scourge

Roaming once more with a new addition.

Jianyu hummed, quite pleased with the outcome though a little disappointed... At least Yuri seemed to grow despite descending downward.

As the group walked, Carlisle seemed to spot a pair.

"How fortunate! It's as though the positive fate of my present extended to the future. How blessed..."

They turned to their short companion, eyes on the Radiant. "Will you bring a smile to my face? That tall one there."

Lips straightened.

"Draw a bit of blood for me, dear."

The robed Shengese looked over to the two, voice raising so they could hear them better.

"Hello~" A dainty hand rose, waving at the duo even as Veronica's voice rose. What exactly was stumbled upon? Training?

Perfect!

"I'm a traveling fortune teller. One look at you two and I can tell that nothing but misery befalls you both. Would you care for something more in-depth?"
(Jianyu Xi)

"Oh..?"

The gaze of the Serpent looks up- the very same eyes that have once faced off in the battle against Veronica and Barrachan. But now... he was no longer a mere snake that slithers on about - now, he was an ascended demon.

An Archon of great power.

Even as Jianyu decided to offer fortune telling, this was something that Morok could not pass up; the history that they shared was too much. Ever since the days when he was a tiny serpent, then onto someone who defeated both her and Barrachan..

Now, to this.

"Veronica."

"I find it strange that you and Barrachan split up. He was so fiercely trying to defend you.."

"Back when both of you were defeated by me."

He floats up closer. This presence of the Archon was difficult to bear, and even the fact that he was coming closer could only spell out one thing.

Danger.

"I wonder."

"Why are you not with him anymore?"
(Morok)

Their presence can be marked by the looming clouds above. How they eclipse the sun and roll about the blue sky until all is grey and pale. How the lightning thunders and the first hints of snow could be seen flitting atop of their heads time and time again. It is a comforting chill within this sweltering heat. The landscaping changing from a dry wasteland to a promise of snow in such a few seconds...

"You're rather loud..."

She says in response, her chin tilting upwards. "But I believe that there's much more of a point to this." She adds, her gaze darkening considerably as she steps aside - revealing Yuri to Veronica.

"He's got something that he must prove...And I'm afraid that you'll do." She adds. After all, it seems that the two might've met one another in the past. Regardless, the smile upon her features most certainly seems to be of anything but good...

"Unless, you would prefer me.."
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

His eyes trailed up to the duo training, recognizing one in particular. One who'd been brought to a site further south. Not quite his favorite spot, he'd told her. It wasn't a lie. That place was reserved for but a single person. One he thought he would never be able to reach out to again.

Yet here he was. Shirking his duties, avoiding big announcements, all for the sake of hunting alongside a partner that was once lost.

A demand was made, and his eyes peered up towards Veronica, then back to Jianyu. A quiet question was brought.

"Right now?"

Morok's question was one Yuri believed he had the answer to. Though he thought it was best not to answer that for himself. To let the Rhoynish give her answer if she so desired.
(Yuri)

Would turn and look back at the group. She would sigh. There was no way. She recognized one of them. The rest just had forboding air around them. Danger was the only way to describe it. Her teacher telling her to run. Seh would do so. She didn't want to but she had to. She hoped that this wouldn't be the last time she saw her. She eyed and memorized their faces. One of them she had seen many times in the town. She needed to run. To get help. To do something. not just leave like a coward. She turned and bolted as fast as she could. Would someone chase after her?
(Finnae)

Carlisle freezes Finnae's feet to the sands, nope, nope..
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

After whispering something to her student, just a quick back and forth conversation before she finally got her message through. It wouldn't be long though, before her Golden Hues fell upon the fortune teller- "Oh? Fortunate? interesting." -Then a quick look at Yuri, then back towards the Shengese.

"Hi, I don't believe we've met before. Nice to meet you fortune teller, and, not really. I'm not really looking for anything in particular really."

But then, something would make every singe hair follicle on her body stiffen, as she's met with that same hellish and serpentine gaze as before. It was a nightmare come true, something she hoped she'd never have to witness again- "Things got complicated." -Even though she felt fear right then and there, she would stand her ground, showing no intent of backing down. Their words were chilling, horrifying, the Archon, was something greater then she could ever imagine. Though, someone who she hadn't met yet, the Petrakis- "There was... until you lot showed up."

