The Youth & Their Mistakes

[17:58] Arthur could understand that fear from her.

No, in fact, he could almost feel it- she was a brave and bold Drakaness, with all of her power and strength, but behind that mask of strength hid a woman that wanted to be protected by someone and made her feel secure. At least, that's what he'd think of - but who could blame her? To feel secure is the wish of many.

"I know."

"But by walking those routes, we grow stronger. It is through confrontation, be it physical, mental or spiritual that we can grow. Even the worst of heartbreaks can end up to be one's ascension instead. You never know."

And just as he was about to head out, the sound of someone else's presence was heard. The glow of light could not be mistaken, and the scarlet hues immediately turn towards the figure--

Ikkaku.

"It's--"

"You!"

The Valmasian did not waste his time. The sparks of electricity swarmed his body, the humidity was rising almost immediately, and the wind howled. The cocktail of adrenaline pumped through his veins almost immediately- he knew of how powerful he is, and no way that Arthur would take on him alone.

But with Bei Bei at his side? Perhaps.

"What are you doing here? Came to terrorize Valmasians again?"
(Arthur Rowan)
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[18:06] Bonk!
(Bei Bei)
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[18:08] The power is sensed far before he arrives. A benevolence hangs in the air as a pair of Angelic wings hoist him up. The unmistakeable Angel-blessed Terrorist had appeared once more in Valmasia's caverns, likely haunting the place in some manner or way. The sky blue eyes are difficult to find emotion in,

The two Valmasains stood forwards, and yet?

He didn't reguard them. Slippery as a ghost, the Terror's body turns to mist, aiming to slip past the two into the caves yonder.

Merely a fright this time it seemed, and a wordless one at that.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
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[18:08] ^
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
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[18:08] Is too slow for this but she tries to catch him anyway...grr.
(Bei Bei)
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[18:09] Attempts to pursue anyway.
(Arthur Rowan)
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[18:13] This isn't something that Arthur would let go so easily.

Seeing that Ikkaku attempted to run off, determined and full of resolve, the Valmasian magi pursued after him, clearly determined to catch him. There was no regard to safety, there was no second thought that he could actually die from this encounter.

No, there was none of that. There was a single goal - apprehend the terrorist.

"STOP! YOU CANNOT GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Perhaps he'd expected backup from Bei Bei too, but the heat had gotten into his head, far too invested into this situation to actually realize that he's now alone.

The two made it further, away from Bei. The loud crackling of Storm followed suit after Ikkaku, and--

-- what he would do about Valmasian apparently chasing him? That's another tale.
(Arthur Rowan)
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[18:14] Rea whispers something.
[18:14] Bei Bei whispers something.
[18:15] Rea whispers something.
[18:16] You learned the spell Storm.
[18:19] He was fast, surprisingly so. Fast enough to actually catch Ikkaku, and yet that wasn't something that seemed to worry the Regent.

'Stop, you can not get away from me'.

A small chuckle left the Angelic blessed indivisual as they flew through the caves, careful to lead the Valmasian into a much more secluded area. It would certainly be difficult for anyone else to catch up with either, giving Ikkaku perhaps needed time.

"You are correct. I can not get away from you." They said, giving a nod. "But now you are alone, and you have no chance of victory.

I am Ikkaku Ukitake, the leader of the Rebellion. The Rebellion is once more sighted in the caves north of Valmasia. Hope you're ready to fight.

I have little mercy for those that fight for the slavery of the undead. I have little mercy for those who harm the lifestream. You are about to feel an immense pain."

[Ikkaku is aggressing. Scenelock commenced.]
(Ikkaku Ukitake)
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[18:24] Any hopes to actually have any backup, despite his experience of a relative youngling versus a Regent?

Absolutely disregarded. Charging head on, even if a foolish decision, at the very least it was brave- Arthur pursued until there was no room for Ikkaku to run any further, and he'd be forced to actually face against Arthur. Immediately, the steeled gaze of scarlet hues have befallen him, inspecting the winged man.

But there was no fear.

"Ikkaku! For too long you've escaped the grasp of justice! For too long you've terrorized my people, and gave us restless nights!"

"For too long, you've run your character - and I'll end it now!"

Bold words... especially for someone against such odds. But did it change anything in his attitude? Not one bit. The Storm was rising, and the wind howled.

This time, it was directed at Regent.
(Arthur Rowan)


They were potent in their attacks. Lighting, wind, and water tore at Ikkaku as the Rebellion leader would use vials of blood and telekinetic force to send the boy flying. Sky blue eyes stared them down with a quietness in them.

