Masaru
"I am no butcher."
Genkaen lept to Masaru's hands as the Ember Knight swung his sword, the general's visage narrowing into a glare, reflected under the flametongues that licked the blade as it parried the blow. His opponent was ruthless in his attacks, yes, but Masaru matched him blow for blow with parries and sidesteps, muscles spurred into action to protect their host, rough waves of cuts and thrusts crashing against smooth wall of steel and flowing air. Bootsteps echoed across the din of metal drumming, dancing a waltz of distance and approach. The relentless assault offered few opportunities for the general to strike back though, forced onto the back foot. He needed a plan, and soon.
"I do not wish to fight you, Ember Knight, but nor will I roll over and die yet again. You speak of sin, yet you know not what acts I've committed for what purpose, nor what burdens and obligations weigh down upon me. The sacrifices I've made, up to and including my own life."
For a moment, an inkling of emotion crept into the shibito's tone. Desperate annoyance, conviction and the tiniest amount of sorrow disharmonized in his words. As one of the sword swings was parried aside, Masaru gave a twist of his wrist, flicking the blade up towards Urzael's sword-wrist, looking to disarm the last Ember Knight.
Edited by UndyingPhoenix on Aug 18th 2021 at 2:44:38 PM
The Dounderlun - Upper Deck
The First Mate did not answer Poppy's question, as to how he knew her name or even the fact that she could use magic. Then again, the latter might have been gleaned from her rather unusual appearance.
Nevertheless, he silently marched on and lead both Revache and Poppy up the ladder to the upper deck, keeping a stern eye on both as if he dared them to pull something funny. Wether or not the lanky man could actually fight them off wasn't clear, though he seemed to believe it, letting them climb up ahead of him without guards or restraints.
When they reached the upper deck, the first thing that hit the two girls was the cold, salty air of the sea. A freezing gale slapped them in the face and waves broke upon a distant keel audibly. The ship, which seemed already huge from the inside, now revealed itself in its full dimension.
It was massive. Over a thousand feet in length and wide enough to allow for a small army to march upon its wooden deck. One could let ten carriages ride side by side, without their wheels touching. Four huge masts rose up into the sky, holding aloft large, tattered sails. The biggest thicker than a millenia-old oak and each covered in barnackles and snails. The wood splintered and creaking under the violent winds and the storm-wracked sky.
Everywhere were the same bloated sailors as below. But these ones were bigger, stronger and more...complete, for the lack of a better term. Skin still hung off their limbs and some had their bones stick out of the pale flesh, but it was still a stark contrast to the dregs below.
The sea rose up from below the railing, breaking upon the ancient ship as it kept afloat the waves in opposition to all logic. At the bow a bladelike ram cut the water, with the sides of the ship being painted to resemble a hooded reaper holding it in his hands. Everything looked decayed and rotten and yet it held together, in spite of itself.
"Welcome, to the Dounderlun. The last of the Wavetitans. Queen of Caerrig's fleet. And its abandoned daughter..." The First Mate almost spat out the last part.
He didn't allow Revache or Poppy much time to take in the sheer size of the vessel they were stuck on. Instead, he marched on towards a figure standing at the stern, holding the rudder. It was a heavy-set man, clad in thick leather clothes with a furcoat draped over his shoulders like a cape. Big boots from which his fat legs went up into a barrelchest and broad shoulders. Heavy hands and doughy fingers gripping the worn wood of the rudder, as he kept steady a vessel that by all accounts shouldn't be steered by just one man alone. A wide-brimmed hat covered his bald head and cast his swollen face in shade. Two small eyes staring out into the distance, a milky film of age and weariness over them.
The First Mate snapped his heels in front of the man and bowed. "Admiral...I brought two stoaways, who have hidden in the lower decks."
The Admiral didn't respond at first. Then, after several agonizing seconds he slowly turned his head, as if he just realized he had been spoken to. His tired eyes traveling from the First Mate over to Revache and Poppy. His left hand resting at a iron-cast crowbeak on his side.
"Step...forward...", he commanded, his soft voice so low it was hard to make out his words over the wind. "Explain yourself....and please....don't lie. For your sake..."
Graveyard of the Sea - Topside
Valentins staff was impacting upon one Bloated skull with a wet crunch. The bone breaking apart like wet wood and making the poor guy stumble. He didn't die, weirdly, just shaking his fractured head like he had bumped into something. Another one was thrown off his feet, as Val tripped him up while the first one was still recoiling.
It bought Nasira time to gather her smoke and summon forth a solid wall. It wouldn't last for long, but it didn't need to as she slammed herself into it and letting it crash into the Bloated that had tried to attack her and Valentin. They were thrown back, tumbling over themselves like broken dolls, limps flailing.
"Get yer ass outta ma face!"
"Blooody bliitch!"
"Ma fashe feelsh weirdshhh..."
Prone and unable to rise, due to everyone wanting to get up first, they were reduced to a pile of limbs, with one of them angrily tossing stones at Nasira and Valentin, as he was stuck on the bottom of the pile.
Meanwhile...