But then... "Yuri?"

Her Hues would fall upon his figure, scanning him as if she were looking for some sort of collar, or restraint. She couldn't see any, though, when she heard their conversation, and his response, her blood would start to boil just a tad bit. Then, Finnae, when Carlisle froze her students feet to the sand, Veronica would take out her blade, standing infront of the Lupine. A Glare would be shot towards the Petrakis, as V looked ready to devour her entire being right then and there. She was a mama bear, and she hated when the people whom she cared about, were brought harm upon them- "Release her!" -Veronica would bark, almost as if she wasn't asking, but ordering.

"She has no business with you, so let... her... go."
(Veronica)

The Rabbit tried to run but efforts were futile. Small steps led her to having her feet restrained.

Some questions float about but Jianyu only wanted one thing.

Icy hues shift to the Radiant. "Of course now." Their hand rose, smacking him on the back so he pushed forward. "I want blood, Yuri."

With that clarified for Yuri, they looked up to the rather towering woman. "That's unfortunate. But, nonetheless, I already know how this will turn out."

"Make me proud, Yuri."

A smile threatened to show but didn't. Lips remain straight though there's a certain glee about their features. It was time to feast.

"Make sure she cannot get to her dear Bunny."
(Jianyu Xi)

"You must really take me for a fool, hmm?" She questions in idle thought, her head tilting slightly. "Telling your student to go- run to safety so that they can hopefully return in time...As if you would die being some sort of 'martyr' for them." She cannot help but to smile. Actually, she finds it rather... "Pathetic." Laughter spills past the Petrakis' lips...Her hands carefully easing towards her weapon, grasping upon the tail end of her arrow and carefully pulling the bow backwards...

She breathes in...One eye closing, the skies themselves beginning to part as if promising to gather hail about the area. "Choose your opponent. Should it be me...Understand that once I defeat you, I will have no mercy upon your student. But if you choose Yuri, however...Then I'll let your student go. That is...After we're done toying with you."

Nothing more, nothing less.

"Choose, before I get impatient and send this arrow at the back of your student's head."
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

"How disappointing."

Humanity was so fickle. Once upon a time, he had to defeat them both, one after another- and they looked like such tight-knit lovers, as if nothing could ever separate them. Barrachan even went as far as to charge against the powerful Serpent, all in attempts to rescue Veronica from the ill-fate that could potentially await her.

"I expected to encounter you and Barrachan together."

"I was looking for you... but when I saw him elsewhere? He seemed broken - his spirits gone. He didn't even bother to do anything about me."

He floats closer; but when Jianyu chooses to request Yuri to attack her potentially, there seems to be an immediate frown over his face. To interrupt him like this, when he's talking to her..

"...No."

"Not right now, Jianyu. I need her to answer some questions, first."

"She is no ordinary woman. We have history - and you will respect it." His gaze darts to Carlisle.

"The same goes to you."

The Archon wasn't going to repeat himself twice; he floats closer towards Veronica, but it seems that he disregards her student entirely. While he inches closer, he remarks.

"Tell me."

"What is it that happened between you two?"

Closer.

"And what do you feel now.. so many years, after you sought to attack me for the first time?"
(Morok)

There was no collar, no restraint, nothing upon his person that he was being forced to do it, save for how rough Jianyu seemed to be with him, perhaps. A nod was given after his back was pushed, pressed on to advance towards the Rhoynish.

His gaze refused to meet Veronica's. It would be... a lot to explain. Too complicated. He hoped she'd understand. That she would make the right decision and not question anything further.

The Radiant stepped up.

.. and stopped.

Morok's words. The way Jianyu sought his approval.

It had to be that person.
(Yuri)

Carlisle adjusts the bow and arrow...Although, she keeps the Lapine frozen to the ground for the time-being.
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

History?

Jianyu hummed.

"Very well." Both they and Carlisle seem to simmer down. The Lupine didn't look like an opponent worth much aside from the joys of battle itself.

They glance at Carlisle, simply staring at the Petrakis as Morok asked quite a few questions.

