Render Unto Chaos

[20:51] {NARRATION} Something strange was occuring in the caves of former Tongyishan; it had been razed, given strife by the forces of Chaos, of those aligned with Gaiar Atherius. Yet in that time, the period in which 'peace' was formed on the ruins and suffering of others, it gave the chance for something else to bloom.

No, as soon as Ishmael and his faithful party of merry men and demon alike, arrived at the locale they were going to delve into, the first thing they could notice was the lack of snow and the intense heat radiating from the gaping maw that was the entrance to the caverns, north. Yes, the ground was slick with moisture and plenty of newly formed craters marred the once pristine snowlands.

To those attuned with the Arcane, they might have an inkling of the reason why; there was something in those caves of value, something of great power --yet with great power comes great 'responsibility' or so the saying goes.

Yet as quickly as the party approaches, do they manage to attract attention; loud stomping footsteps echoed throughout the small valley leading northbound and the grisly groans and moans of angry and hungry demons could be heard along side the rushing commotion towards them.

Stomp. Snap. Crack.

Like it or not, the party was not going to get a warm reception here.
[20:56] Taking to venture alongside the many others of Gaiar. The political stance, the power held over the lands. Things were were wavering, but alas, they would still refuse to forfeit their lands.

Coming across a rare bunch of information. Bleh bleh, danger!

The kaor followed behind the accursed in obtaining objects, worthwhile. Hone its strength and aid in its allies progression. "Ah. . . Kin, ready to battle?"

The puddle of blood would converge, morph, until it took the shape of a bloody hound. "Let us not waste time on enemies that oppose us." The demon claimed, tentacles reached out, aiming to withhold the kaor down, yanking it in for a taste.~
(Xezbeth)
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[20:58] Such heat..just what is this place? The heat was almost scortching from the mouth of the cave. But as a book scribe following behind the lord of Gaiar and the accursed priest that he thought of as a friend. He felt an inkling of safety


He would readily die for a chance to record this exciting discovery. Eyes scanned the ground. A book detatching from his waste as he went no time to sketch the entrance of the cave as well as making notes of its heat before he heard the sounds..


Soon enough loud stomping footsteps that echoed throughout the valley before the hungry and grisly groans of hunger as demons rushed forward forward to greet them..a shame.


Violent winds soon swirled around the valmasian rabbit as he took a more.."defensive" spot behind Ishmael and the demons. He would provide as much aid as he possibly could.

"Well..lets see what trouble we can cause.."
(Lu Zain)
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[20:58] While it was typically not inclined to be a follower of any sort, the demon allowed Ishmael to lead the way. If this was a chance to explore Agartha, Lugonqi would do whatever it took in pursuit of lost and forbidden knowledge; any edge possible on its enemies. With flames licking idly about its body to provide light, the ram strode onward.

And yet ambush awaited them. "Khh.." the Kaor growled, allowing its flame to turn black with shadowy magic. The slender demon folded its hands together, lithe digits pressing against one another.

It had no magic over the arcane, yet a similar sort of mana powered its telepathy. An overbearing force of psionic magic ebbed outward, beating at the minds of the arrived demons. "Be gone, kin. We have no quarrel," Lugonqi snapped. It was no pacifist, but on the same hand, it was wise to at first make an attempt at words.

But it was ready to fight nonetheless, given the way that hordes of its own lesser thralls began to gather.
(Lugonqi)
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[21:01] The arcane arts was something that Ishmael knew full well of. The tremors of power within the air made it difficult to not notice. Surely, there were others who had taken notice. But, it would be the priest of Aetherius that would be among the first to investigate this disturbance. Unfortunately, it seems there was more to it than just the group.

There were others in the vicinity that were drawn to its presence. Rival Demons, those that were not aligned with Aetherius, those that did not respect the strength of the gathered party, for they had not seen what the others have witnessed. Ishmael glances to the others expectingly before he speaks.

"Keep your eyes peeled. I do not doubt that we are not wanted here. But, it is not a matter of being welcomed, but a matter to find the source of this disturbance and to end it."

The slight chills he felt from the air was enough for Ishmael to know that they were, at least, going in the correct direction. The molten staff is raised, the right hand held high as the priest boldly prepares to defend himself.

"We're already being welcomed before we've set foot in the door."
(Ishmael)
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[21:01] Sleeping within the former caves of Tongyishan was a great Kaor demon, Anguish. One which had arrived with the intentions of claiming the area and making it his own--it would be the start of a glorious empire. The demon's ambitions were of course to reach the stage of Archon and amass a loyal following which would aid it for centuries to come.

As the commotion of the party outside was heard, the massive demon's blood-red eyes shot open. A small growl escaped from it's mouth. Tresspassors? On the property of Anguish? How dare they. . .?! They would surely be given a rude awakening. The massive demon rose upwards, standing about twenty-five feet in it's full length and mad it's away from the dark depths of the cave to the entrance.

To it's surprise, Anguish was meant with two if it's kin. If this were any normal day the demon would have eagerly attempted a recruitment, however it had just been defeated in an arm wrestle by Darcrei, a mere Giga and now it was in quite the sour mood.

"Imbeciles...fools. You dare tresspass upon the land of the soon-to-be-Archon-Lord, Anguish?! You will pay with your life!"

It's voice bellowed, shaking the trees as each word was spoken. A bright flash of red lightning spread outwards, an attack upon the group. It seems the battle had already begun.
(Anguish)
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[21:02] "Disgusting. A sad sight to see our kind devolved into trash. Civilized trash, living in a city like some sheltered weaklings. I roam the darkness during my hunts on my own. Tell me.." Darcrei waddled closer to Xezbeth and Lugonqi. "Do you two actually care for the safety of other kins?" There's a sinister look in the Demon's eyes, filled with hungry. "Do you even eat other Demons to become stronger? All just trash in my eyes."

Purple tentacles would rip out from the Demon's, stretching outwards in different direction. "Allow me to you all of you weaklings the true power." Upon noticing Lu Zain, the Demon licked his lips. "Mm.. Yes. I haven't had rabbit stew in ages." A whole feast right in front of it.

The tentacles drew close to the Accursed. "I feel Occultism.. It's different from any Human. Are you trying to imitate the superior race? You make me laugh!" The moodof the atmosphere soon changed, bloodthirsty eyes looking down on Ishamael. "I'll save you for last, freak."
(Darcrei)
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[21:04] Lugonqi whispers: Focus upon the Kaor.
[21:04] Lugonqi whispers: Inform Ishmael.
[21:04] Lu Zain whispers: Done deal..
[21:04] Lu Zain whispers: Focus the Kaor..
[21:04] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[21:05] {NARRATION} As soon as the fight began to break out, the mountains that formerly belonged to Tongyishan let out a loud rumble.

And as if by magic, lightning crackled down to whip against the stony cliff face, as the skies, slowly but surely turning darker and darker by the moment.

It appeared as if it was going to rain rather soon.
[21:09] Anguish says, "Seems the rabbit stew...will have to wait."
[21:13] {NARRATION} Despite managing to push back the Demons that approached with hostility, it appeared they weren't done yet...!

Were they going berserk? What was that unusual reddish ether flowing out of their wounds and such?! How strange.

Whatever the case was, it'd appear they weren't going to go down without a fight.
[21:13] Xezbeth Withered about, fully prepared to do combat once more.
(Xezbeth)
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[21:29] If they would fight, there would be no mercy in the slightest. The Kaor of hellfire allowed its innate magics to run wild. While a psionic weight banged upon the minds of the two demons, so did shadowflame that lit up the cave. The stone itself was heated to tremendous temperatures as fire beat at the skin of the demons, seeming to melt away the skin.

