Ikkaku - Tragedy Round 2 (5/25) (CoI)

[01:37] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPt29sxKr0A&index=17&list=PL5sHEbIsApKL7oGScN_COIHH_mhpLI4Tl

Golden wings sprout from Ikkaku's back as the Regent of Ardent would fly upwards in the air. Sky blue eyes glanced downwards towards the bloodstained and scarred battle field. A feeling of benevolence could be felt as they hummed and focused. Sky blue eyes narrowed, an attempt to take in the entirety of what happened here, to peer into the leylines of the world and figure out it all. An exhale before they would lower to the ground.

".. What happened exactly? and let's get closer. There may be stragglers but from this tower I can keep us all safe. Who died? And what consequences.."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[01:38] Yin Leung says, "Ah... It seems I came back at a good time. I was.. present."
[01:38] Yin called out from a short distance, and raised her hand in a rather awkward attempt at a wave.
(Yin Leung)
[01:38] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "<The wave is responded to in kind>"
[01:39] Yin Leung says, "..Usiel, JaDrako, a Sirenian, a Neries and an Earth Demon attacked this settlement. Luciana Toryia and Maxwell Di Maria tried to stop them.. along with some others."
[01:40] Yin Leung says, "Maxwell perished in the fight.. I stopped the demon from devouring Luciana after she was knocked unconscious. I brought them both back to Ardent, afterwards."
[01:40] Yin Leung says, "...A nagual woman and her husband died.. about where we're standing. I don't know what happened to them, though the Neries and the Sirenian fought them."
[01:40] Yin Leung says, "Usiel and JaDrako killed Maxwell. That's the general gist of it.."
[01:41] Ikkaku Ukitake says, ".. I see."
[01:41] Leo Favero says, "... The consequences are obvious. The Leviathan is no more."
[01:41] Leo Favero says, "The plains are no longer safe- not that they were before, but still."
[01:41] Ikkaku Ukitake asks, "Have all those within Leviathan given up the will to fight?"
[01:41] Leo Favero says, "I have invited Luciana and her own back to Ardent, since--"
[01:42] Yin Leung says, "The rest of them are weak. Even in my weakened state, I could likely beat them all.. besides Luciana and Okami."
[01:42] Leo Favero says, "No. In fact, it was a struggle to get Luciana to abandon this place. Zao, they call it."
[01:42] Yin Leung says, "They can't defend themselves, in my opinion.. not anymore."
[01:42] Leo Favero says, "But she agreed with me, eventually. They should settle by Ardent."
[01:43] Ikkaku Ukitake asks, "<They slowly nod in thought> .. Do you think they'll be back?"
[01:43] Yin Leung says, "Of course. Usiel began by starting to burn the watchtower.. then everyone came to their attack group like moths to a flame."
[01:43] Yin Leung asks, "They lost none, and we lost three.. almost four.. Why wouldn't they do this again?"
[01:44] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "So we know how many there are, we know who there are, we know they will come back."
[01:46] Yin Leung says, "Mhm."
[01:46] Ikkaku Ukitake asks, "Do we know when?"
[01:46] Leo Favero says, "Defending this position is pointless."
[01:46] Leo Favero says, "Tomorrow."
[01:46] Ikkaku Ukitake asks, "Noon, dusk..?"
[01:46] Leo Favero says, "Usiel didn't make an appointment. He might not come at all, but-"
[01:46] Leo Favero says, "... Ardent is terribly outnumbered, Ikkaku. Though I'd rather not speak of this in public..."
[01:47] Leo Favero says, "I think this one fight should be avoided."
[01:47] Leo Favero says, "If they want this empty fortress, let them take it."
[01:47] Leo Favero says, "-- Or burn it all down to the ground. But don't fight over this."
[01:48] Ikkaku Ukitake says, "--"
[01:52] There is a slight swallowing.

"Leo. There is a reason that people do not abandon positions that they know people are going to."

It was felt far before the arrived. Slowly the masked individual would turn in spot, coming to notice the appearance of one floating individual.

"I do believe that coming here was a good idea."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[01:56] There came Tragedy, floating along without much of a care. Somewhere between leaving Crafthold and returning a sneaky regime of Jianghese seemed to have plopped over. She faced Ikkaku with a dull expression, floating without much fear or trepidation.

