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Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

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ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#385076: Feb 28th 2024 at 8:18:41 AM

Leviathans, A Dance With Dragons

The toxic fireball connects, but seems no more effective than any other time the Namielle was hit by it—all of the damage comes from the force, rather than the flames or the toxin, as the Elder Dragon lunged up to catch Morag and slam him into the earth below. Luin rushed ahead with Lannéadrom, cutting into the young beast’s wings but failing to do any more before being whipped away by that very same wing. As she landed at the river’s edge another Corpse-Aquarian shot from the surface, charred and smoking with electricity. Luin hacked its leg apart at the knee and watched it fall, plunging the blade into its skull when it kept coming, but her troubles were far from over, for more zombie pirates emerged from the shallows, their skin blue with water and seaweed draped about their bloated forms.

Even if they wanted to, Rumia and Morag would be hard-pressed to find an opportunity for attack: the Sirensong Namielle shot another high-pressure beam of water at the former, but now it was immediately followed by an electricity-aided claw swipe.

——

Hyrule

Flame blazed and claws flashed as the dragons danced. Their battle had taken them from the fields of Hyrule to Hyrule Ridge, where the towering green mushrooms stood alone against the black sky.

A slash from Annihilation Nergigante missed Soulstealer Xeno’Jiiva’s horn and felled one of the great mushrooms. A blast of blue heat from the latter glanced off the former’s wings. They battled and fought and scrapped, but neither seemed to earn the upper hand against the other long enough to claim victory over them. They had fought through the night and it seemed likely they’d fight through the day as well, even through the storm of Chaos that transformed the very world under their feet, had the rift not opened above them.

This rift was different from the others, near the Stone Fist: it was bigger, wider, and opening. Whereas the creatures of the other realm were desperately clawing their way into the world of mortals to sow chaos, with the fabric of reality only barely holding together just enough to keep the rifts slim, this one seemed to grow wider unchallenged.

And from it, emerged a massive, and I mean massive hand—Annihilation Nergigante, the grand, awe-inspiring and fear-striking beast that had laid scourge to countless civilizations of man, was no larger than it’s middle finger.

And then another hand, and then another, and another—seven arms, milky white and bearing gnarled pale fingers ending in long, black nails, pushed their way out of the Realm of Chaos and thrashed about in the sky, a storm of flailing appendages searching blindly for land. Annihilation Nergigante glanced up at it, back at Soulstealer, and back again at the horrible monstrosity in the sky. He glanced back down at his foe and snarled warily, before taking off and flying at the oddity, desiring its flesh.

Edited by ISZATSO on Feb 28th 2024 at 11:54:57 AM

With great power…you know the rest.
engie Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#385077: Feb 28th 2024 at 8:52:36 AM

SOUTH REPRIUM

"Fair enough, fair enough."

  • Unfortunate. I was hoping for a full set of documentation.
"Eh, we can just make a catalogue ourselves, right?"
  • ...Possibly, if we have the time.

Chara sounds a little disappointed in the lack of information, though Partner is more... vaguely optimistic, one supposes? At the very least, they're contemplating future plans. In the meantime, since their destination is in sight, they take the time to observe.

"Huh. Seems a bit... actually, on second thought, about the size I was expecting."

  • It is here for now. But if the landscape can change...
  • How long will it remain there?
  • And where would the people go when it eventually does move?
"...I'd rather not think about that yet, to be honest. Let's just get there first before addressing the uncomfortable questions."

After a moment of discussion between the two, they're ready to close the rest of the gap. All they have to do is keep following Varia. Well, technically they could just beeline to the place independently, but ditching their travel guide like that would be rude.

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.
RainbyPlays fae being from yes Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Hiding
fae being
#385078: Feb 28th 2024 at 11:10:45 AM

Solopost - Cathedral

The Cathedral seemed even grander than usual, lately. Maybe it had something to do with Artemis's newly realized status as a deity- or maybe it was just a trick of the light. Who knew.

What can be felt around the entire place, though, is Artemis's aura. Clear to anyone that, barring the overarching influence of the Arena, this is Artemis's domain and hers alone.

...but where was she?

Artemis was sitting in her room near the top of the Cathedral, constructed to look like her old apartment from years past. Something about a deity sitting in such a run-down place could be seen as comical...

...further enhanced by the fact that Artemis isn't wearing much more than an oversized t-shirt at the moment.

"...so we've got a shapeshifting spirit made of negative human emotion that runs a cult that looks like a church, and a group of people- if you can call them that -capable of rewriting reality itself who want to go and conquer whole universes. Do I ever get a break from big, universe-ending conflicts?"

Her wings are sprawled out at odd angles, flopping across most of the couch. She's eating from a bowl of dumplings- the same one she'd been eating from when she first appeared in the Arena. Her eyes are half closed, and she just looks... drained.

"I can't just leave. People here are relying on me for things that don't just affect what happens in this world. Goddammit... why can't I have had a normal life? Getting pulled into that world wasn't even my choice. And now I'm here..."

She sighs, staring out at the stars. Internally, she knows that she's not fully cut out for the shit she's about to be getting into. But it's not like she has a choice- someone has to be a hero, or else nobody will.

...

"Wallowing in our own sadness again, are we?"

Oh, joy, it's Fallen. Just what she needed.

"Go. Away."

Fallen just smirks and leans closer.

"Oh, I doubt I will. You know... this is how people become shells for possession..."

Artemis turns and glares at Fallen.

"Like hell I'd let you in! You know what?!"

She grabs Fallen and warps the both of them to a small pocket dimension in the middle of the abyss between worlds. She throws Fallen back, who goes to move...

...but finds he can't. His face slowly turns worried as Artemis glares at him.

"Goddamn balancing won't help you here. Neither will the revival. I'm sick and fucking tired of you, tired of so many things."

She slowly clenches her fists, her aura getting oppressively heavy. Fallen is nearly shaking.

"And yet, I still find myself needing you for something."

"Needing me?! Hah! Hilarious, the bringer of all good and holy needs me for someth-"

His words are cut off as Artemis drives her fist into his chest.

"...you really like the sound of your own goddamn voice, don't you."

Fallen is left gasping for breath, while Artemis just stands there.

"W-what- you-"

Artemis smirks.

"What? You thought all the light and holy figure stuff meant I wasn't capable of being like this? You forget who the hell I've fought, and what I've learned... Kinda sad, really. Oh well."

She holds out her hands, summoning chains that bind Fallen in place.

"...at least I gained something useful from you trying to break me, Fallen... I started using some of my aquired powers. Funnily enough, this one comes from a very similar situation..."

She just smirks as she warps back to the Cathedral, not giving context as to what the situation was.

...

South Reprium

*Yeah, I'll talk about that one... later.

Varia picks a less-steep spot along the cliff and starts working their way down, eventually reaching the ground once more. They could've rappelled with their strings, but then Partner and Chara wouldn't have had a good idea of where to head down from. Once everyone is at the bottom, Varia continues walking again.

