dev 8 - encounter with briar

Ashalle says, "Nothing's happening...Just seems like the usual encounter between Levengard and Dawn."


Ahmir Valerius says, "Get out of m'caves."

Adrian Rowan asks, "Ahh! More of you have arrived, hmm?"

Ahmir Valerius says, "All of ya', bright an' imposin'."

Ahmir Valerius says, "Get out."

Adrian Rowan says, "Both of you are coming with me."

Ashalle says, "..."

Ashalle asks, "This again?"

Yu Heifang says, "We're outnumbered, Adrian."

Adrian Rowan asks, "Do you think I would let up?"

Ahmir Valerius says, "It doesn' get old."

Adrian Rowan says, "You run back to Levengard, Yu-- This isn't something you can handle."

Yu Heifang asks, "And tell your father I left you alone?"

Adrian Rowan asks, "Yes, because I ordered you to... Unless you really want to take your chances?"

Kyras says, "You really gonna take on all of us by yourself? Even if your are Drakan that seems to be pushing it."

Ahmir Valerius says, "It ain't gonna' be all of us. I prefer th' traditional beatdown."

Adrian Rowan says, "I'm a Dragon, and I am relentless-- You'll feel a wrath worse than any Angel can give you. I swear it, even if I have to beat you /all down/ one by one."

Ashalle says, "Honor seems rather...Fitting."

Ashalle says, "We, atleast, have that over Levengard."
Ashalle wraps an arm around Ahmir's shoulder, she smirks. HEH
(Ashalle)


Adrian Rowan asks, "I've grown, you know? Are you sure you want to take that chance?"
Had to be them.

In truth, it surprises him that there was anyone, considering there was a general consensus that only small fraction of Dawn's forces still roam about, and even they thoroughly fail to force out the people from this cave. It's clear, however, that Adrian here would really need assistance with this sort of thing.

"You crazy motherfucker, Adrian." A shake of his head, and a laugh.

But he doesn't relent. Maybe Keitaro was no less crazy in his own right, really, and instead he comes closer. The sights are pointed towards the rest, aside of Ashalle and Ahmir, and he glances back at Adrian.

"You seem like you need help."

"Were you going to just take on them both at once, or one by one?"

After all, he wasn't sure whether Keitaro's role would be actually aiding him in a fight, or ensuring that he can get out of here alive, if things go terribly wrong.

Even if he can do that, to begin with.
(Keitaro)

Nora Hawk whispers something.

Genrira whispers something.


"At this point, I don't really see the point in bothering anymore...I mean, I think Dawn has a populace of two?" She questions, poking fun at Adrian's declaration of 'destroying' those that fall underneath Sors' own vision. "At this point, I imagine that it'd be like kicking a wounded puppy...Albeit, an undead one...But a puppy, nonetheless." Her smile widens considerably, hands carefully easing to her scythe as she speaks..

"While the option to take all of you is on the table...I believe we've said what we've said. If there's a battle that you want, I prefer to do this thing one on one." Her gaze darkens, the insects within the cavern beginning to flourish as she speaks..

"But ah, well...It doesn't HAVE to come down to that, you know...If you could just listen to Ahmir here and 'kindly' escort yourselves out of the cave, then...well..There won't be any issues.." An avenue is given, despite the amusement that appears upon her features. Hm, hmm, hmmm.
(Ashalle)

"This ain't a chance."

The Valerius chimes in, his gaze coming to a close despite the voices which chime in from every which direction. The Valerius is not vocal, nor physical with his aggression, instead the intent which bleeds from his very being imposes itself upon all present.

"This ain't a conversation, nor is it a test of spirit. Th' lot of ya' who don't belong, an' trespass in m' presence need not speak of morals, nor ambition." His patience, as thin as it'd been since his birth had been stretched far too thin when it came to Agartha and its inhabitants.

"It'd be idiotic not ta' dread this encounter. So quiet ya'self an' leave. Or... Pick your opponent, if ya' so dare. Then..."

