To Scorn the Gods- Episode 10-1: Subterfuge

(9:53:34 PM) Haisen: One by one, the group finally awakes the next morning... Perhaps some of them didn't even sleep. Saken certainly took some time to fall asleep, and when Artemis awakes, he'll notice that the young boy's sleep is obviously not restful...
(9:55:50 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis does indeed, awaken. He glances at the bed to his left. Saken doesn't seem to be sleeping too soundly. Even so, it wouldnt do to just wake him up out of nowhere.
(9:58:12 PM) ***Ulyssa awakens rather early. She's not moving until Kineth is up, of course!
(9:59:19 PM) ***Kineth also awakens. While his sleep wasn't the most restful, it was still better than nothing, and that much is at least good.
(10:00:58 PM) Ulyssa: Does she want to say 'morning?' Oh you bet she wants to say morning.
(10:01:29 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe wakes up, but doesn't look particularly awake.
(10:01:43 PM) Ulyssa: So she gets out a piece of paper she intentionally left nearby, and writes 'Morning!' on it, then hands it to Kineth.
(10:02:04 PM) Haisen: Belle is... Actually cuddled right next to Aelitethe in wolf form, still asleep
(10:02:55 PM) Kineth: Kineth takes the paper, smiling a little and nodding back to Ulyssa as he pockets the paper, before going to hug her. "Mornin', Ulyssa."
(10:03:50 PM) Ulyssa: The hug is returned!
(10:04:19 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe simply cuddles and snuggles with Belle a little bit, looking around to see if Tilia is about.
(10:07:35 PM) Kineth: Kineth smiles after the exchange of hugs, already feeling a bit on the 'not terrible' side of things. He decides to just sit with Ulyssa for the next couple minutes before getting up.
(10:09:45 PM) Haisen: ...Tilia looks to already be gone. Knowing her, she's probably already drunk
(10:11:01 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa does not mind this sitting! In fact, it's leaving her more at ease, by the look of her slightly easing face!
(10:14:17 PM) Kineth: ...Eh. Could always spend a little time sititng around some more. Not like they really need to leave just yet...
(10:14:41 PM) Haisen: ...Belle opens her eyes to the cuddling, nuzzling Aeli back, and then starting to lick her face a bit.
(10:15:14 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe blushes, before smiling warmly and ruffling Belle's fur. "D'aww... Belle..."
(10:15:52 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe wraps her arms around the wolf. "Come on, we should get up."
(10:18:01 PM) Haisen: Belle nods, and shifts back into human form.
(10:19:44 PM) Haisen: ...Meanwhile, in Artemis' room, Killis awakens as well, and sits up. "...I see Saken is still troubled." He speaks quietly
(10:20:52 PM) Artemis-XE: "Yeah, looks like it. It's understandable, really." He responds in the same hushed manner.
(10:21:07 PM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa is not opposed to sitting around here by any means!
(10:22:52 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe decides to get some fresh air, presumably Belle will tag along!
(10:23:21 PM) Haisen: Belle does tag along!
(10:24:20 PM) Haisen: "Poor boy... His entire family lost, and Haisen taking control of the church. He probably blames himself for it..."
(10:24:42 PM) Haisen: Killis shakes his head sadly
(10:25:35 PM) Haisen: "I must admit, I find it hard to avoid blaming myself as well... Ulyssa would never have been put into that situation if it weren't for me."
(10:27:36 PM) Artemis-XE: "Somehow... I don't think she'd want you to blame yourself for it. I can't really say much about that, but I am going to make sure that bastard gets what he deserves."
(10:28:45 PM) Artemis-XE: "...No. not just me. We. All of us."
(10:29:25 PM) Haisen: "I know. Wallowing in regret gets us nowhere. Everyone has mistakes to atone for, after all. ...We must do everything in our power to end his reign."
(10:30:34 PM) Artemis-XE: "Exactly."
(10:30:46 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe is currently outside, humming (rather loudly) a lullaby
(10:33:29 PM) Haisen: Saken stirs, awakening to this new day. As he sits up and looks around, he looks... Tired.
(10:34:42 PM) Artemis-XE: "Morning Saken." He pauses. "How're you holding up?"
