Chapter 23
The ampitheatre is a slaughter ground, dead viera and fiends lie all over but the day is mostly the parties, four Viera retreated back into the structure beneath and the AMS Dao has been moored in place and a gang-plank extended. Captain Farquan looks around the mess then glances at Raziel as Alliandre comes up beside him and looks around, she shakes her head and drifts back aboard the boat as the Captain Speaks. "Well Raziel this seems as good a place as any to moore up and wait for your return. I take it you'll be going in after them for that Keystone you are searching for?"
Marduke is making his way off the ship still holding a hand to his head from a headache. His free hand holding a glass of water only to look around and sighs. "What a mess." he offers and shakes his head walking over to Raziel, "At least four got away, appeared to be casters of what kind but not sure which exactly. They didn't cast anything. They were prepared for us to." Looking around again, "something tells me there is more deeper."
Thaylorn has done rather well cleaning any mess of the battle off his armor and weapons and has probably checked any fallen Viera for any extra supplies or anything else that may be of assistance to the group, in particular maybe keys. "They were probably the ones that ended up bringing all the beasts, less all Viera can order them around." The Imp chimes in from where he's standing with the others, "So there might just end up being more later." He adds with a small sigh.
Mordecai stands off to the side a bit, quietly reloading his weapons with his remaining ammo... Having used up quite a lot during that battle really, so he likely will need to go back on to the ship for a bit to resupply. Looking up at the others then, glancing from each one, he decides to suggest just that, "Let's restock ourselves, and then see what's below this place."
Raziel stands admist the carnage, his eyes closed as if in meditation. However he nods to the captains words. Flicking his eyes open once again the man looks around and then back to Marduke, "likely so.. and if not they will be setting traps to keep is from entering the place that they're protecting. More traps.. this was one but... expect it to get nastier.." There's a nod to Mordecai, "restock and come back then, we better put a move on before they get things too nasty ahead."
Jenna wipes her sword clean on the pelt of one of the slain wolves, and slips it back into the scabbard on her belt once she's satisfied. Her pistol is carefully reloaded before being likewise returned to the holster on her leg. "Hell of a fight," she comments. "At least hte next part will be close quarters, so hopefully we won't have to worry about being swarmed." While the burmecian speaks, she wrests a bow from the fingers of one of the slain Viera, and stocks up a quiver with as many good arrows as she can scrounge up. "This is kinda primitive, but it'll do for me. I'm ready to keep going."
It doesn't take long for everyone to restock and prepare and have any wounds seen to by Alliandre's healing magic, the sun imp says she'll stay on the Airship however and await their return. Then it is a simple matter for the party to follow the Viera into the structure beneath the Ampitheatre. The openings in each tier lead down into a circular tunnel that runsa round the length of the chamber then radiates in to a central stairwell that winds down past several landings, access points to other tunnels on different levels of the ampitheatre. Then after they pass the lowest tier of the ampitheratre the stairway becomes narrower, winding down into the rock. It is damp and dark and dingy and the echoing drops of water splashing on stone is the only sound in this dark place.
Marduke just looks a bit grumpy as they start on their way down, offering a comment over to Jenna, "You have any idea how long Chlaal is going to be grumpy? Pridful dragon he is..." Shaking his head as his words trail off, but not really explaining further then that as he keeps his eyes sharp and actually smiles a bit, "Oh so much nice and cooler in here!" Pausing a moment and hmming, " Eyes looking to Raziel, "Thoughts on this?"
"Wonder if they put on plays or something up there." Thaylorn murmurs while the group heads down into the tunnels surrounding the ampitheater, the cooler damp air allowing him to avoid casting his cooling aura for the time being. "I doubt fiends would enjoy them much though." He adds with a smirk as he move swith the others "Any clue if we'll find what we need down here?" Mordecai keeps to the front of the party as they enter the tunnels... Not so much to lead, but because he's holding that sawed off shotgun of his in one hand, so it'd be a bad thing for him to be behind someone. However, considering he's also brandishing a large Bowie knife in his other hand, he probably doesn't want to use that scattergun too often, considering gunshots that to be VERY loud in confined spaces. His eyes keep scanning infront of him as he walks, keeping an eye out for traps mostly, but he still responds to some of the comments behind him, remarking, "If by plays you mean forcing hapless travellers to fight eachother to the death." Raziel hesitates and then frowns a little bit before making a quick move with his hand and a little flame bobs up overhead to help provide a little bit of light. He shakes his head to Marduke, but spreads his feathers a little bit, letting some of the cooler air sink in before snapping them closed once again. "I've no idea frankly, we are just following those who fled. Frankly I have little more knowledge than any of you just now. Lets continue."
Jenna shrugs her shoulders, falling into a spot near Mordecai, since he was the one who asked her to come along in the first place. "Ankle's buggin' me," she mutters, pausing a moment to adjust the metal brace around her leg. "Buggering thing." She walks with an arrow knocked on her newly purloined bow, and perks her ears up to listen for... well, anything. "So, when we meet up with the viera? any plans? Or just variously fill them up with bullets, arrows, that sort of thing?"
The stairs wind down for about five minutes and then come to an end in a long corridor, at the far end of the corridor a large archway can be seen and inside of it a large stone chamber. Four figures can just about be seen standing on a large raised platform at the far end of the room all looking toward the doorway and waiting.
Marduke frowns and stops as he notices the four figures. He hmms a moment and glances to the to Raziel, "Well boss, seems we have something big and nasty in there. Maybe a few protects or shells." Shaking his head as he glances back and frowns a bit and moving to stay near the back of the group more. "I lost one summon, but I still have two more. Jenna, I think filling them with holes is the idea, they tried to have us killed after all."
"Maybe, you'd think they wouldn't just be waiting for us all the way in there, if that even is them." Thaylorn mutters as he squints to see past the arch some ways away "Less it's another big sort of trap." He adds as he follows the others, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword once more in preperation for what may come ahead.
Mordecai pauses as well as the four figures become apparent, and then starts letting his eyes carefully wander over what he can see of the big hall, looking and listening for any signs of what might be waiting for them in there, aside from those waiting Viera. Meanwhile he rumbles out quietly, "They attack, we fight... And considering we took out at least half their tribe upstairs, prepare to fight."
