Witchy Woman 2/20 (CoD)

Caelus and his two companions cross into the large forests of Esshar. Near the entrance, they can see mist already forming, trailoing out like waves of water in the air. They can hear voices, whispers in the air, but none are coherent. It's obviously the place they searched for, but it feels dangerous at the same time.

The travel wasn't exactly easy, but at least it wasn't impossible to get to! Would the party continue...?
[16:31] Dun would plod along with the pair of youths as he puffed away contently on his corncob pipe, clicking his missing toothed grin together with a bark of jovial laughter as he glanced over the locale. Needless to say, the warlord found this endeavor an amusing pastime, certainly one worthy of his attention if nothing else.

"Ah yes, Caelus. My dear replacement. Don't mind the mask, it is still I, Mister Task. This helps...keep my....eyesockets from getting infecteeed? Something like that, yeah."

The clown warlord would nod firmly, his black sabatons trudging on without fear into the dangerous expanse before them. Theria had hardened him more than even a decade of service in the watch, and at this point he was more than ready to rumble if circumstance brought it forth.
(Dun)
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 Sure, bringing the previous Commander with him who'd retired was a bit rude of the man but who could blame him? Three energy magi taking a well-deserved vacation from the garbage heap named Esshar… From the Demons and snow they made their way into the lush forests within the continent.

"Truth be told I'm actually surprised you came, Task. Glad to see the invitation made it to your hands." Flashing a tired smile towards his previous Commander his gaze soon hits Lumi. "And-- Hopefully you're doing well, both of you. Stars know this'll be... Interesting."

With a light huff he'd turn his attention back towards the entrance before them. Misty waves were here to greet them, and was he to turn back now? Absolutely not.

Chuckling briefly he'd nod towards Dun's explanation for the mask. "Whatever helps... Regardless, let's see what we can find mh?" With that said he'd begin treading forward.

No fear.
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Mist forming? Confusion deeply in the air as he traveled along side Caelus..and technically his boss Dun? He still never figured that one out honestly. But then again..who really cared?

A half shrug from Lumi as he carred along. Making sure his blade was tightly wrapped in black cloth as he whistled ever so slightly...Wait, What did Dun say? Perhaps over the voices that whispered in the air he would still follow along..wait. He needed to back up two paces slightly.


"Wait...Dun, Your name is actually Task? Since when? But uh..Just lead the way Caelus I can make mythril kits when i'm back home if we uhm...get injured."
(Lumi Fenrir)
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{NARRATION} Continuing into the forest, in the edges of their view, they could almost see- almost sense other presences. However, they vanish as soon as they attempt to see or sense them out. As they continue, they'd notice that few animals existed. A few birds, but that was it.

Soon enough, they came towards a clearing in the forest. They could hear singing, gentle and youthful. A young lady's voice carried through the forest. As they entered said clearing, they could see a young woman, barely into her twenties if that, sitting on the ground.

Surrounded by a black cat, a crow, and several rats. How interesting. She didn't seem to notice the group... Yet.
[16:38] Dun could sense the general pitter patter of animal life around him in spite of the fact that he could not see, a benefit of being completely blind as came with having no eyes. The general flow of mana and life about his person was more than enough of a sensory cacophony to keep him attentive, even if the exact imagery wasn't fully there.

Filling in the blanks was the fun part most of the time, anyways.

Arriving at the stop, the clown warlord would halt as he thoughtfully sensed the woman upon the ground, doing his best to gauge her emanation of mana as he puffed away steadily on his corncob pipe, blowing a cloud of minty smoke up towards the distant horizon as his blind visage flicked between her and the various animals.

"Hmm.....various animals, strange young woman, middle of nowhere. Definite witch, let's burn her."
(Dun)
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At least the forest was almost tranquil...Almost. Keeping to his quiet humming as he looked around the area as soon enough? Presences came and went. A thin line on his face as he noted only a few animals were truly around.

But upon the mystic band of friends? Or perhaps they could be called the Mystic ring? It was still something else to see as he blinked and stared at the woman on the ground. Keeping that same humming tone before he nudged Dun and Caelus.


After all..he wasn't really trying to disturb nature. Or rather the animals..even if his stomach growled ever so slightly. Only to stop his humming and stared at Dun. "I...Why would you even burn her? I mean..maybe we can just ask if she has I don't know..Food first? I'm..kinda hungry and i'm all out of uh..meat."

