Journal 12

[13:17] Taking a short stroll to the outer edges of the dreadwoods. The ascended merely gazed out into the nighttime. Keeping their wits about them. Should any poor soul run-by unknowingly.

"Eugo… With the death of Morok… It only be seen that well... There are indeed a few rare that can slay our kind. Despite our ascension. Keep this in-mind and never think less of your enemies. Of course... You can still talk as though they're lesser than you." It was how the ascended work to some degree.

But how rare was it for them to be bested? Thinking about it now. It was too many to count comfortable. "We'll be working on projects together going forward. To hasten the studies and do what we can with humanities as subjects.... There was one, fari' captured. They'd requested I work with them on the woman. To /corrupt/ them and turn them to our side... I'd like. For you to do it. I will be there, of course. But you require more experience."
(Irkalla)
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[13:26] The flames of battle still reached the outer edge of the Dreadwoods, The failure of Starfall would be remembered by all of the denizens of the Underforest and with the Death of Morok it was a proclamation that the demons weren't as untouchable as one might have thought them to be.

"The path of the blade has caused us to loose more lives than was necessary...We must transition our efforts to other studies just as Osrona did to betray us..." Although now that the work they did in the shadows were coming into the light it seemed that Barsburg was the true culprit in that plot.

"Perhaps we should reach into Atryalla...And garner support from them? We need reinforcements or something had we want to even keep the Dreadwoods..." yet all the talk of the future wouldn't lead into what needed to be done now.

An interesting suggestion was given towards the demon, Corrupting a human towards Darkness? It wasn't an impossible taskhowever often times it can be difficult to pursue such a goal. "I can attempt this, I've only had experience with a willing participant so far. Had I intend to dye a more resistant human? Well....Even I am interested to find out."

The demon had grown a lot stronger, Being able to fully access the Timestream seemed to be within his power. Corrupted bolts of Temporal energy diffused around his body.
(Eugo La Ravias)
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[13:40] The demons that resided in the Dreadwoods would be on the defensive now, Survival was the only option and in that same token keeping the Dreadwoods defended against any would be attackers was the goal. Eugo would be connected to the time stream now his abilities heightened as well as his range of detection.

A glance towards the East as he saw the dim light moving closer to the edge of the forest, The demon moved closer quickly to catch up with the light, Only to see Starvos at the other end. One of the Osrona's that was there during the unveiling.

And surely an enemy of Demons...after all no human could be trusted now. "Traveling this far out at night...Don't you know this is our domain?" Surges of Umbral Magics began to take root as Eugo quickly created rune magic circles.

The Shape of a Pentagram in the center of the Rune Arrays, With other supporting runes at the edges an elaborate design that was crafted in mere seconds due to Chronomancy time was an illusion to Eugo.

The demon would force off anyone who drew near to the Dreadwoods regardless of their affiliations now. From within the rune circle Essence began to draw into it, The power of the souls draining into the spell forced a powerful blast of decaying energy towards Stavros forcing him to react.
(Eugo La Ravias)
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[13:50] Reagent runs - Always so simple, always so quiet... All under the brink of the night as well! How could he ever resist a run about Esshar's lands? Especially with a random nation he hadn't even the faintest of before suddenly landing... Well, it was best to enjoy oneself where they could.

Drifting on through the forests just south of Osrona a light hum is held in his throat. Lazily staring ahead he's completely unaware of the demon that inches closer among the outer edge of his torchlight.

Then came the occult-infused blast towards the alchemist.

Forced to react his mind darts towards two options - To run or to fight. To continue his night properly or to possibly spill his own blood. Letting out a sharp curse under his breath as the blast rams into his left shoulder he'd grab hold of a capsule upon his belt.

"Ain't your domain! I'm jus' fuckin' gatherin' 'n' walkin' 'round!" Stavros barked on back, tearing the capsule from its loop. In a last ditch effort he'd cast it on down before snagging a thread of time.

