[21:12] Tael says, "..."
[21:12] "Altale…"

So she was going to play dumb was she... Well, two would not be playing at that game. Celica would take a step forward, glaring the whole time...

"So, why are you here?"
(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:19] "Altale… Never heard of..."

Her rough words where told in that same earnest tonelessness that she normally speaks in, her cocked, helmeted head facing the other. Oncemore, her gaze looks to the buildings, vermilion-tainted eyes assessing them with a certain latent curiosity present.

Then her gaze whips back, suddenly boring into Celica's.

"Was bored, yes. Going for a walk..."
(Elise Rosethorn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:24] He was saying his farewells.

Odd the way these things turn out. He'd just bid his favorite archon a tearful goodbye, and Dan wanted to ensure Tael spoke to Celica before he caught some boat off the continent of war as well.

But as they arrived in Altale, right outside of his own post office, Tael sees her; the nagual who wore the cursed armor of Ryleigh, the Belialist who he had faced on the last raid of Crafthold-

And enemy he'd heard had been all too busy since they had last met.

His rifle is already drawn, its tip glowing with his own red hellstorm, his finger resting idly on the trigger.

"Nice meeting you here."

The messenger growls, taking his position beside Celica.

"Orders?" he asks simply, but by the anxious lash of his tail it'sclear-

He's not very welcoming of present company.
(Tael)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:28] Maat whispers something.
[21:28] Maat whispers something.
[21:30] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[21:30] Maat whispers something.
[21:30] Maat whispers something.
[21:30] Maat whispers something.
[21:31] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[21:33] Maat whispers something.
[21:36] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[21:36] Celica's own aura flared up... Yellow starlight, dotted with flecks of blue as unaspected moonlight was pulled in along with it... Standing in direct contrast to the oppressive red glow that Elise seemed to be bathed in...

"Stop playing dumb..."

The air around Celica seemed to burn with heat... Even Tael would feel it, an almost unbearable sensation around her... Only punctuated by the shifting gravity. Magic responding to emotions that seemed to bubble just under the surface. Even with her voice remaining fairly calm, it betrayed her true feelings...

But of course, that was to be expected. While she'd tried to make peace with most everything else... Tried to be a better person. There was a special place for this one in particular...

Especially, now that she saw Dan nearby...

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised... Someone idiotic enough to try to tear my family apart. Using the same method I used? Would be stupid enough to then walk into their home and act like nothing happened."

Her tone was calm, but there was clear venom in her words... And an almost murderous intent about her. She was not, going to let them get near Dan again. She'd tear them to shreds before that happened...

(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:36] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[21:37] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[21:43] The Nagual gives a little gauntleted wave towards the messenger. She doesn't seem to be in any sort of offensive posture, and she raises her visor up to show a bit of an ear-to-ear grin.

"Greetings, yes. Fight for Gaiar now... No need to worry, am just visit-"

She's cut off by Celica's words, her gaze turning towards her curiously. Lowering that visor of hers, the Nagual stares directly at the woman with the paltry imitation of Perseus's moonlit aura. She folds her arms across her chest, her marionette-like, floating form lingering in place even as the other advances.

Little giggles, sharp notes slip from her after hearing those menacing words. She shakes her head from side-to-side, in clear disbelief.

"Ehehe!

Why would I care about your family, yes...? I have greater things to worry about. Divine mission to work towards..."

That vermilion, glowing gaze bores into the other for a long while, ceasing her almost playful tone suddenly. Instead, her toneless words are spoken oncemore, an earnest question given...

"Could I ask for name? Forgot it."
(Elise Rosethorn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:45] Dan sure as fuck wasn't going to say shit, he had already killed a person today.
(Dan Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:48] "Gimme the order- Celica. I'll put her down here."

The courier was thankful his kids were already gone, likely sound asleep with their mother on a ship rocking across the waves. But with Elise so close to what was now the empty house, the territorial ookami tendencies still flared up within him as if his family was still inside.

"What name are you goin' by now these days, Ixcuiname? I'd heard something about a certain dead psychopath naming you Elise.

It was nice ensuring she got wiped off this continent. It'll be nicer still to send you to her.

What'll that be? Two for two?"

His eyes narrow and his grip still tightens. "I don't give a damn what your current loyalty is. Fighting for Gaiar? Is that why you tried to kill Perseus? It's strange you fled here, one might think you would have crawled back to Gehenna by now, begging for their fucking forgiveness."
(Tael)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[21:55] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:01] Maat whispers something.
[22:06] Well.