"You believe that you are doing justice?

You are serving an empire of Demons. Your people are enslaving Jianghese dead and using them for whatever wicked means that they care for. Your people make a mockery of Ardent Cliff, after they gave yours many years of sanctuary. I can tell it was foolish of the Jianghese to do such when Gehenna could have wiped out Necromancy.

I will not allow the Lifestream to be harmed and injured by chaos. I won't allow it to have holes torn in it, and I won't let the dead rise as puppets for Valmasian perversion.

You say I've escaped the grasp of Justice?

I will show you and your people true justice for the evils your world has committed."

A telekinetic burst throws Arthur into a wall before Ikkaku once more started to close the distance between them.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)

No matter how much the Storm raged against Ikkaku, it almost seemed like an impossible task to wound him significantly- something otherworldly, something from the world beyond protected him, disallowed Arthur to lay harm against him. Was it simply the differences in their combat experience, or was it truly the power that he achieved?

Arthur could not answer. He didn't care to, either - his mind was focused on the battle. With every sharp breath drawn, with every bolt of magic launched, it was becoming heavier for him to continue any sort of assault. His power going down by a minute, it was no wonder to figure out that he was getting exhausted far sooner than the Regent.

"DEMONS?!"

With another exchange of strike, the Valmasian yelled out.

"I despise them! Gehennans have slaughtered my people, and Jianghese used them, deceived them! You have no right to claim we were given sanctuary, after all we had to endure on that damned volcano!"

"We've starved, we've fallen ill! Our youth died to famine! And you call that sanctuary?!"

"You put the needs of people below your wicked ideals - but the vision of Order has blinded you to reality!"

Such fiery exchange of words, such exaggerated speech- and yet, it was promptly ended with a single push, after which Arthur hit the wall, the feeling of concussion settling in. Everything had grown blurry, his head feeling dizzy and heavy; even there, he could almost feel like he'd just close his eyes and accept the dark, but--

'Get up! Come on! Get up, now!'

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Drawn out and slow, ragged and vulnerable, his breathing was clearly off the balance. And yet, he stood up- he dared to stand up against Ikkaku, still.

"I... I will--"

"I will yield to none!"
(Arthur Rowan)

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{RP BATTLE} (COUNTDOWN: Go!)

You feel your body go stiff and your joints lock up. You can't move!

{RP BATTLE} YOU ROLLED 2 to 4: You've sustained an injury in battle! -20% VIT for 1 year. It's up to you and your opponent to determine the specifics of the injury.




You have received an INJURY from Ikkaku Ukitake:

{RP BATTLE} YOU HAVE ROLLED 1 OR UNDER: You have been captured by your enemy! You are completely at their mercy.

Desc: "The telekinetic force would lift Arthur upwards in the air. Ikkaku's right fist would ball. And then? Surrounded by a concentrated amount of energy and force, the fist dove forwards, connecting with Arthur's mid-section. Despite armor worn, it would go through, shattering ribs."

Desc: "The telekinetic force would lift Arthur upwards in the air. Ikkaku's right fist would ball. And then? Surrounded by a concentrated amount of energy and force, the fist dove forwards, connecting with Arthur's mid-section. Despite armor worn, it would go through, shattering ribs."

The sky blue eyes glared downwards at the storm mage as they spoke, giving a shake of their head.

"You claim you despise them. But look what your world is built upon. The Valmasians fled to Gaiar Aetherius. They served under Tragedy, they served under Zaruma, they serve under Illaron and Lugonqi. Your people are built upon serving the Demons by this point, and are built upon Necromancy spreading it's vile grasp on all.

Gehennans have slaughtered your people. I will not say that is right, and I will not say that is good. But I will say that when forces such as Nyphodora and Cho make mockeries of kind hearted people who let them live on the volcano without problem? When your people use undead as slaves, and cause the spread of pain onto the world at large? I find my pity dwindling.

Your people starved. Your people fell ill. And you felt that was a reason, you felt it is fair in turn for your people to cause untold suffering from the risen dead of mine? You feel that it makes the marching under Tragedy 'fair' in some way?

I do not care about that which causes good people and the world ailing. If you wish to do harm, or protect that would do the world harm.. I will prevent you from being able to do such."

The telekinetic force would lift Arthur upwards in the air. Ikkaku's right fist would ball. And then? Surrounded by a concentrated amount of energy and force, the fist dove forwards, connecting with Arthur's mid-section. Despite armor worn, it would go through, shattering ribs.

"I do not believe innocent people should be harmed. But if you fight for the Necromancers, Rift mages, and those that would harm the natural world? If you would stop people from doing good?