Raziel's brow lifts a little bit as he seens the four on their platform. The man frowns slightly and he starts looking around for traps immediately while moving forward. His wings start glowing though as he mentally readies a spell, though doesn't release it. Quietly he mutters, "we've done this before. There's no reason for them to stand and wait, but for us to blunder into a trap. Keep a close watch and keep your weapons trained on them." In agreement with Mordecai. "Sorry 'bout your dragon," Jenna murmurs to Marduke, "But he seemed like the best way to get down." She draws her bow, aiming it at one of the four figures and keeping it that way as she advances with the others. She moves her feet as softly as she can, albeit with a bit of a limp. "Well," she murmurs. "Give the word, shoot or wait. Maybe they want to talk?"
The Viera don't do anything, just look back at you waiting atop their podium, watching you all, waiting. Behind them it is easy enough to see for everyone except Thaylorn is a small pedestal, sat atop that pedestal is a hexaganol object made out of blue stone and inscribed with strange runes. They make no move to approach you or attack or speak, they are just waiting.
Marduke glances to Jenna and offers a smile and a whisper, "Oh it is ok, it was a good idea. Just remember, in his view, he allowed you to ride him." A touch of humor there then his face glances back to the viera and he frowns again noticing the stone. "Interesting, to far to see what the runes may mean though. Mist madened, who knows what they are planning." Glancing to Raziel then the others, and moving to keep up with the group as they advance. "Raziel, sense any magic?"
"Marduke, see if you can protect us before we can get up there, I'll handle magical barriers." Thaylorn remarks softly as he keeps his eyes forwards, although not being able to see much there isn't much more to say. Instead the Imp begins charging a Shell spell to protect the group from magical attacks, mote of energy radiating from the creature as he casts his spell.
A glittering barrier of pink light engulfs everyone with a faint chiming sound, one of the Viera flicks her head and stares at Thaylorn then settles back in to just watching everyone again. You page, "The stone is heaped with Kharma, GOOD Kharma it radiates YEs ness" to Mordecai. Mordecai's gaze seems to linger for a long time after he spots that strange stone... His pupils visibly narrowing to anyone who might be able to see. But then he manages to tear his eyes off it again, and the man pretends he didn't kind of zone out there, letting his eyes shift towards the Viera once more as he calmly steps forward, seeing that glimmering shield erect itself around him and the others. And starting to prepare himself for an attack the moment they're wide out in the open.
Raziel hesitates as the shimmer comes into play and he nods to Thaylorn quietly before moving forward, apparently having not seen any traps. After a moment's hesitation the man speaks up, "all of this need not have happened. We did not wish to harm your people, but that stone behind you is something which we have come to aquire and must due so by the demands of the spirits."
The burmecian sidles up beside Raziel, pausing a moment to blink as the pink barrier shimmers into being around her. Jenna leans close to the Aygel, dropping her voice to a murmur. "'Borneth sleeps below me' is inscribed on the stone." The former soldier straightens, and pulls back her arrow once more, gazing down it as she aims at one of the viera. "I'll be impressed it talking works," she adds. "But it's worth a shot. So to speak."
One of the women steps forward and looks down at Raziel, "You attacked first, our pet was inquisitive, it was looking, you attacked it. We retaliated and now a day of doom is upon us all. Prophecy is fullfilled, our sanctum invaded by outsiders, foreigners with no care for nature." She jumps lightly off the platform and lands, "Now we have picked one of you to face oone of us. Your champions against those of us who remain. You will face us one by one in honour and if all four fall then we relinquish the stone of Borneth. If not then the curse of Exodus shall befall you all in this place and at this time."
Marduke crosses his arms as he listens not offering anything. A touch of a frown as he considers and glances to Raziel, then back to the stone and the Viera. "No, you retaliated because you were confident in our deaths. A attempt at killing, there was no honor in that. Now you offer a honorable fight?" Clearly not liking this at all. A glance to Raziel though as he waits for the leaders choice in the matter.
"There's no use talking about who started what now, their minds are fully set on the idea that we attacked them first." Thaylorn remarks softly as he listens to the Viera speak towards him, the mention of one on one combat bringing a frown to his face in turn. "Are you to do battle with them, then Raziel." He asks towards the Aegyl.
Mordecai's mouth twitches into a brief scowl as he listens to the challenge and the responses around him, before speaking up loudly himself, his deep voice carrying well, "We attempted to call truce and were attacked all the same. Your people's genocide is on you. Our kharma was not changed for the worse today." And he raises his large knife to point the blade directly at the Viera who spoke, sending a message.
Raziel opens his mouth to respond then closes it once again. The man frowns a little bit before stating merely, "we have a differance of opinion on what constitudes inquisitiveness, but a test of champions.." He looks over at those with them gauging their responces before he looks back once again before he takes a step back, "if you wish for champions to step forward then." He puts a hand on Mordecai's shoulder and another upon Jenna's, "then here they are. If you want me to take up that title then I too would step forward."
Jenna relaxes the bowstring, and returns her knocked arrow to its quiver, before dropping both on the ground beside her. "If there's a call for champions, I ain't answerin' that with a borrowed weapon," she comments. She draws her pistol and her sword instead, and tilts her head to cast a grateful glance in Raziel's direction. "But I'm a soldier, through an' through, an' if there's a call for champions... well hell, I'll answer it." She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "Best be makin' yer choice," she adds, gazing up at the approaching viera. "An' make it wise-like."
She laughs softly and shakes her head as she regards Jenna, "She is no challenger, she is a thief and a liar, a dishonourable cur, deserter." She hasn't come any closer just stood at the bottom of the platform. She does regard Mordecai then and looks him up and down. "You speak wrong Kharma master, you broke Kharma by coming here, by daring to disturb Borneth's Tomb but you I will accept as a challenger and should I fall then the next of us shall step forwards." She draws two large boomerangs and faces Mordecai waiting for him.
You page, "Is ok don't feel bad I checked my notes I had a References Re: Jenna nayway, they can all see that she is a deserter, its a Viera spiritual thing so they'd all refuse to challenge her as it is." to Raziel.
