Malgannan's Treachery

Zaruma says, "Not yet, Durohan."

Durohan says, "Understandable."

Malgannan says, "...."

Durohan says, "Hmmh."
Askiladd kind of pre-emptively locks his eyes into Malgannan, growling through gritted teeth.

"Fuck off."

Attention instead turns onto the Archon; The Anguill's fury dropping in a heartbeat. Head bobs down in a nod, - obviously out of respect.

"Runescribes. Do you have any, available?"
(Askiladd Sea-Snake)


Malgannan asks, "....?"

Malgannan says, "This ends here."

Durohan says, "..."

Malgannan asks, "We had our qualms. We had our duel. You won. Why do you continue this pointless fight?"

Malgannan asks, "Why are you so deluded that you think I care enough about you that I am gathering a party to murder you?"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Is that a challenge, cretin? Lest it is, fuck off."

Durohan says, "I fail to see how randomly asking your opponents for a runescibe has to do with a duel, kin..."

Malgannan says, "It is not a challenge. Our qualms end. There is no need for this to escalate any further."

Malgannan asks, "We fought, one on one. And you won. What more do you want?"
Illaron whispers something.

Askiladd Sea-Snake whispers something.


Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Then, at the very least, heed my words."

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "When I tell you to fuck off."

Malgannan says, "You are standing in the middle of Gaiar."

Malgannan asks, "You approach me, and tell me to fuck off?"

Malgannan asks, "Have you finally succumbed to insanity?"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "I approach Zaruma. "

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Do not confuse his greatness for your own, cretin."

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Now, fuck off."

Malgannan says, "No."

Malgannan says, "Durohan, join me."

Malgannan says, "This ends here."

Durohan asks, "Hmmh?"

Malgannan says, "I've done what I can to de escalate our conflict."

Malgannan says, "Yet he is intent on keeping it going."

Askiladd Sea-Snake asks, "And, in inability to end it yourself, you ask for assistance?"

Malgannan says, "Yes, I do. Like you did. When four of you attacked me at once."

Zaruma asks, "What is it?"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "I came asking for services, Zaruma, but--"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "It appears that I have found 'other business'."
"Asking for services. I've given you opportunity after opportunity to end our pointless conflict. I've duelled you. I have ignored your many insults. But now, you dare to stroll into Gaiar, minutes after trying to attack me again, and you have the audacity to look me in the face and tell me to fuck off?"

The Kaor unsheathes his halberd.

"This time you won't leave so easily. And this time, I won't fight alone."

The Demon then engages a telepathic link between him and Durohan.
(Malgannan)

Malgannan whispers something.


Zaruma says, "This business is your own, Malgannan. Do not drag other Demons into this."

Malgannan says, "You know I've done what I can to end the conflict."

Zaruma says, "So far, Soybeans have been troublesome only to you. They have shown no hostility to anyone else within reasonable range."
Durohan fails to appropriate the full extent of the telepathic link, preferring to look to the other two Archons for justification-- Until Zaruma piped up.
(Durohan)

Illaron whispers something.


Malgannan says, "You forget Kaidus."

Tristan asks, "Didn't they attack that person attending class?"

Tristan asks, "A Gaiar went to attend one of Dylerun's classes, and the Soybeans dragged him out and sent him to Ardent instead of here?"

Durohan says, "Nmmmn."

Zaruma says, "They did not know he's one of us. Plus, that man's friend turned out a traitor."
Hibiki Remira whispers something.


Tristan says, "..."

Zaruma says, "They were here only for refuge from Ardent."

Zaruma says, "They never intended to serve us, and one of them betrayed us as soon as possible."

Tristan says, "Ah, my apologies then."

Malgannan says, "If you allow Outlanders to enter our lands and freely spout insults toward your kin."

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Mm, I do not deal with their business much."

Malgannan says, "you are no longer my ''Archlord''."

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "But from what I gathered, they had plenty of reason."

Malgannan says, "I will leave to our outpost now."

