Dev logs #1

[18:14] {NARRATION} The day had come.

The Ghoul King's Undead Legion had one more place to strike against before it had moved across the entirety of the continent.

In the distance from the norther forests of Huangzhou, one could easily see the shadows and smoke that moved with the thousand corpse army, but this time a great, reverberating roar could be heard echoing alongside it. Gehenna and Crafthold had faced off against splinter groups of what the Ghoul King had to offer, but in terms of Huangzhou, it seemed he was sending in a signature force.

Guards rushed in to warn the townsfolk and rally a defense. They spoke of a winged beast that had been seen culling all life near Maplegrove, something that they didn't have time enough to identify given the haste of their retreat.
[18:15] Ume bows his head but peers over at Perseus, he'd give a smile... to the man, the plum man might seem familiar.
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:15] {NARRATION} (This is a CoI event with injuries/rewards at the end! Join at your own risk. Last call for the Event Guild, all downs will count.)
[18:18] Following the scout's reports Ethan quickly gathered Crafthold's forces with himself. A green light overtook the lot of them as glyphs were being brought from thin air to the circles down below. A portal twists into existence moments before the Wayfinder and those that came with him were all converted from their physical selves to a state of raw mana - pure energy.

Quite the arrival on the battlefield, timed with the omnious sights.
(Ethan Hawke)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:18] At the call of an attack she popped the cork from a potion drinking it as she started running after a few moments her feet leaving the ground. Flying as fast as she was able through the streets the ever growing crowd of defenders moving also.

As she clears the gate shield and mace find themselves in their proper places as she explodes in a vibrant blue aura energy humming in the air around her..

She could see the smoke in the distance... flying winged creature...? Guess it's good plenty of us can fly or float....
(Anise Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:18] And here they were again.

The drakanite drew her staff, stabbing the end of it into the ground. She was much stronger, much more resilient than she had been the last time this unholy horde had dared step on their turf so many years ago. The entirety of Huangzhou had arrived in force, and it seemed everyone was prepared to fend off the oncoming undead.

Dhyne sighed softly, letting out a brief breath of frost as she kept an eye on the treeline. Any moment now, the thunderous steps of the opposing army would appear. "Fight well, dear. And try not to die~." she spoke to the amazon at her side, smirking slightly.
(Dhyne Railen)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:18] How had the Fairy managed to repeatedly find herself in these odd situations? Turns out, Perseus and in particular Eiphraem were a dangerous duo to stalk! However Nyphadora had grown far too curious to leave now; mana surged within her, though no occult power was channeled. She was in the land of Huangzhou after all.

Hovering near Perseus, she would do her best to simply remain near the Undead and the Demon; it was the only way for her healing magic to be effective after all! And that was all she could truly do, at least when so much of her magic was barred from use!
(Nyphadora)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:19] A young man with a halberd on his back took his place in the frontline. Some scars from the last attack could be seen on the exposed skin along his neck and arms, though he stood as tall as ever in the face of what was coming. He'd vowed to see this all through to the end, and so here he was.

Some other familiar faces stuck out to him; fighters who had been in both Gehenna and Crafthold. It brought a silent pride in him to see allies working together to stop the greater threat, one that was murdering thousands and thousands across the countryside.

Some holy light manifested along his arms and glowed around his body as he prepared to march out to meet their enemy instead of wait for it to hit the walls of Huangzhou itself.
(Leon)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:19] While Jhin wasn't nearly as geared up as his counter-part, the duo of would-be child warriors aligned themselves with the rest of the group. It became abundantly apparent that they were the youngest among grown men and women, and the young Wvelven becomes acutely aware of the fact. His right hand rises to lightly clasp along the hilt of his blade, which causes an ignition of mana to rise from the metallic blade. He allows his body to ascend from the ground, additionally cloaking himself in a wreathe of righteous flames. With the sword being a bit on the heavier side for the youth, he had to utilize it with both hands, which shakily hold the weapon.

He looks onward as he appears severely uncomfortable, a bead of sweat forming along his brow. This was his first serious battle, let alone a full-on war against a massive swarm of undead warriors and the ilk. Rumors had indicated that something massive had been seen within the skies, and it took a massive amount of concentration to steel his resolve. "Kraus is watching over us, Kirsi..Let's watch each other's back, and do our best!" He yells over the rampant noise that was now the marching of the undead legion.

He was afraid, honestly. A lot of things could go poorly, and he was acutely aware that he was not the strongest among these brave men and women. If anything, he was the least experienced, and this realization had already entered his mind. Even so, this was a place to defend, and his resolve to defend humanity against such atrocities such as this was in his duties! He wasn't the most religious, nor a martyr by any means..

But he wouldn't allow these dark forces to run rampant in what was essentially his home.
(Jhin Wvelven)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:20] Cheska had been waiting for this inevitability. This army had attacked her home once before and they had been rampaging across the land in the interim; she fought them off where she could, when she could - but they had, as she had known, come back. And, for better or worse, this was still her home. Where family and friends lived - and she was here again to protect them. Not for faith, not for glory; but to protect what mattered to her.

With the smoke and smog of the approaching army on the horizon, shimmering golden flames crawled across her right arm, protecting wind swirled over flesh and limb to protect her from her own power. No longer the brilliant white holy flame of the past but a more subdued, molten red-gold that burned with her own strength; no longer relying on the holy might of the divine. Faith didn't help people who didn't grow strong on their own.
(Cheska Railen)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:20] The legion of undead; folly of some men that desired an army of the undead, a nigh infinite army. As such, from rot and corruption the world ends up harm, the revived's minds twisted.

Other times a chimera type beast.

The self-proclaimed ghoul king harmed many. There wasn't a reason for it, just chaos.

Such actions shook Ren's core. For a hint of fear, a hint of sorrow, and a hint of anger. His hands held his blade as his side tightly; his heart beat fast and agitated.

But he wouldn't run, what a shame. He made a promise, and would carry it out. Sought the strength to carry it out. So he stood his ground with others, yet still cautious was the smith.
(Ren Shi)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:20] Nakiri took a deep breath. Another day, another horde of Undead it seemed. She waits alongside all of those gathered, though the origins of many people here were questionable and why they were even helping Huangzhou. But she keeps that to herself.

"At last."
(Nakiri Reiha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:20] And here it was. Huangzhou had beaten back one assault, with losses. It was finally the time for another such attack.

Tenevan stood amongs the rest at the city's northern walls, spear in hand. The Siren kept himself close to the front, but ultimately, had little to say.

They'd beaten back one attack before, they could do so again. Eitherway, he'd merely stand in place and wait for the coming assault.
(Tenevan)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:21] Ume pulled his gun from its sling and stood straight alongside his children and wife, he gleemed towards them and smiled, "Genald, Anise, make me proud huh?" Ume turned to look towards the others, the sight of Eiphraem was unexpected to say the least, "Man.. how ironic, to be fighting your own kind."

Ume grunted and looked past it for now. He'd peer towards the marching army once again, "Though a greater smell of rot plagues the air... man, those things are fast... I commend the company of those who have decided to help fight for today, let's hope you don't have mercy for those damn freaks.."

Ume nodded and stood with pride alongside his companions, this was going to be a tough battle, but the undead forces were to thin soon.. it was surprising they got this far, Ume's personal hatred for Arthur even with not knowing him was immense, he'd learned from those effected by him.. he's an absolute monster.
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:21] A hand reached around Nakiris shoulder, pulling them in closer for just a second before alongside her he'd begin floating upwards. Small spirals of time-based mana constantly unraveling and drifting between him and her. With a staff in one-hand, they'd release the shoulder only to give a small smile to the woman.

A much warmer expression then earlier was portrayed on his face, "Lets do this Naki...You, me, all of Huang here. Let us eradicate some Undead forces, sounds good?" It was a simple statement, one portrayed by how exactly ready Sun seemed to be to do battle.
(Sun Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:21] The undead is cloaked and hooded, though for those who have met him, the energies of moonlight are obvious.

At the sight and sound of the encroaching forces, the response is very simple. He draws his blade at Eiphraem's side, allowing himself a moment to prepare. He remains silent, doing no more than what is necessary to defend the Huangzhou citizens.

This is merely the third time in a row that he has been present to defend against the undead forces. Merely that.

And so, he prepares to receive the assault.
(Perseus Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:21] Once again, she was on the frontlines. As much as she disliked fighting, there were times where it was absolutely unavoidable.

The teen pulls her spear off of her back and poises the weapon towards the northern forests, towards the horde of undead that marched towards the settlement. A flurry of golden winds coalesce around Mikhaila, empowering her for the fight to come.

She glanced around to spot any immediate friends -- she saw Spud, but she couldn't quite locate Kane.

No matter, she was ready to fight.
(Mikhaila Elisheva)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:21] Li was late, but it wasn't like he was really needed. In fact, the moment he came out of the city he managed to see the horde of defenders preparing for the upcoming invasion.
While mixed in the crowd there were some unusual allies, the majority of the people were familiar to the blacksmith.
The man was certain that with them the city had nothing to fear… or so he hoped.
Li wouldn't waste any more time, as he gazed upon the upcoming storm, he could see various beast and monsters.
He was sure that what was coming wasn't something pretty, so he prepared his shiny sword.
Ready or not, the enemy won't wait.
(Li)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:22] And, same as the previous assaults, Est arrived to defend a town that she had nothing to do with. There was less enthusiasm here than in Gehenna and in Crafthold; she remained by her Lord, black eyes scanning the approaching legion for any sign of her family amidst their numbers.

"...Everything about this makes my blood boil," she muttered, ostensibly to Eiphraem, "...But I am defending this place regardless. I know very intimately what it's like to be killed as a result of carelessness and would not wish the same to befall the... little people who live within these borders."

We ride.
(Est)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:22] The smoke rolling forwards was enough for Cassandra. Her hands tightened on the staff she'd acquired a year or so ago. The armour -which was new- on her torso was heavier than she expected, but not enough to slow her down she felt, no significantly at least. Time would tell whether that was true or not.

Whatever creature was roaring, it certainly had her rather concerned, and not for the first time she wondered at the wisdom of choosing to fight at the front. She was no soldier, and although she'd made great leaps with combat training, she'd yet to actually win a fight. But no, this was the forces of Dawn arrayed against them, and as she'd said to any of those who'd asked, she would fight against them no matter the cost.

She forced her body to relax as water surrounded her in a protective shell. "Alright then, nothing for it. Win or lose, die or live, I won't regret this. I won't." The words were little louder than a whisper.

(Cassandra)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:22] Krez would become more enraged than scared of the creature roar as being a Krausite he would put his faith in his lord,Kraus its self to watch over Huangzhou.

"A roar wouldn't scare me you soulless creature,come here with all your might and face the Kraus will!"

He shouts pulling its staff out and slamming it against the ground cracks forming around his feets and magma sprouting from them in fury wraping it around his body.

"This battle should be lesson for the same as you!"

He shouts once again tightening its grip on his staff as behind him a trace of white,marble like stone could be seen as marble dust would float chaotically around his body.
(Krez Kunyah)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:22] Falling behind the other forces that were preparing to defend against the undead army, he'd unstrap his staff, tightening his grasp on the weapon. There was an air of uncertainty, how much damage the undead would carry out, anod how much they'd be able to stop.

Looking around at the others, he watches as they all did their own preperation, maybe seeking out some sort of guidance as to what he himself should do. This was his first real battle, a battle to defend his home land.

With one last inhale, he brought his attention forward, looking towards the direction that the undead would march forward, now ready for battle.
(Ginta Toji)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:22] They've actually reached his home.

It was only a matter of time, but strangely enough, Galahad wanted to believe that the army of the dead couldn't reach Huangzhou. He was, of course, na?ve to believe that. They would never stop. They needed to be fought against one time after another; at least until the necromancer who enslaved them would be dealt with.

