Terminus: Elzaran Skirmish I

[20:03] The land was littered with the corpses of the most recent wave of Elzara soldiers, accompanied with the now deteriorating corpses of the nonmagus worshippers slaughtered in their first coming wave.

The scene was relatively quiet...
With morbid sense of dread hanging in the air -- It was as though The First Imperfect of Meranthe were here with the group. Their curse lingers nigh, tainting at the 'tar' within the pit.

With the approach of the newest Elzara numbers, they'd find the eerie setting accompanied by seemingly two...
Quite underwhelming for...
The earth quaked somewhat.

"As it had been foretold... They have arrived."
Having been somewhat prepared for this arrival, courtesy of the Elzara Commander himself stumbling nearby earlier? The air grew thick with an ebonic fog... The shadows were lengthened... And from the dark, something peered back for the numbers.

"Your murderous endeavors will cease, Delphinian ilk...
Turn back now."
The voice boomed out, seemingly without a source -- Telepathic in nature.
A final warning...
The smog of the transmundane and shadows alike allowed for a cover amongst those nigh to make their approach -- to take action if need be.
Though, the ball was in the court of these would be assailants.
(Etheric Presence)
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[20:18] "..."

Cielia paused, kneeling down to one of the slain Elzara. Throat slit, arms mangled, holes pierced. The orphan stared.

This was her doing. Her lacking orders, failure of grasping the full scope of the danger. Now there were now more bodies, more families that would be broken apart. She should have been there. Even as the weakest of the Guards, she had the strength to protect them. Yet, this was the result.

The aerodyne's eyes gleamed, as golden mana began to pour out from her body.

"Murderous endeavors? Hah...
Elzara.
Move alongside Miss Bargiel and the two from the Republic.
Wipe them out.

I will be taking care of the ringleaders."
Blue light blossomed, her spectral sight capturing the forms of the ones hidden. Her gauntlets materializing around her clenched hands as sheordered the attack.
(Cielia Meanderwing)
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[20:25] Through the morbid air, the knight of Astra accompanying the Elzaran unit steps with the clank of arcanium, accompanying the warriors and scouts of Delphina with a lengthy blade of tyrium by her side. Eyes dart quickly over the scene, taking in the sight of the felled Elzara soldiers of the previous wave.

Necromancers, perhaps? Of Atrellya? Of Meranthe? There was no time for guessing as an order was quickly thrown out from the Meanderwing ahead of her.

With shining radiance, golden ether turned white manifested around the tyrium of her sword.

"I will do as you say."

A golden eye darted to the invisible forms as the air grew thick with that ebonic fog. With the lengthening of shadows, Holy Arts were conjured to grant Light to her form, embraced by tendrils of a rising sunshine — filled with warmth and emotion.

Ready to guide the Elzara against any foe that appears from the encroaching shadows in the face of the final warning.
(Nix Bargiel)
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[20:26] The bodies of the slain soldiers are given a brief glance, the huntress giving a small sigh as she realizes the location she'd volunteer to assist at.

It forces a weary groan, this...Thing that she didn't yet understand, more conflict of interests. Still, she offered to assist and would remain true to her word. She snatches the Auguria staff from her back, the thorns on it cutting into her palm as droplets of blood trickle to the ground, immediately sprouting new life in the form of tangled tufts of grass that quickly begin to wrap around each other like sinuous limbs.

Step by step they wrest themselves from the earth, fibrous hunks of vines and greenery in the shape of hounds and tiny snapping mandrakes that quickly begin to fan out across the ridge of the ichor-drenched pit.

"I do not know what exactly you hope to accomplish here, Miss. But I will assist where needed."

"Still wish I knew what was going on."

It's fine, she wasn't intent on killing anything, simply helping to drive a hostile presence off the steps of Delphina.

She could figure out whatever this thing was later.
(Carina)
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[20:27] "This won't do."
The trail of corruption and devastation is apparent as they arrive, though Roland's focus is primarily on the large pit.

Whispers of a cult. Of an enemy unseen that had been finding worshippers from across the region.

Luckily, he does not have to look. The voice calls out to them, and hair along the cambion's nape stand at attention. Despite being declined so much as visitation rights to Delphina, Roland is here to assist.
To help however he can.

Nothing else matters.
Innocent lives were taken, and there was a need to even the score and push it in their favor.

