TAIGA BIGASS EVENT LOGS

[20:36] {NARRATION} A wayward search for Marceline's fabled armor- Items across Agartha and even beyond wouldn't escape her desperate search. Today we are joined by Taiga Voss and Ethan Hawke as the group find themselves upon a wooden boot. It's large mast raises into the sky wind blowing in its sails.

They were headed towards Hunter's Island. A ferocious and savage place filled with beasts and monsters of huge variety. Marceline had done her research- Today, the group was hunting a mighty Kaor named Tu'Zaka who had taken on the form of a hellish, blazing spider.

With Demons replicating via eggs, their quest was simple. Defeat the beast, capture the larvae, and forge flame silk of which the world had never seen before. Upon their wooden boat, they are met with a tour guide of sorts.

A man who offered to ferry them to the island itself. On his back is a huge blade that has been strapped down, and he wears a pony tail with Jianghu style. His clothes were rugged and sturdy, and he looked ready for any kind of fight.

A brief look from the boat's edges would show them the island some distance away. A mere five minutes travel now that they'd left Agartha's coast. The man who was leading them to the island crosses his arms over his chest now, huffing and grinning.

"Hey, there! You guys. It shouldn't be long now until we land on the coast of Hunter's Island. You sure you're ready for this? New blood who arrive here for the first time change real drastically." He smiles to them.
[20:37] {NARRATION} Added Bonus:
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTGvxX30UDw ]
[20:44] Marceline knew how to get information from the darndest places. If she wanted to seek out something in this world, there was little that could stop her from doing so. With her small stature, she could sneak around and eavesdrop without being noticed. It is that knack for pursuing what she wanted that lead them to this sketchy place.

Given their last success, Marceline was confident. Having arranged the ferry trip, they now stood before the boat that planned to take them where they needed. Hovering before the man and placing her hands at her hips confidently. "Are you sure I'm ready?" she replied to the boatman, scoffing. A bit full of herself, this little one.

"Uh, yeah. Duh. We've been through this before. Off of Agartha, that is. We aren't afraid of a little heat, especially after what happened there." she assured him, before boastfully pointing a thumb towards herself. "I'm the Fairy Queen Marceline! I'll be their leader for today. I'm ready to get this done, so let's get started!" she exclaimed.

And with that, she began flying over to the aforementioned ship.
(Marceline)
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[20:46] Ethan was far more giddy than usual. A bright, child-like smile was on his face as he felt the wind blowing upon his skin. The scent of the sea surrounded them all as their voyage brought them closer to a coast few dared to visit; Hunter's Island, a place only the mightiest and toughest magi would dare land upon. Green eyes caught onto the shadow rising in the horizon— they were finally approaching their destination!

"Hey- I see it! It's over there." He said, pointing out way far into the distance. Perhaps he would've made a great sailor, after all. Looks were exchanged towards his 'employer' and the lithe Voss that came with her.

"Are you guys ready?"
(Ethan Hawke)
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[20:48] Taiga had never been one to shirk duty, before or after abandoning code - missions like this with Marceline had only served as chances for him to improve himself. So when he was told that there was a giant flaming spider that they needed help putting down, he was at a loss of reasons as to why he shouldn't tag along.

The solitary samurai stays up high in the crows next almost the entire time there, sitting on the edge and probably making at least some of the crew think he was an absolute weirdo.

As he hears the captain speak of landing soon, Taiga throws himself off, rocketing down to the ground where he brakes himself on wind and a slight shift in gravity - landing lightly next to Marceline. It was purposefully a little dramatic, showing off for the normals how elegantly someone of his stature could carry themselves that such leaps and bounds were trivial matters!

"...My blade is ready. ...Concerning that these islands are so close off the shore. I'd no idea."
(Taiga Voss)
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[21:03]
{LOAD GAME}

[21:27] {NARRATION} "Adventure, adventure- So long as you're fine with fighting a few beasts bigger than houses, that is." He'd nod his head and give a thumbs up and a wink to Marceline. The man looked like he'd been through this a few times. A small cut on his cheek, a large scar on his forearm. The likes.

He would listen to her introduction and point inwards to his chest with a thumb. "Nice to meet you, Fairy Queen Marceline. I'm Azmos- Veteran Monster Hunter." With Taiga's showing, and Ethan's overall giddiness..

.. Spirits seem to grow more lively on the ship than before. As said before, five minutes was all it took. The ship brings itself into a shallow near what looked like a sandy, tiny beach zone. In front of them was a sprawling savanna, ripe with cactus and small trees- Grass and dead dirt lay in patches in the hot area.

"Here we are! Zone One of Hunter's Island! Crew, man the boat and prepare fo immediate take off in case things get hairy! You already know the drill." He waves his hand in a circle as a way to gesture 'hurry up.' He hops onto his feet and stretches some, turning north to stare at the island as it were.

From their position, the group could see three spots of observable island and regions they could explode. To the north was a wide array of hills and ridges- Crags and rocks hidden in the midst of ravines.

The area they were in and further to the east was a long, winding path of dry and heat soaked savanna.

And to the south? Warmth radiates off of a dense and moist jungle, with insects and smaller creatures buzzing about within the entire region!

"Right, then." Azmos speaks up- Pulling out a map. "If you want to find Tu'Zaka, you're going to have to wake him up. I landed up right here on the coast of these three regions for a reason. Inside of all of them, there's a specific beast bigger and badder than the others. Loud ones, too. Hunting and defeating them is going to make an absolute ton of racket, so that's your key to the spider."

He shows them all the map, detailing the descriptions from above. There are markers with a red X depicting where a certain 'beast' would be found. Said map is now provided to them in full.

Azmos crosses his arms, "So. Where to? Ask me about a place and the monster in there- And I'll try my best to explain what's there."
[21:36] Taiga continues along with Marceline, standing by her side as the Captain explains the situation to them. By the sound of things, they'd have to keep moving up the food chain until they came knocking right on the door of the apex predator here. A simple enough solution to drawing out a beast such as this one. To give it a reason to come out - they had to show they were worth the effort.

"It will be no issue, then." Taiga confidently states.

"I've trained far too long with swordsmen and mages. Beasts hold a certain ferocity to their movements that cannot be replicated by those that have never witnessed them." Taiga shifts a little, humming to himself. What kind of monsters would they have to face to awaken the spider from its nest, he wondered?

Looking over the map, he examines it carefully.

"...Which is the fiercest of them all?"
(Taiga Voss)
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[21:38] Ethan's giddiness was far from over. They had yet to take any injuries and the atmosphere was still pretty calm. The type of adventure in which one dared their very lives was taking him all the way back to his teenage years. Jesse and he had gone on adventures like these before - met and fought monsters and people scarier than anything else. Even after the red-head left to join the Fourfold, the Hawke hadn't stopped exploring, foraging, fetching and fighting his way through all kinds of trouble.

He could've been the responsible adult of the group, but right now he seemed like the youngest member of them all. Where Taiga showed confidence and pride, Ethan showed happiness and wonder. He walked up closer to each path, leaning outwards and putting his right hand above his eyes to explore into the far depths of said path. One after the other.

"All of them seem pretty cool!"

Just how long had hebeen waiting for a good old adventure?
(Ethan Hawke)
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[21:38] "I told you, man. We've been there." she assured the monster hunter once more. Correction, they had fought one monster that was bigger than a house. And they essentially only slowed it down to a halt and then ran. Perhaps Marceline was biting off more than she could chew, but she needed that armor.

No other fairy was as ambitious. No other fairy was as cunning, as brave. No other fairy could go the distance, and create armor that this world has never seen before. When she set her sights on the island as he came into view, she saw vast potential. With a chip on her shoulder, they arrived.

"Nice to meet you, Azmos. I'll see you later! Or not, if things go south." she mused. A quite morbid joke. The fairy hovered over Taiga's shoulder and took a look at the map, tapping her chin. Of all of those places, where would they find a fiery spider?

"I think we should go east first." she decided, after taking a good look of the map and their surroundings. "You guys are going to burn to death in those clothes, by the way. This isn't the kind of weather to be wearing black cloaks and capes, just saying!" she advised them, before leading the charge to the east.

"Come on!" she exclaimed, giving them no time to heed her warning.
(Marceline)
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[21:50] {NARRATION} "The toughest of them all... If you want my honest opinion? Roko'Roko of the Swarming Jungle. Zone Three to the south." He is cut off almost immediatley when Marceline bolts forwards! The man laughs lightly and jogs alongside them.

"Alright! Deeper into Zone One! I like it!" He would bring a hand up to wipe some sweat from his forehead. The party would jog and trot along one another into a deeper portion of the savanna. Cacti grow at wild, and the sprawling patches of grass and dirt decorate it all.

On the map, several land marks are noted for the map that Taiga had- Eventually, they'd be three quarters of the way there. The savanna starts to get soft and muddy, as large pools of water sit in muddy holes.

Taiga takes a step forward and he is greeted with a 'schwlop' of mud under him. Azmos narrows his eyes and reaches a hand up for his weapon. "Alright! The monster of Zone One! Cori-Numa! Demon of the Mud. Fierce as wrath itself, it hides in the mud and waits for targets. Look alike, folks!"
[21:52] Ethan Hawke says, "ouipetrgjhernuig3ehjrger"
[21:56] Marceline arrived at the savannah before anyone else, raising an eyebrow when she saw the infestation of plants around her. Wild cacti and unkempt patches of grass grew from all sides, and with it came the deep urge to burn it all to ash. How deeply she wanted to tear everything in sight asunder. The urge remained, but she had to fight it off.

There was the potential for a monster to be in their presence. If Marceline did anything that caught its attention, it could get the jump on them. Suppressing her desire to destroy everything in sight, the fairy hovered over the muddy terrain and discreetly kept an eye out for the monster.

"I'll look ahead." she told the group, taking to the skies high above the island for an overhead view. She utilized two of a fairies most important aspects, their wings and their size. Able to go nearly undetected even in the clear skies, while she granted herself a hawk's eye view of the entire zone.