..And who knows when will that be? He's never even seen Arthur Rowan. Mana wrapped around his figure, a misty violet veil shrouding his form with cosmic energy.

They had to be stopped. That thought kept ringing in his mind.
(Galahad Gwynne)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:22] Khonsu had heard of this legion's steady approach and wondered when it'd stop. Today seemed like the day it would as the horde was quite literally at their door. A smile was worn on the Dara's lips. "Finally something interesting.", the man would mutter to himself. There was no question as to whether or not they'd win. They would. They always have in events like this.

The Magi called upon his star before calling on the power of the night as cool cosmic aura began to flow into him from afar. He was getting better at handling it.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:23] Joining the rally of magi, defenders of Huangzhou, Nasu drew his blade, fire already traveling along his form and his stance up. His blade is clanched and he was ready for whatever was to come but something about this felt scarier to the kitsune.

The roar heard far off intimidated him, it sounded bigger than those giant wolves he fought awhile back but he wouldn't stand down, he had to be ready for anything.

"Just as always, I'll slay these undead in the name of Kraus, I'll put them all down to the graves they're to be in, give them peace."

He always felt bad for the undead creatures, they were tortured each passing day and walked endlessly killing whatever.
(Nasu Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:23] Airgenald had heard the news of the undead marching against them, he had been training for this, preparing for it diligently. As soon as guards brought the news of their arrival, he raced to join the front lines beside his friends and family.

He had faced vampire spawn, demons, accursed, but this would be his first stand against the undead menace. The defender's heart thrummed against his nyeshk chestplate, anxiety creeping at the back of his mind, but he would remain stalwart as he stood in line, his shields locking together with Anise's as they made a wall.

His faith would be put in his shields, a prayer said for his allies, and his refusal to fall on this day empowering him. A divine light would emanate from him, coating his armor and reinforcing it with layers upon layers. A pack of wolves made of the same light would line up infront of them, a barrier he crafted to protect his friends and families.

"We shall give them no ground. Advance with purpose and displace all humanity for these wretched undead, for they have none for us!" He'd bark, his stance widening as his mind raced through every name and every face of someone he cared deeply for.

Today I shall not fall, but rise to repel the undead legion.
(Sir Airgenald Spudnicus Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:23] There it was, again.

Spearheading the forces of Huangzhou, the Shogun would stand his ground, a single hand grasped along the hilt of the frosted blade, Aurora all the while as he shifts ever so slightly.

The twists and turns in stream are more than felt-- and the rot of Legion only edges closer and closer in the moment. A bit of upward quirk in eyebrow does embrace along his features at the mention winged beast-- though, as guards rush past, into safety, Zeriel didn't dwell much over the thought.

Instead, with frosted winds raging along and shrouding his form, he'd wait for their arrival.

"Maintain the defenses-- don't let them slip past-- don't let a single one of them into the borders. Last time around; the corpses carried plague... Arthur would resort to anything just to bring destruction."
(Zeriel Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:23] From the edge of the lines came a figure, shrouded in a dark cloak that glittered of stars. Atop his head rested twin horns, unadorned and bare to the world. Covering his face was a purple mask of a three eyed demon with yellow hair acting as a pseudo wig. From their vantage point they'd watch the forces of Huangzhou and Crafthold gather to hold off the ravenous undead horde. The figure remained at the edge of the field, not wishing to join the main lines.

His gaze swept across the open fields looking for the Ghoul King's forces. A rogue undead who'd embarked upon a spree of genocide that was indiscriminately killing the peoples of Agartha. He'd cover the badge that marked him a squire of Dawn, hiding it within the cloaks of his robe. He'd been pressed to come by his belief in the Dreamer's vision. For it was her tenets that lead him here this day. Offer aid to those in need. He found the shambling terror upon the land to be one of those, thefact it was a rogue force of the Lich King's own undead didn't help the fact he found it a personal responsibility to try and put down.

He'd reach behind his back, his gloved finger's curling around a mighty axe. Though it would appear to be wreathed in a thick dark oil. He didn't intend to be recognized this day. Both in knowledge that those of his homeland would find it a betrayal, and in that it would be a thankless act.
(Syracuse Fengari)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:24] With the power of Ethan's warp, the Crafthold delegation appears near the outskirts of the borders. He takes a moment, breathing softly when the Hawke's magic fades. The serpent cocks a faint, if brief, unnatural curling of his lips to simulate a smile.

He grips the revenant tightly at his side, with Esso and Est flanking. With Nyphadora upon Perseus' shoulder(or the floating viscinity thereof), Eiphraem reaches for his other blade- Though he keeps it at a distance from the others.

The tyrium sings when he unsheathes it, the unwieldy, carefully tempered black blade BITES into his hand with it's aura, the sharp drain piercing into him as it accommodates once more with him- Seeing more since it's quarter century of dormance in these past few months of attacks than oft it had in decades before.

The bond burns, softly, as the anti-magic properties of the blade extend away from the guard and grip in tandem of the prickly attachment.

"Careful. We can avoid any accidental engagements with civilians or our allies by flanking what we can from the east. If there is a beast nearby, it will probably have the main forces- We can try to find where the controller is tethering it, and keep the enslaved forces from reaching any innocents," He addresses his small contingent."

"All clear? Est. If we need to move somewhere- Inform me, first. Do not run after something abnormal without bringing us all."
(Eiphraem Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:24] As the guards came rushing the man would lift his head up. This was the time to end the raging swarm. They were the last ones left for the attack. The man knew that these attacks needed to come to a end. Today was the perfect time to silence the attacks.

"The time is now."

The man would remembered all that was now to this point.

"Watch over me my fallen friends. IM GONNA FIRE THIS ALL UP!"

The man would let the flames burst to the highest point. Flames not of dangerous intentions. But more to protect and do the duties he was given long ago.

(Towah Tatasuki)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:26] Anticipation had built over the few hours it took for those rotten forces to arrive. By now the teen's hands were shaking, though they tried to hide it behind that round shield they wielded. So too did they hide it with clenched fists, and the mercifully emotionless metal visage of their helm.

All the more that could be seen past the visor was a faint glow, pale white at first. It was all the more which glinted brightly as their gaze turned to the teen at their side. Another frightened kid, just like them. Yet they shouted encouragement, and the kid would be damned if any sign of that fear inside showed.

To him, she offered a like as not unheard few words.

"It's th'least us humans can do fer each other."

Then their attention turned northward once more.

Staring out into the shadows, the smoke, that pale white glow didn't so much fade out as abruptly flicker to a stop. Failing them, for a few moments, as their gaze shifted skyward. Early morning. The faint light of the stars slowly twinkled out.

Orange, almost red, like dying embers. Erratic as their own electrical magics, and raising the scent of ozone- Yet dusty at the same time. All the more which glowed such a color were their eyes, for now, as white light encompassed their form. Through the emotions which welled in their mind it was hard to think straight.

But in the back of their mind they could hear it.

Guide them home.

Set them free.
(Kirsi Ó Cnáimhín)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:29] Ashera would nod. As she would place her blade in her scabbard, and would begin to kneel calmly to pay respects for the people that have died before them throughout her whole journey when she was younger. She thought of them as nothing but monsters acting out of selfishness....

But after a time of fighting. She realized that the ghoul kings army were using the undead as a weapon for them to do whatever at their whim. These souls were deserving of the their rest. But the ghoul king has rejected that humanity for war....

Ashera would close her eyes. As she would begin to generate gleaming holy light As her body would begin to feel invigorated and stronger than ever before. She would stare before the army. And would point her sword before them all. As ther rot would reak within the air, she would utter a prayer

"Oh Kraus, savior and protector, allow me to become the hope. That ALL warriors scattered in battle, whether they reside in the present, and the past, who have fought bravely and have and have held their lives as their final moments approach. Allow me to carry their will, and pride, as they remain true to their loyalty to the end.. Allow me to provide them their closure, as I Ashera Ixis, carry their hope within me!"

Ashera would say. As a brilliant light would glow from within her. Her holy magic shinning. She would nod. As she would charge forth.

>Perserve the living, Remember the dead.<
(Ashera Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:29] {NARRATION} In the northern fields they arrived. First emerging from the treelines, and then clawing their way out of the earth itself, undead soldier after undead soldier had come in full force to strike at the bastion of light upon Agartha.

Commanders covered in dented, ashen armor moved as behemoths through the crowds of skeletons and grotesque warriors. The grass underneath smoked, burned, and died with every step. Time itself shifted and slowed as a mass of corruption unified and moved as one.

The diseased air they brought with them was putrid and sickening. And they all kept marching forward. Line after line of undead knights kept pushing toward the city in waves, all the while a distant, rattling roar foreshadowed a greater enemy on the way...

But the Battle would begin long before that.
[18:32] {NARRATION} (OK! Countdown soon if everyone is ready.)
[18:35] {NARRATION} (OK! Pick up the dead and regroup rq)
[18:38] {NARRATION} One wave of undead was fought off, but more and more kept coming. Again a roar echoed from the treeline and the earth shook underfoot. The field of Huangzhou were charred and scarred, but the dead continued to persist.

It seemed as if a greater force was surging forward.
[18:41] As more waves of undead came through Ethan's dark flames kept on consuming. The endless assault was met with endless replies. Everyone's coordination seemed to be on point, save for Ume. What a poor, old, insane man. Regardless, Ethan's actions made quick work of lesser skeletons while he kept himself safe.

Thankfully enough the horde seemed to be quite weak compared to what he had expected.

This was only a begining, however.
(Ethan Hawke)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:41] Where was Ren's place in this fight. Where so much magic was flying about that he could be caught in friendly fire if one mistake was made on his ends. Thus the smith took off to a section that was less having magic flung about- to kill off the smaller undead.

The only ranged technique he could utilize was sending off a blast of pure energy. It was... not so effective but worked...

It was an odd realization at how destructive magic truly was. The land scarred and scorched. Land they sought to protect: words remember that wars were to salvage.

It shakes his heart, but he remains firm. Doing what he can even if it seemed insignificant to others.
(Ren Shi)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:41] The battle began. As always in encounters like this, Tenevan kept himself to the sidelines, focusing on maintaining his own mobility as he moved throughout the battlefield, conjuring blasts of wind and shards of ice at the marching Undead.

The Siren had quaffed a small potion beforehand, and he floated about the fields, sending spells flinging to and fro' as he moved. He did his part, helped in repelling these undead.

They'd been beaten back for the moment, but more were certainly coming. This next wave wouldn't get any easier.
(Tenevan)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:41] Jhin had managed to survive thus far, deliberately keeping a bit of distance between himself and the undead legions. The soldiers were mowed down by a plethora of magical attacks, releasing several spheres of condensed flames that would scour their rotting corpses. The smell of brimstone, ruined ground, and decay filled the air, sickening the Wvelven to his core. His eyes watered among the panic and battle, and he felt waves of nausea hitting him several times over when one of the undead came too close. He sloppily battles a duo of the undead skeletons as they fall upon him, hastily blocking their lumbering strikes, accompanied with rolling out of the way and unleashing a wave of flames to consume them.

Their legs began to give out as they collapse, soon being reduced to mere singed bones as he pants heavily. Sweat pours along his body, clearly unadjusted to intense combat as he keeps his sword at the ready.

"Holy shit."

This was likely going to traumatize him.
(Jhin Wvelven)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:41] Krez would get throwed against the ground by the demons but this wouldn't stop him from getting his self back on his feets as recasting his magma shell he grab the staff from the ground and leave a growl now more motivated to fight them.

"Gh..."

