away from the group so as to not hurt them.
"Continue to strike at me if you must. Perhaps you will find a way to strike me down. I cannot see it, however."
She listens as her companions make their speeches, listens as they attempt to appeal to her. Finally, she speaks up, her spear slowly spinning, then finally stopping, the lightning and flame crackling around the edges calming.
"My companions speak true. We shall remove the dark lord from this land, and you can be a part of bringing light back to where it seems so bleak.
-
Ashara glances over her shoulder at the group, looking at each of them before she returns her gaze to her brazier. There is a long pause before she speaks again, her gaze downcast.
"Dracula owns my soul. I cannot directly move against him. I will do what I can, but I suspect that if he does not know what has transpired here, he will soon learn. My actions will be seen as failure if not treason. I am likely not long for this world. Go now. I will ensure that you are not seen as you leave. Remember that not all who serve do so willingly."
As she finished speaking, Ashara reached down and gripped both sides of her brazier with her long, thin hands. The spirits that had been present when the group had entered the room returned, singing softly as the Banshee queen stared intently into the flames. Grakul and Orgarash behind the group finally spoke up.
"Perhaps we should be moving then." The larger orc said as his smaller companion looked outside into the hallway.
"We should make the best of her efforts." Grakul agreed, spinning the chamber of one of his weapons as he scanned the hallway for potential danger.
-
The Dulluhan's head slowly shifts about as he listens to the banshee's words. The undead knight can sympathize with her but at this stage there is little else he could do. Reaching down he grasps the hilt of his blade and effortlessly wrenches it free. Turning he moves back towards the door at the orcs suggestion.
"A sound suggestion. Let us be on at once."
-
"If that is your wish." Wu bows to the Banshee Queen. "May the current guide you to peace."
With a nod to the orcs, Sun Wu makes his way to the door. He produces his pipe from a fold in his shirt and begins packing tobacco into it. From another fold a match is acquired and flicked to a flame. As he exits the room a plume of smoke marks his exhale.
The pipe is often used in idle occasions to pass the time, but it is also used when great thoughts press upon him. It gives his hands something to do while his mind works through his feelings - while he collects his inner calm.
The Banshee Queen is yet another victim of the darkness. Even in her current form, she still suffers under the yoke of Dracula. Something they will hopefully remedy in days to come.
-
She stares at the queen for a moment more, gauging her intentions. Finally, she nods.
"Alright then. We shall be on our way"
She makes a formal bow to the queen, before shouldering her spear. She looks the Banshee queen in the eyes.
"We will defeat him"
She spoke with such confidence, that it was hard not to listen to her words. She was already turning her back to the queen and moving towards the exit before any reply could be made
-
The banshee queen says nothing as the group leaves, but she offers one last glance over her shoulder at them as they make their way back into the hallway from whence they had come.
The walk through the hallway was not nearly as foreboding this time. The eerie silence has been dispelled, and instead the soft singing of the Banshee queen's attendants follows the group as they make their way back through the passage. Their notes are lighter than before, perhaps even hopeful, as if the prospect of potential freedom or a chance to fight back has put new breath in the lungs of Ashara and her handmaidens.
The group finds their way back into the barracks they had slain a group of soldiers in, and they are left with two paths before them; back out the balcony to the ground outside the keep, or out the main door to the hallways leading to the courtyard proper, where the sounds of battle have ceased.
"Sounds like the distraction's over. We should probably get out of here. Unless you want to check out some more of this keep." Orgarash said, looking around to make sure no-one else was coming.
-
Wu silently falls in line with the group to the barracks. He tries to maintain his calm, but the Banshee Queen is bugging him. Not all forces of darkness fight willingly. Could it be that their quest for peace comes at the cost of unwilling participants lives? He tries to shake the feeling of guilt, but it lingers.
He blinks himself back into the room as Orgarash suggests leaving. Wu nods in agreement, although it feels like their mission was less than fulfilled.
-
The Dulluhan looks towards the hall leading to the balcony as he follows the others out.
"We have done what we came to do. There is no knowing just what size of a force may be waiting for us out there should we continue on. I think it is best we withdraw and move on."
Vil's eyes flit back and forth as he awaits to see what hte others shall decide.