He hums, a quiet breath flowing beyond his lips.

"You will kneel accordingly."
(Ahmir Valerius)

Aeton sits back unless ordered otherwise by either of his commanders. Taking a long drag off his cigarette as he spectates.
(Aeton Hawk)

Genrira listens in on the conversation between the two of them. The situation only had him more interested then before. Concerning the cave he didn't care who won or lost. The only thing he cared about was how it'd benefit him no matter what side won. Unless he was force to jump in he had no intentions of lifting a finger.
(Genrira)

crossed his arms as he was fully engulfed in his fire aura. He seem little bothered on the surface by all the commotion and patiently waited while taking care to fry any demons foolish or primal enough to close in on the group. His eyes where looking sharp for once. He was taking this situation quite seriously.
(Kyras)

The magi remained standing, his countenance stoic and calm as he listened, eyes merely drifting from one person to another.

Of course, however, he waited.

Though, upon the leaders of Briar's declaration, he could only muster a light smile.

He'd left the confines of Levengard and Huangzhou, for in the wilds, can an occultist only bear his fangs.
(Yu Heifang)

Does not do a single thing, simply just watches floating unless someone decided to bother her. the girl watched this fight with interest. "..interesting." She said lightly for a moment.
(Nora Hawk)

He was already completely fired up, flames and ice dancing around the caves. Wings stretch out, as hands curl over to present sharp nails.

A wild gaze, filled with ambition and adrenaline. He was a Dragon already on the prowl, having one prey escape and more show up on his doorstep. Fighting was inevitable, and Adrian already decided he wouldn't just take one with him-- But two!

''CRAZY?! Haha! Maybe so! But come Keitaro, take your pick!''

Hunching himself over, he digs his claws into the dirt. Foot pushing back as wings spread out, platinum eyes focus on the two Briar Locke members akin to a wild animal focusing on prey.

''If it's traditional you want, just don't go running after I tear one of you down. I am going to catch you both and drag you back, and you'll feel just how strong I am.

There is no shadow that covers me, ASHALLE. And your blade cannot cut water, AHMIR.''

Ice spreads across the ground, as the cave becomes cold. Fire dances atop his horns before water begins to flow. Flooding over the area, pulsing, and washing. The tendrils of the ocean creeping through the walls of the cave. Moisture in the air is manipulated, threatening to snatch one of them where they stood.

''HAHAHA!''

Tearing his nails from the ground, he stands at his full height to tower over those around him. His own shadow cast over them, more than ready to throw himself in combat recklessly.

''Whose first?''

Yu goes ignored for now, mostly because Adrian already told him to flee. What would the circumstances be? If anything, he expected the Heifang to aid Keitaro in combat.
(Adrian Rowan)

He was already completely fired up, flames and ice dancing around the caves. Wings stretch out, as hands curl over to present sharp nails.

A wild gaze, filled with ambition and adrenaline. He was a Dragon already on the prowl, having one prey escape and more show up on his doorstep. Fighting was inevitable, and Adrian already decided he wouldn't just take one with him-- But two!

''CRAZY?! Haha! Maybe so! But come Keitaro, take your pick!''

Hunching himself over, he digs his claws into the dirt. Foot pushing back as wings spread out, platinum eyes focus on the two Briar Locke members akin to a wild animal focusing on prey.

''If it's traditional you want, just don't go running after I tear one of you down. I am going to catch you both and drag you back, and you'll feel just how strong I am.

There is no shadow that covers me, ASHALLE. And your blade cannot cut water, AHMIR.''

Ice spreads across the ground, as the cave becomes cold. Fire dances atop his horns before water begins to flow. Flooding over the area, pulsing, and washing. The tendrils of the ocean creeping through the walls of the cave. Moisture in the air is manipulated, threatening to snatch one of them where they stood.

''HAHAHA!''

Tearing his nails from the ground, he stands at his full height to tower over those around him. His own shadow cast over them, more than ready to throw himself in combat recklessly.