He growls before tightening its grip on the staff once again ready to embrace the second wave of rotting bodies.
(Krez Kunyah)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:41] Li's hearth was pounding, he had never been a great fighter, but he still needed to do his duty for the city.
The blacksmith slew undead after undead, his body was sweating buckets, he always lamented the fact that he was a swordsman instead of a mage.
Still, after some time, the allied force managed to drive off the first wave. Unfortunately though, it seemed that there was more to come.
(Li)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:42] The man would watch in battle as his daemon attacked the creatures. "Make sure to keep a eye on them. Don't let them move to near you." He would watch Surge burn away at the enemies. But this was far from over as he saw himself being slammed by waves.

"Dammit." He would back away from the undead flames.

Though it was poison from the other.

Watching as they be took down he would simply gaze. "Ah this far from over I see."
(Towah Tatasuki)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:42] As the undead surged forward, Mikhaila opted to hold her spear with just one hand. Her other hand, her left, was poised in front of herself as a mechanism situated on her gauntlet abruptly folded outward into a full on shield. She then went on to bash down undead while sometimes impaling them with her spear.

Occasionally, she sent out bursts of wind to cut down any corpses that got too close.

When the first wave ended, Mikhaila took her position again, aiming her spear at the oncoming horde while holding her shield at the ready.
(Mikhaila Elisheva)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:43] As soon as the enemy lined charged she instantly became covered in starlight her body rocketing forward shield first into the enemy lines... she was a bit rusty but it was quickly shaken off...

May you all be laid to rest..

Her energy aura seeming to grow with every strike as she fought... she was lightning across the battlefield.. a blur of movement striking with shield and mace, souls freed with nearly every swing. She dashed in and out of the lines not in fear of being surrounded.

Blasts of energy would mow her foes down when they became to many.. or when a larger one showed its face it was met with a larger blast of energy to match taking them from their feet..

So much corruption...

She would begin to cry at the thought of it all.. these people.. forced back into their decaying bodies for this.. to attack her home.. some of these were likely her own people..

As the lines began to thin she realized it wasn't the enemy it seemed she had to worry about knocking her down as a blast of shadowflame from her own father threw her to the ground...

She rolls to her feet hiding any injury she may have sustained for now.
(Anise Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:43] Nyphadora stuck to her plan, remaining close by the side of at the very least Perseus- The Demon was far too fast for little Nyphadora to follow after all!

Magic was unleashed, waves upon waves of electric assaults sent upon the Undead forces- Minor blasts of water and nature itself empowered by her mana to unleash its wrath as well, however all in all a boring combination of magic for someone like her.

In the end, there was no point in trying to show off however. The goal was simple, and fortunately did not require her to go out of her way for anything. Such was the pleasure of events that included many doable Magi.

The Fae readied herself again, eyes rolling around and attention split upon the various interesting key figures upon the battlefield.
(Nyphadora)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] Burning down the undead to a crisp became easier and easier with each and every wave. It almost became thoughtless. Green hues would constantly glance to the side to make sure his allies were healed. The ground seemed to grow around their forms though not in a restrictive manner. It was easy to burn or tear away from, but it'd heal his allies as long as it stayed in contact with them.

It was actually starting to get boring for the man, and he got tossed back the after not paying attention for too long, but thanks to the potion he didn't fall. He simply tumbled back in the air.

"Guess the mask doesn't work all too well...Sugmati, lend me more power please and thank youuuuu.", the Magi said before absorbing more power into his form and sending a barrage of explosive golden light.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] He remains wingless, to avoid broadcasting his presence. However, Perseus's presence on the battlefield is a remarkable thing; lacking any account for pain or damage done to him, the moonlit knight shines bright, an aura of light resisting the blows that come upon him, and Nyphadora's fairy magics mending the wounds which come.

Alongside Thalassia's forces, he attacks from the flanks, striking down the undead in swarms, cleaving his way through the battlefield. He deals a strong blow to one of the greater undead, slicing at its legs with his blade as though it were an axe, smashing his way through rotting bone and sinew.

For the others, it seems most of this is novel - and indeed, for the younger folk in Huangzhou's military, it is probably one of the scariest things they've ever seen.

For Perseus, this is just another day.
(Perseus Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] The mantis demon tried it's best to stay out of sight as the first of the commanders was fired upon with a few sparring blasts of lightning, trying it's best to avoid being seen call it down with fast flicks of it's talons, electricity crossing their lengths only when the second undead captain neared it's defeat. A flash of light appeared on one side of the battlefield. A split second later the demon was in a new hiding place as a clap of thunder followed his movements, along with a trail of lightning that drug through it's old hiding spot, and it's new in a piercing strike.

It lied in wait again for an opportuinity to make it's exit, or continue to aid against the onslaught.

It's blood raced, occultic and slightly oozing out of it's chitinous cracks. All the ambient corruption perhaps aided in masking it's presence.. and it grinned. It feasted upon the punishment that was being delivered to the undead.
(Xolgamath)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] It's hot. Why does it feel so hot?

One of the commanders of the undead army seemed to also command occultic flames, conjuring more and more of them before any water magi can bring a stop to them. Galahad hated it. He hated seeing a part of his home being ravaged like this– being torn like the battlefield that it was.

The wispy shroud around his form grew slightly thicker and more intense in color. Where there was once a bright violet, there's a deep magenta. It too burned, almost like flame of its own.

The anger is slowly forgotten about, or rather, it's replaced with the euphoria that flooded the Gwynne's mind. The fighting. It felt natural and right. He didn't know why that was the case, but it just did.

Protecting his home was his duty– but was he ever supposed to enjoy it so much? Was he meant to forget that it's a job?


He seemed to forget about that as well, as his lust for battle hasn't been sated. There were more undeads he needed to stop– no, there were more undeads he wanted to fight.
(Galahad Gwynne)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] Eiphraem's breath is caught.

He slides forwards, his weapon crashing with a backwash of the flowing, silver liquid metal about him- Mercury clinging into the wounds of undead still together enough to experience disjunction of their motor functions of the liquid.

Admittedly, in a battle like this, it mostly just refracted light and splashed harmlessly against those who had no need for their organs and processes.

He slides and keeps himself at Perseus' side- Aiming to strike down the smaller bound and find openings to tear into the backranks, the humidity in the air contrasting with the boiling heat from the lightning and fire surging in the air.

His powers of magic might be a mere setback to skeletons and zombies alike, but his blade was deathly dangerous to their animation- The bastard sword cleaving through not only their physical forms, but the necromantic tethers that held them.

More than one crumpled in a single, massive cleave of skulls, the magic binding their souls dissolving and lending them free.

His massive, disproportionate hand burns from the cold, but he keeps within Nyphadora's still buoying aura, keeping an eye to make sure Est, Esso, and Ethan do not stray too far from sight.
(Eiphraem Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] When it actually began, it was surprising slow. Not like people were moving slowly -several were moving so fast she could barely see them- but more in the sense that time seemed to just...take longer, when it came to her thinking. A lot of her time was still spent trying to stumble out of the way of wild undead swings, but she was actually going...ok? Breaking skeletons apart with concentrated lightning bursts, literally blowing them away with wind, or tugging their legs out -and sometimes off- from under them.

The commanders didn't take much damage from her -frankly she was almost unconsciously trying to avoid them- but even so, by the end the forces of Huang were momentarily victorious. More undead swarmed from the trees, and Cassandra took a deep breath, shifted her grip on her staff, and let out a surprisingly loud war cry for someone of her age.
(Cassandra)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:44] Frosted gusts practically howl through the northern battlefields, accompanied by powerful, larger blasts of pure, manifested energies slamming into undead present-- they went down, but they never seemed to end, to say the least.

Even as the Shogun would grip along the Aurora, sending gigantic waves of ice with every slash to follow-- he opted to maintain his distance, still, aiding with ranged assaults and Arcane blasts, supporting the nearby soldiers with the stream's healing properties all the while.

The first wave pushed back, yet-- it was just the first one.


(Zeriel Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:46] Sun found himself acting as support, all to constantly make Nakiri and Zeriel stronger in the midst of battle. Every now and then he'd send forth a burst of illusionary power into the enemies, all while bracing flames that covered his being.

Burns crackled upon his clothes, eyes always situated upon the form of Nakiri pushing their being into battle. Icy-blue eyes watched over them. Quietly they'd cross their arms. Soon they watched the first wave fall, only to hear the footfalls of the much greater wave coming along.

Whatever was coming their way, would be a pain to truly fight against.
(Sun Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:46] The ookami charged forward with the pack of light-constructed wolves at his side, he crashed against the wave of undead, the two forces seeming equal until Airgenald howled out, his wild nature coursing through his vein as he broke their ranks and allowed to the other magi and warriors behind him to run in and decimate the enemies' formation.

The wolves would break from their line and run beside an allies side, namely Ashera, Anise, Kane, Mikhaila, Nakiri, Nasu,and Ume, leaping in the way of what would be a devastating blow. However, this time they did not dissipate from a couple strikes, they held firmed and continued lashing out against the zombie knights, holding them down to be finished off.

Airgenald took point in attacking the commander, trading blows of occultic fire and a pummeling of his shields. He should've fallen, knocked off his feet. It was hard for him to breathe, but he remained standing, teeth bared, an otherworldly energy fueling him to remain standing as the dark magic couldn't seem to touch him through the glowing armor he conjured.

Another howl would escape his lips. This is what it felt like, when the stakes were truly too high and he could not afford to lose. This is what Koume meant, to be a protector, not a martyr.

Airgenald readied himself for the next wave, steeling his resolve and rejoining the ranks as the shieldbearer on the front line.
(Sir Airgenald Spudnicus Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:46] As the undead rose from the ground and ran from the tree line, Nasu charged up his fiery attacks from his left hand, a fireball with the power of his blessing shoots out, striking many of the undead soldiers throughout the field, his blade tempers orange and fire begins to dance along the blade, the kitsune goes in to slash and hack at them all, trying to kill them in one go, his fire hopefully helping with that. Nasu didn't want to leave them alive any longer.

"Be at peace!" He sounded rather rough in those words.

After awhile the wave was beaten somewhat but more would come, it was like an endless army of undead, all the people that've been slain in battle, all the fallen, it hurt to see.

His ears lower as he looks towards the corruption, the intimidating beast stomping ever so closer. He shakes his head and floats ready again.
(Nasu Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:48] As the undead horde rushes in, Ume prepares himself, he'd jump through the battlefield repeatedly firing into the crowd of undead with a ratta tat tat clickety clack, his bullets of shadowy flame echoing in its bursting signature noise throughout the battlefield.

"Damn.. there's a lot of these guys aren't there? Just like Crafthold..." Ume wiped his brow and stood back, sniping each of the undead left to right with a nonstop barrage of bullets, as the crowed thinned, only for another wave to take its place..

"Dammit, they just keep coming..! Can't give up hope, fight through the end plum man!" Ume calmed his breath and kept going, slamming his deadly bullets through each of the monsters chests.
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:49] She had learned and adapted to the tactics of these undead creatures; dashing in and out with the explosive power of her great flames. Striking where she could - dealing heavy damage to the creatures when she could; striking the legs and back to shatter bone and sunder armor - immobilizing and leaving the creatures more vulnerable for the others to bring them down. Dashing out of the occult flames to keep herself safe; determined not to fall this time.
(Cheska Railen)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:50] Nakiri, in the most simplistic way to state things matter-of-factly... Really was being as careful and precise as she could be. The burst of flames had swiftly been evaded, the Commander was her target. Or whatever else you'd call that.

She'd shake her head - losing here would've meant she was further away from her dreams of avenging Jesse than she'd hoped she was at this point. She went unscathed, weaving behind the force of everyone's attacks.