-
She catches the eyes of the banshee queen as she glances over her shoulder. For a moment, the queen would see the strength of dragons within them, Yukimura's face emotionless. She looks forward again, not looking back.
She walks straighter as they retreat from this hall, as if the darkness were a weight on her shoulders and had now lifted some.
"Yes. We have accomplished our goals, even if not in the way we imagined. Be ready, however. This fight is far from over."
She shouldered her spear and made ready to leave.
-
The group made their way out the way they had came and climbed, slowly and quietly, back up the slope that they had been overlooking the keep from. On their way back up, they could see the aftermath of the 'distraction'. Several places in the main courtyard were still on fire, and bodies and arrows littered the ground. There was no sign of the dragon or its rider, but considering that soldiers were now pouring out rather than into the keep, it was likely the armies of darkness were in pursuit. As they reached the top of the hill, the rest of the party was waiting. It looks like they had been somewhat busy. Shani and Wrynjolf were dragging back a pair of unmoving corpses as Khadmas and Theldorian kept their eyes on the horizon.
"I think these are the only scouts that got a look at us." Wrynjolf said as he dropped the body to the ground. "Their armor's interesting. Mass produced, shoddy craftsmanship. But it's made of a metal I haven't seen before. Take a look." He knelt down and ripped the front half of the creature's breastplate from its hinges, holding it up for the Dwarf to inspect. The metal was pitch black, but had a dull shine to it, almost like obsidian, but its consistency was that of steel. The party had only seen this metal in one other place, and that was on the blade of General Darkraven.
"I've not seen this material's like 'afore." The dwarf said, looking the piece over. "But I ken' take a guess as to its properties. Looks Tough, but flexible." He bent the breastplate with his hands, and while it gave, it quickly returned to its original shape. "Gives, but dosn' break. Even poorly made armor o' this quality material will stand up to bludgeonin' strikes an' slashes fairly well." He turned it to the side and noticed a slight gash in the rim, then looked back and saw where the creature had been rent through the side by one of the two werewolves' claws. "Though per'aps it doesn' stand up ta everythin'. Tis worth notin', I'll keep an eye out fer more."
"I still haven't seen Valorkoth or William." Theldorian said, his eyes still looking over the horizon. "But my other senses tell me they are travelling swiftly. They will likely move until they are out of sight of the army before circling back. We may wish to create a concealed camp site until they return."
-
The Dulluhan follows, his gaze flittering about as they make their way back up the slope. He listens silently as the others discuss the strange armor the two scouts are wearing. The undead knight had no familiarity with armor-making outside of his own cursed form so had little to add to the conversation. Instead, he kept a lookout around them, not wanting any stray enemy soldiers to possibly spot them.
-
Wu watches curiously as the dwarf inspects the armor plating. Having never worm armor himself, he is always interested in seeing how other's armor is put together.
While thick and sturdy, the armor doesn't seem to cover completely. A custom fit suit would be one thing. But foot soldiers would most likely be given some rudimentary protection, full of openings.
Theldorian mentions a concealed camp.
Wu responds, "Rest would be welcome. Let's find a safe place to camp for the time being."
-
She moved with the rest of the group, re-climbing the slope that they had looked out from originally. She noted with grim satisfaction how effective the 'distraction' had been. She nodded to those on the slope edge, who had taken out the scouts and she moved forward to also look at the armor.
"Huh." She mused about what this could mean, before standing up straight again.
"Yes, getting a little rest after the last strike would be a good course of action"
She pulled out a small flask and took a swig, looking around and helping discuss with the others what site might make a good concealed camp.
"Did anyone take any injuries we don't know about?" She asked, just to make sure.
-
After a brief period of finding a suitable place to create a camp, The group gathered at their designated location and began to set down camp supplies. As Wrynjolf and Shani set up a camp fire and tents, Theldorian and Khadmas stood in the center of the campsite and inspected the area around them.
"Aye, this looks good. Theldorian, if ye don't mind starting out for me?"
