Thom - The Golden King

[05:13:48] "Conquest."

Hellstorm cackles above as a certain red haired man walks to the front of the white tower, a scowl on their face. The glowing gold illumination stares at the vampire, likely making their anger quite clear. The singular arm is crossed upon their golden armor and a sack covered with runes lays on his back.

"I am not happy, I am sure you can tell. I was going to use Bragi for my own studies. You killed him. I demand re-embursement. This is the second time that something for my own studies has been taken."

The hues, annoyed, linger on the vampire awaiting her response.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[05:22:20] Vivian: < *Slowly walks forward. Her boot is caked in blood.* >
[05:22:20] "Have your studies ever yielded anything?" Head would tilt, the sanguine gaze quick to squint down upon the man's figure.

"Gorandis did not study, he created. He invented. The Melyms did not find Ice magic, they invented it. You keep on studying, yet you get nowhere." A dismissive hand.

"Yes, I killed this Bragi for essentially begging for the mercy of death- So I gave it to him. Why do you care? There was nothing he knew you could use. Nothing you cannot use his corpse for at least."

"You are strong, cease looking for information others have and create some of your own. Otherwise you will never get anywhere."

Another dismissive hand, "However if you insist, I can give you this 'Lyse' within our dungeon."
(Conquest)
[05:27:28] Anger. Hellstorm cackled around the red haired man in an even more ferocious manner then before. "No. They have not yielded anything. Do you know why?" The glare given towards the vampire as the red haired man took a step forwards, staring in the face from a mere few inches away.

"Because when I captured Clio Hirano to gain her infromation, you killed her. When I captured Bragi to learn his information, you killed him. When I said I would fight for you in exchange for infromation, you didn't have the damn books. I am getting pretty sick and tired of getting ripped off Conquest." The hand by his side curled into a fist.

"I care because Bragi had personally been to Helheim. Which means he knew how to get to the realm that I desire as well as a way back. I can create my infromation once I get there, but there are things that I need access to first. And I do not appreciate you stealing those things from me."

A shake then of his head. "What can 'Lyse' give me? Do they have information on Helhiem? Do they have infromation on viruses? Do they have ANYTHING useful about them?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[05:30:01] Hematite Winter: Hello o you all, Does anyone know if the red queen will be in today?
[05:50:30] "Now you listen here you little brat."

"You will amount to absolutely nothing if you continue to seek other's information. He had been there? Great! You go do it too then. He did it on his own, why can't you? Are you truly that stupid?"

"Do you truly believe you are worth less than Bragi? That you less capable than Clio? You bested them! You won! If you want to do what they did, then do it. Find this realm you seek yourself. Enter it yourself."

"You are the one who thought the notes were within the castle. Do not blame that on me. As for Bragi and Clio? They deserved nothing less than what they got."

Eyes would squint down on Thom- The man with such potential, yet he continually did nothing but follow in the foot steps of others.

"Why do you chase their shadow? Create your own for once!"

"Cease listening to this wrench Nashandra and do something on your own. You want demons? Do what Gorandis did, experiment or forcefully take it from the grasp of reality itself. You want to go to Helheim? Then go! There is no reason a superior Magi like yourself should fail when someone so idiotic and weak as Bragi did not."

A dismissive hand.

"You seek information too much. Create it yourself. Like those in the past or you will amount to nothing."

"Stop underestimating yourself already."
(Conquest)
[05:54:46] Vivian: < *Casually grabs Hematite by the head and shoves him away.* > You're too close.
[05:54:46] Hematite Winter: <* Growled*> I
[05:55:37] Hematite Winter: I'm not attracted to you
[05:56:28] Hematite Winter: Neh na na neeh space <*He says mocking her and then traveling and a foot to the right*>
[05:57:20] Vivian: < *Quietly opens a book and flicks through.* >
[05:58:11] Hematite Winter: <*Laughs*>Book worm <*He whispered then began to meditate again as he waited for one of them to tell him where the red queen was, but from the looks of the other conversation he had already found her*>
[05:59:53] "Do not call me a brat." The golden hued man said, a narrowing of his eyes. "Both because I do not like being called such a thing.. And because it is quite distressing to be called that from a woman who looks to be in their teens."