Still the same as always, a quiet observer who wanted answers to sate a curiosity.
(Jianyu Xi)

Jianyu feels a little smile tug at their lips. They stare forward, eyes on the restrained Lapine.
(Jianyu Xi)

Frozen still. This was not good at all. She still needed to be strong. However, all of this made no sense to Finnae. Why did they show up now? Why were they hunter Veronica? She didn't know the answers to any of this. It had to be random. This wasn't something that was planned it was a wrong place at the wrong time.

She looked down between the whole lot of them. She glared at the person she had seen so many times before. This man named Yuri. She gave him a look of disgust.

She then looked at this man... this thing that applied so much pressure to them both. This man enticed fear. It however did not make her want to back down. She wanted to fight originally but Veronica told her to run. Now she might end up having to.

She would look at Yuri. "You are disgusting. Betraying Myllenoris's trust. I am ignorant to who these people are. However... they come off to me as evil. I do not know you personally. I have never been acquainted with you. Though I know this. People in the community talked good of you." She said staring the man down.

She would turn to Morok and give him an angry look. "And you... Stop harassing my teacher! She has no need to tell you about what happened with some guy. Some guy who could not stand up to you!" She shouted. She had to take a stand if she didn't she would not be able to face her teacher. " I do not care... I do not care who any of you are... You say misfortune is in our future... Well I say that I have been through misfortune already. You do not scare me." She said although her fist were clearly shaking. It was hard to find the confidence to say all of that to these over towering power houses. However she had to have courage.
(Finnae)

Her glance would be taken off of the Petrakis, but for only a moment. She would turn it towards the fortune teller, whom stated that they needed... 'Blood?' Wait, was Yuri working with them? When she saw that he had no restraints, or anything of that sort, it would all start to click. He was with them for a reason, and whatever that reason was, it was something she couldn't even hope to understand. Then, her gaze would shoot back over to Carlisle- "I will gladly fight Yuri again, if it means my student will be freed. Let her go, now, I've accepted your terms. Let her go, and I promise, that I'll fight." -But then, the Snake.

When he floated closer to her, she would start to sweat, stepping back just a few feet, making sure to keep her shield, and sword raised- "What in the hel' do you even want with me?"

Then a question would be asked- "Like you really need to know that, how about you just stay out of my business!" -She would grit her teeth, touching that topic again, almost made her lash out at anyone nearby. Luckily for her, she's already been through as much pain from finding out the truth, then she could ever have from here on out. Though, once Finnae spoke up, Veronica would frown a bit- "Child... no need to say anymore, okay? Just leave, leave! Okay? OKAY?!" V noted the confidence that she had bestowed upon the Lupine, and was shameful. What was just a gift of courage, was now turning into something far worse for the Young Lupine.
(Veronica)


Morok says, "--Hm."
Morok's emits a maleficent aura of sweeping death that grows and twists throughout the surrounding area.

The existence of the child was not even acknowledged.

Incessant shouts and screams by the Lapine child were deemed unworthy of the Archon's time. He always was looking for worthwhile subjects that he could potentially change, to mold them into something else... and this fervor that was shown back then, with Barrachan?

He hoped to recreate it.
To spark it once more.

Why? Because humans need something to fight for. Without it, their callous behaviour becomes nothing but repugnant aspect of this world.. and without such purpose, they seem nothing but parasites - the parasites that he would rather sanitise.

"You do not realize the full scale of your situation, do you?"

"You were found for a specific reason. I collect better traits from humans all across the world.. and you?"

"A trait that I'm after - it's with you. This ferocity to protect."

The ferocity that would serve him in a different way entirely, after he's acquired the means to create an entirely new breed of humans; but for now, that remains out of reach.

For now...

"But.."

"It appears you care for this child, don't you?"

It's only now that the Archon notes her presence. His snake-eyes turn towards young lapine girl, observing her for a moment, before they dart towards Veronica at alarming speed.

"You will be a subject for my creation. For this trait... that I will harvest from you - and add to my expanding Damnation that crosses Helheim."

"And I just happen to believe in fate. If the fate wills it, you will escape - with the child safe."

"If you don't.. then you will be mine. I will do whatever I want with you."

