NM Part 14

The group leaves the Marlon Estate behind as it makes it's way towards the left side of town and the Seedy Tavern known only as the Hungry Marlboro, home of the Toriss bandit. While it's still obviously daytime the sky has become increasingly overcast, as if the world around them is reacting to your actions. Shadows stretch and crawl along the ground and you can hear movement of unseen shapes in the Darkened Alleyways. Occasionally a door on a house will rattle in passing, a shriek from within by a ghoul the wards are still holding at bay.. for now.

Remi stays close to everyone else as he traverses the town, the Bard looking slightly on edge as his rabbit ears perk at every sound, and his eyes flick to every slightest bit of movement. The young man keeping at least one hand free at all times, fingers randomly flexing, to be ready and throw a fireball at whatever creepy, evil thing might jump out of those alleyways they pass...

On the way out of the Estate's catacombs, Alba had hung back for a moment, scooping a scant handful of dust from the floor of the crypt. On the way toward the Hungry Malboro, the Viera has stuck closer to the group, ears flicking here and there toward the screams of the still-warded ghouls, but more intent on her work than their surroundings; a thin strip of leather, securely fastened to the underside of each scabbard along where the blade would run, filled with a measure of the grave dust before sealed fully. By the time they close on the tavern, her work is done to her satisfaction, and she nods to herself, reaffixing her knives in place. Like Remi, she seems tightly wound, now that she has nothing to distract her; hyperalert to anything that might speak of trouble in their road.

Marduke is chanting soft prayers under his breath with each passing house. It doesn't seem out of fear or nervousness, but for those who are trapped within for anybody who listens closly. Yet he stops as he glances up considering, "I expect there to be a fight and perhaps another shard there. That thing is looking familiar, just can't quiet put it together yet." Shaking his head and tapping his staff as he walks, but very quietly. Eyes looking around and just shaking his head, he to is clearly keeping a sharp eye out and occasionaly jumping as one of the houses rattle.

Ka'len looks left and right as they pass by the houses and the rattle of doors is heard. He can't help but scowl a little deeper at stop to stare at an alleyway before muttering, "I feel like we're being stalked.. like.." His mouth begins to form the letter 'pr' but he stops and shakes his head quickly, instead focusing on Alba as she tucks the grave dust away. He licks his lips nervously then asks, "what.... would... that be for?"

Sebastion isn't particularly helpful about conversation with the others. He stuck around at the back of the group, keeping the new blade held in one hand. His green eyes scan their surroundings, sparing brief glances at the rattle of the restless ghouls. The weapon seems to give him a bit more confident of a step. He still tenses and moves to try a defensive stance in preparation for attack whenever too loud of a sound occurs. His head turns, and his brow furrows. He gives a disapproving look at Ka'Len, "We are not prey," he says, not very loud, but his discontent is clear.

Remi glances over at Marduke and frowns a bit... Mostly at the part of there being another fight soon, and then nods a bit in reluctant agreement. Looking over at Ka'Len and Alba next, he arches his brow a bit at the Viera, seemingly mildly curious what she might be doing as well, before Sebastion's statement distracts him, and he mutters, "Could have fooled me..." Looking around again a bit nervously then, eyeing up all the dark areas they pass.

"The grave is where the dead rest," Alba murmurs, touching the newly-affixed strip of leather lightly. "Much of the dead in this place does not rest." As she draws her blades, the edge begins to gleam with a soft, wavering white fire. "I wish to remedy this," she finishes showing her teeth in what might be charitably called a grin. Her knives bounce in her plams as they continue toward the tavern, and the next step of this nightmarish story. "The foolish hunter oft misjudges prey, to her peril. Let us see to it, that Father Antlion has done the same."

Marduke nods slowly as he continues to walk along, "Anything we can get to get a advantage is useful. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, but not much. We are almost there, be on guard, that place felt evil." Shaking his head with a sigh, "Like it was waiting for somebody to step in." Glancing to Sebastion and Alba, "Perhaps you two go in first?" As he continues to walk along.

Ka'len tilts his head towards Alba and his brows lift up for a few moments before he murmurs, "oookay," in answer to her. He scratches his neck before murmuring, "makes a sort of sense." He nods then before continuing on down the road with a grunt of agreement to Marduke's comment about how the place felt when they passed last.