"I am not less worth it, or less capable then either of them. If I was I would be the dead one and they would be standing over my corpse. But it is difficult to do what another does WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW THEY DID IT IN THE DAMN FIRST PLACE!" The man said, narrowing his hues as he stared at the vampire.

"I don't care what they deserved or not. What I care about is they had something that would have made me stronger. And now? I do not have access to that despite the fact it was I who captured them in the first place. Do you understand why such might make me angered? Why having something that belongs to you stolen might make me mad?" And then something perhaps too close to home. "How did you feel when Daen was taken from you?, stolen from you. I doubt you took it calmly either."

Then a slight pause.

"How then? How did Gorandis take them from reality itself? I don't need all the infromation Conquest. I just need a starting point. Give me that at least." Once more a clenching of his first in frustation in anger. "I do not under-estimate myself. There are merely some times when I do not know how to begin."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[06:05:52] Hematite Winter: <* Thought to himself*> Seems these will be my new comrades.
[06:05:52] "You think they knew how to do it before they did it?!"

Of course, she had more to say. She had more to add. But Thom went ahead and mentioned Daen- He crossed the line not many had dared to cross.

And so she merely stood there- Waiting for him to finish. The mask she adorned completely hiding whatever may have revealed the surplus of emotions that stirred up.

Had Thom never felt fear before, then surely he would now. It mattered little if he was one of the strongest Magi on Valmasia. It mattered little if he could best Ehren and Clio.

Nothing mattered before this- This was the thirst of a predator of the very race Thom adorned. As depravity began to concentrate around the figure of the Queen, his instincts would without a doubt scream for him to retreat.

For once in perhaps twenty years, she would breath- A deep breath in, her throat almost sounding dry as she did so, then an exhale.

"You wish to know how Gorandis did it?"

"He tried."
(Conquest)
[06:06:43] Hematite Winter: Hello all , the name is Hematite. <* He said glaring at vivan, not sure if she caught his name*>
[06:11:50] Fear? There was none.

Though Conquest's expression was hidden by her mask from Thom emotion could be seen oozing almost. Anger, rage, bloodlust, the urge for violence in of itself. Almost as if daring for the vampire to attack, daring for Conquest to attempt to strike him with Durendal. Perhaps he may have crossed a line, but the look on his face hinted.. There was a fair amount of not caring within.

The depravity of the Queen could be felt begining to radiate around her, concentrating on her. And in response the eletrical power in the air began to increase. Indra would be drawn forth from the spirit world after a few seconds as Thom merely stood there, the depraved blade and the sack on his back jinggling.

"I require more then 'he tried'.

Give. Me. Something. I. Can. Use.

You do not take from me Conquest. I let you borrow. Pay. Up."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[06:14:24] With consideration of circumstances that were plaguing Saulot's life as of recent, there was little to no place to go for him other than Loranthis and New Alteros; but even then, New Alteros could serve as nothing but a temporary safe haven, full of the folk he loathes. To some extent, both ironically and to his own surprise, he found his interests matching with those of Loranthis, and specifically the people that resided there - after all, he had known plenty of faces there already as it is.

Traversing all around the Valmasia was an easy task for Saulot, thanks to his newfound power, and so in the matters of few minutes he went from the prairies next to New Alteros straight into slums of Loranthis that were bordering Wychwood. He couldn't let anyone see the display of his Art, just as of yet.

Without waiting any further, he made his way inside of the grim city, in search of the fabled Red Queen he had been referred to so many times.
__________________________________


Of course, where else he'd find her if not infront of the White Tower? But it seems she was busy already.

Well, wasn't that just nice? He could see what's Loranthis about, and if it's worth investing himself into. Although his views upon Alliance did match with Loranthis, the certain... other rumors that he heard weren't really good in Saulot's mind.

He kept his distance, merely observing for now. He wouldn't dare to intervene - not like he'd actually get listened to at such heated situation, or worse, would get caught in the fires of it.


(Saulot Vykos)
[06:14:24] Vivian: < *Blink. She closes her book, then backs away from that steadily escalating scene. Didn't want to get caught in the possible crossfire.* >
[06:21:13] "There is nothing in this world a fool like you could use. You lack the imagination to use what you have."

