Death of a heart

[16:48] Celicia says, "I'm not sure what he's thinking. I'm just his secretary."
[16:48] Bruno pyr Aertas says, "Then you will be perfect to pass a message along."
[16:53] The man's right hand reached up to his weapon. After all they were at war. A war that exploded when Amori believed it was best to spit on those who had fought at their side against the wretched beasts of the south. Final Answer is drawn and two red eyes lay upon Celicia with a cold deep enough for her to feel the weight of her very existence upon her shoulders.

"With your lack of presence, that is. I suggest you surrender peacefully. You will not be harmed if you do so, and merely kept captive as an incentive for Amori to contact the right people."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[16:53] Anastasia blinks towards the trio of children that come out of the mine's entrance, and unhesitantly calls out to them to have them stopped. "You there, children. I am not familiar with you, and you do not look like you are of the Empire. What is it you think you are doing within Silverwall?"
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[16:56] "No."

Such convenient timing, for the Aertas to declare that he should take Celicia captive. Regardless, it wouldn't be the case, not as long as he continued to walk alongside her. In response, his own blade is drawn, gleaming past Lantern, and torches alike.

Viridian's answer is short, and straight to the point.

"That cannot go through, Achyonite. Your demands are too much of a tall order."
(Viridian Valentine)
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[16:57] The moment they were called out to the child halts his walking. Beady sienna hues drifting over towards the woman who seemed to stop them, slowly nodding his head along to their words.

"Well, that's where ya' would be wrong. We are citizens of tha' empire." A hand would gesture to the rodent next to him. "We're from Achyon. Him, and I are Misha's grandkid."
(Lucky)
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[16:58] Obnoxiously does she glance from side to side, treading those amber eyes of her from razuka to razuka, likely expecting a response from either one of them. In truth, there wasn't much to add on her behalf.

"Just tagging with, ma'am... Oh-hon-hon!" In an attempt to dismiss the awkwardness in the interaction. A single bead of sweat falls down the side of her cheek.

Maybe it was hot down in the mines, air currents didn't run aplenty. Oxygen was stagnant, asphyxiating.

Slowly does she start to stir and eat from a bowl of stir fry. Not quite a remedy to a heat stroke, but judging from the smell, it was Misha's cooking for sure.
(Edingel Sinaldine)
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[16:58] Out comes the ratling with his dear twin! Sadly, that transparent form of his had long since dissipated with the Kaor's death. Covered in scrapes and bruises the young Razuka halts in his floating path right besides Lucky as they're called for!

"... Y'know, I'm just now remembering I don't wear my uniform usually. Let alone own one," he'd grumble, a hand scratching away at a radar dish. Motioning towards his twin he'd nod, "Yeah, as he said! Granny Mish is settled in her ratirement home, so..."
(Charlie)
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[16:58] Priya waves to Nobia as she also approaches to observe the scene.
(Priya Argyris)
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[17:04] Anastasia tilts her head to the side curiously at that, glancing first towards Lucky, then the young ratling floating next to him. Her attention shifts and darts between the three, once landing specifically upon the one who was out of place within the trio.

Edingel.

Light brown hues settle upon the girl for a moment, then she turns a squint towards the two ratlings. "Misha's grandkids. Hm. And what of that one? Is she also with you?" The Councilwoman's attention grows divided, partially shifting back towards the two that her husband was dealing with.

Perhaps she believed nobody would be bold enough to lie about being one of Misha's grandkid.
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[17:06] Whether she liked it or not, Celicia had become somewhat important to many of Osrona's higher-ups. It was a blessing within the city and far more of a curse when confronted by their enemies. What was common knowledge to her people bore an immediate consequence the second it was spilled to someone who hadn't been aware.

A piercing, unnatural crimson gaze coupled with a gun larger than any she'd seen before pointing her way cause her to tense up. Drifting down to her feet, she pales and looks between Viridian and Bruno.

It was wrong. Everything about him was wrong. It vaguely reminded her of the demon she'd faced alongside her friends within Nysea.

Would they be cursed again?

The times she faced conflict in her life within uncertain circumstances were few and far in-between. With Viridian directly at risk and the man's very presence throwing her off, the priestess couldn't help but fear for the worst.

"I can't willingly surrender myself, idiot. It'd cause problems for Amori! Don't you see that?!"

A weak argument, no doubt. Yet it was hard for her to make sense of what they were dealing with.
(Celicia)
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[17:10] "That is the intent."

Bruno's answer was directed towards the woman as she tried to put up a weak rebuttal to his demands. His vermillion gaze shifted away from the priestess before settling directly onto the emerald-garbed one. Lips parted to unleash words spoken with a cold only surpassed by the man's demeanor itself.

"I believe you were informed to only speak when spoken to. Allow me to ensure she and I can have a proper discussion."

Final Answer shifted, pointing itself towards Viridian as the trigger was pulled with no further warning. Unleashed from the bear's maw was lightning bearing a crimson color not unlike Bruno's own eyes. The scent of death and decay spreads far and wide as the valiant protector is engaged.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:14] A hand raises, elegantly waving at the older woman with glasses, digits curling in a swirl, one by one. A grin exposes her pearly white teeth one by one as she does so, briefly allowing for a single golden molar to be revealed at the rear side of her maw while she does so.

