Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"Indeed, it is. Does the name... Iris mean anything to either of you? Has it ever come up in Navitus' legend?" Thor asks.

Surprised, Loki actually hits the side of his head a few times.

"No... I still didn't catch that. Perhaps it might be more helpful if you wrote the name down."

He glances at his brother, wordlessly asking if he'd both seen the eye-shaped symbol and heard the presumably psychic static. Thor answers him with a simple nod.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 13th 2021 at 1:41:48 AM

"Yo." Reyna waves to Anna.

"Let's get right down to brass tacks. Follow me."

She leads Anna and Jake through the tunnels, into a big open area.

—

Stronghold Campsite

To their immediate left is another tunnel entrance, which has been sealed off for some reason.◊

To the right of that is a forge where artillery weapons are being made by workers from Reyna's universe.◊

Straight ahead is some scaffolding that leads up to a lookout post atop the mountains.◊

To the center-right is a set of huge doors leading to a camp setup, designed for recuperation and item management.◊ (entering the camp instantly fully heals you, completely restores weapon sharpness, and purges all blights and status ailments - you can also access your personal item storage from there and swap out your weapons, armors, and certain special moves)

To the right of that are just a fuckton of supplies,◊ so many that there are multiple levels of scaffolding to hold them all.◊

To the immediate right of that is a Supply Box, which looks like an empty treasure chest but has some miscellaneous supplies like first-aid medicine and field rations.◊

Finally, behind them is the tunnel they just came in from.◊

"If only I could've gotten him to see reason..." laments Inferno Cop.

Oh well. Justice has been served!

Edited by KiriK on Apr 13th 2021 at 3:56:39 AM

"We don't have paper on us. ... well, I mean, I have paper, but not paper I'm allowed to write on. ... cause I have to deliver them.", Yazur sheepishly says.

They then ponder over the name Iris.

"Can't say I've ever heard of an angel with that name, not in any legends nor in general. Then again, I was gone for six billion years, so who knows."

"..."

"What about you?", Areui asks as he looks at Yazur.

"Iris... I think I..."

He then pauses for a moment, expression frozen.

"Yazur?", Areui asks, concerned.

"I... no. No, I haven't heard of anyone with that name before.", he says. "I thought I did just now, but... no, I can't remember ever hearing that name."

"Not even amongst the untold numbers of people you've delivered messages to over the last six billion years?", Areui asks.

"No... at least I don't think so. You can't expect me to remember every name like that. Not everyone has your type of memory, Areui."

"... I admittedly tend to forget that my memory's better than most people's.", Areui laughs.

Anna and Jake do indeed follow, looking around as they pass through the tunnel and reach the area.

"This all looks like a pretty serious base of operations.", Jake says.

"That's exactly what it is. Make yourselves at home; I'm gonna go fetch some Shepherds."

Reyna throws out a Wirebug and zooms off into the sky.

Half an Hour Later

She comes back into the encampment with a few Shepherds in tow. "Alright, now that the gang's all here, I can get to explaining what we're doing here."

"Strange... What about your brother, Aruei? Perhaps he might know something about that name or the story I've told you," Thor says, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"Allow me to propose a simple solution, then. Write the name down and give the paper to me as a message," Loki replies. "Consider it the fastest delivery you've ever made throughout your lengthy career."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 13th 2021 at 2:12:36 AM

Samsara waves at Anna and Jake, from behind a curious Garon, Corrin, Emmeryn and Dozla.

"Kirue? Well, he's been in the army all that time, so in the event that it's some sort of Lapsus thing that me and Yazur didn't have a chance to learn about, then maybe he knows more. I'll ask him when I get home.", Areui says.

Yazur pauses, this time out of confusion.

"... Loki, I meant that the paper I have on me already contains a message that I have to deliver. In the building right behind us. I was about to do just that when I noticed you out here talking. ... it's kind of odd that you didn't hear his name though."

"Wait, hold on, I have an idea on how to write that name.", Areui suddenly smirks. "... but I'm gonna have to vandalize something to do it. You guys okay with that?"

In that half hour, Jake and Anna had made themselves comfortable, the former sitting against one of the walls and next to his Ballista, half-asleep. He does notice the Shepherds though, after which he wakes up a bit more, waving back to Samsara.

The latter, meanwhile, is inspecting the various supplies and the Supply Box, likely to see if they contain anything valuable.

Granted, she wouldn't rob Reyna if she did find something of interest, but she could always try to bargain for it.