"The fu—-?" Further the Bloated didn't came, as suddenly Caits drowned alter-ego lunged at him and plunged one arm down his throat. The dead self smiling a truly blood-freezing grin, as she reached into the poor bastard and grabbed something.
"Let him go, ya witch!", yelled the knife-wielding Bloated and tried to rush to his buddies defense, while the other one was blasted against the hut's walls by a windblast from Cait. The knife slammed down onto the alter-egos back, but she didn't even flinch as the rusty iron sunk into her soft flesh like it was soft molasses.
Then, with black ooze flowing from her lips as she laughed silently, she ripped her arm back violently. She had to tug multiple times, before finally something audibly tore and with one swing she ripped out her victims lungs and windpipe. The brakish, rotten blood flowing from her arm, as she held it up in grisly triumph, while her victim collapsed, dead.
The knife-wielder slowly stepped back, eyes wide in terror. "What in tha Admirals name....?"
Lone Wharf
Masaru's defense was skilled, but he was still driven back just by the sheer difference in strength between him and the Ember Knight. More than just letting Urzaels blow glide off to the side he couldn't do and it took every effort for him to not be blown off his feet. It felt less like he was dueling a man and more like he was trying to divert the club of a giant.
Then, an opening. Masaru took a step forward, flicked his sword up towards his opponents wrist. A loud metal screech echoed through the wharf and then brief silence.
Urzael stepped back, creating some space between him and Masaru. His free hand reached up to his right arm, clutching it. Blood dripped from the shibito's swordtip, hot and red.
The blade had hit the knights gauntlet. Urzael had leaned forward in the splitsecond between Masaru thrusting forward and hitting his fingers. Instead of disarming him, the sword had hit the back of his gauntlet and had then scraped over it and cut the forearm.
Urzael looked at the long gash for a second. It bled heavily, but it was a superficial wound. His eyes focused on Masaru again. There was visible respect in his gaze, as if to briefly acknowledge the feat.
"The intent does not matter. The dead care not for reasons, be they good or bad. Dead remains dead. And murder remains murder, wether done for conquest or unity or something else.", he said. His voice calm, but with an underlying intensity.
Then he lunged forward. Switching his sword from the right to the left hand, he reached out with his gauntlet, intercepting Masarus blade aimed at his head and grabbing it. Wrenching it to the side, like an adult depriving a small child of its stick, he buried his own curved blade into Masaru's side. The power behind the blow was immense, despite the lack of a swing. The blade biting deep, almost cutting into the generals spine.
A headbutt followed. Urzael pulled his sword out and cut off Masaru's left arm, as he raised it in defense. A kick to the gut send the shibito flying out of the ship and impact on the hard, rocky ground below. Were he not undead, he likely would have died from the impact alone.
Urzael put his blade back into his right hand and then aimed his left palm at the wounded shibito. Fire danced around his fingers and flames gathered in his hand, ready to immolate Masaru. "Perish."
Then a yell sounded behind him. Urzael whirled around the moment Sword appeared behind him, having climbed her way back onto the ship. His hand twitched and a large burst of flames enveloped the oni, but the release was hasty, badly aimed and his concentration had slipped. It burned, but it did not stop the towering woman.
Red hands burst through the fire and grabbed the Ember Knight by his wings. He grunted in pain, as Swords tried to yank them out of his back. "Damn you...!", he hissed and grabbed her arms. His sword cluttered onto the floor, as he slowly forced her to release her grip on his wings.
But that was as all he could manage. Locking her grip with his own, he pushed against her to no avail. For all the power he exhibited against Masaru, he was suddenly not as strong against Sword. Muscles tensed and veins popped, as he wrestled her.
He managed to free his right hand and punched the oni in the face with his gauntlet, splitting her lip. But nothing more than that...
Edited by TheNohen on Aug 19th 2021 at 9:09:47 PM
Captain Holloway
While the knife-wielder was busy staring horrified at Caitlin's double (a sentiment even the real Captain shared), the raggedly-breathing Holloway took her chance to quickly sneak up on the distracted undead, and promptly grabbed at his wrist. She snarled as she pumped black magic through her arm and into his, as a portion of her elaborate tattoos snaked onto his rotting flesh like living beings of their own.
“I curse ye,” she hissed, her voice hoarse for reasons uncertain to be either dark influence or sheer exhaustion. “I curse ye with my Black Mark. Ye will die a second death more gruesome. I will follow close forever as your Reaper, even beyond the Grave.”
All the while she spoke, the ink from her tattoos spiralled themselves into a prominent black spot on the undead's remaining skin, and it would be excruciating. Not to any pain receptors, obviously, but more to whatever life-force that animated him—accompanied by a feeling of intense dread, a certain horrible fate that was looming from behind him at all times.
She finally released his arm, and stepped back, blade at the ready. The feeling in him would not go away, even as Caitlin diverted her attention momentarily to her allies and her drowned duplicate. She seemed to shiver slightly at the latter, before hardening her gaze again.
“Unless you oh-so-generously converse with us for a while instead. It depends on our mood.”