"On your orders."

The chipped and cracked blade upon his back is drawn and rotated, afterimages trailing behind its movements.

The flare of occult does not come just yet. He is simply a swordsman, here to assist.
(Roland Halbmond)
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[20:38] For a poor humble single father, Gurd was working too much lately. But again, how would a giant rabbit beast live without working in THIS ECONOMY?

As soon as the soldiers approached the pit Gurd jumped just like their friend Chuggums would, there was a loud noise and the earth shook when he landed. The Lapine shook his while facing the humans, he wasn't mad...just disappointed.

"Nothing personal, just business. Can't blame a single father for taking almost any job in this economy." He'd say in a lazy tone before folding both his arms.

"Normally the fair father would just ask you all to go away, but I believe that you people won't listen to me."

A pause was made before the Lapine cleaned his throat and stopped to inhale, what would he do? Oh, it was just getting ready to yell.

"REMEMBER, WE DON'T NEED TO WIN JUST PUSH THEM BACK! LET'S SEE WHAT IS MOST VALUABLE TO THEM SLAVING THEPIT SPIRIT OR THEIR WOUNDED!"

After yelling orders for some reason the Lapine would jump once and dash towards Carina in an attempt to punch her, she would be his first target.

"Huntress, we're throwing hands today. Sorry, just business!"
(Sirgurd)
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[20:38] Carina says, "Suppose it must be so."
[20:41] Were it necromancy? Were it demonology? Atrellya's, Meranthe's, or- well, who's problem was it, really? For the sources did not matter, and only a serpentine shade slicks out from the woods. The underbrush and the trees by the river, the body of water that connects to the lake in which it was baptized. The freshwater murk turned brackish, the scent of the sea and of raw fish ride high on the western wind.

It is the lone and ethereal lights of Nix Bargiel that peer upon a chitinous and horrific thing from the rising tides. The riverbank extended a swath too far, a wave encroaching and crawling closer each moment that passes. Far from the tar pit, but the steps that 'splat' through the water were not. Scythes of hard flesh poke holes in the ground and kick sprays of water up, the idle writhing and flopping of something from the Deep slips forward.

Slickened shade is emboldened by Nix's sufficiently grown shadows.

"Can.
You.
Hear...
Me?"
Hollow and rancid breath falls from its open maw, whilst it slinks forward. Thrumming with illusory forces through the mind of each...
Is that a lullaby?
Distant, soft, waves on foreign sand?
Sharpen your resolve, warrior.

Because the answer to its question is evident in those faint hallucinations, the ebbs of those quiet sounds of song against the thrums of quieter and further away nations.

YOU.

CAN.
HEAR.

ME.

"Can't you? Can't you hear me?
Suffocating quiet.

The Deepest Scion. For too long.
I have a voice now.
You can hear me.

DAGON.
TERMINUS!"

The shadow strikes out at Nix Bargiel's light.
En garde!
(Dagon Terminus)
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[20:41] Pain. Pain. So much pain!

Retsuki gripped his head as something from within was just forcing its way into his very mind. Retsuki's scream tore through the air, raw and unrestrained, as the curse dug its claws deeper into his psyche.

"Damn it all to Hel!"

He staggered, clutching his head as the torrent of fears and insecurities erupted from within.

His voice, trembling with anger and sorrow, spilled out the secrets he had fought so hard to bury.

"No family, no joy! All while those other freaks frolic with they beloved friends and kin. " His words came out sharp, almost accusing, as if he were blaming the world, the heavens, and anyone who dared listen.

His fists clenched, trembling with the raw power of his occultic energies, but they only served to fuel his anguish.

Each thought spiraled back to the same burning truth he had been forced to state.

The emptiness he felt, the family he longed for but could never have. And as Roland stood nearby, Retsuki’s eyes, glazed with frustration, locked onto him.

Someone, something to tear this feeling away, even if but for a moment. More than an excuse was to be made. Even if he didn't actually dislike this young fellow.

And then... Barron Bargiel's name seared through his mind like a blade, igniting the anger further. His teeth ground together, and the darkness within him flared.

"Barron. Barron! Bargiel!"

The curse pushed him to lash out, to project his pain, and every second that passed only brought him closer to breaking.

Such misery, it was only befitting to engage with someone powerful enough to contain these emotions. Carinawas given a glance to, but she had not been attacked.

