Romani Montclaire - Captured! An Occultist' trap (5/13) (CoI

[03:53] Mariaan exclaims, "Stellus!"
[03:53] Mariaan says, "King needs to see you."
[03:53] Romani cos Montclaire asks, "Mariaan. Where is he currently?"
[03:53] Mariaan says, "Castle."
[03:54] Romani cos Montclaire says, "Greetings Alexander."
[03:54] Alexander rei Petrakis asks, "Greetings. Have you been told the news?"
[03:55] Romani cos Montclaire asks, "Which news?"
[03:55] Alexander looks to Mariaan and then back to the Stellus.

"There is no easy way to say this, Sythaeryn captured Ophelia." He keeps it blunt, direct.
(Alexander rei Petrakis)
[03:56] The Stellus silently stares towards Alexander. By his sides, his fists clench in silence.

"Where is he?"
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[03:57] Mariaan says, "Asleep in Myllenoris, I'm sure. Said to send a messenger for discussing ransom. Like.. me! "
[03:58] "Ah.." he spoke with a wide, jagged grin as he strided into the castle just to catch what seemed to be the tail end of the conversation he'd come to have with the Stellus.

"Stellus Romani, King Alexander. Just the people I was looking for.. though it seems news travels quickly." A nod as he continued forward.

"I've come bearing a message, that in part. Ophelia has been captured, not only that.. another Acolyte of the Faith has been captured as well by the Occultists. I believe they are both intended to be utilized as Human sacrifices before the war.. a gift to their spirits, empowering their troops." A nod given, halting between the two. Crimson orbs shifting about.

"Yes, Myllenoris is practicing that once more, and I believe that is their intent."
(Ignis)
[04:00] The King of Esshar regards Ignis silently, eyes of a scrutinising blue.

"And you are, how have you come upon this information?"
(Alexander rei Petrakis)
[04:01] The words of Mariaan are nodded to. Almost, in moments, does the Stellus turn around, and start to move towards the south, only stopping when he heard Ignis speak up.

"Who sent this message?"
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[04:05] A shrug offered.

"My name is Ignis. I am a wandering soul, and I just so happened to witness the capturing of the Acolyte." A hand raised towards the Stellus.

"I was moving towards Theria, that's where I saw a Teraphim dragging the Acolyte off.. Ro I believe his name was. I did also hear her spouting some noise about cleansing occultic natures."

A glance between the two once more.

"The message comes from a figure which I do not know, he told me specifically to tell you, Stellus.. why? I am uncertain. Though I imagine it's because it relates specifically to you.. perhaps taunting you out of position. Which it seems.. you were willing to do if I had not arrived to tell you that you're falling for their rouse."
(Ignis)
[04:06] Mariaan folded her arms sheepishly.
(Mariaan)
[04:07] The King of Esshar skepticism fades some.

"The acolyte, was she of white hair, black clothing?" The Petrakis asks.
(Alexander rei Petrakis)
[04:07] Mariaan says, "No... Filia is safe. For once."
[04:07] Ignis says, "She wore a hooded white cloak, carried around a whip. She was a drakanite."
[04:08] Romani does pause, waiting to hear the answer to Alexander's question as his knuckles continued to whiten from how they were held. He does pause at the mention of the details of the acolyte in silence.
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[04:08] Mariaan says, "Please don't do anything rash, Stellus... I'll deliver your letter."
[04:08] Mariaan says, "It sounds like they wanted a ransom."
[04:08] Mariaan says, "So I don't really believe that guys words."
[04:08] Ignis shrugged.
(Ignis)
[04:08] Ignis says, "Either way, Myllenoris now holds captive an Acolyte and your Wife. The ransom will be hefty."
[04:08] Mariaan says, "Acolyte's aren't worth anyt--"
[04:08] Mariaan says, "... Yeah."
[04:08] Alexander rei Petrakis says, "Hmmm."
[04:09] Alexander rei Petrakis says, "Sacrificing before a battle.."
[04:09] Romani cos Montclaire says, "They do seem to have taken captives. And I do not like such has happened. I believe it may be best for me to see about evening the field."
[04:09] Ignis asks, "I do believe that is what will be done, I spoke with that Ash.. their captive?"
[04:09] Ignis says, "He told me many have been executed publicly there."
[04:09] Ignis says, "Human sacrifice."
[04:10] Mariaan whispers to Romani cos Montclaire: If you're going to go out hunting, don't say it in front of this guy...
[04:10] Alexander rei Petrakis says, "I have not met this Ash but I have heard of Edalaide. An Alabastre citizen, with whom Myllenoris tried similar."
[04:10] Ignis says, "It's not foreign among their kind, this is what they did prior to your alliance as well."
[04:11] Romani cos Montclaire whispers to Mariaan: You are correct, it would be better not to let them obtain information.
[04:11] Mariaan asks, "Well... any letters or shall I head off?"
[04:11] Ignis says, "But yes.. I only came to deliver this message, and I feel that evening the field would be in your best response. Else.. no telling what they will request."
[04:12] Ignis says, "Likely something as ridiculous as removing King Alexander from the throne."
[04:12] Romani cos Montclaire says, "Thank you. And I have no letters for now."
[04:12] Ignis says, "At your leave then, Stellus, King."
[04:12] Alexander rei Petrakis says, "Mmmm. Thank you for the information, Ignis."
[04:12] Romani cos Montclaire says, "King Alexander, am I required for anything more? And thank you for the information, Ignis."
[04:12] Ignis says, "Well met, as well."
[04:13] Alexander rei Petrakis says, "No. I only wished to inform you of that and see what you wished to do."
[04:13] Ignis shifted heel, and set off.
(Ignis)
[04:13] Romani cos Montclaire says, "Thank you for informing me."
[04:13] Romani cos Montclaire says, "I will be off then. Thank you again."
[04:14] Mariaan says, "Good luck! "
[04:14] Romani cos Montclaire says, "Thank you."
-----

