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Ghoul King Part Deux [4/15] Dragon Fang

Jul 21st, 2019
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  1. [19:27] {NARRATION} [Resume] With a flash of red the obelisk flared. The light traveled up the vein and out of of sight as it reached the central chamber. A shudder indicated that the entryway that lead higher into the tower was opened, and with it the air became all the more foul.
  2.  
  3. The burdens of the three sacrifices the Ghoul King forced upon the party were heavy to bear, but they had proven themselves all the same. The question still remained, however, as to who had suffered these tests beforehand? And what sort of fate had they found up ahead?
  4. [19:33] A dreadful sensation coursed through Ethan's body before he could even react to Ashera's confession; her deep insecurities and the truth she couldn't deny was something that hadn't been shared, even towards him who had been trying to help one of her younger ones. He'd have to talk to her about the pain in her heart when they'd be out of there. For now, the magi couldn't help but look in the direction where the line of their accomplishment lead them. It wasn't with his eyes that he was observing, but with all of his senses.
  5.  
  6. A horrible taste in his mouth, a foul smell invading his nose, a thick, warm and humid sensation coating his skin, an endless darkness that dimmed even the light of success they had managed to make shine, and a silence that indicated nothing but doom was overwhelming the room.
  7.  
  8. This was no good.
  9.  
  10. "I.. think the door's open." He said,stating the obvious. As if compelled by curiosity and duty, the young Wayfinder advanced towards the main room - towards the northern door.
  11. (Ethan Hawke)
  12. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13.  
  14. [19:35] Eiphraem's eyes rest solemnly on the blade he recognized.
  15.  
  16. His hand rests idly atop Ohtli's shoulder, a bit too large to be particularly subtle in the moment. His eyes lock on, his expression somewhat difficult to read.
  17.  
  18. He lacked particularly for fear at the moment over concern. He speaks in quiet tones, his voice thrumming in the air.
  19.  
  20. "... That- Mm. Will you be alright?" His tail faintly flicks, eyes half lidded, before his head turns- Gazing over the others almost apologetically.
  21.  
  22. "If it opens the way- I suppose I could try-" His voice is a bit low, brow furrowing as his grip hardens unintentionally on the Quetzal's shoulder- Claws dig in, slightly.
  23. (Eiphraem Kang)
  24. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  25.  
  26. [19:44] The final sacrifice is made, completing the first three trials. It's hard to mistake that distant shuddering for anything but the door opening- though she does briefly consider the unfortunate possibly that it's the far-off rumbling of some other beasty.
  27.  
  28. The Drakan sniffs the air with her nose wrinkled.
  29.  
  30. "A fair guess...We should move on," she mutters.
  31. (Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
  32. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  33.  
  34. [19:44] Noel stops short of the door leading to the final hallway, his eyes fixated on the last of the runic gems as it shifted in hue to match the colors of the others.
  35.  
  36. This was it. They were moving beyond the undead dragon and painful trials and on towards the Ghoul King's inner chambers, yet they didn't know much more than they had when the journey first started.
  37.  
  38. The L-shaped locket and the missing hand we things that he wanted to inquire further about, but.. to who? Only time and further investigation could feed the lot of them the answers that they were looking for.
  39.  
  40. ".. Was there another hero? Someone that braved these trials alone?"
  41.  
  42. Up they went, into the murky and foul tower where nothing but danger waited for them.
  43. (Noel Elisheva)
  44. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  45.  
  46. [19:45] Ohtli Tezcacoatl asks, "There is no saying they were alone...is there?"
  47. [19:45] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "We're a group, but we've only had to make one sacrifice in each room."
  48. [19:46] Eiphraem Kang says, "Perhaps we could recover the pieces- Once we have taken this place apart."
  49. [19:46] Eiphraem Kang says, "... If they died, it could be a worthy magi to consult the spirit of."
  50. [19:46] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "...True."
  51. [19:46] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "...I wouldn't mind having my sword back either."
  52. [19:47] Esso Naam says, "I had the same thought Eiphraem."
  53. [19:52] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Well...there is nothing keeping us from taking the hand that was left behind."
  54. [19:52] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "As macabre as it sounds, I could make a connection from it if that's something you want to pursue."
  55. [19:58] Ashera would wipe her tears. As she slowly began to find new resolve within her honesty. To her, it was good to release her tension as well as her burdens that she have to carry...She would find a new faith within her sacrifice. As it was made to help the others go on safely. She wouldn't like the others having to reveal what they bare close to them. And have they end up losing that in the process...
  56.  
  57. Ashera would slowly grip upon her blade. As she would grip her fist. She would try to realign with her attunement once again, Slowly easing herself with her abilities once more, now the action feeling more fluid and natural than before. When the allies and the lifestream surround her, she serves them with all her heart.
  58.  
  59. The paladin would slowly look forward, as she would see the gateway slowly proceed to open up. She would slowly command the life energy around her to slowly siphon out the foul smell that was dwelling from within the air. The stench of corrupt occultismwas becoming very irritating in her heightened state of mind...
  60.  
  61. Ashera would then take a look at the inside of the ghoul kings dungeon... He had very so planned this to have the people around her killed. The Ghoul king understood that they were coming. And Ashera, would hold him accountable for his depraved actions.
  62.  
  63. "Let us march forward. With our heads and out spirits high. The Ghoul King has attempted many time to end our lives. But very soon. WE will have him accountable for his actions...."
  64.  
  65. Ashera would say continuing to walk and siphon the depravity.
  66. (Ashera Ixis)
  67. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  68.  
  69. [20:00] {NARRATION} The central chamber revealed the northern door had finally opened. The runes that were written across it surface and once glowed a bright green were now a violent red that gave the room an ominous ambience. Eiphraem had detected it upon a closer study of the magic that thrummed through the mechanisms, but now all could tell that it was something terribly twisted.
  70.  
  71. A kind of binding that shouldn't exist in this world. No demon nor simple necromancer could have constructed the inner workings of the Skeleton Tower, but the answer to what DID weave these terrible spells into bone and earth remained a mystery.
  72.  
  73. The party had no choice but to continue onward, given the three doors to each sacrifical chamber were now sealed shut.
  74. [20:01] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "Onward and upward then..."
  75. [20:01] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "There's no other way."
  76. [20:02] Ethan Hawke asks, ".. Stay close to eachother, yeah?"
  77. [20:02] {NARRATION} The final doorway opened up to a large staircase that narrowed and spiraled. Higher and higher it went from one level to the next. Doors along the way were closed and locked tight, and even if significant effort was made in trying to open one, the one trying would find the metal heating up or chilling to a freezing temperature as a way to disparage any further pushing.
  78.  
  79. Whoever was watching the group was guiding them right to where they wanted them to end up.
  80.  
  81. Finally, the stairs stopped, and a long a landing that stretched on into the dimly lit shadows of an atrium, all could make out a single figure; a sandy haired boy lying across the stone floor. White and red robes were covered in blood and were torn in several places.
  82.  
  83. "Welcome, welcome, one and all..." came a voice from the shadows. "You'll have to excuse Leon, he tried to start without you."
  84. [20:06] The wretched scent of death only grew stronger as the spiraling stairs guided the group up to the heavens. The young man brought his right hand up to his mouth, covering his nose in an attempt to quell the horrible feelings that forcing their way into his heart. A chill ran down his spine as they finally reached the top of the stairs.
  85.  
  86. Dimly lit, barely visible— save for for the dead. Just what was going on? How long had this 'Leon' been up here and what happened to him? It seemed to click rapidly for Ethan, the inside of his lower lip bitten in a show of anxiety.
  87.  
  88. The hand.
  89. A pendant with the letter L.
  90.  
  91. .. It couldn't be, could it?
  92. (Ethan Hawke)
  93. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  94.  
  95. [20:06] The prostrate form is passingly familiar to her. It takes moments for it to register- the others likely knew it better, as she'd only seen it once before in the assault on Gehenna's Dreadwoods.
  96.  
  97. What mattered, however, was keeping the boy out of harms way. If he was even still alive.
  98.  