Just like a fight before, Ethan's teachings on how she should utilize her spells to train came to mind. Extremely eperimental, but she practically had all the time in the world with this much cover. Not really. Drifting aroud the air, one hand motioned towards the Undead - a sensation akin to disorientation took place, alongside forcing a loss of vision. Raising her other hand into the air, curling all fingers except her index into her palm - she'd began etching a design resembling a maagic circle into thin air. Maybe a few had seen it before, her own design.

It's presence is masked with Illusion magic whilst she prepared it below, invoking all aspects of reality, primarily unseen gravitational forces before the magic circle unveiled itself, gleaming a piercing sapphire blue before the most devastating of her Gravity-based spells erupts outwards. The anomaly of condensed gravity shredded away at his being before another force swept it down, somehow - with the combined efforts of everyone - it was enough. She was gaining confidence.
(Nakiri Reiha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:50] Ashera would continue to attack the enemies before her. Ashera would pick up her blade the krausite paladin would begin to rush over to the undead horde, and would start to attack the enemies before her Each member of the undead that was defeated would be set free. As well as their pain and burden that they had to shoulder during their undeath.

Ashera would start to clear more and more of the horde. When she had made that declaration, she meant every part of what she had said personally. No undead left to shoulder the burden anymore in her eyes. And this was her resolve taking into action.

However, as the hordes of undead would slowly begin to clear. As the rot would slowly lose its intensity. She would begin to hear marching. And another horde would begin to take its place as that happened. As she would breathe and pant heavily she would say this.

"Warriors of Agartha! Do not falter, Let us continue putting the members that once had taken part of us to rest. We owe it to them to release the burden that was unfairly shouldered upon them by the evil ghoul king! Let us continue to set them free! And put an end to their descration! LET US PRESERVE THE LIVING! And HONOUR THE DEAD!"

The paladin would yell. As her words would echo around the warriors before her. As fatigued as she was, She would point her blade once more. And charge at adversity once more.
(Ashera Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:51] Nakiri Reiha whispers something.
[18:52] Krez Kunyah says, "Shall Kraus watch over us and help us rest those poor souls."
[18:52] After moving to secure the safety of .. idk, some people in Huangzhou, everybody's favourite Minister arrives on the fields north of Huangzhou. With his hands pressed together, the young Kitsune who first hid atop the walls and fired small bolts of lightning now stood among his own people.

"I hope I'm not late, friends. I'm here now." He spoke to those in earshot.

Then, with the speed of lightning, his hands begin to weave dozens of handseals within seconds - golden lightning coating his form and then bursting outwards to fight off the legion.
(Emiri)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:52] Sun Heifang says, "Emperor protect."
[18:53] Xolgamath says, "<Silent, still, strike only when unseen. Punish theguilty.>"
[18:54] It was, perhaps, a tad unfortunate that the kid was used to being tossed about a battlefield like a ragdoll. They weren't particularly capable, at least not so far as any full-grown magi might be, but they had some potential. It was simply rather difficult to use such potential when much of it required steady thinking.

Battle was anything but steady. The field was chaos.

Through it all the kid struggled to focus. Still unused to their newly awakened connection to their star, trying to follow their instinct was like trying to hear a particular conversation in a crowded room while music was blaring.

The disconnect was telling, as the kid strained to keep up. At times their magic entirely shut off, as if briefly disconnected- This once occurring just as a massive wave of occultic flame washed across the field toward them. They managed to get a meager portion to return before the inevitable, but the protection wasn't enough.

Many others fell just asthey did. But they survived. They huddled up under their round shield until the first wave had come and broken against the rocky shoreline that was Huangzhou's defensive force in the face of the undead 'sea'.

When at last there was a break in the fighting the kid got to their feet, darting back behind the frontlines to get a brief few moments' respite. To recuperate, as they reached for that unsteady source of magic once more. And like a flood it flowed through their form.

It felt, again, as though their circuits would burn up. As though their mind would burst from the wave of emotions which flooded their mind. Uncertain and unsteady, the snapping energy spread into the atmosphere around the kid. Dull in its glow, orange as a bed of coals.

Through the chaos inside the kid grit their teeth.

This isn't helping.

Trust, child.
(Kirsi Ó Cnáimhín)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:55] There were many things that were inherently wrong with the field ahead just north of Huangzhou's gates. Not just the undead hoard, and shambling, overripe corpses that dragged their bloated corpses, but the very same creatures fighting on their side. Even when it was specifically stated, no doubt, that it was not allowed.

Another inch. Another line crossed.

But she had to focus on her people's safety for the time being. As the battle began, the Lady Bavmor herself rocketed into the air, and shone like a star amongst the gathered masses. Twinned wings of shimmering gold spread out behind her, translucent, and formed of that highest holy art she practiced. Hands reached out, and mana tore through the Regent's circuitry, as hundreds of miniature needles formed of that same light formed around her. Etching the glowing green brilliancy across her barrier's surface, and forming those angelic runes and glyphs, circles overlapping.

Dozens of walls of layered light flickered into existence, giving cover to non-magi and magi alike. Shielding them from the dead's onslaught. Portable walls, that shifted and bent to defend all those present.

Just the same, bubbles of slowed time halted the onslaught of occultic flame for a time. To give her people, and those that fought with them a moment's respite from the dead. Waves of that fundamental force of gravity erupted from the woman who floated high above, and swept massive swaths of the undead away, freeing them from their enslaved torment.

From up above, Koume called out.

"Strike them down! Huangzhou's brave men and women, Honorable Soldiers of the Fourfold, and those that carry out the Emperor's will! Cleave them in twain, and set free the tortured souls enslaved before you. All undead should be freed from their shells. Allowed to pass!"

Eventually, the initial onslaught was pushed back, but it was not over.

"Regroup! You're all doing wonderfully, but do not get overconfident, or you will die."
(Koume Bavmor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[18:55] As the battle wore on he'd find himself straining to keep up with the power of the undead leader's, their wide sweeping attacks designed for war in a way he could only admire. It was this admiration that lead him to rush headlong into the Brutish one. Attempting to match their power head, calling upon his deep reserves of Occulitic power. It was a clash he would not win, being struck before the pay off of his charging beam could be brought to bear. He'd been casted into a small crater where he'd struggle back onto his feet.

As he gazed into the battle between the rest of the forces and the brutish undead he'd turn his gaze back to the direction they'd came. More and more of the undead hordes where arriving. He'd grit his teeth, the first wave he simple reached out his hands and unleashed a wave of supressive magic, the bindings of the undead's magical bindings vanished in an instant.

Yet more came, more and more. Taking a deep breath he'd call upon his melodious magics. As he took in the life giving air he'd come up with a song upon the spot. Working to fit the lyrics to the moment, meanwhile the sound of wardrums and a strange instrument that didn't exist yet was stringed and sounded like a lute sprung to life with the magic.

"Rotting skin of the corrupted ideal!~ I come to remind you of the great dream!~ The one that you've so foolishly abandoned!~ Remember the dream before it's to late!~ Allow me to remind you of the dream!~"

With the impromptu lyrics declared he'd unleash a wave of melodious magics into the oncoming hordes. His song of the dream that could be echoing onto the winds.
(Syracuse Fengari)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:03] Khonsu fires fire.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:04] {NARRATION} Huangzhou stood strong. Even with so many enemies charging at the gates, seeking the city's destruction, the magi here were willing to fight for that home and gave it all they had. The Horde kept pushing, however, unyielding and seemingly endless.

It wasn't until the second wave was pushed back that the putrid air froze over. Among the blood and battle, snow began to fall like dark ash across the once warm forest. The clouds overhead, filled with acid and poison, rattled with electricity and a great thunderclap marked the arrival of something far more evil.

Wish a smash an enormous, ragged, undead dragon crashed into the earth. Soldiers from either side were turned into puddles underfoot as the great monster held no regard for the life of its underlings or its foes.

With another great roar, this time in the midst of war instead of from a distant mountaintop, it sent lightning arcs dancing into Huangzhou's defence, and aimed to tear everything apart with the army still at its side.
[19:04] Emiri says, "holy shit"
[19:04] Towah Tatasuki says, "...."
[19:04] Towah Tatasuki says, "Holy...shit"
[19:04] Mikhaila Elisheva says, "...Oh shi-...oot."
[19:04] Towah Tatasuki says, "..."
[19:04] {NARRATION} (feel free to RP!)
[19:04] Khonsu Dara says, "Ah.. ahahaha"
[19:04] Ren makes two overlapping shields. Protection.
(Ren Shi)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:06] Ume braced himself as the explosion of the dragon's arrival set course, "A..a real friggin dragon.. my Kraus, Arthur has went beyond too far, this is like... literally ancient far."

Ume's shook himself out of the fear, and gazed upon the others. "Well, we've made it this far.. no turning back huh..."
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:08] With a hard swollow the fear would start to tingle his spine as indeed before him would stand a dragon but not any kind,a dead one.

"Give me strenght Kraus..."

He whispers as letting a small shiever the boy still standing from the previous round would cast once again his magma shell.
(Krez Kunyah)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:08] Undead after undead would be slain by the group. It was evident that the forces of Huangzhou and its helpers were making quick work of the attack. The one-sided battle seemed as if it was coming to an end before...

A dragon.

Ethan couldn't believe his eyes. He had met people that looked like dragons or had scales like dragons, but that? That was something else. With lightning raining down and a storm coming up the massive beast descended upon them all.

Oh boy.
(Ethan Hawke)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:08] Khonsu grinned ear to ear at the sight of the undead dragon. Now this was the interesting part. All the fodder undead from earlier were building up to this moment. This climax of battle.

Green hues glowed intensely as the Magi called on all the power he figured his body could muster at once.. which in all honesty was a guess only monitored and restricted by the celestial body he called upon for power.

"Now we're talking.", the man uttered gripping his staff and readjusting his aim.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:09] As he would battle. The others as well going with the bout. He would look to see something was wrong. The man would watch a soaring great undead beast come to the area.

"Well..fuck me sideways." The man would say with his mouth open. The man would watch the beast begin to lay the most deadly of arts at the others.

Even the undead were not down.

"This is bad. This bad." The man thought the worm was bad. This was just....

"Commander Guren watch over me." The man would say in a prayer.
(Towah Tatasuki)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:09] Now this was unexpected- Just as the end was drawing near, just as the so-called 'Heroes' were about to claim victory, a sudden twist of fate occurred!

A monster of tremendous stature had appeared, the very presence of it sending a shiver down the spine of the Fae- She had faced it many times before, beings of power that could wreck havoc beyond your wildest imagination. And yet, it was still equally frightening each time.

"I hope this has satisfied your need to help people for awhile, Eiphraem…"
(Nyphadora)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:09] And so, another wave came at them.

Tenevan held his ground amidst the remainder of the defending army, slinging forth spells and cantrips against the coming horde. He fought, and for a time, it seemed as if they'd beaten the undead back.

It wasn't going to end that easily, though. Snow began to fall as the atmosphere about grew colder and colder. As the clouds charged with unnatural force, it became apparent that something foul was coming.

The Merman gripped his spear tighter, readying himself as the great beast descended. His eyes lingered on the undead Dragon, and his spear was soon aimed at it's direction.

It would fall, as had it's predecessors. No matter what, Huangzhou would yet stand.
(Tenevan)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:09] A dragon was unexpected. Unexpected but exhilarating. Cheska's eyes widened as she saw the massive creature land and begin its magical assault on their defenses; the fingers of her right hand curling into a tight fist as flames began to blaze from a warm, comfortable red to burning, incandescent orange. She'd always been curious how it would feel to fight one - to test her strength against one of the most powerful beasts known to manknind. Her chance, it seemed, was coming earlier than expected.