There was a small pause as just when Lumi said that? He pulled out the last bits of raw meat that he had as hetook a few chomps out it before devouring it completely.
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 It's a strange thing to experience what is the sensation of another's mana nearby. Was someone watching them? Who knew! Yet Iberl's light is soon to draw about the Lunaris's frame, providing him slight comfort in this misty ocean they'd treaded into.

Upon entering the clearing his brow begins to furrow. So many animals-- Was this simply a Druid or Sound magi?.. Perhaps even a witch. Briefly gritting his jaw he'd dip his attention towards the other two before stepping towards the woman.

To burn or not to burn? That was the question.

"Let's... At least give her a benefit of the doubt. Could just be a druid-- You remember when those walked around? I do, but apparently everyone just gave into Occultism."

Pulling his lips into a thin line he'd let out a huff. Stars, he could still remember the discussion around the tea table with Ravan and them... He missed them.

But, no fear. He'd call out towards the woman and begin treading forward. "Hello! Do you know anything about the spire in the woods here, or?.."
(Caelus Lunaris)
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{NARRATION} The woman stopped singing, her violet eyes turning towards the trio. Standing up, she turned around- holding a pure white rabbit in her arms. Tilting her head, she gazed at Dun first, frowning, then towards Caelus.

Her expression was tired, maybe even saddened. Still, she bowed her head down, narrowing her gaze and staring at the various animals on the ground. Setting the rabbit down, she motioned with her hand- and the creatures fled.

"The Spire is at the heart of this forest," Stated the woman, before pausing,"But you can't get to it, not right now. Is that the reason you're here? To get the spire and destroy it... Or maybe you're here to steal it? I don't know..."
[16:45] Briefly glancing back towards Dun he'd shrug his shoulders. No witch burning today-- Or at least for now. It was an absolute gamble on that end of whether this woman truly did mean to curse them as they approached the spire later on or not...

Still, he held faith that they may just be lost here; Worse, even a spirit within here.

"The plan is to inspect it and just figure out what it does... I'm more so curious how it's linked to energy magic itself, but--" Pausing he'd knit his brow and continue his slow approach towards the woman.

"What do you mean we can't get to it right now?"
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun was particularly attuned to the woman's singing, a likely benefit of having one less sense with which to distract him from the melodic repose. His hearing was greatly sharpened for lack of his sight, and with clarity he could gauge a siren's song when he heard it. The clown warlord had learned long ago not to trust strangers in the middle of nowhere, and this was no different.

The clown warlord would nod firmly, giving the woman a thumbs down as he barked out in laughter with a firm shake of his head, blowing a cloud of minty smoke up towards the distant horizon of the foresty landscape with an idle cackle.

"You bet your keister we're going to steal it! And nothing is going to stop us from getting there right now! Absolutely. Now, the question is, are you going to try and stop us from taking that which is rightfully ours as adventurers?"
(Dun)
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 {NARRATION} Narrowing her eyes, the woman seemed to to glare at Dun. Dun specifically. She gripped her tiny hands into fists, speaking quietly.

"That's always the same thing. Both of you... Adventurers before you have tried, stealing it, destroying it, whatever they want. At least this man... Has the audacity to be truthful about his intentions."

She closed her eyes, before speaking quietly,"If you're so intent on taking it, then I'll tell you this. It's not worth it. You may only take the Spire if you kill me, and I will not let you end my path. I may be alone in the end... But these spirits here are mine. They're mine, and I won't let you take my -Friends- away from me."

She grit her teeth together, a deep shadow beginning to overwhelm her person. With a distortion, she stepped forward, holding her hand forward.

Versus: The Witch of Spirits
[16:54] The Lunaris has to do an actual double take as Task declares he wants to full on steal the spire. Holy shit, this really was going to go south quick.

"Wai--" Caelus began just as the shadows began to overwhelm her person. Letting out a slow sigh he can only shake his head as the runeblade is withdrawn.

"Well... Hopefully this may put you fully at rest at least. Whether this brings you to a rightful resting place or your loved ones-- So be it. I didn't want it to be like this, but..."

