Retrieving the Crab King's Crown - Supernova Dev

[18:35] {NARRATION} Drip...

Drip...

The sounds of seawater falling from the roof of this caverns entrance had beckoned these children forwards.

Upon the cursed beach of The Kangs, any could notice the amount of crabs continually moving in and out of this cavernous abyss ahead of this group.

Whispers around having spoken of a giant crab wearing a crown being spotted within, some saying children who had since entered had never been found again.

Nevertheless, that didn't seem to deter the Mukbang group as they stared into this endless darkness which now stretched before them.

The only question now being, as crabs rushed in and out of this cavern would be...

Did the children dare continue forwards?

[18:42] The small dryad follows behind her friends as they approach the entrance to the crab king's lair.

Or, at least, what they think is the crab king's lair.

She moves over to Sima, to make certain that he's steadied being around this many crabs.

No words are spoken as the ivory girl takes up the back of the party, eyes flicking around constantly as she watches the red menaces scurry past.

Regardless of how reluctantly Sima follows, though, he would be slightly pushed forward as the dryad came up behind him.

...she totally isn't making sure he keeps going, or anything. Nooo.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[18:43] {NARRATION} Gradually, the light from the surface would fade.

With each and every step they took further within, the crabs which scurried out of their way only seemed to grow just that much more aggressive.

Snapping and clicking at these children, some even taking swipes with their claws towards that long and flowing hair of Ilui.

The darker this cavern became, the more depraved of light these children found themselves in would only allow for more and more aggressive acts.

Eventually, they could even hear crunching beneath their feet as that last glimmer of light would be lost in this darkness.

They'd need to do something to illuminate their way, if they wanted to continue forwards.

[18:48] As the light begins to fade, and the crab's actions increase in aggression, red embers would begin to form along the dryad's arms, and within her hair.

Once the light is gone, and the crunching beneath their feet begins, the embers would gather around her body, before it appears as if the Summerling dryad bursts into a bright, spontaneous flame, the ensuing heat beat enough to possibly keep some crabs back from the flame-wreathed girl's form- and those she's near.

A step is taken towards Sima, and she sends a few sparks of flame at a couple of the crabs in an attempt to ward them away from the blue-haired boy. After all, they need to protect the Kang.

She nods, agreeing with Thalia...

"Probably...maybe we could follow them...?"

Just an idle thought, but...it might actually work, if the crabs are going back to their king.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[18:53] {NARRATION} Thalia, Alesia and Aurora would light the way forwards!

Unluckily however, that seemed to show the children exactly the amount of crabs they were now facing down.

Just as Sima and Ilui slammed into a wall, unable to see where they were going that illumination would finally allow the rest of the group to witness it all.

The walls would be covered in these crustaceans, even the grounds not a single safe spot to step could be found as with every movement a crab was crushed beneath their legs.

Their attacks growing that much more vicious, with claws and strikes all aiming at to knock these children down!

Oh no!

One by one they now lunged forwards, aiming to strike this group before this mass of crabs.

[18:58] Upon the revelation that the crabs wwere more numerous than they though, and the yet further increased aggression of their attacks, the attempts to knock them to the ground...

Her fires flare around her, and the area heats further around her- not trying to kill the crabs, just...get them to move back, for the crabs to back away and let them proceed unimpeded.

That's the hope, at least. She doesn't want to kill the crabs, and even if this is their home...they've been infringing on Sima's for years.

Maybe this incursion would convince them to stop...?
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:02] {NARRATION} Wow!

Flames would dash across these creatures as nature and all kinds of magic had come to the assistance of one another.

The power imbued in the stars crushing these creatures, knocking them aside and clearing a path for these children to push forwards.

Be it killed by these children or simply pushed back, it hadn't mattered.

Other small crustaceans which had witnessed this violence quickly scurrying away, running back from the group in fear for their little crab lives.

The horror.

[19:08] Although there were a lot of crabs, it appears that they aren't very sturdy, truly.

The flame-wreathed Summerling did her best to try not to kill the assaulting wall of crab, but...fire magic isn't the most restrained of arts, and a number of them get scorched by defensive flames.

With the retreat of the crab army, or...the retreat of what was left of it, she can truly take in the amount of crabs that got cooked alive in the brief conflict.

...a frown crosses her face, and she shifts around slightly uncomfortably, before going over to Thalia and giving her a quick hug.

She doesn't say any words, just...a hug. Thalia knows why. They're the only fire magi here.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:10] {NARRATION} ...

Through such a horrific display they could only continue forwards it seemed.

The sounds of rushing waters and clicking in the distance, with each click sending another shockwave of winds down this seemingly endless descent of a cavern.

If any listened carefully, the children could swear they heard voices and sobbing inbetween the constant rush of water which sought to endlessly block such noises out.

All they could do now was continue forwards, they had pushed past the gauntlet of crabs.

[19:16] Forward is the only way to complete their quest, so...onwards they go. Fire still wraps the Summerling as they continue, although it's a tinge paler than usual, and a frown crosses her face every so often.

