{NARRATION} The Wychwood scouts picked up the sea of green invading their forest soon enough--an entire legion of knights marched through the muddy woods. From oak trees as tall as towers, the Ookami sighted the Virdian, stomping on icy blades of grass and winter leaves, their dark cloaks contrasting against the bed of white that coated the ground and the tree tops. For the attackers, the goal was simple enough: Head straight to the suspected camp. Be wary of traps, arrowfire, and ambushes. In the dense forest, horseback wasn't an option; they were vulnerable and would very much be at a disadvantage if it weren't for their overwhelming numbers. The magi led at the front--they could sense the enemy far better than the average man, and a volley of arrows or a clumsy axe swing was nothing in the face of magic. They were here to slaughter the enemy. Near the camp now, a mix of high tents and wooden structures, the fire magi would immediately go to work; from a distance, burning projectiles were launched into the vulnerable village, burning away as the attackers sent an echoing war cry throughout the forest. No birds would sing on this day. The Ookami responded in kind--with fierce packs of wolves as their allies, and from the trees themselves, they'd descend and maul the invaders. The battle had begun. You would see men ripped apart by rabid animals. You would see innocent children and women die to the sword. You would see your enemy approaching, knowing that one of you may not live to watch the moon take the sun's place... ...You will fight for your life, or die and join the corpses on the cold soil, another name to be forgotten...

[13:04:09] Well he had his orders: March into enemy territory and slaughter any he came across. Simple enough... and he had the benefit of having already been here before. The forest, perhaps against its will, would be on Magnus' side. His pull was far stronger than anything that dared to oppose him out there. The trees would bend and let him whisper in their ear.

And then the slaughtering began. It was to be expected really. Women and children being cut down. Magnus was not so far gone that it didn't pull at his heartstrings... But they had their chance. He had given them their final opportunity and they had declined and so... they could blame their leader for this. Not that Magnus' hands weren't going to be bloodied or anything.

There were none that could oppose him, not yet at least. And swathes of rebels were killed before him. A sharp whip of blood tearing them open and adding their essence to his own power. He was not using his natural guardian today. It would be... Inappropriate. He was not here to protect anything, he was only here to end them.

Dark thoughts, yes. But they had made their bed. And no cries of anguish could pull a tear from Magnus' cold, pale eyes. This was not a war. Wars weren't one-sided.
(Magnus Brakkacia)
[13:05:00] War! What a beautiful thing, a night of battle is just her thing- Marching together with the surplus of soldiers, the Oscuri quickly found herself oddly overwhelmed by the forces of Nostvale and New Alteros, then again it all went for a good purpose- To slaughter the heathens! The rebels!

Eyes were lit by fire, a green glow shining bright amidst her usually sapphire blue eyes. She was all ready to take some lives once more, having yet to truly lose in a fight that mattered she was feeling more confident than ever. Her Rieka surged through her body, eyes laid upon the vast forest before them- It was now, time for her revenge from the humility she suffered by being forced to retreat.

This time... This time she would make sure to slay all those who she found. Capture some for post-war sacrifices? That was indeed an option, but alas she truthfully lacked the patience for that. Azrael had waited so long, why force him to wait any longer?

Trembling with excitement, the Oscuri marched forward, more ready than ever to fight for what she believed in- Lord Azrael.
(Celeana Feuer)

[13:05:00] It seemed everything was ready to go and the people would begin their march. He spent the last few minutes, maybe hours swinging the blade and adjusting to the weight of the weapon. It was much smaller than expected, assuming it was going to be a rather heavy weapon the length was deceptive as he felt quicker with such a thing in his hands. Now with the alarms ringing it was time to set off for battle. Gripping his shirt he closed his eyes and made a prayer.

"Oh lord Azrael. . . Guide me thru this battle, bless me so I can survive to give you offerings in my growth or allow me in death to join your kingdom if I die in glory for your name." A quick one as he rushed beside the many taller and scary looking warriors. His gaze seemed to shift every so often to take in the surroundings as the armies would march in the forest with brute strength.

Fighting off smaller armies of yokai that gathered to defend what little turf they had, it was upon the smell of fire did they take notice of where the armies of rebel were camped at. "Here we go. . . Azrael guide me!" He screeched holding the blade given by his father high above his head, prepared for this. . . He was. . . He really was. . . Right?

(Auron Kyros)
[13:05:00] Rosalina: [here comes the overwhelming sea of reds now
[13:05:00] She wasn't, in the most technical sense, supposed to be part of the assault.

Sitting in her camp within the Sarab, the young afflicted girl simply took a moment of opportunity to slip in with the armies of Magi that marched forth through the hostile wasteland, integrating within the legion of the damned with little effort. Turns out, given most of the enemies are already atrociously occultic and depraved, none really gave Lorelei a second thought!

She was in someone's legion, surely.

In all fairness, she was. Haven given orders by a mysterious benefactor, she had as much cause on the battlefield as a sea of other neer-do-wells, only she had a bit of a chip on her shoulder. She was hungry! She was wounded!

She was--fairly wounded, actually. She walks with a limp, her wounds threatening to burst open at any moment--but never would the young girl show weakness.

Onward, she marched, into the fray--to take as many with her as possible, even if she may not live.

But she preferred living--she found it quite nice!

With an occultic fury, she awkwardly limps forth. Her afflicted arm hungers and slowly, but surely, begins taking control of her mind...
(Lorelei)

[13:06:43] Bzzt.

The Arachne Queen's movement is a blur, flashing in between each tree and stump to follow behind the flow of Magi that lead the charge of Viridian soldiers into the depths of the Wychwoods. Grasping tightly towards Pridefall, the cresent-shaped moon forms onto her forehead to initiate the symbiotic bond, the lull of the occultic weapon stirring the beast inside. Canines extend, poison begins to flow from the crux of her glands and drip into the tips of her nails.

She could smell them, even. The hounds that littered the woods and utilized the surroundings to gather in incredible strength. This was a festering wound that they allowed to get too big. To encroach upon their lives until they became a grotesque sore, disturbing the peace that the Alliance and Neo Alterosi had formed with a ruthless fist.

If their era couldn't usher in peace, this world was clearly not designed for it. No, too many called for the horrific depths of war to tear everything asunder.

It was their chance to - at the very least - cull one of the cries for good.
(Astoria Hirano)
[13:06:43] The Ookami had had their chance. No, the entire rebellion did. Three times, she had tried. And three times they denied her. So now, she was here to handle the degeneracy as everyone else. Marching along with her father and leaving behind her family, the doctor fought for their future. Even if the future wasn't all that bright on this side either.

But still, she soldiered on, as an asset of the Nostvalien forces. Despite her better judgement, the malefic blade she had procured herself would be brought along, rather than the more provocative Wolfsbane. Its ferocity and strength made the weapon a force to be reckoned with, though its effects made one question just how much it'd be worth it.

But the goal here was to slaughter, after all. Slipping up may not be such a bad thing.

But, killing them all? How uncreative! As a scholar, surely she could think of better alternatives than a completely permanent one. She did not like this, but it'd also give her some peace of mind if things were to derail.

"Good luck ... Dad."

She whisper to her father as sparks flicked around her being, charging up her organism as her right hand would come to carefully grip The Nail's hilt. She felt it, its vial intentions, the depraved desires already penetrating her mental fortress. She'd indulge in it, just this time. This was war, after all.
(Charlie Avaline)
[13:07:34] He saw the *enemy* he didn't really know why they were here, why they were fighting a battle that didn't seem necessary. It didn't matter either way, he was there for the experience, but what was to come was something that he didn't expect. Everyone around him was very riled up, the command to take no prisoners was something that sat very strange with him.