From here, Marceline would stealthily look for discrepancies in the earth. Were there any demon-shaped deformities in the mud?
(Marceline)
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[21:57] Ethan followed along the path with what seemed to be an odd way of going about things. Hops, leaps, tumbles, and jumps. They all came in succession in a manner that was a bit... Too much. Yet, when the mud came to be their feet's enemy the young man managed to move across it without even getting dirtied - not one bit.

His secret?

... He flew right above it. Obviously. He wasn't an idiot - though they others may just be a bit lost with his lack of instructions and guidance.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:02] Taiga didn't get much of a choice in the matter anyway, huh? Not like he minded. Probably for the better that they save the best for last anyway, hm. As Marceline takes off, Taiga is quick to follow behind, racing off after the Fae and easily keeping up with her. As far as the comment about his clothing went, Taiga paid it no mind. He figures, as a wind magi, he'd be able to cool himself off.

What he perhaps doesn't realize is that the only air blowing through the desert is hot air to begin with.

He's sweating, silently stewing in frustration as he laments his poor choice in fashion. Trudging through the savannah, he keeps his eyes peeled at all times for sight or sound of any beast. Ready to draw his blade and slice whatever might threaten them apart without remorse. Drenched in sweat by the time they come to the mud, Taiga is anxious to cool off.

"...I will approach." Taiga states simply, taking the chance he had. It was far from noble or regal to go rolling around in the mud - but he could thinly veil it as samurai bravado which made it totally acceptable. He trudges forward, stepping into the mud pit! His approach is slow... careful. He's making sure to scan the horizon every few steps he takes. He even manages to get what he believes to be is a good position atop a rocky bump in the mud.

With this height advantage, he was sure to find the Cori-Numa before anyone else! That is... by way of being literally on top of it without noticing.
(Taiga Voss)
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[22:08] {NARRATION} That's no rock...

As Taiga goes and props himself up on a rock in the mud, he wound find himself standing on something that is oddly slippery. Kind of hard to stand on. Marceline moves forward into the muddy zone to look around for the Cori-Numa, whilst Ethan could stay back and observe from afar.

But the Cori-Numa was a hungry fiend, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and devour its meals. Lucky for Taiga Voss, it's eyesight was just as bad as his was. Marceline can see almost nothing from her spot, save for a few fish that swim in the muddied pools- Eating at plankton or other tiny creatures.

Taiga, while standing on his very slippery boulder, would also see nothing. Mud and ponds that look like something massive could jump and leap from spot to spot. It's when Taiga slips once more and kicks a little mud off of the boulder he was standing on that Ethan can spot something on the particular boulder he had chosen.

It starts to move just a little bit, inches creeping towards Ethan himself. The spot of mud that Taiga had kicked off of the boulder? There are very definitive -crimson- scales that shine in the hot, savanna sun.

That's no boulder- It's a monster!
[22:14] Marceline squinted from above, unable to discern any kind of demon in the mud. Just mundane things, like fish swimming in the pools and nibbling at plankton. A cute little self sustained island ecosystem. But, where were the giant monsters? Wait-

She was a fairy.

And there was an immense occultic presence right below where Taiga was sitting. Marceline quickly flew back down to the surface, to alert them of the obvious. Something that they had likely already discerned by now. Her empathy was less honed than a fae's normally would be, let's just say that. Yeah..

"It's right beneath you!" she shouted. No shit, Sherlock. Her aura was summoned in a burst of plasma. She erupted in purple flames, preparing herself to square up against the monster.
(Marceline)
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[22:14] With the twinkle of crimson color appearing before his eyes Ethan reacted. The sunlight reflecting off the beast's scales had given it away. Well, that and the fact it was moving across the mud quite obviously. A burst of flames was released from the young man's fingertips, sent twisting towards the beast in an attempt to shock it right out of its hiding spot - to engage the battle then and there. He spoke up, thankfully enough, at last.

"It's right there!"

It was on.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:16] Taiga struggles to keep his footing, not remembered at all why he insisted on not just flying over this thing. He huffs, frustrated as he slips the first time on the Cori-Numa's scales, still completely oblivious to the danger that was just below his feet. His head cranes upwards, entirely sure of himself that it was in his sights... he just couldn't pick it out.

His eyes narrow.

He takes a deep breath in through his nose, trying to catch a scent or something. To sniff out a trace of blood in the air, the musk of another predator - anything. He's so sure he's got it just on the tip of his tongue he just... needs to get into a better position--

He slips again, losing his footing and gaining a precious few feet of distance to put everything into perspective. In that moment when it finally hits him, it's a shock to his system on all levels. A switch flipped in his brain, fight or flight instantly seizing his body as his eyes recognize those scales as something distinctly alive and massive.

"AH!"

The samurai leaps backwards suddenly, his entire body set into a state of natural frenzy as every nerve in his body decided in unison to go with fight over flight. In response to such a predator, Taiga would become one of his own kind, claws and fangs extending outward in a sudden surge of power. His eyes showing no fear or hesitation, only a pitch black darkness.
(Taiga Voss)
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[22:25] {NARRATION} [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhP4ubi8-Ac ]

"KRYAAAAAAAH!!!" It makes a noise akin to a whale breaching and a loud yelling that mixes in with it all. It makes a giant leap upwards as it jumps from the mud and crashes down somewhere next to them. They can see it now.

Huge crimson and green dorsal fins that raise into the air as Ethan's fire scorch it out of hiding. The worst part about it? It was -fast.-

Giant, Occult based tentacles tear up from the mud that it travelled around. Black, tainted water whips all around.

[ Cori-Numa! Demon of the Mud! Monster of Zone One! FIGHT!! ]
[22:28] Taiga Voss says, "o"
[22:28] Cori-Numa exclaims, "KYAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"
[22:37] {NARRATION} KO COUNTER:
---------------------------
Taiga: 2
Marceline: 2
Ethan: 2

Roll d6.
[22:38] {NARRATION} Taiga: No Injury
Marceline: No Injury
Ethan Hawke: 12 Day Temp
[22:38] {NARRATION} You may eat another's injury at any time, once per boss. Reminder!
[22:43] {NARRATION} RP your victory now.
[22:48] A harsh battle. Even if he could see the foe before himself Ethan was left at the mercy of its dark tendrils lashing at him, tarnished waters being sent every which way before striking directly at his core - injuring him quite a tad. A wave of fire was sent towards the beast in an attempt to bring it down - only for Ethan to find himself being on the receiving end of a tentacles lashing at his chest - tainting it purple as it started bleeding out, dripping with corruption.

The Wayfinder laid on the ground, staring at the skies as his giddy mood from earlier was quieted down. It's how it always ended up when he did something for another, isn't it?

Harsh.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[22:48] Taiga fights frantically, trading blows with the Cori-Numa as he desperately tries to match its ferocity with a predatory savagery of his own. Their field of battle was the beasts home territory - leaving all of them at a severe disadvantage. Taigas swift swordsmanship was severely hampered by the environment they fought in, the Voss having to perform at his peak just to keep up.

Teeth clashed with blade and -- he realized something. Crystal clear as could be. He wasn't enough. The bites and chomps of the Cori-Numa threatened to take him down and drag him through the mud if he let it. No amount of fancy swordplay or man-killing moves were going to take down a beast like this.

He had to think differently. Taiga has to use every advantage he possibly has. --His shadow begins to warp and shift, the blindly hot sun overhead bathing him in an intense light and leaving a long, pointed shadow for him to control. Fighting back against its natural form, Taiga's ghoul powers were pushed, the unnatural blackness of his shadow wrapping around his form and leaving him cloaked in its presence for a moment! The beasts poor eyesight would be abused, Taiga knowing full well it'd have a much harder time making out the shape of his form now. His shadow is amorphous, blobby and sticky -- an unrefined usage of a power that had far greater potential.

But with a salty salamander about to swallow him, who could blame him for being a little frantic with his attempts at stopping it?

He just barely dodges being thrown into its gullet as the beast pounces onto him, stepping aside and tearing into it with his blade as it passes him by! Blood sprays, crimson glistening across his for as the side of the beast is gutted open. It'd be a terrible, grievous injury that'd leave the beast stunned and ready to be finished off by their Fae captain!

"Marceline! Aim between the eyes!"
(Taiga Voss)
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[22:51]
{LOAD GAME}

[22:56] When the mud monster was spotted, it saved no time to lay down the hurt. As Marceline predicted with her senses, the beast had an immense occult power. Marceline had no doubt in her mind that this 'monster' was a demon, or at least some descendant of one. While Agartha had their own demons influenced by the spires, maybe this island had an evolutionary strain of it's own.

Whatever it was, it was painful.

The occultic beams were unparalleled in pure destruction, tearing the savannah asunder. It was a surprise that the landscape wasn't completely leveled before they got there. Monster, demon, whatever it was, this thing wasn't a joke. Luckily, Marceline had experience with rampaging animals.

After having her wings crumpled by a stray chunk of debris during her last mission, she couldn't have it happen again. While she had a few close calls, the fae was able to nimbly avoid any lasting damage. Darting in every which way, while fighting water with blasts of fire and ice. Taiga ran into the eye of the storm and stunned it with a grievous wound. And while she didn't like being told what to do..

Marceline would oblige.

The pixie raised her hands, fairy dust pouring from her open palms. The skies above them darkened, utilizing an upward draft of hot air to create thunderclouds overhead. An orange glow emerged from within the clouds, a storm spiraling directly above where the Cori-Numa currently stood. She threw her arms down, accompanied by a single command. Was it word-casting, or did she just want to sound cool?

"Indignation!"

A bolt of plasma crashed down from the heavens, impacting directly between the beast's eyes. The crack of thunder would definitely leave ears ringing. The electricity that coursed through the demon's body cooked it alive, causing it to convulse violently on the ground and die painfully.
(Marceline)
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[23:06] {NARRATION} The Cori-Numa thrashes about like an absolute monster! Beams of occultic, leveling force fire off from its mouth in all directions as Taiga, Marceline, and Ethan are blasted by what seemed like its trump card.

Rings of Umbretarn and colossal tentacles scale into the air, thrashing around and attempting to level and crush them all into submission! A huge slice is taken out of Ethan as he is thrown backwards, and Taiga would frantically rush into the fray.

