NM Part 7

The lightning blast is unleashed upon the double-doors as the sneering face vanishs back into the wood. The energy impacts with a resounding *KRA-KOOM!* but spiderwebs away in all directions along the wall, dispersed and failing to blast the doorway open.

Remi did a perfect cartwheel to get away from the screaming door, and now stands there off to the side, panting, wide-eyed, his hand outstretched towards it still, the palm glowing with orange energy, about ready to blast it with a fireball... But Marduke seems to decide to throw some magic at it first instead, and the Bard watches as the lightning seems to be dispersed with much harm. The bunny eared Hume blinking then, and starting to slowly lower his hand, soon stating with a slight tremor to his voice, "Any... Any other ideas? I think... That really just proved we need to get in there. Why bother otherwise with scaring us like that?" Remi looking at the others, glancing between everyone.

Marduke cracks his knuckles a moment as he watches the lightning just wash off. "That was rather anti-climatic. Though it appears what we seek is beyond this door as well, I agree where with Remi.." Tapping his staff into the ground as he considers it with a frown, "As for ideas im not sure, I tried the one I had." sighing as he closes his eyes, "Maybe a way around? Explore the rest of the house first?"

Sebastion keeps the sword held up even as a bolt of lightning flies by and strikes the door. He seems stoic and still... and slowly uncoils from his combat posture to backpedal and join up with the part of the group that got blasted back by the force of the face-on-a-door. He turns a mild gaze at Marduke, and then over at Remi. He shrugs, "Exploring the rest of the house, then," he agrees.

Alba remains hunched over, eyes locked on the door and knife in hand. Regardless of the futility of the strike, it would seem the Viera isn't *nearly* finished with the idea of hurting the door to splinters. One ear flicks toward Remi, the other tracking Marduke and Sebastion, and finally she blows out an irritated breath. "Tchah. Very well."

Ka'Len looks between Marduke and Remi before he coughs behind a hand and murmurs, "y'know.. we didn't search... right exactly." The young man edges back and gives Alba and Sebastion a quick look before he starts to move down the stairs while shaking his head. "Maybe there will be another way in or a key to unseal the door down there."

Heading back down the stairs finds you once again in the Foyer, the doors to the left and right are mundane enough, a kitchen and dining room to one side and a study to the other. The doors at the far end of the hall however are an entirely different story. Opening to a short stone hallway it opens into a large room with a vaulted ceiling, wooden benchs on either side of a carpeted aisle leading to a small Alter. The family's chapel no doubt. As they fully enter the room they find that above the doorway they entered from is a balcony containing a large pipe organ, but it's what's on the ground level that catchs the most attention.

Two skeletons, one male and the other female as indicated by the clothing. The male lays face-up his hand outstretched towards the woman, while she rests on one of the wooden pews, one arm reaching back towards him. It would seem both were struck down before their hands could meet, a final embrace perhaps?

Remi nods some as everyone seems to agree with his idea and expand on it, and after one last glance at the scary door, he follows everyone back downstairs... Staying in the middle of the group, and hoping no one decides to split off and weaken their numbers. Stepping with the others inside that personal chapel then, he peeks out from behind whichever is the bigger person infront of him, and his gaze is automaticly drawn to that organ... Or at least for a second, as right after they drop again. This time on the skeletons. The Bard going somewhat wide-eyed again, though perhaps getting used to the sight of dead people by now, as he doesn't look quite as shocked as some of the times before, "... Um... What happened here, you think?" He asks carefully.

Marduke hmms as he pulls out the book considering, walking along with the group not really paying attention. "Indeed it feels like we are missing something." Eyes looking it over and then he starts to read. "Chapter 4: Love Unrequitted. It was to be a happy day for Thomas Kerns, it had taken him three years but he'd finally gathered the money to purchase the wedding ring for his beloved. While Marissa Turner was far above him in station, theirs was a love that was strong and had endured through their differences. Sadly though it was not to be, for he found himself standing at the alter in the Turner chapel without the symbol of his love, and as custom demands without the ring there could be no union. His mind raced to think of where he'd last posessed the item as he stood dumbfounded before the Turner Family Matriarch, who seemed all too pleased with this turn of events." Closing the book Marduke glances up noticing the scene for the first time and thinking a moment, "Remi you know how to play a Organ? Ka'Len, perhaps play the part of ring bearer?" Tilting his head.

Sebastion holds a fairly passive demeanor after the spook with the door, and when they reach the chapel, he doesn't seem to have changed. He's gripping that sword awfully hard, though. He seems to just clam up when he's spooked. Regarding the scene before them, Sebastion only has one comment toward it, "This place has a flair for drama," seeming to disapprove of it by the sound of it. He looks over to Marduke, and then around the rest of the chamber, checking for hostile forces. The idea of performing a long-overdue wedding for the deceased lovers has evidently made him incredibly wary. They had, after all, seen the displeasure expressed by the, err, lady of the house.