He knew he was going to have to let his battle state take his mind for this. He stayed close to Eria, he knew Eria was decently strong, but Aev was a bit stronger. He was the only person in this fight that he actually cared about so he would make sure that he was covered at all times.

Everyone was ready, everyone was going to do battle to the bitter end. Hopefully this battle wouldn't turn out to be some kind of needless slaughter.
(Aev)
[13:08:25] The call went out, and so he was here.

It wasn't just that he felt the need to survive, of course. It went well and beyond that. Instead, Zakia was determined to finally make something of himself, to prove that he was not a mistake in of himself. That was the true reason that he set foot upon the Wychwood's grounds that day.

Selfish, perhaps. But it was for himself and no one else, and that was the truth of the matter. Still, in spite of his calm words to his mother, the trepidation of battle was overwhelmingly him slowly. He felt his heart pounding like it was about to beat out of his chest.

A hand moved up to place itself upon the hilt of his sword. It was starting. NO turning back now.
(Zakia Hirano)
[13:08:25] Looking around at the group of warriors which surrounded him and Rosalina the large seven foot Drakanite stood towering above many if not all peering down upon the brave souls who are standing here seeing that they were all warriors of the light his prayer for them began to sing out "Ryujin my lord, watch over these fine warriors in our time of need. Give us your strength, your grace, and your guidance to deliver us from evil whether it be in this life or the next... we fight for what is right and pure, that which needs to be defended for the betterment of this world..."

His emotions were fluctuating madly but he continued to speak "We are your soldiers here to unleash good and peace upon the world with the dream of a better tomorrow, please show your own guiding light this day as we enter the next step in our terrible journey..." going quiet he stood next to the small humanoid figure of Rosalina looking into her eyes memorizing each aspect of her face hoping that this was how they would meet again after the fighting was over, his eyes began to dart around catching glimpses of everyone so he might have the chance to remember any that might fall this day.

Hearing the march of soldiers began to increase his heart rate along with the sounds of creatures screaming out, running towards the line he stood staring down those who have come in search of a fight knowing that this battle would mean more for their people that the battle with the Kaor lord stood for. Looking down to Rosalina one last time "I will see you again, in this life or the next..."
(The Pale Dragon)
[13:08:25] His first battle.

No, that wouldn't be the appropriate term to use in this scenario. His first war. Because that's what this was---a full blown attack against the Wychwood where it was do or die. It wasn't just a battle where they could just 'retreat' from that carried low risks and the like. Not in the slightest. This was the real deal, and something that the child was going to be a part of headfirst.

Now here he was in the thick of things, bloodshed apparent as the very environment took a drastic turn. The clanging of swords. Shouting. Cries of agony. Oh Azrael, what was he diving -into-? His mother was right. This wasn't as simple as 'playing', no, not at all! But he was here with a purpose.

And a goal. Whether this goal would be accomplished depended on how much firepower their side had. Hopefully... Hopefully it was enough. Also Aev followed him so that was nice. Woo.
(Eria Hirano)
[13:08:25] Ahh, time for war! Rosalina would let her child know to run off to safety and made her way towards the camp gracefully, yet nervous for the Nostvalians to invade. She stood by her friends and family, waiting for the slaughter to begin. Rosalina stood high on her feet next to Rheagul, ready for a war to begin.
(Rosalina)

[13:08:25] "Lara!" he yells out, the entire time they had been in preparation for this moment, the Mer was moving with speed. His weapon in hand, as the fire magi blasted away at the tents he was seemingly 'surfing' across the ground. Minute control over water to speed his movement across land, he blasted a stream of water against a tent as a rebel propelled themself out.

The attackers let loose a war cry and his attention turned to the forest, he couldn't waste mana any further no doubt Ailyth and Harkon had exposed him. He gathered himself and moved, he had done what he could. Behind him he could hear the sound of wolves, yet the Mers eyes were set.

His blood boiling as a whisper arose in his mind,

Come . . .

he commanded, it moved the shadows of the forest seemed to gather and bubble up along the Mers back as the dark guardian erupted! An unfortunate soldier was blasted apart as he peered from beneath a bush, even as they had begun the attack counter motions were set in action.There would be no time to do much else but to protect what he could. . .if he wanted a future for his people. . .he could not lose at any cost.

Yama give me strength . . .

was his last thought as the flames of war engulfed the forest
(Malyn)
[13:09:16] They had marched from.. Danarium. The Sirenia held onto his weapons and shield, everything that he had, with a somewhat sickly and twisted smile upon his face; a messed up schild of Scylla he knew he was. For now, he knew that the mother spirit was the only thing protecting him.. His armor, too, as he begins to swing wildly; sending lightning and blood in every which way.

It was like the last time, only much worse; more fierce, more dangerous.. His magic bursts in every which way as his blood magic surrounds him in a thick mist of itself; emerald green, and stinging. Their objective was simple, to wipe out anyone they saw..!

For him, he uses his water spirit to guide him; the watery creature visible as a being of hydromancy, lightning bouncing every which way around it.

He marches..!
(Desna)
[13:10:08] Bernas gave a soft sigh as he appraoched up to the lines of his teammates with a small sigh, glancing around at at the amassing numbers of side of wynchwood.. It felt snice to see everyone had gathered up. He could feel the cold glass vial on his furry chest as he looked around through the crowd. Looking for that of Lara.

It would only be a few moments before he would find Lara, and approach her in his wolf form. His being seemed... Somewhat changed for the moment, almost completely relaxed along with the astral ambience that seemed to glow about his being. Something in Bernas changed slightly, as he hummed gently, Pawing at Lara's foot to grab her attention. He would sit himself down upon the ground, his forepaws holding him up as he had his Emerald green eyes gaze towards that of Lara. Awaiting her to notice him, before giving her a nod of the head. You better not die on me, and I won't die on you Lara... You best know that.
(Bernas)

[13:10:08] It had to come eventually.

Nostvale's forces invade the precious Wychwood; the Yokai's assualt was a test of their strength, and now the real foe had reared its ugly head. Araya is in quiet meditation when the call comes, the warhorns sounding and the scrabbling of men not disturbing the peace in her small teepee. The fire that burns before her crackles powerfully, ashes and embers raising into the air before the banner that hung low from the ceiling. The twin wolves, emblazoned upon the treated hide - one final offering for the Mother Wolf and the Fellwolf before she was forced to sully her hands with the sin of combat. She had no choice, however. All she had was left, here, and Nostvale would not take it from her again.

Rising from her cross-legged position, she pushes the flap of her tent aside to enter the fray just as fireballs come careening overhead. With surprising deftness, she lifts her hand, howling gales of holy wind causing the flames to extinguish themselves in mid-air; it's not enough to combat an entire artillery barrage, though; as civilians flee from the fighting, she aims to protect them. The very forest itself turns on the Legionnaires that step foot on it, trees bending and breaking like massive hammers to crush men beneath their weight - thorned vines rising from the forest floor to rip, maim, and tear. Araya is at the forefront of the floral carnage, bidding the Wychwood itself to defend against the intrusion on its sanctity.

It was happening again. An entire village, at the breaking point, ready to collapse under the intruders who sought to blindly smite out the lives of the innocent; it would not happen on the priestess' watch. "Oh, Mother Wolf." The Ookami hums, her staff raising itself from the ground; approaching Legionnaires raise their swords, but in one swift movement, the snaking tendrils of angry vines slice and dice, staining the forest floor red. "Guide us in this fight, that we may right the scales tipped by their ignorant motives; Saekanis, may my strikes be true, that your thirst for blood be quenched in the viscera of our enemies. Protect us in this hour of our most grave need."