  99. Her mother-hen instincts kick into overdrive. One claw draws her sword, the other makes a pulling motion through the air. A corresponding pull of force tries to tug the fallen Leon closer to their group and towards safety.
  100.  
  101. ...She hopes a little too late it's not trapped. Oops.
  102. (Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
  103. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  104.  
  105. [20:09] Est... struggled with verticality. Her physiology wasn't particularly conducive to rising; her fog preferred to stay close to the ground, and she with it. It was with some difficulty, then, that she climbed the stairs manually - with her own two feet, slowly and arduously. Each step was tentative, as if she wasn't sure if her legs would break down into mist on contact with each stair on the way up. All the while, she used her frozen staff like a cane.
  106.  
  107. "I hope... there are no more stairs," she muttered, perhaps slightly too late to be tonally appropriate. Though Leon's injured or dead body was the only visible thing in the atrium, the near-blind Est took slightly too long to pick up on it. Once she did, though, she supported Ohtli entirely. While she attempted to telekinetically drag Ohtli to safety, Est waved her hand, forming a ring of sharp icicles which hovered around her - pointed into the atrium, prepared to fire off like a chaingun at the first sign of something wrong.
  108. (Est Kang)
  109. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  110.  
  111. [20:12] As they ascended the steps of the tower, the Kitsune himself tries to open door after door to no avail..
  112.  
  113. He knew something was up. They were enchanted- they weren't meant to be opened, only to be passed.. As they continued to move, the Kitsune feels himself on high alert.
  114.  
  115. He had to use his staff as a support now- his back bruised, despite Noel's help, made it somewhat difficult to do his best here. Emiri had already considered that this it was a bad idea for him to press on, but the doors were shut. There was no longer a chance to leave.
  116.  
  117. His eyes fall onto Leon as they finally enter the last room. His heart sinks.
  118.  
  119. "..I see." He speaks, pausing. He stares at the fallen figure with the sandy hair, frowning.. "Leon.. I'm sorry we couldn't come sooner."
  120. (Emiri Taiyang)
  121. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  122.  
  123. [20:12] Admittedly, he does tug- Getting frostburned lightly on his fingers stops him from scrabbling for more than a second, before ascending fully.
  124.  
  125. Warmed water surrounds his hand, and the demon is a bit difficult to scald with heat or frost for very long. His flesh has unworldly tenacity.
  126.  
  127. However, at the sight that the very individual they had likely been callously speaking of as dead still on the floor.
  128.  
  129. Eiphraem's sword is back in his hand in an instant.
  130.  
  131. He had seen the young man before as well throughout the assaults- Lips purse, pupils adjust, and in an instant, he's likely at the other side of those charging forwards. If it was a trap, they might as well ALL run face first into it.
  132.  
  133. His blade held carefully to the side, he flanks to cover- Est might find herself 'yanked' on slightly, as the demon calls the air moisture with him, mists roiling as he tries to establish the area around the fallen young man as in his sphere of influence.
  134.  
  135. Hopefully, it would make him a more appealing target for immediate reprisal than Ohtli.
  136. (Eiphraem Kang)
  137. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  138.  
  139. [20:12] Tears swell in the corners of Noel's eyes at the sight of the youth from the Dreadwoods. The one lad that Noel had actually considered to be more heroic than the forces of Huangzhou and Gehenna combined for the way he bravely launched himself forward to lead the charge that day.
  140.  
  141. The final blow that Noel had gotten was only possible due to Leon's sacrifice.
  142.  
  143. He knew that they had been guided here. That it was likely a giant trap, set up for them to walk into and give the Ghoul King the upperhand. And yet.. he starts to walk forward as if he did not have full control over his body.
  144.  
  145. "We have to help him, Ohtli! Eiphraem, he went through all of that on his own! We have to.."
  146.  
  147. His aura begins to flicker around him, but the closer he got, the more obvious it became.
  148.  
  149. If the hand was too far gone to be healed, and it belonged to Leon, then.. it was already too late.
  150.  
  151. The Elisheva stops in his tracks and loses that prismatic blessing, struggling to not be the one overly-emotional warrior in the group crying over spilled milk.
  152. (Noel Elisheva)
  153. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  154.  
  155. [20:13] Mikhaila hardly recognizes the form in front of them. She had recalled a boy being injured in one of the initial attacks on Gehenna by the undead horde, but was it him? Was it that boy? As those questions raced through her mind, Mikhaila instinctively walked over towards him along with the others.
  156.  
  157. Though seeing as everyone was ready and actually able to help, Mikhaila silently stood on guard.
  158. (Mikhaila Elisheva)
  159. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  160.  
  161. [20:14] Esso sidles behind most of the others, taking each step at a carefully paced measure. He hasn't quite reached the top before the voice starts, but he peeks out from behind those ahead of him just in time to see the corpse ahead of them as the voice speaks of how he tried to start without them.
  162.  
  163. Like Ohtli, he recognizes the boy vaguely from the attack on Gehenna, but his main concern is less on the body and more on the voice echoing out from the shadows. He's hyper-aware of the room before him as well as the stairs behind him, not quite sure what direction the, for now, bodiless voice might decide to manifest himself.
  164. (Esso Naam)
  165. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  166.  
  167. [20:24] Mikhaila Elisheva says, "b"
  168. [20:29] Ashera would see that the final doorway would slowly proceed to open up. The krausite paladin would be more than alarmed by the sound of the ghoul kings voice.. She would slowly proceed to glare at the source ow what the voice was coming from. As she would grip her blade and her fists..
  169.  
  170. Only for her eyes to follow down to the corpse of Leon... her eyes would shudder as his body would just lie there... The Krausite paladin would lower her head as she had grit her teeth... She would see...That the ghoul kind would set him up in his game..He wasn't killed outright due to the wounds....
  171.  
  172. He was tortured....
  173.  
  174. Ashera would slowly speak as she would allow her resolve...To slowly take over to become will... A will that is beyond that of which she wasn't able to attain previously.. The arcane would slowly burst around her.. as she hid her tears in front of her allies...
  175.  
  176. "I won't....Let you...Get away..With THIS!..."
  177.  
  178. H-how dare you. Scrutinize his life like that..You...Will pay for this!....I will....Make you...Suffer for your injustice!"
  179.  
  180. "I will never forgive you for what you have done....All the people you have killed...All the lives you have taken....."
  181.  
  182. Ashera would stare at him. Fully attuned with the lifestream around her. Maintaining a deeper sense of concentration.. She could feel extreme buzzing from the man. And would continue to glare daggers at him.
  183.  
  184. "Heed my words Ghoul King....I am the hope of many....I AM the answer for all those that and cry and scream for solstice.. I am protector of the innocent, living and passed... I am the light that over shadows the darkness..."
  185.  
  186. "I am JUSTICE! And your crimes for your punishment are DUE!"
  187.  
  188. Ashera would yell. Bolstering her will against him. She would not leave without bringing him down. Nod one bit. Ashera would run towards the figure. not bothered by any other things in the world. All her arcane focus. As in defeating this man once and for all.
  189.  
  190.  
  191. (Ashera Ixis)
  192. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  193.  
  194. [20:30] {NARRATION} Ohtli's telekinesis was met with an equal opposition, one that tugged back on Leon's body and forced it upward. The young man was held in the air, his arms held outward so that he was presented to all before him. Leon's left hand was missing, and his hair covered most of his obviously beaten and bloodied face.
  195.  
  196. A groan echoed forth, ensuring all could tell he was alive.
  197.  
  198. "Ah... if only it were that simple." came the malicious voice from the shadows again. "Show them what you are now, Leon." A level of chaos stronger than Ohtli's own arcane forced the drakan's influence back. Leon was dropped to the ground where he caught himself by his only remaining hand.
  199.  
  200. He coughed and shivered before a slow rise to his knees brought him back to eye level. Through dark and hallow eyes and skin torn away from his face, the young man who had once so bravely fought against the Ghoul King stared down those who had come to see the end of the Undead Scourge.
  201.  
  202. "L-leave..." he muttered, as if it was all he could muster. "Go. PLEASE."
  203.  