"Celica Karadin, Elise."

With a deep breath, she'd look over to Tael. He seemed eager... And truthfully, so was she. She had always wanted to go after the cult... But she'd never had the chance. To have the one most responsible simply walk up to her was almost too good to resist... But, she supposed Tael was about to leave...

"...Fine."

Celica would back up. As much as she wanted to turn Elise into little more then a shard of glass... She wouldn't be taking this away from Tael.

"Tael. Put her down."

With a sigh, she'd give him room. It was, after all, his friends armor she was wearing. And his friends they'd hurt. Even if she had hurt her husband...
(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:17] Eric Karadin says, "156"
[22:30] The Nagual's gaze flicks towards the Ookami's gaze. A movement a little too quick. Vermilion eyes squirm and flicker with hateful, monstrous starlight, boring into him like a vermilion-tinged dark mirror. The vision of the world from within those eyes is wrong. Off.

Melting like wax as it screams.

The barely audible whispers grow louder around her, a chorus of souls in rapturous agony and horrid bliss contained within, singing and screaming their song of freedom.

Their call to be free.

Currents writhe and squirm with increasing agitation as those starlit, almost living masses pour out from the cracks of her armor, like some sort of disgusting gel. She raises her visor completely to show off her face, soft features, innumerable scars around her neck, leaking vermilion ichor, and pale, ghostly. Still, her smile is ever-present and ever-locked upon her face, giving a view of. Every. Sharp. Tooth.

Those corrupt eyes bore into that of the Ookami, only momentarily flicking towards Celica as her few words are spoken. Then, those horrid eyes of the self-proclaimed 'vessel' of Belial returns to Tael's own.

Horrid keening, pealing laughter is heard as she nearly doubles over, resting in the air. A soft riiiip of fabric is heard as that vermilion miasma of hers blossoms outwards into black, dancing, mad wires, bearing hateful barbs upon their accursed lengths. The wires have sliced into her bag, removing four small stones...

Corrupt moonrocks, to those familiar, coils tightening around them as two are positioned to each side of her. One on each side, at head level, and one on each side, at waist level, further out from her. All four of the moonrocks have a squirming symbol upon them. That of a red eye, bleeding and bearing the same sense of uncanny sight that her own eyes have. Each one seems to watch.

Her staff is held, coiled in wires like her moonrocks that sit behind her, each of its two prongs made of those same vermilion-tainted moonrocks. That bloody eye appears on each prong. Eight in total, all bearing down on the man.

She's still laughing, a certain agony mixed in with the notes as the bloodied starlit substance, too thick and dense to be anything natural, begins to flow over the dark wires, engulfing that structure... Into the rough shape of two wings, made of glimmering, hateful, peering starlight. Those four stones of irregular sizes stick out from her bloody, flapping miasma, their peering unceasing as they remain partially submerged within the eldritch murk. The two at head level protrude at the wrist of the wings, while the other two protrude at the wingtips.

More wires writhe around the Nagual, pointing towards the Ookami, their sharpened ends like vipers, ready to strike, coil inside of the man, and rip him limb from limb.

"EHEHEHAHAHAH!

YES, YES! SEND ME TO MY ETERNAL PUNISHMENT WITHIN THE MOON! OR DIE TRYING!"

She screams aloud, into the night, her corrupt vermilion glow like a beacon that can surely be seen for a good distance away...
(Elise Rosethorn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:31] Maat whispers something.
[22:31] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[22:31] Maat whispers something.
[22:31] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:32] Ei Sei whispers something.
[22:32] Maat whispers something.
[22:32] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:32] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[22:33] Eric nods.
(Eric Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:33] Ei Sei whispers something.
[22:33] Eric Karadin whispers something.
[22:33] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:33] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:34] Ei Sei whispers something.
[22:34] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:34] Ei Sei whispers something.
[22:34] Celica Karadin whispers something.
[22:35] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:35] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:36] Ei Sei whispers something.
[22:37] Eric cocks his gun.
(Eric Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:37] "With pleasure."

Hellstorm crackles from within Tael's eyes, arcing down his arms and spiraling around his body as he floats higher into the air to meet his corrupt opponent. On that fateful night years ago, they had lit up the swamps of Crafthold with scarlet lights that shrieked across a night sky.

Here they would meet above Altale, high in the sky, the stars and moon twinkling above them. What was left of Tael's family on Agartha was gathered, and his thoughts were ever present focused on both them and his kin abroad.

