dev 3 - retrieval of teleportation crystal

In the southwestern region of the Reimaran isle, lies a recently activated volcano. While the blue team devises a means to explore and conquer the floating isle, this massive unstable beast threatens to burn and consuming it's surroundings. Should it erupt, the islands skies will become black, raining ash and death.

Ruining any chance of taking over and colonizing this remnant of the Illoytian empire.

As they approach, the massive cone covered in ash and soot seems rival even the largest of Agartha's mountains. From it's crater, magma bubbles, boils, and pours down the main vent. From several fissures, streams of flame spout, making even approaching the thing dangerous.

Thankfully enough, there seems to be an unnatural cave at the base of this behemoth. Arcanium, lined in Illyothian, demonic runes, allows an easy entrance. Not phased by the streams of molten rocks, pouring down either side.
[Narrate]

Yet another trip to the jaws of danger.

But one cannot make a difference unless they're willing to risk it, and while there was a certain precaution in his mind in this regard, especially knowing with whom he's going again, the Shaman immediately got to inspecting his surroundings. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that activating this volcano would mean a failed expedition, and perhaps stalled for another decade or even more, so it's something they must avoid at all costs.

The behemoth of molten lava would be unforgiving to such mistakes.

Instead, there's an entrance they could make use of. The floating isle isn't something that his group is destined to do, but there's a clear entrance ahead- the unnatural cave is assumed to be the man-made work, or rather, Demon-made work, so it would likely create for a safe passage. Besides, this metal looks awfully familiar.. which means it's going to hold.

"Cave it is."

Still, a brief glance to Elyon. Both him and Shenlong should know how certain Spires expeditions go, and he exclaims on that.

"We'll likely need to watch out for traps. Anything that's out of ordinary could be an illusion too."
(Keitaro)

As the massive group draws close, the few runescribes capable of reading the etched runes are certain of something.

They're harmless.

Drawing in heat, to make entry into the behemoth of a volcano comfortable. Perhaps, a little to comfortable.

Soon as they march inside, thick waves of dark smog overcome them. Making it difficult to breath. Warm to the touch, it would make your flesh feel dirty, bogging you down as you move forward.

Within the volcanos core, lies a massive pool of lava, consuming nearly everything within. Should one look down, they'll see roughly twenty feet of metal, the only place would could stand, without taking the risk of getting burned.

To the left, and to the right, there appears to be broken walkways. Destroyed due to the awakened of this summit connected to Eternia's core.

Across what appears to be half a mile of lava, is a winding staircase, made of arcanium of course. This place seems to be full of it, and...with good reason.

The other metals would simply melt.

Massive bubbles begin to rise to the surface, popping, releasing more smog.

And while most would only see raging flames, those attuned to the spirits, or flame, could see them.

Dozens of fire, and magma elementals, all coexisting within one place. All massive, thrumming with an intense, unnatural amount of mana. Disturbing them would be detrimental to ones livelihood, for certain.
[Narrate]

This could be a way of their passage.

While Keitaro sees naught but lava, he can't help but notice the elementals belonging to fire and magma; this was, of course, their natural habitat, and they were the masters in here. Perhaps, this could actually be used to that.. and while the Shaman perceives all those spirits around himself, he turns to Elyon.

"There's a lot of spirit Elementals in here."

"I could try and make a temporary pact with one - give them something, and they provide us a safe passage. It seems we'll need to reach that staircase, but no idea what lies after it."

"Could always simply ask them for more information about volcano as a whole, and give them something simple in return. Passage is something they'd definitely demand something worthwhile for, but information is small thing."

But that decision is left to Elyon. After all, even bargaining with spirits like that could lead to unfortunate results instead.
(Keitaro)

So long as the commanding party of this expedition agreed to it, the Shaman didn't have to be told twice that he has a 'go-ahead' on the contact with spirits. Though, there were certain valid concerns, which is all about spirits potentially becoming hostile - which is why before he even makes a pact, he speaks to a single, closest spirit instead; a brief glance was given around first, to gauge whom was the most 'fitting' persona to speak to.