  204. The temperature in the room grew colder and a number of other undead emerged from the shadows, primed and ready to strike. They came from the corners, from the alcoves, from the darkness that enveloped the space.
  205.  
  206. "Justice?" came the voice, followed by a hollow laugh. "You are weak. Pathetic. You have only condemned yourself to a fate worse than death."
  207.  
  208. "He's part of my army now," said the voice again. "As small as it's become... but with the rest of you joining it... maybe I will fall into the good graces of my Master once again."
  209. [20:35] The sight of a man that seemed to be dead rising up from the ground was... Uncanny. His pleading and the fear in his voice only pushed the idea that there was a definitely lack of control on his part. This was hell, truly. They had no choice but to fight back against this, didn't they? The warmth of his flames couldn't even clashing against the cold of the air in the area. Ethan's teeth came to a grit, his heart pounding like never before as the threat of death seemed truer than ever.
  210.  
  211. His staff was summoned forth, his body surrounded by colorless sparks as he readied himself for a battle in this pitch-black world of theirs. Puppets deserved to be saved.
  212. (Ethan Hawke)
  213. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  214.  
  215. [20:36] And just like that, his fears become reality as what's left of The Ghoul King's small army of undead steps out from the shadows, and just like that, his dagger is drawn, but this time in his right hand considering the gash on his left.
  216.  
  217. The voice hadn't revealed themselves yet, but they have enough to handle now.
  218. (Esso Naam)
  219. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  220.  
  221. [20:42] The sight of Leon being nothing more than a reanimated corpse to carry out the will of the Ghoul King is something that causes a wave of actual anger to roll up his spine. He should have been able to tell! Maybe he was just tricking himself into believing that there was still a chance.
  222.  
  223. Regardless, that aura of his flares out in full force once he comes to terms with what needs to be done.
  224.  
  225. "We aren't leavin'. I wish we could have helped you more when you were alive. But if this is the reality we are faced with.."
  226.  
  227. He pauses for a few moments, conjuring the blade made of ice into his hand.
  228.  
  229. "Then the greatest mercy we can grant you is putting your tormented soul to rest." Waves of holy water start to splash out around him, lubricating the atrium-bound battlefield for what was to come.
  230.  
  231. Which was a lot of pain on both sides and lots of bones rattling, more than likely.
  232.  
  233. The Empath is prepared.
  234. (Noel Elisheva)
  235. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  236.  
  237. [20:43] Emiri could feel his soul quiver in the room- watching as Leon suffered, while they tried to save him in what may have even been his final moments.
  238.  
  239. His grip on Kagayaki tightens, the Kitsune pushing off of it as he stands at his best.
  240.  
  241. "No- No, Leon.. We will free you." He spoke. The Kitsune breathed slowly as he shut his eyes.
  242.  
  243. He needed power. He could feel his own self waning away in this moment.
  244.  
  245. "..You will pay tonight, fell necromancer." He spoke. Emiri's tone shifted immediately. He places his hands together, gathering all of the chakra possible. The glow around him almost seemed to recede.. He was gathering.... his power!!!!!
  246.  
  247. "I will pass judgement, and understanding of your crimes, like no other, Ghoul King."
  248.  
  249. ..And then, all at once, it burst outwards. The waning glow around him was now an intense, radiant light in the darkness. The lightning grew around his body. It certainly helped everyone see the undead as they drew from the shadows. In the short time he could gather his power, he began to weave as many handseals as possible. The final one causes nature to grow in the darkest places, and his magic to intensify.
  250.  
  251. "Mokuton: Shizen no handan!
  252. Raiton: Shinko no manto!"
  253. (Emiri Taiyang)
  254. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  255.  
  256. [20:44] "Weak?"
  257.  
  258. The demon's voice is cold- As the Ghoul King's strings yank Leon backward, binding his soul and body alike in shackles, the serpent's force collates- Every breath in the room drawing a soft cloud in the air.
  259.  
  260. "You underestimate her- And you certainly underestimate the force set before you. You think yourself a puppetmaster- You are no more than a wriggling larva, playing with human ends like a juvenile with toys. How much did Arthur leave you with, I wonder?"
  261.  
  262. "... It's such a sad delusion you have any power now that such a trick is gone- Do you believe should not be fleeing? Do not worry," His voice comes out thick, his fangs down. "It's far too late for that now."
  263.  
  264. "..." A deep breath in-
  265.  
  266. Don't destroy the boy.
  267.  
  268. The serpent's telepathy rings out, even as he saves his breath, charging to carve through the empty, suffering shells as he DARTS forwards, leading the charge. Disable him. He isn't beyond some semblance of saving. He's still conscious. We can give him DIGNITY and CHOICE.
  269. (Eiphraem Kang)
  270. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  271.  
  272. [20:44] The Drakan Elder with the bleeding heart tries and tries and tries to win over the telekinetic battle with the necromancer. To no avail. The boy yet lives and offers a faint spark of hope, even in spite of the pleas otherwise.
  273.  
  274. Then she sees that he's one of the fold now, just as the Ghoul King claims. A young man who'd only wanted to do the right thing twisted and warped to fit the mold of the necromancer's army.
  275.  
  276. Her hope falls flat, then is replaced by a flash of searing hot anger. There are few things that can make her feel such potent fury, but the corruption of something pure and well-intention? Surely that has to be on that list.
  277.  
  278. It's not the weapon she's used to, not the trusty blue mithril sword that Auggie had made for a clumsy young Drakan; the Nyeshk longsword is heavier, more awkward, but it will be no less effective at balancing the scales again, at returning things to the cycle they ought naturally to be a part of.
  279.  
  280. Ohtli bellows and charges, evidently unconcerned with the fact that she may be making herself a target.
  281. (Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
  282. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  283.  
  284. [20:45] Their efforts to save the young man were fruitless much to young Mikhaila's display, for he was already dead- or dying. The words spat at them send a chill down her spine, but alas, she would not run -- she couldn't run, for she was here for a purpose just like the rest of them. As a squad of the damned encircled them, Mikhaila let out a visible breath before brandishing her spear -- the device on her left wrist guard expanded clockwise, section by section until it formed a full on shield.
  285.  
  286. An aura of pure, holy energy erupted around the young woman as well. Her eyes were lit with a certain kind of fury.
  287.  
  288. "I'll try, but I really don't think there's anything to do to save him other than... well..." She looked to the approaching dead.
  289.  
  290. "...plus, they all look similar too."
  291. (Mikhaila Elisheva)
  292. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  293.  
  294. [20:46] And there they were - those same faces, those same enslaved peasant soldiers, yet again. Est let out a short gasp, followed by an audible crack as her grip on her staff intensified and briefly shattered the ice that made up the length of it - before it quickly reformed. The sight of the banjo-toting farmer, in particular, inspired the spectral girl's eyes to narrow. There was some recognition there that was evident in her gaze - though perhaps it was just that she recalled him from the previous enocunter.
  295.  
  296. Or...
  297.  
  298. "I'm glad I came," she said, voice on the verge of growling as her staff nearly cracked yet again as she took a few careful strides forward, slamming her staff into the ground like a cane with each step. The ring of icicles moved with her, vibrating as if they were on the verge of firing off. "These are... still my people. This was always my responsibility." Once again, she didn't care about the voice of the Ghoul King; she was concerned purely with freeing as many of these tortured spirits as she could. Just like in Crafthold, she might as well have been deaf to the mastermind here.
  299.  
  300. Her people. Her burden. It was, after all, a task befitting someone who would have been part of that undead army, had things gone just a little bit differently.
  301.  
  302. Obsidian eyes scanned over the rapidly appearing army, before landing on the farmer again. Her staff rose and she performed a few experimental plucks at pantomimed strings, perhaps in acknowledgement - and her ring of icicles fired off, all at once. No hesitation this time.
  303. (Est Kang)
  304. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  305.  
  306. [20:51] Ashera would slowly look towards the undead leon. She had unfortunately knew that this evil was coming. She had griped her blade. Tearsing still soaring down her eyes at this atrocity.. Things such as this is why she had wanted to continue to fight on.
  307.  