"This place is built upon the backs of tales," Alba mutters, casting the occasional glance behind them, in the direction of the sealed door. "Wetlander tales have long been stuffed to bursting with such nonsense." The charm is released and left to hang, however the dagger kept in hand, as she leans against a nearby pew. "....Perhaps it may be simpler to simply place the token upon the girl's finger?"

Ka'Len's eyes move around the room quietly and then tilts his head to listen to the summoner. While he does though the young man starts to walk forward and he pauses by the corpse of the woman before kneeling down and looking at her for a long moment. "How difficult to be seperated from your heart because of one's family trying to force you to do what you do not want to do. All too familiar with that, m'lady." He pulls out the ring then and lowers his voice to a whisper as he slips it onto the skeletal hand, "your ring m'lady. I think you've been waiting far too long for it." Apparently they all had the same thought.

As the ring is slipped onto the skeletal hand it closes slowly. The temperature in the room drops suddenly as the walls shake and an audible rumble echos through the building. A black fog rushs in through the door and gathers over the alter as it starts to take form. A skeleton of black bones clad in the tattered remains of a once fine dress, a spirit appearing within the garments but only the shades seen before this one is blood red, and easily distinguishable as Belinda Turner the house Matriarch. Turning a murderous gaze to the group the angry spriit raises a crossbow in one hand. "You dare seek to taint my family with the blood of this... this rabble!? I'll see you all sent to the Abyss for this outrage! My family will remain pure, it will remain strong!" Bob turns to face the group. "Ummm don't think this one wants to show us a story.. might wanna hit it.. alot."

Remi manages to pull his gaze from those skeletons again to look back up to the organ, responding to Marduke as he does so, "I can try, if there's sheet music... I know most the tones standard keys make anyway..." But then he falls silent again as he watches Ka'Len move towards the female skeleton, and slip that ring on her, as per Alba's suggestion... The bunny boy going a bit wide eyed again as the skeleton reacts by closing her bony hand... And then even MORE so as something dark and wicked starts materializing above the altar! His eyes snapping towards the evil spirit, and only just barely stopping himself from letting out some scared sound and ducking fully behind everyone else... His hand instead starting to glow and raise the instant that spectral crossbrow is pointed towards them, "Um..."

Marduke frowns a bit as he steps back and frowns, "Your family is dead, your family is gone! There is nothing left to keep pure, your actions have caused your own failure!" His hands holding up as he preares a spell, clearly one of fire as he waves a few flames, "And you will continue to fail." He offers puttring the book back on its holder as he readys for the fight

Sebastion had come down with the rest of the group to regard what they were doing, and just like his fears were believing, the Matriarch appears. It's not a huge shock for him. He hardly waits for any go-ahead. He immediately takes up an offensive stance, when he sees the crossbow held at the ready. "Spare us your delusions of purity!" he shouts with frustration and quite obvious malice toward the ghostly noble woman, advancing at her with intent to do stabby harm to her for her trouble.

"*Yes,*" Alba breathes as the shade hefts its crossbow. "*Finally* an enemy shows itself..." Crossing behind Sebastion as the warrior advances, Alba hops up onto the back of a pew, catching a charm made from a small silkworm's coccoon between two fingers. With a whispered word and a flicking gesture, the Viera seems to conjure semi-transparent threads of silk from the charm, weaving and writing between each other as they grow into an ever-larger mass. (casting Slow)

Ka'Len backs away, startled and then his head snaps towards the elder Turner. He opens his mouth to yelp in surprise and fear, but before he can he catches her words. The son of an opinionated nobleman himself Ka'len stands. The sword is drawn and levelled at the woman. "Purity of house is a lie, it is naught but corruption. YOUR corruption. If anything has tainted this house, Madam, it is -you-. You are like a weed which strangles the roses growing in the garden and like all weeds you must be ripped cleanly out." And, surprising himself (or it will when once he stops to think of what he's doing) the young lord rushes into combat with the woman while zigzagging his way in an effort to attempt dodging the attack he knows will come.

As spells are readied and warriors advance the Spectre fires it's crossbow, a pair of black skulls trailing sparks of red energy errupt from the weapon and rocket towards the oncoming swordsmen. One splitting off to come at Ka'lan, the other at Sebastion. The air around it seems to shimmer a moment as the undead's motions slow and become more exagerated as Alba's spell takes effect, though for how long it will last is anyone's guess in this place.