Those flames get battered around with each set of rushing winds, and until her companions pointed out the voices, she couldn't really make them out.

With them drawn to her attention, however, something a random fisherman on the beach told them springs back to her mind...

"...guys, didn't one of those people outside the cave tell us that children that came in here went missing...?"

Then Sima asks his question. She gives him a glance. It's the 'that's literally why we're here' glance.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:20] {NARRATION} Further...

Further...

With every step towards that fabled crown whispered to reside deep beneath the surface, the children had eventually come to a roadblock.

Even as Sima spoke in a bold and brash tone for seemingly no reason at all, those cries and screams would refuse to die down.

Eventually, the children would reach their first road block.

A door, forged of steel with iron bars cascading down from the rocky cieling above.

Crabs, slipping through these bars to escape these children and dive further into the cavern.

How did crabs build doors? Who knew, perhaps a human long ago had used this cavern for something far more sinister.

Nevertheless.

Upon the door was a single lock, with an inscription dug into this steel door.

'How many humans will survive against The King Crab?' Engraved upon this door.

A single number combination, whoever had designed this door clearly not the brightest.

[19:24] As they reach the roadblock, the steel door, laced with iron bars- and a combination lock with one number.

How many humans will survive against The King Crab? Well...

They're all going to beat it, together, so that number would be six...but, that said?

She has to agree with her brother. From the eyes of The Crab King, none would survive against it.

Moments after Ilui speaks, she does as well.

"Ilui's right..."
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:25] {NARRATION} ...

Which do the children input into this single lock combination?

Someone has to step forwards and actually turn the dial, afterall.
[19:26] Alesia steps forward, and inputs zero.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:26] Aurora pushes others out of her way to input SIX.
(Aurora Elisheva)
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[19:28] Alesia stands from the ground, slowly, and then, if allowed, inputs zero...
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:31] {NARRATION} Creek...

Slowly the door would begin to creek open, gradually giving a path for these children to move forwards.

Those cries and screams had all seemed silent now, no crabs stood upon the other side waiting for them.

The air had grown still, all the children needed to do now was...

Take that final stride into the next room, where a massive opening could clearly be seen.
[19:34] Since she had been the one to input the correct number, that sets her up the closest to the door when it opens.

Which, of course, means Aurora probably bullrushes her way in first.

If she can take the initiative, though, the flame-wreathed Summerling would bend down, and toss a rock through the ominous portal that she had just opened.

She doesn't really want to go in there. It's kind of scary. So...it's probably worth checking to see if something is on the other side.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:39] {NARRATION} Horror.

Nature had overtaken this portion of the cavern as vines hung from the ceiling with moss glossed over most every stone.

Such, however would hopefully be of little concern to those which had stepped forth.

Spread out upon a stone table was hundreds of body parts, heads of those severed and limbs all being plucked up by this massive crowned crustacean which now sat before the group.

Feasting away on this endless mass of food, pinching the ends of a human arm to push that filling right into the crabs mouth.

This, this was where those which had fallen victim to this caverns horrors would end up.

As a Mukbang for this King of Crabs.

Those beedy black eyes settled upon the group just as they entered, claws idly clicking and tapping away as the creature only watched...

Waiting to see the groups next move.

[19:51] Unfortunately, as she worried about, her sister barges in first. Well...at least she's consistent?

Also unfortunately, the rest of the group are forced to follow behind her or risk leaving her to whatever horrible things lay behind the door...

And...horrible is an understatement to the monstrosity they witness within.

Their target is found, the King of Crabs...feasting on an entire table of body parts.

Instantly, the Summerling dryad retches- but nothing comes out. She hadn't much eaten today.

Steeling herself against the sight...and inevitable smell, once they get closer to the monstrous creature.

Her fires begin to gather in her hand, along her arms, around her entire body as a fury fills her.

This creature has killed how many people, to bring this mass of rotting flesh to its table.

The flame-wreathed dryad is disgusted.

Whether this is the creatures home or not, this is unacceptable.

The amount of suffering spirits in here must be limitless...she's going to have to ask Ilui to help with a cleansing, once they've killed the King of Crabs.

And with that, she steps forward, ready to begin throwing a large array of burning heat at the glutton at the table.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[19:51] {NARRATION} Screams.

Such horror in their eyes mixed with screams would send chills throughout the body of this massive monstrosity.

One claw quickly rushing forwards towards that puking boy as if not giving a second for the children to even so much as collect themselves.

The monster would wait for none.

It's feast would not be cut short by a group of those seeking to claim the crown for themselves.

Mourning and disgust would have to wait it seems, the group had mere seconds to steel and ready themselves for the heat of battle.

That...

Or become victim to this monster once more.

[19:55] As it turns out, having already prepared herself to fight the giant crab monster was the correct action to take, as she's forced into it as the creature begins by attacking Percy.

While it's focused on Percy, however, she rushes forward to attempt to begin scorching the crab, trails of flame left behind her.