He side-steps what should be his death, and rips open its side with a quick slice of power! It bleeds, croaking its last breath as it turned back to Marceline. The fae rises into the air, putting her hands together as thunderclouds form into the sky!!

When her hands come down, plasma fires from the sky above! Like wrath from the heavens themselves, the beast would screech one last time and fall to the floor. Dead, zapped.

.. Defeated! And the battle itself? Was louder than ever. As it screeches one final time and coughs its lungs out, something.. A skeleton of some sort, with razor sharp teeth as their canines. It looked something of a vampire, honestly.

In the place where the skeleton's heart was, there resides a single- Pulsating gem. Azmos had been slapped away too, starting to come forward with a groan and a rub of his chest. ".. Did... Did you guys get it?"
[23:07] {Item} You picked up Minor Blood Gem. Dropped by Cori-Numa. .
[23:12] Marceline fluttered down towards Ethan, standing atop his chest. The fairy looked down at his face and crossed her arms, holding a disappointed expression. "Hey, we still have work to do. You better not be out of commission, I haven't even gotten what I wanted yet!" she exclaimed, huffing as she took flight once more.

"Anyway," she started, flying over towards Azmos. "Yeah, we got it! Hey, I was thinking about something. This place has overgrown plants everywhere. Cacti, grass, the works. But, just one fight with these demons would leave it battle scarred for months. So, why does it look untouched?" she asked, tapping her chin.

"Well, my theory, is that this island has some kind of magical source! Like how Agartha has the spires, and it's causing everything to grow like crazy. Maybe I'll investigate whenever we're done getting all of this stuff.. another time! It sounds like there would be some cool loot." she explained.

One of her friends were injured and she was already planning her next trip.
(Marceline)
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[23:12] Taiga feels his blade catch against the side of the Cori-Numa, having to fight with every bit of his power to keep his sword as deep in there as possible as he flays the beast. It was a brutal, bloody conclusion to the battle. More than fitting for a pair of monsters like them, and Marceline's final piercing strike left a sense of finality to the battle. Only once the Cori-Numa moved no more did he feel comfortable sheathing his blade.

"Ha... ha... I can't believe I was so unaware." Taiga trudges himself on over, leaning down to examine the skeleton.

"...Hm?" His eyes catch a glimmer of red, and he leans down to pick up the bloodstone, holding it between his fingers and examining it curiously. Looking down at the skeleton, he takes a moment to tilt the jaw towards him and notices the teeth as well. Turning his gaze back towards his comrades, he aims to rejoin them.
(Taiga Voss)
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[23:12] Taiga Voss says, "Seems it's slayed quite the few would-be hunters before us."
[23:14] Marceline landing atop of him brought a light groan of pain. She might've been light but the lashes he took were not joke.

It took a few moments for the young Wayfinder to find his way back up to his feet. He was breathing heavily and quite obviously wounded. His right hand reached up to his chest, rubbing against the wound - squinting in pain as his fingertips tainted themselves purple. This... sucked. Though it always had been like this, hadn't it?

Ethan looked around, trying to find the north against before he breathed out - walking closer to their guide.

... Wait, why was he with them? That seemed dangerous.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[23:17] Taiga Voss says, "...I can't possibly imagine why a Canite might've been all the way out here."
[23:17] Taiga Voss says, "I think you're onto something, Marceline."
[23:17] {NARRATION} Azmos speaks up, "Cori-Numa. Defeated. Alright! That just leaves two more.. We can go to the highlands and fight Jhu-Ono, the scourge of the sky.. Or we can go to the jungle, and take up a fight with Roko'Roko." He reaches for the map and points out a couple locations- A mile north or south, respectively.

On Azmos' weapon, the edges of it were red and dyed a pink from continuous monster hunting. It was red now, as he'd gotten in a few good hits upon the Cori-Numa.
[23:23] Ethan Hawke says, "Well."
[23:23] Ethan Hawke asks, "Where to?"
[23:25] Marceline says, "I want to go to the spider already."
[23:25] Marceline asks, "Roko, right?"
[23:26] Ethan Hawke exclaims, "South it is!"
[23:27] {NARRATION} Azmos says, "No.." He blinks a few times and listens to Ethan as he gave off a set of instructions. Well. That's that! The man picks up a few items off of the fish, such as scales and other equipment he might be able tos ell back at the hub.

Hitching up to go for a walk, Azmos hikes towards the jungle!
[23:28] Marceline was already headed south.. she's hopeless!
(Marceline)
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[23:28] Taiga nods in affirmation, moving along with Marceline down south. He was willing to slaughter as many monsters as it took to bring their spider out to play, regardless of how terrifying the beasts were. "...It's quite different, from Magi. The way it employs magic is familiar... but distinct." He idly comments, unable to get his mind stuck on anything but combat analysis.
(Taiga Voss)
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[23:35] {NARRATION} [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZpbrqzUXkI ]

The group arrives in the dense, musty jungle now! Insects buzz around and flitter about the trees and musk. Inside of the jungle, the group is met with a large assortment of snakes, howling monkeys, and all around just a selection of vast and wonderful wild life. Azmos points ahead to a small clearing ahead- It was draped in stone and carved with beautiful runes...

... But the path had been closed off. What was happening? Azmos narrows his eyes and steps forward- And when he does, he is caught in a huge array of thick, almost invisible spider webs! When he runs into it, there is a tug that reveals just how nasty the web was.

It was dense and fine as silk. "A-Ah! What the hell is this?! This is new? Roko'Roko's shrine is never covered in.. Gah! What is this crap?!"

Ethan, once again, can see something in the shadow of the dense trees. The glint of steel armor, a gauntlet of some sort..

Connected to a skeletal hand that had webs wrapped around it.
[23:40] Upon entering the area, Marceline would grin widely upon noticing the webs that Azmos had run straight into. She had flown straight into the den of the spider. And the webs that their tour guide was ensnared in was exactly the sort of thing that she was looking for. She spared no more time to laugh at this man's misfortune, though.

"Hahaha! Azmos, you're such an idiot. I thought you were supposed to be the hardened veteran monster hunter." she mused, giggles escaping her. The fairy took to the skies now, attempting to get an overhead view of the jungle and, once more..

She had to resist the urge to burn it all down.
(Marceline)
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[23:41] Another path, another beast. This adventure was only getting better, wasn't it? The young Wayfinder didn't seem to hesitate this time around - the moment his eyes caught onto something shifting and moving he spoke up. It would reveal his presence and give away any sort of surprise attack possible, but it would also make his allies ready for the battle to come.

"Over there!" He said, pointing at the shadow. Flames erupted upon the web that bound this skeletal deceased warrior - hoping it would force whatever had made this off its nest and upon the battlefield.

There had to be something there, right? His mind wasn't playing tricks on him - he saw something.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[23:41] Hot. Hot. Hot.

Marceline's fashion advice really should've been heeded by Taiga, the island adventure become a test of endurance as to how long he could last out in the wilderness. The beauty of nature was laid out before Taiga's eyes, each and every new form of life they encountered scrutinized for danger with Taiga's keen senses. He was far too caught up in the little things as per usual, however.

He's not even looking the right way when Azmos gets caught on the webs, instead angrily glaring at a particularly menacing chimpanzee out of the corner of his eyes. He turns at the shouting, giving a glance over to Azmos and starting to approach. But he's a second behind. He certainly wouldn't be the one to pick out the Roko'Roko before anyone else.

"...Ah?"

Ethan calls his attention, and Taiga snaps to alertness!
(Taiga Voss)
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[23:41] Taiga Voss asks, "What kind of beast is this one?"
[23:46] {NARRATION} "Roko'Roko.. It's a territorial condor that always manages to fix its wounds. We hunt it for feathers and talons, mostly." He pries himself from the webs and picks them off, gross as ever. As Ethan shoots a flicker of flame onto the skeletal warrior, there is a golden chain around his neck..

With a golden key dangling upon it as well.

"Behind these webs, there's a shrine. It's Roko'Roko's. We have to light the three torches surrounding the shrine- And call it's name. Then? Prepare, or run." The titanic weapon is pulled from Azmos' back as he uses it to cleave through the webs ahead of him.
[23:51] The false alert that had Ethan act out left him stunned for a few moments before he shook his head, trying to get back into the groove of things. Getting hurt that badly had left him pretty... out of it. A flash of green was left in his wake as he warped towards the remains of the skeleton - the glint of a golden necklace had caught his attention. He reached down to take the object; what a peculiar place to leave a key at. Where could it lead?

He'd pocket the thing for now, looking towards Azmos and getting ready to move on.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[23:52] Marceline spewed out flames from above, hot fire spilling down from her position in the skies. Once she heard the instructions of Azmos, she wasted no time. Lighting ablaze everything in sight, the path ahead was lit up with an orange glow. Jungle, grass, and perhaps even torches alike were lit ablaze.

Basically, anything that wasn't her crew was being set on fire. That was sure to piss off the beast or at least get it's attention, but there was one final thing to top off her disturbance. A call that echoed throughout the area as the fairy shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Face me, Roko'Roko!!"

So much for taking this slow..
(Marceline)
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[23:53] A bird of prey, huh?

Taiga's eyes track the darkened flames movements, carefully approaching as the webs are worked through. He certainly wouldn't be the one to volunteer getting covered in that sticky mess. He was far too noble a figure to dirty himself in such a way -- far more fitting that blood coat his form than that gunk. Taiga crosses his arms, waiting patiently at the side for Azmos to explain the situation.

He nods in affirmation, taking up position right behind as far up as Azmos could carve a path, quickly moving to ready himself for a battle as Marceline--- As Marcline suddenly SCREAMS OUT for the Roko'Roko to come kick their ass. He's visibly surprised, for a moment, but he honest doesn't know what else to expect from the Fae at this point.

"You'd think after our last fight was so difficult -- you'd wait until we weren't right in its hunting ground to call for it, HM?!" He hisses!
(Taiga Voss)
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[23:59] {NARRATION} "Graa!! Graa!!" There is a caw that calls out across the jungle in that moment, as something above them can be seen blitzing across the sky. Taiga would be able to spot the magnificent blur of something shifting across the clouds and jungle canopy. It was a blur of white and red, mixing in a very poignant pink.