Although, surely she would not accept this without a particular note given.

"Oh. And the child goes safely eitherway, if you accept this."

"If you don't.."

"Well. Perhaps it's best you don't find out what happens if you decline."
(Morok)

Screaming and insults. Jianyu waited for now. A choice was given to Veronica.

"Be quiet or I'll make you. It's like an ugly squeaking in my ear." Words directed to the Lapine.

"I can make you very afraid. Be careful of your claims. Those ears of yours can be torn from your head. You're in no position to yap and make demands."

But, they don't move.
(Jianyu Xi)

Oh back to the good old days, the good old days when Veronica was told she would become a progenitor, something that she was all too familiar with. Though, when the words were spoken about her ferocity to protect, she would clench her jaw even more so- "Tsk..."

Then, a glance would be given to the Young Lupine, her student- "Of course I care for them, they are under my care as of this moment. Now, if what you are saying is true, then I accept, as long as she gets to go home safe."

It has yet to arise, her inner strength, her inner wild demeanor. It was almost as if she's lost touch, but that was entirely wrong. It was more so, that she's learned to control her anger, to control her aptitude for violence. Though, it was in her blood, she was always so eager, so blood thirsty. When Jyanyu made her threats, Veronica would just shoot her a glare, then she would look back towards the Snake.

"Let's get this over with."
(Veronica)

She remembers now, doesn't she?

The Serpent remembers... and he follows with what he stated before. He pursues his goals - and one way or another, he will have what he desired, eventually. And her? She would become a progenitor of the new breed of humans; the best traits from individual humans collected across entirety of Esshar.

"Good.."

Now she understands. The sheer responsibility placed upon her in this situation. She does not have a choice in particular - all that she can do is either accept it or flee from it. But fleeing wouldn't really help.. the fact that they're right here clearly shows that he would find her.

Eventually.

"I would hate to involve a child when I don't have to."

"And I'm sure you'd hate to do that as well, yes?"

Steadily, Veronica finds herself a subject to sheer strength of the Archon; one of shadows that grasp upon her... but they don't seek to harm her just yet - instead, it seems like they carry her off elsewhere.

"Come, then."

"Allow me to harvest you. It has been long since the Damned have experienced true joys of the living."

"It certainly won't hurt for you to share a bit, will it?"

The child, it would seem, is entirely left aside - presumably in the care of the rest.

The Archon had no interest in her at all.
(Morok)

Mh.

Still, they're hungry. With Morok acquiring another with the traits he desires, they look to Carlisle, then Yuri.

Naturally, they weren't a part of what Morok spoke of. Agreeing only meant he wouldn't do anything to the Lapine.

"Go and prove yourself."

Jianyu kept still, observing for the time being. "I would hate to be disappointed. You're not a disappointment, are you, Yuri? Mh?"

They poke and toy with that insecurity, one Carlisle always spoke of.
(Jianyu Xi)

"I'm not sure why you believe you're capable of making demands in an undesirable position." The young girl finds herself shifting briefly, her bow and arrow adjusting, holstered back upon her back. "You're not in the right headscape to do that...Your best bet entirely was to comply and then we could talk about the status of your friend here." She gazes towards the young Lapine, motioning the back of her palm to her.

"In any event....No, I won't be letting her go. Not until Morok here is done with you." Unfortunately. But since Morok had been greedy for the battle, well...It seems that Yuri would be safe for now. A gentle sigh spills forth from her lips as she speaks.

"Come along then, let's all go to a more...Open area. Hopefully, your friend doesn'ttry to run again or this will get much, much worse."
(Carlisle ras Petrakis)

The shadows finally release her.

When they're brought over to a different place, the Archon looks up to the skies; there's a terribly wide smile on his face, enjoying the heat that permeates across the desert with all of his being. How could he not? Snakes tend to be the creatures that most enjoy heated environments..

And this is the warmest of them all.

But what she witnessed last time from him is no longer his main forte; now, the windows to Helheim steadily open up- the Damned spirits of Helheim observing as Veronica is made to face off against the Archon. Complex arithmancy and runework is involved- yet, his hands are not raised even for a moment.

These shadowy hands.. they inscribe all the runes, all the work he could possibly need.