The Tavern looms before you in stack contrast to the nearby church. The swinging doors cracked and hanging off their hinges one actually falls off as you enter. The interior is a shambles, at least a dozen skeletons laying broken on the floor and scattered about the main room. Bottles smashed and tables overturned. The lights flicker dimly here casting a sense of gloom over the entire area. Amid the destruction the only feature of note would be a door behind the bar, several boards nailed over it and a large iron padlock afixed to it.

Remi quietly and carefully steps into the tavern with the others, and pauses at the doorway as he surveys the scene... Gaze sweeping across the carnage within, frowning a bit at the skeletons, before coming to rest on that padlocked door. Pointing towards it then, he remarks, "... That looks like it's either keeping something in, or trying to keep people like us out... Should we try to open it? I can likely pick the padlock." Looking around at the others then, to see what their opinion might be.

"In," Alba grunts, shifting her grip on her daggers. "It makes no sense to show to the barred, the lock that keeps their way closed. Thus it is likely our goal." GLancing at Sebastion, she nods to one side of the doorway, moving to take position on the other side. "How we gain entry is left to those who know such secrets. Do as you think best."

"That which is obvious is generally the right answer." Marduke offers in a quiet voice looking at the door, "As to your question Remi, I suspect both." Shaking his head he plants his staff down and peers around then back to the door, "I have nothing else to add. Remi care to do your thing?" A nod to Alba and then to Sebastion, "Good idea."

Ka'len looks around the room quietly and then he ponders, noding to Remi quietly before he draws out his weapon and murmurs, "just in case opening that wakes up those out here." He's seen skeletons moving around and skulls floating after all. Bob is given a brief glance before he focuses his attention on the skeletons quietly.

Sebastion had entered the building with Alba, as was suggested, showing he's at least listening to what the group is saying around him. He approaches and stands position where Alba indicated, holding that new sword ready for a surprise from a very nasty beasty. His brow furrows, and he stares at the locked door. Very little attention is paid to the rest of the room, the quiet soldier focused on the group's task instead.

Bob floats around absently, looking to Ka'len and then down to the Skeletons on the floor. "Sorry, nobody I know." The padlock is rusted and old, the design dating back decades if not at least a century. Meaning it's easy enough to pick for a skilled modern rogue. Though as the lock falls away the door rattles as through somthing had struck it hard from the other side.

Remi manages to pull back from the door just in time as at least a dozen Jagged black dagger blades pierce it from the other side, jutting outwards and trailing crimson smoke.

Remi doesn't take long at all picking the lock, and starts putting the picks he used away again... Only to glance up as something slams up against the other side, and then leaping right back as those blades come jutting out! The Bard looking wide-eyed and startled as he lands, before he quickly moves off to the side, raising his hand towards the door to hurl a fireball if needed, "What's that!"

"Our goal," Alba says, a slow grin spreading across her face, knives shifting restlessly in her palms. "An unquiet spirit to silence." Shifting over to press her face next to the doorjamb, she leans her ears back, clearing her throat. "Hoi, spirit! Slow and weak husk of a rotting drunkard, you could not strike the Sandsea with your sloppy throws! Open your own throat, to save yourself from the embarrassment that facing us will surely beget!"

Marduke taps his staff into the wooden planks again and nods, "Agreed, our goal." Shaking his head, "Oh I doubt it will go down so quiestly Alba." Holding up a hand as he starts to chant a spell quietly and then holds up his hand blue energy circling around it and pointing to Alba, "Protect!" Offering the simple protective and then a glance back to the door, waiting and on guard.

Ka'len nods to Bob and mutters, "well that's probably for..." He spins around thouhg as the sound of sharp objects impaling the wood is heard. He stares for a few moments before tilting his head towards Alba as she challenges the unknown and then he checks the room briefly before looking right back again.

Sebastion balks at what he had just seen from the door, his eyes widening and the sword held up defensively as if he was expecting it to explode open at any second. The soldier is still on-edge. He glances off toward Remi, seeming impressed with his speed in getting out of the way, simply a momentary distraction from the more pressing source of terror. Alba gets the bigger attention. Seb looks dumbfounded at her.