*It's not a big town, but we're also in the middle of a forest. They've got the basics, though. Including a tavern. Because apparently, it's the best place for parties of adventurers to meet... I swear they just congeal off the walls, though.

Their voice carries a joking hint to it, the only indicator of it being a joke as they... don't really have much of a face.

aeiou: the second
BombonBombin Nightmare lord from Across time and space Since: Jan, 2021 Relationship Status: In love with love
Nightmare lord
#385079: Feb 28th 2024 at 1:09:58 PM

Road to Gobbotown

Margarita rides her bike and goes with the group. Arnoldo and Francis decided to walk instead. They went silent all the road. The Gobbos are a... pintoresque people.

Francis is too concerned with the "don't ever mention Grimgor": if Arnoldo somehow lose the contest, he surely will mention him, as a way to make him change his way... He don't want to run this risk. So, Francis will have an eye on Francis.

Meanwhile, Margarita just greets the other contestants.

Three freaking ghosts!
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#385080: Feb 28th 2024 at 7:42:08 PM

Filia, Trains

——

prev

Kain’s eyes shot to his freezing arm, and time to the disfigured man seemed to move at slow-motion. But as soon as he recognized what had happened, Filia’s fingers were already racing for his face, and he found himself placed in a perilous situation.

Here was an attack no person who valued their own body, who held any remaining disdain for pain or any respect for their flesh, could escape from. But he bore none of these traits, and lifted his remaining hand to intercept Filia’s strike; her poison flowed into his palm instead. Then he caught on to what exactly the poison did, and lifted his leg to kick away from Filia, putting distance between the two.

   "…Huh."    A wretched, sly little smile crossed his face as the frost within traveled upstream, to his elbow. Then he took control of the blood vessels, and both arms exploded.

It was a sight that surely would’ve induced sickness into anyone less stalwart than Filia, to see a thing more creature than man so nonchalant as he orchestrated the utter decimation of both of his arms, gory chunks of frozen flesh and blood shooting out at either side. He bled violently from the empty sockets, until the bleeding stopped…and took solid form. Three crimson whips, razor-sharp and growing from each shoulder.    "You…you’re the best fight I’ve had in…oh, in too long. Now…finish it! Show me what you’ve got!!"    He screamed, lunging forwards at Filia as the razor-wires lashed out violently at the woman, aiming to tear her into ribbons—but that wasn’t all; Kain clearly was putting his all into this. As he approached, his chest exploded outward beneath his scarlet armor, revealing his own heart, nestled between his ribs. It was a dark and gnarled thing, unbeating, so purple and bloated that it seemed more like an overripe fruit than an organ. From the dead heart came shadowy tentacles, feeling blindly ahead of them in efforts of finding something to latch onto, their very touch acidic and burning. This “something” was intended, of course, to be none other than Filia herself.

——

   "Do you truly believe—"    Milith’s flurry of blows caught Sarav offguard for a moment, the first one connecting and sending him stumbling backwards. But he quickly fell into the rhythm, tilting and angling himself away from each blow just enough that they managed to catch nothing more than the edges of his cloth, as though he were teasing her. At last, he began to speak again, all while dodging fast enough he seemed more blur than man.    "Do you truly believe anyone is innocent? That anyone is free of wrongdoings? You are a young fool if you do not see the truth—every man and woman on this world—nay, the galaxy—they have all done some evil, for which they are no more deserving of forgiveness than I. They are all SINNERS!"    With each word he seemed to grow sloppier, more and more of the woman’s blows hitting closer to home, until at last he shouted the last word and Millin delivered her knee to the groin. It never connected—she was frozen in place, and with a subtle gesture consisting only of flicking two pressed-together fingers upwards, Millin would find herself flipped backwards and away from the man. The hold of the Force on her released immediately after.

He made no attack on her during her moment of vulnerability, waiting for her feet to have touched the ground once more before darting in with a thrust of his weapon.

On the other side of the car was a two-versus-one. As Izawano lunged from his shoulder, Kado couldn’t help but grin beneath his mask and decided to press forwards with a thrust of his own to match the Jawa’s. Kiya was put in an intense situation where he faced two attacks coming yet could only block one: he chose the highest of the two, Izawano’s, simply because his attack would’ve proved more fatal had it connected. It was due only to Izawano that Kado’s stab hit, scorching the barbarian’s side and eliciting a cry of pain from the man as he staggered backwards. Then, he responded in a most unique manner: lifting his hand to his ear while keeping a close eye on the duo.

   "V8…"    He hissed.    "Do it. Now."   

Suddenly, the train lights flickered back on, and the vehicle kicked into motion. A heavy chuckle left the Sith Apprentice’s lips as his lightsaber left his hand, though never straying too far from him as it sunk into the steel roof, cutting a circle-shaped hole above him. The weapon made a controlled descent back to his hands, and the circular slab of metal hovered before him. This he shot at Izawano—not a true attack by any means, more of a taunt that could be easily cut through or deflected than anything, yet Kado took it as an opportunity to attack Kiya with an overhead slash while the foe was seemingly distracted.

Seemingly.

The slash was forcefully countered with an upwards smash and a flick of his hand waved Kado into the train’s wall, denting the metal and smashing the glass. He sunk against the wall, though didn’t seem to be greatly harmed. Kiya Kerren leapt upwards, through the hole and upon the roof of the moving train, clearly inviting the other two to follow.

Edited by ISZATSO on Feb 28th 2024 at 11:01:51 AM

With great power…you know the rest.
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#385081: Feb 28th 2024 at 7:56:35 PM

Game

"Are these things seriously not robots?", Gregory asks nobody in particular.

Seeing that regular attacks aren't cutting it, Grape selects Call-On-Freddy for him this time. The virtual Freddy appears and tries to bash the Pymli nearest to Gregory before it can run away. While he likes being the main center of attention, Gregory figures they should work as a team. So he should try to focus on the enemies here in the back so that Jax can reach the boss.

Cassidy selects Crumbling Dream, Evan's newest attack. A purple-ish gas exudes from Evan's body that tries to reach all the nearby Pymlis. It'll have a 50% chance of inflicting Fear on them, which may prompt them to stop moving.

However, it also has a 50% chance of inflicting Fear on nearby allies. In a normal battle situation this would target everyone, but in this case only Gregory is close enough to him. And sure enough, Gregory notices the gas and all of a sudden becomes overwhelmed with fear.

"W-w-what's going on!?"

"Huh? Wait, why are you...", Evan begins to ask, but then seems to realize. It's happening again!

At least neither of them moved from their spots, so maybe the Pymlis near them won't charge up further.

"I don't get it. Why do so many of Evan's attacks hurt the others?", Cassidy asks on the outside.