He wanted to leave.

This continent was painful to stay on. He remembered them all, all the faces of the friends he'd lost; Gron, Valerie, Hush, Alvi, Saenis, Ilonnia, Daganon, Ryleigh, Haku, Eirene, Ming...

He'd always fought for what he believed was right.

And here would be no different. The Courier of the North wouldn't depart Agartha and live out his happy ending.

Not until he earned it.

"One for my baby, then..." he muttered to himself as he pulled his hood over his head and-

Fired.
(Tael)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[22:38] Dan Karadin whispers something.
[22:38] Ei Sei whispers: Just Sei!
[22:47] Ei Sei whispers something.
[23:03] The Nagual appears to be much stronger then the previous time.

Much, much stronger.

Those gazing eyes upon her wings and staff don't just stare, no, no... From their accursed gaze comes a torrent of magic, channeled up through the armored figure through those dark wires embedded in the bloody murk.

Hateful vermilion lances of starlight, rippling bolts of gravitic energy that scream as they crush the ground with each hit, and lashing, wailing lightning all spout forth from those six eyes, while the two upon the prophet never cease their staring at Tael. Her staff joins the fight as well, vermilion-starlight dancing around its wire-encircled form, pouring that evil light into her as it streams down from above. Spiteful bolts lance outwards from the eyes on it as well, should he try to disrupt her channeling.

Laughter pours from her, an unending cry of pure euphoria and glee as the vessel proves in finality how hollow and inhuman she is. His crackling bolts are dissipated as they hit her, seemingly having learned the lessons from his surprise attack in the past. The wire-containing murk generally absorbing his electrical blows as her offensive, eldritch wings curl to cover her body in moments of danger.

With those burning, vermilion eyes, she approaches him, after a gravitic pulse catches him in the shoulder, throwing him to the ground as her flying form hovers overhead. The moonlight that cascades down upon the figure takes on a hateful glow, sickly and vermilion-tinged.

"EHEHEHAHAHA!

HOW DISAPPOINTING! PERHAPS THIS WILL BE A LESSON TO BE MORE WELCOMING!

Now I'm going to offer you to the maggots and my Sealed God!"

Wires pour from that vermilion murk, and lance outward from her wings, all striking downwards towards the poor gunslinger. The wires seek gaps in his armor. Places where the barbed things can press into his flesh, and coil, like excited worms around his bones. Then they would pull, physically ripping the Ookami into pieces...

Should she not be stopped, of course.
(Elise Rosethorn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:09] Tael.

Always getting himself in over his head, that was his way wasn't it? Fighting archons, fighting monsters across the land for his whole life. He gave it his all, but he got caught up in that storm. As he and Elise clashed in the air, even with his illusory pack gliding high, his mind was elsewhere.

Sigrun. Vanja. Finn.

He wanted to see them. Even this distance was hurting him. Why was he always distracted when things got important. He didn't even notice the bleeding cosmic that smashed into his form, charring his cloak and denting his armor. All he could see was her face. Her eyes.

All he could hear was her laugh.

Where was she? His memories are taken back to when he fought Sigrun in the same swamps outside Crafthold. The day she'd taken his leg, the day her hatred for him had boiled over and turned bloody. That day his own illusions had worked against him, his mind was permeated with the scent of sweets, his vision constantly shifting to form sights of the Golden Cat from years and years ago. Those same friends came and went, laughing at the counter, walking in and out the door. Even more of them were there.

Zoldak, Amoxtli, Darius, Laureline.

The crowd was filling the inn. It was like his dream, it was like what he was always wishing would return-

The courier is SLAMMED by a torrent of Elise's spells, he cascades across the horizon, the ookami's limp form barreling down to the earth below. The wolves are howling, but they cease to exist. There's nothing more than an ominous whistle in the air as the messenger plummets, his own gravity magic- allowing him to float through the tavern. Vyse finger guns at him as he slides a Red Lightning his way. Sigrun and the kids are there beside him, as well as Dan and Celica and their children. Desmond is grown now, bearing a striking resemblance to his parents. The Ice Queen of Bhaldraithe-

Collides with the ground. Clay and dirt coat his form as there's certainly a great amount of physical damage done to the ookami. He groans, he's still seeing it all but can't shake it from his mind. Elise's shouts, her cackles, they're a distant, ominous echo of impending- Peace. Eirene's there, for some reason. She came back! The boats brought her back and she's walking arm and arm with Ming Xiao. It's impossible, they'd never be welcome in Bhaldraithe but- here they are? The courier rushes forward to hug-