  308. Ashera would point her blade towards leon She would be disgusted at what they had done to him... A boy who had believed in fighting for the good of his people, is what had lead him to be given an unfortunate fate... She would not stand for this injustice.
  309.  
  310. She would speak towards the man. As she would be infuriated at the atrocities that had been occurred here.... She would look towards eiphiraem and would speak to them.
  311.  
  312. "He will be set free, and put to rest... He is no longer with us.. We will give him the rest that he truly deserved..... There is no saving what is left of the krausite. Only to be set free.."
  313.  
  314. Ashera would say, Siphoning out the occult stench from the air without even knowing... The paladin would rush towards the three. Bent on putting them to rest, and burying the bodies of the lost... She is now within her goal. And is concentrated on doing it no matter what...
  315.  
  316. Ashera would do what she had come here for.. Cleanse the depraved actions of the ghoul king. Every. Last. One.
  317. (Ashera Ixis)
  318. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  319.  
  320. [20:52] {NARRATION} Leon struggled against the necromancer's calls with every hero who spoke out against the Ghoul King. He held his held as he tried to restrain himself, tried to fight back, but it was clear his suffering was immense.
  321.  
  322. More undead marched forth, axes and swords at the ready. They outnumbered the party 3 to one and yet... they held.
  323.  
  324. "Arthur..." came the Ghoul King's voice. "You think I speak of Arthur?" another cold cackle. "No... no no, the rotting Lich gave me life but he could NOT bring about all of this." A flare of that terrible red light thrums through the lining of the room, another wave of that horrid power.
  325.  
  326. "My failures in Gehenna... at the walls of Huangzhou... they were setbacks, but I always played my part. I always did what was asked of me!" he shrieked, some poisonous anger dripping into each word. "Die. DIE. DIE AND BE PART OF MY ASCENSION!"
  327.  
  328. Another wave of the arcane sent the first handful of skeletons shambling forth, and it even broke two into pieces. Leon let out another groan, and then began to scream. "You can't win here!!" he cried out, tears now streaking down his undead face, "You don't even knOW--" an ear splitting scream halted all speech from the fighter as occultic lightning cracked out of his wounds. Where an exorcist's storm once existed, Leon was now an envoy of darkness.
  329.  
  330. And as he screamed, blackened energy burned forth and spilled out of his eyes. His halberd was forced into his sole hand, and with the rest of the legion, he charged forth into icy missiles and violence.
  331. [21:02] Esso passes his dagger from his right hand to his left, wincing and pulling the make-shift bandage tighter.
  332. (Esso Naam)
  333. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  334.  
  335. [21:03] Est isn't doing any of this tactics stuff - she's singularly focused on the farmer, still. It's personal, or... something.
  336. (Est Kang)
  337. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  338.  
  339. [21:04] Emiri Taiyang exclaims, "Mokuton: Jinsei no kaju-en!"
  340. [21:12] Emiri Taiyang whispers something.
  341. [21:17] Est Kang whispers something.
  342. [21:18] Punished Dean whispers something.
  343. [21:19] {NARRATION} Esso - 2
  344. Est - 1
  345. Ethan - 1
  346. Mikhaila - 2
  347. Noel - 1
  348. Ohtli - 4
  349. Eiphraem - 2
  350. Emiri - 3
  351. Ashera - 3
  352. [21:19] Mikhaila dabs
  353. (Mikhaila Elisheva)
  354. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  355.  
  356. [21:21] {NARRATION} Eiphraem: 12day temp
  357. Ethan: 1day temp
  358. Emiri: 12day temp
  359. Mikhaila: 12day temp
  360. Est: 12day temp
  361. Ohtli: perm
  362. Ashera: perm
  363. Esso: 1day temp
  364. Noel: 12day temp
  365. [21:29] Mikhaila Elisheva says, "a"
  366. [21:31] Emiri takes a long drag
  367. (Emiri Taiyang)
  368. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  369.  
  370. [21:32] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "plz be gentle"
  371. [21:32] Ohtli Tezcacoatl says, "my old frail bones..."
  372. [21:33] Punished Dean says, "Clickity clack what the fuck are you on about."
  373. [21:36] ** TattlesDM has inflicted an injury upon Ohtli Tezcacoatl. ("Leon's Suffering", "In her fight to save Leon's soul, Ohtli was assaulted by a particular brand of occultic energy magic the undead hero was forced to utilize against her. While most of the injuries were on the outside and marked down in burns and cuts, while caught up in a massive blast before his death, Leon passesd on shattered memories of his time within the Skeleton Tower. Ohtli will suffer these visions in dreams and in moments of weakness for the rest of her life. Within them she will feel the boy's loneliness as he left his locket behind and removed his own hand, until he was finally face to face with the Ghoul King and someone else who was even more corrupt.", "Permanent", "Severity: MODERATE (-20 Vit)") **
  374. [21:40] Mikhaila Elisheva says, "ewwwww"
  375. [21:47] Despite his attempts to keep it together, Esso clashes again and again with the multitude of skeletons. He proves far less effective in this battle compared to the dragon, but this battle saw a far more dangerous opponent leading it; one which they still hadn't seen physically manifest.
  376.  
  377. Esso puts up a good fight, but he ends up tossed aside after a literally rib-crushing constriction by one of his opponents, and he hits the ground, dazed between this injury and his last. The rest of the battle passes in a vague haze before he recognizes their victory over the small army of enemies. Sadly, nobody came out of it without a scrape.
  378. (Esso Naam)
  379. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  380.  
  381. [21:48] After the initial volley of icicles which struck out against the rank-and-file undead soldiers, Est rushed in, Est giving up her slow, cane-aided walk in favor of skating along the ground on blades of ice that formed at her shoes; with no regard for tactics or her own personal safety, she rushed toward Farmer Dean. Est wasn't particularly strong; she couldn't truly contend with the undead banjoist's occult flames, but she was going to try.
  382.  
  383. Each icicle that emerged from the mist melted instantly in the face of such intense fire, and though the ghostly woman's winds scattered what flames they could, she was still outclassed - and she couldn't quite control the smoke from the fire either. It quickly merged with Est's own ever-present aura of mist, strangling and throlling it and seeping into Est herself as well.
  384.  
  385. There were downsides to being a vaporous phantasm, from time to time.
  386.  
  387. "I know you're..." she paused, wheezing for a mmoent, "Not actually in there- but..." Her iceskates melted, and her staff maintained its shape only by virtue of the powerful magic coursing through it. She stumbled forward, maintaining her physical form as best she could, and stopped in front of the undead farmer.
  388.  
  389. "...This... this is all I can do for you," she muttered, pushing aside the flames with her wind one last time, raising her staff, and shoving it straight through Dean. One twist of the icy weapon prompted spikes of ice to shoot out from its center and damage the skeleton beyond repair, putting him down for good. It was the only way to guarantee he wouldn't come back again.
  390.  
  391. "...Thank you- for teaching me how to play," she whispered, pulling out her staff and stumbling away from the impaled skeleton. She fell backward into a seated position near the fallen farmer, pulling up her knees. She only stared at him as the rest of the group took care of the remaining army. Flexing her fingers and forming icy picks on her nails, she took hold of the banjo - and played it, just like he taught her all those years ago. It was a slow tune, a bit tentative like she was rusty and hadn't picked up an instrument in over a decade, and about as sad as a banjo tune could sound.
  392.  
  393. And, once she was finished, she set it down between her and the skeleton, took a deep breath - inhaling more tainted smoke - and fell back the rest of the way, passing out.
  394. (Est Kang)
  395. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  396.  
  397. [21:53] As the group of nine clashed against the three main undead, and their legion of the skeletons, the Kitsune does his best at what he excels in- dispelling the legion!
  398.  
  399. Kagayaki is twirled, before being tossed into the air. Emiri forms ten hand seals in a matter of three seconds, and anyone trying to track his movements would be left dumbfounded as the luminate Kitsune did his work.
  400.  
  401. "Raiton: Saigo no kyusoku."
  402.  
  403. Kagayaki goes into the air, reaching high before bursting into a thunderstorm. A golden cloud illuminates the darkness of the floor as bolts of lightning and holy magic rain down, putting down the lesser of Ryan, Dean, and Leon's army.