After all, it's foolish to speak to a spirit that looks agitated.

"I bid you welcome."

Almost formal. He didn't really care about it that much, but.. despite the fact that spirits were often neglected, they were also often prideful about their position - after all, they knew their place and purpose in this world.

To these? It was to maintain this volcano, or at least he figured so.

"I ask that you share a bit of information regarding this place. Which turns are dangerous, and which are safe? What lies ahead?"

"And what would you like in return?"

But.. to those that have no connection to the spirits, and no way to see them? It looks like Keitaro is talking to nowhere.

Literally to nobody for the rest.
(Keitaro)

Every single fire elemental appears to be agitated. Keitaro can see roughly fifteen of them stirring, from the chatter alone. Each looking up to the surface, with hungry, ravenous eyes. The closest spirit that seems worth speaking to is an elemental of magma. By far, the least corrupt, and seemingly less angry.

Some are correct in their assumptions however, as this many elemental spirits wouldn't typically linger in one domain.

As the spirit takes a purely physical form, it rises from the lava. Roughly sixteen meters in height, eight in width, while taking the form of a heavy metal turtle.

"You bid us welcome?" It's voice is deep, and booming. Fitting for a giant.

Two, glowing yellow orbs fixate on Keitaro, not heeding the others, quiet yet.

"This entire location, holds danger, dear human. From my brethren, who are stuck here. To the wraith, sealed beneath the lava. There is no safe turn, no right, or wrong. As for what the demons of that past have created? I know nothing. What lies beyond those stairs is a mystery, and I can only make assumptions of their contents."

It blinks, slow and owlish, seemingly willing to let them know about the dangers and mysteries.

"If you want more from me, you will have to give me something in return; all I want is freedom for the spirits who do not belong. Grant me this, and I'll grant you something in return."

It's terms and conditions, are set in stone.
[Narrate]

That much information was... useful, while vague in its own right, except the location of the wraith sealed beneath the lava. He wasn't even sure how exactly he would get there - unless, the stairs or deeper rooms of volcano would reveal that there are more places to go. But when asked whether he bids them welcome, the Shaman only bows his head briefly, re-affirming his words to the Elemental.

"I wish no harm upon you, your brethren or your habitat."

But hearing it speak of the spirits that do not belong, he could already begin guessing. It's either someone else invaded this place, or it would be the wraith that they're speaking about. Needless to say, before he actually agrees to that, it's better to clarify.

"We're looking for a safe passage, to cross this lava so none of us get hurt."

"Speak who you wish to be unbound from this place. Tell me who they are and where they are, and it shall be done."

Surely, the spirit wouldn't charge the ridiculous price for this. At least, he hoped so.
(Keitaro)

Soon as Keitaro speaks, half of a metal bridge forms before their eyes. Leading from the staircase, to the center of the lavapool.

"All of them."

Dozens of fire elementals rise from the lava, each taking the form of flickering flames. They illuminate the volcano's core, allowing all to see the various runes upon broken walkways.

"They are stuck, bound here, feeding on the lands. It won't be long, before they become like the other. Free them, before it's too late, and passage is yours."
[Narrate]

This didn't look well.

In fact.. it looked like the first danger present. A brief glance is given to Elyon, and it's not too long before he exclaims - in a quiet, hushed tone.

"Prepare everyone for combat, just in case. I feel those spirits might resist."

Still, the Shaman makes his way as close as he can to the fire elementals, beckoning them closer. In a clear speech, he addresses to them all.

"Come forth. I've come to set you free from this place, as you do not belong to the volcano."

It made sense. After all, it's the magma spirits that should remain here. Before any hostile assumption is made by those spirits, he clarifies.