"Certainly Khadmas. Let us begin." Taking a moment to center himself, the Elven monk took a deep breath, elbows bent and arms brought close to his side, his fists clenched. After a moment of focus, he brought his hands up to his chest, open palms spaced inches from each other, and with an exhale, thrust his hands toward the ground. A burst of invisible energy rushed toward the ground and dispersed outward, scattering leaves and dust, and, at the end of its radius, digging a small circle into the earth around the camp, creating a perimeter roughly fifty feet in diameter.
"Right. Now my turn." The dwarf slammed his fist into his open palm and, taking a similarly deep breath, exhaled a cloud of shimmering dust. While the mystic cloud hung in the air, the enchanter stamped his foot onto the ground, and the flecks of dust magnetized, swarming out and filling the radius Theldorian's strike had dug into the earth. As a ring of shining silver dust encompassed the camp, it flared for a moment and a semi-transparent bubble appeared in the air around the group.
"There. Now there shouldnae be any problems. Valorkoth'll surely sense this barrier, but no others should be able ta find us." The dwarf strode over to the campfire and sat down, stroking his beard idly as the Elf sat down next to him.
"We make a good team, don't we Pointy-ears?"
"Indeed my friend. Let us now simply hope your snoring does not draw the attention of the enemy."
The two shared a laugh at this. Khadmas's laugh was raucous and bellowing, while Theldorian's was more light and refined, but the two shared a genuine moment of mirth in this dark time, and such was perhaps its own gift.
-
The Dulluhan watches as the others begin setting up camp, the gaze of his floating skull drawn to the interesting spell the dwarf and elf seem to be casting. Vil can't help but chuckle softly at the banter between the two as they move over to the camp fire. Moving to join them, the undead warrior draws closer to the flames of the campfire, the flames within seeming to weaken and falter as the frigid nature of the Dulluhan seems to almost overwhelm it. Seeing this Vildayvin pauses and then moves back a short distance, the camp fire roaring back to its original potency once more. Finding a small boulder relatively near the campfire he sits down, his raspy voice emanating from the cracked and decayed lips of his skull.
"Perhaps it would be best if I remain over here. Such warmth is long lost for one such as myself."
His eyes scan the area as his head occasionally turns and twists around, even as his armored form remains stationary upon the rock, clearly keeping an eye out for any possible trouble should the bubble created by the elf and dwarf prove to be unsuccessful at fully hiding them.
-
Wu watches appreciatively as Theldorian thrusts his hands toward the ground. As the small circle appears at the end of his strike Wu chances a grin. Such a simple display of raw power.
The barrier is a welcome sight. Being camped so far behind enemy lines was bad enough. Considering the enemy lines they were behind belonged to such fiends, any unprotected rest is a deathly gamble.
"Thank you, gentlemen." Wu says to the pair, before taking a seat near the campfire.
He pulls a bottle of clear water from his sleeve and takes a sip. Before capping the bottle again he pauses.
"Is anyone thirsty?"
-
Mizuki watched curiously as the dwarf and elf practiced their magic, and smiled as they explained the results
"Good" she said "Glad to hear we will have some modicum of protection out there" She chuckled at the laughter that the two were sharing.
She tilts her own flask towards Wu's bottle and takes a draw. Yes. That's water in there all right. Yup.
"A small rest is welcome." She settles down near the fire, taking small sips from her flask.
-
And so the rest began. Khadmas and Theldorian sat and conversed, sharing old stories and events from their past, and Wrynjolf and Shani set ferociously into their food, the two werewolves swiftly devouring the meat they had portioned themselves for the night's rest. After a brief pause, Orgarash spoke up.
"In the keep. The banshee queen. It's apparent that she doesn't serve Dracula voluntarily. He exerts some level of control over her, but not enough to make her unable to let us go. What purpose does keeping a tormented soul like that around serve for the Vampire lord?"
"He may be using her as both general and example." Grakul suggested, stirring the campfire with a stick. "A warning of the fate of those who defy him."
"Perhaps. But I almost feel as if there's more to it than that." The larger orc scratched his chin in thought. "What do you think, warriors?" he turned his gaze to the humans among the group, his question lingering in the air a moment as he waited for response.
-
She capped her flask and replaced it to her belt, and looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Well, it definately seems like he is using her as some sort of example. Something that says 'I don't care if you agree, you will serve', though she seems to maybe be more powerful than he anticipated, as evidence by her letting us go."