Its first target was the biggest one: Anguish. Hexes and curses hindered the demon's movements so that Lugonqi's allies could pile on with a wave of raw damage. Blow for blow, they fought. The demon could hardly feel the injuries that were slowly piling up from battle after battle, utilizing shielding magic to stave off the constant assaults.

A sea of fire descended on the mountains of Tongyishan. Anguish was fallen, leaving only Darcrei standing, and only barely.

With a sudden explosion at its feet, the Argothian launched itself towards the greater demons. Its horns, two crafted prosthetic of mythril, bored through the creature's eyes with a disgusting squelch of gore. Lifting the blinded Darcrei up by that gruesome link, Lugonqi roared.

"There will be no disrespect."

From those leylines shot suddenly a burst of shadowflame magic. An explosion sounded from the tip of its horns, sat firmly within its skull. The umbretarn demon's head exploded into chips of bone of meat. Dead.
(Lugonqi)
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[21:30] The font of his rage was unleashed in great swathes of flames. The snow is burnt black from the sheer hate unleashed upon the Kaor for his claims of ascending to Archon. The very thought of some unaligned Demon ascending to the same power as his god was not something he'd take lightly. A great pressure of telekinesis slams down onto Anguish, to pin the Kaor demon to the snow floor.

"You? YOU ascending to Archhood?"

"FOOL!"

Anguish's body is subjected to further pressure, as Ishmael subjugates the Demon through the raw connection that Ishmael held through the Lifestream. The arcane force intensifying, as the untapped mana is burned in order to unfurl his fury upon the Kaor for his lack of strength. Ishmael refused to accept such a Demon as an Archon, not without the might to prove him otherwise.

"A lonely mongrel that thinks himself worthy to be Archon has no place here! I will not be your judge, I shall leave that to your kin."

Ishmael turns towards Lugonqi and Xezbeth, nodding to them both as the pressure remains upon Anguish, to let the Kaors do as they willed with their subject. Soon enough, the priest moves onwards, to let the Demons dispense punishment as they saw fit.
(Ishmael)
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[21:31] The battle was drawn out, but the combined might of so many of gaiar's finest. Surely the group could handle any adversity placed before them. And when it felt to be too easy, the demons had provoked a battle of endurance.

Each stage the demons somehow managed to grow stronger and the kaor itself could feel the blows delivered in its recklessness. "Hrm . ." The demon leapt across the field, whipping out its bodily fluids to restrain the kaor as the others inflicted the majority of blows.

Feeling as if it was likely the most inferior amongst them all. It was taking advantage of these powerful foes that would draw out the demons eagerness to provide for itself all the while.

And when the battle was coming close to its conclusion, the demons form erupted, lathering Anguish in a pool of blood. Quickly, quietly. It wrapped around the entirety of its form.

Restricted as the blood itself grew punctures, piercing into the demons skin. Drawing out their blood until they were nothing more, but a carcass.
(Xezbeth)
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[21:34] Two losses had been suffered today. One in arm-wrestling, and one in life-or-death combat. The massive Kaor demon had been battered by the combined efforts of the party, an impressive one at that--Two Kaor Demons, An Arcane user...and a rabbit.

With Xezbeth's final strike it had been punctured, it's blood sucked away leaving only a deflated corpse. It was over. The dream of Archonhood would never be reached.
(Anguish)
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[21:36] "To lose to inferior beings. I must be going too easy, tch!" The group's combined force manage to bring down the Demons with ease. There was no feast for Darcrei anymore, he's the one that's becoming the prey now for the group of Magi and Demons.

The Demon let out an hideous scream once Luqongi ripped his eyes from his sockets, blinding him to not be able to predict the next attack against him. "Ah! You fool! I'll east you!"

Lugonqi had the upper hand, lifting him up from the ground. "No one will ever respect you. I wonder how it feels to die, though. I haven't felt pain in ages.." From the flames coming off the Ram Demon's horns, Darcrei's head would explode into bits with meat and bones painting the ground.
(Darcrei)
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[21:36] {NARRATION} Victory. The group had managed to succeed; no matter how the hostile Demons were dealt with, it was quite clear whatever was occuring deeper within the caves was not proper, not right and certainly not natural; it was their target however, to investigate. Yet...

Should the group proceed north... Wait.

No. Why else WERE they here?! They are proceeding north, as to enter the entrance to the caves of former Tongyishan and whilst doing so they might notice something out of place along the wayside; a small box of materials and camping goods abandoned. Upon it held the symbol of Zheng Island burned into the wooden crate that stood out like a sore thumb; it was quite clear they might not be just dealing with terrorital demons, but perhaps those aligned against them within the war.

Maybe they were here already investigating, perhaps trying to steal what SHOULD be theirs.

Still, it might be worth investigating that crate before they move along; especially since to those of a greedy dispostion might notice the glint of metal, precious metal that is and should they inspect it? There'd be three whole chunks of Mythril for the taking.

A paltry reward for simply being here; but of course, they had to survive the skirmishes ahead before making good on what they have taken.
[21:37] Lugonqi is no longer a subscriber and thus cannot take any loot.
(Lugonqi)
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[21:38] The small box is given a quick glance, before Lu Zain is nudged. The Bunny Blacksmith is soon re-directed towards the box spotted just a mere few steps away from them. It wouldn't be smart of them to abandon war efforts nearby.

"Lu Zain. Pick up that box. See what's inside and meet us in."

Ishmael, currently, didn't have a need for ore. But perhaps, the Blacksmith would.
(Ishmael)
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[21:38] Xezbeth Didn't seem too concerned with the glimmer of ore. Rather, it desired what could be obtained further in.
(Xezbeth)
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[21:41] Zheng Island...why on earth would they be here? No idea but as they contuned out..Lu almost..sniffed the air? Sharply trained blacksmith eyes turned towards the crate.

"Roger that Ishmael."

A sort of..giddy feeling took him? He used his scythe to crack open and find!


Mythril. And with that the blacksmith soon pocketed the mythril from inside the crate.
(Lu Zain)
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[21:48] {NARRATION} Entering the cave was a most odd sight; instead of being greeted with a simple cavern, they had entered what one could only assume to be an illusion of sorts... Or was it? The inside was snowy; like Tongyishan, yet the air wasn't stale or... Anything! It felt as if they were OUTSIDE.

Infact, as they moved a little further; they might be able to make out the presence of ruins and that of a cobblestone floor that would be attributed to a castle or maybe a keep.

Truly it was an odd sight.

To Ishmael though, he might be able to discern that something was at work here; as if a foreign power, despite being familiar to his own, was trying to distort and corrupt the environment they currently stood within. As if reality was being altered or something along those lines; it was the impression it might be able to give off.

"ARGH! I'M CUT OPEN! I'M DYING!"

Screams suddenly ripped out from the abyss-like surroundings; the voices seemingly echoing all over, as if those deeper within were meeting fate's end.

"OH BY... THE... DIVINE... EEEEIIIIII---!"

Another one after another; it was certainly torturous upon the ears. It begged the question that... Did they choose to simply charge dead ahead into the darkness to, as to get to the source of that racket sooner rather than later or did they search their surroundings? A few leftovers were present; as if a war camp had been set up, but then also hurriedly left behind; chests and tents just strewn all over the snowy ground.

(Do you choose to move along or inspect the area first before moving along?)
[21:49] Xezbeth says, "Hm. . . A forest. I've known them to have much should you look well enough."
[21:49] Lu Zain says, "Hmm.."
[21:49] Lugonqi glanced about the utter darkness. "I propose we investigate our surroundings before we venture onwards."
(Lugonqi)
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[21:50] And while this observation was made, it was wholly, a group effort. Hearing the cries off in the distance, the mere sensation of this area gave off a dangerous vibe.
(Xezbeth)
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[21:50] Lu softly sighed before nodding slightly. "I say we uh..investigate.."
(Lu Zain)
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[21:53] The expanse of darkness was something he expected. A glance is given to Lugonqi as he seemed to have the same thought in mind. The priest nods, moving down into the camps that were strewn about to see what other items had been left behind by the Tongiyshan raid. Surely, not everything had been looted, just as every person wasn't slaughtered, as it should have been.