Strong winds blow through the treetops, sending leaves scattering. Wheresoever the Legion marched, she would do her best to stop them.
(Araya)

[13:10:59] "Jeez. I wonder if killing them all is even worth it..." The redheaded individual stated as the ground marched, only to sleepily grind her feet about. It was either she didn't care too much about the resuts of the war, as much as she cared about simply doing something that was worth growing stronger for, and maybe finding a few neat weapons here and there.

However, as she approached the camp, her face was covered by her hand and a hood was raised, once the hood dropped as did the hand, her appearance was entirely different. Turning from a tanned skin redhead, to a pale blonde. "Alright. This will do." She mumbled about, her voice even chiming different than before. Not like her outfit needed to be changed. Many bandits and savages adorned themselves within pure leather garments after all.
(Zenja)
[13:10:59] War.

It was a sensation the Lich had long since felt. Decades had passed since their siege on Nostvale. Decades since the destruction of Frostvale. After all this time, the Lich known as Ryan Kyros itched for war. The newly forged Rieka that now coursed through his circuits demanded he fight. It urged him forth, to fight in the name of Azrael.

It demanded him too.

With each step the Lich took, horrid amounts of depravity spewed forth from his body. It blanketed the area in a sea of dread. Behind him were countless undead, each and everyone adorning the armor of the Bulwark. They assisted the Pyromancers in their duties, shambling about whilst cutting down trees.

The end of the Ookami was near.

"Foolish dogs..." He said, his voice booming across the landscape. "You once held respect in the cities of Valmasia. Amyas, Bober, once proper Ookami that commanded respect and strength." He paused, a skeletal hand gesturing out towards the crowd of gathered Gravekeepers.

"But now, you're nothing more than mongrels that needs to be put down, once and for all." And with one final gesture of his hands, several of his undead marched forth, aiming to complete their creators demands.

Or fall trying.
(Ryan Kyros)
[13:10:59] There had been such a time not long ago that Felan believed there could be peace. Indeed, one of stature amongst the opposing forces had assured him of their desire for the same-- but all doubt he had that the only path forward was through bloodshed is shattered, the second large-scale attack within just a few short years approaching rapidly.

The Ookami had no further time to fear or to contemplate. He takes flight, careful not to ride above the forest canopy and be easily targetted from afar. Innumerable small clashes would soon break out as rebels and innocent forest-dwellers alike make contact with the Viridian tide, and he himself seeks out carefully any Magi of stature, known or not, that were worthy of his attention.
(Felan)
[13:10:59] Desna: (well last time i used the gunblade people said i was dumb
[13:10:59] The day was finally upon him. Not that Lucas was very active in the larger Ookami community, in fact he tried his very best to avoid it all together preferring to stick to a nice quiet life for himself. Now that he was actually doing this he was starting to ask himself what drove him to this point? He could have just hid himself away somewhere deeper in Whychwood and wait for this whole thing to blow over.

Maybe he was just getting sentimental with his age. Something inside of him wanted him to fight for his race. To fight for Whychwood. Perhaps it had been too long since he had put up arms for a worthy cause. That is, if he had ever done that in the first place.

"Bah, I think I'm getting too old for this." Lucas would say out loud as he readied his ol' swinging arm. He could smell the attackers by now. It was only a matter of time until complete and utter chaos would come upon this place. Was it still too late to shuffle off to somewhere quiet?

"Aaah...whatever, if I die here I'll atleast get to see Kyrian again. Shame I never really got to tell Krosious and his family goodbye though." He'd think to himself. It was as if he had already come to terms with death by now.

As the enemy approached all Lucas could do now was ready himself for the fight of his life.
(Lucas Hayes)

[13:11:50] Hup-to. Hup-to. Hup-to. Boots clunk against dirt and rocks, Viridian moving swiftly through the forest- No one seemed to really give much of a shit to the place.

The general floats swiftly, horrifically depraved and hovering over the heads of his men with a hand on the hilt o' the Phantasm, orders being shouted and passed down from the King. Each Viridian is told explictly the ultimatum, best explained through a roaring command from the 'Good marshal'.

"Leave none alive or free! Alterosi, Nostvalen, Viridian or Bulwark- For Lord Azrael, END THIS REBELLION!"

The Phantasm is ripped from its sheath, and the eerie screech of the blade is clear to all to hear throughout as fire rains upon the forest. Hauk would immediately rocket forward, a grin beginning to turn into a slasher-smile across his face, nostrils flaring and sniffing- Hunting.

This was it. Either the rebellion thrived... Or it ended here.

deus vult
(Hauk Fildegarde)


[13:12:41] Alistaer trekked alongside friends and allies whom now expected him to pull his weight. Mostly known for being a scholar and inquirer, the Oscuri could not turn cheek to the call of glorious battle.

There were deaths almost immediately, the weak infantry, the 98% representative of normal humans, slaughtered by mundane and supernatural foe. But the mighty kin of his he stood with today were not so feeble.

He had been building up his reika since before he had arrived in Danarium, and was well prepared to fulfill his end of his deal with Valeria.

The clanking of equipment against itself and the sound of feral beast snarling with teeth sunken in flesh was no stranger to him. And he would not fear such an environment, for Azrael was with him, in blood and soul.

The dead whom were on the enemy side had now become his weapon, as he summoned forth the tormented spirits of fallen foe to strike down their own families.

His primary goal was to familiarize himself with his more distant allies, while gaining their favor. Today was no day for reservation or morale hesitation. Survival was at the peak of his priorities, and knowing a relative of his mutual queen had been held captive here only made it easier to repress any and all remorse.

Depravity leaked from the man, as it did many others around him, all with varying levels.

"Foolish."

Two front line Ookami scouts saught to ambush what they thought was an unsuspecting enemy, but he was all too ready.

Reika was used to mark each scout with a positive charge, and then the air above them ionised. Before they understood what was happening, lightning surged through their forms, cooking them inside out.

He turned to face the same direction as his companions, and readied his nerve.

It was time.
(Alistaer Maliael)

[13:14:24] It seemed as if things werent slowing down any time soon, something he welcomed but at the same time something he didn't considering the current circumstrances that they were facing. It seemed like Nostvale didn't wish to wait for them to fully recover from Dumuzidf's attack, which he couldn't really blame them for. If he had the advantage he would strike at them as well.

This was no time for him to be focusing on what the circumstancers were. Each side of forces marched, some surely having a longer march than others but either way, their enemies would be at their doorstep soon enough, and sooner than he would probably realise. Nostvale was none to be trifled with, he learned that the hard way the first time he stepped foot on their soil.

They treated their enemies as, enemies. One can only be so merciful as it stood and it seems as if him and his allies had pulled their final straw long ago. He knew it was only a matter of time before they began marching onto their territory with the intent to slaughter them all and rid themselves once more of any opposition that stood against them.

He didn't really have much to say as always so all he'd do is draw his weapon and ready himself for the onslaught that was destined to come their way. Only time could tell if they were going to live through this battle or not, or even if the Wychwood was going to survive this encounter as well.
(Maru)

[13:14:24] As they marched upon the encampment, the looks of wolves that surrounded the rebels, they seemed never ending, but when compared to the army brought upon them by the gathering of all of valmasia, it was so much smaller than that. A deep exhale given as he watched the primary forms of leadership call out to the rebels and demand their end, this was more than a war, this was the rebels genocide.

They aimed to not kill them off a individuals, but a racial whole. It seemed almost overwhelming to be suppressed by such depravity, sickening to his core, but being around it for almost all his life allowed him some space to breathe. "Alright, FOR AZRAEL!" He cried out, swinging the father given blade high above his head with ease, the few plants of sinka he had beside him, would be forced to use them? He'd never now until he found out whom he'd be fighting and how hard he'd need to push himself.