Zaruma asks, "Our?"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "..."
Tristan whispers something.

Malgannan shakes his head in disbelief. It's time for isolation. It's time to leave.
(Malgannan)


Zaruma says, "This city is mine, Malgannan. If you do not recognize me as your Lord, I do not recognize extension of your ownership to any of our lands."

Malgannan says, "I've followed your orders and attempted to reason with this man."

Malgannan says, "You know he continues to seek conflict, and you ignore it."

Durohan says, "..."
Hibiki Remira whispers something.

Tristan whispers something.

Tristan whispers something.


Malgannan says, "You know he tried to attack me hours ago."

Zaruma says, "You literally just tried to execute him in unfair combat. Right now."
Hibiki Remira whispers something.

The usually stern Askiladd breaks out into a full-blown laughter, even holding his stomach in attempts tu suppress it.
(Askiladd Sea-Snake)

Tristan whispers something.


Zaruma asks, "When did you have time to receive brain damage?"

Malgannan says, "Yes, yes I did. Something he is familiar too."

Tristan asks, "Hey, you got any of those ice cream cones?"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Gods, I don't even--"
Malgannan simply leaves unless stopped.
(Malgannan)


Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Well, Archon Zaruma,"
Hibiki Remira whispers something.


Hibiki Remira says, "Yeah"

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "If he is no longer one of yours,"

Tristan says, "......"

Tristan says, "Wow..."

Hibiki Remira asks, "Why?"

Durohan says, "...Well."

Tristan says, "I was going to say that I wanted to watch this while eating ice cream."

Kaidus says, "stop mal.."

Askiladd Sea-Snake asks, "Then I see no reason to allow his insults on your lands, mm?"
Tristan whispers something.


Zaruma says, "If he fails to recognize me as his Lord, I care little for his fate."

Malgannan says, "You are the one intent on seeking conflict again and again. Making sure I win a fight against you is only logical."
Hibiki Remira whispers something.


Askiladd Sea-Snake exclaims, "Good!"
Tristan whispers something.


Zaruma says, "Then fight him, Malgannan."
Tristan whispers something.


Durohan says, "I fail to see the point in this."

Zaruma says, "I already told you, you can fight him in single combat."

Zaruma says, "Do not drag other Demons into this."

Malgannan says, "I did. He won."
Hibiki Remira whispers something.


Malgannan says, "I told him this settles things."

Malgannan says, "He seeks further conflict."

Malgannan asks, "Do you not see my point?"

Zaruma says, "It appears only you consider this conflict done."
Flames burst up around Askiladd, fusing with the winds to form a fiery shroud over both his arms.

The Vanirhallan's handaxes are immediately drawn and he charges forth, intending to hack both of them into the Kaor's back before any other, meeaningless chatter is made.
(Askiladd Sea-Snake)


Hibiki Remira says, "hmm"
Hibiki hands Tristan an icecream cone.
(Hibiki Remira)

Tristan takes the ice cream cone, presumbly filled with ice cream?
(Tristan)

Nope.
(Hibiki Remira)

Malgannan has witnessed just about enough of this nonsense. He turns around and leaves, flying away rapidly. "I said if you allow your kin to be freely insulted in their very city, I do not consider you to be my Archlord, no. So long."
(Malgannan)

Tristan stares at the empty ice cream cone. He takes a tenative bite.
(Tristan)


Tristan says, "Oh, look what I got."

Hibiki Remira asks, "Hm?"
Tristan pulls out a living crab from his bag, holding it up.
(Tristan)

Flames shoot out from underneath the Vanirhallan, propelling him in a charge after the Kaor.
(Askiladd Sea-Snake)

Hibiki tilts her head.
(Hibiki Remira)


Hibiki Remira asks, "Why didn't you cook it yet?"

Tristan says, "I need some rice.."

Hibiki Remira says, "-Awh"

Hibiki Remira asks, "Have you tried asking around?"
You have 48 minutes left until your next check. You currently qualify for an RPP reward in the upcoming check!