Only Roland.
(Retsuki)
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[20:42] "Heroism they claim.... Yet, so willing to throw away one of the few assets against a common enemy...
AVENGE EVERY NONMAGUS SOUL THAT THEY'VE REAPED FROM THIS LAND!"

As the smog pulled back, it'd reveal the numbers amongst the magus ilk tied to this nameless Patron, wicking the very shadows, smog and all within an infinitesimally small point. With its coalescing, ichor inched and ebbed for every and all directions, swiftly compounding upon itself until...

Expansion...
Muscularity was manifesting, nay -- being pulled together!
The sound of flesh and sinew ripped out for all to hear. Muscles reclaiming their place, and bones popping into place... He was swiftly trying to take form before the assault on his incomplete form could take place. A warping at the spatial domain sought to blast the lot back, hoping to contain them for even seconds' reprieve...

All for one's forces to make their debut...
Amongst the display, muscularity, bone and sinew eventually forged one... Two...
Three, four arms... Stretching out from the once-mound, now-abdomen...
It was huge!
Levitating up high and out of reach of nonmagus soldiers without ranged weaponry...

From its bottom half, the sounds of flesh tearing revealed the generation of its legs, whirling for the ground for a hefty thud, quaking the earth in its wake. Towering at a nigh two dozen feet, it dwarfed most encounters... With eyes of solid crimson gleaming through the residual smog hovering across its visage.

A titanic four-armed humanoid of onyx flesh... But that was not all...
They squelched from the abdominal region... Like pupils abruptly emerging...

As they revealed themselves, whether grafted at the thighs, the head, or merely the face...
Sacrifices...
Of Men...
Of Women...
OfChildren...
Of even babies...

Across the better part of a century, collectively crying out for a savior that'd seemingly never come.
Some must've been warriors...
Others, mere civilians...
Few, even magi of various notable bloodlines...
Hel was here.

From the initial encounters with the Lunar King...
To even skirmishes against the First Imperfect of Meranthe…
What stood here, was the Harbinger Of The End himself...
"Usque… Terminus..."

A battlefield of ants... With a giant in the fray -- its eyes settled on the perpetrator of this ensemble: Celia Meanderwing.
"Every transgression your ilk has committed up until now... Only further encourages Varrach's sins upon this land... You are not the heroes here."
A single step forth, and it was made clear... It was preparing to make its move.
(Etheric Presence)
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[20:42] Carina ponders, "Wait, non-magus soul...?"
[20:42] Carina ponders, "What is going on here?"
[20:45] Carina says, "Occult? So you -are- a Demon."
[20:46] Carina says, "No matter."
[20:46] Sirgurd says, "Occultic beast."
[20:46] Carina says, "That-...That's a demon."
[20:46] Sirgurd says, "Correct name, Heregion"
[20:46] Carina says, "Occult beast is a d-"
[20:46] Sirgurd says, "Call me demon again and I will be offended."
[20:46] Sirgurd says, "Now...let's start."
[20:54] Roland Halbmond says, "That's really it, then."
[20:54] Roland Halbmond says, "Beneath the scars and muscles and the fury of your fists.."
[20:54] Roland Halbmond asks, "All you see is wrath. Fury. Vengeance. Destruction?"
[20:59] As the empowered Retsuki appears once more and charges directly form him, there is a brief look of pity hidden behind the ferocity of the Vigil's Super-Cadet.
He had given him a chance before, right?

They had clashed in the outskirts of Arcadia, fist over blade. The End result was a simple siphoning of that accursed emotion that would drive the vagabond to ruin.

It was not enough, for he had attacked Barron in the heart of Gloomlight soon after.

Roland's blade flares with the glow of Freedom, and he prepares to administer the concept to Retsuki by force.

"I won't let you waste your life assisting some cult. But I also will not allow you to take the head of Barron Bargiel."

A deep inhale. When he exhales, dark clouds of smoke erupt and take the form of three imps that happily leap from one side to the other.

"I am afraid I will have to take something worse than the emotion, this time. Please do everything you can to stop me."
(Roland Halbmond)
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[21:08] The pulgulist gritted his teeth. The thought of furtherment in his own inability.