"Just a friend, madame. A traveler who's clearly made the correct acquaintances."

She muses her answer, offering a small curtsy.

"The name is Edignel, of the Sinaldine. I'm just a travelling entertainer from over the mountain barrier easternmost to the continent."

That grin, slightly perturbed, winces briefly once Bruno's aspect of obtuse magic extends as far as they're standing. This was likely going to devolve into trouble proper, wasn't it?

And though there's some clear tension on her behalf, it can hardly be placed as unsettling. More so just a disposition of proper surprise. Her opposite appendage desperately fans the bottom half of the magnolian dancer's chin.

"Ooh! It's... just as stuffy up here, oh-hon-hon...! My-my..."
(Edingel Sinaldine)
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[17:15] For a brief moment, the rodent's gaze would drift away from the Aertas, and over towards the situation transpiring just behind her. Yet, the moment the woman speaks up again, his attention snaps back to her.

"Well she ain't related t'Misha like us." Beady sienna eyes transition over towards Edingel. "As far as I know." Shoulders roll into a shrug. "But, she's with us."

The rodent's little arms fold acfross his chest, as his gaze once again finds itself returning to the situation just to west of them- Just in time to watch Bruno unleash a bolt of red lighting from his rather glorious gun.

"Oh. That's happenin' now." A few rapid nods of his head follows. "Amazin'."

A few steps to the north would follow, just to get out of the way of the coming battle. While he'd love to watch it, he'd rather not get hit in the crossfire.
(Lucky)
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[17:15] Two rats and one with simple hair, what was so out of place? The missing ears? No, never!.. Ok, it's pretty obvious, but the copper-pipe wielding miscreant held nothing short of a hum as he glanced towards Edingel. To lie or not to lie..?

He was already being such a good Razuka this day.

Briefly clicking his tongue against his teeth he'd allow Lucky to take the lead on this one for now. Arms fold against his chest, the beginning artificer absolutely getting impatient with what ores he had in his pack.

"Swear, you wanna mine one thing..." Grumbling primarily to himself he begins to rock upon the air. There's a loose gesture towards the poor girl's reply as he chimed, "Pretty much as she said."
(Charlie)
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[17:18] "Apologies, but your intent falls upon deaf ears. Nonetheless, leave it to an Achyonite to stir Conflict. I had expected you to do so."

Viridian knew what he was up against. Even so, it didn't act as a deterrent in his wake, merely, it had been a tougher challenge to overcome. In tact, the Valentine's own lavender gaze held a pugnacious expression by itself.

"And... I'll speak whenever I please."

In counter, his Sword does not fail to respond to Bruno's pull of the trigger, adorning a discharge of his own. Although, it would never be quite as potent.
(Viridian Valentine)
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[17:20] Curious.

The lone, cold nights of the Corporal's patrol were often accompanied either by meeting strange, unfamiliar faces, or by heavy fighting and brutal combat- this time around, he sees a shimmering light in the distance.

A gathering?

He approaches, steeling himself; the last time that happened, they were outnumbered at the mines. The last time that happened, there was always bloodshed to be had..

But..

It's a surprise. To see another member of Achyon out there is somewhat of a relief- the Corporal is all too used to being a lone wolf in the wild; one that often fights not one, but two or even three people at once.

This is a change of pace.

"--Why'd you come here, of all places.."

It's spoken at Celicia, even if he doesn't mention her name; she should be aware of what coming here could do. As for Marcel, who does the same but for Osronan territories?

He's just unhinged enough to do it all alone.

"Sergeant."

Delisle speaks out to Bruno; whether he'll engage alone, or will order Corporal to do so..

That remains to be seen.
(Marcel Delisle)
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[17:26] {Won Dangerous RPB against Viridian Valentine}
[17:27] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [holding back was your downfall fool]
[17:27] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (LOL)
[17:35] The battle was a one-sided one. A terrifyingly, horrendously unfair battle. Occult forces lashed out with the intent to rip and tear into Viridian, doing so mercilessly with an uncanny precision. The man's mastery over the darker arts was beyond what even a Demon was capable of; lightning from Hel itself was summoned forth to fel the young man amidst the canopy of trees. As birds flew upwards chirping the sound of a thousand more struck the Valentine's gut, leaving a devastating wound and more importantly?

Leaving him alive, rather than dead.

Cold eyes bearing the color attained by the likes of fallen angels and vampires shifted towards the priestess who had been the center of attention in this scuffle.

"Surrender yourself. Failure to do so will result in his death. Take one step in my direction with the intent on saving him and his fate is sealed. If you care about him I suggest you give yourself up.

If you don't?"

The Aertas looked past the crowd that had gathered, then back to Celicia.

"You would best hope to be faster than I am."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[17:36] Anastasia briefly shifts her attention towards the trio of children, then she nods towards the girl with a cold indifference. As of right now? The escalating situation between Bruno and the green one was more important.