  404.  
  405. But even so, it was very clear that Emiri was the weakest among everyone else- being taken to his knees multiple times.
  406.  
  407. All he could hear was a sweet, dreadful song. The Counselor hated it.
  408.  
  409. He slammed his hands over his ears. Emiri shut his eyes.He wasn't strong enough for this. Not at all. The haunting song continued to play, and even at some points, it burned. He searches for his walking stick- his weapon, his staff.
  410.  
  411. "Make it stop.. make it stop.. please."
  412.  
  413. But he cannot find Kagayaki, instead reaching for Dean's banjo as Est places it beside his fallen corpse. Emiri had been beaten and battered so badly that he could barely walk. The instrument is used as support.
  414. (Emiri Taiyang)
  415. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  416.  
  417. [21:53] A hard-fought battle unlike any other. That's what was waiting for the group when that puppeted being rose up from the ground. Flames of occult and cursed waters spread far and wide on the battlefield, peppered by blasts of crimson energy. Despite all of that the group prevailed. Their might was greater than the challenges ahead of them and bit by bit they pushed their opponents back.
  418.  
  419. Skeletons were quelled, undead were eradicated. The whole party was falling left and right, leaving few to endure what was to come. Ethan's gaze narrowed upon the high-energy Leon— determining that if they could defeat him, then the rest would fall easily. His right hand reached out, green mana erupting from his fingertips as a spell was cast on the go - a portal leading from his position to energy-wielding magi.
  420.  
  421. He stepped up before spotting something beneath the green light that lead towards the puppet - something he couldn't quite stop. It was too late to do anything, leaving the Wayfinder with no other option but to seek out the nearest person: His guardian angel.
  422.  
  423. "Noel! Use the portal and take h—"
  424.  
  425. Before he could finish his sentence his mouth was sprayed with a thick, dark liquid, sending him right down towards the ground twisting and heaving, turning around to face the dimly-lit floor in order to puke some of the cursed waters. Heaving and weezing were the only encouragement he could give, hoping that the young white-winged one would manage to finish it all.
  426. (Ethan Hawke)
  427. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  428.  
  429. [21:55] The angel-blooded woman let off bursts of pure energy that ripped through the horde of undead, completely causing some to explode while others were simply reduced into ash due to the amount of holy energies coursing within her shots. Mikhaila kept herself deftly swift with the use of holy-imbued wind magic, weaving through any mindless stragglers while also making sure to keep herself away from any attacks that would prove detrimental to her health.
  430.  
  431. Or she tried to, at least.
  432.  
  433. Again, her combination of energy, holy and wind magic isn't quite enough to keep her protected. While flying across the battlefield, Mikhaila's attention was far too glued to one of the three enforcers -- the young woman could only barely register the attack in the corner of her eye before it was too late. Unable to shield herself in time, Mikhaila is struck full-force by a wave of magic let off from Dean.
  434.  
  435. The wind is knocked out of her as she's sent careening across the area they were forced to fight on. She's dazed and injured, but not completely out of the fight. With slow movements, Mikhaila watches the results of the fight.
  436. (Mikhaila Elisheva)
  437. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  438.  
  439. [21:58] The battle is hectic, a scramble as the undead throng comes washing down on them. Swooping, diving, using the unwieldly Nyeshk blade to hack apart bits of the undead. All the lesser corpses are felled, cleansed, and returned to death. As it should be.
  440.  
  441. As Eiphraem had wanted, the last one to remain was Leon. All that remains is to subdue him once and for all.
  442.  
  443. In the Drakan dives before being swiftly and brutally being driven back in a splendid detonation of occultic magic. It sends her, scorched and lacerated, tumbling tail over tea-kettle through the air and against the cold, earthen floor with a thud.
  444.  
  445. A crumpled heap of feathers and scorched armor, the Elder struggles to rise. Rise she does. Slowly.
  446.  
  447. Nothing is broken, nothing burned too terribly and no great, gaping wounds. But she trembles, shudders, and chokes back deep, pained sobs as a hand comes up to cover her mouth. Wherever her head is, it is not in the fight.
  448. (Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
  449. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  450.  
  451. [21:59] The battle felt like it lasted ages. The group had thrown out everything they had and then some to combat the combined might of the tormented Leon and those that crawled out of the woodworks with him.
  452.  
  453. One by one, the undead entered the fray but it seemed as though they were able to combat them at twice that pace. And somehow, it still wasn't enough.
  454.  
  455. "Remember what Eiphraem said! We can still help Leon-- maybe."
  456.  
  457. Noel practices what he preached, freezing a small group of advancing ghouls to ice and then washing them away with a surge of holy water. The smooth harmony of shadow based flames and umbretarn from two of the stronger undead causes a problem for the lot of them as well, scorching and intoxicating the group as they went on. But with the Ghoul King so close, Noel wasn't willing to give up! And luckily, others felt the same way.
  458.  
  459. The main issue was how hard it was to get in close enough range to Leon to actually deal damage.
  460.  
  461. Noel ducks and dodges the powerful waves of magic being thrown out until Ethan does what he does best and creates an opening for the demi to use.
  462.  
  463. "Right! One Winged Wayfinding special, coming right up!"
  464.  
  465. Noel conjures a spectacular assortment of golden swords around him and then leaps into the green portal, only to arrive on the other side with his arms and wings spread wide. "Leon! I won't give up on you, and that means you shouldn't give up either! Stay down so we can help you!" And then the swords rain down one after the other, all targeting the floating energy magi. But rather than trying to pierce and destroy him like they had the general back in the Dreadwoods, the focus is to pin the man to the ground so that Eiphraem could carry out his plan.
  466.  
  467. The attack comes at a cost, though. A waywardslash of energy catches Noel in his fall, causing a large gash to be opened up from his cheek to his eyebrow. Blood flows freely as he falls to the ground with a thud, aiming to see if their teamwork had worked out.
  468.  
  469. Also, he suddenly realizes that Leon is Noel backwards.
  470. (Noel Elisheva)
  471. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  472.  
  473. [22:01] Eiphraem moves.
  474.  
  475. His fighting style is as ingracious in pitched battles such as these as ever- He hides himself amidst a smokescreen of pearlescent fog, darting to and fro to strike violent, thrashing swings, a hand a half weapon meant to be held in two hands by a man, being held in one by the demon.
  476.  
  477. It isn't so much force he prioritize- He relies on the antimagic properties of the weapon to sever and disrupt, going in when he sees launched blasts of black magic threshing out, taking arcing, carving swings with his blade to try to peel them away from targets like the kitsune, or Ashera- Striking in tandem to assist.
  478.  
  479. He IS used to functioning in a unit.
  480.  
  481. One time, however, a pass is caught already sliding along, he can't turn in time as Leon finally predicts the force of the serpent, and his jacketing is punched through by the raw, sizzling force of occultism striking him.
  482.  
  483. He SHRIEKS as the blackened energy catches himdown and across his shoulder- And he rolls, hacking in violent arcs with his darkened weapon, momentum from his absurd speed carrying him still forwards-
  484.  
  485. But he tumbles, on the sleek trail he leaves, rolling into a heap.
  486.  
  487. But a streak of vibrant fuschia is left along the ground, as the serpent struggles to get himself back up, his tail lashing and smashing into the stone of the tower as he's caught up in the pain, his vision going blurry.
  488.  
  489. Stunned, at least momentarily, from his flesh being corroded, it leaves him dangerously vulnerable...
  490.  
  491. Before Ethan's portal gives Noel the opening.
  492.  
  493. It'd bring it all to a crash.
  494.  
  495. He'd have the time to try to right himself-
  496.  
  497. But what would unfold, in that final crash of heavenly blades, impaling and pinning?
  498. (Eiphraem Kang)
  499. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  500.  
  501. [22:02] Ashera would continue her will to fight. As she had continued to fight on. She would face off against her enemies. Slowly facing towards Dean first. She would dash towards him, as she had learned to continue on fighting against the adversity before her.
  502.  
  503. The woman would fight with all her will. Using her blade to once more pierce the enemies flesh. She would then see that Leon and the other enemy was being slowly handled.. Though this was a grave mistake on her part.