"I will lend each and every of you my mana. After that, you're free to return to the other side, and choose a location befitting your nature."
(Keitaro)

It pays no mind to those that have doubts. It couldn't blame them. It had it's own doubts. Doubts they'd be able to free it's brethren, doubts that they'd make it out alive. Doubting, that much like the others who descended those stairs...

They wouldn't be returning.

Several of the elementals draw closer to Keitaro, staring at him with hungry, judging eyes.

[Narrate]

Arkgvunde manages to supply a great deal of the spirits with an abundance of mana, from his very successful ritual. At least twelve of the elementals begin to glow, fading into the spirit realm, without the fear of becoming wraiths.

Three lesser elementals fade before the shamans eyes, as Declan's blood is enough to suffice. With the painful healing that follows, he's lucky enough to make this offering relatively unscathed.

A powerful elemental latches onto Sima, draining an absurd amount of blood, before fading into the ether.

/powerdown, ten vit

Saba, however, makes a temporary contract with the most powerful fire elemental among the horde. It latches onto him, enjoying the taste of his mana. Flames wrap around the man, lightly singing his flesh, cauterizing the wound in the process. While the exorcism is a success...

It isn't one that is made, without sacrifice.

Saba, step forward and take your perm.

With the elementals gone, the magma beast follows through with it's deal, creating a massive bridge to the winding staircase. It dives deep into the pool of lava, and a rumbling begins to commence. The pool of lava begins to bubble, and boil, threatening to consume their bridge.

Offering them no time to tend to Saba's wound.
[Narrate]

"..."

While most of the ritual goes more or less well, it's clear to him that Saba becomes injured throughout the ordeal. Thankfully though, the magma spirit actually followed through with its deal, and they could make it to the staircase.

"We should get going."

"Also... I hate to be that guy, but you didn't really have to offer blood. Mana should've sufficed - and you would probably suffer less as result."

"Even the spirit said that the mana will do.."

A shake of his head. That'd have to wait - instead, he gestures for the rest of the group to follow. The bridge is something that would not last forever.
(Keitaro)

It takes hours, to walk down this winding staircase.

As the descend, the atmosphere begins to slowly shift. From hot, to warm, to mildly comfortable, to cold. Very, very cold. Icy winds push up the stairs, until they final reach the bottom. Standing before a cracked open door. Made of nothing more, than mahogany wood.

Once one peeks inside...

They'll see an expansive hallway. Above, are flickering lights, a sign that the power source within is nearly depleted. To the left, and to the right, are several strange machines. Several human sized capsules, with a swirling mass of energy within.

In the center of the room lies a pillar, with an interface. Several wires stretch across the floor, connected to each capsule. The three on the left, radiate different hues.

One red, with heat radiating from it. One blue, pushing forth a cold chill. One brown, with leaves and vines forming a lattice over the capsule.

On the left side of the screens interface, there are a few numbers, and notes.

"Bond of flames, success rate, low. Death rate, mediocre.
 Oceans embrace, success rate, low. Death rate, mediocre.
Earths aegis, success rate, low. Death rate, mediocre."

There are two machines, to the right, both filled to the brim with a dark, corrupting energy. Two swirling orbs, crystals filled with darkness darker than dark, rest above the capsule.

"Confined to the shadows. Success rate: impossible. Death rate: High."

Nestled between the flickering lights, lies a shard of the spires, surrounded by various runes. These runes fuel leylines, connected to the capsules, and interface. The runescribes can easily tell that attempting to remove the shard, before most of the machines have served their purpose.

...

Will result in an explosion, likely killing everyone within.
[Narrate]

Cold and dark.

It's an odd contrast between the volcano they were having just a moment ago, and apparently what looks like a lab in here. Though.. simply putting someone inside the machinery as 'sacrifice lamb' was simply out of the option - he didn't wish to be the one who does it, nor he thinks anyone else here was willing to do that.

Besides, there were machines on each side. Machines that no doubt were meaning to bring about sacrifice.

"Seems those on the left are connected to different elements - fire, water and earth."

