dev 12 - mountain raid

With the backdrop of the setting sun, a lone figure in a heavy green cloak trudged up the mountain, boots crushing snow underneath. She walked with purpose, so much so that she could, perhaps, initially be mistaken as someone who lived or operated upon Anarchy Mountain. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

Her name was Tetl Tepetla, and though the denizens of the mountain might not know it yet - she had come to make good on a promise. As far as anyone could tell, there was no army at her back, nor was she herself particularly notable. The resolute, colder-than-the-mountain stare she gave off suggested she wasn't here to bargain or negotiate like several others before her. No... for better or for worse, she was here to act.

And all the while, the earth shook - something was approaching, something grander than just an army.

"Sors Ultovex!"

Standing at the metaphorical gates, feet planted in the snow, arms spread out, she called for he who may have been the devil himself. She was small-time compared to Ultovex, and everyone certainly knew it - but you couldn't tell by her voice alone. There was so much conviction behind those words that she could almost sound like an equal.

"Aurora Cruor!"

The name "Cruor" was pronounced with a certain degree of spite, the sort that could never be accumulated in just one lifetime. It was an old grudge, ancient by Agarthan standards - older than the both of them put together. Perhaps Aurora herself wouldn't even understand. To Tetl's family, the day that grudge started was something significant, something to never be forgotten; for Cruor, it was just another day. The conviction behind those words, though, spoke volumes of how much she wanted Aurora to understand.

"Get out here! You're done!"

All at once the reasons for her confidence came to light - anyone not distracted by Tetl's obvious theatrics might note the approaching army, using the rapidly increasing darkness as cover. And - if those were missed - the true "trump card", towering over everything, was an unmistakable sight in the frozen wastes.

A massive golem with limbs like massive tree trunks and massive claws built for shredding - a piece of ancient Illyothan technology recovered for this expressed purpose. And, somehow - some way - it was under the Hero Club's control.

"I came to take them back," she called, and though it sounded for all the world like a joke to make demands of some of Agartha's most fearsome... there wasn't a hint of levity in her voice. It wasn't a request, either - it was, without a doubt, a demand that could be made only by someone who fully believed she could win.

Even with the army and the war machine, it'd still doubtlessly be a tough fight. Regardless, that boundless confidence never wavered even once. "All of them back. No spire shards, no notes on biomancy," she said through bared teeth, voice akin to a growl. "And this is your last chance to hand them over to me."

If she was a member of the Hero Club, she was unquestionably a different breed entirely - no negotiation, no limp-wristed deals, just a massive pet golem as insurance.
(Tetl Tepetla)

The ground trembled with every thunderous step as thousands of pounds of stone and metal grumblingly walked forward. Vast craters were left with every motion, a swathe through the snow and dirt being carved with its motions.

One only had to look behind it and see the trench that followed to know something had come in its wake.

Its body still bore the dried blood from previous encounters. Purple and black and red, caking battle-axe sized claws with gore. Some of it was even fresh, though where it had come from, well...

The Heroes knew.

The Agarthan construct gazed up at the mountain as it paused behind the accumulated Heroes, waiting for an order, its very presence melting the snow around into slow.
[Narrate]

Even now, the masked youth follows next to the golem.

Why? That one was attuned to him, and he imagined that his presence would be needed in order to unseal its true power through command- though, the young Cruor has come prepared, with the clothes no longer resembling what he is, with the different weapon on his back, with the hood and mask..

Everything, just to not be recognized here.

While Tetl speaks, he mostly remains silent, the emerald gaze looking about through the mask he wears. Such speeches weren't for him, and they most definitely would only draw attention. Yet, despite knowing all of the consequences that can happen here, he keeps in thought on his mind.

This is for what you wanted.
No method is wrong for that.

No method, not even the one involving unleashing this Agarthan monstrosity upon those on the mountain. Although he stifles Starfire for now, there's one thing he does - and that's turn to the golem.

It was in his command. It was time to put it to use; the muffled voice of its Master speaks.

"This is command: attack those that stand as our opposition. Clear out the way to the captives."