With a short, sharp, laugh she stepped forward and prepared to charge into battle once more.
(Cheska Railen)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:10] Trial of endurance. A test of how long one could last. How many one could fight. A swarm of undead, and if your endurance or awareness faltered it spelled death in blood.

Sweat trailed down Ren's face as he huffed for air. Fatigue creeping over as he fought off his end. Hacking away at undead while keeping distance to not be struck by magic or a blade.

But the forces continued and endurance was not infinite.

And added dread. A large beast appeared. Roaring through fields- severing clouds in the sky. The ringing took Ren's ears as he winced and but remained wary for a loose blade that could stab him.

But the creature didn't care for allies. An undead dragon that crushed friend and foe. Gave no care for life, only destruction. Dread filled Ren's heart, but even so, he held his blade tightly. Kept his resolve for it wasn't for his sake alone, but others too.

To protect, as holy magics soothed him. To stop trembling, to give him resolve. He took long breaths and planned out in his mind... Too close and he'd be crushed.
(Ren Shi)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:10] Why was it not enough?

Galahad commands gravity itself to split some of the skeletons in half, comets and meteors orbit around him as they grow in size– only to be sent at groups of undeads - with the intent of blasting them to pieces. But it's not enough. It doesn't feel like the blond got enough out of this.

He wanted more.

A chuckle akin to that of a terrible cartoon villain escapes through his lips amidst the battle itself– Galahad was enjoying himself. Something convinced him that this was fun. Not right, but fun.

A blast of condensed time magic causes a certain undead to decay until it's no more - until only ash is left. And yet still, the always-caring and loving knight seemed to not by phased by it. By the life this skeleton once had.

.. And then it arrives. An undead dragon.

Fear is involuntary pushed aside, determination fueling the boy's mind. The magenta sparked at the sight of the undead beast, red ethereal ropes of mana circled around the blond before being absorbed by his misty aura.

Now, more than ever, he felt prepared.
Now, more than ever, Galahad wanted to be here and no where else in the world.
(Galahad Gwynne)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:10] This was something Esso had NOT been expecting out of this horde. He'd only been to two defenses against this wandering horde, but it seems like every time they encounter them, things have changed. First animals, now hordes, but this- THIS is something completely different.

Like something out of a fantasy story, a giant creature hits the ground, cutting out a roar that shakes many present to the bones. He hesitates for a moment before slowly bringing the knife up, but he's trembling.
(Esso Naam)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:10] Ah.

No, you see, there ARE certain things which give Perseus pause. Dragons are certainly one of those things.

As much as he has all of those self-aggrandizing stories about how he has stood side by side and against and all around gods, it does not necessarily mean that he has seen and fought and outlived everything. So of course, in this case...

"It is time to add another feat to the list."

Slaying an undead dragon is, of course, a group effort - but if he lived to tell the tale, there's no doubt the undead would be telling the tale for decades to come. The innocent lives on the battlefield are, of course, a thought -

but defeating the enemy is a greater one.
(Perseus Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:10] Second wave went much like the first. Cassandra blew undead apart, but, breathing a bit heavily as her energy started to drain, she took far more nicks and hits, and by the time the second wave was beaten back, the young woman was cut and bruised in a dozen different places, and not sure how much longer she could keep this up. So, of course, that's when the undead dragon made its grand entrance.

"Oh...fuck." Cass felt her blood run cold and her adrenaline shift into overdrive. She barely even knew what she was looking at -sure, she'd read books, but an actually fucking dragon!! Yeah, this was not going to be fun. Trying to push even more water around her, increasing the protective shell, Cass knew that above all things she needed to try and stay away from that aberration, because she doubted she'd survive it if it got close.
(Cassandra)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:11] As he continued to weave his seals, the Kitsune sends fire and lightning across the fields - never burning his allies, but scorching his enemies. As the golden fire sears, his aim is to completely put down the army of skeletons.

"The undead must peri-- -."

As the dragon lands, the Kitsune almost feels himself toppled if only for moments. He stands himself back up with his mageblade.

".. perish." He spoke, as his hands return to a flurry of signs. Some of them cast healing waves of lightning toward his allies- other attempted to put down the gargantuan dragon before them.

Even so, in the defence of the city, the Kitsune can't spare his mercy for any of them.
(Emiri)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:11] Li fought harder and harder as he continued to slash with his sword. The battlefield was extremely chaotic, magic flew all over the place and corpses piled as time passed.
But despite that the man still kept his gaze fixed on one of the bigger undead, his sword was ready to strike, his shuriken ready to fly.
Li was ready to engage the undead, beside him there were tons of allies, there was no reason to have fear.
As the fight drew on, Li finally managed to land a good hit on the monster, putting finally an end to his torment.
But when the fight seemed to end, a massive shadow descended.
It took few seconds, but a monster bigger than anything Li had ever seen came down from the sky.

An undead Dragon.

He never saw a dragon in his whole life, but the thing in front of him was without a doubt one of those beings, his instincts were screaming this to him.

Fear, something that just mere minutes ago he would have never felt, was now slowly taking control of his body.
He wanted to run, but as he took a step back memories of the city washed over his mind.

He had to fight, whatever little amount of help he could give, he will.
Li readied his sword again, in his eyes a mix of fright and determination.
(Li)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:11] Letting the stronger magi do their job, he kept to the sidelines picking off whatever the others let past by. It was less stress for him, and it allowed for his occult to be left at bay. It seemed like things would've been ending soon, however the weather seemed to have changed around them all. Various degrees of weather from snow to thunder, leading up to a large, gargantuan beast crashing into the soul of the battlefield.

With a roar, the beast lightning upon them all, making the waves pale in comparison to what they've already fought.
A large, distressed sigh came out of him, his eyes seeking out others who also felt the same distress.

This time he shouldn't stand in the back, he was a magi though not fourfold, he held a responsibility to fight for the ones who couldn't. He couldn't let his fear of his occult hold him back.

So with a few hesitant steps, he brought himself closer to the front lines, looking upwards at the beast along with many other magi, mentally preparing for their assault.
(Ginta Toji)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:12] The wave was beaten again, there was a small moment of silence for the rallied force, Nasu taking a breath but coughing, he couldn't breathe the air.

He looks forward to the undead now approaching again but this time something far more powerful flew in, landing on the ground in a crushing manner, the earth shook and Nasu looked up at the dragon.

He shook, he was terrified, a dragon!? Nasu never thought for once in his life he'd see an undead dragon, fighting against one while he was still so young!

"B-be courageous.." He mumbled to himself, "I'm courageous, I-I'll fight for it K-Kraus!" His breath was broken, he had to clench the handle of his weapon really hard to hold onto it.

If his family wasn't here.. Nasu wouldn't run as fast as he could but he couldn't leave his family behind.. "L-Let's beat this undead dragon! P-push back the entire army! For Kraus!" His shakes his head and goes forward, ready to fight.
(Nasu Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:12] Lightning comes, a brilliant shock of white in the graphite, forking silently onto the unsuspecting ground, and-- the thunderous boom to follow was inevitable. It was anything but pleasant.

Even as living corpses continued to fall with each blow to follow- even as the commanders were defeated; what came next appeared to silence the battlefield in the spit moment.

Or perhaps its roar simply muffled all other sounds.

With bolts of pristine zipping through the battlefields, ramming and scorching soldiers, present, Zeriel could only feel his fists tighten, boots somewhat digging into the grounds underneath-- frosted winds continue howl, however, encircling about.

Then, lips part, and voice echoes along.

"Maintain distance! Use ranged spells-- focus on the Dragon, and push back the rest of Legion should they stray close! Don't let the appearance terrify you-- we've managed to push them back so far, and this won't be stopping us. Create room for the ones injured to retreat-- make sure none of the undead make it through our defenses.

Push on, people of Huangzhou! Soldiers of Fourfold!"
(Zeriel Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:13] Caught out of position for just a moment while getting up close and personal to put down as many undead soldiers as she could, poor Est was almost pulverized by the dragon's landing. It was only by the grace of her magic - quickly shifting into a fine mist and seeping through the holes in the undead dragon's feet - that she managed to survive. The shapeless fog rolled across the ground and once again fell in line near Eiphraem, slowly assuming a more human shape.

"...I recognized a few of them," she said, plainly and without much feeling. "But still not... who I'm looking for. Not yet." Despite cheating certain death for a second time in her life, she was calm - as if near-death experiences became stale after the first one.

"But- I was careless. My apologies. It won't happen again."

With that simple statement, she splayed her fingers on both hands, catching between each one a sharp needle of ice that descended from her sleeves. "...Back when I was just a farmer, I didn't think I'd ever be slaying a dragon."

She actually seemed excited - just slightly.
(Est)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:13] Jhin's sword left his hand for the briefest of instances, the fifteen year old left staring up at the massive shadow that loomed overhead. Snow began to fall as the trenches filled with the substance, looking around slowly as he was momentarily stupefied. It was only when his eyes drifted upward that he lost his composure, falling upon his rear as his mouth hung open. He thought he would only see such a creature within the confines of a story book, yet here was one of the most fearsome looking creatures he's seen in his life. The roar rattles his head, leaving his hands to rise upward to cup his ears in hopes of deafening the horrid noise. Lightning rains down shortly after, and it's only then that it finally hit home.

A dragon. A god damn Dragon.

Jhin found himself rooted to the core for a long moment, only to try seizing upon the fear that rooted him in place. If he remained where he was, he'd be struck! He haphzardly reaches down for his sword, only to dive out of the way as a stray bolt of pure lightning crashes downward. Debris rains overhead as he slams a hand over his head for protection, briefly crumpling his hat as dirt rained upon his back.

It was only when the dust and debris ceased that he even attempted to rise back up, clearly shaken as he held his sword out before him. This was what war was like, wasn't it? He was possibly the youngest among the many other individuals gathered, and his resolve felt as if it had been fractured apart. "H-how...How do you fight this thing?" He whispers, finding himself losing his will to continue fighting.

It was only through the means of his comrades that he manages to even look around. Their words of encouragement and the guidance of his elders is what gives him the ability to take a single step forward, at first. He was among some of the strongest mai that were fiercely defending their home, and he was here standing in arms along with them.

They stood tall in the face of oppression, and Jhin found himself able to work up the nerve to do the very same. If they thought that he could be of help, he'd do his best!

(Jhin Wvelven)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:13] The second wave came and once more the warrior found herself immersed in the enemy lines heedless of the enemies surrounding her.. if it was the will of Kraus for her to fall here then that is what would happen.

Her aura still continuing to grow in size and strength as she fought.. the barrier that once kept her from her full power gone she pulls more and more... by this point any undead struck by her mace were sent flying or torn apart by the sheer brute force of her swings..

She would free as many as many as she could before what ever was making that sound arrived.... Then she noted the change in the skies not breaking her combat with the surrounding undead...

She watched as the dragon crashed to the ground killing their foes and some of the non-magi soldiers who were unable to evade... the thing's roar carrying across the battlefield lightning following... she seemed to just disappear as a bolt struck where she had been a moment before as she appeared a few feet away...

Thank Kraus she was fast...

Her plan of battle changed... that thing had to be brought down and now... She pulled more... more than she never had before.. she had fought in the depths of Helheim... she had fought to free an island corrupted from undead... and though she was stronger each of those events.. it was her home on the line...

With a spin dozens of blasts of energy left her hands wiping out the surrounding undead... She tosses her shield aside not wanting the weight to hinder her....

As if she were a volcano of energy she pulls..... and her magic responds to her need.. to the raw emotion she felt to defend this place.. she would not lose her home.. her family was here. She could not fall. Her aura seemed to grow with more and more intensity as she began to move.. her flight across the battlefield trailing an ever growing layer of flaming energy and golden starlight...