He coughs up a great amount of blood. There's definitely some rib damage, and he can feel the nagual descending on his form. It's a nightmare, this whole thing is a nightmare. This isn't how it was supposed to end, he'd just told Eiphraem about- Tael hugs Eiphraem, and the archon wakes up from his slumber in the spa's pools. Perseus sits beside his husband and Tael raises his drink to both of them, laughing at some unsaid joke at Lusion's expense. Gron Rahir and Reka pull up a seat beside Karina Bleu and Tael-

Is being torn apart. His form is cracking, he can feel it coming that corruption is bleeding into him now, it's found every weak spot, every place where it can hook into his form and pull him to pieces. He screams out- Thank you all! Thank you all so much- I- It really means so muchto me that you're all here. I wouldn't be who I am without any of you- I've done it for all of you, my friends, my family. I- I really do love you all. I know I've never really said it but-

His screaming is agony. Dan and Celica's family can hear the pain he's in as the barbs pierce him. He wrenches his head to see them and tries to call out, he sees Celica standing- beside Daganon. He's cackling, and those abyssal eyes turn towards Tael, ready to welcome him into this world.

This sweet, sweet world of the next life.
(Tael)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:19] So this had been a mistake then... Tael must have lost his edge. But that, was not any reason to let this happen to him... Especially not when the one doing it was someone like Elise.

Immediately, Celica would jump into action. A wave of cosmic would rush over the Ookami, breaking the wires, before a well of gravity would pull him away from her. Injured surely... But not dead at least...

Regardless, this would not stand. And while it was too late to fix the mistake of letting Tael fight the woman on his own... It certainly was not too late to protect him now. Cosmic mana would rush down from the sky above, Celica calling it down from the moon...

Now, more then ever she needed the mana from whatever demon was kept within it. The mana of it's prison, to fight it's influence here on land...

And then, without a word, Celica would call forth a wall of flames around her, Elise, and Dan... Gravity pulling at it into a dome as she continually pulled mana from above to feed it...

She may have been too late to kill her this time around, but she was going to make sure she left here humiliated...

(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:20] What an impressive fight.

The snow-haired child had never witnessed a battle of this scale, Tael, also known as Sei's cousin somehow was fighting against a being that the child couldn't describe. It was looking similar to Osirira, Sei's father but it was filled with madness.

From the beginning, the little shrimp had a bad feeling about the outcome of the fight. He knew deep inside Tael wouldn't win this one and it seems, he was not wrong.

Sei watched Elise slam the Ookami against the ground and strike with this … vermillion murk. This was an horrible scene. For the first time, Sei was about to the witness the death of a man.

Not like that.

Switching his gaze to his uncle, the little shrimp's blue hues fell upon the Accursed. He wouldn't let his son die, right? Taking a deep breath, Sei clenched his fists and reached for his staff in his back.

Compared to the others here, Sei was probably the weakest Magi around but he would fight nonetheless! A faint glow appeared into the child's eyes as bubbles of water would manifest around the child's frame and move around him in a circular motion, creating a sphere of protection. Soon, a cold breeze would be felt -- and the bubbles would turn into solid shards of ice.

Sei was determined to help!

As Cecila made a step forward, the child did the same … ready to attack and follow his elders' commands.
(Ei Sei)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:20] Celica would block Sei out of the fight using said wall of gravity enforced flames and cosmic...
(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:21] Eric cocks his gun and points it at Ei "Move! Now!"
(Eric Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:21] Ei Sei exclaims, "H-Heh.. ? No!"
[23:22] Eric Karadin exclaims, "You're in the way!"
[23:22] Maat says, "It does seem quite dangerous... You might be hit by cross fire."
[23:22] Ei Sei exclaims, "I'll be helpin'!"
[23:22] Maat says, "Well...if you try to fight with them...they will have to hold back...or kill you... on accident."
[23:23] Maat says, "I don't know if Yggdrasil can heal anyone here either..."
[23:23] No..

During the entire fight- Dan was forced to watch from a distance as Elise threw Tael around like a loose piece of trash. Elise was clearly more then a match now for Tael, and it truly showed. While all he could do was wince as he held hope from the Ookami- hope..

That was immediately dashed, it was torrent of attacks that'd besiege the crimson wolf- threatening to tear him apart.. and that was the pacted's breaking point.

His pupil's dilated as rage coursed through him, accompanied by a surge of adrenaline as his adopted son's screams would ring through the fields.. Tael's agony was palpable.