As its SHRINE IS BURNING ALIGHT WITH FIRE-

It makes its appearance in mighty showing. The condor lands right in the center of the shrine as it burns, and extends its mighty wings outwards. With one flap of its wings, the flames surrounding its beautiful shrine fizzle out and turn to nothing.

... It was then when the blue, cerulean eyes of the condor- Shift into a frenzied red. All around, there is a wafting flow of -purity- as the condor itself had, in that moment, attuned directly to the lifestream itself. As its servant, it would take flight against the disturbed peace upon Hunter's Island.

And behind it? Manifested a warrior to handle the job alongside it. It was looking to tear Marceline to ribbons.
[00:02] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[00:07] What Ethan saw was more than just a glint coming from the key he was picking up - this was light a straight lightshow. Just what was so bri—

Oh god. Everything was on fire. Oh god. A beast full of light had descended upon them. What were the supposed to do? Just what was that thing?! Ethan looked left, then right, then up towards the bird that seemed to be... Strangely decent. It was probably only enraged due to the Marceline's actions, wasn't it?

Regardless, Ethan couldn't kill something like that— The clear link it had with the lifestream meant this was an actually... Good... monster?

He wasn't even sure anymore. He knew he had to defend his associates, however. Confusion was laid upon both Ethan and the beast at once, once due to inner conflict, the other due to metaphysical magic.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[00:08] Taiga looks upwards... his eyes bulging outwards as he takes in the situation. The realization dawns on him that this bird is not anything to be trifled with. The beautiful spread of its wings above them, a creature so intensely swift in the air that Taiga could only perceive it as a blur.

He understands the danger of such speed innately, his senses as a fighter screaming at him to draw his blade. It flies from its sheath, just in time to bare the brunt of the Roko'Roko's winds. He's blown backwards, nearly sent flying into a tree as the flames are extinguished in a single all-powerful motion. Taiga's own winds were incredibly fierce, but even to him such a display was absurd.

Not to mention -- its very existence seemed to disturb Taiga. A being so blindingly pure. He could barely look at it in the eye without squinting, Taiga's nature as a ghoul clearly corrupt in the Lifestreams eyes. They were predator and prey on alevel beyond just nature. Beyond blood.

"What IS THAT?!" He cries out!

"I'd never thought a beast could manifest such a holy power... it's as radiant as daybreak..." And if Taiga wasn't careful, he'd be burned up in that sun and torn apart by these winds in a blink of an eye. He prepares himself to battle for his life.
(Taiga Voss)
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[00:09] Maybe she poked at the wrong nest.

As the phoenix emerged from it's shrine, Marceline realized that she was tampering with something on a level many rungs above her own. A feeling of purity emanated from the flaming bird, an attunement with the lifestream. It's heart was beating in unison with spirits of the righteous, and Marceline?

Marceline was being served a harsh life lesson from her own mother.

It pissed her off. The very lifeblood of Eternia from which she crawled out of being turned against her. Her own destructive ways on setting her demise as she disturbed nature. A beautiful shrine reduced to rubble, and it's sole inhabitant was furious. But, Marceline stood her ground.

She was nature, for crying out loud. Her shroud of plasma returned with sparks of lightning and flame, erupting in purple fire. Her hands were raised to attempt to combat this divine creature. A beast that hit too close to home, something that she was passionate in tearing asunder.

It was time to fight fire with fire.
(Marceline)
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[00:22] {NARRATION} Marceline's actions had made the ferocious monster so excessively angry that it was screeching to the air as colossal bursts of holy flames ensued in pursuit of the fighters. The holy fighter at its side was working on repairs, and actively harming the others as it armored the phoenix.

Roko'Roko was now clad in golden, pristine armor as its warrior faded away into nothing but glistening gear.

"Ghaa! Ghaa!" It calls now, landing once more in its shrine and beckoning them to come forward- To DARE try its ferocity once more. The being exuded purity in all forms, and throughout the course of the battle-

It only became that much more apparent.
[00:28] Marceline had been getting cocky with her past experiences. She was able to get through the volcano island with her prize and no lasting injury. Then, she was able to take down the mud demon with no real issue. Everything was a breeze up until now! In that tiny head of hers, she genuinely believed that she could provoke this thing and come out unpunished.

She was so, so wrong.

Golden flames burned her body much more than any flame could, filling her body with an indescribable searing pain. It hinted at the fact that she may have been a corrupted fairy - if her actions hadn't done that already. Despite not having practiced either the holy or dark arts, a fairy's nature was unavoidable.

This unique sensation was new to her, something that her body rejected. Her chaotic disposition was just an advantage that the phoenix held over her. The phoenix did well to smite the mischievous fae. But, she didn't flop uselessly to the floor like in any other fight. When the pain felt this personal - when every fiber of her being opposed the shrine's warden, fighting to her last breath felt necessary.

Marceline threw her arms down defiantly, erupting in purple flames. Where her fire once flickered, it was rekindled. She wasn't down quite yet.
(Marceline)
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[00:30] Ethan squinted, staring at the beast. It was... Tough. Incredibly so. Every feather that was burnt off would regrow from its ashes. Every gash was seared off and went from scar to pristine. This beast was unlike any other. Its regenerative powers were on a level above and beyond anything a magi had ever displayed. Even vampires held nothing to this. The Wayfinder took a deep breath - attempting to reach out for... Something. Some sort of idea. Would he even find anything in his mind? Shit.

His eyes grew wide; he realized something important. It might've been a long shot but... It was worth trying.

"Don't attack - just for a moment!"

Ethan's right hand extended forth, magical circles dancing at his fingertips for a few moments - six in total spinning around his frame before a full-on portal would hopefully be cast. Where did it lead? Not too far - a bit off into the jungle in the middle of a bunch of trees— that wasn't the point. A window leading directly towards the spirit world had opened up, the lifestream itself making itself felt. If he learned anything during his years it was the the source of every bond and every ounce of magic was soothing, incredibly so.

Whether he could calm the beast or merely trick it into flying to a lower altitude and into some tree was left up to fate. He was pulling last resort solutions.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[00:35] ...Amazing.

Taiga is ravaged. Torn apart - at the hands of a beast of this caliber, there was seemingly no defending himself. Everything he did seemed to be for naught, his blades upmost aggression only producing wounds that healed themselves in a matter of seconds. He could tear this bird apart time and time again only to find it reforge itself.

Fear. A potent feeling that was once lost on the Voss. So cocky. So prideful. So sure that life was going to turn out alright. But there was a natural fear in the back of his head - the same that existed in all things that bleed. He could just die at any moment. A wild beast could be his end right here and now. Without poetry, without grace, without some grandiose final speech where here could die somehow triumphant. No. Just a brutal, cold murder on an island far from home.

It could happen. Taiga's senses frenzy.

He hadn't made it yet. There wasstill a bridge he had yet to cross in this life. A leap he had yet to make. Dreams he had to yet to make real. All this weight - all this fear wells up inside of him and explodes outwards. From the darkest pits of Taiga's heart, from the well of his soul, he pours out what could only be conjured from a cornered beast.

Just as this beast bore its fangs, so too would Taiga.

An oppressive darkness that spills forth from him like water from a broken dam. It wasn't enough that he simply coat himself in these shadows. It wasn't enough that they blacken the light that threatened to take his life. He was to swallow and consume this threat. To envelop it in a color darker than black and tear it apart with his fangs.

Tendrils shoot out, wrapping around his blade in a sheath of night. He strikes, the jungle seemingly becoming dim for light -- as though Taiga's mere presence was beginning to suck away the dawn.
(Taiga Voss)
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[00:45] {NARRATION} KO COUNTER
-----------------
Taiga: 3
Ethan: 3
Marceline: 3

Roll D6.
[00:45] {NARRATION} 4 Day Temp. All.
[00:48] ** Roko-Roko has inflicted an injury upon Taiga Voss. ("Pulsating Purity", "Taiga's veins have been filled with a potent dose of holy magic that courses through and brings utter damnation to his ghoul's affliction. For the next several months, the young adult would feel a burn throughout his body every time his heart beats. It will fade in time, but it stands to remind him of the battle with Roko'Roko.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
[00:53] {NARRATION} You may RP your defeat.
[01:00] An absolute carnage. This was what it felt like to fight this beast in their state. Ethan found himself as the only person standing by the end of it all. His body was pulsing with blue lines all over as he attempted to cast spells. Sweat dripping from his forehead and down his chin. The blessed flames Roko-Roko sent forth were not as hot as his own, yet they were plenty to completely overwhelm him.

Exhausted. No mana left. Each step made it harder to concentrate and focus. His legs met the ground— he could not even sustain the simplest of gravity spells. Grit teeth and an attitude to boot still kept him up. He... Refused to go down. To give up. His spirit was vigilant, unbreakable. He'd fight tooth and nail, even when the beast before him was recovering from all the wounds it had sustained. The Wayfinder kept on going. Every bit of mana was focused into trying to take it down - to avoid spells and nullify magic's effects. He wasn't going down so easily.

... But in the end it wasn't enough.

"G-Gah!"

He let out a gasp, swept off his legs by a final wave of fire that came towards him - forcing him down to the ground. Hands reached to his sides, trying to push him back up - he was raising..!

... But his legs wouldn't move. They couldn't anymore. As much as he tried to shake them back awake the young Magi was left helpless, at the phoenix's mercy. He didn't even have enough mana for a single spell. Emerald gaze met the beast's fiery own.

Full of spirit, despite his state.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[01:05] A second wind had pushed Marceline against her oppressor in an act of defiance. The newly realized corrupt fae was exercising the aspect of destruction, tearing everything in sight ablaze. Purple flames marked the battlefield, torching the once luscious jungle. To tear apart everything that stood in her way; and most importantly, to win.

The reckless manner of which Marceline fought was evidence that this battle was personal to her. But, her flames were vastly overshadowed by the glow of the phoenix. When gold and violet coalesced, the holy magic shone through and ate her flames whole. When her mana was exhausted, any trace of purple was devoured.

