Fantasy Aetherspark IC

[MageMantis]

When Diorite and the blue mantis reached the end of the little tunnel to the throne room, they would see a gigantic throne room with an extremely high ceiling, mirrored by a rocky floor lined with a carpet that lead from the towering entrance gates to the throne itself. Instead of torches lined along the walls, a few glowing and pulsating threads of green substances that resembled glowworm silk dangled from the darkness above. Legions of bugs, consisting of the black and green humanoid-bugs and their winged variants (Dismantlers and Dive-Dismantlers), carriage-sized spiky black and green praying mantises (Cleavers), the black and green carriage-sized bugs with the seaseme-seed shaped bodies (Lungers), black carriage-sized Rhinoceros Beetles with horns sharper than spears (Impalers), a few man-sized centipedes (Abductors), and a few other variants of the Entomancer's forces had not yet had the misfortune of meeting.

All of these stood on both sides of the large carpet that lead from the entrance gates to the throne, enabling room for the mercenaries to walk the carpet once they entered. The Entomancer's brood chanted like a choir of ghouls, the Dismantlers raising each of their four arms as they screeched with the Impalers stomping their feet to create a horrifying rhythm of sorts. It was as if they did not plan on swarming the mercenaries as soon as they entered, providing more evidence that the Entomancer was waiting for them. The ceiling was so high that it wasn't even visible, with a void of black stalking the madness from above. The Entomancer's throne was black and covered with glowing green cracks that flashed on-and-off, the menacing chair spiky with two gigantic horned-prongs resembling a stag beetle's head sticking out of the top back. One extremely noticeable feature of the throne itself was that it was vacant.

Above the throne, was a massive translucent but spiky and armored chrysalis that housed the dreaded Entomancer himself. His exact appearance wasn't visible, but his pitch-black silhouette could be seen within the poisonous-green chrysalis. His eyes and mouth could be seen, as they illuminated a bright green. The chrysalis hung in the air high above the throne, tethered to the distant ceiling by dozens of threads of black and green sludge. Thousands of small beetles soon poured onto the Entomancer's chrysalis, the chrysalis soon turning from a poisonous green to mostly black as the beetles covered all of the chrysalis except for the area where the Entomancer's head could be seen, leaving space for a window of sorts that the silhouette and ghastly glowing eyes and mouth of their host could be presented to their visitors soon-to-come. The Entomancer's chrysalis was wrapped in layers, and layers of highly durable protective silk. Scattered throughout the massive throne room sat four carriage-sized green pulsating sacs with glowing yellow veins. Multiple bugs closely guarded these sacs, presumably the magical-batteries that strengthened the Entomancer's connection to his hive. The blue mantis soon hurried back to the mercenaries who waited in the cavernous hallway outside of the throne room's gates,

"The master's congregation is awaiting our arrival." Reported the insect to Denver. "There are four sacs scattered across the throne room that amplify his link to his congregation. He hides in a protective sac." Soon after, his triangular head spun to face Korro impatiently as he squinted his eyes, eagerly awaiting his name to be decided. With the power Elixen had temporarily granted Kanon, perhaps she could make physical contact with the blue mantis to read his emotions, and then create negative-colored intangible constructs from the emotions she sensed to get an idea of what the Mantis had beheld.

 

[Fangs9090]

Kanon had been fiddling with this new power during the wait, conjuring shapes in her hand and trying to keep them stable. Her attention went to the mantis as they returned. She had the sense that she could do more than she had thus far figured out, but as someone who had never used magic before, figuring out how was a bit complicated.

 

[Stern LuLuLu]

Lena would hover off seeing that someone else was helping look after war as you rested. She would stay in the middle of the group and take a count of her stock to see what she would have for the battle. She began to mix some things together while she waited, handing one of them to Aaliya. “ Here is a thank you gift for helping this fool out this will go boom at whoever you throw it at.” She would go back to her tinkering afterward messing around with a now much smaller array of colorful vials.


As Warren got patted on the head by Aaliyah he sat there for a moment, a little bit confused and embarrassed by what was happening his ears twitching all the while. He had not been treated like that since he left home after harsh lessons. But he decided to let it happen soon as she was trying to help him. When she offered to help him recover, he would agree. “I would really appreciate that after all, I wouldn’t have made it this far if I didn't have you around. “He said what a genuine look on his face as he looked up at her.