His fists trembled, empowered by the dark energies within, and his entire body surged forward with malice. Memories of their first clash resurface in the outskirts of Arcadia, where Roland had successfully beaten him.

But there was a brief flicker in his eyes, a hesitation, as Roland summoned the three imps. Deep down, some part of him still clung to the desire to break free from the torment.

Yet, his body surged forward, driven by the dark force that now controlled him.

He was indeed helping that of a cult. But for what reason? To what end? All but a simple one, even more than a tad bit selfish.

Restoration of what was lost. His beyond broken body. It was to be repaired.

So this was desired. The glow of Roland’s blade, Freedom was a blinding specter for what was to come.

The hatred brought by that of Barron, the lacking of a cherished family, all laced with the spite driven from a pit of inability in one's own power.

Then? That of Juniper was thought up of. The kindness they showed. Akin to that of a mother. Even in his sprawl of anger, such got to him. Even if for but another moment. However fleeting...

To change fate.
It appeared to be impossible.

"I refuse to lose once more this day!"
(Retsuki)
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[21:08] Roland Halbmond says, "Come on, then."
[21:13] And it all awakens.

A sacrifice of many, of children to matured magi, heroes of old coalesced into a giant abomination who took physical form to fend off the coming of the Elzara, this unit seeking to bring an end to the vile and nefarious acts conducted around the pit of onyx.

"Heroes or villains, I don't care."

What nonsense is being spoken? Sure, everyone has their delusions, Nix thought, but...

Vitriol arose within the single golden eye, one bringing resemblance to Erebus Bargiel. A sight empowered by her emotions alone — the will within her heart manifested in gold, enlightening the murky waters and catching sight of the approach of Dagon Terminus.

"You are a threat to this land, you are a threat to my family."

Thoughts come rushing as she witnesses the beast emerging from the depths, bringing with him its rancid breath. In turn, the knight slowly strides in the direction of the beast.

"Corner it from all directions."

An order swiftly dispatched to the accompanying Elzara, who began to cooperate between each other to surround the beast of the depths. Working in unison to accomplish a shared goal: To grant the Bargiel the opportunity to strike true.

"I am taking you down."

And at light's speed, locks of ivory flowed. The blade of tyrium and ether moving with a single purpose, and a single dream. To grant Meranthe its overdue peace, and to achieve the sanctity of the realms, she must bring an end to all threats.

And Dagon is but another step towards this Heaven.
(Nix Bargiel)
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[21:13] "Very well, I'm sorry it has to come to thi-"

Carina doesn't get to say much else before the two come to blows, the massive suited lapine charging her like a linebacker as rows of leafy hounds form up like guards around to intercept.

For each one effortlessly tossed aside by the rabbit's bulk, another two are closing the gap behind Sigurd to nip at his heels, thorny teeth gnashing into even the Dark Father's hardened hide.

All blood, water, tooth and claw, Carina herself is right behind them, sneaking in opportunistic strikes when and where she can to rapidly whittle down her opponent, dispatching the self-proclaimed beast's occult imps with the same ease that he eliminated her hunting hounds.

But hers were practically infinite, reforming from tufts of ripped grass and rooted stems to return anew, as if they'd never left.

In a battle of attrition, the huntress had an overwhelming advantage, the scales only tipping harder when with a snap of her finger, each hound erupts into flames, the cores in their chests igniting as the rest of the battlefield becomes washed in fire.

Plant life still writhes and thrashes against the suited lapine, but now it burns, inflicted with insane vigor in its death throes as they bash and batter with burning bramble. They fought until their very bodies gave out, becoming crumbling ash which would revitalize the devastated land in their wake, spouting new life down the line where as now they endeavored to take it.

Vines and thorny shrubs which previously only hampered Sigurd's advance now become tangible hazards instead of just a nuisance, and the burning wolves at his ankles become akin to suicide bombers, latching unto the rabbit's hide with teeth to become branding irons as their weight and heat completely overwhelmed the bruiser, dragging him to the ground as one of them gets in a particularly nasty bite before its head completely disintegrates by its own flames.

The thorny-toothed bite digs deep, its embers sinking past the hare's flesh to become a far more permanent and sinister wound, unbeknownst to Carina.

His fur was charred black, covered head to toe in bite marks but for a creature of his nature, those wounds would heal in the blink of an eye, they both knew it.