So be it. With the ethereal wings peeling into existence on the middle of his upper back two flaps send him airborne. Ready to strike, ready to fight, the Commander remains aloft with his blade held at the ready as raw energy curves along the blade's edge.

At least someone was sleeping well tonight.
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 "So...Are spirits considered raw meat? If so I need some.." The strangest comment that Lumi had actually said here before he quite sat down on the ground for a few moments. Unwrapping the black cloth around his blade before an almost mana like smoke began to waft from it. Grumbling something about having to re-wrap it up later as he stood back up again. Looking towards Dun and Caelus.


"Sorry uhm..Spirit lady? If it helps you feel any better i'm a wild animal so I let others do the talking for me! Mostly...Please give me food.." Like a typical wild animal..But then again? What else could the man do when he got into a low crouching stance. Teeth barred as if already lined with..some time of etherial fangs?

Maybe he was more animal than man..After all, he was the mad dog...
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 Dun would cackle with cheer as he slapped the black plate of his cuirass with mirth, the metal idly clanking as he puffed away steadily on his corncob pipe without even a hint of fear. The former watch commander and present warlord possessed not even a hint of unwillingness to engage in whacky shenanigans and dangerous adventure, and this was in truth just the cherry on top with their sudden attitude.

"Damn straight. The difference is that unlike them, we're not punk bitches! We shall seize the treasure, punch the trouble, and make out like kings like the energy magi we are! And there's not a damned thing you'll be able to do about it hussy!"

The clown warlord would raise his fist, offering a middle finger to the witch, shaking his head firmly as he sensed upon the magister with a degree of grit and mastered resolve, his permeation of will absolute after years of training. Igniting forth in a shroud of brilliant blue, dense mana, his musculature would bulk out and surge forth with strength in response to the challenge at hand.

"We'll KILL THOSE SPIRITS TOO. NO FEAR."
(Dun)
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{NARRATION} The woman was sent backwrds, slashed and hacked by the men, destroyed and utterly beaten by them all as well. She tumbled, before shattering.

Wait, shattering?

She vanished without a trace, and a voice called out, solemn and quiet.

"Before you come forth and kill me... give it some thought. We could rule this forest together, you know. We could be friends... But you'll probably kill me anyway. I await..."
{NARRATION}
If a person has their Vitality lowered by 100 total, they will die. Elixirs may be used, and lax essences are also able to be used to avoid this.
 It..was painful. Why was it always shadows and illusionary magic? It was..honestly? A kind of a relief. With how everything was going and the fact as he..well, continued to run face first into quite literally everything that the witch threw out.


At some points? Falling down due to the weight of the world. At other times? The surge of the battle carried him onward, as if not the ancesters..but the very spirits of the animals that carried him through it all, like an untamed and unrestrained feral animal.


Slash, dash, cripple and of course..chomp. He had no restraint, after all. He didn't exactly...follow the norms of traditonal fighting. But with the witch down and out for the count? He actually called out to the voice!

"Hey so..uhm..No hard feelings but, I don't exactly want to kill you either..Personally? I'm as I said before..a wild animal. Therefore...Can we like, instead rule together? It..seems nice here honestly."

It..was an actually honest question. Lumi was just here on the whims of a friend..then again, he was also promised raw meat from Caelus..Right?
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 This was a wild, wild fight. Witch or Spirit this woman was ducking in and out of shadows much like the demon he'd fought before. Still a bit weathered from that mana-draining bite he found himself losing ground...

Yet Iberl keeps him aloft. Ethereal mana remains a constant on the blade's edge thanks to the runes alone. Strike by strike he'd make his own marks on the woman through the course of the battle; Streaks of raw energy cutting through the air as mana peels off the blade's edge.

All up until Lumi shatters the woman, her voice echoing through the clearing. Furrowing his brow he'd draw in a slow breath, a glance shared to the other two energy magi nearby.

"Honestly? I'm alright with that-- Ruling this forest to perhaps create some form of reserve for those of similar minds... Though that could be fleshed out later on. A place, perhaps, away from corruption that lies within the Order itself."

The Lunaris spat, a moody huff escaping past him before he rolls his shoulder forward. Whether Dun agreed with the duo or not he'd continue strolling on forward.