The echoing of the voices were harmful upon his ears, but the priest could feel that there was another power at work. Perhaps, it was a genuine Archon. Or perhaps, an Accursed had fallen and drifted into pure insanity. Or, worse yet, a creature far more attuned to the Lifestream was laying in wait. The troubling thoughts put him uneased, but Ishmael refused to let it hinder him long.

"Something... Someone... Is down here, changing this place with their aura. With the very connection that they possess to the Lifestream... They're changing this place to suit their needs. Do be cautious, as it might be the type of change to turn this place into a death trap."

Ishmael soon resumes his diligent searching, to see what items he'd unearthed from the ragged camps of the former living Jianghu forces.
(Ishmael)
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[21:55] {NARRATION} To the members of the party that chose to observe their surroundings first, inspecting anything that may or may not be of interest, two objects stood out!

The first one was a heavy looking chest, covered in runic symbols and the likes; it might be able to be cracked open, maybe goodies were inside...

...The next object was a most unusual fountain of sorts; it cropped out of the rocky walls and did not appear Jianghuren, it was more akin to something from an older age yet at the same time to those that were attuned highly to the Arcane, or were simply expert Earth Magi, they could tell it was there.

But it also wasn't there. As if it was perhaps sharing it's location with another dimension maybe? There was no certainty as to say for sure, just the vibe it gave off.

To those that were fully demon, however, they feel familiar with it.

As for it's contents that were on display, the liquid was purple and tended to bubble up and fizz; as if it was alchemical perhaps in nature. Maybe they could collect a sample or drink from it if they were feeling particularily brave.

As for the chest, it wouldn't take a genius to realise it might be warded, yet if they manage to open it up, who knows what rewards were inside?!

1, a minor permanent nerf.
2 to 4, a temporary nerf.
5+, a reward.
[21:58] Prosthetic eyes flickered. This demon had evolved from the state of greater by absorbing the power of a Watcher of Illyotha. Since then, with the mana of an otherworldly creature flowing through its body and fueling its emotional cortex, it had long accepted the decision to take power from fonts off occultism. The ram stepped over to the otherworldly well.

"Home," it murmured instinctively.

Its fleshless maw dipped downward, taking up a gulp of the strange liquid. Whatever the consequence, it was unsure. It was simply the force of attraction that caused it. A fall to primal instincts and desires.
(Lugonqi)
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[21:59] A Fountain with..purple liquid? Or the chest..A bit of confusion flickered on his face before the valmasian rabbit straight up dived for the chest.

"I'll..take the risk here Ismhael.."

And soon after speaking..its chest opening time.
(Lu Zain)
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[22:04] {NARRATION} For Lugonqi who decided to be quite greedy! He might be feeling a bit sluggish after guzzling all that strange liquid in a gulp. Least that was the sensation at first was sluggish before it transitioned into a heavy pounding headache.

And then...

It'd start with an odd tingle in those mithril horns of his, followed by a rippling within whatever 'flesh' or 'skin' the Demon possessed.

Before too long, Lugonqi found his horns receeding; yet what he lost up top, his dental health made up for! As a pair of 'fangs' or rather his canines became more prominent like a pair of tusks jutting out and his flesh turning a tinge of dark green. And yes, this was permanent.

He also felt incredibly drunk beyond measure; overconfidence beginning to assault his ego or mentality. Whether or not this would be the means to one's downfall was uncertain for now.

Maybe drinking the odd liquid in some unknown fountain wasn't the smartest of ideas available.
[22:11] {NARRATION} As for Lu Zain; he wasn't lucky, yet unlike Lugonqi, the poor lad would be going home not in a body bag --fortunately, but he did have a few more scars now!

Yes as soon as his hands got on that chest, it began to violently tremble and then shudder... It even creaked open on it's own accord, as a nasty TONGUE shot out of it, jagged teeth lining the 'lips' of the chest's interior as it were.

But before it could even wrap it's tongue around Lu Zain's pretty little right arm, the runes that were engraved upon the 'Mimic', lit up...

BOOM.

The chest exploded, sending bits of sickly red goop all over the place, bits of metallic shrapnel all over the place and more importantly, burning Lu Zain quite badly, mostly his right arm and face. Hopefully he didn't become Two-Face, since he was beginning to look quite a bit like that.

Despite that, a bundle of soothing reed was left behind in the aftermath, so it wasn't too bad.
[22:12] "Khh.."

That strange, otherworldly liquid began to sop down from its chin. It stood up, yet it seemed to twist. One foot slipped to the side as it gripped at its forehead. Pain was assailing its forehead, and for the master of telepathy, everyone else would feel the side effects.

A strange, static sensation overtook the other party members inadvertently. Telepathy filled their minds with a buzzing, lacking pain but still incredibly unsettling. The Kaor twitched, its lithe body rolling about.

Those prosthetic horns shifted through its skull. And in the place of that mass, tremendous fangs grew, sliding down its maw. Its skin rippled, tainted with whatever magic was found in that fountain to turn the tint strangely green.

It turned, prosthetic eyes taking in the strange sight as it stumbled backwards.

"Ambrosia."

The ram giggled.
(Lugonqi)
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[22:25] {NARRATION} The cavern was clearly not just a cavern anymore; the voices of thirty year old... Men and women or something along those lines crying out as they travelled through what appeared to be dark twisting maze-like 'castle'. Or rather. Nightmare.

To Lu Zain, it might feel 'crushing', as if despair was about to collapse upon him and consume him wholesale.

To Lugonqi, the atmosphere made him feel giddy and aggressive almost! As if he wanted to rush ahead despite the dangers.

For Ishmael, it was something else; as if someone was grasping the back of his skull and squeezing heavily as the on set of a headache began to form. He might even hear the slight murmurs of whispers and otherwise amongst the louder shouts and yells from far off in the distance.

As for Xezbeth however, they didn't seem to be affected as heavily; perhaps owing to the fact they were a bit of a shapeless Enigma -- even then, they felt more 'floaty' than usual.

Despite all that, the sounds of people shouting and yelling could be heard...

"You call yourself a bleedin' Jianghuren? You're a lesbian WHORE!"

Of memories from the past, these shot out to strike the group's eardrums.

"I've met Gehennans that fought more fearsome than you!"

Taunting memories, as if battle was taking place between rowdy members of a bar more than an actual battlefield. Whatever power had awoken within the Tongyishan caves...? It wasn't as simple as one might assume, it appeared to be altering the very reality of the caverns to meet it's demands.

"Die, Valmasian! Die!"

Yet the further the party travelled, the weirder things got. Blocking their way deeper into the not-so-complex abyss of castle floors and ruined pillars were a pair of Zheng priests. They did not appear so friendly and had flared outbound their holy power, illuminating the area.

Past the duo, laid a broken yet sizely spire shard embedded into the ground, a bit like a stake after it was driven through a vampire's chest --to the heart. It seemed to be leaking some sort of latent magical essence, but it'd require closer inspection. It would also not be stupid to assume that the priests infront of them, might or might have not damaged the oversized spire shard.
[22:29] The group had entered into the vast abyss. An endless maze, that drew out the puddles. . . Puddling! It was possibly because of its lack of being that drew out lesser effects when compared to the others.

However, it wasn't far from paranoid as the others might have been. For each subtle reaction the others made. The more it knew the effects were weighing in on the group.

"Hrm. . . T-this location is strange."