"Captain Anastasia pyr Aertas, Councilwoman or the Iron Chambers." She says towards the girl's own introduction. Maybe her name and titles were too much of a mouthful for some, but to the Councilor, the words came as naturally as breathing.

"Very well. If you will vouch for her, that is acceptable." She says, her voice remaining one of measured calmness, or maybe that is just indifference. It's hard to differentiate between them with her. Regardless, her attention directs itself towards the fight between Bruno and the green haired woman, and she soon begins to float towards that developing scene as it unfolds.

The fight between the two carrying on, she observes with mild awareness of the gap between her husband and the one that stood between him and his actual goal. As the confrontation comes to a clear resolution, a hand is gestured forwards as she peers towards her husband. The gesture towards the so called secretary.

"Would you like for me to step in for that one Sergeant? Or do you have the situation well in hand?" She could very well fight if the situation called for it, but in truth? She didn't think her involvement was necessary.

Anna fully believed her husband could handle the two of them without her, despite the offer of assistance she lent towards him.
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[17:39] The Corporal was late.

At this distance, only full submission from Celicia could even allow him to approach and arrest her at all- but as far as his runic aim on the rifle can tell..

Target out of range.

If she were to charge in, he cannot stop her- either Anastasia or Bruno would have to take care of it. However, given that Bruno decimated Viridian in such manner, there's a very, very low chance that she could do it.

Even Marcel, among exceptional soldiers of the Empire, had great deal of trouble facing Bruno - he's a Sergeant for a reason.

"Celicia."

"Do as he says. You won't win this and he'll die."

Perhaps he ought to show empathy- but these ties have long grown cold, distant; even the familiar faces of the past treaded on all that Marcel valued.

After all, Gareth didn't hesitate to hurt Niffty.
He didn't hesitate to hurt Marcel's best friend.

Cruel as it may sound, it's a genuine advice. The priestess was cornered now - and the only good outcome could be her surrender.

She's not Aelrin Alcast; she's not a new Champion of Eos either. She might just survive this.
(Marcel Delisle)
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[17:52] Bruno's power were as equally as terrifying as the battle itself, an occult temperament all too familiar to the Valentine, an expression of dominion that only few could display.

In truth, his ability to weave lightning paled in comparison to the Achyonite's own, a vermillion bolt having always targeted his abdomen, tearing through flesh without hesitance.

Even then... Viridian came to wonder. He didn't believe Maertock's words that day. This Valentine, comparable to Aelrin? It was impossible.

His conviction did truly never waver, even in the bloody mess he fought with. That's what he was taught, was he not? To never falter, even in the face of defeat. He steels his resolve, and took the worst.

That is, until Lightning came. A brilliant shock of vermillion in the graphite sky, forking silently to the unsuspecting ground, and Viridian. - the thunderous boom always calling its warning too late.

As such, he falls back, conscience stripped from his being. It is a secondary conflict, a struggle to keep those eyes peeled on his target-

Until he can fight no more. Already his eyes were swollen over, skin charred in result. Bloody spit drooled from his slack jaws, but...

A hand slowly slid toward his fallen Sword. A metaphor for his defeat, and his willingness into defeat.

"My fate was sealed... the minute I was born. The smaller sounds do not oscillate loud. . . enough."
(Viridian Valentine)
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[17:53] Eztli scoffs at the scene, and shudders at the sight of Marcel. Of course there happened to be Cogs right outside his home, taking things that didn't belong to them like they owned the world. He was getting sick of hearing the stories quite frankly.

How long would it be before they nabbed someone near and dear to him like his brother or mother?

Spirits forbid.

There was nothing he could do in this situation, even though his heart reached out to the two suffering humans.

Eznite spit of those dirty Cogs.
(Eztli Meztin)
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[17:58] It was her fault, wasn't it? Even though it wasn't a battle Viridian could reasonably handle, he'd fought it for her sake. All because she hadn't wished to surrender at once.

All because she'd desired more beyond the confinement of Osrona's walls. A pleasant, relatively leisurely stroll... or so she'd intended for it to be.

Both regular and irregular bolts of electricity mar the grassy field as the two engage in heated conflict without further ado. Somewhere along the way, Celicia had begun to tremble without realizing it herself. Viridian couldn't hold up.

It didn't take long for her to see what the resolution of their bout would be. From the very beginning, he hadn't stood a chance.

A deep breath is taken and she slides a hand into her pouch, touching upon the compartment that held her missives. Water stirs at her fingertips to stain through parchment and muddle the ink into an incohesive mess. Should the worst happen, the secretary couldn't permit any valuable information to be compromised.

The letters freeze over and collapse apart into small, frigid clumps. It was her way of putting others before herself, delicate as the situation were.

Her eyes trail back up just in time to witness Viridian colliding down upon the grass in a state that pained her deeply to see. Upon meeting his assailant's gaze once more, Celicia understood one thing well above all else in that moment:

He was neither human nor machine.

"You're a monster."

Her words were spoken with a mixture of fear and anger that she hardly understood herself. In the past, the young woman surely only would've thought of herself. She wouldn't have thought twice about leaving him to die while she merrily went on to live another day.