A hand inched up towards Durendal, grasping the hilt of the damned blade.

If a fight was what he wanted, he would get it. No item. No person. No 'payment'. Only her blade awaited him should he attempt to press the matter any further.

"I borrow nothing and will pay nothing. Get it into your thick skull, you can only achieve greatness on your own. Not by attempting to do what others have already done."

"So make your decision. Leave me be..." Ghouls would crawl forth- As the depravity of the Queen intensified, so did the 'allies' she had within the city. The mindless minions. Perhaps even Vivian if she wasn't too much of a coward.

"Or face the consequences."
(Conquest)
{NARRATION} A piano falls on Vivians head.
[06:24:38] Vivian: <*is squished*>
[06:24:38] Lorsha: Dodge.
[06:24:38] Vivian: Whyyyyyy.
[06:27:12] Conquest's hand moved towards Durendal. The vampiric woman seemed prepared to summon a very army at this moment, to use all her ghouls, all her 'allies' within this city enable to fight him. Twas a fate that would certainly be death..

A grin cracked over the red haired man's face. A delight came to him like no other as Thom moved, his hand going to his glaive, and pulling it off his back. Hellstorm cackled and radiated around him in a ferocious manner as he took a singular step back, pointing it towards the vampire.

"No. You have attempted to steal from me now Conquest. You believe I will pay the consequences. But in reality? That will be you.

NOBODY STEALS FROM THOM M. TAKASHI."

The elemental cackled and roared as the man was prepared to do battle.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[06:28:03] Twitch.

Her book is slammed shut once she felt that depravity surging in her. It's enough to make her hands twitch and feel those innate emotions all relating to the wickedness and darkest desires her heart possessed all beat out in that moment. Everything seems to 'awaken' so to speak. Of course, Vivian didn't seem too amused by it.

She's had a bit of experience over the years slowly desensitizing her to most things.

The girl is quiet, and her eyes portray from somebody who is well. . .uninterested, in the slightest. So she'll watch the battle now, occultism seeping out, be it on her own will or otherwise.

". . .Hrm."
(Vivian)
[06:41:42] "Stole... You keep saying I stole from you."

And thus, the damned blade of Durendal was drawn- "Yet you are the one who used my Dungeons. You are the one who used my Ragnarok to best Clio. To best Bragi. You think either would have ever been here if not for my existence? If not for me gathering the allies that enabled all of this?"

The tip of the blade was brought forth, pointed directly at Thom. Behind the mask, her sanguine gaze would squint down upon his figure once more.

"I am happy you listened and stopped underestimating yourself, however... Now you are simply overestimating yourself."

A smile would curve her lips, "But I have been eager to best you ever since that annoying woman kept hiding behind your strength."
(Conquest)
[06:54:30] A grin came across the red haired man's features at Conquest's words. "I too have been eager to beat you. A sword on your back isn't going to change much I don't think. And it's time to see how much the lack of a single arm truely hinders me." With that said the man twirled his spear before pointing it towards the vampire.

Depravity escaped him, though quite light when compared to Conquest's. "I'm going to enjoy this. I hope that you do as well. And if I am overestimating myself.. So be it.

Time to teach you a lesson Conquest. You say I used your Ragnarok to beat them, but it is the opposite. Your Ragnarok has been using me."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[07:01:20] "Enjoy this? Yes..."

Durendal was brought down, slowly inching the tip over the ground as she swung the blade behind her in an almost casual manner. But of course, this was anything but a casual situation.

"I'll enjoy it." A little chuckle, as depravity began to gather around her being. With an almost blood red aura quick to adorn her figure, the eyes of the Vampire shot up- Quick to be laid upon Thom in all of their infame.

"I just hope you don't die midway through, that would be rather anti-climatic."

The blade was swung forth once more, the Vampire bending down her knees ever so slightly, before quickly setting off- Leaving behind a crater and smoke in her wake.

She was coming and Thom better hoped he was ready for it.
(Conquest)
[07:02:11] {combat} Thom M. Takashi has been defeated by Conquest! They're unable to continue fighting.
[07:08:09] And it would seem he was not truly prepared! Or perhaps he had simply underestimated her strength as a result of their last fight?