"Wrong!" Jenna pulls back the hammer on her pistol, and levels the weapon at the boomerang-wielding viera. "I'm a woman wrongly framed and convicted of a crime I ain't committed, fightin' against all the odds the world can pitch at me to live me life the right way. You call me a thief, a liar, a deserter?" She snorts loudly. "Then I challenge *you*. Either come and face me, or be accounted a coward and eat your words, if you can't find the pluck to take on one burmecian bitch, 'specially after hidin' behind a bunch of fiends, vieran whore."
Mordecai glances sideways at Raziel as the hand is placed on his shoulder, and he starts to lower his knife again... Only to hear the 'lead' Viera speak, adressing him as the chosen champion. He actually snorts a bit then, and starts to slowly step forward... Fixing his pale gaze on the Viera as he responds in kind, "Then may Lord Tonberry take issue with me when we're done here... But for now, I accept." And as he walks, something odd starts to happen... Tendrils of darkness reaching up from the man's own shadow, curling languidly up his legs and steadily going higher, until swirling all around him. Upon which they start to slowly solidify, parts of it even changing color to a dark crimson... Taking the shape of a long, sweeping Great Coat, a wide brimmed hat, and a dark burgundy shawl covering the bottom half of his face. The top half disappearing in pure darkness, aside from two pinpricks of crimson light where his eyes would have been.
She ignores Jenna's speech and moves her boomerang, "I have made my challenge, yours has no place in this hall. Kharma balances, Prophecy shall be fullfilled and I will not face the deserter." She watches Mordecai change and then she bows to him when he is about four feet away from her. "So be it... Prophecy is met," and hurls one of her steel tipped boomerangs right at Animus as the Esper finishes his emergences.
Remaining tendrils of shadow trail behind the man, bleeding off his newfound appearance, when he rather swiftly launches himself to the side as the Viera throws her Boomerang straight at him! The man, if he can still be called that, landing in a smooth sideways roll, somehow keeping possession of his hat throughout, and then coming right back up to snap his shotgun towards the Viera in retaliation- Even the weapon's appearance having changed, its wood darkened to a rich ebon, and intricate engravings now apparent along its metal parts.
She sways as she is shot at, the buckshot peppering her shoulder, she grunts and catches the Boomerang as it returns and at the same time she lashes out with the other. Not throwing it, just unleashing a crackling wave of electrical energy at Animus as he moves across the stone chamber. There is no dodging the creeping tendrils of electical energy, it hurts like hell but Animus is not bothered by electricity!"
Charging forward after his shot, the man seems to barrel right through the blast of electricity, not slowing down even as it crackles off him. And he attempts to close the distance then, limiting the space for her to use those boomerangs in... Sprinting pretty much straight for her, and appearing as if he might actually be planning to shoulder smash right into her.
Animus' charge however is dodged, she spins out of the way and brings her boomerangs down onto his back, the metallic edges like razors cutting through the cloth of his cape, slashing into his back nastily as she leaps away to safety.
Animus can be heard grunting loudly as those razor edges slash into his back, and stumbles forward, attempting to get out of range from further melee attacks and chalking the recent attempt up to a bad call... Soon returning to the tried and true method of sending a load of buckshot out towards his foe, attempting to spin around and do just that in time, before he finds another boomerang wizzing towards his head.
The Shotgun goes off with a boom, she is too close, it takes he square in the face and she crumples backwards, her body a lifeless shell as she sprawls out on the floor her boomerangs clattering to either side. Still Animus is in a rather bad way, the gashes down his back are deep and could be fatal if not seen to soon. The esper staggers onto his knees as up on the platform the three remaining Viera confer and then one of them steps forward and jumps down lightly. "I challenge the Servitor of Leviathan..." She calls out, "Let the imp test his mettle against me."
Having seen Animus's battle, Thaylorn can't help but seem a little hesitant when another of the Viera steps forwards and calls him out to battle. Sighing he merely shakes his head and steps nearer towards the middle of the room. "If you wish, just go a bit easy on me okay?" The Imp remarks with a large grin as he moves into action, trying to get the first move in so to speak...That move would be nothing more than gathering energy to himself for the time being though, his hands outstreched as almost if he was grasping at the air itself, trying to pull the water of the jungle from the air to his aid!
The air in the room is suddenly dry and crisp and quite refreshing for everyone else after the heavy humidity of this jungle ruin. The reason is the huge sphere of water that now engulf's Thaylorn, its energy crackling and discharging into the imp as he rises into the air and moves to meet his challenger! It's going to be one hell of a battle between mages as the Viera summons the spirits and power of the Earth to her side in defence! Best hold on people it's going to get messy with this much magical energy on the loose!
Once Thaylorn is more in his comfort zone with a sphere of water about him, he can't help but grin, most likely only visible to the Viera before him. Hopefully before the other mage gets a chance to fully prepare herself, the Imp moves into action by flying straight at her while drawing forth his blade. Probably in an attempt to pull her into the sphere of water along with him so he can slash at her more easily!
The burmecian soldier stands where hs'es at, and casually spins her revolver by its trigger-guard. Her other hand taps the loops on her bandoleer, quietly counting how many bullets she has left within easy reach, while she watches the second fight unfolding. Off to the side is the Vieran mage who insulted her, and then declined to back up her words with action. "Viera," she pronounces at last, "Have an odd sense of honor. ...That is to say they haven't got one. No clue how a contest of champions works, either. Must be a result of going stir-crazy in the asshole end of the forest."
The hand that had but a few moments before rested on Jenna's shoulder is gone. Instead the mage had balled it into a fist during the battle between Animus and the viera. As the man wins he merely looks at him quietly before stating as he turns attention to Thaylorn, "you should have just said before when you were questioned. It would have saved me trouble." He takes a step back as the mages go at one another and lifts a hand as if preparing to shield if it should be needed.p leetle=:oohs and mixes it with some butterpecan and nomnoms
Marduke has been watching the fight and frowning the whole time. Wincing a few times as Animus gets hit still clearly a bit confused by all that is going on. Yet as Thaylorns challenger is named he isn't wasting to much time rushing forward, not to get into the fight, but grabbing onto Animus. Working to drag the bigger guy back, adding most likely a few new bumps and bruises to the esper in the process but away from the center of a soon to be battle. "Raziel!" Glancing back over his shoulder, "He needs help!"