Grape, meanwhile, hears a thoughtful hum coming from Glitchtrap at the sight of the gaseous attack. He doesn't ask the glitchy rabbit what's going on. But he does have a feeling like Glitchtrap is trying to piece something together.

"Did... did he KNOW?"

Glitchtrap's vague comment comes out of nowhere, and from the tone of his voice it sounds like he wasn't even fully aware he said that out loud.

"What?"

"Nothing. Focus on the game."

That was said with a darker and more forceful tone than any he's used before, genuinely intimidating Grape a little, even though he's the one in control of his (currently shared) body. Glitchtrap can't actually do anything to him, but he still feels like it's in his best interest to shut up and do as told.

Lastly, since Hammer Swing seemed to work, Sam selects it a second time.


The Wind Caller

Hilda gets grabbed. Is this gonna be the-

Healing magic suddenly surrounds her, and, now full of energy again, she can afford to catch the blade with her free hand (despite the fact that doing so hurts like hell) before she can be impaled.

   "Well, what do you know? This dumb staff can come through for me after all."   , she grins before switching our her Fortify Staff to try to unleash a point-blank Bolganone. How did she switch weapons this fast?

With Legendary Alear not pursuing, Travant reaches Arion. Thankfully the former's decision doesn't bite her in the ass, because after a brief moment of talking the two turn and start flying away from the battlefield.

The Wind Caller, barrier now restored, looks around at the nearest enemies. Those being Legendary Alear and Arvis, who is already back to preparing his magic-

"Impossible. How can you still cast magic?"

"Nihil, great beast. It blocks your offensive skills."

"I see. You are quite the pest. I-"

"HEY!"

"Hrm?"

The Immaculate One now reaches the Wind Caller, eyes full of fury.

     Battle Convo 

"Wind Caller!"

"How impersonal. Have you adopted Sothis’ naming scheme?"

"Are you not taking me seriously? How dare you attack us? How dare you attack these precious children I’ve taken under my wings!?"

"Do you expect me to take pity on them? You should have known this would happen. Either you were naïve, or you do not care as much for them as you believe you do."

"Silence yourself, before I do it for you!"

"I do not fear your temper. We have fought together in the past, but if you insist on protecting these creatures due to your inability to move on from Sothis, then I will have to knock some sense back into you."

"ENOUGH!"

Aurora Breath!

"YOU WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN!"

The Crest of Seiros briefly appears in front of the Immaculate One before she flies up a bit and unleashes a massive sweeping beam of pure light that threatens to hit the Wind Caller and everyone around him. Including Legendary Alear, but she should be able to fly out of range if she reacts fast enough. Though even if she does get hit, she'll find that there aren't any ill effects save for the damage. Not even being staggered. It seems the Immaculate One just has that much control over her attack.

All of the Wind Caller's barrier tiles get damaged (though not fully destroyed), and due to him being staggered he can't charge up Gale this turn.

The Wind Caller, as well as Arvis, get struck by the massive attack, and both get staggered. This is bad... he should tell Hilda to call for a formal retreat. But would she listen?

Seteth and Flayn look at one another. The Wind Caller is staggered, this may be the best chance they have. Even if, despite the Wind Caller's attitude, they feel bad about attacking him.

Flayn hops onto Seteth's wyvern and the two speed towards the Wind Caller, flying past the Immaculate One as she stops to catch her breath.

     Battle Convo: 

"Enough of this madness, please!"

“So you really dare go up against me directly. Hrm… are these your companions?"

"They are indeed. And they are all people who have shown me excellent character so far. They are not like Nemesis and the Ten Elites. Give us a chance to-"

"I will not assist you. I have lived apart from the world of man, which disgusts me so. This war you have involved yourselves in disgusts me also."

"I thought you might say as much. This is regrettable, but for the sake of the Einherjar’s victims, I must help defeat you."

-

“Wait, are you... ah, that face takes me back in time... You have not changed one bit, Ceth-“

[—- "I ask that you keep quiet, Uncle!"

"Why the rush, Ceth-"

"Shh! Please keep quiet, Uncle!"

Seteth strikes with his lance at the right side barrier tile to destroy it, while Flayn strikes with Nosferatu at the middle center tile to do the same to it.

Due to being staggered, Counterattack doesn't activate in response to either attack.

Ishtore narrows his eyes, but he sees Maybell, Meng and Bleg retreating back towards him. He thinks his options over for a moment. Reyna is definitely up to something. And the Einherjar's troops have taken big losses.

The final nail in the coffin is when he sees Travant retreating. Should Ishtore get in trouble, he can simply point to the Thracian king and claim he misunderstood the situation because he saw him leave.

   "Very well then. We surrender."   

The trio of Pegasi stop close to the two, having heard him.

"We do?"

"But Lord Ishtore."

"Our orders-"

   "Have changed. My sister told me to come back alive, did she not? Is that not a bigger order?"   

"..."

"..."

"..."

   "If there are no further objections... let us make our retreat."   

The three say nothing, but silently accept the outcome. But there would be a rematch one day.

Ishtore warps himself, the trio and the two remaining generic Pegasi off of the battlefield.

2 Phantom Wyvern reinforcements appear to the north.

2 Phantom Wyvern reinforcements appear to the west.

While on the other side of the map, the two squads of four now begin to move towards the Wind Caller to protect him. This may be just what Reyna needs to get more extract.

     Enemies (Red Army) 

*Phantom Wyvern Lord X4 (West Reinforcements), Level 42

  • Weapons: Steel Axe X4 (11 Might, X1 Drops)

  • Stats: 60 HP, 40+5 Str, 21 Mag, 28 Dex (Skl), 39 Spd, 23 Lck, 18 Def, 32 Res, 17 Chrm

  • Skills: Axefaire (+5 Strength when using an axe), Avoid +10 (Grants +10 Avoid), Axe Prowess LV5 (+20 hit, +10 avoid, +10 critical avoid when using an axe), Lancebreaker+ (+30 hit and avoid if enemy uses a lance), Weight -3 (Reduces the unit's total weight by 3), Canto (Move again after attacking)

  • Battalion: Phantasmal Wyvern Co. X2: Assault Troop Gambit (10 Might, hits 3 tiles in a straight line)

*Phantom Wyvern Lord X4 (North Reinforcements), Level 42

  • Weapons: Steel Axe X4 (11 Might)

  • Stats: 60 HP, 40+5 Str, 21 Mag, 28 Dex (Skl), 39 Spd, 23 Lck, 18 Def, 32 Res, 17 Chrm

  • Skills: Axefaire (+5 Strength when using an axe), Avoid +10 (Grants +10 Avoid), Axe Prowess LV5 (+20 hit, +10 avoid, +10 critical avoid when using an axe), Lancebreaker+ (+30 hit and avoid if enemy uses a lance), Weight -3 (Reduces the unit's total weight by 3), Canto (Move again after attacking)