Then you are coming with me."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)

He failed.

A single blast of Telekinetic force brought him to the air, if only for Ikkaku's fist to slam into his armor- but the garments of the Morninglord that he had worn made no effect, as his armor was pierced and his ribs were shattered. In a single moment, the excruciating pain had caused him to choke on his own blood, generously spilling the crimson liquid from his lips.

A gasp of air, and he dropped on the ground. Truth be told, he struggled to stay awake; everything felt so blurry, so dizzy, so odd... his mind could only comprehend Ikkaku's words barely, and yet, the scarlet eyes meekly watched the Regent above him.

"You... -cough- you do not understand..."

"Our people fled there- because we had no better alternative... we would die out, if we stayed on... on volcano..."

"And--"

Arthur stopped. The sheer pain of the shattered ribs left him speechless for a good moment, causing him to almost roll on the ground against his will- the pain was great enough for him to struggle against it on instinctive level, and yet, he embraced it. Even if it were the final pain in his life.

"We've... we've had to stay with Demons, because there was no other choice--"

"But now- now Valmasia needs me... more than ever... the threat coming from Gehennans is-- too much."

"I... cannot... they need... me..."

As much as he'd try to argue his case, Arthur simply had no strength to do so- the redheaded Valmasian ceased speaking, his breath becoming almost non-existent, heavily pressured by the shattered ribs.

The only reason he survived is thanks to magi durability. But other than that? He was unconscious. Whatever fate would befall him, he has no control over it.
(Arthur Rowan)

She once said that something like this would happen. She would said that there would be someone- somewhere, weak within this world, incapable of dealing with the potential loss that love could bring. And while Arthur might've not truly understood whom she was speaking of- it was clear that she was referring to herself. The girl was terribly weak to emotions and tended to act upon first instinct. Just as it was for her to chase after Ikkaku - it is just as now...To dive within the midst of the frey to protect him.

She knows that this world is not good. And she knows that this world does nothing more than take-...And she's used to it. Used to people snatching things from her grasp, used to people stealing away all the things that she had cared for...But she most certainly would not give this away without a fight.

It doesn't take long for her to enter. Briskly, does she appear between the two - amethyst flames billowing outward - scales of defiance pushing into the realm, the crackling of bone and tearing of muscle from strain coming into play. She swears that she could suffocate on these emotions...And yet, all there is are tears.

"You will not take him."

 It is spoken within a whisper. "Not this one-- Not mine." She could not imagine what it would be without him in Valmasia. She could not imagine her foundation slipping underneath her. And yet, she feels it already...The tunneling that comes with losing something precious. The impossible breathes that spill past her lips...And she isn't sure if it was the fire that courses through her being or merely her lungs incapable of sucking in air that makes her feel this way.

 It is within this moment, that she prepares herself for quite the battle. There would be no words - nothing more than the Drakaness rushing in...Thoughts drowned within idle rage. Feelings and emotions drowned within her trembling frame.

(Bei Bei)

Interupted.

The Angelic wings began to spread and lift Ikkaku and Arthur into the air, preparing to take off. However, before the duo could make their exit, Beibei had managed to catch up. The sky blue eyes looked at the girl, narrowing slightly.

"It pains me. Pains me to see Jianghese faces protecting Necromancy, Rift, and those that support it. Don't you remember? How they burned Ardent, and Tragedy slaughtered Dozens of innocents? How they came to Tongyishan, and overthrew it, killing many innocents as well? How they tried to come to Zheng and kill the people there?

This type of thing has to stop. I will be preventing lives from being lost and people from being hurt. But if you are defending those that march, those that enslave the undead..

Then I have little choice. I will defeat you too."

The Angelic wings spread, and from the darkness, a telekinetic movement places Arthur near a wall for quick collection after the battle. But it was beginning.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)

Ikkaku fairs much better in the battle against the swordswoman then they did against the storm mage. Wounds gathered only upon the exterior of the armor, anything spilling blood quickly turning into a rotting miasma that just gets on Bei Bei's outfit. Sound disorients her, and water purges the slowing effect of her fire.

"You are wrong unfortunately.

Do not think I take pleasure in this. I don't. I don't like taking people from one another, and I don't like the wars and battles that are occurring. However, as long as Valmasia continues to make the undead walk, cause their suffering.. As long as Valmasia uses rift and tears appart the world.. I intend to roam this cave. I intend to make the Rebellion's presence known.