Anyhow, she's a bit lost in her own little world right now, so she doesn't immediately notice the Shepherds.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Apr 13th 2021 at 11:15:47 AM

The supplies are mostly ammunition for the artillery and medical stuff. Potions, Mega Potions, Max Potions, Nulberries, Cleansers, and the like.

"Okay, team. As some of you may have noticed, there's two Grimas. The armored humanoid one, who possessed Niagara and we subsequently killed, was seemingly out to regain his true form for more power. There's also the one who already has his true form, and is looking for a human host... for more power, because that makes sense," Reyna snarks.

"I've determined that Robin, the guy who turns into a trophy when he dies, is a viable host. So, I decided to hide his trophy inside these mountains, behind the Stronghold. If the dragon Grima wants his body, he'll have to come down this passageway... right into our defenses. It's cruel to use Robin as bait, I know, but I don't think he's consciously aware of what's happening... and if all goes according to plan, he won't need to be."

Edited by KiriK on Apr 13th 2021 at 4:29:52 AM

Thor nods gratefully to Areui.

"Thank you. Let me know as soon as you've spoken with Kirue," he says. "If what he tells you confirms my suspicions about my friend, well... I honestly have no bloody idea what I'll do if she really is connected to Navitus."

Loki raises an eyebrow, looking cautious.

"...That depends entirely on what you intend to vandalize."

ohyeahitsAnnainthemidstofweapons hey Jake how you doing? We came along to, well, inspect the equipment and-

No, I was just bored:

I SEEK TO SEE IF I COULD ACQUIRE A STRONG AXE AND STEAL SOMETHING! HAHAHA! BUT I JUST CAUSED MY OPERATION'S DOOM WITH THIS BOLD DECLARATION! Perhaps there is a reason why subtle matters are left to Rennac?

I needed to take a long jog! It's healthy to-to-to check on weapons! I wouldn't be here otherwise, haha!

Emmeryn is gazing at the ground.

Huh... I see. Well, if he's up to it, I guess it'd work! Though I don't really reckon that even such armament might hold up. Grima must be the size of Ylisstol! Without an host, we'll have troubles doing damage to him... But well, your weaponry is far more advanced than ours, so that'd work! Oh and...

She check the mark on the back of her hand?

I-if you have an announcement to make, Samsara, I-

Could I get some dual swords again? I miss Demon Mode.

Do not worry, we still appr-WHAT

Edited by Bolded1 on Apr 13th 2021 at 11:32:43 AM

Areui gestures behind himself.

"The wall of this building. I'll use my tattoos to etch the name on there."

"Wait, you can do that? I honestly thought you were gonna use your fire to burn the name on."

"I'm not a pyromaniac, Yazur.", Areui says. He then looks at Thor.

"I'll get back to you the moment I've done so. I promise.", Areui says.

Yazur shows Thor a sympathetic look.

"Say, uh, your friend... who I'm gonna assume is the Iris you mentioned... is she a nice person?"

"We are doing quite well.", Jake says, now getting up.

Anna, after having looked through everything, decided to just let things be and turns back to the others when Reyna begins to talk, now seeing the Shepherds as well.

"Another Grima? That's the third one already.", Jake says.

"Yeah. We have also faced Grima in his infant state here before.", Anna says.

Jake then ponders.

"Using Robin as bait... I don't really like the sound of using anyone as bait. Is this really the best way to go about this?", Jake asks Reyna.

"Here." Reyna tosses Samsara a pair of wicked Dual Blades that glow red with draconic power.

She turns to Jake. "It's the only way to guarantee we'll have him right where we want him. Between the Dragonator, the Splitting Wyvernshot, the Counter Gong, and the simple fact that he's gonna be bottlenecking himself to get in here, we'll have much more of an advantage against Thing 2 than we did against Thing 1."

"... well, I suppose-wait, sorry, what was that middle one?", Jake asks.

Thanks!

So do you want us to come over and put on the hurt if he come up? Bet we could get good stuff out of its carcass.

LIKE MEAT?

... Sure!

Corrin seems to be on the verge of vomiting.

"Hell yeah, I want you guys to help. One way or another, he's going to be my shoes when we're done with him." Reyna pounds her fists together.

"You want a demonstration? Come on outside." She heads back out through the tunnels and onto the field.

—

Stronghold Battlefield

Reyna runs towards a post with a glowing blue light post on each side of it, and grabs hold of a funky-looking lever and pulley device.