Edited by Enirboreh on Aug 19th 2021 at 8:30:42 PM
borkVal
Val was too busy shrieking in utter terror as Caitlin's vomit-clone did...that to notice his and Nasira's success in taking out the other Bloated. All the color had drained from his face, and he felt as though he might faint at any moment.
But...fainting wouldn't be too conductive to the cause. He'd have to wait.
So instead, he took a breath and gathered himself. "T-tu as vu—" Val paused. Should...probably use the language everyone understands. "You saw what she did," he said. "Either we can talk, or we can show you worse things. Your...your choice."
He internally congratulated himself on not sounding scared out of his wits. Which he still was, somewhat.
What sort of Ascension lets you do that...?
"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."Poppy Blake
Poppy shrank back into her heavy cloak as they reached the deck, the salty sea spray and the yawing of the ship—if a vessel of this size could still be called that—under her made her cough and stagger in place just trying to keep up. Eventually, however, she made her way forwards and managed to match the pace of the First Mate.
When the Admiral laid eyes on her, she shivered, but held his gaze. Instead of cowering back like she would have before, Poppy carefully lifted her skirts and dropped into a polite curtsy before straightening back up, trying to keep her cloak closed against the sharp sea gales.
"My name is Poppy Blake of Arcada," she began shakily, voice nearly disappearing in the crash of the sea. "Contender for the Divine Throne of Hope."
"After helping to slay the Pretender of the last Shard I was in, the group I was traveling with chose one of the doors that appeared," she continued. "When it opened, we all got sucked in. I ended up down in the depths of this vessel, completely separated from my friends. I then found Miss Dagone stuck in the same situation."
"We tried to find our way out and leave, but were stumbled upon by one of your men, and so as to not be killed right off the bat, I lied and said that we were your new cooks," Poppy kept on detailing her journey so far. "He believed us, and we were escorted to a kitchen to prepare a meal for the hungry members of your crew. Being a little hungry myself, I decided to go along with it instead of trying to escape and cooked for everyone that was waiting, cleaning the kitchen up a bit in the process."
"When I was done, we served the food, and then everything got a little rowdy until the First Mate found us, calmed things down, and then brought us up to see you," she finished. "That's about the long and short of it, Sir."
Edited by JumpingFruit on Aug 30th 2021 at 4:19:47 AM
I wear the skin of the Elder Things, having come unto my own.Revache
Revache was in awe as she and Poppy were escorted across the deck. How could she not be? It was enormous, far larger than it had any right to be. She could burn it for an hour and wouldn't be close to bringing it down. The sheer number of seamen was also a problem. Outmanned and perhaps outgunned, there was no getting out the old fashioned way.
But there was another route available to her. Now on the deck, without a roof over her head, she was free. With her massive wings, she could make an opening and fly away to safety. Unless these men had powers or weapons unheard of, they couldn't touch her. But that would mean leaving Poppy to a gruesome fate. Such an act was almost unthinkable. But the odds were not looking good. And she hadn't forgotten her people. If it came down to choosing Poppy over her own skin, then...
...but she'd have to table this for now. Now, it was do or die. Perhaps she wasn't to blame for getting them into this mess, but none of her own efforts had done much good. A single misstep could lead to them walking the plank. Or worse. Lying was a no-go, but she wouldn't be stupid about it. The best way was to give the bare basics without going into unnecessary details. Hopefully they wouldn't ask any stupid questions, but there was always the possibility. If they did, she'd be ready.
"Of course, Admiral. I'm deeply sorry for any trouble we've caused you. The full circumstances of our situation would surely bore you to tears, but to put it simply, we are travelers, searching for something precious to both of us. We thought we'd found a clue to its location, but before we knew it, both of us were lost at sea. Understandably, we weren't sure what to make of this grand sight before us, and were only concerned for our safety. If we have offended you or your crew in our efforts to ensure our safety, then we sincerely apologize."
That was what she wanted to say. Unfortunately, she barely started before Poppy stepped towards them on her lonesome, spilling her guts without even needing a sword in the chest to do it.
Revache was dumbstruck. Her eyes were bulging out of her skull as they twitched. Her tail was swishing like a madwoman, her mind racing as she tried to figure how to navigate herself off the proverbial knife's edge. She wanted to whisk both of them away to safety, but between this and posing themselves as *cooks* of all things, she wondered if it was worth it.
"What the girl says is true, Admiral. However, we never met before we found each other on this magnificent vessel, and even then, I can't say we know each other well at all." She glanced at Poppy, glaring at her out of spite. "But while our paths may have intertwined, our destinations are what set us apart. She may seek some glorious purpose, but for now, all I seek is safety and comfort. No more, no less. I trust we can come to a fitting arrangement?"
Edited by kkhohoho on Aug 21st 2021 at 8:45:03 AM
The punch made Sword's ears ring, her vision blur... it was exactly what she was looking for. No tricks, just a contest of raw force! She didn't know Masaru was so good in a stand-up fight either. Guess noblemen loved their swordfights. More importantly: he was not defenseless. She could take her time on this guy, who was, also, socking her in the face.
"That's what I am TALKING ABOUT!" She roared at him, and spat the blood in his face. "Right back atcha, buddy." She placed another hand on the guy's arm to make sure he didn't leave. "Masaru, give him his licks. Lotta gangs do initiations like this, make sure you're hard enough. What do you think, man, think he's cool enough for us?"