"Ikkaku. Are you here to waste everybodies time. Jianghu has no power here- I've already spoken to the Leviathan members and they are not interested in getting involved. So unless you have some words to exchange, I will disappear into the night and you will bumble around cursing the sky and what have you."

Those red eyes turned towards the others that had gathered, taking in their appearances and general demeanour. What a motley crew.
(Tragedy)
[02:02] The sky blue eyes looked towards the Archon, an inhale taken then an exhale taken.

"I imagine you spoke to them before Jadrako and Usiel murdered people in front of them. Then again, perhaps I don't know much about Black Leviathan. I do know that I intend to take care of watch towers that I build however."

A glance is made towards those around. "Those of you who do not wish to fight, evacuate now."

The Regent would dart forwards, an obvious attempt to chase Tragedy. Even if they knew they would be hopelessly outpaced, a chance to fight the Archon with no civilians and innocents nearby was too good a chance to pass up.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[02:03] Ikkaku is not fast but ic.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[02:03] Dragged along on this roller coaster of confusions, names had been throw out that Amane clearly knew; her normal glare being unable to hide the reactions at the news of Usiel, JaDrako and a "nameless" Neries that had been causing problems.

A weak; shakey sigh escaped from her lips as she gazed at what was once the scene of the battle before a turn was given, and her eyes would go wide with fear.

A half-pint form of terror incarnate floating before her, someone Amane easily recognized. Instantly her body tensed up in fear; eyes locking onto her, and Ikkaku could easily feel her tension. Air blowing from her nose to reflect her sudden anger, metal grinding together as her prosthetic clenched into a fist.

In her eyes it was Tragedy that first started Lucan's changes, and suddenly? The letter in her pocket, only received a short period of time ago, seemed to weight a million pounds heavier than she had ever expected.

To standand fight with Ikkaku, or to turn and leave to Crafthold; meeting with Lucan once again.

And then a shot forward; the girl chasing alongside of Ikkaku in a sudden burst of adrenaline, her mind being made up as she moved with him.

Prepared for the worst.
(Amane Faoleng)
[02:03] has a pitiful, much less impressive attempt.
(Amane Faoleng)
[02:05] Awa was only listening to the weird conversation, analyzing that girl's appearance.

It looks like a child! Oh no. He tilts his head, trying his best to not be a goofy right now. It is Tragedy! After their attempts to pursue her, he, of course, wishes to help his leader- even better, he wants to fight an Archon.

Speechless, he only closes his eyes as he tries to pursue her as well.
(Awá)
[02:05] Awá runs after her.
(Awá)
[02:06] The brown-haired male gives chase - not to the blonde haired girl per se, but to the fast-moving group itself.
(Leo Favero)
[02:09] "... please."

The Archon looked rather amused as they rushed forwards, though it contrasted poorly with that cruel, scathing smile. "A hopeless endeavour. If you wish to fight, Ikkaku, I will take you on alone at any time you please. Even now. Just send your lackies away."

She looked like she wanted to say more, but the distance was closing rapidly- the Archon made to disperse!
(Tragedy)
[02:09] With a burst of time magic, she would dissipate into the distance. Hopefully.
(Tragedy)
[02:15] There was a gritting of teeth as the Archon began to rush away. The sky blue eyes would watch the group behind them, attempting to also chase after.. Yet it was unlikely the others would get there in time. "Head back, secure the tower." And with that the sky blue eyes chased the Archon, a blue power surrounding them as their speed would burst;

Not truly enough to catch the Archon if her desire was to run, but enough that the rest wouldn't follow. The wings flapped behind before Ikkaku took to the skies, a group of spirits forming near them.

"You wanted to fight alone? Here I am.

I'm not letting a creature of chaos and death get away to destroy the world further.

NOT THIS TIME."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[02:16] Awá whispers something.
[02:19] Appearing after a second of stepping through time, Tragedy would turn around in the near distance to look over the flying menace. Her gaze narrowed, hand stretching out towards him.

"A willingness to fight is not courage, Ikkaku."

The smile returned to her expression, far more gentle this time, yet the magic that moved around her slowly was anything but. Shadows rose to her side. Her famous deathly aura...