Animus, having sunk down to his knees after blasting the first Viera in the face with his shotgun, lets himself be dragged back by Marduke afterwards. Leaving a thin trail of blood in his wake, dripping down his strange, shadowy form... Trying to shrug the man off some then however, he simply grunts and sits back, watching the ensuing fight between Thaylorn and the other Viera with those crimson 'eyes' of his visibly narrowed below the wide brim of his dark hat, before he slowly turns his shotgun breech up and starts to replace the two shells he spent previously. Not responding to Marduke's cry for help, except just bleeding more.
The hand that had but a few moments before rested on Jenna's shoulder is gone. Instead the mage had balled it into a fist during the battle between Animus and the viera. As the man wins he merely looks at him quietly before stating as he turns attention to Thaylorn, "you should have just said before when you were questioned. It would have saved me trouble." He takes a step back as the mages go at one another and lifts a hand as if preparing to shield if it should be needed, though as Marduke races in to grab Animus and drag him out the aegyl stops and exhales a sigh, muttering as he more channels healing energies into the fellow rather than helping much in dragging him, maybe he hadn't intended to immediately help him at all.
One of the remaining two viera up on the platform look down at Jenna and shakes her head, "We have more honour then all your rat tailed lot combined. You have no honour, we know what you are deserter, you have no honour remaining to yourself at all and as such no right to question our own." Raziel's healing spell works, the divine energies sinking into Animus' body, his wounds heal up but the esper is still going to be quite fragile after this. Thaylorn charges into the Viera mage, she is whipped up into the sphere of water and the whole thing froths and boils! From the outside it is impossible to see what is going on inside as lightning cracks and green light flashes and the occasional glittering flash of Thaylorn's blade can be seen! You page, "Yeah you take down the HOUSE with that! Pose how you wish! You dispose of her with ease magic and sword and dicing her into pieces inside a whirlwind of water." to Thaylorn.
Thaylorn seems to be taking the fighter rather seriously jumping straight to the point in regards to attacking the Viera. After a few moments of spinning water and flashing lights the whirling water sphere falls apart, the only visible person within still standing would be the Imp, but as the water flows away the Viera mage could be seen laying on the ground, utterly defeated and in a obviously deceased state.
Jenna's ears flatten out upon receiving a second round of insults from another viera. Her lip curls up in a snarl, showing some teeth, before she straightens, and squares her shoulders. "Really?" she answers, in a strangely calm tone of voice. "Well then." She stops spinning her revolver, and catches it by the handle before holding it out at arm's length and drawing back the hammer with a loud click. "Question this, then." The burmecian soldier opens fire, issuing forth two loud reports from the weapon; the first bullet plows into the viera's shoulder, staggering her back a step before the second one impacts straight in the forehead. The forest woman falls flat on her back, and her legs twitch before she goes still. "I guess that answers that," Jenna observes as she holsters her weapon.
Marduke just moves to rest himself up against the cave wall after dragging Animus back. Glacning to him to make sure the man/thing is going to be ok. With a single nod he glances back to the fight and catching his breath quickly. Frowning a bit and tilting his head, clearly not able to see what is really going on. A blink as he hears gun shoots and glances to Jenna, and then to the Viera she was shooting. A erp escaping him as he shakes his head, "Errr..." Not sure what to say and just looks back to the other viera still standing wondering what that one will be doing.
Animus slowly rises as Raziel's magic knits his wounds... And even though he appears a bit unsteady still, he can now stand once more, and watches as the Imp seems to soundly defeat his challenger, the Esper nodding once in silent satisfaction. Turning his head towards Raziel and Marduke then, the man seems poised to speak to them... Before he seems to still entirely as Jenna's twin gunshots ring out, and the Viera who insulted her dies. The man standing motionless there for a moment, before quite suddenly he rushes out towards the Burmecian! Swinging a hand to attempt and knock her weapons aside while his voice booms out with authority and an odd, inhuman quality, echoing loudly, "You stupid girl! You broke the chain of fate!"
Raziel straightens up after the healing and he snaps his eyes at the viera issuing insults to the woman, "You will desist in slandering her na..." His voice cuts off as the gunblasts go off and he turns to look at Jenna slowly. "What. Have. You. Done?" Each word spoken slowly and with care. He stares at the burmecian and then spits on the floor at her feet in disgust before looking back at the Viera and lifting his hands as he prepares a spell, knowing that such an action will surely earn retribution. "And I would have defended this.. woman." He stills, a cold shiver racing up his spine at Animus' shout and then gives himself a quick shake as he prepares himself for another battle.
The remaining Viera has fallen to her knees and is groaning, arms around her head, long ears twitching, "Noooo.. no it ends.... the spirals the sight within sight... it is over... my lord we have failed!" She beseeches Exodus the absent lord of the Viera in a shaky, crying out to him, "My lord return! Show us the path, show us the way! They came as the texts said! They came and defeated our beasts, Kharma's Hand, the Servitor Leviathan, Zodiac's Champion, the Deserter, the Summoner! We did as you bid! Five of them and our challenges to all but one! How could we challenge a Deserter! Have we erred, have we strayed return my lord reur..rrkkk..." She is cut off as a sphere of dark energy takes her head off causing it to thump to the ground. There is a deep, throbbing "Vruum" sound as a strikingly beautiful figure in red and black appears upon the rock in a swirl of darkness, a deep humming tune filling the air all around her, a dark foreboding filling the chamber....
The way it was meant to go if the party ought and one the four challenges and then the way it would go if one of you interfered. I really didn't think I was going to get to go this way when you decided to not interfere last week" to Jenna.
"Oh damn it." Thaylorn begins as he hears the firing of guns from behind him where the others are as he turns about only to see Jenna killing one of the two remaining Viera. With the others also protesting her actions he merely shakes his head and begins moving back towards the others until the remaining Viera starts speaking again. With her magical decapitation though the Imp can't help but gasp and back up further, remainin silent at the sudden appearance of the striking figure.