Then again, it was more likely the Vampire had simply grown since last- She was, after all, the one who had tasted defeat. And whether you were an undead, a human, a Vampire, an Ookami it mattered not...

Those who have suffered defeat, hunger for victory.

"You dare go against me... After everything I have done for you! You throw away your life. For what? Because you are unable to think for yourself! To achieve something without others telling you how to do it."

"You only fought Clio Hirano because of me. You only fought Bragi because of me. You only bested Ehren because of me."

"And now, well befitting, you shall die because of me."
(Conquest)
[07:11:34] It appeared that he had miscacluated.

The blade durendal was pointed at him. Thom could not afford to hold back. To hold back.. Would be to die. A grin crossed the man's features as he hauled himself off the ground, once more the cackling hellstrom around him as he stared towardss Conquest. This was.. What it felt like to be on the cornerstone to death hm?

"I fought Clio Hirano because I wanted information. I bested Ehren Kien because of my power. I will admit, you've gotten a lot stronger, but I also have been getting stronger as well."

The glaive once more was gripped in his features as he stared at Conquest.

"Lets do this Indra. Full power. TO DEATH!"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[07:12:25] {combat} Conquest has been defeated by Thom M. Takashi! They're unable to continue fighting.
[07:15:50] To put his life on the line...

There was a shakiness to Thom, much like a boy who had just experinced his first kiss. The feeling of being close to death always made him feel such a way after all. The glaive was pointed to Conquest, the vampire not at all holding back as she hefted her blade to him. If she hit him with it enough he would surely pass on, pass into the gates of Death.

So then.. Why didn't he fear? A wide grin instead sat on Thom's features, all that could be felt was joy.. Defiance and joy. Stepping out of shadows, fighting a foe that might end him..

"It is the opposite. You go against me. You didn't give me what I desired Conquest. So I willl do what I must. I will take what I need, or I will perish. I am willing to die trying.

Are you?"
(Thom M. Takashi)
[07:19:15] Yes, this was it.

The feeling of battle. The desperation it brought forth. She lusted for it. She hungered for it.

But more than anything, she wanted victory. She had lost once, she was not prepared to lose again. This was all she desired in this very moment, to best Thom- To punish him for attempting to 'rebel'. Truly, it was not Thom she desired to punish, but Nashandra for being a true annoyance.

However she would achieve that punishment through Thom's death. Even if it meant potentially losing her own.

"I have been prepared to die ever since you humans took away my beloved Daen!" Once more, she charged forth, the fiery display of his doing well to chip away at her clothing and body alike- It took time to mend even through her rather impressive regeneration.

Fire was a Vampire's weakness after all. That and Holy magic.
(Conquest)
[07:20:57] {combat} Conquest has been defeated by Thom M. Takashi! They're unable to continue fighting.
[07:26:04] One of her eye shuts as she feels the power backed behind each blow that resounded throughout the area. Storms raged, and the cries of battle sounded out as the heavens felt as though they were tearing open at the hands of two powerful forces colliding, and when it all ends, only one is left standing.

So she'll glance up at Thom, then down at Conquest. She's a bit. . . surprised to say the least. It makes her arch her brows up some. She couldn't necessarily say she didn't expect an outcome like this, but it does warrant her undivided attention, if it some how managed not to already.

What would Thom's next move be? She awaits it.
(Vivian)
[07:28:38] It was time to anwser an age old question:

The fight was not so long but certainly fierce. Conquest with that blade was trouble, and though Thom might have had an edge up in the second round the third was back up to being near even. Dents, cuts, slices, such things marred and covered the red haired man's armor as he collided with Conquest, knocking her back, spilling her blood.

And then there was an opening. In a moment of ferocisity and brutality Thom's glaive moved to the woman's right arm. In a second, the limb that held Durendal would be severed, flying high into the air and away from the vampire. It would be this moment that signified Thom's win. The seconds after the glaive moved again, cutting into the woman's left arm and severing that limb away towards the ground as well.

"I told you not to steal from me."

The man dived forwards to the vampire, knocking her towards the ground and stabbing the glaive through her stomach to keep her pinned there. And then, a savage animalistic desire over took him.. Perhaps it was just due to having seen and having heard of vampires do it before.