Chronomancy went two ways, and for the Razuka? His was out of here hopefully.
(Stavros)
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[13:52] Attempting to get on out of there with some chronomancy Stavros disappears in smoke!
(Stavros)
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[13:53] Irkalla says, "..."
[13:53] Time Magic circles appeared all around him, Time stopped for just a moment and the demon plunged into the smoke cloud to prusue!
(Eugo La Ravias)
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[13:53] Irkalla says in telepathy, Do you ahve proper food. kindred?
[13:58] {Lost Dangerous RPB against Stavros}
[13:58] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[14:06] Time, however, was not on his side as Eugo forcibly reversed the strands he yanked on. Just like that he's dragged back into the fight and with a low grumble he pulls out his rifle.

It always ended up like this, didn't it?

Bullets crack out in the night amongst the flaring of a bleeding barrel. Shot by shot they race towards the demon who, in turn, responded with their own bolts from Hel... Some of his shots even flew off into the night as they slunk back into the shadows.

"Ain't have ta be like this, fucka! Could've jus' let me go on my merry fuckin' WAY!" Stavros barked on out as his circuitry skipped a beat; His spells flying out rapidly one after another amongst the gunfire.

Yet were he not careful the demons Eugo wrought forth could surely tear him apart. Hissing through his teeth his hand continued to work the bolt on his rifle-- Deftly rushing about as the apparition soared through the timestream.

All it took, however, was a singular second for the Razuka to take the upper hand.

Helstorm built upon the scope he peeked through. They coalesced amongst the edge of the barrel as his circuitry worked overtime to pour that sanguine ichor into the final blow-- A parting blow, hopefully, so he could make his errands.

BANG! Like a bat out of Hel a sharpened blob of blood crashes against their frame before spreading out into a thick mist. Snarling under his breath he'd do what he could to leave amongst the crimson mess before them...
(Stavros)
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[14:13] Globs of blood were thrown towards the demon fired through the rifle, It was an annoyance so many of thie Rats spilled their dirty blood over them. Barriers made from Occultic Runes were summoned to keep the blasts at bay while Eugo intended to slash through attacks with his claws.

Time warped around his finger, But it seemed the Razuka also had control of time. He couldn't be underestimated Blood and Shadow continued to shoot at one another.

Eugo using his free hand to quickly pull essence into his body before firing out a roaring shockwave towards the Razuka knockings him back long enough for the demons claws to aim for his chest. Yet Starvous was prepared blood coagulated into a single point.

A sudden vision of the future came into the demons mind, A sharpened crimson stream pierced through the demons skin ripping yet another hole through his body. However just before this variation of the future could come to pass...Ravias quickly turned his body into shadows.

Avoiding the bloodied weapon and quickly moving back to retreat. The demons of the Dreadwoods and the mortals of the world would always be at odds. Alliances no more. The violence would continue.

Ravias retreated back to the Dreadwoods, A few scratches and scars but no wounds to take note of.
(Eugo La Ravias)
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[14:18] She's almost cocksure in the way that she moves. Each step bringing her down a path she'd scarcely walked. In truth- No direction. Just a brief stint outside of the walls, for the first time in quite a while. A pipe is clutched firmly within her lips, and even as the beast trawled its way forwards in rapid succession..

..Tanya merely waits for it to arrive. One hand rests on the top of her weapon, the hilt shoved firmly into its scabbard, and the other places itself in the small of her back. Her amber eyes trail over Irkalla, pulling northwards.

Perhaps she'd wandered too far? If she was at all concerned or worried, it certainly didn't show on Tanya's face.

"..If you intended to give chase to try and slaughter me for my sins, I'm afraid that I, truthfully, have no interest in combat. There's scarce few areas for me to travel, anyway, without being harassed, you see."

Slowly, andalmost casually, she reaches into a pouch at her side. She retrieves a modicum of what was likely tobacco, refilling her pipe, lighting it with a singular match which is haphazardly tossed aside..

..And then, it's placed back in her mouth.

"So, if you want to talk, then go ahead. Otherwise. I'm busy."
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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[14:19] Loss weighed far more on them than maybe anyone falling the failure at Starfall. Roaming around felt empty, like something was missing and the Dreadwoods became far too scarce in familiar faces.