One final wave of burning earth sends Sigurd sprawling along with extinguishing the hounds currently latched unto him, Carina satisfied with her own performance and allowing the rabbit to do as he wished.

"Terribly sorry we could not discuss things further, but it seems like our roles have been decided for us." She quietly mutters.

"Pick yourself up, you have a life to live yet, for better or worse. Don't stay here and die for nothing."

(Carina)
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[21:22] Chunks of earth rip up from the undertow, carted in a faceless miasma enraptured around the demonic titan. Its eyes glared upon Cielia with an overwhelming surge of Hatred behind them. Though, try all he might... His body was siezing, albeit subtly...

At the pit of one's chest, was a slight divit. One that harbored blackened leylines and protruding veins that'd spread out for the chest and abdomen... However, it appeared to be restrained... Kept at bay.
Any amount of sensory efforts would reveal it to be the presence of Death Magic actively working against the alleged Patron - The magic of a malevolent Imperfect intent on eradicating the entity before them.

Persistant as always, he stood tall in spite of it.

"Amongst the many I've faced across the past century, most that claimed to act in the name of something tend to have some sort of remorse... So tell me, magi... When you slaughtered those men and women... Did they put up a fight?" The entity asked of them.

"Were their dreams of finally being free of their lives under the foot of yet another magi worth their demise?"

That anger was welling from the depths of what remained of his withering soul...
"--because no matter how you slice it... Everything you've done, in the name of whatever excuse your harbor? Is done to the detriment of your very cause... And for naught but your own selfish craving for blood..."

Four arms flexed, fists buckling with a whine resembling strained leather.
"That, is why I exist... To end such debauchery once and for all... But you don't care about any of that...
None of you ever do..."
With the exposure of one's chest, and reared arms - a shockwave of spatial magics brushed out for all nigh, kicking up halos of dust in its wake. A spiraling pyre of lavender screamed out for the heavens above -- revealing an agitated Terminus in all of its degenerating glory.
(Terminus)
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[21:44] The eyes, the faces, the screaming, the crying, the...

A breath.

The lifestream flowed around her as she tried to calm her bubbling emotions. ...Who was she? A faeborne, an aerodyne. Chosen of Koretheia, the daughter of Nemea. She must act becoming of the grace she'd been given. To lose herself in her anger was not something she could allow.

A chilling glare was directed to the being before her.

"Then, let me ask you, demon. When you sacrificed the people of Dal'Thala, when you murdered my men, how did that feel? To know that so many have lost their husbands, wives, parents, children... and to even make a mockery of their corpses...!"

She grit her teeth, before another breath was released. A poker face masked her visage, hiding her fury.

"Know this.

I will bring you, and every member of your cult to heel. I will put to rest every restless spirit you carryinside you. I care little for sophistry when my people are under attack. To save the weak, that is my purpose.

...And, as for those non-magi men and women you'd brought under your influence. Don't think we of Dal'Thala are as sloppy in handling matters as others. Those that could be cleansed have been, and those that couldn't, placed under arrest. Did you truly think I would leave corpses for you to feed on?"

Her gauntlet creaked as force was exerted.

"Well, for the magi. I'm sure even you wouldn't take issue with the fairness of what I'm about to do."
(Cielia Meanderwing)
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[21:46] Terminus exclaims, "You fool... Such an act was the workings of rogue witches and necromancers... You attack without even know who your true enemy EVEN IS!"
[21:46] Cielia Meanderwing says, "...."
[21:51] {Lost Dangerous RPB against Cielia Meanderwing}
[21:51] ** Cielia Meanderwing has inflicted an injury upon Terminus. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (2 days)") **
[21:51] 'Can. You. Hear... Me?' With resolve sharpened, the Bargiel witnessed the thrum of illusions fill her mind not unlike a soft lullaby. Her lone eye open, golden and gracious, watching the beast proceed to be surrounded by the Elzara after the knight of Astra's first strike was landed light's speed. 'YOU. CAN. HEAR. ME.' Against the shadows of the depths, raging radiance battled the soft melody, the blade of tyrium and ether finding purchase on the surface of the Deepest Scion's body. And with each sundering blow, despite the maiming intent behind each move, no pain came to the shadowy beast — instead, scars of light began to illuminate points of weakness for all to see.

"Elzara."

As the water rose to suffocate the Bargiel, she commanded the warriors of Delphina to move under her orders.