Remi does't have fancy words to give still, but simply a measure of bravery... The Bard- his hand still outstretched- suddenly jumping forward some as the bolts fly, and trying to track one of them with his panicked green eyes, before suddenly letting loose an oddly hand-shaped burst of flame right towards it! Instinctively attempting to intercept it before it hits whoever it's going for, a mixed look of concentration and fear on the bunny eared hume's face as he's finally drawn into combat, something he really hasn't done before.

Marduke lets the bolt of fire fly straight at the wench as he frowns all the more. "Yes indeed." Then jumps back to find himself a place of cover to keep from being targed by those nasty looking bolts at all. he glances to the others, "Surrounder her if we can, keep her flanked if we can at all!" Readying another spell.

The one that gets saved by Remi's assistance... obviously isn't Sebastion. He gets struck right in the armor plating on his chest by the bolt, thrown backwards a few feet, stumbles as he tries to correct his footing, and slams into one of the pews, crushing it under the momentum of his fall and the weight of his armor. Crunch! He gets up, gasping for air, hand placed to his chest, propping himself up with his weapon. He's going to need to catch his breath.

As the spell settles and the black skulls fly, Alba draws her second dagger with a killer's grin spreading on her face. Toe-claws scrape against the wood of the pews as she hops across their upraised backs toward the shade, then leaps, knives raised high above her head and murder in her eyes.

Ka'Len's head snaps back as the spell sent off by Remi streaks before him and destroys the skull flying at him. Ducking the young man races ontwards towards the matron, his sword flashing as he strikes not at her, but the air around her in a few key places as he attemps to slice her magics away from her ((Rend Magic)).

Marduke's fire spell impacts the spectral form setting the dress ablaze and revealing the black red-wreathed skeleton underneath. Alba's knives cut two rifts in the ghostly body that glow and crackle with crimson energy sending sparks flying in all directions. Ka'len's blade streaks through the air, causing a visible weakening in the red aura around the bones.. though the creature isn't down just away. "Away from me you filthy wretchs, AWAY!" With a sweep of one arm a wave of force rips through the room.

As the blast wave strikes Ka'len stands firm and remains in melee range. Sebastion and Alba however are not so lucky as they're thrown backwards by the spectral attack. Remi manages to dive for cover as a bench is lifted and hurled towards him. Though Marduke catchs a facefull of Flying Viera as a tumbling Alba crashs into him sending both sprawling to the floor.

Remi lands on the floor, his body pressed low, as he dodges the bench by what might have been sheer instinct... Feeling it get hurled past just above. And as he witnesses the further carnage around him, witnessed by the ghost's counter attack... A strange gleam suddenly enters his eyes, and he pushes himself up hard, snapping right back to his feet. A rarely glimpsed look of anger and frustration crossing the Bard's features, spurred by witnessing friends get hurt and the adrenaline of danger, and the bunnyboy sucking in a deep breath for a moment... Followed only moments after by a loud, piercing scream, the Bard's mouth opening wide as he thrusts his head forward towards the spectre. The sound of it rising rapidly in pitch... Until it seems to go almost past the human ability to hear altogether... And a visible sound wave forming from it rippling in the air, which is then shot STRAIGHT for the matron at subsonic speed! (High Note)

Marduke was about to do something else, but he has no ability to dodge incoming attacks and instead just gets knocked back with Alba crashing into him. "Ugh." Is all he offers trying to regain his composures and pushes back up to his hands and through the pain. Looking around, "Anybody badly hurt?" Eyes looking to Alba and pushes off her so he can get back to his feet a bit shaky. Clearly not a woman he wants to be next to angry! He steps back again getting a little more distance considering what he will be doing next. "She is weakening it seems!'

Just when Sebastion thought he was ready to help with the others, he gets hit with a shockwave, knocked backwards, up and over one of the pews, and slams into another one, cracking another and letting out a loud grunt of pain and effort as he makes sure not to stab himself with his own sword and try not to break any bones with the fall. He gets up to a stand, and reaches up to wipe blood off of his brow, since he got a nasty scrape, and prepares to charge the ghost again. He seems to be grimacing. Probably incredibly bruised up, at the very least, from being thrown around like that.

"SPEAK LESS!" Alba roars, a faint aura of shimmering white energy enveloping her body, gradually fading the bruises that threaten to rise as a result of the jarring impact. Barely coming to rest, she rolls off the summoner and all but scrabbles back upright, charging in once more to the attack. "KILL MORE!"

Ka'Len glares and braces himself, "by Terra, your as bad as my father on a rage woman!" He is not moved though, perhaps because of the animosity he carries for the snobbery of noble parents.. His sword flashes and he strikes out once more, his blade coming down in a wild, uncontrolled and powerful blow (Heavy Blow) as the piercing notes of Remi's scream cause a shudder to raise up under the young man's skin given his proximity to the intended target.