"Do not allow them to retain those captured."

The masked one stands, his eyes narrowing for what's to come. This...

This ought to be good.
(Nathan Cruor)

It staggered when struck by the unseen chains, beginning to walk towards the caster without hesitation. Self-Preservation outlived all other protocols, and it would kill the one who had attacked it.

It would kill.

It would kill.

Claws swiped at the Nethradin that clamored onto its form, piercing into the stone, driving gouges through as they accessed its sensitive wiring.

It would kill.

Metallics burned a horrid black as the creatures swarmed into it. They died.

They lived.

They infested.

The golem collapsed to its knees, soundless, wordless, as protocols were overwritten. As ownership was dragged. As it was chained.

It was over. The thing rose once more, looking to the assorted children. At the order from Nathan, the head merely stared.

It would kill.
[Narrate]

His eyes immediately narrow once the golem seemingly refuses to follow the orders.

A sigh. Something was telling him that it wouldn't be as simple as just bringing about the golem- and with that sigh, the clouds of heated air escape through his mask, pondering on what had to be done now. This is something that they definitely didn't account for... but they should've expected this, right?

"...Control lost."

He states plainly, in the voice still muffled by the mask; that single sentence should already reveal enough, but most of Nathan's effort with the statement would be to appear as inconspicuous as possible. HE had his reasons for that.

"We'll have to get them the old way."

But this would only offer a wholly different opportunity, would it not? There is much that could happen with this, and when they've come so far, with so many.. it's a little too far to back away.

He had his own plans to accomplish.
And certain someone taught him to never let go of these,
even if they don't always go right.

"Let's do this."

He adjusts the cloak, the mask, the hood... it was time for the fighting.
(Nathan Cruor)

Yin Invidia vs Mortiphasm
Garm Heart vs. Octavia
Nathan Cruor vs. Crow
Moavug vs. Lilith
Juniper vs. Saul
Zarian Guren vs. Jennifer Ivanovich

Recommended cap 1 - ahelp your results

All Other Heroes will be relocated to fight the golem!
[Narrate]

Immediately regrouping.

Considering that the golem went out of control, the young Cruor had no reason to actually stick around- instead, with his lithe frame of a young body, he went on to try and sneak past to the captives on the other side of the mountain. After all, if he cannot use the golem that was bound to him a moment ago to break through...

Then perhaps he'll be able to sneak past.

Yet, these plans are quickly folded when he runs across the Nethradin. It was the same one that he ran into all this time ago. Although he's masked, his appearance thoroughly concealed.. he can't help but glare daggers at that one. Then again, this could be misunderstood for something else.

For hatred of yet another 'hero'.

The truth was very far from this. Nathan needed those people for his own goals... and now, Crow was standing in his way, likely an immovable mountain to him at this point. Would that deter the young Cruor, however?

Of course not.

"I know negotiation with you is pointless. Let's get this over with, I have things to do." His anxiety and nervousness hidden behind this nonchalant attitude. It is the first time he's facing something that equates to a real battlefield, where the clash of the titans is apparent, and they're all youth trying to oppose it.

He could only hope it would not be the last.

The emergence of Starfire is shown. Beautiful blue flicker hidden amidst his flames, the potential of explosives shown in how its appearing; even now, despite the mountain's cold, the heat around Nathan was terribly uncomfortable for a magi this young.

Almost going up to the melting point.

His digits focused on the Nethradin ahead. A deep breath. You can do this... you have to.
(Nathan Cruor)

Crow set his eyes on the masked figure, descending upon the mountain he landed in front of the child with powerful winds, a shadow being casted over him - as he walked forward with a menacing look.

The body was engulfed by the large shadow like figure after a moment and as crow spoke you could audibly here twin voices.


 "Child - this is no place for you, I understand wanting to save your friends but you should have waited longer. And now you will stand defeated where does this bring you... square one?"



He wondered if he should even attack the child - but he knew if he turned his back he would be back stabbed.. Looking over to the side and glaring back at the mountain.