Did not yet appear. It seemed she was confidence.

"This is nothing but an extravagent suicide. Prepare yourself."
(Tragedy)
[02:24] With every fight she encountered, the Archon grew more skilled. Her natural, deadly magics were honed and refined. She knew when to block, when to dodge, when to strike. It was more than strength- it was the tactics needed to turn this combat into an utter farce.

Like a dancer on ice she swept between magics, manipulating the flow of battle with time before striking at the most opportune moment. Telekinesis shattered the ground as it was thrown from both sides, and her shield came forth to protect.

The plains were torn apart, bleached by black magic and thrown into trenches and pits by the throes of telekinesis.

"... For somebody so self assured. You are unbearably weak. For somebody who seeks war without tolerance. You are wasting my time. Please. Try... harder."
(Tragedy)
[02:31] She was stronger. She was faster. She was better. All these things were known going in. The occultic power underneath the Archon was far stronger then anything he had faced. And yet.. As the telekinetic force threw Ikkaku backwards on the ground the Regent's wings would grow once more, lifting them into the air.

Benevolence flowed from their being. A belief.. Blood flows both inside the armor and out of it, gathering up around them. Underneath flesh heals ever so slightly as Ikkaku breathed in and out. The occultic power pounded at the back of their head but..

".. I believe in myself. And I believe that if I can just beat you, I have the chance to save Ardent cliff. If I can defeat you.. If I can drive you back, I have a chance to turn back the hordes of Gaiar without further bloodshed. If I can just stop you, Aetherius will think twice.

I may be weak. But this is something that I will try to do.

I'll protect as many innocent people as I can now by driving you back."

Telekinetic power ripped across the ground, benevolence floating through the air as Ikkaku would dash forwards into the fight.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[02:36] His counter-attack was swift. Blood magic locked her in place and the mans telekinesis lanced forward to catch Tragedy, sending her spiralling back.

That was the end of the good news.

No other blow could land... no magic could reach her. Her magic found its mark while she stayed out of range, even recovering the damage dealt to her reserves to render his first struck utterly meaningless.

It was hopeless. Inevitable. In single combat she could never be defeated.

".. Shut up," she scowled, her expression slipping into irritation as she slammed the man down with telekinetic force.

"Protect the innocents? Egotistical creature. The one who began this war is you and those that follow you. The only one who puts innocents in danger... is you. If you want to protect them?"

The ring on her hand glowed with a baleful light as she threw Ikkaku up into the air, to land somewhere nearby.

"Is to kill yourself. Only then will they be safe."
(Tragedy)
[02:38] Awá whispers something.
[02:39] Dante Janus whispers something.
[02:39] Dante Janus whispers something.
[02:39] Dante frowns
(Dante Janus)
[02:39] Dante Janus whispers something.
[02:39] Awá whispers something.
[02:39] Awá whispers something.
[02:39] Awá whispers something.
[02:40] Awá whispers something.
[02:42] Awá whispers something.
[02:43] Awá whispers something.
[02:43] The blood froze her in place, the telekinetic advance struck.. But that was all. Tragedy had Ikkaku beat. Every movement she avoided, every strike parried. Blood avoided, water avoided, sound avoided, all the while the Archon connected over and over with darkness. Even without the powers of death at her side, Ikkaku was no match.

Yet..

The slam of telekinetic force crushed Ikkaku against the ground before the Regent was thrown into the air. The Regent exhales. Their voice then grows stronger, echoing across the prarie.

"You can claim that I am the reason for this war, and ignore the deaths that were caused by your hands and those who follow you. Paladin, Jadrako, Ravan, Elizabeth, Hatsune.. You claim that I am a bringer of war and ignore your own slaughter. You are blind to the things you do.

I know my death will not be the end of anything. So long as you live.. More innocents will die. And that's why I will stop you.

Not now. But one day."

The wings spread once more, the Occultic bothersome pounding in their head continuing but suppressed.

"Even you can lose, Tragedy."

The Regent would then fly away, exhaling as they would instead head back towards the group they came to the tower with.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
[02:44] Dante Janus whispers something.
[02:45] Tragedy says, "So many names escape your lips. None of which are innocent. "