Whatever barrier that was holding Dan back prior would shatter.. as occultic winds would immediately surge forth, devouring the man in a shroud of it- only his crimson gaze piercing the blanket of wind-

It was clear that he wasn't going to let his son die, today.

As he'd launch forward, trident in hand as a trail of occultism followed him- clearly whatever he previously had felt for Elise or thought about her would be replaced with blind hatred.
(Dan Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:23] Ei Sei exclaims, "Psst, I don't care!"
[23:24] Ei Sei says, "Takin' full responsability of my well bein'."
[23:24] Dan Karadin says, "Just.. let the shrimp fight."
[23:24] Eric Karadin asks, "It isn't your busine-- Father?"
[23:24] Maat says, "Okay Father..."
[23:24] Eric lowers his fun, defeated..
(Eric Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:25] Sylvester was confused...was that..Elise?.
(Sylvester Ruger)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:26] Maat sits down on the ground. She was no help in this situation, even if she had just learned how to call upon Yggdrasil.
"I'll have to apologize to them later...for not being able to help..."
(Maat)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:26] Sylvester Ruger whispers: (Tael...dont die..please..
[23:26] Tael whispers: (im tryin
[23:26] Tael whispers: (it's up to them
[23:26] Tael whispers: (it was a deadly 6
[23:26] Tael whispers: (perfect end really
[23:27] Sylvester Ruger whispers: (true..
[23:34] Eric Karadin asks, "?"
[23:41] She, perhaps, did not have the same exact motivation as Dan here... While she cared for Tael, it wasn't anywhere near the relationship that him and Dan had... In this instance, it simply gave her an excuse...

But no, she was fighting for something else... She was fighting to kill. She was fighting to exterminate the worm that thought they were going to tear everything she had built apart for some pathetic monster in a moon.

All throughout the fight, Celica's own cosmic would assault Elise. Stomping out every shade of red mana she saw, smothering out every bit of belial's influence she could. Her mana trapping, and consuming it... Much like the moon itself with Elise's god...

Her mana would almost dance across the field in waves, flickering between blue and yellow, threatening to reach it's full potential... Until finally...

A burst of light, much like when she had fought Rha'Kharo… A blue glow bathing the field as a finalbeam shot out from the chaos... Blasting Elise's mana away, blasting the wings away with the mana... And, unfortunately, blowing Elise away as well... Much too far for any one of them to catch up...

Not that Celica would care. She wasn't intent on letting Elise get away that easily. The blue glow would fade, replaced once more with yellow... She'd lower herself to the ground, and then, unless stopped, Celica would start to follow her...

(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:44] Hehe.~

Never Sei would have expected to be in such a fight this evening! Despite Cecila's attempts to keep the little shrimp away, Sei had managed to jump over the wall made of cosmic flames.

" … ah-huh, doesn't work like that, old fart." A slight frown had appeared onto Sei's features, he didn't like woman who didn't take him seriously.

But it wasn't the time to hold grudges, it was the time to fight that monster! Switching his attention to their opponent, Sei's smile faded and was replaced with a serious tone.

He couldn't allow himself to get hit with one of this woman's strike, if that were to happen-- he would probably not survive! The child's plan was to remain in the back and slow down the woman with powerful wind spells and stalagmites that were high enough to reach the flying 'entity'.

At some point, Sei found himself to be in the middle of the group but soon found cover behind his elders' back.

Was Sei's presence useful in this fight? Not at all but Sei was seeking experience. Once the battle was over, Sei would sit on the fresh-grass and take a deep breath.

"Once I get older, I will her on my own.." He muttured between his lips.
(Ei Sei)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:46] Either powered by sheer rage or overwhelming occultism aiding his movements-.. the Magi would charge towards the Eldritch abomination that he once considered a teacher.

The promise of freedom had vanished as she was explicitly changed by her time with the vampires.. seemingly more of a vermillion infused monster then ever before. Which only spurred Dan on as he'd unleash torrents of attacks-- meteors slamming into Belial's prophet likely damped by her armor..

The armor of an old friend and gluttony sin.

It'd only spur him onward as he'd launch himself forward- a shroud of cosmic magic assisting as Dan dashed past Elise- striking her with his Arcanum trident with every pass.. followed by a pillar of rock erupting from the ground.

Opening her up for a harsh shockwave of occultic air and effectively blowing her aback in the process- while Celica's fight was more grace, Dan fought with an almost crazed determination to overcome his former prophet..