It mumbles, wandering out till eventually they'd be met with a duo. A priest? Likely the source. . . And their tones!? Hmph.
(Xezbeth)
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[22:30] Looks at the flimsy group before him. Without hesitation he sent forth a wave of holy magic. These beings needed to be killed, their occultic energies couldn't be allowed past them, this was the fore front. This was the final stand for the two priests.

Janken dashes forward. His monk like attack style sends a massive force wave flying at the group. He charges in knowing his brother in arms was ready for this battle.
(Janken Hikibou)
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[22:32] Drunk with power? That tended to be the state that the demon was at a majority of the time, when no one was in its way. This was truly bliss for the Argothian noble, who believed itself the superior being to all. Its ego was infinitely inflated, while its sensed were dulled to see any adversaries as weaker than they truly were.

The 'ram' sauntered forward, arms swaying at either side. It seemed to be holding itself with an imagined grace, nullified by the fact that it was essentially inebriated by both magic liquid and strange ethereal magics that tampered with the mind. Strange dark mists ebbed freely from its very center, those emotions of giddiness easily shared with the party.

Coming before the exorcists who guarded a spire, the demon scowled. "A Geeem of the Cataclysm!" it roared, a lithe hand raising. From its finger tip began to spout scorching hellfire, aimed blindly forward to halt the approach.

"BURN, BURN, BURN! BURN LIKE THE INSECTS YOU ARE! I WILL SCORCH AWAY THE ORIGINAL SIN!"
(Lugonqi)
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[22:32] Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

The priest would stand idle next to Janken. He wasn't happy, the state of Zheng and Agartha as we know it was wrong. Occultists, demons, chaos, sin, and much more.

It all needed to be purged.

Zheng's passive turtle-like nature wasn't what was needed. Ikkaku was the only one who had a good vision. The rest--

All wrong, blind. It was clear to Nobonaga that he and Janken had to take matters into their own hands. His hand would rest on the hilt of his blade as the group approached.

"You won't make it past us. You will be purged" No more words! ATTACK!



(Nobonaga)
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[22:33] After having his face burned and graze today was not- the best of days..He made sure to conjure a soft looking cloud to stick to half of his face as the group continued onward. Suddenly the cavern wasnt a cavern anymore..this..this was far worse.



This was like entering the gates of depravity and sin itself...

A groan came from the valmasian rabiit as the air and the voices caused him to cower to the ground- Practically crushing him with all the despair around him.

Just..just what is this nightmare...God it was painful..

"By Kraust..Let us finish this sin.."


A low breath came from the valmasian as violent winds once more surrounded him. A sickly plague like silver aura flashed ever so slightly..santifying his fall deeper into sin.

(Lu Zain)
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[22:34] Lugonqi whispers something.
[22:34] Lugonqi whispers: The.. BALD.. MAN!
[22:35] Lugonqi whispers something.
[22:35] The pangs of the headaches he felt were starting to wear him down. The constant throb that made being connected to the Lifestream a misery had begun to make him wane. A hand comes to grip at the side of his skull, his mind stabilizing as best as he could, while Ishmael sought to drive out the dampening thoughts that polluted his mind.

"So noisy... So very noisy... Too much... Noise... There's-"

The sudden flush of holy magic had nearly caught him unaware. But the last few seconds prior to the attack being unleashed had been felt. Holy magic's presence was like the smell of rotten eggs for the Accursed, unable to ignore it, yet able to feel its presence coming. A right hand is outstretched as the occultic magic is pushed forward to redirect the wave from them.

"MORE of them? Jinks we failed to kill?!" The very idea that there were more hiding away in this very cavern brought forth his hatred, as it bubbled to the top, gradually overflowing his senses, teeth bared at the exorcists monks that dared to stand in their path. Ishmael could feel it, the repugnancy of their exorcism. But he could also feel the spire shard's presence, the divine item that awaited acquisitioning.

"I will BURN EVERY LAST ONE!"

The Lifestream is tapped into, pulling forth power to bend the untapped mana in the air, weaponizing it as a means to crush those that stood in their way.
(Ishmael)
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[22:35] Lugonqi whispers something.
[22:35] Lu Zain whispers: Right..right..
[22:49] Lugonqi whispers: FOCUS.. HAIRED ONE.
[22:49] Lugonqi whispers: TELL ISHMAEL.
[22:49] Lu Zain whispers: Time..to focus the haired one Ishmael.
[22:50] Janken tosses his shirt to the side. The Demon Lugonqi was powerful, the first to ever make the monk kneel.
(Janken Hikibou)
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[22:50] Xezbeth runs around about like a chicken without a head. Trying to deal some damage!
(Xezbeth)
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[22:50] "No more games."

He'd throw the kimono dress away. It was time to fight with no holds barred.
(Nobonaga)
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[22:50] Janken Hikibou says, "I'm coming for your horns, Grub."
[22:50] Lugonqi exclaims, "INSEEECTS!"
[22:50] {NARRATION} The very ground begins to shake, as a pillar swings down and CRASHES into the arena; more and more reddish, corrupt, chaotic ether began to escape and leak into the air!
[22:50] Lugonqi says, "I WILL.. BURN.. YOU."
[22:51] Lugonqi exclaims, "GAHAAAAA!"
[22:51] Lu Zain says, "Leave..my ears be.."
[22:51] Lugonqi exclaims, "THE BLOOD.. THE MAGIC.. OF THE DARK REALM!"
[22:51] Lugonqi exclaims, "INFUSES ME!"
[22:58] Janken cracks his neck and puts his shirt back on.
(Janken Hikibou)
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[22:59] Janken Hikibou says, "Scram... Before we take that stake to you..."
[23:01] Lugonqi downs a whole jar of lax essence. "REAAAA!"
(Lugonqi)
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[23:03] {NARRATION} It appeared the priests were some of the best Zheng had to offer in terms of pure zealotry. Yet even then, they were far from done; the group had two choices, either to continue fighting or to give up. Of course, surely, giving up would be out of the question!
[23:03] Lugonqi exclaims, "FIGHT ON! SQUASH THE INSECTS!"
[23:03] Ishmael says, "I refuse to give up to Zheng scum..."
[23:03] Lugonqi exclaims, "NO MORTAL CAN DARE DEFEAT A DEMON!"
[23:04] Janken holds up his hands laughing at Lugonqi.
(Janken Hikibou)
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[23:04] Janken Hikibou says, "You know you dont want none."
[23:05] Lugonqi exclaims, "I'LL SQUASH YOUR HAIRLESS HEAD BETWEEN MY PALMS, MORTAL!"
[23:05] Lu Zain says, "I just want to get..lore.."
[23:05] Lugonqi exclaims, "AND MAKE TOAST OF YOUR SCALP!"
[23:26]
[23:35] Nobonaga exclaims, "Oh baby a triple!"
[23:35] Janken Hikibou says, "Holy hand grenades coming your way."
[23:35] Lu Zain says, "My lore.."
[23:41] Xezbeth Was growing rather exhausted with the constant state of battle. Yet it continued neverthe less.
(Xezbeth)
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[23:43] Xezbeth Having preformed for quite sometime. It sought after some minor trinkets if possible. Missing out on early oppertunities. But maybe those were best avoided. . . Unlike this one! Aiming to swiftly grasp one. Needing to be swifter. Should they desire to beat its. . .Hand?
(Xezbeth)
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[23:44] It was probably the hardest fight it had ever been in. The strength of the two was colossal, especially with the fact that they commanded the power of the arcane itself. Blows of the lifestream beat against the demon, as if fate itself wished to halt its advance. The inebriated, enchanted Kaor refused.

"EVEN DESTINY CANNOT HOLD BACK THE GREAT LORD LUGONQI!" it roared in a prideful boast, its telepathy oddly slurred. Flames rippled wildly about the demon, as if forming a tornado of fire. The Argothian exploded forward to catch the monks in its grasp, sending them spiraling about its prison of whirling hellfire, making room for its allies to come in for blows.