  504.  
  505. Ashera would slowly be met with a cacophonic blast that would leave scarring tissue upon her arm.. The blast would leave Remains of pure depraved occult all over her body. As her harmony was being muffled with the cacophony blast... Forcing her Harmonic attunement to dodge those spots... Even with her heavily injured self.. She would get up. And would rise into the air. Making a wall of earth to wall run on...
  506.  
  507. The knight would then reach the pinnacle of her height. As she would be heavily injured. Often in worse shape than the people around her.
  508. Though she would dash towards the ground Hitting dean with one feil swoop. The buzzing sound coming from the man and would finish the attack in one final blow.
  509.  
  510. The woman's sword would be glowing a brilliant light. As she would dive towards the undead. And would slice the undead in half... This was her special ability. She would Scream:
  511.  
  512. Beware the ides of March!
  513. (Ashera Ixis)
  514. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  515.  
  516. [22:04] {NARRATION} The undead fell, the last of the Ghoul King's personal force. Dean, once a farmer, was finally put to rest, his banjo given to a new owner. Leon, a hero seeking justice for his fallen family, was left unconcious upon the ground, his halberd left alone beside him. In his final moments awake, as his mind was consumed with occultism, he had a pause of clarity as he soul left his cursed body.
  517.  
  518. Familiar faces who had fought alongside him each time the Undead Legion attacked had come to fight, and as they defeated the dozens that were sent their way, Leon felt some faith rise in his chest. He smiled, but given the circumstances, it was unrecognizable and far more reminiscent of a grimace. "Thank... you..." was all he managed to get out before he was launched back into a wall and knocked unconcious.
  519.  
  520. The party was ragged, tired, and injured, but their enemies were piled up in a circle at their feet. The red glow flashed again, angry this time, and from the ceiling a figure descended, one dressed in blackened armor that was adorned with terrible green accents.
  521.  
  522. "This is it then, isn't it?" the Ghoul King said, the defeat already in his voice. A long staff that ended in a silver bell rested in one of his hands, and through his blackened skeleton teeth came a long, hiss like sigh.
  523.  
  524. "It doesn't really matter... you'll all be wasted away soon, whether I am there to watch or not. I left my mark upon Agartha." His red eyes drifted off toward the wall. "And defeating even me is FAR from the end..."
  525. [22:05] Beware the ides of March!
  526. (Ashera Ixis)
  527. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  528.  
  529. [22:05] Est is unconscious and in no condition to beware anything, let alone something last month.
  530. (Est Kang)
  531. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  532.  
  533. [22:05] Ethan Hawke whispers something.
  534. [22:05] Ethan Hawke whispers something.
  535. [22:07] Hewarv ehn ldysbol aadce!
  536. (Ashera Ixis)
  537. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  538.  
  539. [22:07] Eiphraem Kang whispers something.
  540. [22:07] Emiri Taiyang says, "ashera, please don't speak urayan. we're busy"
  541. [22:08] "Mokuton: Beware the ides of March!"
  542. (Emiri Taiyang)
  543. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  544.  
  545. [22:09] Sacred Sword: Avalonian Heavenly halberd!
  546. (Ashera Ixis)
  547. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  548.  
  549. [22:09] Est slowly awakens, rising to a stand and once again using her short staff as a cane with which to support herself. Given Dezmerak is the immediate threat right now, she has yet to notice that Emiri stole her banjo.
  550. (Est Kang)
  551. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  552.  
  553. [22:10] Ethan offered a small pat towards Eiphraem's back, using his cold, oddly-textured body to rise up from the ground. A small smile is offered to the archon. A weak smile. This...
  554.  
  555. Wasn't good.
  556. (Ethan Hawke)
  557. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  558.  
  559. [22:15] Noel slowly rises back to his feet, one eye shut tightly due to the large gash running up it. His vision was certainly not where it should be, but they had to keep going. Stopping now with such an awesome enemy before them would be the end of everything! Probably.
  560.  
  561. "We'll see about that, King of Ghouls."
  562. (Noel Elisheva)
  563. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  564.  
  565. [22:16] Esso climbs to his feet as if the fight's over, but he'd forgotten the most important thing; the voice manifests itself before them in all his intimidating glory. Esso's trembling, but he raises his dagger regardless.
  566.  
  567. In order for this to end, they HAD to deal with this one. Then, and only then would they have a chance to breathe.
  568. (Esso Naam)
  569. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  570.  
  571. [22:22] He drags himself back up, wobbling.
  572.  
  573. The wound wouldn't CLOSE, but it clots together even as the dark magic seeks to rend and re-open; Occultism was the magic of fallow fields, of the inhibition of regrowth, of final ends and destruction.
  574.  
  575. Even if Eiphraem lacked the resistance and natural attunement to stand amidst the carnage unchecked, the long lived beast wasn't apt to stay down- He grasps onto Ethan, hefting him up and half bracing in turn.
  576.  
  577. A soft utterance, shaking head head- With an almost undignified, positive reply from the demon. His eyes narrow- And he smells the blood in the air that isn't his own...
  578.  
  579. "... You can surrender, you know." His voice barely echoes above a whisper.
  580.  
  581. "It doesn't have to hurt. None of this was necessary. It never was. It never needed to be. I wonder- Is that why you did all this? Revenge, that would go down in the history books in a way you never had while alive? Promised a legacy?"
  582.  
  583. "To fight the enemies from life, with a passion and direction Arthur failed to give? Do not worry, I think- I understand your patron."
  584.  
  585. Softly, he quietly places a bottle into Ethan's hands, covertly- A skilled person might see he's trying to buy a good ten, fifteen seconds, as he slides over in front of Emiri- Blade drawn, keeping his right hand holding it visible, while his left moves...
  586. (Eiphraem Kang)
  587. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  588.  
  589. [22:26] Ashera would see the face of the ghoul king before her... Even the buzzing and stench would supersede her own injuries.. She would take out her blade. Using her Arcane connenction to attempt to soothe the occultic wounds upon her body. Allow her Harmonic connection to run freely...
  590.  
  591. Her deep meditative attunement and her commitment to taking out the ghoul king before her. She has never witnessed something so depraved and evil in her whole life... She would feel her anger in the beings injustice....
  592.  
  593. She had worked her whole life into defeating the depraved actions of the Ghoul king... She has worked her absolute hardest to defeat the kings armies... And would strive towards serving and protecting others from the corruption for her...
  594.  
  595. She has been tested on her resolve tried and true.. And would continue to march forward... Even in the state that would pain her the most... She would continue on to fight and put an end to the depravity.
  596.  
  597. "Ghoul King! Your tyranny, your suffering... It will end HERE! Agartha will be able to rest once again! And you will be punished for your CRIMES!"
  598.  
  599. Ashera would point her blade, charging towards him. This toll on the lifestream would be released, and the people will rest easy at once.
  600.  
  601. (Ashera Ixis)
  602. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  603.  
  604. [22:27] Ethan grasps the bottle in his hand tightly, a small nod being given to the archon in the process. He'd wait for the right moment to use this one - letting an enemy see your intent and what you're capable of was the best for a disaster to happen. The concoction in his grasp reminded him of years back - twelve to be precise. Back then everything was much scarier. He had fought Nethradin to save his own life and Shizuko provided him with the very same brew.
  605.  
  606. The kind that could mend any wound.
  607. (Ethan Hawke)
  608. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  609.  
  610. [22:28] He continues to use the banjo while he searches around, even wholly ignoring the Ghoul King as he speaks. Emiri does not know what to do.
  611.  
  612. He's weak. He can't find Kagayaki.. As they prepare for what's hopefully their final battle, however, the Kitsune finds..
  613.  
  614. .. potion!
  615.  
  616. .. and Kagayaki on the ground! Directly at the feet. The fool. As he consumes the potion, he can feel his bruised back fixing itself- the song of the banjo coming to a rest.
  617.  
  618. "..thank you, Eiphraem." He spoke.
  619. (Emiri Taiyang)
  620. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  621.  
  622. [22:28] Est is also weak. She can't find the banjo, either, as she prepares for what's hopefully their final battle.
