the lovers

How curious...

A group of magi. Of all people, there will be but one person in the entirety of the crowd. Veronica is her name. Could the snakes even smile? It almost seems that the maw of the Serpent stretches thin in a visible grin.

"Is it my lucky day? For so many years, I've been harassed by you humans. For so many years, I was longing for this retribution, to show you what happens when such things are done to us.."

"Barrachan. Veronica. And... two more?"

The Serpent only slithers up, close and closer. The gleaming snake-eyes that permeate all of existence by extension of shadows, dripping with abysmal colors that could very well shield away the lights around them. One thing is certain with this Serpent..

He's grown..
Perhaps, too much to easily deal with.

"I came here for Veronica.."

"To show her howmuch I've grown. And then..? To give her an offer.. an offer of a lifetime." A quiet hiss..

"Because none of you know.."

".. of the danger you tread into. None of you know of the age that is coming onto Esshar. And either you will learn to adapt.."

"Or be swallowed by it."
(Fidi)

Fenes would growl as soon as she saw the snake Start slithering closer and start yammering on about stuff that would just make her go angrier by the second.

"Just Shut up, Legless Lizard."

Her eyes wandered on over to the two that accompanied her to the fight against Xirgoth… She growled, she was the only one that was not injured. So she'd be the first one that would step up towards the Snake, grabbing onto the sword on her back, Staring at the reptilian fiend for a moment as she was already prepared for a fight.

She now would know the name of "V", Veronica.

"I don't think anyone here wants to even hear your 'offer'. I'm sure we just want to use your skin for some leather or another.."
(Fenes Cerberus)

My My how could it get any worse? Well, it just had, when the three of them were going home, in order to recover from that fight they had with Xirgoth… another Demon would make its presence known.

Veronica would grit her teeth, it had to be now didn't it? How fun, how... disruptive. Though, she would fight again if she had too! She was a Warrior, and was never one to back down from a fight.

Walking a bit closer to Fidi, the tall Rhoynish would glare into those slit serpentine eyes. She would draw her blade, Molten Rock would erupt from the ground, cladding her body like Armor.

"You came here for me have you? Then let us have our reunion Demon... time to kick you into a tree, just like last time!"

Sure the damn things grown, but was that going to stop her? No... not a chance in Hel'.

Looking around to the others, she would try and see if anyone of them were going to approach the Demon, if so, she wouldn't try and intervene.
(Veronica)

After making his way towards the bridge with the others, a familiar sight would suddenly emerge upon them all. The revolver is quickly pulled from his holster as he takes aim at the Demon's face until the serpent starts talking. Only now, he remembered that the weapon had melted away. A grimace adorning his face. It was then he realized that he wasn't dealing with Zolael, he really took in the appearance of the demon.

Brief nightmares scarred his soul and reminded of him the recent battle. Barrachan glanced at the group briefly and then backwards towards Veronica herself once she was called by name. It took a little longer for him to process the memory of this demon, of the one that had been part of the larger group a year back.

"You've grown considerably." He regards towards the creature. "I'm pretty sure we have a good idea of what's around the corner. We'll get to take you off that list though, beastie." Barrachan says with pained smirk.
(Barrachan Vatoris)

The tall, powerfully built drakanite is carried on crimson wings and descends down the mountain in a gradual glide. His worn boots touch grass as he comes by a white serpent, pulling his chin back into a slight cant. It seemed there was a demon infestation that had spread while the dragonlord was busying himself in the heart of Barsburg.

For now he merely watches silently. Slender fingers are dragged up against his neck to gently scratch a faint scar.
(Sythaeryn Vartuul)

Walking towards the group of friends she had, she would notice their exhaustion. She was going to ask what they did, and why they looked so injured. Yet, before she could do that, she would hear some slithering behind her. Seeing a snake demon, smiling at them as they would watch it come closer.

She would hiss, her runes activating on her skin. Her body already getting into fighting stance. Green poisonous flame would surround her, eyes looking like it was ready to attack. Even if her skin was peeling off with each slight movement, she wasn't going to just sit back and watch.

"Tch, you don't have a right to talk Demon."

She was edge, but she was ready to attack at a moments notice.
(Lilith Allison)

The endless cries of humanity.

Some laugh in face of danger. Some weep. Some take up the arms..

But is it wrong to say that the Serpent was intimidated in the slightest by the overpowering group of magi? Of course it is. Fidi knew the face of death when he nears one- he knew of the danger it possesses to tread through murky waters of showing the world how truly unhinged, unchained creature can be.

"Incredible.."