Tristan asks, "Well, do you have any rice, Hibiki?"

Hibiki Remira says, "Nope.."

Hibiki Remira says, "I only carry icecream on my person"

Hibiki Remira says, "...and cones"

Tristan says, "Hm."
Hibiki taps her foot idly.
(Hibiki Remira)

The Archon notes Malgannan's attempt to escape the fair combat, which he provoked as far as things go. Clearly, Zaruma is not exactly pleased with the fact that the Kaor just denounced him as his Lord.

While he could arguably be shown mercy in case of losing his fight, the Aetherius, as far as things go, goes by one true law and rule - Might is Right. And might, by far extension, is not power alone. It is one's ability to adapt to situations.

Something that Zaruma could not see that Kaor has. Perhaps, it would be his undoing.

"No."

Immediately, the Archon's tone became transparent, much like that of a wind, and the friction around him was nullified, along with the atmospheric resistance - all the effort of wind magic techniques.

In an instant flash, he appeared right infront of Kaor, halting his escape.

"You do not get to denounce me as a Lord, ruin my plans of possible union and then walk away free."

"You will fight. Either against Vanirhallan or against me."

"Take your pick."
(Zaruma)

Chases and all.
(Zaruma)


Malgannan asks, "I followed your orders again and again. I've done what I could. But then, this insult of a human enters your very city and you allow him to insult me and refuse me to fight him?"

Malgannan says, "This is a farce."

Malgannan says, "Slay me right here."

Malgannan says, "Go on."
You have 43 minutes left until your next check. You currently qualify for an RPP reward in the upcoming check!


Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "He hasn't refused you to fight I, but refused you to gang up on me like a /coward/."

Askiladd Sea-Snake says, "Gods, bless this one's mind..."

Malgannan says, "You are a hypocrite. You were in a group of four when you attacked me."

Malgannan says, "Don't try to deny it."

Malgannan says, "Slay me in front of all of your subordinates, simply for leaving."
Hibiki is now paying attention.
(Hibiki Remira)

The Archon looked up at the Kaor, his gaze clearly languid at the mere fact that he's supposed to even deal with this, to which he exclaimed.

"I honestly hoped that you would perceive what I'm trying to do with all of this, but perhaps I was wrong."

"We're at war, Malgannan, one that we were losing. If you listened to my story with Cruxati and Ardent, you would understand."

"Although clearly, your ability to listen is limited to what you want to hear."

The scythe was drawn. Staring him down, Archon exclaimed, much like the Tempest itself speaking to the Demon- his voice was otherworldly, booming, the presence of his speech made known to all easily.

"Is this what you wish for, then?"

"Do you wish to accept judgment from me?"
(Zaruma)

Hibiki nudges Tristan.
(Hibiki Remira)

Hibiki Remira whispers something.

Tristan whispers something.

Hibiki Remira whispers something.

Tristan whispers something.


Hibiki Remira says, "...."

Hibiki Remira says, "Guess"
Tristan whispers something.

Hibiki would zone out for a second.. That flavor. The hand would reach in her bag and pull it out before handing it over to Tristan.
(Hibiki Remira)

Hibiki Remira whispers something.

Tristan whispers something.


Hibiki Remira says, "-"

Hibiki Remira says, "Fair point"
Malgannan kneels before Zaruma, allowing him to possibly cut his throat with the scythe, should he wish to.

"Yes. Kill me right here. Slit my throat. For leaving Aetherius to continue my journey on my own, far away from Outlanders and Kin alike.

If that is how you rule, now is your chance to show it to your entire faction."

The Kaor demon does not plan on defending himself. Instead, he kneels, waiting for Zaruma to slay him. Should Zaruma actually do it, and try to kill him, he could Always get up and defend himself.
(Malgannan)

Pure bluff to see if the Archon woudl actually do such a thing? Or has Malgannan truely given up and will he simply allow Zaruma to execute him?
(Malgannan)


Zellim says, "would spelled wrong tho"
Zaruma was not amused at the slightest.