Every movement would count...
(Anise Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:14] Amidst the chaos of the continued fight, the demon remains in cover. These were lesser undead, mortals turned not-mortal yet Mortal all the same, falling and falling repeatedly simply reconstitutded of their original body over and over again. They could not adapt and evolve. They could not-

It's cracked, bleeding face rises into the sky as a twisted grin crosses it's face. So much time this dragon had been alive, collecting it's sin, collecting it's depravity and now.. festering in undeath. Such a glorious feast this beast would be, if the beast did not kill the demon. Oh Xolgamath needed but a taste of this lawless one, one taste, one bite, one moment to savor. It needed only to be prepared as the electricity that coursed between it's wing-spikes, working as it's flight membrane, grew more vibrant, prepared for yet another piercing strike. It would aim in this battle, to do more than simply renddamage into the beast, it would aim to sever a chunk of it's flesh for consumption.

Oh how it relished this chance at victory or death, perhaps in the dragon's case, both. Oh but it would feast, for now .. it bides it's time and waits to strike out again.
(Xolgamath)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:14] The serpent's form recoils as the mass of the dragon strikes down onto the earth with surging gales and plasma; He slides back easily on a watery flow, gliding across it as though it were ice.

"Please, Lady Nyphadora. I am, if anything, a very difficult creature to sate, for all my patience. My coat pocket is a welcome locale-" He drawls, swinging the dark blade in an arc, amidst the scattered ash and cracked bone, the burning human fat and the scent of rot.

Water clings to his form, as does long gone viscera and smears to his white, glossy armored coat. The ribbon at his neck is out of place, his mussy hair is an absolute mess, and a scratch from a blade drawn too close brings his bright, fuschia blood to the surface of his forehead, barely ducked out of the way.

He breathes heavily, as he stares at the creature before them all, and his grip adjusts.

He reaches for Est- Catching and solidifying a hand, shaking it. "Thank you. Please do."

It might seem underwhelming, but from him...
(Eiphraem Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:14] Leon burst through the battlefield, cutting through undead with an halberd dancing with golden lightning and energy. An open palm sent a dozen skeletons rattling into oblivion as a burst of his azure magic fired outward and some quick steps kept him on the defensive while delivering punishing blows.

Even with the trembling earth, he kept his footing and rushed onward, and once the real threat had finally arrived, he knew what he had to do. The dragon had been something he'd spotted on his scouting missions, a creature that, while surprising to some, was entirely predictable to him.

And he knew where it went to roost. The monster would fight as it had done in the field; first it would level the city and pick off its enemies, and if an overwhelming force came to stop it, it would flee back to its home.

Flee back to where the Ghoul King was hiding.

This was his ticket there.
(Leon)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:15] Airgenald would hold firm at the front line, as he said, he would give them no quarter, and any ground gained would not be lost. He continued pushing the advanced, undead shattering across his shields as he contually kept an eye out for his allies, stepping in the way himself to throw his shields up, or sending a wolf to do so for him.

This is what war with the wicked looked like, what it felt like. Continually worn down through hundreds, thousands of undead soldiers who did not tire, who did not know fear. It was through sheer will, determination, and his righteous might to protect that he continued his assault forward.

"You shall not step foot in Huangzhao! NO, The only place your souls will go is to ATMOS, Kraus wills it!" He'd howl, continually laying many undead to rest as his pack of conjured wolves held strong defending the warriors by his side.

It was just as he thought they were making headway that the dragon appeared. This was the true horrors of necromancy, turning such a proud beast into a slave. It was despicable. Airgenald would stand in stoic fear, frozen and still just as the vile air around him.

"I will not waver.. I will not falter. AND I WILL NOT BACK DOWN." He'd bark at the abomination, this was not the time to run, but to charge and give everything he had, and more.

"Kraus, bless my shields, bolster my resolve, and make every strike ring true. I return these souls in your name!" A prayer said, his shields would clamor together like the jaws of a hungry would, ringing out across the battlefield as he readied for this next wave.
(Sir Airgenald Spudnicus Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:15] It was a tough battle, as the Undead just seemed to keep getting up and rrushing forth. Waves upon waves rushed them, horrifying Illusions being unleashed from Sun into the already fragile minds of the forces. Each one found their mentality crushed, their reality gone in an instant. That was how weak a singular fodder undead was, but that didn't matter...As For every one dead, there seemed to be a hundred more.

It was attrition, attrition in pushing forth and sending attack after attack towards the enemies. In the back of their head though, they noticed Nakiri, standing there with arms already held out towards one of the much larger undead. They knew what was about to happen, and as cosmic energies filled their being from the starry skies above...Sun burst into a flying dash, trails of stardust filling the air behind him as they appeared right in front of the undead.

They could already feel the stalling, the Illusionary power forcing it in place, caused by one dearto them, "Begone!" A thick ray of cosmic energy would blast out, engulfing the being in its empowered form.

Even as it clashed however, they backed away, sure that it had been the end for the thing. Even as they moved away, from afar they saw the hulking force of the dragon, and even worse was the undead getting back up from the ground.

This was real bad, very bad, but even while thinking about that, they quickly rejoined Nakiri into the backlines. What a fight.
(Sun Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:16] This time in with the beat of his drums and the ringing bellow of his song. The shrouded Neries struck through the undead hordes. Even going so far as to tangle with their leaders for a time before being forced back. A timely usage of his races ability to annul curses beign the only thing that saved him from being casted down once more.

Yet from amidst a horde of downed skeletons, the triple eyes of the modified gas mask each shifted towards a new arrival onto the scene. A massive draconic undead flying onto the battlefield from the mountain tops. Hidden reserves come to aid the mad Ghouls army.

With a hidden smile the bardic dreamer burst into a fresh blast of inspiration. With a breath he'd focus his magic into his vocal cords. His exaltation bringing with it a song of draconic desires.

"We are the chosen ones, we'll sacrifice our blood!~
We kill for honor!~
We are the lucky ones our armors stained withblood!~
We'll slay the dragon!~
No more living in fear, time to fulfill a dream!~
We'll make it happen we're the lucky ones!~

Riding through thunder and lighting once again!~
We'll slayed the beast whose come to bring our ends!~
Heroes of the day, legends forever!~"
(Syracuse Fengari)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:16] Khonsu is sad he's officially grounded. He liked being high.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:16] Ume can fly forever, Ume peers at the weakling Khonsu with arrogant eyes.
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:17] Xolgamath wished it was a kaor that could fly through the power of gravity.
(Xolgamath)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:17] Khonsu knows what Ume is thinking, and he counters by climbing him.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:17] Khonsu Dara exclaims, "TO BATTLE UME!!"
[19:18] Ume sighs and piggy back rides Khonsu for the fight
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:18] Towah Tatasuki whispers something.
[19:19] Gaining a bit of courage from his army mates words the young man would frown holding its staff like a spear,he would look ready to charge into that rotting breath lizard.

"In the name of the Lord i will cleanse this beast soul..."

He mumbles pinning its right feet in to the ground preapared for something who would look like a great battle.

(Krez Kunyah)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:19] The roar of the dragon startles a certain child of Elisheva back to consciousness.

Up until now, he had been preoccupied with matters that were of no relative importance. But as the warriors and 'allies' of Huangzhou prepared to duke it out with the dragon and the remaining undead, Noel Elisheva descends from the mountains to the west with a blade made of ice in his hands.

.. Just in time to respond to Jhin Wvelven.

"You fight it by giving it everything you have, and then some. Let's go, Tylwir." As per usual, the holywater wielding titan in the making can be seen with a member of fae-kind by his side. This one in particular clung to a certain aura of kindness that might be enough to carry the entirety of Huangzhou's army through this war.

"We're right behind you, Mister Zeriel. No fear here."
(Noel Elisheva)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:21] Ashera would continue on fighting the horde, With the strikes of her greatsword as the skeletons would slowly be put to rest, inanimate and deceased once more. She would see that the captains would continue their attack, and she would assist to defend against the adversity.

The first fight was against the undead captain, Her brilliant light would serve as a antithesis against the rot and miasma of depravity around her. Each attack would slowly put the giant towards the ground. Ever person from Huangzhou, Gehenna, and even Crafthold would take part in the defense. She was never truly alone.

After the continued onslaught of the two forces. The undead captain had finally gave in, and would finally fall, taking his rightfull rest in the process. The brute had soon followed when it had came to their fateful fight. Ashera would sigh in relief as she had seen the rest of the army go down. However.....

Ashera could feel the frozen putrid air radiate even more than ever. The clouds would rustle intensely. As the clouds would rumble with thunder, and lightning would stray around from what is to be seen. The dragon had appeared. And it was stronger than any undead that Ashera has faced before.

Ashera would feel a stroke of doubt, could they really take an enemy like this on? She would grit her teeth. For once. She would feel absolute darkness... As the fact that she may feel absolutely helpless...

But it was at that point. Ashera would take a look around. She would see that all the magi would gather. And would not falter when the dragon had appeared. She would look up to the great beast. And would continue to glow even further. She had a duty to uphold. And it was to put an end to this cycle of hatred before her... Ashera would shakingly grip her blade. And take a small breath.

The light would continue to glow from within. She felt fear, but she had felt courage from her peers, and her relentless will to uphold her duty. And she would not, turn her backs upon neither.
(Ashera Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:21] "Just what we needed," muttered the Lord Regent, as she twisted the blade in her hands and felt her magic thrum through the foci. A dragon-- enormous, undead, and a whole lot of trouble.

She shone from above, a stalwart beacon of hope for her people. Someone to see, and know, for as long as she fended off the darkness, they would have something to follow. To have faith in, when the Emperor's grace left their hearts and minds. But inward, beneath the shell of layered light and runic complication, was a woman of middling age, with sweat upon her brow.

Her breath beaded moisture on the 'visor' of the barrier that enshrouded her, forming little droplets that trickled down and out of sight. She gripped her blade with such force, her knuckles whitened. She could feel the bones snapping and crackling and popping.

They simply kept coming.

The Lady Bavmor held no illusions of gaining the title of Dragonslayer. It was another soul trapped within a rotting cadaver, just like the rest, and would be freed, just like the rest.

A triumphant call to those down below, warped and twisted with the sound waves traveling through her barrier, and made louder as a result of the funneling.

"Do not fear! It is undead, just as the rest are! Bring it down, and put it to rest! Defend Huangzhou, and fight in the name of the Emperor!"

Koume swung her sword out before her, and reached out with her other hand. A twist, and a flex of her circuitry, and suddenly that intricate weave of spacial magic made itself known. Dozens of figures of light, just the same as Koume's shell-- lacking the Koume, flickered into existence.

The woman herself began to disappear-- forming into light, and pureenergy, to warp between the shells of barrier magic that darted the skies. Each equipped to fight. To protect her people.
(Koume Bavmor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:22] Trust.

It was a simple concept, conveyed more through feeling than any true language. And yet the kid understood what was desired, even as the pressure weighed upon the back of their mind. As their circuits already felt all but fried by the power which surged through.

Easy to say, not so easy to follow through. The kid fretted that they might be overwhelmed by the ether magic coursing through their veins. All around them the very air all but boiled with the intensity of their heat. The scent of ozone wafted through the field, one among many, but strongest near them.

Until the dragon landed.

Arcs of electricity were sent toward the gathered forces- One such headed straight toward them. Hazel eyes now bleeding near red energies flared as a hand shot up out of pure instinct. Once more in the back of their mind, it was more a feeling than a word. Yet it directed.

Now.

With what power they held over the very same element, the kid redirected the flow. Forcing the power to take a different path. The ground was scorched where that arcing blast struck, but it harmed no other. A heaving breath followed as the kid recovered from that abrupt strain, but it wasn't over yet.