And in it was in that manner that it managed, in the final bout, to catch both of them. "BUUURN, INSECTS. BURN!" the demon roared as fire billowed from its maw, transforming the arena into a hell that even the exorcism couldn't escape from.

While Lugonqi hadn't landed a killing blow, it certainly had done a great deal to maim the duo.
(Lugonqi)
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[23:44] The fight was truely hellish for the valmasian. With what little he could provide the kaors and Ishmael with typhoons and tornados seemed to do just enough for him. The voices around him clouded his vision as he slowly rose from his postion. Stumbling over towards Ishmael at a staggeringly slow pace- Accomponied by clouds to help him walk along from the various cuts and scratches that adorned his body.


Today..was at least a success..

"We..did it.."

If anything else? The valmasian would collapse onto a cloud to regain his stamina- letting everything else go to the ones who did more of the work.
(Lu Zain)
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[23:46] {NARRATION} Victory! At a cost of their own physical wellbeing; as a result, no matter how the priests were disposed of, the party would for sure garner two particular items that were like twins.

A pair of 'cleansing bands'. Such items were oft carried by Jianghuren priests as a means to bolster their holy power and to ward off occultic influences; quite the odd little bits of gear, but were likely to be of interest to those present. Be it for research or for their own usage.

However, with the priests dealt with came the opportunity to study the broken spire shard stabbed into the ground in the center of the room. It still had some magical power left within it and might be of use to the party; perhaps to enchant their equipment or to... Take a gamble with their own bodies somemore.

Should the foolish try to meddle with it, hands on, they would be at the mercy of the die.

(Die Roll results are hidden, 1 to 5 have some kind of negative result, with tradeoffs. 6 has a massive boon if one is lucky enough.)
[23:49] {Item} You picked up Cleansing Band.Dropped by Ghostly Voice. .
[23:49] The Accursed had endured much to get to where he was. To stand inside these halls had proved that much. But the monks had dealt him a serious blow to not only his physical being, but to his pride. To say that Ishmael was seeing red was an understatement. The first holy mage-- Janken, is targetted first and foremost. Once the monk was caught in Xezbeth's attention was when he planned to act.

A powerful, occultic surge pulsed from his being, a single hand outstretched as the bottles of rage came unfurling forth, pulling Janken closer, towards the grip of the Accursed until Ishmael could wrap his whole hand around the monk's throat. The sharp pupils would not listen to mercy, nor would the monk's pleas go answered.

"How dare you touch my gift... How DARE you taint me with your filth!"

The gaze was blinded by fury, strangling the life from the holy magi with the occultic influence he mustered. The darker side of the lifestream is called upon to fuel his strength, his determination to take what is his. The power of his palm intensifies, gradually putting enough pressure until, at long last, there's a sickening snap heard from the monk's neck.

The spine had been bent backwards, with Ishmael still pressuring the man until he was a pretzel'd pulp. But even then, he had not been quenched of his hate. That is, until he felt the pulsating power of the spire shard. Something told him to not go forth and to touch it, another part of him wanted to calmly figure out how to seize it without tampering with it. But within his state of mind, he rushes forward, ahead of the pack, to blindly seize it despite what consequences it may have.

"This must be it! This must be what I am looking for!"

Ishmael cared not for whatmay come, he merely goes to yank the shard out.
(Ishmael)
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[23:56] {NARRATION} Whilst the party decides to tally up the loot and what have you, it'd be Ishmael that decided to... Bravely.

Yet foolishly touch the broken spire shard! Whilst he wanted to pull it out, it was not something the Accursed was going to find easy at all; like that of a taser, excess energy jumped off of the shard, STRIKING the poor redheaded man straight into the eyes.

As this happened, Ishmael would find his balance off, his footing like jelly and his eyes? Blanking out.

He'd fall flat on the floor soon after and as soon as he came around? He'd find his body feeling a little softer and his eyes cloudy; yet it wasn't like classic partial blindness -- no, in the 'blindspots' were unusual dreams, think like that of an Oscuri, seeing dreams of a Divine War.

Except, it was just random bloody conflict; nothing entirely meaningful. Yet for reference, there were glimpses of past wars that took place on Agartha, such as the siege upon Avalon and Galeford. The razing of Tongyishan and Ardent and the genocide of Ezmara. All of these images, partial images leaked into the corners of Ishmael's gaze and on very rare ocassions as he blinked?

He could see the entire picture; bodies strewn across a bloody battlefield, heads on pikes, guts spilling out of abdomens and men and women crying out as pain was tossed onto them like a bad smell.

Maddening it were. Yet one couldn't be entirely mad, through this odd curse placed upon him, Ishmael may find his mana circuits oddly more potent in the terms of longevity.

(-5 perm vit nerf, partial 'blindness', +3 mcap boon.)
[00:05] {NARRATION} As for Xezbeth who decided to join Ishmael in the whole 'touch the broken corrupt spire shard and see what happens' gig, they too would suffer something just as odd.

Yet due to their unusual form and the fact they were a bit more fortunate than our good friend Ishmael here, Xezbeth would be subjected to something just as disturbing but not as... Damning.

The reddish bloody puddle they were, turned a shade of blue during the effect and with it, they'd lose shape and convulse; on the inside, to what they could see as they blacked in and out of consciousness was the constant assault of odd sounds and imagery.

Endless. War. Unlimited suffering. The continent of Agartha being soaked in blood thanks to petty ideals and morals clashing; the flaws of Humanity being the cause of such. Yet as Xezbeth was exposed to such a state, they'd find their own strength being sapped away, sucked into the broken corrupt spire shard; it was only a temporary setback of course.

Yet the vision they were briefly granted may or may not be a sign of the things to come.

(Moderate temporary nerf!)
[00:05] The touch upon the spire shard zapped at him, damaging the eyes as he foolishly attempts to blink at the last second. He had come so far, only to be dazzled by the searing light in his eyes. This was not how Ishmael imagined seizing whatever powers laid dormant in the Tongyishan caverns.

He falls to the ground, embittered with rage as he, at first, is unable to open his eyes and to see his surrounding. The cloudy gaze only served to rile him up further with hatred. But after a while, before Ishmael would throw a tantrum in the dark, the images of the war began to unfold before his eyes.

There's a stark silence from the Accursed, who gradually proccesses the sight that he was now bearing witness to. A divine war, a meaningless conflict, or so one would assume. But Tragedy had spoken of this great conflict unfolding eventually. Perhaps, Ishmael had been chosen to see what Tragedy had seen, so that he may spread word of the oncoming chaos that he'd stand to revel in.

But the Divine war was not all he'd be able to witness. The past wars of the old came to fruition within his closed gaze. Gradually, Ishmael fumbles about in the dark, the tightly clutched staff used to bring the Accursed to his feet. And yet, not once, did he open his eyes. There was no reason to open his gaze and to see the surrounding that he was in.

Instead, Ishmael relied upon his attunement to the lifestream, the fruits of his training to see and feel with his emotions, with the sheer pressure of his hatred, as the untapped mana is used as a sensory of sorts. His head turns towards Lugonqi, then to Lu Zain, and lastly, onto Xezbeth, to warn the Kaor. But alas, Ishmael was too late, for Xezbeth had already gone to touch it.

"You fool! The Spire is still-"

But before he could finish his sentence, the Spire shard reacted before he could.
(Ishmael)
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[00:08] Lugonqi chortles with laughter.
(Lugonqi)
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[00:14] {NARRATION} Like it or not, disturbing the corrupt, broken spire shard had it's own consequences; especially thanks to Xezbeth generously providing it with enough energy to begin summoning the spirits of the DAMNED! Those that had lost their lives previously on this pathetic little island in the big big big ocean in the world of Eternia.