"Though I'm still curious!.. What exactly is this spire?"
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun would dance around the sea of dark magic with an actor's grace, seeing the battlefield as a mere stage for his performance as he lunged forth with blackened fists and hardened kicks. Each ruthless delivery of concussive blows was followed by a flourish, a display of show in the name of unrefined mana as the clown warlord did his best to deliver judgement upon the witch.

Though he was bitterly assailed, the blind warlord would continue to wither the occultist from the distance with his weathered, calloused palms, delivering manifested nostalgia in a concentrated manner to ensure she was entirely open for Lumi's assault. It was time, after all, for the crescendo.

The glorious finale.

"NO FEAR LUMI, EAT THAT WITCH. SHE WOULD HAVE EATEN YOU IF SHE HAD THE CHANCE. ANARCHY, CLOWN GANG, WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"

The clown would shout into the air before pointing his finger pistol at the witch, just barely resisting pulling the trigger as he awaited to see the actions of Caelus and Lumi on the matter.

"Unless she has any useful information, which we should extract before we kill them."
(Dun)
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{NARRATION} There was one last reply before her voice disappeared entirely.

"A spire that was enchanted with the powers of an evil demon, one that bound me to this place, and even more the spirits of others... If you reall want to join me? Come to the Spire."

"Come, to the spire."

... The voice disappeared, and the mist parted to open a pathway.
[17:29] Looking back at Caelus before squinting towards Dun. He wasn't about to eat a spirit...yet. There was another small shrug as he let out a hyena like laugh as he shethed his blade and...crouched down on all fours before literally bounding off towards the pathway.


"Oiy! Caelus, Dun, cmon! We have a spirit forest to rule over. Maybe we can make it our home or whatever for mystical shenanagins!"

And he'd wait for them before bounding off even further down the path. Like a true wild animal after all.
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 Ah, a demon-blessed spire... That binds spirits to this place.

…

This... This probably had to go. Drawing in a slow breath he'd keep his thoughts to himself for the moment being. What if the spirits didn't want to go? To instead stay and live out their lives as a single being and to not join the cycle of resurrections.

Was that evil?

Well he'd mull on that as they continued forward. Letting a dry, tired chuckle push past his lips he'd follow along as Lumi just goes purely into animalistic-traits. They were strange, truly.

… Perhaps this wouldn't be too bad a place?
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun would point down towards the ground as the foul witch attempted to mislead the noble adventurers with her AMBIENT LIES AND SHENANIGANS, shaking his head firmly in disgust upon the matter as he grit his teeth with ambient determination. The warlord was not fooled by this trickery, of that there was no doubt!

"The only way we're gonna rule this forest is by whacking whoever else is in charge, stealing all of their treasure, and making out like BANDITS LUMI. SHE WAS A WITCH, WE SHOULD'A BURNED HER DAMMIT!"

The clown would kick his black sabatons against the ground with a grumble, shaking his head as he snapped his fingers with a nod before plodding forth down the misty path, not an ounce of fear in his heart as he prepared to advance. This was the way of things after all.

Energy magi possessed no limits.
(Dun)
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 {NARRATION} The group continued onwards, further into the forest. The deeper they went, the thicker that mist got, and the louder the whispers were.

Then, after some time, they made it to yet another clearing. There, though, they sighted a ring of mushrooms. A large one, covering most of the clearing.

And in the middle? A kid. Or maybe a young teenager. He was sickly looking, with deathly pale skin and skeletal structure, looking horribly emaciated.

What would they do?

 Another clearing? Well, it was to be expected in this misty mess of a forest full of mysteries. Then came the whispers that brought him far closer to skepticism... Lips press into a thin line once more.

This was going to be interesting.

"Another spirit most likely." Caelus commented idly, soon stepping towards the mushrooms and child. "Did you perish in here, young one? From the looks of things you're starving..."

A light hum is held in his throat before he pulls out a covered bowl from his pack. It's held aloft, offered should the kid take it. "Want it?" Raising his brow he'd peer one back, just waiting for something to happen with those he'd brought.
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun would follow along with a contented whistle as he clapped his calloused palms together, mulling over the recent events in his life to himself in a degree of modest excitement as he prepared for whatever came forth before them. It was a normal outing for him in truth these days, danger this and trouble that.

It kept him alive, even if it risked his life.