Yet Celicia wasn't the same person she'd once been.

A glance is spared to Marcel and she slowly raises both hands up in a clear, definitive gesture. Humiliating as it were?

There was no way she'd allow him to give up his life for her. Pride meant nothing in light of her duty.

"It's me you want, yes? I surrender. Let him go."

Her words lacked their usual impolite bite. Given the nature of the situation though, she knew she couldn't aggress him verbally or physically.

The very look she gave him was enough to discern how hopelessly frustrated she was.
(Celicia)
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[18:06] With the spoken surrender that came from the priestess the man remained resolute. Focused. He would not allow her to slip away so easily merely because her hands were held up in such a clear gesture. Bruno's left synthetic hand held onto his weapon keeping it right towards Viridian in order to make things clear. With his right hand the Aertas gestured at the woman to approach, to properly give her freedom away for the sake of another.

"Only when you allow yourself to be bound will your surrender be accepted."

From his cloak the man retrieved a pair of shackles. Rudimentary in use and unsuited for extensive captures, yet good enough for the trek from this point back to Achyon.

Bruno awaits for Celicia to present herself, to accept her failures. To accept her defeat, ultimately.

Her calling him a monster is left unanswered.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[18:09] It's no wonder that Bruno would request such.

A standard procedure for all of Imperial troops; should the enemy surrender themselves, only after they fully offered themselves up are they able to be detained.

The Corporal watches. He knows that should Celicia choose to run, Viridian's fate is sealed.
(Marcel Delisle)
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[18:12] Anastasia shifts her attention to peer towards Celicia with pensive concentration. She, was actually surrendering? How.. Surprising?

It was true, she had never expected the Osronan to surrender herself for the man's sake. Is this what the weakness of emotional love and attachment brought? From a rational perspective, she was worth more as the Archmage's secretary than the man was to anyone.

The swell of glacial water around her fell away to meld into the ground beneath her as she floated closer towards Celicia and in turn Bruno. Awaiting a similar outcome of Celicia's actions towards her surrender, she watched. And she waited.
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[18:16] It couldn't be helped.

"Fine, whatever. So long as you let him go safely," Celicia lowly speaks, scowling.

Though wary and irate, she approaches while keeping her hands raised high. Her only hope at saving him was abiding by the man's firm demands. As a result?

There wouldn't be an ounce of hostile intent from her. Her greatest weakness was being thoroughly abused and she, knowing well she couldn't save him through force, could only comply.

She hadn't imagined she'd ever be cornered like this.
(Celicia)
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[18:18] As she approached the man reached for the shackles, and unless she fought back? The woman would soon be forced to her knees with her hands behind her back, bound together for proper prisoner transport.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[18:19] Eztli pulls out the letter... and stares. He couldn't read.
(Eztli Meztin)
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[18:20] {Won Restrained RPB against Celicia}
[18:22] Eztli Meztin exclaims, "I'm fine, friend!"
[18:22] Eztli calls out through the thicket.
(Eztli Meztin)
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[18:22] Anastasia pyr Aertas says, "Hm."
[18:47] Bruno took a few steps away from Viridian as he lays on the ground, pulling Celicia alongside himself and setting her with her back turned to Marcel - still on her knees mind you. Red eyes slowly drift up towards the Corporal and a silent gaze is all the man is offered for him to know exactly what his duty was in a moment like this.

The Aertas took a few steps towards Viridian, his back turned to the priestess as he finally broke the long silence.

"Some have claimed my comrades and I are akin to machines. Our lovely analogy of cogs working in unison in a machine was turned into an insult. A few people claim to have seen beyond the surface of who I am; they qualified me as 'but a man, after all'. But you? You are the first one who has ever uttered those words towards me.

Monster."

A few more steps are taken, crushing the grass beneath his feet and leaving a trail of naught but decay in his wake. His lips part once more as he makes his way around Viridian, finally turning to face Celicia.

"All of these are wrong." He states, Final Answer being pulled back behind his back - as if strengthening the hope one may have of this horrible situation turning into something a bit better. Mercy, perhaps.

"For a monster strikes without a thought. For machines are unfeeling, calculated, yet unable to grow beyond their initial design without another. For humanity is full of mistakes, of sickening weaknesses.

Yet...

Monsters can be tamed.
Machines can learn.
Mankind can evolve."

His right hand rose up, palm revealing a burning occult flame, sustained by nothing more than Bruno's very existence.

"With my magic I can hold dominion over monsters."

His left hand rose up, stretching forward as it clenched and unclenched. Its synthetic nature being revealed as silence is broken by the machinery underneath despite its completely normal appearance.

"With my craft I can enhance machinery."

His left hand moved to his side while the right presented itself right before Virdian's face, still burning ever so darkly with the vile magic that he had long learned to wield. Yet, it was kept with his palm facing the skies as if he was helping the man up.

".. and from atop my rightful place above humanity, I can guide it to a greater future. A brighter future. Evolution is but a step away. All that needs to be done is for man to accept the weakness of flesh, to weakness they were born with.

... and to cast it away."