The words of Kaor were almost turning into an insult towards the Archon, and yet he kept his restraint. His crimson gaze was drilling down Malgannan, piercing his soul and mind alike with the sheer overwhelming presence of an Archon.

That much was clear - whatever it is Malgannan was saying, it didn't please Zaruma ta all.

"Fool."

"I rule with my might. I rule with merit for my people. I rule with decisions that allow Aetherius to survive. I rule with decisions that allow this civilization to rise."

"But most of all, I rule with decisions that I deem fitting. I do not need an excuse of Kaor's intelligence to lecture me on how to be a Lord while he feels threatened by a group of children."

"Begone."

The scythe was swung, aiming to strike him down.

Now, whether Malgannan actually was going to defend himself, that's a wholly another question.
(Zaruma)


"You claim to act in the best interest of Aetherius... yet you ignore threaths at your very doorstep. You claim you wish to unite demons, but when even one of them disagrees and leaves you, you slay him.

You've shown your true face now Zaruma."

As expected; it was a bluff. Malgannan dodges the scythe barely, drawing his halberd as he enters a defensive stance. His wings severely burned by Askiladd not long ago.


The fight begins.
(Malgannan)


Dezrik asks, "Hmm?"
Dezrik whispers something.

Dodging the scythe just barely, and entering his defensive stance, Malgannan attempts an escape. A futile attempt because the Archon is obvoiusly a lot faster. Having no choice but to fight now... Combat ensues.
(Malgannan)

Kaidus whispers something.


Dezrik says, "I don't understand whats happening..."
Malgannan is too busy fighting to reply.
(Malgannan)


Dezrik asks, "Lord Kaidus whats going on?"
The Archon could see that the Kaor aimed to deflect his strike, Zaruma noticed such at the last moment, choosing to aid the strike with the presence of Fell Winds as well; Malgannan was blasted away with the winds of Mournegale, granting him naught but a temporary escape - the scenery carried out towards southern plains, and while the rest rather failed to keep up, he chased after Kaor.

"I warned you, Malgannan. This would not bode well for you. You should've seen what I'm intending to do for Aetherius from the very beginning-- and yet, you were foolish enough to object my plans."

Much like the brief speech thrown towards Kaor just before he'd truly invest himself in the chase, Zaruma took a moment to focus on pursuing Malgannan. The winds that deflected friction all around him, the temporary vacuums that drew in the air - it all served as boosters to Zaruma's speed, making Malgannan's effort to escape in vain.

And as if it weren't enough? The same wind magic pushed him like the thrusters of a powerful engine. The Tempest itself chased after the Demon, the embodiment of wind that merged into it's Element of a Ventus. And before he could escape far, he appeared right infront of Malgannan once more.

"Not yet, Malgannan. First, we have something to sort out."

Like the omnipotent nightmare, Zaruma was absolutely everywhere. The Demon could understand now - it's futile to attempt running, and no matter how fast he goes, he would have to confront the Archon. The combat was inevitable, once they truly get down to it.

"I wonder. Do you truly not understand why any of this is happening?"

"Answer me. Why commit this mistake? Why throw your life away, just because you could not adapt?"

The reinforcements from Gaiar were far away, leaving the Archon and Kaor alone. Whatever it is they would share in this moment together, it'd be their own dealing only.

And nobody else's.
(Zaruma)

Alone. Face to face with the Archon he just now denounced.

"I've shared my views with you, you have rejected all of them. I have asked you questions, your answers only led to more questions and mroe confusion.

You call me blind, but it is you who is blind. It is so Obvious to see the enemies at your very doorstep. And instead of at the very lesat being critical towards them; you welcome them with open arms and allow them to openly injure and belittle your Kaor. Your strongest warriors.

And when I tell you my side of the story, you reject it, and claim I am lying.

You allow this pitiful excuse for an Outlander, Askiladd, to enter Gaiar and insult me /again/. Hours after he tried to attack me. /Again/. It happens right under your nose, right in the center of YOUR city and still you claim it's ''none of your business''.