Thom's maw would gape. Moving downwards towards Conquest the man bit into the vampire's neck, cutting into her skin. The taste of her blood to invade his mouth and merely doing such for a couple of seconds, overtaken with madness from occultism as well as his anger.

Conquest wasn't dead yet.. But it was time to see what would happen if a human drank a vampire's blood.
(Thom M. Takashi)
[07:30:20] Vivian: < *. .Attention turns to Durendal.* >
[07:32:54] Gala Mabon: . . .
[07:33:45] Thom M. Takashi: -durendal on floor next to man drinking Conquest's blood. Would not reccomend anything.. crazy-
[07:45:42] Well it wasn't the first time a limb had been severed from her body- She had tried it all by now.

Having it burned off, ripped off by a dragon's might and now it being severed by a glaive? Well, it wasn't the first time it had been cut off in that manner either- Last time had just been by a sword. Namely Ehren's sword.

However no matter how many times she went through it, the pain was still an annoyance to say the least. No scream would be made, however had the mask not hid her face, surely a painful expression could be found underneath it.

Both arms gone, a glaive through her abdomen to pin her down. And to finish it off, the man began to drink her blood?

Of course nothing would happen- He may have been injured to the point where death had only been a few hits away, however he was still alive. He was still breathing. Was he mocking her now? Of all times?

Or did he really believe something would happen?

The only thing that would happen was poisoning- Ingesting blood was toxic, the iron within enough to cause quite the bit of damage. And if he took in a lot? Well then he wasn't smart- But nonetheless, he would definitely be in pain soon enough from it.

"Hnng. H-have you lost your mind?!" A single grunt escaped her lips, blood still streaming out of her limbs and neck alike.
(Conquest)
[07:49:58] Durendal.

The sword.

She stares at it now as it went flying off to the side, and in the midst of Thom's blood-crazed rage as well as Conquest's own hazy-mindedness, it's only then that well. . .she began to feel something in the core of her heart. It was a feeling that was too strong for her to resist. Mostly because of how opportunistic it was to just get a feel of it. She moved forward in that motion with subtle steps, eyes widening as she honed her sights on that blade.

She wanted it.

She reached out to quickly try and swipe it in the midst of Thom's feasting, and if and when she does? She'll try to raise it up, eyes beaming with awe.
(Vivian)
[07:52:32] ".. Hahahaha.." A slight insane laugh escaped the red haired man at Conquest's words. His eyes looked to be quite.. Hazy to say the least as once more he stood up from Conquest, leaving the glaive in her mid-section. A hand moved, pulling one of the hairs out of his face, and inevetiablely staining it with red.

"I lost my mind a long time ago... I lost my mind back in Cinderfall." Thom simply stated. His hand then moved to one of the swords on his back, begining to pull it out and unsheath it. The weapon would absolutely reek of depravity, perhaps similar to that of Conquest's own. The weapon had been left for years and years in the hands of Malpercians and Yokai after all.

With the occultic madness weakening slight Thom looked towards Conquest, a frown setting upon his features. "It is a shame that it came down to this actually. I really am fond of you Conqu-"

Vivan's movements were noted and before she could get too close the man's foot would be slammed down upon Durendal, keeping it out of Vivian's reach as he stared at her. "Don't touch it. It is mine for now. We can talk about this later but you will regret it if you try something now." The blade in his hand was still honed in on Conquest but hopefully Vivian wouldn't do anything too dumb.

He turned back to Conquest. "... I could let you live.. Would you prefer that? Or would you rather.."
(Thom M. Takashi)
[07:54:14] As the little creature creeps around the city, he happens to stop a few people and wonder what were they talking about. Getting closer he spang into a tree and watch them as if he was a money eating a banana..
(Zef The Stain)
[07:56:48] So the fight turned out to be in Thom's favor. Well, to some extent, that wasn't exactly predictable, and he had believed that Conquest had a fair chance to best him as well, but the picture was clear now that he came out superior to her.

And to think he actually wished to follow through with Loranthis... this scene was becoming far too chaotic, and to some extent pathetic. Conquest had lost control over Thom as one of her peers, which fueled the chaos within the city of Loranthis; all while Vivian became a vulture, attempting to steal the spoils of war from another which was something that Saulot found pathetic in this scene.
_______________

The manner in which Thom spoke had earned a raised brow from Saulot, and the question of joining Loranthis was becoming less and less appealing by the minute - but considering the state that Conquest was in, it's very unlikely she'd care about recruiting anybody new at the moment, her own life was hanging by a thread.