"Those to the right are definitely Occult, but.."

A pause. What they could possibly do here? Sacrifice of lives wasn't an option no matter what. So instead...

"Perhaps we should disable machines instead?"

"You know. Rather than snatch the shard, just like bad things happened the last time someone reached out to it immediately, we disable allmachinery first - in particular, starting with wires and whatnot."

And yet, another comment he viewed as sassy. A frown, and he turned to Aurora.

"I don't know, Aurora. Feel free to step into machine - I'm sure you'll become a spirit and you could offer us guidance."

Still, a sigh spills forth. He may throw such remarks back and forth between the demi-angel like that, but.. one thing is right, he actually wouldn't mind contacting a spirit around here.

"...I actually don't know. I can try, but no promises."
(Keitaro)

Each of the orbs shine bright, and appear to be coating, and pushing forth the power of their respective element. Ashalle's assumption is correct. There seems to be frantic scribbling on a few sticky notes, plastered all over one of the capsules to the right.

Getting too close would fill one with a thrumming, potent occult sensation, but...

"Do no use, defective. Spirit sealing rate, .01 percent. All of the umbrals who've tried to bond, had died. Do not touch. Bad luck. Bad news. Do not disable. Will unseal the nethradin. Ignore it. Defective."

The interface begins to light up, and the three capsules to the left unhinge. Allowing one to take a seat, should they choose.

One of the capsules to the right, opens, unveiling a dark throne....

...and a dead archon, glowing with an absurd amount of mana, even in death.
[Narrate]

Gazing between the capsules with their respective elements, and then at the dead Archon that was beaming with ridiculous amounts of mana... it made him assume that this was some sort of experiment to bind new element to the Demonkind. Instead, he comes up with an idea.

"Hold on..."

"What if we try to moderate the amount of mana? It seems that this Archon had died due to far too much mana, because even in death, that touch still lingers."

"Perhaps it'll become a lot safer to do this ritual, even if at lesser potency, if the amount of mana is simply reduced? The magi with their respective elements could moderate the income flow of mana."

"That way, it could be safer."

Probably. Hopefully.
(Keitaro)

The chambers slam shut, and wires begin to crawl on Caira, Eshmun, and Danu. Wrapping around the arms, necks, spreading across their faces, as the interface begins to whir.

Thus, the sealed chamber to the 'defective' machine flies open, allowing one to take a seat in either throne of darkness.

Each orb begins to glow, shining bright, as a countdown is activated. Give the others roughly ten seconds to decide on whether or not someone is going to sit in the Death Chairs.

An electronic, static-filled voice echoes within this Illyothian nightmare.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five...."
[Narrate]

As the daemon, and demon, enter the chambers, each machine begins to whir loudly.

The orb of flame, water, and earth, flicker bright, illuminating the right side of the room. The orbs of darkness cast shadows upon the right side. Contrasting heavily with one other.

"Five, four, three, two, one...."

Each respective element begins to thrum throughout the three magi. While the machines coated in darkness fill the circuits of the Kaor, and daemon, with absurd amounts of occult magic.

"Priming, set. Conversion phase, begins."

Caira, Danu, Eshmun, roll.

Ark, daemon, hold onto your seats.
[Narrate]

"..."

This didn't look right at all. In fact, this looked like this could potentially end up in deaths. But instead of hurrying up with interrupting the process, considering that it would be both their solution to this problem and potential harm to the people- much greater than the one they're experiencing- he gestured for others to wait.

"Don't rush just yet. Interrupting the process can become more harmful than beneficial."

And yet, the screams. When he heard that, his lips pursed in thought... uncertain on what decision to make. A glance is given to Tobias, whom brought up the idea of breaking them out.

"Prepare to cut wires to corresponding capsules if they yell to release them."

Instead, he approached just a bit closer, all to make sure he's heard by those inside. His voice was raised in volume as well.

"Do you want us to get you out?"