She tilted her head.
"Unless she was to let us go, in order to lay a trap, but I feel like that would have been sprung already..."
She looks around then, outward from the camp with a frown.
-
"Where else would she go?" Wu wonders out loud. "The failed queen of a kingdom fallen."
He takes another sip from his water bottle, the flames from the fire dancing in his eyes. He was glad he wasn't the only one who came away from the encounter with the Banshee Queen with questions.
"She said Dracula owns her soul, probably much like a tamer controls a..." He glances at Vil, dropping the words unspoken.
"Could it be that not all of Dracula's forces serve willingly? If there was a way to break his control over them, perhaps we could ask them to aid us in overthrowing him."
-
The Dulluhan watches as the others relax, dine, and converse amongst themselves. His erratic gaze falls upon Orgarash as he speaks. Vil's eyes flit between each member as they speak.
"She said Dracula owns her soul, probably much like a tamer controls a..."
The monk stops his sentence as he gazes over at Vildayvin, the Dulluhan's eyes pausing in their movement to return the look, though the twisted smile remains. It is clear that he knew exactly what the monk was about to say.
"Could it be that not all of Dracula's forces serve willingly? If there was a way to break his control over them, perhaps we could ask them to aid us in overthrowing him."
His head floats over to the others as if joining the conversation, even as his body stands up and moves closer to the edge of the hidden ring, facing towards the fortress. The Dulluhan's raspy, withered voice slips from amongst those cracked and desiccated lips as his head bobs about.
"Such an assumption would not an inaccurate one. While most would consider us to be nothing more then well....monsters, I can attest that there are many who are more then that. Many succumb to the dark natures of their beings, others see no other option as they find themselves practically shunned and ostricized by everything and everyone they may have known. Others though are left with no choice as those stronger then them literally bend their wills and force them to malevolent or diabolical acts. I have no doubt that there likely are many within Dracula's ranks who, given the chance, would enjoy the oppertunity to turn against him and enact their vengeance upon their former "Master". Naturally though, the difficult part being determining how he controls them and if, and how, its possible to sever such control."
The head remains floating as it goes silent, the armored figure still standing in silence as it seems to "gaze" back towards the approximate area where the Banshee Queen might still be, still forced to kneel against her will.
-
"Hmm. Perhaps the Tamers might be able to do something about this. They are trained in the arts of taking monsters from the control of the darklands. Maybe they might be able to find out how to free larger groups from the Vampire lord's control." Shani mused aloud, taking a bite of her meat rations as she stare into the fire.
"Maybe you're right. Hey, if we got those Tamers all together, maybe a couple of 'em could help the generals break free." Wrynjolf suggested hopefully.
"That assumes they all want to be free, like the Banshee queen." Orgarash said, scratching his chin. "But there might be something to it. Nonetheless, the rest of you get some sleep. Grakul and I will keep watch for our wayward friends." The pair of orcs each stood and began to take up positions around the edge of the protective sphere, watching the skies in the direction they expected the dragon and his payload to return from.
-
"Agree, if we can use the tamers to potential wrest control of those who want free, perhaps we could strip them of, and gain, valuable allies ourselves"
She spoke quietly and stretched then, her spear out beside her
"It's worth a thought anyway." she nodded. As they suggested the rest of them get some sleep, she smiled "Ah, yes. Rest is good. If you need anything, do not be afraid to call on me."
And with that, she would settle in and close her eyes, her spear always within arms reach.
-
Vildayvin remains silent as the others talk about possibly using the Tamers to break the remaining generals free. His focus is inward on his own thoughts. All this talk of Tamers and freeing monsters made him contemplate about his own "situation". He had his free will yes...no collar or anything bends him to anothers wishes. He was not truly free though. As a Dulluhan he was a servant of Death itself, riding forth to collect and judge souls. Finally his voice slips softly from his cracked and desicated lips, the sound so quiet that he must be more thinking out loud then actually speaking to anyone.
"And if not...then Death shall come calling for them...."