(Auron Kyros)

[13:15:15] Carella could feel their approach and even more so she could hear them. The many scouts she had sent out returning to her reporting what was happening. It was grim and she knew that nothing would be the same as it had been. Sighing sadly she got up from her perch and kicked off into the trees. With a deftness expected of her she swung up to the highest parts until she could see the commotion for herself.

It was terrible...and rightly so. This was war and hell all over again. Hopping off onto the ground she pat the wolves by her side and then began walking towards the conflict. Her heart ached yet she knew what was expected of her here. So thus did she spread her wolves out...all of them grabbing survivors or fighting off attackers.

Every step she took caused her to shine brilliantly. Like a beacon of peace and hope her body became enveloped in fae energies. Every wounded person she stepped by would feel a warm wind caressing them and soothing their pains. As she stood at the front lines she unsheathed her knife, gripped it tightly, and a powerful burst of Exorcistic energies exploded around her. Nature shivered and all those in her presence would feel the bolstering power within them.

Carella was ready to defend her home and her family to the last.
(Carella)

[13:16:06] Time for war, it was about time!

Fiorella smiled as she marched along side of the Nostvalian warriors. Today, there was about to be a blood bath and thank goodness that she was going to be in the thick of it.

It has been 3 months since the change and it has given her plenty of time to get used to it. So now she was bound to be ready for combat, and as of now, it was about that time.

She trained hours upon hours. To prepare for this day, and this was the time to use all of that hard work and preparation in battle. It was about that time for her to get hre hands bloody, and she wasn't afraid to do so. Not now, not ever. Especially infront of the ones who wanted to kill them
(Fiorella)

[13:21:13] As Zelex made his way into the forest he had a smile on his face. It was the smile of the scoop of his life. He had come across some big ones. Yet, this was gonna be awesome! He was made he missed the destruction of Frostvale. Nothing would been more better to report the destruction of a city on the news. Yet, he had another chance to report the end of his former home.

Isn't that just great!

As he watched the armies prepare and march he would simply tap his sword. Though he was not in favor of hand to hand. Zelex knew that encase things got in his way he would simply make them move. His earlier experience with the Imperfect was just more sweeter.

"Ahh going home to see my own kin be killed. Such a shame really. I wonder how Asena and Saekanis would look at me now. Meh oh well i got a story to report and they not gonna report it for me!" He says with a smile on his face.

The battle then had begun. He saw trees and wolves attacking soliders. Seeing children adn women die left and right. Trees being burned or slash down. Wolves being cut up like pigs. It was a grueling scene. Watching undead be sent back to their graves. Also watching oscuri soliders fall in battle. Zelex shed a tear as the transaction happened. The only words he could say is...

"This so awesome!"

He simply sat back on a rock snapping photos without a care in the world of who demise was to come. Writing down the details as they kept going on and on.

(Zelex Ookerius)
[13:22:04] It was the harrowing fateful day, a day that Saekanis himself ruled over, there was a low howl, sent to echo out of the commanding leadership. Karasu no Taron was in her hand already, as she stood prepared, coldly calm, and forward upon them through the deep undergrowth of the woods, the brown bark concealing her appearance well enough that from the distance she watched, it would take hearing equal to that of one of the wolves in the Wychwood to really differentiate her presence as she'd move after unleashing that howl. Mayhap if not for a distraction to detract from their attentiveness.

The great many wolves of the wychwood coming to attentivess, prepared for battle just as much as they among the magi, With a quick loud schwop, a great oak began to topple, threatenning to crush the any whom didn't catch wind of the creaking falling elder tree.

It was something quite far away, and before really much of any response could be made to investigate the cause, there would be no real sign as to why the tree had fallen over. The fluffing nature of the snow storm that would ensue from such a large tree falling would be disorienting to say the least for non magi amidst the horde of forces headed into the Wychwood, as this was the attempt that was made, the little bit of trappery that was brought forth. Literal lumber jack work.

The idle expression of the woman as she peered to her allies, finally returning by their sides. "Today, we have odds that we never really thought we'd be facing, but, today we also need to remember, we are probably the last line, the only thing left standing between annihilation at their hands of anything that would stand up against them. Asena be with you all, and may Saekanis feast well upon the flesh of our foes tonight!" The woman barked, letting loose a likenned howl to her more lupine breatheren, a howl that echoed truthfully across the entirety of the Wychwood, as the wild wolves recanted the song of Asena's children.

"We shall strike them down, leave none standing!"
(Lara Kien)
[13:22:56] Alistaer Maliael: (yo my nightmare unicorn is coming)
{NARRATION} Lara Kein vs Maia Hirano Malyn vs Astoria Ryan Kyros vs Pale Dragon Lorelei vs Araya Magnus vs Felan Lucas Hayes Desna vs Rosalina Eria vs Sienna Makia vs Maru Celeana vs Fionntan Leftover, NA/NV: Hauk - 204 Kamille - 170 Auron - 124 Luka Falco -66 Aixx Jr - 20 Intervention rules: If the side with more numbers loses a match and that person rolls a 3 or less, an intervention can be arranged with the leftovers. If the person/s intervening loses, they have to roll 2 or more to survive. The person/s being intervened against do not roll at all. If you lose your RPB, you are captured/killed at a roll of 3 or less.

[13:24:38] And they marched. a strange feeling, watching all of those people move forwards. The sight of it as he had watched that same legion leave Nostvale alongside Maia, it was completely different from then. Now Makia was going with them, and in that moment, that made all the difference to him. He was a part of something massive, and all of them held one goal.

It was exhilerating, wasn't it?

That light-headed giddiness bubbling upwards in place of what should have been nervous tension. Or perhaps that is exactly what that was? It wasn't as though the Prince had the sort of experience to draw upon to know what exactly that feeling was.

But he liked it. It made him feel alive, that same addicting feeling that he had always been chasing after ever since it was first felt. He loved it, hungered for it. And he was about to get what he wanted.

The screams of the opposing factions as they clashed set him upon the killing edge. And from the edge of the battle, Makia watched hungrily as the killing began. He didn't want to be left out of this particular fun any longer than he had to, and as an opponent approached him, he lips parted slightly in a toothy grin.

He was going to enjoy this.
(Makia Hirano)

[13:40:51] Maia looked like he had aged thirty years since Lara last saw him.

Ever since waking from his coma, the king's magical circuits were left in a dire state; cracked and ruined, devastated from the inside out, completely non-functional for several years afterward. During this time he could barely stay awake, let alone carry out daily tasks--Maia was weaker than a non-magi, but now he was recovering, able to lead an army into the Wychwood to raze the Ookami's homes to the ground.

It was partly in thanks to Magnus's potions, and partly in thanks to time.

Around him the trees would bend to his will, their dark green colors shifting to a bright blue, overpowered by the creature of Whispering Willows. Dozens of vines gathered around their master like snakes, searching out prey. Maia took a leisurely walk as the village burned around him, and it wasn't long before his eyes caught sight of Lara Klein... Ah, he recognized her... The pup he put down before her friends took away his hand.

Let's see if you've grown at all since then.

He's standing infront of her as steel and magic clash around them, and the sky was black from the rising ash. Death's scent was carried by the cold winter breeze. A smile took to his lips, "They say you're the leader of this wretched camp," he whispered, as if speaking to a friend, "And that you're responsible for the attacks on my cities. Well, I know that firsthand, of course," he'd wave his silver-clad stump then, "I'm not doing this because I'm cruel, you see...