All he could hope is that others realized that interrupting this process might end up more harmful. Besides.. maybe they were willing to see it through anyway.
(Keitaro)

The wires begin to brand runes, upon the flesh of those within. Caira, Eshmun, and Danu, all have different fates.

While the petrification stops, just above Caira's ankles, she can feel a foreign presence entering her circuits. It comes, with a voice, a cry- a scream for help. Outside of the chamber, a silhouette begins to form...

Danu can hear a violent scream, something pained and raging, screaming as it enters their circuits. Their skin begins to burn, and a heat envelops them. Warmth begins to embrace her.

Eshmun, while fine so far, can feel something entering his circuits. Yet, it resists, damaging them in the process. While the essence is sealed, he can feel his soul screaming as the creature tries to break free, making it difficult to cast magic for a while.

Ark, roll.
[Narrate]

While three manage to attain unwilling guardians of some sorts....the daemon and demon have different results.

The sealing on the daemon is powerful, forcing it's circuits to attune to the occult. It's mind grows more powerful, undoing a small amount of the damage dealt by the spires.

Ark can feel his consciousness fading, as he continues to become drained. Where the daemon grows more intelligent, he can feel his mind and thoughts becoming scattered. Thoughts of Ashalle enter his mind, he can see himself fighting for her, and alongside her.

Eating daemon food from her hand....

Strange, strange memories, that weren't even his.

"Final phase. Stabilizing."
[Narrate]

What happens next, is a series of unseen and unfortunate events. Arkgvunde Vel'heim and Eira are both empowered, and injured, by the same sealed spirit. Their minds and bodies begin to warp, and meld, into a singular entity. With the luck the daemon had before? It's far less exhausted than the kaor.

So when a battle for control takes place? The daemons consciousness breaks through, leaving Akvungard with a newfound desire to serve, and aid Ashalle. While his circuits are damaged, while his body is exhausted...

The end result isn't death, but Ashalle has evolved from a daemon tamer.

To a demon tamer.

Eshmun's circuits are stabilized, leaving him exhausted and injured. Unable to cast magic properly for the time being, but he now contains a powerful attunement to the element of water.

(+3 water pow/def, one perm)

Caira's toes and ankles break free, seeing use once more. Her hands and feet are covered in natural growing bark. However, her circuits are heavily fried from the failed conversion, despite the newfound attunement to the earth.

(+5 melee, +3 earth pow/def, one perm)

During the stabilization phase, Danu finds themselves just lucky enough to avoid further injury. Their circuits are now attuned to flame, and a guardian now watches over them.

(Two temps)

As the mana within the machines fades, a door at the end of the hall begins to rumble. Lights begin to shine above a dark doorway, reading the words-

"Containment chambers: Testing grounds."

The lights and runes around the spire shard begin to fade, and it plops onto the ground!
[Narrate]

While he isn't even sure whether he should break them out and interrupt the process, it's becoming clear that the process stabilizes eventually, and the spire shard's color fades. It's an oddity to consider, but it would seem that the ritual is more or less stabilized.

Still...

"Tahldrig, or whichever other medic we have, we'll need to get them treated I feel before we proceed any further."

"Pry open their capsules if it's not going to open on their own."

And yet, there's a spire shard. With all the projects in his mind.. with the gateway to Spirit Realms he had to secure? It's not a chance he misses. Instead, he makes his way over to it, clearly intending to pick it up.

He figured it'd serve a better purpose in his hands.
(Keitaro)

Due to the lack of proper conversion, a Nethradin breaks free from the machine. It screams, heading towards the newly opened door. Dozens of howls can be heard from with in, along with the whirs and buzzing of more machines.

Nyphadora can feel some sort of kinship from the creature within, as it begins to rapidly tear holes within the lifestream.

Infighting now might result in the loss of a life.

Or two, or three.
[Narrate]

"..!"