There was a time where they could have acted with the initiative, but they lost that.

They might as well strike back in an attempt to reclaim it.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[20:19] {NARRATION} Crash!

Thalia would be the first to meet the blows of this monstrous King of The Crabs. The claw immediately knocking this girl aside as Percival was pushed to safety, her body sent spiraling into the walls of this cavern.

Quick as ever to regroup.

Blows would repeatedly knock aside pieces of this monsters shell, hundreds of crabs all watching from their holes in the distance as their King was slowly being knocked aside.

By a group of children, no less.

Piece by piece that armor upon this monster was stripped away, slowly but surely they would continue upon this offense which none could defend against.

Sima and Percival being crushed under the weight of these claws, slamming down upon each and knocking them into these stone grounds.

A small crater being left where that blow had struck them, luckily leaving nothing more than superficial injuries.

Thank goodness Magi were so durable.

Nonetheless, as their friends were knocked down... Quickly being picked apart it was Thalia to rush forwards ahead of all others.

Eager and ready to deliver that final blow.

[20:32] The flame-wreathed Summerling launched volley after volley of burning flames at the King of Crabs, nimbler footwork than her first encounter with a crab monstrosity being brought to bear.

It appears the dryad has actually been training.

She dodges and ducks and weaves out of the way of numerous beams of water, rings of malicious waters, and even manages to avoid the flooding torrents that fill the field of battle. Mostly, at least.

While she could not do anything to prevent the creature from crushing her cousins into the ground, she can rush over to finish of the King of Crabs...but Thalia beats her to it.

She witnesses her cousin send a blast of super-heated wind through the monster's shell, straight through its body, causing it to topple to the ground with a loud 'thud'.

With the King of Crabs thoroughly crushed by Thalia, the Summerling can only stand, slightly wavering in place to catch her breath, any remnants of water being evaporated with each passing second.

Once she has, she turns to her brother, and speaks to him.

"We should...perform a cleansing...for the spirits of those the former-King killed..."

Even as she suggests this to Ilui, she's already looking through her pack for a suitable sacrifice.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[20:37] "Sure, sure.."

Glancing towards his sister, the Dryad reached into his sleeve. Bringing out a knife, and readying himself to do the ritual!
(Ilui Elisheva)
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[20:49] The flame-wreathed Summerling moves over next to the table with the feast of corpses, and kneels down in-front of it.

She withdraws her chosen sacrifice from within the bag at her side, a collection of roasted crabs, and sets them upon the table.

Her head bows, and she offers a short prayer to the collected spirits.

"We're sorry for the suffering you have been through. Please accept these offerings, in recompense for the injustice brought upon you."

With her own offering laid down, and her prayer given...she waits for Ilui to place his upon the table, flames gathering within her arms.

It is easy to tell what she plans to do after he has given his offering.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[20:56] Standing off to the side, the Dryad watched as the girl stepped forwards, placing her offerings onto the table.

Yet, as he steps forwards, he doesn't speak about those who had died, no.

Instead a blade was brought out of his sleeve, a single cut being made across his palm as he held it out. Allowing for the crimson ichor to drip onto the table as he spoke,

".. I'm giving this offering to the spirits around this cave. The ones that make up the water around us, the ones that make up the ground we walk on. The air we breath.."

Slowly shaking his head, it seemed that he didn't have anything to say about those who had died. Or the crab itself. Just the spirits of the area, shuffling back as his hands moved to rest behind his back.

Just waiting for his sister to continue on with the ritual.
(Ilui Elisheva)
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[21:02] With Ilui's part in the ritual of cleansing accomplished, the ivory dryad's flames build, and build, and build...until they surge out to enwrap the table in a burning blaze of purifying flames.

She fuels the fires for minutes on minutes, until everything atop it is reduced to ash. The flames recede, leaving only smoldering dust on the former King of Crab's table.

"Please, spirits, be at rest now. Your cave is restored to you. Your bodies returned to ash, to return to the cycle."

Her head bows again, for several moments, before she raises it to look to Ilui.

"...is there anything else you'd like to say?"

If he doesn't? Then thus marks the end of their ritual of cleansing.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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[21:11] Once it's all said and done, the Dryad shuffled back. Slowly shaking his head to and fro,

".. That's it, from me. As long as the Spirits of the area are given proper sacrifice, then I'm content."

.. That's right. Sadly, he didn't have much to say on the people who had died. It's a bit strange, yet right now, that's just how they felt. It was just unfortunate. But that doesn't mean he was going to spill his blood for them.

Glancing over towards his sister, a faint smile found its way onto his features. Giving a firm nod towards her,

"We should get back, though."
(Ilui Elisheva)
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[21:13] With a nod, the Summerling's flames fall off of her body, splashing against the stone of the cave floor.

"...yes. We should go back with the others..."

And then, the ritual of cleansing wholly completed, she would go to join her brother in returning to the group, to return home.
(Alesia Elisheva)
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