With the wall dissipating, Nasira halfheartedly swatted away the stones sent her and Val's way, responding to the few that met their mark with an equally halfhearted "ow." With the majority of the enemies currently indisposed Nasira finally took the time to glance back at her teammates - all... three of them now? Nasira blinked at the zombie like Caitlin that joined the fray (unaware of exactly HOW it was produced, which was perhaps for the better), watching it yank out a vital organ of one of the undead before she turned back to the four sailors tangled amongst themselves on the ground - best not to pull her attention away for too long. She would have to worry about the crazed manic undead Caitlin later. Preferably a soonish later.
"I wouldn't recommend trying that again. Not unless you would like to have a more permanent death like your former comrade."
Masaru
The moment Masaru's arm was ripped off, his face barely moved. As he ended up being tossed to the wharf below, he could only grimace. Pain was mostly beyond his body, but this was still inconvenient and uncomfortable, as the world danced in front of his eyes from the impact's disorientation.
Right, he was down an arm. He would have to see to that, lest he keep the disadvantage. Years ago, he would have let the fires of anger and vengeance consume his mind as it broke through the pain and adrenaline, but that Masaru was dead, long before the heat and fire of Yoganohana had taken him. One hand supported him as he took to his feet again, crouching to pick up Genkaen, sheathing it as he carefully clambered his way back to the fight, a twinge of nerves breaking through, paranoia about Urzael coming to attack rightfully rooting in the forefront of his mind. As he once again stood on the deck, he quickly sprinted over to his dismembered arm, ducking low and swooping it up with his other. Fire-gold ichor harpoons sprouted forth from his stump, spearing the lost limb and dragging it back to his shoulder, necrotic flesh once again fusing into function. A cursory clench confirmed the shibito's recovery as the veins pulsed with the dull glow of magma.
"I think that if he's not going to surrender, and if he insists on a fight, that we should give it to him."
It seemed...strange, as he took a moment to observe Sword and Urzael brawling it out. The oni didn't seem to be as affected by the Ember Knight's attacks. He was slower, weaker, even taking into account that he was currently contending with the oni atop him. The general hazarded a guess that this had something to do with the "sin" Urzael saw in him, and that Sword, as much of a gang member as she seemed to be, had not killed as many as Masaru had, directly and indirectly. Masaru drew Genkaen with both hands again, cautiously shuffling over to their armored foe, aiming a swift kick at his head.
Edited by UndyingPhoenix on Aug 31st 2021 at 2:23:44 PM
Graveyard of the Sea - Topside
The Bloated near Nasira had grown really quiet, while they watched with visible shock as Caitling grabbed her next victim and forced a curse into his flesh. The knife-wielder shrieked in terror and agony, as he felt something dig into the fetid remnants of his self. When Caitlin released him, he stumbled back into the arms of his still standing companion, who had recovered from the windblast. The companion yelped in fear and pushed him away, which made him stumble to the pile of the other Bloated, who all quickly untangled themselves and scrambled away from him.
The knife-wielder desperately tugged at his loose skin, as if he was trying to tear off the spot near his shoulder where the curse had entered. "W-Wut did ya do!? Ya a real witch, ya're!", he howled in open terror.
While there was no denying that Caitlins actions had been visually scary - her black clone still stood there grinning maniacally, with the organs in her hand - the reaction of the Bloated seemed to fit more existential, downright superstitious fear.
The hostility was gone. Any will of resistance had been crushed by the pirates display of black magic and the remaining Bloated now huddled together near the campfire, as if they hoped the flames would keep Caitlin and her friends at bay.
"Tha Abdmilal will blunish ya! Ya tha Blide! Tha bloody Blide!"
"Quiet! No, she ain't. Ya see any gown an her?"
"What is she then?"
"A witch, ya brainless bottomfeedah! Now, shut ya trap!"
They looked back at the three and the leader, the guy wielding the rusty axe, now nervously looked between Nasira, Valentin and Caitlin back and forth, paying extra attention to the latter.
"O-Okay, okay...ya won. What do ya rats want from us? We ain't got no gold!"
Lone Wharf
Urzael didn't flinch as Sword spat blood into his face, but one could see in his eyes that he was slightly unnerved by the Oni's lack of reaction towards getting punched in the face by a heavy gauntlet. Even worse, they were so close together that he couldn't properly attack with his blade, even if she wasn't currently forcing his sword-arm to the side. The oni's superior strength made itself clear, as she leaned forward and used her greater weight and height to slowly, but surely push the Ember Knight down.
In turn, Urzael responded by battering her face over and over with his free hand, as long as he could, but all he got in return was just bloodthirsty laughter. He clicked his tongue in frustration, but could do nothing as Sword forced him onto a knee.
Then Masaru kicked him in the temple. It was a perfect strike, whipping his head to the side, as it landed square and in full force. It clearly rocked the Ember Knight, but didn't manage to knock him out. Wether it was fortitude or sheer will, he managed to stay conscious and pull Sword over so she stood between him and Masaru's blade.