It directed, and they followed, allowing it to guide them.
(Kirsi Ó Cnáimhín)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:22] Sun Heifang whispers something.
[19:25] {NARRATION} (alright pick up the dead and wait for narrate!)
[19:26] Tylwir hugs sans
(Tylwir)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:31] {NARRATION} Finally the numbers began to wane.

The undead soldiers that had continuously charged out of the forest stopped and were put to rest by sword and spell. The dragon barreled through line after line of Huangzhou's defense but even it couldn't breach the front gate. With holy light shining forth, the dead would not win today.

After a crippling injury by none other than Nyphadora, the dragon let out a low growl and its red eyes shifted left and right as it assessed the damage it had sustained. It had not been sent here to face defeat, nor would it sit around and fight to the end. It had greater things to do, a larger power to serve...

And so with its black blood dripping from its body it beat its wings once to ascend, and twice to escape. Without looking back across the mangled corpses it left behind, the dragon vanished into the north where its Master was calling it home.
[19:32] Tylwir has no fear
(Tylwir)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:33] Eiphraem stares as it retreats.

He has no hesitation- His arm grips at Perseus' own, snatching him from the battlefield.

When the dragon goes to retreat, Eiphraem emits a shrill, sharp psionic white noise- Trying to get the attention of his compatriots. This is what he was looking for. A small bubble of water plaps Nyphadora and tries to pull her with; And doubtless others were able to hear.

The serpent, nonetheless, is one of the fastest creatures in Agartha. A swish of his silver, flowing tail and he is in the air, swimming through it like the ocean at the speed of the quicksilver he commands.

He takes off into the forestry and canopy, to allow Huangzhou their time to recover their defenses, to go about their own work.

He had a king to catch.
(Eiphraem Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:35] The third wave came forth. Tenevan kept his place on the field, keeping his spear focused at the Dragon that was barreling down at the lines. He slung forth spell after spell at the creature, though each individual blast could barely scratch it.

He kept at it regardless, focusing himself on the creature. The Siren carried a grimace as his expression, forcing himself to face the storm the beast conjured to do his own damage.

He played his part, cast his spells, and in the end, it retreated. The third wave was beaten back, as had all the others.

The Siren surveyed the remains with heavy breaths, letting his weapon drop down. It had been utter chaos and hellish carnage, but at last, it was over.
(Tenevan)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:35] There it went. Leon smirked as he watched the giant, undead monster take flight, bleeding all the while. It was traveling dead ahead, right toward where all his theories lined up, where the Ghoul King's Skeleton tower must be. Even if he was covered in grime and muck from the fight, he had little time to lose.

The young exorcist took off into the tree line and reaffixed his halberd to his back. Perhaps he'd return to gather allies for a direct assault once he had a clear location to strike...
(Leon)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:35] Towah would fight and try to avoid damage as much as he could. But he knew that upclose fighting was much more of his to do than anything else. The other really was having a troubling time. Watching as Rosa would fight off the beast that near.

Towah didn't know how much damage he was taking until he took it.'

The man would then find himself falling. "Shit..." He would hit the ground hard.

"Damn...."

He knew his comrades would win. The man laid there breathing heavily.

"Damn I wasn't...post...to fall." Slowly trying to get up.
(Towah Tatasuki)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:35] When Eiphraem let out his signal, the young man snaps to attention, and while he hasn't quite as fast as Eiphraem, he is still QUITE fast. He snaps forward with a speed that some might not even be able to follow, aiming to follow in his leader's slithering trail.
(Esso Naam)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] Li had fought harder than ever. As someone said, a cornered animal will fight back fiercer than ever.
And that was exactly what happened, the blacksmith slew undead after undead, managing even to reach one of the commanders and bring him down.
As the fight continued Li could even see the dragon being pushed back, it's body riddled of injuries.
It would only take some more time before the beast would escape.
Watching around himself, Li would see that the battle had ended. No more undead stood in the vast charred field.
They had won.
The undead horde had ben defeated. The undead dragon had been defeated.
Li would fall on his knee, his visage facing the now clear sky.
He was exhausted, but at the same time he was extremely delighted.
He survived, and won.
(Li)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] This wave and the final one Krez would be knocked down by the dragon fury as laying on the ground he barely manages to get his self up been knocked down the second time already.

"Gh..."

He groans once again but a smile would shine in the boy face as when she would get back on his feets the huge and fearfull dragon would follow his fate,yes,Kraus watched over the boy and gave him and the other sword mates the strenght to rest their falled friends and family souls in peace.
(Krez Kunyah)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] Ume continued his never ending shots of glee as he carried Khonsu on his back, really, they were the perfect duo, it was like black and white with their abilities, but they parred well. Ume chuckled and wiped his brow, "These guys aint no joke.. and now we're fighting a friggin dragon... sheesh, I think Arthur should bury himself."

Ume continued his attack, his mana was depleting fast now, but he kept his cool. explosion of his own occultic aura filled the area as he thrashed at every skeleton and zombie, besides Perseus, in the area. suddenly he'd look north and see the dragon was retreating.

"What that's really all ya' got!?" Ume turned as an undead stabbed the leather armor which covered him, it was completely absorbed by the leather, Ume would look the undead in the eyes and chuckle, "Didn't turn out how you wanted it to huh rattle bones?" with a head butt, Ume shattered the skeleton's skull into brittle.. Plum man had a plum head. He'd wave to his children and smile "That's about it kids huh..."
(Ume Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] How ironic it was, that the former Leader and founder of the city of Undead was the one who would be delivering a heavy injury to the monster itself, however an opportunity rose when it turned its tail to flee!

Whilst she had supressed her Occult prowess, the electricity escaping her was still fatal- She refused to let the chance go to waste, Eiphraem had struggled so hard for them to be able to show up, and the Fae would be damned if they had nothing to show for it!

A strike of lightning escaped her Arcanium staff, spiking through the air straight to the Dragon; aiming for the leg, the electric strike surged through the skin and like a clean cut, it was separated from the Dragon- Its leg now crashing down to the ground beneath.

Though the Fae had few moments to celebrate, even properly figure that she had dealt such a blow before the Archon dragged her off- A bubble of water plaps her, dragging her along!

"Oh dear!"
(Nyphadora)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] Though she assisted in hindering the dragon by firing off large icicles from the thick fog that enveloped her, Est's primary focus remained on the remaining footsoldiers. The undead army was, as she had said many times at each defense, largely comprised of her own people. There were farmers she recognized. There were neighbors and merchants whose stores her parents sent her on errands to from time to time. Some of the people who walked in the park every day, whose faces she had memorized while feeding the birds from what she referred to as her old life.

So she continued dancing and weaving through the crowd of undead warriors, icy needles slashing through them like claws as she inspected each and every face. Evidently, she didn't find what she was looking for - even as Eiphraem sounded his call and she slipped away, little more than mist rolling along the ground through the treeline.
(Est)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] It feels right and it feels wrong. It feels as if this was meant to be, and as if Galahad was breaking some law. He doesn't know what to think of this at this point. Why was he enjoying this?

That question doesn't leave his head. It lingers in his mind as the dragon is defeated by a fae, and it rings loudly as the beast ascends into air - just about when the knight himself begins to descend. Slowly but surely, his cloak of the wispy magenta mana fades away– but a couple of splotches of deep scarlet remain. They taint his attire, almost making the teen look bloody and injured.

Certain words and whispers rang within the boy's mind as well, a particular name repeating as if a broken record was playing. It's the same one he heard the day he touched the cursed-moon staff.

Only this time, the time-magi heard it louder.
(Galahad Gwynne)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:36] The great wounded mantis had tried to reach the dragon in time to take a bite, only having been blocked by the sudden wounded cry caused by none other than a fae that it recognized as being a frequent of it's new 'home'. Then it heard the call of it's kin, immediately disintegrating itself into raw electrical energy, aiming to bolt after Eiphraem and the others that would make their way after the greater foe..

It was so hungry, and Eiphraem's word was it's Law now.
(Xolgamath)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:37] From one endurance to another worse. Again with the swarm of magic that left Ren on his toes. Dodging strikes of black flame and occultism, while also some stray ally magics.

The fatigue swarms his body, but he perseveres. Too close and he'd die; too far and he'd do no damage. Whenever he could a blast of energy is shot, or when to close he gives a quick slash against the scales of the dragon, barely making a dent.

To great surprise, an occult Fae landed a great blow. One with an archon. It was odd to see, almost like a dream that a demon would assist. So odd, that let the smith wonder-

and the dragon escaped. Beating through the air with a gust of wind to hinder as it flew off. The last leg of exhaustion nearly has Ren falling down. He takes large inhales of air to collect himself. But it was over(?)

He knew better and grimaced at the thought. "Still more..." His hands as he frowned.

A glance around showed the damage to the fields. A gaze of sorrow and hands clasping together in prayer for the land's recovery. But damage would likely happen again.
(Ren Shi)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:37] To witness such a momentous force raised to the fight on both sides is something to be treasured, even despite the chaos and the casualties. Born in the horrors of war, the knight fights with a stalwart resolve, pressing his way through and shielding the defenders who are more functional artillery.

At Eiphraem's call, however, and at the dragon's retreat -

well, his job is pretty well done, isn't it? He takes flight for little more than a moment, soaring atop the battlefield on wings dyed midnight blue, his hand landing upon Eiphraem's shoulder as he latches on.
(Perseus Kang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:37] Khonsu had spaced out at one point or another as he rode atop Ume's back into battle. It was just such a magestic experience.. Flying really was rather amazing.

"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!", the Dara said because he was flying. Without touching his staff the Magi would channel his mana into it before flaring out blindingly gold light of flames and astral energy at the monster before them.

What spelt its end was hard to see however though the man watched with glowing green hues as the beast flew away and vanished into the sky, "Man, that was a bit more fun than it should've been.. Well, I'll see you at the next catastrophe, not uncle Ume."
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:37] Frowned as he watched the dragon escape, he'd sung a song of slaying the beast. Not it escaping, though it meant he'd have a second chance to try and take it down. Small prizes he'd guess.

He'd watch Eiphream give chase, for a second the Neries considered giving chase himself. Yet, that was a fools game, he'd never be able to catch such a beast. Shifting his gaze from the Crafthold forces he'd eye the army of Huangzhou.

Now was the time for the dreamer to make his escape. He'd simply walk away into the forests heading north. LEaving behind the battlefield and the heroes of Huangzhou to their victory. Idly he wondered if he'd ever meet any of them on a similar field of combat.
(Syracuse Fengari)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:37] Jhin had pushed himself to his absolute limits, panting heavily as he entrenches his blade into the sodden dirt. Covered in varied cuts, scrapes, and bruises, it would appear that the young lad miraculously managed to not become a mangled corpse along the ground. His body ached heavily as swear pours down his features, his mana all but spent for the time being. He had felt as if he had tapped into a reservoir of some sort - an anomaly of excess energy that he found himself being able to utilize in the heat of battle. Perhaps it was merely desperation and fear fueling him, or the warmth of his holy flames encouraging him to fight that much harder when everything was at stake.

His eyes widen as he realizes the dragon was retreating, weakly cheering as he awaited to see the results of the battle. Many lives were lost, however, and he found himself tripping over various bodies as his good cheer quickly died off. His lips gently curl into a frown, only to look around with a somberexpression.

This...was depressing, actually. He found himself appearing crest-fallen at the amount of casualties, only to quickly run about.

"Kirsi!! Where are ya'?! Are you okay?!" He calls out, a hint of panic in his tone. He had managed not to fall in battle, but he wasn't sure about his friend! They were the youngest among the group, so it was only natural he'd fear the worst.
(Jhin Wvelven)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:37] Target after target, undead after undead. Even the great dragon fell below their combined might one after the other - the dragon, however, had survived. It fled, leaving the lesser creatures to rot and decay amidst the flames left in its wake.