  • Battalion: Phantasmal Wyvern Co. X2: Assault Troop Gambit (10 Might, hits 3 tiles in a straight line)

BARRIER STATUS:

[- [- [-

[- — —

[- [- [-

*The Wind Caller, Level 42

  • Crest: Crest of Macuil (20% chance to raise Might by 5 during attacks)

  • Weapons: Crest Stone of Macuil (20 Might, Magic Weapon, 1-4 Range), Gale (25 Might, 1 Range, but hits all areas in a square in front and next to unit. All enemies hit by this attack will be staggered for one turn and will be hit out of their Engage status)

  • Stats: 16, 132, 176 HP, 27 Str, 40 Mag, 25 Dex (Skl), 36 Spd, 34 Lck, 18 Def, 34 Res, 38 Chrm

  • Skills: Magic Bind (Inflicts Silence upon hitting an enemy), Ancient Dragonskin (Reduces all damage dealt to unit by 50%, negates Lethality and Assassinate, nullifies status effects (except being staggered from an Armor Break), unit cannot be moved), Avoid +10 (Grants +10 avoid), Counterattack (Lets unit counterattack from any range), Dragon-Scale Wall (Reduces all damage dealt to the user by 70% if an intact barrier is targeted), Vital Defense (Grants unit immunity to critical hits), Giant Wings (+30 avoid if the enemy uses swords, lances or axes), Darting Blow (+6 speed if user initiates combat), Miracle (If an enemy's attack would otherwise kill the user, reduces its damage to leave the user with 1 HP, Luck% chance to activate if HP is greater than 1), Desperation (Reorders any follow-up attacks to take place right after the initial attack if unit has 50% HP or less and initiates combat)

     Enemies (Yellow Army) 

  • Hilda (Queen), Level 27.

  • Weapons: Bolganone (20 Might), Fortify Staff (Restores 40 HP of all allies in range)

  • Stats: 42 HP, 12 Str, 30 Mag, 21 Skl, 24 Spd, 5 Lck, 19 Def, 30 Res

  • Skills: Pursuit (Chance for a follow-up attack), Charm (Allies fighting near her will perform better in battle)

  • Arvis (Emperor), Level 30.

  • Weapons: Holy Valflame (30 Might, +10 Mag, +10 Def, +10 Res), Silver Blade (20 Might)

  • Stats: 72 HP, 27 Str, 30+10 Mag, 30 Skl, 30 Spd, 4 Lck, 30+10 Def, 30+10 Res

  • Skills: Great Shield (Chance to block all damage), Nihil (Disables enemy skills and critical hits), Charm (Allies fighting near him will perform better in battle)

Edited by DevilPsyco on Mar 4th 2024 at 10:22:14 AM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
RainbyPlays fae being from yes Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Hiding
fae being
#385082: Feb 28th 2024 at 8:04:31 PM

Train

Milin leans into the flip, sticking the landing and tilting to the side- though it isn't entirely enough -the white-hot blade of energy scratching her skin and sending a blossom of pain through her- though her passive control over electricity dulls it quite a bit, as pain signals are electric in nature.

"Oh, fuck you. I'm not an idiot, but don't try and justify yourself by saying everyone else is just as bad as you are!!"

Taking a deep breath, she lashes out with her psionics, yelling as she sends a wave of force forward at Sarav, her eyes sparking with a purple light. Windows shatter and the whole train rattles from the expanding force- though Milin is left breathing heavily for a moment afterwards.

"Sure, everyone's done something bad... I did some pretty bad shit to escape Salus IV. But if you're trying to survive, all bets are off. In your case? You're doing it because you can. You might even enjoy it, hell if I know. And that's what pisses me off."

Her stance is more taut now, ready to react at a moment's notice. She's started falling into her old rhythm, the training drilled into her by Selvanus.

aeiou: the second
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#385083: Feb 28th 2024 at 10:20:52 PM

Robyn is understandably caught off-guard by Hilda suddenly healing up and catching her sword by the blade, resulting in her getting blasted at point-blank range by the ensuing Bolganone and sent crashing to the ground.

"Argh... shite," she snarls, pounding the sand with her fist and hauling herself up. "You're startin' to be a real fuckin' pain in my arse!"

The Irish demigoddess tears off her burned tunic, revealing the brown crop top she wore beneath it. Flinging the ruined garment at Hilda in a bid to distract her, she swiftly moves to stab the sadistic mage in the side, chop her right arm clean off at the elbow, then slam the Dagda's Fury directly into her skull with a fearsome downward swing.

-

Nicole smiles.

"Well, glad you could join the party in time, sweetheart! Hope you won't mind saving the hugs and catching up for after we've cleared things up here."

She watches as the Immaculate One blasts the Wind Caller.

"Holy friggin' shit..."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Feb 29th 2024 at 7:11:14 AM

BoniniBanana Fortunate Sun I from real Since: Aug, 2021 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
Fortunate Sun I
#385084: Feb 29th 2024 at 3:32:17 AM

Hub Centralis

Excelsus immediately changed target the moment it confirmed its hit Croque, whether because it assumes they've been eliminated or not remains a mystery, but it heads its way towards Vincent and Kado, allowing Croque to charge more.

Kado's stuns his Gekko in a series of violent explosions that leaves itself wide open to be sliced apart. While Monica's Vincent takes hers out from the inside out, which notably reveals a spinal cord pulsating with blue energy.

If Vincent were to go near it, it would feel a sudden surge of power coursing throughout itself, as if supercharging Monica's mech for a brief moment or at least rejuvenating the machine back to full capacity.

The Metal Gear's two titanic blades that protrude from its body raises upwards, the yellow glow on the edge brightly flashes before it quickly descends upon both of them and crashes down with flattening force! A voice only describable as sheer brawn and AMERICAN 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅 emerges.

THE GREATEST NATION DEMANDS YOUR BLOOD, MAGE

Seems the effects of the Empyrreich's hacking is slowly affecting the program.

MG EXCELSUS 94.7%

Edited by BoniniBanana on Feb 29th 2024 at 7:55:28 PM

real
RainbyPlays fae being from yes Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Hiding
fae being
#385085: Feb 29th 2024 at 11:09:13 AM

Hub Centralis - EXCELSUS

The Apocalypse Rail is almost fully charged, Croque.

"Good. That should put a nice dent in it."

Operation Shutout raises the pulse cannon again, firing off another shot. This one also explodes, unlike the first- due to a custom munitions fabricator -it always gets fitted with one 'stock' round at the start, but not now.

Then she hears the loud voice and tilts her head.

"...huh. Hey, Hollow, can any of my tech open a channel to this thing?"

We can certainly make an attempt, though we may need to try a few different methods of connection.

"Time to use a quantum supercomputer to hack a raging mech, I suppose..."

A cable plugs into a spot on Croque's head.

Warplink cable secured. Expanding shell processing allocation to servers 567-2056. 
Target frequency found.
Executing connection attempts across all known protocols...