Perhaps it's what led them to another. They linger near Irkalla, gaze drifting from the Ascended Demon to the Nethradin at her side.

Then to Tanya...

Did Osrona have an addiction problem? All clung to tobacco as though it were a lifeline.

Will Irkalla slaughter the elected or... Whatever her title has come to be upon revelation that she was of Barsburg the entire time.

"Hmm..." For now, all they can do is observe with a more void, icy gaze.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[14:22] Jianyu Xi says, "**following the failure"
[14:22] A gaze was shared equally towards all gathered. It would be no surprise to the demon to see Irkalla's Nethradin aide at her side...just how did she grow so much power? Would power like that aide him in battle....if it couldn't very well protect Morok from the blade that killed him...

There was no words given towards any of the members here. Eugo would merely stand watching waiting to see what his mistress would do to the Barsburgian official.
(Eugo La Ravias)
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[14:23] It was in moments like this, the demon had only wished they worked on leg day much like a few other demons. "Worry not.~" They explained briefly. For should the woman truly desire to flee? The chance of them getting away was almost one-hundred percent.

"See... Even I did desire to fight you. I've no luck with, captures... And killing you? Would defeat the purpose. You've a great mind, minds such as yours are resourceful... Clearly. Shown in your demonstration. But I wonder... Who are you? Clearly my kin, voraz. Was upset by the outcome..."

It was clearly a day for many demons to grow restless, albeit. A few more than the others with the infectious nature humanity had with natural bonding.

Hence why the woman kept it to bare minimum teachings & experiments. "I'm sure you've heard... We'd been bested. My kin... Morok, slain. Surely you and many others in osrona rejoiced at our failures. No?"

Waving a hand off the flick of a wrist, the seemingly remained composed. Despite wanting to do more than just preach or speak.

"I doubt you'll answer, everything. I question... Though I would say. Your barsburg people? Do leave more often than they should."
(Irkalla)
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[14:27] She'd heard that the war had gone poorly- At least, for the side that she had presumed to be the clear victor. There's a thin curl at the corners of her lips as he mentions it, that perhaps Osrona pulling out was a much greater blow than they had realized..

..Only for it to fall back into a curt, default frown at the mention of Morok. No, she'd not heard that part. Despite her combat with the snake, she'd at least considered it worthy of her respect, something- Someone?- to look into as a potential prospect for the Machine, one day.

Unfortunate.

"The city is a scarce mile or two to the north. This region now, and forever, belongs to the Machine, the Empire of Barsburg. I'm very sorry if that upsets you."

She draws long, hard, from the pipe, though when she exhales? There's barely any smoke aside from tiny plumes that wisp upwards, much less than she had actually drawn in. A strange thing, but one perhaps noteworthy all the same.

"That said. Yes, I've heard about the downfall of your ilk at the gates to Starfall. If I'm going to be entirely honest with you, though, it's not really as if any of us in Osrona really cared about how that particular battle went. It would have been easier for you to eradicate them, if I'm honest. Your kind can be collared and brought to heel."

She hums, quietly, the frown on her face still there- But it's not of sorrow. Moreover, it's almost disappointed.

"The Teraphim and the Nyseans can not, however, see when opportunity and progress stares them dead in the face. Can you, Ascended?"
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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[14:36] "That depends... Did walter give in willingly or was he upset?" Offering a weary grin, turning to towards their companion. One hand reaching out to run along the length of the Nethradins arm. "What becomes of Osrona is hardly something I care for. Unlike my, king. To me? Humanity is, but cogs in a machine built by divinity. I am the solution to this however."

Leaning further against the spiritual entity. Taking them into a cold embrace, their figure remained fixated on Tanya as the two spoke. Fumes of occultism protruding out their being. Without fully being able to take shape, there were only a few signs that displayed its humanoid existence.

"I will turn the gears backwards... To a time? When gods held little control over the world... Where limitations could not be set in stone... For not even the gods had found them yet."

A few nods as they pulled away from the creature. A short, but long-winded speech. "Rarely any can come to face, change. So many are content with living their lives the way it has been. Because it's much easier to follow traditions. Than be more, than the average." From all its time around humanity, it was this aspect. They could to loath the most.