You are not a leader. You are a tyrant blinded by delusion. And as soon as I try to leave your faction, you show your true face and attempt to kill me.

And you call me a fool... Now, go on. Slay me. For not succumbing to slavery disguised as unity."

Malgannan shakes his head once more and charges his former leader. Knowing he will lose. Knowing he will die.
(Malgannan)

Zaruma listened to what Malgannan had to say; for all he knows, it could be a work of the enemy from within, aimed to disrupt the possible union with another of the sizeable forces upon the Ardent. But no- despite his suspicions that it could be something else, all things considered that Kaors were known to be quite ambitious at times, he arched his brow.

Was it truly the reason all along? His distaste to these so called 'Soybeans' and particular Vanirhallan, or rather, their whole tribe that arrived here? No. He could not allow that to stand in the way of his plans. Not when things were beginning to be shaped up just the way he wants them to be.

"Oh? Is this what you truly believe?"

Unamused, the Archon spoke out. For all intents and purposes, the Fell Wind around him was gathering into gale, a storm, a dark hurricane of pain and death. Much like the repeated technique that Kaor might've noticed before, there was a shroud around him; one that defied the friction and atmosphere around him, one that forced the Archon's form to be unstable, borderline too quick to even stand still.

"You're indeed a fool. Ever since Cruxati were imposed on our lands, Ardent was a threat that would inevitably march against us. We could not allow these people to entirely side with Ardent, and your ambushes- your plans to go at them? No... it would ruin everything I've tried to achieve."

"If we were to even war with Ardent- our current numbers will not be enough. Sometimes, you do what you have to in order to ensure prosperity of your nation - even if it means removing the likes of you."

"Your pride, your desire to be recognized, and most of all, your short-sightedness is what will be your undoing. Even if not by my hand today, then by someone else's, another day."

The scythe was drawn. Zaruma has spoken enough, clearly, and to that, he added the last words.

"But enough of that. Both of us know why we're here. You were impatient, unable to adapt and listen."

"And now, you can no longer fit the vision of my goals."

With a pause, he added.

"Farewell, Malgannan."
(Zaruma)

The battle between the two was rather swift.

As much as Kaor held the strength in him of a Demon, he was no rival to Archon's prowess; besides, he was already injured before that. No matter how much he tried to harm Zaruma, his durability, combined with the speed could not have him harmed.

Every single slash felt like gliding along the Archon's visage, sliding just the inch away across the wind shroud that surrounded him; every direct hit managed to land upon his afterimage, instead.

The embodiment of a wind was nigh unable to be wounded, save for the scraps and minor injuries that Malgannan delivered upon him; with his skin being almost transparent too, it was indeed like fighting the Tempest itself.

Ultimately, Kaor was defeated, and delivered a heavy slash of a scythe across his chest, one that left him wounded and weak; but the sheer force of the blow also sent him backwards, giving him the distance he needed in order toavoid Zaruma.

If he wished to escape, that was his chance. That much the Archon acknowledged and realized.

"Run along, then."

"Pursue your own goals, be it annihilating those you deem threat, taking back revenge against me, or whatever else your mind has designed."

"But know this-- stand in my way, and you'll regret it."

"Farewell."
(Zaruma)

The fight went as expected. An injured Malgannan was no match for an Archon. Not in the slightest. Beaten... Death is almost certain. But the Archon left a gap open, and Malgannan exploited it, making a run for it as he disappeared deeper and deeper into the forest, out of Zaruma's vision.

"My goal is and remains a unified Demon empire... But not under your rule. Nor under mine. Your excuse for a demon faction will fall apart soon enough. And then, you will know who was right."

Limping heavily, the Kaor disappears. Likely to find his doom very soon. He knows very well he will be hunted down. Likely not by Zaruma himself, not yet at least... He has proven to allow threats to grow right under his nose without taking action.

But Malgannan had a plan. A risky one. And this was all part of it.
(Malgannan)