Jenna's jaw is set, and she folds her arms beneath her breasts. She doesn't move as Raziel's gob lands at her feet, other than to shoot a glare at the man. "Insultin' the dickens out of *me* was one thing, but tossing it on my whole race? Well hell." She snorts loudly. "And besides, I'm not a deserter in any way, shape, or form. I..." She falls silent, and perks an eyebrow upwards as the black and red woman makes an appearance. The soldier takes an involuntary step backwards, and rests her hand on the handle of her pistol once more. "...Well now that's different."
Marduke winces visibly going a bit pale as the viera gets her head cut off like that. he would step back but he was already against a wall and just shivers. A glance to Jenna and Animus there considering a moment, "Karma's Hand?" Tilting his head and glancing to Thaylorn nodding and then to Raziel. Last he glances back to the figure and eases into a more defensive stance, clealy ready for the worst. "Just be on guard, this is bad, very bad im sure."
Animus's expression is hard to read, considering he has none whatsoever in his current 'form', but by his body language he appears fairly angry... Just staring at the Burmecian with those pinpricks of crimson. But at the Viera's outcry, the Esper starts to slowly turn around again... Facing her in time to see her head pop right off, and the mysterious, beautiful figure to appear. His 'eyes' instantly narrowing, before he states in a much quieter voice than before, "... Prepare yourselves."
Raziel sends a look towards Animus and then he freezes as the woman appears and the viera is decapitated. The mage actually pales for a moment and then he growls, eyes lowering to try and see the keystone which they'd come from. Quickly realizing that it's blocked he lifts his hands and his wings mantle a little bit in challenge and motes of fire start to appear over the golden feathers. Prepare yourself indeed. The aegyl attempts to strike first.
The lady smiles and reaches out to pick up the stone on its pedestal before her, her long nailed fingers closing around it and picking it up. As it leaves the pedestal she shivers visibly a huge smile on her face as she regards you all, her gown swirling and flowing about her legs as the darkness and shadows about her seem to dance and whirl all about. "Darlings and here I thought I was going to have to follow you in like a cur, wait for you to open the path for me." She rests her cheek against the key-stone, stroking it with one hand and smiles, "You darlin girl," She addresses Jenna, "I should do something nice for you, but I... ah sorry.." She raises her free hand and casually flicks a finger, Raziel, Marduke, Thaylorn and Animus are slammed back into the wall, tossed by a gust of wind that shatters the gathered magical energies and disrupts any preparations they had been making. The woman then vanishes in a whirl of darkness to re-appear before Jenna, she is a good foot taller then the Burmecian and so very strikingly beautiful, "I really should as I said do something nice. But I suppose your bothersome friends will try to follow me down, I really should do something to dispose of you now... hmmm I wonder what would be best." Her eyes are cold as she studies the burmecian then looks over at the others and the gust holding them to the wall cuts off dropping them as and the Sorceress smiles gently, "Oh I know what would do..."
The Imp is caught by suprise as the strage lady merely flicks her finger and he along with some of the others go flying back to the wall. Thaylorn grunts as he smacks back against it, eyes widening in almost shock at how easily he was defeated! He doesn't speak up though, not wanting to pull attention even as he is dropped back to the ground once again.
Jenna whirls around to watch as her (angry?) compatriots are flung away, and slammed into a wall. The burmecian turns back, just in time to see the striking woman vanish. She jumps, a gasp escaping her lips as the woman reappears beside her. "Now now, hold up a sec!" The burmecian idles up close, "Maybe, I could be of assistance to you..." And just as she says that, she makes a very casual pass at trying to snatch the stone out of the woman's hand. Her fingertips just pass through the air, right where the stone had been, as she can't quite land the attempt. "Oh, screw it," the burmecian declares, as she steps back again and dras her revolver. She holds it at arm's length, and points it up at the woman. "If'n this bullshittery is my fault, then take it out on me and leave them out of it." She pulls back the hammer on her pistol. "Or I'll at least keep you busy long enough for them to beat you down while you're busy killin' me. I've hardly got any life left anyway, I'm expendable."
Marduke is slammed up agaisnt the wall he was next to suddenly. The force knocking the wind out of him and dazing the summoner for the moment. Closing his eyes he clearly is attempting to fight his way free and of course not having any luck doing so against the powerful effect. Suddenly finding himself dropped and falling he lands on his hands and knees, for the moment just trying to recover his wits and his breath and glancing up noticing what is going on. Eyes going wide for a moment as he can't do much more then simply watch for the moment.
Animus was still feeling rather weak from his previous injury, even though he tried now to show it just now, attempting to stand tall for the benefit of the others... But as he gets thrown back and smacked hard into that wall, his world goes upside down, a massive flash of pain shooting through the man and leaving him dazed and blurred... His body limply sliding down to end up in a bit of a heap the moment the magical wind releases him, and leaving him unable to do much. His shotgun have ended up a few yards away, out of reach, and the man too weak to make an attempt at his revolvers just yet.
Raziel's spell is cut off as he's thrown against the wall, only the mantling of his wings keepinghis head from rebounding from the stone. The shock of the hit, however, and the abrupt breaking of his concentration in casting knocks the mage's proverbial wind out. He pants and looks up, a few broken golden wings falling around his feet while he narrows his eyes and tries to get enough focus to attempt another spell, but it's like grasping at straws. "Oh my dearie you really are a silly wench," She flicks a hand and the gun melts into slag, just dropping to the floor and hissing leaving Jenna holding hammer and handle and then her fashionably dressed foot kicks the burmecian in the stomach and sends her careening across the room to slam into Marduke. "Well this was fun darlings honestly it was but I have what I need. Thank you for letting me in be good now and well... I would stay to dispose of you myself but I have a tomb to raid and you lot.. well..." She grins and steps back, vanishing in a flash of darkness as the stone room shifts and a crack runs along the wall and down across the floor and ceiling....
The Imp seems rather shaken by the appearance of that woman, although the suddenly cracking structure quickly snaps him out of it. "Oh damn it, we've got to get out of here, get there before she can." He calls out as he works his way back to his feet again and moving to help the nearest person to him back on their feet again, although with the shifting stone it might be rather difficult to do so!
