The Champion's Might

[22:17] Anastasia ven Astor says, "...."
[22:17] Ro says, "..."
[22:17] Ro says, "You look like someone."
[22:18] She stared at the Teraphim in silence, brows knitting together to show a frustration.

"And you look like a genocidal monster." She said, completely calm.
(Anastasia ven Astor)
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[22:18] Aeolus says, "..."
[22:18] Atlas says, "..."
[22:18] Ro simply blinks at the little princess, only letting an amused chuckle come across his features.

"And why is that?"
(Ro)
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[22:19] Bewilderment floods her features before she shook her head.

"You really must ask why when your people slaughtered innocents and burned buildings within Osrona?" She questioned, scoffing.
(Anastasia ven Astor)
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[22:20] Atlas repeated in his mind that he didn't want to die today. He knew he should've just gone by himself or waited until he could leech off of someone for this potions. A sigh escaped his mouth as Atlas walked over to Anastasia and pulled her behind himself.

He'd turn a whisper a few words.
(Atlas)
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[22:20] Atlas whispers something.
[22:20] Atlas whispers something.
[22:20] Anastasia ven Astor whispers something.
[22:20] Atlas whispers something.
[22:21] Anastasia ven Astor whispers something.
[22:21] Atlas whispers something.
[22:21] Great...

A teraphim, and not just any one either. Aeolus opted not to speak anything to him, instead he'd step closer to the Astor and whisper a few words.
(Aeolus)
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[22:21] Atlas whispers something.
[22:21] Ro brings a single pinky towards his gums, only flicking against the teeth of his and letting another chuckle escape from him.

"Oh yeah, so you're the remains of the old kingdom, I see, and you're just as mouthy as your 'divine' brother. I oft ask myself, if he was so divine, why did the Stars bless me and my people and not his own?"
(Ro)
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[22:21] Aeolus whispers: This guy won the grand tournament... I don't think we can fight him if it comes to it.
[22:21] Atlas whispers something.
[22:24] She's pulled back behind Atlas, and Aeolus comes up upon her side. The young Astor simply stared forward, silent for a long while after their initial whispers.

Annoyance crept up on her, before she shook her head.

"Half brother. He is the King, nothing more and nothing less." She retorted, forgoing the brothers' advice to simply ignore Ro. "It doesn't matter, the fact you all think it's perfectly sensible to do such a monstrous thing tells me all I need to know about you and your people."

"The stars do not bless you. The stars blessed the houses Astor, Grimmore, and Pelleaux ages ago. But never you."

A hand settled on the grip of her gun, fingers tightening.
(Anastasia ven Astor)
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[22:26] It was all cute in the eyes of Ro, the simple annoyance, and the way that they were ready to pick up the gun and everything else. He didn't draw his sword, but instead, simply continued to flick with his teeth.

"A half sister, I see," he said while spitting out the remains of soothe reed and meat. "Oh, well, we all hold on to past glories, but a King of Nothing, isn't a king."
(Ro)
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[22:28] Her head was held up higher than previously, emerald eyes narrowing.

"He is still the King of Esshar, whether or not you and your demons like it does not matter." The Astor replied, her voice even and calm despite her words.

"You're dismissed." She added, a hand waving outright dismissively to him. Champion or not, it didn't matter to her.
(Anastasia ven Astor)
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[22:29] Despite attempting to issue a warning, Aeolus stood there with hands clenched to his side. While he wished to hold his tongue, it seemed the boy had been irritated by Ro's comment.

King of Nothing.

"His Majesty is still the King of Esshar and will continue to be for many years to come-- likely decades even!

You all feel so smug because you've managed over to over run the city... it's fine, feel content. Give yourselves a pat on the back and relish in the moment because before you know it, Osrona will be ours again."
(Aeolus)
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[22:31] Atlas shook his head slightly. Anastasia wasn't in her house. She couldn't order people around and expect them to follow. If Ro left that'd bring a wave of relief washing down on the young man. Though Atlas doubted that such a prized individual would be dismissed at the hands of this child. Hopefully he'd chalk it up to childhood ignorance and decide to leave them alone. Hopefully...

The young boy's eyes glanced from the Teraphim to the other two standing next to him. After Aeolus' words Atlas smirked. It seemed they were being bold today.

"It took the combined might of three kingdoms to do it. I don't doubt we'll restore King Alexander's city soon. Maybe you'll be at the grand opening."
(Atlas)
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[22:31] "Oh, what a jolly good King he is, all blessed and divine and making all the right decisions," he said sarcastically. Then, the gaze focused on Aeolus as he lets his grin continue to linger, he was still enjoying the acts of being the 'antagonist' even though he was a champion.

"A good joke, your best warrior was killed by a rat. Your king was pushed back by a rat and was forced to watch. Your stellus is a genocidal maniac who is willing to execute even their own allies over the ideas of being a witch without any proof."

A pause, then he lingers over towards the other. "And your knights lose to a person in a dog mask. The only thing you're claiming is the little stains of shit left over."
(Ro)
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[22:34] Atlas scratched the side of his face as he looked at Ro.

"You got any written proof? Some paintings of the scene? Romani spoke to be before and his words were denounced as lies. I'm not sure I could trust your words, seeing as you were one of the people who decided it was necessary to jump a singular kingdom."

There was no way he had proof. At least nothing that he could display to Atlas right now. The young boy just wanted to disprove his words without arguing himself as that'd get him nowhere. Ro was far more experienced in this world and would pull out facts that Atlas had never heard of, such as the rat murderer and the powerful dog man he spoke of.
(Atlas)
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[22:36] The cadet's teeth grit in irritation, one which only grew as he spoke of Lloyd's death.

"That's-- It's not true." It was hard to contest the man's words, hard timed had fallen upon Nysea as of late and it only seemed to be spiraling down.