"You stand there, confident in your abilities, believing yourselves to be somehow superior, ignorant of the doom that awaits you all ahead. And yet.."

The mesmerizing gaze of snake gets closer. With each graceful swivel of its long body, the baring fangs dripping venom in anticipation of what's to come. But the Serpent knows. He knows of what awaits Theria just around the corner.. he knows what awaits the rest of Esshar -after the probing messages have reached the minds of Those-Who-Stand-Above.

"You think.."

"I am the one who will be rid of?"

He's not stuck with them - they are stuck with him. And much like the predator encroaches to its victim, the circling around their group begins; the cold, analytical eyes of a snake that awaits to lunge forth on its chosen prey.

Veronica..
Can't she feel the cold stare on her yet?
Can't she see the shadows deepen?

"No matter."

"Will you allow yourself to be defended by the rest of the repugnant, obnoxious masses, little girl..?" The stare given towards Veronica.

Testing her fortitude, her resolve.

"Will you cower away again, just like you did in the past?"

"Or will you come to me, hm..?"
(Fidi)

When the serpent spoke, she listened, this... thing, had come at her in the past, only to be beaten. It's sibling, the other snake, was much larger, and more deadly then she could ever imagine. Sure she lost to it, but now she had a chance to redeem herself. She planned on tackling this challenge head on, letting her adrenaline pump for a second time.

Yes, she was hurt, and so were the others, Barrachan, for sacrificing himself against the Phantom. And Fenes, facing her rival in combat once again, only to witness defeat. This was something she couldn't forgive, the fact that these Demons kept roaming around, disrupting everything. Messing up the lives, and dreams of the common people, now, it was time to show them just what they needed.

"I stand here because I am not afraid. I face death everyday, ready to accept its cruel punishment. Yet? I still stand here today, living to fight another day Serpent." -She would glare, walking a bit closer, pointing her blade towards Fidi.

"I don't think Demon, I know. I won't hold back like last time, and no one will defend me, because I will face off against you with my own strength."

Her eyes would glisten within the moonlight, she was determined.
"I will not cower, I will fight... now, come at me!" -She would charge into battle, just as she did previously.
(Veronica)

At last.

The meaning was long lost beyond the mere consumption and feasting.. but instead, found upon the dream of desolation for humanity that has long overstayed their welcome. For far too long, they were to hold the torch above demonkind.. but while many of Fidi's kin dream of spreading darkness further, to merely snuff out the light with their own presence..

No, he's different. He will change them.
He will drag them, kicking and screaming, to different future.

"Putrid creatures of mush.."

"You tout yourselves over me, but you will be shown what is there to come. And you in particular, Veronica.."

When she's about to charge, the forceful shadows extend to grasp onto her. To rend the flesh- but oddly enough.. to weaken, not kill. He had plans for her, had he not?

"You will be progenitor.."

"Of this change. Among many other."

The violence breaks out; a contradictory statement to the moonlight above, the deepening shadows almost cause Fidi to fade among the sights before her - leaving naught but phantoms to fight. Whether she would persevere, however..

Remains wholly unknown.
(Fidi)

{RP BATTLE} You have WON the battle!

Veronica has sustained an injury in battle...

Veronica has rolled 3 or over: they may escape capture attempts (unless otherwise specified)!

The Nightmare was real, and it was right infront of her. The fight, well, there wasn't really any fight, whenever she would try and lash out... there was nothing there? What there was to hone, her skills in combat, were brought to a close. She was losing, she knew it, she just didn't want to back down! No... she kept her determination to catch up to the chase, the hunt, the thrill of bringing this bastard down!

One more slash, up against the Snakes scales- "AHHH!" -Would damage it, but, would it be enough? No... the thing manage to slither away once more, only to Darken her vision. She would lose track of what was going on, hearing that faint hissing. It was total terror that she was feeling now, the first, even if she faced death head on. This was something different, something completely out of her league.

She wasn't even fighting anymore, more of a, childishtantrum then anything- "Out of my head! Get out of my head!"

She would hear the cries, the bloodied screams, and then... Fidi. She would be bitten upon her shoulder, "AH!" and then get slammed against the ground by its tail, "Ack!" Finally getting lifted up... it was say to her, 'Laughable'

"Vatoris…" -she would say softly, before she would be succumbed to the torment, her defeat... and those words, appearing in her head...

'I will look for you'
'I will find you'
'And I will take you'

"Help me..."
(Veronica)

Vatoris watched with nervous anticipation as the battle between the Snake Demon and Veronica unveiled before him. The Drakanite's eyes widened at the moment that she started to wail around the battlefield. It didn't seem like anything that Victoria was prone to doing. Nonetheless, he moved without hesitation in the moment that his name was called.