It was his home. His territory. A barrier that stood to protect the world that Marceline wished to bring chaos to. A warden of not only the shrine, but the lifestream itself. Why was she so stubborn? Why did she feel so angry at the very existence of this creature? Why did she want to win so badly?

"This shrine.. is MINE to conquer, Roko-Roko!"

Oh. That's why.

Having been born from nature, she viewed the forces that created her as her birthright. Something that belonged to her, like she was the heir to the world itself. She wanted it all to herself, a playground of which the fun she had could never be exhausted. She believed that it was within her grasp, that Eternia was hers for the taking.

This selfish desire was the root of her corruption, and why the lifestream opposed her. The very world she was trying to seize within her grasp taken from her. And with it, came a grim reminder. A burst of holyflame clipped Marceline's back. But, it wasn't without purpose. Holy magic entered her body as it's host, coursing through her veins and into her wings with a golden glow.

The fairy shrieked in pain, descending quickly from the skies and plummeting to the ground. Her wings twitched grotesquely, the holy curse clashing with the corruptness inside of the fae. At her core, she held darkness. It was really either black or white with fairies.
(Marceline)
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[01:15] Taiga's entire form shimmers in black, as the samurai fights for his life. He was so focused at one point. So deadly effective -- so efficient. Bent to a code that burned emotion down until there was nothing to hesitate for. He had joined wars as a child out of a simple feeling of obligation and fought in them coldhearted and remorseless. But he won. That messed up view of the world worked for so long.

You'll leave him.

The thought of making Niklaus cry. He had never thought he'd fall for such things. Never thought that he'd ever feel the same sort of love Shizuko had described to him. That which was devout beyond duty, beyond obligation. Taiga still hadn't kissed that boy right. The thought that it might end here, when he was so close to achieving the happiness that he had sought his entire life. He was so close.

Please. Please don't kill me.

He's begging in his mind onrepeat. A nonstop, desperate message to his system that echoes in his movements. The beast that Taiga had become tore out with all it had left. Claws, fangs, and blade working together in a frenzied unison to take as much of this bird with him as he could. His shadows are more intense than ever --- but not enough.

It wells up in his hand, coating his claws in an extravagant black. He sharpens it, like a blade. A moment of absolute clarity allowing him to tap into powers previously beyond him. His shadows were a weapon given to him by the blessing of his father. They would carry him through. They would be his weapon against the light. He believes in his survival with all his heart, tears welling up in his eyes as the beast swoops down in fast approach.

It's coming for me.

His senses are overwhelmed with pure danger. He grits his teeth, sheathing his blade. One hand stands poised as a weapon enveloped in shadow, his nails unnaturally long and sharp, coated in a razor sharp edge of pure night. Roko'Roko is high above his head, trying to blot out this unsightly speck from the world. It's radiance is exquisite and divine - and when it swoops down to end Taiga the entire jungle would be overtaken by a dazzle of light. The time of day would seem to change in the snap of a finger.

Taiga swings first, lashing out with his claw and blade --- and the entire jungle was consumed by night. For a split second, his shadow overtake. Shadows trail the path of his attack, extending the reach of his razor sharp claws and forming a massive mark against the beasts wings. It spreads out, an attack on a level beyond just the physical that attacks its divine spirit. The guardian that stood at its aim would be mauled. For a moment, it looks like he's done enough to plunge it into darkness.

Then dawn breaks an instant later. The beast heals and swells in power. Taiga is at the epicenter of this dawn. Completely consumed by it, his shadows are burned away - caught in the immense flame of the Roko'Roko. Just as he had attacked it, it retaliated in similar manner, striking at him in a way beyond just the physical. Taiga was burned -- but he was cleansed in a way that went beyond surface level. Holy magic that works right down to his heart.

Taiga is left absolutely smoked on the ground, face first in the dirt when the light subsides.
(Taiga Voss)
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[01:27] {NARRATION} Roko'Roko took to the sky and cascaded them in swells of holy flame, flame that went through the jungle but did not burn it to cinders. It was an insane showing of mastery, and when they had downed it time and time again- It would heal its wounds once more. The armor it wore broke off of its body and cascaded downwards into pieces.

Pieces that formed into the holy guardian once more. The Phoenix bursts forward now, bringing one ensuing blast of divine flame across their bodies and downing them all. It had gotten its revenge for the shrine, and with the piercing holy that had reached Taiga's heart- It had genuinely thought that he was dead.

Marceline was cursed, Ethan was shamed for allying with them, and Taiga- He was a blight that Roko'Roko wished to remove. As the damage is dealt, it rises into the sky to take its leave. Its shrine was ruined, but they were ruined as well.

As it takes flight, one thing remains from the damage they had dealt. A single, plucked feather. It rests.. In the center of the shrine. Azmos is no where to be found. They are left..

In silence. Alive, but in silence.
[01:34] A disaster. This was the kind of the fight that it was. Despite it all the young man was able to see the beast was... merely trying to save its lands. If his injuries could save its noble life, then so be it.

.. Even so, it hurt like a bitch. Real, real bad. A deep frown came upon Ethan's features before he shook his head violently - watching the golden beast depart to heal its wounds reminded him of what he had prepared for the battle that was to come.

His hand reached down into his pocket, the sound of wrapers being crumpled up could be heard as he pulled out a burger wrapped in some yellow paper. He practically ripped it open, tearing the food within in half and tossing one of the said halves forward. It sunk right through the ground.

Through a warper that used the spirit world as a conduit, allowing space to be manipulated in the only way he could reach the beast at a time like this. The half sandwich would fall directly towards Roko'Roko's open mouth - was he trying to choke him?

No. This one actually felt... Good. Like his wounds were being mended.

Ethan, still on the ground, took a bite of his own half. Eyes caught onto a twinkle in the skies, hand reaching out to catch the falling feather.

.. God this burger was amazing.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[01:36] "Ugh.." the fairy groaned, rubbing her head as she returned to her feet. Marceline rubbed her head, instinctually trying to use her wings - but wincing in pain when they twitched in response. Marceline ascended from the ground using gravity magic, floating.

"I picked.. the wrong path." she admitted. Did she feel somewhat guilty about leading her squad to their defeat? Perhaps, or she just was sour after a loss. She didn't get anything worth gathering, or so she thought. That was until a brilliant idea struck her.

She flew away from the shrine and towards the cobwebs that impeded their entry earlier. Maybe she could attempt to salvage these and they'd be done. If they were flame resistant like she was looking for, then they should have endured a fight like this.
(Marceline)
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[01:36] Taiga rolls over onto his back, looking up at the sky blearily as he recovers from his near death state. It was ridiculous to believe that he had actually survived such a narrow encounter. He was running the numbers the whole time and had himself pegged to die but-- Ah. Maybe he might croak yet. Every passing second of his life was agony for a moment there, his aching wounds most potent as they're fresh.

Being a ghoul definitely helped. Even if that was half the reason he was hurting right now. The magi eventually pries himself to sitting upright, shaking his head as he struggles to reach over and grab his sword. He pulls it to his lap, just sitting there completely exhausted and aghast at what to do.

Huffing, he takes a moment just to catch his breath.

Taiga sighs wistfully.

"Good... lord. What a ridiculous bird."
(Taiga Voss)
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[01:39] {NARRATION} Marcline takes the webs into her hands now, but ultimately the web was coated in the spider's chemical. It was made to be sticky, not silky. Having the web now, she'd know how to make it out of the larvae- But without the spider's chemical?

It would be the perfect silk she was after. But only if she got the larvae.

Now- They only had one place to go. The highlands. They must meet Jhu-Ono.
[01:41] "Ugh. This is no good." she griped, washing her hands clean of the stickiness with water magic upon inspecting it. They needed larvae, not cobwebs. Marceline took to the skies once more, using her gravity magic to fly in the direction of their next site. The reason why she came here in the first place.

"Come on, guys! We've got.. a job to do!" she exclaimed. The last fight. And Ethan couldn't complain now that his injuries were hurting less.
(Marceline)
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[01:49] The Wayfinder remained on the ground, chowing down on food a bit more and letting his wound alleviate themselves with the lax essence he spiked his own snack with. Curse Marceline for using her Fae abilities in such a devious way - though Ethan sighed out, rising from the ground slowly.

It still hurt like a bitch just about everywhere; torso, arm, legs, everything was painful. But... He'd live.

".. Alright, but let's be careful, yeah?"

He didn't want these guys to perish. He saved just the right amount of mana to get out of there pronto if they needed it.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[01:49] Taiga finally peels himself up, huffing as he comes back to his feet. He fights against the searing pain that continues to work its way through his system. Everything in his body was screaming at him to just sit down and take a break, but if Marceline insisted on them continuing onwards than who was he to demand they stop?

He'd simply fight better.

"Fine... fine..." he huffs, following along!
(Taiga Voss)
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[01:54] {NARRATION} The party moves themselves to the highlands now, as the wind blows heavily and the rocky crags rise into the air. As they arrive, they are met with a billow of.. Dark clouds overhead? Loud thunder strikes across the canyon they stood upon! And in the far distance, there is a giant collection of dark clouds that were formed in a sphere, bubbling outwards with dark potential.

Those clouds seemed to be.. Moving like a creature? The lightning rains on a source, though.

Below the clouds was Azmos, his blade getting brought upwards as the man quite literally smacks away an oncoming bolt of lightning. His blade glowed with a red power as he was fighting, though as he swings it-

A crater is formed below from its weight. The clouds?

... It was Jhu-Ono.
[01:59] Ethan floated not too far behind the group, the state of his body made it difficult to move forward with that much ease - leaving him to hope he wouldn't lose the rest of the party. He barely seemed able to hold himself in place, feeling just as bad as he felt when they fought Roko'Roko, but looking far, far worse.

Thundering clouds echoed into the heavens as his eyes were drawn to them. Above him was...

... Was that a cloud-like beast?

"... Oh crap. Here we go again."