"Stellus Del hasn't killed anyone, only given tests and those who underwent them are still fine to this day!

I'll let you in on a little secret, Teraphim. You see us three?" He'd ask, gesturing to the line of cadets, himself included.

"We are the next generation-- the future and soon enough we'll be ready to put you all in your place, so like I said... enjoy the days to come while you still can."
(Aeolus)
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[22:39] Anger flashed across Anastasia's face, and this time her pistol was withdrawn from it's holster at her hip. It was aimed with little fanfare, as the Teraphim spoke.

He spoke about their Lightbringer, Lloyd. He spoke of Del, their Stellus.

"Atlas. Aeolus." She said through clenched teeth. Anyone who look at her could tell she was angry, and she was young. She had gone up until this point without running into a Teraphim and now that she had one in her sights...?

"Watch my back."

She launched herself at Ro, cosmic magic exploding out around her in a blaze of golden glory. Would she win? If he was truly the Champion of the Tournament, she didn't stand a chance - but that didn't mean she'd allow him to talk down about the people she cared about. About her family.
(Anastasia ven Astor)
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[22:44] "Hmm?" He'd ask as his name was spoken-- only to hear dreaded words.

Watch my back.

He knew this trip was going to end badly... there was just a strong feeling, but the cadet didn't expect the champion to show up.

Moments were taken to contemplate and come to terms with what was going to happen. Anastasia was about to fight a losing battle right before his eyes, possibly even get killed.

"No can do..." He'd finally answer, this went against his better judgement but-- "Because I'm going to help you."

With his blade drawn, Aeolus advanced to the front lines. Ready to fight.
(Aeolus)
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[22:44] That was certainly unexpected. This had turned from a peaceful party gathering resources to an outright assault. Anastasia charged forward without question and tasked Aeolus and Atlas with watching over her from this point on. Atlas turned his head to Aeolus and drew his sword. She was already attacking, there wasn't much else to do but help. It's not like Ro was a particular friend of theirs.

"Goodness..."

Energy coursed through Atlas' veins as he prepared for a possibly dangerous encounter, dropping into his warrior's stance as he mentally readied himself.

This was the Champion of Esshar. The strongest man who wasn't a leader of a kingdom. If the battle before them got too serious? They'd be in for a world of hurt. Pain far more excruciating than whatever training the three had done up until that point.

Maybe this was the test they needed, the fight that would push them into knighthood.

Atlas stepped forward, it was time.
(Atlas)
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[22:44] The anger was more than enough to have Ro smirking longer in glee. Everything about it was just enticing and joyful in the very end of it all. Yet, when the gun was pointed directly at him, he snickered.

"There is a reason why I put a crystal in Del's forehead. There's a reason why Del is a mad woman. There is a reason for everything and then some, and you're looking at him."

A single flick of the wrist and the blade was pointed directly at Anastasia, pointing it directly at the eye of the Astor as a smile that went as wide as the world came and went.

"Me, fifteen, already pushing back those who are older and higher ranking. From Del being marked and forced. To Lloyd going from saving to killing. And you want to be let on a secret?"

He smiled once more as he seems ready to strike. The shadows that were coming warping around his hands as a single claw incased the sword and made it shadows. "I was there on that faithful day when we murdered knights and innocents a like, and as much as I feel regret? I will never, ever apologize to those who started the wars first."

So, when it came to a proper understanding of what was happening, he only nodded.

"Show me what the next generation can do. Show me you are ready to lead. Show me you are ready to die for it."
(Ro)
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[22:45] Commotion was arising. The tall ears of the kitsune twitched at the sounds of imminent conflict that began with just words.

Personally, Yoshiko didn't know what to do. She wasn't the type to just fight anyone dangerously and even then, she didn't have the needed courage to back up her friends.

"Useless..." she thought.

And.. she knew the Teraphim in question. So really didn't know what to do! As someone who couldn't figure out which decision to take. She stood to the sidelines and semi-cheered. Half of it was here trembling where she stood.

And crying...

But.. maybe watching would give her more experience other than being a slight coward.

"Please... please... please..."
(Yoshiko Taiyang)
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[22:49] owo bunnyhop
(Anastasia ven Astor)
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[22:49] bunnyhop?
(Aeolus)
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[22:50] bunny...hop
(Atlas)
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[22:53] {Lost Restrained RPB against Ro}
[22:55] "Not bad for a kid."

Though, with Aeolus coming forth, the imagination of them winning was all that they could see for that simple instance. When they rushed, Aeolus rushed with the wind and fury of a skilled warrior in years.

Yet, when they fought against the champion, they can already see that they were outmatched in skill. Even with them holding back, they can see how 'invincible' they were.

So, with a swift movement, Aeolus could see the pains and feel the pains of being stabbed directly in the chest with a long shadow blade that rendered them unconscious for now.

It would linger in their mind, and one was down of three.

"Who's next?"
(Ro)
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[22:55] ** Ro has inflicted an injury upon Aeolus. ("Phantom Pains", "The fight was a brief one, but during the exchange of it all, they felt the very blade ram through their entire chest and out the other. In their head, they would think that they were bleeding for a good long while. It will vanish soon, kid.", "Temporary", "Duration: Short (1 day)") **
[22:58] It certainly wasn't a great idea to try fighting, but there was no way he'd let Anastasia show him up.

With wind on his side and his blade gripped tightly, the Blue Swordsman charge in, only to be assaulted with a myriad of illusions.

It was hard to see... and blind swings of his blade were given, only to be assaulted, a feeling of being stabbed through his chest left the cadet feeling weak.

"N-no... I... I'm not...

done... yet." The boy's voice trailed off as he fell to the ground, unconscious.

Had he even been able to scratch the champion?
(Aeolus)