"Aren't you happy, Veronica?"

"Look upon all of the Damned stuck on the other side. Waiting, hungering to experience this world anew..." Their wretched hands try to reach out.. but the essence as fuel is just not enough yet; the crystal, Lady Erie's Greed, serving as a means for that - always in possession of the Serpent.

"You will be one of the progenitors for them."

"Imagine... a Mother of a wholly different breed of humanity. Evolved to strip away your imperfections- remove your flaws, your selfishness, your inability to be good to one another."

"And when the pages of history unfold before this new kind... you would be remembered as the one who sacrificed something of her own to see it come true."

A smile rests on his face.

"Are you not excited?"
(Morok)

And thus, she would finally be released, and as such, she'd finally meet the snake face to face on the battlefield once again. After Yuri betrayed his people, even go as far as to hurt her Student, Finnae, it was time for her to finally release what she's been hiding.

This place, was different, this place, was a nightmare, this place, was perfection. Now Finnae was gone, so V wouldn't have to worry about her now. All that mattered, was the fight, and her chance, to hone her skills even further- "Happy? I'm pretty damn Ecstatic." -She would say while pulling her enchanted Hood over her head. Her blade, at the ready, her body, becoming enveloped within a Molten Crimson.

She would raise her shield infront of her, her blade at her side, prepared to strike out. Veronica's golden hues would glare right into the snakes own- "I'm not about to start having kids just yet, I'm still young of course. Trust me, you wouldn't want this body either, between you and me, I get smelly sometimes. So trust me when I say, I'm not about to sacrifice anything anytime soon. Probably my sanity, yeah, that sounds about right, wouldn't you agree?" -She would wink under her hood, now, officially ready for battle.

"Let me turn that question around, are you excited? Because I've already said what I am. Oh! And there's one more thing... Giants never give up!"

Taking an almost Wild kind of stance, she would be willing to go above and beyond when facing this particular opponent.
(Veronica)

Shadows dance.

And it is here that Veronica is truly exposed to the strength of the Archon- the very same demon that fought her before. Even in the past, he was a formidable opponent.. but now? She could truly see how far he ascended.

"Ahaha.."

"Then come! Let me see what you're capable of."

He lives for the moments like these. The promise of his life ending at the edge of a blade, should he commit a mistake in combat- the thrill that comes with pursuit of something greater with every single step. Although, it is fairly evident that her body isn't something that the Archon was looking for...

No, that's not his objective at all.

Instead, the shadows that rake against her flesh, the surges of metaphysical magic.. they all intend to sap away at her essence, to take away the innate energy that all magi possessed. Couldn't she tell yet what exactly he wants to do?

Each time that he steals a bit of her essence..
These windows to Helheim all around them grow larger.

First it's arms that are coming through- then it's their heads, ravenous spirits trying to make their way into this world. The crystal of Lady Erie's Greed hums louder. It gathers and collects, almost in a drunken stupor with how much it drank already..

It's been hungering for so long.

"So narrow-minded, Veronica.."

"I offered you and Barrachan a chance to be something more than yet another dweller on Esshar. Your body, your sacrifices, so you claim? Oh, please.."

"I don't need any of that. But maybe, you'll figure it out soon."

These shadows gather once more. It becomes a promise of pain that could harvest her for all that she's worth once more.. hungering, slithering closer.

"But don't worry."

"Just like the rest of humanity, I'll drag you through to this future."

"Even if you're kicking and screaming, if I must."
(Morok)

Sure she was on the losing end, but did she care? Hel' to the mother fucking no! She would keep fighting, because that's just how she was. Relentless as always, just as she's always been, and, with the advice she received from Abhel awhile back, she's finally figured out just how to hone her fighting prowess. Using her wild side to her advantage, in order to charge in, only to dash backwards as quick as she went it. To tire her opponent out, she had to be able to outlast them by any means necessary. Easier said then done, Morok was just so damn quick!

It was almost like a game of tag, her running around trying to catch them. Though, when she did catch them, her blows would make the very ground they fought on quake. Her strikes were definitely a force unlike any other, when she was able to land a blow that is.