"Strike to the left."

Golden ether turned white manifested around the knight's body, a thin yet protective layer of reds, blues and greens coalescing to grant Nix the required strength to power through each of the waves coming her way. The edge of her blade cleaving a path through water, making way toward Dagon Terminus, to take the opportunity granted by one of the Elzara who managed to land a crippling shot at one of her target's many legs.

"Now..."

Brows furrowed as her eye saw ahead the way to victory. The battle of shadows and light reaching its peak once all the brightness around the woman was drained for her sake only, with a mind now filled with naught but that which wills her forward. Flesh of pale engulfed by a rising light, turning her body into Light Itself, movements becoming but phantoms of what they once were, her speed spiraling out of control as she vanished out of everyone's sight.

"It's up to me."

At one moment, she was shooting at nigh imperceptible speeds toward Dagon Terminus, and in the blink of an eye? Her duty was accomplished, a strike of white that travelled across the entirety of Dagon's body now illuminated the beast for all to see, the circuitry beneath overflowing with Holy ether, bringing with it great difficulty to the beast's conjurations.

"Elzara, with me. We will ensure all the others were dealt with."

And with Dagon Terminus dispatched, an opportunity for its retreat was granted once Nix began to move elsewhere.
(Nix Bargiel)
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[21:52] Now the battle finally starts as the two clashed at one another. From that of a well seasoned swordsman, and a knuckle-dragging dirt road fighter. It was to be a show for sure.

Within Retsuki lingered an overwhelming pip of hate and anger.
The fury inside him acted as a shield, an armor forged from every moment of suffering, betrayal, and the dark curse that gnawed at his soul. His fists, raw and untethered by human limitations, crashed forward without hesitation.

There was no need for a furtherment in protection; the occult power that swirled around him fed into every punch, strengthening his resolve and hardening his body like stone.

His eyes locked onto Roland as the cadet restrained himself, holding back some unseen force.

He'd attack and punch at his opponent with everything he hand, until a hand went flying towards Halbomnd's chin. It sent the warrior into a backwards flip.

Retsuki did not smile at this however, he'd merely power up further as his circuits were being constantly invigorated.

"Hooorah!"

Sparks of occultic energy bubbled into being, slowly gathering into one area before being fired directly at Roland. However, such never made direct contact with the young man. Only grazing them slightly.

As Roland placed his hands up and channeled his energy into a tiny black sphere, Retsuki sneered, readying himself for the blast. But when the beam hit, it was like a thousand needles pierced his flesh all at once, each one digging deeper into the heart of his fury.

The force of it knocked him back, but he stood firm, blood dripping from his lip as the occult energy surged around him.

Lacerations had been placed upon him. And the rage, the unfiltered fury that the small imp from before caused? It was dwindled. The pain aided with incapacitating the occultist.

A monochrome beam would never be forgotten with it's sheer intensity, that of imploding onto Retsu. It made him simmer down, even knocking him out for the time being. Roland was no joke, this boy had the makings of a real fighter.

The Wrath. The Vengeance. It was gone. From the cursed that had been placed upon him not so long ago, this counteracted such, at least for now. Until these wounds heal.

"...ogh."

Docile. Passiveness. The rage had been let go of.

(Retsuki)
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[22:01] The very aura of the creature is what was beheld to each cut and below, rather than its flesh. Chitinous and liquid-like mass surges and flicks and chatters along in an attempt to nail its target still; the fluttering eyes of Nix Bargiel.

It did not weigh wholly against Nix. It tore cuts into soldiers and maimed with waves and lashing condensations of shadows, but it did not hurt.
Not like that.
It did not gore and slaughter each soldier- perhaps it was too weak? Perhaps it was not truly driven? Or had something else quelled much of a force in Dagon's wake from the very first strike?

It stumbles and chitters back, arrows perforating chinks in its armor. Those hints of battle already began to fade whilst it reeled away. From its flesh, crystalline spoils of war and its tar-like flesh were shed. Soldiers might be perturbed, keener magi find a purpose.
Chitin.
Tar.
Bone(?).

Hewn from its hide, as it slinks into the waters unabated.

...and it did not seem so quick to flush the magics from its systems.

"You...
Heard me...I...Sang, for you...
And you..."