''Whose first?''

Yu goes ignored for now, mostly because Adrian already toldhim to flee. What would the circumstances be? If anything, he expected the Heifang to aid Keitaro in combat.

(Adrian Rowan)

There was too little regard for own's safety to even consider retreat.

Whatever caused that? It's unknown. But when he sees Adrian take upon this stance, when he feels the floor beneath his feet become cold, he already knew what would happen- a wide grin spread across his features, and the Shenlong would promptly follow up. He wouldn't let another dragon just hog everything for himself.

"That I will."

Calling upon the ancestry of his own, the blazing colors of lightning mixed with holy magic were surging through and through, so much that for a moment, everything blacked out due to excess of light; it was that tap into pure thunder, and while they were in a cave, unable to access the skies, he already learned how to replicate that much.

For he had already tasted the power of heavens.

The arcs of lightning appeared all over, threatening to jolt about anyone that would come close. Was he just surging everything he had to spare? Perhaps. Yet, the Shenlong were unrivalled in their mastery of lightning. And while Keitaro's own surge was still young, still unmastered in its form...

It was still potent in its own right.

"You didn't expect me to just go away, did you, Adrian?"

"Because if you're fighting - so am I."

What's this insanity? Anyone reasonable would know that they might be too young for this. There is still much to master, and yet they're ready for this - ready to recklessly leap into jaws of the beast without fear.

In the end, only fate and their effort would rule what happens next.
(Keitaro)


"You know..." She says while breathing in and then out. "I think that I like the lot of you more than anyone else that I've ever encountered. You don't 'rave' on about good or evil...You don't see things the way the rest of this world does. No...You fight to protect each other. For the thrill. For the rush." It was something that she could savor. Something that she could get behind...But that doesn't mean that challenges are so easily swept underneath the rug.

"To prove me wrong when I...Know in my heart that I'm right. These shadows that you cannot escape from will consume you. The pride of being a Rowan...The thought of still being underneath your uncle. You're just him...You're still him." She adds as she turns around briskly, her smile widening into a Cheshire grin - joining within the laughter.

"You're not worth the effort anymore. I'll let Ahmir have his turn with you while I play with someone else." The vermillion scythe twirls as she pivots upon her foot. The dancer rocks carefully from the balls of her feet to the heel...A linger, brilliant sway is offered in the midst of these caverns.

"Come. Let's get acquainted, shall we? I like seeing new faces as much as I like hearing new screams. I'm sure yours will do well enough for me."
(Ashalle)

"Ya' awfully stuck on concept. I can do anything I desire. I, will have ya' pathetic wills laid out before me as I desire. Because that is all it takes for me, that is m' only necessity."

Need, it is what drives him. For the missing pieces that shout so loudly from his being is his only driving force. The realm does not break at the seams entirely upon his command yet, though it does heed the loudness that is the warrior's spirit.

The moisture which collects within their damp arena is gripped ferociously by the reach of Ahmir's control over water, the once quiet pitter-patter of droplets having come to collect beneath him, and rise. It wouldn't be long before the puddles became a rushing torrent, the Valerius's power only promised such.

"In case ya' forgot Adrian. I am unlike them, from Cruxati. I am th' ambition they fail ta' wield. I am th' one, that knows how ta' take what's before me. An' you? Keh, ya' ain't no different."

In his eyes, it hadn't been likely he'd be proven wrong. Ahmir, simply wouldn't allow it.
(Ahmir Valerius)

"...Don't you see how futile it is?" There are moments when she purposely peruses the thoughts of the dragon. "That no matter what you do...No matter how strong you can become. No matter how much you might try to come up against me and my own, that you will never win?" When lightning assaults her flesh, the mocha surfaces burns and twists, becoming taut and dry....Only to sudden flourish once more.