The warlord would pause as they approached the clearing and its woodsy ensemble, senses focused not upon the ring of mushrooms he could not see more than the ambient flicker of occultic magic that coalesced before him.

He saw no child, after all, no young teen. He could not see. But he did sense the energy, the corruptive taint of the very magic possessed by she who had just assailed them.

Dun had no fear.

Raising his right arm, the clown warlord would level a finger gun at the skeletal child, musculature bulking forth with condensed mass and fiber density as he focused his unrefined mana into a needle point, before in a sudden gesture he'd proceed to attempt to gun the child down without fear.

As the clown gods intended.
(Dun)
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 With the forest growing thicker and thicker the further they went in? It was..almost getting harder to see. As if he was blind for some reason...or maybe that was just his poor eyesight in his slightly feral state.

Then they made it into another clearing! But this time? A ring of mushrooms surrounding a litteral child. This...was too sketchy. But before anything else?

His eyes stared at Caelus briefly before his eyes turned towards Dun and stared with a deadpan stare. Did...he just anakin a child?


But this? "Dun..you just shot a literal child. Not only a child, a spirit child."
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 Dun says, "..."
 Dun says, "You're goddamned RIGHT."
 Lumi Fenrir says, "Oh my god.."
 Caelus Lunaris asks, "... TASK WHAT THE FUCK!?"
 Dun says, "SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO SHOOTABLE CAELUS."
 Dun says, "NOT MY FAULT."
 Lumi Fenrir says, "YOU DON'T HAVE EYES HOW CAN YOU TELL."
{NARRATION} The boy ended up being shot by the needle. It pierced through flesh- real flesh, not spiritual flesh, and the kid didn't move for a moment, before...

He moved slightly, rolling onto his back and opening his eyes- his RED eyes. He screamed aloud, in pain and agony. Clawing at the injury, he rolled around, howling in agony.

The mushrooms began to rot. Whatever enchantment was on them failing as the boy began to amass power...
[17:46] Lumi blinked once...then twice...Before letting out another sigh as he looked towards the mushrooms. The magical presence in the air was..staggering. But clearly it was some circle of runes right?


What better way to counter a circle of runes..than to add his own circle of runes right around it. Keeping his sword drawn as he half walked, half jumped towards the very outside of the ring. Doing the best he could to speedly right down anti-nature runes into the very ground.


Being an artificer here..was the devils work. But honestly? He really didn't want to see what power was growing from these mushrooms...He really didnt.

(Lumi Fenrir)
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 Task shot them. TASK LITERALLY SHOT A DYING SPIRIT KID. Caelus wasn't only bewildered he was angered. Why'd they do that!? As the boy howls in agony, red eyes rolling around as they amassed in power, the Lunaris quickly retreats.

"Good fucking Stars--" He groaned, the blade once more withdrawn from its scabbard as the runes spark to life. Once more energy trails along its edge, his focus slipping through the created extension of his mana.

Through his mastery of mana he'd grown control over its expulsion. From it? His blade's edge grew sharper at molecular levels-- Raw energy making its point precise enough to shred even the toughest of foes.

If Lumi's runes failed? He was more than ready to fight.
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun possessed no regret as he blew upon his finger with a smile, cackling with glee at a successful shot despite the fact that he was blind. The clown prince of Theria was a marksman like few others when he possessed both of his eyes, and it appears that dexterity and sense of aim hadn't entirely left him with the loss of his eyes.

"Bullseye! Get destroyed you witch! AHAHAHAHAH. Shouldn't have witched around and committed witchery if you didn't want to get shot you little shit! I'll shoot you again, I WILL, NO FEAR. DON'T GIVE ME ANY MOUTH OR ELSE."

The clown warlord would wave his finger gun around in the air like an absolute madman, prepared with full intention to shoot the kid again if he tried to start trouble without an ounce of regret or conniption. Maybe the little shit kid shouldn't have given him an attitude by not being able to be seen by the blind clown if he didn't want to die.

"You'll growto be six feet under before you ever hit six feet over you FILTHY FUCKING MUNCHKIN."
(Dun)
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 {NARRATION} The boy rolled to all fours, growling and bleeding horribly still. His teeth sharp like a wolf, his eyes slit like a snake. He was clearly feral.