"...But we can't have terrorists lingering near Danarium now, not with what I have in store for the city. You will all die here, Ookami."
(Maia Hirano)
[13:47:40] It was the big fateful day, Maia Hirano was bringing his armies, and they had to stand, to fight back, against hordes of soldiery. The multitudinal army, the broad plethora of false altruists of Nostvale, and the mixxed rank and file of Bulwark and Viridians. It was in this that Lara had chosen to await her opponent, and likely that Maia would find, dozens of non-magi already slaughterred near her, alongside a triage of wolves, ensuring she wasn't ever really attacked in the back by them.

Calm she was, inspite of dozens dead, so near her, wolves other than those aiding her, feasting upon the flesh of Maia's already fallen soldiers. Karasu no Taron rested across her lap, the pristine weapon gleaning the sunlight from it's edge, Just as Dumuzid was a test, the expected rematch against Maia Hirano would just the same be all that, a test. Her honed study, she was not the slight weak wolfess she'd been so many years ago now, as she heard the horned male approach the Wychwooder, the ricecap would be pushed up, revealing her face, seated for a moment, she would rise to her feet, eyes closed for a moment, a deep breath entering and leaving her lungs.

"That responsibility falls to many other people, those before us even, this war is not over us, but them. too many generations have been bloodied by the Azraelite faith, too many lives extinguished to feed a god unworthy of his people, be it by force that he is so, or his choice, I care not. Asena is with me, Maia. Can you say the same about Azrael?" Yellow irises burned, furiously empassioned by the battle to come, this rematch? It would be the proving factor, to discern whether or not Karsu no Taron was enough to make her surpass her foes no matter their strength, how imposingly powerful they seemed to her.

This time? Sienna wasn't there to aide her, Lara stood on her own. The vicious schwop of her weapon, oddly a sound that one of the soldiers heard before the tree had begun to clambor and fall. The speed in the drawwing slice that stroked the air between them, it was beyond that of which was what she proved capable all those years ago, now narrowly more than a dozen years. Red hair whisked about, whipping with a flurry of wind, and fire, as the claw came to personage, the demeanor of the red head would be a stern glare upon him.

"I never once have claimed leadership of the Gravekeepers, but know that I will guide them as their beta." Beta? There was a hierarchy, and Beta was among the top, so that statement proved that Maia wasn't entirely far off from the inquiry being right. It was a matter of if he was ready for Lara, to be seen.

"Now then, I only guided the Guardians, but this battle? this is personal." Perhaps a lick of defiance from The Maiden of the Furnace burning within her, from the little bits of time spent with her, but Lara was prepared for combat. And the air grew tersely tied, between a fetid heat, and a brisk chill.
(Lara Kien)

[14:05:36] The battle was not just one of necessity for her to win, but one of passion for her to win, the sound of the resonant time-based mana clasping over the cold air, as mirages of heat began to flurry about their battle field.Leaving first the snowfalll to begin conversion into rain, and then the land to start a slowed parching. As the battle waved on, the blood of both warriors at hand spilling as their assaults mutually tore into one another, barrelling down in harsh swipes, as well as the pelting of mana that came in the form of the Hirano king gone dukal liege.

The crimson and blue edge of her weapon had tricklings of Maias blood, her assault was merciless, the intent just as clear as she'd stated, Maia Hirano would be slain by her hand today, not out of her want, but out of her goal, a loss of any kind for the enemy would have value that hoverred above that of spades.

As the other wolves came to her side, the trio that she'd had backing her up retreating quite heavily injured, intertwined with thorns of vines all over their bodies. Her yellow irises were upon Maia, as another trio of wolves, it showed clearly that she didn't have too much left for allies to call upon in the immediate area, the remaining wolves past this next batch still feeding, a trio of other wolves.

Angled forth however, Karasu let off another schwop, this time however her weapon didn't seem to move, until she leapt to the side, revealing yet another tree toppling over, threatenning to strike Maia Hirano in the midst of their first real bout. The blow itself being quite crushing as she'd come in from the side, a sucker punch harshly landing upon the lower half of his ribcage after the tree, likely nearly missing, given the Magical amplifaction at Maia's disposal.

"Let's keep going, I know you capable of more than this, just as Cedric was, only you actually measure up to something." She gave the big spoiler, alluding to where the missing prince of Byson had been taken to.
(Lara Kien)
[14:15:50] The dog had grown into a wolf while Maia was away, it seemed... And its canines were sharper, more refined- they cut deep, as did her claws. The king had no interest in debating religion with his opponent; instead he stared at her with two glowing green eyes that were torches in the morning mist, but the mana that lit them wasn't of the Morninglord, no. It was something that empowered his nature magic and gave him the will to carry out these hideous actions unfolding around them.

She attacked, and Maia responded in kind, conjuring a flurry of flowers around them at the blink of an eye. They grew and colored the dark green with reds, blues, and pinks, each flower capable of spewing out toxic spores or healing their creator, and with every step Maia took, more would show themselves, establishing a garden of horrors within the Wychwood, influencing the environment to his advantage.

And he'd need that- he'd need that and so much more. Despite his frail body, Maia intended to fight with everything he had: Lara Klein wasn't to be underestimated. The first few seconds revealed that. She cleaved through his flesh with her katana, each swipe of the blade a flash of thunder- Maia created distance and guarded himself by the uproots of blue tendrils and healing magic, establishing a barrier between them.

Still- her sword continued to open up new wounds, and his grin would suddenly appear pained.

Following the exchange, he backs off some. "Oh, trust me, I'm capable of far more than you know," he taunts, before blue petals burst around him, each as sharp as steel. The man's eyes were as bright as the sun. "This is about the point where you'll start to feel a little faint, Ookami. Aah- my plants are already having their effect," he murmured, "-Before long, you'll fall to your knees and death will take you."

"For now, though... Be butchered by the winds...!"

He lifts off of the muddy soil then, each blue petal storming forward, "-Yes, yes! Dance with me again!~" Streaks of black hair shift to green, as if something inside of him was taking over. Maia was never one to enjoy battle, but the creature of Whispering Willows certainly did...

And it was that bloodlust which he needed to survive here.
(Maia Hirano)

[14:24:22] And so the winds would butcher Lara indeed. A hundred blue petals stormed around, each opening a cut on the wolf's form--her face, her body, her legs--bloodying the woman from tip to toe, while typhoons of water and air savaged her, and Maia floated back, watching the scene unfold with delight.

She was strong, though--perhaps too strong. She could endure that and more. It wasn't long before the Ookami was infront of him again with her katana flashing like blasts of lightning, each strike capable of taking away his body if Maia slipped up at the slightest. There were near misses, where he barely deflected an attack with a vine or a graceful transformation of mist, and sometimes he'd ever have to resort to using his scythe- controlling it with gravity magic, but her attacks rocked him nonetheless.

They were on even footing now.

Who would die here?
(Maia Hirano)

[14:31:12] It was a certain fact, that it only could be the one truth, that one or the other was just barely better than the opposite, as the red head wolf looked upon Maia Hirano with something of a ravenous anger, the kind that had been upon Cedric only days ago.

The savaging of his mana against her form it made fury only the more evident, as she had to endure his might, as she would endure his might.

The fight was just as close as the first bout, with her barely coming out on top in that by a cheap trick, perhaps that was what it would take to triumph over Maia? Even still, Lara prepared herself for the combat, the last savage bout, where their equal footing was tested, to be proven or shatterred as a theory.

"I'm Coming for you, Maia Hirano!" SHe barked, snarling a slight bit as she prepared her strikes. The onslaught of blades would be sweltering as the heat that emanated from karasu no Taron, the evident time magic within the weapon freezing the mirage lines themselves in the near viscinity. The last trio of wolves, came to replace those that were fallen amongst their bretheren, that last bout being too much for the trio that Lara had called to her aid before.
(Lara Kien)

[14:46:33] The fringe of Danarium and the wychwood, the battle was brought that which way, as Lara accelerated, pounding her speed, not at all temperring her agility with even a lick of self concern, pushing limits she thought were impossible to break. To shatter them, against such a foe.