(10:35:49 PM) Haisen: "I'm... I'm fine. Thank you Artemis." He sounds as if he's having some trouble forming the words, but that may just be because he's still waking up.
(10:36:34 PM) Haisen: Killis walks over, and puts a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Remember, we're here for you." Saken stutters out another "Th-thank you."
(10:38:15 PM) Artemis-XE: "No matter what." He adds.
(10:43:03 PM) Haisen: "I... Alright. Thank you." Saken shakes his head. "W-well... We should probably get ready, right?"
(10:43:47 PM) Artemis-XE: "The others are probably waiting for us, yeah."
(10:45:45 PM) Haisen: Killis nods, and starts heading toward the door as Saken stands up
(10:48:08 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis also heads for the door
(10:50:22 PM) Haisen: When you get out the door, it's pretty easy to spot Tilia down on the first floor, being her usual exuberant, drunken self. ...Somehow she's inspired some of the other patrons to give her copper pieces. She could probably actually make a living this way if she wanted...
(10:57:20 PM) Artemis-XE: "Think we should check around for the others?"
(11:00:42 PM) Haisen: "Yes, I think so." Killis replies
(11:01:37 PM) Artemis-XE: "Perhaps we check outside first." He says, looking for the nearest exit.
(11:03:06 PM) Haisen: The exit is hardly difficult to find. Tilia waves and greets you as you pass. "Hey there Arty!"
(11:04:05 PM) Artemis-XE: "Hey!" He waves in return. Well she's looking cheerful as ever.
(11:05:16 PM) Haisen: "If you're lookin' for Aelibelle, they're outside. Haven't seen the other two come out yet though."
(11:06:43 PM) Artemis-XE: "Ah, thanks... maybe you should check in on the others?"
(11:07:42 PM) Haisen: "Nah, they'll come out when they're ready. Course, one of you could always go and check."
(11:08:08 PM) Haisen: "U-um... Why don't I go ahead and do that?" Saken speaks up now.
(11:08:38 PM) Artemis-XE: "Just remember to knock first." He says to Saken.
(11:09:26 PM) Haisen: "U-um, of course..." Saken says, before going upstairs and knocking on Kineth and Ulyssa's door.
(11:10:30 PM) Artemis-XE: Art continues towards the outside.
(11:11:32 PM) Haisen: There aren't particularly any other interruptions. Killis stays inside to wait for Saken and the others, however
(11:12:04 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe is clinging to Belle, her arms clasped around one of Belle's. She doesn't notice Artemis going outside.
(11:12:41 PM) Ulyssa: Knock knock'd! Ulyssa was getting comfy, but she jolts on hearing the knock. She looks at Kineth, with a head tilt attached.
(11:13:59 PM) Artemis-XE: "Morning you two." He says to the Aelibelle standing in front of him.
(11:14:53 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe's head is lying against Belle's shoulder. She doesn't hear Artemis at first, because she's humming a lullaby.
(11:15:33 PM) Kineth: Kineth looks back at Ulyssa. "Guess it's time." He says with a slight shrug as he goes to get himself and Ulyssa of the bed as they go door-ways!
(11:16:26 PM) Ulyssa: Nod. Door, head towards, open!
(11:16:55 PM) Haisen: Saken will back away from the door quickly as it opens. "U-um... Good morning..."
(11:17:15 PM) Haisen: Belle does hear Artemis, however! She nudges Aelitethe a bit.
(11:17:38 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe stops humming and squeaks a little, visibly started. "Waaaa"
(11:17:50 PM) Ulyssa: She problably should have kept that paper. She nods in reply, instead!
(11:18:16 PM) Kineth: "Morning, Saken." He nods to him as well.
(11:18:36 PM) Aelitethe: She faces Artemis now, who's been there for who knows how long. "M-m-morning!"
(11:19:01 PM) Haisen: "U-um... The others are waiting... We should probably get ready to leave..."
(11:21:16 PM) Artemis-XE: "So, the others are awake. Might want to think about heading out." He says to Aelitethe.