 There is opulence within her step. The silken kimono fluttering within the winds as she dances amongst the realm....The scythe twirling about her frame as hands of marble graps onto Keitaro. "You'll be used until you can't be used anymore. This world will kill you for doing what you're doing." The truth of the matter is that she believes that she is the APEX of humanity. The one that has fought for everything that she has possessed. The one that has done things...

 The right way.

"You aren't enough." The slash is sickening. The blade of the scythe is dragged across the chest of Keitaro - scraping against scale and knocking him away from the hands that pin him down.

"I see it. You see it. And most importantly, everyone sees it. You cannot fight me for I am perfection. I am. Human. I am everything."
(Ashalle)

All of his effort that led up to this.

Even amidst the combat, he doesn't stop thinking on what he has to do next; the lightning goes out of its way to try and singe the skin of a woman infront of him, but despite the power he holds, despite the ancestry in his veins, it really is not enough. This felt very similar to what he's faced before, except much more stronger than he's used to it. So this is how weakness felt like?

Not like he isn't used to it.

"The world... already tried!" The dragon struggles. The lightning blasts off again and again, scorching the environment all around them; and yet, with every hit he takes, he begins to slow down, the stamina wearing out within him. He may have held promise within him, but he was still young, still unrefined in what he really is - still far from his peak. Oh so far...

And with the slash against his chest, all while he's held down? The dragon tumbles away from the force of hit, holding onto the bleeding flesh of his. A heavy exhale escapes his lips, looking up at the woman.

'It's almost like there's no piercing her defense...'
'Then all I have to do is press on until it breaks.'
'But how? That's not possible.'
'And I feel like I'm losing consciousness.'
'No... I might actually be dying.'

The thought alone made him rise up to his feet again, the stance stretching his arms out; the dragon wasn't done yet, and despite the bleeding wound, he pushed himself beyond the limits. That very lightning now coursed through him, upholding him straight. She may speak such bold words, and back it up by her strength, but Keitaro would not surrender so easily.

Not even close.

"Used? Just like you were? Is this why you hurt others?"

"I'm not following YOUR path."

Roar, the Thunder Dragon.
Roar, for your very life may depend on it.
(Keitaro)

Was I...Used? There is a moment amidst the fight where she finds herself questioning such antics. Images fluttering within her mind - moments when she had nearly suffered at the hands of those that tried to come down upon her. Moments when she had nearly gotten maimed from the strict, cruel judgement of Ohtli, Tototl, and Sugarboy. To be de-tongued. To be without hands. And to be publicly beaten for wanting to protect them. This one couldn't have been 'used' because she was never given a chance from the beginning. They didn't care...They didn't care until the children that they stepped on were strong enough to fight back.

"So ignorant." To think that the world would even be capable of using someonelike her. To think that it was the main thing that she had been fighting against for her entire life...Spat within her face now. It shows within the grimace. Within the moment where the scythe would be dispatched for something far, far more sadistic.

"I don't ask you to follow my path. You're not capable enough...You're not strong enough to bear the pain, to bear the weight." It is spoken as marble and crystal rises around her frame. They block the crackling electricity that slams against her forearms...

 Only for hands of marble to caress him once more..

"You're pathetic as you are now. Weak. Noone believes in you. Not even...YOURSELF!" It is then, when she would begin attacking. Shards of crystal flung into his frame. The rattling earth, forcing him to become the epicenter of stalagmites of marble and crystal, piercing into his frame...Forcing him to remain still as she speaks..

"So you can consider this punishment for your foolishness. I won't have you kneel to me when I can teach you a lesson about going against your betters. About going against what true humans are.." As cruel as it might've been....It was clear that he'd be in for some pain soon.

 Very soon.

"It didn't have to be this way, but...This is what you wanted, isn't it?
(Ashalle)

Never enough.

He vowed to become something so much better, didn't he? And yet here he is, failing... no matter how much he tries to pierce her defense, to genuinely bring about any semblance of lightning, of the terrible power that it holds - he's just lacking from extracting it, truthfully. No, this wouldn't be his time to shine, or prove a point, really...