[05:03] South and west.

To where exactly? Not quite to Myllenoris, not west enough for that, and not quite to Illburg, too far south. Somewhere in-between just before the sun kissed deserts, the Stellus would have found himself at a ridge, and taken a seat. His eyes would ever be cast forwards as he bore only silence towards his surroundings.

Silence, until he noticed someone come into his vision. Rising from the rocky formation, Romani would head towards the source of the visual disturbance slowly.

"Are you of Myllenoris or Illburg?" He would question quickly.
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:07] His usual hunting grounds, one that would end up with him stumbling upon Romani. A tilt of his bear head following as casually approached, the question from Romani causing a chuckle to break free from Mihalis.

"Neither, I am a wanderer. Esshar is my home, well. Most of it."

Shoulders rolled into a shrug, a soft hum following as the man was examined.

"What about yourself..?"

The man was an unfamiliar face after all, and most around these parts already knew who he was when they stumbled upon his bear head or the balloon that eternally followed him around.

And so his interest towards Romani was piqued.
(Mihalis Lovain)
[05:11] Unfortunately, while word of the one named Mihalis was known by name, no one had bothered to inform the Stellus what they actually looked like. As the bear headed noticed him, and the chuckle broke free, there would only be a nod.

"I see."

His voice was actually one of disappointment, rather then great introspection. In fact, Romani had already begun to turn around and head back towards the ridge that he had been upon before.

"I am the Stellus of Orsona's church. I am currently looking for those of Myllenoris or Illburg."

Easy enough to explain, so he would take a seat once more, eyes glancing ahead for anyone else who might manage to come around.

"If you are not of a nation at war with you, nor witch, nor occultist, I am not here to bother you."
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:14] That.

That had caught Mihalis's attention, the title one he had only recently spoke of. A chuckle, one that delved into laughter sounded out uncaringly as he tilted his head towards Romani.

"Heard your wife got kidnapped. Same with an acolyte hm?"

Playful, uncaring for the situation as he moved to stare over the ledge himself, bodly slightly swaying on the spot as he hummed. This meeting had definitely put him in a rather playful mood.

If only to poke at another's misfortunes.

"Sent one of my friends to inform you all."

The balloon pointed out.

"Hope you all got the message."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[05:18] The Stellus remained seated upon the ridge. In fact, even as that chuckle descended into laughter, Romani did not seem to truly react to it.

"You must mean Ignis." The Stellus said. No gasp, no large amount of reaction. "They did inform me, if that is who you meant. They did not tell me a name or any description of the one who asked the information be delivered. But yes, I suppose the information is correct."

As the boy remained in his playful moon, there would almost be no reaction.

"The message was received, and is why I am here and looking for members of Myllenoris."
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:20] Mihalis's smile only grew beneath the bear head, a pivot of his heel had him facing the man. A nod followed most of Romani's words, it seemed Ignis hadn't lied and truly did deliver the information he asked.

And it seemed to have worked.

"Perfect, perfect. Well, you won't run into any members of Myllenoris around here. They never come around here."

An unfortunate shame, for he too hunted around these parts for people from Myllenoris, but never did they move towards this general area, the plains only visited by few.