"Enough of this."
He opened his fist and placed the armored palm on Swords chest. A loud explosion followed and the oni was flung back, crashing into Masaru and slamming both of them into a wodden pillar behind them. The pillar cracked visibly and the whole structure began to groan under the mounting damage.
Urzael hissed in pain, as he shook his hand, the metal gauntlet glowing from the heat of the fire he had unleashed. His swordhand was also bleeding, with the skin on his wrist having been partially torn off by Swords steel-like grip.
The Ember Knights eyes fell on Masaru's restored arm and a grim shadow crossed his face. "I see..." He jumped back a few steps and switched his blade again, so he had his unclad hand free. "Looks like I cannot afford to be cautious. I will wipe you out, before you have a chance to regenerate!"
Flames burst out from his wings and flowed over his shoulder and arm to his open palm. The man grit his teeth, as he gathered as much power as he could, visibly straining against the spell. A blindingly bright mass of fire grew in front of him, tongue of flame flickering forth and the air flimmering.
"Reckoning!"
A wall of violent flames burst forth, nearly throwing Urzael off his feet. Rushing forth like a towering wave of destruction, it burned everything in its path. But Urzael didn't count on it doing the task of ending his opponents. Instead, he slammed his feet into the burned, nearly collapsing floor, regained his poise and dashed after the wave of fire, blade ready to strike.
The Dounderlun - Upper Deck
The Admiral patiently listened to Poppy's explanation. Actually, it seemed more like he had dozed off, his head bobbing up and down. Then Revache stepped before the girl and his head snapped around to face her. It didn't look like he was actually listening to what she was saying, instead his eyes traveled over her strange appearance and draconic features.
"Hm..hmmm...yes...yes...", he mumbled under his breath, his eyes unfocused. "Comfort and safety is good, yes...hmmm..."
He nodded repeatedly, before gazing out into the distance, watching the waves crash against the high walls of his ship. "So long, since we were safe and happy. So long, since....since she was among us...my dearest...my beloved..."
Silence followed, as he said nothing more. Then it stretched, as if everyone waited for an answer that didn't come. Finally, the First Mate stepped towards him and cleared his throat. "My lord? Your judgement towards those two?"
"Hm..? Oh, oh yes....yes...indeed...." The Admiral turned his gaze back to Poppy and Revache. "They seem harmless...I see no reason to not leave them be." He gave them both a tired, but warm smile. Then he raised a fat finger and pointed at Poppy. "This one would be good for us. And I see that Spots has taken to her, as well..."
Following his gesture, they could see the little sea-bunny from before now on Poppy's shoulder, its nose twitching. It squeaked affirmitive and nibbled on the girls fungus-covered shoulder.
The First Mates scowl grew deeper and a dark expression grew on his face. He turned to the Admiral and leaned deep into his doughey face. "With all due respect, sire. They are stowaways and dangerous contenders. You know what happened to the last one with delusions to godhood. We lost ten good men before we killed her!"
"But...this one is just a child..."
"May I also point out that we are due to approach the Altar in a few moments?"
That sentence made the Admiral grow stiff. His milky eyes suddenly began to focus, as if he had just remembered that fact. "Ah..yes...yes! I completely forgot..."
The First Mate gave Poppy and Revache a sidelong glance, as he continued: "Perhaps, this time she will come to the surface, should we provide her with a proper...incentive." A grim smile grew on his lips, as he glared at Poppy.
The Admiral nodded in agreement. "Yes...we shall send the Dragonblooded down! She looks like my beloved will like her."
The Mates head snapped back. "Wait, what? No, I meant—"
"The girl? No...nonono...she is a good cook, as she said. And a child, after all. Just skin and bone. Not strong enough to withstand the depths." The Admiral huffed and patted the rudder for emphasis. Then he snapped his fingers. "Get everything ready for the dive! We got a new volunteer!"
The sailors nearby looked up and their swollen faces lit up with glee. Four of them walked over, wanting to secure Revache, while others ran under deck. The Admiral smiled at Revache.
"Congratulations, my dear. You will get the honor of meeting my Bride."
Captain Holloway
“Oh-ho-ho, you haven't any...?” Caitlin grinned dangerously, before winking at Valentin and Nasira with a barest hint of pride in her eyes. Mostly overtaken by her intimidation tactics, but there was an unmistakable glint to suggest that she was pleased with them both. “Then it's well you fare, because we weren't here for material possessions. Or at least, not yet. We're in need of... directions. Safe zones, places of resources, and the like. That, and... whomever is the biggest fish in this sea. If you understand what I'm implying...?”
As she spoke she drew near to her two companions, and began looking them over for injury. Mostly Valentin, as Nasira was distinctly still made of smoke. But she still gave even her the time of day, and her care for her ‘crew’ was apparent even after such a grim skirmish.
“Have you two anything else to add...?” she hummed, quirking an eyebrow at the both of them.
borkRevache
Revache already had a few dozen questions — who was the bride, what was the bride, why were they sending people to the bride, who was the Admiral's beloved, why was everyone wearing secondhand skins, why was Poppy such an imbecile — but now she had a far more immediate concern. She wasn't sure who this Bride was supposed to be, but from the way it sounded, it couldn't have been good.