Instead, it would be something much, much more terrible to him.

The ancestral blood within him spills. With each shard fired, with each lightning shock that he tries to launch against her, it all fades, slowly and steadily. Like a lonely candle in the darkness, he's steadily snuffed out by something bigger, something he cannot hope to ever confront at the moment. Should he feel faulty for this? Maybe...

But who even waits him back there? Nobody. Not even her.

Did she know about him more than he was willing to letgo, or was it a blind guess? He couldn't know for sure. Regardless, it stung more than those wounds did. With each additional crystal piercing his frame, additional wounds were made all over him, all steadily bleeding out.

It's at this point he realized - this might actually be it.

From inability to control his body, his jaw drooped, blood steadily leaving the orifice as well. Ragged, heavy breath took over entirely, and all he could hear is vague semblance of her words and his own heartbeat. It hurt, it hurt so much. But...

"You... know what?"

"Ding, ding... you- mmph… guessed it... nobody believes in me. Nobody cares. Nobody waits for me."

"Congratulations... on winning the life- that meant nothing anyway."

A tiny smile, despite the pain. With half-closed eyelids, with the heavy bleeding all over his body, that is all he could muster anyway. His body did not respond, and at this point, he felt like he had no choice but to accept whatever fate would be bestowed upon him.

Weakly, he stared at her.
Waiting for his fate.
(Keitaro)

Ask not the sun why she sets,
Why she shrouds her light away.
Or why she hides her glowing gaze,
when night turns crimson gold to grey.

She learned of her place when she was nothing more than a mere teenager. When people told her that she would be nothing within this world. When people told her that her namesake would vanish and her dreams would crumble with time. But she had made a promise...That she would be somebody some day. That she would bring down the impossible light that others spoke of. And would do so, ushering a new age. Not one of utter darkness....But one that allows people like her to revel within their true nature. Who cares for angels. Who cares for darkness...

 When they should really be caring about the one thing that matters the most. Themselves.

As day to dark does turn.
One simple truth she dare not speak:
Her light can only blind and burn.

 Throughout the entirety of her life, she experienced things similar to him. People ignoring her, threatening her...People forgetting that she had existing and turning their backs to her when she was in need. There had been many a nights when she had struggled....When she didn't think that this would happen and it did.

 It did.

"This huts more than any wound I can give you, doesn't it?" She questions, keeping him strung up upon her stalagmites of marble and crystal. They elongate briefly as her hand drifts towards his chin, tilting his features up to gaze into his eyes..

"Your life isn't worth taking when I can see potential. Someone whose willing to fight for what's really right. Someone who wants to be given a chance. Others might not wait for you, but I will. I can." But still, punishment is in order.

 Beautiful, brilliant butterflies would soon flutter into the realm. Their mutated, bulbous forms lightly landing upon his being...Where he'd feel painless 'nips' that'd soon blossom into more.

However, I've got plans for you. I'm not letting you go just yet...No, Levengarde must be taught a lesson for interfering."
(Ashalle)

Even now, the entirety of his self was disregarded for the large part. Unless he were to become something much more greater, nobody cared for what he was- nobody really considered him worth of their attention. To make it worse? He lived among so many Elishevas. They were always the center of attention, of everything in that town - it felt like no matter what he does for them, it all wouldn't matter.

With that in his mind, the physical wounds mattered little.

Even as he could feel the crystals elongating, extending through and through, piercing his wounds only deeper. It felt terrible, in truth... but even if he were to return, then what would he do? It would be shameful to admit for him that he fell a victim like this, even if he would be no match against her... to admit that he's gotten himself in this trouble.

Yet, when she lifts his chin...

"You can only hurt my body. They can do much worse." A light smile, one that he was struggling to keep up. Was he just smiling in face of potential death, trying his best to not have any regrets? And who are 'they'? Who knows. These thoughts were his and his own only.

'I can barely keep my eyes open...'
'Is she going to kill me?'