His right hand slowly turned around, allowing the flames to crawl up his arm and soon enough overtake his entire body. Decay. Death. Demise was in the air more potent than ever before. A cold only those who had met death itself could recognize filled the area. Bruno's red eyes were kept upon Celicia as it all occured.

The flames of the underworld spread around his feet, crawling all the way up to the courageous warrior who had done naught but protect the one he loved, who had made a simple mistake when going against the Empire— no, when going up against Bruno pyr Aertas.

Darkness engulfed the emerald Osronan, consuming him physically just as it had consumed the Aertas mentally. Pain unlike any other would be felt all across the man's body as occult seeped into his body, his heart, his mind, his very spirit. Memories were burned away one by one as a new one would be forged within the priestess' mind, within everyone's mind.

And as the barrier surrounding the man's very soul was being pushed and pried open did it escape, avoiding a fate that could not be recycled. Any magi would know the effects of a body existing without a soul:

Death.
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[19:00] Tell me all that I've done for my homeland..
And I'll tell you the price of the victory.

How long has it been since Marcel's mind descended into naught but servitude of the Empire? Many would claim that it has been this way since his birth- and perhaps, they weren't entirely wrong... for he was born and raised a patriot. He was made in the image of the true son of Achyon.

Efficient. Obedient. Enduring.

Was he always cold and ruthless? No, not quite... he was a human, first and foremost- much like everybody else, he used to be a child; an innocent, pure child. But.. all that he lived through, all that he experienced?

All the heartache from betrayals..
All the times he was hurt.
They made him this way.

What many know is the cold Corporal today- one that did not hesitate to drag away Aelrin Alcast to his death; the Corporal responsible for the death of Champion of Eos. The Corporal that fought and hurt those he called friends.

Once.

"If it matters to you.."

"I hoped this day would never come."

There is no aggression, no hate to Celicia when he looks down at her; but the Corporal is a man of Achyon, and he's a man of duty.

He is a patriot.
And patriots do what they must.

The gun is drawn- it is placed upon the back of Celicia's head; while the trigger isn't pulled, it's there to ensure she does not move. Another hand secures her by the shoulder, all while she's kneeling, watching Viridian..

She's made to watch his death.
On her knees, with the gun to the back of her head.

"I'm sorry, Celicia."

"But we did not start this war."

She may thrash, but she'll be held; she may weep, and will only be given pensive gaze from Marcel- she may curse them out, call them monsters, swear that she'll kill them all - that she'll drag their remnants across Hel itself, but..

What he says is true; her people started this.

In the final hours of agony for Viridian, Delisle will only watch, his hand firmly holding the Priestess bound- the other keeping the weapon in tact, should she choose to lash out.

He is a patriot..
Even if sometimes it hurts to be one.
(Marcel Delisle)
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[19:05] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [you're]
[19:05] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [hiding that you have occult right]
[19:06] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (that i am..)
[19:06] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [are you ok with the perm making it unable to be hidden the moment you get in battle]
[19:06] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (go ahead)
[19:06] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [for more occult shenanigans]
[19:06] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [cool cool]
[19:06] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (i am fine with this!!)
[19:06] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [rad]
[19:14] Lenalla remembered back to her talks with the crew, in particular one where her Maertock and Andreas stood upon the Paupers Bride's discussing future dreams in aspirations.

To cement their names within the land of Esshar and become stories of terror told for an eternity. Once Lenalla thought that such beings did not exist on the surface, that such horrors only existed on the darkest parts of the ocean floor, but now, now she understands.

The ghosts, ghouls, beasts that lurk in the dark, hide in plain sight here. bound to seemingly unimposing humanoid bodies, the darkness of the psyche ebbs and flows creating the unimaginable.

Achyon, Osrona, she could care less who was from where, as long as they didn't want to kill her, the lionfish wouldn't fight back, not her battle, but she was just getting to know those two, it was a shame it was cut short while peace lasted with Osrona.

Eyes shifting slightly to Eztli, she gave him a slight nod, acknowledging the friendly face near her.

Facing back to the seemingly dead aspiring knight, the predator's gaze flickered to the one who has come out of hiding, exposed the darkness of his psyche.

Not a gaze of aggression nor admiration, but one that was hungry. Hungry to know more, and hungry to see what this man does next.

"Aye, ya ain't a cog, human, nor monster. You are the tales that these land dwellers will be warned about...and that ain't a bad thing..."

nodding her head towards Viridian, Lenalla looked back to Bruno. "Ya got any use fer that, or can I have it?"
(Lenalla)
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[19:15] Eztli could do nothing but watch the scene play out before him, one that only got worse by the second. He kept close to the trees, not foolish enough to bring himself to the spot-light. Though it likely didn't matter, for he was no big player in the grand scheme of things. Just a small bystander...

...With a steadily growing hatred for all things Achyon.

The context of the situation was lost on him, but he understood enough to see that Cecilia had bargained for Viridian's release, at the cost of her own freedom.

A word that should've been honoured.

Of course, Achyon however, were without that. They were evil through and through, filthy Cogs who claimed to be better then even the Patron Spirits, but were in-fact the worst of Demons.

"Disgusting..."