Its thoughts were not allowed to manifest in voice, as it retreats from the scorn of man it had not known before.
(Dagon Terminus)
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[22:01] Dagon Terminus thinks, "...gifted..."
[22:31] Rogue witches and necromancers.

The demon, that had showed itself. The aerodyne was perplexed. After it had shown itself, that monstrosity of grafted flesh, with the cries of the damned still ringing out—

Did it actually think it could convince anyone?
Why? Was it a futile attempt at getting in her mind? But would taunts not have worked better?

A sidelong glance was sent to the Huntress who had repelled the black rabbit.

...She would confirm at a later date the full extent of the matters that were conducted here. From the aether of Mortyl she'd felt before, to the cult, to what exactly this pit was. However, now was not the time for stray thoughts.

They could be answered once that demon was lying at her feet.

As her surroundings were wrapped in the shadows, Cielia became radiant. The song of Harmony reverberating, seeking to dispel the growing darkness. A storm brewed, winds billowing her cloak as she launched herself towards the abomination.

Violent clashes of shadow and spiritmancy; of heavy gravity resisted by an updraft that followed the aerodyne's every movement. Each exchange drew blood, a curse of occult seeping into her body as she would land another body blow of compressed harmony.

Yet, the Royal Guard did not relent. As her arms were shredded by the shadows, as her skin became blackened, her fists continued to strike against the beast, unending in their onslaught. Glowing light of the lifestream stretching its aureate strands to her wounds, reversing the damage ever so slowly. The battle elongating, into one of perseverance, of stamina; a battle of attrition. Her weaving and striking, ignoring cuts to flesh in order to break bones.

It was not long until the opportunity to lay the battle to rest arrived. An opening created by a massive well of gravity, barely avoided. She flashed forwards, her fist streaking towards the creature, when—

'Kill me'

Inches away from her fist, a man's face. A moment's hesitation, of weakness in her heart. But likely not a moment she should have afforded to the being of shadow.
(Cielia Meanderwing)
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[23:04] What was this...
As the woman battled, flickers to a past battle kept forcing their way back to the surface...

As though this entity had seen this fighting style before -- nay, it was slightly different. The healing seemed oddly similar to that one aquamancer's fighting style.

Grey Aundeoth's image briefly flickered in place of Cielia, earning the rise of one's non-existent brows.

"You wouldn't care. These people were doomed... Doomed to erasure by the hands of those more powerful, those deemed 'prominent', 'superior'... that couldn't care less... And I was forced to collaborate with an ilk such as yourself."

Throughout the skirmish, Terminus spoke...
For if anything -- He was notoriously bold... Enough so, to chatter throughout conflict to the bitter end.

"I despise -each- and -every- one of your hypocritical lot... Down to their last breath."
Such hatred seemed to extend beyond the attacking group... It felt impartial, as though even those imprisoned to his body were included... Were some of them, people whom had fallen to him in the past?

"Ever since Varrach damned me to this curse, I've been pushed to bind the bodies of those that'd lend themselves to me...
Just for a chance to continue on... But you'd never know what it'd feel like to see a blade's end for your meager existence... Would you?

You were born privileged...
I DIDN'T ASK TO SUFFER IN YOUR WRETCHED WORLD!"
The shadow of the woman elongated, manifesting a blitzing image of Terminus amidst rearing his upper-left arm for a opportunistic swat.

"And one after the other, the nonmagus ilk... whether it'd be a promise of liberation from their suffering? Or a hope to see their would-be prosecutors wrought to justice, they merged with me..."
Something was happening, their bodies were being forcibly controlled, holding their arms to guard at their faces. Was this... Them? Or the demon manipulating them against their will.

"Now, together... We will finally enable their sacrifices to mean something... Something you'd NEVER UNDERSTAND!"

"I stood against the legions of Vyldrax... Can you say the same?"
A fist was launched for Cielia, but it was seemingly... Weaved? Regardless, the earth undertow around the fist quaked, and his body fell victim to a counterattack, swiftly replied to with yet another fist.
"I pressed back against the numbers of Atrellya... Can you say the same?!"
The crash of the fist was met with nothing, once more... As yet another counter, forced him backwards...
"I dared to stand against Varrach! CAN. YOU. SAY. THE. SAME?!"
A stomp at the ground wrought a circular shattering pattern as gravitational forces slammed down upon the earth in a spanning fashion -- forcing space between the two.