Croque starts cycling through protocols (she'd already figured out the frequency by simply scanning the frequencies in the area), trying to get a connection. If she's successful, she'll start trying to cripple its combat effectiveness, at the very least. She'll also try to open a line to whoever happens to be on the other side, opening with this:

"Hello, I'm calling about your mech's extended warranty."

...really? That's what you open with?

Yes.

aeiou: the second
StepexNo2 Leave your ants ants ants ants ants ANTS ANTS from The Complex Plane Since: Aug, 2021 Relationship Status: love is a deadly lazer
Leave your ants ants ants ants ants ANTS ANTS
#385086: Feb 29th 2024 at 12:53:50 PM

Lourent

Potemkin smirks at Lute's cockiness. If she lets herself get this overwhelmed with emotion, it's only a matter of time until she makes a fatal mistake.

   "I assure you, I will not fall today."   

The soldier can take a hit, but knows unnecessary hits will do him no good. When Lute's kick comes flying towards him, he gets out of his defensive pose and jumps upwards to avoid the attack. In the air, the thrusters in his knuckles activate and pull him down towards Lute fists forward, like a massive fiery human projectile.

   "Megafist!"   

If it disagrees with experiment, it's wrong.
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#385087: Feb 29th 2024 at 1:35:45 PM

The Wind Caller

Legendary Alear holds her hands out, bracing herself for the Immaculate One's beam. When it does reach her after blowing through the Wind Caller, she spreads her arms and catches what's left of the beam.

Keeper of History (Calm/Frenzy Mix)

She starts glowing as if Engaging again, forming a blazing blue star. The swirling, roiling energy shrinks down between her hands, into a small sphere.

"I am the Fire Emblem."

WHAT

While Past Alear watches in awe from a safe distance, Legendary Alear takes the sphere in one hand and palm-thrusts it forward, whereupon it splits into a cascade of smaller lasers, homing in on the Wind Caller's Phantom forces, Hilda, and Arvis.

"Not at all. In fact, this is why I was looking for you!"

With Ishtore giving the order to retreat to the Pegasus trio, Nik gives Reyna a thumbs-up.

"... Hooh." Reyna huffs, wipes sweat from her brow, grins, and nods to the two dragonkin. She looks to one of the statues of the Seven Heroines for a moment, mutters "not yet" as if that specific statue has some significance, then turns her attention to the Phantom Wyverns, sending her Kinsect at their wings to try and get white extract.

Edited by KiriK on Feb 29th 2024 at 3:39:55 AM

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#385089: Feb 29th 2024 at 2:24:54 PM

Hub Centralis

A rock smashes through an empty house's window. Ken, who had been the one to kick the rock in frustration, winces upon hearing the glass shatter. Shoot, he hadn't actually intended on property damage.

When there's no reaction from inside the house, he shrugs and continues walking, until he realizes the door is open. At first he's not feeling up to satiating his curiosity, as his head's still full of the thoughts that had caused him frustration in the first place. He still hadn't found any way of contacting his mom or dad. They had to be worried sick.

...

They would be worried about him going missing, right?

His lip quivers for a moment, but then he hears something that snaps him out of his thoughts. A soft and low drumming sound that sounds like something out of an old movie with tribal people. Nothing Ken's ever really watched in full though, he prefers sports movies.

Still, something about it almost seems to be calling out to him.

He enters the room and walks around, following the sound of the drums as they become more clear, leading him into a room. The source seems to be coming from under the wooden planks on the floor.

At first Ken looks around for a basement entrance, but he finds none. So he decides that, screw it, he's caused property damage already anyway. Grabbing a baseball bat tied to his backpack, he coats it in energy and slams down on the floor to break the floorboards in one go. Seeing what was underneath flares his curiosity even further. The drums become more pronounced as Ken puts down his bat and takes out the small box.

"Ju... manji?", he mumbles as he reads the title. He opens the box up, revealing the board game inside. He reads the instructions listed on the left side.

"Jumanji. A game for those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind. The first player to reach the end wins. Adventurers beware: do not begin unless you intend to finish. The exciting consequences of the game will vanish only when a player has reached Jumanji and called out its name."

After a small pause, Ken scoffs. He likes boardgames, but referring to playing it as 'exciting consequences' reeks of desperation to him. Or some lame attempt by old people to try to appeal to kids.

Still, a game may be exactly what he needs to take his mind off of his turbulent thoughts. Take a break, y'know?

"Two to four players... right, it's a board game, I can't play it alone.", he continues reading aloud. "Where are those two when I need them?"

He stashes Jumanji into his backpack and straps his bat back onto the side. Maybe he'd bump into someone who isn't completely lame, and then he could ask them to try out the game with him.

"Why the heck would anyone hide it under some floorboards anyway?", he wonders as he leaves the house again.


The Wind Caller

Hilda's response to the ruined garment being thrown her way is simply to blast burn through it with Bolganone, turning it into ashes before it can reach her.

However, that little showing off stunt of hers caused her to be unable to cast it again before Robyn slashes her in the side. Her response to this is to suddenly villain-warp away before Robyn can follow up and finish her off, the coward. By doing this, she (inadvertently) evades Legendary Alear's attack.

Arvis, on the other hand, is not able to evade said attack and gets struck by the beams from above, grunting in pain and unable to counterattack due to being staggered. The Phantom Wyverns get sniped and annihilated instantly, though not before Reyna manages to get the white extract she needed from them.

Hilda rewarps in next to Arvis.

   "Why isn't the beast felled yet!? We-what is happening here!?"   , she shouts, only now really noticing the Immaculate One, as well as Legendary Alear's state of being.

"What's happening, Hilda, is us facing a total defeat. Us two are the only ones left on the battlefield. The rest was either slain or retreated."

   "What? No. NO! I can't go back empty-handed! My council seat... no, my card, my very life is at stake here! Julius won't forgive me if I fail him again!"   

"Hilda. We can't beat them by ourselves, even with Valflame."

   "We just need... we need... wait! Yes, yes, of course!"   

She turns to the Wind Caller.

     Battle Convo: 

   "My. From up close, you look quite impressive."   

"What is your aim in trying to speak to me, human? Nothing you say will change your fate."

   "If it’s humans you loathe so, then you should join us, for we are not human. We are Einherjar, magical constructs who-"   

"Spare your pathetic attempt at manipulation. Real or artificial, I see no difference between human and Einherjar. You are all as wicked and destructive as the next, and your blood will soil this sand forevermore!"

   "Tch. This is what I get for trying to parlay. I will take that blade back with me no matter what!"   

Her ploy having failed, Hilda launches Bolganone at the Wind Caller in anger, since the latter can't retaliate this turn. She ends up shattering the back center barrier tile, as well as shattering his second health stone. This activates another skill.

The Wind Caller narrows his eyes.