The fallen crusader seems to drift back into himself once more. His head settles down on top of his severed neck as ice and frost seems to coalesce around him, his entire figure icing over until he almost looks like some macabre ice sculpture. As his living companions get some rest, the Dulluhan recuperates in his own way. Small dents and dings in his armor from recent battles slowly reform and disappear under the sheen of frost as he sits unmoving.
-
Sun Wu contemplates the discussion as he takes measured sips of his water bottle. Surely an effort like this would have been thought of before, but to what end? The fact that monsters and monstrosities have already been turned by tamers proves such a path is not impossible.
But couldn't the inverse also be true? The Banshee Queen wasn't always in such a form. Dracula may be able to turn the forces of good to darkness, just as the darkness could be turned toward the light.
He corks his bottle with a sigh. Thinking in circles is no use. Wu finds a comfortable spot by the fire and closes his eyes. Perhaps answers would be found in his dreams.
-
Hours passed quietly as those who could rest did so within the protective confines of the enchanted camp, while one who did not sleep kept silent watch.
Throughout the night, forces of the damned moved through the forest, searching but unable to find the group through the spell keeping them from sight. At one point a pair of wights in that mysterious black armor walked within eyesight of the camp, passing by muttering unintelligibly to each other.
As the hours passed the passing groups of enemy forces became less and less numerous as the search died down, and near the end of the period of rest they had all but disappeared, returning to the fortress from whence they came.
And that is when the sound of beating wings reached the group, rousing some of them from their slumber.
Valorkoth touched down as lightly as he could next to the shielded campsite, his knowing gaze showing that he knew precisely where the hidden group was. As he brought his massive head down to rest on the ground next to the group, it became apparent that something was wrong.
The Warlock who had ridden astride the dragon into battle was nowhere to be seen, and several chunks of scale and flesh were taken out of Valorkoth's hide along his neck and the upper portion of his chest. The wounds did not appear to still be bleeding, as if they had been healed recently, but the scars were still present.
"It is good to see you are well, friends." The dragon's deep voice rumbled as quietly as it could, the sound still sounding as if a rock slide were happening slowly. "But I fear even this shield will not remain safe for long."
-
The Dulluhan watched, silent and unmoving, his disembodied head occasionally floating around to "follow" any of investigating soldiers, the decrepit skull remaining well within the sphere. As the sound of beating wings is heard, the undead knight moves for the first time, his head settling once more over his shoulders. His erratic gaze focuses on the dragon, noticing the injuries.....and lack of rider.
"It is good to see you are well, friends." The dragon's deep voice rumbled as quietly as it could, the sound still sounding as if a rock slide were happening slowly. "But I fear even this shield will not remain safe for long."
"Where has your riding companion gone?"
Vil looks around, clearly concerned as the sound of wings and such could have drawn the attention of anyone in the nearby area.
-
A rumble shakes his dreams. Blurry eyes open, requiring a number of blinks to gain their focus. The hard ground gave no favors as a bed, yet the rest was well received.
"... But I fear even this shield will not remain safe for long." Valorkoth had returned with a warning, and he appeared worse for the wear. Wu rises to his feet and wastes no time in collecting his things. Traveling light affords one the luxury of a quick escape.
Vil asks after The Warlock, who was ominously absent from the dragon's back. Wu awaits the dragon's response as he prepares to leave their increasingly temporary safe haven.
-
She slept well, having gotten used to sleeping in campaign by now, often on comfy dirt beds. She remained asleep, but ocasionally was alert when one group or another came particularly close to the camp.
Finally the sounds of beating wings roused her, and she sat up, noting finally that the dragon had returned, though he seemed to be missing his rider. Her eyes flickered along the dragon's hide, taking note of the obvious wear and tear of battle.
"Yes, I too wonder where the warlock has gone" she said quietly, standing then, picking her spear up. She had little of anything to take with her, save what she carried on her person. "You look like you've also taken a bit of a beating. Is there anything we can do for you?" She asked
-
"The Warlock was plucked from my neck in the same assault that injured myself." The dragon explained, his wings unfurling as he seemed to be preparing to move.
"Each of you, astride me. Stealth has been lost and now speed is of the essence. The hunter is prowling and none of us are safe."