"Perhaps you should move closer, hell, I'll come with you, offer you some help against any of those evil Teraphim. They sacrifice humans after all.."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[05:24] The mismatched pair of eyes would glance ever towards the side, considering what was said by the man in the bear mask. For but a few moments, the Stellus stayed still, before starting to slowly rise up. It was only now that he was slightly in conversation, did his anger even slightly clear, remembering a detail.

A somewhat important detail.

"You may be correct. I have not seen members of Myllenoris out this way. They may simply never head in this direction. If so, being here would be a waste of time."

The Stellus agreed, before turning to face Mihalis more.

"But before we draw closer, would you be willing to take a test for me?"

"I recall something about an occultist with plasma magic being on Orsona's warrant board, and I do see those ever so purple flames."
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:30] He was in quite the predicament. A perfect chance to further evaluate one of his future hunters seemed to have fallen short when talk of a test was brought up. Mihalis's palm came to slap his bear face.

A mistake, his plasma aura was a rather telling sign to most. One of his gloved hands waved towards Romani dismissively.

"Well well, can't be having that. My magical circuits are a female only zone, refused to shake the hand of a man once because of such..."

Sudden, a mere jest to deflect, although a serious answer soon formulated within his mind to be spoken into existence seconds later.

"No, but. I wouldn't feel comfortable with another searching through my circuits. Even someone such as yourself, plasma is a rather common affinity around here, the locals seem to be specifically focused on the fire affinity."

"Might be because of the desert, constantly hot and all that.."

Amusement tinted his words, a step leading him closer, one that showed he wasn't bothered by the attempted search, his form ever so bold as he spoke once more.

"I do wish to head out to hunt some Myllenorian's though, and so do you. No need to waste time, we both are aiming for the same goal it seems.."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[05:35] "I see."

"And I imagine that, similar to your magic circuit, you would not indulge me in showing me your face, or telling me your name, stranger?"

The mismatched eyes would more firmly settle upon the bear masked boy for a few moments. Had it not been for those purple flames, the Stellus might have not desired to test at all, but that combined with the boy's willingness to help him assault someone, without being a member of Orsona's church or the First Light?

That began to enter into suspicious territory.

All the same, even as the other boy attempted, the Stellus did not use force in the way of magic to search their circuits, merely waiting to confirm information first.
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:38] Swift.

There was no hesitation held within his reply, a question he had been asked plenty of times, from hunting parties from Theria when they looked to search for him before.

"I can not again, alas.."

Words trailed, regret filling his tone so easily.

"It's a tradition, the mask can only come off with the person I love. The one I will live the rest of my days with, but I wouldn't worry."

A smirk crawled along Mihalis's face beneath the bear mask.

"You aren't missing much."

Mihalis paused, violet orbs remaining locked upon Romani's face, searching. A hint of expectation revealing itself within his gaze as he spoke again, he already knew the man before him.

He had been warned about him by a friend.

And that only caused his interest to rise, a chance encounter seemingly blessed by the stars the Celestial Church liked to preach about.

"I hope it won't stop our hunt."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[05:45] The Stellus is slow to react at first, nor is he truly in a large rush.

"So I can not confirm that you are not the occultist Mihalis, nor could I confirm it without testing my magic upon you."

Where as the youth was swift, Romani would simply close his eyes for a few more seconds. In terms of trust, there was none given to strangers, especially when he could not confirm even the most basic of information. Finally those eyes opened.

"I would like to trust you. I would like to."

"However you are hooded, and wearing black, which matches not one, but two of the warrants that are currently outstanding in Orsona. You are also unwilling to show me your face."

"So I must apologize."

A hand would raise up in the air. Holy magic would begin to fill around him, his fist starting to illuminate with a golden glow as his eyes turned, looking towards Mihalis.

Searching for a reaction.
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:49] Mihalis sighed, long and drawn out as Romani's words slowly filtered into his ears. A decision was already made, a refusal that was perhaps expected within the mind of the Lovain.

And so when that hand rose, and the holy magic of the Stellus started to pervade the air, he responded in kind.

Tainted energy.

His own affinity revealed. Occult magic wisped off his form to casually battle against its counter, his bear head tilted to the side as his smirk drew into a neutral stance.

"Surprise.."

A snort followed his word, his identity so easily revealed, depraved energy never ceasing to flow off his form to repel any further prods from Romani's holy magic.

There was no need to hide anymore.

"Mihalis Lovain. Pleasure.."

The Lovan's body loosely bowed towards Romani, violet orbs never leaving the Montclaire's form as he rose back to a straight posture, a few more words leaving his lips to enter the ears of the holy magi.