"That does sound lovely, but I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to back off!" Flapping her wings, she floated off the ground, taking a deep breath and burning the planks around her. With luck, she'd create a circle of flame, separating her from the approaching goons.
"Now, perhaps we can have an intelligent conversation like civilized people? Or do any of you senseless cutthroat cretins know the meaning of parley?"
Edited by kkhohoho on Sep 1st 2021 at 4:39:40 AM
Poppy Blake
Poppy flinched as Revache was about to dragged off, shivering as the dragon lady breathed a circle of flame around the both of them while Poppy tried to edge closer to her side in case she needed more help. She noted the burning of the wood, turning the creaky material into nutritious ashes. If the flames died down so as to fail in protecting them both, Poppy decided that she would try to raise a wall of vegetation from the ashes instead. For now, though, talking seemed to be the only way out of this situation.
"Y-You can't just take away my only assistant," Poppy protested timidly. "I mean, S-Sir, that I was only able to make that last meal with her help. She's important to me, so please spare her too!" The vegetal growths on Poppy's body shivered, echoing her latent fear as she said this.
Edited by JumpingFruit on Sep 16th 2021 at 12:18:49 PM
I wear the skin of the Elder Things, having come unto my own.Nasira let out an audible sigh of relief that things ended so quickly. Perhaps if they began with a show of force from the start, combat could've been avoided entirely, especially when apparent that those they were approaching likely had hostile intent... but that was a lesson for any future encounters and not the present. Nasira joined Caitlin near the "survivors," giving her grisly doppelganger a wide berth, and took mental notes of every word coming out of the sailors' mouths.
"...directions and information, mainly. Who are you, how have you come to be here and in your undead state, and how long has it been? You've also mentioned three people of note - the Crow, the Admiral, and the Bride. Who are they? Why do you hold a grudge against the Crow and fear the Bride?"
Beat. "Oh, and one last thing - an assurance that you won't try anything stupid again. I'd like to show mercy, but I can't speak to my companions."
Edited by Starbound2 on Sep 5th 2021 at 12:59:38 PM
The beating... still was not enough! Dammit! Dammit! Sword roared in frustration as the creature blasted her and Masaru through the air. Her best wasn't enough alone against the big meat creature either! She'd only become strong enough to beat it after everyone else. Was every floor going to be like that? Wait, shit! The floor!
"So, I've only ever done this once, but we're out of tricks!" Sword grabbed Masaru by the waist, planted herself square on a particularly nice-looking floorboard, made one last swing to snap the support beam they'd been smashed into in half, and then made a final stomp dead onto the floorboard just as the flames would have reached her.
With the boat exploding around them from all the abuse, Sword descended on a floorboard, straight through the ship, clattered onto the stone slope below them, and started awkwardly skidding down it, carrying Masaru on her back, using the floorboard as an improvised snowboard. "It's working so faaaaar!"
Masaru
Masaru raised Genkaen in preparation to defend himself against the flames approaching him and Urzael's rush behind it, only for Sword to grab his arm and break the floor out beneath them. Urzael's wings were definitely going to be an issue to deal with, since they allowed him greater speed...but they could also be to his disadvantage. As the duo fell through the floor, Masaru breathed deep, even as they hit the lower deck and began sliding.
The world flew away from his eyes, as he rose up into the sky so high above, gazing down as time froze. He willed it to flow, just for a little, watching as Sword and himself rode the impromptu surfboard down, just past where they had landed. A gigantic ethereal hand, his hand, reached down, fingers pinching around the deck and corridor, narrowing it both vertically and horizontally, board and nails shifting underneath his fingers until it would be extremely hard for a being of Urzael's size to manuever comfortably, let alone with giant wings. A deft strike from a finger hit the ground underneath where they had landed, the boards creaking and nearly snapping, certainly unable to support the Ember Knight's weight, and a graceful dive of his finger underneath to the deck underneath. Loose, rotten wood flung themselves off their bindings, pulled towards the finger and shattering apart until they formed jagged spikes pointed upwards along the slope of the ship, waiting for some unfortunate soul to slide upon them, like halberds expecting cavalry.
And with that, time flowed once more, and Masaru was back within his earthly form, Genkaen still raised defensively as they made their way down the deck.
"Let's hope my plan works!"
Lone Wharf
The fall was short, but brutal, as the wodden boards underneath Swords boots crashed down onto the slope that led down to the cold harbor-water, all the while the space where they had just been a moment ago was engulfed in flames and obliterated.
Skidding down the incline, it took all of the Oni sense of balance to not immediately crash, as the impromptu board underneath her feet creaked and splintered with each second. Steering was nearly impossible and just as Sword threw them around to avoid colliding with a wooden beam that stuck out above them, they heard the flapping of wings.
Urzael dove down the hole that they had created, bursting through his own inferno, as if the flames didn't even bother him. His wings folded out and he beat them in order to-
CRASH!