He barely had any spirit left. Had it all gone down the drain against the bird? This was bad.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[01:59] Wounded from the previous battle, the holy magic coursing through her veins was giving her a massive headache. A sensation that she had never experienced before, but one that Ethan must have known too well. She had never felt something so polarizing before, so much so that it was hard to keep her focus on the battle at hand.

That was, until the enemy came into view. That did well to rekindle her focus. The fairy floated midair, strangely unaccompanied by the flapping of their wings. She was practiced in using her gravity to fly like this, she needed to do so when she escaped from the volcano. The problem was the pain that was oh so hard to ignore.

Beholding the massive terror to the skies, fire and lightning lit up her palms respectively as she silently prepared for the next fight. Marceline was determined, but she looked tired.
(Marceline)
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[02:04] Taiga continues to follow along with the rest of the group, bracing himself as the weather changes. A cloak is drawn over him, Taiga taking this valuable chance to continue to recover from the absolute beating he had taken in that last battle. His wound were definitely going to have to be treated when he came back home, but for now he could work through them.

Adrenaline was keeping him on his feet, ready to fight once more.

For some strange reason, he felt a sudden sense of clarity now. The battles that came to him previously -- the motions of the beasts. He was finally starting to get an understanding for how they moved. How natural predators struck fear into their prey, and how they dove in for the kill without mercy.

"I've no interest in going back home empty handed. I'm not some simple beast of prey. I'm the son of Salvas Voss, damn it."

It was something his swordsmanship was missing. Something that he had been on the cusp of realizing so many times. It's what Neo Invidia had, what Salvas Voss had. A tinge of lethality to their very movements. So when the clouds themselves turn against him, when it comes the time for their final battle?

Taiga mimics those same beasts that had taken him down so many times before, trying his best to ascend to their level. If this was going to be their final fight, he'd perform in spades. A mixture of swordsmanship and animalistic instinct, controlled and refined with his shadows to accentuate his style.

"I'll show it precisely what it's dealing with. Who really stands at the top of this food chain."
(Taiga Voss)
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[02:17] {NARRATION} Jhu-Ono's smaller clouds would swarm the group en masse once they had shown up! The creature itself was continuously fighting Azmos in that moment, trying to tear each other to bits. The mournegale rips at them now, but as they fight and it drags on-

They had utterly cleared the small fry- Now? Now the beast itself seemed to get even FASTER. It condenses now, into a misty ball of fleeting power-

And in a burst of super sonic speed? It appears right in front of Ethan- Attempting to swallow him.
[02:22] It was hard to fight with all of this pain. Still recuperating from her loss against the phoenix, the holy curse made her movements and overall fighting skill lacking. The battlefield seemed to blur around her, her head throbbing as she attempted to guide her way through the final battle.

When the wounds piled on and she felt fatigue set in, she finally realized that the possibility of dying here was very real. Could she take losing twice in a row? Could she drag herself up off of the ground and escape after being tossed around like this? Her body already fragile.

Was this why Professor Nia told her to avoid combat at all costs?

Another flame was burning inside of Marceline, but it didn't seek to bring destruction. It was the flame of life, the desire to survive at all costs. It invigorated her, eyes widening as she felt herself maneuvering with her gravity more efficiently. Braving the pain and pushing onward.

And as the beast tried tobite down on Ethan, he'd find himself biting down on a rather large and sturdy crystal of ice summoned by Marceline.
(Marceline)
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[02:23] Exhausting.

A desperate struggle to keep his mind sane and his body off the ground was being made by the young man who barely endured the pain he was being subjected to. This was hell in Eternia. Blood tainted purple dripped from his frame as small pieces of burnt flesh trailed behind him. It looked like he was being erased right before everyone's eyes.

Emerald eyes were met with a gaping maw. A monster unlike any other drawing in air in order to consume him whole. Ethan definitely didn't have the strength to fight back against such a pull, leaving him to find his way deep within the clouds. What was going to happen to him? He was bound to get hurt real bad - maybe even die while stuck there—

A burst of dark flames exploded outwards, consuming everything and burning down the beast with incredible heat. Occulting powers were being shown unlike any other as a flash of green light predicted the Wayfinder's arrival right behind the beast, out ofharms way.

"I... It hurts like a bitch, but I ain't dyin' here."

He wasn't gone. Not yet.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[02:23] He's at a loss for words, the samurai only able to process the fact that he was still fighting. Taiga's mind was in overdrive, trying desperately to combine all that he had learned of his cold and calculating tactics with the brutal nature of fighting required to defeat such a beast. It was a fusion, in a way - the link between the two halves of him. To achieve victory, he had be all that he was. Samurai. Man. Monster.

Taiga assumes a stance with his hand ready in a claw, threatening to tear at whatever came near. His blade poised to lash out as a blinding flash of strikes at any moment. His fighting style continues to evolve even in the midst of battle, Taiga adapting -- fighting past the blinding pain in his heart.

"Face me, beast!" He hisses!

"As though this could be my end!"
(Taiga Voss)
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[02:29] {NARRATION} KO COUNTER:
------------------------------
Marceline: 2
Ethan: 3
Taiga: 4

Roll a D6 now.
[02:37] ** Jhu-Ono has inflicted an injury upon Taiga Voss. ("Blown out eardrum", "Taiga has lost hearing in his right ear. Overwhelmed by the crack of thunder, the man's right eardrum has suffered severe damage and hence he's gone deaf in one ear. It'll heal in time, but stands as a reminder of the battle with Jhu-Ono.", "Temporary", "Duration: Long (12 days)") **
[02:41] {NARRATION} You may RP your victory.
[02:47] The battle was a hard-fought one. The cloud they were fighting was swift unlike any other - able to avoid attacks and deal incredible amounts of damage to the lot of them in mere moments. Just what were they supposed to do?! Flames raged as the beast was confined into a darkness of its own, only for Ethan to realize his mistake a bit too late. He was too close.

He had no time to even cast a spell, to move. Tornadoes of wailing cursed winds trapped him in place, forcing him to stand at their mercy before a literally hurricane of darkness was hauled his way, forcing him up into the air and backwards, drawing him in and slicing him up mercilessly.

Fuck.
Fuck that hurt.

The Wayfinder was heading directly towards the ground, landing upon it with a soft thud, sending blood splattering in every single direction. His body laid there, filled with shallow cuts that added to the other injuries. This... Wasn't something anyone was meant tosurvive.

The young man laid there, hoping the skies would clear. That a miracle would happen.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[02:59] On the brink of unconsciousness, the fairy wobbled midair. It took everything she had to force her eyes to stay open. The pain on her back flowed through the rest of her body like a poison. The extreme discomfort caused her muscles to twitch and sometimes outright seize up and fail, her spellcasting lackluster.

It put her in a position where she was vulnerable to any attack that the beast decided to throw at her, which they took full advantage of. Her skin was covered in a myriad of cuts. If the splitting headache wasn't enough to take her out of the fight, the fatigue brought on by blood loss was.

And then, she was decisively taken out of the fight. Her back was clipped again by an occultic spell, causing her to spiral and plummet to the ground. It must have been some kind of uncanny coincidence. To be hit twice in the same spot, to have that area so severely injured that she would be taken out of commission.

No. It was on purpose.

Miraculously, the fairy began to rise from the ground. Her wings twitched, moving back and forth. The pain was absent for just a moment, as the holy magic was disrupted. A maniacal grin spread across the bloodied pixie's face, as she turned her head up towards the developing fight.

"Thanks- that was.. just what I needed." she muttered under her breath, words that no one would hear.

Temporarily, the occultic curse that was laid upon the prior injury had caused her to overflow with dark energy. Something that threatened to destroy her body, but it was enough to counteract the Phoenix's blessing. The holy magic had been watered down from the sudden intrusion for just a few seconds, pain subsiding as she hovered off of the ground.

Those few seconds? She was going to put them to good use.

Hands raised, Marceline utilized the thunderclouds overhead. They were used against Jhu-Ono, a source that required her to draw on less mana than usual. An orange glow emerged from the clouds, before the built up electricity inside meshed with this magic and turned it violet.

"Think fast!"

From above, the same divine lightning from her first fight crashed down with the deafening crack of thunder. Indignation. But, this was only the opening act. As pain and electricity coursed through the beast's body, Marceline dashed in and threw her palms forward.

"Die Die Tesla Beam!"

And before you could think of how stupid that name was, a beam of plasma barreled forth and cooked the demon alive. A blinding purple light enveloped the final monster, as Marceline put her all into this cannon of a spell. The combination of both high voltage and heat would kill the final boss instantly, leaving a burned corpse.

Marceline descended to the ground, recuperating as the dust cleared. Exasperated breathing, followed by whimpers of pain whenever the holy curse decided to come back. With both occultic and holy curses overlaid on top of eachother and her body inbetween, it lead to a state of constant excruciating pain.
(Marceline)
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[03:01] Taiga fought with all he had, in the company of his allies. His brutal mixture of ferocity and swordplay seemed to work well, but now it seemed that he'd have to perform better than ever before to keep up with the beast. Add to that the strain of his injuries, and Taiga certainly felt unsure of his own survival. Especially towards these last tense seconds.

Taiga remembers before. The way that the Roko'Roko had overtaken him, diving in to finish him off in a single all mighty attack. How fearful he felt. How overwhelming it was. From high in the sky, he felt powerless but to bask in its radiance. If he could tap into that... he'd be able to win. If he could become a beast as powerful as those that had defeated him --

He had to soar.

With the last of Taiga's energy, he leaps into the sky. High above the beast, right into its whirling winds. Jumping in the air against a monster capable of such wind magic was basically asking to get caught in a tornado. But Taiga didn't care. He'd dive right through it, if that was the case.

But above this beast now, high in the air - Taiga sprouts his wings. The final bit of shadow manipulation he could muster out. A pair of shadowed wings that appear for a moment. They sprout from his shoulder-blades, spreading wide and casting their darkness directly over Taiga's target. He'd consume it.

The raven dives.

CRACK!

It's too fast for the eye to see, an exchange of blows made in the blink of an eye.