Though, she could tell that the Demon was looking for something specific. Not her body? Then what were they after? Oh right, they were after her ferocity, or, so she thought. He eagerness to never quit, and to keep pushing onward. That might have been her downfall in the end, and yet, she wasn't bothered by it- "Shut up! You'll most likely have to drag my ass, because I'm not coming along willingly!" -She was ready for the final bout, the remaining stamina she held, she would use to overexert her enemy, or die trying!
(Veronica)

Power unattainable by mortals.

What she fights isn't a mere magi like any other- she doesn't fight somebody who would be an easy prey, an easy opponent for her. No.. what she fights is an entity unlike any other. An Archon. An Ascended Demon. Before such a being, what she could do? What she could offer in terms of ensuring her own survival?

Nothing.

The shadows cleave at her, injuring the woman plentiful; blood splatters across the sand, and when the essence is taken seeping from the wounds, the shadows deliver it to their master greedily - the crystal of Lady Erie's Greed humming loud, louder..

Until the gates to Helheim are wide enough to step through.

But as the Damned try to step through, it is the powerful magics of the Archon that keep them back; pushing them, disallowing them to enter this world. All that he needed is to know how to attract them here, but..

"Back, you wretched things. It's not your time."

And it is then that his attention turns towards Veronica. Largely, this has been a success.. and her essence is yet another one that is added towards the crystal; without support, the windows to the Helhiem close out, the lingering runes that sustained their life once simply disappeared.

"Now you see?"

"I do not intend to merely butcher your kind... or theirs. That would be awfully boring."

He comes close, closer.. the defeated woman carefully picked off the ground with the hold of the shadows- a quiet remark following.

"I intend to change you all. One day, you will even thank me.."

"After you realize what you were doomed to from the very start."
(Morok)

Defeated once again at the hands of the Snake Demon, though, did she really have a chance? Like that mattered, her only concern was to push them back far enough to show them that she had a heart. Even after Finnae received an injury from Yuri, Veronica knew she'd be safe within the confines of Myllenoris. The others would probably get the message by now, so as for right now, that was all that mattered.

The Shadows would cleave at her body after every single attempt to damage the damn Archon, but to no avail. The bastard was simply stronger, faster, and smarter. They were able to predict her every movement, before she even had a chance to react.

Though, what she didn't expect, was Hel' Heim itself almost coming through and breaching the Physical plane of existence. The curse she had received from the Demon Xirgoth was still in affect, so when she heard those whispers, and saw those horrors, her mind and body would begin to shut down. But then Morokwould push them away, allowing her to become free of that burden.

When she started to come back to her senses, the questions, would arise once more. Struggling to even breathe, she would answer- "Oh? Is that what you do now, and here I thought you were only after your own selfish desires." -But, when Morok said that they would even thank them, she would scoff.

"Me? Thank something like you... never. There are others who will rise up against you, my allies, and friends. You won't get a chance to rest after they are through with you. You're lucky, that you faced me, because at least you fought someone who hasn't reached their full potential yet. Damn Demons... only ever after one thing, Power... You just want whatever works for you in the end. You'll get what's coming, the lot of you, just you wa-" -Before she had a chance to even finish, the shadow cleave from before would make her wince in pain.
(Veronica)

This greatness.

It's one that cannot be denied by any human; the greatness of the Archons and all the power that they possessed. Prideful in their nature.. for their superiority over humanity was rather obvious- by all means, they were much more than their human counterpart was.

"Do you think I only overpowered you because you haven't reached your full potential?"

"Don't flatter yourself.."

"You weren't even a threat in the first place."

A mockery. Ruthless in its nature, but he had no intention of being exactly 'kind'; he may claim to evolve the humanity, and he would do so - but he is by far not the being that could be considered compassionate or nice.

He is not just her enemy.
He is 'the' enemy.

"You are but a naïve little creature. Your deficient mind can't fathom what the future holds.."

"But on the positive side, you will have the first-row seats of such change."

The lingering screams of Helheim echo. In the desert, she sacrificed herself by staying behind to protect younger Lapine girl; but now, she would fall in hands of the Serpent.

Steadily dragged off within the shadows.

"Observe."

The last sound she would hear, before being taken to a place wholly different.
(Morok)