Wooden boards slammed into the Ember Knights sides with an ugly crunch. His entire momentum was halted violently, as he broke through old planks and lost his footing. Then his boot touched a creaky floorboard, which had not been there the moment before, and his left leg crashed into a small hole that Masaru had willed into existence.
Urzael grunted in pain, as his leg was badly fractured and his wings had avoided breaking only by a minor miracle. Blood was dripping from his open wounds, sweat was evaporating from his smoldering skin and his expression was that of muted rage.
"INFERNO!!"
The roar echoed through the cavern and was soon followed by a massive explosion of heat and flame. It was aimed at nothing. Pure, unrestrained wrath from a man who had reached the limits of his patience. Fire bellowed outwards in all direction, lifting the ship above them up by several inches and reducing wood and iron into deadly shrapnel.
The shockwave of the explosion hit Sword in the back and the Oni lost what little control she had over the direction of their descent. Smacking right into a central pillar, her head was whipped back and she was thrown off the board. Crashing onto the rockhard ground, she and Masaru were tossed into the icy, dark harbor water, before the raging inferno could reach them.
This all lasted mere moments, before the sheer weight of the ship and the badly mangled construction rig pressed the fire back down and the spell ended. Urzael kneeled on the ground, panting and dripping with sweat. Smoke was coming off him, but nothing more. He was spent...
He briefly looked up to groaning, smoking ruin of a ship above him. Slowly reaching up to the side of the slope, he dragged himself up and collapsed onto the floor, trying to regain his breath.
Looking down onto the harbor, he waited for Sword and Masaru to resurface. His eyes flickered to his blade and he held it out towards the water. A few dim embers danced on the blade, as he watched. Second passed, as he contemplated...
"No..."
That was all he said, as he slowly got up, gritting his teeth in pain, as every single one of his muscle prostested. Then he flapped and stretched his wings and rose up into the air. Without another word or look, he flew out of the cave and towards the open sea. Within seconds, he was gone...
Graveyard of the Sea - Topside
The bloated sailors nervously exchanged glances. It was evident, they did not want to answer any of the questions Nasira and Cait had for them. On the other hand, their fear of Caits clone, who was standing to the side gazing empty into the air, and their apprehension of Valentin, who was twirling his staff, made it clear that they didn't really had a choice.
Grumbling in defeat, their leader finally relented. "There is jus' the Kiln below there...oh, and the harbor where we're makin' out ship! Ya know, to get out and join tha Admiral. But we ain't gotten a captain, so we're stuck!"
Then his beady eyes went to Nasira. "Tha Admiral is tha big on'. Tha guy in charge!", he said, as if that was as obvious as calling the sea wet. "And tha Bride is tha bloody bitch that makes things hard. Admiral supposedly stood her up on tha altar and now she is stuck on the bottom of tha sea, sinkin' his ships until the bride-gift is paid. Or somethin' like that..."
"And tha Crow is just that creepy bastard, we put in tha brig of our ship. Attacked us, just like ya did, but we beat tha sucker. Was easier than we thought, 'cause he looked pretty mean, what with his sword and stuff. Not sure, but he said somethin' of not hurtin' us, 'cause we're ignorant and shit. And that we would get him to tha sinners anyway..."
He scratched his chin, causing the skin to tear a bit and show the jawbone. "Creepy fella', but he gonna make a nice gift for tha Bride, we thought..."
The Dounderlun - Upper Deck
"Now, now...no need to panic..." The Admiral and his sailors didn't even flinch, as Revache breathed a circle of flames around, the green-golden flames licking at anyone who came close. The First Mate, by contrast, looked a bit more worried and made a cautious step back.
"I understand...your....worry, dear. But I assure you...we have plenty of men happy to help, if you need it..." He smiled at Poppy, before looking at Revache who looked increasingly aggressive. Some of the bloated sailors tried to grab her, the flame shooting up and but having little effect, as they seemed to not be bothered or notice any pain.
"I'm confused...your friend will remain safely at our side...and you will meet my beloved Bride. With any luck...you might be the first to survive...", he mumbled, seemingly believing truly that he was doing both girls a favour.
As the sailors failed to apprehend the unruly Dragonblooded, he sighed and looked over to the First Mate, who looked increasingly frustrated about this turn of events. "Master Willam...would you please...?"
The First Mate opened his mouth, as if he wanted to protest, before groaning in resignation and rubbing his eyes. "Yes, sire. Of course, sire...", he grumbled. Stepping forward, he locked eyes with Poppy and took a deep breath. Then...he made a step to the side.
And the little girl followed his motion. It wasn't on purpose, but her feet had moved on their own volition, imitating the mans stride almost exactly. He made another step and so did she, even as she struggled against it. She was now dangerously close to the ring of fire.
"I suggest, you stop this foolishness now, unless you want her to get hurt.", said the First Mate to Revache. "I would rather not have this escalate. Just stop resisting, alright?" He held out his right hand and Poppy was forced to do the same, her hand mere inches away from the hot flames.
Meanwhile, some sailors now brought nets and rope with them and a few even had started to grab some nasty, hooked harpoons, in case Revache thought about taking to the air.