 "Are you the people who are really trapping me up on the mountain- you and your people don't give me freedom- so I am stuck here..


The wind continued to grow as crow grabbed onto his sword. "Well then lets test this strength that has imprisoned me.."
(Crow)

This is far too much.

Too much for someone like him to go through. Thankfully, the anticipation and thinking ahead to go in masked was exactly what saved him - otherwise, he would be not only marked for death around here, but his efforts would go in vain. Where he does his best to throw the flames against the Nethradin..

They're just not enough.

Time and time again, it's almost as if nothing could stop him; that earns a visible frown over Nathan's face, and the quiet panic that comes with a rise of his heartbeat never really went away. It was always there, making its presence apparent.

"Huff.."

This can't be helped. Despite the flames he possessed, despite his best effort.. such thing would have to wait before he's actually more. Right now? It seems nigh impossible to actually overcome this obstacle, and he'd have to retreat. Yet, a plan arises in his mind.

"Come on then... come on."

He waits for Nethradin's engagement. He waits, and does so patiently... if only once he sees Crow coming right at him, the flames are met with Starfire- the compressed air creating an explosion powerful enough to break away his focus, and the contrast of cold and heat creating a smoke cloud. The snow rose up in piles, showering the nearby area in the white.

And he took this chance.

Amidst the smoke cloud created by the contrast of their magics, and the sudden explosion of the snow on the ground, Nathan makes a run for it while Crow is distracted. There are no words spoken in this regard, only a thought for eventual return.

For something better.

Until then? No trace of young Cruor is found. When the dust and smoke settles - he's gone.
(Nathan Cruor)

With his cloak blocking his vision crow would lose trace of what he targeted - hooded and masked boy was gone, he couldn't even trace his steps to follow.


The Fiend would look forward in disappointment as the smoke clears. Bowing his head in silence as the dark winds field the area again. Crow nearly taking flight In the core of the tornado.


"It would seem, that he got away.. how odd that a child could escape me.." Crow would be taking note of a few things during this fight.

The fact that the child could scratch him even a little bit makes him a dangerous growing threat in due time. He was never the one to let his defeat root and grow but he couldn't find nor did he care to find this one.


Masked and hooded there would be almost no use trying to find him- so in the end all loose ends to the man except his cosmic abilities and other magics were gone.

Soon the winds would pick up again and the Fiend named banshee wouldtake off and vanish from the ground to go back to his safe mountain once again.

Analyzing the most he could.
(Crow)

Adar vs moritphasm - Mortiphasm (Mountain, no cap)
garm heart vs octavia - Octavia (Mountain, no cap)
nathan vs crow - Crow (Mountain, no cap)
moavug vs lillith - Moavug (Heroes, no cap)
saul vs juniper - Saul (Mountain, no cap)
jennifer vs Zarian - Zarian (Heroes, no cap)

Mountain 4, Heroes 2

In the ensuing chaos between the Heroes and the rogues of the mountain, the captives were able to struggle their way to their friends. Though their freedom would not come without a price; the storms and blizzards around the mountain have become near impassable for any large force that might march up it due to the illyothan technology left behind.
[Narrate]

What ended as defeat for young Cruor could still be victory for them as a whole.

He needed those people back, did he not? And so, despite the bruises, small cuts and the overall minor injuries sustained in the bout, thankfully, Nathan was still capable of moving quick and following along. Where he did naught but take attention of Nethradin..

It seems that much was enough.

What he notes is regrettably the inevitable explosion of the golem, and the fact that they could obtain its parts. Then again.. they already have Nethradin, undead, vampires and all those things, don't they? What difference would it make, to have yet another pawn?

Not much. Not in his mind.

Besides, that's not where his mind was. So long as his group obtained what he- they wanted, it was worth it. That much could be said about this situation - with Tetl giving the signal, he only re-affirms, the muffled voice speaking behind the mask.

"You heard her, get moving."

And you didn't have to tell Nathan twice. He can begin with what he wanted later on. For now? It's time to make their way out of here.
(Nathan Cruor)