MageMantis Noble Scion

 

[Gummy Worm]

The goat chuckled a bit at the wolfman's question. "Im more here to be of help." he said with a shrug, "I knew I wouldn't be much good in a fight but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to heal those who are out for a greater cause!" he said leaning against the wall "That Aetherspark could change the world!! That wish could end all the pain and suffering ever! People could live happy healthy lives!" he said clearly very passionate about this subject. the blue mantis cut him off "Thank you" he said as Dio climbed back onto his shoulder.

"They are waiting for us," he said to the group before giggling a bit "He wants you to name him now," he said to Korro as he reached into his bag, The goat pulled out a long silver dagger, hooking it to his waist. The goat did not want to use it but if push came to shove he would.

SilverFlight MageMantis

 

[SilverFlight]

"Heal those out for a greater cause..." Korro echoed. He listened to Denver's earnest and pure motivation. He had never heard anything like it.
It was only after a moment that Korro realized he was the one staring now. This little goat was...remarkable. He looked away quickly, trying not to seem too embarrassed. The blue mantis helped save his pride.
"Right, name." Korro considered what Denver had named the first creature...Diorite. Then he examined the other's pretty blue accents.
"Well then, how do you like...Kyanite? I will call you Ky for short."

Korro rose with the creature perched on his arm, and transferred it to his shoulder.
He took in the information the insect had given.

"Kanon, I suggest we split into five teams, one for each of these power cells, and the last for the entomancer himself. We should put most on defence, we only need one good shot at each cell to make it unusable...I hope. Once the legions are in disarray, the teams will converge with the fifth group to end our foe for good."
Korro did not believe for an instant that this would go smoothly, but, splitting the entomancer's attention might be the best chance they got, so, it was the best advice he could give.

He glanced back at Denver, something of a protective look in his eyes now. "Are you ready?"

Gummy Worm MageMantis Fangs9090

Stern LuLuLu Noble Scion LustrousFox

 

[Fangs9090]

Kanon looked to Korro, considering his idea. “Hm… I hesitate to divide us, but that may be best. Take out multiple targets in quick succession before the rest can be fortified. Hopefully he won’t be able to focus on all groups at once.” She nodded before looking at the rest of the group. “Right then. Everyone needs to decide what they would be best at. Take out the cells, ideally from a distance, hold the entomancer’s attention, or support one of the other groups.”

 

[Gummy Worm]

Denver took a deep breath as he nervously pulled himself up. finally able to stand without fatigue "Yes...I'm ready" he said with a smile looking up at Korro. Denver would stay close to the wolf to provide any aid, since he wasn't much of a fighter. Denver had his small dagger in hand, although he hoped that it would not be used. he looked around at the group and smiled, there were plenty here even after all the others that had been lost.

SilverFlight

 

[Noble Scion]

Aaliyah Sh'ahn

Spoiler: Cloak

"Oh! thank you Lady Lena!" The sea princess would chirp back as she'd take a moment away from patting the half-elf's head to grab the concoction in her hands, though from under the hood, her face would flicker with uncertainty, primarily at the 'explosive' aspect of what she was holding on to. While she had faith in the alchemist's abilities, she was more than a little worried she might crack it and end up being on the recieving end of the detonation. So, putting in the safest place she could think of, her hand would disappear under the cloak, rise up to her chest, before returning to her side, now potion-less, blushing slightly as she'd be thankful for her cloak.

Aaliyah smugness at getting to be helpful was almost palpable as she'd take Warren's hands in her own and repeat the process she'd done with both Lena and Denver, apparently quite used to the physical contact aspect. It was apparent she'd trained the skill quite extensively, especially to someone proficient in magic like Warren. Its activation was instant, its effect was immediate, and Aaliyah herself didn't seem drained by it at all, aside from her sudden need to gulp down water returning as she'd sip away at her canteen.

"I am thankful to be in your care, sir Warren" She'd hum right back at him, radiating warmth as she'd wear her heart on her sleeve, though that ray of sunshine would disappear as Korro and Kanon would suggest splitting up the ground, worry flooding the sahagin's face. She almost wished she could stay here in safety, yet safety on her own didn't seem very safe at all.

So, shuffling closer to Warren as her head would droop, she'd wait for them to once again set off, Akila's words of betrayal all but forgotten as she'd decide to put her faith in the alchemist and her apprentice.

Stern LuLuLu MageMantis