(11:21:43 PM) Aelitethe: "Okay. I guess we should get ready then." Aelitethe nods and re-enters the Inn with Belle, presumably to get ready.
(11:22:21 PM) Artemis-XE: Artemis shuffles off to his own room to prepare as well.
(11:31:23 PM) Haisen: Once everyone is prepared and has had breakfast (Why eat on the road when they can eat here?), they begin their dangerous journey...
(11:31:54 PM) Haisen: ...Once outside of the village, however, Saken suddenly remembers something!
(11:32:02 PM) Haisen: "Oh, um... Could you all hold on a moment?"
(11:32:13 PM) Artemis-XE: "What is it?"
(11:32:53 PM) Haisen: "Um... I might be able to help with the distraction strategy. There's... Something I never told all of you."
(11:33:47 PM) Aelitethe: "...?"
(11:33:59 PM) Ulyssa: ?
(11:34:34 PM) Artemis-XE: "What would that be?"
(11:36:18 PM) Haisen: "I... When I was outside of the city one day, I found a wounded hawk. I gave it one of my potions to heal it and... It bonded with me. I think somehow it took  hold of the magic that was in the potion... I can actually, um... I can call it, and communicate with it. I can also, um, cast spells through it. So if I did that, and made another illusion, sending the paladins in three different directions...""
(11:36:33 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(11:36:35 PM) Haisen: "If we... If we wait a while, I should be able to call it again."
(11:37:30 PM) Artemis-XE: "Well! Our boy's been holdin' out on us, eh?" He ruffles his hair teasingly.
(11:38:11 PM) Artemis-XE: "In all honesty, it could be worth a shot. But how long do you mean, exactly?"
(11:38:21 PM) Ulyssa: A friendly seeming nod is directed at Saken!
(11:39:01 PM) Haisen: "Probably not much more than an hour or so. It usually stayed near the city, and can fly rather quickly..."
(11:40:08 PM) Kineth: "Still, though. That's good to know."
(11:40:15 PM) Artemis-XE: "That's not too long... what does everyone else think?"
(11:42:47 PM) Aelitethe: "It's worth a try..."
(11:43:01 PM) Ulyssa: Nod nod! Hopefully this doesn't mess things up!
(11:43:05 PM) ***Kineth also nods.
(11:44:02 PM) Haisen: Killis speaks now. "We should leave it to Belle the first time around. If we start with three groups, they'll immediately suspect a trap and send more experienced paladins out that can handle it. However, this plan is a good one..."
(11:45:28 PM) Haisen: Saken nods, and then closes his eyes, concentrating.
(11:45:53 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe stands in wait...
(11:46:40 PM) Artemis-XE: Art is also waiting. waiting and watching.
(11:47:48 PM) Haisen: It only takes about half an hour before suddenly, a bird swoops out of the sky and lands on Saken's shoulder. As soon as anyone looks at it, it's clear that it is, indeed, a hawk... Quite a majestic creature, though small.
(11:47:54 PM) Aelitethe: "..."
(11:49:18 PM) Haisen: "Aisyl..." Saken whispers as he opens his eyes, and then strokes the hawk's head and neck with his fingers. "...We should move on now."
(11:49:49 PM) Artemis-XE: "Yes, let's get going now."
(11:50:11 PM) Kineth: "Indeed."
(11:52:47 PM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe nods.
(11:53:20 PM) Haisen: The party continues on their journey. It takes three days to arrive, but fortunately the road to the fortress is not an oft-traveled one, and they have no encounters on the way.
(11:53:52 PM) XephyrEnigma [~MobileXep@Rizon-76C5DD72.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com] entered the room.
(11:53:52 PM) Artemis-XE left the room (quit: Read error: Connection reset by peer).
(11:54:07 PM) XephyrEnigma is now known as Artemis-XE
(11:57:58 PM) Haisen: Ahead of you, up the mountain road, you can see the fortress looming. It looks quite grand and forbidding...
(11:58:18 PM) Haisen: "W-well... I suppose this is it, isn't it...?" Saken stutters out.
(11:58:55 PM) Artemis-XE: "Stay calm. We'll be okay."
(11:59:02 PM) Ulyssa: Nod nod!