This almost causes Shaman to blow up on spot from sheer anger he held for Aurora. Not only he loathed this particular demi-angel, but in his eyes, she dared to actually snatch spire shard like that after practically staying behind and doing nothing. Whoever actually deserved this were semantics, but...

It's difficult to stay objective when personal ambition is involved.

Instead, what he sees is a breakout of Nethradin. A piecing scream that violates the Lifestream all around them, and it's clear that there's something greater to be focused upon right now - yet, he does not forget it so easily.

"...Do not think you can walk out of here with that shard."

"This is not over."

Even if this fades to drastic measures. There were certain people related to his past upon which he held such jaded, albeit buried feelings for.. and unfortunately, she was one of them. Instead, his eyes turn to the Nethradin.

To combat a threat that sought to end everyone's life in here.
(Keitaro)

Soon as they step through the door, they can see some sort of mechanical monstrosity, standing within a massive room covered in white padding. Walls of white, floors of white, with bright white lights covering the chambers entirely.

It's large, and lizard-like, covered in wires and scales. It has a single, crimson, robotic eyes, coupled with two massive mechanical wings. Within it's chest, lies a crystal of some sorts, heavily drained of it's mana.

This creature pays little mind to the newcomers, as it appears to be focused on....something.

"Now, now. What was it? I can't recall. Which project did I fail to complete? Was it the teleporting? No, no. That was a partial success. As long as the smaller crystals are connected to the power source, all is well. The spirit sealing?

Did we ever kill that wraith? Or did we manage to seal in one of the Archons? Or did we drop this?"

Sparks begin to fly from the mechanical eye, as it's attention finally averts to the visitors.

"I don't recall ordering a new batch of test subjects. Especially not humans. Or did you..." It's eyes fall upon the mutated demon, grimacing in disgust.

"I hope you didn't bring that to me. I don't experiment on the defects. Useless, foolish little creatures. Constant reminders of the war. Ack!"

It waves a massive, draconic hand, pointing at the door.

"It'd be nice if you could leave. I've a lot of work to do, before we can disturb the master. It seems we have some intruders, and I'd rather not see if they're connected to the mainframe until after-"

That red eye begins to glow, sparking again. The nethradin and bound spirits begin to swirl around this beast, preparing itself for battle.

"Oh. Intruders!"
[Narrate]

The Shenlong simply stares up at the creature as it spoke for a while, but the longer he was listening to it, the more he grew to have disdain for it. After what seemed like a heated confrontation just a moment ago, his brows furrowed, displeased with the tone.

"Sass..."

"Why does it always have to be sass?"

Though, that question would remain unanswered he felt, and instead, the Shaman would only call upon the spiritual force of the spirits that usually accompanied him, as well as the spiritual side of thunder - a pure essence, which covered more aspects of lightning aside of physical one.

"No point in speaking to it. Let's get this over with."
(Keitaro)

The battle is intense, but they manage to best the nethradin, and the monstrosity controlling them. However, it was ill prepared to deal with a small army of magi.

During it's final moments, it reaches up, ripping out it's crimson eye, hurling it into the center of the room. "If I go down, you're all going down with me."

It begins to beep, as a series of Illoythian runes activate. Several lilac glyphs above the sphere, each unleashing a cold chill upon the room. Filling it to the brim with chaotic energies, sending waves of invisible arcane blasts throughout the chambers.

Iral, Tahldrig, and Caira are pushed back, slammed with the weakest variations of telekinesis. Temporarily pinned to the ground, as the creature attempts to make it's escape.

Ahmir is lifted by his tentacles, and slammed into Ashalle's new daemon. While the daemon is fine, hand slams right through one of the daemons horns, leaving a horn sized hole. Extremely painful, yet repairable.

Chaos pours over Nochtli, invading her body and mind. It rends her circuits, leaving her temporarily maddened, unable to do anything as Sima...

Is suspended by the throat.

Surrounded by powerful magi, with no feasible means to escape, this monster raises it's hand. Charged with arcane lightning, the lilac sparks begin to grow, pouring the power of it's circuits and machinery into a single blast.