Working well with the other two-- until Celica blew her away.. and ruining his plan in the end, his rage was without target now.

Yet.. Tael was safe- and that would calm him down enough NOT to pursue the escaping belialite.

His gaze was drawn back to Tael- before he'd rush over.
(Dan Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[23:48] Tael laughs and moves towards Daganon. Cofi and Tanya shake their heads as Haku and Kor crack a pun about wood. They're all here, they're really all-

The courier sees Celica's flash of cosmic fly over his form and feels the gravity magic tug him away from the cursed barbs. He sees his adoptive parent- parents? Rush forward with his cousin. Their magic and spells aim to force Elise away from the ookami and- there's Cofi with a brilliant, emerald beam firing straight at the nagual. There's a flash of light and Ikkaku himself soars in on wings of light alongside Dan. Gunshots can be heard in the distance as Zoldak zooms into the clearing with Amoxtli's winds blowing them both forward. They're all here- they're all-

Celica and Dan work asthey had done years and years ago, much to Tael's amazement and awe back then, and even moreso now. Wasn't it- even in this exact spot that they had fought Tizoc himself? And the courier's heroic images of the couple had only multiplied that day. There they were, Tael could even here the CHNK! that Dan's bullets made against the nagual's armor-prosthetic limb.

Tael wipes the blood from his chin and groans, looking toward Eric before he stands and starts to move out of the way of the ensuing battle he moves toward the bushes and- bumps into Alvi Slade and Saenis, occultic winds blowing past their forms to match Dan's own howling ones. Hordes of undead begin to march forward and in the distance, as much as he regret those days, Tael hears Stella Cruor command her forces to destroy the worm. They march past him toward the-

Conflict in the opening. Tael can't tell what's real or not, he sees a brilliant blue beam burst from Celica, one that collides with Elise. It doesn't make sense- what's happening? And then he hears her, Sigrun, leaping from behind him. Her Sigrunature Axe is aiming to cleave the soaring nagual in two, and all the while her form doesn't bleed black, but a pale blue, nearly turquois. Tael-

Sees Ei Sei take a seat on the grass, a peace was washing over the area and the illusions were fading. The courier gasps as he realizes what has been going on fully, and as he's being pulled from his stupor, the last thing he seesare his son and daughter, quietly watching with some fear in their eyes. They didn't seem to understand what had happened here, and so he manages the smallest of smiles. He doesn't care about Elise anymore, he doesn't care about anything else in all of Agartha. His family had saved him. And yet- his family needed him. The children- fade and Dan reaches Tael.

The messenger is hyperventilating and tears are flowing freely from his eyes once more, but he hugs his father for the second time today, grateful to be alive.

(Tael)

[00:02] Sylvester Ruger says, "Oh dear...."
[00:02] Maat asks, "Oh...dear?"
[00:03] Ready to rip and tear until it is done, the Nagual is attacked by surprise-

Not exactly. One of the eyes embedded in the vermilion mana of her wingtips notices the three's attack, her senses as a mage feeling the power building within the three, ready to strike at her. A shame.

She doesn't manage much more then a series of probing scratches across Tael's body. She didn't even manage to feed her wires through his eyes.

What a shame.

Still laughing, those mad notes slipping from the eldritchly endowed woman, both of her wings layer before her, cosmic energy blasting against the surface of her barrier, melting through the vermilion miasma that protects her. A hole is formed, with a tangled web of dark wires sitting inside of it, and her face, visor lifted, with that ear-to-ear grin resting upon it peering through the hole. Vermilion gaze is squarely upon Celica, boring into her eyes.

Mocking and laughing as she can barely scratchthe surface of the power that is her opposite, managing cerulean motes mixed with her amber light.

As they attack her, those six moonrock eyes strike out at different targets, firing their screaming pulses of crushing gravity, lancing bolts of lightning, and vermilion waves towards any who come close, fending them off as she-

Retreats, her wings not needing to flap to move her, obviously, her gravity doing the work as vermilion masses, with those black sinuous 'bones' protect her from strikes from a trident, blasts of wind, and errant rocky pillars.

That pulse of blue-tinged light has her align both vermilion masses before her to defend herself, the blue motes only really effective at defeating her miasmic pinions, as the amber motes find themselves corrupted as they come into contact with her own energies, flicking and falling to the grass...

Utterly defensive, the force of the stream pushes her back, and she takes advantage of that, having herinvisible strings of gravity that keep her aloft no resist the push, the vermilion of her stone-embedded wings becoming more and more eroded, leaving behind the strands of dark wires that hold her four stones as a form of almost skeletal wings...