What were men who couldn't uphold their own words? Scum-bags.

Coloured-Pearls look over to Marcel. He may have beaten up ten children, but did so respectfully, heck, they all lived - surely he saw the wrongness in this situation? Or perhaps not. Were they all copy-pasted robots with no hearts?

Such brutality no one should have to witness, let alone a group of teenagers.

But such was the world they lived in...
(Eztli Meztin)
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[19:30] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (oh uh u can do the perm now btw)
[19:30] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (im just double checking my rp rq)
[19:30] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [im typing it up]
[19:33] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Viridian Valentine: [let me apply it so you can modify your rp to fit it if you want]
[19:33] Viridian Valentine whispers to Bruno pyr Aertas: (thats fine i can wait!
[19:36] ** Bruno pyr Aertas has inflicted an injury upon Viridian Valentine. ("Saved by Darkness", "Viridian was burned alive by occult magic. The vile influences of Bruno's deepest, darkest talents seeped into his body, heart, mind, and very spirit, overwhelming him completely and leaving him effectively dead by the time all is over. That is, at the very least, what the Aertas believes. Due to the Valentine's own hidden talents the man's life was not forfeit on that day, leaving him barely breathing, yet crippling him forever. His physical state requiring many procedures to even look human while his mental state has been mostly consumed by occult forces. With Viridian's own occult magic being the sole reason he is still alive his body will reflexively draw from dark forces in battle, fearing death will claim him once more.", "Permanent", "Severity: CRIPPLING (-40 VIT)") **
[19:40] Anastasia observes the goings on of the situation in her usual calm stride. She is not surprised in the slightest by Bruno's following actions once the woman had been binded and secured.

Was it not expected? Was it not obvious that such was going to occur? Perhaps she really was the only one who truly understood what kind of man her husband was. Honestly. Did love blind her so much that she trusted an Occultist?

Foolish. Just as foolish as Anna herself, though she wouldn't admit that. Her husbands words were taken in stride alongside his actions, and to all of it? She didn't so much as bat an eye.

After the moment had passed however? Her attention finally shifted towards the pirate amongst the spectators, as light brown hues inspected the woman with lionfish features, she makes a vague gesture towards her to grasp her attention.

"You would ask for that which rightfully belongs to Achyon as one of it's enemies? How foolish are those who call themselves Sirens, truly?" The Councilwoman responds, voice as calm and unflinching as ever as she now directed her full attention to the observing pirate.. And the boy behind her.

"Though, I admit. At the very least, you aren't like the majority of your types, not even bothering to ask, but simply taking what it is they have a shine for, as they are wont to so ineloquently put it." Her arm rises, fingers curling around the trident upon her back as finally, her weapon is drawn for the first time throughout this whole situation.

"For your simple display of manners, I'll reward you. You may leave peacefully now, if you so choose to. After all, good behavior should be reinforced, should it not?" She claims, the trident Glacies Adstricta leveling out towards Lenalla, the icy spikes that complete it's crownalready well in place and threatening. "However, if you choose to remain, I will attack you as an enemy of Achyon.."

"Make your choice, Pirate."
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[19:47] As one who’d willingly donned the cloak of the Celestial Church years prior, Celicia had accepted that her life would henceforth be one of sacrifice. To learn to live for the sake of others rather than solely herself was, for a while now, something she’d been diligently working on. Viridian in particular was someone who’d instilled hope within her and given her cause to ignore the pessimistic, nagging voice in her head that'd held her back for years on end.

She wasn’t like the other priestesses, but he’d taught her that it was fine. He'd accepted her as she was and helped her come to terms with it as well.

Locked away in restraints that assured an indefinite absence of freedom, Celicia is thus accepting of her fate. She was content knowing that, no matter what happened to her, the man who'd sought to understand her and save her long ago would be just fine. It was a sacrifice she'd make hundreds times over without second thought. And yet...

It was trampled on in the cruelest way imaginable.

Heartless words were spoken out by a man whose gaze spoke of all but humanity. A hand extends out towards Viridian in stunned desperation, yet she freezes as a loaded gun is held up to her head by Marcel, an old friend. His words were hard for her to process.

They ushered the very reality that she sought to ignore right in her face.

The more Bruno himself spoke, the more she realized what was soon to transpire. Her face pales and the woman's breath rapidly falls unsteady as she gazes upon the two with widened, terror filled eyes, a hushed murmur filled with utter disbelief passing through her lips.

He'd betrayed her trust and rendered her sacrifice for naught. In the end, she'd been nothing but a fool.

"No..."

Her eyes met Bruno's own within that moment. An unforgettable crimson.

A color of ascertained evil.

Viridian himselfis enveloped in darkness that's far from gentle. Nestled within a cradle of curses, he's taken from her all at once, torn away and destroyed without restraint. The display was as agonizing to her as the pain he'd be subjected to.

"NO!"

A distraught cry that sounded out from the bottom of her heart.

"GIVE HIM BACK!- YOU PROMISED HE'D LIVE! YOU PROMISED! YOU GAVE YOUR WORD!"