Orgarash and Grakul seemed to understand the direness of the situation immediately, and began to climb onto the dragon's neck. Theldorian and Khadmas looked at each other with worried expressions, before assisting Wrynjolf and Shani atop Valorkoth as well.
"Come, warriors." the dragon spoke to the remaining. "We have little time."
-
Wu's fears are confirmed. The camp, even with its magical protections, is no longer safe.
Wordlessly, Wu falls in as the group climbs onto the dragon's neck. A hint of unease cracks his inner peace. If the Warlock was plucked from the same perch, how well would a crowd fare?
He casts his worry aside, and places his trust in the dragon's judgment.
-
The fallen knight watches as the others mount up the the dragon. Figuring that it would be best if he mounted up last, both due to his ghastly apperance, as well as the rather frigid temperature of his armored form, he waited until the rest had positioned themselves and then effortlessly leaped up onto the back of the dragon and settling in.
"Yes....I am not generally fond of subterfuge and sneakery. Let us bring the battle to them....and should they be of similar mindset to the Banshee Queen.....free them. If not....their names shall ring from my lips and they will finally feel the ice cold embrace of Death."
-
"Very well then." She bowed her head for a moment before looking up to the dragon.
Being able to fly on the back of a dragon. There was something special about that. The warriors she was a part of sought to emulate the dragons and now she would be one with the sky.
Slowly she moved over to mount up,securing her gear on her back to make sure that it didnt fall off. Gently, she ran her hand along the scales as she settled in, something about the creature resonating with her.
-
Once everyone was atop the dragon, his massive wings beat the air and he launched himself to the sky. Moving at full speed, the wind buffeted the group as he moved with all the expedience he could muster. But it was clear from the onset that something was following. Those with keen eyes could see the rapid shaking of trees below as something tore through the canopy. As the dragon attempted to create distance and speed toward the army, the creature that was following moved directly toward the dragon across the ground.
There was an ear-shattering howl, and something dark launched from the canopy. A massive, armored wolf-beast was hurtling through the air, claws outstretched. The werewolf was on an intercept trajectory with the dragon and soaring fast. Valorkoth jerked suddenly, forcing everyone atop to hold on for dear life as he made a sudden evasive maneuver. The glowing red eyes of the werewolf pierced the darkness as it glared at the group as it passed by, spinning in the air to prepare for landing, and likely for another pass.
"The hunter is swift. I will do my best to evade him without tossing any of you from my back. it will be up to the group of you to fend him off, however!" Valorkoth's voice boomed over the rushing air. The sound of trees being scraped and knocked down came up from below, followed by another howl. The beast was coming again.
-
The Dulluhan draws his blade as his decrepit eyes gaze at the werewolf as it passes near them. He prepares himself to do all that he can to ward off the creatures next assault.
"This...shall be interesting."
His head floats downward slightly, his eyes focused on the ground beneath them, his body remaining poised above as he waits.
-
Mizuki held onto the dragon as he performed evasive meneuvers, watching the beast carefully as she could. The dulluhan spoke
"This... shall be interesting"
"You aren't kidding. not quite what I expected"
She grips onto the dragon, turning in her seat, She started taking slow deep breaths, preparing to breath fire with her [Fire Dragon] the next time the werewolf leapt up at them.
-
Wu braces as Valorkoth takes evasive maneuvers to avoid the massive werewolf. The Molded Chi technique will come in particularly handy for a fight such as this.
Wordlessly, Wu watches the werewolf's form as it speeds through the forest below. Current guide him, he will do all he can to thwart the beast's attacks.
-
The next leap came at a perfectly poor opportunity, between beats of the dragon's wings, preventing him from correcting properly. The massive werewolf soaring through the air, claws outstretched. The beast's eyes glared with intense hate, and something about its glare was terrifying, even to the monstrous and the undead, who should feel no fear. The threat of imminent destruction preceded the beast's assault, a terrible wave of sensation that surged forth from the hunter. Perception of time seemed to slow, colors dimmed, drawing all attention to the oncoming attack.
He would be on the group in but a few more heartbeats, but each instant dragged on like hours.
-
Wu watches as the werewolf springs from the ground and launches impossibly high. The dragon is between wing beats, unable to maneuver to the best of his ability.