May Kraus forgive them for trepassing into this nightmarish realm that was more akin to that of abyss!

As the group went nearer and nearer towards that of the end; three ghostly figures came up from out of the ground.

One Valmasian. An Oscuri warrior wielding an axe and clad in battle armour.

One Gehennan. A Nagual dressed much like a scout, with a fancy red coat.

One Jianghuren. A Qilin that appeared quite stoic, yet zealous.

They were fighting amongst themselves as they floated upwards; least until they noticed something -- foreigners, people that were still living and not suffering in eternal unrest like themselves.

Yet they also told tales of a time before Gaiar Aetherius, a time before Chaos and Order, a time before Tragedy's rise and fall. Back when the continent of Agartha was little more than a staging ground between three great nations, tying for control of Spire Shards.

Like it or not however, all three of these Spirits were blocking the way forward to the very end; the goal the party was trying to reach. More importantly, odd crimson 'bloom' surrounded the three -- perhaps they had only risen up, due to that 'unknown' power being awoken, maybe they were slaves to that power.

"Fight... Mongrels..."

A hissing voice however broke the silence; slaves they were for now.
[00:17] It hadn't touched the shard. There was fear still with those gems, and in its prideful state, it had no need for such disgusting power. The demon was great enough as it was without degrading itself. Lugonqi sauntered onward, only to find spirits of the damned, empowered by the mana of Xezbeth, likely enough.

It spat, waving its hand dismissively. "Begone, wraiths. The Agarthan Lord Lugonqi of Argoth passes! Make heed, peasants!"

The demon didn't particularly care for them, apparently.
(Lugonqi)
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[00:21] This..was terrifying..yet the valmasian took a sort of comfort in this feeling of dispair. Slaves they seemed to be yet...They were full of history.


History that needed to be recorded..maybe with their dying breath they would allow him to but...could they even speak after their deaths? Who knows..but all that mattered was surviving this nightmarious hell.


"May order and Chaos reveal the true path...and tear those who stand swallowed in their own pity enough to remain as spirits fall into eteranal..yet peaceful slumber."


Once more violent winds surrounded him- It was time to fight with his life on the line for more than just knowedge..it was for those he worked for.
(Lu Zain)
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[00:22] The Accursed wandered about, still somewhat getting use to seeing through the untapped mana, rather than with his natural eyes. But there was only so much to process, so many events unfolding all at once that he was able to study in earnest. The divine war, and then, the various conflicts in which the spirits had lost their lives.

The surge of mana that ebbed from their spiritual bodies made it easy to see them. Raw, spiritual mana given life was readily visible for the eyes of the Accursed chaos priest. He could see them, where they stood, as it seems they'd have to do battle once more. The Shadowflame priest stamps the staff onto the ground.

"We're close to our prize! Just a little further, beyond these relics of the past!"

Ishmael remained cloaked in the dark shroud of burning hatred. The occultism fueled by his disdain for the road block. The lifestream's power is called upon, once more, to aid the partially blinded Accursed in vanquishing more obstructions from his path.
(Ishmael)
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[00:27] Whoosh, a spirit of Tongyishan had appeared, it was apparently a Qilin. The eyes of the spirit looked upon all who had come begrudgingly. How dare they disturb it's slumber?

Saizo wasn't the only angry spirit however, as it turned to the left and to the right there were two others, all of which were unknown to the long forgotten Qilin. A sigh escaped it's lips.

"So I have been rejected by the Lifestream. It is sad, unfortunate...however none of that matters anymore. All that matters is I silence the noise of you all which disrupt my slumber."

Strong and fierce embers began to surround the spirit, it also seemed to multiply, there was just one of itself, and then two...now four. All of which had their sights set on defeating the Gaiar Goons.
(Saizo Izhuri)
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[00:29] Lu Zain whispers: We..should focus the oscuri first I feel..
[00:30] Lu Zain whispers: Focusing the oscuri first might be good..right?
[00:30] Lugonqi whispers: Yes.. azraelite first.
[00:31] Ishmael whispers: Right.
[00:32] From the depths of the unknown, lifted the tallest figure of the three. A wide, armored body, and a hulking axe of nyeshk held his silhouette together. But the brightest sheen came from the verdant gaze angrily bickering with the other two fallen warriors. This brute was Azrael's blessed--even past the grasp of death, Rieka glowed over his skin in carefully drawn lines. The circuits were aflare the same as they had been in the siege of Galeford against Valmasian forces on Agartha decades ago. His homeland's involvement in Agartha had ended long ago--before the others around him. His spirit had likely been at unrest longer than the others. Scratches and cracks were present in the olden plate, and the mortal wound within his chest held a spiritual glow. But once he was standing in front of the group of invaders, his attention shifted. In the few moments he had to speak for himself, he gazed over the demonic presence with heavy disdain.

"Bastards...who the hell are you? An oversized rat--spilled blood...and two little shits." A red glow arose around his figure. His spirit received commands, and his form shuddered violently. A sense of control was lost--and his emotions and mind fell on the group as targets.

"It doesn't--matter...in His name--I will STAIN THIS GROUND with your BLOOD!" A war cry, as knuckles tightened around his axe. In a stalwart leap, the powered warrior rushed ahead to engage the squad in defense of his unseen 'master'. They would feel his wrath rain down upon them in furious cleaves of metal.
(Esel Harrin)
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[00:32] The tortured soul appeared from the shadows, proving to be an obstacle to the group before him-- his objective was to not let them pass, no matter what he had to do. Though, Lugonqi seemed not to care as if he attempted to saunter pass.

Naturally, the spirit had to do his duty, so in order to make sure that this goal would be accomplished-- a bright zealous aura would manifest around the Gehennan's body. In addition to this, a plethora of spirits would materialize from thin air, directly behind him. Zuma really didn't want them get through.

There is a brief moment of silence, though it is shortly broken by Zuma clearing his throat; his lips parting as words began to escape his mouth.


"Very well! If you refuse to stop here, I'll have no chance but to attack you." He'd state solemnly, his blue hues now ogling the group before him.

Alas, it seemed that the Nagual was prepared to fight-- lowering his hips, essentially assuming a basic stance. He'd be ready to battle if the aforementioned group refused to stop.




(Zuma)
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[00:44] Xezbeth Somehow is still alive. Fighting to achieve the final goal
(Xezbeth)
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[00:45] Lugonqi doesn't care one bit about the spire shard, unfortunately. It's far more absorbed in the potent occultism that was already 'enhancing' its form.
(Lugonqi)
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[00:45] Lu has somehow survived this far..what wonderful knowedge he must have gained..
(Lu Zain)
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[00:50]
{LOAD GAME}

[01:06] {NARRATION} With one final push forward, the group was able to overcome the vicious Spirits that appeared quite literally out of nowhere it'd seem.

Which allowed the group to proceed to the final zone; the target they sought to reach... Yet as they travelled into the unusual area; it'd seem they had reached some sort of peak inside the cavern? How strange!8
[01:12] Clap, clap. What a beautiful night to be 'alive'. The Archon doesn't turn around, feeling their presence. They're all very strong mages."I don't think we've met before?" His index finger pressed down against a single key on the black piano in front of him that manifested seconds after the group had entered his domain. "That was horrible. HORRIBLE!" A fist collided with the top of the piano, smashing it into pieces. He could've done far better than that, a real masterpiece if only if he hit the perfect note on that key.

"How long has it been since I had company? Almost a decade, yeah? NO. I'M NOT TALK TO YOU GUYS. How would you guys even know? Of course the question isn't for you. It's for me." It's impossible for a Demon to feel the feeling of loneliness, but it doesn't stop him from pretending. It doesn't stop him from pretending to be mad. Was there anything left of him? His own Arcane magic turned on his mind, made Reaver see the world differently. "I don't feel nothing. I mean, I'm dead after all. I never felt anything from before." The only thing Reaver relied on was his instincts. He doesn't care about the amount of people he's slain, or the havoc he brought on Agartha during his time there.