Valmasia's corruption will be stood against. Bhaldrithe's corruption will be stood against. Eidolon's corruption will be stood against. Gaiar Aetherius will be toppled. Innocent people will not be harmed, and those not innocent will be killed or cleansed.

This is not a world I like. But I am a soilder. I am one who lives to make this world better. I'll make it so innocent people do not have to be worried about being devoured by Demons, or taken by them like Zaruma did the innocents when I was your age.

Throw your sword to the side. Surrender."
(Ikkaku Ukitake)

She hears that within the last life of a star, that they tend to burn wildly - possibly glowing brighter than they ever could before turning into nothing more than dust. She hears when people are upon their last legs...That something inside of them occurs. But why is it that she can feel nothing more than pain? Why is it that this agony that comes with faltering is not from the body, but instead, the heart. Being tossed about between walls and summons - being crushed beneath the elements is not something that even she could ever fathom and yet....She hits the ground with a vicious thud..

 "You had one thing to do- hrrkk..!" It seemed to be internal damage. Bruised ribs, perhaps, broken bones. The violent coughing is caught by her hand - which also, seems to capture the blood that spills from her lips. "Your people are not as good as you try to make them seem." In reality, she feels it as such.

 "So many of you who fight- haah -for order think that hat you're doing is right. Well- you're wrong. You and all of your rebels were always wrong." She steadily pushes upon the ground, her body coming to a shaken stand..

 "I don't understand how you couldn't- hah -see it. The magics are there to save us! The magic is there to help us stop what's happening again and again and again..!" She grits her teeth. "Don't you see it-...This cycle? Everybody have been burned- we've all been razed, all have had people taken away from us- but...All that you're fighting for just seems to be things that go against second life. What does the lifestream offer besides a chance at going through this hell all over again?"

 She seemed confused- lost for words. What she had learned within the academy was firm within her mind. "What does the lifestream offer when it puts us back in the same thing over and over and over again?" It robs memories. It burns. And it brings you back to this very same place with the same similar predicaments again?

 "I can't-...I won't let that happen."

 Her blade is clenched tightly and soon- she finds herself moving forward once again. "I can't afford to stop."
(Bei Bei)

The sky blue eyes stare down Bei Bei as she once more readied herself. There is a glare within them, however, she fairs better, exceptionally better, during the second round. The blade is only a few swings from knocking the Angel blessed out of the sky when suddenly

All the blood in her body freezes. A telekinetic force connects, knocking the breath out of the girl as he stares her in the eye.

"Making one person happy, and causing other innocent people to suffer is not right. You say 'they're here to save us'. Have you seen what they have done to the world? The rot and plague that they bring? Necromancy, and Rift magic are foul arts that foul up the world. I am not one who will allow them to spread further.

You look only at the happiness of the magi when using it. You pay no attention to the innocents, to the workers who get sick and die, to the corpses that are raised as slaves to do the bidding of Valmasia. You do not see the sickness it spreads, because you are blind to it."

The skull mask is brought forwards, headbutting Bei Bei in hopes of knocking the last of the fight out of her.

"Fine. You don't want him to be taken?

You're coming too."

A telekinetic force lifts both Arthur and Bei Bei. The Angelic wings spread and Ikkaku starts to take off for his destination.

But not before disarming both, because weapons are fear.
(Ikkaku Ukitake)

I can't afford to lose..!

 These images - the faces that she had seen within the academy, the moments where happiness was riddled with cherub smiles of opportunity and desire. They are the memories that pulse within her mind. They are the things that force her willpower to continue - even as she is berated with magical energies and the control over her own body...She fights. She bites back upon the pain and she thrashes, just as any desperate person would.

I can't afford-

 Did he imagine that she had made it all for him? It was for the face that she had grown to love as well- the necessity to keep them close, the necessity to hold them within her arms and defend those that were terribly, terribly weak. If only for the moment- does she find herself preparing to unleash yet another hellish blow. Upon the tip of her toes does she stand- wildfire pushing past her legs,glimmer and leylines pulsing, muscles flexing before suddenly..

I can't-...

 Move. Although she commands herself to do such a thing- she finds that she is incapable...The heaving breathes, the scarred and bruised body finally loses the power to fight when everything seizes and soon, much to her own dismay, she is carried away.

 Promises of the past fade away like the light at the end of the tunnel. If only briefly, does a single finger twitch- as if attempting to reach back to those that had been watching. Being stolen from your own people... She can only imagine that Rea would blame herself..

 She can only imagine that Ian would be bitter- and she can do nothing more than grieve within these moments. Her head casted down- the will to fight suffocated...

 How harsh.

I'm sorry.


(Bei Bei)