She laughs still, saccharine words spoken with her scratchy voice in parting...

"It was nice... Yes... Perhaps you've learned not to challenge me...?

This power can be yours, if you seek me out... Eheheee..."
(Elise Rosethorn)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:05] Maat says, "< Is there something I can do to help... >"
[00:05] Ei Sei says, "Ah-huh, this was fun. "
[00:05] Tael exclaims, "G-gah!"
[00:06] Eric Karadin exclaims, "Tael!"
[00:06] Maat says, "Tael... are you injured? Maybe I can...help you? I am not sure though..."
[00:06] Sylvester Ruger says, "Tael..."
[00:06] Soiren asks, "Mmm...Is...He going to be okay...?"
[00:07] Tael is still holding Dan tight. He's trembling but turns to the others smiling at all of them. "I- I'm alive! I'm alive.. I-"
(Tael)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:09] Dan was being held by Tael still- so he'd look over his shoulder with a faint smile.. only to see Celica trying to chase after here.

"CELICA! COME BACK! SHE IS FOR LATER! I need you.."

Whether she listened or not was up to her, he still hugged Tael tightly as he thanked whatever god Dan actually believed in- that he was safe..

"My son.. this is a lesson to you- you have a family to get back to.. no more endangering your life."
(Dan Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:10] "Now that the battle is over--"

Sei's blue hues would fall upon the red-haired woman who ran straight towards Elise's direction. Since he didn't like her at all, he didn't find it necessary to stop her.

However, he could see that his uncle was far more concerned about Tael's health than Cecila, which was understable of course but would force Sei to make the effort.

A faint sigh escaped the child's lips, as she reached for a peeble on the ground-- really Dan?
(Ei Sei)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:13] She'd start to follow the occultist...

But then, she'd hear Dan's voice... And she'd stop. Her hand was balled into a fist, her nails digging into her skin... Hatred, almost, seemed to radiate off of her... She wanted so badly to go after her... to finally put an end to them like she should have earlier...

But...

"...fine. But I am not forgetting this. I'm going to hunt her down..."

With that, she'd turn back towards Dan and Tael… The warmth around her seemed to have returned. But... stronger. A constant heat surrounded her now... And it likely would stay like that until she'd driven her thumbs through Elise's eyes...
(Celica Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:14] Ei Sei says, "Kukuku.. Well, I will leave now. It was nice to meet all of you, except the red-haired woman.. Goodbye."
[00:15] Soiren watches curiously from nearby not wanting to approach feeling the anger and worry in the air. Remembering That red haired boy said his mother didn't like her kind. Though her hood hid that very well some how magically hiding her tail as well? Game logic.
(Soiren)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:15] Dan Karadin asks, "..My nephew doesn't realize that you're my wife- does he?"
[00:16] Maat gulped before kneeling down. She had been silent most of the time... she thought she had proven to herself that she was useful. But now was her real test. She had just recently learned how to summon the mighty tree of healing. Yggdrasil.
"I...don't know if this will help but."

She seemed to speak quietly into the earth, no one would be able to hear what she said. Before suddenly a tree would come out from the earth itself. Growing slowly into a beautiful glowing giant. Aiming to heal Tael's wounds. She spoke up softly.
"I can't say I knew you but... you must be very important to everyone. So I want to help you too...if I can."

She honestly didn't know if it would work or not, after all she had only recently learned this spell. If the spell had worked then Tael would slowly feel better, and his wounds would close.
(Maat)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:23] Tael steps back from Dan, the cuts across his body clearly visible, even if they are minor. He still felt the distant echo of the force that almost tore his body apart, it was a pain he won't ever forget.

As Maat steps forward, the courier allows for the tree that sprouts to mend the wounds. He holds out his hand and places it on the bark, wiping at his face with his other hand to clear the tears. He closes his eyes and thanks the spirits he's alive.

He's alive.

With careful, controlled breaths the ookami finds himself centered. The storm of his mind rumbles but he rises above the clouds at last as Eiphraem had taught him, and in that place he finds his center.

"Thank you- Maat. You- you take care of Eric, while I'm gone, yeah? He's special to me, my little brother."