The First Mate looked at the sailors and frowned. "Oh, stop this already! You're not helping, you fools!", he snapped. Then he looked at Revache again. "Listen, all we want is using you as bait, okay? I've....we have been trying for years to get the Bride to show herself and with a bit of luck today might be the day. Just cooperate and you both might even get out of his unharmed."
"Bait....?" The Admiral looked confused.
The First Mate groaned and forced a servile smile. "Gift, sire. I'm just trying to convince her not to resist...."
"Ahh....."
Mumbling some curses under his breath, the First Mate turned back to Revache. "Now, drop the flames.", he ordered.
Revache
Revache groaned, her plan going up in smoke moments after she crafted it. She'd thought she'd been so clever. Fight fire with fire, give them an incentive, win themselves some breathing room. But all she'd done was endanger her friend and make things worse for herself.
For a moment, she thought about leaving Poppy behind. She didn't want to, but her duty to her clan and the world at large took priority. And she was proving to be more a liability than an asset. But as stupid as she was, she had tried to help her. And with all those nets and harpoons, she couldn't flap her way to safety if she tried. In the end, there was only way out of this that left both their skins intact.
"Fine." Rolling her sharp, fierce eyes, she dug her talons into the deck as she flapped her wings, quelling the flames with a strong gust of wind. "Promise not to lay a hand on the halfwit and I'll play along. But I'd like to know what in the name of the spirits this bride is, and what you all are for that matter. Or would you prefer I burn the mast and leap off the plank in a blaze of glory?"
Edited by kkhohoho on Sep 16th 2021 at 3:34:21 AM
Captain Holloway
“Lacking a captain, you say...?” Caitlin grinned, twirling her sword in her hand before sheathing it at her hip. “Well, well. We'd best be off then! Fair winds to ye. You seem to have plenty of them already in this weather!”
She quickly strode towards the hut, pausing at the door before bursting it open with her palm outstretched. Upon satisfying herself with its apparent vacancy, she relaxed and began looking around—taking not of a way down seemingly sitting inside.
“Do you think the stench would get better or worse if we clambered down that ladder...?” she airily questioned her comrades, before smiling sweetly at the pair of them and gesturing encouragingly towards said ladder. “Go on, then! You two first~”
borkPoppy Blake
"Eek...!" Poppy exclaimed as the flames nearly licked her hand. Contrary to what common sense would dictate, she could feel pain in her skeletal hand. It was a cruel irony of the magic that she carried within herself, that even something dead could still suffer. It was why she had to make the journey to the Thrones, so there would be Hope for the others still left behind. "What...? Miss Dagone, you can fly, there's no need to—" The words died in her throat.
"I've never been made a bridesmaid," she said grimly as they were both about to be made into bait. "Now I pray I never need to be one again..."
Edited by JumpingFruit on Sep 28th 2021 at 2:31:48 AM
I wear the skin of the Elder Things, having come unto my own.Revache
"I appreciate the sentiment, dear, but the deal's been made. One with more than a few strings attached, if I may say so..."
She glared at Poppy, glancing at the numerous nets and harpoons on display and tilting her head in their direction. With any luck, the halfwit would soon understand why flying to safety wasn't an option.
Edited by kkhohoho on Sep 22nd 2021 at 8:01:26 AM
Val
"Ah, I see!" Val grinned, clasping his hands together. "So that rules out the Crow, then. We're actually seeking the Admiral and the Bride too, so if you need help getting there, we'll happily pitch in!"
He followed Caitlin into the hut, tilting his head at the sight of the ladder. "Well, if it was any worse, we'd probably die from inhaling toxic fumes. Since we're not dead, I'm gonna assume..."
His voice trailed off as Caitlin gestured at the ladder.
Val blinked. Once. Twice. Then, he shrugged. "If I die, I'm gonna haunt the fuck out of you." And then he climbed down the ladder.
"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."Nasira nodded as she took in the sailors' information. So the hand that crashed those ships earlier, that was likely the Bride. She's a likely candidate for this Shard's owner... Though with the Admiral leading the undead sailors, there's also a possibility for him as well. As for the "Crow"... Another contender for the Thrones, perhaps? At the very least he's an outsider to the sailors, and there are few reasons to move between the Shards that I can think of otherwise. As well, another manipulator of flames...
Lost in thought, Nasira followed Val & Caitlin hastily into the shack, waving the sailors off quickly before entering the dank shelter. Staring blankly at Cait's not so subtle attempts to have her and Val go first downwards, she sighed before following after Val, taking note of possible contingencies should the rotting ladder fail them.

"Cheater!" Sword yelled as she flew through the air. She was grateful this place had been rotten half to hell first, or she'd have actually been in trouble. She barely had a second to get up before she kept having pressure on her too—the damn bird! She yelled again at the projectile, "cheater!" And conjured her body double. She did a little hop up into its waiting palms, then sprang up and over the bird. "We got this, man! Two on one!" Sword wasn't landing going for a blow; her hands were open and outstretched, and her plan was much worse: she was going to grab that fucker's wings. A guy in the old gang named Yagharek taught her all about dislocating normal arms, and she figured this'd be similar. With her new strength she might be able to go a little further than that first pop.