The hammering on the door continues until it finally slams open, the all-too-familiar crimson glow of one of the damned Spectres filling the room as the form steps out. Nearly eight feet in height ragged pieces of leather armor hang from it's bones and a double bandolier of daggers are stapped across the chestplate. Two arms hold a massive studded club, while a lower pair each hold 2 daggers each between thier fingers. "Die Fools!"

Bob floats around to quickly hide behind Marduke "Yup.. that's one of the Toriss boys alright."

Remi only takes a split second to take note of the Spectre's appearance, though to the Bard it feels like nearly an eternity... His eyes growing almost as big as saucers as he stands there and looks at it. But luckily, whatever fear he feels doesn't manage to freeze him up at least, as after that split second, the Bard suddenly lets out a cry, and right away hurls a fireball at the monster, "No you!"

Alba presses back against the wall as the door bursts open, her grin only widening as the hulking spectre shambles out of its prison, its back turned to herself and the warrior. Darting forward as Remi cries defiance, she drops to the ground, turning and jamming both crescent-bladed daggers backwards, the whitefire-laced edges leaving a visible trail against the gloom as they skate toward the backs of the spectre's knees.

Marduke glances back to Bob and quirks a eyebrow as the skull hides behind him. yet his attention quickly turns back to the enemy at hand and frowns a bit considering, and then nodding as he steps to the side chanting another spell this one clearly thunder as the energy starts to trickle around his arms, "Find cover, avoid the throwing daggers!" As he himself plans on doing, the bolt of energy at the creature and moving to find something to duck behind, "Might want to follow Bob!"

Ka'len's eyes narrow for a moment before he smirks, "I think Remi's got the right idea." He flashes a grin, the shock fading quickly as he adapts to the nightmarish village. He lifts his blade for a moment and then grins grimly as the weapon starts to glow while he starts lowly chanting and then making a slashing moment in the air be launches off a slow spell, the magic leaving the weapon in a arch.

Sebastion hasn't adapted quite as well as the others have, the startle of seeing a great big four-armed creature aiming to murder them all causing a brief moment of pause. He hardly waits, only trying not to catch Alba in his swing, because he certainly does swing that sword at the spectre, using both hands to try and put as much force into the strike as possible.

The fireball strikes the brute square in the chest though seeming to do little more than mage it angry. Alba however is in for a bit of a shock as the Spectre is much faster than he appears and turning to meet her attacks with one of his own, an upward swing of that mighty club. Though with it's back now to the rest of the group Marduke's thunderbolt strikes leaving a smoking hole in the leather armor, Sebastion's blade seems to hum in the low light striking hard and releasing a bright flash on impact that causes the brute to bellow in pain. Ka'len's spell takes hold slowing it's actions as a hand flashs out to hurl a flurry of daggers towards Remi and Sebastion.

While Remi manages to avoid the flurry of knives and dive for Cover Sebastion is not so lucky. A blade striking soundly into his leg, pain rockets through his body as the dark energies take hold. ([POISON] Status till the end of the fight) Alba is another who feel's the spectre's wrath as the club strikes home lifting her off the ground and sending her flying backwards to strike the roof of the staircase the door had opened to reveal, and then tumbling head over heels down the stairway and into the cellar.

Remi was already retreating after that fire fireball, and as the knives come zipping towards him, he instantly lets himself drop behind the 'safety' of an old, overturned table, watching the blades thudding into the wall someways behind him. Taking a moment to catch his breath then, fear momentarily overwhelming him, the sounds of combat and people getting hurt quickly snaps him out of it, and he pops back up from behind cover, and starts shouting at the spirit, insulting it and telling it how much a loser it is. [Deride]]

The club catches Alba square in the middle of her back, the shimmering, hexagonal magics surrounding her ensuring the blow only hurts, rather than shatters her. As she bounces down the stairwell, she scrabbles for purchase, and the Viera only comes to rest a moment before she scrambles back up toward the melee, bruised, battered, but still moving and still hungry for the kill.

Marduke just shakes his head as he watches the enemy for a moment and nods, "Its strong against direct magic attacks." Suddenly he peers out from his cover and over towards the fight, his magic already gathering as he shouts over to Sebastion, "Hit him again with that!" Then holding up a hand another wave of green energies forming as he points it at Sebastion, "Esuna!" And then starting to back up hoping not to get hit himself! "Alba you ok down there!?"