"This has gone on for long enough! Enough of this reactionary nonsense, I will destroy you all myself!"

The Wind Caller's stagger ends and he begins to fly a little. Seteth (with Flayn) keeps his distance for the moment while the Immaculate One recovers from firing that beam. However, she does speak to her allies.

"Take out his barrier to stagger him again, before he has a chance to renew it!"

No Phantom Wyverns spawn anymore. Guess the Wind Caller was right about doing it himself now.

Arvis' stagger ends, and he unleashes Valflame to destroy-

Wait, no, the Wind Caller dodges Valflame's explosion, which now threatens to hit Legendary Alear instead. Ironic, considering the statement she made seconds ago.

     Enemies (Red Army) 

BARRIER STATUS:

[- — [-

[- — —

[- [- [-

*The Wind Caller, Level 42

  • Crest: Crest of Macuil (20% chance to raise Might by 5 during attacks)

  • Weapons: Crest Stone of Macuil (20 Might, Magic Weapon, 1-4 Range), Gale (25 Might, 1 Range, but hits all areas in a square in front and next to unit. All enemies hit by this attack will be staggered for one turn and will be hit out of their Engage status)

  • Stats: 132, 176 HP, 27 Str, 40 Mag, 25 Dex (Skl), 36 Spd, 34 Lck, 18 Def, 34 Res, 38 Chrm

  • Skills: Magic Bind (Inflicts Silence upon hitting an enemy), Ancient Dragonskin (Reduces all damage dealt to unit by 50%, negates Lethality and Assassinate, nullifies status effects (except being staggered from an Armor Break), unit cannot be moved), Avoid +10 (Grants +10 avoid), Counterattack (Lets unit counterattack from any range), Dragon-Scale Wall (Reduces all damage dealt to the user by 70% if an intact barrier is targeted), Vital Defense (Grants unit immunity to critical hits), Giant Wings (+30 avoid if the enemy uses swords, lances or axes), Darting Blow (+6 speed if user initiates combat), Miracle (If an enemy's attack would otherwise kill the user, reduces its damage to leave the user with 1 HP, Luck% chance to activate if HP is greater than 1), Desperation (Reorders any follow-up attacks to take place right after the initial attack if unit has 50% HP or less and initiates combat)

     Enemies (Yellow Army) 

  • Hilda (Queen), Level 27.

  • Weapons: Bolganone (20 Might), Fortify Staff (Restores 40 HP of all allies in range)

  • Stats: 26 HP, 12 Str, 30 Mag, 21 Skl, 24 Spd, 5 Lck, 19 Def, 30 Res

  • Skills: Pursuit (Chance for a follow-up attack), Charm (Allies fighting near her will perform better in battle)

  • Arvis (Emperor), Level 30.

  • Weapons: Holy Valflame (30 Might, +10 Mag, +10 Def, +10 Res), Silver Blade (20 Might)

  • Stats: 41 HP, 27 Str, 30+10 Mag, 30 Skl, 30 Spd, 4 Lck, 30+10 Def, 30+10 Res

  • Skills: Great Shield (Chance to block all damage), Nihil (Disables enemy skills and critical hits), Charm (Allies fighting near him will perform better in battle)

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
DefRevenge24601 Strongest In History from Beyond The Void (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
Strongest In History
#385090: Feb 29th 2024 at 4:37:06 PM

Hollyfrost Farm

Douglas's eyes sparkle at the mention of a spar.

Douglas: "Hell yeah! I'll admit, I'm no good with a sword though. My body's my weapon."

Brendan squints a little when he's addressed, as if trying to remember.

Brendan: "Uh, yeah. Emblems. Plural. At least, I think? It's been a minute since my mercenary days back in Tropera. I wonder how those guys are doing..."

Edited by DefRevenge24601 on Feb 29th 2024 at 7:37:22 AM

"DIO is the ultimate being! The being of the future! Dare you not to rival me!"
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#385091: Feb 29th 2024 at 4:51:42 PM

Sarah nods politely and glance at everyone else in her little group. I don't think you need it to be a sword. I think anything you use to beat the shit out of Moebius is good enough to become a Fearless Sword. Sarah says after a little laugh, making the Necrosword shape into a Necro... sword (whooahh) and staring at it. Swords do tend to bear the power to smite evil in a lot of worlds, from what I've seen. So it's not surprising you'd think of one.

Maybe thinking swords are more heroic mean you're better off using one to channel a Fearless Sword's power too. She puts her hands on her hips. I could help you buy one. Or ask Thor to get one. One of the Thors anyway.

... Do you think my fists could become Fearless Swords? Sarah says to Anne, raising her fist, sounding half-serious.

...

Previously on ESTRAOLE FOREST

Mouz and Zalade are about to charge in with Othar as a distraction -or opposite- but they meet an impediment : the Spectator had actually been careful to turn the plants and greenery around the fighters to stone, in a bid to briefly hold them down. Breaking through stone via spells or magic wouldn't be too difficult for Mouz and Zalade, but both are stopped in their tracks just long enough for the beast to blast them both back with an explosive beam.

And the only reason it use a survivable attack -one that send them both flying screaming, but won't instantly take them out of the fight- is because it has to focus its stone-beams towards Othar, attempting to cut his charge short by summoning an impromptu wall of stone plants in front of him. And even then, it's limited to only one beam, since its other eyetalk gets blasted by Tarvek's grappling hook.

Understanding what had happened to it and also lashing out, the Spectator attempts to blast Othar in the face with a concussive beam and then try to swing its mass to the side, attempting to turn Tarvek's grappling hook against him by lifting him off his feet and slamming him towards a tree - one it turn into stone seconds before impact for a painful result.

Tarvek will also feel cold heat (or hot cold) around his ears, the creature trying to blast him mid-flight but being too weakened for that, forcing it to blast a much less mobile target.

Edited by Bolded1 on Feb 29th 2024 at 1:52:55 PM

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#385092: Feb 29th 2024 at 5:30:09 PM

Robyn lets out an irritated snarl.

"Slippery little-"

Noticing that Hilda was now preoccupied with the Wind Caller, she gives the Dagda's Fury a quick flourish and sprints towards the wicked mage before attempting to straight-up impale her from behind.

"Forgettin' somethin', ya gobshite?!"

-

Nicole shows her Emblem ring to Nik.

"Then today's your lucky day, 'cause I've been itching to let you see this in action!" she says, ready to spring into action along with her fellow half-dragon. "You wanna come out and say hi to Glali real quick, Corrin?"

engie Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#385093: Feb 29th 2024 at 7:37:45 PM

SOUTH REPRIUM

On the way down, Partner and Chara remain silent. There isn't much for them to talk about after all. Once they're at the bottom and setting off again, the commentary resumes, mostly between each other at first.

"Strange to think that a small town would get that many visitors."

  • The mechanics of this world are fundamentally very different from our own.
  • ...Tangentially, any Gold reserve we brought with us might not be financially compatible.
"...Oh, I overlooked that. That'd mean... hm."