(11:59:18 PM) Kineth: Also nod. "We'll make it through this, yes."
(11:59:56 PM) Haisen: "Saken." Killis looks to the boy as he speaks. "Do you wish to lead us to the place where we are to wait for Belle?"
(12:00:03 AM) Haisen: "Y-yes..."
(12:01:55 AM) Aelitethe: "You'll be fine."
(12:02:27 AM) Ulyssa: And another nod to confirm this!
(12:02:58 AM) Kineth: Pretty much nodtown.
(12:03:49 AM) Artemis-XE: Adding another to the population. He nods again.
(12:04:18 AM) Haisen: "Alright... It's this way." Saken leads the group toward the ambush point.
(12:07:00 AM) Haisen: It definitely looks made for an ambush! A nice clearing with lots of large rocks to hide behind... This definitely looks ideal.
(12:07:20 AM) Haisen: "Very good, Saken." Killis nods. He then looks to Belle. "You know what to do, right?"
(12:07:28 AM) Haisen: Belle nods back before shifting into wolf form.
(12:07:35 AM) Aelitethe: "Be careful, Belle!"
(12:07:41 AM) ***Aelitethe shivers.
(12:08:09 AM) Haisen: Belle nuzzles Aelitethe's hand, before running off toward the fortress.
(12:17:08 AM) Haisen: ...Shortly after, she returns, six paladins in tow! ...As well as a cleric
(12:17:35 AM) Haisen: She sits in the middle of the clearing, waiting for them to approach... And then, she howls!
(12:18:23 AM) Haisen: Saken is the first to act, tossing an alchemical bomb into the midst of the attackers!
(12:25:01 AM) Haisen: It scorches a number of the paladins, as well as the cleric!
(12:25:56 AM) Haisen: Next, Killis charges in, slashing at the nearest paladin! His shortsword glances of the armor, but his cutlass instead manages to tear through it, leaving a gaping wound on the paladin's chest!
(12:26:20 AM) Haisen: Kineth is ready next!
(12:28:40 AM) Kineth: Kineth takes a slight breath, before charing out of the cover, letting out a fearsome roar as he goes to try and strike down the Cleric with a terrifying blow from his Greatsword, attempting to use the momentum to tear apart the Paladins as well! (Rage -> Power Attack @ Cleric -> Great Cleave starting at P1 and moving on in numerical order depending on successes.)
(12:30:34 AM) Kineth: Well, never mind the bit about the cleric. That's stupid. Instead, he'll be going for one of the paladins first, then work his way through them. Maybe. (Power Attack target changed to P2, everything else remains the same. :v)
(12:49:41 AM) Haisen: As the cleric is too heavily guarded, Kineth instead starts with a different paladin!  ...He then starts an unholy sequence of flashing steel that would leave  the gods in awe. In an instant, he goes from the paladin he began with, to the wounded one, to the cleric, to his first paladin, then toward a third paladin. This third one he swipes at three times, missing the first two... Then Ulyssa throws a rock, letting the third slash the paladin across the chest!
(12:49:41 AM) Haisen: Then a fourth paladin... Miss, but then Artemis charges in and delivers a punch, dazing that paladin enough to be hit. A fifth, as Aelitethe bursts into glorious song... And then the sixth, before coming back to the cleric once more! ...All this, in a mere instant.
(12:49:59 AM) Haisen: At the end, every paladin is wounded terribly, and the first is dead, along with the cleric.
(12:50:38 AM) Haisen: But the paladins don't have time to contemplate this unholy terror before Belle takes down the one Kineth started with!
(12:51:54 AM) Kineth: Kineth lets out a few deep, heavy breaths as he finishes his wave of sheer carnage, smiling as he nods to the others in thanks.
(12:57:13 AM) Ulyssa: That was...really...fucking...messy! Ulyssa's even in a bit of shock as to what just happened!
(12:58:15 AM) Artemis-XE: Okay... The fuck was all that?! Artemis cannot begin to fathom what he just contributed to.
(12:59:12 AM) Kineth: Kineth chuckles as he looks at the remaining paladins, as if eagerly waiting to do that again. Or at least on a smaller scale.