Large crimson wings performed a heavy flapping sound as he flew over towards Veronica's position not far off from the demon itself. A heavy impact transpired and the ground tore up as metal chains tore from the ground wrapping around the woman while Vatoris stood guard over her. A brief frown being apparent on his face as he placed a hand on the girl's cheek. "It's fine, I'm here.... You fought your hardest, you hear me." The man regards before adorning a small smile. "I need you to fight through that pain and get out of here." He finally utters to Veronica while turning back to look at the creature.

The burned leylines, an outline of his mana circuitry, continued to emit light burning smells along his flesh. Barrachan grit his teeth together tighter seeing the situation before him, and the threat behind him. "No time like the present." A deep inhale is made as the leylines suddenly ignite once again as he focuses solely on his willingness to protect her, his desires to see her dreams come true.

A brilliant blue light exuded from his mana circuits momentarily as they overcharged, but then the pentagram stained upon his very soul would tug against him. The violent memories of Xirgoth flooding into his head as the bright light dimmed, blackened in nature. It was taking, not destroying or giving, it was outright taking away. Mana started to pour inwards to the Drakanite's leylines as he opened his hands to the earth itself.

Further chains of metal, and pools of magma tore from the ground forming a small forge to which a rustic enchanted revolver would sit, it was clearly incomplete. "Always fight, that's our promise." He tells the girl as he takes up the weapon and immediately turns around.

"I don't now what you did to her, but this is where you regret doing it." He calls out towards Fidi. Dark inklings of mana started to move onto the runes of the weapon as he prepared to engage the creature.
(Barrachan Vatoris)

She will learn to endure.

Or she will be swallowed by the pain that the Serpent has given to her. She will learn to endure everything, or she will lost everything instead- and while the fangs remain buried in her flesh, eventually, they carefully exit her with a slight pinch to the body. They remain bloodied..

Covered in the lifeforce of Veronica.
The essence of nightmares spilling in venom.

Yet, the gaze falls towards Barrachan when the Serpent slowly turns. It seems as if the day was only getting better by the minute.. and no matter how much he could potentially lose himself in the endeavour of the battles..

This made him glad. Oh, so glad..

"How small they are.."

Perhaps, to Barrachan's own surprise.. Veronica is not thrashed away violently in a matter that could damage her- instead, the wrap of a tail lowers her steadily down to the ground, away from the battlefield that could ensue between the magi before him and the Serpent.

"What I did to her?"

"I did to her what I should do to everyone.. show them the reality as it is - and force them to adapt, to grow." While Barrachan prepared to engage the creature, he spoke out instead.

"Humanity has grown terribly stagnant.. terribly ignorant. Your minds lost in endless quarrel, your bodies longing for battle.. and even now, I can see just how much you ache."

"You ache to strike me, don't you?"

He learned how humanity works. How they would protect their loved ones at all cost.. and this bravery is something he envies at times- yet, recognizes it as..

Imperfect. Flawed. Something to not discard.. but to modify.

"You distance yourselves from the beasts, and yet.."

"Look at you. A predator, a prowler - ready to sink his fangs into my neck. Just like I sank into hers.."

Was that the quiet, brooding laughter? Surely, Barracha could already see what the Serpent plans..

Or perhaps not. Further elaborations do not follow.

"Come to me, then."

"Perhaps, I'll consider you a fine specimen as well."

But before any answer could be given? The Serpent lunges forth, and the shadows strike..

It's now or never.
(Fidi)

{RP BATTLE} You have WON the battle!

Barrachan Vatoris has sustained an injury in battle...

Barrachan Vatoris has rolled 3 or over: they may escape capture attempts (unless otherwise specified)!



Most difficult.

To fight against a skilled magi, one after another.. truly has Barrachan grown, but so did Fidi- no longer he could be considered the Serpent to be easily harassed, to be discarded as mere 'lesser' that could be defeated by just about anybody. Instead, before them is a Prowler..

An apex predator, one that arrived to this realm..
Right from their nightmares.

"Formidable species, and yet.."
"Flawed design does not let you thrive."

These metals, these chains, and the boiling magma that sears the flesh of the Serpent. He can feel it. He can feel his body almost break under pressure of the fire and brimstone, but the hungering spill of venom from his fangs only suggests that he's not opposed to this incredible pain.

He welcomes it.

"Ahahaha.."

"Hahahahaha!"