The mushroom ring began to rot even more with the rune's help, but that wasn't in assistance with what was going on... Because as the mushrooms faded? The seal on the boy broke entirely.

Shadows and Occultic magic FLEW upwards, the boy crying out in pain. "HUn...GRY... HUNGRY... HUNGRY!"

He picked up a stick- and charged.

Versus: Starved Demon Child.
[17:52] "...No one judge me for what will happen after this.."


There was a resounding sigh from lumi as the runes..only seemed to speed up the process of mushrooms rotting. Shaking his head and copying the childs stance as well before letting out a feral growl in his own stead. The feral child..verses another feral man.


This? Was quite literally a good cop, clown cop...and feral cop. But at least..he wasn't as hungry as the apparently angry and starving child.
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 Lumi's runes failed, the mushrooms rotting away under the pressure that the boy exuded. It was such a strange set of events-- A feral-looking child who screamed bloody murder for food. This spirit had to be placed to rest...

Wait, spirits didn't bleed. This was an actual monster-- Pointing his blade forward his free hand begins to conjure up the usual orb of raw mana. It thins, drawing itself into what would be a thin stick as his concentration began molding it.

Gradually it forms itself into a thin blade. Dual-wielding blades the Lunaris takes one step back, wings spreading along his back as his main weapon is pointed towards the child.

"Screw it-- Put it to rest. This kid's suffered more than enough."
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 "I am physically incapable of seeing what you're going to do after this, Lumi, it would be impossible to judge you even if I cared what happened."

Dun would clap his calloused palms together with sheer excitement, cackling with glee as he prepared to engage against the filthy demon child without mercy or regret. They had made the mistake of being in the way of Dun's entertainment, of daring to occupy a demesne near the rightful treasure of the clown prince.

A fatal error.

Taking a deep breathe, the warlord would suddenly enshroud himself once more in a dense, pulsating veil of rich, ethereal mana, his musculature surging with might as he prepared to put this kid down like he was in a kill shelter but an orphanage.

He was about to get late term aborted like it was nobody's business.

"I call his allowance and possibly his lunch money. We'll see if his parents were poor or not after we loot the corpse."
(Dun)
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 {NARRATION} The boy ended up being smashed backwards, horrible screeching and garghling audible as he smashed into a tree. Sliding down, there was a low whimper as he tried to crawl back to his feet.

It was a perfect time to end the creature's life, at least. Blood seeping through every injury, the child stared upwards, feral eyes bloodied.
[18:09] Good Stars this poor lad was suffering more and more as they were tossed about. Slicing and dicing away at the child's assault Caelus makes quick work in his assaults. A whirling, bladed death machine that couldn't hold back for someone suffering like the lad before him.

The ethereal blade is constantly changed during their attack; Blobs of raw energy help slow the feral child down, others the tip of this blue blade shot devastating beams to stagger them in their assault.

It's upon the final rush that he finds himself questioning his next move. Does he really end this child's suffering, or take the chance in rehabilitating it?.. Carried aloft those mana-filled wings the Lunaris glides in for the final strike; The ethereal blade pulled back as it swings--

Cutting the child's head off, separating them from their form as he lands beside them. They didn't have a chance in getting the child back home-- Nor the supplies to tend to their wounds.

This was a better alternative to just letting them bleed to death. A swift execution was given.

With a soft sigh escaping Caelus he'd begin to stand back up, the ethereal blade now dissipating back into the ether. That was the right judgement call, right?.. It had to be.
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun would engage in a wondrous dance with the demon child, cackling with clown glee as he hopped from black sabaton to black sabaton amongst the mushroomed clearing. The clown warlord was used to such chaotic circumstances, and was more than prepared enough to engage in another great battle of note.

Luckily for him, his lack of eyesight did not prevent him from sensing the boiling occultic fire that traced across the ground, allowing him a relative safety net in which to wither the demonic child down with brutality and ambient malevolence as he slapped his black plate along in a merry cacophony in sheer celebration of the endeavor.

Yet, all good things must come to an end, and as Caelus proceeded to decapitate the youth in an attempt at a peaceful, dignified death, the clown did what came natural to preserve the entertainment of the spectacle in his own manner of being.

He'd point his finger gun at the child, and proceed to let out a flurry of blasts into its apparent corpse, riddling it with holes as he cackled outwardly with a boisterous chuckle.