A ring of Occultic flames circled the entire area, blocking any form of exit. "I kill without reason. My reason isn't because I do it for survival or the thrill of the hunt- No, maybe I do have a reason." His neck twisted in a three hundred and sixty degree angle, facing the group with his body still turned. There's a twisted grin on his face. His eyes were different from any Archon. His bloodshot eyes focused on the group. "Maybe I kill because it makes me feel like I'm a god trapped in the body of a Demon." The area darkened with the only noticeable light source being the one in the center, kind of dim. "ISN'T THAT WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE ONE WITH CHAOS?! I CAN ACTUALLY FEEL FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE! I feel.. I feel.." Shadowflames began to shroud his body, empowering his mana tenfold. His blade crashed against the ground to leave a dent, dragging it behind him with a dust trail. "Alive." The tip of the blade would thrust towards his own face, slashing his own right eye out. "I can't believe my right eye thought it'd ever be s perfect as my left. You people are my ticket out of here." There's no blood.

Reaver drew his sword. Prepare to die.
(Reaver)
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[01:15] {NARRATION} Reality begins to distort around Reaver, as strong chaotic energies flowed out of his form. It'd seem the place was, or rather it's current rendition was both tied to Reaver the Archon and the spire shard that was currently planted in the middle of the 'arena'.

To the trained eye, one might assume this locale was more of a prison than a... Cave... Or it being of where Tongyishan was.

No, this was odd, very odd, very puzzling.

And confusing; yet there were undertones of freedom and impulse.

Maybe it was just a constructed 'dream' of Chaos; thanks to both the Archon and the Spire Shard in the center of the 'room'.
[01:18] Enchanted was the best word to describe the demon. It stepped into the precipice of the cavern, only to emerge into sunlight. Lugonqi moved with a drunken grace with no shackles to hold it down. The ram, ever towering, continued on: only to be halted by the sound of a piano being played.

"My favorite-" it exclaimed before the apparent instrument was crushed to pieces. The demon twitched, its mythril eyes glossing over with dark magic. Familiar mana was flowing through the Kaor, chaos freely invading the creature's body and mind. Its emotional cortex, the well of power, was easily allowing in this strange power.

Its maw tilted upward and opened. "Aa~"

With Reaver's own shadowflame growing, the ram allowed its hellfire to billow in its palms, growing to encompass its frame. "An ARCHON? Tragedy said that your corpses hold great power," it murmured at a tremendous volume, telepathy piercing the minds of all.

"I kill because there is benefit. I kill because I AM a lord! A god, as you so aspire!"
(Lugonqi)
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[01:20] The Accursed didn't see with his eyes, he felt the mana residue in the air, the aftermath of their battle made it difficult to see what was behind him. But the priest only looked forward, following the trail of mana as trhey eventually find themselves in the hall of an Archon. But unlike the last creature to say that it was going to ascend to such a power, this Demon had actually done it.

"Father?" He called out, mistaking Reaver for that of Illaron. The demons were difficult to discern when they possessed so much power. But the voice was nothing like Illaron's, the presence lacked the familiar warmth that the Accursed had come to know and understand as Illaron's presence. This was something else, far different from Zaruma or Tragedy's.

It was a Demon steeped heavily in chaos, far more potent in the art than the priest could ever hope to be. The very notion was enough to put a chill in his step, gritting his teeth at the thought of encountering an opponent that was on par with the Archons of Gaiar. But before he could speak, it seems Lugonqi had been hitting the purple sauce too hard.

"Caution, Lord Lugonqi! Caution! This is an Archon that has delved in Chaos! We need to be prepared! We must be cautious with this one!"

An opponent that made Ishmael feel some level of fear was not one he'd want to take lightly. Wherein he lacked Lugonqi's bravado in the face of this Demon, the Accursed clutches the staff tightly. It was time to begin battle, to continue fighting with his eyes sealed shut.
(Ishmael)
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[01:20] First the demons...

Then the monks...the screams of despair that forced the valmasian to fall further and further into a sloth-like sin..


Then the fallen heros of battles long since forgotten...


And now?...

An archon stood before him. One long since dead and gone..but even so it was a fearsome sight. But this? This has been what the valmasian rabbit had been waiting for. A more apparent silvery plague like aura stuck to him ontop of the lighting that flashed inbetween the violent winds.


"You are just a memory bound in the chains of time! May eternal rest come to you a the hands of Lugonqi..for your history has been recorded and you can fade into darkness once more oh..poor creature who cant be rest."


He cared not for formalitys at this point- Only the surging sin coating his functions ever so slowly.
(Lu Zain)
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[01:31] {NARRATION} Whilst the group had managed to pressure Reaver quite greatly, it'd seem he was far from done and quite rightly; he was an Archon, a powerful one at that --whilst not on par with the likes of Zaruma and Tragedy, was still one not to be underestimated.

With a tear in the air, as if a rift had been opened, more and more crimson ether began to pour into the arena.

Things weren't going to be quite as easy going forward.
[01:36] Lu Zain says, "I cant pump out damage oof"
[01:37] {NARRATION} Reaver is suddenly surrounded by red ether! He wears it akin to that of a coat... A cloak...!

What's worse is that all this fighting was beginning to make the arena 'unstable', cracks were beginning to form and the ground was shaking constantly.
[01:42]
{LOAD GAME}

[01:43] {NARRATION} More and more corrupt ether began to flood the arena, causing those present to feel sickly and just plain wrong. For the Accursed, it may even further their mutations quicker, as for those Demons? It might make them bloodlusting and for the average joe.

A Human? They'd feel despair beginning to weigh down on them, like a guillotine!

The party had two options; to keep fighting until they were torn to shreds, to to retreat.

But they were so close to the finish now... Surely...? If they could just hold out against such a mighty foe?
[01:43] Lugonqi hacks purple ichor onto the ground, staining the concrete. Flames were flowing without restraint. "HE MUST PERISH!" it roared.
(Lugonqi)
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[01:46] More and more of the plague like silvery aura clung around him like a vice. Seemingly growing more apparent as the feeling of despair decended with the force of a guillotine..this was it. They had to give it their all. He would die for this knowledge...


Or he would live to tell the tale..and become that of a sin-magi.


"For Gaiar! We must be victorious!"
(Lu Zain)
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[01:49] Ishmael had been bested yet again, fallen, defeated, but again he rose. Again he'd continue, to ensure such an Archon didn't escape beyond the Tongiyshan mountains. The pain in his body surged forth with his dopamine, beckoning Ishmael to keep standing, despite his blinded state. There was no diminishing his power, not while it was linked to the Lifestream.

The concussive chaos magic that Reaver wielded far exceeded his own. Even with the caution, they were struggling to maintain their place in the world. The corrupted ether that spilled into their battle area began to warp him further. The subtle, purple carapace that usually remained hidden began to become more overt. Around the sides of his face, purple, thick chitin can be seen.

"I can't... I refuse... No... No... Must not-" The divine war he had yet to participate in was not going to be something he'd fall short before. The anguish, the anxiety he felt from this battle became the fuel for his own chaos magic. Thriving upon his abused form, Ishmael finds his second wind throught gritting, bloodied teeth.

"Stand... Stand and end this threat to our way of life! End this fool that threatens to disrupt the power we have called forth as our own!"

There was no time for rest, as Ishmael summons his fury, the unholy flames that shroud him bolstered by the pain. It was time to put an end to this Archon, to feast upon his power and knowledge.
(Ishmael)
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[01:49] Xezbeth gets slurped. Now having to fight for some remaining pride left!
(Xezbeth)
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[01:58] Reveaer's loss of sanity gave him more power throughout the fight. A Wildman around the arena. His flames roared louder than any other Shadowflame mage up against him. His flames were no laughing matter when fueled by his madness. With a blitz of speed, Reaver went for the Chaos mage forward with a taste of his own medicine. An invisible force knocked the Accursed against the wall.