  623. (Est Kang)
  624. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  625.  
  626. [22:29] {NARRATION} The skeleton's eyes somehow narrowed at the archon. "Don't pretend to understand me, snake. I was NOTHING alongside Arthur, nothing but a thrall. I found someone else, someone better, who gave me EVERYTHING I asked for."
  627.  
  628. The final undead shuddered and shook its head. "No. Surrender isn't an option. Surrender would mean true pain, true obliteration." The Ghoul King clinked his staff against the stone floor and a chilling, occultic wind spiraled forth. Water and grime ascended off of the fallen soldiers and coiled around the belled weapon.
  629.  
  630. "I was promised more power than you could ever understand. And even if I died here, I contributed to Agartha's end."
  631. [22:36] Est Kang says, "Oh. You. You stole my banjo."
  632. [22:41] {NARRATION} Emiri - 1
  633. Mik - 1
  634. Ohtli - 2
  635. Esso - 2
  636. Ethan - 2
  637. Noel - 1
  638. Est - 1
  639. Eiphraem - 1
  640. Ashera - 1
  641. [22:47] {NARRATION} Ohtli - 4day temp
  642. Mikhaila - 12day temp
  643. Emiri - 1day temp
  644. Esso - 4day temp
  645. Ethan - perm
  646. Est - 12day temp
  647. Eiphraem - 12day temp
  648. Noel - 1day temp
  649. Ashera - 4day temp
  650. [22:49] Ohtli Tezcacoatl whispers: (im gunna fukken kill u
  651. [22:49] Ohtli Tezcacoatl whispers: (with love
  652. [22:49] Est was far too concerned with the banjo - cruelly stolen by Emiri while she was unconscious - to truly give it her all. The injury gained while putting down Dean, too, only made it more difficult to move. The fog was heavy now, and without that feeling of weightlessness she was all too sluggish.
  653.  
  654. All she could really do was play support - and so play support she did, limping around the edge of the room and launching spikes of ice from the mist that gathered around her, trying her best to contribute without drawing unwarranted attention. But, still, invariably - she went down in one of the most embarrassing ways impossible.
  655.  
  656. Walking straight into Dezmerak's lingering gravity field. It pulled her forward and she hit the ground hard, her icy staff shattering down to its base components of an orichalcum core and bits of mythril conduit as it hit the ground. Est's pitch-black eyes looked at the shattered weapon for a moment, then back to the rest of her group still fighting, and...
  657.  
  658. ...opted to stay where she was. Est had fallen, and she couldn't get up.
  659. (Est Kang)
  660. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  661.  
  662. [22:51] As the group battled against Dezmerak, Emiri begins to form handseals as fast as any other magi here can use their magic. His illumination does not wane- and the lightning magic he possesses arcs across the room.
  663.  
  664. He does not accept defeat. Not anymore. He wouldn't squander on the gifts given to him.
  665.  
  666. "Just as I told the last undead who tried to kill me," Emiri started, forming dozens of handseals within seconds- gathering his chakra for a final blow..
  667.  
  668. "My glow is my radiance. Proof that Jiuweihu won't let me fall." He spoke. The ox, the tiger, the ram.. All types of seals are formed by the Kitsune as a golden cloud grows through the room- it brewed with thunder, though it was closer to a dim sun.
  669.  
  670. "As long as I have faith, I cannot fall. I live and breathe for her."
  671.  
  672. It was like sunlight began to peak through the clouds, even as they stood in a dark tower.
  673.  
  674. "..And now, I banish you. I invoke.."
  675.  
  676. He watches as a fell blast of dark magic makes its way towards Esso, behind everyone - but certainly fatal. Even as the artificial sunlight peaked through, and the glow around him intensified, and it was like the light began to gather from one point.
  677.  
  678. "..Shunshin!"
  679.  
  680. Instead of going for the kill - the finishing blow, he disappears in a flash of light. Emiri and his illuminated aura disappeared from the room, only to reappear before Esso and take whatever blow may have spelled his end.
  681. (Emiri Taiyang)
  682. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  683.  
  684. [22:52] This was it, wasn't it? The final battle - the one against the Ghoul King that had terrorized all of a Agartha for far too long. A foul being that wretched of death itself. Between the exchange of spells and the powerful blasts of arcane energy blowing away spell and caster alike the fight only grew more violent. Ethan's wounds had thankfully been healed by Eiphraem's gift, though, leaving him apt to fight at his near-fullest.
  685.  
  686. As the battle raged on the young man used every opening he found to strike back, taking heaps of damage from the chaotic forces crashing against him and rising back up again. This was a tough one. He couldn't afford to mess around—
  687.  
  688. And that's about when it came. The opening he was looking for, the moment that could end the fight once and for all. He took a deep breath, hoping for the best before his left hand reached out forward, casting forth a portal that brought him right behind Dezmerak in the midst of one of his casts. That very same hand reached out for the Ghoul King, taking an undying grasp on his cloak and letting his magic do the trick.
  689.  
  690. The being would not only feel a single Ethan holding onto him but multiple - no matter how much his vile aura rotted and destroyed the Wayfinder's arm it wouldn't falter - the grasp remained as the illusion persisted through thick and thin, giving anyone the opportunity to finish it off.
  691.  
  692. .. This would most definitely damage the young man's left arm. Death magic was not to be trifled with.
  693. (Ethan Hawke)
  694. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  695.  
  696. [22:53] After mustering himself for the final battle, the bloodied human glares down at the ghoul king, the one from which all the problems of this place stems. Everything he has to say adds up with what Elisheva had to say, and after a brief glance at Eiphraem, he dashes forward, weaving in and out of combat to deliver chinks to the Ghoul King's body. Even bones would come apart with enough stabbing.
  697.  
  698. Unfortunately, his speed doesn't keep him from being bowled over, and as the stray blast that would be his end arcs towards him, he can do nothing more than tighten up in an attempt to block the blow..
  699.  
  700. ..but the blow never hits. He heard it connect, but he doesn't feel it. He hesitantly opens his eyes, looking in front of him at the councilor who'd saved his life.
  701. (Esso Naam)
  702. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  703.  
  704. [22:56] The bout was every bit as intense and impossible as one would expect a duel to the death against the Lich King to be.
  705.  
  706. Rather than fighting necromancy or depraved arts, it felt like they were fighting death itself - and it was proving to be a battle that they could not wiggle their way out of without catching at least a taste of it.
  707.  
  708. Noel fights at a distance this time, doing what he can to maintain focus with blood flowing over one of his eyes. His offensive talents are lacking, but his healing and defenses are more in tune than ever.
  709.  
  710. "Every hit feels like it is rattling my soul or somethin'. We need to finish this, Etha--"
  711.  
  712. Ethan was already in motion, and so was Noel. The holy water magi glides before Est and Eiphraem, casting a large bubble-barrier as he does so. He was in no condition to deal any finishing blows in his current condition.
  713.  
  714. But hopefully, he could keep the center of his brother's world safe.
  715. (Noel Elisheva)
  716. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  717.  
  718. [22:57] Noel also breaks his leg on the way over.
  719. (Noel Elisheva)
  720. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  721.  
  722. [22:57] Est drags herself over to Noel, slowly.
  723. (Est Kang)
  724. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  725.  
  726. [22:57] Est Kang whispers something.
  727. [22:57] Est Kang whispers something.
  728. [22:57] Noel Elisheva whispers something.
  729. [23:00] Est Kang whispers something.
  730. [23:00] Est Kang whispers something.
  731. [23:00] ** Ghoul King Dezmerak has inflicted an injury upon Ohtli Tezcacoatl. ("A Dozen Cuts", "Ohtli was left with dozens of cuts across her body by the Ghoul King's mastery over occultic winds. The air sliced clean through her armor and clothing and left its many marks. Her blood spoke volumes of how little things can add up quick, and while each one will leave a light scar, they will all heal over time.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
  732. [23:00] Noel Elisheva whispers something.
  733. [23:00] Est Kang whispers something.
  734. [23:00] Noel Elisheva whispers something.
  735. [23:01] Est Kang whispers something.