Exhausted and worn from the fight; not just tired, but her very mana circuits over-loaded from the stress of pushing themselves to their absolute limit - she fell back to the crowd. Only relaxing once the distant, dark, shape of that massive beast vanished into the sky.

Would it be back? Possibly - but for now her attention was focused on home. Making sure everyone was safe and getting back for some well deserved rest. Seeking out the winged form of her wife, she dismissed her mana aura; glad to see that the others she cared for hadn't been taken down in the fighting.
(Cheska Railen)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:38] Ume Ixis Kimyona says, "Shya, right back atcha Khonsu.."
[19:38] The third wave was terrifying and exhilarating all at once. With the dragon on top of the rest of the undead, Cassandra was honestly expecting a painful death, and if anything that just made her fight harder. Skeletons and zombies were crushed left and right by strong water currents and wind powerful enough to blow them apart. It was a short-lived surge in strength, but it was enough for the young woman to avoid too much in the way of being stabbed. A few more cuts struck her, of course.

The dragon began to retreat, and all the exhaustion soaked into her as the battle was assumedly won. She found herself bent over, gasping for breath as she had what was probably close to a nervous breakdown for a few moments before she was able to pull herself together. "We...we won?" She probably shouldn't have sounded so surprised, but she couldn't help it. Her first big battle, and she'd survived it!
(Cassandra)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:38] A dragon was no match for the crowd. Despite the beast's efforts it couldn't even pierce through the walls of Huangzhou. As armies were razed by occultic flames coming from Ethan's fingertips the beast was brought down - forced out of the battlefield. Brutish skeletons found themselves completely wiped out— finished by the young Wayfinder.

A success, or so it seemed to be as the attacks ended. The winged beast escaping was nothing but forecasting a final battle somewhere.
(Ethan Hawke)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:38] She made her way to the dragon throwing aside any undead that lay between them... the potion giving her flight ran out her feet landing on the ground in a run her body a blur of steel and motion... A larger undead in her path would charge her not expecting what came next..

She pulled her shield from her arm breaking the straps throwing it one handed with the full force of her impressive strength.. it struck it on the knee shattering it forcing it to fall onto it.. Not missing a stride she leaps onto its shoulder as a spring board starlight coating her as she ascended even over the larger undead's head....

Her cosmic magic giving her great momentum and force she sails over the heads of the rest of the undead that should've been in her way.. wishing she had her shield already she slams into the dragons side with her mace as she passes by...

And that's how she did her part in wearing the great beast down... she would run between it's legs striking with her mace and energy magic entangling it how it could striking joints to hinder it further....

It would not take her home....

Finally as the lines of undead thinned and more magi joined against the dragon it was worn down rapidly and greatly wounded by that fae.. though it was not slain it was forced away from the battlefield...

A victory for Huangzhou… but how long before it returned..?

The aura radiating from her was still one more potent than most could muster as she turns to cleaning the battlefield of remaining foes and assisting in picking up their wounded.
(Anise Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:39] Pushing forth alongside all the others. A wand was waved all around, constant powerful strikes unleashing towards the draconic being that began flying off into the distance. The horrifying thing needed to die, it needed to be ended...Yet As it left, flying away, they knew it was an impossibility, every strike given was ignored, undead flesh just falling off its already rotting corpse.

Immediately they retreated, having dealt with the constant pressures of many waves. Soon they were standing right next to Nakiri again, before giving a loving small grip onto their hand. They had survived the assault, killing more and having nigh' injuries.

What a day.
(Sun Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:39] The little fairy, which does not like fight very much. Joined the fight anyways, to help some honorable fighter, fighting for their city's freedom. She'd make the use of her water magic to slide under the fighter's feets during the fight and then touch the water to fill it with her magical purity, giving the fighters an healing effects.

Nothing more has been done by the young fairy, But she has done something, it is what's important and she is really proud of it.
(Tylwir)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:39] Sinael Anauel whispers something.
[19:39] A wasteland by the time it was over-- littered with corpses of undead Legion, alongside the way grasses remain charred, frozen, and everything in-between. Though, the numbers dwindled-- and slowly but surely, vanished-- even the mighty Dragon brought down all the while, but...

"No, you--"

The words are cut short, and multiple lances of pure, pristine frost fired along, northward in the Dragon's direction all the while, yet-- it evades, it runs.

"Look after wounded-- offer first-aid to the ones who need it, help the others to the clinic. Strike down any undead of the Legion who still twitches, I--"

Though loud, they're cut short as he'd aim to move further-- to follow the Dragon's trail, and not loose its tracks all the while. Somewhere down the line; there was the Ghoul King.

Despite the Heifang's own, significant celerity, whether he'd manage to keep up or not, well-- the time tells.
(Zeriel Heifang)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:40] The undead are pushed back, Nasu did his fair share of fighting them all, fighting the soldiers and shooting fire at the dragon, his main focus were the smaller targets though, something he could take on.

In the fight he managed to get knocked down, his body ached but he was fine for the most part.. maybe? The kitsune lowers onto the ground was the dragon flies off to the north, not beaten but retreating.. still a large threat Agartha would have to deal with.

He pants, exhausted with himself, his body trembling and shaking.

"We did it.." He gives a tired smile, stabbing his sword into the ground and leaning on it, he had to catch a breath now.. at least come cleaner air instead of the corruption and rot.
(Nasu Ixis Kimyona)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:40] It hurt - a lot.

But every blow that was dealt was healed by either his magic, his sister's magic, or Tylwir. He does everything he can to bring hell (or heaven, rather) to the opposition, but in the end it is Nyphadora whoputs the hurt on the dragon in a major way.

"Wow-- Hey, good job! But.."

Rather than chasing after the dragon, he simply makes a mental note of the direction it is heading in. If it was possible to track such a beast, he would do everything he could to make sure he was one of the ones helping to do so moving forward.

For now, he checks on the wounded, holy aura splashing about to heal those closest to him. Mostly Zeriel and Spud.
(Noel Elisheva)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:40] Khonsu finally gets off Ume's back and takes off the mask.
(Khonsu Dara)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:41] Nakiri, once more, had focused in on the Undead 'Commander' her own use of various self-made magic circles aided the others in taking the large Undead down before looking on to her next target. The one everyone had their concerns about it seemed. The dragon.

Even as it laid waste and devastation from the points it her flew, Nakiri did what she could to hinder flight and land-movement alike. She sent out burst of amplified sonic waves which mostly deflected off of its body. Her Illusionary and Gravitic spells were notable the most effective - finally, the Fae had dealt the last blow and a successive shattering of her magic circles occured. Was it finally over?

"...It--" She was cut off by the Dragon's swift escape, even she couldn't keep up with that. For another day? She'd end those.
(Nakiri Reiha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:41] His hands are a flurry of actions as the shinobi-priest continues on his way, a golden stormcloud creating arcs of lightning that put down the weaker parts of the undead army. The nature itself twists and contorts to his will, grasping at and subduing the undead until the lightning rains down upon them.

And as the undead dragon continued to battle them, his lightning meets its gargantuan form the most. Attempting to strike it down - to kill it, to put down the beast. He felt no guilt from this action; it was once a beautiful creature, but what he saw now was a creature fully made to destroy(1600 att) and with 0 def.

"Itadakimasu, Jiuweihu.."

As it falls, the Kitsune merely stands idle. He didn't have any intentions to even bother chasing as others did- for now, he would simply look among the field for those injured.
(Emiri)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:41] Tylwir whispers something.
[19:42] Immediately, Mikhaila employed everything she could to combat the dragon.

Her eyes turned a bright, luminescent golden while her mana circuits visibly adopted a similar hue. The small wings on her back shimmered and suddenly erupted into an impressive set of angelic wings -- an undead Dragon on top of an albeit dwindling army called for such power increase.

She fought alongside the others, striking down the corpses she could spot while sending blasts of energy and golden winds to rip at the dragon's hide.

Towards the end, though, the dragon began to flee, but as much as she wanted to take off after it... who knew what she would stumble on?

So instead, she settled on the ground and huffed. "I didn't think you'd show up, Noel, hm, hm. We beat it back, but... now it's running to who knows where."
(Mikhaila Elisheva)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:42] Noel Elisheva says, "Flying.. yeah."
[19:43] The last of the undead legion had proven to be the strongest, letting the weak whittle away at Huangzhao's reserves while the real challenge simply waited for their opportunity to pick them off.

Airgenald's breath grew heavier as his muscles ached, his nyeshk shields losing their weightlessness as his gravity magic waned. He did not give up, continuing to stand his ground, repelling any undead who charged at him and sending debilitating shockwaves through the earth to break up their formation further.

His focus began to be divided as he focused on a few key allies, the undead commander preparing a powerful blast towards one of them, Airgenald charged forward, pushing them out of the way with his shields.

He closed them back up as quick as he could, unable to dodge the blast that soon enveloped him. First the barriers he rose shattered as his mana was sapped from him, then his shields were forced open as he took the burst point blank. His vision wentblack.

Is this it? He wondered to himself, gone out in the line of duty protecting a cherished friend. A soothing sensation washed over him, surely he had made his way to Atmos. His vision returned in a haze as the first thing he saw was Noel's angelic face. He had not fallen on this day, but he had learned a valuable lesson, what it truly took to defend the people and innocents he loved.

Being helpd to his feet he would nod, "Thank you.. Noel." He'd say with genuine gratitude and appreciation, it had seemed they won this day.
(Sir Airgenald Spudnicus Ixis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:47] Ethan Hawke whispers something.
[19:48] It fled.

Against the gathered strength of Huangzhou, and not even her entire force it seemed, the rotting draconic servant took wing in fear. To return to its lord and master. Her first instinct was to pursue. To find that which commanded the beast and put it down. Put him down, the Ghoul King.

But upon seeing the snake and his people dart after it, and luckily seeing Zeriel dart after as well, she hesitated. Her people needed tending to, and the last of the undead needed cleansing. She loathed to leave him alone amongst gathered masses of the depraved, but he would survive if he was careful.

It would be bad press if not, for many people.

Koume drifted down from on high. and allowed the bottoms of her flats to scrunch against the grass. While Zeriel was off doing his thing-- external, she handled the internal, sweeping her gaze over the injured and weary.
(Koume Bavmor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[19:50] To anyone who cast a glance, it might be rather obvious just how inexperienced the kid was. Not that many would pay that sort of mind to one among many. The kid was hardly a blip on the radar, and yet they fought regardless. Blast and bolt alike, all sent flying toward the monstrous creatures which dared to attack.

At least, that's how they had been fighting before.

That's what had gotten them knocked over before.

And it is what they tried to avoid now.

Their form all but bled that dusty orange, all tinged and sparking with the flare of holy electricity. Yet rather than direct such outward nigh constantly, the kid turned their focus elsewhere. Damage control. Minimizing casualties. What lightning they could wrest from the air and the dragon's control was sent straight back toward it.

It was far more important that the people here be protected than it was to claim the glory of killing such beasts. If they could return the favor of such brutal ferocity, that was just a bonus.

When at last the creature retreated, the kid all but collapsed there and then under the weight of fatigue. The others were capable enough on their own to mop up the remaining hoarde. They remained where they had fallen, eyes staring into the early morning sky above. Into the distance, a point unseen.

Yet she felt something watching still.

With a start they blinked back to the present, Jhin's shout recalling them to the situation at hand. Their aura quickly flickered out, leaving behind a wretched numbness. As though they'd overloaded their circuitry. Despite that they forced themself up, and finally replied-

"I'm alright Jhin! Little worse fer wear, but I'm alright!"
(Kirsi Ó Cnáimhín)