Ka'len stares after Alba and he lets out a low curse before he races in closer and runs a hand down his blade. The weapon's metal starts to shine with silvery motes before the man strikes out, aiming for the tendons and muscles of the monstrosities arms, intent upon weakening rather than causing 'life' threatening damage to it. [Rend Attack]

Remi's Taunting seems to have the less than desired effect of just making the brute very very angry. There's a shimmer and the glowing clock face of the Slow spell returns only to crack and shatter as it's overcome by sheer force of will from the enraged Spectre. With a grunt it smashes the bar with it's club and strides through the wreckage towards the table Remi hides behind. Marduke's spell rid's Sebastion of the toxin, the dagger fading and crumbling. Ka'len blade strikes home ripping around piece of the armor free and leaving a gash in the glowing spectral flesh.

That massive club comes down again, smashing the table to kindling.. Remi however is fast enough to avoid being under it.

Remi quickly shuts up as instead of tarnishing the Spectre's confidence, it gets pissed off instead, and comes right for him... The Bard frozen in place for a moment as he watches it smash its way towards him, and looking up at it with wide eyes... But as the club comes down to smash right through the table, the Bard is luckily already long gone, rolled sideways to avoid being turned to pulp, and instead showered with the remains of his previous cover as he springs back to his feet, and blasts off an orb of fire right towards the brute's face, yelling out, "SCREW YOU!"

The answer to whether or not Alba's okay is answered quickly, as the Viera boils out of the room beyond the shattered door. Daggers aflame with holy fire, a killing light in her eyes, she seems to ditch style altogether, gathering herself in a leap that carries her from the doorway to the specter, knives arcing down to either side of its bony neck.

Marduke stands up from his own hiding spot turning to face the creature. "Grrr, this one is nasty." Slamming his staff into the ground he starts to chant, only this time it isn't the energies of a standard school spell. Four orbs of energy form around him in a circle and suddenly start to glow with a crimson fire. "From the lands of endless flame, by trials of strength won by the seekers hand. I call forth that which if of the Scarlet Flame." Holding up his staff as the orbs fly up and fade away into nothing, a determined look on Mardukes face. "I call forth Eleanor of the Scarlet Flame! Bring forth your fury and strike my enemy true!" Nothing happens for a brief moment, the energies in the place weakining the connections to the spirits, but finnaly a voice is heard, "Ok Dukie!" A young girls voice from the sound of it, completely shattering the serious tone Marduke offers, and matched by a very embaressed look on his face. Yet a woman made of fire forms before him crouched down, and without another second of hesitation pounces at the spectre. Hands flying out into two sets of solid flame claws attempting to swipe at the enemy while it is distracted like a very pissed off cat. A giggle comes after as the fire spirit jumps back after her attack and waves fading back into the nothing she came from.

"Glad to see yuor alright there Alba," Ka'len calls as he shifts gears from the slowing and the rending of strength to instead begin beating down the monster. He slows for a moment at hearing the word 'Dukie' and Marduke is shot a look but quickly he turns back and shifts his grip. Both hands take the weapon in hand rather than the single he usually fights with, and then he runs forward and leaps up into the air for a brief moment before impaling the spectre. [Heavy Blow]

The brute roars as the fireball erupts in it's face, then again as the enraged Alba leaps onto it's back digging her ensorcelled blades into it's neck. Ka'len's blade digs deep the point pushing out through the leather covering it's back. As the summoned Eleanor leaps in and rakes it with the flaming claws it gives a shriek and glows brightly, the spiritual energies of the spectre and the summoned being reacting like fire and ice. With a final pained bellow the brute explodes violently, sending Alba and Ka'len hurtling through the air like ragdolls to bounce off the walls. A shower of charred leather, hot metal and bone fragments raining from the ceiling. A blackened skull still encased in the leather helmet rolls on the floor and finally lays still.

Remi covers his face and ducks as the creature suddenly explodes nearby and rains its remains right down on him. Waiting for it to seemingly settle down then, he soon peeks out from between his fingers... And then pushes himself back to his feet, looking around at the others for a moment, before he runs over to check on the nearest injured person, carefully avoiding the skull as he goes, and a green glow starting to form around one of his hands.