Still she felt her mana fighting with Karasu no Taron, in the flawwed attempts in the heated moment to call upon the prowess within the weapon, still the very enchantment that Cinis himself placed upon it, eluded her, each feint from side to side, harbinged each movement of the Ookami woman, the non Oscuri before her was being slowly wittled, much like she had done to Cedric, only rather than over the course of multiple bouts, there was no methodical practice in the way her strikes stripped the Hirano of his protection. Each vicious cleave punctured armor at crucial points, each stab sliced bindings, until little more than underarmor clothing and what could cling to his legs remained.

It was there that Lara halted, stopping for a brief moment, a spectral wolf condensing into a pseudo physical form, it waited next to her, before she and it both lunged at Maia, the Hirano being the primary target, the width of swordsmistress and spectral blastings being to great of a girth to really well and truly evade, even if he would attempt to come into a mist form, this spectral wolf demonstrated its purpose, it was not meant to harm, but to be a vessal, as winds welled up arround him as the spectral wolf entirely halted around his mist form, its maw clamping shut, he was ensnared, captured, not felled by a final blow.

The iconic schwop of Karasu no Taron likely echoed over the sudden quiet as Maia hirano's limbs and legs were bound within the Spectral wolf upon his reversion. He could feel the sensation, it was akin to that of digestion, feeling the remaining clothes about his body wither under the mana that took the place of stomach acid, he would find himself becoming even less protected over a crucial area, his heart.

Once more the schwop came, echoing, o'er and o'er, repeating their chime, yet, Lara didn't remove her position, the weapon only angled to strike him. "YOu do not know this, but, with that you are already dead, Maia Hirano, not quite outsmarted, I wouldn't say, but out fought. You were an outstanding opponent, and I'd like you to know that, perhaps maybe if things hadn't fallen into how they were, maybe, just maybe, we could have been civilized about this very matter." It was in this, that Lara's hand returned Karasu no Taron to its sheath, as she'd approach the man, a hand grasping the circlet about his skull and taking the weapon on his back as she passed.

A lone exhalation would come as he would then feel it, the inveritable blow of a hundred sword thrusts, all in the instance with no room for him to dodge, even if Lara had afforded him the ability, with just as much visceral damage as one would expect, the spectral wolf setting him down to the ground in the same motion. Her rice hat, adjusted by the hand that held the circlet to once more cover her face, as if to be worn, as a funeral coverring for her face, perhaps early respect for a man whom had literal seconds left in this world..
(Lara Kien)

[15:11:18] Maia was so lost in the battle that he found himself making reckless moves--so enticed by bloodlust that he exposed himself to her blade.

He was never like this before. He loathed battle; the idea of ending a dispute through violence was a concept that digusted him. But ever since the king returned from the Whispering Willows, new ideas began to open up to hm, that problems could be solved through murder, and the guilt he once felt for taking a life came to an end.

And that came to be his undoing: enjoying the struggle, wanting to feel that flash of mythril cut along his flesh only to respond tenfold. But when Lara's katana pierced through his chest, he realized with a pale smile to his lips that it was over, that he couldn't enjoy the sight of her head falling from her shoulders--that he had lost.

He tried to grasp the blade with his hands, but only his silver-clad stump moved to weakly nudge the bloody metal.

Maia fell to his knees, hitting the snow with a thud. The sounds around him died in a ring, but he could hear the Ookami's compliments. He could feel the pull of steel out of his flesh as she prepared to finish him for good.

Astoria... Eredis... Calliope... My children...

His faded green eyes went blank. Images of his beloved uncle flashed into his mind, his broken, enthusiastic voice as real as ever, recalling tales of past wars, advising Maia on mistakes not to make. Then there was Astoria- she gave him more than ten lifetimes of adventure and emotion, from freefalling off of the wall to coaxing the nervous, timid boy taking a life. Soon, they had a family. A family Maia wouldn't be able to guide or protect like his uncle did...

...A family he would never see again...

He still had to speak to Calliope about Danarium, didn't he? He still had to listen to the Ear of Azrael--to discover the name of the paradise they would create together?

That would never happen.


Instead, a hundred cuts ripped into Maia from behind. Each was a bullet to his flesh. The back of his skull exploded in a mess of pink and red, and he fell limp to the ground.

From within the flesh, maggots would swarm out of it, joining together a small distance from the corpse. It was Sanse, the one who terraformed Tilandre into the Whispering Willows, a demigod of nature magic. The maggots piled ontop of each other and took the shape of a humanoid, two empty sockets staring at Lara as eyes. "Isn't this cute...? I was starting to get bored in there, but I did learn a lot about you humans." She heard the creature's voice in her mind. "If you want the power to defeat your enemies, come find me in the Whispering Willows, little Ookami."
(Maia Hirano)

[15:26:40] The battle against Maia was over the woman was bloodied, in a mixture of her and his own, from him was gatherred a handful of weapons. There was a blink as she'd heard the voices, the disturbing plants speaking up, as she'd look to Maia Hirano's remains, becoming twisted, consumed by that of a nature that was. . .just not natural. Perhaps the source of the way The now late king thought? Even still, Lara's yellow irises remained upon the remains. "If that is the fait that awaits those that find you, then that kind of power is not in my desires." The red head by no means was a truly good person, having the will to be quite so vicious, to slaughter and pile on.

The talon was returned to her hip at this point, as she stepped along, her footsteps waddling, as the battle field, as she returned to what was essentially a staging area harrowed lost friends unto the red head. Many of them not as impactful as the closest, Sienna found dead in ways she didn't care to look into how, but absolutely, she was gone now.

Death, it was something she prepared herself for, ever since the beginning of that heart festerring war. The blood flowwed and pumped, slow throbs became racing beats that could be followed to, her footsteps and her eyes closing for a moment. "I'm going to need a drink after this. Hooboy." As her hand ran across the forehead of the woman, as she languidly reflected on the regretable losses, losses that her heart would adress later on. For now, Lara moved on, better to not encumber herself further with any more belongings of those lost to the savage wastings of battle.

The offer of power, from the beings of the Willows, declined so boldly to their face.
(Lara Kien)

[15:55:40] They had every right to ignore her. They weren't her King and certainly held no importance save in name and rank, given they came in to lead the charge of Nostvale against the forces of the Wych. Whatever interest, concern or care they had taken with Maia was theirs and theirs alone, so when the creature is ignored? She doesn't raise the issue. Someone of great import had died at that very moment. Their head now lay a mangled mess and their body left about strewn for the wolves.

There's not much else to be said here, save for the call to arms to resume in the complete and total expunging of the Ookami rebels from the fey's own home, a day long in the coming, to be expected for a very long time. No longer will the Wych be in terror and fear of whatever stupidity the Ookami hold. As such... the little fey does naught else than lie upon Hauk's shoulder, wings aflutter and eyes forward in what was to be the brutal execution of the Rebellion.

Survivors would be hunted down without hesitation. Redemption would come at a high price.

... looks like the fireworks are about to begin.
(Ailyth)
[15:55:40] A final battle! It was time- Their King had died, or at least the Nostvalian's people's King, and as such they all wanted revenge. Celeana? Not so much, however she still felt a sense of comradery amongst the ranks, mainly due to the sheer amount of Bulwark members still present. She would join, though only to exterminate even more scum for Azrael.

"How wonderful!" Her voice was nearly screeching from excitement, the young Oscuri more than easy to pulverize the entirety of the vicinity with her fire- Granted that would probably take a bit too much of her.