It takes hits, one after another. Barrachan finds himself shredding the body of a snake, leaving cuts and rending flesh as the sharp metal is meant to be- the binding chains put a stranglehold on the predator that is meant to asphyxiate and poison, and the boiling rock of magma burns him alive. But despite that..

"Truly I am blessed."

"To find so many in a single day." Despite the chains that Barrachan was sure he put onto Fidi.. he seems to swivel and break them out, snapping each section, one by one.

"But you forget, Barrachan."

"The purpose drives us - and my purpose is greater than yours."

"I will show you."

Spoken in the voice most loud, booming almost- and it is here that he finds himself suddenly taken aback by the presence of shadows that intends to grasp upon him. The Serpent that coils around his frame.

And bites.

This venom.. just like Veronica, he could feel it- the growing muscle ache, the rising fever, the shallowness of his breath and quickening heart. It's enough to scream, enough to thrash for your dear life- but the images of never succeeding here are the images that will cause him to seek out for more.

He never saved Veronica this day.
He was not enough.

"Seek me, if you are ready.."

"Or I will drag you myself, kicking and screaming."

And it is only here that the Serpent drops the moveless body of Barrachan next to Veronica- next to the woman whom he failed to save.

He can see her face, right next to his.
And he can see his failure all the same.
(Fidi)

Barrachan stared somewhat perplexed as his eruptions and bindings were met with laughter. "The hell?" He inquired leaping backwards as the leylines glowed dimmer and began to eat away at his very blessing. His eyes shot upwards towards the vanishing wings as he tripped on the ground and flipped over several times. A grand attack was still unleashed upon the body of the serpent only for it rise and speak of its own blessings.

The Drakanite struggled back to his feet with clear exhaustion about him. Mana is siphoned towards the gun, but only in miniscule amounts as his own energy seemed to be enveloping on itself. His plan to enhance his body directly through his circuits, doing a total opposite and pulling instead. It acted recklessly and pulled upon everything near it, including the Drakanite itself.

Vatoris raises the gun once more and starts firing again as the creature calls out to him, and claims a purpose greater than his own; a role greater thanhis own. He grit his teeth together tightly as his rage boiled further. The darkness had a way about it to tease him, to remind him of its unending evolutions. He refused this pre-ordained destiny just as Ahriman had spoken about.

A hand is brought forth with countless chains following behind it until...


*SQUELCH*

Barrachan froze in place as the serpent lashed towards him at remarkable speeds. His own spell, even with Symbolic Casting, having nowhere near the speed to intercept it. Both of his hands rose to try and shove against the Snake Demon as he groaned in pain lightly. His body was in clear rough shape as the venom rushed through his body, the same that had taken Veronica.

His arms became heavy, almost like stone, and his muscles ached with unending pain. A voice, echoed in his mind and his eyes widened further as the serpent dropped his motionless body to the ground. Blood trailed from his mouth as the crimson blessing vanished from his form entirely. The Drakanite stares at the woman he failed to protect and drags his gaze towards the demon that made its declaration.

A choking cough came out of him as he struggled with all of his might to lift his body even an inch. They leylines started to dissipate as his vision became blurry, succumbing to the poison outright.

"D..Damn it."
(Barrachan Vatoris)

Fire and brimstone.
Metal and stone.
Shadows and nightmares.

The Serpent, despite his victory, was deeply unsatisfied.. because it would be so long until he could truly achieve the end that he desires for- the ultimate breakthrough that could not only solidify his place in this realm as the progenitor of evolution, but the one who's caused it as well.

There is so much work to do.

Yet, when he looks upon the defeated Barrachan and Veronica, there is a satisfied sight- one that is able to drown out the endless disappointment that the Serpent felt not only with himself, but the world all around him as well. Could he feel it yet? Could he feel the brink of the progress that he vies for so much?

"The time is nigh.."

"And you two? You're not allowed to die."

The gaze looms over Veronica and Barrachan. How sweet.. they are united in nightmares. One endlessly stalked by Fidi, both around the corners of her eye and her own visions - and another reliving the moments of his failure. Both should know, by now..

That the road to greatness is paved elsewhere. Perhaps, with the Serpent.. perhaps, somewhere else- but already the shadows begin to sink beneath the two. Oddly enough..

Intending to sink them deep to the abyss - if only to resurface elsewhere. And yet, as they drown within the shadow, where they could only catch a final glimpse of Fidi..

"Do not disappoint me now, yes..?"

"I hate it when I have to do all of the work.."

Whether they understand this last message remains irrelevant to the demon. They know enough.. they know that he would come after them again.

For now.. the last thing they see as they drown in black..

Would be Fidi slithering away.
(Fidi)