Partner turns their attention fully on Varia. While their expression doesn't change much, they're tense due to the recently-pointed-out issue. If their money reserve was useless...

"How does the economy work here? We kind of... don't have unlimited supplies."

The fact that only 140 characters are allowed here is honestly so disappointing to me.
BombonBombin Nightmare lord from Across time and space Since: Jan, 2021 Relationship Status: In love with love
Nightmare lord
#385094: Feb 29th 2024 at 8:16:40 PM

Pica-Verse

Previous

Every member of the group looks into their pockets for money. Even the children.

Hmmm... How about both?

As for the money, we have enough, I think... Do our money have value in your universe? We use Euros back in my world...

And I have a spare gold coin.

Three freaking ghosts!
BoniniBanana Fortunate Sun I from real Since: Aug, 2021 Relationship Status: RelationshipOutOfBoundsException: 1
Fortunate Sun I
#385095: Mar 1st 2024 at 9:30:16 AM

Grom

Once Cecil's prepared his dish, he puts away the pocket watch and stretches. His joints audibly crack, pop, and crinkle.

"Ain't this the life?"

He laughs to himself, he doesn't really care for winning or losing in this competition even with the ominously suggested consequences of lost, just that a man's fed and the day's been done is enough to keep him satisfied.

"If that Ork's da biggest bird among them, I can probably smash my dish, stomp it in dirt, and he'll like it even more."

Cecil usual shenanigans ensue once he steps foot inside Gobbotown, running amok, giving bread, and being an overall positive menace to the people around him.

But now that he's keenly aware of the kind of people his food is about to go to(as if being completely lost that he was going to be cooking for Orks for the competition), they do kind of smell familiar. Like pungent mushrooms mixed with every non-reproductive bodily fluid he can think of.

Although, that other blue haired boy's taken his interest for some time, he wasn't able to say anything earlier since they split up so now's his chance to go to Corrin. Off of pure dad instinct alone he reads his feelings and goes to give him a firm pat on the back before his signature:

"Bread?"


Weathertop

soon ig

real
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#385096: Mar 1st 2024 at 10:06:07 AM

Hm? Corrin looks up at Cecil, having felt the tap on his back. There's a slight alarm to his tone, and he perhaps raise his head a bit too quickly before he realizes that it's just one of his partners of misfortune at the Bloody Crags. One that went away to do his own thing pretty quickly and yet had survived just fine, perilous as the land was.

My apologies for being distracted, I was just... pondering my orb. Corrin says, putting said orb away with an awkward chuckle. He does so by literally putting it away, letting it vanish from his grasp and fade into nothing. He was a bit annoyed about being interupted but, ah, maybe Cecil meant to talk to him? Is there anything I could do to help you?

His superior eyes and nose miss the bread until Corrin take a few more seconds to glance at it. What he being handled food? Corrin thought of Cecil taunting him but pulled that irrational thought aside. He wordlessly point at the bread instead, then at himself. And upon being given the go-ahead, the young man proceed to grab the bread, taking polite chunks out of it at first.

Thank you for this, I'm not feeling w... hmm... Corrin stops himself, realizing the bread is really damn good. He take a less cautious bite, delicately grasping the bread with his human and draconic hand, and then start indulging himself a bit, briefly dispensing with the conversation as he chows down on the bread.

That was the best bread in my life! Wow! Corrin says, wiping his mouth with the thumb of his demon hand, his claw retracting so as not to give him the dumbest scar possible. He glance at the crumbs of bread on said thumb and then proceed to shove it in his mouth, after which, he pulls his thumb out and wipe it on the bench next to him. Much better than any other I've tasted thus far!

Corrin looks amazed, not mustering a smile as he apparently start to accept the fact that he did just eat bread and it wasn't his imagination.

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#385097: Mar 1st 2024 at 11:21:05 AM

SDM

Rumia snickers at Sora and the other Rumia.

   "Well if you say so."    she shrugged. She figured she could handle herself. I mean, she herself did just fine before meeting Flandre.


Excel Sus

Monica grimaced. So this was some kind of organic and mechanical beast. Gross.

Then she blinked. Did her Energy Filter just go back to full? Huh?

She didn't have time to dwell on that with the big fucking blades dropping down. Her eyes widened at the glow. As if they weren't overkill enough, they were also Maser Vibration Swords at that?!

She pushed her mobility to the limit, wheels grinding as she moved out of the open street to avoid getting turned into mush. She'd vanish into an alley only to appear on top of a nearby building, having scaled it with her landspinners. If she was going to hurt this thing, she'd need to get on top by the looks of it, as she searched for one high enough to jump off and onto the !!HUGE MAN!!.


Leviathan

Morag was no Rathalos, but at this point he was getting more used to this Elder's movements. With a powerful flap of his wings he manages to barely avoid the lunge. Rumia for her part uses    Moonless Gown    to block the water beam but the claw swipe gets her off guard. Assuming of course that the latter isn't stopped by Morag then body slamming the Namielle, in which case Rumia uses the opening to fire a concentrated beam of energy from her hands.


Dragon Dance

Soulstealer Xeno’Jiiva snarled angrily at his foe. This battle was going on for seemingly forever, both of them constantly regenerating injuries through their various means. He had been about to fire another beam when that Thing appeared. He stopped, then glared at his foe. Oh how he'd love to rip him in two and incinerate the remains, but right now he was smart enough to realize this newcomer was the bigger threat to both of them.

So instead he fires the beam meant for the Nergigante at the giant monstrosity as he flies up higher.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#385098: Mar 1st 2024 at 12:15:33 PM

Hub Centralis

"Why did you call me here?"

The outdoors cafe bustled around them. Here, the sight of a towering, seven-foot man made of carved stone sitting across a glass table from a disfigured bat-person was far from a strange sight…though everyone nearby made sure to keep their eyes from the latter man’s warped, twisted face, his fangs carnivorous in his jutting maw and his skin a ripe purple. His lavender eyes looked at the physically larger man with malicious glee, he himself only a measly five-foot-eight and hunched over. His black nails tapped rhythmically on the glass.

   "What? A man can’t meet with his friends every once in a while..?"    He spoke, his voice a low and harsh hiss; it seemed to be all he could manage.

"We are not friends." The Gray Man growled, arms crossed. His voice was in direct contrast to the deranged mutant’s, heavy and powerful. "The last time we met was three hundreds years ago, at the Battle of the Golden Rivers—you took off my arm then."

   "Yes, yes, and you ripped out my heart. What sort of friends haven’t fought at some point? You’re here with your arm, and I’m here with what little of my heart remains. We’re even."   

"Can I get you two anything?" A waitress asked, wearing a kind smile as she approached the seated duo with pencil and notepad in hand. Kain could see the disgust behind her pretty blue eyes as she looked at him. A twisted smile spread across his cracked lips.