The observers will notice that, as she moves the lever, a cannon the size of a small wyvern is moving on the battlements overhead.

Edited by KiriK on Apr 13th 2021 at 5:03:11 AM

Thor flashes a smile at Yazur.

"She is, lad. Now, she might claim to be selfish, but don't let that fool you," he says. "Iris is kind, and caring, and far more selfless than she gives herself credit for. And I couldn't possibly be happier to have her in my life."

He lets out a long, heavy sigh.

"Which is why I'm hoping against hope that she isn't connected to Navitus."

"Oh. Then by all means, vandalize to your heart's content," Loki says, keeping his eyes on the building's wall.

"Then I better get to work.", Areui says, raising his left arm as his wings vanish into his back and his tattoo appears from his arm, now sticking out like a blade arm. Areui turns to the building and starts etching.

Yazur, meanwhile, tilts his head.

"Well, what I'm wondering... suppose that she is connected to Navitus. If she's really like you say she is, would that really matter? If Navitus is some monstrous, furious creature and Iris isn't... what does that change about your friend?"

Anna and Jake follow Reyna outside, the former not wanting to admit that she's wondering what shoes made from Grima would feel like.

... she bets they are evilly pointy and you'd hurt your feet walking in them, but you wouldn't want to take them off because they are so classy and impress a lot of people.

"... sometimes I question where my mind wanders to."

Then the cannon appears and both appear speechless for a moment.

"... I take it this thing doesn't just fire arrows..."

Edited by DevilPsyco on Apr 13th 2021 at 12:10:02 PM

They do follow in silence, though it might also just be them being speechless at the sight of the cannon.

... That's bigger than a bow.

"Y'know, maybe I should ask the techs to design a giant ballista that just blocks out the sun with a storm of bolts. Anyway, there's a reason this thing is called the Splitting Wyvernshot. I dunno what that reason is, but... cover your ears!"

Reyna aims the cannon towards the front of the stronghold, well away from the group. She pulls a trigger, and the cannon unleashes an explosion roughly as big as the blast a normal cannon might make on impact in order to fire its payload, with a powerful thunk.

And then, on impact...

SKIBIDI BOP MM DADA

The resulting explosion shakes the earth, fills the eyes with fire, and momentarily deafens everyone present, leaving only a high-pitched hum until the sound gradually fades back in.

"Now what if I told you there's a way to make your own weapons hit even half as hard as that, with the plus of not having to spend five minutes recharging?"

"... would I be allowed to use the giant ballista?", Jake asks, to which Anna just shakes her head with a slight smirk.

And then they momentarily go deaf.

"What!?", Anna asks when Reyna's talking. Guess the sound isn't returning to normal for everyone at the same speed.

"But what if the connection extends to more than Iris simply encountering Navitus' artifacts or surviving one of their rampages? Perhaps she could be an agent of that bastard, if not worse..."

Thor trails off, and he looks down at the legendary hammer dangling from his belt.

Loki watches intently as Areui begins writing down the name he and Thor needed, his hands clasped behind his back.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 13th 2021 at 3:39:32 AM

"well, that's a good point"

She looked up at the sky

"Kinda nice to see the sky again, feels so foreign to me"

"I've never heard of Navitus having agents. But I suppose it is a possibility. You know, you should ask Vitaegard that too when you talk with him. He should know whether or not agents of Navitus exist or not.", Yazur says.

Areui, meanwhile, has finished the etching. The words in the wall now spell the name 'Dahrum'.

While Thor and Loki shouldn't know what that name is, it may feel oddly familiar to them.

"And... what the bloody Hel should I do if the worst-case scenario comes to pass, Yazur?" Thor inquires, a troubled expression on his face. "I don't think I could bring myself to..."

"Dahrum... why, oh, why does that name sound so familiar to me?" Loki muses, studying the freshly-made inscription. "Perhaps he's someone I might have encountered ages ago. Or he's an infamous figure from your realm that you might have spoken of in a prior encounter."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Apr 13th 2021 at 3:57:46 AM

What th-AAUIIEEEEEEEE

Corrin is in fucking agony in the floor but Garon doesn't mind, while the other Shepherds are both tending to him and absolutely slack-jawed. Eventually, Corrin is just kind of unconscious, with a dumb smile on his face;

Heymomlookitsberukasheszzzzzzzzz

Big ears are pretty bad to have. Comments Garon, as he keep poking at Corrin's ears. Dozla just seems worried, but since he seems to have no damage over him...

... Wow.