Her voice cracks in the midst of her miserable screaming, choked by sobs that wrack her form. Tears stream down her cheeks without restraint, yet she's unable to move nor look away.

Her freedom to do so had been taken. Till the very end, she'd have to bear witness to the last thing she'd ever wanted to see.

The loss of Viridian Valentine.

Once he'd fallen? The young priestess felt unusually small and fragile. Chilled to her core, frozen, useless...

Defeated. Shattered.

"You don't understand- I need him. M-my... my dear, dear Viridian..."

Dead because of her.

Dead because of them.

Nothing would ever be the same.
(Celicia)
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[19:53] Deep into the far reaches of his confines, the atmosphere held an ominous air. Though cleanly knocked out, his eyes had still made contact with the Victor, even as he drew closer. His hand slowly descended upon him. He knew all too well what he fought for, and never regretted the choice.

Death wasn't kind. Viridian knew that. It snatched where it could, taking people who were far too young, far too good. It didn't pretend to care, it didn't pretend to distinguish. The hooded vale of death had hung over the world for a long time, always threatening.

This was no different.

...Though? It had never touched the Valentine quite so close. Death would rip away a part of him, the part of him that was most loved.

A deadly miasma lingered over the unconscious. It sank in, deathly hands daring to claim it's target; Viridian. Once Bruno's hand waves over him, the sweet release of death had done it's work, terror from the Achyonite's magic seeping into his very being.

...Though?

Viridian awoke to find myself in another world, a world of suffering. As the numbness of sleep slowly faded from his limbs, he felt dead grass poking into back, like tiny needles.

He gasped in a breath, but nothing came. Instead, he choked on a dry tongue without air in that vast, immoral void; lack of oxygen descended on his mind in a panic.

His breath sucks in, burning lungs with the malevolent ferocity that consumed him. A darker mist descended on his eyes, through the heinous veil surrounding them, Viridian can barely make out the surrounding. He could feel his heart beating against rib cage, slowing every second.

In a final lament, an epiphany washed over him, mumbling in that void.

"Is this death? Ah.

Was this how it felt, Violet?

...I haven't even--"

No matter how much he attempted to move, or spoke out in that vast darkness, none would come. His mind gave one final sigh, then felt nothing. Nothing at all. Darkness, formally known as death, consumed him.

A swarm of emotion overcame him.

The pressure of the raging sea of anger, shutting out the world.

A wicked hurricane, foreboding a harsh reality.

Turn pain into anger.

Even then, Viridian lay atop that corrupted grass, intertwining with the land of death and an unexpected taint, searching for survival.

Which would it choose?
(Viridian Valentine)
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[20:04] Raising an eyebrow at the woman who had approached her, the sirenian racked her brain for a name, she remembered hearing Bruno speak it in the square, back when she was tolerated to loiter there. Anastasia, a woefully long name for her people.

"Hm? Enemies? I'm just the crew's medic, I ain't any harm ta ya." Lenalla opens her arms to show she doesn't mean harm.

A roguish smirk curled up on her lips as the Aertas commented on her less wily ways. "Awe luv I appreciate the compliment. Goat boy and Enki are a bit rougher around the edges yeah? But I aint a brute, I may talk funny, but I'm a well learned gal."

Good behavior to be reinforced? She wasn't stupid, the woman with too long of a name for her to say was patronizing her, treating her like a pet dogfish. "Oi, I see what ya are doin, as I told the last one who attacked me, just cause I'm a crewmate don't mean we all areenemies, Cap just tells us who we can and can't reave. Me only enemy are the Vanirhallens. Oh an' ya cyborg buddy already went turncoat by the way, Elijah." The sirenian shrugged, non-chalantly looking back to her little Mox buddy. It wasn't often the lionfish visibly took a threat seriously

"But hey, if me words haven't swayed ya, I'll get out o' yer hair, aint worth me fighting over...have fun with yer corpse, an' tell Nidaz, Lenalla says hi"

Fully turning around now, Lenalla puts a hand on Eztli. "Lets get out o' here, ya got a chicken ta stuff anyways."
(Lenalla)
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[20:09] Slow, agitated heaves see her breathing pace ramp up as the coup de grace is delivered unto the emerald knight. Just a few dozen meters away from the trio, he's struck down.

Thereover he lays, deedless, immobile.

"... I-" Is it her first time witnessing so? Is he truly dead?

Would she live with the uncertainty instead of properly verifying his state, and use this window to dissociate from the dread of the encounter?

Yes.

Yes, absolutely.

"I think we should split, wouldn't you two agree?" Without making pauses between sentences. "Yes? You agree? Good, let's."
(Edingel Sinaldine)
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[20:10] Eztli would shrug her off, shaking his head aggressively. "No, this isn't right,"

He stands firm, a prideful idiot. "This is Moxtli land, my home. They can't just come here and taint it with blood and foul magics," How dare they.

Why should he run away like a coward just because some wicked old crone willed it? He was courageous alright, though he obviously lacked a few brain-cells.

"They should leave, they have what they want, right? Why linger if not to act even more like maniacal villains!"