Tael winks at Eric and exhales once more to steady himself. He holds his rifle once more in his hands and reaches out to give it to the little Karadin. "I'm done. I'm done- I'm done- no more fighting- I'm gonna go sit in Crafthold and wait for my ship I-"

He pauses and looks to Dan and Celica. His eyes instantly fill with emotion once more. "I'll miss you guys more than you'll ever know- and- thank you. So- so much. I'll let Sig know why I'm still standin'- I'm gonna tell the kids stories about both of you forever- I swear on Asena."

Tael shakes his head and laughs a little, steadying himself as he stands with the help of the tree. He blinks and looks around. "This place is beautiful- when it's quiet, y'know. Take care of it while I'm gone. And by the way-"

Tael brushes some dirt off of his cloak, trying to be nonchalant. "Like Sig said, I s'pose I'll need a last name in the land of the civilized. You wouldn't mind if I went by Karadin, would ya, Dan?"

Back to his old self, despite a few more shakes, he grins from ear to ear toward the pacted and chuckles once more.
(Tael)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:23] {Item} You drop Asena's Will.
[00:23] Eric Karadin says, "<That Academy is no more..>"
[00:24] Maat says, "< How do I take care of Eric... >"
[00:31] Despite having previous fought Maat before- she clearly had a new trick up her sleeve as Tael's cuts were mended. They had done it.. Tael was saved and it was all over- atleast for now, his gaze shifted to Celica.

Truthfully pondering WHEN she'll cause trouble again- Elise had truly grown in strength which was.. startling.

But he'd brush that aside for the moment. Yes.. I'll miss you too- tell stories of my heroism to your wife and my grandkids. We'll miss having you around- all of us will."

It was still sad but- atleast they had ended it will.. his eyes rolling across the field, it's beauty noticed.

Yet- Tael would truly brighten up his day.

YES! I accept it.. it makes me happy that you're taking it."

Along with Sigrun- and his grandchildren.. truly a victory.

Not even beating Elise would overshadow this.
(Dan Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:32] Maat asks, "So...everyone is happy now?"
[00:32] Dan Karadin says, "Yes."
[00:33] Tael Karadin says, "All better- I'm"
[00:33] Tael Karadin says, "I'm gonna go rest in Crafthold then."
[00:33] Tael Karadin exclaims, "I'll be sure to send letters when I make landfall!"
[00:33] Soiren says, "<That's good...everyones happy...>"
[00:33] Tael Karadin says, "And I'll try to see about meeting Saorise- for sure."
[00:33] Tael Karadin says, "I'll let her know how things are goin."
[00:33] Dan Karadin says, "Good.. try- er.. avoiding telling her that everything is fucked"
[00:33] Maat nodded her head, mission accomplished. She made a small sound. That was nearly inaudible.
"Umu."
(Maat)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:34] Eric Karadin asks, "You say something, Jamie?"
[00:34] Tael Karadin says, "Of course ahaha"
[00:34] Maat says, "Eric... I still need to cheer you up..."
[00:35] Dan Karadin says, "I think we've all been cheered in a way."
[00:35] Tael Karadin says, "Anyway I- love ya guys. I hope you keep in touch."
[00:35] Tael Karadin says, "And stay safe an' all."
[00:36] Dan Karadin says, "Yeah.. we will- do you wish to be escorted back to Crafthold? "
[00:36] Dan Karadin says, "Just incase."
[00:36] Tael shakes his head. "Stay with your wife an' kids, Dan. I've always been good at sneaking, right? I'll be fine."
(Tael Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:36] Dan Karadin says, "Mm.. so be it."
[00:36] Tael Karadin says, "Thanks though."
[00:36] Eric Karadin says, "We can soon, Jamie."
[00:36] Maat says, "Oh right... where is it okay to practice my runesmithing..."
[00:36] Maat says, "Incase I blow something up..."
[00:37] Dan Karadin says, "And.. it's almost the end of the fifteenth century."
[00:38] And so the courier started towards Valmasia's caves for what would likely be the last time. He looked over his shoulder at the remnants of the family he'd come to care so much for during his time on Agartha, and grinned once more. His tail flicked behind him and he turned full attention and gave Dan and Celica a salute he hadn't done in quite some time, one reminiscent of a startled fifteen year old ookami who desperately wanted to join the Frost Guard once upon a time.

He let the salute fall as his eyes turned to Eric and Maat, two young folks he'd look forward to hearing news of in countless letters he'd demand come his way.

For once, Tael was content, happy, without a single anxiety to cloud his mind.

He turned once more in his departure-

And vanished without a trace.
(Tael Karadin)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[00:39] Eric Karadin exclaims, "I got dibs on his room!"