And with that, the Burmecian goes flying through the air; though at least there's something soft to break her impact. Her head still hits the wall however with a loud crack, and she drops to the ground, thoroughly stunned. Her fingers curl into fists, clenching hard around the remnants of her revolver as she tries to find the wherewithall to clear her head and get back up; but right now, no such thing is happening, and she just sort of lies there on her stomach, muttering incoherently while bleeding from the back of her head.
Marduke was watching, and watching, and suddenly gets slammed into by Jenna. Just not reacting in time to do much about it other then offer himself as a shield, and slamming into the wall again. With a grunt he slides back down to the ground and groans softly. Opening his eyes as he glances around, "cracks?" he offers slowly trying to piece what he is seeing together, "cracks... cracks... cave..." Eyes going wide, "We need to get moving." Trying to push himself to his feet, "Need to..." Groaning as he now notices what it is that has slammed into him and grunting, reaching for her, perhaps intent to try to drag her along if he has to. Though it is clear Marduke isn't in the best condition after being slammed into himself.
Animus doesn't really take in much of what's happening around him, the Esper dazed and in pain, the voices that sound nearby simply not registering at the moment... However, two other things do register. The fact the Imp comes over to try and help him up, and the added fact that the floor he's on seems to be shaking and shifting... And with that, he uses Thaylorn for support to try and get to his feet, while he concentrates to attempt and get past the clouding of his mind, ready to get the hell out of here and deal with whatever bad thing that happened with the Kharma Stone later.
Raziel snarls out a curse, visibly losing his temper for a moment, but a moment is all he has. A brief look is given to Thaylorn and Mordecai. Another given Marduke and Jenna. In the split second he has to decide who to help the aegyl turns to assist the imp, since he's pretty small, while calling to Marduke, "Get yourself out of here before it caves in."
The room is continuing to split, the cracks are growing.. the room is starting to split in two! Daylight staps through suddenly and with a grinding, wrenching, crashing sound everything starts to fall apart! It is going to be a bit hit or miss to see if the party can get out of this alive as the whole room starts to crack in two...
The party are in trouble, destiny has been broken, Ultemeicia has absconded with the Key-Stone to the Tomb of Borneth oh and to make matters worse the underground chamber they are in is starting to break apart down the middle. Sunlight is shining in through the opening as the building starts to crumble apart.
Thaylorn can't help but seem rather annoyed at the situation he's currently in, with a building about to fall upon him and all. "Damn it, need to get out." He calls out, although compared cracking and rumbling stone it's rather quiet. The Imp would start moving towards one of the nearest cracks in the wall in an attempt to see if he could possibly fit out, that is if he could even keep his footing, especially if the floor gives away!
For her part, Jenna is in rough shape. Her gun is destroyed, the back of her head is bleeding, and she's having trouble getting herself up to her hands and knees, let alone fleeing a collapsing cave. The agonized whimper escaping her lips is lost to the sound of crumbling stone, as she shakes her head and tries, for the moment, just to clear the haze.
Raziel's eyes scan around quickly and look down before he glowers and starts helping Animus back to the stairs which they'd come down originally. The man moving slow and when they pass by Jenna he doesn't bother to extend a hand to her. "Let's get out of here, before the ceiling caves it," the mage growls, mostly due to the unaccustomed burden of the man's extra weight, to the hurt esper.
Animus, healed but still weak from blood loss, lets himself be guided along by the Aegyl... And after gathering some of his energies, tries to take some of his weight off Raziel, to move on his own two feet, understanding the need to get out of the collapsing cave as soon as possible. And as they pass Jenna, and even though he scolded her earlier, the man growls out towards Marduke in that strange, echoey voice, "Help her, summoner, before it's too late." Being essentially a good guy afterall.
Marduke is attempting to keep his footing from falling down. "Where we going guys!" Keeping a hold of Jenna and not about to abandon the woman at all it seems and is going to attempt to drag her along, a nod given over to Animus, "Of course.". A glance to Raziel as he moves to stairs they came down and attempts to help Jenna in that direction, "Come on Jenna." clearly hoping she will at least attempt to move herself some to help out.
The room rumbles, the cracks spreading across the room continue to spread and widen, sunlight can be seen streaming in from the sides and below as up above the roof tears away.... There is a cracking, rumbling sound that shakes the whole room as tears away. The opposite side of the room rips away in a crumbling cascade of stone.... the ampitheatre and collapsing tree-trunks collapses past and over-head the wall of the staircase plummets past as the whole thing tears itself apart! Marduke goes over as the room shakes and flagstones fall out from under him but somehow Jenna is able to hook her arm around the summoner and keep hold of him. Raziel and Animus are able to wedge themselves in the door-frame and hold on as Thaylorn has to leave the ground and fly out of the way of cascading masonry. After few minutes the roaring comes to an end and the structure above has fallen away, the trees directly ahead of them are shattered hulks of sap weeping trunks and still falling branches and the party are stuck about 100 feet above the ground on a stone ledge as the building below them is shorn away by the crashing, unstable masonry.
With all the chaos coming with the collapsing of the building it's rather lucky that Thaylorn makes it so safety with the others. As he comes to a rest at the landing far above the ground with the others he releases a loud sigh "Let's not stay up here for too long." He murmurs, peeking down over the edge briefly "Is everyone going to be able to move though?" He'd question, gaze turning mostly to Jenna and the grevious injury she sustained.
Jenna is busy stumbling along, having been helped to her feet by Marduke, when as the collapsing accelerates the ground goes straight out from under the summoner, leaving him with nothing but the void beneath his feet; Jenna hasn't got much better, as she promptly collapses once more, sprawling out just barely perched on the bit of stone that remains. The burmecian finds the presence of mind to grab hold of a stable bit of rock, while her other hand snatches at Marduke's wrist; she squeals out loud as her arms are both yanked taught, yet somehow she manages to gather within herself the endurance to hold on to both rock and summoner. Her breathing picks up in tempo, coming desperate and ragged as she strains her muscles; but merely holding on is the absolute best she can do. "Help," she gasps, in a pleading tone of voice, as her fingers gradually begin to slip.