Pure blackness carves out a line in the sky, tracing out Taiga's attack. Where his blade was swung, seemingly nothing remained, the effect of his attack lingering for a moment. His shadow taking upon properties far more potent than that of simply the absence of light. For once in his life, Taiga had properly split the sky in half. The illusion lasting for only a scant few seconds, but a powerful testament to his attack all the same.

Taiga's blade runs through the monster, and as he slices into it, the crack of thunder comes right next to his face. His edge hits, digs in and tears asunder -- and he threatens to cleave the beast in twain right there. But like striking a live wire, the entire thing sparks!

The raven falls with much less grace than he swoops, Taiga's wings not working at all for landing.

His blade still in the monsters chest, Marceline has to finish the job. Thankfully, this pissed off pint sized fae had a grudge for monsters. The Die Die Tesla Beam strikes right on Taiga's blade. Metal conducts and amplifies the final attack, an explosion of sparks, tesla and lightning all rupturing out.

Taiga is laid the fuck out on the ground, gasping for breath.
(Taiga Voss)
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[03:11] {NARRATION} The end to Jhu-Ono. A dark curse is inflicted across Marceline's body, completely and utterly unaware that she was already being chained down to the ground by the phoenix's might. That alone gives her the momentary second to survive, and blast Jhu-Ono to the next world.

As it shakes and threatens to fall, Taiga splits the sky into two pieces with his blade. A carved line that meant its end. With Taiga's sword still inside of Jhu's misty chest- It leaves a lightning rod for one final barrage.

Marceline's plasma.

The tesla beam rockets forward, converting ALL of Jhu's lightning into her own plasma. The sky starts to shake and shock and break away as purple spikes erupt from INSIDE of its body. The sword glows with an immense purple might as it shatters like glass to the ground below. Black mist falls from the sky, as the cloudy beast.. Dies then and there.

As it all was, Azmos runs onto the scene now with his blade onto his back. He was fighting it for some time, and as they'd won- He seemed to have found something.

"Good work, you guys! That's.. A ton of injuries.." He frowns now and points to a large opening near the higher peak on the mountain. An open cave that started to glow with the light of fire. "Tu'Zaka is awake now. I think.. I think I see something in that cave, too. You're going to need to investigate."
[03:16] Part of him wanted to lay there. To remain on the ground forever and never get back up. Maybe he'd feel better over time, or perhaps he'd just die right then and there, ending all the pain. He barely could think straight, eyes stuck upon the skies even as Azmos ran back to them, gesturing them towards the last and final step in their adventure: The spider.

This... Was what they came for. That much was obvious. The Wayfinder took quite some time and a lot of will to get back up on his feet - to force himself to stand again like a normal person. Heavy breaths came from him, tired eyes looked at the ground. His heart was pounding, his body barely holding up.

He should be back home. He should be sleeping in a bed with a cute girl next to him taking care of him. Why hadn't he settled yet? Why was his life such a mess? Pain and despair brought those kind of questions into his head as he sluggishly walked towards the caves, looking more like a zombiethan a man.

"Let's... get your thing, Marcie."
(Ethan Hawke)
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[03:20] Taiga is exhausted by now - and literally can't even hear what Azmos was saying anymore. Bleary and stumbling, Taiga just loosely follows along for a few moment while the ringing in his ears pierces his dome. It was hard to focus on anything else for a moment, and the struggle to stay upright is clear in Taiga's most basic of movements right now.

He manages to recover his sword, the heat still present in the hilt as he picks it up off the dirt.

Following Marceline, his hearing comes back just a little in one ear, but he notices that the right has pretty much entirely lost hearing for now. That'd be a pain in the ass. Huffing and puffing as he continues following Marceline, he hisses out-

"...Solid name for a technique, Marceline. Though I hope we manage to pierce the spiders skull a lot quicker than these last few foes."
(Taiga Voss)
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[03:22] It would take a lot of perseverance to get through to the next stage of the event. Marceline was in pain, and it was only getting worse as time went on. Either they needed to give up, or they needed to finish this as soon as possible. And Marceline wasn't the type of person to give up, even with these types of injuries.

Maybe it would lead to her demise one day. Maybe it would lead to her demise right now. But, she had gone too far to just flake out and run away. A wobbly Marceline took to the skies and followed them into the cave, nodding silently to Ethan.
(Marceline)
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[03:24] {NARRATION} As they file into the cave, the group is met with.. A long set of stairs that go down into what looks like a giant, fiery pit. Below was the spider, moving about as dark, powerful shadowflame sparks up around it. Webs covered the entire entrance. And Marceline's choice..

... The larvae. They are in a far corner, dominated by web. If they wanted their prize, they'd have to fight Tu'Zaka. However.

Before they go there? There is a giant, cobalt colored chest that rests near a collection of seven skeletons, dead warriors, that had been wrapped up in web and eaten.

In the center of the chest, is a golden keyhole.
[03:28] Ethan barely managed to make his way up the stairs. He looked exhausted by the time he reached the very top - leaving him with nothing but pain in his eyes. Dark flames billowed around his presence, almost escaping him as he moved forward. And...

.. That's when he sat it. A chest. Tons of skeletons piled up over it. This was it— there was no way this could be bad. The Wayfinder slowly approached the cobalt coffer, reaching into his pocket to pull out the key he had found in the jungle on a corpse.

He practically pleaded any God around for a miracle as he tried to turn the key.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[03:29] {NARRATION} a mimc pops out at ethan, delivering a perm , dropping his vit below 100 and killing him
[03:29] {NARRATION} omit
[03:30] {NARRATION} The chest opens now- Creaking open slowly as Ethan can find..

- 2 Nyeshk
- A LOT of Stone

And in the far corner of the chest, hidden about in dust and a few tinier cobwebs-

Is a sealed, still bottled...
[03:30] {NARRATION} Healing Elixir.
[03:31] Marceline filed into the cave alongside her squad, features straining whenever she felt the presence inside of the pit. The fairy squinted, looking around for the larvae that she came for. The far corner. It was there, her prize. It was just within reach, but..

"Maybe, we could sneak in.." she muttered, desperate and in pain. It took a lot of abuse for Marceline to say something like that. But once she laid her eyes on that demon once more, she shook her head. It was impossible, and it was only bound to get them in more trouble.

".. No." she decided, raising her hands. Fire and lightning respectively flared up around her palms, as she prepared herself. "We need to get the jump on it. I think that's the only chance we'll get." Marceline said. It sounded like she had a level head this time, at least.

"I'm going to burn down the cobwebs. When I do.. Taiga, run in as fast as you can and stab him before he can turn around." she instructed. But, she waited before she acted this time to see if anyone had a better plan.
(Marceline)
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[03:33] Taiga stood back this time, conserving what little of his energy he had left for the coming battle. He could feel it. All the tension that had been tightening throughout their journey - the final step they had to cross in order to get off this fucking island. Taiga was ready to get the heck out of here.

In the dank depths of the cave, he crouches low, examining the situation. The larvae... and a chest.

Marceline whispers in his ear - and he's forced to lean in really close to manage to listen. Thankfully the fae actually had a plan this time. He nods in agreement, drawing a low breath and hovering a hand over his blade. Exhausted, he didn't have the effort less for fancy shadow-play-swordmanship.

He was stabbing the shit out of this spider and getting out of this place. On cue, of course.
(Taiga Voss)
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[03:33] Taiga Voss says, "I understand."
[03:37] {NARRATION} Taiga launchs himself from the top of the cave drop off. The cobwebs are burned and ignited by Marceline. It is a clean drop. Taiga readies his blade for its head, but at the last possible second- It turns its head upwards and spots him. A massive hiss follows from its mouth, like minecraft, as it leaps backwards!

Taiga's blade corrects itself, and he cleaves off an entire leg at the last possible second!

(-40 Boss Vit)

But now? He almost certainly had no -fast- way up. It was hurt. Badly. But now? Now they had to have their final showdown with the Kaor. Would Ethan let them know what was going on?
[03:39] Ethan turned to look towards the beast when it screeched out - fumbling around and pocketing the coveted precious rocks and elixir in a hurry. He didn't even take the time to drink it - what an idiot. Either that or he expected himself to fall victim to a much, much more terrible fate soon enough.

Regardless, flames of darkness were bound to fill the cave.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[03:40] Clean. Cut.

What followed was Marceline barreling into the drop as well, following after Taiga and his successful attack. She looked over her shoulder, shouting towards Ethan. "Go crazy! Don't worry about burning the larvae - if it's the kind of stuff I want, it won't burn in a fight like this!" she exclaimed.

If the coveted silk couldn't take a little bit of heat, then what was the purpose of being here in the first place? No reason, was the answer. Plasma accompanied Ethan's dark flames, dark and bright purple coalescing with one another to attack the spider.
(Marceline)
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[03:41] Taiga slices off a leg, much to his own surprise honestly. It seemed that he had just barely squeezed by the margin of error for landing such a blow. A close call for sure. He quickly leaps backwards, the last of his mana reserves drawing out their power as he prepares to battle one last time!

It'd be a close call, no matter what, but Taiga had no intention of falling here!

"I'll hold nothing back!"
(Taiga Voss)
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[03:56] {NARRATION} KO COUNTER:
---------------------------
Marceline: 3
Ethan: 2
Taiga: 4

Roll D6.
[03:59] {NARRATION} Marceline: 4 Day Temp (Marceline faces death.)
Taiga: 20 Vit Perm (No Death.)
Ethan: No Injury
-----------------------------
You may take someone else's injury once. Mutually agreed upon.
Death may be spared if by any means, their health is raised above 100 vit.
-----------------------------
Please decide now.
[04:02] * You have been awarded 1 Roleplay Points! *
[04:05]
{LOAD GAME}

[04:05] Taiga Voss says, "i fight for my eye"
[04:11] ** Tu'Zaka has inflicted an injury upon Taiga Voss. ("Burned Face", "Half of Taiga's face has been severely burned to the point where prior to healing, it is almost unrecognizable. Shadowflame burns scar the skin a red and black color. Unfortunately, because of the severity of the burns- Taiga has completely and utterly lost his right eye.", "Permanent", "Severity: MODERATE (-20 Vit)") **
[04:11] {NARRATION} After Ethan's RP, victory is yours to RP!!
[04:24] This was the final showdown. The end of it all. Fierce blows were being sent left and right, scorching flames erupted in just about every direction, burning away at the skeletons and the structure of the cave itself. It was pure chaos; Helheim had nothing on that. Between the spider's fierce attacks reminding Ethan of his very own origins and both Taiga and Marceline taking heavy blows, the Wayfinder was left to fight as best as he could in his state.