He wasn't budging, for good or bad.
(Eztli Meztin)
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[20:13] The Rodent had been quite content to simply watch the events unfold in front of him. The loss of another, life was certainly tragic, yet he didn't really know the fellow, so he didn't feel too terrible about it>

Although when the option to depart arises?

He doesn't hesitate to accept it.

"Yeh, c'mon. Let'g go." Without an ounce of hesitation, the Razuka would move to follow after his friend, and twin. "Best t'not linger 'ere... Well, more than we have already."
(Lucky)
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[20:13] Honestly, it's all... A lot to take in! Drawing in a slow breath through his teeth the young Razuka's chin tilts upwards. This was... Not what he wanted to do with his night, in truth! There were a lot of things he could be crafting right now-- Doodlebits, doodlebobs, and quite frankly there was a string connecting two cans that interested him far more than this.

Yet there he stood, watching someone die.

Shirking away he'd briefly glance towards Sinaldine and his twin, sienna eyes squinting in regret. Maybe he should've ushered them off by now..?

"Leeet's… Let's get outta here, yeah." Pulling his arms around his midsection he'd murmur, "Talk about fuckin' brutal though..." He'd wash his tongue with soap later-- Or sludge, we'll see.

Turning tail he'd prepare to depart with those that he'd come with!
(Charlie)
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[20:13] Death.

All-encompassing, overwhelming, undeniable death. It came in many shapes and forms. It left those who would find it at their doorstep to regret the things they haven't done, to dwell over the past, the time they've wasted. It was inevitable.

For most, that is.

Some sought to cheat death, some sought to outlive death, some sought to prevent it, but Bruno? Bruno sought to master it. To follow in the footsteps of an ascended Demon who had lived a long, long time ago. One with which a certain world tucked away within the void could not have existed without. With the knowledge of its existence the man could not help but wish to ascend in such a direction.

For one who controls death, controls life.

A powerful tool which would usher humanity to its steel-garbed evolution, one which required many, many sacrifices. Viridian's body was but one of them. Cecilia's heart was another.

Her words wereanswered, her pleas discarded to the wind as the man slowly advanced away from the Valentine's decaying form.

"You need him, yet you remain alive. Take it as a lesson." He said, granting the woman the time to think about how many things she could learn from this before being the absolute worst one could be in such a moment, shifting the blame towards her.

"This would not have happened if you had surrendered when it was asked of you the first time.

You were weak. You allowed another to speak for your own future.

.. and now he will never be part of it."

The man stopped, leaning a bit closer to Celicia to whisper to her ear, allowing Anastasia to deal with the peanut gallery in the meantime. He soon rises again, looking towards Marcel.

"Let us go back. We're done here."
(Bruno pyr Aertas)
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[20:13] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Celicia: I can take this pain away.
[20:14] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Celicia: .. yet, the procedure only works if you are willing to cast it away.
[20:14] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Celicia: Ironic, is it not?
[20:15] Bruno pyr Aertas whispers to Celicia: The only one who can help you is the man you hate so much.
[20:16] Violet stared forward in her usual muteness, at the scene before her. A wing cracked outwards in an idle stretch more so than anything else. It was refolded neatly behind her back soon after.

But she loitered and lingered, content to watch. This wasn't her fight, even if it was against Achyon. There was no honor in jumping an enemy who was busy with another, right?
(Violet Vartuul)
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[20:18] Anastasia squints towards Lenalla and shakes her head. "It doesn't matter what or who you are. You are a member of the Deep Company. There is nothing you can say in the face of that affiliation to be anything more than an enemy of Achyon's state." A look of calm indifference towards the pirate's words were all that was offered beyond her spoken response.

"Hold on there Misha's boys." She says, her attention briefly shifting towards both Lucky and Charlie. "There's a young mutt here who believes he stands on Moxtli land. Given whom you are, do you believe that such a statement should be left unanswered?"

"Which one of you will step up to teach the Moxtli boy who's ground he stands on?"
(Anastasia pyr Aertas)
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[20:20] The Machine always takes.

What others do not understand is that the Empire is never a force to be trifled with, no matter how small it may become over the years- there will be always people like Marcel, patriotic and capable enough to serve it through its harsh times.

And there are always people like Bruno,
ruthlessly efficient.

Is Marcel used to horrors of war by now? Perhaps... but the strange thing is that he doesn't remember when it all began. He remembers feeling pity, empathy to his enemies- he remembers feeling bad for those that lost something important to them, even if they were his enemy.

And then, someone shattered his heart.
Much like Celicia's is shattered now.
After that, all he remembers is...

Anger.

Perhaps it's things like that which made him into a person he is today- efficient as well, even if feeling; for as much as Celicia used to be an old friend, much like he attacked Gareth with little to no hesitation..

Now, he grasps the broken woman.
All to lead her back to their homeland.

"Understood, Sergeant."

'I used to believe in you. I had faith you're different.' The words of the days gone ring in his head; is it guilt, doubt? He isn't sure...

But it felt like weakness.
It's shut out promptly.

"--I'll prepare the collar."

Her fate remains uncertain, but one thing is clear..

Now, she's bound by the Machine.
(Marcel Delisle)