(1:00:05 AM) Haisen: Tilia is the only one not even to skip a beat, rushing in with her staff charged with electricity! She smacks one paladin, and then another, sending shocks arcing through them before Artemis crushes through their armor with his hammer. Ulyssa as well charges in in a flash of blades, albeit one much less impressive than Kineth's, taking down the remainder
(1:01:30 AM) Haisen: ...Saken stares at the carnage, unable to comprehend. "What... H-how...? Surely no human..."
(1:01:53 AM) Haisen: "I haven't heard of such feats since Corellus himself..."
(1:04:35 AM) Artemis-XE: Art walks over to Saken and whispers. "Well, one thing's for sure. Just make sure you don't piss 'im off." He says, half-jokingly.
(1:04:50 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe has said nothing about this.
(1:05:00 AM) Aelitethe: If she could, she'd be shivering right now. She's got no such strength.
(1:05:04 AM) Aelitethe: It's beyond human.
(1:06:53 AM) Ulyssa: Ulyssa...takes a while to compose herself! Whatever he just did...was it...is he? ...It's no matter right now. They're supposed to be going in a direction, right? If so, she starts heading there to get people's attention to go in that same direction!
(1:07:54 AM) Haisen: Saken doesn't react to Artemis. He's still staring, wide-eyed
(1:08:18 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe follows Ulyssa. Without a word.
(1:08:33 AM) Haisen: Killis... Is doing much the same for a moment, before he clears his throat. "A-anyway... We should go. Ulyssa has the right idea."
(1:08:47 AM) Artemis-XE: Art just keeps quiet, following Aelitethe.
(1:08:57 AM) Haisen: He pulls Saken along a bit, encouraging him to move
(1:11:48 AM) Haisen: Saken follows, and the group makes their way back north, still shaken. Except Kineth. He still feels... Absolutely euphoric
(1:13:58 AM) Kineth: Kineth chuckles a little as he follows the group along, actually pleasantly surprised by what he just did after slipping out of his state of rage for the moment.
(1:17:16 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe, as she walks, mutters something about being weak and trying to study harder so she can prove herself...
(1:17:23 AM) Aelitethe: She seems fairly frustrated with herself
(1:18:11 AM) Artemis-XE: Artemis is still trying to comprehend just where the fuck that came from. To no avail.
(1:21:06 AM) Haisen: It isn't long before the group reaches the mountain road again. "Now... The next stage of the plan. Saken, Belle, are you ready?" Belle doesn't even hesitate in nodding, but Saken has to snap himself out of his thoughts before doing so as well.
(1:24:31 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(1:30:16 AM) Haisen: "Very well... I know a spot where we can hide on this road. You two, do what you need to do." Killis leads the party into another, smaller side clearing, which hadn't been used for the previous ambush because it was too close. Saken releases his hawk into the air as Belle rushes forward. Saken chants, and then a ray comes from the hawk, shooting toward the castle.
(1:30:16 AM) Haisen: Saken chants again, and the image of a man burning with golden fire appears, going toward the castle as well.
(1:30:59 AM) Haisen: Shortly after, Belle and the image come charging back on past, and then turning in opposite directions from each other. The hawk flies straight off into the distance
(1:31:24 AM) Haisen: It sounds almost as if a small army is coming through, running after them... But then, it's past.
(1:34:14 AM) ***Ulyssa would like to offer comforting words, but A. They're in the middle of a plan and B. GOD DAMN. Kineth just vastly outperformed any mortal being just then! How does one even compare themselves to that?! This troubles her, but since she can't explain why she just seems troubled.
(1:34:49 AM) Haisen: "...That should be it then." Kills gives Saken a pat on the back. "Good job! Now, we should hurry, and get into the fortress..."
(1:36:09 AM) Haisen: *Killis
(1:36:38 AM) Ulyssa: Nod nod! ONWARD!
(1:37:06 AM) Kineth: Onwards and upwards!
(1:37:13 AM) Kineth: Or just onwards! Whatever works!
(1:37:14 AM) Artemis-XE: Nothing to do but keep going. Let's get started.
(1:37:57 AM) Aelitethe: Let us go!