  736. [23:04] Emiri Taiyang exclaims, "Agh! I need a medical-nin!"
  737. [23:04] Mikhaila Elisheva says, "scre"
  738. [23:06] Ashera Would grip her blade. Fighting against the ghoul king herself. She would match from blow to blow. Consistently getting hitting against the enemy. She would continue to slice through the depraved ghoul king with her blade.
  739.  
  740. Ashera would continue fighting on with her injuries.. She would have never failed to keep on going to fight for good. And she would take every measure to make sure of that... She would continue to carry on Timing her strikes against his scythe.
  741.  
  742. Ashera would have her resolve in check. She wasn't just fighting for one person... She was fighting for all the people that had died due to him. From every country, mercilessly slaughtered... For All of the animals that had died because of the Kings selfish plans to destroy Agartha...
  743.  
  744. The krausite paladin was given an opening. As she would give it everything that she has this time around, as her stamina was slowly leaving her body.. And so was her attunement towards the Arcane wearing off soon. She would walk as she had spoken, picking up speed slowly after her final words towards the ghoul king. As his plague was slowly damaging her.
  745.  
  746. "Ghoul king...This is for all of the animals that have been slaughtered by your tyranny..This is for all the innocent lives that you have willingly taken without a single thought.. For Leon... And the lifestream…"
  747.  
  748. Ashera would dash towards him, going for one final lethal blow She would yell:
  749.  
  750. "BE JUDGED IN THE NAME OF THE JUSTICE!"
  751.  
  752. Ashera would utter, Stabbing the Ghoul king within her torso... The arcane magic spilling over would begin to damage the depravity around him, slowly causing the king to collapse.. As his death magic would slowly be removed.. The lifestream would feel a great draining presence be removed from it as the Ghoul king would die.
  753.  
  754. Ashera would slowly lean on her blade collapsing As well... It had taken everything to take him out. As she would slowly move out of her attunement.... Huffing heavily as her injuries would impact her...
  755.  
  756. "We did it... In the name of justice...For Agatha... We have saved and avenged the lives of out brethren… Thank you all for this...."
  757.  
  758.  
  759.  
  760. (Ashera Ixis)
  761. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  762.  
  763. [23:06] One final fight, and the addition of the blessed mask makes the affliction left in the prior battle's wake at least...tolerable. Her mind still wanders when it oughtn't, unfocused and catching glimpses of memories that were not her own. Visions of torture, pangs of loneliness and despondency while being left to rot in the dark.
  764.  
  765. Between that and her occasional twitching fits, she probably shouldn't be flying. But fly she does, zipping hither and yon as her battered body allows.
  766.  
  767. The gales of occultic winds that roll off of the Ghoul King are her undoing and, with a shrill, nigh-reptilian shriek all of her body is lacerated by the razor sharp winds. Even the proud sun-motif breastplate she wears is rent in places, in addition to her coat and leg plates.
  768.  
  769. The mask atop her head is knocked free, making it all the worse, but she still fights on. Ragged, beaten, bruised, bloodied, and rattled. There's no other option.
  770. (Ohtli Tezcacoatl)
  771. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  772.  
  773. [23:10] Emiri Taiyang says, "for agatha..."
  774. [23:10] {NARRATION} The fight was fierce and it was long. The Ghoul King was not an enemy to be underestimated, and while the Skeleton Tower left its mark on each and every member of the group, the Ghoul King pushed them to their limit. With the powers of a dark winter and the chaotic mastery only the truly vile could wiled, the Ghoul King roared.
  775.  
  776. "You don't understand." he spat as a blast of winds and sharpened hail cast Noel and Emiri through a stone pillar.
  777.  
  778. "None of you understand!" He froze one of Eiphraem's arms in solid ice.
  779.  
  780. "You'll all die! If I don't kill you, my Master will!"
  781.  
  782. The room shook and broke around them amidst the battle. The floor was blasted through and cratered several times, until finally Ethan seized the Ghoul King and thrummed his own illusion magic into the vile leader's mind. The undead screamed and fell to his knees, and his Death Magic very clearly killed Ethan's living limb. But he was forced to nothingness, forced to the ground where he shook and trembled into his true death.
  783.  
  784. Before a final, undead breath could be taken, a beam of crimson light fired downward from the ceiling and pierced Dezmerak's chest. It spread and burned the Ghoul King into nothing but ash, and before the source could truly be detected, the ceiling broke. Something had punched through it, leaving a flurry of black feathers that fell to the ground around the crippled group.
  785.  
  786. All was still and quiet, and the Undead Legion was finally defeated.
  787. [23:12] Est Kang asks, "Who... who stole Ashera's kill?"
  788. [23:12] Est Kang says, "Rude."
  789. [23:12] Ashera Ixis says, "Nope."
  790. [23:12] Noel Elisheva says, "...."
  791. [23:13] Ashera Ixis says, "I Just stopped him from having a brain aneuriys."
  792. [23:14] {NARRATION} A spire shard was left within the Ghoul King's ashes, likely corrupted as it was binding his life together. His staff was left behind as well, and the arcanium that made up the veins that provided a conduit for the dark magic of the Skeleton Tower could be picked up and taken home.
  793. [23:14] Ethan stepped back and away from the Ghoul King after he vanished in a flurry of black feather.
  794.  
  795. .. That is if he could. In reality the young man was far past his limit. How had he managed to keep himself up was nothing short of a miracle. The rotted arm that held onto Dezmerak couldn't stop the Wayfinder's body from hitting the ground, his body falling face-first towards it.
  796.  
  797. And into a pile of rocks. Ouch.
  798. (Ethan Hawke)
  799. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  800.  
  801. [23:14] Est struggles to reach out, hand hovering over the remains of her staff. Slowly but surely, ice forms over the orichalcum orb and bits of mythril that make up its 'skeleton'. It's imperfect, but good enough to use as a cane as she pulls herself to her feet.
  802. (Est Kang)
  803. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  804.  
  805. [23:15] TattlesDM says, "..."
  806. [23:15] Est Kang says, "how fucking greedy do you have to be"
  807. [23:15] {Item} You picked up Arcanium. Dropped by Esso Naam. .
  808. [23:15] {Item} You picked up Arcanium. Dropped by Esso Naam. .
  809. [23:15] Noel moves to collect a few of the blackened feathers as they fall around the group, still trying to grimace through the pain of only being able to see through one eye.
  810.  
  811. A certain name leaps from his mouth after he studies them for a while.
  812.  
  813. "Isaac."
  814.  
  815. But that didn't make sense. Isaac's limits were far below what the Ghoul King was capable of. He looks to the shattered ceiling above and frowns.
  816.  
  817. ".. The Fallen Angel."
  818. (Noel Elisheva)
  819. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  820.  
  821. [23:16] {Item} You picked up Spire Shard..
  822. [23:20] They won.
  823.  
  824. They really won. Mikhaila was left on the ground in the aftermath, but even then she could manage a little smile. Even if she was a little better off than her comrade, the angel-blooded girl was left a pale, shivering mess.
  825.  
  826. She managed to croak out some words.
  827.  
  828. "...w-we did it, we really did it." Some of the dark energy pulsing within her made her shudder rather violently. "Great job... everyone."
  829. (Mikhaila Elisheva)
  830. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  831.  
  832. [23:20] Last time, on Emiri's posts..
  833.  
  834. ----
  835.  
  836. "..And now, I banish you. I invoke.."
  837.  
  838. He watches as a fell blast of dark magic makes its way towards Esso, behind everyone - but certainly fatal. Even as the artificial sunlight peaked through, and the glow around him intensified, and it was like the light began to gather from one point.
  839.  
  840. "..Shunshin!"
  841.  
  842. !!!!!!!
  843.  
  844. Emiri himself had to move so fast to dodge Esso that he couldn't even defend himself.
  845.  
  846. The Counselor barely had time to react as a fell icicle stabs, bursting through his robes, slicing like butter.. and into his gut.
  847.  
  848. "..gah.. I need a medical-nin."
  849. (Emiri Taiyang)
  850. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  851.  
  852. [23:21] {NARRATION} emiri needs a medical nin
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