More horrific than any nightmare. To know they were born from the thoughts of such, sloth like creatures. How could they even come to fathom an existence as transcendental as Irkalla?

"Regardless... The teraphim will fall. As with those from Nysea. It matters not how many years it will take. I need only. Be on the mortal plane to see that this happen. As it is? What my king wishes..." But, to what lengths it would go through to see their own goals through?

Could only come after all other options are exhausted. And irkalla? Is all, but the savior to possible extinction.
(Irkalla)
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[14:38] Immediately do lips curl downward.

Mention of loss draws that frozen wasteland of a gaze towards the trees. There's a lot to tackle and far too little hands to achieve such.

Attention should have diverged but they merely shift and stare towards the General. A violent reaction is likely considering the events within Osrona.

However, this isn't Walter pyr Docro.

There is hope that Irkalla turns on the General. Turning demonkind into battleslaves isn't exactly progression. Towards what direction? Conquest?

For now they idle, watching, listening as their gaze shifts to the more ethereal demon a their side then to Tanya.

Hands come together. "Does she the words to back such wishes?" Returning to Tanya, they do wonder if the General can even begin to support her claims to want to collar demons.

Very vividly, they recall a Tanya who was at Walter's side falling toa lesser demon... May his soul find solace in the depths of Hel.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[14:43] Bluster. Loud, never ending droll that continuously spills from the Ascended's mouth. It's what she'd become accustomed to, at the very least; Plans of bravado and glory and destruction that never saw anything more than the constant, mind numbing declarations of what was to come.

She inhales from her pipe, slowly, her eyes narrowing.

At least Irkalla had one thing correct. Humanity served as cogs in a machine, rotating with one another ever forwards. The weakest gear still served a purpose, still existed to be fit enough to rotate the rest of the machine. In this, they marched forwards, progressed ever on..

..But after that? Tanya merely slowly shakes her head. A lot of listen too; Even more to try and make sense of.

Her jaw rolls, twisting the pipe around for a moment before she speaks again.

"It's not as if we're very different, you know. In some regard, you and I think dangerously close to one another. But there is a sole and important difference- Where you wish to turn time back, to revert the progress made of a thousand years, I seek to continue forwards. To progress without the need for Gods or Masters. There will always be those at the top. But in that regard, there will always be a path forwards."

"Hiding behind your cute words of god-fearing and god-hating, acting as if you are better than humanity when time and time again you get sent back to your holes. It's sad, if I'm honest. Tragic, even, maybe."

She exhales once more, an even more thin plume of smoke ebbing forwards. Her eyes don't leave the Ascended, for quite a while, before she glances up to Jianyu and the other demon. Slowly, her shoulders roll into what might have been the most apathetic shrug anyone on Esshar had ever seen.

"Inevitably, the Teraphim will fall. Nysea. Will break. Alabaster will become part of the Machine. You can join it willingly under lock and key. Or you will eventually be merged as the rest of them. Whatever else you have to say, ah-"

She shakes her head, very gently.

"..At least make it interesting. I've things to attend too, and this little spat has taught me nothing that I don't already know about you. And your kind. In general."
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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[14:57] "Such is where your mind find limitations... Tanya. As even your creation? Had been done, by another. It is the past. That harbors the well of knowledge required. To go forward. Such is humanities failures. Constantly restarting... No true progress. Because progress such as that? Would threaten the gods..." Throwing out their arms to the sky above them.

Without thought nor desire, did the sickly magics simply come to life around the ascended. Flourishing like flowers expect leaving nothing, but rot & decay in its wake. "Of course... I do not expect this to be easy... No. Following at times is much more difficult than leading." When you felt to be correct in your state of mind. When knowledge becomes far too overwhelming.

That it must be taught to others.

Such was the ways of progress through the ascended. Like madness, they could hardly tell where they looked to end or even where it all began.