(1:40:52 AM) Haisen: The party makes their way up the road, toward the fortress. As they approach closely, they can hear voices from up above... They need to move quickly. Killis rushes over to a section of the wall a good deal to the right of the gate, beckoning to the others to follow
(1:41:03 AM) Aelitethe: Follow follow folow!
(1:41:17 AM) ***Ulyssa follows!
(1:41:49 AM) ***Artemis-XE also follows, as if he wouldnt.
(1:42:08 AM) ***Kineth follows on along.
(1:44:42 AM) Haisen: Killis begins pushing in on a number of bricks on the wall, carefully. He pauses to remember what comes next every now and then, but he seems to know it well. ...You can certainly see what he meant about "difficult to describe". The series is pretty long, with no apparent pattern, and the bricks are quite irregular as well. It's surprising that he could remember it, actually...
(1:44:54 AM) Aelitethe: "..."
(1:45:32 AM) Haisen: Eventually, however, a small hole opens in the wall, though easily large enough to squeeze through. Killis goes down legs first, followed by Saken and Tilia
(1:45:51 AM) ***Kineth follows behind, motioning for the others to follow
(1:46:13 AM) Aelitethe: Aelitethe hurriedly makes her way into the hole as well.
(1:46:24 AM) Artemis-XE: ...No sense in waiting. Get in the hole.
(1:47:22 AM) Ulyssa: Gettin in that hole!
(1:49:51 AM) Haisen: There's a short drop, before you all land in a small, dark room.  Killis pulls people away as soon as they land, making sure that no one lands on another person's face.
(1:51:09 AM) Aelitethe: "...?"
(1:53:21 AM) Haisen: "Alright, we're all here. I'm going to ask you simply to follow me from here on out, so we can get through... We may get into one fight on the way through, but at that place there's no way for an alarm to be called, and it should be more than manageable with so many guards missing."
(1:53:47 AM) Aelitethe: "Alright."
(1:53:51 AM) Artemis-XE: "Understood."
(1:53:58 AM) Ulyssa: Nod nod!
(1:54:10 AM) Kineth: "Right."
(1:55:24 AM) Artemis-XE left the room (quit: Read error: Connection reset by peer).
(1:55:36 AM) XephyrEnigma [~MobileXep@Rizon-76C5DD72.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com] entered the room.
(1:58:10 AM) XephyrEnigma is now known as Artemis-XE
(1:59:01 AM) Haisen: So Killis leads the group onward, through the passages in the cellars... Indeed, this place is lightly guarded now. Presumably this cellar has never been considered much of an issue. He leads them up the stairs, and then up more stairs, before stopping in front of large, decorated double doors.
(1:59:23 AM) Haisen: "...This is it. We should be prepared before we go in."
(1:59:37 AM) Aelitethe: "...Here goes nothing."
(2:01:14 AM) Artemis-XE: "Ready for anything."
(2:01:39 AM) Ulyssa: ...Nod!
(2:02:16 AM) Kineth: Also nod.
(2:02:55 AM) Haisen: The party prepares themselves, and Killis opens the doors, revealing an incredible sight... At the center of the room, something is chained. Wrapped completely in chains, even. The chains extend outward, going all across the room in almost a web, out into the walls tehmselves. There is a great magic circle with many symbols of the church... It's obvious to anyone with the slightest knowledge of magic or religion that they are symbols of sealing.
(2:03:01 AM) Haisen:  It's obvious to anyone with the slightest knowledge of magic or religion that they are symbols of sealing.
(2:03:41 AM) Haisen: Paladins and clerics stand throughout the room, and look toward you as you enter. One of the clerics speaks. "You! Who are you, and why do you intrude?! ...How do you intrude?!"
(2:05:01 AM) Aelitethe: "Oh... boy."
(2:05:40 AM) Artemis-XE: "...Damn it."
(2:06:18 AM) Kineth: "...Well, then."
(2:08:50 AM) Haisen: "Ahem..." Killis clears his throat. "While I'm sure the answer would fascinate you, were you willing to listen... We both know that you intend merely to kill us." He draws his swords. "Shall we cut to the chase?"