Death is imminent. The steady pool ripples, Wu's focus threatens to break. He has tunnel vision, focusing on the piercing eyes of the werewolf as closes in.
Uncharacteristically, Wu screams. He raises balled fists over his head and swings them down, letting out another yell with effort. The molded Chi follows the motion as it leaves his body. The Chi travels out and attempts to deliver a heavy blow to the werewolf from above. It would most likely not be deadly to such a creature, but it should throw it off course if it connects fully.
-
The Dulluhans head spins as the werewolf draws near. the undead knights eyes growing wider as he feels a sense of fear wash over him. The warrior brings his shield around in front of him, setting himself for the incoming strike as his jaw opens wide, unleashing an ear piercing shriek towards the werewolf. He can only hope the sonic attack is enough to throw the creatures aim off, his armor and shield enduring the rest.
-
"Just keep us as steady as possible" she called to the dragon "We will keep this beast off of us" her voice was so confident that it was almost infectious, the nobility in her posture reassuring. She turned as best she could in her seat.
A piercing shriek from the Dulluhan and a scream from Wu causes her to tense a little. Even as they do so, she takes a deep breath in.
A noise begins in the back of her throat almost like a growl, but when she exhales forcefully, a roar like that of a dragon comes forth as well as a great gout of flame, raining down upon the wolf as it lunges for them. [Fire dragon]
-
The Akavashi noble's confidence was almost reassuring, but while it did not assuage the sheer pressure the beast brought with it on its attack, it did provide the others enough strength of soul to fight back. As the noble exhales a gout of flame, the Monk assails with a wave of Chi and the Dullahan unleashes a sonic shriek. The combined might of these attacks seems to do little in the way of actually harming the hunter, who merely crosses his arms before his face and charges through, but their combined force seems to have thrown off his aim. He sailed down, below the dragon, out of reach of his claws as he swiped viciously at the air. A growl echoed through the night sky as he descended.
"Hold on tightly, warriors." Valorkoth bellowed over the force of the wind. "This shall be a dangerous maneuver." The dragon began to gain altitude, its nose tilting upward slightly as it rose higher into the sky.
A howl echoed from down below and the Hunter was in the air again, launching himself toward the projected path of the dragon.
Then the dragon turned itself vertically downward, wrapping its wings close to itself, and began to drop like an arrow, spinning a corkscrew in its descent. The wings wrapped around the dragon in such a way as to provide a small amount of cover to the heroes on his back, but the spin was no less disorienting and could still threaten to throw them from his back should their grip fail them. Not to mention the quick stop.
Just as the dragon was about to reach the treeline it righted itself in the air, wings extending and catching full sails of wind beneath them, halting its descent and beginning to climb again, the Hunter having launched himself clean past the dragon and further away. It would take some reorienting to find the Dragon once more, but who knows exactly how much time that maneuver has bought.
-
"Hold on tightly, warriors."
The undead knight quickly sheathes his blade and does just that, a gauntleted hand clamping down on whatever he can. As the dragon performs the dizzying dive he grips tightly, his unholy strength working to maintain his placement on the giant winged creature. As Valorkoth stops the descent and begins to climb once more the Dulluhan eases his grip as his head spins about looking for any sign of the hunter.
-
Wu's attack hits its mark, but is woefully meager in effect. Facing this foe head on would be a death sentence.
The monk braces himself as the dragon takes evasive maneuvers. Hopefully they have enough of a lead to escape the wrath of the Hunter.
-
She gripped the spikes along the dragon's back tightly, when suddenly the dragon dipped verticle, wrapping its wings around himself. As the dragon dropped like an arrow in a corkscrew, she could not help but be thrilled by the exhillerating descent
"WOOOOOOOOO" She yelled out, grinning, before grunting at the sudden deceleration. She looked around to her companions blushing slightly. She grumbled.
"Erm... sorry"
She would look around for the Werewolf then, keeping her eyes pealed and ready to use earth dragon to block an attack if necessary.
-
The air became unnaturally still after that maneuver. The sounds of the hunter became ever more distant, and Valorkoth's steely focus on the environment around him rendered him silent, his eyes scanning the horizon for any further threats. His wing-beats were spaced out, creating as little noise as possible as he glided through the air just above the canopy of trees. As the danger seemed to slowly leak from the area, colors seemed to return and time resumed its normal pace. The hunter seemed to have called off the hunt, at least for now. It was uncertain what its reasoning was, or when it would return, but at the moment, the group was safe.