"Shame you couldn't wait, we would of make quite the team. Hunting down the Teraphim, fighting against evil. The Stellus and the Bear. Fighting fire with fire."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[05:53] The Stellus would turn, looking towards Mihalis as the tainted magic would be shown around them. The confirmation of who exactly they were as the Stellus remained there, still for a few more seconds, his eyes ever cast towards the youth.

"Mihalis Lovain, Orsona's most wanted."

The holy mage turned, facing ever slightly more south as they would fully face the occultist.

"Those of Orsona must not work with Occultists. It is against our ideals, our beliefs. And I do not believe my country has yet fallen to the point where it feels a need to work with such. All the same?"

He does not attack, not yet.

"If you wish to fight against evil, why is it you came to learn the occult? Why is it that you wish to fight Teraphim? I want to know these things, even if such does not change an end result."
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[05:59] "Oh, I should be honoured.."

He didn't expect his recent antics to have landed him so high on the list of wanted, an amused glint remaining within his gaze as he swayed playfully on the spot, never taking the situation seriously.

The Stellus hadn't struck out yet after all.

A more calm approach than most that had stumbled upon Mihalis.

"Limiting yourselves, plenty to be learned if you work with those you perceive as evil. Shame you all limit yourself, maybe it's the reason your walls are about to be broken down."

"Your families..- Well, your wife is already a hostage, so you've already lost something. But others will soon feel that pain you feel, when those walls are broken down."

Uncaring towards the feelings of the man, eternally prodding away with his words as he hummed.

"I learnt the occult to survive. Everything I do is about surviving, this world is cruel, only those willing to latch onto it with a steel like grip survive."

"I've been doing quite well I would like to think."

Apart from the recent fights that had almost led to his death, he had only grown from the encounters, raw emotion fuelling his magical capabilities even further.

"The Teraphim, they're a problem. For me, for you. Trying to hunt me down all because a Greycloak wouldn't leave me alone, I kind of regret blasting her brains across the sands.."

A regretful sigh sounded out, before fingers clicked together.

"Your wife was there thinking about it now."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[06:05] For survival.

The gold and blue eye would stare towards Mihalis for a moment in silence.

"You have survived this long. Of that, you are truthful. You have made enemies as well. And what I would like to do is offer you the chance to make an ally, Mihalis."

"I do not know who you killed. But you are followed, and you do feel a sense of regret. You can work to become a better person, a better person while still surviving. You learn other magic, you can learn something else to survive."

"I have an ability that would allow me to remove the occult from you. And doing so may allow you a greater chance at surviving in this world, if caught by those who otherwise wish you harm. You could work to fix things that you accidently did. And we could work together to fight against the Teraphim, and stop people from losing their lives in wars."

"My wife is in Myllenoris. They are planning to use her for something or another. Human sacrifice is what I was told. Our child may not come to know her, and I do not know if I can save her. I must try."

"But I would also like to save you. Save you from being hunted because you are an occultist. Save you from not having a place to call home."

"You may reject it. But I would like to at least give you the offer."

"You call it limiting ourselves. But I believe that the best of humanity can be shown in the light."
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[06:12] Words to be listened to. An offer that he didn't expect to hear escape the Stellus's lips, one that had his lips quirking, switching between a frown and smirk indefinitely.

It was shocking.

And soon he was bursting into laughter.

"You.."

Unbelievable, he couldn't believe that someone would offer such an option to him, especially with all the death and harm he had brought around the continent with his movements.

"That would only weaken me to my enemies. The only city that actively hunts occultists is Osrona, no one else cares. No no no."

A gloved finger rose, wagging towards Romani. Even if the offer was genuine, he would never believe the words of the man before him, he had killed too many.

Assaulted members of the Faith.

"I am already soaked in the darkness, I won't be leaving it any time soon Stellus. I feel no regret, I've killed all for the benefit of myself, to defend myself, to further fuel my abilities."

"My neighbour for a loaf of bread, this stupid drunk that tried to harm one of my cousins, Yani, the fool that so easily accepted my food after kicking occultists out of Theria.."

"Thadria, a Greycloak that wouldn't LEAVE ME ALONE."

Fingers rose and fell as he spoke off names, his voice devoid of emotion as he tiled his bear head to the side.

"Death and destruction. And yet all I feel is a sense of accomplishment."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[06:18] In all this time?

No one had told the Stellus who it was that had killed his cousin. It was perhaps when Mihalis spoke on that in which Romani looked to be the most hurt. His eyes closed for a few moments, as if the Stellus were praying, before once more opening his eyes.

