siege of theria

The clatter of armor resonates throughout the mountainous valleys, a light snow dulling visibility slightly. The advancing military of Nysea and Myllenoris respectively comes into view, approaching the gates of Theria. A sudden still between opposing sides, the defensive garrison of Theria, Osrona, and the allied demon forces prepared to stave off the assault.

Leaders now given the chance to address their armies before the Battle of Theria ensues.

(Leaders RP, match-ups will follow.)
[Narrate]

He can feel it.

This adrenaline that wells up in his blood, even before the fight- this thrill of danger unlike any other; this terrible sickness that could be present in humanity all the same, before they're forced to walk into something so terribly deadly.

Can you feel that too?

But he does not. It's much akin to intoxicating drive that almost gets him high- the drive that could promise his spelled death right around the corner, and yet, the risk is so incredible that he would not trade it for anything else in this world. They thrive in such moments, do they not?

They thrive when they have to walk this fine edge..
Between life and death.

"A book that does not have determined end.."
"I wonder - will it be a closing chapter, or a new one?"

Will Theria fall, or will it suddenly begin to push back? Only time could truly tell. But as much as he remains to be this way, there's a terrible anticipation of what's to come - a greedy crystal that could almost taste the energy of this place, Lady Erie's Greed, eager to take upon greater values of this resource to help him complete what he always dreamed of.

Wouldn't that be perfect?

"The future can only be born when the old weeds are plucked away - or humanity grows terribly stagnant, weak."

"Let us cure this weakness.."

Tonight.

Tonight the snow will be painted red.
(Fidi)

Walter vs Alexander
Barrachan vs Amalia Ghede
Valero Task vs Anastasia
Blaidd vs Sethon
Fidi vs Aelous
Hades vs Atlas
Zion Cai vs Skoll Beo
Irkalla vs Finn
EL vs Saewyn
Izurza vs Roland
Thalis Avitus vs Kofe
Brynhilde vs Seitheach
Orca vs Dax
Voraz vs Shira
Szora vs Avlainn
Seir vs Kitiara
Anguisa vs Emi Kriemhild
Lykaios vs Pachua
Diedrich Augustus vs Gallen Pax
Gemini vs Elisha
Carlisle vs Alexios
Loupe vs Cless

Dangerous setting, cap 1-2 recommended.
[Narrate]

As usual, the Knight ventured throughout the battlefield, cleaving through lesser opponents, demons and Therians alike, until finally sapphires were met with that of a bigger demon; a Kaor.

"So you're the one that I'll have to defeat."

A simple statement as the Knight's blade were drawn, wind coalescing around it's form all the while - just as the winds would gather around Aeolus.

Despite his opponent being a demon, there was no disdain towards it - rather, Aeolus looked to his opponent with determination. He knew this was a necessary evil that had to be rid of.

Within a moments notice, the Azure Knight would charge forwards, blade in hand as he moved in to vanquish the snake demon.
(Aeolus)

It would be a promise of desolation.
A promise of a new turn.

Do they all not see that this would be something that proves to be an extremely difficult endeavour? This war... it would be forthcoming as a promise of death to all that are involved, and yet, despite knowing that the Serpent could very well find his end today, before he could truly have anything blossom in his life...

It does not mean he would treat this lightly.

It does not mean he would falter easily either. When the charge begins, the keen eye picks out the one whom he could yet be a true opponent against- someone who would be worth of his attention. Among them, he finds Aeolus.

A Nysean Knight, no doubt.

"Your kind.."

"Always become a stick in the mud."

Yet, already the revelation shows- the crystal, Lady Erie's Greed. It hungrily saps at surrounding area, growing morepotent by the day- the distortions of space and reality permeate his surroundings, and where the vision of Helheim was once a distant dream..

Around this Serpent, it seems so hauntingly close.

"So focused on preserving this peace you speak of.."

"But hasn't your kind suffered from this peace? From this stagnation... with nothing to hone your skills for." Surely, even as this knight would try to kill the Serpent..

Surely he could tell - he's right. Humans need fantasy. And often, it's the violent one.

"I seek the worthy ones of a gift."

"So come.. perhaps, you will be given the life you dreamed about in your heart."

"The life you would never admit you want."
(Fidi)

Aeolus has sustained an injury in battle...

Aeolus has rolled 1 or under: they may be captured!



The essence of Helheim is one to permeate through everything.

Many thought this is but a false dream- a promise of something unearthly existing out there in the projections and imaginations of humanity. But.. here, Aeolus would see the proof that it exists; the proof that it's something truly wicked out there. Something that they must stop..

If they were to value their life.

And he fights with valor; the shredding winds do their job fine to not only cut several lacerations across the Serpent's body, but to cleave and wound him as well. Had it not been for the vitality of a demon, then perhaps, he would simply fall..

"Not.."
"So fast.."

Resurgence, and unbelievable vitality. Here, Aeolus could see.. the true formation of the shadows that intend to grasp and rend at him- the Serpent fights with vigor unlike any other, biting and poisoning the man with the most potent of venoms. Can he feel it yet?