Nevertheless, their arms came to rest beneath their breast; laced together. "You must know the feeling... Right? Such is why you say what you do. Though I know where the line draws between myself and humanity. There are hardly any expectations to this rule... I am no sheep. Tanya... But maybe it's best you learned that? With some quality time with. I... Yes?"

With a snap of the finger to their side. The Nethradin received their command telepathically. "Why not... Put me a in collar. Yourself?" With a smile the night time grew dark as the area above the ascended would begin to twist and contort. Revealing the Animus in its all unholy glory.

Written like taboo, were the cryptic, but visceral spells given by the dark lord. "Tanya... Pyr… Volkova…" Were unleashed. Given birth through the opened pages, every flutter overflowing with the voices of torment that lay trapped inside. And with the incantation sent? One, of the many whispers. Had been sacrificed.
(Irkalla)
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[15:09] "Why not put you in a collar myself?"

Her eyes suddenly spring open, for a moment, the corners of her lips twisting. Emotion is not something that comes very easily to Tanya, and yet her expression, if only for a brief moment, becomes something almost akin to-

Not quite panic. Almost as if adrenaline flowed through her body en masse, as if it erupted all at once the moment the Ascended finishes speaking. The hand resting against her scabbard drummed more aggressively, her eyes flat and staring, never moving away from the demon.

When she inhales, there's burning red stardust that forms about her, encompassing her frame and moving about her visage, covering her eyes and expression to make her look almost demonic. But there's something else in her features.

The look of gears slowly churning in her mind. The look of a General watching her Empire burn.

"Is that what you want, Ascended? The way you speak, the way you act, the way you talk- Is this your way of telling me that you are not afraid of me?" Her eyes narrow once more, severely, and she exhales quietly. The pipe drops from her pipe, falling upon the ground and bumping a good distance away. Her boot presses more firmly into the ground, her lips pursing as she barely stifles a laugh.

"Do you think you are the monster that goes bump in the night? That you are the one people should be having nightmares over? The things I have seen. The things I have done in the name of progress. And you, and your kind, are but a single stepping stone forwards."

With a blinding flash of light, her weapon is drawn- And then slammed, point first, into the ground. It's a thin, flat weapon of pure, gleaming arcanium, shining a myriad of colors, reflecting from Tanya's cosmic energies. Her hand still grips the hilt of it, as if entirely expecting to have to use it-

But then, she only grins, a flat, dull, almost manic grin, at the beast.

"Kneel, Ascended. At my feet. Swear your fealty. Swear your loyalty. Be collared by the Machine and serve your greater purpose. Or I promise you this and only this-"

The cosmic energy around her ignites into a burning, brilliant flame, as if the world about her was moments away from igniting. A crimson echoing fire that coats her entire body, as much a show of power as it was a threat.

"You will be but the first stepping stone that my army conquers on its way to taking Esshar entirely. Kneel. Or have all of your kin beg for mercy when they inevitably find my collar around their disgusting little necks."
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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[15:17] While the air filled with the ascendeds own magic, their was, but a humming being eased passed pale pressed lips. Widening ear-to-ear as tanya spoke up.

A strangely masochist point-of-view. Being berated and taunted, treated lesser than the one who'd ushered in change to Osrona by force. If was in moments like this, where it could expose the reality of the situation.

That always made them revel in the false thoughts of pleasures that'd flood their mind. Maybe through Hel'Heims influence or mere occult madness finally making head-way.

After-all, the demon had produced more than they should, tampered in manners none could do. For their kind.

The after-math only made sense, with cackling filling the void where tanya fell silent to draw blade & conjure fourth their magics. "Tanya... Does one know why, we ascended take on the human shape? It is not because we adore it... It is not because it is; comfortable." Pages continued to flip a barrier of ethereal presence summoned itself around the demon.

"It is because... What humanity fears the most? Is itself... And I am what they all run from. Death! The End! Without fear I march forward and this is what humanity fears from me the most!" Yes, no matter the taunts thrown. No matter the bravado of words spoken with how easily they'd cast away their lives?

The moment of defeat could only bring upon them the realization that all would be for not... That fighting against the ascended? Would only naturally lead to their finale.