"That's what you get you orphan piece of shit."
(Dun)
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{NARRATION} The demon child was quickly executed. Then his body was horribly decimated by the man known as Dun.

There was little left, other than giblets.

The party could continue...
[18:21] Crunching up his nose he found himself fighting a battle over the child they'd just killed. Could it have become better if they'd been more prepared? With a soft hum in his throat he'd slowly shake his head to himself-- There wasn't a way to avoid it after the first initial blow from Dun.

"Well... Let's see what else is standing between us and the Spire then." Forcing a slight smile onto his lips he'd motion them along as he continued on the path.

"Let's try to at least assess the things before us before we do anything? Please?- I doubt we truly need to fire our way through these woods, but... That may have changed just now."

Caelus shrugged; Sometimes it wasn't avoidable. "We'll see as we go I suppose."
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 Dun would dust his hands off at a job well done as he nodded steadily with mirth, puffing away on his corncob pipe contently as he released the child from their mortal confines with a ruthless display of energy magic and general, gibbing vaporization.

It was good to be a clown.

The warlord would pace along down the path that was no longer blocked with a genuine, mirthful chuckle, smiling to himself in contentment at a job well done as he imagined the look on that kid's parents face if he'd seen the giblets left over after their celebration.

Eudi would find this rich, no doubt.

"Hmm, assess? Is that a fancy word for shoot first, ask questions later? I agree Caelus! We're going to ASSESS THE SHIT OUT OF THEM. WITH VIOLENCE. GLORIOUS, SANGUINARY VIOLENCE. OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOH!"
(Dun)
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{NARRATION} The clearing up ahead could be seen from several dozen feet away. There was a grand, silver and glowing spire in the middle of said clearing. Surrounding it was a ritual circle drawn in fresh blood.

There, standing in front of the circle, was the witch. She turned towards the group, her expression still forlorn, saddened.

Lonely.

Folding her hands together, she stared at the group, the shade of an even stronger being behind her... Staying.

"You've come. And you freed that beast... I suppose I couldn't keep him even if I tried. He was too feral." She seemed depressed, really.

"Did you decide?"
[18:28] "Welll..I know I did. I want to rule the forest! Cause..honestly? It looks really pretty...but then again. A certain clown here is more than likely going to attack you so...i'm not sure what to do really."


There was a half shrug as his eyes glanced towards the shade behind her. Staring at it briefly before looking further back and noticing...the glowing spire from it.

A thin line formed on Lumi's face as he apparently decided to start walking like a normal human at some point. Rubbing his face ever so slightly before shrugging his shoulders. "So like...can I still rule the forest with you even if he attacks? Cause..I can't exactly hold him back sooo..."
(Lumi Fenrir)
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 Dun could sense the intoxicating power of the silver spire even from a distance, the benefit of possessing no visual senses in which to distract his perception from the emanation of energy. The clown prince was growing excited, this meant with certainty the treasure was near!

Glorious loot, idle trinkets, more violence! Oh joy, oh joy!

The clown prince would swagger forth without fear as he cackles with cheer, giving the woman a thumbs down as a firm shake of his head was laden forth towards the woman, the increased intensity of her occultic power not giving the man even the slightest pause.

There was no fear left in his heart. Never again, certainly not now.

"Your forest? Ain't shit? That kid, definitely not shit. You, most certainly not shit. That spire? Ours. Your life? Ours. This treasure? ALSO OURS. NO ARGUMENTS, HAND IT OVER MISSY."
(Dun)
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There was that spire, oh so grand and silver within mere reach of him. Caelus's gaze draws from its peak, however, and focuses on the lonely witch before it-- The Occultic entity drawing his attention the most.

Would they really join someone like this? Someone that accepted their binding to this place?

"Do you like it here?"

A simple question, truly, but one he probably wouldn't get an answer to soon enough. Steel hues dart towards Lumi then Dun-- Ruling this forest didn't seem all too bad honestly. The man just needed to figure out how to maintain the spire, the mist, the spirits...

Well, probably not the spirits. Those fallen deserved their rest and rebirth through the stars.