Flames slowly twisted upwards her body, her Rieka surging and eyes glowing with sheer energy from the Oscuri heritage- She was more than ready to unleash the Blessing of Azrael upon all of them to turn them to ash! With a wide smile curving her lips, her arms extended out to each side and a chuckle escaped her lips.

"I'll make sure to save some... Post-war sacrifices here!"
(Celeana Feuer)

[15:56:32] Limp...

Elusive wolves...

She was in dire need of recovery and every time she found a magi of power to give it was she left just inches away of reward. The wounds, ripped open from the overexertion of the girl from the parasite's determination, continue to bleed and afflict the girl with a certain slowness.

Yet she doesn't back down--no, she continues forward. To ever step down is to bring shame and weakness. She's not weak--she will not let that weakness take her. She had a head to give--a payment to make.

Limp...

Occultic tendrils of aquamancy swirl around her. She just needed a head, to pay rent, to remain alive upon the lands she camps upon.

Reflexively, the healthy hand of the girl itches her wounded one...
(Lorelei)

[15:56:32] The king had died... a pity? Maybe. Who knows who would rule next... Magnus had really wished to avoid this outcome until he was certain of who would ascend but someone beat him to the punch. Still, most of the rebels had been routed and the thick smog of burnt woodland was turning the sky a sickly black. The smoke was irritating.

The battle lines were being drawn once more and the rebellion was looking a sorry sort... Magnus took up position by his daughter and whispered into her ear. "I will protect you if need be, Charlie. I have your back, so go as hard as you can..." He gave her a brief pat on her shoulder before grinning. This was going to be a decently fun end.

The vines covered him once more in his new suit of armour. THey even lingered around Charlie and, upon Magnus discretion, upon Astoria. She was likely furious and she needed someone to look out for her. Still, this was going to be one hell of a group battle. So many people clashing together... it was going to be oh so very very fun...

At least it would have been if Magnus was younger.
(Magnus Brakkacia)

[15:58:14] The final battle, they had been pushing themselves to the very limit, more and more he could feel the force of mana swell around him.

The First Breath: The wave of white mana began to flow into the force of his blade, a wave of white clouds over his energy.

The Second Breath: He feels his body tense, his muscles expand his body growing stronger and stronger each second. The ground beneath her begins to crack and he prepares himself for the worst. His stance is taken and his mind is ready for battle.

The Third Breath: He reaches super focus, his mind moving at a million miles an hour, trying to calculate every option he has. There were so many rebels, but there were WAY more of the legion. He could feel his thoughts move into a singlar direction, Fight, Fight, Fight.

"Alright, let's do this, we can win, no matter what." He was of Nostvale, no matter what happened in this end, Nostvale was his home and he would defend it to the last man. This *war* this battle was to bring the peace that the country needed from now on.

It was time to end this silly game.
(Aev)
[15:58:14] Hauk Fildegarde: (#viridian
[15:58:14] What a...

This was a war that was beyond all expectations. He's unsure of -what- to feel right now, but the young Hirano knows that he has to press forward. His hand motions to the area of the back of his neck, gripping his hood. Then, it's flipped right back over and his free hand grasps onto the staff that he has used thus far.

Nothing really extraordinary---it was just your basic Grand Jewel, to be honest. The expression on the young child's countenance said it all. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to do this. But it was his right to defend the city of Nostvale, and although his father never cared for him...

Well, he could at least fight back and do something.

So he stands afar, prepared to chuck spell after spell towards the Ookami that dared to remain in the Wychwoods.
(Eria Hirano)
[15:58:14] The king was dead and the Sirenia was enraged. His hands are kept tighton his glaive as this all goes down, a final stand or sometihng; the Sirenia would begin to shoot magic in every which direction that he could; his water spirit did nothing. It did not offer healing; he was purely doing this on his own, for once... Weird.

His glaive is, once more, charged with lightning magic; everytime he slammed it into the ground came a powerful outburst of the lightning, damaging everythnig nearby; perhaps beginning more fires that would irritate him? Who knew.

He was very, very bloodthirsty.
(Desna)
[15:58:14] Hauk Fildegarde: (... CAN WE HAVE LIKE ONE TRISUmmON)
[15:58:14] Thing were as bad as they seemed as the battle wasn't going in their favor. All sorts of people were injured, fleeing, or dead. It hurt so much to see this all happen that tears were rolling down her face. Even now the enemy forces were closing in on them all. They had no choice but to flee...or stop them here. Carella strode up to the front lines and looked around before taking in a deep breath.

"ALL OF YOU WHO SEEK TO FLEE! RUN! LIVE! FIGHT ANOTHER DAY!" she yelled as loudly as she could. An aura of rainbow colors flowing forth from her as she gathered up all of her innate magic. The power of the Fae alongside the Wilds of Asena meshed as she raised her weapon up into the air. "ESCAPE WITH YOUR LIVES! WE WILL MEET AGAIN!" she yelled out as she lowered her weapon.

"...we will...meet again." she whispered as exorcistic energies exploded out from her. She would soothe and heal her allies and, in that moment of the tide coming for them, seek to hold them back as long as she could. She wanted as many as could survive and escape to do so. Their homes were lost...

...but their lives yet weren't.
(Carella)
[15:58:14] Alpha Crucis: no??? ]
[15:58:14] Bernas would sit by the side of Lara and glance at his mate. a small sigh escaping his lips This battle was not to be in their favor.. It was never from their favor in the start.. But... Asena, Saekanis.. Grant us your strenghth just so we can manage to pull through this war unscathed and somehow alive... Bernas closed his eyes, as the cosmic energy about his being started to raidate greatly around his being.. Hope, If this is the day I fall, just remember I will always be around to greet with you once more... Bernas closed his eyes and took a deep sigh.

His eyes gazed towards that of the enemies.. Biting his lower lip.. This battle was going to be one that may end him or by mere chance. Grant him the ability to survive that of this battle. Time flickering about his being as he opened his eyes..
(Bernas)

[15:58:14] This was slightly uneventful to say the least. Well, the combat was still intense, but Nostvale clearly had lethal advantage on the rebels. It was almost unfair, but with the news of the King succumbing to his fight with the opposing leader, the doctor reconsidered the begnin nature of this conflict.

She herself mostly indulged in the small fry, as the magi were already being confronted in heated battles. Oh well, a nice chat with a fairy and Hauk came to be. Nonetheless, worry for her father's wellbeing reigned.

Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing Magnus emerging victor, and with spoils to indulge in too. But the fight wasn't over, there remained the opposition and their last resort against Nostvale's forces.

"Thanks ... Dad. Aye, I've got yours too."

She'd chuckle, a bit embarassed as she got that pat. Mammon's nail would be slashed out of its sheath, its depraved nature engulfing her being once more. She had not used it to a point of complete aesthetic change yet. But with the smell of bloodlust in the air, she was about to go wild.
(Charlie Avaline)

[15:59:05] It seems like the finally battle has finally happened. The two sides with their remaining sides will finally go face to face to end this major conflict.

The only thing that had happened for their side was that the king had parished and there was nothing else left to do. Only for one more to take up the mantel. Nothing much left for that honestly.

Now all we need to do is kill the rest. Finish them off befoe shit gets hetic.

" Let's have some fun!"
(Fiorella)
[15:59:05] Bernas: (*Shrinks hot bar*)
[15:59:05] Fiorella: (Invite plz too
[15:59:05] Bernas: (I have 9 skills on my bar lol)
[15:59:05] Aev: me too?)
[15:59:56] Fiorella assumes the Garuda stance!
[16:00:48] And so this is how it was to be, a complete and utter shit show a salughter of the many wolves of the wychwood, ultimately a massive push back, a great set back over all, the loss of any headway they ever had; she had to at least try, and it was probable that in the mass slaughter of a battle, that very few would even hope to get away unscathed.