Even now, he struggled to hear every word she says. His eyelids lowered even further, with each drop of blood still leaking out of him making the dragon weaker by the minute. Anyone would normally lose their consciousness already- or even die- but he was hanging on. Barely...

"I... you... you're- doing this..."

"Because you were hurt so much, weren't you?"

It is all he could barely muster; the beads of sweat were gathering all over his head, mixed with the blood and dirt. It was difficult to speak, oh so difficult...

All he could feel is being numb, even as these butterflies burrowed into him - even as the crystals grew.
(Keitaro)

"I was betrayed." Her words soon dim down into nothing more than a mere whisper. "Betrayed by the chieftain that I so...Childishly had a crush on. Betrayed by the people who I wanted to protect. Who I cared for. Who I loved more than anything else...And while I admit, I was reckless..." She goes silent, a gentle laugh spilling past her lips. "I was a stupid thirteen year old. I didn't know much about the world but...I knew that I was right for wanting Cruxati to be better. For wanting it to where it wouldn't have to depend on Huangzhou to fight...But, they didn't believe in me." A pause is given.

"I didn't believe in myself." It was the birth of her own insecurities. Moments when she knew that this darkness had gripped her heart. Moments when she could only be enraged at people coming against her for what seemed to be so foolish, so silly. "Imagine my surprise...When I left the city, was forced to live in one small tower with ten other children. And get threatened because people didn't want to pay twenty coins for us to eat. Humanity...Is pathetic. Agartha is sick."

 She hummed with rage then. "It conjures it's own chieftains to hunt thirteen year olds. It makes others try to recruit you for your power...To use you until you're all gone when all you want to do is be free. To be whole again." She bites back upon her words....Her gaze hardening, the sin of pride coalescing within the tips of her fingers as she reaches out to grace the fallen drakanite.

"Imagine how I felt when I first got my revenge. How sweet it was...How good it felt to see someone scared of me. to see someone that put a one-hundred thousand coin bounty on my head for a twenty coin toll. I...Felt so powerful." She was drunk upon the moment. Drunk within her own stupor...

"Can you feel it?...How everything fades away and how this feels...Good?" The stalagmites vanish, but she does not heal him. Instead, all that accompanies him in this moment are whispers of pride and sin. Of rising to be great. Of being something...

 Of showing the world that he doesn't need anyone else.
 But himself.

"Let's go." Either way. Her time within the caverns was overstayed. For now, the Daemon hoist him upon it's pudgy form and 'trudge' along behind the woman. Her own smile widening once more...

 There were too many scenarios that could come to mind that had made her fall. But now...She doesn't want to get up. She doesn't want to be saved.
(Ashalle)

This feels all terribly familiar...

Even if he doesn't want to admit it. To know that there was certain someone whom he so blindly cherished, adored and wished to protect, someone whom he would give up almost anything to elevate to something better - only to be simply discarded like nothing. But he tried...

He tried so many times.

He tried to be better, someone with promise, but it wasn't enough. Even now, when he was willing to put aside everything that he was made to suffer through, everything that they made him suffer - even despite his own faults, he knew that they could do better than that. But he tried... he always did.

In truth... sometimes, he wanted to forget.

To erase his memory on certain people and never suffer over them again; yet, he knows that there are some things he cannot let go of so easily... there are certain things he wishes to stay with, like the Dragon he came here with. What would it really be worth, to just lose everything behind?

Probably everything and nothing.

"I'm..."

"I..."

Drip, drip, drip... The blood was pouring out richly, ever so with removal of crystals; while they hurt, they also kept the blood flow shut and sealed. Without them? He would bleed even more, enough to weaken him further and lose the grip over his consciousness.

Everything is so dark...

The Thunder Dragon tries to stay awake, but he can't. No matter how much he tries, he just cannot. A last ragged breath, before he passes out, unable to keep up with conversation. Everything blackens out.

And he's taken away.
(Keitaro)