"Now then... Come. Collar me. Surely if you do? Then you'd need not worry of the other kindred. They would only naturally come..." She lied. Throwing out a hand to spew out the dark magics in direction of the woman.

Allowing the Nethradin its freedom with their violent roar. Charging forward to initiate the conflict. "You'll be mine... Soon enough.~"
(Irkalla)
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[15:23] This took quite the turn. The Fortune Teller stood quite, gaze shifting.

Commands and the like, kneeling before one another, claiming. Humanity was nothing more than demons at its very core. The Barsburg occupants within Osrona proved that. Progression at the sake of tearing down the strong.

While Irkalla and Jianyu have scarcely spoken, she wouldn't fall here. It's a relationship far better than one built with Tyranny, not so much as great with Morok but.

She's an ally at the end of the day.

Digits flex as they prepare for the worst but Irkalla was the first to strip herself of her Kaor form and rise to heights only dreamt of.

This shouldn't be of much trouble for her. If only they could be of more assistance aside from supporting the Ascended in case of failure.

Nothing slips from their lips, nothing conjured per se. Their hand rose to draw forth from nothing a card of occult. Curiosity if anything.

Fate would be on her side or not. Regardless of its position on the matter, the Shengese positioned themself in a manner to intervene if need be.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[15:26] The effortless violence in Irkalla's magic even pierced through the barricade of Eugo Ravias' soul, He could feel fear begin to well within him, It hadn't been impossible to tell after all due to Irkalla's influence Ravias had already grown to this point in his power.

It would be no surprise to see the Demoness bring forth even more more insanity with the activation of her Animus darkness of the night became bewildering shadows began to grow more dense as if coming to life, Eugo could even feel his own consciousness begin tugged away as by the Umbral energies the Ascended demon could manifest.

As both of them drew their weapons and spat out their ideals it was a clear sign of the battle beginning to unfold. Remembering the words given to him by his Mistress he'd merely accept what was going to happen and let it.

He would aim to read the timestream, Infusing his very own essence to allow him to divine Tanya's movements and relay that information to Irkalla through telepathy in an effort to assist his mistress in any way possible.

Echo's of time were seen clearly to one who had corrupted the very timestream with its presence. The old ways of magic versus the new way of progress. It was the very first of such collisions and it would surely not be the last.
(Eugo La Ravias)
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[15:27] Eugo La Ravias's voice (to Irkalla): Do whatever you have to win Mistress...She must feel the revenge of all demons.
[15:33] There's a sharp inhalation that comes from her as he continues speaking. It's what demons were once always rumored to be, of course; Nightmares. Manifest creations of mortality's own sins given form into the world to cause them to atone. However, as she exhales, there's only a small grin that forms on the corners of her lips.

She'd made peace with her sins a long time ago. If Irkalla, if the Ascended, if Demonkind as a whole was meant to be placed upon this world as a punishment for Humanity's shortcomings?

Then they would cage and shackle those shortcomings, too, and bend them to their own strengths. Through force, if necessary.

And yet, her blade remains pierced into the ground, the crimson stardust flowing about her, coating her blade with a burning red light. She hesitates, or perhaps does not simply move to strike forwards. She knew what she had to do.

The plan laid itself bare in her mind; To collar the demons, to ensure they bent to her beck and command. Otherwise, surely, they would continue growing- A spiral out of control until the world was encompassed by them.

By their own sins.

"You know who I am, Ascended. That much is obvious. You know what I have accomplished. You know my goals and my plans for the future. I offer you only this. Tell me your name, if you have one. Tell me who you are. Of what you wish to accomplish. Tell me your delusions of Grandeur."

The blade is plucked from the ground, sharp point angled towards the demon only for a few moments.

Yes. She knew what she had to do, now. So obvious, all along.

"..That when my armies march over your hiding hole of a forest, that when a collar fits firmly and precisely about your neck. That I know which of your dreams I am shattering without so much as a second thought."
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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[15:42] Without a need to breathe, they took air in for no apparent reason. Allowing the chests expansion to give life to the marking of Hel'Heim over top their sternum. Whereas it resonated akin to the beating heart. The woman's expression fell short on such animosity spread throughout the area.