"I'd like to watch over this forest and it's inhabitants... Perhaps help guide them to a proper sleep if possible. Again-- While this spire may have been placed by a demon... I wonder if it can be purified for those that are troubled in their death."
(Caelus Lunaris)
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{NARRATION} The witch stared towards Dun. There was silence from the woman, before she spoke up.

"Normally, it requires you to be dead... For you to join this place. However, I understand that a mortal body is incredibly important for you."

She closed her eyes. "So I give you a choice. We rule together, but you... And I... will run this... this Thief away. If he doesn't leave, he will die. Do you understand?"

She motioned towards the spire,"In return, I will allow you to take from this spire."
[18:37] Dun would blink steadily as he heard the witch's words, shaking his head as he puffed away on his corncob pipe with a thoughtful tap of his mask's chin. Of course, the witch would attempt conniving treachery in regards to such a matter, typical apostasy! The clown prince would chuckle with mirth at such a suggestion.

"It sounds oddly like she's trying to drive me off so you two won't be able to adequately defend against her. There's nothing stopping you from ruling this place regardless of terms and conditions if she's gone."

The clown warlord would nod firmly, gesturing idly to Caelus with a nod.

"She's a witch, prone to such trickeries. We require no permission to take from the spire, we've fought our way here and earned such a right. Do not allow her to fool you Caelus, remember the plight of Jasper."

(Dun)
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 A counter point? Well..That was actually unexpected. But then again...there was a half shrug from Lumi as he looked between the two. There was..honestly? Only one thing to really sway Lumi's option on the matter at hand.


"The real question is..who's going to give me food i'm..very picky." There was a small pause. Looking back from Dun and the witch...Only one would really know what he was constantly eating but then again? Dun probably wouldn't know all he could really eat right now was raw meat.


"But..thats still a valid point..Hmm.."
(Lumi Fenrir)
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It was a tempting offer, absolutely, and had he not already decided his own fate it would've been terrible. Testing the runeblade in his hand the Commander's eyes drift between Dun and the witch. There was one question that laid in the back of his head primarily-

"What happens if you're to die, though? Would you not be freed from this life of confinement-- Free to carry on in the cycle of the stars? You'd be free from this corruption... Free to live a happier life."

"I want to purify the spire if I can. What I'm doing next is something that will help you, so... Please-- Understand that at least."

Letting the ethereal blade draw itself into existence in his free hand it's promptly pointed towards the Witch. Sure, Dun had done some dastardly things today...

But he had a point. This was a Witch, and he couldn't accept that being around Osrona with the presence of demons being oh so strong already.

A beam shoots off towards her from the created blade.

"Please, accept your rest."
(Caelus Lunaris)
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 {NARRATION} The woman stepped back, pursing her lips. She bowed her head, going to vanish into the darkness.

Then reappear atop the spire. She stared in a saddened manner, speaking towards them. "You might not realize it... but I go to Helheim when I die. I will forever be in service to demons upon my death... No... No I understand. I could never be loved. Never be trusted again."

"I can never have them back... I understand. If it is death alone that will keep you with me, then yes, I will do as I can..."

She held her hands forward,"So, I shall restate your statement. Accept this rest, and be with me forever."
 The witch struck the trio down with an intensity of shadows and occult.

She stared down at the others, before raising her hand upwards and collecting energy.

"So you will join me after all." She murmured, before stopping. Shaking, she bowed her head. "I don't want to." She whispered, to herself. "I don't want to."

She reached up to cover her face. "I don't -want- to." She crumpled to her knees, shaking.

"Why won't anyone stay with me!? WHY WON'T ANYONE..." She screamed, angered, before slamming her hand down.

They survived, but she did too. The spire towering above them... began to glow brightly. The witch sobbed, angered and utterly alone.

"Take whatever you want... Get out. GET. OUT!"

Suddenly, the party was shot backwards, being sent through trees and whatever have you...

In the end, they landed back outside of the forest. Rocks covering their body. Blood seeping from their wounds.

But they lived.
You stole Caelus Lunaris's Cloak Of The Watch.

 ** Hoot DM has inflicted an injury upon Dun. ("Heart Pains", "There's a hole in his heart, he can still live, but he's still in absolute agony. Each pump of the heart is like a white hot knife cutting through his chest.", "Permanent", "Severity: MINOR (-5 VIT)") **
 Dun has an actual hole in his chest.
(Dun)