This was no good.

Taiga was already down for the count at this point, leaving but a very wounded fairy on the side and Ethan directly before the beast. Silk and web remained in his way, trapping him right where he was. Vulnerable. This was just what the beast wanted, wasn't it? It lured its prey into a corner, trapped it right there and took it down with one final blow.

A wave of fire came forth, ravaging everything in its path and heading directly towards Ethan to finish him off. Teeth came to a grit, blood started pumping faster in his veins. His right hand reached out and upwards, carrying forth his staff, the one that would guide him to victory.

Pathfinder's Marvel. How does that sound for a name?

He couldn't let that woman down. He couldn't let her adopted son perish on this island. The glittering sapphire foci shone brightly, its light spreading out like stars in the nightsky— A reminder of a man once lost. A wave of red flames rushed out towards the darkened ones - crashing against them and meeting their equal. He kept on channeling more and more mana, empowering the spell as much as he could, yet... It wasn't enough.

He was losing ground. He wasn't at his best physically and it clearly had an effect on him. Eyes shut tight. Purple, tainted blood gushed out of his chest from the strain, his legs wobbling under him - forcing him to fall to one knee. This... Looked like the end, for sure. He could feel himself growing weaker, running out of mana - completely dry.

Sure, I'll come.

Others depended on him. If he fell there, then they would fall too. The colorless sparks around Ethan grew wilder, larger - traveling around his body at a much faster rate than before. His mana circuits may have been completely empty, but that meant nothing.

A second breath.
The strength to stand back up.

His red flames burned brighter, suddenly exploding with newfound strength as they took upon the same color as Tu'Zaka's own— instantly overwhelming them. It was... Unbelievable. Insane. The burst of power engulfed the beast and its flames completely and at a pace that wouldn't even make it seem like it ever was a challenge to the seasoned magi. The explosion of dark flames spread far and wide, reaching all around the room and lighting everything ablaze.

Including the people in it.

TheWayfinder's gaze shifted towards the small, wounded fairy. She barely could even fly anymore, she had no armor to protect herself and no way to avoid what was coming. Ethan's left hand reached out, attempting to nullify the flames, but it wasn't enough. The mix of shadowflame is that moment was something even he couldn't surpass. There was no time to think. He couldn't let her die.

The heat was being felt, coming close enough to scorch the girl, to blind her field of vision completely before a flash of green light overshadowed it, burning brighter than the abyssal flames.

The fairy's reflection in emerald eyes. A brief smile. A bottle clenched within his grasp tightly.

Impact.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[04:32] Taiga is on his last legs to begin with. He could barely handle the spiders movements, keeping up with it only by the assistance of the wind swirling around him now. The battle on this island had been especially fierce, each and every beast presenting their own unique challenge to overcome. This spider was no different.

But he had his limits. There was no way he could continue to push himself like this forever. Despite landing such a solid first blow, Taiga's follow up is lacking the intensity of his prior battles. Strikes that he would surely blow were either slipping through his guard entirely or landing far too solidly against him. Wearing him down with a flurry of flailing limbs and fire.

His blade struggles to keep up, the last weak flares of his magic coming in the forms of bursts of power to his movements, taking advantage of whatever opening he could. It's right before that, when he bites it. The spider's rearing back -- and he thinks its primetime to rush in. So he does, charging forward with all his might.

Then it bites down. The spiders jaws clips right against his face. The searing hot fangs sticking fire directly over his eye. It burns, even as he writhes and screams its stuck to his face with an unnatural fury. In a single, blinding moment everything hurts. He screams out loud and terrified, falling to the ground and desperately trying to put it out.

He's too delirious to think of anything but putting the fire out as it burns his face, the bone-chilling thought of it consuming his entire body sending him into an absolute frenzy. He hisses, wishing desperately that Niklaus was here to heal him - that Shizuko might swoop in and cleanse him of this pain. But no.

He just passes out and flops to the dirt.

The shadowflame sizzles and fades as Ethan finishes the beast, leaving Taiga smoking in the dirt once more, completely unresponsive. They'd have to carry him out of there, horrifically burnt face and all.
(Taiga Voss)
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[04:37] It was tough, more so than anything that she had ever experienced. That was because it wasn't a single fight, it was a gauntlet of four monsters straight. Back to back, the crew suffered to get to this point. And the final battle was the largest hurdle of all.

All because Marceline strived to be something better. Because she wanted to rise above the expectations placed upon her, and to become powerful. She had gone far on this journey, and there were many things she had to suffer through before she could get to a point where she could be comfortable. It probably would never happen.

A fire burned inside of Marceline that helped her fight in this instance, beyond the excruciating pain. The larvae in the corner, the treasure she was attempting to take. It meant something more than that. The flame inside of Marceline was the desire to be greater today than she was yesterday.

It overshadowed two flames that had been shown in the expedition. Her aptitude towards destruction, and her will to survive. It burned hot, hotter than anything else. Or, was that just the cave?

Yeah, the cave was a furnace. A combination of shadowflame and plasma bouncing against the walls of the cave made for an environment that was unsuitable, to say the least. A searing heat and a throbbing pain accompanied Marceline as she gave it everything she had to brave it through.

And somewhere, her frail body met it's limit. Burning bright and going out twice as fast, as they say. Marceline hadn't realized how long she had gone out when she came to, eyes opening to see Ethan's back. Nullification braving the flames that were surely meant to end her life.

Her eyes widened. Someone was dying for her, or so she thought. It left the fae in a state of shock, gaze fixated on the killshot being tanked by Ethan. She wasn't the type to care if a life was taken, especially if it was to save her own. Ethan and Taigawere merely assets to be used, that's what she thought the whole time.

So, what was this feeling?

It was the fourth flame - too small to even be called such. An ember that represented the friendships that she had unknowingly made during her journeys. Ethan was guarding these embers with his body, making sure that this flame was nurtured. He risked his life to make sure that it wouldn't be put out. That it would grow into something much brighter.

And when her eyes met the healing potion, she couldn't describe the next feeling either. Was it relief? The fairy returned to her feet, rubbing her head. "I swear, if we have to fight another monster.." the fae griped in typical Marceline fashion. She was alive. "Ugh. Let's just get what we came for."
(Marceline)
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[04:39] Marceline also would forcefeed him the potion if he needed her to..
(Marceline)
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[04:42]
{LOAD GAME}

[04:46] {NARRATION} Tu'Zaka- The fourth of a gauntlet today. The final beast on their trip to claim what Hunter's Island had to offer to them today. In the final clash against the beast- It would be nothing short of shadowflame that causes its death in those final moments. Ethan is blasted backwards to the ground, and he is unconscious after the blast of shadowflame to even so much as drink his potion.

Ethan is quite literally, dying with Marceline in his arms. The potion lay in his possession.

Taiga- Now passed out on the ground. He had suffered the worst, as that injury would not simply heal after a potion. But they'd done it. They finished the fight to the bitter end. In the back of the cave, are the larvae that had resisted all of the flame and THEN some.

With Marceline's knowledge on the silk from the webs, she would understand how to make the item she sought. As for Azmos? The man watches them and crosses his arms. "You know.. You're only ever meant to take down one of the monsters.. But you guys went and took all of them. I don't think this is my sword to have anymore."

Azmos pulls off his sword and places it down next to Taiga, starting to remove himself from the cave. "When you guys are ready- The boat's always ready, too. Let's head back to Agartha, yeah?"
[04:48] {Item} You picked up BackBreaker. Dropped by Tu'Zaka. .
[04:52] Marceline hovered over to the larvae, breathing heavily. It was exactly what she was looking for. The fact that it still stood after the intense heat that was their battle was a testament to this fact. A tired smile marked her face as she salvaged the silk.

I'll spare you the details. Mostly because the writer has no idea how creating silk works. Who the hell do you think I am, some kind of silk-gatherer? Marceline returned to the group with the item in hand. "We-.." she cut off, whimpering in pain. OW.

".. did it." she finished, huffing as she descended atop Azmos' shoulder. "Take us home, lesser monster hunter!"
(Marceline)
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[04:52] If it weren't for the friend he had forced Marceline to be on that day Ethan would either be dead or not in danger at all, though he much prefered this alternative. Barely breathing and laying down on the ground, the young man was forced to drink the potion in his grasp - the fae could've stolen it but... She didn't.

She threw away thousands of coins, literally, and perhaps her own life in the future. It was a step towards something different, something knew. He had found his way to her heart, and with the way his eyes laid upon her person as he woke up? It seemed he was happy with that. Rapidly the injuries on his body would be healed one after the other, the regenerative properties of this flask completely overwhelmed the might of all those beasts combined. A grin was cast in Marceline's way, muttered words granted.

"I can't believe you took me out for drinks without even asking first."

Cheesy. Horrible. Why, just why? Why did he have to say something like that? He could've said anything else! What a horrible joke.

Still, he hoped she'd laugh at it.
(Ethan Hawke)
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[04:55] Marceline's face probably looked something like this right now.

https://i.imgur.com/r7jDbkN.png
(Marceline)
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[04:55] * https://i.imgur.com/3IkCS2h.gif
(Marceline)
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[04:55] Taiga is completely and utterly out of it. As the end of things come, there's a solid few minutes of Taiga being completely unconscious. As his body struggles to knit itself back together, he repeatedly twitches or groans occasionally, but never really 'comes back' so to speak.

FINALLY he wakes up, struggling to his feet. Taiga would limply and silently trudge back towards the boat and back home. Horrible. Horrible. Just wait until he looked in a mirror.
(Taiga Voss)
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[04:55] {NARRATION} FF7 Noise.

dun dun da da!!

Event concluded!