The high-pitch scream strikes the Corrupted Noble causing another glowing rift to form in the spectral body. Ka'len's sword tears yet another. Alba's charge will put her back into melee range for an attack in a few seconds as the Elder Turner levels her crossbow and fires again, one black skull rocketing toward Remi, another towards Alba.

Remi's high-pitched, sonic attack scream dies out quickly, and the Bard is left catching his breath for a moment... Only to watch the angry lady ghost fire a skull straight at him! The Bard responding in turn with another drop to safety... Feeling one of those deadheads snap its chattering teeth right past his ear, and interrupting any chance the Bard had at throwing another magic attack of some sort right after his previous attempt, to keep the pressure up, instead yelling in strained voice, "SOMEBODY KILL THE WENCH!!"

Marduke has regained his composure and is standing up straight now. Any signs of previous injury are still there, but the man isn't letting it effect him anymore. Eyes leveling on the woman he humpfs a moment and frowns, a hand coming up quickly as he chants and focuses his direction towards Remi, "Protect!" Attempting to help deflect the arrow for Alba, seeing how Remi dodged his.

Sebastion doesn't get interrupted in his stride this time, and probably manages to reach the corrupted noble ghost without obstructions, raising his weapon, gripping the sword with both hands, and giving a plain, two-handed swing to try and cleave the shade on the spot, making a gruff, strained noise as he fights against sore muscles and aching bruises.

Alba throws herself forward as the crossbow fires, ears perking slightly as the shimmering barrier of energy envelops her. Sliding under the path of the skull, she whips her body around once close enough to the corrupted shade, her curved daggers whipping about to hook its skeletal legs. Digging her toe-claws in, she hauls backward, seeking to jerk the matron from her feet and bring her down.

Ka'Len's grip on his weapon shifts a little bit and he strikes once more, the blade swinging forth with metal reflecting a unholy red as it strikes at the ghost. "Die... again and take your corruptness with you!" Len snarls as his attack once more cleaves the woman.

After the new flurry of blows the spectral form gives a final shriek and it's red aura dissapates. The blackened bones clatter to the ground and after a moment turn to dust. The chapel is unnaturally still and quiet now, though a blue glow draws attention to the two skeletons from before. From those remains two figures emerge, obviously the two lovers as they give a bow to the group before turning to embrace. Their lips meeting as they face from sight.

While the group takes a moment to recover from the battle, the sound of the pipe organ starts up. The instrument belchs dust and is off-tune but the melody of the wedding march fills the air. As the dust settles they can see the player.. the clown from before leering down at them from the balcony as he draws the off-key melody from the aging instrument.

Remi keeps his body lowered to the ground a bit... Long enough to see the ghost get defeated anyway by the combined efforts of the group's melee fighters... And with that, he slowly pushes himself to his knees, sitting there on the floor, still filled with adrenaline and catching his breath. Actually sweating, and seeming a bit shakey too... The sight of the two lovers apparently finding peace doing nothing to calm him just yet, just silently watching the whole scene with wide eyes.

Marduke dust hismself off and offers a smile. glancing to the two lovers as they kiss and sighs softly, 'A happy ending at least, even if it is in death." he offers and then startles and moves to hide behind something as the organ starts up, "Crazy clown!" Eyes watching it with a hint of animosity

Sebastion watches the noble woman fade away, slooowly regaining his calm. He glances aside at Alba, and then over toward the blue glow, still expecting more trouble. He calms himself down when he sees the happy ending, though most of the tension is released as an exasperated sigh. He still doesn't approve of the drama. He looks up to the sound of off-key music, and the sight of the clown. "... What is with the clown, anyways?" he inquires to no one in particular, gesturing vaguely and furrowing his brows in blatant confusion, still exasperated by this whole ordeal by the sound of it.

Alba hauls herself to her feet, chest heaving as she struggles to catch her breath and push down her battle-fever, one hand clamping onto the back of a pew for support. The sudden blue glow makes her head snap up, but upon seeing the wedding completed, even if in death, the tension leaves her shoulders... only to return in full force as the organ begins to play. The moment Marduke calls out the identity of the player, the Viera coils, charging the wall nearest the balcony, apparently intent on climbing up and stabbing the clown's face for him.

Ka'Len closes his eyes for a fw moments and then he glares down at the bones, silently daring them to try it again. The blue light for the corner of his eye draws his attention though and he turns just intime to see the kiss and then watch the lovers fade away. The smile that he was about to wear is shattered though and his head snaps up while eyes widen once more.

Bob floats into the air once again, having been tossed around the chapel like a pinball during the battle. As Alba tries to climb the wall the Clown waggles a finger at her in a discinplinary manner and fades from sight. Simply blinking out of existance.

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