Raziel curses as he presses back against the doorway. A brief glimpse is cast up, but for the most part the man remains still until the worst of it has passed. He looks at Jenna and Marduke then before dragging out the flare gun. "Thaylorn, shoot this and guide the ship above us. Then get a rope ladder down here to us." He offers it over to the imp and then slowly crouches down, a glance given the still falling debri, before starting to stretch out and attempt to grab Marduke by the otherhand in an effort to pull him up, or at least take some of the pressure off of Jenna.
Animus leans up against the doorway after being dragged to it, the shadowy man's chest heaving as he seems to catch his breath, obviously still affected by being slashed with a sharp-edged boomerang earlier. Otherwise trying not to move as everything seems to collapse around them, letting it just happen and pass him by... Before he spots Marduke in trouble, and then together with the Aegyl moves forward to help, dropping to his knees and reaching down an arm to grab the summoner and try to haul him up.
Marduke lets out a meep as the stone he is standing on goes out right under him, lucky for him though he is saved by the very person he was trying to save. At least partially saved that is as he hangs in mid air held up by one hand. As Raziel comes over to try to grab his other hand he holds it up so it can be grabbed, helping as best he can at least. "Help!" Not strong enough at all to pull himself up really.
Animus and Raziel are able to take the pressure off Jenna and pull Marduke up to trouble as well as pulling Jenny up with them, several large chunks of stone slam down into the platform they are on and bounce off and a branch cracks down near Thaylorn almost taking him with it as it slithers away. The rain of debris is slowing however but the ledge they are on is swaying alarmingly... the trees holding the structure up must all have been damaged in the collapse... )
Taking the Flaregun, Thaylorn moves into action, leaving the saving of the others to Raziel and Animus for the moment as he takes off from the platform heading straight up while trying to avoid the falling rubble to the best of his ablitly, no point in taking a shot with the flare gun if the flare just bounces off something falling! If Thaylorn manages to get a clear glimpse of the sky he would fire off the flare calling for the airship's aid.
Taking the Flaregun, Thaylorn moves into action! Probably at the perfect time as the branch comes slamming down just nearly missing taking the Imp down with it! Leaving the saving of the others to Raziel and Animus for the moment as he takes off from the platform heading straight up while trying to avoid the falling rubble to the best of his ablitly, no point in taking a shot with the flare gun if the flare just bounces off something falling! If Thaylorn manages to get a clear glimpse of the sky he would fire off the flare calling for the airship's aid.
Jenna doesn't let go of Marduke immediately; not until the pressure is well and truely taken off her arm by the combined efforts of Animus and Raziel. Only then does the burmecian relax, and allow herself to be dragged from the brink as well. She stumbles a bit, but upon reaching safety, just collapses to lie on her side; she curls up a bit, and reaches with both hands around to the back of her head. "...Son of a bitch," she mutters; well, at least she's becoming more coherent. ) [Spoofed By: Jenna]
Raziel almost loses his grip on Marduke, but thankfully there's Animus. As the Summoner is pulled up the aegyl holds still and then he mutters in a low voice, "don't /move/. This thing is going to go at any moment.." And he glares over at Jenna as she stumbles and collapses, "this is all your fault woman." The last word filled with what could only be described as hatred. Jenna pages, "On the other hand, switching sides might still be on the cards." to you.
Animus's arm visibly flexes as he pulls up the summoner, the muscles and tendons rolling along it... And as he drags Marduke to safety, he's not even done there, soon reaching out to grab Jenna as well, pulling her to her feet, though letting her collapse again soon after. The Esper looking quite exhausted himself, afterwards, at least judging by his body language- his expression unreadable, his face entirely hidden by shadow as it is. And he makes no comment about Raziel's statement, then... Just staying silent as he waits for possible rescue from the ship, trying to not give the floor beneath him a reason to fall apart.
Marduke just lays there for a little bit not moving at all. Just glad he isn't falling it seems really. Shifting a bit to look around and at the still falling stuff he groans a moment. "Just..." Shaking his head and not bothering to finish as he continues to lay there, regaining his senses and composure for the moment.
Marduke jigs and dances and sways from side to side up into the air... dodging bricks and plants and the odd animal and then bhe breaks clear. Looking down he can see the entire ampitheatre structure is gone as has half of the viera v illage as the trees have been smashed at the bottom and crashed into each other. The DAO is just over head and they spot Thaylorn as soon as he breaks free and move into place over head. Soon enough the work of about twenty minutes and everyone is back on board the airship and it is safe in the air where the party can watch the last remnants of the village collapse into the jungle below... ) [Spoofed By: Silvante]
Safely back on the airship for now, Thaylorn merely rests against one of the ship's rails as he watches the remaining bits of the village collapse below. "So we're kind of at a dead end, then?" He would ask towards anyone else that might be around him with a soft sigh and shake of his head "Less there's some other way we can find it."
Jenna is, by now, resting near the bow of the ship. She's sprawled out on the floor with her back to the railing; she's got a bandage wrapped around her head, and for the moment, she seems most keen on being anti-social. She has the remnants of her gun in hand, and is busy attacking it with her tools, trying to find what bits can be salvaged (probably not many of them) and just how much she's going to have to replace (probably most of it.) ) [Spoofed By: Jenna]
Raziel looks out over the jungle with his arms folded acrossed his chest. "I don't know..." He starts to say and then his head snaps back and he punches his fist into his palm. "We go to the temple.. likely she'll have already opened the door and we'll be racing to try and get to the item before she or to get it from her or her agents after they've already taken it." He turns to the captain then, "I will mark the place on your map. We need to hurry before they get in and out."
Animus's shadowy form slowly fades... The darkness seeping away from his form in thin, smokey tendrils, eventually just leaving him appearing normal once more... Though with a rather pale face and tired eyes, indicating his exhaustion, even if the man sits to refuse to sit down. Forcing his legs to remain steady as he grips both hands hard on the railing he's leaning against, and then glances sideways at Raziel... His voice raspy as he speaks, "Agreed... The game's changed now. We need to be quick and flexible." And he briefly looks at the others then, his gaze lingering a moment on Jenna.