Alba is hurled backward by the explosion, the shimmering barrier coalescing as she impacts against the high wall, then once more as she strikes the ground, the energies shattering as she comes to rest. Rising drunkenly to her feet, ugly purple bruises beginning to stand out all over her skin, she staggers, drunkenly, toward the skull. "Your *head in my mouth,*" she snarls, kicking the helmeted braincase towards the bar, then sways, sitting down hard. "....Ouch," she observes. "Thank you, shaman."

Marduke is showered in the bone and metal fragments as he stands there, staring at where the creature once was. A look of shock on his face to much to even more. It takes him a few moments to recollect himself and shakes his head slowly as he starts to slowly walk forward with a few winces from the burns he got, "It is as it should be Alba. Though that reaction, my connection to the spirits may be weak, but it appears their reaction to the spirits may be strong. Still something best to be careful with." Eyes looking down towards the skull, "We need to explore down the stairs, and we need to take this with us. Sheriffs office, put it with the other heads. Who needs heal... oh good work Remi." Offering him a smile as he falls down to his knees, clearly tired himself.

Ka'len rebounds off the wall and slides down, the weapon beginning to slip from his fingers for a moment before he suddenly grip it and shakes his head. "When they said you would see tweety birds they lied. It's stars.." Grunting a little bit he rises up and smiles at Remi faintly before nodding in thanks for the concern and aid before he sighs, "yea... there's also a brother.. or two.. I forgot how many.."

Remi takes a moment to heal up Ka'Len as best as he can, giving him a smile and a nod, before he moves to Alba next, and goes to work on at least trying to lessen those bruises. Looking up from his work at Marduke meanwhile, "... I hope you can do that a few times more, at least when we're going up against its brother..." The Bard glancing over in the direction of the skull a moment, and letting out a sigh, "Seems each ghost is sensitive to different attacks though. My magic didn't do much with this one." And he shruggles.

Alba looks up at Remi, offering a brief upward tug to the corners of her mouth, a nod of thanks. "Father Antlion is a cunning foe," she murmurs, levering herself back up to her feet. "But his children die, easy or hard. The shaman is right; better that we see what is below, and quickly. The gloom makes the dead restive; dark shall not be long, perhaps."

"Justice Unfound Remi, that is what this. The other brothers are already dead, he was the one that got away. The heads of his brothers are in the Sheriffs office, to finish this we need to put this head with the others." Marduke then reaches down to pick it up with a very unhappy look. Then pushing back to his feet, "I can, though it is taxing the strain to bring a spirit here is a challenge." Eyes looking to the stairs, "Indeed let us explore down and hurry, though I think we know some of what we will find down there." Charred head in one hand, staff in the other.

Ka'len rubs his head for a few moments before muttering, "Right.. forgot about that.. blame the hit to the..." He looks at himself for a moment then over at where he struck, "... wall." Looking back he keeps blade in hand and starts towards the stairway which Alba was forced down previously.

The stairway down to the basement is narrow and tight, no way of knowing how the brute got up there in the first place. The cellar itself is dark and musty, cobwebs hang from old barrels of wine and ale. On the far wall a large chest with a lock stands rather ominois, a symbol on the front of three instruments. As Remi moves to pick the lock Bob floats down and sees the chest "Oh spirits no.. don't open that" The lock pops open easily.. "Chest... dammit." With a blue flash three balls of light surge from the chest and burst outwards into.. Moogles? The three Phantom moogles flit about the room for a moment before lining up, each carrying a different intrument. One a small drum, one a harp, and one a tambourine. As they look down on the group they begin to play.

<All> It's a Bad day to be you, lost souls within this city isn't new.

<Eenos> With the Evil run Amuck,

<Meenos> In this prison you are stuck!

<All> It's a Bad day to be you! *Kupo*

<All> Andre Toriss was a bandit through and trough, drink and Violence was all that he could do.

<Minos> So armed with daggers and a stick,

<Eenos> And a head made out of Brick.

<Meenos> He Raped and drank and robbed kupo and slew!

<All> It's a Bad Day to be You, escape is just impossible to do.

<Minos> When this tale of fate is struck.

<Eenos> You will see that you're the Shmuck!

All> It's a bad day to be, really bad day to be.'

<Meenos> Nobody would disagree

<Minos> It's a kupo garuntee!

<All> It's a bad day to be you! Kupo-ty Doo!

All three then vanish.

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