"The weak are empowered by me, and rise to fight their oppressors...
While they are slaughtered by the end of your sword, unwilling to hear what contradicts your desires...

And that... Is why...."

A last ditch effort...
Everything put into one final attack.
Terminus opened his posture... Inviting an attack at his exposed chest?
Certainly, this was foolishness!

"I will End everything you hold dear...
And wipe the slate clean once more... A cycle broken: Total erasure...
Extinction is your DESTINY!"
It was a bluff.

A short distance behind the royal guard, gleamed a spheroid of obsidian buzzing with magus energies in tow, buckling at itself...
Before shattering the encompassing aegis priming it in place: A Magus Black Hole.
"... But don't worry...
When I return... I am no heathen like your ilk...
I will not genocide your kin..."

Color and matter were subject to visual spaghettification -- seemingly illusionary save for the phsical pry at the figure. Chunks of debris, foliage anything or anyone loose within proximity tumbled for it, likely expectant to pelt into Cielia in her effortto finish the brawl, or at least slow her down.
"No... I will merge you with me, so that you can behold the Perfect world we'll create...

Together, forever and ever... You, I... And every single one of your compatriots that align with your ways."
Something wasn't right...
As the battle was carrying out the pains were growing worse...
But this wasn't the degenerative curse wrought by Varrach, nay...
This wasn't the curse of Death incurred upon him neither...
No, this was new...
What, was it?
It clashed with Varrach's Death magic, singing at the very blackened veins... And burned at the occult-charged circuitry in twain.
(Terminus)
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[23:05] He stumbled, struggling to keep himself upright...
It was kicking in...
The dizziness, the fatigue...
He was dying…
He couldn't die here...
He couldn't die now...
The End was not supposed to end...

"... This... Can't keep happening..."
The words muttered quietly to itself, attempting to pull itself together -- if only for a new purpose: Escape.

Cielia was charging in now, and Terminus seemingly froze...
So fragile...
So weak...
So... -- she hesitated?
One of the damned had... spoke.
A vocal chord he failed to properly remove...

The expression of Terminus' face shifted for... A malevolent grin.
"But Fate smiles upon me, nonetheless..."
A glance upon Terminus' shoulders would reveal two faces of notably magiof a former age -- one spouted from each of his shoulders. Their mouths open to speak in the tongue of Hel's denizens -- executing the incanatations of a wordcasted spell.
"Per manus eius semper more- vivam — Mortales iras non patiar amplius."

As they spoke, Terminus took the opportunity to manage some parting words:
"Next time we meet..."
With the completion of their chant, the body of the gargantuan creature wrought for vantablack -- rendered to naught but a silhouette that'd start its lean backwards, as though to allow itself to fall for the earth below.
"Things will not play out as they did today.
Mark those words, magi."

A combination of magics were at-play...
From the Occult, Umbramancy and... Spatial manipulation? The irking of its visage could be noted even as it lost detail...
But soon enough? It'd expand... Losing opacity, until...
Relinquished of a corporeal form.

Nothing but a smog that slowly dispersed with the gales of the battle's aftermath.

The battle was won today by these warriors, and the cult driven out...
Though, the entirety of their magus ilk seemed to have gotten away...
It was up to those that remained now, to choose what they'd make of this victory.
(Terminus)
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[23:28] "...I have fought Vyldrax directly more times than almost any magi, invaded Atrellya to steal back the Heart of Vdali, and even took part in the attempt to destroy the kaorblade of Varrach. I am Cielia Meanderwing, Royal Guard of Dal'Thala. Do not speak to me of your weak, twisted resolve for bringing salvation. If there comes a day I ever find you again. Know that it will be your last."

Her blessings from Nemea having been weakened, she could do nothing but glare as the demon disappeared through the veil of metaphysical.

"..."


And so it had escaped. All of them had. As expected of the cultists, had they been so easily captured, the situation would never have escalated to this point. A small sigh escaped her lips. Still, they had routed the enemy. It was a cause for celebration.

Taking a deep breath, she declared victory for the Elzara, and for the many that had helped her today.



Once the day was over.... she would have investigating to do.
(Cielia Meanderwing)
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[23:29] Nix Bargiel asks, "All of you. Are you well and unharmed?"