"I will take you back to the main body of our group." Valorkoth finally spoke, his voice rumbling as quietly as a being of his size could manage. "We will have to discuss our strategy moving forward and what to do about our missing ally."
He made a slight turn and began to soar in the direction of the rest of the force. "Our first strike has been successful, but not without cost."
-
Vil glances around as everything seems to grow quiet. No longer does he hear the sound of the hunter pursuing them. It would seem that, at least for the time being, they had escaped the creatures grasp.
"I will take you back to the main body of our group." Valorkoth finally spoke, his voice rumbling as quietly as a being of his size could manage. "We will have to discuss our strategy moving forward and what to do about our missing ally. Our first strike has been successful, but not without cost."
He ponders the dragons words, especially seeing as how they never really did receive any information yet as to what transpired that led to the disappearance of the dragons rider.
-
Her cheeks red from blushing, she scanned the ground below, observing for other threats.
As calm washed over the group, she would fall quiet.
Valorakoth would speak eventually
"I will take you back to the main body of our group. We will have to discuss our strategy moving forward and what to do about our missing ally. Our first strike has been successful, but not without cost."
She goes introspective, thinking about how the could have done things better. She hated losing anyone... she took out her flask and took a drink, before replacing it with a sigh.
-
It would seem that the coast is clear. The Hunter has been shaken off of their tail, and the air has become still.
Valorkoth mentions returning to the main part of the group. A welcome idea. Hopefully some rest can be had.
Wu nods solemnly in response, knowing the dragon could not see him regardless. It is not often that his composure breaks like that. The Hunter struck him a blow that will take some time to recover from. He focuses inward for the rest of the flight back, hoping to reconnect with his inner calm.
-
The rest of the flight carried on in grim silence as they soared through the air, eventually landing some distance off from the fortress they had just raided. The dragon alighted on a high, rocky cliff face with a view overlooking much of the land around the black city. The bulk of the Crusade's forces could be seen marching out of the city, preparing for the next assault that the main army would be undertaking. Banners of the crusade hung from the city's walls and a small force within the walls was establishing supply lines to the shore, likely to receive new forces and equipment in what was to be a lengthy campaign. From this high vantage, the main battle forces seemed like a distant sea of banners and armor, with a few monstrous silhouettes breaking the tide.
"So. Our dutiful taskforce has returned, one member shy. I thought I smelled danger on the winds." The dark, smooth voice of the mysterious vampire Alucard cut through the silence like a knife, his presence chilling as always as he seemed to materialize from the shadows of the treeline, a short distance from the side of the cliff. Behind him, the armored form of Sir Walter of Gandrick strode silently into the clearing. The master of the crusade walked to the very edge of the cliff, gazing out at the forces arrayed below, before speaking. "So. Tell me of what has transpired in the Fortress of Screams."
-
The Dulluhan slides off of the dragon as they land, patches of frost manifesting on the ground as his ebony plate boots clank upon the landing. He gazes at the vampire as he speaks, and then over towards Walter. His raspy voice rattles out from within his desiccated floating skull.
"We reached the Banshee Queen. It would seem she is not quite as..."loyal" to the enemy as originally thought. We then withdrew to rest and eventually our friend here (he gestures back towards the dragon) found us, his rider missing in action. We then had to flee as the enemy chose to unleash the Hunter upon us, which we only barely managed to escape."
Vil slips his shield on his back, his hands resting on his belt as his head floats above the severed stump of neck. His eyes flit about in their usual erratic nature, his mouth returning to the almost psychotic smile as he waits to see what everyone else says.
-
"It is as the Dulluhan says. She is powerful, but her loyalty may be fractured."
Mizuki sighed a bit and shouldered her spear. "I hope that she can be convinced to turn, but I do not think the Werewolf will. He tried pretty hard to kill us as we fled on the back of a flying dragon. Fairly Brazen if you ask me."
She looked to the beastmaster
"Sir Walter, how fairs my men?"