If only because... To put shortly? Felt too much akin to Tanya's own desires. Feeling as though, they either could've been companions in another life or reflections in the same.

"I seek... Evolution. Advancements without limitation. A world I know is possible. As my kind isn't the only one on Eternia… Surely others have gotten further. No matter what others claim. It may be impossible to revive demon-kind to the lengths they were in the mythical era... But that doesn't mean I can't try to usher it in. Right?"

But even if they could, surely such effects would ripple across the world. Maybe even to the heavens? This much they feared. To be at the cusp. Only to be struck down without impunity.

With a glance over to the two on the sidelines. As they offered their words through telepathy. One thing rang true in the demons core. "I am... Irkalla. And soon enough? I will be the very reason. Humanity finds a reason to progress forward."

Because surely... Like walter? This spell may never work again on the woman. But it did elude to thought provoking images. War? For better or worst. Was only a means to further themselves in an attempt to become the Abyssal Lords of Lore.
(Irkalla)
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[15:49] There's only a momentary hesitation in Tanya's expression as Irkalla speaks. Her lips part, and indeed, she somewhat realizes it, too. Perhaps, another time, another life, the two would not be so different- Yet Irkalla's very existence spits on everything that Tanya believes in.

There could be no peace betwixt the two, even as likeminded as they apparently were.

A sudden flash of arcanium glints through the air, a brilliant array of shining bright colors that finds itself placed entirely back into the scabbard at her side. It slides in perfectly, ornately, as if the weapon hadn't been used much at all. A decorative piece only brought out for display.. Or, in emergencies.

"Humanity has already found its reason to progress forwards."

She twists on her heels, and then.. She does not appear to be running, not entirely. It's almost a leisurely jaunt, a more quick step than a sprint, a brisk walk on a summer road. She inhales, slowly, letting the cosmic magic dissipate around her.

Another time. Another day. They could have been allies. They might have even been friends.

"Irkalla."

The word leaves her mouth before Tanya can truly comprehend herself saying it. A thousand thoughts ran through her mind, as if she had entirely lost herself for a moment. So bizarre, for Tanya to act out in aggression. So strange, the thought rolls about in her mind, for her to actively attempt to do something so brazen and wild as this.

"We both wish to see progress. We both wish to surpass limitations and exceed to whatever the next level is. To whatever lies ahead. In that regard, you and I, we see eye to eye. I'm not sorry that it has to be this way. But I am interested to see precisely where your path lands. And which of us is going to be the one to kill the other."

She continues walking, and unless otherwise stopped, she doesn't stop again, offering a quiet, "my condolences for Modok" as she goes.
(Tanya pyr Volkova)
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[15:49] Jianyu Xi says, ". . ."
[15:58] It is within the limitlessness of magic that there came moments where not even the demon could come to comprehend how its own craftsmanship's would come to blossom. It wasn't too long ago that they'd found out that through a few intense, but particular factors.

They could as easily lose the essence's taken. As they were stolen from the warriors.

Possibly a reminder to some degree. That even the ascendeds control over the soul had been subject to the finite existence. "It has... And it bare roots in enslaving our kind..." And while it might've not been for the sake of Irkalla that such technologically had been ushered in.

It would surely look to further influence the world going forward. According to the design predetermined by the fallen kin. Morok. "Though worry not... For it is because we seek the same ideal. That leads our paths together." While they didn't have much to show in terms of world design.

Soon enough their studies could become more. Less they fall behind and truly become the victim of this exchange.

Alas, as the woman started to leave. The demon could only watch. Knowing despite its best efforts. They wouldn't keep up. Playing its most dangerous card, for the sake of influencing violence. They merely bided their time.

"As for morok… It doesn't matter. He is gone, but he will be remembered. As those who remain carry on his legacy." Waving a hand towards their departure. The ascended could only glance over to the two. A sluggish shrug of the shoulders whilst the animus faded from sight.

"It matters not if I fight her now... Or later. The results remain the same should we be forced to be pitted against them in war." However, maybe they could manage.
(Irkalla)
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