"I do not think that forgiveness is out of the question for you, if you were to pursue it. You say that what I propose would only weaken you. And maybe, in this moment, that is true. But there may also be a time when there is strength in not being an occultist."

"There is strength in feeling regret, just as there is strength in beliefs."

His hand curled into a fist as Romani closed his eyes for a couple of seconds. An inhale, then an exhale.

"You will not willingly leave the dark. It is like the conversation I had about you once before went. You may be beyond salvation."

holy magic would begin to construct itself over the head of Romani as the blue and gold eye would cast towards Mihalis.

"All the same? I will attempt to drag you out of it. To drag you out of that darkness and teach you survival is possible still." He would begin to adopt a combative stance.

"There is more to feel accomplishment and pride from than death and destruction."

"I hope that I will be able to teach you a pride from walking away from it."
(Romani cos Montclaire)
[06:24] The Stellus continued to persist, the presence of his tainted energy only further intensified, signifying his response as he took a step forward, hand coming to grasp the handle of his revolver.

"Let's see who's got more conviction, hm?"

A chuckle, so carefree even as a holy construct took form behind Romani, a esoteric type of magic that he had never seen before, a shape that had him recalling past plans.

Mihalis's smirk grew, a widened grin threatening to tear across his face as he only grew more expectant with the fight that was to come. It would allow him to gleam further into the mysteries that had been thought upon.

"Yeah, this is good, real good.."

Mutters.

"Really opened my eyes, good good. Thank you Stellus, may the stars bless you!"

Condescending? Or perhaps even truthful, even the Lovain didn't quite know if he truly meant the words he said as he lost himself within the gaze of blue and gold eye that gazed onto him.

Condensed orbs of depraved energy gathered, called forth with a mere flex of his will as he prepared to fight against a counter part, the urge to crush the magic of faith only further growing.

"I never walked away from it, it never accepted me. I found my place within this world, and soon, soon those like me will gain a place within Esshar too."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[06:29] {Lost Dangerous RPB against Mihalis Lovain}
[06:29] ** Mihalis Lovain has inflicted an injury upon Romani cos Montclaire. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
[06:46] A battle between two counter forces. It was thrilling for the occult magi, one where he was placed against a truly experienced holy magi, even more experienced within the art than Sparrow.

Forever moving, never staying in a single spot as the blasts of Romani, the fists that would crush bones so easily were avoided.

"That construct, I have plans for my own you know? Going to pay a visit to my dear Father, play around with his spirit."

Casual talk, words looking to suddenly surprise the man with such information as he melded into a shadow, disappearing to only reappear seconds later on the opposite side of his previous location.

The holy construct never leaving his gaze, a fervent look held onto the magi and his partner.

"You've only inspired me more."

Final words within the battle, his body flickering to appear near Romani, the feeling of such powerful holy magic tickling away at his flesh as he slammed a closed mana-infused fist into his side, the sound of cracking ribs reverberating throughout the area.

And then came the follow up, palm of occult wrapping around Romani's face, fingers digging into flesh without care, an iron grip as his magic slowly started to drain Romani.

Vitality, excess mana slowly siphoned into his own form as he chuckled. He had already confirmed victory, the feeling of holy magic itself was one that caused a shiver of disgust to run along his form.

But he persisted.

To subdue the Stellus, he already had a plan within his mind. The fingers only tightened as he looked to slowly ebb the man into unconsciousness.

"Sleep. I will take you to your wife."
(Mihalis Lovain)
[06:52] Failure.

Could he even be surprised, by that point? There had only been two fights in his life he had won, and both had been against people like him, people who did not use weapons. Maybe that was why everyone used them. Swords, staffs, blades.

Because the holy magic would push against the occultism. Because even as the experienced holy mage would try to blast Mihalis backwards, try to defeat the occultist? He would have no success. Because while Romani's fists were made to harm mages?

Instead a palm of occultism would have dug into Romani's flesh. Because instead of being successful at his own art, another mage would beat him with their own fists.

There was a form of irony in that.

The occultism would wrap around Romani's face, dig into his flesh as Romani's vitality was drunk and, and his holy magic, already dimmed, would only grow weaker and weaker as Romani's consciousness faded.

Because for allhe wanted to bring peace, to lead people away from the dark?

He did not save people from bandits.

He did not save people from Asta killing them.

And he did not save anyone from occultists.

Because he lacked the strength. Because even with his own belief, he was still lacking. Because as his consciousness faded?

He was still the failure he always was.
(Romani cos Montclaire)