That was her goal, to cleave and tear, to render wounds unto the enemy, if nothing else, to leave marks, in what was the finest hour, the routing back to the Dojo's grounds, to get what could be salvaged, and hide away elsewhere. to plan to strike again, alternatively. They just had to take down as many of them with them as they could, right? Escape before lethal wounds ight make their mark.

It was all very, expected. . .
(Lara Kien)
[16:00:48] Lara Kien: (Let's get this overwith, I guess)
[16:00:48] Administered with iron and whatnot medical things by this nurse of Lara's, Cedric would have been... Well, he was hungover, and it truly wasn't a great feeling... but to an extent, it. It didn't feel as bad, as the aching hole within himself, the gaping, near empty Rieka of his. It didn't feel good, to be attempting to forsake, to speak blasphemy against the will of Azrael... but he knew, he needed to. He -wanted- to, even...

He didn't deserve Azrael. He didn't deserve His blessings, he wasn't deserving of being tasked to spread His will, to fight in His name. All this time, he had only been fighting... in his very own name. The downfall of him, the weakening of his Rieka, it was inevitable from the very start. He was never a true Azraelite to begin with, not like that of Celeana no......

The sounds of screams, of terror filled the woods no doubt, the scent of burning, of trees toppling, armies colliding. Panic spreaded throughout, and Cedric was able to, albeit sluggishly, stumble outwards from the den, to witness all in fire, all become destructed, hundreds of soldiers, against the warlocks, the Ookami alongside Drakanite of the Wychwood... The rebels, against the forces of Nostvale.

He wouldn't be part of this - he was simply too -weak-... for all of this. He didn't even know... how to react to this, he. He simply stood there idly, watching... vulnerable he was, his fate was determined... by either Lara, or some guy over there in the Nostvalian troops. But just let it be known, that he was out here.

Ignore him.
(Cedric Kyros)

[16:01:39] "Hmm..."

It wasn't a good feeling. A feeling of loss. There inside of the body, within that arm. Everything that coalesced inside, but... There was something prominent that was there. Something that came of it. Ah-ah... What? How could it have possibly been... Eyes reflected a bit of red as that head of the monster's tilted off to the side. A chilly breath left lips as they trailed along, bringing fingers up to touch along frozen flesh.

What to do now? With a personality under wraps, held down harshly from the means by which she was going absolutely fucking insane from what loss there was--

Acrux would remain the capstone, the cold figure that simply lingered there in waiting as vines wriggled and squirmed at foot. Fight? Did it? Who knew. This was all new, all awful--

Just about on par with dealing with Ryujin, but more of a hole left behind.
(Alpha Crucis)
[16:01:39] With the Lich King defeated and sent off flying into the trees Rheagul returned to the small group of rebels that still stood within the forest heading towards the last stand to shove the attackers out with all of the force they might be able to muster but there was something pressing on him hard and that was being unable to see Rosalina anywhere around the group along with the countless bodies which have been slaughtered during this war, the Drakanite was significantly weaker from the use of his Giant Form ability during the battle but when they started to march he grabbed his sword tightly hoping to unleash hell upon them so he would be able to find her quickly hoping for the best.

"TOGETHER WE STAND!!! THEY WILL FALL!!! RYUJIN IS AT OUR FLANK SO WE CANNOT LOSE HERE!" looking at the army before him Rheagul was not dismayed since he knew that his god had protected him this day after almost dying at the beginning of his previous battle but much like the time he fought against Cedric it seemed that something pushed him towards victory, hopefully that push could be felt here by all of his allies as they were ready to do whatever it took in order to keep this holy sanctuary safe.
(The Pale Dragon)

[16:05:04] Hundreds fell in mere moments, life squandered like something no greater than that of a roach. If there ever was a time for him to go all in, it was now.

"Azrael is with us in this hallowed hour! Stain the soil of Wychwood with theirBLOOD!"

Depravity filled the woods that night, as the forces of Azrael's children poured into the deepest sects of the woods, slaughtering the faltering enemy without hesitation.

Alistaer himself watched the battle from a vantage point, tearing at souls with dark magic and cursing the physical strength of those on the front of enemy lines.

Lightning too rained from the sky, ionising air with each crackling spear of reika blasting mounds of the forest floor away, kicking up dirt and cooking enemies alive.

Alistaer had never felt so vengeful, so utterly consumed by the emotions he wielded as a weapon. He had yet to see Ryan return, and this deeply weighed on him. But he pressed on.
(Alistaer Maliael)

[16:06:46] He returns.

There is a body, slung over his shoulder. Black, bloody. Half-formed. Like it had been brutally gutted from both within and without, like a thousand tiny knives had rpped from his innards and out into the world. Then there are the sword-holes, massive gaping wounds and cleaved cuts across his pale and slender flesh.

There is one directly through his chest, and another glaring detail: The head was gone. But in all other respects- mana signatures, the taste of his blood, the look of the body... It is maia Hirano's corpse, and it is gently laid onto the ground.

A firm turn, to the remaining hordes, then back to the Viridian- Beaten. Worn. Harshly wounded, some of them. Others have yet to begin to show their colors. A flex of his gaunlets, a snatch of air into his lungs. It tasted crisp, clean- It tasted like... Necessary justice.

"... She is karma. I am Justice." Another meaningful glance, to the Viridian legion. To Astoria.

The black fog of coalesced nothing, alongside the strange aegis of color. Absorption.

"Legionnaires. Where each of you fall, another ten will take your place- And a hundred each of them. So let them strike us down. We are the harbingers. For Lord Azrael- For the KING OF NOSTVALE- SLAUGHTER THESE FUCKING SAVAGES!"
(Hauk Fildegarde)

[16:06:46] The King is dead.

The world washes away of all color. The brilliant hues of fresh, emerald leaves, brightened, orange flowers, and bushels and shrubbery covered in blood was now an inky, terrible blot of gray. The smack of the news leaves Astoria weak in the knees for a heart-breaking moment, Pridefall trembling inside of her hand while she bleeds for a battle that stolen away her very heart.

Sick. She was absolutely sick. Like a piece of her soul had shattered and been snatched away, her body convulses with the knees and her head dips forth.

Was that ... rain? That splattered the ground in their droplets before her darkened visage? Was that lightning and thunder, rumbling around her figure that only raised higher and higher from her uncontrolled, vexing release.

I can't breathe.

No, that was the heart. The heart of the Queen of Nostvale that had torn asunder within her chest at the horrific announcement. Those were tears that caressed down her face and littered the ground. That was over three decades of love and burning passion commenced into one, painful wave that sapped at her sanity. That was regret, guilt, pleasure, happiness, blessings, and curses all coming together at once.

You can't. You can't be gone. All you wanted to do was to bring this land peace. You didn't ask for this. I did. I wanted their genocide. I pushed for it. So why am I alive...

... and why are you dead?

"No - nonononono - RAAAAAAAAGH!"

Her lips peel back - bleeding into a poisonous oasis that revealed ugly, jagged teeth that gnashed together like crooked razors. Acid dripples from her eye-sockets and lips, literally hemmoraging toxins that would condense around her in a damaging fog. Spider legs erupt from Astoria's back, her beautiful figure turned grotesque at the loss of her humanity. She curls within herself, unforgiving strikes of lightning smashing against wolves that still attempted to feast on remaining soldiers.

Beady, blackened eyes stare towards Lara Kein - the leader of these insurgents. Everyone - every single one of them was going to d i e.

The Wychwoods and all within it would be burned and sacrificed to the Morninglord for their heresy.
(Astoria Hirano)