And if he joined? Would he too fall a prey to those who had more time to grow far more powerful? Doesn't sound like a good option either. Considering that even a leader - that is Conquest - gets attacked by her peers, he'd have no guarantee of safety whatsoever.

He spectated for now, curious as to how it would turn out. Saulot spoke no word and kept his distance, unwilling to get caught in the crossfire between the wounded vampire and maddened Occultist.

But maybe he had a better place to invest his newfound Art of Rift, along with other abilities?
(Saulot Vykos)
[07:57:39] Skrrch.

Vivian is stopped in her tracks the moment she saw Thom's heel being placed on top of the sword, and once he does shoo her away, she'll gradually take a step back like a contemplative predator. But it wasn't poor Vivian's fault - that sword that he had now beckoned to the mind of a young occultist such as herself, for there were many things that still needed to be fleshed out before she even had a smidgen of control over her desires.

And Durendal pin-pointed that in her.

It was feeding away at her lust for what she wanted. The finer things in life. Slowly, she pulls away, though her eyes are on Thom all the while. Her eyes are shaking. It would seem the opportunity slipped her unfortunately.
(Vivian)
[08:02:46] Thorns, thousands of them, stuck to vines that tore from the ground. The floor shifted as these vines rose up and twisted, effectively beginning to reach out towards Thom and the vampire. The witch waited quietly from under her large hat before speaking softly. Gala's voice was always so soft, it was a wonder how anyone could ever hear her.

"Thom, be smart…Please." Stepping forwards, she looks to the fallen form of Conquest and slowly shakes her head. "I warned you, really I did…But pride made you stubborn. Why can you not listen? I told you what he'd do…Still you would destroy his efforts for nothing more than your pride." Was there anger in her eyes? "I can't stand it, people like you just…USING him…" Cinder fall had abused him too, and this seemed to be the same result. "I guess the trait carries on even in death…Humanity really is such a bother."

Looking to Thom, her eyes narrow slightly.

"She's no better than Liara…Is she?"
(Gala Mabon)
[08:04:28] "You? Durendal? You useless sack of shit want to use Durendal? So that it may fall to stagnation once more? You will be consumed by it!"

She pushed forward- Whether or not the blade was before her mattered little in this case. "You dare come attempt to lecture me on your own stupid opinions about stealing, then steal from me because of your own uselessness!"

A grunt.

"You best learn to make decisions on your own, for if you leave with that blade, you will not live for long." A laugh.

"I'll make sure of it. If I can't, others will. You are useless. You will fail as you always have without someone like me."

And she pushed forward once more. Should the glaive impale her once more? So be it- As long as it was not her forehead, it mattered quite little to her.

"Do not belittle me with your pathetic attempt at pity. Finish the job or fuck off."
(Conquest)
[08:11:18] "... This is why I really enjoy you Conquest. You get to live." A chuckle escaped the red haired man as he said such. Yet despite him saying the words.. The depraved sword that he wielded would strike at the same time; They moved to Conquest's neck, severing her head from her body but indeed leaving the forehead intact. A moment would be taken then, opening the rune covered sack on his back.. And placing the head of the vampire in there.

"We will be seeing someone shortly. As for now.." Thom's gaze fell upon the blade on the ground. He could take it sure but.. Did he honestly think that was a good idea. A second was taken before he glanced towards Indra, having the elemental heft the blade (hopefully not damaging its mental state). With that his attention turned to Gala and Vivian.

"I disagree. I believe that Conquest is a million times better then Liara is. She had the honor to face me, not once but twice. I do not appreciate being used but.. Conquest has been nice at least. Far nicer. Caused more things to happ-"

Silence.

"... Fuck, guess I'm king now. Just realized. Anyways.. I will be taking Conquest for now and departing." After gathering the remaining weapons and items, once more the head would be taken from the sack. A careful watch maintained on the vampire as he would move, begining to enter the white tower.

"I will be back later."
(Thom M. Takashi)