This strike, is lethal, and the only way one could save him is by giving up their life.
[Narrate]

As the final memory plays within his mind, Declan makes the ultimate sacrifice, giving his very life to preserve Sima's own. The claw cackles, slamming into the Caelum's chest, sending arcs of lightning across his frame. Sparks fly from his hands and feet, as the man is covered in electrical burns.

Thankfully, for him, the electricity damages his nerves. The only pain evoked is from the initial penetration, allowing him to have relative peace within his final moments.

As the man slowly begins to blacken and char, now would be the time to slay he beast...

And take the crystal from within it's chest.
[Narrate]

The battle was hard fought.

And it took everything that drakanite had in order to preserve himself from harm, whether it was evasive footwork or toughing through the constant blasts of deadly Arcane and fires, all done through the innate toughness he possessed with the scales and protective energies of holy magic as a whole. And yet, sometimes it simply wasn't enough, pushing back against the dragon again and again.

This wasn't the time to be weak.

The storms were called upon time and time again, forcing to create the lightning cages around the beastly abomination that fought against them; the energies of pure, spiritually charged thunder roared through the battlefield each time that Shenlong struck out against it, searing its flesh with all that he had.

But it took more than teamwork to take it down.

It took sacrifice. A life of a man. That much became clear when the entirety of machinery was looking forward to explode in a single powerful blast to kill someone, a lethal force that would kill even the most formidable of magi. There's a moment of hesitation... almost a desire to rush in and try to endure it anyway. What would it be, if he actually managed to survive.

Yet, when a step is taken, Declan speaks.

Do you know the feeling when everything feels like it became just slower? The feeling that trained fighters get in the midst of combat, or people who are about to witness something disturbing? It was that feeling. Almost dumbfounded by these words, all he could do is let his mind memorize it - and witness the apparent death of the man. But...

"DECLAN, WAIT!!"

He didn't know what he was saying. After all, if Declan hadn't stepped in.. that would mean another has to die. A final moment of another man passes his eyes, and.. he doesn't even know how to feel. He doesn't even know what exactly it is.

It becomes a mix. Of shock, confusion, sadness. But in this moment? It's almost mixed with anger.

The anger to this beast that caused the death before him. At the other times, he might've paid attention to the crystal - but instead, there's naught but a tunnel vision, and a single task on his mind, to put it down for good. Should he cry out in that rage? No need.

"Declan, you reckless idiot..."

There was only a mutter, and the entirety of Shenlong's frame was sent towards the beast. Lightning, the burning holy energies, the very spiritual essence.. everything he had to spare and more, it was directed upon its body, ruthlessly attacking it over and over again.

Almost wailing on his opponent, like he's never done before.

Moments, seconds pass, and only after the dust settles, there's impact to what he was doing- the surge of thunder and electricity all across, a result of brief outrage to put the beast down for good. A moment of silence - only gods could know what's going on in his mind.

For now? He had to stay strong. For the future he spoke about, at least.
(Keitaro)

[CONFLICT OVER SPIRE SHARD AND CRYSTAL OCCURS]

"You..."

There's a moment in which he almost spoke up against Isaac and Aurora alike- in the moment of anger, this could've been a terrible mistake, but there's hardly such thing as 'reasonable' when you're faced off against the woman you loathe and the man who backs her up.

His body jerks a little, almost as if to step forward- until Elyon speaks. The Shaman stops in his tracks, and his gaze directs to the Warchief instead. As much as he was willing to give this battle a shot..

"...I'll take you up on that promise, Elyon."

"Too much. Too much was lost. Do not even dare forget about this - or what we're sacrificing each time we venture on expedition like that."

He remembered. He hasn't forgotten how the last time went, and although much of it could've been blamed on lax behaviour as a whole... there's still disdain he holds over it.

Instead, he drops the issue, at least for the sake of Hirai.
(Keitaro)