Once he took Ishamel out of the battle, his direction turned to Lu Zain. "This sucks.. I can't even have fun breaking my toys if they're breaking so fast. You're all made out of rust. Gaiar? That shithole still exists? Who was that weak Archon again that made it? Zaruma?" A blast of Occultic fire smashed against the ram Demon's horn to rip a large piece of it off.

He faded away without a trace, ending up behind the Engima. "This work out is making me rather thirsty." His teeth sunk into the enigma, draining it of it's body mass before knocking it away with Telekinetic force. "Yes, yes! FUCKING YES! KEEP ON TALKING LIKE THAT! THE MORE YOU GUYS TALK LIKE THAT, THE MORE I WANT TO KILL YOU ALL!"
(Reaver)
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[02:00] Lugonqi has no horns. Lucky!
(Lugonqi)
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[02:00] Lugonqi narrowly dodges the fire, which blasts where its horns used to be. Thank magic!
(Lugonqi)
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[02:01] Lu used his rabbit like agility to live long enough.
(Lu Zain)
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[02:10] The battle against the archon was unlike any the kaor had ever faced and as it entered only a meager demon. It was now a paperweight, how sad. . . But to see it overcome the archon, a shame. Really.

But its power would be put to good use, no?
(Xezbeth)
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[02:12] A hard earned victory..but at what cost? The despair that filled the room caused the valmasian to let out a hourse laugh in a bit of..insantiy? That plague like aura wrapping around him like a nooce before his face once more fell into a stone like expression as he collapsed onto a cloud with a weak thumb in the air.



Ascension...what Irony...
(Lu Zain)
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[02:15] Through hissing teeth, the Accursed feels his body rapidly undergoing several mutations at once, damaging the muscular integrity he had come to know and love. Every inch of bone felt alien to the Accursed, it was difficult to tell if that was merely his mutation, or the effects of being struck by Reaver's telekinetic pressure.

for once, Ishmael was on the receiving end of such an attack, as his whole body bends and contorts in ways he never thought possible. It was as if the very atoms that composed his being were being pulled upon. But in his suffering, Ishmael grew. The connection to the Lifestream became far more potent in his hour of need. The carapace began to overtake half his face now, the lavender cat gaze forcibly dilated and forced in a permanent diamond. A mere side effect for being exposed to the corrupting agents against his will.

But their victory was now assured. They had brought down the source of the disturbance, the great beacon that called to Chaos mages. Thankfully, it was Ishmael who had answered the call first. In his fully unleashed rage, Ishmael rushes forward, bending the chaos magic that Reaver commanded to be pushed aside, so that the chaos priest may use his own connection to pick the Archon from off the ground with telekinesis.

"Lugonqi!"

He shouted, the eyes still kept shut, as Ishmael was certain he had grabbed the correct Archon. Sure enough, Ishmael flings the defeated Archon away towards Lugonqi, so that the Kaor may do what Demons did best.

Ishmael, on the other hand, felt the corruption gradually come to a halt, the carapace upon his face having reached a point where it grew no further. Although it didn't cripple him as one might imagine, it certainly made his status as an Accursed all the more apparent.
(Ishmael)
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[02:17] A master of telekinesis? Reality?

No.

That was Lugonqi's domain.

This archon was a master of shadowflames, just like the Kaor, yet the demon refused to back away from this foe that was so obviously greater. Lugonqi was infused with the magics of the well, its ego inflated to tremendous levels. Were it a human, surely the sin of pride would have manifested from the sheer chaos that ebbed.

Flames billowed from the demon to counteract Reaver, and while the its allies fought from the flanks, the Argothian went toe to toe. The earth shook, but the psionic magic of the noble was ever present. Telekinetic magic bore down upon the Archon's mind at every moment, hexes and curses running along the barrier of his psyche to hinder his movements.

It was close, so incredibly close. Purple ichor ran down the strange green skin that had been pierced by earth and rock alike, the only times the Kaor allowing itself to go close to be to unleash horrific blazes of flame that rendered the Archon immobile.

But finally, the key was hacked.

Lugonqi halted, a sadistic chortling escaping. "YOU.. ARE.. NOTHING!" it roared as it snapped its fingers. The gate to the Reaver's mind was unlocked, and with it came to utter loss of control. The injured demon was seemingly locked in place, a net of enthralling magic cast over by the Aetherian.

The Kaor clenched its hands, dark flames billowing from its maw.

"BLOOD! BLOOD, BLOOD, BLOOD! THE BLOOD OF AN INSECT!

It launched forward, and with those tremendous fangs, it caught the Archon that had been flung forward by Ishmael. Caught it by the jugular. The ram bit down and tore out its throat with a disgusting spray of purple ichor that stained both bodies. It dropped to all foors, and like a beast, the tremendous demon fed.

No longer was there a hint of any nobility, any higher cause. It was enthralled by bloodshed, by hunger, by the many, many magics that had enchanted it.

The Reaver was entirely devoured, leaving not even bone.
(Lugonqi)
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[02:17] {NARRATION} Reaver was not something to be underestimated nor was the party assembled that had to go through this nightmare to achieve what they did; even it was at great expense, surely... Surely it was worth it right? They took down an Archon and had now managed to secure a Spire Shard all for themselves.

Yet that wasn't all, even if they had managed to defeat and rid themselves of Reaver; there'd be a leftover of his legacy, as if by magic, as the arena began to quake and tremble; chunks of metal falling out from the 'sky' along with rocks and reddish ether!

Materialising on the floor was the Archon's own armour, mysteriously unscathed despite the battle that took place and the fact he was disposed of, in a presumably messy matter!

Maybe it was like a Kaor blade with Reaver's very essence... His soul trapped inside it!

Who knew!

But what the group would know is that they had limited time now; they had to pack up their shit and go --the dream was collapsing, much like the final run on Inception, the world shook, the ground trembled, the sky turned inwards whilst the screaming and groaning of the earth filled everyone's ears.

A Spire Shard and Reaver's Armour, what a good haul..--

Hold on a fucking moment, was the ground beginning to explode?! Sheesh, bang! Boom! And as the ground began to literally act like a triggered minefield of sorts, it'd seem it'd be raining even more of rock, metal and other junk!

Yeah, two chunks of particular junk landed next to each party member; whether or not they decided to believe it wasn't junk was on them!

No matter; they had to leave now with their goodies, they had to run as fast as all heck to the exit!

Little did they know however, the way out would probably teleport them twenty feet above Gaiar, above it's large fountains. Talk about happy landings, right?
[02:18] {Item} You picked up Arcanium x2..
[02:18] {Item} You picked up Leek x5.Dropped by Ishmael. .
[02:19] Xezbeth says, "Gn "
[02:23] "D-damn it.. Damn it all." Finally, a chance to rest his broken mind for good in this place. Solitude for eternity felt like a nice deal for him, death after death. How crazier could that possibly get?! The combined effort of the group knocked the Archon to the ground in defeat.

The priest lifted him up into the air with Telekinesis. "H-how does it feel to be linked with Arcane? You are still Human. Lose your sanity for the sake of power, or die like a weakling to the point where it drives you mad." His body had been launched into the Kaor's direction.

How the evolution had fallen. An Archon being eaten by a worthless Kaor, it's a disgraceful death.
(Reaver)
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[02:26] Ishmael says, "What an exhausting endeavor..."
[02:26] Ishmael says, "I need to go lay down and write about it."
[02:26] Ishmael says, "Good work, everyone."
[02:26] Lu Zain says, "Likewise.."