Badum.. badum.. badum..!

How many times has he been bitten? His heartbeat quickens, his body is covered with an awful lot of sweat... and this nausea, coupled with muscle ache that makes it difficult to move. Since when is there two Fidi? Three? Four..?

When did he begin hallucinating so bad?

"You're in my kingdom now.."

And at last, a viper takes for his dining- to lunge and sink his fangs into his neck, to feast upon his essence and man; the crackling shadows turn and warp the space around them all, forcing an exposure of Helheim's true nature - these spirits gather around him as the Gauntlet of the world breaks momentarily.

They come to watch the knight's defeat.
They curiously stare.

But Lady Erie's Greed, as potent of a crystal as it was to stimulate the growth of Serpent's art over space.. it wasn't enough to sustain it for long; the rippling reality ends, and soon, the Knight finds himself grasped among the shadows.

"Come, come.."

"I may have a use for you yet."

He's alive, and taken away.

For now.
(Fidi)

Suffering from peace, and stagnation? A strange question - it was one that Aeolus couldn't truly provide an answer to, given that he had never known such peace.

Twelve years - it had been that long since the very war which took his parents, and each waking moment of that time was spent training; fighting. He always had to be ready to combat the evils which lurked around the corner. It wasn't until the man's sunlight had been taken away that he finally lowered his blade to rest, and even then it was only a temporary reprieve.

Evident by him standing amidst the battlefield today.

"You can't offer me the life I dream of, for it lies with the dead." All he wished for was to see Nephele again, it was a selfish and cursed want, one that would remain unfulfilled for even if he were to be slain in battle he knew within his heart that he'd never be sent to the same place she was.

The battle begun, and Aeolus found himself fighting with all of his might as per usual, this wasn't any ordinary fight - rather it was one to decide the fate of Esshar. A push that would be needed for steps to be taken in the right direction.

A battle for a better future; that which Aeolus had always longed of.

Shadows. They were always difficult to fight against, and it was here in this very moment that Aeolus found himself covered with various shadows - his senses tainted with illusions, and powerful ones at that.

As things progressed further, he could feel poison ebbing throughout his frame as the serpent sank it's teeth in. It was a cruel feelings, a cold one yet one which stung all the while. Getting back to his feet, the Knight would see multiple Fidi. Had the demon multiplied, or was he simply succumbing to the effects of the poison as well as the illusions?

Try as he might, Aeolus soon found himself unable to move, he was weakened and left in a pitiful state. This was one battle that the man likely wouldn't return from and soon? He would collapse, becoming motionless.

"I knew this day would come... me - falling to a demon. The ones I've trained what felt like all of my life to defeat. At least perhaps... I'll see her again some day." And with those final words, he fell unconscious, lying at the mercy of Fidi and his shadows.
(Aeolus)

The crown seemingly gives way beneath the clutch of Walter, the once blessed material shifting and dissolving beneath his touch. Just before the last piece of it disappears into nothingness, however, a golden brilliance radiates from the sky.

Shining down upon all present, though focusing in on the crown of Petrakis itself. Its integrity is quickly mended, becoming intact once more. No matter how focused Walter's attempt at destroying it, it does not give way.

Light shimmers and reflects off the crown, momentarily blinding Walter and all present. When their gaze refocuses, the crown itself has disappeared with a flash. Like a blink of an eye- the crown passed down through the Petrakis line for centuries has returned to its heavenly roots.

A failsafe, perhaps, though one thing remains certain- it exists somewhere far beyond.
[Narrate]

Light shimmers in the sky.

The Serpent slithers across the battlefield, the shimmering crystal of Lady Erie's Greed gathering from the energy of this war. In his shadows conjured of magic lies captured Aeolus, and yet, his gaze looks up to the skies.

Somewhere out there, something big happened.

He comes to see it with his own eyes - the fall of Alexander Petrakis. Defeat, one that would no doubt put a dent in Nysea's ability to continue this war- and with so many prisoners of war taken one by one, perhaps, this is a turning point for once.

Perhaps, this is the first time they could be victorious in a long time.

"Hrm.."

Some people cried.
Some people laughed.

It would be the means for this turning point to create something greater out of their push- he could almost feel it, how they would complete their objective yet. This was merely a stepping stone.
(Fidi)

Announcement:

The combined force of Theria, Osrona, and their demonic allies thoroughly routed the assault by Myllenoris and Nysea. With the death of King Alexander Petrakis, the offensive quickly breaks off and retreats, the siege unsuccessful.

It was success.

The forces of Nysea and Myllenoris were routed, and now, the second stage of what they were doing would commence. It's not difficult to say that the siege of Myllenoris would follow, that the plans which were brewing within the Serpent's mind would be soon executed to their fullest.

It was their show now.

A show they would no doubt perform most efficiently in; for he imagines that this would be means for them all to establish what they long desired. But for now..

"We will push for counter-offensive."

"And we shall march on Myllenoris directly, to take Vale and return what's always been ours."

There is no doubt or hesitation about it.

"For now.."

"We rest."

But only for now. Soon, the reaping will commence once more.
(Fidi)