Marduke has been roaming the ship, completely restless since they got aboard. Half the time reaching for a staff that isn't there and the other times pausing to look over the jungle thoughtfully. He glances to Raziel as he mentions the temple and nods, "Agreed. The quicker the better." Moving over towards Animus he kneels down, "Water, need to drink water. Way to much blood loss there." Sighing as he finnaly finds himself a spot to sit down and relax Captain Farquan studies the location Raziel marks on his map and frowns, "It will take us a day to fly there... so all of you rest up ok? I don't know what happened down there but we'll set sail at once." he walks off shouting oirders to the crew and soon enough they are under way. The crew are happy to look after everyone, bring them food and drink and baths are drawn in their cabins for them to freshen up which the ships doctor tries very hard to convince them to do. Jenna's gun is a right off, nothing is salvageable, the whole thing is just ruined and everyones clothing is in dire need of being seen to as well.
Thaylorn takes the time to merely rest and recover for the conflict that may be coming up once the group makes it to the spot Raziel ended up marking on the map. Keeping mostly to himself, too and turning away any medical help or whatnot as he just prepares himself in his cabin. Suprisingly the Imp wouldn't be a bother to anyone for the most part.
Jenna sighs heavily, and ends up stuffing the remnants of her gun in a pocket. That done, she packs up her tools, rises to her feet, and takes a moment to straighten out her clothes. The burmecian walks at a leisurely pace towards the stern of the ship, pointedly not saying anything as she passes the others; she throws the door open and leaves it swinging as she heads below decks to her cabin.
Once they have all eaten, bathed and changed Raziel heads for Jenna's cabin and knocks on the door, but he doesn't wait to see if she's in or will even answer. The man merely lifts his voice. "You have alot to think on, the things that happened this day have given you that. I hope you will think on them. Marduke must now beg forgiveness for the insult you did to his summons. We have lost the only advantage we had as well and we all nearly died. These things happened because of your thoughtless eagerness and your uncontrolled anger both. You, Jenna, must learn to think before you act. I will be watching and if you endanger us again I will ask the captain to lock you in your cabin so that we may continue. What we do is more important than my pride or yours. Suck it up and move on." And with his piece said the mage pushes off the wall he'd leaned upon and he turns, walking back the way he'd come.
Mordecai doesn't seem to want to involve himself in any of the group's drama just yet, despite what happened... Instead the man taking Marduke's advice to heart, and trying to regain his lost energies with food and drink in the privacy of his cabin, before falling asleep for a couple of hours in the hot bath that was drawn for him. The man feeling every one of his 53 years as the night progresses, and thinking more than once that he's getting too old for this shit.
Marduke just makes his way below decks grateful for the day of rest they will be getting, and at the same time cursing it. Taking his time to rest, meditate, and eat. The rest of his time spent above decks watching the passing landscape with a touch of a frown and avoiding any extra drama. "At least I will have all my summons ready." Shaking his head and continues to watch the lands below.
The AMS Dao flies slowly over the Jungle picking up speed as it flies over the deeper jungle heading further from civilisation. As Raziel pushes off from the wall he finds himself face to face with Alliandre in the companion-way. The golden imp floats there regarding the aegyl and speaks quietly to him alone. "You have forgotten your path as well Raziel, today did not go as it was for-seen but Destiny is still tangled... she is here because Andromeda my lady has seen her here. How can you know that the untempering of what the Viera had forseen was not part of her destiny on this trip?"
As Raziel is finishing his speach through the door, there comes the sound of splashing water, moments before the door opens and a very naked Burmecian woman emerges, dripping with water and bubbles. "Tall talk," she drawls, her mis-matched eyes narrowing as she steps out into the hallway. Heedless of the presence of the imp, she continues, "Especially coming from you, after your actions, Raziel. Just because my head got cracked, don't think I missed things. If not for Mordecai and Marduke, you were going to leave me to die. ...Did you know I served with the Forsaken? The worst murderers and rapists and sadists that the Archadian Military could find, but you know what? Everything we got put through, we survived, because we always looked out for each other no matter how bad we fucked up." She pauses, glancing down at herself and realizing what condition she's in, before edging her way back to her room. "Sad commentary that that pack of scum makes for better brothers in arms than you lot." As she reaches her door and passes through it, she continues; "So I quit. Go find your own damn coin, and keep your money." And with that, the door slams shut once more.
Raziel comes to a quick stop as he looks at the gold imp. He tilts his head for a moment and then there's a shake of his head as he's about to speak. However when Jenna opens the door he turns to face her instead. The man looks at her blandly before snorting, "only you care about your past here. I certainly didn't and, though you did not notice, I did make to stand up for you before you decided to take matters into your own hands." He smiles for a moment, not a nice smile, and starts to open his mouth and then shuts it, "no I'll not sink to that level just yet." He lets her have her say then turns back to the imp, "what I was going to say is that the esper yelled about everything becoming unravelled or however he put it when she performed that action. If Andromeda had seen that happening then I doubt he would have been affected as he was. The viera's words I don't care about, but a companion's I do and I have been forced to trust him to pick the people who were here. Should I suddenly stop trusting his word? And don't say I should trust her. I tried, she pissed on it and I don't any longer." He shakes his head and ducks under and around the imp as he continues down the hall. "I didn't say I'd ask for it now, but advised her to think in the future. If she proved to be a danger to the rest of us after this point, then I would have gone forward, but, Alliandre, that is a chance I gave her has been disregarded and the matter seems settled. Come lets get some rest. Tomorrow will be a difficult day I feel."
Alliandre looks at Raziel then glances at the door-way, "Settled? I really do not think so if she has quit... if she does not enter the Tomb of Borneth then you will Fail Raziel and the two Stellazio that dwell within will to Ultemecia's hand go." She floats up into the air and starts to drift backwards down the corridor. "I leave it to you to spewak with her tomorrow when heads are cooled. She now regards you as she does and you as she does... It will be up to the pair of you to act as adults jointly and find some manner or means in which to proceed. She messed up but then... your handling of the situation is little... there is too much anger in the air this night. Perhaps tomorrow before we reach the Tomb matters can be settled yes?" She flits back up through the companionway and returns to her chambers.
Go back to Stelazzio Quest Chapter 22
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