His hand shot out, grabbing hold of her wrists, and his claws sunk beneath her skin. She tried to draw away, but his grip was too ironclad. She tried to scream, but the sound was strangled in her throat as the life was stolen from her body, red energy enveloping Kain’s arm while he absorbed it. The woman shrunk and shriveled up and died, leaving little more than a dry, wrinkled corpse the size of a child when the First Vampyre was finished. The other patrons picked up where the woman had left off, their screams filling the air. They leapt from their tables and ran, only for their veins to suddenly explode, blood flying from beneath their skin. Pale ghosts of men and woman tumbled to the floor, a shallow pond of red lying in the center of the cafe. Then, Kaid leaned out his seat, reached for the woman’s arm, and twisted her frail hand off. He lifted it to his mouth and nibbled at it, though it was little more than skin and bone now.

The Gray Man sighed, as though embarrassed in the same way an older sibling is embarrassed when their younger brother acts out. "I don’t particularly enjoy your company…so be brief. About why you brought me here. And speak fast—in forty-five seconds, if you have not left on your own, I shall rid myself of your presence."

   "Damn, still as dour as ever, huh? You’re a stone-hearted little bastard, you are."   

"I do not find your antics amusing or humorous. Forty seconds."

Kain sighed and smiled as thought the Gray Man had just uttered some joke nobody understood—not even the man whi had said it, and certainly not the corpses spread under the metal canopy.    "I’m offering you a chance at revenge."   

"Revenge?" The carved figured scowled. "I have no care nor need for vengeance. All my foes are dead. You will join them, if you are not swift. Thirty-five seconds." He said no more than this, but Kain knew the Gray Man. He could read his face, expressive in spite of being set in a slate of gray stone; knew what was unsaid: "Against who?"

   "Think about it. Who do we both hate—more than each other, that is?"   

The Gray Man seemed to genuinely consider the question for a moment. At last his dull and dead eyes met Kain’s, as though finally catching his meaning. "The Champion is dead. Twenty-five seconds."

   "Aye, he is…but those prattling imbeciles who follow him are not. "Children of Men." What nonsense."    Kain scoffed and continued to chew on the hand.

"They disappeared with their mortal god millennia ago," The Gray Man countered. Kain waited a moment, but the count never came. He knew he had his attention now.

   "They disappeared, yes..but that which disappears,"    Kain folded the severed hand in his own and flattened his against the glass tabletop; when he lifted it, there was naught but air between. The Gray Man felt a new presence on his shoulder. He didn’t have to see it to know what it was.    "Can reappear."   

"Have they?" The man of stone flicked the hand off his shouldered and leaned forwards. His elbows cracked the glass as they pressed upon it. "Reappeared?"

   "You’ve heard of that…commotion in Hyrule?"   

"With the man-sized rodents." The Gray Man nodded.

   "Well, guess who showed up."    Before his guest could so much as respond, Kain continued:    "Alwyen, and his little barbarian gang of half-naked dandies."    The First Vampyre snarled mockingly.    "Brought them all an—"    Kain was instantly silenced as a stone fist smashed through his skull like a hammer, a wave of mutilation and carnage following it. Kain’s mutilated corpse sat for a moment, as though there was still a head between its shoulders, before teetering backwards and falling out of his chair. The only movement from the sprawled body was the twitching of its fingers.

The Gray Man finally let out a breath of air, relieved at last of the chattering fool’s nonsense. Still, perhaps there was some credibility to Kain’s words. He leaned back and closed his eyes, contemplating what the deformed and twisted little man had said. He despised the so-called "Champion", and he despised the Children of Man more still. It was they, they who had slain his people and destroyed their society. They had been the killers of the Fomorian race. For thousands of years, the Gray Man had roamed the earth, homeless, purposeless, and nameless. If there really was an opportunity for him to avenge his people, avenge the ruining of his life…

A sound interrupted the silence and caught his attention. The Gray Man’s stone eyes flickered open and focused onto the other side of the table, at Kain’s headless carcass. It sounded like…scratching?

With a spray of gore, a clawed hand erupted from the flesh. It took purchase upon the ground and dragged itself forwards just as another hand burst forth. A toddler-sized Kain crawled out of his own corpse, naked as the day he was born. The Gray Man sighed, a mix of disappointment and annoyance.

   "Hoooly fuck! You know, when you said you were gonna "rid yourself of me", I didn’t expect you to actually kill me! God-damn! That was right on the dot, too!"   

The Gray Man grumbled. "I take this to mean I shall not be easily rid of you?"

   "Nope!"    The smaller Kain planted both hands on the dead Kain, absorbing the flesh until nothing remained. At the end of it, he stood at his normal height once more.    "We’re partners now, whether you like it or not."   

"Hm. Fine. Where do we start?"

Edited by ISZATSO on Mar 1st 2024 at 3:52:17 PM

With great power…you know the rest.
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#385099: Mar 1st 2024 at 4:14:54 PM

Fallen Planet Mira, Cauldros, Slavebird Isle

Thor sits before one of the rock formations on Slavebird Isle, where he and Loki had vanquished Myth!Loki after managing to corner the cowardly little bastard. A victory that hindsight had rendered hollow with the knowledge that the battle had been part of Odin's little scheme the whole time. He, Loki, Narktus, Gorr, even Myth!Loki himself- all of them had danced to the Gallows God's tune without once realizing they were being played for fools.

Even Set, as dangerous and nigh-unstoppable as he was throughout his reign of terror, was in actuality nothing more than Odin's glorified puppet even when he'd brought existence itself to the brink of total annihilation. In the end, it was Odin who had truly won, not those who had stepped forth to battle the god of evil. Odin had been their true enemy all along, and every hard-fought victory right up to Set's downfall was now forever tainted by the fact that - with the exception of Odin's obedient red-haired attack dog and accomplice, judging by what Gor had mentioned about him talking about his father's successful plot - everyone involved had ultimately been one of the Lord of the Hanged's many, many unwitting pawns.

Thor thinks back to Gorr's withering condemnation of Odin from when Myth!Loki had met his demise. At the time, he hadn't given those scathing words much thought, but now he realized that the God Butcher had more correct in his assessment than even he himself could've possibly imagined. In fact, there was much Gorr was right about.

He blows out a sigh. At least he could take some comfort in knowing that Odin would soon find himself kicked off his throne and forced to realize that being a god did not mean he was immune to the consequences of his arrogance and lust for power. Thor and Loki would make certain of that, courtesy of whatever aid Gor might have to offer.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Mar 1st 2024 at 4:36:49 AM

DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#385100: Mar 1st 2024 at 4:25:29 PM

Fallen Planet Mira

A familiar derpy little bird face suddenly covers Thor's own face, proxy of someone behind him holding the bird over him (upside down as well).

"Guess who!", a cheerful voice says.

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.

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